A. In accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this act, any combination of cities, towns and counties, by resolution of their governing boards, may jointly create a hospital authority pursuant to the provisions of Section 176 of Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes for the purpose of planning, financing and constructing hospitals or related medical facilities located within the boundaries of such cities, towns or counties. An authority created pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall have the powers granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 176 of Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes in addition to the powers granted pursuant to the provisions of this section. The combination of cities, towns and counties creating the authority shall be designated the beneficiary of the authority. The boundaries of the authority shall be coterminous with the boundaries of the cities, towns or counties creating the authority.

B. Any hospital authority created pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of this section may levy a sales tax of not to exceed two percent (2%) upon the gross proceeds or gross receipts derived from all sales or services in the cities, towns and counties comprising the authority upon which a consumer's sales tax is levied by this state. Before a sales tax may be levied by the authority, the imposition of the tax shall first be approved by a majority of the registered voters within the boundaries of each of the cities, towns and counties comprising the authority voting thereon at a special election jointly called by the governing boards of the cities, towns and counties comprising the authority. Provided, if a majority of the registered voters of an authority voting fail to approve such a tax, the governing boards of such cities, towns and counties shall not jointly call another special election for such purpose for at least six (6) months. Any sales tax approved by the registered voters of an authority shall be applicable only when the point of sale is within the boundaries or limits of the authority.

C. All items that are exempt from the state sales tax shall be exempt from any sales tax levied pursuant to the provisions of this section.

D. Any sales tax which may be levied pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be designated for the purposes of planning, financing and constructing hospitals or related medical facilities within the boundaries of the authority. The authority shall identify the purpose of the sales tax when it is presented to the voters pursuant to the provisions of this section. The proceeds of any sales tax levied by an authority shall be used only for the purposes for which the sales tax was designated.

E. The authority shall identify the duration of the tax when it is presented to the voters pursuant to the provisions of this section.

F. An authority created pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of this section may utilize the provisions of the Local Development Act as it relates to the financing of such hospitals or related medical facilities.

G. An authority created pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of this section shall be dissolved:

1. At such time as the planning, financing and constructing of the hospitals or related medical facilities within the boundaries of the authority is completed; and

2. At such time as the revenue collected from any taxes levied by the authority is sufficient for payment of any and all expenses incurred by the authority in the planning, financing and constructing of a hospital or related medical facility.

H. If the proceeds of any tax levied by an authority pursuant to this section are pledged for the purpose of retiring indebtedness incurred for the specific purpose for which the tax is imposed, the tax shall not be repealed until such time as the indebtedness is retired. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any county or hospital authority that has approved a sales tax for the support and operation of a county hospital may continue to collect such tax if such hospital is subsequently sold. Such collection shall only continue if the county or hospital authority remains indebted for the support and operation of such hospital and only until the debt is repaid or for the stated term of the tax, whichever period is shorter. In no event shall the life of the tax be extended beyond the duration approved by the voters of the authority.

I. If the revenue collected from any taxes levied by the authority exceeds the amount necessary for payment of any and all expenses incurred by the authority in the planning, financing and constructing of hospitals or related medical facilities, the excess funds shall be apportioned to the general funds of the cities, towns and counties comprising the authority in proportion to the population of each city, town and county.

J. If the construction, support, or operation of a hospital is funded through the levy of a sales tax by a county or hospital authority pursuant to this section and such hospital is subsequently sold, the county or hospital authority levying the tax may dissolve the governing board of such hospital at the time of the sale. When the sale of the hospital and dissolution of any governing board is final, the county or hospital authority is thereby relieved of any liability for the operation of such hospital.

Added by Laws 1996, c. 86, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1996. Amended by Laws 2004, c. 103, § 2, emerg. eff. April 14, 2004; Laws 2015, c. 254, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 2015.