HB 3406 Oklahoma House · 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture; burn bans; declaring extreme fire danger; emergency.

HB 3406 creates two systems for fire bans in Oklahoma: counties can ban burning if meeting specific fire danger criteria (like National Weather Service red flags or drought conditions), or the governor can declare a statewide emergency during drought. Farmers are exempt from county bans if they submit a detailed burn plan 72 hours in advance to local fire departments, including weather conditions, firebreaks, and notifications. County bans expire after 8 days unless renewed, and governor’s emergency proclamations override county decisions. The bill requires fire departments to approve plans and mandates online posting of all bans for public notice.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Apr 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from the House version to the Senate floor version, incorporating amendments that clarify the definition of 'extreme fire danger' and adjust the duration of fire bans. The Senate version requires documented concurrence from fire department chiefs before a county can declare a ban, ensuring local fire safety expertise is consulted. Additionally, the maximum duration for a single fire ban resolution was reduced from 14 days to 8 days to allow for more frequent reassessment of conditions.

Scope change

The scope of applicability remains the same (Oklahoma counties), but the procedural requirements for declaring a fire ban have been tightened to include fire department input and shortened the ban duration.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that a majority of fire department chiefs must provide documented concurrence before a county board can pass a resolution declaring extreme fire danger.

TIMELINE

Reduced the maximum duration of an extreme fire danger resolution from 14 days to 8 days.

DEFINITION

Refined the criteria for 'extreme fire danger' to include specific conditions like drought levels, precipitation forecasts, and fire behavior data.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that the burden of proof for exemptions (such as backfires for protection) rests on the person claiming the defense.

Floor votes · House Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

88–2

Passed · 10 other

Total votes 100

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic18

17 Yea 1

94% Yea

R Republican82

71 Yea 2 Nay 9

86% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass Agriculture and Wildlife committee; CR filed

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

First Reading

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Engrossed, signed, to Senate

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred for engrossment

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 2

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Policy recommendation to the Energy and Natural Resources Oversight committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Agriculture

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Agriculture

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

First Reading

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors