ENGR. S. A. TO ENGR. H. B. NO. 2239 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED SENATE AMENDMENT TO ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2239 By: Dobrinski, Archer, Alonso- Sandoval, Talley, Moore, Bashore and Roberts of the House and Jech of the Senate [ Water preservation – Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act – program – Oklahoma Conservation Commission – duties – rules – procedures – fund – deposits – expenditures – codification - emergency ] AUTHOR: Add the following Senate Coauthors: Stephens, Murdock, and Pederson AMENDMENT NO. 1. Page 1, strike the enacting clause ENGR. S. A. TO ENGR. H. B. NO. 2239 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Passed the Senate the 18th day of April, 2023. Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2023. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives ENGR. H. B. NO. 2239 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2239 By: Dobrinski, Archer, Alonso- Sandoval, Talley, Moore, Bashore and Roberts of the House and Jech of the Senate [ Water preservation – Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act – program – Oklahoma Conservation Commission – duties – rules – procedures – fund – deposits – expenditures – codification - emergency ] BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-8-101 of Title 27A, unless there is created a dup lication in numbering, reads as fol lows: This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act". SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Sect ion 3-8-102 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: ENGR. H. B. NO. 2239 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 A. As used in the Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act: 1. "Commission" means the Oklahoma Conservation Commission; 2. "Harmful woody species " means a tree or shrub species that is rapidly encroachi ng into adjoining lands and is likely to cause harm to the environment or economy. Harmful woody species incl ude, but are not limited to, Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar), Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper), Juniperus monosperma (oneseed juniper) and Tamarix ramosissima (salt cedar) ; and 3. "North Canadian Watershed " means the area of land in Oklahoma that drains or sheds water into the North Canadian River. B. There is hereby created a pilot program to remove or eradicate harmful woody species in the North Canadian Watershed to be administered by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. To accomplish the goals listed in this section, the Commission is authorized to use the funds available in the North Canadian Watershed Restoration Revolving Fund established in Section 3 of this act. The purpose of the program is to manage and eradicate, where possible, harmful woody species that damage grazing lands, create significant wildfire risk, reduce wildlife habitat and reduce water flow into the North Canadian River. C. In administering the pilot program, the Commission shall: 1. Cooperate with landowners, state agencies, and other political subdivisions for removal of harmful woody species; ENGR. H. B. NO. 2239 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. Measure the density of harmful woody species and estimate water used by those species; 3. Create a study using a parallel waters hed with no control of harmful woody species; 4. Utilize available funds to cost-share with landowners for expenses incurred in the eradication of harmful woody species by prescribed burn, biological controls, mechanical removal, or herbicide applications; 5. Develop grant programs with conservation districts, rural fire departments, and prescribe burn associat ions for resources needed for prescribed burns, mechanical removal, biological control, or herbicide applications on harmful woody species; 6. Bring attention to the problems posed by harmful woody species to create awareness, demonstrate value to all stakeholders , and encourage landowners to participate in the program; and 7. Have at least two active project areas in the program, one above the Canton Lake dam and one below. D. The Commission is authorized to promulgate any rules and procedures to effectuate the pr ovisions of this section. SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-8-103 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to be desig nated the "North ENGR. H. B. NO. 2239 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Canadian Watershed Restoration Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal yea r limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the Conservation Commission from appropriations, federal grants or funds, municipal contributions, private contributions, and any other sources, including interest earned from the income in the fund , that are designated for deposit to such fund or designated for duties associated with harmful woody species removal from the North Canadian Watershed. All monies accruing to the credit of s aid fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Conservation Commission to per form the duties imposed on the Commission by law. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for app roval and payment. SECTION 4. REPEALER 2 O.S. 2021, Section 16-73 is hereby repealed. SECTION 5. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage an d approval. ENGR. H. B. NO. 2239 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Passed the House of Representatives the 9th day of March, 2023. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2023. Presiding Officer of the Senate