STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE BILL 800	By:	Crain

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to water planning; creating the Water Cooperation Act; providing short title; requiring Oklahoma Water Resources Board to create Water Cooperation Boards and Districts; requiring certain meetings; stating purpose; requiring certain notice; directing Board to use funds for certain goals; stating authority of Board; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1086.11 of Title 82, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Regional Water Cooperation Act".
SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1086.12 of Title 82, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  There shall be created within the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) five (5) Water Cooperation Board.  The boundaries of these boards shall be established by the OWRB, using county boundaries, with emphasis on achieving a commonality of interests regarding water infrastructure projects.  The purpose of these boards shall be to advise the OWRB by proposing infrastructure projects and identifying local needs to ensure an adequate water supply to serve each area.  As part of this purpose, public stakeholder meetings shall be held at least annually to obtain comment and input from interested citizens and cooperation among public and private entities.
B.  The OWRB shall provide notice of these meetings on its website in addition to providing notice by publication, no fewer than three (3) times, in a newspaper of general circulation in the district or, if no such newspaper serves the entire district, in as many newspapers as necessary to provide actual notice throughout the district. Notice shall also be provided two (2) times in a newspaper with statewide circulation.  The notice shall announce the time, date and location of the public stakeholder meeting.
C.  The OWRB shall conform to the requirements of the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act in holding these public stakeholder meetings.
SECTION 3.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1086.13 of Title 82, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall assist, advise and encourage the development of infrastructure projects and shall establish mechanisms to use its loan and grant funding within each of the five (5) designated districts to encourage and reward cooperation.
B.  The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall consider the needs and requests evolving from the public stakeholder meetings.  However, the Board shall maintain overall authority and jurisdiction and ensure a statewide perspective is maintained and that projects conducted in one district is not to the detriment of the needs within other districts.
SECTION 4.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2013.
SECTION 5.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

54-1-586	 MJM	1/17/2013 11:56:32 AM