SB 2157 — Scenic rivers; creating the Southeast Scenic Rivers Act; authorizing the Legislature to designate certain rivers as scenic rivers. Effective date.

5.

Acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or devise, waters, real property, and personal property incident to the exercise of its functions and to maintain, operate, and dispose of the same;

7.

6.

Acquire real property by condemnation only when the Attorney General or other counsel deems it an appropriate means of clearing title from willing or unavailable sellers;

8.

7.

Supervise the establishment, extension, improvement, and operation of the wildlife refuges, propagation areas or stations, public hunting areas, public fishing areas, game management areas, and fish hatcheries;

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3790 Page 3 9.

8.

Prescribe the manner of cooperation with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, colleges and universities within the state, other state agencies, any agency of the federal government, and any city, town, school district, or any other agency or organization in study of conservation and propagation of wildlife and in the establishment, maintenance, and operation of visual educational facilities, recreational facilities, and hunting and fishing facilities, in the study and propagation of wildlife;

9.

Prescribe the manner of cooperation with the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission created in Section 4 of this act;

10.

Supervise the letting of all contracts and purchases for the Department, with all purchases of personal property to be made through the Office of Management and Enterprise Services;

11.

Authorize all claims or expenditures prior to incurring payment except as otherwise provided in this Code;

12.

Prescribe rules on the use of Department-owned vehicles by the Director, department heads and other essential employees as the Commission deems necessary in order to perform their duties;

13.

Prescribe rules for the sale of all regular or special licenses;

14.

Publicize and encourage the conservation and appreciation of wildlife and all other natural resources;

15.

Regulate the seasons and harvest of wildlife;

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3790 Page 4 16.

Promulgate rules to sell fishing and hunting licenses via the Internet;

17.

Annually report electronically to the Governor and the Legislature on the complete operation, activities, and plans of the Department, together with such recommendations for future activities as the Commission may deem to be in the best interest of the state;

and 18.

Provide the Governor and the Legislature with an annual inventory of all property and equipment.

E.

Five (5) years after the effective date of this act July 1, 2024, and every five (5) years thereafter, the Commission shall prepare a report for the Legislature with proposed licensing fees based on the latest Consumer Price Index year-to-date percent change release as of the date of the annual average county wage data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S.

United States Department of Commerce for Legislature approval or rejection.

SECTION 2.

SECTION 3.2.

Req.The Legislature finds that certain free-flowing streams and rivers of Oklahoma possess such unique natural scenic beauty, water, fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreation value of present and future benefit to the people of the state that it is the policy of the Legislature to preserve those areas for the benefit of the people of SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 1 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) Oklahoma.

No.

3790 Page 5 The Legislature finds that certain free-flowing streams and rivers of Oklahoma possess such unique natural scenic beauty, water, fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreation value of present and future benefit to the people of the state that it is the policy of the Legislature to preserve those areas for the benefit of the people of Oklahoma.

SECTION 4.3.

For the purposes of this section:

1.

“Industrial water” includes, but is not limited to, water used in the manufacturing of metals, chemicals, paper, food, and beverages, and for the purpose of mining, power generation, the extraction or washing of minerals or other sources of energy such as oil and natural gas;

and 2.

“Nonlocal” means a municipality or county that is not within the immediate vicinity of a river.

Req.

No.

3790 Page 6 B.

State funds for the Commission shall be provided for by a separate line-item appropriation tothrough the SoutheastOklahoma ScenicWildlife RiversConservation CommissionCommission. and shall be subject to available funding.

C.The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission shall disburse the funds to the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission in the amount and pursuant to the conditions prescribed by the Legislature.

B.

SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 2 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1.

Two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a member of a statewide citizens’ conservation or environmental group and one of whom shall be a member of an accredited statestate-supported college or university specializing in agricultural sciences and natural resources from a list provided by a Senator, chosen by the President Pro Tempore, representing the affected county of the scenic river designation;

Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be from the membership of a Req.federally recognized tribe in one of the counties containing the scenic river area, and one of whom shall be a representative of the agriculture industry from a list provided by a Representative, chosen by the Speaker, representing the affected county of the scenic river designation;

No.

3790 Page 7 federally recognized tribe in one of the counties containing the scenic river area, and one of whom shall be a representative of the agriculture industry from a list provided by a Representative, chosen by the Speaker, representing the affected county of the scenic river designation;

The remaining four members of the Commission shall be selected from the constituency of the Senator or Representative chosen by either the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives, as follows:

SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 3 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) a.

from the registered voters who reside, own real property, or own permanent residential structures Req.within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the Mountain Fork River within Le Flore or McCurtain County.

No.C.

3790 Page 8 within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the Mountain Fork River within Le Flore or McCurtain County.

D.

E.D.

F.SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 4 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) E.

G.F.

Req.G.

No.

3790 Page 9 H.

I.SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 5 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) H.

J.I.

The standards shall be developed and executed in such a manner as to protect and enhance the values that caused the area to be designated a scenic river area without limiting other uses that do not substantially interfere with the protection, public use, and enjoyment of these values.

Primary emphasis on the standards shall be given to protecting the aesthetic, scenic, historic, archeologic, ecological, and scientific features of the scenic river area with due consideration being given to the orderly development of the lands adjacent and contiguous to the scenic river area.

Standards Req.

No.

3790 Page 10 set pursuant to the provisions of this act shall not exceed those established by any other federal or state agency possessing jurisdiction of the designated area.

The standards establishedshall pursuantbe developed and executed in such a manner as to thisprotect subsectionand shallenhance prohibit:the values that caused the area to be designated a scenic rivers area without limiting other uses that do not substantially interfere with the protection, public use, and enjoyment of these values.

a.3.

divertingPrimary water,emphasis includingon industrialthe water,standards forshall nonlocalbe municipalitiesgiven orto countiesprotecting forthe aesthetic, scenic, historic, archeologic, and scientific features of the purposesscenic river area with due consideration being given to the orderly development of sale,the profit,lands poweradjacent generation,and orcontiguous batteryto orthe datascenic storage,river b.area.

diversion4. of water for nonlocal agricultural purposes, or c.

Standards set pursuant to the buildingprovisions of this act shall not exceed those established by any dams,other impoundments,federal or diversionstate structures.agency possessing jurisdiction of the designated area.

ThisNothing paragraphin shallthis notsection applyshall tobe existinginterpreted practicesas orauthorizing structuresthe existingCommission before the effectivepower date of thiseminent act.domain.

K.J.

SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 6 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1.

Such administrator may be commissioned as a peace officerofficer. or game warden.

The administrator may select, appoint, and employ individuals to fill personnel Req.positions authorized, budgeted, and deemed necessary by the Commission to implement the purposes of this act;

No.

3790 Page 11 positions authorized, budgeted, and deemed necessary by the Commission to implement the purposes of this act;

Prepare and adopt a management plan or plans to guide and control private activities and public programs and to include varying degrees of protection and development based on the special attributes of the area;

Accept real and personal property that is granted, bequeathed, devised, or conveyed to the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission to implement the purposes of this act, upon such trusts SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 7 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) and conditions as may be prescribed by the grantors or devisors, upon approval of the Commission;

OwnIdentify andpublic controlor publicprivate accessnuisances pointsthat are adverse to the scenicpurposes riverof area,this issueact useand permits,take andsuch purchaseaction easementsas andpermitted feeby titlelaw to landremove within the designedpublic area.nuisances;

Legal title to the property shall be Req.

No.

3790 Page 12 held in the name of the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission.

Any fee title acquired shall be limited to the specific public access points and the power of eminent domain shall not be used to gain control of such access points;

Own and control public access points to the scenic river area, issue use permits, and purchase easements and fee title to land within the designed area.

Legal title to the property shall be held in the name of the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission;

10.

Upon a finding that such action does not conform or does have an adverse effect, the Commission shall order that the action be nullified, superseded, or amended to the extent necessary to produce such conformity or eliminate such adverse SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 8 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) effect.

10.

Hire an attorney or request legal assistance from the district attorney or the Office of the Attorney General when appropriate and if there is no conflict of interest;

BringHire an actionattorney inor therequest districtlegal courtassistance offrom anythe countydistrict ofattorney this state where service can be obtained on one or more of the defendants,Office toof enjoin the actsAttorney orGeneral practiceswhen thatappropriate appearand toif constitutethere ais violationno ofconflict any provision of thisinterest; act or any rule Req.

No.12.

3790Bring Pagean 13action in the district court of any county of this state where service can be obtained on one or more of the defendants, to enjoin the acts or practices that appear to constitute a violation of any provision of this act or any rule promulgated, and to enforce compliance with the provisions of this act.

and 12.13.

L.SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 9 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) K.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or prevent local farming or ranching, silviculture, forestry, or other agricultural uses and practices.

M.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as granting the Commission the power of eminent domain.

N.

SECTION 4.

AMENDATORY 29 O.S.

2021, Section 3-103, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 6, O.S.L.

2024 (29 O.S.

Supp.

2025, Section 3-103), is amended to read as follows:

Section 3-103.

A.

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission shall constitute an advisory, administrative and policymaking board for the protection, restoration, perpetuation, conservation, supervision, maintenance, enhancement, and management of wildlife in this state as provided in the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code.

B.

