A. There is hereby re-created, to continue until July 1, 2016, in accordance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Sunset Law, the Public Employees Relations Board, which shall be composed of five (5) members to be appointed or selected as follows:

1. One appointed by the Governor shall be an impartial appointment and designated as Chairman;

2. Two appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, one of whom shall be an impartial appointment and one of whom shall be a representative from the labor industry chosen from a list of four nominees to be submitted jointly by an Oklahoma organization the primary purpose of which is to provide services to members who are municipal police officers, which shall provide two nominees, and by an Oklahoma organization the primary purpose of which is to provide services to members who are municipal firefighters, which shall provide two nominees; and

3. Two appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, one of whom shall be an impartial appointment and one of whom shall be a representative of a municipality to be selected from a list of four nominees submitted by a statewide organization the membership of which consists primarily of incorporated cities and towns within Oklahoma.

B. The Chairman shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years, commencing from July 1, 1972. The other members shall be appointed for terms of one (1) and three (3) years, respectively, from July 1, 1972, but their successors shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years. No member shall serve on the Board for more than two terms. No impartial member appointed by either the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate or by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives shall, within two (2) years of being appointed to the Board or while serving on the Board, have served or worked in a capacity as an advocate, be a member or receive compensation from a labor union group association or its subordinate affiliates or have served or worked in a capacity as an advocate, appointed or elected official of or received compensation from a municipality or municipalities.

C. Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Any individual chosen to fill a vacancy on the Board shall be appointed only for the unexpired term. The Chairman and members of the Board shall not receive a salary but shall receive compensation in lieu of expenses in the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per day for any meeting or the conduct of official duties, whether acting singly or collectively.

D. To accomplish the objectives and to perform the duties prescribed by this article, the Board may subpoena witnesses, issue subpoenas to require the production of books, papers, records, and documents which may be needed as evidence of any matter under inquiry, and administer oaths and affirmations. In cases of neglect or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, the district court of the county in which the investigations or the public hearings are taking place, upon application by the Board, may issue an order requiring such person to appear before the Board and produce evidence about the matter under investigation. A failure to obey such order may be punished by the court as a contempt.

E. Any subpoena, notice of hearing, or other process or notice of the Board issued under the provisions of this article may be served personally, by registered mail, or by leaving a copy at the principal office of the person required to be served. A return made and verified by the individual making such service and setting forth the manner of such service is proof of service, and a returned post office receipt, when registered or certified mail is used, is proof of service.

F. The Board shall adopt, promulgate, amend, or rescind such rules as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this article. Public hearings shall be held by the Board on any proposed rule of general applicability designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe policy, procedure or practice requirements under the provisions of this article and on any proposed change to such existing rule. Reasonable notice shall be given prior to such hearings, which shall include the time, place, and nature of such hearing and the terms or substance of the proposed rule or the changes to such rule.

Added by Laws 1977, c. 256, § 51-104, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Laws 1983, c. 146, § 1, operative July 1, 1983; Laws 1985, c. 178, § 11, operative July 1, 1985; Laws 1986, c. 301, § 18, operative July 1, 1986; Laws 1989, c. 140, § 1, eff. July 1, 1989; Laws 1995, c. 13, § 1; Laws 2001, c. 7, § 1; Laws 2007, c. 23, § 1; Laws 2008, c. 16, § 1; Laws 2012, c. 90, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2012; Laws 2013, c. 15, § 7, emerg. eff. April 8, 2013.

NOTE: Laws 2012, c. 58, § 1 repealed by Laws 2013, c. 15, § 8, emerg. eff. April 8, 2013.