Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-500.18

This is the official text of Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-500.18, part of Oklahoma’s Stat. tit. 74, — part of the compiled statutory law of Oklahoma, published by the state as "Stat. tit. 74,." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

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Provisions mandatory - Exemptions

Official statutory text

A. Except for members of the Legislature, the Governor and the

Lieutenant Governor, provisions of Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of

this title shall be mandatory for all officials and employees of all

departments, boards, commissions and institutions of the state,

regardless of the provisions of any other act of the Legislature,

except as provided by this section. The enactment of any measure in

the future providing for travel reimbursement of state officers and

employees on the basis of "actual and necessary" expenses or in any

other manner inconsistent with Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this

title shall be deemed to provide for reimbursement in accordance

with Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title unless a contrary

intent is explicitly expressed in this section. Sections 500.1

through 500.18 of this title shall not apply, however, to travel

reimbursements made by political subdivisions of this state, except

as otherwise provided by law.

B. The agencies listed below are authorized certain exceptions

and/or exemptions to the provisions of Sections 500.1 through 500.18

of this title to the extent specified:

1. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry:

a. The actual and reasonable expenses of travel and

subsistence in pursuing and developing markets for

Oklahoma agricultural products incurred by the

Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and such employees

designated by the State Board of Agriculture within

the marketing development programs of the Oklahoma

Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry shall be

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 478

reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses.

Reimbursement of such expenses shall be in accordance

with rules adopted by the Board. Expenses claimed

shall, prior to reimbursement, be reviewed by the

Board at a regular meeting and individually approved

or disapproved.

b. The actual and necessary expenses of out-of-state

travel and subsistence incurred by employees of the

Forestry Division authorized to evaluate and acquire

federal excess property or surplus property in other

states for use in its fire protection program shall be

reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses.

2. Department of Public Safety:

When traveling with the Governor or at the Governor's request,

personnel assigned by the Commissioner for executive security and

pilots on executive assignment shall be allowed their actual and

necessary traveling expenses, upon claims approved by the

Commissioner.

3. Department of Corrections:

The Department of Corrections shall be exempt from limitations

of reimbursement for rented automobiles, as set forth in Section

500.5 of this title, when the rental is by a Correctional Officer or

Transportation Officer for the limited purpose of transporting

inmates. Reimbursement for the expense shall be on the basis of

actual cost.

4. Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department:

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission and Department

staff who promote in-state and out-of-state business for Oklahoma's

state-operated or state-owned parks, lodges, and golf courses and

the tourism and recreation industry may be reimbursed for the actual

and necessary expense of travel, subsistence and entertainment for

this purpose. The Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation

Department may reimburse the Publisher of Oklahoma Today magazine

and its staff for expenses for meals and other entertainment in

order to gain advertising and promotion for Oklahoma Today magazine.

5. Oklahoma Department of Commerce:

a. The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the

Director and other employees of the Department

authorized by the Director for the purpose of business

recruitment shall be reimbursed. Reimbursement of

expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by

the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Expenses claimed shall, prior to reimbursement, be
lahoma Department of Commerce:

a. The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the

Director and other employees of the Department

authorized by the Director for the purpose of business

recruitment shall be reimbursed. Reimbursement of

expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by

the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Expenses claimed shall, prior to reimbursement, be

reviewed by the Director and individually approved or

disapproved.

b. The Department, at the discretion of the Director, may

charter aircraft for the purposes of carrying out its

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 479

duties and responsibilities related to business

recruitment and performing the duties of the Director.

The cost of such charter shall be exempt from the

provisions of Section 500.6 of this title. Claims

filed with the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services shall bear the following certification:

The best interests of the citizens of Oklahoma were

better served in that conventional ground

transportation was not practical or feasible for this

trip, aircraft from the Department of Public Safety

were not available for this trip, and no other claim

has been or will be filed as a payment for the cost of

transportation in connection with this trip.

c. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce may reimburse the

Oklahoma Film and Music Office staff for the actual

and necessary expenses for meals and other

entertainment in order to promote the film and music

industries in this state. Reimbursement of all actual

and necessary expenses shall be in accordance with

rules adopted by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

6. Office of Management and Enterprise Services:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel and subsistence

incurred by the Director, any state employee approved by his or her

appointing authority, or state officials, for travel outside the

state in performance of duties related to bond financing shall be

reimbursed to the employee or state official incurring such

expenses. Reimbursement for lodging expenses shall be supported by

three telephone bids from hotels within a reasonable distance of the

activity for which the travel was approved.

7. Oklahoma Futures:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the members of

Oklahoma Futures in the performance of their duties shall be

reimbursed to the members incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of

all actual and necessary expenses shall be in accordance with rules

adopted by Oklahoma Futures.

8. Oklahoma Development Finance Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the members and

employees of the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority in the

performance of their duties shall be reimbursed to the person

incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of all actual and necessary

expenses shall be in accordance with the bylaws of the Authority.

9. Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and

Technology:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the members and

employees of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and

Technology in the performance of their duties shall be reimbursed to

the person incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of all actual and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 480

necessary expenses shall be in accordance with the bylaws of the

Center.

10. Center for International Trade Development:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by the Director and authorized employees of the

Center for International Trade Development for performance of their

duties for the purpose of business recruitment and assistance shall

be reimbursed to the person incurring such expenses. Reimbursement

of such expenses shall be in accordance with the rules adopted by

the Director of the Center for International Trade Development.

Expenses claimed shall be reviewed and individually approved or
enter for International Trade Development for performance of their

duties for the purpose of business recruitment and assistance shall

be reimbursed to the person incurring such expenses. Reimbursement

of such expenses shall be in accordance with the rules adopted by

the Director of the Center for International Trade Development.

Expenses claimed shall be reviewed and individually approved or

disapproved, prior to reimbursement, first by the Director, and

finally by either the Vice President, Business and Finance of

Oklahoma State University or the President of Oklahoma State

University.

11. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Director and

other employees of the Bureau authorized by the Director as a result

of conducting investigations shall be reimbursed to each such

employee incurring the expenses. Reimbursement of the expenses

shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the Director of the

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Prior to reimbursement,

expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Director and individually

approved or disapproved.

12. Department of Human Services:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Division in the

performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the

Department of Human Services or any of its officials, employees,

institutions or hospitals at any proceeding including depositions,

held before any court, administrative body or representative

thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such

expenses. Expenses claimed shall be approved by the General Counsel

and the Director of Human Services prior to reimbursement.

13. Oklahoma Health Care Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Division in the

performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the

Authority or any of its officials or employees, at any proceeding

including depositions, held before any court, administrative body or

representative thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee

incurring such expenses. Expenses claimed shall be approved by the

Administrator prior to reimbursement.

14. Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs

Control:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Director and

other employees of the Bureau authorized by the Director as a result

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 481

of conducting investigations shall be reimbursed to each employee

incurring the expenses. Reimbursement of the expenses shall be in

accordance with rules adopted by the Director of the Oklahoma State

Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. Prior to

reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Director

and individually approved or disapproved.

15. University Hospitals:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Office in the

performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the

University Hospitals or any of its officials, employees,

institutions or hospitals at any proceeding including depositions,

held before any court, administrative body or representative

thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such

expenses. Expenses shall be approved by the Chief Executive Officer

of the University Hospitals or by the University Hospitals

Authority.

16. Oklahoma Historical Society:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, subsistence and

entertainment incurred by the Executive Director, Deputy Director

and any employees designated by the Executive Committee of the

Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors in pursuing and

developing programs and projects for the preservation and marketing

of Oklahoma history shall be reimbursed to the person incurring the
iety:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, subsistence and

entertainment incurred by the Executive Director, Deputy Director

and any employees designated by the Executive Committee of the

Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors in pursuing and

developing programs and projects for the preservation and marketing

of Oklahoma history shall be reimbursed to the person incurring the

expenses. Reimbursement of expenses shall be in accordance with

rules adopted by the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors.

Prior to reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the

Executive Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting and each claim

shall be individually approved or disapproved.

17. The Oklahoma Department of Mines:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by employees of the Department in the

performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the

Department or any of its officials or employees, at any proceeding,

hearing or meeting with federal agencies, boards, commissions,

congressional representatives, congressional committees or staff,

shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses.

Expenses claimed shall be approved by the Executive Director prior

to reimbursement.

18. The Office of Attorney General:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by its employees in the performance of their

duties for the purpose of representing the state, the Legislature,

any state board, agency or commission, or any employee or official

of the state entitled to representation, at any proceeding including

depositions, held before any court, administrative body or any

representative thereof, and the actual and necessary expenses

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 482

incurred by employees as a result of conducting investigations shall

be reimbursed to the employee incurring the expenses. The expenses

shall be approved by the Attorney General prior to reimbursement.

