ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 1585	By:	Simpson and Shortey of the Senate

			and

		Hardin of the House

An Act relating to soldiers and sailors; amending 72 O.S. 2011, Sections 63.1, 63.2, as amended by Section 1 of Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1636 of the 2nd Session of the 54th Oklahoma Legislature, 63.5, 63.6, 63.7, 63.8, 63.10, 63.11, 63.12, 63.13, 63.14, 63.15, 63.16, as amended by Section 647, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012, 63.17, 63.20, 63.21, 65.1, as amended by Section 649, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012, 67.13, as amended by Section 650, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012, 203, 221, 222, as amended by Section 653, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012, 223, as amended by Section 654, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012, and 225 (72 O.S. Supp. 2013, Sections 63.16, 65.1, 67.13, 222 and 223), which relate to the War Veterans Commission of Oklahoma; renaming Commission; updating reference; amending 74 O.S. 2011, Section 77d, as amended by Section 727, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012 (74 O.S. Supp. 2013, Section 77d), which relates to the War Veterans Commission of Oklahoma; updating reference; making language gender neutral; updating language; and providing an effective date.

SUBJECT:  Oklahoma Veterans Commission

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.1, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.1.  There is hereby created the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, which shall be a cabinet-level department pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.3 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  The Department shall consist of a departmental headquarters and such Veterans Centers as are operated by the Department.  The Department shall be administered under such rules, regulations and policies as may be prescribed by the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission.  All reference in any law of this state referring to or naming the Soldiers Relief Commission shall be construed to refer to and name the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma.

SECTION 2.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.2, as amended by Section 1 of Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1636 of the 2nd Session of the 54th Oklahoma Legislature, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.2.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma shall consist of nine (9) members.  Members shall be honorably discharged veterans of any war or conflict in which the United States participated as a belligerent provided three of the members shall be veterans of the Vietnam Conflict.  The members shall be selected in the following manner:  The state executive board or committees of the veterans' organizations in Oklahoma who have had accredited representatives at the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Oklahoma for at least ten (10) previous consecutive years shall each submit to the Governor of Oklahoma a list of ten persons qualified to serve as members of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma.  The list shall be submitted to the Governor not later than one (1) month prior to the expiration of the terms of office of the members of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission.  The Governor shall name four members of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission from lists submitted by the American Legion, three members of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission from the lists submitted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and two members of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission from lists submitted by the Disabled American Veterans.  Provided, that only those veterans' organizations recognized to present claims before the Veterans Administration, or its successor, and maintaining a headquarters within the State of Oklahoma shall be eligible to submit a list of names to the Governor as provided above.

The executive officer of each veterans' organization operating within the State of Oklahoma shall, on or before January 1 of the year in which the organization's appointee's term expires, submit to the Secretary of State, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a copy of the performance audit and the financial audit of the organization for the immediately preceding fiscal year of the organization.  Such audits shall be conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and shall clearly show the total paid membership of the organization and shall be certified to by a certified public accountant.  Failure to comply with this section shall render the organization ineligible to submit a nominee to the Governor.  The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate.  Each organization qualifying for membership on the Oklahoma State War Veterans Commission shall submit a list of ten names to the Governor to choose from when a vacancy on the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission occurs.

Before any member appointed as provided herein shall enter upon his or her duties as a member of the Commission, he or she shall take and subscribe to the oath of office as required by the Constitution of this state.

Present members of the Commission shall continue in office until the expiration of their terms and until their successors are appointed and enter upon the duties of their offices.  Appointments shall be made for a three-year period.  Any vacancy on the Commission resulting from any cause shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder of the term as provided in this section.

SECTION 3.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.5, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.5.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission is hereby authorized to make collections from eligible patients and members for care and maintenance.  Payments shall be established in the following manner:

1.  All sources of personal income, except wages of a working spouse, except as provided in this section, shall be considered when computing care and maintenance charges, including pensions and awards for aid and attendance from the Veterans Administration;

2.  Care and maintenance charges shall be computed in a manner to maximize the Veterans Administration pension and compensation benefits to which the veteran is entitled and shall allow a veteran to retain not less than One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per month of total monthly income;

3.  The care and maintenance charge shall not exceed the full cost of care minus the Veterans Administration per diem payment;

4.  Spouses, widows and widowers of eligible war veterans are authorized to be admitted and maintained in the Oklahoma veterans centers.  The facilities admitting and maintaining spouses, widows and widowers shall make collections from said spouses, widows and widowers first and to the fullest extent from sources of income other than pension and compensation paid by the Veterans Administration; and

5.  The claim of the state for such care and maintenance shall constitute a valid indebtedness against any such patient or member and his the patient's estate and shall not be barred by any statute of limitations except as otherwise allowed by the Oklahoma Indigent Health Care Act.  At the death of the patient or member, this claim shall be allowed and paid as other lawful claims against the estate.  Provided, no admission or detention of a patient in an Oklahoma veterans center shall be limited or conditioned in any manner by the lack of ability to pay of a patient or member, his the patient's estate, or any relative of the patient or member.  Any monies collected by the provisions of this section shall be deposited in the Department of Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund.

