Oklahoma SB 196: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code; modifying powers and duties of the Wildlife Conservation Commission. Effective date.

Bill Text

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ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 196 By: Bergstrom of the Senate

and

Steagall of the House

An Act relating to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
Code; amending 29 O.S. 2021, Section 3-103, which
relates to function, powers, and duties of the
Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission; removing
affirmative action plan requirement; amending 29 O.S.
2021, Section 3-105, which relates to powers and
duties of the Director of Wildlife Conservation;
removing power of Director to make a complaint and
cause proceedings against a person; updating
statutory language; making language gender neutral;
and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 29 O.S. 2021, Section 3-103, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3-103. A. The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
Commission shall constitute an advisory, administrative and
policymaking board for the protection, restoration, perpetuation,
conservation, supervision, maintenance, enhancement, and management
of wildlife in this state as provided in the Oklahoma Wildlife
Conservation Code.
B. The Director of Wildlife Conservation shall consult with the
Commission regarding the administration of the affairs of the

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Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission is authorized
and empowered to require from the Director complete reports and
information relative to the affairs of the Department at the time
and in the manner the Commission may deem advisable.
C. The Commission shall meet in regular session at least nine
times per year not to exceed one meeting per month with not more
than two consecutive calendar months between meetings and in special
sessions as may be called by the Chair or a majority of the
Commission. The Commission may hold any regular or special session
at any location within this state. Should a location be chosen
other than Commission headquarters in Oklahoma City for a regular or
special meeting, notice shall be posted at Commission headquarters
in Oklahoma City and advertised in the local newspaper of the city
in which the meeting is to be held, at least one time during each of
the two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. The advertisements shall
include time, date, and address of location of the meeting.
D. In addition to the other powers and duties prescribed by
law, the Commission shall:
1. Institute an affirmative action plan for hiring women and
minorities throughout the agency;
2. Elect a chair, vice-chair vice chair, and secretary, who
shall perform the duties required of them by statutes, rules of the
Commission, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma. The

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chair, vice-chair vice chair, and secretary shall receive no extra
compensation;
3. 2. Appoint a Director, and determine the qualifications of
the Director and all assistants and employees. A Commissioner shall
not be eligible for employment in any position within the
Department;
4. 3. Prescribe rules and policies for the transaction of its
business and the control of the Department;
5. 4. Develop and implement a plan to provide step raises for
Commission employees so that discrepancies of pay levels within a
pay grade are eliminated;
6. 5. Acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or devise, waters, real
property, and personal property incident to the exercise of its
functions and to maintain, operate, and dispose of the same;
7. 6. Acquire real property by condemnation only when the
Attorney General or other counsel deems it an appropriate means of
clearing title from willing or unavailable sellers;
8. 7. Supervise the establishment, extension, improvement, and
operation of the wildlife refuges, propagation areas or stations,
public hunting areas, public fishing areas, game management areas,
and fish hatcheries;
9. 8. Prescribe the manner of cooperation with the Oklahoma
Tourism and Recreation Department, colleges and universities within
the state, other state agencies, any agency of the federal

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government, and any city, town, school district, or any other agency
or organization in study of conservation and propagation of wildlife
and in the establishment, maintenance, and operation of visual
educational facilities, recreational facilities, and hunting and
fishing facilities, in the study and propagation of wildlife;
10. 9. Supervise the letting of all contracts and purchases for
the Department, with all purchases of personal property to be made
through the Office of Management and Enterprise Services;
11. 10. Authorize all claims or expenditures prior to incurring
payment except as otherwise provided in this Code;
12. 11. Prescribe rules on the use of Department-owned vehicles
by the Dir