Environment (Conservation)

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 837: License plates; modifying certain special license plate. Effective date.

SB 837 updates Oklahoma's rules for special license plates, affecting anyone applying for or displaying these plates. It requires Service Oklahoma to receive 100 prepaid applications within 180 days before issuing new plate types (like Firefighter or Wildlife Conservation plates), and mandates annual renewal with specific fee handling procedures. Funds collected from these plates will continue to support designated causes, such as the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum, Wildlife Diversity Fund, and Child Abuse Prevention Fund. The bill also repeals outdated provisions and clarifies plate transfer rules, ensuring plates remain tied to the vehicle registration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds from special license plates support Wildlife Diversity Fund, a conservation initiative, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 614: Department of Commerce; requiring Department to publish and annually update certain information. Effective date.

SB 614 requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to publish and annually update on its website information about energy efficiency incentive programs. This directly affects households, businesses, local governments, tribal entities, and retail energy providers by making program details publicly accessible. Key provisions include listing ongoing programs for residential and multi-family housing, as well as providing retail energy provider territorial boundaries and designated contacts for program implementation. The bill transfers oversight of energy conservation programs from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to the Department of Commerce, effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires public disclosure of energy efficiency programs, facilitating access and participation, aligning with energy efficiency promotion.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires public access to energy efficiency program details, promoting adoption of environmentally beneficial programs like reduced energy consumption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 1008: Water and water rights; metering of wells; requiring all permit holders to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to implement certain allocation to encourage conservation after certain date. Effective date.

SB 1008 requires all well permit holders in Oklahoma to install water meters to track usage and report data to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. This applies to existing well permits under the Board's jurisdiction, directly affecting agricultural and private well users. The key provision mandates metering implementation to provide accurate water usage data, supporting conservation efforts. The bill aims to improve water resource management through measurable usage tracking, with an effective date specified in the legislation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires well metering for usage data to support conservation efforts, directly advancing water resource management and conservation of natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

died · Oklahoma · House May 30, 2025

HB 2162: Environment and natural resources; Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act; Terry Peach Water Restoration Act; purpose; revolving fund; effective date.

HB 2162 creates the "Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Water Restoration Act" to establish a pilot program for removing harmful woody species like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar in Oklahoma's North Canadian Watershed. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission will administer the program using a new revolving fund, which can receive state, federal, and private funds, to cost-share with landowners for removal methods like prescribed burns and herbicides. The program aims to improve water flow into the North Canadian River, reduce wildfire risks, protect grazing lands, and restore wildlife habitat by targeting specific invasive plant species. The bill also designates two active project areas (above and below Canton Lake) and requires the Commission to measure species density, create comparison studies, and develop grant programs with local groups. The fund becomes effective November 1, 2025, but the bill died in conference committee on May 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates watershed restoration program to remove invasive species, improving water flow and conserving natural resources through cost-shared landowner initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Water Quality

Track

passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 1346: Water and water rights; creating the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Investment Program; creating the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Investment Revolving Fund. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1346 creates a state program to provide competitive loans for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Oklahoma. It establishes a $250 million revolving fund administered by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, which will allocate funds based on community size: 50% to projects in areas with under 30,000 residents, 25% to medium-sized communities (30,000-400,000), and 25% to large cities (over 400,000). The program requires loan applicants to meet criteria like project urgency, conservation efforts, and matching funds, with a reimbursement requirement if projects fail to meet terms. The Board must publish an interactive map showing project status, locations, and timelines on its website.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water infrastructure with conservation criteria, advancing environmental protection through resource conservation85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 1543: Oklahoma Conservation Commission; expanding powers and duties of the Commission; effective date.

HB 1543 expands the Oklahoma Conservation Commission's authority to coordinate conservation efforts, specifically adding requirements to include tribal governments in its work and removing restrictions on the Conservation District Consolidation Fund. The bill allows the Commission to enter contracts with tribes, federal agencies, counties, and other entities to administer statewide conservation programs and secure funding. It directly affects Oklahoma's 157 conservation districts, tribal governments, and state agencies collaborating on resource conservation. The key change requires the Commission to actively coordinate with tribes and manage funds for district programs, while maintaining its existing role in supporting local conservation planning and reporting.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands Commission authority for conservation coordination, mandates tribal inclusion, and removes funding restrictions for environmental programs affecting 157 conservation districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

failed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 1728: Invasive cedar; creating the Salt Cedar Eradication Act; defining terms; creating certain program; rules; report; effective date; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill targets invasive salt cedar (Tamarix) harming ecosystems in Upper Red River Basin, creating eradication program with mapping, removal methods, and landowner assistance to protect natural resources and habitats.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 914: Water and water rights; creating the Oklahoma Regional Water District Act; requiring development and coordination of certain districts for promulgation of regional water plans. Effective date.

SB 914 creates the "Oklahoma Regional Water District Act," requiring the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to designate geographic water districts by July 1, 2026. Each district must develop a regional water plan by 2026 addressing drought scenarios (at 75% and 50% normal flow), water conservation, infrastructure needs, and equitable adjustment of water rights. The plan must include specific strategies for managing supply during droughts, protecting existing water rights, and exploring regional water-sharing options like water banks. This directly affects counties, municipalities, agricultural interests, water utilities, and environmental groups within designated districts, with oversight by the Board and public hearings required for plan approval.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires water conservation strategies, drought planning, and infrastructure needs in regional water plans, directly advancing environmental resource management and protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 338: Fish and wildlife; limiting the number of whitetail deer harvested each season. Effective date.

SB 338 limits recreational hunters in Oklahoma to harvesting no more than one antlered whitetail deer per year. It directly affects licensed recreational hunters by restricting their annual harvest, while exempting those hunting in commercial hunting areas. The bill requires the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to enforce this one-deer annual limit and takes effect on November 1, 2025. This policy change modifies existing hunting regulations to manage deer populations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentLimits recreational deer harvest to manage populations, aligning with wildlife conservation goals under environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 330: Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority; authorizing Authority to conduct study on elk population. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 330 authorizes the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority to conduct a scientific study of elk populations in Woodward, Dewey, Ellis, and parts of Roger Mills counties (the "Special Northwest Zone"). The bill requires the Authority to assess elk population size, health, genetic diversity, and current management strategies by November 1, 2025, and develop a management plan for elk conservation based on the findings. It appropriates $2 million from the General Revenue Fund to fund the study, including coordination with other agencies and temporary hunting restrictions during the study period. The resulting management plan must be posted online and guide long-term elk population sustainability and ecosystem health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes scientific study and conservation plan for elk populations, directly advancing wildlife conservation under environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation