STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 53rd Legislature (2012)

HOUSE BILL 2333	By:	Renegar

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to waters and water rights; directing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to negotiate groundwater basin or subbasin contracts or compacts with the federal government or other states; requiring the Board to file update reports by certain dates; defining certain terms; and providing an effective date.

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 Statutes as Section 1085.2a of Title 82, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is hereby directed to negotiate one or more contracts or compacts with the federal government or any department or bureau of the federal government or with any other state for the purpose of obtaining assistance, cooperation and support in the development and implementation of conservation and use plans for groundwater basins or groundwater subbasins which underlie lands located in this state and another state or states.  
B.  By January 1, 2013, and July 1, 2013, and each January 1 and July 1 thereafter, the Board shall file a report with the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate standing committees which oversee environmental and water issues, on its efforts to negotiate a groundwater contract or compact as required in subsection A of this section.  
C.  For purposes of this section “groundwater basins” or “groundwater subbasins” shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 1020.1 of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2012.

53-2-7854	KB	01/06/12