STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE BILL 960	By:	Crain

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to railroads; amending 66 O.S. 2011, Section 323.1, which relates to Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail Development Task Force; re-creating the Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail Development Task Force; modifying expiration of task force; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     66 O.S. 2011, Section 323.1, is amended to read as follows:
Section 323.1.  A.  There is hereby created the Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail Development Task Force.  The purpose of the task force is to study and develop a comprehensive plan for expanding conventional passenger rail service as well as high speed passenger rail service from Tulsa to Oklahoma City via public-private partnership formulas that include Department of Transportation grants and state funding allocations in conjunction with private asset contribution.  Such The review shall include, but not be limited to, any previous national, state or local public or private study of this project in any form.
B.  The Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail Development Task Force shall be composed of the following seventeen (17) members:
1.  The Governor or designee;
2.  The Lieutenant Governor or designee;
3.  Two members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
4.  Two members of the Oklahoma State Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
5.  The Director of the Department of Transportation or designee;
6.  The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce or designee;
7.  The Director of the Corporation Commission or designee;
8.  The Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality or designee;
9.  The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department or designee;
10.  Members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
a.	one citizen residing in and representing the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau,
b.	one citizen residing in and representing the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, and
c.	one citizen residing in and representing the area between Oklahoma City and Tulsa; and
11.  Members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:
a.	one citizen residing in and representing the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau,
b.	one citizen residing in and representing the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, and
c.	one citizen residing in and representing the area between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
C.  The task force shall conduct an organizational meeting no later than ninety (90) days after the sine die adjournment of the 1st Regular Session of the 53rd 54th Oklahoma Legislature.
D.  The chair of the task force shall be chosen by a majority vote of the members of the task force present at the organizational meeting required by subsection C of this section.
E.  Any vacancy in the appointments made pursuant to paragraphs 10 and 11 of subsection B of this section shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
F.  A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Each member shall be entitled to one vote on the task force.  Any official action of the task force must have a majority of the votes of the members present.
G.  Each member of the task force shall serve without compensation.
H.  Staff support for the task force shall be provided by the Department of Transportation.  Entities of state government having information that would be helpful to the task force shall provide such assistance and information to the task force as may be required.
I.  The Department of Transportation is directed to compile data the Department of Transportation possesses regarding the purpose of this task force.  The data shall include, but not be limited to, any information, reports, studies or research that might assist in fulfilling the purpose of the task force.  The Department of Transportation shall compile this data and report to the task force on or before October 1, 2011 2013.
J.  The task force shall submit a final report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before December 31, 2012 2014, regarding the findings and recommendations of the task force.
K.  The task force shall cease to have any authority to take any official action after January 1, 2013 2015, and shall be dissolved by operation of law on February 1, 2013 2015.
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.

54-1-584	JD	1/17/2013 5:02:18 PM