STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 51st Legislature (2007)

HOUSE BILL 1079 By: Renegar and Cannaday

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to waters and water rights; amending 82 O.S. 2001, Section 1085.1, as amended by Section 24, Chapter 375, O.S.L. 2002 (82 O.S. Supp. 2006, Section 1085.1), which relates to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board; increasing membership of the Board; specifying qualifications for two members of the Board; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION . AMENDATORY 82 O.S. 2001, Section 1085.1 , as amended by Section 24 , Chapter 375 , O.S.L. 20 02 ( 82 O.S. Supp. 2006, Section 1085.1 ), is amended to read as follows:

Section 1085.1 A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, consisting of nine (9) ten (10) members to be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board shall constitute a body corporate and politic and an instrumentality, agency and department of the State of Oklahoma, and exercise by the Board of the powers conferred by this act shall be deemed and shall be held to be an essential governmental function of the State of Oklahoma. One member shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year; one member shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; one member shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years; one member shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years; one member shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years; two members shall be appointed for a term of six (6) years; and two members shall be appointed for a term of seven (7) years. The initial term of the member appointed pursuant to this act shall be five (5) years. Upon the expiration of said terms, their successors shall be appointed for terms of seven (7) years. One member shall be appointed from each of the congressional districts of this state and the remaining members shall be appointed at large. However, when congressional districts are redrawn then each member appointed prior to July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall complete the current term of office and appointments made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall be based on the redrawn districts. Appointments made after July 1 of the year in which such modification becomes effective shall be from any redrawn districts which are not represented by a board member until such time as each of the modified congressional districts are represented by a board member. Each member shall be a qualified elector of this state. At all times the membership of the Board shall have represented on it at least one member well versed in each of the following major types of water use: recreational, industrial, irrigational, municipal, rural residential, agricultural and soil conservation work. In addition, at all times the membership of the Board shall have represented on it two members who are well versed in recreational water use. Not more than two members may be selected representing any one of the major types of water use. The Board shall meet at least once each month. The members of the Board may be removed only for cause. Whenever a vacancy shall occur, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the unexpired term of the vacant office. Each member of the Board upon entering upon his duties shall take and subscribe to the constitutional and statutory oath of office and file the same with the Secretary of State.

B. The Board shall organize annually by electing a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary from the membership of the Board, who shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by the Board.

SECTION . This act shall become effective November 1, 2007 .

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