Section 500.2 A. Officials and employees of the state, traveling on authorized state business, may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in such travel in accordance with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act and existing statutes relating to state travel. Persons who are not state employees, but who are performing substantial and necessary services to the state which have been directed or approved by the appropriate department official, shall enjoy the protection of the sovereign immunity of the state to the same extent as a paid employee. Such persons may be reimbursed for expenses incurred during authorized official travel under these same statutory provisions,; provided, it is indicated on the claim the person is not a state employee, a description of services performed is entered, and the agency head by approval of the claim certifies such services were substantial and necessary, and germane to the duties and functions of the reimbursing agency. Travel expenses incurred by a person during the course of seeking employment with a state agency, unless such travel is performed at the request of the employing agency, shall not be considered expenses incurred in performing substantial and necessary services to the state and shall not be reimbursed under the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

B. The chief administrative officer of the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, the Military Department of the State of Oklahoma, the Department of Corrections, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the State Fire Marshal, and the State Department of Health may arrange for and charge meals and lodging for a contingent of state personnel moved into an area for the purpose of preserving the public health, safety, or welfare or for the protection of life or property. The cost for meals or lodging so charged shall not exceed the amount authorized in the State Travel Reimbursement Act. The chief administrative officer of each agency involved in such an operation shall require the vendor furnishing meals, lodging, or both meals and lodging to submit an itemized statement for payment. When a claim for lodging is made for a contingent of state personnel, individual members of the contingent may not submit a claim for lodging. When a claim for meals is made for a contingent of state personnel, individual members of the contingent may not submit a claim for meals.

C. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry are hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, meeting facility and beverage expenses as may be necessary for sponsoring seminars and receptions relating to economic development and science and technology issues. Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the President of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, and the Commissioner of Agriculture shall each provide a quarterly report of such expenditures to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

D. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and meeting facility as may be necessary to pursue the promotion of fundraising, marketing, and development of Native American educational programs and cultural projects, or to sponsor luncheons, seminars, and receptions relating to Native American educational, cultural, museum, and economic development issues. Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. The Executive Director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority shall provide a monthly report of expenditures to the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority Board.

E. For purposes of this section:

1. “State agency” means any constitutionally or statutorily created state board, commission, or department, including the Legislature and the Courts;

2. State agencies are authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food and lodging expenses as may be necessary for employees or other persons who are performing substantial and necessary services to the state by attending official conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops, or training sessions or in the performance of their duties. Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment,; provided the meeting qualifies for overnight travel for the employees and the cost for food and lodging for each employee shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act;

3. State agencies are authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of conference registration expenses as may be necessary for employees or other persons who are performing substantial and necessary services to the state by attending official conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops, or training sessions. Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment; and

4. State agencies are authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food and lodging expenses as may be necessary for employees attending an official course of instruction or training conducted or sponsored by any state agency. Expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. The cost for food and lodging for each employee shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

F. State agencies are authorized to make direct purchases of commercial airline tickets for use by employees in approved out-of-state travel. Each claim or invoice submitted to the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for the payment of the purchase shall bear the airline identifying ticket number, the name of the airline, total cost of each ticket purchased, class of accommodation and name of the employee for whom the ticket was purchased, and shall be filed on claim forms as prescribed by the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The employee shall sign an affidavit stating that the employee used a direct purchase commercial airline ticket received for his or her approved out-of-state travel, or in lieu of the affidavit, the employee may file a travel claim in connection with said airline flight.

G. 1. The Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The Director may establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences, meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

H. 1. The Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The Commissioner may establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences, meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

I. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of lodging as necessary for employees to carry out their duties in representing any client whom the System has been properly appointed to represent. Such expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. The cost for lodging for each employee shall not exceed the daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

J. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and meeting facility and beverage expenses as may be necessary for seminars and receptions relating to familiarization tours and tourism development. The expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department shall provide a monthly report of any such expenditures to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission.

K. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of exhibitor fees and display space charges at expositions to promote the Department's recreational facilities and the tourism and recreation industry. The expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment; provided that no payment shall be made prior to the event unless it conveys a property right to the state for future availability and use.

