Environment

HB 2037 removes specific energy conservation rules from Oklahoma law by repealing Sections 456, 457, and 458 of Title 19 O.S. 2021 and Section 5-131.2 of Title 70 O.S. 2021. This bill eliminates existing statutory requirements related to energy conservation without creating new provisions. It takes effect on November 1, 2025, after being approved by the governor on May 9, 2025. The repeal directly affects the legal framework governing energy conservation in Oklahoma, removing these specific sections from the state code.

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.

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.

SB 568 requires Oklahoma state agencies and their investment managers to vote shares solely based on financial returns for pension beneficiaries, not social or environmental considerations. It prohibits following proxy adviser recommendations unless those advisers commit in writing to prioritize financial interests. Agencies must annually report all proxy votes - including management and adviser recommendations - to the State Treasurer via a public website. This applies to all state investments held for retirement plans, such as pension funds.

SB 136 would establish a moratorium on registering new poultry feeding operations and new licenses for certain poultry operations in Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2025. Existing operations can continue, but the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture can inspect them and revoke registration or licenses for violations of existing rules, with no reissuance allowed for revoked operations. The bill requires the Department to create implementing rules and directly affects new businesses seeking to start poultry operations in the state. It does not change current regulations for existing operations unless violations occur.