Download rtf •894. Powers of district cemetery association Public cemetery Several associations may have same official cemetery. Said district cemetery association shall have all the authority and powers now provided by law for cemetery associations and corporations under Chapter 42, Session Laws of 1935; Provided further, that the cemetery of said district association shall be and remain a public cemetery; and nothing in this Act shall prohibit one or more cemetery associations from selecting the same cemetery as their official cemetery, whether said designated cemetery is located in the same congressional township in which the cemetery association is formed. Laws 1939, p. 255, Sec. 6. •81. Laws governing Powers and duties. Every cemetery corporation formed under the laws of the Territory or State of Oklahoma, shall be governed under the laws of the State of Oklahoma, and have such power conferred upon it and be subject to such duties as may be provided by the laws of the state. R.L.1910, • 380. •81a. Burial charges Failure to pay. Every cemetery in this state shall have the power to establish and impose reasonable charges for the burial of persons in the cemetery, unless prohibited by law. Failure to pay such charges shall be a misdemeanor and upon conviction be punishable by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). The provisions of this section shall not authorize a cemetery other than those cemeteries owned, maintained or operated by municipalities in this state to impose additional charges not specifically authorized by written contract upon any person for burial if said cemetery has already sold the cemetery lot where such burial is to occur. Added by Laws 1983, c. 299, • 1, emerg. eff. June 24, 1983. •82. Fraternal and church cemeteries. Any cemetery organized or controlled by any fraternal organization or church society or congregation shall be managed and controlled as provided by its rules and bylaws. R.L.1910, • 381. •83. Real estateLimitation on amountSale of lotsOther propertyApplication of income. May hold real estate. Every cemetery corporation has power to purchase or take by gift, grant or devise and to hold real property not exceeding eighty (80) acres for the sole use and purpose of a burial ground and to lay out the same into blocks and lots with convenient avenues and walks and to sell the lots for the sole use and purpose of burying the dead; and it may own and hold such other real and personal property as the legitimate, necessary or proper purposes of the corporation may require and all income therefrom shall be applied as hereinafter provided for the payment of the debts of the corporation and the improvement and ornamentation of its burial ground and for investment. R.L.1910, • 382; Laws 1915, c. 261, • 1. •8-3.1. Definitions. As used in Sections 1 through 37 of Title 8 of the Oklahoma Statutes: 1. “Lot” means a tract of land or space used to inter one deceased individual; and 2. “Plot” means a tract of land made up of more than one burial lot. Added by Laws 2008, c. 47, • 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2008. •8-4. Surveys - Plat - Acknowledgment - Recording - Fee. Surveys and Plat. Such corporation shall cause its land, or such portion thereof as may from time to time become necessary for that purpose, to be surveyed into lots, plots, avenues and walks and platted, upon which plat every lot shall be regularly numbered and said plat shall be acknowledged and shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk, but the fee for said recording shall not exceed the actual cost of the work of recording plus Two Dollars ($2.00). R.L. 1910, • 383. Amended by Laws 1915, c. 261, • 2; Laws 2008, c. 47, • 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2008. •85. Powers. Such corporation has power to inclose, improve and embellish its grounds, avenues and walks, and to erect buildings or vaults for its use, and to prescribe in its bylaws, rules for the sale, inclosure and ornamentation of lots and for erecting monuments or gravestones thereon; and to prohibit any use, division, improvement or ornamentation of any lot which the corporation may deem improper; and to make other bylaws and acts to the end that all the appliances and conveniences and benefits of a public and private cemetery may be obtained and secured. R.L.1910, • 384. •8-6. Lots - Inalienability - Descent - Release of interests. Whenever an interment is made in any lot as defined in Section 1 of this act, while any person is buried on that lot, that individual lot becomes forever inalienable, and descends in regular line of succession to the heirs at law of the owner, but any one or more of such heirs may release to any other of said heirs his or her interests in the same, and any other joint owners may release to each other in like manner. R.L. 1910, • 385. Amended by Laws 2008, c. 47, • 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2008. •87. Exemptions. All the property of every such benevolent corporation, and the lots sold by it to individual proprietors, shall be exempt from taxation, assessment, lien, attachment, and from levy and sale upon execution; and all such real property shall be exempt from appropriation for streets, roads, or any other public uses or purposes. R.L.1910, • 386. •88. Appropriation of net proceeds from lot sales. The proceeds arising from the sale of lots, after deducting all expenses of purchasing, inclosing, laying out and improving the ground, and of erecting buildings, shall be exclusively applied, appropriated and used in protecting, preserving, improving and embellishing the cemetery and its appurtenances, and to paying the necessary expenses of the corporation and must not be appropriated to any purpose of profit to the corporation or its members. R.L.1910, • 387. •89. Retention of portion of proceeds by benevolent, religious and charitable institutions. Benevolent, religious and charitable institutions which own, maintain and operate cemeteries under the laws of this state shall be permitted to retain ten percent (10%) of the gross proceeds of all lots sold by such an institution for the purpose of interment; and any sum so retained may be used by it in any manner which may further its legitimate objects. Laws 191011, c. 17, p. 34, Section 1. •8-10. Payment of debts and obligations. Debts must be paid. At least fifty percent (50%) of the gross proceeds of sales of blocks, lots, plots, or graves must be applied as often as every six (6) months to the payment of the debts and obligations of such corporation as long as such debts and obligations exist. R.L. 1910, • 388. Amended by Laws 1915, c. 261, • 3; Laws 2008, c. 47, • 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2008. •811. Rights of lot owners in old grounds. When grounds purchased or otherwise acquired for cemetery purposes have been previously used as a burial ground, those who are lot owners at the time of the purchase continue to own the same and are members of the corporation, as hereinafter provided, with all the privileges the purchase of a corporation confers. R.L.1910, • 389. •812. Election of officers Votes and eligibility of lot owners Control by original corporators or successors. At each subsequent election of officers of any such corporation, held after the first annual election, the owner or owners of a lot in the cemetery, and none other, shall be entitled to one vote at such election, or for any other purpose, and no more than one vote; and shall, by virtue of such proprietorship, be a member of the corporation, and eligible to any of its offices; but if there be more than one proprietor of any such lot, then such one of the proprietors as the majority of them shall designate may cast the one vote as aforesaid; and each trustee or director shall be the sole proprietor of a lot in such cemetery: Provided, that whenever less than five (5) persons reside within five miles of any cemetery own lots therein, the original corporators or their successors may control and manage said cemetery. R.L.1910, • 390. •813. Superintendent Duties Election Term Eligibility Supervision and control Salary. In addition to the other officers of such corporation, it shall have an officer, known as its superintendent, whose duty it shall be to care for and protect the grounds of such cemetery and its appurtenances, and to enforce its bylaws, in relation to its grounds, and to superintend the making of repairs and the construction of improvements and the maintenance of all permanent improvements, or embellishments of every kind, which tends to beautify such cemetery or render it convenient for such use, or preserve it permanently as a burying ground for the dead. Such superintendent shall be elected at the same time the other officers of such corporation are elected, and shall hold his office for the same length of time as the president thereof, and shall be the owner of at least one lot in the cemetery, and shall be under the direct supervision, and control of the board of directors. The salary of such superintendent shall be fixed by the bylaws of such corporation. R.L.1910, • 391; Laws 1915, c. 27, • 1. •814. Trustees or directors Regular meetings Election of officers Appropriation of lot sale proceeds Special meetings. Meetings of board of directors. The board of trustees or directors of such corporation shall hold a regular meeting without notice immediately following the annual meeting of the members on the first Tuesday in July of each and every year, at which meeting it shall elect a president, a vicepresident, a secretary, a treasurer, and shall ascertain the amount received from the sale of lots during the six (6) months immediately preceding such meeting and enter the same in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall set aside by proper resolution not less than onehalf (1/2) of such receipts for the purposes set forth in section 387 and shall transact such other business as may come before the meeting. Special meetings may be held at any time upon call of the president or a majority of the trustees or directors and upon written notice, mailed to each member of the board at least five (5) days before the meeting or upon written consent of all the members of the board. R.L.1910, • 392; Laws 1915, c. 261, • 4. •815. Members' meetings Notices Quorum Special meetings. Annual meeting of members. The annual meeting of the members of such cemetery association shall be held on the first Tuesday in July of each and every year for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may come before the meeting. Notice of said meeting must be given by the secretary by publication in a newspaper published in the county and in the city or town nearest to said corporation's cemetery at least two (2) weeks and not more than four weeks prior to the date of such meeting; five (5) members shall constitute a quorum; special meetings may be held upon like notice; provided that if said members number less than fifty then said notices may be given by mailing the same to said members directed to the nearest post office to the location of said cemetery. R.L.1910, • 393; Laws 1915, c. 261, • 5. •816. Trustees' or directors' powers and duties Accounts Regulations Payment of debts Application of lot sale proceeds. Duties of trustees or directors. The trustees or directors shall have the direction and control of the cemetery and other property of the corporation and shall have such other powers and duties not inconsistent with the provisions of this article as the trustees or directors of other corporations not for profit under the law of the State of Oklahoma. They shall require a strict accounting to be kept of all monies received and expended on behalf of said corporation, look after and manage the affairs and fiscal concerns thereof, and see that all proper regulations are made for the proper conduct, maintenance and improvement of said cemetery, and shall also see that the debts and obligations of said corporation are paid as fast as the fifty percent of the gross proceeds of sales of lots, as provided by law, will permit, and shall also see that the other fifty percent of such proceeds are strictly applied to the maintenance, preservation, care and improvement of said cemetery, including the payment of the salary of the superintendent, and such other help as he may require. R.L.1910, • 394; Laws 1915, c. 261, • 6. R.L.1910, • 394; Laws 1915, c. 261, • 6. •817. Investment of surplus funds Tax exemption Preservation of properties and funds. Any surplus funds which said corporation may have in its treasury shall be invested by the board of directors in some perfectly secure real estate or securities, all of which shall be exempt from taxation, as is the property of other public corporations, and the board of directors shall exercise the best of care in the preservation of said properties and funds and the accumulation thereof, to the end that provisions may be made for the perpetual maintenance of said cemetery and the improvement, embellishing, beautifying and taking care thereof, for which purposes all of the funds of said corporation, after the payment of its debts, shall at all times be subject, to be applied. R.L.1910, • 395. •818. Violation of provisions Penalties. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Article, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than Twentyfive nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), and not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months in jail. R.L.1910, • 396. •831. Conveyance to Board of County Commissioners Conveyance to corporation when formed. The owner of land, any part of which has been used for human burial and no cemetery corporation, including the same, has been formed, as is now provided by law, to which title can be made, may convey or devise any designated part or the whole of such land, together with roads and rights of way for the ingress and egress of the public and persons interested, to the Board of County Commissioners of the County in which such land is situated, in trust, for the use of the local community for cemetery purposes, and when any cemetery corporation has been formed for any such land so held in trust, the Board of County Commissioners shall, without charge or fee, convey the said land and such right of way and road, if any has been reserved, to such cemetery corporation. Laws 1949, p. 51, • 1. •836. Refusal of interment because of race, color or national origin prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, group of persons, firm, corporation, organization, association or any other entity of any type to deny, refuse or prohibit the interment, entombment or burial of the remains of any deceased person in any cemetery, whether owned publicly or privately, because of the race, color or national origin of such deceased person. Laws 1971, c. 267, • 1. •837. Agreements void. Provisions in any contract, agreement, deed or charter and any bylaw, rule, restriction, covenant or regulation adopted or put in force either subsequent or prior to the effective date of this act authorizing, permitting or requiring the denial, refusal or prohibition of the privilege of interment, entombment or burial because of race, color or national origin of any deceased person are hereby declared to be null and void, unenforceable and in conflict with the public policy of this state. Laws 1971, c. 267, • 2. •881. Indian lands reserved for rural cemeteries Title to county commissioners in trust Conveyance to cemetery corporations. Where tracts of land have been reserved from allotment of Indian land by any treaty or agreement by and between the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek or Muskogee, Seminole, or any other Indian Tribes within the State of Oklahoma, and the United States, or by any Act of Congress, for rural cemeteries, and no cemetery corporation has been formed as is now provided by law to which title can be made, the title thereto may be made to the board of county commissioners of the county in which any tract of land reserved is situated, in trust for the use of the local community for cemetery purposes, and when a cemetery corporation has been formed for any such reserved tract of land, the board of county commissioners shall, without charge or fee, convey the title to said land to the cemetery corporation. Laws 1913, c. 67, p. 105, • 1. •882. Township cemeteries Acquisition Ownership Tax levy. The township board of trustees of any organized township of Oklahoma, or board of county commissioners, be and are hereby empowered to purchase, receive by bequest, any cemetery within their respective townships, now or hereafter used for the purpose of burying the dead. Such cemetery so acquired, shall become the property of the township acquiring same, and the township board of such township or board of county commissioners, shall make a levy of not to exceed one (1) mill of the taxable property in their township, to be used for fencing of such cemetery, cutting of weeds, placing markers at the head of all graves not properly marked, (such markers to be of stone and cement), planting of shrubs and trees, purchasing of additional lands, tools, and in any other manner deemed necessary for the convenience of the public. Laws 1917, c. 107, p. 165, • 1. •8-83. Only one cemetery to be acquired - Burial fee prohibited. Not more than one cemetery shall be acquired in any congressional township, by any township under the provisions of this act, and provided, further, that any cemetery acquired under such provisions shall belong to the public and no fee for burial of the dead shall ever be charged. Laws 1917, c. 107, p. 166, • 2. •8-84. Appropriations - Estimates. The board of county commissioners of any county in this state is hereby authorized to make an annual appropriation and enter the same in the estimate submitted annually to the excise board of said county sufficient for the purpose of enlarging, maintaining, caring for, beautifying and landscaping those cemeteries which were, prior to August 15, 1933, owned by townships in this state and were maintained and kept by the township board of trustees or by the board of county commissioners as the governing board of the township. Laws 1935, p. 200, • 1. •886. Employment of caretakers. The board of county commissioners is hereby authorized and empowered to employ suitable and competent persons to look after, care for and maintain said cemeteries. Laws 1935, p. 200, • 3. •887. Public ownership Burial fee prohibited. Said cemeteries kept and maintained pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall belong to the public and no fee for the burial of the dead shall ever be charged. Laws 1935, p. 200, • 4. •888. Disposition of bodies of deceased inmates or patients of state institutions. The superintendents or wardens of state penal, reformatory and eleemosynary institutions, of state hospitals and of state institutions for the benefit of the mentally ill, blind, deaf, mute, tubercular and epileptic are hereby authorized and directed to remove the bodies of the deceased inmates or patients from said institutions, that are not claimed for private burial by friends or relatives thereof within ninetysix (96) hours after their death, and said superintendent or warden of said institution shall notify the friends or relatives of said deceased inmate by registered mail or telegram of the death of said deceased inmate at their last known place of residence if known, in accordance with the provisions of 63 O.S. 1951 Section 91100. When the State Anatomical Board rejects the body of a deceased inmate or patient the superintendent or warden of that institution shall have the rejected body buried in lands of said institution set aside for such purpose. Provided, that the expenses of such burials shall be paid from the support and maintenance appropriation or any other appropriation made for the operating expenses of the institution. •888.1. Receipt of bodies by State Anatomical Board. It is hereby required that after the body has been received by the State Anatomical Board that it shall be required that said Anatomical Board shall hold and preserve the body for a period of not less than thirty (30) days from the date of death. Laws 1957, p. 19, Section 2. •890. Meeting to organize cemetery district into association Directors. Within thirty (30) days after said order is entered by said board of county commissioners, as above provided, it is hereby made the duty of the county commissioner of the district, in which district lies the greatest portion of territory comprising said cemetery district, to call a meeting of the qualified electors of said cemetery district in the same manner as now provided by law for annual school meetings, for the purpose of organizing said cemetery district into an association and for the election of five (5) directors who shall have authority to provide for the caring and maintaining of said cemetery hereinafter provided for, and who shall hold their office until the next regular meeting of said cemetery association. Laws 1939, p. 254, Sec. 2. •891. Conveyance by cemetery association or corporation to cemetery district association. Before said petition shall be granted by said board of county commissioners as hereinbefore provided, there shall be on file with the clerk of said board an offer by at least one cemetery association or corporation in said proposed district, authorized by at least a majority vote of its officers and directors, to convey to said proposed cemetery district association, all property, both real and personal, now owned by said association, or corporation, free of cost, and said cemetery association or corporation is hereby authorized to make such conveyance upon a majority vote of its officers and directors. Laws 1939, P. 255, Sec. 3. •894. Powers of district cemetery association Public cemetery Several associations may have same official cemetery. Said district cemetery association shall have all the authority and powers now provided by law for cemetery associations and corporations under Chapter 42, Session Laws of 1935; Provided further, that the cemetery of said district association shall be and remain a public cemetery; and nothing in this Act shall prohibit one or more cemetery associations from selecting the same cemetery as their official cemetery, whether said designated cemetery is located in the same congressional township in which the cemetery association is formed. Laws 1939, p. 255, Sec. 6. •8111. Designation of county treasurer as depositary. Cemetery funds: Any city or town or voluntary cemetery association, whether incorporated or not, may by proper ordinance or resolutions, designate the county treasurer of the county in which said cemetery is located as depositary for permanent upkeep funds belonging to said cemetery. Laws 1941, p. 18, • 1. •8112. Treasurer's bond to cover funds. The bond of the treasurer of said county be and the same is hereby made to cover said funds. Laws 1941, p. 18, • 2. •8113. Investment of funds. The said treasurer is hereby authorized to accept and invest said funds in deficiency warrants of the State of Oklahoma, state bonds of the State of Oklahoma, or Federal Savings and Loan Association Stock, or State Building and Loan Association Stock, up to amounts insured by the Federal Government, or in any other security now provided under present laws for the investment of sinking funds by said Treasurers. Laws 1941, p. 18, • 3. •8114. Interest or dividends. On July 1st of each year, the treasurer of said county shall pay the earned interest or dividends, as the case may be, to the cemetery board or other organization making said deposits. Laws 1941, p. 18, • 4. •8131. Organization authorized. There may be organized in each county in the State of Oklahoma a county cemetery association. Laws 1949, p. 48, • 1. •8132. Object. The object of the county cemetery association hereby provided for shall be to beautify, landscape, maintain and improve the publicly owned cemeteries or other cemeteries not owned and maintained by any individual or actively operating private cemetery association, corporation, or fraternal or religious group and which are or have been used by the public as public cemeteries which are located in the county where county cemetery associations are formed; provided, however, that nothing in this act shall prevent the expending of funds raised under this act by any county cemetery association for the upkeep of any cemetery owned by any municipality or other political subdivision of such County even though such municipality or publicly owned cemetery may be located outside the corporate limits of such county. Laws 1949, p. 48, • 2. •8133. Members Election or appointment. The county cemetery association in each county organized under this Act shall consist of two (2) members from each commissioners' district who shall be residents of the commissioners' district from which they are selected, and qualified electors of the county, and who shall be elected at a mass meeting called by each county commissioner on the first Monday in May of each odd numbered year. Said mass meeting shall be called by each of the county commissioners upon a petition of twentyfive (25) resident citizens of the county and after the presentation of said petition to the board of county commissioners, each county commissioner shall call a mass meeting in his respective commissioners' district for the purpose of electing two (2) members of the county cemetery association. The call for such mass meeting shall be by posting notices in at least three (3) public places in the commissioners' district or by both posting notices and publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. Such notices and publications shall state the purpose of the mass meeting, the time and place of holding same and such notices and/or publication must be made at least one (1) week before the date of meeting. The county commissioner shall preside at such meeting and shall certify to the county clerk the names of the two (2) members of the county cemetery association elected at said mass meeting within one (1) week after said election is held. The members so elected at said mass meeting shall hold their office for a period of two (2) years and until their successors are elected and qualified except when any county cemetery association shall be formed and organized under the provisions of this act on an even numbered year, the officers elected on such even numbered year shall hold office for a period of one (1) year and provided further that it shall not be necessary to petition the board of county commissioners to hold an election in any county in this state after such county has organized a county cemetery association pursuant to the provisions of this act, but it shall be the duty of each county commissioner in any county having a county cemetery association organized under the provisions of this Act to call an election as herein provided on each odd numbered year. Provided, however, that if, for any reason, no election or mass meeting is held after the petition is duly filed with the board of county commissioners as hereinabove provided the county commissioner that represents the district so failing to hold an election is hereby authorized to appoint two (2) resident qualified electors from his commissioners' district as members of the county cemetery association and in such event shall certify their names to the county clerk as if they had been elected at a mass meeting and the members so appointed by any county commissioner shall have the same authority as if they had been regularly elected at a mass meeting and they shall likewise hold office for the same period of time as those elected at a mass meeting. Provided further that the county commissioners shall have the authority to fill vacancies that occur on the board of directors of said association. Laws 1949, p. 48, • 3. •8134. Organization Officers. On or before the third Monday in May following said mass meeting the six (6) members of the county cemetery association who have been selected as hereinabove provided shall meet at the district court house and shall perfect an organization by the election of a president, vicepresident and secretary. The president of the board of directors shall be the presiding officer of such board and shall perform the usual duties incumbent upon such officer and shall see that all orders of the board are complied with and in the absence of the president the vicepresident shall be the presiding officer. The secretary of such board shall be the recording officer and shall keep and have supervision over all records and shall file and safely keep all documents of said county cemetery association and shall perform all duties imposed upon him by the board of directors compatible with the duties of such office. The secretary may be paid a salary to be fixed by the board of directors. Said secretary shall give a surety bond in an amount to be fixed by said board of directors and to be approved by the said Board payable to such county and conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties. The premium for said bond shall be paid by said directors out of cemetery association funds. Laws 1949, p. 49, • 4. •8135. Special meetings Notice of meetings. Special meeting may be called any time thereafter by the president or vicepresident of the county cemetery association upon written request of onefourth (1/4) of the members of said board of directors. Notice of regular and special meetings shall be given by mail at least three (3) days prior to such meeting. Laws 1949, p. 49, • 5. •8136. Power and authority of board of directors. The board of directors shall constitute the executive board of the county cemetery association and shall have full power and authority to fix the time and place for regular meetings and to make all rules and regulations pertaining to the business of said association and shall have the authority to hire employees and to lease or purchase equipment to carry out the purposes of this act. Laws 1949, p. 49, • 6. •8137. Estimates and appropriations. The board of directors shall make an annual estimate of their needs and shall certify such estimate to the board of county commissioners at the time and in the manner provided by law; provided, however, it shall not be the duty of the board of county commissioners to include the same as a special budget account in the county budget of estimated needs for publication and certification to the county excise board unless and until the mandatory constitutional governmental functions and the statutory governmental functions made mandatory by the Legislature have been first provided for, nor for the excise board to approve the same unless and until appropriations shall first have been approved sufficient to sustain such mandatory governmental