19. District Attorneys Council:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by each district attorney and other employees

of the district attorney authorized by the district attorney in the

performance of their duties for any district other than the district

for which they are employed for the purpose of representing the

state, any county, or any employee or official of the state entitled

to representation at any proceeding including depositions held

before any court, administrative body or any representative of a

court or administrative body, and the actual and necessary expenses

incurred as a result of conducting investigations shall be

reimbursed to each employee incurring the expenses. Reimbursement

of the expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the

District Attorneys Council. Prior to reimbursement, expenses

claimed shall be reviewed by the Council and individually approved

or disapproved.

20. The Department of Securities:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and

subsistence incurred by the Administrator and other employees of the

Department of Securities in the performance of their duties for the

purpose of representing the Department of Securities, at any

proceeding including depositions, held before any court,

administrative body or any representative thereof, conducting on-

site examinations, or conducting investigations, shall be reimbursed

to each employee incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be

approved by the Administrator of the Department of Securities prior

to reimbursement.

21. Corporation Commission:

The actual and necessary travel expenses incurred by the staff

of the Public Utility Division as a result of conducting audits

and/or reviews of utility service providers shall be reimbursed to

each employee incurring the expense. Reimbursement of the expenses
expenses shall be

approved by the Administrator of the Department of Securities prior

to reimbursement.

21. Corporation Commission:

The actual and necessary travel expenses incurred by the staff

of the Public Utility Division as a result of conducting audits

and/or reviews of utility service providers shall be reimbursed to

each employee incurring the expense. Reimbursement of the expenses

shall be as set forth in procedures established by the appointing

authority.

22. The Department of Human Services:

Employees of the Department of Human Services may be reimbursed

for their actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and meals

and incidentals incurred in the performance of their duties for the

purpose of escorting and transporting children or adults in the care

or custody of the Department, subject to approval by the Department:

a. for out-of-state visitation, care, treatment and

placement of a child welfare client,

b. for out-of-state treatment for or placement of an

adult protective services client,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 483

c. for out-of-state treatment for or placement of a

resident of a state resource center,

d. for out-of-state treatment for or placement of an

individual with a developmental disability who is

living in the community in community residential

services, or

e. for meals and incidental expenses necessary for the

care of children or adults in the care or custody of

the Department.

Expenses claimed shall be approved by the appropriate Division

Director or Deputy prior to reimbursement.

23. The Banking Department:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel and lodging incurred

by the Commissioner and other employees of the Banking Department in

the performance of their duties for the Banking Department shall be

paid or reimbursed by the Banking Department to each employee

incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the

Banking Commissioner prior to payment or reimbursement.

24. Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging, and

subsistence incurred by the Oklahoma Homeland Security Director, as

a result of the duties and responsibilities of the Director, shall

be paid or reimbursed by the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.

25. The Grand River Dam Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel and lodging incurred

by the Board of Directors and other employees of the district in the

performance of their duties for the Grand River Dam Authority shall

be paid or reimbursed by the district to each Director or employee

incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the

General Manager of the Grand River Dam Authority prior to payment or

reimbursement.

26. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Directors and

employees of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority

in performances of duties. The expenses shall be approved by the

Director prior to payment or reimbursement.

27. Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Director and

other employees of the Department, authorized by the Director, for

the purpose of business recruitment, training, and the provision of

technical assistance shall be reimbursed. Reimbursement of expenses

shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of

Career and Technology Education. Expenses claimed, prior to the

reimbursement, will be reviewed by the Board and individually

approved or disapproved.

28. Oklahoma Military Department:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 484

The actual and necessary travel expenses incurred by the

Director, other employees of the Department and persons performing

substantial and necessary services to the state in support of the

Oklahoma National Guard shall be reimbursed to the individual
the Board and individually

approved or disapproved.

28. Oklahoma Military Department:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 484

The actual and necessary travel expenses incurred by the

Director, other employees of the Department and persons performing

substantial and necessary services to the state in support of the

Oklahoma National Guard shall be reimbursed to the individual

incurring such expenses. The expenses claimed shall be approved by

the Director or Chief Financial Officer prior to reimbursement.

C. The agencies listed in subsection B of this section shall be

required to report annually the actual expenses excepted or exempted

from Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title to the Governor,

the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the

House of Representatives. The report shall be submitted no later

than the first day of September following the end of each fiscal

year.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.