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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
SENATE BILL 1537 By: Pugh
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission;
amending 72 O.S. 2021, Section 63.2, as amended by
Section 1, Chapter 29, O.S.L. 2024 (72 O.S. Supp.
2025, Section 63.2), which relates to members of
commission, requirements, and appointment; updating
statutory language; modifying appointment procedures
for Commission members; updating statutory
references; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 72 O.S. 2021, Section 63.2, as
amended by Section 1, Chapter 29, O.S.L. 2024 (72 O.S. Supp. 2025,
Section 63.2), is amended to read as follows:
Section 63.2. A. The Oklahoma Veterans Commission shall
consist of nine (9) members, all of whom shall be honorably
discharged veterans. The members of the Commission shall be
appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. All appointments
shall be broadly representative of the veterans of this state in
terms of age, gender, and race or ethnicity.
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B. 1. Except as provided by paragraph 3 2 of subsection C of
this section, the Governor shall appoint six of the members from
lists of names provided by the executive officer of each of the
following veterans’ organizations in accordance with paragraph 1 of
subsection C of this section:
a. the American Legion,
b. the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
c. the Disabled American Veterans,
d. the Paralyzed Veterans of America,
e. the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and
f. the National Guard Association of Oklahoma.
2. The Governor shall also appoint three members at large, at
least one of whom shall have completed his or her military service
on or after September 11, 2001.
C. Appointments to the Commission for the six members
representing veterans’ organizations shall be made as prescribed by
this subsection.
1. On or before March 1 of the year in which the term of the
organization’s appointee expires, the executive officer of the
organization shall submit to the Governor the following:
a. a list of three persons qualified to serve as members
of the Commission,
b. a certificate of good standing for the organization
issued by the Secretary of State,
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c. a copy of the organization’s state and federal tax
returns for the immediately preceding tax year
including but not limited to the federal Return of
Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), and
d. a statement that describes the mission of the
organization and the services provided by the
organization and estimates to the best of the
executive officer’s knowledge the total number of
veterans the organization served in the preceding
calendar year.; and
2. For each veterans’ organization that complies with paragraph
1 of this subsection provides a list pursuant to paragraph 1 of this
subsection, the Governor shall appoint a member to the Commission
from the from such list of names provided by the organization.
3. If the an organization fails to comply with provide a list
pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection, the Governor may shall
appoint a member at large in lieu of a member representing the
particular such organization for the duration of the term. At the
conclusion of the term, the appointment shall revert to an appointee
representing the particular organization, subject to the
requirements and process provided by this subsection.
D. Any vacancy on the Commission resulting from any cause shall
be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder of the
term as provided by this subsection. follows:
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1. When a vacancy of one of the three at-large members on the
Commission occurs, the Governor shall promptly appoint a member at
large to fill the vacancy.; and
2. When a vacancy of one of the six members representing
veterans’ organizations on the Commission occurs, the executive
officer of the organization represented by the vacant position
shall, not later than thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs,
submit a list of three names of qualified persons and all other
information required by paragraph 1 of subsection C of this section
to the Governor.
3. For each veterans’ organization that complies with provides
a list pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection, the Governor
shall choose a replacement from the list provided by the such
organization. If the such organization fails to comply with provide
a list pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection, the Governor may
shall appoint a member at large in lieu of a member representing the
particular such organization for the remainder of the unexpired
term. At the conclusion of the term, the appointment shall revert
to an appointee representing the particular organization, subject to
the requirements and process provided by subsection C of this
section.
E. Current members of the Commission shall continue in office
until the expiration of their terms and until their successors are
appointed and enter upon the duties of their offices.
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F. Appointments shall be made for terms of three (3) years.
Terms shall begin and expire on July 1 of the respective years. No
member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms.
G. 1. No person shall be appointed by the Governor who is
related by affinity or consanguinity within the third degree to any
person employed by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.
2. Before any member appointed as provided herein shall enter
upon his or her duties as a member of the Commission, he or she
shall take and subscribe to the oath of office as required by the
Oklahoma Constitution of this state.
3. No member of the Commission shall be employed by the
Department during the time of his or her service on the Commission,
nor shall any person who served as a member of the Commission be
employed by the Department subsequent to his or her service on the
Commission for a period of two (2) years.
H. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person whose
nomination has been submitted to the Legislature to fill a vacancy
on the Commission that existed as of the effective date of this act
April 18, 2024, may be appointed to the Commission on an acting or
interim basis, may assume the duties of the office, and may receive
any compensation or travel reimbursement allowed by law for the
position pending confirmation by the Senate if the term of the
former member whose position is vacant has expired as of the
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effective date of this act April 18, 2024, and if the nominee meets
the qualifications prescribed by this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
60-2-2250 CAD 1/12/2026 4:03:41 PM