A. 1. If the State Board of Agriculture determines that a confirmed case of an animal disease in this state presents a substantial and imminent threat to the state's domestic animal population and/or to protect the public welfare, the Board shall certify the case to the Governor.

2. After receiving certification from the Board, the Governor may declare an emergency pursuant to this section for purposes of allowing the Board to establish quarantine zones of control to protect the health of domestic animals and the public welfare from disease. The Governor may declare an emergency pursuant to this section without declaring an emergency under the Oklahoma Civil Defense and Emergency Resources Management Act of 1967.

3. A declaration pursuant to this section:

a.may specify that it applies to all or certain units of the state or local government,

b.must specify the time period for which it applies, and

c.must be filed with the Secretary of State.

4. The provisions of this subsection are in addition to and do not limit authority granted to the Governor or local government officials by other provisions of law.

B. 1. The Board may meet by electronic means without violating state open meeting laws for the purpose of declaring that a highly suspicious case of a disease in this state presents a substantial and imminent threat to the state's domestic animal population.

2. If the Board meets by electronic means for this purpose, it shall comply with the emergency meeting notice provisions of Section 311 of Title 25 of the Oklahoma Statutes and, to the fullest extent possible, provide public and media access to the meeting.

Added by Laws 2002, c. 173, § 15, emerg. eff. May 6, 2002.