Applications of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

1954 OK 341, 277 P.2d 176, 1954 Okla. LEXIS 711
CourtSupreme Court of Oklahoma
DecidedDecember 7, 1954
Docket36723-36725
StatusPublished
Cited by20 cases

This text of 1954 OK 341 (Applications of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Applications of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, 1954 OK 341, 277 P.2d 176, 1954 Okla. LEXIS 711 (Okla. 1954).

Opinion

WELCH, Justice.

The applicant, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, hereinafter referred to as the “Authority,” made provision ■ by proper resolutions for three bond issues of Turnpike Revenue Bonds for the construction of three toll turnpikes in Oklahoma; one bond issue for the “Northern Turnpike” in the sum of $63,000,000; one, bond issue for the “Southwestern Turnpike” in the sum of $83,000,000, and one bond issue for the “Northeastern Turnpike” in the sum of $68,000,000. The purpose of these bond issues was to obtain funds to construct the “Northern Turnpike”- from Oklahoma City, or from near the Oklahoma City terminus of the Turner Turnpike northward to the Kansas State line near Wichita, Kansas, and to construct the “Southwestern Turnpike” from a similar beginning point and extending southwestward to the Texas State line near Wichita Falls, Texas, and to construct the “Northeastern Turnpike” from Tulsa northeastward to the Missouri State line near Joplin, Missouri. The Authority has filed three applications in causes Nos. 36,723, 36,724 and 36,725. These applications seek the approval of the bond issubs above^Tnen’tióñéd*'"respectively, and such cases and such applications have been consolidated for decision by order of the court. These applications were filed as original actions in this court pursuant to provisions of the Act above cited which authorizes the Authority to so proceed in its discretion. 69 O.S.1951 § 668. By that section exclusive original jurisdiction is conferred upon this court to hear and determine such applications, and the duty of the court in such an action is set out in the Act.

As provided and required by the last cited section “Notice of the hearing” on these applications was “given by a notice published in a newspaper of general circulation in the state” that on December 3, 1954, the Authority would “ask the court to hear its application and approve the bonds.” Such notice, published for the time required, informed “all persons„„interested that they may file protests against the- issuance of the bonds and be present at the hearing and contest the legality thereof.”

At the appointed time, no one appeared to contest the legality of the bonds of either of the issues,, nor was any protest filed against the issuance thereof in either cause.

*180 Thereupon, this Court, as required by the last cited section, gave “such applications precedence over the other business of the court” and fully heard the three matters upon oral presentation, and upon written request to consider the specific questions posed in each case, with exhibits presented with the applications in each case which included, among others, the appropriate legislative acts, the certified results of the state-wide referendum election, the action of the Governor pursuant thereto in appointing members of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, various minutes of meetings of the Authority fixing the three toll turnpike routes and providing for the issuance of these bonds, showing the form of the bonds, and the trust agreements incident thereto.

The bond form is similar in each case, but since the three bond issues are separate, the bonds of the first issue above referred to are properly identified on their face as “Northern Turnpike” bonds, those of the second issue as “Southwestern Turnpike” bonds, and the bonds in the third case as “Northeastern Turnpike” bonds. The trust agreements in the three cases are quite similar, making it clear that the revenue of each of the three toll turnpikes is to pay and retire its own bond issue. By law of course the bonds create no debt against the State, and that is shown on the face of the bonds as the law requires. Section 1, House Bill 933, Session Laws of 1953, page 357, 69 O.S.Supp. § 652.

In determining the matter of the validity of these three bond issues, numerous questions are presented which we number and discuss consecutively for convenience and to meet the method of presentation:

First Question :
“Are those whom the Governor has appointed as members of The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority legally qualified to act as such members prior to the time when their appointments have been acted upon by the Senate of the State of Oklahoma?”

In answering the first question we must consider, and in part construe, the legislative act creating the present Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to determine the legislative intent on the point involved. The Act was first passed by the Legislature in 1953, and approved by the Governor. It was then referred to the people by appropriate procedure, and was approved at a state-wide referendum election on January 26, 1954, at which time it became fully effective.

We observe that section 2 of the Act, H.B. 933, S.L. 1953, p. 357; 69 O.S.Supp. § 653, provides in part as follows:

“There is hereby created a body corporate and politic to be known as the ‘Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’ * * The Authority is hereby constituted an instrumentality of the State, and the exercise by the Authority of the powers conferred by this Act, in the construction, operation, and maintenance of turnpike projects shall be deemed and held to be essential governmental function of the State. * * *
“The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority shall consist of one member from each congressional district of the State of Oklahoma and shall include the Governor of the State, who shall be a member ex-officio; all members to be appointed by the Governor, by and with consent of the Senate. * * * The members of the Authority first appointed shall continue in office for terms expiring on July 1, 1955; July 1, 1956; July 1, 1957; July 1, 1958; July 1, 1959 and July 1, 1960, respectively, the terms of each such member to be designated by the Governor, and until the respective successors shall be duly appointed and qualified. The successor of each such member shall be appointed for a term of eight (8) years, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed to serve only for an unexpired term, and a member of the Authority shall be eligible for reappointment. Each appointed member of the Authority before entering upon his duties shall take an oath as provided *181 by Section 1 of Article XV of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma.
* * *
“The Authority created by this Act, zvhen the members thereof have been appointed and qualified, shall be the legal successor to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority created by Senate Bill No. 225 of the Twenty-first Legislature (69 O.S.1951, Section 653), and shall assume all powers, duties, obligations and responsibilities of said Authority, and is hereby empowered to take charge immediately upon their appointment and qualification. (Emphasis added.)

This Court will take judicial knowledge of the dates and final adjournment of the Legislature. Lusk v. Ryan, 69 Okl. 165, 171 P. 323. The Twenty-fourth Legislature of Oklahoma (1953) adjourned June 6, 1953, more than seven months before the effective date of this Act, January 26, 1954. Neither the Legislature nor the Senate has been in Session since June, 1953.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

IN THE MATTER OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF WOOD
2019 OK CIV APP 53 (Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma, 2018)
In re the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
2016 OK 124 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 2016)
IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION OF THE OKLA. TURNPIKE AUTHORITY
2016 OK 124 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 2016)
Lockhart v. Loosen
1997 OK 103 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1997)
Kratz v. Kratz
905 P.2d 753 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1995)
Opinion No. 80-213 (1980) Ag
Oklahoma Attorney General Reports, 1980
Riffe Petroleum Co. v. Great Nat. Corp., Inc.
1980 OK 112 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1980)
Opinion No. 73-127 (1973) Ag
Oklahoma Attorney General Reports, 1973
State Ex Rel. Blankenship v. Freeman
440 P.2d 744 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1968)
W. S. Dickey Clay Mfg. Co. v. Ferguson Investment Co.
1963 OK 298 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1963)
Application of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
1960 OK 1 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1960)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
1954 OK 341, 277 P.2d 176, 1954 Okla. LEXIS 711, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/applications-of-oklahoma-turnpike-authority-okla-1954.