Oklahoma legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma SB259: Water and water rights; establishing procedures for permitting, monitoring, and reporting of groundwater use. Effective date.
Status: Signed into law, May 29, 2026
What the bill says
An Act relating to water and water rights; amending 82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1020.12 and 1020.15, which relate to groundwater use, reporting, metering, and permitting; modifying reporting requirements for certain water use; providing for fines and penalties; modifying permitting exclusions; requiring Oklahoma Water Resources Board to investigate certain usage complaints; directing metering and measurement of certain groundwater usage subject to Oklahoma Water Resources Board monitoring…
From the enrolled text, May 14, 2026:
An Act relating to water and water rights; amending 82 O.S. 2021, Sections 1020.12 and 1020.15, which relate to groundwater use, reporting, metering, and permitting; modifying reporting requirements for certain water use; providing for fines and penalties; modifying permitting exclusions; requiring Oklahoma Water Resources Board to investigate certain usage complaints; directing metering and measurement of certain groundwater usage subject to Oklahoma Water Resources Board monitoring; requiring Oklahoma Water Resources Board to promulgate rules and implement certain policies relating to groundwater users; expanding duties of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board; updating statutory language and references; providing for codification; and providing an effective date. SUBJECT: Groundwater use SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 82 O.S. 2021, Section 1020.12, is amended to read as follows: Section 1020.12. A. Holders of permits shall be required to report to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board annually their use of water pursuant to their permits. Holders of permits shall remit the report as required by the Board in the period following the permitted use. Willful failure to report annual usage may result in cancellation penalties, fines, or suspension of the permit by the Board upon proper notice and hearing as provided in the Administrative Procedures Act. Nonuse, conservation, or usage practices that result in less usage than the permit maximum shall not result in diminishment of the permit holder's future …