Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB1461 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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3		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 1 1
	3	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 1
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28		-	ENGROSSED HOUSE
29		-	BILL NO. 1461 By: Patzkowsky of the House
	29	+	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
	30	+
	31	+	STATE OF OKLAHOMA
	32	+
	33	+	1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
	34	+
	35	+	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
	36	+	FOR
	37	+	HOUSE BILL NO. 1461 By: Patzkowsky of the House
30	38
31	39		and
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33	41		Pederson of the Senate
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	45	+	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
37	46
38	47		[ Woody Invasion Cost Share Program – Oklahoma
39	48		Conservation Commission – program – purpose – funds
40	49		– guidelines – districts – terms – information –
41	50		agency website – acres – secretaries – research –
42		-	control – plant species – codification ~~- repealer~~ –
43		-	~~effective~~ date ]
	51	+	control – plant species – codification – effective
	52	+	date ]
44	53
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46	55		BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLA HOMA:
47	56		SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
48	57		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-3-130 of Title 27A, unless
49	58		there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
50	59		A. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission is hereby authorized to
51	60		establish and administer a Woody Invasion Cost-Share Program as
52	61		funds become available. The cost-share program shall provide monies
53	62		to eligible persons.
54		-	B. The cost-share program shall focus on reduci ng the
55		-	detrimental effects of native Juniperus species ( Juniperus spp.) and
56		-	non-native, invasive salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) and su staining the
57		-	gains achieved through the implementation of cost-share practices.
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59		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 2 1
	64	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 2
	65	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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	90	+	B. The cost-share program shall focus on reduci ng the
	91	+	detrimental effects of native Juniperus species ( Juniperus spp.) and
	92	+	non-native, invasive salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) and sustaining the
	93	+	gains achieved through the implementation of cost-share practices.
84	94		C. The purpose of the Woody Invasion cos t-share program is to
85	95		incentivize landowners to apply effective methods to reduce the r ate
86	96		of expansion, and restore, monitor, and maintain grasslands and for
87	97		the protection of the states' waters, soils, wildlife, and natural
88	98		resources.
89	99		D. When sufficient fund s are available in the Woody Invasion
90	100		Cost-Share Fund, the Commission shall develop an d disseminate the
91	101		program guidelines to the conservation districts in the progra m
92	102		designated areas. The guidelines shall contain incentives to
93	103		eligible persons for initi ating and continuing woody invasion plant
94	104		eradication, prevention, monitoring, and mai ntenance practices as
95	105		set out in the eligible person 's conservation plan.
96	106		E. To implement the program, the Commission shall require
97	107		conservation districts to enter into contracts for eligible projects
98	108		on eligible land detailing the eligible person 's responsibilities.
99	109		F. For purposes of the conservation cost -share program:
100	110		1. "Brush management" means the removal, reduction or
101	111		manipulation of woody (non -herbaceous or succulent) plants by
102	112		mechanical methods, chemical treatment, biological methods,
103		-	prescribed burning, or combinations of these methods to achieve the
104		-	desired plant community .
105		-	2. "Eligible person" means any individual, partnership,
106		-	corporation, legally recogniz ed Indian tribe, including land held in
107		-	Trust, estate, or trust who as an owner, lesse e, tenant, or operator
108	113
109		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 3 1
	114	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 3
	115	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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	140	+	prescribed burning, or combinations of these methods to achieve the
	141	+	desired plant community .
	142	+	2. "Eligible person" means any individual, partnership,
	143	+	corporation, legally recogniz ed Indian tribe, including land held in
	144	+	Trust, estate, or trust who as an owner, lesse e, tenant, or operator
134	145		participates in the care and/or management of land within a
135	146		conservation district.
