2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-896.1. Termination of Scenic Rivers Commission - Transfer of rights and authorities to Grand River Dam Authority

A. Effective July 1, 2016, the Scenic Rivers Commission created pursuant to Section 1461 of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall be terminated. Effective July 1, 2016, the rights and authorities of the Scenic Rivers Commission shall be transferred to the Grand River Dam Authority. Effective July 1, 2016, all assets, funds, liabilities, allotments, purchase orders, outstanding financial obligations, encumbrances, records, equipment and property of the Scenic Rivers Commission are hereby transferred to and placed under the supervision and control of the Grand River Dam Authority. Monies collected or accruing to the credit of the Scenic Rivers Commission in the State Treasury or under the management of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services pursuant to the provisions of Section 1462A, 1462B or 1462C of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes as of the effective date of this act and after shall be transferred to the Grand River Dam Authority to assist in implementing this act or as otherwise directed to support the activities previously conducted by the Scenic Rivers Commission or the employees of the Commission. Any other monies from appropriations, fees, licenses, fines, penalties or other similar types of monies that accrue in any funds or accounts after the effective date of this act in the name of the Scenic Rivers Commission or maintained for the benefit of the Commission are transferred to the Grand River Dam Authority.
B. Personnel employed by the Scenic Rivers Commission on the effective date of this act shall be transferred to the Grand River Dam Authority subject to the following provisions:
1. Classified employees transferred shall remain subject to the provisions of the Merit System of Personnel Administration, as provided in the Oklahoma Personnel Act;
2. Unclassified employees transferred shall remain in the unclassified service and shall serve at the pleasure of the Grand River Dam Authority;
3. All employees transferred pursuant to this act shall retain leave, sick and annual time earned and any retirement and longevity benefits which have accrued during their employment with the state. The salaries of employees who are transferred shall not be reduced as a direct and immediate result of the transfer;
4. Should the Grand River Dam Authority implement a reduction in force, all employees transferred pursuant to this act shall be credited for the time they were employed by the Scenic Rivers Commission; and
5. The transfer of personnel shall be coordinated with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
C. The Scenic Rivers Commission shall cease operating as a Commission no later than July 1, 2016. The Grand River Dam Authority Board of Directors may create an advisory board relating to the management of the property and area previously under the authority of the Scenic Rivers Commission with consideration of and adherence to the provisions of the Scenic Rivers Act. Members currently serving on the Commission may be eligible to serve in an advisory capacity if so appointed by the Grand River Dam Authority Board of Directors and may serve for terms as authorized by the Board of Directors of the Authority.
D. The Administrator and Chief Ranger of the Scenic Rivers Commission employed by the Commission on the effective date of this act may maintain possession of the badge and assigned firearm issued by the Commission.
Added by Laws 2016, c. 297, § 4, eff. July 1, 2016.