SB 1172 Summary

• Creates the "Wildlife and Habitat Information for Private Lands Act" governing the Department of Wildlife Conservation's collection of wildlife and habitat information on private property.

• Requires written landowner permission before the Department or its agents can enter private property to conduct scientific investigations and research on wildlife and habitat.

• Makes information collected on private lands confidential and exempt from the Oklahoma Open Records Act; restricts disclosure to landowners unless they provide written consent.

• Allows landowners to revoke consent for information disclosure, requiring the Department to destroy its records and return collected data to the landowner.

• Imposes a $5,000 civil penalty liability for violations of the act, allowing landowners to sue in their county of residence or where the land is located.