136	147		3. "Eligible land" means:
137	148		a. privately owned land within the st ate,
138	149		b. land owned by the state or a political subdivision of
139	150		the state,
140	151		c. land temporarily owned by the United States or a
141	152		corporation wholly o wned by it, which was not acquired
142	153		or reserved for conservation purposes, including lands
143	154		administered by the F arm Service Agency, the United
144	155		States Department of Defense, or by any other
145	156		government agency, and
146	157		4. "Eligible projects" means conservation practices deter mined
147	158		to be needed by a conservation district to:
148	159		a. improve or protect soil and water resources,
149	160		b. protect rangelands and grasslands,
150	161		c. preserve wildlife and natural resources, and
151	162		d. accomplish the objectives and purpose of this cost -
152	163		share program.
153		-	5. "Woody invasion" plants covered by this cost -share means
154		-	native Juniperus species ( Juniperus spp.) and non-native, invasive
155		-	salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) or similarly detrimental species .
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157		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 4 1
	165	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 4
	166	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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	191	+	5. "Woody invasion" plants covered by this cost -share means
	192	+	native Juniperus species ( Juniperus spp.) and non-native, invasive
	193	+	salt cedars (Tamarix spp.) or similarly detrimental species .
182	194		SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
183	195		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-3-131 of Title 27A, unless
184	196		there is created a dupli cation in numbering, reads as follows:
185	197		When developing the guidelines for a Woody Inva sion Cost-Share
186	198		program, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission shall consider:
187	199		1. Maximizing distances from seed sources to minimize exposure
188	200		to cleared area;
189	201		2. Implementing follow-up treatments to remove seedlings and
190	202		deplete seedbanks after seed source s are eliminated;
191	203		3. Monitoring areas previously treated;
192	204		4. Identifying high-risk areas and evaluating if the cost -share
193	205		program for the specific program year combats significant issues;
194	206		5. Targeting areas burned by wildfire with rapid and intensive
195	207		management to restore large landscapes quickly and cost-effectively;
196	208		6. Reviewing the most current science and recommendations in
197	209		the area of woody invas ion encroachment, eradication, and
198	210		management;
199	211		7. Utilizing the modern canopy and grassland mapping too ls
200	212		available to focus on high -risk and vulnerability areas;
201	213		8. Reviewing approved cost -share methods available through
202	214		USDA-NRCS to combat the expansio n of woody invasion plants; and
203		-	9. Evaluating if other federal, state, or tribal programs can
204		-	be enhanced by the inclusion of practices in the Comm ission's Woody
205		-	Invasion Cost-Share program for the year being planned.
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207		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 5 1
	216	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 5
	217	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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	242	+	9. Evaluating if other federal, state, or tribal programs can
	243	+	be enhanced by the inclusion of practices in the Commission 's Woody
	244	+	Invasion Cost-Share program for the year being planned.
232	245		SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new sectio n of law to be codified
233	246		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-3-132 of Title 27A, unless
234	247		there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
235	248		A. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission shall require
236	249		applicants to submit information, forms and repor ts as necessary to
237	250		properly and efficiently administer the Woody Invasion Cost-Share
238	251		program.
239	252		B. Persons may apply to a conservation district for cost -share
240	253		funds for eligible brush management initiatives in the State of
241	254		Oklahoma, in accordance with the c ost-share program year guidelines
242	255		prepared yearly by the Commission. To be eligible for reimbursement
243	256		for a Woody Invasion Cost-Share project, an eligible person shall:
244	257		1. Develop and file for review and approval with the
245	258		conservation district a multi -year conservation plan that details
246	259		brush management practices; and
247	260		2. Enter into a contract with a conservation district detailing
248	261		the responsibilities of the person for the initial cost-share
249	262		program year as well as continuing responsibilities that are
250	263		required to keep the woody species from regrowing and expanding on
251	264		the land.
252		-	C. Applications for funds shall be approved or denied by the
253		-	conservation district in accordance with promulgated criteria
254		-	prepared by the Commission.
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256		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 6 1
	266	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 6
	267	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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	292	+	C. Applications for funds shall be approved or denied by the
	293	+	conservation district in accordance with promulgated criteria
	294	+	prepared by the Commission.
