Bill moving Historic Preservation Office to Commerce Dep't passes House

Bill Moving Historic Preservation Office to Commerce Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee) today commented on the passage of a bill that will place the Oklahoma Historic Preservation Office under the state Department of Commerce.

House Bill 1710 removes the State Historic Preservation Office from the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Historical Society and places it under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, effective July 1, 2020. The legislation would require all personnel, records, equipment and funds assigned to the State Historic Preservation Office be transferred to the Department of Commerce.

“This bill should help move forward historical tax credit and other projects throughout the state,” Fetgatter said. “We feel historic preservation is more about economic development and commerce, and therefore it only makes sense for this office to operate under the Department of Commerce.” 

Fetgatter said this was a request bill by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. He said the two have worked on this issue for more than a year. He said this also could help move forward energy and other projects throughout the state that have been in danger of being held up. He pointed to an $800 million wind turbine project that was recently in danger of being held up because a turbine could be seen from a historic landmark. He said this will benefit economic development projects throughout the state, particularly in rural areas.

The bill passed the House with a vote of 75-16.

HB 1710 is co-authored in the House by House Majority Leader Mike Sanders (R-Kingfisher) and Reps. Kevin McDugle (R-Broken Arrow), Brian Hill (R-Mustang) and Ross Ford (R-Broken Arrow). The bill now moves to the state Senate where Sen. James Leewright (R-Bristow) is the Senate author.