Oklahoma SB 1573: Rural Economic Action Plan of 1996; expanding eligible entities and expenditures. Emergency.

Bill Text

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STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)

SENATE BILL 1573 By: Frix

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to the Rural Economic Action Plan of
1996; amending 62 O.S. 2021, Section 2003, as amended
by Section 1, Chapter 77, O.S.L. 2025 (62 O.S. Supp.
2025, Section 2003), which relates to the
administration of appropriations to the Oklahoma
Water Resources Board; expanding entities eligible to
receive monies; expanding eligible water quality
projects; updating statutory language; and declaring
an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 62 O.S. 2021, Section 2003, as
amended by Section 1, Chapter 77, O.S.L. 2025 (62 O.S. Supp. 2025,
Section 2003), is amended to read as follows:
Section 2003. A. Monies appropriated by law to the Oklahoma
Water Resources Board for the purpose of funding the Rural Economic
Action Plan grant program and the Rural Economic Action Plan Water
Projects Fund shall be administered by the Oklahoma Water Resources
Board as provided by this section.
B. The monies referred to in subsection A of this section shall
be distributed to eligible cities and towns, unincorporated areas,
irrigation districts, rural water districts, or other qualified

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entities located within the areas represented by the following
organizations:
1. Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG);
2. Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG);
3. Central Oklahoma Economic Development District (COEDD);
4. Eastern Oklahoma Economic Development District (EOEDD)
(EODD);
5. Grand Gateway Economic Development Association (GGEDA);
6. Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG);
7. Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO);
8. Northern Oklahoma Development Association Authority (NODA);
9. Oklahoma Economic Development Association Authority (OEDA);
10. Southern Oklahoma Development Association (SODA); and
11. South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA).
C. The monies referred to in subsection A of this section shall
not be expended for the benefit of cities or towns with a population
in excess of seven thousand (7,000) persons according to the latest
Federal Decennial Census. Funds may also be expended for any city
or town with a population below seven thousand (7,000) persons based
upon the current population estimate according to the U.S. Census
Bureau. Funds may be expended for such cities and towns until the
next following Federal Decennial Census. Any municipality may enter
into an agreement with an entity described in subsection B of this
section to apply for available funds described by this section if

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the municipality is located within the area served by the entity.
Upon approval of the application, funds shall be paid to the
municipality requesting the funds.
D. An entity described in subsection B of this section may
apply for a grant to be used for the benefit of an unincorporated
area within a county served by that entity if the area benefited
does not contain a population in excess of seven thousand (7,000)
persons. Any county may enter into an agreement with an entity
described in subsection B of this section if the county is located
within the area served by the entity. Upon approval of the
application, funds shall be paid to the county requesting the funds.
E. The monies referred to in subsection A of this section may
be expended for water quality projects, including, but not limited
to, sewer line construction or repair and related storm or sanitary
sewer projects, water line construction or repair, improvements and
repairs to existing water infrastructure of rural water districts
and irrigation districts, water treatment, water acquisition,
distribution or recovery and related projects.
F. Any city or town with a population less than one thousand
seven hundred fifty (1,750) persons according to the latest Federal
Decennial Census shall have a higher priority for funds allocated by
the Oklahoma Water Resources Board from the amount referred to in
subsection A of this section than jurisdictions of greater size.
Among such cities or towns, those municipalities having relatively

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weaker fiscal capacity shall have a priority for project funding in
preference to other municipalities.
G. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall establish ten
separate accounts containing one-tenth (1/10) of the amount annually
appropriated to