TABLE 4: Appropriations from the Constitutional Reserve Fund, 1996 Legislative Session

This section lists appropriations during the 1996 session from the Constitutional Reserve Fund. The fund, commonly referred to as the "Rainy Day Fund," was created by a constitutional amendment submitted by the Legislature and approved by voters in 1985.

The fund consists of state revenues received in excess of formal estimates by the State Board of Equalization (the entity which estimates revenues and certifies amounts available for regular appropriation). One-half of the balance in the fund can be appropriated if there is a decline in revenues during the current year. Also, one-half of the balance can be appropriated upon declaration of an emergency by the Governor and/or the Legislature (with a gubernatorial declaration of emergency, a 2/3 majority of both houses of the legislature is needed to approve an appropriation from the fund; without gubernatorial declaration, a 3/4 majority is required).

In FY'96, the fund's balance was $45.4 million. Half of that total, or $22.7 million, was available for appropriation by lawmakers.

[FY'97 Report]

Supplemental Appropriations
Bill and Section Numbers		Purpose	Amount
HB 2824
	Section 1	State Board of Education - 1994-95 School Year Midterm Adjustments	6,317,545
	Section 2	State Board of Education - 1995-96 School Year Midterm Adjustments	6,770,799
Total			$13,088,344
FY'97 Appropriations
Bill and Section Numbers		Purpose	Amount
HB 2824
	Section 3	State Board of Education - Student Identification System	1,500,000
	Section 4	State Department of Education - Rural Fire Protection Assistance Grants	1,600,000
	Section 5	State Emergency Fund - State Emergencies	1,000,000
	Section 6	Oklahoma Health Care Authority - Transition to Managed Care System	2,987,000
	Section 7	Military Department - Maintainence of National Guard Armories	320,428
	Section 8	Department of Public Safety - Trooper Academy/Vehicle Purchase	1,192,572
	Section 9	Water Resources Board - Statewide Weather Modification Program	1,000,000
Total			$8,600,000
Grand Total			$21,688,344