Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.39

Disposition of investment income - Legal counsel.

In furtherance of the purposes of Sections 1085.31 through

1085.49 of this title:

1. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall administer grants

from any monies which may be available to the Water Resources Fund

for furtherance of the purposes of Sections 1085.31 through 1085.49

of this title to eligible entities of the state with such conditions

as shall in its discretion effectuate these purposes. For purposes

of carrying out and implementing the provisions of this section,

there is hereby created and established within the Water Resources

Fund a grant account which shall contain such monies as may be

available for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this

section. No more than ten percent (10%) of such grants shall be

used for planning purposes. All such eligible entities are hereby

authorized to accept grants from the Board. No grant shall be made

to any single eligible entity during any fiscal year in an amount

exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the funds available for grants to

eligible entities during that fiscal year nor shall such grant

exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00). In the case of

projects to which more than one eligible entity is a party, no such

grant shall be made exceeding in amount twenty percent (20%) of

funds available for such purposes per participating eligible entity

nor shall such grant exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars

($300,000.00) per participating entity. In making such grants, the

Board shall consider: The needs of the area to be served by the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 233

project and the benefit of the project to the area in relation to

the needs of other areas requiring state assistance; the

availability of revenue to the political subdivision, from all

sources, for the ultimate repayment of the cost of the project,

including interest; whether the political subdivision can reasonably

finance the project without assistance from the state; and the

relationship of the project to the overall statewide water and

sewage treatment needs; and whether or not the applicant has taken

all reasonable measures to limit waste and conserve water;

2. The Board shall prescribe such rules and regulations as may

be necessary for determining the eligibility and priority of

applicants for loans and grants and devise rules and regulations to

insure fair and equitable distribution of said loans and grants; and

promulgate and adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary

for purposes of expenditures and payments. Provided, no grant of

funds shall be made unless such grant is necessary to assist public

bodies in emergency situations. Provided also priorities for use of

loan and grant money for a particular project shall be established

by the state agency with primary responsibility. Provided further,

that the Board shall not adopt any rule, regulation or condition

requiring that a particular attorney or law firm be employed by any

eligible entity in connection with such entity's grants or loans

from the Board; and

3. The Board is hereby authorized to direct that up to fifty

percent (50%) of the interest income from the investment of monies

in the Statewide Water Development Revolving Fund and the Water

Resources Fund Grant Account accruing from and after the date of

this act be deposited in the Statewide Water Development Revolving

Fund created under Section 1085.40 of this title.

The Board may adopt reasonable nondiscriminatory standards for

selection of legal counsel.