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1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
2
3 SENATE BILL 1476 By: Rader
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to Commissioners of the Land Office;
7 amending 64 O.S. 2021, Sections 1002, 1002A, 1003,
8 1004, 1006, 1007, 1010, 1011, 1013, as amended by
8 Section 40, Chapter 228, O.S.L. 2022, 1022, 1023, as
9 amended by Section 1, Chapter 360, O.S.L. 2025, 1034,
9 1047, 1052, 1053, 1055, 1056, 1063, 1069, 1071, 1086,
10 1089, and 1, Chapter 429, O.S.L. 2024 (64 O.S. Supp.
10 2025, Sections 1013, 1023, and 1096), which relate to
11 the Commissioners of the Land Office Modernization
11 Act; modifying the powers and authority of the
12 Commissioners; allowing, rather than requiring, the
12 Commissioners to exchange land for certain
13 properties; authorizing, rather than requiring, the
13 Commissioners to request certain easement via
14 petition; replacing reference to realtors with
14 reference to real estate licensees; authorizing
15 licensees to be used for certain purpose; directing
15 the Lieutenant Governor to serve as vice chair in the
16 absence of certain election; modifying authority of
16 Secretary of the Land Office; directing the
17 Commissioners to maintain certain licenses for
17 certain employees; removing language creating a cash
18 drawer change fund; allowing the permanent school
18 fund to be invested in certain investments; removing
19 language providing for calculation of investments in
19 real property; allowing the Commissioners to retain
20 external real estate property managers; modifying
20 method for choosing investment managers and
21 investment property managers; allowing investment
21 real estate property managers full discretion on
22 certain leasing and operations; directing execution
22 of certain leases upon approval of the Secretary of
23 the Land Office; exempting certain leases from term
23 limitations; defining term; removing references to
24 the Cash Management and Investment Oversight
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 1
1 Commission; requiring electronic submission of
1 certain report; prohibiting the Commissioners from
2 taking any action to impede certain development;
2 exempting certain investment real estate from certain
3 term limitations; directing investment real estate
3 leases to provide for certain value; prohibiting an
4 abstention from being considered in certain vote;
4 requiring the Commissioners to advertise certain sale
5 of lands and improvements; modifying frequency of
5 publication of sale; allowing certain designee to
6 provide certain information; clarifying requirement
6 to appraise certain improvements; allowing certain
7 public auction to be held via live bidding or a
7 combination of live and online bidding; allowing the
8 Commissioners to issue certain patent to certain
8 purchaser; directing patent or deed to contain
9 certain provisions; clarifying the authority of the
9 Commissioners over certain leasing; allowing oil and
10 gas leases to be encumbered; modifying source of
10 funds for the Multiyear Education Distribution
11 Stabilization Revolving Fund; allowing the
11 Commissioners to convey certain execution ability to
12 the Secretary of the Land Office; providing for
12 approval of exchange of state-owned lands; clarifying
13 application of certain contracting requirement;
13 making language gender neutral; updating statutory
14 reference; updating statutory language; repealing 64
14 O.S. 2021, Sections 1014, 1021, 1030, 1050, 1054, and
15 1061, which relate to the Commissioners of the Land
15 Office Modernization Act; providing an effective
16 date; and declaring an emergency.
