Senate Bill 626 Summary

• Creates the "Department of Transportation Staffing and Consulting Task Force" to study and evaluate staffing levels and consultants employed by the Department of Transportation, with authority to address other pertinent issues.

• Task force consists of 10 members including the Secretary of Transportation, representatives from transportation advocacy groups and road/bridge organizations, a representative from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and six legislative members (three from Senate, three from House).

• Requires task force appointments to be finalized by July 1, 2013, with legislative members serving as cochairs and all members receiving travel reimbursement but no compensation.

• Task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor, legislative leadership, and Oklahoma Transportation Commission by December 1, 2014, with the Department of Transportation staff preparing the report.

• Task force expires December 1, 2014, and the measure is declared an emergency, effective upon passage and approval.