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ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 3182 By: Patzkowsky and May of the
House
and
Pederson of the Senate
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 Commissioner of Agriculture, the Executive Director of the
Oklahoma Water Resources Board , one member who resides west of
Interstate 35 (I-35), appointed by the Speak er of the Oklahoma House
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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 Commissioner of Agriculture when the Commissioner 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 t he state that may
include but shall not be limited to:
1. Pond cleanup and construction;
2. Water conservation methods in prod uction agriculture;
3. Providing of water for livestock;
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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 conser vation and measures; and
8. Wildland fire response; and
9. 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 and approval.
Passed the House of Representatives the 7th day of March, 2024.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2024.
Presiding Officer of the Senate