ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 603	By:	Schulz of the Senate

			and

		Blackwell of the House

An Act relating to endangered species; creating the Endangered Species and Economic Development Task Force; providing expiration date; specifying duties; providing for membership; directing selection of chair and vice-chair; requiring quorum; providing for travel reimbursement; providing for staff support; requiring certain report; providing for noncodification; and declaring an emergency.

SUBJECT:  Endangered Species and Economic Development Task Force

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 December 31, 2011, the Endangered Species and Economic Development Task Force to assist agencies in providing policy and technical assistance regarding compliance with endangered species laws.  The task force shall:

1.  Assess the economic impact on the state of federal, state, or local regulations relating to endangered species;

2.  Assist landowners and other persons in this state to identify, evaluate, and implement cost-efficient strategies for mitigation of impacts to and recovery of endangered species that will promote economic growth and development in this state;

3.  Facilitate state agencies and local governmental efforts to effectively implement endangered species regulations in a cost efficient manner;

4.  Make recommendations, if requested by a local government or a state official, addressing endangered species issues; and

5.  Work in coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, institutions of higher education, and agriculture and conservation organizations in performing its functions and duties.

B.  The task force shall be composed of nine (9) members as follows:

1.  One member of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or designee;

2.  One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or designee;

3.  The Secretary of Commerce and Tourism or designee;

4.  The Secretary of Environment or designee;

5.  The Secretary of Agriculture or designee;

6.  The chair of the Corporation Commission or designee;

7.  The State Wildlife Conservation Director or designee;

8.  The Director of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts or designee; and

9.  The Director of the Department of Transportation or designee.

C.  The appointed members of the task force shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

D.  The chair of the task force shall be the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism and the vice-chair shall be selected from the members of the task force.

E.  A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of taking any action.

F.  Staff support of the task force shall be provided by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

G.  The task force shall provide reports as needed on:

1.  Innovative programs to address endangered species issues while promoting economic growth; and

2.  Legislative recommendations to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor by December 31, 2011.

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 9th day of March, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer 	of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the 7th day of April, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives