A. The boards of county commissioners of counties and the governing bodies of municipalities may offer and pay a reward, from funds set aside for that purpose, in an amount not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the fine imposed, for the arrest and conviction or for evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of any person who violates the provisions of Sections 1753.3 or 1761.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. The board of county commissioners or the governing body of the municipality may create and maintain a reward fund in the county or municipal treasury which shall be a revolving fund not subject to fiscal year limitations, from which to pay the rewards provided for in subsection A of this section, and to offset the cost of any special enforcement programs originated by any law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest or prosecution of any person who violates the provisions of Sections 1753.3 or 1761.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. These costs may include, but not be limited to, the posting of signs along the state’s highways advising motorists of the fines for littering or illegal dumping.
C. The board of county commissioners may provide for the publication, advertisement and countywide distribution to the public of information as to the reward program specified by this section.
D. Claims for rewards shall be on forms provided by the county or municipality and shall be submitted to the prosecuting attorney of the county or municipality no later than thirty (30) days after sentencing of the defendant. The prosecuting attorney shall investigate the validity of the claim and make a nonbinding written recommendation to the board of county commissioners or governing body of the municipality.
E. All claims relating to a conviction shall be considered together at the next regular meeting of the board of county commissioners or governing body of the municipality following receipt of the prosecuting attorney's report.
F. In determining the amount of the reward, the board of county commissioners or the governing body of the municipality shall have sole discretion to honor or deny the claim, but shall consider:
1. The severity of the offense;
2. The size of the fine imposed;
3. The number of persons claiming a reward and the degree to which each claimant was responsible for the arrest or conviction;
4. The burden, if any, incurred by the claimant including cost to appear at trial; and
5. Other factors which the board or governing body deems appropriate.
G. No reward shall be authorized and no debt shall accrue to the county or municipality upon the depletion of the reward fund authorized by this section.
H. The reward authorized by this section shall be in lieu of any other county or municipal reward.
I. Full-time peace officers of this state or of any county or municipality within this state shall not be eligible for the reward provided by this section.
J. All courts assessing and receiving reward funds as required by Sections 1753.3 and 1761.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall provide appropriate transfer of the reward funds to the proper county or municipal reward fund as prescribed by the provisions of this section.
Added by Laws 1988, c. 115, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1988. Amended by Laws 1994, c. 338, § 3, emerg. eff. June 8, 1994; Laws 1996, c. 299, § 3, emerg. eff. June 10, 1996; Laws 1999, c. 364, § 2, eff. July 1, 1999.