[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6295146,"mediaKeyId","2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa","parentId",2521092,"title","Committee advances bill awarding liability protections to municipalities that meet maintenance standards for sanitary sewer operations","audioSeconds",319,"startMs",934000,"endMs",1253000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa&start=934&end=1253","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa/thumbnail_934000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6295146/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-awarding-liability-protections-to-municipalities-that-meet-maintenance-standards-for-sanitary-sewer-operations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295146-f8b62a6ec50148af7b8b310664989089/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037205&Signature=X0AJucTyoWMZrVTCkfOPCohzPwEAxRdGVJ~mAN5RlAr0RTH~tBx0Td8MqKXhl2g56Zb6crw0gZZUm1T9CXT-7KszSxd6jBM29pLS97YzYbkIyCjWIkWC4-ybW3i7PSmGAA~-VOIqPMVuxZvhXJYDMttlNy20sy7idceOQAbkjTGeu0CvvZfQFrXLgobXtq8TLB0-zphUKfyIZDyD3pNk2bRztFQLPNZ3-HvJmtcp5ZTk1ofIQa1OkDaGlZ4IcRYwdQJ~QEZ3-3Sg~TJ3XTUAHYIqclB6Cbz5UY2XeVTxLPihzb4ewIQ90qO6jrco7gYiSDJCDTx1O~sxX64xr894nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","OK State Legislature","date","2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 650, presented by Pro Tem Paxton, would establish maintenance and operational standards for municipal sanitary sewer systems and grant liability protections to municipalities that meet those standards, narrowing the scope of nuisance judgments in sewer-backup cases.

The nut graf: proponents described the bill as a response to a judicial ruling that multiplied punitive damages by household counts and has increased payouts from the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group; the bill seeks to limit “jackpot” settlements that deplete municipal resources and divert funds from system upgrades.

Pro Tem Paxton told the committee the bill’s genesis is a judicial change that allowed nuisance awards to multiply by individuals in a household, producing much larger liabilities for municipalities; the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) has faced “enormous claims,” he said. Paxton said the bill does not absolve municipal responsibility for significant backups or public-health events and that the measure aims to keep cities focused on system upgrades rather than litigation payouts. He said the bill increases the portion a city could be responsible for property damage by 40% in some sections to balance citizen protections and municipal solvency.

Committee members asked whether the state could provide financial assistance for municipalities short on funds; Paxton said state savings accounts and grant proposals exist but revenue constraints limit broad state support. The committee considered the bill without extended debate and advanced it by recorded vote. The clerk announced 11 ayes and 0 nays; the chair declared the bill passed out of committee. Ending: sponsor said the bill is intended to keep municipal insurance pools solvent so cities can invest in system fixes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Energy Mar 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 650 would provide municipalities liability protections from certain nuisance claims related to sewer backups if they meet maintenance and operational standards; sponsors said the change prevents “jackpot” attorney awards that deplete municipal funds, while supporters noted potential impacts on claimants and municipal budgets.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature OK, Oklahoma","taxId",78380,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6295150,"Committee advances bill to set time limits for plugging shut-in gas wells; sponsors cite 10-year remedy",403,506000,909000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa&start=506&end=909","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa/thumbnail_506000.jpg","/articles/6295150/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-to-set-time-limits-for-plugging-shut-in-gas-wells-sponsors-cite-10-year-remedy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295150-b9dc57fa68bd7c2ebb4b332a1a677deb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037205&Signature=Aykd65gUTMaQmqUfb0NXhLKNx5st9foN~8jCpg4OmPnXU26h2MONfHHMPKH158lZ38jbomrpnXN-3JA2OZ0ptpb2qlGuQ6KbIyGAMMf4GJKQCqRqY6IUA-OAqCB-~XPrJJvrjU7r5TbSqaArc3AueXOKqLAQ1CrBa8Ne9Jf2Sgl9VYgWJT3DrPNKcy~IT71j4~ozHdoqLuNVULYCbK582M8uigMjyx7oFFhkHoGJJqwqGAyuymwr3AlyYCELNjpvwgAElKkcrp1t~jXNHr2hoKxn~eLj-WsULG0aegVmv3IOWi1BJIwTT6U1jyNdaDPkK0bLH6DwOqhscY7n0sq~wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 132, presented by Senator Burns, would amend state law governing well plugging to establish maximum time periods for plugging exemptions, define relevant terms and require notification and rulemaking related to plugging shut-in wells. The committee advanced the bill after questions about scope and owner obligations.

