Environment (Conservation)

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4350: Waters and water rights; authorizing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to implement certain allocation to encourage conservation after certain date; effective date.

HB 4350 establishes a five-year flexible groundwater allocation system for permit holders in Oklahoma's basins starting January 1, 2027. It allows existing and new groundwater permit holders to exceed their annual usage limits in individual years (by up to 200%) while requiring total usage over five years to stay within the basin's overall allocation. Permit holders must install approved meters, submit annual usage reports, and pay annual fees, but domestic wells are excluded. The bill aims to encourage conservation by providing flexible usage within cumulative basin limits. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly aims to 'encourage conservation' via flexible groundwater allocation with 5-year caps, metering, and reporting requirements, aligning with conservation goals without weakening protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 3404: Agriculture; Oklahoma Controlled Burn Indemnity Fund; Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Indemnity Fund; damages; requirements; effective date.

HB 3404 establishes the Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Indemnity Fund to reimburse landowners for damages caused when prescribed fires spread beyond intended areas (excluding insurance-covered losses or damage to the landowner's own property). Landowners must develop approved burn plans with local conservation offices, notify adjacent landowners, pay a $250 fee, and file plans 30 days before burning to participate. The fund covers up to $1 million per fire event, with payments made pro-rata if insufficient funds exist, and claims must be filed within 60 days of the incident. This directly affects landowners conducting prescribed burns who meet the administrative requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables prescribed burning - a conservation practice for wildfire prevention and ecosystem health - by covering liability for accidental spread, facilitating land management that alignates with environmental protection goals.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 11, 2026

HB 2988: Environment and natural resources; Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act; pilot program; definitions; fund; effective date.

HB 2988 creates an income tax credit for Oklahoma landowners who implement specific conservation practices, including removing harmful woody species, improving soil health, or enhancing water efficiency on agricultural land. It directly affects farmers and ranchers who actively practice these conservation methods on their property, allowing them to claim credits of $5-$500 per acre (up to $150,000-$200,000 annually) based on the number of qualifying practices used. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission issues tax credit certificates verifying eligibility, while the program limits annual credits to $3 million total and requires applicants to not have received full cost coverage from other sources. The credit applies to income tax returns for 2027-2030, with certificates processed in order of submission until the $3 million cap is reached.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for landowners implementing conservation practices, providing targeted tax relief and directly engaging with tax policy as a fiscal management tool.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credits for conservation practices (removing harmful species, soil/water improvement), incentivizing environmental protection on agricultural land.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Conservation Water Quality

died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2138: Forest fire prevention; modifying certain fund name requiring creation of prescribed burn plans for land owners and local fire departments; limiting reimbursement. Effective date.

SB 2138 creates the "Oklahoma Controlled Prescribed Burn Indemnity Fund" to reimburse landowners for damages when prescribed burns escape beyond their property, excluding insurance-covered losses or damage to the landowner's own property. It requires landowners to develop detailed burn plans (including weather conditions, firebreaks, and smoke management), notify adjacent landowners 60 days in advance, and alert fire departments 48 hours before burns. Landowners must pay a $100-$250 fee to file plans and can receive up to $1 million per incident, with payments made pro-rata if funds are insufficient. The bill directly affects landowners conducting prescribed burns, local fire departments, and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, which administers the fund and verifies claims.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables controlled burns via indemnity fund and safety requirements, preventing destructive wildfires and promoting forest conservation as part of environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4354: Invasive cedar; Salt Cedar Eradication Act; definitions; creating program; rules; report; effective date; emergency.

HB 4354, the Salt Cedar Eradication Act, creates a state program to control and remove invasive Salt Cedar (Tamarix species) in Oklahoma counties within the Upper North Fork of the Red River Basin. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission will lead this effort, collaborating with state agencies to conduct surveys, implement eradication methods (like mechanical removal and chemical treatments), and provide technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners (private, tribal, and public). The program is funded through a new Salt Cedar Eradication Revolving Fund, which can use federal grants, private contributions, and other designated sources. The Commission must submit annual reports detailing progress, spending, and recommendations for managing Salt Cedar impacts on water resources, native ecosystems, and agriculture.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates state program to eradicate invasive salt cedar (Tamarix), protecting native ecosystems and water resources in the Red River Basin through conservation efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2114: Game and fish; prohibiting certain harassment or disturbance of wildlife; authorizing certain enforcement. Effective date.

This bill increases penalties for trespassing on private land used for farming, ranching, or forestry, with fines up to $2,500 for repeat offenses. It specifically prohibits dogs from harassing wildlife on such land and clarifies exemptions for emergency personnel, utility workers, and land surveyors. Game wardens gain expanded authority to enforce wildlife protection rules and coordinate with other law enforcement. The law directly affects landowners, trespassers, and wildlife conservation efforts, while updating statutes to reflect current enforcement needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits wildlife harassment on private land, expands game warden enforcement for conservation, and directly protects wildlife under environmental protection framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Wildlife

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3046: Game and fish; bond; administrative fine; method; timeframe; effective date.

HB 3046 amends Oklahoma law to allow individuals arrested for violating wildlife rules (e.g., hunting or fishing regulations) to pay half the standard bond amount as an administrative fine instead of posting bond. The fine must be paid in person or online within seven days of arrest, rounded to the nearest $5 increment, and collected funds go directly to the Wildlife Conservation Fund for habitat protection. This change applies to all violations handled under Section 7-208 of the Oklahoma Statutes and takes effect November 1, 2026. The bill directly affects people cited for wildlife rule violations by offering a simplified payment option.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds from administrative fines directly support Wildlife Conservation Fund for habitat protection, explicitly advancing environmental conservation through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2152: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation; modifying certain season dates. Emergency.

SB 2152 modifies Oklahoma's wildlife hunting and fishing season dates and permits. It requires deer hunting seasons to begin after specific dates, creates two annual senior citizen hunting days for Oklahoma residents 64+ years old, and sets precise bowfishing dates on the Upper Illinois River (June 1-March 31 upstream from Horseshoe Bend, December 1-March 31 further upstream). The bill also establishes permit fees ($20 for residents, $75 for non-residents) with $5 per fee funding Oklahoma's Acres for Wildlife Program. These changes apply directly to hunters and anglers participating in regulated seasons across Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentModifies hunting/fishing seasons to manage wildlife populations (e.g., deer season start dates, bowfishing dates), a conservation practice aligning with environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 4459: Waters and water rights; metering of wells; requiring Water Resources Board provide certain allocation of groundwater; permits; requirements; measurements; effective date.

HB 4459 allows groundwater irrigation districts or conservation districts to create metering programs for farmers, enabling certified participants to apply for a five-year flexible water allocation. This directly affects farmers in participating districts who can temporarily exceed their annual water limit by up to 200% in a single year, as long as their total usage over five years stays within the basin's overall allocation. To qualify, participants must submit annual metering certifications from their district and pay an annual fee. The bill also states that exceeding the 200% annual limit or five-year total triggers penalties for unauthorized water use, as outlined in existing law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires total five-year groundwater usage within basin allocation, conserving natural resources by preventing over-extraction. This aligns with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

died · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 2169: Invasive woody species; creating the Oklahoma Invasive Woody Species Stewardship for State-Leased Lands Act. Effective date.

SB 2169 creates the "Oklahoma Invasive Woody Species Stewardship for State-Leased Lands Act" to protect trust lands held for school funding from invasive plants like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar. The Oklahoma Land Office Commissioners are authorized to manage these species on trust lands by creating annual removal plans, coordinating with agencies like the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and spending up to $1 million yearly. The bill requires the Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing progress and to prioritize lands harmed by invasive species. This directly affects the management of trust assets that fund Oklahoma's public schools, aiming to prevent further environmental and economic harm to these resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes invasive species removal on state lands to protect ecosystems and natural resources, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track