Environment

signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2025

HB 1588: Oklahoma Conservation Commission; creating the Spring Creek Watershed Study Act; effective date.

HB 1588 creates the Spring Creek Watershed Study Act, requiring the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to conduct a comprehensive water quality study in the Spring Creek watershed (spanning Cherokee, Delaware, and Mayes counties) by June 1, 2026. The study will identify voluntary, incentive-based conservation practices - such as riparian restoration and soil conservation - to protect water quality and fish habitats. It establishes a revolving fund in the State Treasury to accept public and private grants for this work, with funds managed by the Commission. The bill directly affects residents and stakeholders in the Spring Creek area, aiming to address declining water quality through collaborative, non-regulatory solutions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires water quality study and voluntary conservation practices to protect habitats, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1910: Environment and natural resources; Urban Agriculture Cost Share Program; Conservation Commission; defining terms; program guidelines; revolving fund; administration of program; liability; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds urban agriculture projects (soil health, composting) via Conservation Commission's revolving fund, directly advancing environmental conservation and resource management.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1438: Waters and water rights; Rural Economic Action Plan grant program; monetary cap; effective date.

HB 1438 sets a monetary cap of $150,000 to $350,000 per entity per year for grants under Oklahoma's Rural Economic Action Plan program, which funds water quality projects like sewer line repairs, water treatment, and infrastructure improvements. The bill prioritizes small cities (under 1,750 population) and those with weaker fiscal capacity, while restricting eligibility to cities/towns under 7,000 population (based on census data) and unincorporated areas under 7,000. It requires the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to distribute all funds without administrative retention, establish separate accounts for specific economic development districts, and eliminate matching fund requirements for recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates capped grants for water infrastructure projects, prioritizing small communities while controlling state spending within fiscal limits.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water quality projects (sewer repairs, treatment) via grants, directly advancing environmental protection for water resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 2156: Property; setback requirements for utility scale solar energy and industrial battery storage facilities; emergency.

HB 2156 changes setback requirements for utility-scale solar energy facilities and industrial battery storage projects in Oklahoma. The bill reduces the minimum required distance between these facilities and adjacent properties from 500 feet to 300 feet. This directly affects property owners near proposed solar farms or battery storage sites, as well as developers planning such projects. The key provision is the specific reduction in the setback distance, which is the core policy change. The bill is currently in the legislative process, having advanced through committee and received a second reading.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyReduces setback requirements from 500 to 300 feet for solar/battery storage, easing development of renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces setbacks for solar/battery projects, facilitating clean energy deployment. Promotes renewable infrastructure expansion aligning with environmental goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 2142: Wind energy facilities; prohibiting construction or modification of wind energy facilities with respect to certain military facilities; adverse impact; application; information; fines; civil action; effective date.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRestricts wind energy development near military installations by requiring FAA approvals and prohibiting interference with military operations, directly limiting renewable energy projects.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRestricts wind energy project locations near military sites, limiting clean energy expansion that supports environmental protection goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2043: State government; Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022; contracts; definitions.

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.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prevents boycotts of energy companies, potentially opposing environmental efforts to divest from fossil fuels by requiring contractors to engage with energy providers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 1817: Waters and water rights; stating legislative findings; creating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program; effective date.

HB 1817 creates the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program to license professionals and prevent groundwater pollution. It requires well drillers and pump installers to meet training standards, partners with Oklahoma's Tier 1 research universities to develop groundwater workforce training, and establishes a revolving fund for program funding. The bill directly affects well drillers, pump installers, and groundwater industry professionals by mandating licensing and providing skills-based training. It aims to address groundwater protection through standardized practices and workforce development, effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly creates licensing program to prevent groundwater pollution, directly protecting water resources per summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 2402: Revenue and taxation; Oklahoma Advanced Manufacturing Incentive Act of 2025; time period; eligibility requirements; collaboration.

HB 2402 would create tax breaks and grants to attract manufacturers of low-temperature waste heat electrification technology (recovering heat below 200°C) to Oklahoma. Companies investing $10 million+ with 50+ new jobs would get up to 30% corporate tax breaks for five years (renewable), while larger investments ($20 million+ with 100+ jobs) qualify for 50% breaks. The state would cap annual spending at $8 million, with unused funds rolling over, and prioritize grants for facilities in economic development zones or energy-sector projects. Manufacturers must meet specific technology standards, submit job/investment plans, and report annually on progress to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides corporate tax breaks (up to 50%) for qualifying manufacturers, advancing tax incentive policy as a fiscal tool.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax incentives for waste heat recovery technology, directly promoting energy efficiency and clean energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes low-temperature waste heat electrification tech (energy efficiency), promoting cleaner manufacturing and reduced emissions through tax breaks for qualifying facilities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides tax breaks/grants for manufacturers of low-temp waste heat electrification technology, directly funding and promoting this specific tech sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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