SECTION 4.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.6, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.6.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma is hereby authorized and empowered to provide workers' compensation insurance for all guards, motor vehicle operators, maintenance personnel, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and attendants employed by the institutions included in the Oklahoma State War Veterans Home Facilities.

SECTION 5.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.7, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.7.  No funds shall be expended for the employment or salary of any administrative personnel not under the provisions of the State Merit System of Personnel Administration, at any facility under the direct supervision and jurisdiction of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma, unless honorably discharged veterans were given priority consideration.

SECTION 6.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.8, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.8.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma shall have the authority to administer the affairs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to enter into agreements with the State Department of Rehabilitation Services for the vocational rehabilitation of disabled veterans in the Oklahoma State Veterans Centers.  The Commission shall act as the funding agency for the State Accrediting Agency and provide office space for the staff of the agency.  The State Accrediting Agency shall pay to the Commission their pro rata share of utilities and telephone service.

SECTION 7.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.10, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.10.  A.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is hereby authorized to establish within said Department or within any of the institutions operated by the Department training programs to train necessary personnel for the Department or its institutions, or may arrange for said programs with any public school or institution within this state having available facilities for said training. Funds of the Department or its institutions may be used to pay salaries or tuition and subsistence for employees or prospective employees in said training programs, pursuant to the provisions of subsection B of this section.

B.  Any employee or prospective employee who, while receiving such training is paid a salary, or for whom tuition and subsistence are furnished shall enter into a contract with the Department prior to receiving any payment for salary, tuition, or subsistence.  Said The contract shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma and shall include a stipulation that, unless the employee or prospective employee continues in the employ of the Department for a period equivalent to the length of the training, said the employee or prospective employee shall reimburse the Department or institution for the amount of money paid to or for him or her by the Department during said the training period.

SECTION 8.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.11, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.11.  A.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma shall furnish an Oklahoma state flag to drape the casket of each Oklahoma National Guard member or Oklahoma peace officer, as defined in Section 3311 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, who dies in the line of duty, unless said the member or officer is otherwise entitled to a United States flag.  Said The state flag shall be a service benefit of each Oklahoma National Guard member and Oklahoma peace officer.

B.  After burial of the deceased Oklahoma National Guard member or Oklahoma peace officer, the flag so furnished shall be given to his or her next of kin.  If no claim is made by the next of kin, the flag may be given to a close friend or associate of the deceased upon request by such friend or associate to the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma.  If the flag is given to a close friend or associate of the deceased, no flag shall be given to any other person on account of the death of the Oklahoma National Guard member or Oklahoma peace officer.

SECTION 9.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.12, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.12.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, acting by and through the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission, shall be authorized to enter into lease and/or loan agreements with local public trusts operating in and around any proposed facilities of the Department for the purpose of obtaining financing for the acquisition, construction, additions to or improvement of hospital or health care facilities operated by the Department whether existing or to be acquired.

SECTION 10.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.13, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.13.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, acting by and through the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission, in conjunction with the local public trust may:

1.  Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers pursuant to the provisions of this act, and particularly without limiting the generality of this section, to make and enter into contracts and agreements with the separate instrumentalities, departments and agencies of the State of Oklahoma and/or federal government, in order to effectuate the financing of the hospital and health care facilities;

2.  Employ legal counsel, and contract for investment and trustee banking services, and credit support or enhancements, as may be necessary in the judgment of the local public trust, and to fix the fees, charges and compensation therefor; provided, that all such fees and expenses shall be payable solely from the proceeds of the bonds, or any investment earnings thereon, issued pursuant to the provisions of this and/or any other legally available source;

3.  Do all things necessary or convenient to implement the powers expressly granted pursuant to the provisions of this act.

SECTION 11.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.14, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.14.  The bonds issued by the local public trust, working in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, acting by and through the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission, shall be payable from the following:

1.  Fees, charges and payments, including any federal subsidies, grants or contributions, received in respect to providing health care to veteran patients at such facilities acquired, constructed and equipped with the proceeds of said bonds;

2.  Appropriations made in any fiscal year to the Department of Veterans Affairs for defraying costs associated with said facilities; and

3.  Any other legally available source.

SECTION 12.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.15, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.15.  The Department of Veterans Affairs, acting by and through the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission, is directed to cooperate with local public trusts, either existing or to be formed, and to enter into all requisite agreements and contracts in order to issue bonds for the purposes prescribed herein.

SECTION 13.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.16, as amended by Section 647, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012 (72 O.S. Supp. 2013, Section 63.16), is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.16.  A.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs shall not, either in conjunction with the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma or any other state agency, board or commission or in conjunction with any public trust, issue or cause to be issued by a public trust any bond or other evidence of indebtedness after July 1, 2008.

B.  Except as required for purposes of refinancing or refunding an existing issue of indebtedness, from and after July 1, 2008, neither the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs nor the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma shall be authorized to enter into agreements with public trusts in connection with an issuance of evidence of indebtedness by such public trusts.

C.  No provision of this section shall affect the obligations incurred or agreements entered into by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs or the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma with any public trust if such obligations were incurred or agreements were entered into or are year to year continuations of agreements or leases entered into prior to June 25, 1986.  No provision of this section shall be construed as a limitation on the authority of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs or the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma to enter into other agreements not prohibited by this section.

D.  There is hereby created in the State Treasury a trust fund for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated the "Department of Veterans Affairs Trust Fund".  The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies authorized for expenditure as provided by this section.  All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of retiring indebtedness evidenced by bonds, whether such bonds are part of an original issue or part of a refunding issue, in the manner prescribed by this section.  Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.

E.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs shall make deposits into the Department of Veterans Affairs Trust Fund established by this section from the Department of Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund, and from such other monies as may be lawfully expended for the purposes specified by this section.

F.  For all fiscal years in which an outstanding balance of bonded indebtedness exists which the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs has caused to be issued through agreements with public trusts, the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs shall at or prior to the end of each fiscal year quarter make money deposits in the Department of Veterans Affairs Trust Fund in amounts sufficient to meet three (3) months' debt service on any public trust bonded indebtedness which the Department has caused to be issued.  The Department of Veterans Affairs Trust Fund deposits required by this subsection shall be from any funds available to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs which may be legally expended for the purposes specified by this section.  However, a minimum of an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Work Program for the applicable fiscal year must be transferred from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund and included in the total deposits required in each fiscal year.

G.  Payments from the fund established pursuant to subsection D of this section shall be made by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs only upon the authorization of the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma.

H.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is hereby authorized to deposit in the fund created in subsection D of this section all federal grant monies which it receives in conjunction with projects which it has caused to be financed through revenue bonds issued by public trusts.

SECTION 14.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.17, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.17.  Except as otherwise provided by Section 63.16 of this title, unless the Department of Veterans Affairs Trust Fund contains the minimum amount required by Section 63.1 et seq. of this title, the Department of Veterans Affairs, whether acting through the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission or any other entity, shall not be authorized to expend any appropriated monies or monies in any revolving fund for any capital project, unless such capital project:

1.  Has been undertaken as of June 25, 1986, or unless the project is included in the approved fiscal year 1986 Budget Work Program for the Department of Veterans Affairs;

2.  Is required for repairs of an emergency nature; or

3.  Is required to proceed with the development of a new Oklahoma Veterans Center facility at Lawton, Oklahoma, pursuant to Section 1 221.2A of this act title.

SECTION 15.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.20, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.20.  All proceeds derived from the use, sale or lease of properties under the control of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission shall be deposited in the Capital Improvement Program Revolving Fund created by Section 63.19 of this title to be expended according to law.

SECTION 16.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 63.21, is amended to read as follows:

Section 63.21.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma is authorized to provide meals to certified volunteers for services rendered in all facilities operated under the control of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma.

SECTION 17.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 65.1, as amended by Section 649, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012 (72 O.S. Supp. 2013, Section 65.1), is amended to read as follows:

Section 65.1.  A.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs shall be required to proceed with construction projects at veterans centers under the control of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma from funds designated for these purposes.

B.  Projects shall be constructed in the order designated by United States Department of Veterans Affairs priorities.

C.  Federal matching funds received for these projects shall continue to be deposited in the federal matching fund designated for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs by the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and shall be considered as available funds for projects, unless otherwise encumbered.

