Section 500.18. A. Except for members of the Legislature, the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, provisions of Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title shall be mandatory for all officials and employees of all departments, boards, commissions and institutions of the state, regardless of the provisions of any other act of the Legislature, except as provided by this section. The enactment of any measure in the future providing for travel reimbursement of state officers and employees on the basis of “actual and necessary” expenses or in any other manner inconsistent with Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title shall be deemed to provide for reimbursement in accordance with Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title unless a contrary intent is explicitly expressed in this section. Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title shall not apply, however, to travel reimbursements made by political subdivisions of this state, except as otherwise provided by law.

B. The agencies listed below are authorized certain exceptions and/or exemptions to the provisions of Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title to the extent specified:

1. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry:

2. Department of Public Safety:

When traveling with the Governor or at the Governor's request, personnel assigned by the Commissioner for executive security and pilots on executive assignment shall be allowed their actual and necessary traveling expenses, upon claims approved by the Commissioner.

3. Department of Corrections:

The Department of Corrections shall be exempt from limitations of reimbursement for rented automobiles, as set forth in Section 500.5 of this title, when the rental is by a Correctional Officer or Transportation Officer for the limited purpose of transporting inmates. Reimbursement for the expense shall be on the basis of actual cost.

4. Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department:

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission and Department staff who promote in-state and out-of-state business for Oklahoma's state-operated or state-owned parks, lodges, and golf courses and the tourism and recreation industry may be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expense of travel, subsistence and entertainment for this purpose. The Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department may reimburse the Publisher of Oklahoma Today magazine and its staff for expenses for meals and other entertainment in order to gain advertising and promotion for Oklahoma Today magazine.

5. Oklahoma Department of Commerce:

6. Office of Management and Enterprise Services:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel and subsistence incurred by the Director, any state employee approved by his or her appointing authority, or state officials, for travel outside the state in performance of duties related to bond financing shall be reimbursed to the employee or state official incurring such expenses. Reimbursement for lodging expenses shall be supported by three telephone bids from hotels within a reasonable distance of the activity for which the travel was approved.

7. Oklahoma Futures:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the members of Oklahoma Futures in the performance of their duties shall be reimbursed to the members incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of all actual and necessary expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by Oklahoma Futures.

8. Oklahoma Development Finance Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the members and employees of the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority in the performance of their duties shall be reimbursed to the person incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of all actual and necessary expenses shall be in accordance with the bylaws of the Authority.

9. Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the members and employees of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology in the performance of their duties shall be reimbursed to the person incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of all actual and necessary expenses shall be in accordance with the bylaws of the Center.

10. Center for International Trade Development:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by the Director and authorized employees of the Center for International Trade Development for performance of their duties for the purpose of business recruitment and assistance shall be reimbursed to the person incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of such expenses shall be in accordance with the rules adopted by the Director of the Center for International Trade Development. Expenses claimed shall be reviewed and individually approved or disapproved, prior to reimbursement, first by the Director, and finally by either the Vice President, Business and Finance of Oklahoma State University or the President of Oklahoma State University.

11. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Director and other employees of the Bureau authorized by the Director as a result of conducting investigations shall be reimbursed to each such employee incurring the expenses. Reimbursement of the expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Prior to reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Director and individually approved or disapproved.

12. Department of Human Services:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Division in the performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the Department of Human Services or any of its officials, employees, institutions or hospitals at any proceeding including depositions, held before any court, administrative body or representative thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses. Expenses claimed shall be approved by the General Counsel and the Director of Human Services prior to reimbursement.

13. Oklahoma Health Care Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Division in the performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the Authority or any of its officials or employees, at any proceeding including depositions, held before any court, administrative body or representative thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses. Expenses claimed shall be approved by the Administrator prior to reimbursement.

14. Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Director and other employees of the Bureau authorized by the Director as a result of conducting investigations shall be reimbursed to each employee incurring the expenses. Reimbursement of the expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. Prior to reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Director and individually approved or disapproved.

