A. 1. There is hereby created until July 1, 2007, in accordance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Sunset Law, the Oklahoma Prison Industry Marketing Development Advisory Task Force for the purpose of collaborative research, planning and the providing of information to the Legislature and cooperative marketing associations desiring to make investments into and create and design joint ventures for the development and advancement of the production, processing, handling and marketing of products grown, made or manufactured within correctional settings.

2. The Advisory Task Force shall consist of a representative from each of the following organizations or state agencies selected by that organization or agency:

a.the State Department of Agriculture,

b.the Department of Commerce,

c.Oklahoma State University,

d.Oklahoma University,

e.the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology,

f.the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education,

g.the State Department of Corrections,

h.two appointees selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,

i.two appointees selected by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and

j.two appointees selected by the Governor.

At all times the membership of the Advisory Task Force shall have represented on it at least one member well-versed in each of the following areas: agricultural economics, marketing, business and finance, and production.

3. Each member of the Advisory Task Force initially appointed shall make his appointment known to the Director of the Department of Agriculture and the Director of the Department of Commerce by August 1, 1996.

4. Any vacancies in the appointive membership of the Advisory Task Force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

B. Within fifteen (15) days from the initial appointment of membership for the Advisory Task Force, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and the Director of the Department of Commerce shall each appoint one member of the Advisory Task Force to serve as cochairs. If a vacancy occurs in such office, a new cochair shall be appointed from the Advisory Task Force in the same manner as the original appointment.

C. Other officers may be elected to serve the Advisory Task Force for terms of office as may be designated by the Advisory Task Force members. The cochairs of the Advisory Task Force or their designees shall preside at meetings.

D. The Advisory Task Force may meet at such times as may be set by the cochairs of the Advisory Task Force.

E. Members of the Advisory Task Force shall receive no salary; however, all members of the Advisory Task Force may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary travel expenses as follows:

1. Advisory Task Force members employed by the state shall be reimbursed by their respective employing agency pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act; and

2. Any other Advisory Task Force member may receive reimbursement from their appointing authority.

F. A majority of the members appointed to the Advisory Task Force shall constitute a quorum and a majority present may act for the Advisory Task Force.

G. The powers and duties of the Advisory Task Force are to:

1. Conduct a study of the process and procedures for creating and designing joint ventures for industrial and agricultural production within correctional settings;

2. Provide information to the Legislature relating to the design and creation of agricultural and industrial joint ventures within correctional settings and funding sources for such ventures; and

3. Work with municipalities, industries, state agencies and other political subdivisions of this state, other states, the federal government, schools of higher education and any other entity to determine areas of need for the development or expansion of agricultural and industrial joint ventures within correctional settings.

H. The Advisory Task Force shall provide a written progress report to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before March 1 of each year.

I. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce shall provide staff assistance to the Advisory Task Force as necessary to assist the Advisory Task Force in the performance of its duties.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 165, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 33, § 44, eff. July 1, 2001; Laws 2001, c. 414, § 7, eff. Aug. 23, 2001.

NOTE: Laws 2001, c. 12, § 1 repealed by Laws 2001, c. 414, § 15, eff. Aug. 23, 2001.