HB 4428 requires Oklahoma's pension benefit plans (like state retirement funds) to vote on shareholder proposals solely based on financial impact, banning consideration of environmental, social, or political goals. It mandates that pension boards base all voting decisions on "pecuniary factors" (financial risk/return) to maximize shareholder value, and prohibits proxy advisors from providing recommendations that include non-financial considerations. Boards must annually report all votes, including their decision, management's stance, and any proxy advisor's recommendation, publishing the report online by March 1 each year. The law applies to all state pension systems and takes effect November 1, 2026.
This bill changes Oklahoma's requirements for oil and gas operators to provide financial guarantees (surety) for well plugging and environmental compliance. It phases out "Category A" surety (based on $50,000 net worth) for new operators starting November 2025, while current operators may keep it but can voluntarily switch to "Category B" surety (like letters of credit or bonds). Category B amounts scale with the number of wells operated, starting at $25,000 for 1-10 wells (rising to $50,000 by 2028) and higher for larger operations, with a maximum of $150,000. Operators with fines or poor compliance records must use Category B, and the Commission can require higher amounts based on performance.
SB 1439 blocks lawsuits against fossil fuel companies (including producers, sellers, and trade associations) that claim climate change or greenhouse gas emissions caused harm when their products functioned as designed. The bill prohibits any civil action seeking relief related to climate change, alleged climate effects, or emissions - covering common claims like fraud or failure to warn - but excludes cases involving violations of environmental or worker protection laws. It applies to all fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, etc.) and requires courts to dismiss ongoing climate-related lawsuits immediately upon the bill's effective date. This law creates a new legal barrier for climate change litigation while preserving access to courts for environmental law enforcement.
HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, requires producers of batteries weighing over 11 pounds (including vehicle batteries) to create and manage recycling programs. It grants producers and their stewardship organizations immunity from antitrust laws when planning, reporting, and operating these programs. The bill also allows private collectors to run independent battery collection services (like household drop-offs) if they follow environmental rules and send collected batteries to approved stewardship organizations. This directly affects battery manufacturers, vehicle dealers, and recycling organizations in Oklahoma.
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.
HB 4413 requires facilities burning hospital, medical, or infectious waste to comply with existing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air emission standards. It prohibits any facility not meeting current EPA standards, monitoring, reporting, and permitting requirements from burning such waste in Oklahoma. The bill directly affects municipal solid waste incinerators that handle medical waste, mandating they align with federal rules or cease this activity. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and codifies EPA definitions for medical waste as used in 40 C.F.R. §60.51c.
HB 1205 repeals Oklahoma's tax credit for small wind turbine installations by removing Section 2357.32B from the state's tax code. This change directly affects small wind turbine owners and installers who previously qualified for the credit. The repeal takes effect on November 1, 2025, eliminating the tax incentive for new installations after that date. The bill is procedural and does not create new policy, only removing an existing tax provision.
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.
HB 1910 establishes Oklahoma's Urban Agriculture Cost Share Program, administered by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. It provides funding from the Conservation Commission's Infrastructure Revolving Fund to reimburse eligible individuals, tribes, or organizations for urban agriculture projects on land within five miles of urban areas defined by the U.S. Census. Eligible projects include community gardens, rooftop farming, greenhouses, soil health initiatives, and food waste composting, with priority given to areas with limited access to healthy food. Applicants must submit project plans and enter contracts with local conservation districts, and the Commission must annually report program data on projects, funding, and community impacts.
HB 2142 requires wind energy facility owners to ensure new construction or modifications do not harm military operations near installations. It mandates that owners submit FAA applications to the Oklahoma Military Department within 30 days and obtain a "determination of no hazard" from the FAA or resolve military impacts via the federal Clearinghouse. The bill prohibits projects that could interfere with military training routes, drop zones, runways, or defense airspace, with owners facing $1,500 daily fines for non-compliance. Confidential documentation shared with the Military Department cannot be disclosed publicly under Oklahoma law.
