Environment

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SB 265: Water and water rights; creating the Oklahoma Water Infrastructure Loan Program and Revolving Fund; stating Program and Fund purposes. Emergency.

SB 265 creates the Oklahoma Water Infrastructure Loan Program and Revolving Fund to provide low-interest loans for water system improvements. It directly affects municipalities and water districts by enabling them to access funding for projects like upgrading pipes, treatment facilities, or water supply systems. The bill establishes a revolving fund that replenishes as loans are repaid, ensuring ongoing availability of capital. The "Emergency" designation indicates it aims for rapid implementation to address urgent water infrastructure needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water infrastructure upgrades for treatment facilities and pipes, directly reducing pollution and improving water quality per bill's purpose of system improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 14, 2026

HB 1370: Motor Fuel Tax Code; repealer; reduction in federal excise tax on gasoline or diesel fuel; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 10.5%+ of oil/gas excise taxes to fund environmental safety plugging program, creating dedicated revenue stream for essential public service.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes fund to address seepage and environmental safety from oil/gas operations, requiring tax revenue allocation to maintain $5M for pollution control and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 1285: Public Facilities Act; establishing certain requirements for certain construction. Effective date.

SB 1285 requires all new construction by Oklahoma state-funded entities (like agencies, universities, and career centers) to meet strict energy efficiency standards for heating, cooling, and building systems. It mandates minimum performance levels for heating systems (e.g., 90% efficiency for gas, banning electric resistance as primary heat), prioritizes geothermal systems, and requires life-cycle cost analysis over 25 years to select the most efficient options. The bill also requires integrated building control systems to monitor energy use and gives preference to licensed Oklahoma vendors and locally made HVAC equipment. These changes aim to reduce energy costs, promote renewable energy integration, and ensure state buildings meet verified efficiency benchmarks.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates life-cycle cost analysis for energy efficiency in state construction, promoting long-term fiscal responsibility by reducing operational costs over 25 years.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 90% heating efficiency, bans electric resistance, prioritizes geothermal, and requires 25-year life-cycle efficiency analysis for state construction.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates strict energy efficiency standards, bans inefficient heating systems, prioritizes geothermal to reduce emissions and conserve resources in state construction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 1333: Oklahoma Water Resources Board; establishing the Water Infrastructure Enhancement Program; creating the Water Infrastructure Enhancement Revolving Fund; creating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Low-Interest Revolving Fund. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1333 establishes Oklahoma's Water Infrastructure Enhancement Program to modernize the state's aging water systems. It creates a $50 million revolving fund from General Revenue to provide direct grants, low-interest loans, and technical assistance to communities - particularly rural areas through the Rural Economic Action Plan grant program. The bill allocates 50% of funds to a new low-interest loan program, 20% for rural grants, and 10% for outreach and planning. The program becomes effective July 1, 2026, with funds available for infrastructure projects like pipe replacements and treatment upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $50M from General Revenue for water infrastructure grants/loans, increasing state spending on public services and essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $50M for water infrastructure modernization, enhancing conservation and pollution control in water systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drinking Water

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 3173: Energy; creating the Well Repurposing Act; defining terms; Corporation Commission; Department of Environmental Quality; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes geothermal renewable energy development by repurposing oil/gas wells, excludes fossil fuels, defines terms to enable clean energy infrastructure90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes geothermal energy development (clean renewable source) by repurposing oil/gas wells, excluding hydrocarbons, aligning with environmental conservation goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Oil & Gas

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SB 430: Environment; prohibiting intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus in this state; repealing the Oklahoma Weather Modification Act. Effective date.

SB 430 prohibits intentionally releasing chemicals, chemical compounds, or devices into Oklahoma's atmosphere to alter weather conditions like temperature or sunlight. It directly affects anyone - individuals, companies, or entities - attempting weather modification within the state. The bill repeals Oklahoma's existing Weather Modification Act (2021 statutes) and establishes penalties for violations. It takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits weather modification chemicals that could harm ecosystems, preventing potential environmental disruption from altered weather patterns.90% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 234: Income tax credit; providing credit for certain qualified expenditures on adaptive reuse project. Effective date.

This Oklahoma bill creates a tax credit program to encourage converting old, vacant buildings into housing. Property owners can claim up to 50% of qualified costs (like environmental cleanup, code upgrades, or system repairs) for adaptive reuse projects on structures at least 30 years old that have been vacant or underutilized (with rent below 50% of market rate). The program has a $5 million annual cap on approved credits, with unused funds carried forward to future years. Credits cannot reduce tax liability below zero but may be carried forward for up to 10 years. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Tax Commission will administer the program and prioritize projects based on local housing needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for property owners, reducing tax liability to incentivize adaptive reuse projects, aligning with tax relief support for housing development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly includes 'environmental cleanup' as a qualified cost for tax credits, directly advancing environmental protection through adaptive reuse projects.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for adaptive reuse of vacant buildings into housing with rent below 50% market rate, directly advancing affordable housing development.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Renters

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 3406: Agriculture; burn bans; declaring extreme fire danger; emergency.

HB 3406 creates two systems for fire bans in Oklahoma: counties can ban burning if meeting specific fire danger criteria (like National Weather Service red flags or drought conditions), or the governor can declare a statewide emergency during drought. Farmers are exempt from county bans if they submit a detailed burn plan 72 hours in advance to local fire departments, including weather conditions, firebreaks, and notifications. County bans expire after 8 days unless renewed, and governor’s emergency proclamations override county decisions. The bill requires fire departments to approve plans and mandates online posting of all bans for public notice.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes fire ban systems to prevent wildfires (environmental protection) and requires farmer exemptions to include safety measures (firebreaks, weather checks), reducing wildfire risk while allowing necessary agricultural activity.85% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 1933: Water; prohibiting certain uses and actions in certain location. Effective date.

SB 1933 prohibits nonlocal municipalities and counties from diverting water in specific river segments (Kiamichi River from Highway 3 bridge to Arkansas line, and Glover River from Little River confluence east/west branches) for commercial, agricultural, or power generation purposes. It bans building dams, impoundments, or diversion structures in these areas and restricts local farming/ranching activities there. The bill defines "nonlocal" as entities outside 10 miles of a river's main channel and exempts pre-existing water uses and structures. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits dams/diversions for power generation, directly restricting hydroelectric energy development, a renewable source.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits water diversions, dams, and restricted activities to protect specific river ecosystems, directly conserving natural resources and preventing pollution/habitat disruption.95% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3665: Boating; prohibiting the use of certain motorized vessels on the Lower Mountain Fork River; effective date.

HB 3665 prohibits the use of motorized vessels with engines over 10 horsepower on the Lower Mountain Fork River between the dam and Wild Goose Road. This law directly affects recreational boaters and river users in that specific section, effective November 1, 2026. Exceptions include law enforcement, emergency services, government operations, and vessels protected by federal law or tribal treaty rights. The bill aims to regulate motorized activity in this river segment without restricting authorized public safety or governmental use.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts motorized vessels over 10hp on a river to protect natural waterway, reducing pollution and preserving ecosystem health per bill's regulatory intent.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRestricts motorized vessel use on a river segment, directly limiting transportation activity per vehicle regulations in the river's designated area.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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