Bill No. 259, introduced by Senator Howard and Representative Newton, amends various sections of the Oklahoma Statutes concerning groundwater use, reporting, metering, and permitting. The bill mandates annual reporting of water usage by permit holders to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) and introduces penalties for willful failure to report. It expands the OWRB's responsibilities to include investigating complaints about groundwater usage and implementing a metering schedule, particularly for animal feeding operations. Additionally, the legislation requires all permitted wells to be equipped with flow meters or alternative measuring systems, and it establishes a phase-in schedule for these new metering requirements while modernizing data collection systems.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of a governing board related to water management and dispute resolution among municipalities, rural water districts, and not-for-profit rural water corporations. It includes provisions for reviewing disputes over service areas, water rates, and contract clauses, requiring parties to notify the Board before pursuing court action. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the need for training board members in financing and ethics, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Rural Water Association. Significant changes include the establishment of a special account for fund management through the Office of the State Treasurer and the introduction of progressive fines for overuse of water allotments, which may escalate based on the severity of violations, potentially leading to permit suspensions. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 82-1085.2
Committee Substitute: 82-1085.2
Floor (Senate): 82-1085.2
Engrossed: 82-1085.2