HB 2096: Wildlife habitat development; exempting land in program from eminent domain; requiring projects be complete at landowner's expense; effective date. - Oklahoma

Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill → Floor (House) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was revised to change the program name from 'wildlife habitat development' to 'Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program' and shift focus from general habitat projects to supporting nongame wildlife. The bill now authorizes the Oklahoma Tax Commission to allow taxpayers to donate from tax refunds to fund this program, creating a new Wildlife Diversity Fund. The reauthorization date was extended from 2025 to 2026, and the effective date was set for November 1, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a general wildlife habitat development program on private lands to a specific tax checkoff program focused on preserving nongame wildlife species.

SCOPE

Program renamed from 'wildlife habitat development' to 'Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program' with focus on nongame wildlife species rather than general habitat projects.

FISCAL

New mechanism allowing taxpayers to donate from tax refunds to a newly created Wildlife Diversity Fund, with funds managed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

TIMELINE

Program reauthorization extended to January 1, 2026, and effective date set for November 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Removed provisions requiring landowners to complete projects at their own expense, allowing for cancellation of contracts, and requiring reimbursement of funds upon cancellation.

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'nongame wildlife' to include species not classified as game species or furbearers.

House Committee Substitute → Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change its title from the 'Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program' to a 'wildlife habitat development' program, shifting focus from general nongame wildlife to private land habitat projects. The amendment adds new provisions allowing the Department of Wildlife Conservation to enter multiyear contracts for habitat assistance on private lands, establishes rules for program participation, and clarifies liability protections for landowners. The effective date remains November 1, 2025, but the program structure was significantly expanded to include technical assistance contracts and new cancellation/reimbursement provisions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general wildlife diversity tax checkoff program to a specific wildlife habitat development program on private lands with new contract and liability provisions.

SCOPE

Program title changed from 'Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program' to 'wildlife habitat development' program focusing on private land habitat maintenance and enhancement.

REQUIREMENT

New provisions allow the Department to enter multiyear contracts for approved habitat assistance projects on privately owned lands.

Added rules requiring projects to be completed at the landowner's expense and allowing landowners to cancel contracts with reimbursement requirements.

New liability protections added stating landowners owe no duty of care to keep premises safe for recreational use by others.

FISCAL

Replaced the Wildlife Diversity Fund with program-specific provisions for habitat assistance projects.

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for the Department to charge fees for program participation and promulgate necessary rules.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 → House Committee Substitute · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to replace the entire text with a revised version that updates the committee substitute designation and changes the tracking number and date. This appears to be a procedural amendment to conform the bill to committee changes rather than a substantive policy change.

TECHNICAL

Changed document title from 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute' and updated tracking number from 12564 to 12966 with new date 02/26/25.

Engrossed → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended from its Engrossed version to a Proposed Policy Committee Substitute version. The substantive policy content remains largely unchanged, but the document format was updated to reflect committee amendment procedures. The amendment replaces the entire measure with a new version that includes updated header information and tracking numbers while maintaining the same core provisions regarding the Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program tax checkoff.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the amendment is primarily procedural/formatting

TECHNICAL

Document header changed from 'ENGROSSED HOUSE' to 'PROPOSED POLICY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE' with updated tracking information and dates

Page numbering and reference numbers were updated to reflect the committee substitute version

Tracking reference number changed from 'ENGR. H. B. NO. 2096' to 'Req. No. 12564'

Introduced → Engrossed · 7 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was significantly rewritten from an introduction to an engrossed version. The primary change is shifting the focus from a wildlife habitat development program to an Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program tax checkoff. The bill now authorizes taxpayers to donate from their tax refunds to support nongame wildlife conservation, creates a dedicated fund for this purpose, and reauthorizes the program through 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a general wildlife habitat development program on private lands to a specific tax checkoff program that allows taxpayers to donate from their state income tax refunds to support nongame wildlife conservation.

SCOPE

The bill title and purpose changed from 'wildlife habitat development' to 'Oklahoma Wildlife Diversity Program tax checkoff', shifting focus to taxpayer donations rather than just habitat projects.

DEFINITION

A new definition of 'nongame wildlife' was added, defining it as any species not legally classified as a game species or furbearer by statute or rule.

FISCAL

A new Wildlife Diversity Fund was created in the State Treasury to receive and manage taxpayer donations, with specific rules for investment and expenditure.

ELIGIBILITY

New provisions allow taxpayers who make donation errors to file refund claims within three years from the tax return due date.

TIMELINE

The program reauthorization date was updated from 2022 to 2026, extending the program's authorized period.

REQUIREMENT

The original Section 3-312 text regarding multiyear contracts and Department of Wildlife Conservation responsibilities was replaced with new tax checkoff provisions.

New liability protections were added for landowners, clarifying that inviting people to use property for recreational purposes does not create liability for injuries.

Wildlife habitat development; exempting land in program from eminent domain; requiring projects be complete at landowner's expense; effective date.

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