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

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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passed both · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 3: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; Industrial Hemp Program; licensing; agencies; revocation of licenses; fines; violations. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits land application of sludge/biosolids containing PFAS, reducing environmental contamination from toxic substances and strengthening pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 280: Feral swine; creating the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Grant Program. Effective date.

SB 280 creates Oklahoma's Feral Swine Eradication and Control Grant Program to help landowners and landless owners manage invasive feral swine populations. The program provides grants for equipment, education, and services to control or remove feral swine, with a maximum funding cap of $500,000 from state appropriations and other sources. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture will administer the program in collaboration with wildlife agencies, while offering liability protection for the department (except in cases of gross negligence) and permitting exemptions for participants. This direct policy change enables affected landowners to access resources for managing feral swine, a significant agricultural and ecological threat in Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates grant program to control invasive feral swine, protecting ecosystems and natural resources by managing a destructive species that damages habitats and agriculture.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 448: Wildlife; requiring nonresident hunters to receive permission from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to use Wildlife Management Areas. Effective date.

SB 448 requires nonresident hunters to obtain written permission from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission before using Wildlife Management Areas. This affects out-of-state hunters who previously could access these areas without prior authorization. The bill mandates the Commission to create a lottery system for distributing permits and sets penalties: fines of $100-$1,000 or up to 30 days in jail for violations, with repeat offenses suspending hunting privileges. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and amends Oklahoma Statutes Section 7-304.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires permits for nonresident hunters in Wildlife Management Areas, managing access to conserve natural resources and habitats.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 720: Fish and wildlife; limiting number of quail to be harvested each day. Effective date.

SB 720 limits the daily harvest of quail to seven birds for licensed hunters in Oklahoma. It directly affects individuals hunting quail for sport, while exempting commercial hunting areas that operate under specific licenses. The bill requires the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to enforce this daily limit, codifying it into state law under Title 29, Section 5-401.1. The rule takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill limits daily quail harvest to prevent overhunting, directly conserving wildlife populations through regulated hunting under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 271: Environment and natural resources; creating the Oklahoma Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Act; providing application, liability, and fee assessment for certain waste disposal. Emergency.

SB 271 creates Oklahoma's first state-level regulatory framework for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), focusing on waste disposal. It protects specific entities like public water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, fire departments using PFAS-containing AFFF foam, and airports from civil liability for PFAS releases - unless they violated regulations or acted with gross negligence. The bill requires the Environmental Quality Board to establish rules for PFAS waste handling, mandates fees for disposal (replacing tonnage fees), and requires permits for facilities processing over 200 pounds of AFFF waste daily. It also sets standards for classifying out-of-state PFAS waste and declares an emergency to expedite implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Oklahoma's first PFAS regulatory framework for waste disposal, requiring Environmental Quality Board rules to manage hazardous substances, advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Waste Management

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 132: Corporation Commission; clarifying jurisdiction of Corporation Commission; directing operators of idle gas wells to plug or produce from certain wells by certain time. Emergency.

SB 132 requires oil and gas operators in Oklahoma to plug or resume production from idle gas wells that have not produced gas for 10 or more consecutive years. Operators with wells idle for 20+ years must reduce idle wells by 25% by 2028, 50% by 2031, and fully plug all remaining by 2035. Newer idle wells (less than 20 years idle) have a 10-year window from the law's effective date to plug or produce. Operators may request exceptions for future uses like carbon storage or geothermal energy, but must prove "good cause" to the Corporation Commission. The bill defines "idle gas wells" as non-producing wells with no commercial gas sales for 10+ years and no valid future use plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates plugging idle gas wells to prevent methane leaks and groundwater contamination, reducing emissions. Allows exceptions for carbon storage, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

died · Oklahoma · Senate May 30, 2025

SB 263: Invasive species; expanding provisions of the Terry Peach Water Restoration Act. Effective date.

SB 263 expands Oklahoma's Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Water Restoration Act to address harmful woody species like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar. It creates a revolving fund for water restoration, allowing cost-sharing with landowners, state agencies, and nonprofits for removal methods such as prescribed burns and herbicides. The bill mandates the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to manage the program across at least three project areas in the North Canadian Watershed, focusing on improving water flow, reducing wildfire risks, and restoring grazing lands. It updates definitions, expands eligible participants, and requires studies comparing treated and untreated watersheds. The policy directly affects landowners and local entities managing watersheds in the North Canadian River basin.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates revolving fund for invasive species removal (Eastern Redcedar, salt cedar) using prescribed burns/herbicides to protect watershed ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation and water resource management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Water Quality

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failed · Oklahoma · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2: Wind energy; providing setback requirements for certain affected counties; waiver; referral of question to eligible voters; zoning; construction; exemptions; database.

SB 2 establishes new setback requirements for wind energy facilities in Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2025. It requires wind turbines to be at least one-quarter nautical mile from homes and neighboring property (previously 1.5 miles from schools/hospitals), and mandates that projects near military installations must obtain a Federal Aviation Administration "Determination of No Hazard" and resolve Department of Defense impacts before construction. Developers who fail to comply face daily penalties of up to $1,500 per violation. The bill directly affects wind energy developers, landowners, and communities near proposed sites, with specific rules for military compatibility and dispute resolution.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill sets closer setback requirements (0.25 miles from homes vs. prior 1.5 miles for schools), facilitating wind energy development by clarifying siting rules.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes wind energy development, a clean energy source, by establishing regulatory framework for projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

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