State_Bill

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 51st Legislature ( 2007 )

SENATE BILL 127 By: Lerblance

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to hydropower; creating the Task Force on Oklahoma Hydropower; stating purpose; stating duties; stating membership; providing for certain meeting and election of officers; providing for staffing; authorizing task force to present certain recommendations; providing for certain travel reimbursement; providing for noncodification; and declaring an emergency.

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

SECTION . NEW LAW A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:

A. There is hereby created until December 31, 2009, the Task Force on Oklahoma Hydropower. The purpose of the task force shall be to study the economic and environmental impact hydropower has in the state and to analyze the comparative value of the beneficial use of water for generation of electricity versus other beneficial uses. Specifically, the task force shall study, hold public hearings, and make recommendations on:

1. The overall impact the use of water for generation of electricity has on the economy of the state and the local economy of areas surrounding the lakes or reservoirs where hydropower facilities are located, including, but not limited to, the impact on tourism, recreation, and agriculture;

2. The overall impact the use of water for generation of electricity has on the environment of the areas surrounding the lakes or reservoirs where hydropower facilities are located, including the impact on wildlife resources;

3. The type of hydrological and geohydrological studies that need to be conducted for lakes and reservoirs on which hydropower facilities are located; and

4. The assessment of a fee for the use of water for the generation of electricity.

B. The task force shall be composed of thirteen (13) members as follows:

1. One member of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

2. One member of the State Senate to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

3. One member representing the Corporation Commission selected by the Corporation Commission;

4. The Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board or a designee;

5. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department or a designee;

6. The General Manager of the Grand River Dam Authority or a designee;

7. Two members appointed by the Governor, as follows:

a. one representative of the Oklahoma Municipal League, and

b. one representative of a rural electric cooperative which purchases electricity generated by a hydropower facility in the state;

8. Two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as follows:

a. one from a lake association that is recognized by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department as the official lake association of a lake or reservoir on which there are hydropower facilities; and

b. one representative of a permitted user of water from a lake or reservoir on which a hydropower facility is located;

9. Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as follows:

b. one representative of a permitted user of water from a lake or reservoir on which a hydropower facility is located; and

10. One member representing the Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute located at Oklahoma State University.

C. The first meeting of the task force shall be convened by the Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. At the first meeting, members of the task force shall select a chair and vice-chair of the task force. The task force shall determine a regular meeting schedule by majority vote of the members present at the first meeting and if necessary shall meet at the call of the chair.

D. Staffing assistance for the task force shall be provided by the staff of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Technical assistance for the task force shall be provided by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Oklahoma Geological Survey, and the Corporation Commission.

E. The task force shall present legislative recommendations to the Legislature as it deems necessary.

F. Members of the task force shall receive no compensation for serving on the task force but may receive travel reimbursement as follows:

1. Legislative members of the task force may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of duties, in accordance with Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, from the legislative body in which they serve; and

2. Other members of the task force may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of duties by the respective agency or appointing authorities in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

SECTION . It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

51-1-388 MJM 1/18/2007 7:11:04 AM