A. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs for the operation of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute upon transfer of the Institute as provided for in Section 1 of this act. The agreement shall be effective until the Regents have made a determination of and have transferred administration, property, monies, and employees of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute to the appropriate institution of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. During the term of the agreement the membership of the employees of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System shall not change and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs shall continue to make contributions pursuant to Section 920 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes which shall be reimbursed pursuant to the agreement.
B. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall study and make a determination of which institution of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education has an educational program that best enhances the mission of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute. On or before October 1, 1999, the Regents, at a regular or special meeting, shall make a final determination of the appropriate institution of higher education to transfer the administration, property, monies, and employees of George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute to. The Regents shall notify the employees of the Institute of the final determination not less than thirty (30) days prior to the actual transfer.
C. On or before November 1, 1999, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall transfer all rights, administration property, monies, and employees of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute acquired by the Regents pursuant to Sections 63.18 and 222.1 of Title 72 of the Oklahoma Statues to the appropriate institution of higher education selected pursuant to subsection B of this section.
D. It is the intent of the Legislature, that all employees of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute transferred to an institution of higher education pursuant to this section retain pay and benefits, as much as possible, including longevity, dependent insurance benefits, seniority, rights and other privileges and benefits.
E. Upon transfer of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute to an institution of higher education as provided for in this section, the rights and responsibilities of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Institute Revolving Fund created in Section 222.1 of Title 72 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall also be transferred to the institution of higher education.
Added by Laws 1999, c. 347, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.