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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
HOUSE BILL 1551 By: Patzkowsky
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to agriculture; amending 2 O.S. 2021,
Section 3-220, which relates to noxious weeds;
providing that poison hemlock an d Kudzu are a noxious
weed; providing for the eradication of poison hemlock
and Kudzu; removing fine; requiring counties and
state agencies to treat and prevent noxious weeds on
certain lands; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 2 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -220, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3-220. A. 1. The plants musk thistle (Carduus nutans
L.), Scotch thistle (Onoprodum acanthium L.), and Canada thistle
(Cirsium arvense), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) , and Kudzu
(Pueraria montana) are designated as noxious weeds. The Legislature
finds that these thistles and poison hemlock and Kudzu are a public
nuisance in all counties across this st ate.
2. It shall be the duty of every landowner in each county to
treat, control, or eradicate all Canada thistles, musk thistles, or
Scotch thistles, poison hemlock, and Kudzu growing on the
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landowner's land every year as shall be sufficient to prevent t hese
thistles, poison hemlock, and Kudzu from going to seed.
3. The Department of Transportation, the boards of county
commissioners, and any other public, private, or corporate entity
who shall maintain rights -of-way in the State of Oklahoma shall be
responsible for removing any thistle , poison hemlock, and Kudzu
infestation that occurs within their jurisdiction.
4. Failure of the landowner to treat, eradicate, or control all
musk, Canada, or Scotch thistle may result in a fine not to exceed
One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation per day All
counties and state agencies shall treat, control, or eradicate all
Canada thistles, musk thistles, or Scotch thistles, poison hemlock
and Kudzu growing on land s owned by or leased by a county or state
agency every year as shall be sufficient to prevent these thistles,
poison hemlock, and Kudzu from going to seed .
5. Upon written complaint, the State Department of Agriculture
shall inspect the type of thistle , poison hemlock, or Kudzu
infestation, assess t he nature and extent of the thistle , poison
hemlock, or Kudzu infestation on the property of the landowner and
determine the most appropriate thistle or weed treatment, control,
or eradication method available for the type of thistle , poison
hemlock, or Kudzu and location of the property.
B. The State Board of Agriculture shall:
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1. Promulgate rules setting categories or degrees of
infestation which would require specified treatment, control, or
eradication;
2. Include musk thistles, Scotch thistles, and Canada thistles,
poison hemlock, and Kudzu, as prohibited noxious weed and weed seed
pursuant to the Department 's authority and responsibility under
Article 8 of the Oklahoma Agricultural Code;
3. By November 1, 2000, and annually thereafter prior to the
growing season of musk thistles, Scotch thistles, and Canada
thistles, poison hemlock, and Kudzu, complete an annual survey
detailing the degree of infestation of these thistles , poison
hemlock, and Kudzu across the state. The results of these surveys
shall be reported to Oklahoma State University; and
4. In all counties of this state, provide information to
newspapers of general circulation stating that musk thistles, Scotch
thistles, and Canada thistles, poison hemlock, and Kudzu are a
public nuisance and that it is the duty of every public, private, or
corporate landowner to tre at, control, or eradicate these thistles ,
poison hemlock, and Kudzu growing on any property owned by the
landowner. The information shall be provided at the beginning of
the cycle of growth of the musk thistles, Scotch thistles, and
Canada thistles, poison hemlock, and Kudzu and at other times as
necessary to inform landowners of the provisions of this subsection.
The information material shall also include:
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a. information detailing the process by which an
interested landowner may receive assistance pursu ant
to this subsection for the removal of thistles , poison
hemlock, and Kudzu from infested property,
b. the telephone number of the Department, and
c. a statement informing the landowner that failure to
remove musk thistles, Scotch thistles, and Canada
thistles, poison hemlock, and Kudzu may subject the
landowner to legal action requiring the treatment,
control, or eradication of these thistles , poison
hemlock, and Kudzu.
C. Upon request of the landowner or the Department, the
designated Oklahoma State Un iversity extension agent for a
particular county shall evaluate or, if there is no extension agent
for a particular county, the Department shall inspect the type of
thistle, poison hemlock, or Kudzu infestation, assess the nature and
extent of the thistle , poison hemlock, or Kudzu infestation on the
property of the landowner, and determine the most appropriate
thistle, poison hemlock, or Kudzu treatment, control, or eradication
method available for the type of thistle , poison hemlock, or Kudzu
and location of the property.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
60-1-10280 JL 01/01/25