HB 2972 would allow Oklahoma county commissioners to create local rules for commercial wind and solar projects in unincorporated areas (outside city limits). County ordinances could set requirements for setbacks from homes, facility height and spacing, and noise or visual impact mitigation. Voters could also propose similar rules through petitions requiring signatures from 10% of registered county voters. These local rules must comply with state and federal law but can be stricter than state minimum standards.
This bill modifies Oklahoma's gross production tax rates for oil and gas. It reduces the tax rate from 7% to 5% for oil and gas production from wells spudded before July 18, 2018, for 36 months. It also creates two new exemptions: a 5-year tax exemption for secondary/tertiary recovery projects (approved after July 1, 2022) and a 24-month exemption for wells completed using recycled water (proportional to recycled water use). Refunds for these exemptions are capped at $15 million annually for recovery projects and $10 million for recycled water projects. The bill directly affects oil and gas producers operating in Oklahoma.
HB 3083 updates Oklahoma's burn ban law to define "extreme fire danger" as either a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning or specific conditions: severe drought, low rainfall forecast, high temperatures, or elevated wildfire activity. It allows county commissioners to issue immediate burn bans when these conditions exist, requiring fire department concurrence and public notice. The bill exempts agricultural producers who submit detailed prescribed burn plans to local fire departments, including weather conditions, firebreaks, and notifications. This directly affects residents, landowners, and farmers in counties with active burn bans during extreme fire danger periods.
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.
SB 119 creates an investment rebate program for Oklahoma businesses making significant capital investments in specific energy sectors. It directly affects companies refining/manufacturing hydrogen (blue/green), generating emission-free power, or producing cleaner fuels, requiring them to commit to at least $750 million in qualified capital expenditures with $150 million already spent. Eligible businesses receive rebates equal to 6.67% of qualifying investments, paid from the newly created Commerce Energy Manufacturing Activity Development Fund, which is initially funded with $50 million. The program expires on July 1, 2031, with unspent funds transferring to the General Revenue Fund.
HB 1814, the "State Parks Emergency Maintenance Act," requires Oklahoma's Tourism and Recreation Department to submit an annual "Eight-Year State Parks Emergency Maintenance Plan" starting December 31, 2025. The plan must detail priority maintenance and construction projects, their costs, completion timelines, and status of previously funded work. It also establishes a revolving fund to finance these projects, limiting operational spending to no more than 20% of annual fund deposits. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, to address critical infrastructure needs across Oklahoma's state parks system.
SB 457, the Oklahoma Diesel Engine Freedom Act, invalidates federal rules requiring diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in diesel engines used within Oklahoma, declaring such requirements unconstitutional under the 10th Amendment. It prohibits state agencies and officials from enforcing federal DEF mandates and legalizes the sale and use of diesel engines that do not require DEF in the state. The bill imposes fines up to $5,000 per violation for state entities enforcing federal rules and repeals an existing Oklahoma emission control law. It applies only to vehicles operating solely within Oklahoma, not to interstate commerce.
SB 1314 increases the maximum balance of the Well Drillers and Pump Installers Remedial Action Indemnity Fund from $50,000 to $100,000 and raises the allowable expenditure per well or borehole from $10,000 to $25,000. This bill directly affects commercial well drillers and pump installers in Oklahoma, who pay annual fees that fund the account. The increased limits allow the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to cover more extensive remedial actions needed to protect groundwater from non-compliant or abandoned wells. The fund remains dedicated solely to groundwater protection, with no changes to licensing requirements or enforcement procedures.
SB 51 provides a $200 one-time income tax credit for Oklahoma taxpayers who purchase a qualifying e-bike for use on streets and roads. The credit applies to tax years starting in 2026 and is refundable if it exceeds the taxpayer's income tax liability. It defines "e-bike" as a two- or three-wheeled electric vehicle capable of exceeding 15 mph (excluding standing electric scooters). The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, directly benefiting residents who buy eligible e-bikes.
HJR 1003 proposes adding a new constitutional section to Oklahoma that restricts the use of eminent domain for specific wind and solar energy projects. It prohibits government from taking private land for wind turbine construction or associated transmission lines if the project receives U.S. government financial assistance exceeding 3% of its total cost, or if the transmission lines exclusively serve federally incentivized wind/solar projects. The bill does not affect voluntary land purchases or projects without federal funding or tax incentives. This would directly impact energy developers seeking to build wind/solar infrastructure relying on federal support, while preserving eminent domain for other projects.
