SB1333 Summary

• Oklahoma Water Resources Board authorized to institute lawsuits on behalf of the state to determine all water rights in stream systems when deemed in the best interests of claimants.

• Board must hold public hearings, provide notice to affected persons, explain rationale for adjudication, consider groundwater impacts, and fully respond to public comments before proceeding.

• Adjudication cannot be a condition for issuing water permits under existing statutory authority.

• Board limited to pursuing only one adjudication suit per stream at a time, covering only the specific stream and excluding tributaries or receiving water bodies.

• Adjudication is prohibited if a majority of persons claiming water rights in the proposed stream system object to it; all costs charged against the state subject to appropriations.