Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1142

Navigation System (MKARNS) – Creation - Duties.

A. There is hereby created the Tri-State Commission on the

McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS). It is

anticipated that the State of Arkansas and the State of Kansas will

enact legislation in order to complete the formation of the

Commission.

B. The Oklahoma membership of the Tri-State Commission shall be

as follows:

1. One member appointed by the Governor who shall be a member

of the Water Advisory Board of the Department of Transportation;

2. Three members of the House of Representatives whose

legislative districts encompass some part of the territory in which

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the MKARNS is located to be formally selected by the Speaker of the

House of Representatives; provided, whenever possible, no more than

two members shall be appointed from the same political party;

3. Three members of the Senate whose legislative districts

encompass some part of the territory in which the MKARNS is located

to be formally selected by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

provided, whenever possible, no more than two members shall be

appointed from the same political party;

4. One member from each of the three Native American tribes

that has ownership interest in the Arkansas riverbed;

5. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives who shall represent a statewide business

organization;

6. One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the

Senate who shall represent a statewide agricultural organization;

and

7. One member appointed by the Governor who shall represent a

public port along the MKARNS.

C. The Tri-State Commission shall have the following duties:

1. To identify the resources available at the federal and state

levels for the proper maintenance of the physical assets which allow

the MKARNS to fulfill its duties and responsibilities;

2. To identify methods for the repair, replacement or

maintenance of the infrastructure assets which are essential to the

operation of the MKARNS;

3. To prioritize the funding, whether from the federal

government, state government, tribal governments, private resources

or other financial resources, in order to adequately maintain the

MKARNS;

4. To take such actions as may be necessary to promote the

MKARNS and its continued role in the economies of the states of

Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas;

5. To take such actions as are conducive to the continued use

and enhanced use of the MKARNS by for-profit business enterprises in

order to reduce transportation costs, improve profit margins,

increase efficiency and related economic benefits;

6. To take such actions as are conducive to the continued vital

role of the MKARNS with respect to flood control in the three

affected states;

7. To take such actions as are conducive to the promotion of

the MKARNS for purposes of tourism and cultural preservation;

8. To take such other actions as may be necessary which in the

judgment of the Tri-State Commission would be beneficial for the

three affected states and for the MKARNS; and

9. To coordinate with any relevant federal or state agency or

any other entity to identify ways to improve the navigability of the

MKARNS.

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