In addition to other functions and responsibilities of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Department shall:

1. Administer or coordinate state programs and projects relating to economic or community issues for the planning and carrying out of the acquisition, preservation, use and development of land and provision of public facilities and services for fully carrying out the state's role in related federal grant or loan programs;

2. Administer and coordinate state programs and projects relating to economic opportunity, manpower planning and federal public service employment for fully carrying out the state's role in related federal grant or loan programs;

3. Where not otherwise authorized by state law, provide state participation with cities, towns, counties and other municipal corporations in financing public works projects and service programs. The assisted projects and programs shall be consistent with local, regional and state comprehensive plans and policies;

4. Coordinate and review applications for federal assistance as required by the federal government and review all other applications for participation in any federal grant or loan program by any public body.

Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to grant the Department the authority to disapprove such application;

5. Cooperate with and provide technical and financial assistance to counties, cities, municipal corporations and agencies owned and controlled by them, governmental conferences or councils, regional planning commissions, community development groups, community action agencies, Indian tribes and similar agencies created for the purposes of aiding and encouraging an orderly, productive and coordinated development of the state, and to strengthen local planning responsibility and capability;

6. Coordinate a program on an experimental basis in world trade centers in contiguous states for Oklahoma gift manufacturers. Reimbursement may be required from gift manufacturers participating in such market space program for funds expended for such purposes. It is the intent of the Legislature that the program:

a.limit the experimental market space program to Oklahoma gift manufacturers which employ no more than fifty employees; and

b.limit the amount of reimbursement required from the gift manufacturers participating in such market space program to an amount not to exceed twenty percent (20%) of the gross sales of such manufacturer or not to exceed the normal and customary amount received by market space representatives in contiguous states.

For purposes of this paragraph, "gift manufacturer" means any Oklahoma manufacturer who manufactures apparel products, lumber and wood products, furniture and fixtures, ceramics, paper and allied products, rubber and miscellaneous plastic products, leather and leather products, stone, clay, and glass products, fabricated metal and other similar items normally sold to persons for gift purposes;

7. Assist the Governor in coordinating the activities of state agencies which have an impact on the solution of economic or community development problems and the implementation of economic or community plans;

8. Encourage and, when requested, assist the efforts of local governments to develop mutual and cooperative solutions to their common problems;

9. Study existing legal provisions that affect the structure and financing of local government and those state activities which involve significant relations with local governmental units in cooperation with local governments and agencies owned by them and recommend to the Governor and the Legislature such changes in these provisions and activities as may seem necessary to strengthen local government;

10. Carry out continuing studies and analyses of the problems faced by communities within the state and develop such recommendations for administrative or legislative action as would appear necessary. In carrying out such studies and analyses, particular attention should be paid to the problems of regional, metropolitan, urban, suburban, rural and other areas in which economic and population factors are rapidly changing;

11. Develop and test model or demonstration programs and projects, which may include contracting to administer certain functions or services of the state for such purposes and otherwise provide a program of practical research in the solution of community problems;

12. Collect reasonable personnel costs for staff time spent in the search for and duplication of records if such time exceeds one hour; and

13. Collect reasonable fees for informational publications and materials produced by Department of Commerce in accomplishing its mission.

Added by Laws 1986, c. 207, § 23, operative July 1, 1986. Amended by Laws 1989, c. 313, § 14, operative July 1, 1989; Laws 1992, c. 198, § 1, eff. July 1, 1992; Laws 1993, c. 329, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.