Oklahoma § 82-896.1 - Termination of Scenic Rivers Commission - Transfer of

§ 82-896.1. Termination of Scenic Rivers Commission - Transfer of

rights and authorities to Grand River Dam Authority

A. Effective July 1, 2016, the Scenic Rivers Commission created

pursuant to Section 1461 of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall

be terminated. Effective July 1, 2016, the rights and authorities

of the Scenic Rivers Commission shall be transferred to the Grand

River Dam Authority. Effective July 1, 2016, all assets, funds,

liabilities, allotments, purchase orders, outstanding financial

obligations, encumbrances, records, equipment and property of the

Scenic Rivers Commission are hereby transferred to and placed under

the supervision and control of the Grand River Dam Authority.

Monies collected or accruing to the credit of the Scenic Rivers

Commission in the State Treasury or under the management of the

Office of Management and Enterprise Services pursuant to the

provisions of Section 1462A, 1462B or 1462C of Title 82 of the

Oklahoma Statutes as of the effective date of this act and after

shall be transferred to the Grand River Dam Authority to assist in

implementing this act or as otherwise directed to support the

activities previously conducted by the Scenic Rivers Commission or

the employees of the Commission. Any other monies from

appropriations, fees, licenses, fines, penalties or other similar

types of monies that accrue in any funds or accounts after the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights

effective date of this act in the name of the Scenic Rivers

Commission or maintained for the benefit of the Commission are

transferred to the Grand River Dam Authority.

B. Personnel employed by the Scenic Rivers Commission on the

effective date of this act shall be transferred to the Grand River

Dam Authority subject to the following provisions:

1. Classified employees transferred shall remain subject to the

provisions of the Merit System of Personnel Administration, as

provided in the Oklahoma Personnel Act;

2. Unclassified employees transferred shall remain in the

unclassified service and shall serve at the pleasure of the Grand

River Dam Authority;

3. All employees transferred pursuant to this act shall retain

leave, sick and annual time earned and any retirement and longevity

benefits which have accrued during their employment with the state.

The salaries of employees who are transferred shall not be reduced

as a direct and immediate result of the transfer;

4. Should the Grand River Dam Authority implement a reduction

in force, all employees transferred pursuant to this act shall be

credited for the time they were employed by the Scenic Rivers

Commission; and

5. The transfer of personnel shall be coordinated with the

Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

C. The Scenic Rivers Commission shall cease operating as a

Commission no later than July 1, 2016. The Grand River Dam

Authority Board of Directors may create an advisory board relating

to the management of the property and area previously under the

authority of the Scenic Rivers Commission with consideration of and

adherence to the provisions of the Scenic Rivers Act. Members

currently serving on the Commission may be eligible to serve in an

advisory capacity if so appointed by the Grand River Dam Authority

Board of Directors and may serve for terms as authorized by the

Board of Directors of the Authority.

D. The Administrator and Chief Ranger of the Scenic Rivers

Commission employed by the Commission on the effective date of this

act may maintain possession of the badge and assigned firearm issued

by the Commission.

Added by Laws 2016, c. 297, § 4, eff. July 1, 2016.