Environment

signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2025

HB 1588: Oklahoma Conservation Commission; creating the Spring Creek Watershed Study Act; effective date.

HB 1588 creates the Spring Creek Watershed Study Act, requiring the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to conduct a comprehensive water quality study in the Spring Creek watershed (spanning Cherokee, Delaware, and Mayes counties) by June 1, 2026. The study will identify voluntary, incentive-based conservation practices - such as riparian restoration and soil conservation - to protect water quality and fish habitats. It establishes a revolving fund in the State Treasury to accept public and private grants for this work, with funds managed by the Commission. The bill directly affects residents and stakeholders in the Spring Creek area, aiming to address declining water quality through collaborative, non-regulatory solutions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires water quality study and voluntary conservation practices to protect habitats, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1438: Waters and water rights; Rural Economic Action Plan grant program; monetary cap; effective date.

HB 1438 sets a monetary cap of $150,000 to $350,000 per entity per year for grants under Oklahoma's Rural Economic Action Plan program, which funds water quality projects like sewer line repairs, water treatment, and infrastructure improvements. The bill prioritizes small cities (under 1,750 population) and those with weaker fiscal capacity, while restricting eligibility to cities/towns under 7,000 population (based on census data) and unincorporated areas under 7,000. It requires the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to distribute all funds without administrative retention, establish separate accounts for specific economic development districts, and eliminate matching fund requirements for recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates capped grants for water infrastructure projects, prioritizing small communities while controlling state spending within fiscal limits.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water quality projects (sewer repairs, treatment) via grants, directly advancing environmental protection for water resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 940: Harmful woody species; requiring certain report to be compiled and submitted to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 940 requires the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to create a statewide plan for controlling harmful woody species (like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar) on state-owned, leased, or operated land. State agencies - including Agriculture, Wildlife Conservation, Corrections, and Transportation - must compile a report by January 1, 2026, detailing affected properties and control plans, with annual updates submitted to the Legislature starting November 1, 2026. The bill defines "harmful woody species" as trees or shrubs rapidly encroaching and threatening the environment or economy. It becomes law without a governor's signature, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates control of invasive woody species (e.g., Eastern Redcedar) on state land to protect ecosystems and natural resources, advancing environmental conservation goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 2156: Property; setback requirements for utility scale solar energy and industrial battery storage facilities; emergency.

HB 2156 changes setback requirements for utility-scale solar energy facilities and industrial battery storage projects in Oklahoma. The bill reduces the minimum required distance between these facilities and adjacent properties from 500 feet to 300 feet. This directly affects property owners near proposed solar farms or battery storage sites, as well as developers planning such projects. The key provision is the specific reduction in the setback distance, which is the core policy change. The bill is currently in the legislative process, having advanced through committee and received a second reading.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyReduces setback requirements from 500 to 300 feet for solar/battery storage, easing development of renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces setbacks for solar/battery projects, facilitating clean energy deployment. Promotes renewable infrastructure expansion aligning with environmental goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2043: State government; Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022; contracts; definitions.

HB 2043 requires Oklahoma state agencies to verify that companies receiving contracts worth $100,000+ (with 10+ full-time employees) do not boycott energy companies. It mandates written verification from contractors that they will not boycott energy providers during the contract term. The law excludes contracts related to debt management or if alternative services aren't available from non-boycotting companies. This policy directly affects state agencies and qualifying businesses entering major public contracts.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prevents boycotts of energy companies, potentially opposing environmental efforts to divest from fossil fuels by requiring contractors to engage with energy providers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 460: Natural gas; modifying natural gas energy standard. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 460 establishes natural gas as the preferred fuel source for new fossil fuel electricity generation facilities in Oklahoma, requiring all new plants built after July 1, 2025, to use natural gas unless a generator can demonstrate to regulators that another fossil fuel better serves consumers. The bill amends Oklahoma law to create a "natural gas energy standard" that supplements renewable energy goals, specifically targeting new construction and added capacity at existing fossil fuel plants. This policy directly affects electricity generators planning new facilities or expansions, shifting the default fuel choice from other fossil fuels to natural gas. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and was enacted as an emergency measure.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMandates natural gas as preferred fuel for new fossil plants, prioritizing fossil fuels over renewables and weakening clean energy standards.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates natural gas as preferred fuel for new fossil plants, prioritizing fossil fuels over renewables and weakening transition to cleaner energy, contradicting environmental protection goals.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment