reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-119. Regulation of railway and freight operations within municipal limits.

The municipal governing body may regulate levees, depots, depot grounds, and places of storing freight and goods, and provide for the passage of railways through the streets and public grounds of the municipality. The governing body may also regulate the crossing of railway tracks and the running of railway engines, cars and trucks within the limits of the municipality, and to govern the speed thereof, and to make provisions, rules and restrictions to prevent accidents at crossings and on the tracks of railways and to prevent fires from engines.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-119, eff. July 1, 1978.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-120. Public health, hospitals, quarantine, and environmental hazards.

A. The municipal governing body may enact and enforce such ordinances, rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the protection of the public health, not inconsistent with state law; and may establish and regulate hospitals, and provide for their operation and support. The governing body may make regulations to prevent the introduction of contagious diseases into the municipality and may enforce quarantine laws within five (5) miles of the municipal limits.
B. If the Department of Environmental Quality notifies a municipality in writing that certain vacant property presents an extraordinary environmental hazard to public health and safety, the municipal governing body is authorized to enact special ordinances restricting occupancy and use of the vacant buildings, vacant structures or land as necessary to protect against the extraordinary environmental hazard. This includes, but is not limited to, the authority to restrict occupancy or use by classes of persons who may be especially vulnerable to the environmental hazard. The municipal governing body is further authorized to restrict occupancy or use, by children or other especially vulnerable classes of persons, of property in areas or at locations with contamination by lead or other hazardous substances to such a degree that normal health and welfare of members of the class are at significant risk.
Added by Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-120, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 352, § 1, emerg. eff. June 1, 2001.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-122. Trees.

The municipal governing body may enact ordinances for the purpose of regulating, planting and maintaining trees in the streets, avenues or public grounds of the municipality. Planting and maintaining trees may also be petitioned for in the manner provided for petitioning sidewalks; and the governing body may make assessments and collect taxes in order to pay for planting and maintaining trees in the manner provided for sidewalk assessments and taxes.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-122, eff. July 1, 1978.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-124. Commercial development projects, market houses and marketplaces - Municipal buildings.

The municipal governing body may purchase ground for, erect, establish, operate, and regulate retail or commercial redevelopment projects, market houses, and marketplaces. The governing body may contract with any person, company, or corporation for the erection, operation, and maintenance of such redevelopment projects, market houses, and marketplaces on terms and conditions and in such manner as may be necessary and proper pursuant to the authority granted to it by the Constitution and laws of this state to protect and preserve such projects and markets for the benefit of the municipality and its citizens. The municipal governing body may raise all necessary revenue therefor. The governing body may also provide for the erection and operation of any and all necessary buildings for the municipality.
Amended by Laws 1984, c. 126, § 47, eff. Nov. 1, 1984.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-125. Gifts to institutions in state system of higher education or to school districts.

The municipal governing body may make gifts of any real estate belonging to the municipality to any institution in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education or to any school district, which is located in the municipality. The municipal governing body may purchase or otherwise acquire real estate for this purpose, execute any instruments necessary for the transfer of real estate, and may give buildings or monies for the construction of buildings to institutions in the state system of higher education or any school district in this state. The governing boards of such institutions or school districts are hereby authorized to accept these gifts.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-125, eff. July 1, 1978; Laws 1991, c. 313, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-126. Participation in federal programs.

The municipal governing body may receive funds for and participate in any federal program, and may cooperate with the United States Government and any agency or instrumentality thereof, in the manner authorized and provided by federal law and regulation. In doing so, a municipality may perform all necessary functions and take all necessary actions for accomplishing such federal purposes and programs, as agent of the federal government, notwithstanding any provisions of state law.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-126, eff. July 1, 1978.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-127. Establishing residency requirements.

The municipal governing body by ordinance may designate which appointed officers and employees shall reside within the municipality; but police officers, firefighters and other municipal employees need not be actual residents of the municipality where they are employed in municipalities of five thousand (5,000) population or more, according to the latest federal census.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-127, eff. July 1, 1978.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-128. Authority for public improvements - Borrowing money - Bond issues.

The governing body of any municipality may provide for making any and all improvements of a general nature in the municipality and may from time to time borrow money and issue bonds for the purpose of paying for such improvements. No such money shall be borrowed or bonds issued until the governing body is instructed to do so by a vote of at least three-fifths of the registered voters voting on the question at any election held in the municipality, unless otherwise provided by the Constitution and laws of Oklahoma. If the purpose of the bonds includes paying for conservation easements, the question voted on by the voters of the municipality issuing such bonds shall reflect such purpose, but need not specify the legal description or location of the property to be affected by such easements, unless such legal description or location is known prior to the election. Any conservation easements executed pursuant to this section shall not restrict or prohibit any existing recreational uses permitted by the landowner, including, but not limited to, hunting and fishing. A conservation easement shall not be executed in any location that will restrict or in any way modify an existing use, easement, or zoning ordinance that relates to military installations of this state and/or to any zoning ordinances adopted pursuant to Section 43-101.1 of this title. If a municipality fails to negotiate a purchase of a conservation easement from a landowner, the use of eminent domain by a municipality shall be prohibited to secure such easement. Bonds issued under this section shall be payable not more than twenty-five (25) years from the date of their issue, with interest thereon at a rate not exceeding a maximum rate established by law. The governing body shall provide for taxes to pay the bonds at their maturity, and their interest coupons as they respectively become due.
Added by Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-128, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Laws 1983, c. 170, § 13, eff. July 1, 1983; Laws 2006, c. 307, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2006.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-129. Tax warrants against lots for special assessments or for abatement of public nuisance.

A. Where municipal improvements of any character are made by special assessments upon the abutting lots, or upon blocks, or where a special assessment may be created by ordinance for the direct benefit of a limited locality in a municipality, the governing body may issue a tax warrant against each separate abutting lot, in the manner provided by law, which shall be a valid lien on the lot and shall be extended, collected and bear a like penalty with other taxes of the state, county or municipality.
B. Where a municipality has abated any public nuisance in accordance with state law or municipal ordinance, the governing body may issue a tax warrant against each separate lot that was actually abated, in the manner provided by law, which shall be a valid lien on the lot and shall be extended, collected and bear a like penalty with other taxes of the state, county or municipality.
Added by Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-129, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 454, § 1, emerg. eff. June 6, 2003.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-130. Reassessments for void or illegal assessments.

When a municipal governing body has attempted to levy any assessment for improvements which may have been informal, illegal or void for want of sufficient authority or other cause, the governing body of the municipality shall reassess any such assessment in the manner provided by law.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-130, eff. July 1, 1978.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-131. Municipal records - Destruction, sale or disposition after certain time limitations.

A. A municipal governing body may destroy, sell for salvage or otherwise dispose of the following papers, documents and records after the expiration of the specified period of time following the end of the fiscal year in which the paper, document or record was created, except as otherwise specified:
1. One (1) year: parking citations may be destroyed or otherwise permanently disposed of one (1) year after the date of issuances;
2. Two (2) years: municipal court warrants, water, sewer, garbage and utility receipts and statements, which have been previously audited; inspection records relating to water meters and sewer inspections; miscellaneous petitions and letters addressed to the governing body on matters other than pertaining to the items hereinafter set forth; utility billing ledger or register; utility cash receipts ledger or register; and utility accounts receivable ledger or register. Fire run contracts may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of two (2) years after their expiration;
3. Five (5) years: successful and unsuccessful bids for the purchase or furnishing of equipment, material and improvements; inspection records except as provided for in paragraph 2 of this section; claims that have been denied; license applications; bonds; special, primary and general election payrolls; election tabulations and returns; withholding statements; garnishment records; traffic tickets and receipts; bond receipts and fine receipts; information and complaints; court dockets; paid general obligation and revenue bonds; paid street improvement, sewer and sidewalk district bonds; warrants; claims; checks; vouchers; purchase orders; payrolls;
4. Ten (10) years: inventories; appropriation ledgers; sidewalk assessment records, except payment records; cash receipt book or register for the general fund, the street and alley fund, any bond fund or sinking fund and all other trust funds that have been audited; and
5. Fifteen (15) years: sewer and improvement district records, except payment records.
None of the above-mentioned records, papers or documents pertaining to pending litigation shall be disposed of until such litigation is finally terminated. This section shall not be construed to authorize or allow the destruction of any testing laboratory results or the inspection records of public improvements of a municipality.
B. Time limits for the destruction, sale, or other disposition of municipal papers, documents and records which are not mentioned in subsection A of this section may be determined and set by ordinance or resolution of the municipal governing body.
Added by Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-131, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Laws 1982, c. 166, § 1; Laws 1987, c. 173, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1987; Laws 1990, c. 83, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1990; Laws 1996, c. 83, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1996.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-132. Authority to have records photographed or reproduced on film or stored on optical disk - Original record - Storage.

A. The head of any municipal department, commission, bureau or board may have any or all records kept by the official, department, commission, bureau or board photographed, microphotographed, photostated, reproduced on film or stored on optical disk. Such film or reproducing material shall be of durable material and the device used to reproduce such records on film or other material shall be such as to accurately reproduce and perpetuate the original records in all details.
B. The photostatic copy, photograph, microphotograph, photographic film or optical disk of the original records shall be deemed to be an original record for all purposes, and shall be admissible in evidence in all courts or administrative agencies. A facsimile, exemplification or certified copy thereof shall, for all purposes recited herein, be deemed to be a transcript, exemplification or certified copy of the original.
C. Whenever photostatic copies, photographs, microphotographs, reproductions on films or optical disks shall be placed in conveniently accessible files and provisions made for preserving, examining and using same, the head of any municipal department, commission, bureau or board may certify those facts to the municipal governing body. Following such certification, the governing body may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize the disposal, archival storage or destruction of the original records and papers before the expiration of the retention period established pursuant to Section 22-131 of this title.
Added by Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-132, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 50, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1990; Laws 1998, c. 234, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-132.1. Municipal Records - Maintenance and protection - Availability.

Any officer or employee of a municipality having custody of records or other documents of the municipality shall keep and maintain such records in a manner and at a location prescribed by the governing body. Such records shall be available for use by officers and employees of the municipality as the governing body shall direct. The governing body shall establish policies and procedures to preserve and protect the records of the municipality consistent with other provisions of law providing for the confidentiality of such records where appropriate and the accessibility of such records for inspection by the public.
Added Laws 1989, c. 255, § 2, emerg. eff. May 19, 1989.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-133. Contesting reasonableness of oil and gas drilling fee.

Any person, firm or corporation may contest the reasonableness of any fee imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 52 of Title 17 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for the issuance of a permit for the drilling and operation of an oil and gas well or the regulation thereof, by filing a petition in the district court of the county where the governing body of such incorporated city or town is located. The court, upon hearing all the facts and circumstances relating to the imposition of the fee, shall determine the reasonableness of such fee. The court may award attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing party.
Added by Laws 1986, c. 250, § 14, emerg. eff. June 13, 1986.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-134. Purchasing or accounts payable - Approval by electronic process.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Oklahoma Statutes, any municipal document, other than checks, drafts or warrants, relating to purchasing or accounts payable may be approved by the municipality by an electronic process in lieu of a manual process.
Added by Laws 1990, c. 176, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1990.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-135. National disaster leave.

A. The governing body of a municipality may grant leave with pay not to exceed fifteen (15) working days to a municipal employee who is affected by a presidentially declared national disaster in Oklahoma after May 1, 1999, if:
1. The employee suffered a physical injury as a result of the disaster;
2. A relative or household member of the employee suffered a physical injury or died as a result of the disaster; or
3. The domicile of the employee or the domicile of a relative of the employee was damaged or destroyed as a result of the disaster.
B. As used in this section:
1. “Relative of the employee” shall be limited to the spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, grandparent, stepparent, or parent of the employee; and
2. “Household members” means those persons who reside in the same home, who have reciprocal duties to and do provide financial support for one another. This term shall include foster children and legal wards even if they do not live in the household. The term does not include persons sharing the same general house, when the living style is primarily that of a dormitory or commune.
C. The authority to grant leave with pay pursuant to subsection A of this section shall extend for a period of not more than six (6) months after the date of a presidentially declared national disaster.
D. Annual leave, sick leave, or compensatory time which was charged to a municipal employee as a result of the presidentially declared national disaster resulting from the May 3, 1999, tornadoes that would have otherwise been eligible for the leave provision in subsection A of this section, may be reinstated by the governing body. A municipal employee entitled to leave with pay pursuant to this section who was charged leave without pay shall be compensated at the base rate of pay of the employee.
E. A governing body of a municipality may amend an existing leave sharing program or establish a leave sharing program to allow municipal employees to share sick or annual leave with municipal employees who are eligible for leave pursuant to subsection A of this section. The disaster-related leave sharing plan shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. An employee eligible for disaster-related leave may receive up to fifteen (15) days donated leave;
2. The donated leave must be used for disaster-related injuries or matters;
3. The eligible employee shall not be required to take or exhaust any of the employee’s regular sick, personal, or emergency leave in order to receive donated leave;
4. Donated leave may be used to reinstate regular emergency, sick, or personal leave an employee used after May 1, 1999, for disaster-related injuries or matters;
5. An eligible employee who was required to take leave without pay for disaster-related injuries or matters may be compensated for up to fifteen (15) days if leave is donated to cover the leave without pay; and
6. The municipality may require documentation to support a request to use donated leave pursuant to this section.
Added by Laws 1999, c. 306, § 4, eff. July 1, 1999.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-137. Denial of excess leave due to extraordinary circumstances - Compensation.

If a municipal employee whose job duties include providing fire protection services or law enforcement services is unable to use excess leave in the time frame allowed by the municipality because the employee’s request for leave is denied by the municipality and the denial of leave is due to extraordinary circumstances such that taking leave could pose a threat to public safety, health or welfare, the employee shall receive compensation at the employee’s regular rate of pay for the amount of excess leave the employee is unable to use. Such compensation shall be paid at the end of the time period during which the excess leave was required to have been used.
Added by Laws 2006, c. 230, § 1, eff. July 1, 2006.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-138. Municipal collection agency contracts.

A. The governing body of a municipality may enter into a contract with a collection agency for the provision of collection services for one or more of the following items:
1. Debts and accounts receivable including, but not limited to, unpaid fees, penalties, interest, and other sums due the municipality, as applicable; or
2. Court penalties, costs, fines and fees in cases in municipal court in which the accused has failed to appear or otherwise failed to satisfy a monetary obligation ordered by the court.
B. A governing body of a municipality that enters into a contract with a collection agency pursuant to this section may authorize the addition of a collection fee in an amount not to exceed thirty-five percent (35%) on each item described in subsection A of this section that has been referred by the municipality to the collection agency for collection. If a municipality enters into such contract with a collection agency and authorizes the collection fee, the court shall order defendants to reimburse the fee arising pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section and such court-ordered fee may be collected as provided by law for the collection of any other civil debt or criminal action.
Added by Laws 2009, c. 258, § 1, emerg. eff. May 22, 2009.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-139. Designating personnel to attend armed security guard training program or reserve peace officer certification program.

A. The city council or board of trustees for a city or municipality may, through a majority vote of the council or board, designate city or municipality personnel who have been issued a handgun license pursuant to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to attend an armed security guard training program, as provided for in Section 1750.5 of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or a reserve peace officer certification program, as provided for in Section 3311 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, provided and developed by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET). Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or limit the city council or board of trustees of a city or municipality from requiring ongoing education and training.
B. Participation in either the armed security guard training program or the reserve peace officer certification program shall be voluntary and shall not in any way be considered a requirement for continued employment with the city or municipality. The city council or board of trustees of a city or municipality shall have the final authority to determine and designate personnel who will be authorized to obtain and use an armed security guard license or reserve peace officer certification in conjunction with their employment as city or municipality personnel.
C. The city council or board of trustees of a city or municipality that authorizes personnel to participate in either the armed security guard program or the reserve peace officer program may pay all necessary training, meal and lodging expenses associated with the training.
D. When carrying a firearm pursuant to this act, the person shall at all times carry the firearm on his or her person or the firearm shall be stored in a locked and secure location.
E. Any city or municipality personnel who have successfully completed either training and while acting in a reasonable and prudent manner shall be immune from civil and criminal liability for any injury resulting from the carrying of a handgun onto city or municipality property as provided in this act. Any municipality, city council, board of trustees or participating local law enforcement agency shall be immune from civil and criminal liability for any injury resulting from any act committed by the city or municipality personnel who are designated to carry a concealed handgun on public city or municipality property pursuant to the provisions of this act.
F. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the city council or board of trustees of a city or municipality is authorized to enter into a memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement entities.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 355, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-151. Purpose and construction of act.

The Oklahoma Municipal Utility Revenue Bond Act shall serve to implement and execute Section 27B of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution, and nothing in the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Revenue Bond Act shall be construed in a manner contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of said constitutional provision.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 211, § 2, eff. July 1, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-153. Authority to issue certain revenue bonds and obligations - Limitations.

Any municipality may issue its obligations in the manner set out in the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Revenue Bond Act in order to finance, or to refinance, all or a part of the cost of the acquisition, purchase or construction of, or the making of improvements to any public utility owned or to be owned exclusively by said municipality, and said obligations shall be payable from and secured by the revenues resulting from the operation of the municipality's revenue-producing public utilities or any part thereof. Provided, nothing herein shall authorize or be construed to authorize a municipality to create a lien or mortgage on, or a security interest in or with respect to such public utility or utilities to secure said obligations. The obligations, when issued and delivered, shall state on the face thereof that the revenue indebtedness or contractual obligations created thereby are limited obligations of the municipality payable from and secured by a lien and charge on the revenues of funds pledged for their payment by the governing body of the municipality and shall not constitute a general indebtedness of the municipality, nor shall it invoke or require the imposition of the general taxing power of such municipality.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 211, § 4, eff. July 1, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-154. Additional sources of security for utility revenue obligations.

Nothing in the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Revenue Bond Act shall prevent a municipality from dedicating sales taxes or other municipal taxes as an additional source of payment and security for its utility revenue obligations, provided that the dedication of such tax revenue is approved by a majority of municipal voters voting at an election held for that purpose, in the manner set out in Section 2701 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes and other applicable laws, on a ballot question separate from the question of the issuance of revenue obligations. Further, nothing in the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Revenue Bond Act shall prevent a municipality from purchasing a policy of municipal bond insurance, securing a rating on the creditworthiness of the obligations, obtaining a letter of credit and other such credit enhancement product generally utilized in the public finance industry to further enhance and secure the obligations, provided, that at the time of the securing of such credit enhancement it reasonably appears to the governing body of the municipality that such credit enhancement shall result in a reduction in the amount of interest to be paid by the municipality over the life of the obligations, taking into account the cost of such credit enhancement. The dedication of such municipal taxes or the providing of credit enhancement for the obligations shall be at the sound discretion of the governing body of the municipality.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 211, § 5, eff. July 1, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-155. Submission of question of issuance of revenue obligations to finance acquisition, purchase or construction of public utility to voters.

Prior to and as a condition precedent to issuing revenue obligations under the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Revenue Bond Act, the governing body of a municipality shall submit the question of issuance of revenue obligations to finance the acquisition, purchase or construction of a public utility or combination of public utilities to qualified voters of the municipality at an election if:
1. The type or kind of public utility or utilities to be financed have not heretofore been owned or operated by the municipality or a public trust having the municipality as its beneficiary; or
2. The question of the acquisition, construction or purchase of the public utility or combination of utilities at issue has not been previously approved by a lawful majority of qualified voters of the municipality voting at an election held within ten (10) years of the date of the election.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 211, § 6, eff. July 1, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-156. Submission of question of issuance of revenue obligations to finance improvement of public utility to voters.

Prior to and as a condition precedent to issuing revenue obligations under the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Revenue Bond Act, the governing body of a municipality shall submit the question of issuance of revenue obligations to finance improvements to a public utility or combination of public utilities if:
1. The improvements are with respect to a public utility or utilities owned by the municipality or by a public trust having the municipality as its beneficiary at the time of the election; and
2. The original acquisition, purchase or construction of the public utility or utilities on which improvements are to be made was not approved by a lawful majority of qualified voters of the municipality voting at an election for that purpose; or
3. The original acquisition, purchase or construction of the public utility or utilities on which improvements are to be made was not accomplished and financed by a public trust of which the municipality is a beneficiary.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 211, § 7, eff. July 1, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-159. Municipal support of public school systems.

Municipalities may support any public school system located in whole or in part within the corporate limits of the municipality or any public school system located outside and completely surrounded by the corporate limits of the municipality, including without limitation by the expenditure of municipal revenues for construction or improvement of public school facilities. In furtherance of municipal support for any public school system, as authorized by this section, the municipal governing body may take all actions necessary to effectuate such support.
Added by Laws 1999, c. 217, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1999. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 457, § 8.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-22-162. Definitions.

For the purposes of this act:
1. "Racing event" means a motor vehicle race which is sanctioned by a nationally or internationally recognized racing organization and includes the preparations, practices, and qualifications for the race;
2. “Municipality” means any municipality in this state with a population exceeding three hundred thousand (300,000) according to the most recent Federal Decennial Census;
3. “Public trust” means a public trust created pursuant to Section 176 et seq. of Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes whose sole beneficiary is the municipality;
4. “Racing event area” means all public areas, including, without limitation, public highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, public parking areas, lots, garages, public buildings, and public parks within the jurisdiction of the municipality that are the subject of any issued permit; and
5. “Motor vehicle” means a motorized vehicle designed to be driven on pavement such as streets or highways.
Added by Laws 2011, c. 19, § 2.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-23-101. Municipality to defend municipal employees in certain legal actions.

A. Unless otherwise provided for in the Governmental Tort Claims Act, if an action is brought against a municipal employee in any civil action or special proceeding in the courts of this state or of the United States by reason of any act done or omitted in good faith in the course of employment, the governing body of the municipality shall direct the municipal attorney or other designated legal counsel to appear and defend the action or proceeding on the behalf of the employee in accordance with the provisions of Section 23-102 of this title. The municipal governing body shall not designate an attorney to represent a municipal employee if that employee did not perform a statutorily required duty and such duty is a basis of the civil action or special proceeding.
B. The municipal governing body may direct its attorney to intervene in any action or proceeding and to appear on behalf of the municipality, or any of its officers or employees, if the governing body deems the municipality to have an interest in the subject matter of the litigation.
C. A municipality may indemnify its employees for actual damages, fees and costs in accordance with the Governmental Tort Claims Act.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 23-101, eff. July 1, 1978; Laws 1984, c. 126, § 48, eff. Nov. 1, 1984; Laws 1992, c. 371, § 3, eff. July 1, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-23-102. Defense of municipal employees - Procedure for request and defense.

If a municipality is to defend a municipal employee in a civil action or special proceeding as provided for in Section 23-101 of this title, the following procedure shall apply:
1. The employee shall make a written request to the governing body of the municipality within ten (10) days after service of summons on the employee. A copy of the request shall be transmitted by the employee to his immediate supervisor and to the municipal attorney or other designated legal counsel;
2. Before any defense is initiated, an inquiry shall be made by the municipal governing body of the facts upon which the action or special proceeding is based. Unless the governing body determines that the employee was acting in good faith and in the course of his employment, representation shall not be provided pursuant to the provisions of Section 23-101 of this title;
3. Upon the decision of the municipal governing body to provide representation for the employee, it shall direct an attorney to appear and defend the action. Said attorney shall determine the method of preparation and presentation of the defense and shall not be held civilly liable for the exercise of such discretion;
4. The employee named in the action may employ private counsel at his own expense to assist in his defense;
5. It shall be the duty of any municipal law enforcement agency to provide investigators at the request of the designated attorney to assist him in implementing the provisions of this section;
6. No findings or reports of the municipal governing body, the designated attorney, or persons making inquiry subject to their direction pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be discoverable or admissible as evidence in any such action or special proceeding, and no reference thereto shall be made in any such trial or hearing; and
7. Any officer or employee who acts outside the scope of his official authority shall be liable for damages in the same manner as any private citizen.
Amended by Laws 1984, c. 126, § 49, eff. Nov. 1, 1984.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-23-103. Cost of litigation when municipality defends municipal employee.

