STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 604	By:	Fields

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to business development; creating the Oklahoma Business Resource Team; identifying membership of certain team; creating certain position in the Oklahoma Department of Commerce; stating purpose of certain position; directing appointment of certain position by Governor; requiring consent of Senate for certain appointment; providing for salary; making certain employment at will and coterminous with Governor’s term; providing funding and support staff; authorizing state agencies to provide certain staff; directing Governor to set certain goals and plan; providing travel reimbursement; providing single point for business contact; stating general purpose of Team; imposing certain duties; creating advisory committee; providing for membership, appointment, travel expenses, term, quorum, voting and meetings; providing for review of goals and identification resources and opportunities; 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 5003.101 of Title 74, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  There is hereby created an Oklahoma Business Resource Team to facilitate business and economic development in this state.  The Team shall consist of the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the President of the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority, the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State Department of Education, the Secretary of State, or their respective designees, and an Executive Director.  An Executive Director position is hereby created in the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to coordinate and administer the duties and responsibilities relating to the Oklahoma Business Resource Team.  The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.  The salary of the Executive Director shall be set by the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce within a salary range for positions of similar responsibilities as established by the Office of Personnel Management, and shall be paid from the available funds of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.  The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Business Resource Team shall be employed at-will and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor for a term coterminous with that of the Governor.  Funding for the Oklahoma Business Resource Team activities, functions and duties shall come from available monies or appropriations made to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.  The Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall provide appropriate support staff from existing staff to assist the Oklahoma Business Resource Team, and its Executive Director, to carry out its activities, duties and responsibilities.  All state agencies designated as part of the Oklahoma Business Resource Team, or participating with the activities of the Oklahoma Business Resource Team at any time, may provide support staff from their respective agency’s existing staff as necessary and appropriate to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the project or Team.  The Governor shall direct the overall goals, objectives and duties of the Oklahoma Business Resource Team by developing short-term and long-term goals in a state business development plan.  All Team members shall receive travel reimbursement from their respective employer or position as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
B.  The Oklahoma Business Resource Team through its Executive Director shall create a simplified, coordinated single point of contact within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to proactively assist businesses that express an interest in relocating to Oklahoma or have an interest in expanding their business or remaining in Oklahoma.
C.  The general purpose of the Oklahoma Business Resource Team shall be to create, promote, attract, expand, and retain jobs within the state through business development and to coordinate state and local efforts and resources to attract new businesses to relocate to this state.
D.  The Oklahoma Business Resource Team shall coordinate available state resources to simplify the delivery process necessary to attract and retain businesses within the state.
E.  Simplification and coordination of available state resources shall include, but shall not be limited to:
1.  Creating a single point of contact to guide businesses;
2.  Offering information services to businesses regarding available assistance;
3.  Presenting a comprehensive business incentive proposal package;
4.  Streamlining the application processes for business incentive programs;
5.  Simplifying the licensing and permitting process based on the business activity being conducted; and
6.  Conducting a proactive outreach to businesses and municipalities.
F.  There is hereby created a seven-member advisory committee to assist the Oklahoma Business Resource Team, and its Executive Director, in meeting the goals and objectives set by the Governor.  The members of the advisory committee shall be selected and appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member.  The membership shall include persons who are employed by or who represent the interests of the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, the University Multi Spectral Laboratories in Ponca City, the State Chamber of Commerce, the University of Tulsa, and the State Bankers Association.  All advisory committee members shall serve at the pleasure of the Lieutenant Governor for a term coterminous with the Lieutenant Governor.  Members shall receive travel reimbursement from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, or if a member is a state employee, reimbursement shall be paid from the member’s respective employing state agency.  Members of the advisory committee shall each have one vote and four members shall constitute a quorum for purposes of transaction of official business.  The advisory committee shall meet at least four times per year and shall review the Governor's goals and objectives and advise the Oklahoma Business Resource Team, and its Executive Director, on methods to accomplish the goals, and may further recommend and identify available resources and potential opportunities to further the overall purposes, goals and objectives of the Oklahoma Business Resource Team for business development in this state.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2012.

53-1-141	NP	1/19/2011 3:28:44 PM