OKLAHOMA CITY - Multiple energy-related bills passed off the state House of Representatives’ floor last week as the March 27 deadline required measures to move from the house of origin and crossover to the opposite chamber.
Energy bills making the move include the following:
• House Bill 2751, authored by Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton), pertains to wind energy and proposes to put in place a setback from wind turbines. This would apply to counties that meet cer tain wind speed and population density requirements.
Those requirements include an average wind speed below 9.5 miles per hour according to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and a population density greater than 8.5 per square mile according to the 2020 U.S. Census. The setback would constitute 1.5x the tip height of a wind turbine from the property line or a half mile from an occupied dwelling, whichever is greater, according to a legislative press release.
“At the end of the day, the intent of this legislation is to provide a foundational regulatory framework for wind energy development in the state of Oklahoma while also protecting private property rights. This does not ban wind turbines in the state of Oklahoma. It simply says you have to be a good neighbor,” Caldwell said in the release.
“I appreciate the work of our Republican House members who came together to find a compromise that, while it doesn’t make everyone happy, addresses this issue in a way that works for all of Oklahoma. This bill ensures every county in the state of Oklahoma can make the determination on their own how they want to handle wind development in their local area.”
The measure, which would require the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to maintain a list of counties and their wind setback status, sets out multiple ways for local control to be protected. It would allow a property owner to waive a setback distance from a proposed turbine and would allow 10% of registered voters in a county to vote through an initiative petition to either opt in or opt out; or county commissioners could decide to put the question to a vote of the people.
If passed, the bill would not apply to existing wind turbines in the state.
Caldwell authored two additional energy- related bills that received a f irst hearing in the Senate l ast week. They include:
• HB 2747 promotes affordable and reliable energy generation by championing Oklahoma’s abundant natural gas resources while also restoring state control over high-voltage transmission infrastructure to ensure ratepayer and landowner protections, according to a legislative press release.
“House Bill 2747 creates a level playing field for reliable natural gas generation to outshine federally subsidized renewable resources and support economic growth. This will help us protect ratepayers and landowners from unregulated transmission developers who have no accountability to Oklahomans while ensuring free market competition on the construction of these projects,” Caldwell said in the release.
If eventually signed into law, the measure will protect Oklahomans and encourage economic growth by: -- Modernizing state regulations to increase new natural gas generation. It will give natural gas a fair chance to compete against federally-subsidized renewables by reducing the cost of b uilding natural gas plants and enabling them to be built faster.
-- Enhancing existing natural gas power plants and other key critical infrastructure, such as distribution lines and equipment, to boost efficiency and provide more reliable power now and in the future.
-- Keeping rates affordable by requiring any changes to critical infrastructure to be reviewed through the traditional rate review process at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
-- Preventing ratepayers from funding subsidies used to switch from one fuel source appliance to another in furtherance of liberal energy policies.
-- Requiring a state-administered competitive bidding process for high-voltage transmission lines constructed in Oklahoma and reinstating the OCC’s right to oversee the costs before a single cent can be passed on to Oklahoma ratepayers.
-- Ensuring landowners are protected from out-of-state developers placing high-voltage transmission on their property for 50 years or more with no oversight by or accountability to the State.
• HB 2752, which pertains to eminent domain and would amend the state’s eminent domain law by placing new restrictions on how electric and gas utilities can use eminent domain powers. The measure, in part, would specifically prohibit the use of eminent domain for siting or building renewable energy facilities such as wind turbines, solar facilities, battery storage and hydrogen gas facilities on private property.
Other energy-related measures, authored by other legislators, that showed movement last week include bills that would allow businesses producing electricity only for itself to avoid regulation as a public utility; limiting wind turbines near military installations and operations; placing setbacks on solar energy and industrial battery storage facilities; establishing an advisory committee to study renewable energy solutions and how the agriculture industry might benefit; and requiring electric utilities seeking to build new facilities to solicit and acquire a Certificate of Authority from the Corporation Commission.
In all, Caldwell authored or co-sponsored 12 bills that saw legislative action last week.
Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) authored three bills that received a f irst hearing in the Senate. They are:
• HB 1374, also known as “behind the meter legislation” and relates to utilities. The measure would allow private industry to develop and manage their own power solutions “behind the meter.” If it becomes law, according to a leg islative press release, the measure could open the door for billions of dollars in new economic development across Oklahoma.
“House Bill 1374 is a proactive solution that could help address the bottleneck in grid connections, especially for large industrial consumers,” Boles said in the release. “By enabling the private sector to fund and develop energy infrastructure, the bill would alleviate pressure on Oklahoma’s electric grid, allowing businesses to meet growing energy demands more efficiently.”
The intent of the measure is to encourage economic growth in the state, particularly in light of Oklahoma’s abundant natural gas resources.
• HB 1371 is known as the Production Revenue Standard Act and would amend the state’s existing law regarding gas and oil production revenue payments. The measure specifically targets how and when proceeds must be paid to the owners. It also addresses interest calculation for uncashed or undeliverable physical payment checks, which will not continue to earn interest after the f irst mailing date.
• HB 1427 proposes to modify existing state tax law in regards to clean burning motor vehicle fuel property tax credits. It would extend and adjust tax credits for investments in alternative fuel vehicle technologies.
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin) authored three bills that received a first hearing in the Senate last week. They are:
• HB 1364, which would prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop revenge pornography. Revenge pornography is defined as when a person shares private sexual images without the consent of the depicted person and intends to humiliate that person.
“Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the landscape of both innovation and privacy, and it’s critical that our laws evolve to protect our citizens from potential harm,” Hasenbeck said, in a press release.
• HB 1273, which pertains to domestic violence and seeks to modify laws by updating requirements for batterers’ intervention programs and treatment for offenders. In part, the measure seeks to have intervention programs certified by the attorney general.
• HB 1388 is a measure pertaining to schools and would establish the Protecting Oklahoma’s Children on Social Media Act of 2025. The intent is to enhance online safety for minors.
Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) authored one bill that received a first hearing in the Senate last week. HB 2603, which relates to motor carriers and would create the Motor Carrier Public Safety Enforcement Act. The measure specifically addresses transferring certain powers, duties and responsibilities from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to the Department of Public Safety.
Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton) authored three bills that received a first hearing in the Senate last week. They are:
• HB 2012, which would extend the operations of state harm-reduction programs through July 1, 2027. The measure ensures harm-reduction services such as needle exchange programs and rapid sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing can continue their work. The programs, which must be registered with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) but cannot use state funding, are currently set to expire in 2026, according to a press release.
“Harm-reduction programs are an essential tool in saving lives and protecting public health,” Pae said, in the release. “These programs not only combat the spread of disease but also provide critical resources for individuals in need. This is a step forward for Oklahoma, as we work to support our communities and provide better access to life-saving services.”
Statistics show that the four harm-reduction programs currently registered with OSDH distributed 578,330 syringes and 25,125 naloxone kits between 2022 and 2024. Additionally, the programs reported 1,212 overdose reversals and referred 1,528 individuals for substance use education or STI/HIV testing.
• HB 2013 is a me asure relating to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and would create Dylan’s Law, which would provide insurance coverage for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy; prohibiting refusal of coverage or renewal based on epilepsy diagnosis; mandating coverage for seizure protection; authorizing Service Oklahoma to create certain driver licenses for people diagnosed with epilepsy; prescribing the use of a unique symbol; and making the use of the symbol voluntary.
The measure is named in honor of Dylan Whitten, who died in 2017 at the a ge of 25 due to SUDEP, according to a press release. SUDEP is a fatal complication of epilepsy, referring to the sudden death of a person with epilepsy where no other cause is found.
Pae worked on the measure with Dylan’s sister, Hannah Whitten. The bill would require the State Commissioner of Health to provide epilepsy education for medical professionals to help them identify patients at risk for SUDEP. The Chief Medical Examiner’s office would also train staff to recognize SUDEP.
If the proposal is signed into law, people with epilepsy could voluntarily add a symbol to their state-is sued driver’s license or ID card to help law enforcement and emergency responders identify them. The symbol could also be added to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, and individuals could remove it at any time, according to the release.
• HB 2017 intends to improve school board policies on bullying. The proposal would require the adoption of procedures for students, school employees, school volunteers, or parents or legal guardians to report acts of bullying. Additionally, school boards must hold public hearings before the adoption or modification of the bullying policy, according to a press release.
If approved, the measurement will require the addition of a state ment prohibiting retaliation against a school employee who notifies the district board of education or the State Department of Education of noncompliance with the established bullying policy.
Responsibilities of each school district’s Board of Education are outlined in the 17-page bill, along with responsibilities of the State Board of Education. In part, the State Board of Education will be tasked with periodically monitoring school districts for compliance and providing sanctions for noncompliance with the terms of this proposed bill.
In addition, the State Board of Education will also be responsible for establishing and maintaining a central repository for the collection of information regarding documented and verified incidents of bullying, and to publish a report annually on the State Department of Education website regarding the number of documented and verified incidents of bullying in the public schools in the state.