The cost of litigation in any case for which representation is provided pursuant to Sections 23-101 and 23-102 of this title shall be paid by the municipality. Cost of litigation shall include, but is not limited to, court cost, deposition expenses, travel and lodging, witness fees and other similar costs; except that this section shall not be construed as authorizing the payment by the municipality of any judgment making an award of monetary damages.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 23-103, eff. July 1, 1978.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-23-103.1. Employee defined.

As used in Sections 23-101 through 23-103 of this title, employee means any person who is acting or who has acted in behalf of a political subdivision or an agency whether that person is acting on a permanent or temporary basis, with or without being compensated or on a full-time or part-time basis. Employee also includes all elected or appointed officers, members of governing bodies and other persons designated to act for an agency or political subdivision, but shall not include independent contractors.
Laws 1979, c. 44, § 6, emerg. eff. April 9, 1979.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-23-105. Ambulance service - Liability insurance - Employee benefits.

A. The governing body of any municipality or county may contract for ambulance service with the state or any of its agencies or any other municipality, county, person, firm, or corporation or combination thereof subject to such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the parties or in accordance with the requirements of the Interlocal Cooperation Act. Such contracts, if with a person, firm, or corporation, shall provide for the carrying of liability insurance in a sum of not less than the risk of liability of the municipality pursuant to the provisions of Section 154 of Title 51 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. Any employee of a municipality, county, or public trust, engaging in ambulance or emergency service provided by the employer shall be entitled to all benefits of any pension fund or insurance benefits to which such employee might otherwise be entitled. If the employee of any city, town, county, or public trust performs ambulance or emergency service in his off-duty hours in addition to such employee's principal employment, the time spent in such additional duty shall not be counted toward the person's pension and the compensation received shall not be used to calculate the pension that person may receive at some future time.
Amended by Laws 1984, c. 126, § 50, eff. Nov. 1, 1984.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-23-109. Ordinance to establish employee benefit program.

The municipal governing body may enact an ordinance for the establishment of an employee benefit program to encourage outstanding performance in the workplace. The ordinance shall provide for the expenditure of funds for the purchase of recognition awards for presentation to an employee or members of a work unit.
Added by Laws 2018, c. 188, § 2.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-24-102. Legislative Findings and Declaration of Necessity.

Legislative Findings and Declaration of Necessity. It is declared that the provision of adequate, reliable and economic sources of electrical energy is in the public interest; that there is a need to establish a means by which municipalities and public trusts operating municipal electric systems may jointly plan, finance, own and operate facilities relating to electrical energy and acquire fuel and other supplies for the generation of electrical energy through the creation of a power authority in order to achieve economies and efficiencies not possible for municipalities and public trusts acting alone; that the joint planning, financing, ownership and operation of facilities relating to electrical energy, the acquisition of fuel and other supplies for the generation of electrical energy and the issuance of revenue bonds as provided herein is for a public use and serves a valid public purpose; and that the Legislature finds it necessary and proper to provide a method for municipalities and public trusts operating municipal electric systems to jointly plan, finance, develop, own or operate, either by themselves or with other public agencies, utilities or persons, facilities appropriate to the present and projected needs of such municipalities and public trusts for electrical energy. It is further declared that the intent of this act is to consider all methods for the generation of electrical energy and to provide such energy in the most economical manner available.
Laws 1981, c. 218, § 2, emerg. eff. June 2, 1981.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-24-103. Creation of the Authority.

Creation of the Authority. There is hereby created within the State of Oklahoma a power authority to be known as "Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority". Said Authority shall be, and is hereby declared to be a state governmental agency, body politic and corporate, with powers of government and with authority to exercise the rights, privileges and functions hereinafter specified.
Nothing in this act or in any other act or law contained, however, shall be construed as authorizing the Authority to levy or collect taxes or assessments, or to create any indebtedness payable out of the taxes or assessments, or in any manner to pledge the credit of the State of Oklahoma, or any subdivision thereof.
Laws 1981, c. 218, § 3, emerg. eff. June 2, 1981.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-24-106. Public Property.

