Environment (Wildlife)

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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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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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2152: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation; modifying certain season dates. Emergency.

SB 2152 modifies Oklahoma's wildlife hunting and fishing season dates and permits. It requires deer hunting seasons to begin after specific dates, creates two annual senior citizen hunting days for Oklahoma residents 64+ years old, and sets precise bowfishing dates on the Upper Illinois River (June 1-March 31 upstream from Horseshoe Bend, December 1-March 31 further upstream). The bill also establishes permit fees ($20 for residents, $75 for non-residents) with $5 per fee funding Oklahoma's Acres for Wildlife Program. These changes apply directly to hunters and anglers participating in regulated seasons across Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentModifies hunting/fishing seasons to manage wildlife populations (e.g., deer season start dates, bowfishing dates), a conservation practice aligning with environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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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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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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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 940: Harmful woody species; requiring certain report to be compiled and submitted to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 940 requires the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to create a statewide plan for controlling harmful woody species (like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar) on state-owned, leased, or operated land. State agencies - including Agriculture, Wildlife Conservation, Corrections, and Transportation - must compile a report by January 1, 2026, detailing affected properties and control plans, with annual updates submitted to the Legislature starting November 1, 2026. The bill defines "harmful woody species" as trees or shrubs rapidly encroaching and threatening the environment or economy. It becomes law without a governor's signature, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates control of invasive woody species (e.g., Eastern Redcedar) on state land to protect ecosystems and natural resources, advancing environmental conservation goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife