2022 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 72. Soldiers and Sailors
§72-229.1. Authority to plan, develop and construct Oklahoma veterans facilities.

A. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized to plan, develop and construct two long-term care facilities for the following purposes:

1. To assume the operations of the State Veterans Home established in Talihina pursuant to Section 229 of this title; and

2. To replace the State Veterans Home established in Ardmore pursuant to Section 221 of this title.

B. For the two long-term care facilities authorized in subsection A of this section, the Department may construct new facilities or refurbish any existing facilities on property currently owned by this state or on property purchased or donated from other sources including but not limited to private owners, tribal entities or other governmental or municipal entities.

C. The location of the facility referenced in paragraph 1 of subsection A of this section shall be subject only to such geographical constraints as are imposed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to preserve and continue recognition and certification of the facility as a State Veterans Home. The facility referenced in paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section shall be located within the corporate limits of the city of Ardmore or within five (5) miles of the corporate limits of the city of Ardmore.

D. The locations and sites of the two facilities referenced in subsection A of this section shall be determined by the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The Oklahoma Veterans Commission may consider any and all criteria which, in its sole discretion, further the interests of Oklahoma veterans.

E. The project constituting the construction of the replacement, long-term care facility for the Ardmore Veterans Home shall be exempt from the requirements of Sections 9030 through 9030.8 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

F. The proceeds received from the sale of the State Veterans Home in Talihina, along with all associated real and personal property, shall belong to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and shall be used for any one or more of the following purposes:

1. To purchase land upon which the replacement, long-term care facility for the Ardmore Veterans Home will be located;

2. To purchase any other personal property needed for the construction and furnishing of the replacement, long-term care facility for the Ardmore Veterans Home; and

3. To complete the state match for a grant offered under the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Added by Laws 2018, c. 100, § 2. Amended by Laws 2019, c. 502, § 2, eff. July 1, 2019; Laws 2022, c. 83, § 17, emerg. eff. April 25, 2022.