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
1
2 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
2
3 SENATE BILL 753 By: Deevers
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to invasive woody species; creating
7 the Oklahoma Invasive Woody Species Stewardship for
8 State-Leased Lands Act; providing short title;
8 defining terms; requiring lessees of state-owned land
9 to follow certain guidelines for invasive woody
9 species control; specifying conditions for leases;
10 allowing for lease rates to be amended; authorizing
10 the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to perform
11 inspections; providing for violations; prohibiting
11 additional state resources to be used outside the
12 scope of this act; allowing the Commission to accept
12 contests of findings; providing for promulgation of
13 rules; providing for codification; and declaring an
13 emergency.
14
14
15
15
16 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
16
17 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
17
18 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-9-100 of Title 27A, unless
18
19 there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
19
20 This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
20
21 Invasive Woody Species Stewardship for State-Leased Lands Act".
21
22 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
22
23 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-9-101 of Title 27A, unless
23
24 there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
24
Req. No. 1297 Page 1
1 A. As used in this act:
1
2 1. "Invasive woody species" means a non-native tree or shrub
2
3 species that threatens and causes harm to the environment, water
3
4 resources, or economy. Invasive woody species include, but are not
4
5 limited to, Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar), Juniperus
5
6 scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper), Juniperus monosperma (oneseed
6
7 juniper), and Tamarix ramosissima (salt cedar); and
7
8 2. "Lessee" means any individual, organization, or entity
8
9 leasing state-owned land.
9
10 B. Upon origination of a new lease or renewal of a lease on
10
11 state-owned property after the effective date of this act, a lessee
11
12 shall be required to:
12
13 1. Remove no less than eighty-five percent (85%) of invasive
13
14 woody species on the leased property within two (2) years following
14
15 the origination date of the lease;
15
16 2. Submit a management plan to the Oklahoma Conservation
16
17 Commission outlining the strategy the lessee intends to employ for
17
18 the removal and ongoing maintenance of invasive woody species on the
18
19 property within ninety (90) days of the origination date of the
19
20 lease; and
20
21 3. Maintain the minimum removal requirement of invasive woody
21
22 species pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection throughout the
22
23 duration of the lease.
23
24
24
Req. No. 1297 Page 2
1 C. Lease rates may be reduced to offset the documented costs
1
2 incurred by the requirements of this act. The reduction shall be
2
3 agreed upon between the lessee and the state upon approval and
3
4 review of anticipated costs prior to the origination of the lease.
4
5 D. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission shall:
5
6 1. Provide the lessee with a description of the property with a
6
7 determination of growth by invasive woody species prior to
7
8 origination of the lease to assist with removal pursuant to
8
9 paragraph 1 of subsection B of this section; and
9
10 2. Conduct annual inspections of leased lands to ensure
10
11 compliance with the management plan submitted by the lessee pursuant
11
12 to paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section. The lessee shall
12
13 make the leased property available for inspection upon notice from
13
14 the Commission.
14
15 E. 1. Upon a first violation of this section, the Commission
15
16 shall provide a written notice to the lessee specifying the
16
17 violations and providing the lessee ninety (90) days after notice to
17
18 correct the violation.
18
19 2. If the lessee fails to comply with the contents of the
19
20 written notice pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection, the
20
21 Commission shall:
21
22 a. terminate the lease agreement,
22
23 b. evict the lessee from the property, and
23
24
24
Req. No. 1297 Page 3
1 c. require the lessee to pay restitution for any costs
1
2 incurred by the state due to the lessee's failure to
2
3 comply with the provisions of this act.
3
4 3. If any such costs associated with subparagraph c of
4
5 paragraph 2 of subsection E of this section are not paid within
5
6 ninety (90) days after being assessed by the state, the Commission
6
7 shall bring suit in district court to recover any assessed payments.
7
8 F. The Commission may allow the lessee to contest the findings
8
9 of the notice upon written notice by the lessee to the Commission
9
10 within (30) days of receiving the notice of violation.
10
11 G. No additional state resources shall be allocated for
11
12 invasive woody species management on leased lands beyond those
12
13 provided through routine inspections and administrative functions
13
14 pursuant to this act.
14
15 H. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission shall promulgate any
15
16 rules necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
16
17 SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
17
18 of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
18
19 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
19
20 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
20
21
21
22 60-1-1297 MR 1/19/2025 5:42:34 AM
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 1297 Page 4Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.