functions and there remains uncommitted available revenue. Laws 1949, p. 49, • 7. •8138. Amount of appropriation Special purpose. For the purpose of defraying the expenses of landscaping, beautifying, maintaining and improving of the publicly owned cemeteries as herein provided the excise board of each county may approve appropriations in the county budget, in a special budget account denominated the "County Cemetery Budget Account," in amount not exceeding Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) per annum, which shall be dedicated to such special purpose under the protective restrictions and limitations now provided for special budget accounts under 62 Oklahoma Statutes 1951, Section 331. Laws 1949, p. 49, • 8. •8139. County treasurer Special budget account Cash fund Claims and warrants. The county treasurer shall set up two accounts of funds provided for herein in the name of the county cemetery association, one account to be the Special Budget Account hereinbefore provided which shall be an Appropriation Account and subject only to the registration of county warrants issued to pay only those claims which have been approved by the cemetery board of directors, filed with the county clerk and allowed by the board of county commissioners as other departmental claims; the other shall be a distinctive cash fund separately maintained under the "Fifth" proviso of Section 331 of Title 62, Oklahoma Statutes 1951, and subject only to payment of warrants issued in payment of claims allowed by the cemetery board of directors, which warrants shall be signed by the president (or vicepresident) of the cemetery board of directors and attested by its secretary. Said special cash fund shall be derived from donations, hereby authorized to be accepted, sales of lots, and any other miscellaneous cemetery revenues and collections that may come into the hands of said cemetery board, or any of its officers or employees, who shall deposit the same with the county treasurer under the same mandatory requirements and penalties as is by law required of other county officers and employees (19 O.S. 1951, Sections 681686). All claims shall be itemized and sworn to by claimants and when allowed shall be filed with the county clerk of said county whose duty it shall be to preserve the same against county audit by the State Auditor and Inspector; and no warrant shall issue against either of said funds except in payment of such sworn itemized claims. No cash fund claims shall be allowed nor filed and no cash warrant issued in payment thereof in excess of the cash actually on hand in the possession of the county treasurer at the time of presentation to him for payment and provided that no contract debt nor obligation authorized or created by said board of directors in excess of the uncommitted appropriation and cash in said special fund shall be valid. Laws 1949, p. 50, • 9; Laws 1979, c. 30, • 63, emerg. eff. April 6, 1979. •8140. Gifts of money and property. Said board may accept and use gifts of money or property on behalf of said cemetery association and use it for general cemetery purposes. Laws 1949, p. 50, • 10. •8141. Duties and functions transferred Appropriations and levies not additional. In any county where a county cemetery association has been organized for the purposes set forth in this act and funds have been provided therefor as by this act authorized, all the duties, functions, powers and privileges now imposed by law (Title 8, Oklahoma Statutes 1951, Sections 8287) upon the Board of County Commissioners of such county are hereby imposed upon the county cemetery association of such county; and for only such counties in which such associations have been and are organized, operating, and financed as herein provided, the appropriations and levies herein authorized shall be in lieu of and not in addition to the appropriations and levies provided by Sections 84 and 85 of Title 8, Oklahoma Statutes 1951. Laws 1949, p. 50, • 11. •8142. Partial invalidity. If any provision of this act or application thereof to any person, property or circumstance is held invalid such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable. Laws 1949, p. 50, • 12. •8-143. Maintenance and improvement of certain cemeteries by county commissioners. In any county of this state wherein a county cemetery association has not been organized, as authorized by 8 O.S. 1951, Sections 131-141, inclusive, or has ceased to function after organization, the board of county commissioners is hereby authorized and empowered to utilize employees under their jurisdiction and county-owned tools, machinery, equipment, and materials for the purposes of opening and closing graves and maintaining and improving any publicly owned cemetery or other cemetery within the county not owned and maintained by an individual or private organization; provided that, where appropriate, a reasonable fee, not to exceed the actual cost of the service, may be charged for such services. Laws 1961, p. 14, • 1; Laws 1977, c. 64, • 1, emerg. eff. May 23, 1977. •8144. Acceptance and use of monies and other items. The board of county commissioners is hereby authorized and empowered to accept and use monies and other items of value from private and governmental sources for the purposes of opening and closing graves and maintaining and improving said cemeteries in carrying out the intent and purposes of this act. Laws 1961, p. 14, • 2; Laws 1977, c. 64, • 2, emerg. eff. May 23, 1977. •8161. Short title of Act. This Act shall be known as the "Perpetual Care Fund Act". Laws 1953, p. 16, • 1. •8-162. Definitions. As used in the Perpetual Care Fund Act: 1. "Cemetery" or "cemeteries" means any land or structure in this state dedicated to or used, or intended to be used, for the interment of human remains; 2. "Burial space" means any grave space, lot, mausoleum crypt or niche, whether above or below ground, which is used or intended to be used for the interment of human remains; 3. "Purchase price" means the gross dollar amount the customer must pay the cemetery under a contractual agreement between the two to exchange ownership of, or rights to, certain burial spaces. Purchase price does not include finance charges, sales tax, charges for credit life insurance, opening and closing costs and setting fees, but does include any amount which the customer is required to pay as a deposit to the Perpetual Care Fund, described in Section 163 of this title. On sales of burial spaces wherein discounts or free spaces are granted to the customer by the cemetery, the purchase price is determined to be the fair market value or the normal selling price of that particular type of burial space as sold by the cemetery; and 4. "Financial institution" means a federally insured bank or savings and loan authorized to exercise trust powers or a trust company that is authorized to do business in this state. Added by Laws 1953, p. 16, • 2, emerg. eff. May 19, 1953. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 2008, c. 275, • 7, eff. July 1, 2008. •8-163. Percentage of purchase price or construction, retail cost set aside - Deposit into trust fund - Certificate of deposit. A. In all cemeteries in this state where burial spaces are sold, not less than ten percent (10%) of the purchase price thereof shall be segregated and set aside as a permanent trust fund to be known as the "Perpetual Care Fund". The Perpetual Care Fund shall be invested as hereinafter prescribed, and the income only shall be used in improving, caring for, and embellishing the lots, walks, drives, parks and other improvements in such cemeteries and maintenance of office and care of records. B. If a cemetery allows a person or other entity to construct or otherwise establish a burial space at the cemetery that is not purchased from the cemetery, the cemetery shall collect from such person or entity an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the construction or retail cost of the burial space, to be deposited in the cemetery’s Perpetual Care Fund. C. The owner of a cemetery shall set aside and deposit such amounts in a financial institution authorized by law, as trustee, to administer such trusts, not later than thirty (30) days after the close of the month in which was received the final payment on the purchase price of each burial space. Such amounts shall be held by the trustee of the Perpetual Care Fund in trust for the specific purposes stated in a written trust agreement. The trust agreement may provide for an individual or other entity to exist as cotrustee; provided, however, in no instance shall the cotrustee have sole access to deposits held in the Perpetual Care Fund, except as otherwise provided in this act. D. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection C of this section, if the total amount of the Perpetual Care Fund maintained by the cemetery is One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) or less, the cemetery may, in lieu of depositing the funds in a trust account, purchase a certificate of deposit from a financial institution according to the terms of this subsection. The certificate of deposit shall be pledged in favor of the Oklahoma State Banking Department with no right of withdrawal by the cemetery, whether before or after maturity, except upon application to, and approval by, the State Banking Commissioner. The terms of the certificate of deposit shall provide for notice to the Department within thirty (30) days prior to maturity. Only interest accruing from the certificate of deposit may be withdrawn by the cemetery and shall be considered income for purposes of subsection A of this section. If a cemetery maintains a certificate of deposit in lieu of a trust fund, as it collects funds which must be deposited into its Perpetual Care Fund, it shall segregate those funds from its other operating funds and contribute those funds to the certificate of deposit upon its next maturity date. If a cemetery’s Perpetual Care Fund is maintained in a certificate of deposit, but grows in an amount greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), the cemetery shall comply with the provisions of subsection C of this section by placing all of its Perpetual Care Fund in trust and shall no longer maintain a certificate of deposit as authorized by this subsection. Added by Laws 1953, p. 16, • 3, emerg. eff. May 19, 1953. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 2007, c. 80, • 9, eff. Jan. 1, 2008; Laws 2008, c. 275, • 8, eff. July 1, 2008. •8164. Donations, deposits or bequests in trust. Donations, deposits or bequests may be made in trust by mutual agreement between the cemetery and lot owner or lot owners, for the special care of specified lots, monuments or mausoleums in any such cemetery, and such funds shall be invested in like manner as the Perpetual Care Fund, but a separate account shall be kept of each amount so deposited, donated and bequeathed and only the income derived from such funds shall be used in the care, maintenance and repair of such lots, monuments and mausoleums, unless otherwise provided by the donor. Laws 1953, p. 16, • 4. •8165. Investment of trust funds Income. Accumulated trust funds held by the trustee of the Perpetual Care Fund shall be invested in the manner provided in the Oklahoma Trust Act, and any amendments thereto. The income derived therefrom shall be returned to such cemeteries to be used by them only as provided by this act. Added by Laws 1953, p. 17, • 5. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. •8-166. Annual fee and report - Examination of books and records. A. The owner of a cemetery maintaining a Perpetual Care Trust Fund, or certificate of deposit in lieu of a Perpetual Care Trust Fund, shall be required to pay to the State Banking Commissioner an annual fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), and file a report of each cemetery by March 15 of each year with the State Banking Commissioner, showing, for the preceding calendar year: 1. The gross amount received from sales of grave spaces, lots, mausoleum crypts and niches; 2. The total purchase price of grave spaces, lots, mausoleum crypts and niches on contracts which received final payment and required deposits to the Perpetual Care Fund during the calendar year; 3. The operating expenses incurred during the calendar year which are eligible to be paid from income of the Perpetual Care Fund; 4. The total amount of the principal of the Perpetual Care Fund as of the beginning of the preceding calendar year; and 5. The amount segregated and deposited in the Perpetual Care Fund as provided by this act which, if the Perpetual Care Fund is held in trust, shall be certified by the trustee of the Perpetual Care Fund as to correctness thereof, and the trustee shall provide: a. the total amount of the principal of the Perpetual Care Fund as of the end of the calendar year, b. the securities and other assets in which such perpetual care funds are invested, c. the cash on hand, d. a verification in writing of all assets in which monies of the Perpetual Care Fund have been invested; provided, such verification shall be obtained from the holder or holders of such assets, e. the income derived from the Perpetual Care Fund investments during the calendar year, and f. the gross expenditures or transfers from income of the Perpetual Care Fund during the calendar year. The annual fee collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 316 of this title. B. If the Perpetual Care Fund is maintained in a certificate of deposit in lieu of a trust fund, the cemetery shall provide in its annual report a verification from the financial institution as to the amount of principal of the Perpetual Care Fund as of the end of the calendar year, and the amount of funds contributed to the certificate of deposit by the cemetery as of each maturity date of the certificate of deposit during the last calendar year. C. The Commissioner shall have authority, at any time, to inspect the books and records of any such cemetery, and to make an examination thereof for the purpose of determining if proper sums have been deposited with the trustee in the Perpetual Care Fund, or in a certificate of deposit maintained in lieu of a trust fund, and if the Fund is being properly administered by the trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Perpetual Care Fund Act and rules of the Commissioner. Each cemetery owner and trustee is responsible for maintaining satisfactory books and records which adequately justify all information contained in the annual report required by this section. The Commissioner shall charge and collect a fee for such examination, which fee shall be deposited in the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act Revolving Fund. Added by Laws 1953, p. 17, • 6, emerg. eff. May 19, 1953. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 82, • 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 2000, c. 205, • 28, emerg. eff. May 17, 2000; Laws 2005, c. 48, • 23, eff. Nov. 1, 2005; Laws 2007, c. 80, • 10, eff. Jan. 1, 2008. •8-167.1. Prepayment contract finance charges - Disclosure. Every cemetery which provides prepayment financing programs to its customers under contracts in which a finance charge is made shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code, Section 1-101 et seq. of Title 14A of the Oklahoma Statutes, as they apply to disclosure and annual percentage rate calculation. Added by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. •8-168. Exceptions to application of act. A. The provisions of the Perpetual Care Fund Act shall not apply to municipal, religious, fraternal, or nonprofit entities, free community burial grounds, county cemetery associations, Indian tribal cemeteries on tribal land and charitable or eleemosynary institutions operating cemeteries in this state. B. The provisions of the Perpetual Care Fund Act may apply to unincorporated cemetery associations operating cemeteries in this state. Unincorporated cemetery associations that make application with the State Bank Commissioner to maintain a perpetual care fund and are approved by the Commissioner shall comply with all provisions of the Perpetual Care Fund Act. Added by Laws 1953, p. 17, • 8, emerg. eff. May 19, 1953. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 1999, c. 196, • 1, emerg. eff. May 24, 1999; Laws 2009, c. 3, • 4, eff. July 1, 2009. •8-168.1. Administration of act - Rules and regulations. The Perpetual Care Fund Act, Section 161 et seq. of Title 8 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall be administered by the State Bank Commissioner. The Commissioner is authorized to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations concerning the keeping and inspection of records, the filing of contracts and reports, and all other matters incidental to the orderly administration of this law. Added by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. •8169. Violations Punishment. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of the Perpetual Care Fund Act shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). Laws 1953, p. 17, • 9; Laws 1993, c. 218, • 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. •8-169.1. Fraudulent or intentional failure to honor contract. It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of a cemetery to accept money or anything of value under a contract entered into pursuant to the Perpetual Care Fund Act and fraudulently or intentionally fail or refuse to honor such contract providing for the improving, caring for, and embellishing of the burial lots, walks, drives, parks and other improvements in the cemetery. In addition to other penalties authorized by law, this fraudulent or intentional failure or refusal to honor such contract with the consumer shall be a violation of the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act. Added by Laws 1996, c. 8, • 1, eff. July 1, 1996. •8-170. Actions to recover payments and other monies - Injunctions. The Attorney General of this state, at the request of the State Banking Commissioner, may initiate an action to recover payments required to be deposited to the Oklahoma State Banking Department revolving fund pursuant to the Perpetual Care Fund Act or to recover other monies received or disbursed in violation of the Perpetual Care Fund Act. In addition, the Attorney General may seek to enjoin any violation of the Perpetual Care Fund Act. Added by Laws 2000, c. 205, • 29, emerg. eff. May 17, 2000. •8181. Declaration of policy. The people of the state have a vital interest in the establishment of cemeteries and the maintenance, preservation and operation thereof. To protect the citizens of the state, to promote the public welfare and public health thereof, and to prevent and guard against cemeteries from hereafter becoming a burden upon the community and the taxpayers of the state, the following provisions are enacted in the exercise of the police power of the state. Laws 1955, p. 104, • 1. •8182. Acquisition of existing cemeteries Written reports Hearings Determination Exceptions. (a) Any corporation, association, individual, partnership, trust, or any other organization however constituted which after the effective date of this act locates or establishes a cemetery, providing a grave, vault, columbarium, public mausoleum or other receptacle for the burial of dead human remains, in any county of the state, shall be subject to the provisions of this act. (b) No corporation, association, individual, partnership, trust or any other organization however constituted, shall after the effective date of this act purchase or acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest in or the control of an existing cemetery or property which has been used as a burial ground in any county of this state, for the purpose of engaging in the business of the ownership, establishment, maintenance or operation of a cemetery, providing a grave, vault, columbarium, public mausoleum or other receptacle for the burial of dead human remains, unless and until a written report thereof is made to the board of county commissioners wherein the cemetery or burial ground is located, and an approval order is issued by the board to such organization prior to such purchase or acquisition. The written report shall be made and subscribed to by the interested parties, and shall be in such form and detail as the board shall prescribe and require. In the event the board finds, after the written report is made and a hearing held thereon, that the proposed purchase or acquisition and the consummation thereof will result in an evasion or avoidance of this act in that the organization proposing to so purchase or acquire intends to substantially change or alter the method or plan of operation of the cemetery or burial ground, which is hereby declared to constitute the location and establishment of cemetery after the effective date of this act, then and in that event the board shall issue an order disapproving the proposed purchase or acquisition, and it shall be unlawful for such purchase or acquisition, to be thereafter consummated unless and until such organization applies for and is issued a certificate of authority as provided by Section 3 of this act. In the event the board finds, after the written report is made and a hearing held thereon, that the proposed purchase or acquisition and the consummation thereof will not result in an evasion or avoidance of this act as hereinbefore provided, then and in that event the board shall issue an order approving the proposed purchase or acquisition and such organization shall not be required to apply for and be issued a certificate of authority as provided by Section 3 of this act. This subsection shall not apply to or affect the inheritance of any interest in or the control of a cemetery, mausoleum or burial ground. (c) The provisions of this act shall not apply to a municipal, religious, fraternal, rural community, township, state, county and nonprofit corporate cemeteries and free community burial grounds which are subject to and regulated by Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Title 8, Oklahoma Statutes 1951; nor to cemeteries operated by charitable and eleemosynary institutions. (d) The provisions of this act shall not apply to or affect the purchase or acquisition by an existing cemetery of additional real property which is immediately adjacent and adjoining to such cemetery nor to the construction of a mausoleum or columbarium on the real property of a cemetery. Laws 1955, p. 104, • 2. •8183. Certificate of authority Application Investigation Public hearing Expenses. (a) No organization subject to the provisions of this act shall locate or establish a cemetery in any county of this state except after a certificate of authority has been issued therefor by the board of county commissioners of the county wherein such cemetery is to be located and operated. The issuance of such certificate of authority shall rest solely in the discretion of the board of county commissioners of the county wherein such cemetery is to be located and operated. The request to establish such proposed cemetery shall be set forth in a written application made to the board of county commissioners, provided that the form of the application shall be prescribed and furnished by the board and shall contain such information as the board may require; provided, however, that no such certificate of authority shall be required for establishing or operating any cemetery, graveyard or burial ground in such cities containing a population over three hundred thousand (300,000), authority for the construction and operation of which shall be obtained from the governmental planning commission having jurisdiction over zoning and building regulations covering the area wherein such cemetery, graveyard or burial ground is located. (b) The board of county commissioners shall not approve an application nor issue a certificate of authority until: 1. The board shall make or cause to be made an investigation and examination of the applicant and the application. 2. The board shall give notice of such application, and the hearing to be held thereon, by publication once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county in which the applicant proposes to locate and operate the cemetery. 3. The board shall, after the date of the said publication, hold a public hearing on the application in such place in the county as it shall designate. (c) After the filing of the application for a certificate of authority, the board of county commissioners shall make or cause to be made a careful investigation and examination relating to the financial standing and character of the organizers of the proposed cemetery, the character and qualifications and experience of the officers and managers thereof, for the use of the board, which information shall be considered confidential; of the adequacy of the initial investment in the proposed cemetery; of the adequacy of the planned perpetual care fund if the proposed cemetery is to be a perpetual care cemetery; of the proximity of the proposed cemetery to human dwellings and the sanitary and health conditions in regard to the location of the proposed cemetery; and of the public necessity for the cemetery in the community in which such proposed cemetery is to be located and operated; and if the board of county commissioners, after the public hearing herein provided, shall determine any of the questions unfavorable to the applicant, the applicant shall not be approved and the certificate of authority shall not be issued, and if such questions be determined favorably by the board, the board shall approve the application and the certificate of authority shall be issued. (d) At the public hearing any person who is interested may appear and be heard, either in person or by his attorney. Within sixty (60) days from the date of such hearing the board of county commissioners shall render its findings and decision, in such form and detail as it shall prescribe, and a copy of the same shall be forwarded to the applicant and all persons who have entered an appearance. (e) All expenses which may be incurred by the board of county commissioners in performing its duties as provided in this section shall be paid to the board by the applicant at the time of filing the application for the certificate of authority, provided such expenses shall in no event exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and any balance remaining unexpended shall be returned to the applicant by the board at the conclusion of the hearing. Laws 1955, p. 105, • 3; Laws 1963, p. 764, H.J.R. No. 554, • 2, emerg. eff. June 14, 1963. •8184. Penalty. Any person who wilfully violates any provision of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment for each offense. Laws 1955, p. 106, • 4. •8185. Conveyance of county lands for cemetery purposes. The board of county commissioners may, without fee or charge, transfer and convey any land owned by the county, which at the time of conveyance is being used for cemetery purposes, or is situated adjacent to a tract of land being used for cemetery purposes, to any cemetery association, previously existing or formed for the purpose of taking such lands, said conveyance to be made and land to be used exclusively for purposes of human burial. Laws 1969, c. 213, • 1. •8186. Ingress to and egress from certain cemeteries. Any cemetery in this state consisting of ten or more grave spaces, lots, crypts or niches, including but not limited to, locations on property held in fee title, by leasehold, estate or easement by the state, any county, municipality, district, religious or fraternal organization, corporation, nonprofit corporation, partnership, association, individual or trust or charitable or eleemosynary institution, shall be allowed sufficient ingress to and egress from such cemetery by allowing the establishment of streets, roads or other public rightsofway for such purpose. Such entity shall further allow sufficient ingress to and egress from any grave space, lot, crypt or niche within the cemetery by allowing sufficient access to any portion of the cemetery for such purpose. Added by Laws 1986, c. 90, • 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1986. •8-187. Abandoned cemetery on privately owned land - Visitation rights. Any relative of the deceased who wishes to visit an abandoned cemetery which is completely surrounded by privately owned land, for which no public ingress or egress is available, shall have the right to reasonable ingress or egress for the purpose of visiting such cemetery. This right of access to such cemeteries extends only to visitation during reasonable hours and only for purposes usually associated with cemetery visits. For the purposes of this section, "abandoned cemetery" means any place where human skeletal remains are buried and which no body has been interred for at least twenty-five (25) years and where such site is readily identifiable as a cemetery by an inspection of the property. Any relative of the deceased who wishes to visit an abandoned cemetery shall make a good faith effort to notify the owners and tenants, if any, of said property prior to visiting the cemetery. This section shall not be interpreted to allow the creation of an easement or claim of easement nor a right of ownership or claim of right of ownership to an abandoned cemetery. Added by Laws 1992, c. 214, • 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1992. •8201. Short title of Act. This Act shall be known and cited as "The Burial Association Act." Laws 1953, p. 129, • 1. •8202. Definitions. The following terms as used in this act are defined as follows: 1. "Burial association" or "association" when used without limitation or qualification, shall mean an association, whether incorporated or nonincorporated, licensed pursuant to this act or which is otherwise subject to the provisions of this act; and 2. "Board" shall mean the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Laws 1953, p. 129, • 2; Laws 1992, c. 147, • 1, eff. July 1, 1992. •8-203. Repealed by Laws 1992, c. 147, • 12, eff. July 1, 1992. •8-203.1. State Burial Board abolished - Transfer of duties and authority to State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. A. The State Burial Board is hereby abolished. All powers, duties, responsibilities, property, personnel, assets, liabilities, fund balances, encumbrances and obligations of the State Burial Board are hereby transferred to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. All references made in the Oklahoma Statutes to the State Burial Board shall mean the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. B. The Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors is hereby vested with the duty and authority of enforcing and administering the provisions of Section 