Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
3 HOUSE BILL 3403 By: Patzkowsky
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6 AS INTRODUCED
7 An Act relating to environment and natural resources;
creating the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application
8 Research Pilot Program Act; requiring the Pilot
Program be administered by the Department of
9 Environmental Quality in cooperation with Oklahoma
State University; providing for expiration of Pilot
10 Program; listing requirements for the Pilot Program;
requiring certain annual report be submitted; listing
11 requirements for annual report; authorizing
partnerships with private landowners; limiting
12 liability; making certain exemption; requiring
certain documentation be kept; authorizing funding;
13 requiring deposit of funds in certain revolving fund;
creating the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application
14 Research Pilot Program Act Revolving Fund; describing
fund; providing for content of fund; providing for
15 deposits and expenditures; providing for
codification; and providing an effective date.
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18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
19 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
20 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-10-1120 of Title 27A, unless
21 there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
22 This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
23 Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program Act".
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Req. No. 14174 Page 1
1 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
2 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-10-1121 of Title 27A, unless
3 there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
4 A. There is hereby created at Oklahoma State University (OSU)
5 the Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program
6 "Pilot Program". The Pilot Program shall be administered by the
7 Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in cooperation with the
8 Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in
9 coordination with the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and
10 Technology, the OSU Department of Environmental Science, and the
11 Cooperative Extension Service. The Pilot Program shall operate for
12 an initial five-year period, unless extended by the Legislature.
13 B. The Pilot Program shall:
14 1. Identify and approve study plots on agricultural lands,
15 including OSU-owned research farms and, as appropriate, cooperating
16 private farms;
17 2. Develop biosolids application protocols, including:
18 a. nutrient content evaluation,
19 b. pathogen and contaminant screening (including
20 perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),
21 heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals),
22 c. application rates, and
23 d. soil amendment practices;
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Req. No. 14174 Page 2
1 3. Conduct agronomic research, including crop yield impacts,
2 soil health changes, and nutrient cycling;
3 4. Conduct environmental impact studies, including:
4 a. surface and groundwater monitoring,
5 b. soil residual testing, and
6 c. air quality, odor, and vector considerations;
7 5. Assess regulatory models, including best management
8 practices, permitting options, and compliance structures suitable
9 for Oklahoma;
10 6. Coordinate with the DEQ and may utilize biosolids supplied
11 by Oklahoma municipal wastewater treatment facilities that meet DEQ
12 and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards; and
13 7. Provide outreach and education to Oklahoma farmers,
14 ranchers, conservation districts, and municipalities through OSU
15 Extension programs.
16 C. A report shall be submitted annually to the Governor, the
17 President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate, the Speaker of
18 the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and the DEQ regarding
19 findings, data, and recommendations. Annual reports shall include:
20 1. Agronomic outcomes;
21 2. Environmental monitoring results;
22 3. Risk assessments;
23 4. Recommendations for statewide standards or rules; and
24 5. Cost-benefit analysis for farmers and municipalities.
Req. No. 14174 Page 3
1 D. OSU may partner with private agricultural landowners who
2 volunteer to participate in research trials. OSU shall secure
3 written consent, ensure DEQ compliance, and provide guidelines for
4 application, monitoring, and sampling. No landowner shall be held
5 liable for environmental impacts resulting solely from adherence to
6 OSU protocols developed under the Pilot Program.
7 E. Biosolids applied under the Pilot Program shall be exempt
8 from state permitting otherwise required under environmental or land
9 application rules, only to the extent necessary to conduct
10 controlled research, and only when research protocols meet or exceed
11 DEQ and EPA requirements. OSU shall coordinate with DEQ to ensure
12 proper recordkeeping and transport documentation.
13 F. The Pilot Program may be funded by legislative
14 appropriations, federal research grants, municipal contributions,
15 private or industry research partnerships, or in-kind contributions
16 of biosolids or laboratory services. Funds for administering the
17 Pilot Program shall be deposited into the Oklahoma Biosolids Land
18 Application Research Pilot Program Act Revolving Fund created in
19 Section 3 of this act.
20 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
21 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-10-1122 of Title 27A, unless
22 there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
23 There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund
24 for the Department of Environmental Quality to be designated the
Req. No. 14174 Page 4
1 "Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program Act
2 Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject
3 to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received
4 by the Department from appropriations, apportionments, donations,
5 and federal grants received for the purpose of completing the
6 Oklahoma Biosolids Land Application Research Pilot Program Act
7 created pursuant to Section 2 of this act. All monies accruing to
8 the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted
9 and expended by the Department for the purpose provided for in this
10 section. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants
11 issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by
12 law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise
13 Services for approval and payment.
14 SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
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16 60-2-14174 JBH 12/04/25
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Req. No. 14174 Page 5Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.