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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
HOUSE BILL 3182 By: Patzkowsky
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the Emergency Drought Commission;
amending 27A O.S. 2021, Section 2251, as amended by
Section 1, Chapter 48, O.S.L . 2023 (27A O.S. Supp.
2023, Section 2251), and 27A O.S. 2021, Section 2252,
which relate to drought relief; changing the name
Emergency Drought Commission to Emergency Drought
Committee; providing that the Emergency Drought
Committee shall meet at the cal l of the Secretary of
the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and
Forestry; providing that expenditures from the
Emergency Drought Relief Fund shall require majority
approval; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PE OPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 27A O.S. 2021, Section 2251, as
amended by Section 1, Chapter 48, O.S.L. 2023 (27A O.S. Supp. 2023,
Section 2251), is amended to read as follows:
Section 2251. In the event of a formal declaration of emergency
drought conditions by the Governor, the Emergency A. A Drought
Commission Committee shall be formed consisting of the Executive
Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the Secretary of
Agriculture Oklahoma Department of Agri culture, Food and Forestry ,
the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board , one
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member who resides west of Interstate 35 (I -35), appointed by the
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and one member who
resides east of Interstate 35 (I-35), appointed by the President Pro
Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate.
B. The Emergency Drought Committee shall meet at the call of
the Secretary of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and
Forestry when the Secretary declares that emergency drought
conditions exist in the state.
C. The Emergency Drought Commission Committee shall determine
the expenditures to be made from the Emergency Drought Relief Fund
created in Section 2250 of this title, subject to approval by the
Governor a majority of the Committee and shall determine t he
appropriate agency to expend the funds.
D. The Emergency Drought Commission Committee shall also serve
as a drought advisory panel to the Governor and the various state
agencies. The activities of the Emergency Dro ught Commission shall
continue until it is determined by the Governor that a drought
emergency no longer exists in the state.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 27A O.S. 2021, Section 2252, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 2252. The Emergency Drought Relief Fund shall be
available for drought response activities within the state that may
include but shall not be limited to:
1. Pond cleanup and construction;
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2. Water conservation methods in production agriculture;
3. Providing of water for livestock;
4. Rural fire suppre ssion activities as directed by the
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry;
5. Red cedar eradication;
6. Soil conservation;
7. Emergency infrastructure conservation and measures; and
8. Any other drought response activities identified b y the
Emergency Drought Commission Committee.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason wh ereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage an d approval.
59-2-8990 JL 12/11/23