HB 1989: Wind farms; modifying date; modifying list of setbacks; effective date. - Oklahoma

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 2 → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 3 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to remove specific setback distance requirements and replace them with a more flexible framework that allows counties to vote on whether to maintain setback limitations. The new version adds formal definitions for key terms, establishes a database requirement for the Corporation Commission, and creates a new mechanism for counties to eliminate setbacks through a voter referendum process.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from imposing uniform statewide setback distances to allowing local counties to decide on maintaining setback requirements through a voting process, while also adding formal definitions and administrative requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Removed specific setback distance requirements (1.5 nautical miles from airports, schools, hospitals, etc.) and replaced them with a general prohibition of 2,640 feet from improvements to real property, with the ability for counties to vote to eliminate this requirement.

Added requirement for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to maintain a publicly accessible database tracking setback provision status by county.

Removed detailed military installation setback requirements and FAA form submission procedures that were present in the previous version.

DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for key terms including 'affected county', 'improvement to real property', 'tower', and 'wind turbine' with specific thresholds for population density and wind speed.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new provision allowing counties to eliminate setback limitations through a voter referendum if a majority of qualified electors vote to do so.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from November 1, 2025 to the effective date of the act, and added a sunset provision requiring county votes after five years.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amendment updates the effective date of wind energy setback requirements from August 21, 2015 to November 1, 2025, and modifies the distance requirements for wind turbines near airports, schools, hospitals, aquifers, and bodies of water. The changes also update the bill's tracking numbers and page references.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on wind energy facility setback requirements, but the effective date has been extended and specific distance thresholds have been modified for various locations.

TIMELINE

The effective date for wind energy setback requirements was changed from August 21, 2015 to November 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Setback distances for wind turbines near public-use airports, municipal airports, public schools, hospitals, nonparticipating landowners, aquifers, and bodies of water were modified with new distance specifications.

TECHNICAL

The bill's tracking numbers were updated from 12664 to 12682, and page references were adjusted accordingly.

The bill header information was updated from POLPCS1 to POLPCS2 with a revised timestamp.

Introduced → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was amended by the Policy Committee to reorganize and clarify the text of HB 1989, which regulates wind energy facility setbacks in Oklahoma. The substantive policy content regarding setback distances, FAA compliance requirements, and effective dates remains largely unchanged, though the text was reformatted and some section numbering was adjusted for clarity.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain the same - it still governs wind energy facility construction setbacks in Oklahoma. No new exemptions or expanded restrictions were added.

TECHNICAL

Text was reorganized and renumbered from 'Introduced' version to 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' format, with page numbers and reference numbers updated.

Section titles and formatting were standardized to conform to committee amendment markup conventions.

Some line breaks and paragraph structures were adjusted for readability, but no substantive policy language was added or removed.

Wind farms; modifying date; modifying list of setbacks; effective date.

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