The nut graf: the sponsor said the bill gives operators a longer statutory window for gas wells—10 years—than existing provisions for oil wells and aims to address long-standing problems with abandoned or inactive wells that can affect landowners and the environment. Committee members pressed whether the bill could force owners to forfeit remaining economically recoverable gas and whether responsibility would fall to the Corporation Commission or state agencies if an operator becomes nonviable.

Senator Burns told the committee the bill does not “take people's property” and gives operators time to return wells to service if economically justified; he said the oil statute currently has a five-year standard and the bill extends the gas window to 10 years with transitional provisions. Senator Murdoch asked whether an operator that is no longer in business would leave responsibility with the OCC to plug the well; the sponsor acknowledged the problem and said it is a remedy he planned to address in future drafting. The sponsor said approximately “26,000 wells” are shut in, a figure cited to show scale.

The committee voted to advance the bill; the clerk recorded 9 ayes and 1 nay. Ending: sponsor and committee noted further clarifications would be needed to address nonviable operators and landowner protections.","Senate Bill 132 would amend state law to define plugging exemptions and set maximum time periods for remedial action on shut-in gas wells, giving owners a 10-year window and earlier prior statutes for oil wells; senators questioned implications for nonviable operators and landowners' protections.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6295154,"Committee advances bill that offers accounting incentives to encourage natural-gas power plants",245,236000,481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa&start=236&end=481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa/thumbnail_236000.jpg","/articles/6295154/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-that-offers-accounting-incentives-to-encourage-natural-gas-power-plants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295154-9f15371edaf3185b0e15637642cfa139/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037205&Signature=Crr-hq5Oydx7IJoulA0YuPF8qFurPKFh5mqnlGZe3gioL7ck1DRkX2zcUkD8nTFnWDhKWbWUi-Y77hhP3OczdLTgd3L6gqpmTlUZDOSMmARu9wt2esrfSJ-O6F6A-dnGV~fFrBVRXhKQ4S2S676dnpjpEY1AmD9Mn~KbqEopOXfTSnYqpMSLXsViDBJNE7pIa5argPS5IiwjrDupEtK7oz0gjLkPtQv9hzZUvYz9jelSJDgBI~nd1Q9Q9uPOETzjouPgBYBFCANNP~wysZDda1cPG9a3mofpBPT10LVabVXJuYNsJuceRGrgh5SJh9mNRM5PMN5TbG8zPJ3dz50Cfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 998, presented to the Senate Energy Committee, would make natural-gas-fired electric generation projects that are procured through a competitive bidding process eligible for accelerated accounting incentives, including allowance to recover construction work-in-progress expenses prior to commercial operation and deferral of 90% of depreciation expenses and return for qualifying plants.

The nut graf: the sponsor and proponents framed the bill as a cost-reduction mechanism that encourages new generation in Oklahoma and protects ratepayers by giving the Corporation Commission authority to require refunds to customers if a project is later terminated; critics said the incentives favor one fuel source over others and amount to a subsidy for fossil fuels.

Senator Gullahar presented the bill, saying the measure “encourages that there is a need for more electric generation in Oklahoma” and described an accounting “pay as you build model” that reduces overall project cost. Senator Bourne objected that the law would privilege natural gas with accounting incentives and described the bill as an example of how “we subsidize natural gas or fossil fuels in Oklahoma.” The sponsor and questioners agreed the bill does not ban other generation types; Senator Raider asked whether the bill would outlaw other sources and the sponsor answered, “No… it’s just encouraging natural gas.”