16
17
17
18
18
19 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
19
20 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1002, is
20
21 amended to read as follows:
21
22 Section 1002. In order that the state school lands may be
22
23 administered in a manner to assure their preservation as well as the
23
24 appreciation of the trust estate and the maximum return from the use
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 2
1 of state school lands for the support and maintenance of the common
1
2 schools of the state, the Commissioners of the Land Office, as
2
3 trustees of the state school lands, are hereby authorized and
3
4 empowered to:
4
5 1. Categorize the state school lands as agricultural or,
5
6 commercial, or investment according to the use which the
6
7 Commissioners of the Land Office determine from time to time to be
7
8 most beneficial to the interest of the present and future
8
9 beneficiaries of the this state;
9
10 2. Sell, at public auction after appraisement, the surface
10
11 interest in any state school land categorized by the Commissioners
11
12 of the Land Office to be excess or when determined to be in the best
12
13 interest of the trust;
13
14 3. Institute projects to develop and improve those state school
14
15 lands which are categorized as commercial or investment lands;
15
16 4. Acquire by exchange, purchase, gift, or grant all real
16
17 property and to acquire by exchange, purchase, gift, or grant all
17
18 personal property including donations and funds necessary for the
18
19 purpose of utilizing trust lands for the development of commercial
19
20 and, agricultural, investment, oil and gas, or other leases or
20
21 Commissioners of the Land Office operations to maximize trust income
21
22 for present and future beneficiaries; and
22
23 5. Exchange any real property of the trust for other real
23
24 property of equal or greater value to maximize income for present
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 3
1 and future beneficiaries, in accordance with and under the safeguard
1
2 of trust requirements; and
2
3 6. Purchase, own, and operate motor vehicles necessary for use
3
4 in their operations and purchase insurance on such motor vehicles in
4
5 accordance with statutory provisions and subject to the approval of
5
6 the Risk Management Administrator as provided for in Section 85.58A
6
7 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
7
8 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1002A, is
8
9 amended to read as follows:
9
10 Section 1002A. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall may,
10
11 in compliance with Oklahoma law and all of the duties as trustees,
11
12 use their best efforts to exchange undeveloped land owned by the
12
13 Commissioners of the Land Office for privately held investment or
13
14 commercial properties and. Before approving such exchange, the
14
15 Commissioners of the Land Office shall consider the impact on
15
16 affected taxing districts prior to the exchange or purchase of
16
17 investment or commercial properties.
17
18 SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1003, is
18
19 amended to read as follows:
19
20 Section 1003. A. The Commissioners of the Land Office may
20
21 grant easements to entities with power of eminent domain pursuant to
21
22 the policies of Section 13 of Title 27 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
22
23 B. The Commissioners shall, upon written application, grant
23
24 easements to:
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 4
1 1. Nonprofit rural water districts organized pursuant to
1
2 Section 863 of Title 18 of the Oklahoma Statutes;
2
3 2. Rural water districts organized pursuant to the Rural Water,
3
4 Sewer, Gas and Solid Waste Management Districts Act; or
4
5 3. Rural electric cooperatives organized pursuant to Section
5
6 437 et seq. of Title 18 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for the purpose of
6
7 laying a water or power line upon the property.
7
8 C. Prior to the granting of such easement, an appraisal shall
8
9 be conducted to the Commissioners of the Land Office shall determine
9
10 the fair market value of the easement. The If the district or
10
11 cooperative requesting the easement shall disagrees with such value,
11
12 it may petition the District Court district court in the county in
12
13 which the easement is located to determine the fair market value of
13
14 the easement. The court shall appoint three disinterested persons
14
15 who are residents of that county who shall first take an oath to
15
16 fairly and impartially appraise the value of the easement. The
16
17 appraisers shall meet and determine the fair market value of the
17
18 easement, in writing, and return the same under their signatures to
18
19 the court. Said The appraisal shall show the fair market value of
19
20 the easement. Appraiser's Appraiser fees shall be set by the court
20
21 and charged to the requesting district or cooperative as costs. The
21
22 district or cooperative shall enclose a certified copy of the
22
23 appraisal and payment in the amount of the appraised value with its
23
24 written request for easement to the Commissioners of the Land
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 5
1 Office. Except for the amount received for the granting of an
1
2 easement, no additional fees or other charges shall be assessed by
2
3 the Commissioners of the Land Office for the granting of such
3
4 easement.
4
5 D. The granting of easements pursuant to this section shall be
5
6 timely and shall not exceed sixty (60) days from date that the
6
7 appraisal is submitted to the district court.
7
8 E. Easements shall run concurrently with the life of the
8
9 facilities installed.
9
10 SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1004, is
10
11 amended to read as follows:
11
12 Section 1004. The Commissioners of the Land Office may retain
12
13 realtors real estate licensees for the purpose of securing tenants
13
14 in the commercial leasing of investment and commercial trust
14
15 property and for the purpose of assisting with the sale of
15
16 investment and commercial trust property. Realtors Real estate
16
17 licensees shall be chosen by a solicitation of proposals on a
17
18 competitive bid basis pursuant to standards set by the
18
19 Commissioners. The process of selecting realtors real estate
19
20 licensees shall be exempt from the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act.
20
21 The Commission Commissioners may pay realtors real estate licensees
21
22 retained to secure tenants for trust property or assist with the
22
23 sale of trust property on a commission basis.
23
24
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 6
1 SECTION 5. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1006, is
1
2 amended to read as follows:
2
3 Section 1006. The Governor of the State of Oklahoma shall be
3
4 designated as chairman chair ex officio of the Commissioners of the
4
5 Land Office. The Commissioners shall may elect from their body a
5
6 vice-chairman vice chair whose duty it shall be to act as chairman
6
7 chair in the absence of the chairman chair or in case of the
7
8 failure, neglect, or refusal of the chairman chair to act. In the
8
9 absence of such an election, the Lieutenant Governor of this state
9
10 shall serve as the vice chair.
10
11 The Secretary of the Land Office shall select for employment all
11
12 employees as may be deemed necessary and appropriate to properly
12
13 operate the Land Office, except the General Counsel for the Land
13
14 Commission Commissioners of the Land Office who shall be selected by
14
15 a majority of the Commission Commissioners.
15
16 The Commissioners, by a majority vote, may remove the Secretary
16
17 of the Land Office and the General Counsel of the Land Office. The
17
18 Secretary may discharge and remove any employee of the Land Office.
18
19 SECTION 6. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1007, is
19
20 amended to read as follows:
20
21 Section 1007. The head of each division in the Department of
21
22 the Commissioners of the Land Office shall be under the immediate
22
23 supervision and command, in the administration of their divisions,
23
24 of Subject to the requirements of the Commissioners of the Land
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 7
1 Office Modernization Act, the Secretary of the Land Office shall
1
2 have the authority and discretion to organize and maintain the
2
3 organizational structure of the Land Office.
3
4 SECTION 7. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1010, is
4
5 amended to read as follows:
5
6 Section 1010. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall be
6
7 responsible for and pay the fee for obtaining maintaining a real
7
8 estate appraiser license including, but not limited to, real estate
8
9 licensee, broker, and appraiser licenses for any Land Office
9
10 employee who is required to obtain maintain such license to perform
10
11 job duties.
11
12 SECTION 8. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1011, is
12
13 amended to read as follows:
13
14 Section 1011. A. There is hereby created a revolving fund for
14
15 the Commissioners of the Land Office to be designated the
15
16 "Commissioners of the Land Office Revolving Fund". The fund shall
16
17 be a continuing fund not subject to fiscal year limitations and into
17
18 which shall be paid all fees that may be collected by the
18
19 Commissioners of the Land Office, transfers from other revolving
19
20 funds of the Commissioners of the Land Office, and any monies
20
21 designated for transfer into the fund. In addition, available
21
22 monies received within an annual period may be added to the fund
22
23 upon designation by the Secretary of the Land Office,; in such case
23
24 the funds are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 8
1 by the Commissioners of the Land Office within the annual period in
1
2 which received or thereafter in the performance of the
2
3 constitutional and statutory trust duties of the Commissioners of
3
4 the Land Office. Monies from the fund may be used to pay for all
4
5 books, forms, and other necessary equipment and supplies for the
5
6 installation and maintenance of a modern system of accounting,
6
7 necessary printing expenses, abstracts, refunds, expenses incidental
7
8 to the operation of the Land Office, necessary communication and
8
9 traveling expenses incurred by the employees of the Land Office,
9
10 attorney fees and litigation expenses, collection costs and
10
11 expenses, distributions, and conservation and commercial property
11
12 upgrades. The Commissioners of the Land Office may also use monies
12
13 in the revolving fund for any expenses of the Land Office related to
13
14 personal personnel services, operating expenses, the purchase of
14
15 equipment, and for the performance of all duties necessary and as
15
16 may be prescribed to carry out the function of the Land Office. All
16
17 funds accruing to the fund are hereby appropriated. Monies in the
17
18 fund may be invested by the State Treasurer in the manner prescribed
18
19 in Section 89.1a et seq. of Title 62 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
19
20 Interest income derived from the investment of monies in the fund
20
21 shall be credited to and placed in the fund.
21
22 B. There is hereby created a cash drawer change fund for the
22
23 Commissioners of the Land Office. The fund shall be used as cash
23
24 for the Land Office to make change for customers and for the payment
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 9
1 of emergency purchases and bills. The amount held in the fund shall
1
2 not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). The initial amount in
2
3 the fund shall be drawn by warrant from the revolving fund created
3
4 pursuant to subsection A of this section. All adjustments to the
4
5 amount retained in the fund shall be by withdrawal and deposit in
5
6 the revolving fund established pursuant to subsection A of this
6
7 section upon the filing of a claim with proper receipts showing the
7
8 disbursement therefrom. Officers, employees or agents of the Land
8
9 Office shall be prohibited from receiving change from the fund.
9
10 SECTION 9. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1013, as
10
11 amended by Section 40, Chapter 228, O.S.L. 2022 (64 O.S. Supp. 2025,
11
12 Section 1013), is amended to read as follows:
12
13 Section 1013. A. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall be
13
14 responsible for the investment of the permanent school funds, other
14
15 educational funds, and public building funds solely in the best
15
16 interests of the current and future beneficiaries. The
16
17 Commissioners of the Land Office shall make investments:
17
18 1. For the exclusive purpose of:
18
19 a. providing maximum benefits to current and future
19
20 beneficiaries, and
20
21 b. defraying reasonable expenses of administering the
21
22 trust funds;
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 10
1 2. With the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the
1
2 circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like
2
3 enterprise of a like character and with like aims would use; and
3
4 3. By diversifying the investments of the trust funds so as to
4
5 minimize the risk of large losses.
5
6 B. The permanent school fund and other educational funds may
6
7 only be invested in bonds issued in the United States, United States
7
8 dollar denominated or other investments settled in United States
8
9 dollars or traded on the United States exchange markets, investments
9
10 subject to the Invest in Oklahoma Act, private equity or private
10
11 credit investments, and real property to be owned or acquired by the
11
12 Commissioners of the Land Office. The Commissioners of the Land
12
13 Office shall not invest more than sixty percent (60%) of the trust
13
14 fund investments in equity securities. The Commissioners of the
14
15 Land Office are further authorized to acquire, purchase, exchange,
15
16 and grant any real property under its their jurisdiction as is
16
17 necessary to carry out the investment in the real property, which
17
18 shall be classified specifically as investment property. The
18
19 Commissioners of the Land Office shall not invest more than five
19
20 percent (5%) of the total value of the assets of the permanent
20
21 school funds in connection with real property classified as
21
22 investments in real property. The calculation of investments in
22
23 real property within the five percent (5%) cap shall not include the
23
24 value of real property under long-term lease to the State of
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 11
1 Oklahoma, agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof. In no case
1
2 shall the Commissioners of the Land Office bid against private-
2
3 sector bidders above the appraised value of any property to be
3
4 acquired.
4
5 C. The Commissioners shall establish an investment committee.
5
6 The investment committee shall be composed of not more fewer than
6
7 three members of the Commissioners of the Land Office or their
7
8 designees. The committee shall make recommendations to the
8
9 Commissioners of the Land Office on all matters related to the
9
10 choice of managers of the assets of the funds, on the establishment
10
11 of investment and fund management guidelines, and in planning future
11
12 investment policy. The committee shall have no authority to act on
12
13 behalf of the Commissioners of the Land Office in any circumstances
13
14 whatsoever. No recommendations recommendation of the committee
14
15 shall have effect as an action of the Commissioners of the Land
15
16 Office or take effect without the approval of the Commissioners as
16
17 provided by law. The Commissioners shall promulgate and adopt on an
17
18 annual basis an investment plan. The investment plan shall state
18
19 the criteria for selecting investment managers, the allocation of
19
20 assets among investment managers, and established standards of
20
21 investment and fund management.
21
22 D. The Commissioners shall retain qualified investment managers
22
23 to provide for investment of the fund monies and may retain external
23
24 real estate property managers for the management of investment real
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 12
1 property pursuant to the investment plan. Investment managers and
1
2 investment property managers shall be chosen by a solicitation of
2
3 proposals on a competitive bid basis pursuant to standards set by
3
4 the Commissioners in compliance with Section 85.7 of Title 74 of the
4
5 Oklahoma Statutes. Subject to the investment plan, each investment
5
6 manager shall have full discretion in the management of the funds or
6
7 investment real property allocated to the investment managers each
7
8 manager. The funds allocated to investment managers shall be
8
9 actively managed by them, which may include selling investments and
9
10 realizing losses if the action is considered advantageous to longer
10
11 term return maximization. Because of the total return objective, no
11
12 distinction shall be made for management and performance evaluation
12
13 purposes between realized and unrealized capital gains and losses.
13
14 Subject to the investment plan, investment real estate property
14
15 managers shall have full discretion on leasing and operations of the
15
16 investment real estate under their management subject to budget
16
17 restrictions placed by the Commissioners of the Land Office.
17
18 Further, all leases pertaining to the investment real estate shall
18
19 be executed by the Commissioners of the Land Office upon approval by
19
20 the Secretary of the Land Office. Leases on investments shall be
20
21 exempt from term limitations for commercial property held by the
21
22 Commissioners of the Land Office as long as the investments are
22
23 managed by external investment real estate property managers and the
23
24 lease terms are consistent with the market. For the purposes of
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 13
1 this section, "investment real estate" means properties purchased as
1
2 investments and managed as part of the investment plan.
2
3 E. The Commissioners shall take any measures they deem
3
4 appropriate to safeguard custody of securities and other assets of
4
5 the trusts.
5
6 F. By September 1 of each year, the Commissioners shall develop
6
7 a written investment plan for the trust funds.
7
8 G. The Commissioners shall compile a quarterly financial report
8
9 showing the performance of all the combined funds under their
9
10 control on a fiscal year basis. The report shall contain a list of
10
11 all investments made by the Commissioners and a list of any
11
12 commissions, fees, or payments made for services regarding the
12
13 investments for that reporting period. The report shall be based on
13
14 market values and shall be compiled pursuant to uniform reporting
14
15 standards prescribed by the Oklahoma State Pension Commission for
15
16 all state retirement systems. The report shall be electronically
16
17 distributed to the Oklahoma State Pension Commission, the Cash
17
18 Management and Investment Oversight Commission, and the Legislative
18
19 Service Bureau.
19
20 H. Before January 1 of each year, the Commissioners shall
20
21 publish an annual report of all Trust trust operations, presented in
21
22 a simple and easily understood manner to the extent possible. The
22
23 report shall be submitted electronically to the Governor, the
23
24 Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 14
1 of the Senate, the State Department of Education, and each higher
1
2 education beneficiary. The annual report shall cover the operation
2
3 of the Trusts trusts during the past fiscal year including income,
3
4 disbursements, and the financial condition of the Trusts trusts at
4
5 the end of each fiscal year on a cash basis. The annual report
5
6 shall also contain a summary of the assets of each trust and current
6
7 market value as of the report date.
7
8 I. The Cash Management and Investment Oversight Commission
8
9 Invest in Oklahoma Board shall review reports prepared by the
9
10 Commissioners of the Land Office pursuant to this subsection
10
11 pertaining to their investments made in the Invest in Oklahoma
11
12 program and shall make recommendations regarding the investment
12
13 strategies and practices, the development of internal auditing
13
14 procedures and practices, and any other matters as determined
14
15 necessary and applicable.
15
16 J. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall select one or
16
17 more custodial banks to settle transactions involving the investment
17
18 of the funds under the control of the Commissioners of the Land
18
19 Office. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall review the
19
20 performance of each custodial bank at least once every year. The
20
21 Commissioners of the Land Office shall require a written competitive
21
22 bid every ten (10) years. The custodial bank shall have a minimum
22
23 of Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00) in assets to be
23
24 eligible for selection. Any out-of-state custodial bank shall have
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 15
1 a service agent in the State of Oklahoma so that service of summons
1
2 or legal notice may be had on the designated agent, and the bank
2
3 shall submit to the jurisdiction of Oklahoma state courts for
3
4 resolution of any and all disputes. In order to be eligible for
4
5 selection, the custodial bank shall allow electronic access to all
5
6 transaction and portfolio reports maintained by the custodial bank
6
7 involving the investment of state funds under control of the
7
8 Commissioners of the Land Office and to the Cash Management and
8
9 Investment Oversight Commission. The requirement for electronic
9
10 access shall be incorporated into any contract between the
10
11 Commissioners of the Land Office and the custodial bank. Neither
11
12 the Commissioners of the Land Office nor the custodial bank shall
12
13 permit any of the funds under the control of the Commissioners of
13
14 the Land Office or any of the documents, instruments, securities, or
14
15 other evidence of a right to be paid money to be located in any
15
16 place other than within a jurisdiction or territory under the
16
17 control or regulatory power of the United States government.
17
18 SECTION 10. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1022, is
18
19 amended to read as follows:
19
20 Section 1022. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall
20
21 reserve and retain one hundred percent (100%) of all oil, gas, and
21
22 other minerals under any school lands and shall not sell nor take
22
23 any action to impede the development of any oil, gas, or other
23
24
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 16
1 mineral interest under the authority or jurisdiction of the
1
2 Commissioners.
2
3 SECTION 11. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1023, as
3
4 amended by Section 1, Chapter 360, O.S.L. 2025 (64 O.S. Supp. 2025,
4
5 Section 1023), is amended to read as follows:
5
6 Section 1023. A. The Commissioners of the Land Office are
6
7 authorized to grant commercial leases and agricultural leases in
7
8 trust property.
