A. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized to plan, develop and construct two long-term care facilities for the following purposes:

1. To assume the operations of the Oklahoma Veterans Center established in Talihina pursuant to Section 229 of this title; and

2. To replace the Oklahoma Veterans Center established in Ardmore pursuant to Section 221 of this title.

B. For the two long-term care facilities authorized in subsection A of this section, the Department may construct new facilities or refurbish any existing facilities on property currently owned by the State of Oklahoma or on property purchased or donated from other sources, including but not limited to private owners, tribal entities or other governmental or municipal entities.

C. The location of the facility referenced in paragraph 1 of subsection A of this section shall be subject only to such geographical constraints as are imposed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to preserve and continue recognition and certification of the facility as a State Veterans Home. The facility referenced in paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section shall be located within the corporate limits of the city of Ardmore or within five (5) miles of the corporate limits of the city of Ardmore.

D. The locations and sites of the two facilities referenced in subsection A of this section shall be determined by the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The Oklahoma Veterans Commission may consider any and all criteria which, in its sole discretion, further the interests of Oklahoma veterans.

E. Operations of the Oklahoma Veterans Center established in Talihina pursuant to Section 229 of this title shall continue until such time as its operations are transferred to the location identified pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Oklahoma Veterans Commission under subsection D of this section.

Added by Laws 2018, c. 100, § 2. Amended by Laws 2019, c. 502, § 2, eff. July 1, 2019.