Committee debate was brief. The chair recorded a voice roll with eight ayes and one nay; the clerk announced the bill passed the committee. Ending: the sponsor thanked the committee.","Senate Bill 998 would let utilities recover certain construction costs and defer depreciation for qualifying natural-gas generation, and gives the Corporation Commission authority to order refunds if a project is terminated; supporters call it cost-reducing while critics said it subsidizes fossil fuels.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6295160,"Committee advances bill giving landowners negotiable rights for solar leases on Commissioners of the Land Office property",802,1551000,2353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa&start=1551&end=2353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa/thumbnail_1551000.jpg","/articles/6295160/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-giving-landowners-negotiable-rights-for-solar-leases-on-Commissioners-of-the-Land-Office-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295160-d2125473d65ae5edc5ab248ef52c1411/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037205&Signature=TM~eudskYENn6FmMkzGC490k2761GOHcjDoK68tLnCDT0MVhQ70ExdwRv3P4Cr6BmFu8f-SVwFCB3rGlvCCCbQe1J-~VxtqJrmxtpqWyRvsi9xWe8W-0OGnMNioNHwmbcvxV2j3CZqG10W1nTI2kVAbMV~JkASjzSCZNRBQ6ToTbPKykKDKVrjtAZxgazd7w9e0MJj-1F~24UoVkzsN5d5t7nW71uSOI9OGv7R6uHx39aUA5goXq1rdfOHsdeDzl3pqN8A5nv-gp2CjKqakAlrOYM0xgaYSi2qHT-zbkvc2eDNYBuTg56aQR-nX~6jcRgvWkhrK2SQIUXlH1uw~~2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 915, advanced by the Senate Energy Committee, would add optional contract language to allow landowners greater ability to negotiate terms with solar developers and would require a payment in lieu of ad valorem tax for commercial solar facilities installed on land owned or leased by the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO).

The nut graf: supporters said the bill preserves agricultural uses while allowing landowners to take lease payments (“mailbox money”), and directs revenue to local taxing entities; critics questioned the bill’s statutory effects on CLO taxation, the bill’s definition of “commercial solar energy facility,” and whether the Corporation Commission has enforcement jurisdiction over private contracts and nonjurisdictional utilities.

Senator Green, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure began focused on CLO land but provides optional language countywide so private landowners may secure grazing or agricultural protections while leasing for solar. He told the committee there are “65,000… acres in the queue for Oklahoma with solar” and argued the bill helps family farms keep productive uses. Senators asked at length about whether CLO currently pays ad valorem tax on its leases and whether the proposed payment-in-lieu requirement would create a new tax obligation for CLO-held land; Senator Murdoch noted that the CLO does not presently pay ad valorem taxes and asked whether the bill would change that.

Committee members also pressed the definition of “commercial solar energy facility.” Senator Bourne asked if the bill would treat small distributed systems as commercial; the sponsor said parking-lot distributed panels are considered distribution rather than generation by staff, not the same as ground-mounted commercial facilities. Senator Bourne and others flagged that the statutory language on page 2 requires installation “on permanent grass” for CLO land, which could bar installations that are not on permanent grass, and suggested cleanup in drafting. Several senators asked whether the Corporation Commission could enforce contract terms for private landowners and for projects in co-op or municipal service territories; the sponsor said the commission has statewide authority and that the bill intends to provide enforcement “teeth” where developers act in bad faith.

The committee voted to advance the bill; the clerk recorded 11 ayes and 0 nays. Ending: the sponsor said he would work with stakeholders and staff on clarifying language (definitions, tax treatment and enforcement scope) as the bill moves forward.","Senate Bill 915 would grant landowners options in solar leases on land owned or leased by the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) and require certain payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes; senators debated scope, definitions and whether CLO is currently tax-exempt.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6295165,"Senate committee advances ban on biosolids with phased deadlines amid PFAS concerns",2273,2397000,4670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa&start=2397&end=4670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521092-55e8d6cf63440574d359617aac7d3bfa/thumbnail_2397000.jpg","/articles/6295165/Oklahoma/Senate-committee-advances-ban-on-biosolids-with-phased-deadlines-amid-PFAS-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295165-0d28ea438f08346a8573911a04a08a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037205&Signature=TSX1FUKH90PWxoU3V7bM9-g6Z1-NuoOL4VLsOjHCTmekes8PQEJl9lzQXA8dwg3mcQk3YUNR2dxNXIippPDZmpHk~~amBlju7A7s-RK1VNITgIwJeRhImOmJEdIvAU57pQeaupBuwW6rH~K5FUZ7ci94j9pWIs8Tk2HFpZxUm3Jkk2E9fbDyaGS4c23yYakZpXvPuWfPb8N5NPRKV1UloeMoschzDqgwQSpRYlFzEQRWM-UKvJKscn9-O6aP80ovYTKOrc5XYOvSl28X9umNNzxtSNJNEWSePPOIqN7yWQnQuJM0tvo7vQAmJiCTPqLmKNxANuCdSyO~EiXCzC6ijw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 3, which would restrict the land application of municipal biosolids and phase in prohibitions over a stepped schedule, was advanced by the Oklahoma Senate Energy Committee after extended debate about environmental testing, municipal capacity and impacts on rural agriculture.

Supporters said the bill responds to concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, in biosolids and the risks those chemicals pose if spread on farmland. Senator Green, the bill’s author, said he moved the measure from a moratorium proposal to a ban after reviewing municipal practices and DEQ briefings: “The more I dig into this, the more I feel like us in rural Oklahoma, we are taking on a municipality issue,” Green said. He said testing and federal guidance remain incomplete and described the bill’s staged rollback as a way to allow time for cities and DEQ to adapt while protecting rural lands.

The bill’s nut graf: supporters argued current biosolids handling risks rural agriculture and the food chain because PFAS and other constituents in treated sewage can persist in soil and water. Green and other backers said delays have allowed continued spreading without clear, consistent federal biosolids standards; opponents asked for realistic timelines and coordination with DEQ and municipalities.

Committee members pressed the author on technical and implementation details. Senator Murdoch and others asked whether drying biosolids before landfill disposal renders them safer; Green said some constituents may remain and that research is ongoing. Senator Rader asked whether the bill’s phrase “any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance” would be triggered by trace detections; Green referenced water-quality testing at 4 parts per trillion and said biosolids standards would differ but were not yet finalized by EPA or DEQ. Senator Kern and others queried whether the stair-step deadlines in the bill give municipalities enough time to build drying infrastructure; Green said DEQ told him municipalities would be placed on consent orders and DEQ would work with them, and that some cities reported available funding to remediate.

Debate included lengthy floor-style remarks from several senators representing rural districts. Senator Jett framed the issue as long-running, saying he had introduced related measures years earlier, and urged disclosure of municipal testing results so rural landowners could assess local risks. Several senators said they supported removing the bill title in committee to allow further negotiation on details and timelines.

The committee adopted an amendment that inserted “sewage” in the bill’s definition language to prevent a statutory end-run, then voted to advance the bill. The clerk recorded the committee vote as 10 ayes and 0 nays; the committee chair declared Senate Bill 3 passed out of committee.

The bill remains in legislative process; supporters said they will continue negotiating precise testing thresholds, enforcement language and phase-in dates with DEQ and municipal stakeholders. Ending: committee members asked the author to circulate municipal testing results where available and to continue work with DEQ on enforceable timelines and consent-order processes.","The Senate Energy Committee passed Senate Bill 3 to phase out certain biosolids land application over a transition period, citing health and agricultural concerns about PFAS; authors and committee members debated timelines, testing limits and municipal capacity to comply.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill awarding liability protections to municipalities that meet maintenance standards for sanitary sewer operations

Committee advances bill to set time limits for plugging shut-in gas wells; sponsors cite 10-year remedy

Committee advances bill that offers accounting incentives to encourage natural-gas power plants

Committee advances bill giving landowners negotiable rights for solar leases on Commissioners of the Land Office property

Senate committee advances ban on biosolids with phased deadlines amid PFAS concerns