OKLAHOMA CITY – Landowners won in what could have been a devastating federal land grab last December, if a proposed national energy corridor would have been permitted to cross through the northern part of the state.
State legislators prefiled House Concurrent Resolution 1001 on Dec. 12 and vowed “to take all legislative action available to prevent the establishment of an 18-mile wide federal energy corridor in Oklahoma,” said a House of Representatives press release.
House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) filed the resolution and Sen. Grant Green (R-Wellston) was the principal senate author. Hilbert acknowledged his appreciation of his House and Senate colleagues who signed on to support the measure.
“Everyone in Oklahoma should be concerned by this federal land grab attempt if the NIETC (National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor) designation is granted,” said Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow). “We stand ready to do all we can at the Legislature to stop it and look forward to working with a DOE under President- elect Trump, who will better understand and respect private property rights while pushing American energy independence.'
One day after HCR 1001 was prefiled, the Biden administration’s Department of Energy scrapped the proposed plan. The resolution text said that the corridor was anticipated to be utilized for the placement of large electric transmission lines, wind turbines and solar energy generation farms.
“My team and I have been in contact with the Department of Energy and received the welcome news that the threat of federal eminent domain to Oklahoma landowners is gone,” said U.S. Sen. James Lankford (ROK) in a press release. “The Biden administration has worked against landowners in Oklahoma for years and I’m pleased to see that our efforts to push back on their terrible policies is working. This is a huge win for Oklahoma landowners.”
Leading up to the Monday, Feb. 3, opening of the First Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, southwest Oklahoma legislators have prefiled multiple proposed bills. The deadline for filing bills is at 4 p.m. on Jan. 16.
House Bill 1017 Boles is co-author of House Bill 1017, which pertains to the proposed Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act and the Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission. The measure was authored by Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton).
In part, the purpose of the legislation is to establish a new intercollegiate athletic conference, with name to be determined, to promote and regulate college athletics among member institutions within the state. It will be designed to provide enhanced athletic competition, foster community and state pride, support student athletes educational experiences by giving more time in the classroom and creating higher graduation rates.
Other goals of the new athletic conference include reduction of university athletic budgets due to less travel and providing better in-state rivalries to enhance student and spectator experience. It also aims to allow better in-state recruiting to keep Oklahoma students in Oklahoma. Compliance with both state and federal regulations governing college athletics will be ensured.
Sunset extensions Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus) has prefiled 15 proposed bills to date. Fourteen of the measures are related to extending the sunset years of varied Oklahoma boards and commissions. They include: The Archives and Records Commission; the Capitol-Medical Center Improvement and Zoning Commission; the State Board of Licensed Social Workers; the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Council; the Oklahoma Funeral Board; the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering; the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, the State Anatomical Board; the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board; the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure; the Opioid Overdose Fatality Review Board; the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners; and the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
Computer Data Privacy Act Legislative statistics show the most monitored prefiled bill to date is HB 1012, which pertains to the Oklahoma Computer Data Privacy Act, consumer protection and civil fines. It was co-authored by Reps. Josh West (R-Grove) and Nick Archer (R-Elk City).
The bill text provides 22 definitions of terms and phrases related to the act and provides various scenarios in regard to what is considered private and public information and how the act would be applied. The proposed measure is 49 pages long.