Okla. Stat. tit. 57, § 57-549.2

Task Force.

A. 1. There is hereby created until July 1, 2007, in

accordance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Sunset Law, the

Oklahoma Prison Industry Marketing Development Advisory Task Force

for the purpose of collaborative research, planning and the

providing of information to the Legislature and cooperative

marketing associations desiring to make investments into and create

and design joint ventures for the development and advancement of the

production, processing, handling and marketing of products grown,

made or manufactured within correctional settings.

2. The Advisory Task Force shall consist of a representative

from each of the following organizations or state agencies selected

by that organization or agency:

a. the State Department of Agriculture,

b. the Department of Commerce,

c. Oklahoma State University,

d. Oklahoma University,

e. the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and

Technology,

f. the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology

Education,

g. the State Department of Corrections,

h. two appointees selected by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives,

i. two appointees selected by the President Pro Tempore

of the Senate, and

j. two appointees selected by the Governor.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 57. Prisons and Reformatories Page 178

At all times the membership of the Advisory Task Force shall have

represented on it at least one member well-versed in each of the

following areas: agricultural economics, marketing, business and

finance, and production.

3. Each member of the Advisory Task Force initially appointed

shall make his appointment known to the Director of the Department

of Agriculture and the Director of the Department of Commerce by

August 1, 1996.

4. Any vacancies in the appointive membership of the Advisory

Task Force shall be filled in the same manner as the original

appointment.

B. Within fifteen (15) days from the initial appointment of

membership for the Advisory Task Force, the Director of the

Department of Agriculture and the Director of the Department of

Commerce shall each appoint one member of the Advisory Task Force to

serve as cochairs. If a vacancy occurs in such office, a new

cochair shall be appointed from the Advisory Task Force in the same

manner as the original appointment.

C. Other officers may be elected to serve the Advisory Task

Force for terms of office as may be designated by the Advisory Task

Force members. The cochairs of the Advisory Task Force or their

designees shall preside at meetings.

D. The Advisory Task Force may meet at such times as may be set

by the cochairs of the Advisory Task Force.

E. Members of the Advisory Task Force shall receive no salary;

however, all members of the Advisory Task Force may be reimbursed

for their actual and necessary travel expenses as follows:

1. Advisory Task Force members employed by the state shall be

reimbursed by their respective employing agency pursuant to the

State Travel Reimbursement Act; and

2. Any other Advisory Task Force member may receive

reimbursement from their appointing authority.

F. A majority of the members appointed to the Advisory Task

Force shall constitute a quorum and a majority present may act for

the Advisory Task Force.

G. The powers and duties of the Advisory Task Force are to:

1. Conduct a study of the process and procedures for creating

and designing joint ventures for industrial and agricultural

production within correctional settings;

2. Provide information to the Legislature relating to the

design and creation of agricultural and industrial joint ventures

within correctional settings and funding sources for such ventures;

and

3. Work with municipalities, industries, state agencies and

other political subdivisions of this state, other states, the

federal government, schools of higher education and any other entity

to determine areas of need for the development or expansion of
e

design and creation of agricultural and industrial joint ventures

within correctional settings and funding sources for such ventures;

and

3. Work with municipalities, industries, state agencies and

other political subdivisions of this state, other states, the

federal government, schools of higher education and any other entity

to determine areas of need for the development or expansion of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 57. Prisons and Reformatories Page 179

agricultural and industrial joint ventures within correctional

settings.

H. The Advisory Task Force shall provide a written progress

report to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of

the House of Representatives on or before March 1 of each year.

I. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce

shall provide staff assistance to the Advisory Task Force as

necessary to assist the Advisory Task Force in the performance of

its duties.