SB 623 Summary

• Amends 74 O.S. 2011, Section 8401 to establish the War on Terror Memorial Design Committee with 12 members including legislators, state agency officials, and the President of the Oklahoma Veterans Council.

• Committee responsibilities include developing design criteria, conducting a public design competition, selecting three finalist designs, choosing a final design winner, and providing oversight during memorial site selection and construction.

• Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society handles all construction contracts, with authority to use an alternate design or reopen the award process if construction costs exceed budget.

• Committee members receive no compensation but are eligible for travel reimbursement under applicable state law; legislative members reimbursed per statute 74 O.S. Section 456; state agency members reimbursed by their agencies.

• Bill becomes effective November 1, 2013; updates reference from "State Travel Reimbursement Act" to "Section 500.1 et seq. of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes."