ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 1325	By:	Crain and Fields of the Senate

			and

		Richardson of the House

[ Water Infrastructure Financing - Water Infrastructure Financing Task Force - noncodification - 		emergency ]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
A.  There is hereby created the Water Infrastructure Financing Task Force.  The purpose of the task force is to study the recommendations made in the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP) for the state's future water infrastructure needs over the next fifty (50) years.  The OCWP financial model predicts infrastructure needs over the total period of fifty (50) years will cost Oklahomans approximately Eighty-seven Billion Dollars ($87,000,000,000.00), provided the predicted rate of inflation remains close to the two and ninety-eight one-hundredths percent (2.98%) used in the study's financial model.  Given the extraordinary financial resources required to meet the future water resource needs of our citizens it is incumbent on this Legislature to begin the process to address those needs in a timely manner to protect the health, safety and welfare of all Oklahomans.
B.  Within sixty (60) days following the effective date of this act, the members of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
1.  The Governor shall appoint five members;
2.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint five members of the Senate; and
3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint five members of the House of Representatives.
Members shall serve without compensation but shall be eligible to receive travel reimbursement from their appointing authorities for necessary travel pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Travel Reimbursement Act.  Legislators serving on the task force shall receive travel reimburse as provided in Section 456.3 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Staffing and administrative functions for the task force shall be provided by the Senate and House of Representatives staff as the membership directs.
The Governor shall convene the first meeting of the task force and the members shall determine an appropriate meeting schedule for future meetings.  The members shall elect a chair who will serve as the presiding officer during meetings and perform administrative functions for the task force.  Vacancies occurring on the task force shall be filled within thirty (30) days by the original appointing authority.
The task force shall adopt, by majority vote, legislative  recommendations to address future water infrastructure needs to be reported to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
C.  The chair of task force shall deliver a report, as directed by this section, no later than December 31, 2012.  Activities of the task force will be terminated by December 31, 2012.
SECTION 2.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the Senate the 28th day of February, 2012.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2012.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives