Oklahoma farmers and ranchers navigating the peak of fall harvest season may soon see temporary relief from dyed diesel enforcement. In a formal letter sent September 28, 2026, Governor J. Kevin Stitt called upon state agencies to ease regulatory burdens on agricultural producers grappling with sharp spikes in diesel fuel prices.
The directive, addressed to Oklahoma Tax Commission Executive Director Doug Linehan, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton, and Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chairman Kim David, asks the agencies to adjust enforcement priorities regarding dyed diesel fuel for the next 120 days.
Pointing to the critical timing of the agricultural calendar, Stitt stressed that escalating fuel expenses directly impact crop harvesting, livestock and commodity transport, and the state’s broader food supply chain.
Under the proposed 120-day measure, Stitt requested that DPS and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission refrain from initiating inspections, citations, or enforcement actions aimed solely at the presence or use of dyed diesel fuel in highway vehicles.
Additionally, the Governor called on the Oklahoma Tax Commission to immediately pursue dyed diesel fuel penalty relief from the Internal Revenue Service for qualifying Oklahoma agricultural users, while implementing state-level mechanisms to facilitate tax reporting and payment during the relief period.
“Oklahoma agriculture is essential to our economy and our way of life,” Stitt wrote. “At a time when our producers are confronting extraordinary fuel costs, state government should ensure that its enforcement resources are focused on protecting public safety, rather than unnecessarily burdening farmers and ranchers working to bring their products to market.”