281	295		SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
282	296		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-3-133 of Title 27A, unless
283	297		there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as foll ows:
284	298		The Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the state conservation
285	299		districts are encouraged to work cooperatively with federal and
286	300		state agencies, Indian tribes, Oklahoma State University extension,
287	301		burn associations, and other entities to reduce the footpri nt of
288	302		woody invasive plants and the impacts the plants have on state
289	303		waters and natural resources. This may include developing cost -
290	304		share practices that work in con junction with other programs to
291	305		combat expansion and regrowth of these woody species.
292	306		SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
293	307		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-3-134 of Title 27A, unless
294	308		there is created a duplica tion in numbering, reads as follows:
295	309		Upon the conclusion of each cost -share program year, t he
296	310		Oklahoma Conservation Commis sion shall prepare and post on the
297	311		agency website the statistical data, funds expended, and acres
298	312		covered by county of the cost -share practices for that program year.
299	313		This same information shall also be shared with the state cabinet
300	314		Secretaries of Agricul ture and Energy and Environment.
301		-	SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
302		-	in the Oklahoma Statut es as Section 3-3-135 of Title 27A, unless
303		-	there is created a duplication in numbering, rea ds as follows:
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305		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 7 1
	316	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 7
	317	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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	342	+	SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
	343	+	in the Oklahoma Statut es as Section 3-3-135 of Title 27A, unless
	344	+	there is created a duplication in numbering, rea ds as follows:
330	345		A. There is hereby created within the State Treasury a cost -
331	346		share fund for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to be designated
332	347		the "Woody Invasion Cost-Share Fund". The fund shall be a
333	348		continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitati ons, and shall
334	349		consist of all monies received by the Oklahoma Conservation
335	350		Commission to implement and maintain the cost -share program.
336	351		B. The Woody Invasion Cost -Share Fund shall consist of:
337	352		1. Money received by the Conservation Commission in the form o f
338	353		gifts, grants, reimbursements, donatio ns, industry contributions,
339	354		state appropriations, funds allocated by federal agencies for cost-
340	355		share programs and such other monies specifically designated for the
341	356		cost-share program. All monies accruing to the cred it of the fund
342	357		are hereby appropriated a nd may be budgeted and expended by the
343	358		Commission for the cost-share program; and
344	359		2. Interest attributable to investment of money in the Woody
345	360		Invasion Cost-Share Fund.
346	361		C. All donations or other proceeds received b y the Commission
347	362		pursuant to the provisi ons of this section shall be deposited with
348	363		the State Treasurer to be credited to the Woody Invasion Cost-Share
349	364		Fund. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants iss ued
350	365		by the State Treasurer against clai ms filed as prescribed by law
351		-	with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise
352		-	Services for approval and payment.
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354		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 1461 Page 8 1
	367	+	HB1461 HFLR Page 8
	368	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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	393	+	with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise
	394	+	Services for approval and payment.
379	395		D. The monies deposited in the Woody I nvasion Cost-Share Fund
380	396		shall at no time become part of the general budget of the
381	397		Conservation Commission or any other state agency . Except for any
382	398		administration costs incurred in development and implementation of
383	399		the cost-share program, no monies from t he fund shall be transferred
384	400		for any purpose to any o ther state agency or any account of th e
385	401		Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
386	402		SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
387	403		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-3-136 of Title 27A, unless
388	404		there is created a duplication in numbering, re ads as follows:
389	405		Nothing in this act or in the contract executed pursuant to
390	406		Section 3 of this act shall be i nterpreted or construed to
391	407		constitute a financial or general obligation of the state. No state
392	408		revenue shall be used to guarantee or pay for any dam ages to
393	409		property or injury t o persons as a result of the provisions of this
394	410		act or the contract.
395	411		SECTION 8. REPEALER 2 O.S. 2021, Section 16-73, is
396	412		hereby repealed.
397	413		SECTION 9. This act shall become effective November 1, 2023.
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424		-	Passed the House of Representatives the 13th day of March, 2023.
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429		-	Presiding Officer of the House
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431		-	of Representatives
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434		-	Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2023.
435		-
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439		-	Presiding Officer of the Senate
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441		-
	415	+	COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET, dated
	416	+	03/02/2023 - DO PASS, As Amended and Coauthored.