8
9 Commercial leases shall not exceed fifty-five (55) years. The
9
10 granting of any commercial lease in excess of three (3) years shall
10
11 be by public bidding at not less than fair market value. All
11
12 commercial leases shall provide for fair market value throughout the
12
13 term of the lease. Such term limitations shall not apply to
13
14 investment real estate as defined in subsection D of Section 1013 of
14
15 this title. All investment real estate leases shall provide for
15
16 fair market value throughout the term of the lease.
16
17 Agricultural leases of trust property shall be limited to a
17
18 maximum of five (5) years and shall be by public bidding at not less
18
19 than fair market value.
19
20 The granting of any interest in trust property at less than fair
20
21 market value or not in compliance with this section is void.
21
22 Any permanent improvement made on commercial trust property from
22
23 and after July 1, 1989, shall revert to the trust at the end of the
23
24 lease.
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 17
1 B. In connection with any commercial and agricultural leases,
1
2 the Commissioners of the Land Office shall, unless otherwise
2
3 exempted by the Constitution or laws of this state:
3
4 1. Require payment of ad valorem property taxes on any
4
5 improvements and structures on state school land, which would
5
6 otherwise be subject to ad valorem property taxation if constructed
6
7 on privately owned land; and
7
8 2. Indemnify and hold harmless the Commissioners of the Land
8
9 Office from any financial obligation related to land, financing, or
9
10 operation.
10
11 C. An appraiser selected by the Commissioners of the Land
11
12 Office shall appraise any improvements approved by the Commissioners
12
13 of the Land Office made to the property leased as an agricultural
13
14 lease by the current lessee that cannot be removed without manifest
14
15 injury to the land. When the Commissioners enter into a new lease
15
16 for the property, the lease shall require the new lessee to
16
17 reimburse the previous lessee for the appraised value of any
17
18 improvements made by the previous lessee by the date the new lessee
18
19 is permitted to take occupancy of the property. It shall be
19
20 considered a default of the lease of the property to the new lessee
20
21 if such reimbursement is not made. Provided, no fees may be charged
21
22 to a lessee above those included in the originally accepted bid to
22
23 irrigate land used for agricultural purposes if the water is not
23
24 sourced from lands owned or managed by the Commissioners.
24
Req. No. 2441 Page 18
1 D. The Commissioners of the Land Office may refuse to accept
1
2 any bid or lease on a commercial, agricultural, or mineral lease
2
3 where the party is in default of any installment due or in violation
3
4 of any provisions contained in a prior or current lease contract.
4
5 E. The Commissioners of the Land Office may refuse to accept
5
6 any bid or lease contract where the interested party cannot show
6
7 adequate creditworthiness as determined by the Land Office.
7
8 F. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall promulgate rules
8
9 to implement the provisions of this section.
9
10 SECTION 12. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1034, is
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11 amended to read as follows:
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12 Section 1034. A permanent minute record shall be kept of all
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13 proceedings had by the Commissioners of the Land Office. No Unless
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14 otherwise specified in the Commissioners of the Land Office
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15 Modernization Act, no action of the Commissioners of the Land Office
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16 shall be valid unless voted on by at least three members with the
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17 majority of votes cast in favor of the action. An abstention shall
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18 not be considered a vote cast. No action taken, or which may be
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19 taken by the Commissioners of the Land Office, may be rescinded
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20 except by a three-fifths (3/5) or greater vote of the full
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21 membership of the Board of Commissioners of the Land Office. The
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22 Commissioners of the Land Office shall approve the minutes of each
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23 Board meeting at the next succeeding meeting.
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1 SECTION 13. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1047, is
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2 amended to read as follows:
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3 Section 1047. Before selling lands and improvements authorized
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4 to be sold, the Commissioners of the Land Office shall advertise the
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5 sale by publication calculated to bring the highest and best bids.
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6 Before selling any public, state, or school lands, the Commissioners
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7 of the Land Office shall advertise the fact that the sale shall be
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8 had by publication in four consecutive issues of at least one weekly
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9 a newspaper of general circulation at least once per week for four
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10 (4) consecutive weeks in the county in which said such lands are
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11 situated. The notice shall state the time, place, and terms of
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12 sale, give a brief description of the land and improvements, and of
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13 the appraised value of the land and the appraised value of the
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14 improvements, and state that any further information that is desired
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15 may be obtained by addressing the Secretary to the Commissioners of
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16 the Land Office or his or her designee.
