ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2766 Summary

• Requires a valid license from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to cremate deceased animals within the state, with exemptions for veterinary hospitals, political subdivisions, and individual pet owners cremating their own animals.

• License applicants must submit detailed information about the crematory location, owner details, and equipment specifications; initial license fee is $500 annually with potential for rule-based adjustments by the Environmental Quality Board.

• Licenses are issued for one-year terms and renewable annually; the Department must verify that cremation equipment can reduce animal remains to no more than 5% of the body's original weight.

• Licensed crematories must file annual reports with the Department detailing the number of cremations performed and disposition of remains, and are subject to inspections and enforcement actions for violations.

• The act becomes effective November 1, 2014, and residue from cremation may be disposed of in any manner that does not create a public or private nuisance.