The bill amends Oklahoma's water law to enhance the management and monitoring of groundwater resources. It introduces new reporting requirements for permit holders, mandating annual usage reports by January 31, with penalties for noncompliance. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) is given expanded responsibilities, including investigating groundwater usage complaints, notifying landowners before inspections, and implementing enhanced monitoring and data collection. A significant change is the requirement for all permitted groundwater wells to be equipped with flow meters or alternative measuring systems to ensure accurate measurement and reporting of water usage.

Additionally, the bill establishes a Well Drillers and Pump Installers Remedial Action Indemnity Fund to address pollution and noncompliance issues, and it allows for a five-year allocation of maximum annual yield for water permits based on annual usage reporting. The OWRB is also empowered to impose fines for overuse of water allotments and to modernize its data collection systems. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, and includes an appropriation of $1.5 million from the General Revenue Fund to support the Board's monitoring duties, ultimately aiming to promote sustainable water management practices in Oklahoma.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 82-1085.2