ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 661	By:	Schulz of the Senate

			and

		Jackson of the House

An Act relating to rural housing; creating the Task Force for the Study of Rural Housing Development and stating purpose thereof; providing for membership of Task Force; requiring organizational meeting; providing for quorum; authorizing travel reimbursement; providing for staff assistance; requiring final report; providing for noncodification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
A.  There is hereby created to continue until December 31, 2013, the Task Force for the Study of Rural Housing Development.  The task force shall examine the issue of rural housing development in the state by: identifying those areas where a shortage of housing exists, determining reasons for the shortages, reviewing actions taken by surrounding states to address shortages, and recommending solutions.
B.  The task force shall consist of ten (10) members, as follows:
1.  The Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, who shall serve as Chair of the task force;
2.  The executive director of the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency;
3.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint the following members:
a.	a member of the Senate, who shall serve as a Vice-Chair,
b.	a member who represents an entity or organization engaged in rural economic development, and
c.	a member who represents a statewide association of county assessors;
4.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint the following members:
a.	a member of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as a Vice-Chair,
b.	a member who represents an entity or organization engaged in rural economic development, and
c.	a member who represents a statewide association of county commissioners; and
5.  The Governor shall appoint the following members:
a.	a member who represents a statewide association of school board members and superintendents, and
b.	a member who represents a statewide association of Oklahoma homebuilders.
C.  The task force shall conduct an organizational meeting not later than August 30, 2013.  A majority of the members present at the organizational meeting or any subsequent meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of any action taken.
D.  The task force shall be authorized to meet as necessary in order to perform the duties imposed upon it.  Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses pursuant to the provisions of Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  Other members of the task force shall be reimbursed as provided by the appointing authority in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
E.  Staff assistance for the task force shall be provided by the staff of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
F.  The task force shall produce a final written report of its findings and any proposed recommendations.  The report shall be submitted to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than December 13, 2013.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2013.
SECTION 3.  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.
Passed the Senate the 26th day of February, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives