reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-946. Exhuming of bodies - Hearing - Autopsy - Reports.

A. If death occurred under circumstances as enumerated in Section 938 of this title, and if the body has been buried without proper certification of death, it shall be the duty of the investigating official, upon ascertaining such facts, to notify the Chief Medical Examiner and the district attorney of the county in which the body was buried. The district attorney shall present facts to the judge of the district court of that county, and the judge, after a hearing, may by written order require the body to be exhumed and an autopsy performed by the Chief Medical Examiner or his or her designee. A copy of the court order for exhumation shall be provided to the State Department of Health. A complete report of the facts developed by the autopsy and the findings of the person making the same shall be filed with the Chief Medical Examiner without unnecessary delay and a copy furnished the district attorney of the county within which the death occurred or within which the body was buried, or both.
B. No order for exhumation, as provided for in subsection A of this section, shall be made without notice of the hearing being served upon the decedent's next of kin, five (5) days prior to the hearing. The notice shall be served in the same manner as provided for by law for the service of summons in a civil action, shall include the date, time and place of the hearing and shall advise the person so notified that he or she has the right to appear and be heard by the court at that time. Provided, that the district attorney may, by affidavit, advise the court that the identity or whereabouts of any persons required to be served with notice under this subsection is unknown and cannot be ascertained with due diligence. Upon finding that the facts stated in the affidavit are true, the court shall not require notice be given.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 607, § 16, eff. Jan. 2, 1962. Amended by Laws 1972, c. 246, § 15, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 1981, c. 87, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1981; Laws 2011, c. 105, § 37, eff. Nov. 1, 2011; Laws 2014, c. 293, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-947. Certificate of death.

A. The certification of death of any person whose death is investigated under Section 931 et seq. of this title shall be made by the Chief Medical Examiner or his or her designee upon a medical examiner death certificate provided by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. Such death certificates shall be valid only when signed by the Chief Medical Examiner or his or her designee. Copies of all such certificates shall be forwarded immediately upon receipt by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
B. Any certification of death by an attending physician may be referred by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics to the Chief Medical Examiner for investigation and the amending of the original certificate of death by the filing of a medical examiner death certificate by the Chief Medical Examiner or his or her designee when the death is determined by the Chief Medical Examiner to be one properly requiring investigation under Section 938 of this title.
C. Medical examiner death certificates will not be required in cases investigated solely for the purpose of issuing a permit for transport of a body out of state.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 607, § 17, eff. Jan. 2, 1962. Amended by Laws 1972, c. 246, § 16, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 1989, c. 163, § 1, emerg. eff. May 8, 1989; Laws 2014, c. 293, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-948. Storage of biological specimens - Storage fees - Drug screens.

A. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) shall store biological specimens in the control of the OCME for the potential purpose of independent analyses in matters of civil law, only upon receipt of a written request for such storage and payment of a storage fee. The fee shall be paid by the person requesting storage to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Board shall promulgate rules establishing a fee for storage of such biological specimens which shall not exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per year for a period of time not to exceed five (5) years. All fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be deposited to the credit of the Chief Medical Examiner Revolving Fund.
B. 1. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is authorized to perform drug screens on specimens in the custody of the OCME, provided the request is made by an agency or party authorized to receive such information. The OCME may limit drug screens within the technical and physical capabilities of the OCME.
2. The authorization for drug screens shall apply only to specimens from cases already within the jurisdiction of the OCME and only when the analyses are deemed by the Chief Medical Examiner or Deputy Chief Medical Examiner not to conflict with any investigation of the case by the state.
3. The Board of Medicolegal Investigations shall establish a fee for drug screen services by rule. All fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be deposited to the Chief Medical Examiner Revolving Fund.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 607, § 18, eff. Jan. 2, 1962. Amended by Laws 1963, c. 302, § 4, emerg. eff. June 19, 1963; Laws 1968, c. 182, § 2; Laws 1972, c. 246, § 17, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 1996, c. 234, § 4, eff. July 1, 1996; Laws 2004, c. 559, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2014, c. 293, § 17, eff. Nov. 1, 2014; Laws 2017, c. 343, § 2.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-951. Transporting of bodies for autopsy or scientific tests.

The Chief Medical Examiner shall maintain a contract transport service authorized to transport bodies of deceased persons of whose death he or she is officially informed to an appropriate place for autopsy or for the performance of scientific tests; provided that, after the autopsy shall have been performed or such tests made, the bodies of such deceased persons shall be returned to the county from which they were brought, or, when so authorized by the district attorney of the county and upon request of the nearest relative of the deceased or other person who may be responsible for burial, the body may be transported to some place other than the county. The Chief Medical Examiner or his or her designee may authorize payment for the services in transporting the body to the place designated for autopsy, which shall be submitted upon a claim filed with the Board of Medicolegal Investigations.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 608, § 21, eff. Jan. 2, 1962. Amended by Laws 1963, c. 302, § 6, emerg. eff. June 19, 1963; Laws 1972, c. 246, § 20, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 2014, c. 293, § 20, eff. Nov. 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-952. Persons excluded from serving as examiners or deputies.

It is specifically provided that no embalmer, funeral director, or employee of a funeral home shall be employed in any capacity with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, nor shall any member of law enforcement including but not limited to peace officers, deputy sheriffs, and reserve deputies.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 608, § 22, eff. Jan. 2, 1962. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 293, § 21, eff. Nov. 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-953. Penalties.

Any person who willfully fails to comply with the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Laws 1961, p. 608, § 23.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-954. Chief Medical Examiner Revolving Fund.

A. The Board of Medicolegal Investigations is authorized to accept grants, gifts, fees or funds from persons, associations, corporations, or foundations for any purpose authorized by the Board.
B. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be designated the "Chief Medical Examiner Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all moneys received from:
1. Laboratory analysis fees pursuant to the provisions of Section 1313.2 of Title 20 of the Oklahoma Statutes;
2. Grants, gifts, fees or funds from persons, associations, corporations or foundations pursuant to this section;
3. Document fees pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act, Section 24A.1 et seq. of Title 51 of the Oklahoma Statutes;
4. Specimen storage and drug screen service fees pursuant to the provisions of Section 948 of Title 63; and
5. Cremation, burial at sea or other recognized means of dissolution permit fees pursuant to Section 1-329.1 of this title.
All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the duties imposed upon the Board of Medicolegal Investigations by law. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
Added by Laws 1961, p. 608, § 24, eff. Jan. 2, 1962. Amended by Laws 1963, c. 302, § 7, emerg. eff. June 19, 1963; Laws 1972, c. 246, § 21, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 1987, c. 5, § 73, emerg. eff. March 11, 1987; Laws 1987, c. 236, § 121, emerg. eff. July 20, 1987; Laws 1988, c. 74, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1988; Laws 1994, c. 382, § 33, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 508; Laws 2017, c. 343, § 3.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-981. Activity within six (6) feet of high voltage overhead line or conductorprohibited.

No person, firm, corporation or association shall, individually or through an agent or employee and no person as an agent or employee of any person, firm, corporation or association, shall perform or permit any agent or employee to perform any function or activity upon any land, building, highway, or other premises, when it is possible during the performance of such activity for any person or employee engaged in performing work connected with or related to such function or activity to move to or to be placed in a position within six feet of any high voltage overhead electrical line or conductor, or when it is possible for any part of any tool, equipment, machinery or material to be used by any such person or employee to be brought within six (6) feet of any such overhead high voltage line or conductor through any lateral, vertical or swinging motion during the performance of such function or activity.
Added by Laws 1963, c. 118, § 1, emerg. eff. May 31, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-982. Storing, moving, etc. of equipment, materials, or buildings within six feet of lines prohibited.

No person, firm, corporation or association shall, individually or through an agent or employee, and no person as an agent or employee of any person, firm, corporation or association, shall store, operate, erect, maintain, move or transport any tools, machinery, equipment, supplies, materials, apparatus, house or other building, or any part thereof, within six (6) feet of any high voltage overhead conductor.
Laws 1963, c. 118, § 2, emerg. eff. May 31, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-983. Posting of warning signs in cranes, derricks and similar apparatus.

No person, firm, corporation or association shall, individually or through an agent or employee, or as an agent or employee, operate any crane, derrick, power shovel, drilling rig, hoisting equipment, or similar apparatus, any part of which is capable of vertical, lateral or swinging motion, unless there is posted and maintained in plain view of the operator thereof, a durable warning sign legible at twelve (12) feet, reading:
"Unlawful to operate this equipment within six feet of high voltage lines."
Each day's failure to post or maintain such signs shall constitute a separate violation.
Laws 1963, c. 118, § 3, emerg. eff. May 31, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-984. Violations and penalties.

Every person, firm, corporation, association, and every agent or employee of any such person, firm, corporation, or association, who violates any of the provisions of this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be liable to a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment; and in addition thereof, if such violation results in physical or electrical contact with any overhead high voltage line or conductor, the person, firm, corporation or association violating the provisions of this act, shall be liable to the owner or operator of such high voltage line or conductor for all damage to such facilities and for all liability incurred by such owner or operator as a result of any such accidental contact.
Added by Laws 1963, c. 118, § 4, emerg. eff. May 31, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-985. Definitions.

For the purpose of this act: (a) "high voltage" shall mean a voltage in excess of seven hundred fifty (750) volts between conductors, or between any single conductor and the ground; (b) "overhead lines or overhead conductors" shall mean all bare or insulated electrical conductors installed above ground excepting those conductors that are deenergized and grounded or that are enclosed in iron pipe or other metal covering of equal strength.
Laws 1963, c. 118, § 5, emerg. eff. May 31, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-986. Temporary clearance of lines - Costs.

When any person, firm or corporation desires to temporarily carry on any function, activity, work or operation in closer proximity to any high-voltage line or conductor than permitted by this act, the person or persons responsible for the work to be done shall promptly notify the operator of the high-voltage conductors of the work to be performed and make appropriate arrangements with the operator of the high-voltage conductors for temporary mechanical barriers, temporary deenergization and grounding of the conductors, or temporarily raising of the conductors before proceeding with any work which would impair the clearances required by this act.
The actual costs incurred by any operator of high-voltage conductors in providing clearances as above set out shall be paid by the persons, firms or corporations requesting the operator of the high-voltage conductors to provide said temporary clearances. Unless and until arrangements satisfactory to the operator of the high-voltage conductors for such payment have been made, such operator shall be under no duty to provide clearances as set out herein.
Laws 1963, c. 118 § 6, emerg. eff. May 31, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-987. Operations and activities exempt.

This act shall not be construed as applying to, nor shall it apply to: (a) construction, reconstruction, operation or maintenance of any high-voltage overhead conductor, supporting structures or appurtenances for the support or operation of high-voltage conductor by person authorized by the owner or operator; nor (b) to work being done on telephone or communication circuits or their supporting structures; nor (c) to the operation or maintenance of any equipment traveling or moving upon fixed rails of any railroad company subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission and/or to the Corporation Commission of the State of Oklahoma.
Laws 1963, c. 118, § 7, emerg. eff. May 31, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1053. Finding and declaration of necessity.

It is hereby declared:
(a) that there exists in urban and rural areas in certain counties in the state unsanitary, unsafe, and overcrowded dwelling accommodations; that in such urban and rural areas within the state there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations available at rents or prices which persons of low income can afford and that such shortage forces such persons to occupy unsanitary, unsafe, and overcrowded dwelling accommodations;
(b) that the aforesaid conditions cause an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the state; that these conditions necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for crime prevention and punishment, public health and safety, fire and accident protection, and other public services and facilities;
(c) that these slum areas cannot be cleared nor can the shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling for persons of low income be adequately relieved through the operation of private enterprise and that housing projects for persons of low income as herein defined would therefore not be competitive with private enterprise;
(d) that such projects would also make housing available for persons of low income who are displaced in the rehabilitation, clearance, or redevelopment of slums and blighted areas or as the result of other governmental action, and for veterans of low income who are unable to provide themselves with decent housing on the basis of the benefits heretofore made available to them through certain government guarantees of loans to veterans for the purchase of residential property;
(e) that the clearance, replanning and preparation for rebuilding of these areas and the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations and maintaining a wholesome living environment for persons of low income are charitable and public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired and are governmental functions of state concern;
(f) that residential construction activity is closely correlated with general economic activity and that the undertakings authorized by this act to aid the provision of better housing and more desirable neighborhood and community development at lower costs will make possible a more stable and larger volume of residential construction activity which will assist materially in maintaining full employment; and
(g) that it is in the public interest that preparations for such projects and activities be made now, and that the necessity in the public interest for the provisions hereinafter enacted is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 3, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1055.1. Certain housing authorized to use state controlled communication towers.

Any city, county, Rural Electric Cooperative or Indian housing authority created pursuant to Sections 1055 and 1057 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes is hereby authorized subject to approval of the state agency controlling such communication towers to use state controlled communication towers; provided such use shall meet engineering specifications to ensure that such towers shall not be damaged or the purpose of such towers shall not be interfered with.
Added by Laws 1986, c. 94, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1059. Interest of commissioners, officers, or employees.

A. During his tenure and for one (1) year thereafter, no commissioner, officer, or employee of the local housing authority shall voluntarily acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in any project or in any property included or planned to be included in any project, or in any contract or proposed contract relating to any housing project. If any such commissioner, officer, or employee involuntarily acquired any such interest, or voluntarily or involuntarily acquired any such interest prior to appointment or employment as commissioner, officer, or employee, the commissioner, officer, or employee, in any such event, shall immediately disclose his interest in writing to the authority, and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the authority, and the commissioner, officer, or employee shall not participate in any action by the authority relating to the property or contract in which he has any such interest. Any violation of the foregoing provisions of this section shall constitute misconduct in office. This section shall not be applicable to the acquisition of any interest in notes or bonds of an authority issued in connection with any housing project, or to the execution of agreements by banking institutions for the deposit or handling of funds in connection with a project or to act as trustee under any trust indenture, or to utility services the rates for which are fixed or controlled by a governmental agency.
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to the housing authority commissioner who is a tenant.
Amended by Laws 1988, c. 233, § 4, operative July 1, 1988.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1060. Removal of commissioners.

For inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office, or allowing any portion of any project to become dilapidated, unsanitary or unkept, a commissioner of an authority may be removed by the governing body, or, in the case of an authority for a county, by the board of county commissioners, but a commissioner shall be removed only after a hearing and after he shall have been given a copy of the charges at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing and had an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel. In the event of the removal of any commissioner, a record of the proceedings, together with the charges and findings thereon, shall be filed in the office of the clerk.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 10, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1062. Operation of housing not for profit.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to accomplish the charitable and public purposes of this act that each authority shall manage and operate its housing projects in an efficient manner so as to enable it to fix the rentals or payments for dwelling accommodations at low rates consistent with its providing decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low income and that no authority shall construct or operate any housing project for profit, or as a source of revenue to the city or county. To this end an authority shall fix the rentals or payments for dwellings in its projects at no higher rates than it shall find to be necessary in order to produce revenues which, together with all other available monies, revenues, income and receipts of the authority from whatever sources derived, including Federal financial assistance necessary to maintain the low-rent character of the project, will be sufficient:
(a) to pay, as the same become due, the principal and interest on the bonds of the authority;
(b) to create and maintain such reserves as may be required to assure the payment of principal and interest as it becomes due on its bonds;
(c) to meet the cost of, and to provide for, maintaining and operating the projects, including necessary reserves therefor and the cost of any insurance, and the administrative expenses of the authority; and
(d) to make such payments in lieu of taxes and, after payment in full of all obligations for which federal annual contributions are pledged, to make such repayments of federal and local contributions as it determines are consistent with the maintenance of the low-rent character of projects.
Rentals or payments for dwellings shall be established and the projects administered, insofar as possible, so as to assure that any federal financial assistance required shall be strictly limited to amounts and periods necessary to maintain the low-rent character of the projects. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the amount an authority may charge for nondwelling facilities. All such income, together with other income and revenue, shall be used in the operation of the projects to aid in accomplishing the charitable and public purposes of this act.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 12, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1063. Tenant eligibility.

An authority shall issue regulations establishing eligibility requirements, consistent with the purposes and objectives of this act, for admission to and continued occupancy in its projects.
Nothing contained in this or the preceding section shall be construed as limiting the power of an authority with respect to a housing project, to vest in an obligee the right, in the event of a default by the authority, to take possession or cause the appointment of a receiver thereof, free from all of the restrictions imposed by this or the preceding section.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 13, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1064. Cooperation between authorities.

Any two or more authorities may join or cooperate with one another in the exercise, either jointly or otherwise, of any or all of their powers for the purpose of financing, including the issuance of bonds, notes or other obligations and giving security therefor, planning, undertaking, owning, constructing, operating or contracting with respect to a housing project or projects located within the area of operation of any one or more of said housing authorities. For such purpose a housing authority may by resolution prescribe and authorize any other housing authority or authorities, so joining or cooperating with it, to act on its behalf with respect to any or all powers, as its agent or otherwise, in the name of the housing authority or authorities so joining or cooperating, or in its own name.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 14, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1065. Dwellings for disaster victims and defense workers.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other act relating to rentals of, preferences or eligibility for admission to, or occupancy of dwellings in housing projects, during a time of war as declared by Congress an authority determines that there is an acute need for housing to assure the availability of dwellings for persons engaged in national defense activities or for victims of a major disaster at any time the same may occur, the authority may undertake the development and administration of housing projects for the federal government, and dwellings in any housing project under the jurisdiction of the authority may be made available to persons engaged in national defense activities or to victims of a Major disaster, as the case may be. An authority is authorized to contract with the federal government or the state or a state public body for advance payment or reimbursement for the furnishing of housing to victims of a major disaster, including the furnishing of the housing free of charge to needy disaster victims during any period covered by a determination of acute need by the authority as herein provided.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 15; Laws 1967, c. 339, § 6.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1066. Tax exemption and payments in lieu of taxes.

The property and funds of a housing authority are declared to be used for charitable purposes and to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes, and such property and the authority are exempt from all taxes, including sales and use taxes and special assessments of the state or any state or local public body. In lieu of taxes on its property an authority shall agree to make such payments to the state or any state or local public body as the governing body of the city or county finds consistent with the maintenance of the low-rent character of housing projects and the achievement of the purposes of this act, provided that not less than one-half (1/2) of the annual amount of such payment in lieu of taxes shall be paid to the school district within which the property of the housing authority is located. The amount of money collected under the provisions of this act shall not be considered as chargeable income to the district receiving such funds. The tax exemption provided by this section does not apply to any portion of a project used by a profit-making enterprise, but in taxing such portions appropriate allowance shall be made for any expenditure by an authority for utilities or other public services which it provides to serve the property.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 16; Laws 1969, c. 341, § 1, emerg. eff. May 8, 1969.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1068. Bonds.

An authority shall have power to issue bonds from time to time, in its discretion, for any of its corporate purposes. It shall also have power to issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying or retiring bonds previously issued by it. An authority may issue such types of bonds as it may determine, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, bonds on which the principal and interest are payable:
(a) exclusively from the income and revenues of the project financed with the proceeds of such bonds;
(b) exclusively from the income and revenues of certain designated projects whether or not they are financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of such bonds; or
(c) from its revenues generally.
Any such bonds may be additionally secured by a pledge of any loan, grant, or contributions, or parts thereof, from the federal government or other source, or a pledge of any income or revenues of the authority.
Neither the members of an authority nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. The bonds and other obligations of an authority, and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face, shall not be a debt of the city or county, or of the state or any political subdivision thereof, and neither the city or county nor the state or any political subdivision thereof shall be liable thereon, and in no event shall such bonds or obligations be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of the authority. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or restriction. Bonds of an authority are declared to be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and to be public instrumentalities and, together with interest thereon and income therefrom, shall be exempt from taxes. The provisions of this act exempting from taxation the properties of an authority and its bonds and interest thereon and income therefrom shall be considered part of the contract for the security of the bonds and shall have the force of contract, by virtue of this act and without the necessity of the same being restated in said bonds, between the bondholders and each and every one thereof, including all transferees of said bonds from time to time on the one hand and an authority and the state on the other.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 18, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1069. Form and sale of bonds.

Bonds of an authority shall be authorized by its resolution and may be issued in one or more series and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, not exceeding six percent (6%) per annum, be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form either coupon or registered, carry such conversion or registration privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, as such resolution or its trust indenture may provide.
The bonds must be sold at public sale at not less than par. Bonds of the authority shall not be purchased by members of the authority or its employees or members of their immediate families.
In case any of the members or officers of an authority whose signatures appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such members or officers before the delivery of such bonds, such signatures shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such members or officers had remained in office until such delivery. Any provision of any law to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds issued pursuant to this act shall be fully negotiable.
In any suit, action or proceeding involving the validity or enforceability of any bond of an authority or the security therefor, any such bond reciting in substance that it has been issued by the authority to aid in financing a project, as herein defined, shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued for such purposes and such project shall be conclusively deemed to have been planned, located and carried out in accordance with the purposes and provisions of this act.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 19; Laws 1968, c. 254, § 1; Laws 1969, c. 341, § 2, emerg. eff. May 8, 1969.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1071. Housing bonds, legal investments and security.

The state and all public officers, private citizens, municipal corporations, political subdivisions, and public bodies, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations and savings and loan associations, investment companies, insurance companies, insurance associations and other persons carrying on a banking or insurance business, and all executors, administrators, guardians, trustees and other fiduciaries may legally invest any monies or funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds or other obligations issued by a housing authority created by the Housing Authorities Law of this state or issued by any public housing authority or agency in the United States, any of its territories, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin Islands, when such bonds or other obligations are secured by a pledge of annual contributions or other financial assistance to be paid by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or when such bonds or other obligations are secured by an agreement between the United States Government or any agency thereof and the public housing authority or agency in which the United States Government or any agency thereof agrees to lend to the public housing authority or agency, prior to the maturity of the bonds or other obligations, monies in an amount which (together with any other monies irrevocably committed to the payment of interest on the bonds or other obligations) will suffice to pay the principal of the bonds or other obligations with interest to maturity, which monies under the terms of the agreement are required to be used for this purpose, and such bonds and other obligations shall be authorized security for all public deposits and shall be fully negotiable in this state; it being the purpose of this section to authorize any of the foregoing to use any funds owned or controlled by them, including (but not limited to) sinking, insurance, investment, retirement, compensation, pension and trust funds, and funds held on deposit, for the purchase of any such bonds or other obligations: Provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall be construed as relieving any person, firm or corporation from any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities. The provisions of this section shall apply notwithstanding any restrictions on investments contained in other laws.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 21, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1072. Construction of bond provisions.

This act without reference to other statutes of the state shall constitute full authority for the authorization and issuance of bonds hereunder. No other law with regard to the authorization or issuance of obligations or the deposit of the proceeds thereof that requires a bond election or in any way impedes or restricts the carrying out of the acts herein authorized to be done shall be construed as applying to any proceedings taken hereunder or acts done pursuant hereto.
Added by Laws 1965, c. 251, § 22, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1073. Remedies of an obligee.

An obligee of an authority shall have the right, in addition to all other rights which may be conferred on such obligee, subject only to any contractual restrictions binding upon such obligee:
(a) by mandamus, suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity, to compel an authority and the commissioners, officers, agents or employees thereof to perform each and every term, provision and covenant contained in any contract of the authority with or for the benefit of such obligee, and to require the carrying out of any or all such covenants and agreements of the authority and the fulfillment of all duties imposed upon it by this act.
(b) by suit, action or proceeding in equity, to enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful, or the violation of any of the rights of an obligee of the authority.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 23, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1074. Additional remedies conferrable by the authority.

An authority shall have power, by its resolution, trust indenture, lease or other contract, to confer upon any obligee the right, in addition to all rights that may otherwise be conferred, upon the happening of an event of default as defined in such resolution or instrument, by suit, action or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction:
(a) to cause possession of any project or any part thereof to be surrendered to any such obligee.
(b) to obtain the appointment of a receiver of any project of the authority or any part thereof and of the rents and profits therefrom. if such receiver be appointed, he may enter and take possession of such project or any part thereof and operate and maintain same, and collect and receive all fees, rents, revenues, or other charges thereafter arising therefrom, and shall keep such monies in a separate account or accounts and apply the same in accordance with the obligations of the authority as the court shall direct.
(c) to require the authority and the commissioners, officers, agents and employees thereof to account as if it and they were the trustees of an express trust.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 24, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1075. Exemption of property from execution sale.

All property, including funds acquired or held by an authority pursuant to this act, shall be exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution, and no execution or other judicial process shall issue against the same nor shall any judgment against the authority be a charge or lien upon such property; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to or limit the right of obligees to pursue any remedies for the enforcement of any pledge or lien given by the authority on its rents, fees, or revenues, or the right of the federal government to pursue any remedies conferred upon it pursuant to the provisions of this act. An authority may waive its exemption hereunder with respect to claims against any profit-making enterprise occupying any portion of a project provided that such waiver does not affect or impair the rights of any obligee of the authority.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 25, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1076. Aid from federal government.

In addition to the powers conferred upon an authority by other provisions of this act, an authority is empowered to borrow money or accept contributions, grants, or other financial assistance from the federal government for or in aid of any project or related activities concerning health, environmental and similar problems of persons of low income, to take over or lease or manage any project or undertaking constructed or owned by the federal government and, to these ends, to comply with such conditions and enter into such contracts, covenants, trust indentures, leases or agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable. It is the purpose and intent of this act to authorize any authority to do any and all things necessary or desirable to secure the financial aid or cooperation of the federal government in the provision of decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings and maintaining a wholesome living environment for persons of low income by the authority. To accomplish this purpose an authority, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, may include in any contract for financial assistance with the federal government any provisions which the federal government may require as conditions to its financial aid not inconsistent with the purposes of this act.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 26, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1077. Transfer of possession or title to federal government.

