A. It is the public policy of the State of Oklahoma to:

1. Recognize and support public safety and the protection of the public arising from the successful operation of county sheriffs' offices;

2. Acknowledge the contributions and professionalism of deputy sheriffs and detention officers in ensuring the safety of the public; and

3. Support procedures for the continuing operation of sheriffs' offices during transition periods following changes in sheriffs.

B. There is hereby created the Sheriffs' Personnel Task Force to continue until February 1, 2008. The purpose of the task force is to develop a comprehensive report on employment and retention of deputy sheriffs and detention officers, the costs of recruiting, training and replacing deputy sheriffs and detention officers and the effects of turnover among such personnel on public safety and to make recommendations to reduce turnover in such positions.

C. The Sheriffs' Personnel Task Force shall be composed of the following seven (7) members:

1. Two members of the Oklahoma Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

2. Two members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

3. Two members appointed by the Governor, one to be from a sheriff's office with fifty or more employees and the other to be from a sheriff's office with fewer than fifty employees; and

4. The chief executive officer of the largest organization in the state that represents sheriffs, or a designee.

D. The task force shall study the recruitment and retention of deputy sheriffs and detention officers and make recommendations which may include compensation adjustments, pay band adjustments, targeted salary increases, and other recommendations related to turnover, fringe benefits and other compensation issues concerning deputy sheriffs and detention officers, but excluding retirement issues. The recommendations shall be made to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Governor on or before February 1, 2008.

E. The task force shall meet by November 1, 2006, and thereafter to consider recommendations. Any additional meetings shall be at the call of the chair.

F. A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Each task force member shall be entitled to one vote on the task force. Any official action of the task force must have a majority of the votes of the members present.

G. Each member of the task force shall serve without compensation, except that each legislative member of the task force shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and each nonlegislative member of the task force shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

H. 1. Staffing for the task force shall be composed of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

2. The Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives shall provide additional staff as needed.

Added by Laws 2006, c. 242, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2006. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 304, § 70.