Environment

died · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2157: Scenic rivers; creating the Southeast Scenic Rivers Act; authorizing the Legislature to designate certain rivers as scenic rivers. Effective date.

SB 2157 designates four specific rivers in southeastern Oklahoma as scenic rivers: the Glover River (McCurtain County), Kiamichi River (Choctaw, Pushmataha, Le Flore Counties), Little River (McCurtain, Pushmataha, Le Flore Counties), and Mountain Fork River (Le Flore, McCurtain Counties). It creates the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission, composed of 11 members including local residents, tribal representatives, and state appointees, to manage these areas. The Commission must establish minimum standards protecting the rivers' natural beauty, wildlife, and recreational value while allowing compatible uses. These standards will guide counties and municipalities in planning and development within designated river corridors. The bill requires the Commission to operate under Oklahoma's Open Meeting and Open Records Acts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates rivers as scenic and establishes commission for conservation management, protecting natural resources and waterways per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2975: Agriculture; nutrient management plans; poultry waste; effective date.

HB 2975 requires Oklahoma poultry feeding operations to create detailed Nutrient Management Plans for handling poultry waste. These plans must include specific waste storage methods (like covered storage during emergencies), strict rules against applying waste during rain, saturated ground, or on frozen land, and soil/waste testing data. Farms must renew these plans every six years and maintain records of all waste applications. The bill directly affects all poultry operations in Oklahoma by setting concrete environmental handling requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires poultry waste management plans with restrictions on application during rain/saturated ground, preventing runoff pollution and protecting water quality per bill's waste handling mandates.95% confidence

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 11, 2026

HB 2988: Environment and natural resources; Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act; pilot program; definitions; fund; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for landowners implementing conservation practices, providing targeted tax relief and directly engaging with tax policy as a fiscal management tool.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credits for conservation practices (removing harmful species, soil/water improvement), incentivizing environmental protection on agricultural land.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Conservation Water Quality

signed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 3005: State government; Oklahoma Climatological Survey; sunset; effective date; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends Oklahoma Climatological Survey's operations, maintaining climate data collection and Mesonet network critical for environmental monitoring without altering funding or functions.85% confidence

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 4340: Revenue and taxation; sales tax; exemptions; frack water; effective date.

HB 4340 would add a sales tax exemption for the sale of "frack water" (wastewater from oil and gas extraction) in Oklahoma. This exemption would directly affect oil and gas companies and vendors selling this wastewater, eliminating the sales tax on such transactions. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to include this specific exemption under existing tax exemption categories. The policy change would reduce tax burdens for businesses involved in handling oil and gas extraction wastewater. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemption for oil/gas industry, reducing state sales tax revenue and weakening fiscal management by eliminating tax on business transactions.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts frack water sales from tax, directly benefiting oil/gas extraction (fossil fuels), opposing renewable energy transition85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts frack water (wastewater from oil/gas extraction) from sales tax, reducing costs for industry handling environmentally hazardous wastewater, prioritizing industry over environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2138: Forest fire prevention; modifying certain fund name requiring creation of prescribed burn plans for land owners and local fire departments; limiting reimbursement. Effective date.

SB 2138 creates the "Oklahoma Controlled Prescribed Burn Indemnity Fund" to reimburse landowners for damages when prescribed burns escape beyond their property, excluding insurance-covered losses or damage to the landowner's own property. It requires landowners to develop detailed burn plans (including weather conditions, firebreaks, and smoke management), notify adjacent landowners 60 days in advance, and alert fire departments 48 hours before burns. Landowners must pay a $100-$250 fee to file plans and can receive up to $1 million per incident, with payments made pro-rata if funds are insufficient. The bill directly affects landowners conducting prescribed burns, local fire departments, and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, which administers the fund and verifies claims.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables controlled burns via indemnity fund and safety requirements, preventing destructive wildfires and promoting forest conservation as part of environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 4246: Waters and water rights; authorizing the Department of Environmental Quality to contract with certain parties; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnhances DEQ's technical support for rural water systems, aiding water quality management and environmental protection through existing environmental agency authority.85% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4354: Invasive cedar; Salt Cedar Eradication Act; definitions; creating program; rules; report; effective date; emergency.

HB 4354, the Salt Cedar Eradication Act, creates a state program to control and remove invasive Salt Cedar (Tamarix species) in Oklahoma counties within the Upper North Fork of the Red River Basin. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission will lead this effort, collaborating with state agencies to conduct surveys, implement eradication methods (like mechanical removal and chemical treatments), and provide technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners (private, tribal, and public). The program is funded through a new Salt Cedar Eradication Revolving Fund, which can use federal grants, private contributions, and other designated sources. The Commission must submit annual reports detailing progress, spending, and recommendations for managing Salt Cedar impacts on water resources, native ecosystems, and agriculture.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates state program to eradicate invasive salt cedar (Tamarix), protecting native ecosystems and water resources in the Red River Basin through conservation efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2114: Game and fish; prohibiting certain harassment or disturbance of wildlife; authorizing certain enforcement. Effective date.

This bill increases penalties for trespassing on private land used for farming, ranching, or forestry, with fines up to $2,500 for repeat offenses. It specifically prohibits dogs from harassing wildlife on such land and clarifies exemptions for emergency personnel, utility workers, and land surveyors. Game wardens gain expanded authority to enforce wildlife protection rules and coordinate with other law enforcement. The law directly affects landowners, trespassers, and wildlife conservation efforts, while updating statutes to reflect current enforcement needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits wildlife harassment on private land, expands game warden enforcement for conservation, and directly protects wildlife under environmental protection framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3046: Game and fish; bond; administrative fine; method; timeframe; effective date.

HB 3046 amends Oklahoma law to allow individuals arrested for violating wildlife rules (e.g., hunting or fishing regulations) to pay half the standard bond amount as an administrative fine instead of posting bond. The fine must be paid in person or online within seven days of arrest, rounded to the nearest $5 increment, and collected funds go directly to the Wildlife Conservation Fund for habitat protection. This change applies to all violations handled under Section 7-208 of the Oklahoma Statutes and takes effect November 1, 2026. The bill directly affects people cited for wildlife rule violations by offering a simplified payment option.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds from administrative fines directly support Wildlife Conservation Fund for habitat protection, explicitly advancing environmental conservation through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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