STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE BILL 449	By:	Sparks

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to roads, bridges and ferries; stating legislative findings and declarations relating to financing of public transportation projects; authorizing public and private financing of certain transportation projects; stating procedures for review process; requiring proposal to the Legislature; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

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 1500 of Title 69, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  The Legislature finds and declares that there is a critical need for new and improved infrastructure in every facet of our state's transportation structure, including all types of roads, city, county, state and interstate, and railroads for passengers and freight.  All government entities tasked with the requirement to construct and maintain our transportation systems have stretched their available financial resources to the maximum limit.  These entities have been in a continuous struggle for decades to secure funding necessary to improve and maintain our roads, bridges and railways to a level that assures the citizens and visitors of our state that their safety and welfare is a priority concern of our government.  Upon finding public needs are not currently being satisfied by traditional methods of acquiring, constructing, improving or maintaining our transportation facilities, the Legislature hereby declares its intention to enhance public health, safety, convenience, and welfare and increase residential, agricultural, recreational, economic, commercial and industrial opportunities found in our state by authorizing the various government entities of this state to seek partnerships and coalitions with private entities to develop innovative funding methods that may result in the availability of transportation facilities to the public in a more timely or less costly manner.
B.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to accept proposals for any public transportation project from any person, firm, corporation, coalition or partnership arrangement of public and private entities.  Upon receipt of any such proposals, the Secretary shall undertake a review process of the design concepts, financing, and contracting arrangements.  The Secretary is authorized to establish a review process and may utilize the services of any state agencies or employees as necessary to assist the Secretary in this process.  Upon completion of the review process, if the Secretary determines a proposal to be consistent with the intention of this act and of benefit to the citizens of this state, the Secretary shall submit the proposal, along with a summary of the review process to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The President Pro Tempore and the Speaker shall submit the proposal in the form of a bill to be heard during the next legislative session, in both the House and the Senate, and if approved by each Chamber and the Governor, the proposal shall be declared to be in the public interest and the project shall be deemed approved and subject to all procedures and requirements as otherwise provided by law.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2013.

54-1-1053	JD	1/15/2013 3:03:41 PM