STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE BILL 317	By:	Crain

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to higher education; creating a task force to study the establishment of a doctorate nursing program at Langston University; providing expiration date; setting the duties of the task force; providing for membership of the task force; providing for the naming of chair; providing for quorum of the task force; subjecting meetings to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act; providing for travel reimbursement; requiring certain report; providing for noncodification; providing an effective date; and declaring an 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 until January 1, 2014, a task force to study the establishment of a doctorate nursing program at Langston University.  The task force shall examine the need for a doctorate nursing program within the State of Oklahoma and the capital and operational requirements necessary for Langston University to develop and maintain a doctorate nursing program.
B.  The task force shall be comprised of seven (7) members as follows:
1.  A representative from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing;
2.  A representative from the Oklahoma Nurses Association;
3.  A representative from the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges;
4.  A representative from Langston University;
5.  A senator representing Tulsa County;
6.  The chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, who shall serve as chair of the task force; and
7.  The chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.
C.  A quorum of the task force shall be required to approve any final action of the task force.  For purposes of this section, four members shall constitute a quorum.
D.  The task force may meet as often as may be required in order to perform the duties imposed upon it.
E.  The meetings of the task force shall be subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
F.  Members of the task force shall receive no compensation for serving on the task force but shall receive travel reimbursement as follows:
1.  State employees who are members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by their respective agencies in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act; and
2.  Legislative members shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
G.  Staff support shall be provided by the entities represented on the task force and the State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
H.  The task force shall submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2013.
SECTION 3.  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.

54-1-983	EB	1/14/2013 2:00:57 PM