Environment

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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 Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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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 Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 460: Natural gas; modifying natural gas energy standard. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMandates natural gas as preferred fuel for new fossil plants, prioritizing fossil fuels over renewables and weakening clean energy standards.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates natural gas as preferred fuel for new fossil plants, prioritizing fossil fuels over renewables and weakening transition to cleaner energy, contradicting environmental protection goals.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 352: Eminent domain; prohibiting use of eminent domain for certain facilities; requiring authorization by Corporation Commission for exercise of eminent domain by certain entities for specified purpose. Emergency.

SB 352 prohibits utility companies from using eminent domain to build wind turbines, solar facilities, battery storage, or hydrogen gas facilities on private property. It also requires electricity providers to obtain a Corporation Commission certificate before using eminent domain for high-voltage transmission lines (over 300 kV). The bill directly affects utility companies seeking to expand infrastructure and private property owners whose land might be targeted for such projects. These changes amend Oklahoma’s eminent domain law (27 O.S. §7) to restrict certain facility siting and add oversight for major transmission projects. The bill was introduced in the 2025 Oklahoma Legislature and referred to the Energy and Natural Resources Oversight committee.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits eminent domain for wind/solar/battery/hydrogen facilities, directly blocking renewable energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits eminent domain for wind/solar/hydrogen facilities, directly restricting renewable energy infrastructure expansion and hindering environmental protection efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 568: Investments; requiring all shareholder and ownership interest votes to be in the pecuniary interest of the beneficiary. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits state agencies from considering environmental factors in investment voting, mandating financial returns over environmental concerns per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 1008: Water and water rights; metering of wells; requiring all permit holders to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to implement certain allocation to encourage conservation after certain date. Effective date.

SB 1008 requires all well permit holders in Oklahoma to install water meters to track usage and report data to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. This applies to existing well permits under the Board's jurisdiction, directly affecting agricultural and private well users. The key provision mandates metering implementation to provide accurate water usage data, supporting conservation efforts. The bill aims to improve water resource management through measurable usage tracking, with an effective date specified in the legislation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires well metering for usage data to support conservation efforts, directly advancing water resource management and conservation of natural resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 136: Poultry feeding operations; establishing moratorium on poultry feeding operations. Effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMoratorium on new poultry operations prevents potential environmental harm from waste runoff/pollution, aligning with conservation and pollution control goals.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 19, 2025

SB 621: Solid waste management; exempting combustor entities subject to certain state and federal oversight from certain subsequent regulation. Emergency.

SB 621 exempts municipal waste incinerators already regulated under federal rules (40 C.F.R. Part 60 Subpart Eb) and Oklahoma's Department of Environmental Quality from future state regulations covering specific waste types, including biomedical, hospital, commercial, and industrial waste incineration. The bill directly affects waste management facilities operating under existing federal and state oversight. It prevents the Department of Environmental Quality from imposing additional state rules on these facilities for the listed waste streams. The bill was introduced as an emergency measure to take immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts waste incinerators from additional state regulations, weakening pollution control oversight for biomedical/hospital waste under existing federal standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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