The Director shall consult with the Commission regarding the administration of the affairs of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The Commission is authorized and empowered to require from the Director complete reports and information relative to the affairs of the Department at the time and in the manner the Commission may deem advisable.

C.

The Commission shall meet in regular session at least nine times per year not to exceed one meeting per month with not more than two consecutive calendar months between meetings and in special sessions as may be called by the Chair or a majority of the Commission.

The Commission may hold any regular or special session at any location within this state.

Should a location be chosen other than Commission headquarters in Oklahoma City for a regular or SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 10 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) special meeting, notice shall be posted at Commission headquarters in Oklahoma City and advertised in the local newspaper of the city in which the meeting is to be held, at least one time during each of the two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.

The advertisements shall include time, date, and address of location of the meeting.

D.

In addition to the other powers and duties prescribed by law, the Commission shall:

1.

Institute an affirmative action plan for hiring women and minorities throughout the agency;

2.

Elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary, who shall perform the duties required of them by statutes, rules of the Commission, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma.

The chair, vice chair, and secretary shall receive no extra compensation;

3.

2.

Appoint a Director, and determine the qualifications of the Director and all assistants and employees.

A Commissioner shall not be eligible for employment in any position within the Department;

4.

3.

Prescribe rules and policies for the transaction of its business and the control of the Department;

5.

4.

Develop and implement a plan to provide step raises for Commission employees so that discrepancies of pay levels within a pay grade are eliminated;

SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 11 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 6.

5.

Acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or devise, waters, real property, and personal property incident to the exercise of its functions and to maintain, operate, and dispose of the same;

7.

6.

Acquire real property by condemnation only when the Attorney General or other counsel deems it an appropriate means of clearing title from willing or unavailable sellers;

8.

7.

Supervise the establishment, extension, improvement, and operation of the wildlife refuges, propagation areas or stations, public hunting areas, public fishing areas, game management areas, and fish hatcheries;

9.

8.

Prescribe the manner of cooperation with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, colleges and universities within the state, other state agencies, any agency of the federal government, and any city, town, school district, or any other agency or organization in study of conservation and propagation of wildlife and in the establishment, maintenance, and operation of visual educational facilities, recreational facilities, and hunting and fishing facilities, in the study and propagation of wildlife;

9.

Prescribe the manner of cooperation with the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission created in Section 3 of this act;

10.

Supervise the letting of all contracts and purchases for the Department, with all purchases of personal property to be made through the Office of Management and Enterprise Services;

SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 12 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 11.

Authorize all claims or expenditures prior to incurring payment except as otherwise provided in this Code;

12.

Prescribe rules on the use of Department-owned vehicles by the Director, department heads and other essential employees as the Commission deems necessary in order to perform their duties;

13.

Prescribe rules for the sale of all regular or special licenses;

14.

Publicize and encourage the conservation and appreciation of wildlife and all other natural resources;

15.

Regulate the seasons and harvest of wildlife;

16.

Promulgate rules to sell fishing and hunting licenses via the Internet;

17.

Annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the complete operation, activities, and plans of the Department, together with such recommendations for future activities as the Commission may deem to be in the best interest of the state;

and 18.

Provide the Governor and the Legislature with an annual inventory of all property and equipment.

E.

Five (5) years after the effective date of this act, and every five (5) years thereafter, the Commission shall prepare a report for the Legislature with proposed licensing fees based on the latest Consumer Price Index year-to-date percent change release as of the date of the annual average county wage data release from the SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 13 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S.

Department of Commerce for Legislature approval or rejection.

NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 898.3 of Title 82, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

Req.

No.

3790 Page 14 The Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission or a board of county commissioners may, upon the request of a private landowner, authorize the removal of aggregate from the middle section of a designated river or from the riverbank if such removal is determined to improve the flow of the river.

Such removal shall be limited to the amount necessary to accomplish that purpose.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the sale of aggregate removed from the river or riverbank or to authorize commercial mining or gravel operations in such areas.

SECTION 6.

NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 898.4 of Title 82, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

No agency or official of state government shall authorize or concur in plans of local, state, or federal agencies for the construction, operation, or maintenance of any dam or related project in or adjacent to any scenic river designated in Section 3 of this act without legislative consent, except as needed by the municipalities located in the counties or the immediate vicinity of the scenic river for their municipal or domestic water supply if such uses and structures will not significantly interfere with the preservation of the stream as a scenic free-flowing system.

SECTION 7.

60-2-3790COMMITTEE YGREPORT 3/11/2026BY: 4:27:46 PM Req.

No.COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND WILDLIFE February 23, 2026 - DO PASS AS AMENDED 6 8 SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB2157 SFLR Page 14 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments)

3790 Page 15 2 4 6 8 Req.

No.

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