Environment

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 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.

HB 2043 requires Oklahoma state agencies to verify that companies receiving contracts worth $100,000+ (with 10+ full-time employees) do not boycott energy companies. It mandates written verification from contractors that they will not boycott energy providers during the contract term. The law excludes contracts related to debt management or if alternative services aren't available from non-boycotting companies. This policy directly affects state agencies and qualifying businesses entering major public contracts.

SB 460 establishes natural gas as the preferred fuel source for new fossil fuel electricity generation facilities in Oklahoma, requiring all new plants built after July 1, 2025, to use natural gas unless a generator can demonstrate to regulators that another fossil fuel better serves consumers. The bill amends Oklahoma law to create a "natural gas energy standard" that supplements renewable energy goals, specifically targeting new construction and added capacity at existing fossil fuel plants. This policy directly affects electricity generators planning new facilities or expansions, shifting the default fuel choice from other fossil fuels to natural gas. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and was enacted as an emergency measure.