HB 3403: Environment and natural resources; creating the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program Act; effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to transition from a House version to a Senate version, incorporating several substantive policy changes. The most significant change is shortening the initial pilot program duration from five years to three years. Additionally, the reporting requirements were updated to mandate electronic submission of annual reports, and the program now explicitly includes farms with a history of using biosolids as eligible study sites. The text also clarifies that the program can continue beyond the initial period only if specific safety and cost-effectiveness findings are met.

Scope change

The scope of the pilot program was narrowed in duration (three years instead of five) and expanded in eligibility to include farms with prior biosolids usage history. The program's continuation is now conditional on specific findings regarding safety and cost-effectiveness.

TIMELINE

The initial duration of the pilot program was reduced from five years to three years.

REQUIREMENT

Annual reports must now be submitted electronically rather than in paper format.

Coordination with the EPA was added to ensure proper recordkeeping and transport documentation.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible study plots now explicitly include farms that have a history of using biosolids.

ADDED

The bill now explicitly states that the pilot program may continue only if reports confirm land application is safe and cost-effective.

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

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a committee draft to the House floor version, changing the program duration from three years to five years and updating the list of university departments involved. The text also clarifies that municipalities must use specific microbial biotechnology to reduce biosolids volume. These changes expand the pilot program's timeframe and refine the technical requirements for wastewater treatment.

Scope change

The program's operational period was extended from three years to five years, and the list of OSU departments coordinating the program was updated to be more specific.

TIMELINE

The pilot program duration was extended from an initial three-year period to an initial five-year period.

DEFINITION

The list of OSU divisions coordinating the program was updated to explicitly include the 'Cooperative Extension Service' and clarify the roles of the College of Engineering and the Department of Environmental Science.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the list of biosolids contaminants to be screened to include perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals.

Clarified that municipalities must adopt technology approved by the DEQ to reduce biosolid odor and dry solid matter at wastewater treatment plants.

Changed the requirement for biosolids screening to explicitly include perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alongside heavy metals and pharmaceuticals.

House Committee Substitute → Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a 'Committee Substitute' to an 'Engrossed' version, indicating it has passed both the House and Senate. The most significant substantive change is the reduction of the pilot program's duration from five years to three years. Additionally, the bill now explicitly requires municipalities to adopt specific technologies for odor control and biosolid volume reduction upon the program's completion, and it clarifies that study plots may include farms with a history of using biosolids.

Scope change

The scope of the pilot program was narrowed by shortening its initial duration from five years to three years. The eligibility for study plots was expanded to explicitly include farms with a history of using biosolids.

TIMELINE

The initial duration of the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program was reduced from five years to three years.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that, after the pilot program ends, municipalities must use DEQ-approved microbial biotechnology to reduce biosolid volume and adopt DEQ-approved technology to reduce odor and dry solid matter.

The requirement for annual reports was updated to specify that they must be submitted electronically.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of eligible farms for study plots was updated to explicitly include farms that have a history of using biosolids.

Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 → House Committee Substitute · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was revised to remove the 'Proposed Committee Substitute' title and replace it with the final 'Committee Substitute' version, reflecting that the bill has passed through the full committee and is ready for the House floor. The substantive policy content regarding the biosolids research program remains unchanged, but the document formatting and page numbering were updated to match the final committee version.

TECHNICAL

The title of the bill was changed from 'Proposed Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute' to indicate the bill has been approved by the full committee.

Page numbers and request numbers were updated to reflect the final version of the document.

Engrossed → Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to replace the entire text of the original version with a new Committee Substitute. The substantive policy content regarding the creation of the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program, its administration by the Department of Environmental Quality and Oklahoma State University, and the establishment of a revolving fund remains largely consistent with the previous version, though minor formatting and line numbering adjustments were made.

TECHNICAL

The entire text of the bill was replaced with a new version containing minor formatting updates and line number adjustments, but no substantive changes to the bill's policy, funding, or eligibility requirements were identified.

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 6 edits · Apr 23, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to correct the title and authorship information, remove references to funding in the summary, and significantly expand the program's scope. The most important change is extending the program's initial duration from three years to five years and adding new research requirements for environmental impact studies and regulatory modeling. Additionally, the funding mechanism was updated to create a specific revolving fund for the program.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a five-year initial period (previously three years) and added specific mandates for environmental monitoring, air quality studies, and regulatory model assessment.

TIMELINE

Extended the initial operating period of the Pilot Program from three years to five years.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for conducting environmental impact studies, including surface and groundwater monitoring, soil residual testing, and air quality/odor assessments.

Added a requirement to assess regulatory models, best management practices, and permitting options suitable for Oklahoma.

Added a requirement to provide outreach and education to farmers, ranchers, conservation districts, and municipalities.

FISCAL

Formalized the funding structure by explicitly creating the 'Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program Act Revolving Fund' in the State Treasury.

TECHNICAL

Corrected the bill title to remove references to funding in the summary and updated authorship details to reflect the final House version.

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 3 edits · Apr 23, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to shorten the pilot program's initial duration from five years to three years, change the reporting requirement from paper to electronic submission, and update the list of co-authors. The core research activities and funding mechanisms remain largely the same.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed regarding its operational timeline, reducing the initial pilot period from five years to three years.

TIMELINE

The initial operating period for the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program was reduced from five years to three years.

REQUIREMENT

The annual report requirement was updated to mandate electronic submission instead of unspecified formats.

DEFINITION

The list of bill sponsors was updated to include new Senate co-authors.

Environment and natural resources; creating the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program Act; effective date.

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