Okla. Stat. tit. 56, § 56-245: Short title - Creation of committee - Purpose - Membership

- Meetings - Expenses.

A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Oklahoma

Food Security Act”.

B. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Food Security Committee

to continue until December 31, 2012. The purpose of the Committee

is to identify, implement and monitor ways to:

1. Coordinate services among federal, state, faith-based and

nonprofit organizations;

2. Extend existing programs and outreach efforts to serve more

people;

3. Involve schools in identifying and improving students’

access to sufficient and nutritious food;

4. Connect eligible hungry people with existing programs;

5. Support community food security initiatives in Oklahoma

communities and encourage food production on the local level;

6. Encourage the use of home and community gardens for food

production;

7. Support efforts to provide farmers’ markets with the

technology for accepting food stamps;

8. Collect and compile detailed county and community data

relating to food security issues;

9. Apply for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers’ Market

Nutrition Programs in Oklahoma;

10. Support creative transportation methods for connecting at-

risk populations with nutritious foods; and

11. Eliminate sales tax at farmers’ markets.

C. The Committee shall be composed of seventeen (17) members as

follows:

1. The Secretary of Health or a designee;

2. The Director of the Department of Human Services or a

designee;

3. The State Commissioner of Health or a designee;

4. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Services or a designee;

5. The Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority or a

designee;

6. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction or a

designee;

7. The Secretary of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture,

Food, and Forestry or a designee;

8. The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce or a

designee;

9. One member appointed by the Governor from a list submitted

by a nonprofit regional food bank organization representing central

and western Oklahoma;

10. One member appointed by the Governor from a list submitted

by a nonprofit regional food bank organization representing eastern

Oklahoma;

11. One member appointed by the Governor from a list submitted

by a statewide organization of child advocates;

12. Two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the

Senate representing faith-based organizations involved in hunger

programs;

13. One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore from a

list submitted by a comprehensive antipoverty agency whose mission

is to help families in need achieve self-sufficiency;

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

Representatives from a list submitted by a statewide organization

representing senior citizens;

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

Representatives from a list submitted by a nonprofit educational

organization that assists in developing sustainable food and farming

systems; and

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

Representatives from a list submitted by a nonprofit organization

committed to effective solutions and key policies which affect

hunger and poverty.

D. The members of the Committee shall select a chair and vice-

chair from among its membership. A quorum of the Committee shall be

required for any final action of the Committee.

E. The Committee may meet as often as may be required in order

to perform the duties imposed upon it.

F. The meetings of the Committee shall be subject to the

Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.

G. Members of the Committee shall receive no compensation for

their services, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary

travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by their

respective agency pursuant to the provisions of the State Travel

order

to perform the duties imposed upon it.

F. The meetings of the Committee shall be subject to the

Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.

G. Members of the Committee shall receive no compensation for

their services, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary

travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by their

respective agency pursuant to the provisions of the State Travel

Reimbursement Act. Members appointed by the Governor, the President

Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives shall be reimbursed by the Department of Human

Services pursuant to the provisions of the State Travel

Reimbursement Act.

H. Staff support for the Committee shall be provided by the

Department of Human Services.

I. The Committee shall submit a report of its findings and

recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of

Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate by

December 31 of each year.