OK SB1604

Governor appoints nine (9) members to Oklahoma Water Resources Board, with advice and consent of Senate, one from each of the nine newly created Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPGs) organized by county boundaries, plus two at-large members for total of eleven (11) members.

Initial appointments staggered across five different term lengths: three members for 5 years, two for 4 years, two for 3 years, two for 2 years, and two for 1 year; thereafter all successors appointed to 5-year terms.

Board members must be qualified electors and residents of counties within their respective RWPG; members serve at pleasure of Governor; vacancies filled within 60 days.

Governor must attempt to ensure representation of diverse water user interests including economic development, industrial (oil/gas and power generation), recreational, tourism, agricultural, environmental, municipal, rural water supply, and soil conservation; no more than three members may represent any single interest category.

Board constitutes state body corporate and politic; meets at least monthly; organizes by electing chair and vice-chair annually; maintains powers and authority under Oklahoma Statutes Section 1085.2; emergency clause for immediate effectiveness upon passage and approval.