A. The purpose of the Oklahoma Military Base Closure Prevention Task Force shall be to analyze state policies affecting military facilities currently in use by the United States Department of Defense located within the state and by their related communities. In addition, the Task Force shall also examine methods for improving the potential private sector market value or potential for such military facilities.

B. The Task Force shall develop recommendations for changes in state policies which would:

1. Prevent Oklahoma’s military facilities from being targeted for closing or downsizing;

2. Maximize Oklahoma’s input into the federal base closing and realignment process;

3. Protect, to the greatest extent possible, the interests of the communities and residents of areas located within and adjacent to such military facilities in connection with such process;

4. Mitigate the effect of a reduction in military personnel housed or assigned to such facilities, reduction in military activity associated with such facilities, or other changes in either civilian or military activity which have the potential to reduce employment, business activity, personal income or other economic growth in the affected areas; and

5. Encourage and facilitate the relocation of mission responsibilities and resources to Oklahoma military facilities from military bases located outside Oklahoma.

C. The Task Force shall submit a written report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate and the Governor not later than December 31, 2002.

D. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Tax Commission, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and other agencies of state government shall provide such assistance to the Task Force as the Task Force may require in order to perform the duties imposed upon it.

E. The Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate shall provide such staff assistance to the Task Force as may be required.

F. Members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed by their appointing authority, except that members appointed from the municipalities shall be reimbursed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, for travel to meetings of the Task Force pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act. Legislators who serve as members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed for travel to meetings pursuant to Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 238, § 2, eff. July 1, 2001.