A. Until operations are transferred pursuant to subsection B of this section, there is hereby established, in addition to the Oklahoma Veterans Centers established by Sections 221 and 226 of this title, the Oklahoma Veterans Center at Talihina, Oklahoma, on the site of the Oklahoma State Sanatorium, Talihina, Oklahoma. All persons serving as employees of the Oklahoma State Sanatorium under the provisions of the State Merit System of Personnel Administration shall continue to serve as employees of the Oklahoma Veterans Center at Talihina, provided that such employees remain in the classified service. All employees hired by the Oklahoma Veterans Center at Talihina on or after the effective date of this act shall be under the Oklahoma Merit System of Personnel Administration, except one manager, one principal assistant or deputy, one private secretary, part-time physicians and other professional personnel engaged in clinical and consultant services. The average number of full-time-equivalent employees utilized in the total operation of the Oklahoma Veterans Center, Talihina, shall not exceed one hundred fifty-three (153) during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976. The buildings, equipment and land under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma State Sanatorium, Talihina, are hereby transferred to the Oklahoma Veterans Center, Talihina.

B. Operations of the Oklahoma Veterans Center established pursuant to this section shall continue until such time as operations are transferred to the location identified pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Oklahoma Veterans Commission under Section 2 of this act.¹