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.
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.
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 3173, the Well Repurposing Act, allows Oklahoma's Corporation Commission to authorize converting existing oil and gas wells into facilities for energy storage or geothermal energy development. It defines key terms like "geothermal resources" (excluding oil/hydrocarbons) and requires the Commission to set fees and financial requirements for these repurposed wells. The bill states that wells actively used for energy storage are not considered abandoned, but must be sealed if operations stop for 12+ months. This directly affects oil/gas well operators seeking to repurpose infrastructure under Commission approval.
HB 3469 changes Oklahoma's oil and gas industry financial surety requirements. It phases out Category A surety (a $50,000 net worth financial statement) for new operators starting November 2025, requiring them instead to use Category B surety (like cash, bonds, or letters of credit). Current operators with Category A can keep it but may switch to Category B, with amounts increasing based on well count over 2026-2028 (e.g., 1-10 wells start at $25,000 in 2026, rising to $50,000 by 2028). The bill also allows operators with lower plugging costs to use reduced Category B amounts (via affidavit) and mandates Category B for operators with fines, compliance issues, or pollution violations.
HB 4246 allows Oklahoma's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to contract with the Oklahoma Rural Water Association or other qualified state suppliers for technical assistance to rural water and wastewater system operators. The bill expands the DEQ's existing authority to partner with nonprofit entities that can provide equally effective support, without requiring new funding. It directly affects rural water system operators statewide by potentially improving access to technical support services. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2026.
SB 1579 expands Oklahoma's income tax credit for investments in clean-burning motor vehicle fuel infrastructure. It directly affects businesses and individuals installing or purchasing equipment for compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen fuel cells, liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or electric vehicle charging systems. The bill provides tiered credits based on vehicle weight (up to $100,000 for heavy trucks), 45% of infrastructure costs for fueling stations, and $2,500 for residential CNG systems. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax liability.
Topics
✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands income tax credits for clean energy infrastructure investments, providing tax relief to businesses and individuals, directly advancing tax policy incentives for fiscal responsibility.95% confidence
✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands tax credits for clean-burning fuel infrastructure (CNG, hydrogen, EV charging), directly funding clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill summary.95% confidence
✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax credits for clean fuel infrastructure (CNG, hydrogen, EV charging), directly promoting lower-emission transportation and reducing pollution per bill's focus on clean-burning motor vehicle fuels.95% confidence
✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands tax credits for clean fuel infrastructure (CNG, EV charging), directly promoting sustainable transportation and vehicle infrastructure investment.95% confidence
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Rep's Stance
✓ Voted Yes
✓ Supports Environment
SB 1930 amends Oklahoma's brine and produced water laws to clarify definitions and explicitly include water reuse and recycling as policy goals. It directly affects oil and gas producers who handle brine (subsurface saltwater) and produced water, defining key terms like "brine," "solution gas," and "effluent" to distinguish between brine extraction and oil/gas production. The bill updates statutory language to align the Oklahoma Brine Development Act with the Oil and Gas Produced Water Recycling Act, ensuring consistent regulation of brine operations and effluent disposal. These changes aim to streamline management of brine resources while promoting reuse of produced water, without creating new regulatory requirements.
