STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 52nd Legislature (2009)

SENATE BILL 425	By:	Johnson (Constance)

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to roads, bridges and ferries; designating the Oklahoma Department of Transportation as the agency to implement the Safe Routes to Schools program; stating purpose; stating duties; authorizing Director to appoint certain advisory committee; prohibiting compensation for certain members; authorizing Department to promulgate rules; creating revolving fund; providing for codification; 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 to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 4036 of Title 69, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  The Oklahoma Department of Transportation shall establish and implement the Safe Routes to Schools program, a federally funded program with the goal of increasing physical activity in school-aged children by increasing the number of children walking and bicycling to school.
B.  The Department may apply for, accept, receive and disburse gifts, grants, donations and other monies from the federal government or from any other public or private source to implement the provisions of this act.  Monies received by the Department for such purposes shall be deposited in the Safe Routes to Schools Revolving Fund created in Section 2 of this act.
C.  The Director of the Department shall appoint a Safe Routes to Schools Advisory Committee, which shall consist of any number of persons the Director deems appropriate.  Members appointed to serve on such committee shall not be eligible for compensation for such service; provided, however, public employees may be eligible to serve on the committee as part of their duties.
D.  The Department, in consultation with the Safe Routes to Schools Advisory Committee, shall establish a safe routes to schools program to assist communities in identifying and reducing barriers and hazards to children walking or bicycling to and from school.  The Department may provide the following types of assistance:
1.  Grants;
2.  Technical services and advice;
3.  Public information and education; and
4.  Evaluation and measurement of community programs.
E.  The Department is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 4037 of Title 69, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to be designated the “Oklahoma Safe Routes to Schools Revolving Fund”.  The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the Department from any public or private sources authorized by law.  All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Department for the purpose of implementing the federal Safe Routes to School program.  Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of State Finance for approval and payment.
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2009.
SECTION 4.  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.

52-1-119	MJM	1/7/2009 10:03:24 AM