An act relating to transportation, the official text

1                            STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2   1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)

3 HOUSE BILL 1822                     By: Newton

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6                            AS INTRODUCED

7   An Act relating to transportation; defining term;

    requiring Oklahoma Department of Transportation

8   establish and implement certain program; detailing

    program requirements; providing for codification; and

9   providing an effective date.

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12 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

13  SECTION 1.      NEW LAW  A new section of law to be codified

14 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1239 of Title 69, unless there

15 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

16  A. As used in this section, the term "invasive woody species"

17 means a tree or shrub species that is rapidly encroaching into

18 adjoining lands and is likely to cause harm to the environment or

19 economy. Invasive woody species include, but are not limited to,

20 Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar), Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky

21 Mountain juniper), Juniperus monosperma (oneseed juniper) and

22 Tamarix ramosissima (salt cedar).

23  B. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation shall establish

24 and implement a program for the systematic identification, removal,

    Req. No. 10710                                                 Page 1
1 and management of invasive woody species within rights-of-way under

2 its jurisdiction. The eradication program shall include the

3 following components:

4   1. Surveys to identify the presence and extent of invasive

5 woody species;

6   2. Development of a prioritized plan for eradication and

7 control;

8   3. Use of best management practices for removal, including

9 methods that minimize harm to native vegetation and prevent soil

10 erosion;

11  4. Monitoring and follow-up measures to prevent

12 reestablishment; and

13  5. Collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, as

14 well as nongovernmental organizations, to leverage expertise and

15 resources.

16  SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.

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18  60-1-10710      JBH  12/17/24

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    Req. No. 10710                                              Page 2