A. The Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is hereby authorized to appoint, with the approval of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission, special officers that shall have enforcement authority related to the investigation of oil and gas industry crimes, which shall include the larceny of equipment, property, supplies or products. The number of special officers shall not exceed twenty (20) positions and those special officers shall not be salaried employees of the Bureau, but shall at all times be subject to the orders and directions of the Director. In addition, the special officers shall not have authority to enforce any laws except the provisions of the Oklahoma Statutes relating directly to oil and gas industry crimes, for which they will have the same authority as any other peace officer. The special officers shall be known as Special Investigators.

B. Special Investigators shall not receive any compensation or expenses from this state or any of its departments, agencies or subdivisions for their services. Before the issuance of a special commission, each Special Investigator shall enter into a good and sufficient bond executed by a surety company authorized to do business in this state in the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00). The bond shall also be approved by the Director and shall indemnify all persons against damages accruing as a result of any illegal or unlawful acts on the part of the Special Investigators. The special commissions shall expire on January 1 of the odd-numbered year after the appointment. The Director may renew, suspend or revoke any special commission at any time.

Added by Laws 2011, c. 126, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2011. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 89, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.