HB 1337 Summary

• Creates the Oklahoma Water Basin Protection Act allowing two or more public agencies to establish water basin districts through interlocal agreements for their respective water drainage basins.

• Establishes a severance fee on stream water transferred outside a water drainage basin by more than 20 miles, with fees set using a least-cost-alternative formula and collected annually by June 30.

• Creates the Oklahoma Water Basin Revolving Fund to receive severance fee revenues, distributed to originating basin districts, federally recognized Indian tribes, and other districts with demonstrated infrastructure needs.

• Authorizes water basin district boards to approve water transfers, develop improvement plans, and use funds for water infrastructure, economic development, and quality-of-life projects within their basins.

• Declares an emergency effective date of July 1, 2011, and exempts permit modifications or renewals issued before the act's effective date from the severance fee.