In any contract with the federal government for annual contributions to any authority the authority may obligate itself, which obligation shall be specifically enforceable and shall not constitute a mortgage, notwithstanding any other laws, to convey to the federal government possession of or title to the project to which such contract relates, upon the occurrence of a substantial default, as defined in such contract, with respect to the covenants and conditions to which the authority is subject; such contract may further provide that in case of such conveyance, the federal government may complete, operate, manage, lease, convey, or otherwise deal with the project and funds in accordance with the terms of such contract; provided, that the contract requires that, as soon as practicable after the federal government is satisfied that all defaults with respect to the project have been cured and that the project will thereafter be operated in accordance with the terms of the contract, the federal government shall reconvey to the authority the project as then constituted.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 27, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1078. Eminent domain.

An authority shall have the right to acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any real property or interest therein which it may deem necessary for its purposes under this act after the adoption by it of a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the real property described therein is necessary for such purposes. An authority may exercise the power of eminent domain in the same manner and by like proceedings as provided for railroad corporations under the laws of this state.
Property already devoted to a public use may be acquired in like manner, provided that no real property belonging to any city, county, or any other political subdivision of the state may be acquired without its consent.
In the event any housing authority in exercising any of the powers conferred by this act makes necessary the relocation, raising, rerouting or changing the grade of or altering the construction of any railroad, common carrier, public utility property or facility, all such relocation, raising, rerouting, changing of grade or alteration of construction shall be accomplished at the expense of the housing authority, provided that the housing authority shall not disturb the possession or operation of any railroad, common carrier, or public utility in or to the appropriated property or facility until the relocated property or facilities are available for use and until marketable title thereto has been transferred to the railroad, common carrier or public utility.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 28, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1079. Reports and audits.

At least once a year an authority shall file with the clerk of the governing body of the jurisdiction within which the authority operates a complete financial and operating report of the preceding fiscal year which shall be and remain a public record. When required by federal law, an authority shall file an audit of all financial and other transactions for the previous fiscal year and shall file such audit with the clerk as a public record and make recommendations with reference to such additional legislation or other action as it deems necessary in order to carry out the purposes of this act.
Added by Laws 1965, c. 251, § 29, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 79, § 1, eff. July 1, 2003.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1080. Cooperation in undertaking projects.

For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of projects located within its jurisdiction, any state or local public body may, upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine:
(a) dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its interest in any property, or grant easements, licenses, or any other rights or privileges therein to a housing authority, or to the federal government;
(b) cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished adjacent to or in connection with such projects;
(c) furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks, or other places which it is otherwise empowered to undertake;
(d) plan or replan, zone or rezone any parts of such state or local public body; make exceptions from building regulations and ordinances; make changes in its map;
(e) cause services to be furnished to a housing authority of the character which such state or local public body is otherwise empowered to furnish;
(f) enter into agreements with respect to the exercise by such state or local public body of its powers relating to the repair, improvement, condemnation, closing or demolition of unsafe, unsanitary, or unfit buildings;
(g) do any and all things necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of such projects;
(h) incur the entire expense of any public improvements made by such state or local public body in exercising the powers granted in this act; and
(i) enter into agreements with a housing authority respecting action to be taken by such state or local public body pursuant to any of the powers granted by this act.
If at any time title to or possession of any project is held by any public body or governmental agency authorized by law to engage in the development or administration of low-rent housing or slum clearance projects, including any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the provisions of such agreements shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by such public body or governmental agency. Except as heretofore provided in Section 11, subsection (e), for resale to prior owners, any sale, conveyance, lease or agreement provided for in this section shall be made by a state or local public body with appraisal, public notice, advertisement and public bidding.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 30, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1081. Agreements as to payments by housing authority.

In connection with any project of a housing authority located wholly or partly within the area in which any state or local public body is authorized to act, any state or local public body shall agree with the housing authority with respect to the payment by the authority of such sums in lieu of taxes for any year or period of years as are determined by the governing body of the city or county to be consistent with the maintenance of the low-rent character of housing projects or the achievement of the purposes of this act.
Laws 1965, c. 251, § 31, emerg. eff. June 18, 1965.