This bill amends Section 1324.16 of the Oklahoma Statutes to enhance the training requirements for board members of rural water districts and nonprofit rural water corporations. It introduces a new provision allowing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to organize training workshops in cooperation with a qualified state supplier, aimed at educating board members on district financing, law, and their ethical responsibilities. Additionally, it mandates that all new and existing board members must complete a minimum of six hours of workshop training every three years, with the district or corporation responsible for reimbursing reasonable expenses incurred by members attending these workshops.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that if a board member fails to attend the required training within the specified timeframe, they will be deemed ineligible to serve, prompting the remaining board members to select a qualified replacement. The bill also clarifies that nepotism laws will not prevent an employee from continuing their service or being promoted if they are related to a board member, although the related board member must recuse themselves from discussions affecting that employee. The effective date for this legislation is set for November 1, 2026.