Public Property. It is hereby found, determined, and declared that the creation of the Authority and the carrying out of its corporate purposes are in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state and that the Authority is an institution of purely public charity performing an essential governmental function and all property of said Authority (including the Authority's interest in any property held jointly with any other person) is hereby declared and shall in all respects be considered to be public property and title to such property shall be held by the Authority only for the benefit of the public and the use of such property pursuant to the terms of this act shall be and is hereby declared to be for essential public and governmental purposes, that is, for the promotion of public general welfare in the matter of providing an adequate, dependable and economic electric power supply in an effort to better the general condition of the residents of the State of Oklahoma, and all of the property of and income, obligations and interest on all the bonds and notes of the Authority and the transfer thereof shall be and hereby are declared to be nontaxable for any and all purposes by the State of Oklahoma or any of its political subdivisions.
Laws 1981, c. 218, § 6, emerg. eff. June 2, 1981. der
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-24-110. Eminent Domain.

Eminent Domain. Except as otherwise provided by this act, the Authority may acquire all real or personal property that it deems necessary for carrying out the purposes of this act, whether in fee simple absolute or a lesser interest, by condemnation and the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the manner and by like proceedings as provided by general law with respect to condemnation. The Authority shall never have power of eminent domain with respect to any real or personal property or interest therein at the time owned or leased by any person as part of a system, whether existing, under construction or being planned, or facilities for the generation, transmission, production or distribution of electrical power. The authority of the Authority to acquire real or personal property by condemnation or the exercise of the power of eminent domain shall be a continuing power, and no exercise thereof shall exhaust it.
Laws 1981, c. 218, § 10, emerg. eff. June 2, 1981.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-24-111. Legal Investments.

Legal Investments. The bonds herein authorized are hereby made securities in which all public officers and bodies of this state and all political subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries and all other persons whatsoever who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state may properly and legally invest funds including capital in their control or belonging to them. The bonds are also hereby made securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all political subdivisions for any purpose for which deposit of bonds or other obligations of this state is now or may hereafter be authorized.
Laws 1981, c. 218, § 11, emerg. eff. June 2, 1981.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 11. Cities and Towns › §11-24-113. Rents, Rates and Other Charges; Corporation Commission Exemption.

Rents, Rates and Other Charges; Corporation Commission Exemption. The Authority may establish, levy and collect or may authorize, by contract, franchise, lease or otherwise, the establishment, levying and collection of rents, rates and other charges for the products and services afforded by the Authority or by or in connection with any project which it may construct, acquire, own, operate or control or with respect to which it may have any interest or any right to the products and services thereof as it may deem necessary, proper, desirable or reasonable. Rents, rates and other charges shall be at least sufficient to meet the operation, maintenance and other expenses thereof, including reasonable reserves, interest and principal payments, including payments into one or more sinking funds for the retirement of principal, to comply with all terms and provisions of the bond resolution, trust indenture or other security agreement relating to the bonds issued in connection with any project, to accumulate any excess income which may be required by the purchasers of such bonds or may be dictated by the requirements of such bond resolution, trust indenture or security agreement for achieving ready marketability of and low interest on such bonds and to generate funds sufficient to fulfill the terms of any other contracts or agreements made by the Authority. The Authority may pledge its rates, rents and other revenue, or any part thereof, as security for the repayment, with interest and premium, if any, of any monies borrowed by it or advanced to it for any of its authorized purposes and as security for the payment of amounts due and owing by it under any contract.
The Authority shall be exempt in any and all respects from the jurisdiction or control of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Nothing herein shall be construed as depriving the State of Oklahoma of its power to regulate and control fees and/or charges to be collected for the use of any products and services afforded by the Authority, provided, that the State of Oklahoma does hereby pledge to and agree with the purchasers and successive holders of the bonds issued hereunder that the state will not limit or alter the power hereby vested in the Authority to establish, levy and collect such rents, rates and other charges as will produce revenue sufficient to meet the operation, maintenance and other expenses set forth in the preceding paragraph of this Section 13, or in any way to impair the rights or remedies of the holders of the bonds, or of any person in their behalf, until the bonds, together with the interest thereon, with interest on unpaid installments of interest and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceedings by or on behalf of the bondholders and all other obligations of the Authority in connection with such bonds are fully met and discharged.
Laws 1981, c. 218, § 13, emerg. eff. June 2, 1981.