Environment

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 777: Wildlife; allowing certain harvesting of fish and aquatic species. Effective date.

SB 777 modifies Oklahoma's regulations for harvesting fish and aquatic species by giving the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) discretion to create rules governing these activities. It allows certain harvesting but requires it to follow Department-set restrictions, replacing mandatory language ("shall") with discretionary terms ("may"). The bill removes a prior requirement for the state to assess fees and transfers this authority to ODAFF. This change directly affects commercial and recreational fishers by shifting regulatory oversight to the Department, which will determine specific harvesting rules. The bill became law on May 12, 2025, without a gubernatorial signature.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill replaces mandatory harvesting rules with discretionary authority, removing fee assessment requirements, weakening environmental protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1910: Environment and natural resources; Urban Agriculture Cost Share Program; Conservation Commission; defining terms; program guidelines; revolving fund; administration of program; liability; effective date.

HB 1910 establishes Oklahoma's Urban Agriculture Cost Share Program, administered by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. It provides funding from the Conservation Commission's Infrastructure Revolving Fund to reimburse eligible individuals, tribes, or organizations for urban agriculture projects on land within five miles of urban areas defined by the U.S. Census. Eligible projects include community gardens, rooftop farming, greenhouses, soil health initiatives, and food waste composting, with priority given to areas with limited access to healthy food. Applicants must submit project plans and enter contracts with local conservation districts, and the Commission must annually report program data on projects, funding, and community impacts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds urban agriculture projects (soil health, composting) via Conservation Commission's revolving fund, directly advancing environmental conservation and resource management.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 2142: Wind energy facilities; prohibiting construction or modification of wind energy facilities with respect to certain military facilities; adverse impact; application; information; fines; civil action; effective date.

HB 2142 requires wind energy facility owners to ensure new construction or modifications do not harm military operations near installations. It mandates that owners submit FAA applications to the Oklahoma Military Department within 30 days and obtain a "determination of no hazard" from the FAA or resolve military impacts via the federal Clearinghouse. The bill prohibits projects that could interfere with military training routes, drop zones, runways, or defense airspace, with owners facing $1,500 daily fines for non-compliance. Confidential documentation shared with the Military Department cannot be disclosed publicly under Oklahoma law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRestricts wind energy development near military installations by requiring FAA approvals and prohibiting interference with military operations, directly limiting renewable energy projects.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRestricts wind energy project locations near military sites, limiting clean energy expansion that supports environmental protection goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 469: Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Rebate Program; modifying eligibility requirements. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 469 modifies eligibility requirements for Oklahoma's Emission Reduction Technology Rebate Program, which provides up to 25% rebates for businesses implementing qualifying emission-reduction projects within the state. The bill clarifies submission deadlines (requiring documentation within six months after fiscal year-end completion) and adds a preliminary review process for applications before project funding is spent. It also specifies that applicants must have filed all required Oklahoma tax returns and maintain $1 million general liability insurance with workers' compensation coverage. The changes apply to businesses seeking rebates administered by the Department of Environmental Quality and Oklahoma Tax Commission, using funds from dedicated revolving funds. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax rebates (up to 25%) for businesses implementing emission projects, providing tax relief through state fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyModifies rebate program to incentivize emission-reduction projects, directly advancing cleaner energy infrastructure through financial incentives for qualifying businesses.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill modifies rebate program to fund emission-reduction projects, directly supporting pollution control through business incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 14, 2025

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

HB 2096 creates a state wildlife habitat program allowing private landowners to enter contracts with Oklahoma’s Wildlife Conservation Department for habitat development projects. Landowners must cover all project costs, and their enrolled land is protected from government seizure (eminent domain) during the contract term and for five years after completion. Landowners may cancel contracts at any time but must repay all state funds used for habitat improvements before cancellation. The program explicitly states the state bears no liability for damages, and the Department may charge participation fees.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates voluntary wildlife habitat program protecting land from eminent domain, promoting conservation through private landowner participation in habitat development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 1817: Waters and water rights; stating legislative findings; creating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program; effective date.

HB 1817 creates the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program to license professionals and prevent groundwater pollution. It requires well drillers and pump installers to meet training standards, partners with Oklahoma's Tier 1 research universities to develop groundwater workforce training, and establishes a revolving fund for program funding. The bill directly affects well drillers, pump installers, and groundwater industry professionals by mandating licensing and providing skills-based training. It aims to address groundwater protection through standardized practices and workforce development, effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly creates licensing program to prevent groundwater pollution, directly protecting water resources per summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 2402: Revenue and taxation; Oklahoma Advanced Manufacturing Incentive Act of 2025; time period; eligibility requirements; collaboration.

HB 2402 would create tax breaks and grants to attract manufacturers of low-temperature waste heat electrification technology (recovering heat below 200°C) to Oklahoma. Companies investing $10 million+ with 50+ new jobs would get up to 30% corporate tax breaks for five years (renewable), while larger investments ($20 million+ with 100+ jobs) qualify for 50% breaks. The state would cap annual spending at $8 million, with unused funds rolling over, and prioritize grants for facilities in economic development zones or energy-sector projects. Manufacturers must meet specific technology standards, submit job/investment plans, and report annually on progress to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides corporate tax breaks (up to 50%) for qualifying manufacturers, advancing tax incentive policy as a fiscal tool.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax incentives for waste heat recovery technology, directly promoting energy efficiency and clean energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes low-temperature waste heat electrification tech (energy efficiency), promoting cleaner manufacturing and reduced emissions through tax breaks for qualifying facilities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides tax breaks/grants for manufacturers of low-temp waste heat electrification technology, directly funding and promoting this specific tech sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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