L. 1. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office of the Department of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be necessary, to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in highway-safety-related conferences, workshops, seminars, meetings, or training sessions. The payments shall be for all persons in attendance, including, but not limited to, employees of political subdivisions or employees of the state or federal government. For purposes specified in this paragraph, only federal highway safety funds may be used in accordance with federal guidelines and regulations, and no appropriated state funds shall be used.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any highway safety conferences, workshops, seminars, meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

M. 1. The Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor or participate in any conference, meeting, training session or initiative to promote the mission and purposes of the Bureau. The payments may be for all persons in attendance, including, but not limited to, employees of political subdivisions or employees of the state or federal government.

2. The cost of food for persons that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

N. The Oklahoma Homeland Security Director is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in homeland-security-related conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars, exercises or training sessions. The expenses may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

O. The State Department of Education is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor or participate in conferences, meetings or training sessions. The State Department of Education may establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings and training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

P. 1. The Insurance Commissioner of the Insurance Department of the State of Oklahoma is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The Commissioner may establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences, meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

Q. 1. The State Regents for Higher Education is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The State Regents for Higher Education may establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences, meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

R. 1. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor, or participate in conferences, meetings, or training sessions. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability may establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings, and training sessions. Any expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences, meetings, and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

S. 1. The Department of Securities is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, meeting facility, facilitator fees and travel expenses, exhibitor fees and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor or participate in conferences, meetings, training sessions or initiatives promoting or otherwise relating to investor education. The Department of Securities may establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, relating related to such conferences, meetings, training sessions or initiatives. The payments may be for all persons in attendance, including, but not limited to, employees of the state or federal government or employees of political subdivisions of the state, including employees of boards of public education. Expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences, meetings and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

3. The Department of Securities is hereby authorized to pay stipends to teachers participating in the investor education program and monetary achievement awards to select participating students. No appropriated state funds shall be used.

T. 1. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is hereby authorized to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging, meeting facility, beverage and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor or participate in seminars, receptions, conferences, meetings or training sessions relating related to the support of veterans and the development of veterans' services. Expenses incurred may be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs shall provide a monthly report of any such expenditures to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission.

2. The cost of food for persons attending any conferences, meetings and training sessions that do not require overnight travel shall not exceed the total daily rate as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

U. Whenever possible it shall be the policy of each state agency to prepay airline fares and lodging expenses using a purchase card issued to the agency. This policy shall apply to instances where employees of the agency are traveling on behalf of state government.

Section 500.4 A. Authorized persons traveling on official state business within the State of Oklahoma may utilize railroads, airplanes, buses, whether intracity or intercity, or other public conveyance. Reimbursement for fares paid for airplane transportation shall not exceed coach class fare except as provided herein. Reimbursement for fares paid for airplane transportation may be at the business class fare rate for international travel. Other public conveyance fares shall not exceed the lesser of the normal charge or coach class airplane fare. Taxicab or rideshare fares within the State of Oklahoma and communication charges may be reimbursed only upon justification as to the necessity for their use.

B. Agency heads or their authorized designees may approve the use of motor vehicles for official travel within the State of Oklahoma. If available, agency owned motor vehicles or motor vehicles leased from the State Motor Pool, either on a full-time basis or for individual trips, shall be utilized for such travel. Reimbursement for use of privately owned motor vehicles may be authorized by the agency head.

C. Reimbursement for authorized use of privately owned motor vehicles shall not exceed the amount prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or rules, procedures or other action by the Internal Revenue Service, for use in determining the standard mileage rate allowed for a business expense deduction. Distances for which reimbursement for use of privately owned motor vehicles is claimed shall be actual business miles based on a recognized Global Positioning System (GPS) or based on map and vicinity business mileage.

Section 500.5 A. Reimbursement for automobiles leased or rented within this state from so-called car rental agencies or private parties, to be used in lieu of a privately owned vehicle on official business for the state, shall not exceed the rate provided for the use of a privately owned automobile.