201 et seq. of this title. Added by Laws 1992, c. 147, • 2, eff. July 1, 1992. •8204. State Burial Board Administration and Enforcement Fund abolished Transfer of funds. A. There is hereby created a fund to be known as the "State Burial Board Administration and Enforcement Fund," and all fees received by the Board under the provisions of this act shall be paid to the Board and shall by it be deposited to the credit of such Fund. The Board shall have the authority to employ and fix the compensation of personnel necessary for the administration of this Act, and to incur and pay such expenses as are deemed necessary by the Board for such purpose. Such compensation and expenses shall be disbursed from the State Burial Board Administration and Enforcement Fund upon vouchers drawn and approved by the Board. B. The State Burial Board Administration and Enforcement Fund, created pursuant to subsection A of this section, is hereby abolished. On July 1, 1992, any unencumbered funds remaining in the State Burial Board Administration and Enforcement Fund shall be transferred to the credit of the Fund of the State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, created pursuant to Section 396.14 of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Any unexpended funds remaining in the State Burial Board Administration and Enforcement Fund after November 15, 1992, shall be transferred to the credit of the Fund of the State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Laws 1953, p. 130, • 4; Laws 1992, c. 147, • 4, eff. July 1, 1992. •8205. Exemption from insurance laws Operating expenses and trust fund Mutual character Members Articles of agreement Fees and assessments. That all burial associations now operating or that may be hereafter organized, as incorporated or nonincorporated associations, which are nonprofit sharing in their operations and pay no fees or salaries to any of their officers and have no capital stock and which comply with the provisions of this act shall be exempt from the operations and the effect of the insurance laws of the State of Oklahoma; and shall not be required to comply with the insurance laws of the said state; provided, that all monies collected by said associations shall be accounted for; provided further that not more than twentyfive percent (25%) of said funds are to be used for operating expenses, and not less than seventyfive percent (75%) of the funds so collected is to be held as a trust fund for the benefit of the members. Associations licensed under this act shall be mutual associations and every person who applies for and holds a burial agreement shall be a member of the association, in accordance with the bylaws of the association and shall be entitled to one vote, and such members may vote in person or by proxy. Burial associations are hereby declared to be charitable and benevolent associations. The following shall be the Uniform Article of Agreement between burial associations and their members. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT Article 1. In consideration of One Dollar ($1.00) Membership fee and assessments of fifty cents ($0.50) per month, or Five Dollars ($5.00) for twelve (12) assessments if paid in advance, we agree to furnish the following protection for an entire family who live at home, and are solely dependent upon the head of the house. This protection also covers school students. All applicants must be in good health at the time of application for membership. Upon marriage of any of the children, they are automatically dropped from this certificate. Article 2. All assessments are due on the first day of each month and carry fifteen (15) days grace, becoming delinquent on midnight of the fifteenth. Any certificate which has lapsed on account of failure to pay an assessment, may be reinstated by paying a fiftycent assessment, provided that if any member of the family is sick at the time of such reinstatement benefits will not be reinstated on such sick person until his recovery. Article 3. All persons between the ages of seven (7) and seventy (70) at the time of application for membership are entitled to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) burial benefits; all children under the age of seven (7) are entitled to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) burial benefits; upon reaching the age of seven (7), children are automatically entitled to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) burial benefits; applicants who join after they have reached the age of seventy (70) are entitled to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) burial benefits. Stillborn babies are entitled to Twentyfive Dollars ($25.00) burial benefits. In the event a baby is born into the family, the name may be placed on the certificate at no additional charge. Article 4. All benefits are for service and merchandise only and must be furnished by the association. Said association will not be responsible for any debts incurred by the death of any member of this association. Article 5. In the event death occurs beyond the distance of fifty (50) miles, the burial association being duly notified, may, in lieu of the above complete service, deliver to the express office for shipment, merchandise in the value as specified in this certificate, or mail Sixty Dollars ($60.00) to the policy holder. All express charges shall be paid by the certificate holder. Provided further that the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors shall draft a uniform application for membership which shall be used by all burial associations operating in the State of Oklahoma, or which may be hereafter organized, said application for membership shall have printed across the face in red ink the following language: "This is not an application for life insurance." Said Board shall also provide for uniform membership fees, dues and/or assessments; the membership fee of One Dollar ($1.00) shall be the assessment for the first month in which the agreement is issued, provided the remaining dues or assessments to be not less than fifty cents ($0.50) on a monthly basis, provided, however, that twelve (12) assessments may be paid in advance for Five Dollars ($5.00) and, provided further that if the funds on hand in the trust fund are equal to fifty cents ($0.50) for each certificate in force a monthly assessment may be passed until such time as the funds in the trust are less than fifty cents ($0.50) for each certificate in force. Provided that any association now in existence charging a less sum may continue to service all certificates now in effect at existing rates specified in the certificates; and certificates which lapse, and all new certificates must be written at the uniform rate set up by this act. No burial association licensed pursuant to the provisions of this act shall have the authority to levy any assessment on its members other than the assessment expressly provided for in the Uniform Article of Agreement. All certificates of membership issued by said associations shall have printed across the face of said certificate the following language: "This is not a certificate of life insurance." Laws 1953, p. 130, • 5; Laws 1992, c. 147, • 5, eff. July 1, 1992. •8206. Investment of trust funds. No burial association shall invest its trust funds except in bonds and securities which are the direct obligations of the United States or in cash deposits in regularly established national or state banks. Laws 1953, p. 131, • 6. •8207. Licenses. (a) No burial association shall transact any business until the Board has issued a formal license authorizing it to do so, which license shall not issue until it is satisfied that the association has complied with the provisions of this act. Licenses issued to such association shall authorize the association to do business in this state until the last day of June following the date of issuance of the license, and the license may be renewed by the Board annually thereafter, unless sooner suspended, revoked, or renewal refused; provided, however, that any license shall continue in full force and effect until a new license be issued or specifically refused. (b) The Board shall not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license issued to any burial association unless, after a hearing held, it finds that one of the grounds specified in Section 15 of this act exists as to such association. Before the Board shall suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew any license it shall issue a show cause order to such association stating specifically, the nature of the alleged violations, and fixing a time and place, at least ten (10) days thereafter, when a hearing of the matter shall be held. After such hearing, or upon failure of the association to make an appearance, the Board shall render its findings, decision and order in writing. After the Board has rendered its findings, decision and order, any party aggrieved may appeal within twenty (20) days to the district court of Oklahoma county by filing with the clerk of said court a petition in error together with a certified copy of the proceedings of the Board in such matter. If the appeal is from an order of the Board, such order shall not take effect during the pendency of the appeal unless the court shall determine otherwise. The court may review all the facts and in disposing of any issue before it, may modify, affirm or reverse any finding, decision or order of the Board, in whole or in part. Laws 1953, p. 131, • 7. •8208. Burial agreements. (a) Any burial association may issue a burial agreement containing burial benefits not exceeding twice the burial benefits provided in the Articles of Agreement as specified in Section 5 of this act, by charging and levying twice the membership fee and assessments specified therein. (b) No burial association licensed pursuant to the provisions of this act shall issue more than one burial agreement providing a Two Hundred Dollar ($200.00) benefit or more than two burial agreements each providing a One Hundred Dollar ($100.00) benefit covering a family, or any member thereof; nor issue a burial agreement covering a family, or any member thereof, who are covered by a burial agreement issued by another burial association and the application form prescribed by the Board shall contain an interrogatory as to whether the family, or any member thereof, is so covered by such an agreement; provided, however, nothing in this act shall prohibit, and any burial association is hereby authorized, to issue an agreement to a family for the purpose of replacing an agreement theretofore issued by another burial association, and provided further such in lieu agreement shall at least provide the same benefits and coverage to the family as the agreement replaced. (c) In the event of the death of a person who is covered by more than one agreement issued by one burial association the association's liability shall be limited to the providing of a burial benefit equal to twice the benefit specified in the Articles of Agreement as provided in Section 5 of this act, regardless of the number of burial agreements issued by the said burial association and covering such person, and the burial association is hereby prohibited from providing a burial benefit in excess thereof. In the event of the death of a person who is covered by more than one agreement issued by more than one burial association the agreement holder shall elect as to which association he shall make claim for the burial benefit; the association which is not so elected shall have no liability to provide the burial benefit and is hereby prohibited from providing any burial benefit. Laws 1953, p. 132, • 8. •8209. Treasurer's bond. The treasurer of every burial association, who shall be the custodian of the funds of the association, shall file with the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors a bond, in the form prescribed by the Board, running in the favor of the State of Oklahoma, executed by an insurance company authorized to do business in this state, and to be conditioned that the trust fund of the association will be held and administered in accordance with the provisions of this act, which bond shall at all times be equal to, or in excess of, the trust fund but which in no event shall be in an amount less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). Laws 1953, p. 132, • 9; Laws 1992, c. 147, • 6, eff. July 1, 1992. •8210. Reimbursement of trust fund. The Board shall have the authority, after a hearing held, to issue an order directing the officers of an association to reimburse the trust fund for any withdrawal therefrom when the Board finds that the officers have wrongfully paid a claim or have otherwise wrongfully disbursed funds from the trust fund. Laws 1953, p. 132, • 10. •8211. Inspections and examinations Costs. Whenever the Board deems it necessary or advisable, and at least once in each year, it shall examine, through its authorized representative each burial association and thoroughly inspect and examine its financial condition, whether it has complied with the provisions of the law and any other facts relative to its business methods, management, and the equity of its dealings with its members and claimants. The Board or its authorized representative may subpoena and administer the oath to and examine witnesses, the directors, officers, trustees, agents, representatives, and members of any association and any other person, relative to its affairs, transactions and conditions. The cost of any examination exceeding four (4) hours in duration made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be the responsibility of the examined burial assocation. Provided, however, no such cost paid by the examined burial association shall exceed five percent (5%) of the total income of said burial association or Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) whichever is greater. Amended by Laws 1985, c. 142, • 1, emerg. eff. June 7, 1985. •8212. Misrepresentations. No association and no director, trustee, officer, agent, employee, solicitor, or other representative thereof, or any other person, shall make, issue, circulate, or cause or permit to be made, issued, or circulated, a statement of any sort misrepresenting the terms, conditions or character of any agreement issued by it or the benefits or advantages promised thereby. Laws 1953, p. 133, • 12. •8213. Discrimination. Discrimination between members of the same class in the amount of assessments, dues, and fees charged for or on any agreement, or in any benefits payable thereon, or in any of the terms or conditions of such agreement, or in any manner whatsoever is prohibited. This Act shall not prohibit different assessments, dues, fees or benefits for individuals insured under different plans at different times. No association and no director, trustee, officer, agent, employee, solicitor or other representative thereof shall pay, allow or give, or offer to pay, allow or give directly or indirectly, as an inducement to insure any rebate of the assessment, dues or fees payable on the agreement, or any special favor or advantage in the benefits to accrue thereon not specified in the agreement or any paid employment contract for services of any kind or any valuable consideration or inducement whatever; provided however, nothing herein shall prohibit a burial association or any agent thereof in connection with the sale of an agreement from truthfully advertising or stating the advantages of a funeral service rendered by a designated funeral home. Laws 1953, p. 133, • 13. •8214. Annual report Annual license fee. Every burial association doing business in the State of Oklahoma under the provisions of Sections 201 et seq. of this title shall, annually, on or before the last day of June, report under oath of the president and secretary of said association to the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, the total income, less refunds, received by the association from its member during the preceding calendar year and shall at the same time pay to the Board an annual license fee equal to one percent (1%) of the said total income, less refunds, as a condition precedent to the issuance of the annual license, or the renewal of said license, to the association. The Board may, if it deems that the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors Administration and Enforcement Fund is or will be insufficient to meet the expenses of the new license year, increase the annual license fee to an amount not exceeding four percent (4%) of said total income. Any burial association failing to make such returns and payments promptly and correctly shall forfeit and pay to the Board in addition to said fees, the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00). In the event any such burial association so fails or neglects to make returns or payments within sixty (60) days, the Board shall notify the burial association and its agents that they have no authority to do business in the state and the Board shall request the Attorney General to proceed to collect said fees and penalties and interest thereon, by an action at law. Laws 1953, p. 133, • 14; Laws 1978, c. 222, • 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1978; Laws 1985, c. 142, • 2, emerg. eff. June 7, 1985; Laws 1992, c. 147, • 7, eff. July 1, 1992. •8215. Injunction against continuation of business. If the Board is of the opinion upon examination or from other evidence, that any burial association: (1) is in an insolvent condition in that it fails and is unable to provide any burial benefit in accordance with the terms and conditions of its burial agreement, or (2) has not complied with its articles of incorporation or agreement or the provisions of the law applicable to such association, or (3) is not maintaining its trust fund according to the provisions of this act, or (4) that its condition or management is such as to render its further proceedings or transaction of business hazardous to the public, or its members, or to its creditors, or (5) that its treatment and dealings with its members and claimants are not equitable or just, or (6) has not complied with, or has violated, a written rule or regulation or order promulgated or issued by the Board, it shall apply to the district court of Oklahoma County, through the Attorney General of the state, for an injunction restraining the burial association, in whole or in part, from further proceeding with its business. The court may issue an injunction forthwith and may, after notice to the association, and hearing held, make the injunction perpetual, and make all orders and decrees needful in the premises, and may appoint a person designated by the Board to act for and in its behalf as receiver to take possession of the property and effects of the association and to settle its affairs, subject to such rules and orders as the court from time to time may prescribe. Laws 1953, p. 133, • 15. •8216. Application for receiver. No person or party other than the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors may appear in the courts of this state requesting the appointment of a receiver of a burial association. Laws 1953, p. 134, • 16; Laws 1992, c. 147, • 8, eff. July 1, 1992. •8217. Merger, consolidation or reinsurance. (a) No burial association shall merge, consolidate, or reinsure all of its business with another burial association, except with the approval of the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. (b) A copy of the agreement or document effecting such merger, consolidation, or reinsurance shall be filed with the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Laws 1953, p. 134, • 17; Laws 1992, c. 147, • 9, eff. July 1, 1992. •8218. Burial agents, who are. Any person, who for a consideration solicits, negotiates, or effects, or offers to solicit, negotiate, or effect, any burial agreement in this state for or on behalf of any burial association shall be a burial agent within the intent of this Act, and shall become subject to all the duties, requirements, obligations, liabilities and penalties imposed by this Act. Laws 1953, p. 134, • 18. •8219. Burial agent license Necessity. No person shall, in this state, engage directly or indirectly, in the business as a burial agent for any burial association unless such person holds a burial agent license authorizing him to represent such burial association. Laws 1953, p. 134, • 19. •8220. Application for burial agent license and proceedings thereon. (a) Application for a burial agent license shall be made to the Board upon a form prescribed by the Board. (b) Upon receipt of the application the Board shall promptly determine the general reputation and character of the applicant as to honesty, integrity, and responsibility. If the Board finds that the applicant would be a trustworthy person to hold a burial agent license and that the applicant otherwise qualifies under the provisions of this act, it shall issue a burial agent license to the applicant upon requisition by a burial association or associations. (c) If the Board finds that the applicant does not qualify to hold a burial agent license, it shall so advise the applicant and at the same time forward to the applicant a full and complete statement of the reasons supporting such finding. The Board shall within fifteen (15) days after the applicant receives such statement grant a hearing on the matter upon receiving a written request from the applicant. The Board, at the conclusion of the hearing shall make its written findings, decision and order. Within twenty (20) days after being served with a copy of the written findings, decision and order, the applicant may appeal to the district court of Oklahoma County by filing with the clerk of the court a petition for review of the findings, decision and order, together with a certified copy of the proceedings of the Board. The court may review all the facts and, in disposing of any issue before it, may modify, affirm, or reverse the findings, decision and order of the Board, in whole or in part. Laws 1953, p. 134, • 20. •8221. Issuance of agent's licenses on association's application Fee Renewals. (a) Every burial association desiring to appoint a person as its agent shall apply to the Board, upon a requisition form prescribed by the Board, for a burial agent license for said person. The requisition of the burial association shall be accompanied by a burial agent license fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) for such agent. (b) If the person designated by the association has qualified to hold a burial agent license, the Board shall issue a burial agent license to such person. The burial agent license issued by the Board shall be in the form prescribed by the Board, provided the same may be of a continuous form, and shall recite that the agent is authorized to engage in the business as a burial agent for said burial association. Every burial agent license shall expire on the following June 30th, unless sooner renewed. (c) Prior to the 30th day of June of each year every burial association shall file with the Board, upon a requisition form, an alphabetical list of all its agents whose burial agent licenses it desires to renew and at the same time pay to the Board a renewal license fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each agent. (d) Upon the renewal of each burial agent license the Board shall prepare, issue and forward a renewal receipt to the association which shall forward the same to the agent. The renewal receipt shall evidence the renewal of the burial agent license and shall at all times be in the custody of the agent. Every burial agent license for which there has been filed a renewal requisition and license fee paid prior to its expiration date, shall continue in force and effect until a renewal receipt has been issued or the agent and the association have received notice from the Board that it has specifically refused to renew the burial agent license as hereinafter provided. (e) The burial agent license fee shall be paid by the association making the requisition and such association shall not, directly or indirectly, charge the same to the agent. Amended by Laws 1985, c. 142, • 3, emerg. eff. June 7, 1985. •8222. Revocation or refusal to renew agent's license. (a) The Board may revoke or refuse to renew any burial agent license, if, after a hearing held, the Board finds: (1) That the agent has obtained or attempted to obtain any burial agent license through willful misrepresentation or fraud. (2) That the agent has materially misrepresented the terms, conditions, benefits or effect of any burial agreement, or the financial condition or manner of doing business of any burial association. (3) That the agent has been convicted, by final judgment, of a felony. (4) That the agent has misappropriated or withheld from a burial association or burial agent any money or property received or collected by him for such burial association or burial agent. (5) Any cause for which issuance the burial agent license could have been refused had it then existed and had been known to the Board. (6) That the agent has willfully violated any provisions of this act. (b) The holder of any burial agent license which has been revoked or renewal refused for cause by the Board, or cancelled by a burial association, shall surrender the same and the last renewal receipt to the Board upon receiving notice of revocation or refusal or cancellation. (c) The Board, may, if it finds that extenuating and mitigating circumstances exist, issue an order suspending its order of refusal to renew, or revocation of, any burial agent license and placing the agent on probation under such conditions and for such period of time as it deems necessary. In the event the agent violates or fails to comply with the conditions of the probation the Board shall, after notice to the agent and a summary hearing, have the authority to cancel the probation and to revoke the burial agent licenses held by the agent. (d) No person shall be issued a burial agent license for a period of three (3) years after the Board has issued an order revoking or refusing to renew such person's burial agent license. Laws 1953, p. 135, • 22. •8223. Procedure for revocation or refusal to renew agent's license. A hearing before the Board for the purpose of revoking or refusing to renew a burial agent license shall be had only upon a sworn complaint signed by a complainant, or a show cause order issued by the Board, after a copy thereof has been served on the agent and the burial associations for which the agent is licensed or which have made requisition for such agent. (1) The sworn complaint and the show cause order shall be concise and definite in such a manner so as to apprise the agent of the nature of the charge. (2) The agent and the interested burial associations shall be served at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the hearing. (3) Formal rules of procedure or evidence need not be observed by the Board in the conduct of the hearing. (4) At the expense of and at the written request seasonably made by an interested party, the Board shall cause a full stenographic record of the proceedings to be made by a competent stenographic reporter, and if transcribed such record shall be made a part of the Board's record of the hearing. (5) The Board at the conclusion of the hearing shall make its written findings, decision and order, and a copy thereof shall be served on all interested parties. (6) Any party aggrieved by any findings, decision or order of the Board, may appeal within twenty (20) days after receipt of the findings, decision and order to the district court of Oklahoma County by filing with the clerk of said court a petition for review of such findings, decision and order, together with a certified copy of the proceedings of the Board. The court shall determine whether the appeal shall operate as a stay of the order of the Board. The court may review all the facts and, in disposing of any issue before it, may affirm, modify, or reverse the findings, decision or order of the Board in whole or in part. Laws 1953, p. 136, • 23. •8224. Burial agreements issued only through resident agents. (a) No burial agreement shall be issued or delivered in this state by a burial association unless through its licensed resident agent. (b) No burial association or burial agent shall pay, allow or give, directly or indirectly, any money, commissions, or other valuable consideration to any person, who, in this state, solicits, negotiates, or effects a burial agreement unless such person held a burial agent license with the burial association that issued the agreement at the time of the soliciting, negotiating, or effecting such agreement. Laws 1953, p. 136, • 24. •8225. Solicitors deemed agents of association. Any person who shall solicit and shall procure an application for a burial agreement shall, in all matters relating to such application and the agreement issued in consequence thereof, be regarded as the agent of the burial association issuing the agreement and not the agent of the applicant or member. Laws 1953, p. 136, • 25. •8226. Depositions, witnesses and evidence. (a) In any proceeding arising under this act, any member of the Board, or any interested party, may take depositions as in civil proceedings and the Board may, on its own motion, and shall, upon request of any interested party, subpoena witnesses or documentary evidence, administer oaths, and examine under oath any individual relative to any hearing or investigation under this act. The subpoena may be served anywhere in the state and the service thereof shall not be limited to the county wherein the Board is located. (b) The subpoena shall have the same force and effect and shall be served in the same manner as if issued from a court of record. (c) Witness fees and mileage, if claimed, shall be allowed the same as for testimony in a court of record. Witness fees and mileage shall be paid by the Board, or by the person who requests the hearing. (d) If any person fails to obey the subpoena, or obeys the subpoena but refuses to testify when required, the Board shall file a written report thereof and proof of service of the subpoena with the clerk of the district court in the county where the person resides or may be. Thereupon, the court shall forthwith cause the person to be brought before the court to show cause why he should not be punished the same as if he had failed or refused to obey a subpoena from or give testimony in such court. Laws 1953, p. 136, • 26. •8227. Application of law to existing associations. (a) The provisions of this Act shall apply to every burial association, corporation, partnership or person now engaged in the business of burial insurance or that hereafter engages in the business of burial insurance, which have not been issued a license to do business in the State by the Insurance Commissioner or the State Fraternal Board. (b) Every such burial association doing business in this state on the operative date of this Act shall within thirty (30) days thereafter comply with the provisions of this Act as a condition precedent to the continuation of doing business in this state. Laws 1953, p. 137, • 29. •8228. Foreign associations or corporations. No burial association or corporation which is organized or incorporated under the laws of another state shall be licensed to do business in this state under the provisions of this Act. Laws 1953, p. 137, • 30. •8229. Rules and regulations. The Board may make and promulgate written rules and regulations reasonable, necessary and incidental to the enforcement and administration of the provisions of this act. Laws 1953, p. 137, • 31. •8230. Effective date Exemption of certain existing associations Bond of Treasurer. The operative date of this Act shall be June 1, 1953. Provided that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to an association which has been issuing the individual certificate, and individual certificate only, prior to January 1, 1943, and which organization was organized pursuant to the provisions of Section 10453, Oklahoma Statutes, 1931, and any such association now operating, which is nonprofitsharing in its operation and pays no fees or salaries to any of their officers and have no capital stock and provides a burial outfit and burial, the total value of which shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) to those entitled thereto under the said certificate, and which associations do not make an assessment against their members until and unless the fund on hand derived from membership fees or assessments in the treasury of said association would only pay for the burial of six adults entitled to a burial by said association, shall be exempt from the operations and effect of the Insurance Laws of the State of Oklahoma, and shall not be required to comply with the Insurance laws of said state; provided that the money collected by such association or associations shall be held as a trust fund for the benefit of the beneficiaries and that at least seventyfive percent (75%) of the membership fees collected from the memberships shall be accounted for and paid into this fund, and that all of any future assessments or memberships shall be paid into this fund. That the treasurer of said association be required to file with the court clerk of the county in which the association is organized a surety bond running in the name of "The State of Oklahoma;" said bond to be approved by the court clerk of said county, and to be conditioned that the funds of the association will be held and applied as a trust fund to be paid out only in accordance with the purposes of the association, which bond shall at all times equal the amount of the trust fund on hand in such association, and in no event to be less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). Laws 1953, p. 137, • 32. •8-230.1. Dissolution of burial association. A. At a meeting of the burial association held in accordance with the bylaws of such association, the burial association may vote to dissolve the association. B. Upon the affirmative order of the burial association, the burial association shall be deemed dissolved. The board of directors of the burial association shall file notice of such dissolution with the Secretary of State. C. All debts, liabilities and obligations of the association shall be paid and discharged upon the dissolution of the burial association. The association shall issue a certificate of guarantee for the full amount of the policy to each beneficiary. The certificate of guarantee may be redeemed for goods and services only at the time the death of the beneficiary occurs and shall not be redeemed for cash. D. Upon filing with the Secretary of State of notice of dissolution, the association shall cease to carry on its business except insofar as may be necessary for the winding up thereof. E. Each member of the burial association shall be notified of the dissolution of the association. F. The Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors shall be provided notice within ten (10) days of the dissolution of any association. A list of all members who have been provided certificates of guarantee shall be provided to the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors and will be maintained in the records of the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. G. Upon request of notice of dissolution and compliance with the provisions of this section, the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of dissolution for the association. Added by Laws 1992, c. 147, • 3, eff. July 1, 1992. •8-230.2. Dissolution of unincorporated burial association. A. At a meeting of an unincorporated burial association, pursuant to such procedural rules or practices as have been observed or adopted by the association, the members may vote to dissolve the association. B. If the vote to dissolve is affirmative, the officers of the association shall, within ten (10) days of the action, notify all members of the association and shall provide the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors notice of the action taken. Within thirty (30) days, the officers shall furnish to the Board a list of the names and last-known addresses of the beneficiaries. C. Upon discharging all debts, liabilities, and obligations of the association, the officers shall so notify the Board, whereupon the association shall cease to exist. Added by Laws 1999, c. 63, • 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1999. •8231. Violations of act Punishment. Any corporation, association, or director, trustee, officer, employee, agent or representative thereof, or any other person, who willfully violates any provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense. Laws 1953, p. 138, • 33. •8301. Short title. Sections 18 through 32 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act". •8-302. Definitions. As used in the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act: 1. "Cemetery merchandise" means markers, memorials, vases, memorial vases, monuments, equipment, crypts, niches or outer enclosures. Cemetery merchandise shall not include the sale of lands or interests therein as grave lots or grave spaces; burial or interment rights; and delivered or installed crypts, niches or outer enclosures; 2. "Purchase price" means the gross amount to be paid for cemetery merchandise under the provisions of a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract. Purchase price shall not include finance charges, sales tax, charges for real property interests or charges for credit life insurance; 3. "Prepaid cemetery merchandise contract" means any agreement for the sale of cemetery merchandise by an organization which requires payment of the purchase price, in whole or in part, prior to delivery of the cemetery merchandise, which agreement is entered into from and after November 1, 1989; 4. "Minimum funding requirement" means that portion of the purchase price equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the wholesale cost, plus delivery charges, of the cemetery merchandise covered in a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract; 5. "Organization" means any individual, firm, partnership, trust, corporation, association or entity. Organization shall not include state, county, municipal, township, rural community, religious, fraternal or nonprofit entities, free community burial grounds, county cemetery associations, Indian tribal cemeteries on tribal land and charitable or eleemosynary institutions operating cemeteries in this state; 6. "Outer enclosure" means a grave liner, grave box, or grave vault; 7. "Lawn crypt" means a subsurface permanent outer enclosure installed before need in multiple units for the purpose of interring human remains; 8. "Board" means the State Banking Board; 9. "Financial institution" means a federally insured bank, trust company, or savings and loan association which is authorized to do business in this state; 10. "Commissioner" means the State Banking Commissioner; and 11. “Wholesale cost” means an amount determined on the basis of such standard quotations and price lists as are published by the vendor of the cemetery merchandise, without regard to any discounts that may be available to the organization. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 18, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 98, • 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 82, • 4, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 2009, c. 3, • 5, eff. July 1, 2009. •8-303. Permit required - Contracts in violation of act. A. Any organization which shall accept money or anything of value for cemetery merchandise pursuant to a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract shall first obtain a permit from the State Banking Commissioner authorizing the transaction of this type of business before entering into any such contract. It shall be unlawful to sell any prepaid cemetery merchandise unless the organization holds a valid, current permit at the time such contract is made. The organization shall not be entitled to enforce a contract made in violation of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act, but the purchaser, or the heirs or legal representative of the purchaser, shall be entitled to recover triple the amounts paid to the organization with interest thereon at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum under any contract made in violation hereof. B. An organization with any prepaid cemetery merchandise contracts subject to the provisions of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act shall apply for, and obtain, approval of the Commissioner before transferring or conveying in any manner the cemetery, its obligations or both the cemetery and its obligations under such prepaid cemetery merchandise contracts. Such application shall be accompanied by a fee equal to that required under Section 305 of this title and shall include such information as the Commissioner may prescribe. The Commissioner shall not approve any such transfer or conveyance until the applicant has provided sufficient evidence that a trust fund equal to the minimum funding requirement is maintained pursuant to Section 306 of this title or the applicant has obtained a surety bond pursuant to the provisions of Section 307 of this title. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 19, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 2009, c. 3, • 6, eff. July 1, 2009. •8-304. Administration of act – Appeals – Exemption for prepaid plans. A. The Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act, Section 302 et seq. of this title, shall be administered by the State Banking Commissioner. The Commissioner is authorized to promulgate reasonable rules concerning the keeping and inspection of records, the filing of contracts and reports, investments of and handling of the trust funds, and all other matters incidental to the orderly administration of this law. Any reference to the Oklahoma Banking Board in rules promulgated pursuant to the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act shall mean the State Banking Commissioner. The rules promulgated by the Oklahoma Banking Board prior to the effective date of this act shall continue in effect until such rules are amended or repealed by rule of the Commissioner promulgated pursuant to the provisions of Article I of the Administrative Procedures Act. All prepaid cemetery merchandise contracts must be in writing, and no such contract form shall be used without first being submitted to the Commissioner. B. An organization aggrieved by an action or order of the Commissioner may appeal the action or order to the State Banking Board which may then affirm, modify or reverse the action or order of the Commissioner as provided by the Administrative Procedures Act. C. The provisions of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act shall not be applicable to any organization that has obtained a permit pursuant to Section 6121 of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes if the organization is in compliance with the provisions of Sections 6121 through 6136.18 of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes with respect to items that are considered cemetery merchandise pursuant to the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act. D. Unless sold pursuant to a permit issued under Section 6121 of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes, no organization in Oklahoma may sell, in advance of actual need, the services of opening or closing a burial space, as defined in Section 162 of this title, unless the organization deposits in trust no less than sixty-five percent (65%) of the principal amount of the services sold, or maintains a surety bond for the full principal amount of the services sold. Any contracts for such services sold before July 1, 2009, remain enforceable by the purchaser against the seller. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 20, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 82, • 6, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 2003, c. 57, • 27, emerg. eff. April 10, 2003; Laws 2009, c. 3, • 7, eff. July 1, 2009. •8-305. Application for permit - Cancellation of or refusal to issue or renew permit - Appeal. A. Each organization desiring to accept money or anything of value for prepaid cemetery merchandise shall file an application for a permit with the State Banking Commissioner, and shall at the time of filing such application pay one initial filing fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00). The Commissioner shall issue a permit upon the receipt of the application and payment of the filing fee, and upon making a finding that the applicant has complied with the rules as may be established pursuant to the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act by the Commissioner. All such applications shall be signed by the organization requesting the permit, and shall contain a statement that the applicant will comply with all the requirements as established pursuant to the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act. All permits shall expire on the 15th day of March of the year following the year the permit is first issued, unless renewed. Permits shall be renewed for a period not to exceed the succeeding March 15 upon the payment of a renewal fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00). Late application for renewal of a permit shall require a fee of double the renewal fee. No application for renewal of a permit shall be accepted after May 1 of each year. Applicants shall be required to reapply as if they were a new applicant, and pay an application fee and all late fees and renewal fees that had not been paid with respect to an expired permit. B. The Commissioner may cancel a permit or refuse to issue a permit or refuse to issue a renewal of such permit for failure to comply with any provisions of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act or any rules promulgated thereto by the Commissioner, after reasonable notice to the permittee and after a hearing before the Commissioner if the permittee requests a hearing in accordance with Article II of the Administrative Procedures Act. C. No organization shall be entitled to a new permit after cancellation, or refusal by the Commissioner to renew a permit, but shall thereafter be issued a new permit upon satisfactory proof of compliance with the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act. D. Any person or organization aggrieved by the actions of the Commissioner may appeal therefrom to the State Banking Board as provided by the Administrative Procedures Act. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 21, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 2000, c. 205, • 30, emerg. eff. May 17, 2000; Laws 2008, c. 275, • 9, eff. July 1, 2008. •8-306. Establishment and maintenance of cemetery merchandise trust funds. A. Each organization shall establish and maintain a cemetery merchandise trust fund with a financial institution having trust powers. A cemetery merchandise trust fund shall at all times be in the custody of a financial institution. Any cemetery merchandise trust funds may be invested, reinvested, exchanged, retained, sold and managed as a part of common trust funds in the manner required by and subject to the State Banking Commissioner and at the election of the trustee. A copy of each contract or a written notice containing all relevant information regarding such prepaid cemetery merchandise contracts for which deposits are made shall be furnished to the financial institution. The financial institution shall serve as trustee for the purposes of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act. B. Deposits to a cemetery merchandise trust fund shall be carried in the name of the organization and the amounts deposited therein may be commingled. Provided, however, the accounting records shall establish a separate account for each prepaid cemetery merchandise contract and shall show the amounts deposited, and the income or loss accruing thereon, with respect to each prepaid cemetery merchandise contract. The trustee shall reimburse the organization for all income taxes and costs incurred with respect to the operation of such fund, and the trustee shall be reimbursed from the earnings of such fund for all reasonable costs incurred in serving as trustee, including a reasonable fee for its services. The taxes and costs shall be paid from earnings for the fund prior to the allocation of earnings to the individual accounts. C. An organization entering into a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract shall be entitled to retain all of the purchase price under the prepaid cemetery merchandise contract until it has received an amount equal to thirty-five percent (35%) of the purchase price of the cemetery merchandise sold in a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract. D. After an organization has received the amount it is entitled to receive, in accordance with subsection C of this section, all payments of the purchase price to the organization pursuant to a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract shall be deposited by the organization in a cemetery merchandise trust fund until such time as the requirements of subsection E of this section have been satisfied or delivery is made of the cemetery merchandise, or until an amount satisfying the minimum funding requirement has been deposited. Thereafter, all payments of the purchase price in excess of the minimum funding requirement may be retained by the organization. Deposits shall be made within ten (10) business days after the end of the month in which such deposits are received by the organization. E. Annually, as of December 31 of each year, each organization shall determine the wholesale cost for all cemetery merchandise covered by a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract for which funds are then held in a cemetery merchandise trust or in an individual merchandise account. If the amount held with respect to a prepaid cemetery merchandise contract exceeds the minimum funding required, the excess shall be paid by the trustee of the cemetery merchandise trust to the organization. In such event, no further deposit shall be required with respect to the prepaid cemetery merchandise contract until such time as the amount held no longer exceeds the minimum funding requirement. If the minimum funding requirement is not satisfied, no amount shall be paid to or withdrawn by the organization and the organization shall continue or shall resume, as the case may be, making the deposits required by subsection D of this section. F. No part of the moneys required to be held in a cemetery merchandise trust fund pursuant to the provisions of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act shall ever be used for any other purpose other than investment as authorized by this section until delivery of the cemetery merchandise is made. G. Delivery of cemetery merchandise for the purposes of this subsection may be accomplished in one of the following ways: 1. Actual and physical delivery of the cemetery merchandise to the purchaser; 2. Physical attachment of the cemetery merchandise to realty or cemetery space owned by the purchaser; 3. Certification by an approved manufacturer to the purchaser that the organization has paid the wholesale price of the cemetery merchandise and that the cemetery merchandise will be delivered upon request of the purchaser; 4. Written notification to the purchaser by the organization that the cemetery merchandise is in the possession of the organization and may be removed by the purchaser upon full payment for the cemetery merchandise; and 5. When construction or permanent installation of the cemetery merchandise has been completed, with respect to cemetery merchandise which is affixed to realty. H. Upon delivery of the cemetery merchandise pursuant to a prepaid cemetery merchandise trust contract, the organization shall present the trustee with a verified statement that delivery has been made, and upon such presentation, the trustee shall pay to the organization the amount of any funds held in trust with respect to the cemetery merchandise delivered and no further deposits shall be made with respect to such cemetery merchandise. I. Should the buyer move to a community in which the cemetery does not accept transfers of outer enclosures from the cemetery which the buyer has entered into a cemetery merchandise contract, the selling organization will refund sixty-five percent (65%) of the retail price plus interest equal to the annual interest computed from the date that the contract was paid in full based on the financial institution's passbook interest rate at the time that the refund is requested. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 22, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 82, • 8, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. •8-307. Surety bond in lieu of trust requirement. A. As an alternative to the trust requirements of Section 306 of this title, an organization may purchase a surety bond in an amount not less than the minimum funding requirement. B. The bond shall be made payable to the State of Oklahoma for the benefit of the State Banking Commissioner and all purchasers of prepaid cemetery merchandise. The bond shall be approved by the Commissioner. C. The Commissioner may establish by rule the requirements and guidelines for the bonds required herein. D. A surety bond maintained under the provisions of this section or Section 304 of this title may be cancelled or terminated by the surety only by providing notice to the Commissioner, no later than ninety (90) days before the effective date of such cancellation or termination. Notwithstanding such cancellation, termination, or expiration of a bond maintained under this section or Section 304 of this title, the surety shall remain liable for obligations arising during the term of the bond and prior to the termination, cancellation or expiration. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 23, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 9, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 2009, c. 3, • 8, eff. July 1, 2009. •8308. Annual report Filing fee Failure to file. Each organization shall file an annual report with the State Banking Commissioner on or before March 15 of each year in such form as the Commissioner may require, showing the name of the financial institution holding the cemetery merchandise trust fund and the amount of the trust fund under each contract on the preceding December 31, and also showing the method of determination of the wholesale costs made pursuant to Section 306 of this title. The total required deposits to the cemetery merchandise trust fund during the year shall also be reported. Each cemetery is responsible for maintaining satisfactory books and records, which will adequately justify all information contained in the annual report required by this section. Any organization which has discontinued the sale of prepaid cemetery merchandise, but which still has funds deposited in a cemetery merchandise trust fund or surety, shall not be required to obtain a renewal of its permit, but it shall continue to make annual reports to the Commissioner until all such funds have been disbursed pursuant to the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act. A filing fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) shall accompany each report. If any officer of any organization fails or refuses to file an annual report, or fails or refuses to cause it to be filed within thirty (30) days after the organization has been notified by the Commissioner that the report is due and has not been received, such officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as prescribed in Section 315 of this title. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 24, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 82, • 10, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 2000, c. 205, • 31, emerg. eff. May 17, 2000. •8309. Examination of wholesale costs. The State Banking Commissioner may examine each organization so as to approve the organization's determination of the wholesale costs made pursuant to Section 306 of this title. The fee for the examination may be paid from the organization's cemetery merchandise trust fund. For such purposes, the Commissioner is authorized to administer oaths and to examine under oath the directors, officers, employees and agents of any organization. The examination may be reduced to writing by the person taking it, and the examiner may make findings as to the condition of each cemetery merchandise trust fund examined. For the purpose of the examinations, the Commissioner may require any officer of an organization to furnish and submit the books, records, papers and instruments of the organization to the examiner. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 25, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 11, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. •8310. Redeposit of improperly withdrawn moneys. In the event the State Banking Commissioner determines that moneys have been improperly paid by the trustee to the organization during the period covered by the examination, the Commissioner shall order the organization to redeposit to the trust such moneys improperly withdrawn within sixty (60) days. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 26, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 12, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. •8311. Attorney General Action to recover payments Injunctions. The Attorney General of this state, at the request of the State Banking Commissioner, may initiate an action to recover payments required to be redeposited to the cemetery merchandise trust pursuant to the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act or to recover other moneys received or disbursed in violation of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act. In addition, the Attorney General may seek to enjoin any violation of said act. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 27, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 13, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. •8312. Execution, seizure, appropriation or application of certain funds prohibited. In the absence of fraud, all funds held in a cemetery merchandise contract shall not be subject to attachment, garnishment or other legal process, or be seized, taken, appropriated or applied to pay any debt or liability of the organization, purchaser or beneficiary, by any legal or equitable process or by operation of law. •8313. Failure to assist examination of records Appointment of receiver. Whenever any officer of any organization refuses to submit the books, records, papers and instruments of such organization to the examination and inspection of the State Banking Commissioner's assistants or examiners, or in any manner obstructs or interferes with the examination of its cemetery merchandise trust fund, or refuses to be examined on oath concerning any of the affairs of its cemetery merchandise trust fund, the Commissioner may request the Attorney General of this state to institute proceedings for the appointment of a receiver for such organization. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 29, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 14, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. •8314. Failure to establish or maintain trust fund Appointment of receiver. Any organization which refuses or neglects to establish or maintain a cemetery merchandise trust fund in accordance with the requirements of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act within ninety (90) days after demand to do so is made upon it in writing by the State Banking Commissioner shall be deemed to have forfeited its corporate franchise. The Attorney General of this state upon the request of the Commissioner shall then begin an action for the appointment of a receiver for such organization and to dissolve the same. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 30, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 82, • 15, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. •8315. Violations Penalties. Any organization, or its officers or directors, which violate any provision of the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty or a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). •8316. Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act Revolving Fund. There is hereby created the "Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act Revolving Fund". The fund shall consist of all monies received by the State Banking Commissioner pursuant to the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act and any other monies as required by law. The fund shall be a continuing fund not subject to fiscal year limitations and shall be subject to the administrative direction of the Oklahoma Banking Board. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims submitted to the Director of State Finance. Monies in the fund may be expended for expenses incurred in administering and enforcing the Cemetery Merchandise Trust Act and the Perpetual Care Fund Act. Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, • 32, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 218, • 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 82, • 16, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.
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