EMERGENCY DROUGHT COMMISSION
OKLAHOMA 2024 SESSION LAW SERVICE Fifty-Ninth Legislature, 2024 Second Regular Session
2024 Okla. Sess. Law Serv. Ch. 146 (H.B. 3182) (WEST)
OKLAHOMA 2024 SESSION LAW SERVICE
Fifty-Ninth Legislature, 2024 Second Regular Session
CHAPTER 146
H.B. No. 3182
EMERGENCY DROUGHT COMMISSION
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 call 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.
SUBJECT: Emergency Drought Commission
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
<< OK ST T. 27A § 2251 >>
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 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 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 the 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 Drought Commission shall continue until it is determined by the Governor that a drought emergency no longer exists in the state.
<< OK ST T. 27A § 2252 >>
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;
2. Water conservation methods in production agriculture;
3. Providing of water for livestock;
4. Rural fire suppression 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. Wildland fire response; and
9. Any other drought response activities identified by 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 whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Approved April 26, 2024.
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