B. The actual cost of leasing or renting an automobile outside of this state to be used on official business for the state shall be reimbursed subject to the approval of the agency head or authorized designee.

Section 500.8 A reimbursement in lieu of meal expenses, per day, while in official travel status, per diem in an amount authorized by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for deductibility of expenses for travel while away from home without additional documentation within the State of Oklahoma and outside the state is authorized federal Government Services Administration (GSA) in its Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 42 C.F.R. Section 300–1.1 et seq. and as updated in its FTR Bulletins is authorized while in travel status. In computing per diem reimbursement for meals a day shall be a period of twenty-four (24) hours calendar day. Reimbursement for each one-fourth (1/4) day consisting of six (6) hours or major fraction thereof, more than three (3) hours, may be made at the rate of one-fourth (1/4) of the daily allowable rate. The first and last days of travel shall be paid at a rate of seventy-five percent (75%) of the full-day per diem. Provided, however, that no reimbursement for meals per diem shall be made for periods which do not include overnight status. If meals and lodging at a meeting, workshop, conference or other object of travel are furnished as a “package plan”, reimbursement may be made, based upon a receipt, but at a daily rate of not to exceed the total daily rate provided in this act.

Section 500.9 A. Reimbursement for overnight lodging, while in official travel status, may be made at not to exceed an amount authorized by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for deductibility of expenses federal Government Services Administration (GSA) in its Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 42 C.F.R. Section 300–1.1 et seq. and as updated in its FTR Bulletins for travel while away from home without additional documentation or the actual cost, if lower, per night except as provided in subsections B, C, D, F E, and H G of this section and Section 500.9A of this title. Receipts issued by the hotel, motel or other public lodging place shall accompany claims for reimbursement.

B. A per diem allowance for meals and incidental expenses may be authorized by a travel claim issued in accordance with Section 500.3 of this title, which shall include all charges for meals and incidental expenses. Not to exceed an amount authorized by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for deductibility of expenses for travel while away from home without additional documentation may be authorized on the travel claim for the performance of travel within the State of Oklahoma. In computing the per diem allowance, a day shall be a period of twenty-four (24) hours. Reimbursement for each one-fourth (1/4) day consisting of six (6) hours or major fraction thereof, more than three (3) hours, may be made at the rate of the daily allowable rate. When a traveler has lodging provided at no cost to the state, a ten-dollar lodging per diem allowance may be claimed in addition to the meals and incidental expenses per diem allowance. Provided, however, that no per diem shall be allowed pursuant to this section for periods of less than overnight in travel status. Reimbursement for expenses other than meals and lodging may also be made in accordance with the provisions of this act.

C. State officers or employees attending meetings, workshops, conferences or other objectives of trips which are conducted at a designated hotel, motel or other public lodging place or where lodging has been arranged for by the blocking of rooms or by rate reductions for the participants by the sponsor as evidenced by the announcement or notice of the meeting, workshop, conference or other objective shall be reimbursed the actual lodging expense not to exceed the single occupancy room rate charged by the designated hotel, motel or other public lodging place,; provided, that the officials or employees are in official travel status approved by the agency head or designee. Provided further, those state officers or employees attending meetings, workshops, conferences or other objectives of trips, which are conducted at a designated hotel, motel or other public lodging place as provided by this subsection, who choose to acquire less expensive lodging at another hotel, motel or other public lodging place shall be reimbursed the actual lodging expense not to exceed the single occupancy room rate charged by the designated hotel, motel or other public lodging place. Provided further, those state officers or employees so choosing this option shall be reimbursed for local transportation costs incurred traveling between such optional lodging and the designated hotel, motel or other public lodging place not to exceed the difference between the cost of the designated lodging and the cost of the optional lodging. Receipts issued by the hotel, motel or other public lodging place shall accompany claims for reimbursement.

D. C. State officers and employees who have been required to attend hearings or meetings of any congressional committee or subcommittee or any federal agency, board or commission shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary travel and lodging expenses; however, the agency head must approve any claims in connection with such expenses.

