Senate Bill 996 Summary

• Creates the Emergency Drought Protection Special Fund under the Oklahoma Conservation Commission's control to provide drought relief resources.

• Fund may only be expended when the Governor declares a drought emergency under Title 2, Section 16-26 of Oklahoma Statutes, with the Governor setting funding priorities.

• Authorized expenditures include pond construction/cleanup, water conservation in agriculture, livestock water provision, rural fire suppression, red cedar eradication, drought-related soil conservation, and other Governor-identified drought response activities.

• All fund expenditures require approval by the Conservation Commission with preference for activities lacking other legislative appropriations, and warrants must be approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

• Bill declared an emergency measure effective upon passage and approval.