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17 SECTION 14. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1052, is
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18 amended to read as follows:
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19 Section 1052. Before any lands under the jurisdiction and
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20 control of the Commissioners of the Land Office, covered by
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21 preference right leases and the improvements located on the land are
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22 owned by the lessees, shall be offered for sale and sold, the
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23 Commissioners of the Land Office shall cause the same to be
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24 appraised by three disinterested appraisers, who are nonresidents of
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Req. No. 2441 Page 20
1 the county in which the land is situated, to be selected by the
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2 Secretary of the Land Office. The appraisers, before entering upon
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3 their duties, shall take and subscribe to the oath required of state
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4 officers. The appraisers shall make a true appraisement of the
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5 lands at the actual cash value thereof, exclusive of all
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6 improvements, and shall separately appraise all improvements owned
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7 by the lessee which can cannot be removed without manifest injury to
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8 the land.
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9 SECTION 15. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1053, is
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10 amended to read as follows:
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11 Section 1053. The lands authorized to be sold shall be offered
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12 for sale to the highest bidder at public auction in the county in
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13 which the land is situated. The auction may be held via live
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14 bidding or a combination of live bidding and online bidding
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15 submitted via the Internet or similar electronic means. The sale
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16 shall be made closed and completed within six (6) months from the
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17 date of the final approval of the appraisement by the Commissioners
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18 of the Land Office, unless for good cause shown, the Commissioners
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19 of the Land Office extend the time of offering the land for sale for
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20 a period not to exceed one (1) year from the effective date of the
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21 final approval of the appraisement.
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22 SECTION 16. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1055, is
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23 amended to read as follows:
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Req. No. 2441 Page 21
1 Section 1055. The Commissioners of the Land Office upon
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2 completion of the sale of lands and improvements and receipt of the
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3 purchase price shall issue a patent or deed to the purchaser which
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4 shall contain a provision reserving the oil, gas, and other
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5 minerals, and any other property or property right as provided for
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6 in this title, required by law, or required by resolution of the
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7 Commissioners of the Land Office.
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8 SECTION 17. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1056, is
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9 amended to read as follows:
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10 Section 1056. Except as otherwise provided by law, all the
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11 public lands of this state shall be subject to lease in the manner
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12 provided by law. The Commissioners of the Land Office shall have
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13 charge of the leasing of the lands under their control.
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14 SECTION 18. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1063, is
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15 amended to read as follows:
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16 Section 1063. The Commissioners of the Land Office are
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17 authorized to lease for oil and gas purposes any of the school or
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18 other lands owned by the State of Oklahoma, which such Commissioners
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19 may deem valuable for oil and gas. Each such lease shall be a
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20 commence-type lease and shall provide for a term not less than one
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21 (1) year and not to exceed five (5) years and as long thereafter as
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22 oil or gas may be produced therefrom in paying quantities, upon such
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23 terms and conditions and in such quantities as the Commissioners
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24 shall by rules and regulations prescribe. Each such lease shall
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Req. No. 2441 Page 22
1 provide for the delivery to the state of a royalty of not less than
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2 one-eighth (1/8) part of the oil or gas produced from the leased
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3 premises or in lieu thereof, the payment to the state of the market
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4 value of said such royalty interest, as the Commissioners may elect.
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5 The leases shall be offered by public competition after notice of
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6 the lease auction published one time not less than thirty (30) days
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7 prior to the lease auction date in two newspapers authorized by law
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8 to publish legal notices. One of the newspapers shall be published
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9 in the county where the land is located or other newspaper as
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10 authorized by Section 106 of Title 25 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The
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11 other shall be a newspaper of general circulation in this state.
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12 Such leasing shall be let by sealed bids and each lease awarded to
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13 the highest responsible bidder, such. Such oil and gas leases may
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14 be assigned or encumbered only with the consent and approval of the
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15 Commissioners of the Land Office; provided, the Commissioners have
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16 the right to reject any and all bids. The Commissioners of the Land
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17 Office shall provide any other notice of oil and gas lease sales to
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18 all interested parties by any means it determines is needed to
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19 attract the best competition.
