The proposed bill establishes the Landowner Energy Negotiation, Agricultural Preservation, and Orphaned Well Mitigation Education Act of 2026, aimed at enhancing the capacity of landowners in Oklahoma to negotiate energy agreements while preserving agricultural operations and managing orphaned wells. The bill creates a program within the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service that will provide education, training, and technical assistance to landowners on various aspects of energy development, including negotiation of leases and contracts, dual-use land management, and water conservation practices. The program will also focus on raising awareness about the risks associated with orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells.

To fund this initiative, the bill appropriates $3.5 million from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 and establishes a State Renewable Energy Land Remediation and Education Fee, which will be levied on renewable energy projects based on disturbed acreage. The collected fees will be deposited into a revolving fund, with a significant portion allocated to support the educational program. Additionally, the bill allows for the granting of stewardship credits to renewable energy project owners who implement agrivoltaic or dual-use practices, promoting sustainable land management alongside energy production. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and includes provisions for emergency implementation.