The bill amends various sections of the Oklahoma Statutes to enhance the management and protection of groundwater resources. It introduces new reporting requirements for permit holders, mandating annual usage reports to be submitted to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board by January 31 of the following year. The legislation establishes penalties for willful failure to report and clarifies that conservation practices leading to reduced usage will not impact future permitted shares. Additionally, it expands the Board's responsibilities to include investigating complaints about groundwater usage and requires all water wells needing a permit to be equipped with flow meters or alternative measuring systems for accurate reporting.

Moreover, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the Board's authority to prevent waste and pollution of groundwater, allowing for fines and penalties for violations. It mandates collaboration with local groundwater irrigation districts during investigations and creates a Well Drillers and Pump Installers Remedial Action Indemnity Fund to support necessary remedial actions. The bill also sets a deadline for the implementation of meter and measurement requirements by August 1, 2026, and outlines the Board's authority to impose fines for overuse and conduct audits on permitted users. With an appropriation of $1.5 million from the General Revenue Fund to support monitoring duties, the act emphasizes sustainable water management practices and is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 82-1085.2