OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state representative says Oklahoma could sell some of the estimated 9,000 state-owned properties to help fund basic infrastructure needs such as upkeep on the state Capitol and improvements to roads and bridges.

Rep. T.W. Shannon conducted an interim study Tuesday before the House Government Modernization Committee to explore the idea of selling surplus state property.

Shannon wrote a bill last session directing the Department of Central Services to compile a list of all state-owned property and narrow down the 5 percent that are most under-utilized. That project found the state owns more than 9,000 pieces of property ranging from state prisons and college buildings to lake cabins and work sheds.

Shannon is a Republican from Lawton and is in line to become Speaker of the House in 2012.