E. D. Reimbursement for meals and lodging on out-of-state trips shall not begin more than twenty-four (24) hours one (1) calendar day before the meeting, workshop, conference or other objective of trip begins and shall not continue more than twenty-four (24) hours one (1) calendar day after said meeting, workshop, conference or other objective of trip ends. This twenty-four-hour limit shall also apply for in-state travel when the agency determines that travel is of a duration where overnight travel prior to or after the trip objective would be necessary.

F. E. Reimbursement for meals and lodging incurred in official travel in areas outside of the United States to implement the objectives of contracts, grants, agreements or gifts for which funds from these sources are furnished shall be reimbursed from said funds at actual cost not to exceed the amount authorized for United States Government employees in its periodical publication entitled “Standard Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas), Department of State, Washington, DC”. Provided, however, reimbursement for travel to points outside of the United States, whether performed under authority of contract, grant, agreement or otherwise, shall not begin more than forty-eight (48) hours two (2) calendar days before or end more than forty-eight (48) hours two (2) calendar days after the objective of the trip.

G. F. Claims submitted to the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for payment under the provisions of this section shall be certified to by the principal fiscal officer or contract and grant administrator of each agency. Such officer shall certify that such claim complies with and is authorized under this section.

H. G. The Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services may authorize reimbursement for overnight lodging while in official travel status within the State of Oklahoma at a rate of up to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the amount authorized in subsection A of this section if it is determined that no lodging was available at the maximum rate set out in subsection A of this section. Prior to authorizing such payment, the state officer or employee shall certify the efforts made to obtain lodging at the rate set out in subsection A of this section and the reasons why such lodging was not available within a reasonable distance from the state officer's or employee's work location.

Section 500.11 A. Authorized persons traveling on official state business outside of the State of Oklahoma may utilize appropriate forms of transportation, including but not limited to, common carriers, transit system carriers, state owned or privately owned motor vehicles or airplanes, contract rental motor vehicles, commuter airplanes, or transportation by private parties to reach their destinations.

B. 1. Except as otherwise provided by this section, reimbursement for out of state transportation costs as authorized by this section shall not exceed the normal charge for the type of transportation used, but in no instance shall reimbursement for transportation used in lieu of commercial airplane exceed the cost of coach or economy class air fare.

2. Reimbursement for travel by commercial airplane on a first-class basis may be made if coach or economy class space is not available within a reasonable time and is justified by attachment to claim for reimbursement.

3. Claims for reimbursement for transportation by commercial airline shall be accompanied by the passenger's duplicate of airline ticket, or other airline receipt which includes information as to class of accommodation for which reimbursement is claimed.

4. If commuter airlines are the only airlines available to reach a destination, reimbursement for transportation used in lieu of commuter air fare shall not exceed the cost of the commuter air fare.

C. Reimbursement for authorized use of privately owned motor vehicles or vehicles from motor vehicle rental agencies used for out-of-state travel shall be limited to the actual cost for such vehicle but in no instance shall reimbursement for such vehicle exceed the cost for commercial coach or economy class air fare or commuter air fare, whichever is appropriate. Distances for which reimbursement for use of privately owned motor vehicles or vehicles from vehicle rental agencies is claimed shall not exceed distances as computed by a Global Positioning System (GPS) or based on map and vicinity business mileage set forth in a recognized published national atlas or road map. Vicinity travel on official business shall be entered on travel claims as a separate item.

Section 500.15 All claims for reimbursement of travel expenses shall be submitted on the regular authorized form of travel expense claim, and shall be approved by the official or employee performing the travel, and approved by the official or employee designated in Section 34.68 of Title 62 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for the agency in which the employee works. Receipts may be provided to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services in electronic form. No travel claim shall be awarded if the filer of the claim has benefited from the personal receipt of frequent travel miles unless those miles are used to offset future claims against the state.

Section 500.16 Standard blank forms of travel claims to be used to carry out the purposes of this act The method, forms, or systems for submitting a travel reimbursement claim shall be prescribed by the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

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:

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 such 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 shall may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and subsistence 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.