OklahomaOklahoma water board may set well spacing alongside yearly groundwater limits
Starting November 1, 2026, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board may set well spacing while deciding how much groundwater each basin can supply each year.
What it does
Starting November 1, 2026, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board may set well spacing alongside each basin’s yearly groundwater limit. This section does not require a hearing near each basin.
Argument forSetting well spacing alongside yearly groundwater limits could help the board coordinate where wells draw water within each basin.
Argument againstWithout a required hearing near each basin, local groundwater users could have fewer guaranteed chances to discuss well spacing close to home.
More detail
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board may set specific distances between wells while deciding how much groundwater each basin can supply each year. The provision covers wells drawing groundwater from Oklahoma basins, the underground areas that hold groundwater. Setting basin-specific spacing is optional. This section does not require a public hearing within or near each major basin or subbasin before the board adopts spacing rules. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 11Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/07/2026Became Law
- May 5Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- May 5Signed, returned to Senate
- May 5Enrolled, to House
- May 4Referred for enrollment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 4Signed, returned to Senate
- May 4Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 61 Nays: 28Major
- May 4General Order
- Apr 15CR; Do Pass Energy and Natural Resources Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Apr 13
- Vote recorded Energy And Natural Resources Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 6Coauthored by Senator(s) Burns
- Vote recorded Agriculture Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 6Policy recommendation to the Energy and Natural Resources Oversight committee; Do Pass AgricultureMinor
- Mar 30Referred to AgricultureMinor
- Mar 30Second Reading referred to Energy and Natural Resources OversightMinor
- Mar 26First ReadingMinor
- Mar 26Engrossed to HousePassed House
- Mar 25Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Advance. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Measure passed: Ayes: 37 Nays: 7Passed Senate
- Mar 25Ayes: 43 Nays: 0
- Mar 25Advanced to Third Reading
- Mar 25General Order, Considered
- Feb 12Coauthored by Representative Newton (principal House author)
- Feb 10Placed on General Order
- Feb 5Reported Do Pass Energy committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to EnergyMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Senator Jech
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Environment & Energy