Oklahoma Homeland Security Act
The Oklahoma Homeland Security Act (74 O.S. § 51-51.3) is an Oklahoma state law that created the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to respond to acts of terrorism committed in the State. The Homeland Security Act was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on April 26, 2004. History. The Oklahoma Homeland Security Act was one of many bills put through by states and the US government after the 9/11 attacks. The purpose of these bills was to better prepare states for terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and technological incidents. Previously these situations were handled on an  ad hoc basis. Under the Oklahoma Homeland Security Act, this responsibility was placed on the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security for prevention, mediation, and response to attacks. Purposes of the Act. The Homeland Security Act establishes the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, and creating the position of Homeland Security Director to head the Office. The Governor of Oklahoma is named the State's chief counterterrorism official and makes the Director responsible for administration of the Office. The Act makes the Office responsible for developing and coordinating the implementation and administration of a comprehensive statewide strategy to protect the State from  the following: In addition to its other duties, the Act designates the Office as the agency responsible for developing interoperable public safety communications planning for the State. Council composition. To assist the Governor and the Homeland Security Director, the Director is allowed the created regional homeland security planning councils. Each advisory council is to be composed of the following: All members of the regional advisory councils are appointed by the Director for three year terms. All members serve without compensation and can be removed for cause by the Director.