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20 SECTION 19. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1069, is
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21 amended to read as follows:
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22 Section 1069. A. The proceeds derived in bonuses and royalties
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23 and from other inducements and considerations for the execution and
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24 operation of the oil and gas leases as authorized in this title,
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Req. No. 2441 Page 23
1 except oil and gas leases on state-owned lands set apart and
1
2 designated for the use, benefit, and occupancy of state educational
2
3 institutions, shall be for the use and benefit of the lands which
3
4 were granted by the United States to the State of Oklahoma, and to
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5 the territory now comprising the area embraced within the state,
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6 under the provisions of the Enabling Act and any and all other Acts
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7 of Congress. Bonus and delay rental income received by the Land
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8 Office and other income as designated by the Secretary of the Land
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9 Office for transfer and received by the Land Office may be
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10 distributed to current beneficiaries in like manner as lease income
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11 received from surface leases, except that if determined to be in the
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12 best interest of the trust, the distributions may be made upon a
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13 schedule determined by a five-year rolling average of bonus and
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14 delay rental income.
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15 B. There is hereby created a revolving fund for the
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16 Commissioners of the Land Office to be designated the "Multiyear
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17 Education Distribution Stabilization Revolving Fund". The fund
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18 shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations,
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19 and shall consist of bonus and delay rental income received by the
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20 Commission subject to distribution, if it is determined by the
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21 Commission Commissioners to be in the best interest of the trust to
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22 make distributions of the income any such funds upon a five-year
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23 rolling average schedule as authorized in subsection A of this
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24 section. Monies in the fund may be invested by the State Treasurer
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Req. No. 2441 Page 24
1 in the manner prescribed in Section 89.1a et seq. of Title 62 of the
1
2 Oklahoma Statutes. Interest income derived from the investment of
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3 monies in the fund shall be credited to and placed in the fund.
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4 SECTION 20. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1071, is
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5 amended to read as follows:
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6 Section 1071. The lands described in Section 290 1070 of this
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7 title are to be leased under the same provisions as the school and
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8 other lands of the State of Oklahoma.
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9 SECTION 21. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1086, is
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10 amended to read as follows:
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11 Section 1086. Any instrument, easement, contract, or deed which
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12 may be required in, or convenient to, the exercise of the powers
12
13 granted in Section 1 1001 of this act title shall be executed by the
13
14 chairman chair or presiding officer and attested by the secretary,
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15 if such instrument be is executed by a board or commission, and if
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16 such instrument be is executed by an officer, it shall be signed by
16
17 said the officer. No such contract, easement, deed, or instrument
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18 of conveyance shall be effective unless and until the approval of
18
19 the Governor is endorsed thereon in writing. The Commissioners of
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20 the Land Office may via resolution convey the ability to execute
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21 certain instruments, easements, contracts, and leases to the
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22 Secretary of the Land Office.
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23 SECTION 22. AMENDATORY 64 O.S. 2021, Section 1089, is
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24 amended to read as follows:
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Req. No. 2441 Page 25
1 Section 1089. Each and all of the rights, powers, and remedies
1
2 granted and conferred by the terms of this act the Commissioners of
2
3 the Land Office Modernization Act shall be cumulative and shall be
3
4 construed to be in addition to those already existing, except that
4
5 at any private or voluntary sale or exchange of state-owned lands by
5
6 the Commissioners of the Land Office such sale or exchange shall be
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7 held finally approved only upon resolution adopted by a unanimous
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8 vote of the voting members of the Commissioners of the Land Office
8
9 present.
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10 SECTION 23. AMENDATORY Section 1, Chapter 429, O.S.L.
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11 2024 (64 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1096), is amended to read as
11
12 follows:
12
13 Section 1096. The Commissioners of the Land Office and the
13
14 Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) shall contract
14
15 with the Department of Public Safety for security and law
15
16 enforcement services in all facilities under the jurisdiction of the
16
17 Commissioners of the Land Office, OMES, or the Department within the
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18 State Capitol Park in Oklahoma City and the Executive Center at 201
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19 West 5th Street and appurtenances thereto in Tulsa. The requirement
19
20 of this section shall only apply if such specific properties are
20
21 owned by the Commissioners and are at least fifty percent (50%)
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22 occupied by State of Oklahoma governmental entities.
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23 SECTION 24. REPEALER 64 O.S. 2021, Sections 1014, 1021,
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24 1030, 1050, 1054, and 1061, are hereby repealed.
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Req. No. 2441 Page 26
1 SECTION 25. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
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2 SECTION 26. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
2
3 of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
3
4 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
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5 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
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Req. No. 2441 Page 27Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.