SB 259 requires groundwater permit holders to submit annual usage reports, with specific additions for swine operations using liquid waste systems that must indicate if they are licensed under Oklahoma's Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Act. It updates waste prevention rules to prohibit inefficient use, pollution, and unauthorized drilling, while expanding the Oklahoma Water Resources Board's authority to investigate complaints, implement metering schedules, and enforce penalties. The bill directs the Board to monitor groundwater use, notify agriculture officials about unlicensed operations, and require landowner notice before inspections. An appropriation funds the Board's new monitoring and enforcement responsibilities under this legislation.
SB 1319 creates a dedicated "Corporation Commission Plugging Fund" to address environmental and safety issues from oil and gas operations. The fund must maintain $5 million, with additional taxes collected if it falls below this level until replenished (effective until July 2031). It establishes a new program allowing homeowners contaminated by brine or oil from *abandoned wells* (as defined by law) to apply for financial assistance from the fund without needing prior insurance claims. The Corporation Commission will determine assistance amounts and create rules to manage applications and verify contamination sources.
HB 1370 establishes a "Corporation Commission Plugging Fund" to address seeping natural gas and environmental safety issues related to oil and gas operations. The bill requires the fund to maintain $5 million, and if it falls below this level, an additional excise tax on oil and gas will be imposed until replenished. It specifies that 10.526% of oil excise tax revenue and 10.5555% of natural gas excise tax revenue must be allocated to this fund, with the remaining portions going to the General Revenue Fund and the Interstate Oil Compact Fund. The bill extends the fund's sunset date from 2026 to 2031, ensuring continued funding for these environmental response efforts.
HB 2988 creates an income tax credit for Oklahoma landowners who implement specific conservation practices, including removing harmful woody species, improving soil health, or enhancing water efficiency on agricultural land. It directly affects farmers and ranchers who actively practice these conservation methods on their property, allowing them to claim credits of $5-$500 per acre (up to $150,000-$200,000 annually) based on the number of qualifying practices used. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission issues tax credit certificates verifying eligibility, while the program limits annual credits to $3 million total and requires applicants to not have received full cost coverage from other sources. The credit applies to income tax returns for 2027-2030, with certificates processed in order of submission until the $3 million cap is reached.
SB 1314 increases the maximum balance of the Well Drillers and Pump Installers Remedial Action Indemnity Fund from $50,000 to $100,000 and raises the allowable expenditure per well or borehole from $10,000 to $25,000. This bill directly affects commercial well drillers and pump installers in Oklahoma, who pay annual fees that fund the account. The increased limits allow the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to cover more extensive remedial actions needed to protect groundwater from non-compliant or abandoned wells. The fund remains dedicated solely to groundwater protection, with no changes to licensing requirements or enforcement procedures.
SB 1405 reauthorizes a voluntary tax checkoff on Oklahoma state income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to donate a portion of their refund to the Wildlife Diversity Fund. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, supports conservation efforts for nongame wildlife (species not classified as game or furbearer). Taxpayers who donate by mistake can request a refund within three years, and the reauthorized checkoff takes effect January 1, 2027. This bill updates statutory language to maintain the existing donation mechanism without altering its core purpose.
SB 2069 prohibits hunters in Oklahoma from taking migratory birds (including ducks, geese, doves, and cranes) by baiting or hunting on baited areas. It defines "baited areas" as locations where salt, grain, or feed was placed to attract birds, banning hunting there for 10 days after removal. The bill allows exceptions for normal agricultural practices like grain scattering during harvest but imposes fines ($250-$750 for first offenses) and automatic license revocation (1-10 years) for violations. This directly affects hunters using prohibited methods, with stricter penalties for repeat offenses. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 1728 creates the Salt Cedar Eradication Act to manage invasive salt cedar (Tamarix species) in Oklahoma's Upper Red River Basin, directly affecting private, tribal, and public landowners in that region. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission will lead a program that maps infestations, implements eradication methods (like mechanical removal and chemical treatments), and provides financial and technical assistance to landowners. It establishes a revolving fund using state, federal, and private funds designated for salt cedar removal, and requires annual reports to state officials on progress, spending, and recommendations. The program aims to protect water resources, restore native ecosystems, and support agricultural productivity.
SB 3 prohibits the land application of sludge and biosolid materials in Oklahoma until July 1, 2028. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality to revoke all existing permits and stop issuing new permits for this practice, directly affecting wastewater treatment facilities and agricultural operations currently using these materials. Key provisions define "biosolid material" to include sludge, perfluoroalkyl, and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with the moratorium taking immediate effect due to an emergency declaration. This law halts all land application activities until the specified date, without providing alternative disposal methods.
HB 3005 extends the operational deadline for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027, under the Oklahoma Sunset Law. It maintains the OCS's existing structure, including its placement under the University of Oklahoma's Board of Regents, its six core duties (like archiving climate data, producing climate summaries, and operating the Mesonet network), and the director's appointment process. The bill does not alter the Survey's functions or funding but adjusts its sunset date to ensure continued operation. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause allowing immediate implementation.
