Two bills will be considered Thursday morning when the Oklahoma Senate Energy Committee meets and both focus on monitoring and protecting the amount of water used in agricultural purposes.
SB259, a bill focusing on water and water rights will be considered.
Authored by Senator Brent Howard, R-Altus, it would require holders of water permits to report to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board annually their use of water. Those who don’t could face penalties, fines or cancellation of the permit by the board.
The second measure, SB1928 by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, also applies to water use for agricultural purposes. It would remove required meter use, meaning water users would no longer be required to have their water wells “metered.”
Instead, “To encourage groundwater conservation, beginning January 1, 2027, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall provide a five-year flex allocation of groundwater usage based off the previously determined allocated annual use of the basin or subbasin. A five year flex allocation shall not require a new permit for existing permit holders.”
SUBJECT: REVISED Energy Meeting
DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2026
TIME: 09:30 AM or AFTER AM SESSION
LOCATION: Senate Room 230, State Capitol Building
AGENDA:
REVISED TO ADD AGENDA
- SB259 By Howard of the Senate and Newton of the House (Proposed Comm. Sub., req. #3767)
Water and water rights; establishing procedures for permitting, monitoring, and reporting of groundwater use; making an appropriation to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Effective date. - SB1928 By Murdock of the Senate and Moore of the House (Proposed Comm. Sub., req. #3777)
Water and water rights; removing certain meter use requirement; authorizing certain allocation. Effective date. - Other business
Senator Grant Green, Chair
Senator Tom Woods, Vice Chair