Measure would transfer OETA's assets to state regents
BY BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Monday, February 11, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY — If the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority were to cease to exist, its assets would be transferred to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education under a measure passed by a Senate panel on Monday.
Another panel passed a bill requiring the OETA to make legislative proceedings available online or on television should resources become available.
The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority has come under fire from some lawmakers who question whether it is a core function of state government. The entity receives some legislative appropriations.
Both measures were written by Senate Appropriations Chairman Clark Jolley, R-Edmond.
Jolley said that in the event the OETA is not reauthorized, Senate Bill 867 would transfer is assets to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
“This is just a vehicle to be able to do something with it,” Jolley said.
The Senate Education Committee passed the measure by a vote 6-3. It heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The Senate Committee on General Government passed Senate Bill 429, authorizing the OETA to televise or make available via the internet or other means the Legislative session, including committee meetings.
Read more in Tuesday's Tulsa World.