15. University Hospitals:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Office in the performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the University Hospitals or any of its officials, employees, institutions or hospitals at any proceeding including depositions, held before any court, administrative body or representative thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses. Expenses shall be approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the University Hospitals or by the University Hospitals Authority.

16. Oklahoma Historical Society:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, subsistence and entertainment incurred by the Executive Director, Deputy Director and any employees designated by the Executive Committee of the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors in pursuing and developing programs and projects for the preservation and marketing of Oklahoma history shall be reimbursed to the person incurring the expenses. Reimbursement of expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors. Prior to reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting and each claim shall be individually approved or disapproved.

17. The Oklahoma Department of Mines:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by employees of the Department in the performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the Department or any of its officials or employees, at any proceeding, hearing or meeting with federal agencies, boards, commissions, congressional representatives, congressional committees or staff, shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses. Expenses claimed shall be approved by the Executive Director prior to reimbursement.

18. The Office of Attorney General:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by its employees in the performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the state, the Legislature, any state board, agency or commission, or any employee or official of the state entitled to representation, at any proceeding including depositions, held before any court, administrative body or any representative thereof, and the actual and necessary expenses incurred by employees as a result of conducting investigations shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the Attorney General prior to reimbursement.

19. District Attorneys Council:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by each district attorney and other employees of the district attorney authorized by the district attorney in the performance of their duties for any district other than the district for which they are employed for the purpose of representing the state, any county, or any employee or official of the state entitled to representation at any proceeding including depositions held before any court, administrative body or any representative of a court or administrative body, and the actual and necessary expenses incurred as a result of conducting investigations shall be reimbursed to each employee incurring the expenses. Reimbursement of the expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the District Attorneys Council. Prior to reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Council and individually approved or disapproved.

20. The Department of Securities:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence incurred by the Administrator and other employees of the Department of Securities in the performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the Department of Securities, at any proceeding including depositions, held before any court, administrative body or any representative thereof, conducting on-site examinations, or conducting investigations, shall be reimbursed to each employee incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the Administrator of the Department of Securities prior to reimbursement.

21. Corporation Commission:

The actual and necessary travel expenses incurred by the staff of the Public Utility Division as a result of conducting audits and/or reviews of utility service providers shall be reimbursed to each employee incurring the expense. Reimbursement of the expenses shall be as set forth in procedures established by the appointing authority.

22. The Department of Human Services:

Employees of the Department of Human Services may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and meals and incidentals incurred in the performance of their duties for the purpose of escorting and transporting children or adults in the care or custody of the Department, subject to approval by the Department:

23. The Banking Department:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel and lodging incurred by the Commissioner and other employees of the Banking Department in the performance of their duties for the Banking Department shall be paid or reimbursed by the Banking Department to each employee incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the Banking Commissioner prior to payment or reimbursement.

24. Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging, and subsistence incurred by the Oklahoma Homeland Security Director, as a result of the duties and responsibilities of the Director, shall be paid or reimbursed by the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.

25. The Grand River Dam Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses of travel and lodging incurred by the Board of Directors and other employees of the district in the performance of their duties for the Grand River Dam Authority shall be paid or reimbursed by the district to each Director or employee incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the General Manager of the Grand River Dam Authority prior to payment or reimbursement.

26. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Directors and employees of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority in performances of duties. The expenses shall be approved by the Director prior to payment or reimbursement.

27. Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education:

The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Director and other employees of the Department, authorized by the Director, for the purpose of business recruitment, training, and the provision of technical assistance shall be reimbursed. Reimbursement of expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Career and Technology Education. Expenses claimed, prior to the reimbursement, will be reviewed by the Board and individually approved or disapproved.

C. The agencies listed in subsection B of this section shall be required to report annually the actual expenses excepted or exempted from Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report shall be submitted no later than the first day of September following the end of each fiscal year.