2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 60. Property › §60-176.1. Presumptions and conditions - Relationship of trust and beneficiary.

A. Except as provided in subsection F of this section and if the conditions set out in subsection B of this section are satisfied in compliance with Section 176 et seq. of this title, a public trust duly created in accordance with the provisions of Section 176 et seq. of this title shall be presumed for all purposes of Oklahoma law to:
1. Exist for the public benefit;
2. Exist as a legal entity separate and distinct from the settlor and from the governmental entity that is its beneficiary; and
3. Act on behalf and in the furtherance of a public function or functions for which it is created even though facilities financed by the public trust or in which the public trust has an ownership interest may be operated by private persons or entities pursuant to contract.
B. The conditions to be satisfied as required in subsection A of this section are as follows:
1. The trustees of the public trust are appointed by the governing body of the beneficiary or beneficiaries or as otherwise provided by law. This paragraph shall not apply to public trusts in existence as of July 1, 1992;
2. The public trust delivers to the governing body of the beneficiaries, or in the case of the state as beneficiary, to the State Auditor and Inspector, annual audits as provided in Section 180.1 of this title;
3. With respect to city or county beneficiary public trusts, the function or enterprise in which the public trust is engaged is or could be authorized by state law to be performed by the beneficiary; and
4. With respect to city or county beneficiary public trusts, all indebtedness incurred by the public trust is approved by the governing body of the beneficiary as provided in subsection E of Section 176 of this title.
C. The existence of a contract for the operation or management of the facility financed by the public trust is hereby declared to be in furtherance of the public purpose of the public trust and shall not affect the validity of such public trust.
D. Except where the provisions of the trust indenture or of Section 176 et seq. of this title, or of any other law written specifically to govern the affairs of public trusts, expressly requires otherwise, the affairs of the public trust shall be separate and independent from the affairs of the beneficiary in all matters or activities authorized by the written instrument creating such public trust including, but not limited to, the public trust's budget, expenditures, revenues and general operation and management of its facilities or functions; provided, that either the public trust or the beneficiary may make payment of money to the other unless prohibited by the written instrument creating such public trust or by existing state law.
E. For all purposes of Oklahoma law, the existence and validity of any public trust shall be determined and established solely by the provisions of the written instrument creating such public trust, and by the provisions of Section 176 et seq. of this title and of any other law written specifically to create a public trust. Actions taken or omitted by the trustees of a public trust shall not affect the existence or validity of the entity as a public trust but shall be subject to subsequent review or ratification by said trustees or to correction by the district court in a proper proceeding.
F. Nothing in this section shall affect coverage of any entity under The Governmental Tort Claims Act.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 371, § 6, eff. July 1, 1992. Amended by Laws 1998, c. 173, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 2003, c. 432, § 10, emerg. eff. June 7, 2003.