Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-500.2

certain others.

A. Officials and employees of the state, traveling on

authorized state business, may be reimbursed for expenses incurred

in such travel in accordance with the provisions of the State Travel

Reimbursement Act and existing statutes relating to state travel.

Persons who are not state employees, but who are performing

substantial and necessary services to the state which have been

directed or approved by the appropriate department official, shall

enjoy the protection of the sovereign immunity of the state to the

same extent as a paid employee. Such persons may be reimbursed for

expenses incurred during authorized official travel under these same

statutory provisions; provided, it is indicated on the claim the

person is not a state employee, a description of services performed

is entered, and the agency head by approval of the claim certifies

such services were substantial and necessary, and germane to the

duties and functions of the reimbursing agency. Travel expenses

incurred by a person during the course of seeking employment with a

state agency, unless such travel is performed at the request of the

employing agency, shall not be considered expenses incurred in

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 460

performing substantial and necessary services to the state and shall

not be reimbursed under the provisions of the State Travel

Reimbursement Act.

B. The chief administrative officer of the Department of Public

Safety, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma

State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, the Military

Department of the State of Oklahoma, the Department of Corrections,

the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the Alcoholic

Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, the Oklahoma Department of

Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Oklahoma Department of

Emergency Management, the State Fire Marshal, and the State

Department of Health may arrange for and charge meals and lodging

for a contingent of state personnel moved into an area for the

purpose of preserving the public health, safety, or welfare or for

the protection of life or property. The cost for meals or lodging

so charged shall not exceed the amount authorized in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act. The chief administrative officer of each

agency involved in such an operation shall require the vendor

furnishing meals, lodging, or both meals and lodging to submit an

itemized statement for payment. When a claim for lodging is made

for a contingent of state personnel, individual members of the

contingent may not submit a claim for lodging. When a claim for

meals is made for a contingent of state personnel, individual

members of the contingent may not submit a claim for meals.

C. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Center for

the Advancement of Science and Technology, and the Oklahoma

Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry are hereby authorized

to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food,

lodging, meeting facility and beverage expenses as may be necessary

for sponsoring seminars and receptions relating to economic

development and science and technology issues. Such expenses may be

paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the President

of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and

Technology, and the Commissioner of Agriculture shall each provide a

quarterly report of such expenditures to the Governor, the Speaker

of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the

Senate.

D. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority is

hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the

payment of food, lodging, and meeting facility as may be necessary

to pursue the promotion of fundraising, marketing, and development

of Native American educational programs and cultural projects, or to
e of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the

Senate.

D. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority is

hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the

payment of food, lodging, and meeting facility as may be necessary

to pursue the promotion of fundraising, marketing, and development

of Native American educational programs and cultural projects, or to

sponsor luncheons, seminars, and receptions relating to Native

American educational, cultural, museum, and economic development

issues. Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting

agency or business establishment. The Executive Director of the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 461

Native American Cultural and Educational Authority shall provide a

monthly report of expenditures to the Native American Cultural and

Educational Authority Board.

E. For purposes of this section:

1. "State agency" means any constitutionally or statutorily

created state board, commission, or department, including the

Legislature and the Courts;

2. State agencies are authorized to enter into contracts and

agreements for the payment of food and lodging expenses as may be

necessary for employees or other persons who are performing

substantial and necessary services to the state by attending

official conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops, or training

sessions or in the performance of their duties. Such expenses may

be paid directly to the contracting agency or business

establishment; provided the meeting qualifies for overnight travel

for the employees and the cost for food and lodging for each

employee shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the

State Travel Reimbursement Act;

3. State agencies are authorized to enter into contracts and

agreements for the payment of conference registration expenses as

may be necessary for employees or other persons who are performing

substantial and necessary services to the state by attending

official conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops, or training

sessions. Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting

agency or business establishment; and

4. State agencies are authorized to enter into contracts and

agreements for the payment of food and lodging expenses as may be

necessary for employees attending an official course of instruction

or training conducted or sponsored by any state agency. Expenses

may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business

establishment. The cost for food and lodging for each employee

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

F. State agencies are authorized to make direct purchases of

commercial airline tickets for use by employees in approved out-of-

state travel. Each claim or invoice submitted to the Director of

the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for the payment of

the purchase shall bear the airline identifying ticket number, the

name of the airline, total cost of each ticket purchased, class of

accommodation and name of the employee for whom the ticket was

purchased and shall be filed on claim forms as prescribed by the

Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The

employee shall sign an affidavit stating that the employee used a

direct purchase commercial airline ticket received for his or her

approved out-of-state travel, or in lieu of the affidavit, the

employee may file a travel claim in connection with said airline

flight.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 462

G. 1. The Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements

for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as

may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in

conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The Director may

establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution
462

G. 1. The Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements

for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as

may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in

conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The Director may

establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution

of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related

to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Expenses

incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business

establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

H. 1. The Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and

Substance Abuse Services is hereby authorized to enter into

contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other

authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor,

or participate in conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The

Commissioner may establish accounts as necessary for the collection

and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and

registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and

training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to

the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

I. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System is hereby authorized to

enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of lodging as

necessary for employees to carry out their duties in representing

any client whom the System has been properly appointed to represent.

Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or

business establishment. The cost for lodging for each employee

shall not exceed the daily rate as provided in the State Travel

Reimbursement Act.

J. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is hereby

authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of

food, lodging, and meeting facility and beverage expenses as may be

necessary for seminars and receptions relating to familiarization

tours and tourism development. The expenses may be paid directly to

the contracting agency or business establishment. The Executive

Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department shall

provide a monthly report of any such expenditures to the Oklahoma

Tourism and Recreation Commission.

K. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is hereby

authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 463

exhibitor fees and display space charges at expositions to promote

the Department's recreational facilities and the tourism and

recreation industry. The expenses may be paid directly to the

contracting agency or business establishment; provided that no

payment shall be made prior to the event unless it conveys a

property right to the state for future availability and use.

L. 1. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office of the Department of

Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and

agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized

expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or

participate in highway-safety-related conferences, workshops,

seminars, meetings, or training sessions. The payments shall be for

all persons in attendance, including, but not limited to, employees

of political subdivisions or employees of the state or federal

government. For purposes specified in this paragraph, only federal

highway safety funds may be used in accordance with federal
or, or

participate in highway-safety-related conferences, workshops,

seminars, meetings, or training sessions. The payments shall be for

all persons in attendance, including, but not limited to, employees

of political subdivisions or employees of the state or federal

government. For purposes specified in this paragraph, only federal

highway safety funds may be used in accordance with federal

guidelines and regulations, and no appropriated state funds shall be

used.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any highway safety

conferences, workshops, seminars, meetings, and training sessions

that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total

daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

M. 1. The Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of

Investigation is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and

agreements for the payment of food, lodging and other authorized

expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor or

participate in any conference, meeting, training session or

initiative to promote the mission and purposes of the Bureau. The

payments may be for all persons in attendance, including, but not

limited to, employees of political subdivisions or employees of the

state or federal government.

2. The cost of food for persons that do not require overnight

travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the

State Travel Reimbursement Act.

N. The Oklahoma Homeland Security Director is hereby authorized

to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food,

lodging and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host,

conduct, sponsor, or participate in homeland-security-related

conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars, exercises or training

sessions. The expenses may be paid directly to the contracting

agency or business establishment.

O. The State Department of Education is hereby authorized to

enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging

and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct,

sponsor or participate in conferences, meetings or training

sessions. The State Department of Education may establish accounts

as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 464

funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such

conferences, meetings and training sessions. Any expenses incurred

may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business

establishment.

P. 1. The Insurance Commissioner of the Insurance Department

of the State of Oklahoma is hereby authorized to enter into

contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other

authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor,

or participate in conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The

Commissioner may establish accounts as necessary for the collection

and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and

registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and

training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to

the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

Q. 1. The State Regents for Higher Education is hereby

authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of

food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to

host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in conferences, meetings, or

training sessions. The State Regents for Higher Education may

establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution

of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related

to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Any expenses

incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business

establishment.
, or participate in conferences, meetings, or

training sessions. The State Regents for Higher Education may

establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution

of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related

to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Any expenses

incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business

establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

R. 1. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability is

hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the

payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be

necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in conferences,

meetings, or training sessions. The Office of Educational Quality

and Accountability may establish accounts as necessary for the

collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors

and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and

training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to

the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 465

S. 1. The Department of Securities is hereby authorized to

enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food,

lodging, meeting facility, facilitator fees and travel expenses,

exhibitor fees and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to

host, conduct, sponsor or participate in conferences, meetings,

training sessions or initiatives promoting or otherwise relating to

investor education. The Department of Securities may establish

accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds,

including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such

conferences, meetings, training sessions or initiatives. The

payments may be for all persons in attendance, including, but not

limited to, employees of the state or federal government or

employees of political subdivisions of the state, including

employees of boards of public education. Expenses incurred may be

paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

3. The Department of Securities is hereby authorized to pay

stipends to teachers participating in the investor education program

and monetary achievement awards to select participating students.

No appropriated state funds shall be used.

T. 1. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is hereby

authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of

food, lodging, meeting facility, beverage and other authorized

expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor or

participate in seminars, receptions, conferences, meetings or

training sessions related to the support of veterans and the

development of veterans' services. Expenses incurred may be paid

directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. The

Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs

shall provide a monthly report of any such expenditures to the

Oklahoma Veterans Commission.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

U. Whenever possible it shall be the policy of each state
rtment of Veterans Affairs

shall provide a monthly report of any such expenditures to the

Oklahoma Veterans Commission.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences,

meetings and training sessions that do not require overnight travel

shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State

Travel Reimbursement Act.

U. Whenever possible it shall be the policy of each state

agency to prepay airline fares and lodging expenses using a purchase

card issued to the agency. This policy shall apply to instances

where employees of the agency are traveling on behalf of state

government.