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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
HOUSE BILL 1770 By: Moore
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to animals; enacting the Elk
Population Study and Management Act; providing
definitions; providing certain organizations t o
establish a plan and outline for a comprehensive
study of the elk population within a certain region
of the state; requiring the plan and outline to be
completed on a certain date; providing requirements
for the comprehensive study; providing for
coordination with other relevant state and federal
agencies; requiring the maintainin g of detailed
accounting and financial records of appropriations
received and expenditures made; providing that
external experts and scientists may be retained to
complete the study; providing for codification;
providing an effective date; and declaring an
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 Statut es as Section 4101 of Title 2, unless there is
created a duplication in number ing, reads as follows:
A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Elk
Population Study and Management Act ".
B. As used in this act:
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1. "Study zone" refers to the Special Northwest Zone that
encompasses all private lands in Woodward, Dewey , and Ellis
Counties, and a portion of Roger Mills County north of State
Highways 33 and 47 to the north county line and west to the state
border and east to the county line ;
2. "Authority" refers to the Oklahoma State University
Veterinary Medicine Authority ; and
3. "Management plan" refers to a document developed based on
the findings of the study that outlines recommended actions for the
conservation and management of elk populatio ns.
C. No later than November 1, 2025, the Oklahoma State
University Veterinary Medicine Authority in cooperation with the OSU
College of Veterinary Medicine, shall establish a plan and outline
for a comprehensive study of the elk population within the Sp ecial
Northwest Zone. The comprehensive study shall assess current
population levels, trends, habitat usage, and develop science -based
management recommendations aimed at ensuring the long -term
sustainability of elk populations and the health of the ecosy stem.
The comprehensive study shall include, but not be limited to, the
following program characteristics:
1. The current elk population size, distribution, and density
within the study zone;
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2. The health and genetic diversity of the elk population,
including disease monitoring and signs of inbreeding or other health
concerns;
3. The effectiveness and impact of current elk population
management strategies, including hunting, predation control, and
habitat conservation ; and
4. Recommendations culminati ng in the form of a management plan
for the conservation and management of elk populations within the
study zone.
D. The Authority may coordinate with other relevant state and
federal agencies to effectuate the provisions of this act. Such
coordination may include requests for temporary suspension and/or
restrictions of elk huntin g or harvesting while the comprehensive
study is being conducted.
E. The Authority shall maintain detailed accounting and
financial records of appropriations received and expend itures made
pursuant to the purposes of this act. The Authority may engage
external experts and scientists to plan and implement the
comprehensive study. The engagement of such external experts shall
be implemented in accordance with the policies of the Authority.
The Authority is authorized to carry forward to a future fiscal ye ar
any unexpended funds related to this act.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
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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 whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-1-10657 JL 01/06/25