SECTION 18.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 67.13, as amended by Section 650, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012 (72 O.S. Supp. 2013, Section 67.13), is amended to read as follows:

Section 67.13.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma shall have authority to make expenditures or loans from the W.V.C. Revolving Fund for emergency financial aid in the maintenance or support of honorably discharged war veterans or their spouses or surviving spouses who have been legal residents of this state for a period of one (1) year next preceding application for these benefits.  Payments may be made from this fund by the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission upon warrants drawn by the State Treasurer on claims approved by the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to the guidelines of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.  At the time of approval of claims, the Director shall certify that such payments meet criteria established by regulations promulgated by the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma.

SECTION 19.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 67.14, is amended to read as follows:

Section 67.14.  There is hereby created a "Petty Cash Fund" for the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission.  The balance in said the fund shall never exceed the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) which may be expended for the purposes set forth in Section 67.13 of this title, when the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission shall determine that the situation of the applicant is so urgent as to require immediate financial aid.  Provided that said the "Petty Cash Fund" may be reimbursed by the State Treasurer upon the filing of the claim assigned to the "W.V.C. Petty Cash Fund", for the amount disbursed.  The reimbursement shall be made from the "W.V.C. Revolving Fund".  Further provided that if the emergency assistance allowed by this section be made in the form of a loan to the applicant, the applicant's repayment of the loan shall be remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit to the credit of the W.V.C. Revolving Fund in the State Treasury.

SECTION 20.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 203, is amended to read as follows:

Section 203.  All real estate, buildings, furniture, equipment, livestock and other property that have been or that are now owned or held by the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Confederate Home or by the Southern Oklahoma Hospital, or by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma for the Southern Oklahoma Hospital, are hereby transferred to and placed under the management and control of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma for the use of the Oklahoma Veterans Home; and the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma shall, not later than ten (10) days after this act becomes effective, deliver a complete inventory of all such property to the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma which shall, upon verification of such inventory by an actual inspection of the property listed therein, acknowledge receipt and delivery of such property.

SECTION 21.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 221, is amended to read as follows:

Section 221.  There is hereby established at Sulphur, Oklahoma, on the site of the Oklahoma State Veterans Hospital, and at Ardmore, Oklahoma, on the site of the Oklahoma State Veterans Home Facilities, and at Norman, Oklahoma, on the site of the Veterans Ward of the Griffin Memorial Hospital, further described as follows:

Starting at the Southeast corner of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section twenty-nine (29), Township nine (9) North, Range two (2) West, of the Indian Meridian; thence North seventeen hundred (1700) feet to a point on the East boundary of Section twenty-nine (29), Township nine (9) North, Range two (2) West; thence West six hundred (600) feet; thence South eight hundred fifty (850) feet; thence West three hundred twenty-five (325) feet; thence South four hundred (400) feet; thence in a Southwest direction five hundred forty (540) feet to a point on the South boundary of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section twenty-nine (29), Township nine (9) North, Range two (2) West of the Indian Meridian; thence East a distance of one thousand two hundred twenty-three (1,223) feet to the point of beginning;

facilities to be known as the Oklahoma Veterans Centers (for the purpose of securing special treatment or hospitalization the adjoining facilities of Griffin Memorial Hospital shall be considered an integral part of the Oklahoma Veterans Centers at Norman, and may be utilized to care for eligible veterans), which shall be available for care of war veterans discharged other than under dishonorable conditions.  Further provided such centers shall be under the administration and control of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma.

SECTION 22.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 222, as amended by Section 653, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012 (72 O.S. Supp. 2013, Section 222), is amended to read as follows:

Section 222.  A.  There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to be known as the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund.  The revolving fund shall consist of all funds and monies received by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, its constituent institutions, and/or, the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma, from any gifts, contributions, bequests, individual reimbursements except as otherwise provided by law, and other sources of revenue, for the care or support of war veterans discharged other than under dishonorable conditions, who have been admitted and cared for at the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Centers, at Ardmore, Claremore, Clinton, Lawton/Ft. Sill, Norman, Sulphur or Talihina.  Provided no grants-in-aid, reimbursements, or other revenue from the United States government or any instrumentality of the United States government shall be deposited in the fund.  Provided further, nothing contained herein prohibits the establishment and utilization of special agency accounts by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and its constituent institutions, as may be approved by the Special Agency Account Board, for receipt and disbursement of the personal funds of Veteran Center patients and members and/or for receipt and disbursement of charitable contributions and donations for use by and for patients and members.

B.  The revolving fund herein created shall be used by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for the care of war veterans discharged other than under dishonorable conditions, in  Veterans Centers, to pay the general operating expenses of the Veterans Centers, including the payment of salaries and wages of officials and employees, to pay for the employee safety programs and incentive awards provided for in Section 63.10a of this title, and to remodel, repair, construct, build additions, modernize, or add improvements of domiciliary or hospital buildings necessary for the care of veterans, including tuberculosis, mentally ill or neuropsychiatric patients, but not excluding others; and architectural plans, specifications, or other costs pertinent thereto.

C.  The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs may transfer monies from the revolving fund created in this section to the W.V.C. Revolving Fund in the State Treasury.

D.  All expenditures from said the revolving fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer based upon claims approved by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, as provided by law, and filed with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.

SECTION 23.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 223, as amended by Section 654, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012 (72 O.S. Supp. 2013, Section 223), is amended to read as follows:

Section 223.  A.  The State of Oklahoma accepts the provisions of the Act of Congress of August 27, 1888, as amended, 1934 Edition U.S. Code, Title 24, Section 134, and of any other federal law or Act of Congress providing for the payment of funds to states for the care of, or support of, disabled soldiers and sailors in state homes, and it shall be the duty of the War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma to obtain such federal aid and assistance as is available under the aforenamed Act of Congress, or otherwise.  All such funds received from the United States or any federal agency, for such care, shall be deposited in a federal fund created by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services as provided by law.

B.  All Oklahoma veterans nursing facilities shall participate in the state veterans homes per diem grant program administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.  Upon approval by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs of a nursing facility to participate in the per diem program, the Oklahoma War Veterans Commission shall issue a license to operate such facility as an Oklahoma veterans home.

SECTION 24.     AMENDATORY     72 O.S. 2011, Section 225, is amended to read as follows:

Section 225.  The War Oklahoma Veterans Commission of Oklahoma, in addition to its other powers and duties as herein provided, shall have the following specific powers and duties which shall, however, not be deemed to be exclusive:  (a) To make necessary rules and regulations not inconsistent with this act Section 221 et seq. of this title for the operation of said the institutions.  (b) To rule upon eligibility of applicant and requirements for admission to the institution.  (c) To appoint all administrative personnel and provide for the employment of all such other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this act Section 221 et seq. of this title and any other duties as may be prescribed by law.  The salaries and tenure of office of all personnel shall be determined by the Commission.  (d) To approve or disapprove all claims or expenditures from such appropriations as may be made to the Commission prior to the payment thereof, except as may be otherwise provided by law.  (e) To enter into agreement or contract with the Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, or other departments of the State of Oklahoma, to provide necessary services to carry out the provisions of this act Section 221 et seq. of this title.  (f) To enter into agreement or contract with the Veterans Administration, or other appropriate federal agency now in existence or hereafter created, to provide necessary services to carry out the provisions of this act; including but not limited to, agreements by which the federal government contributes funds for the construction of buildings in whole or in part.  (g) To contract, as herein provided or as otherwise provided by law, to remodel, construct, repair, build additions, modernize or add improvements necessary for hospitalization and domiciliary care of veteran patients, members, or employee housing, using funds available by law.  (h) To expend necessary sums from funds provided by law, to provide architectural plans, specifications, costs or other information required by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, or other appropriate federal agency, as basis of application for approval to receive federal grant of funds to remodel, repair, construct, build additions, modernize, or added improvements of domiciliary or hospital buildings necessary for the care of veterans, including tuberculosis, mentally ill, and neuro-psychiatric, but not excluding others.

SECTION 25.     AMENDATORY     74 O.S. 2011, Section 77d, as amended by Section 727, Chapter 304, O.S.L. 2012 (74 O.S. Supp. 2013, Section 77d), is amended to read as follows:

Section 77d.  The Office of Management and Enterprise Services is hereby authorized and directed to assign the building located at 2311 North Central, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, formerly occupied by the Materials and Testing Laboratory of the Department of Transportation, to the Oklahoma War Veterans Commission.  Said The Commission shall assign any space not used as office space for its staff and employees to national and state-chartered veterans organizations or their auxiliaries.

SECTION 26.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2014.

Passed the Senate the 25th day of February, 2014.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the 23rd day of April, 2014.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.

	_________________________________
	Governor of the State of Oklahoma

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________