Governor Kevin Stitt wasted little time in using his veto pen to reject HB 3194 which would mandate that “The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall require that all water wells requiring a permit to take and use groundwater from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board be equipped with water well flow meters or an alternative measuring system as defined by the Board.”
According to the Governor, “House Bill 3194 is government overreach at it’s finest. House Bill 3194 is an unfunded mandate which would require all permitted water wells to be equipped with a water meter that will cost thousands of dollars per meter. While forcing water meters of Oklahomans may seem innocuous, it is undoubtedly a violation of private landowners rights and emboldens the government to continue down that path.
“For these reasons, I have vetoed Enrolled House Bill 3194.”
Both the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association are cheering the Veto by the Governor.
According to the Farm Bureau statement- “Oklahoma Farm Bureau asked the governor to veto the bill after it unexpectedly passed the Senate and was sent to the governor in the middle of stakeholder negotiations.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel released the following statement today, praising the governor’s veto:
“Oklahoma Farm Bureau members thank Gov. Kevin Stitt for standing up for Oklahomans’ property rights today with his veto of HB 3194.
“As family farmers and ranchers who care for and rely upon our state’s natural resources, Farm Bureau members recognize that groundwater is a vital private property right in Oklahoma and is essential to ensuring the security of the United States’ food supply. Any changes to how those rights can be utilized should be developed through thoughtful consideration from stakeholders around the state.
“Oklahoma Farm Bureau is committed to achieving the goal of responsible water use and conservation, and we look forward to working on this shared goal with the legislature in the future.”
Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association also provided a statement to the Oklahoma Farm Report thanking the Governor for the Veto- Kelsey says “Groundwater is a fundamental private property right. OCA appreciates the Governor’s veto of HB 3194 and further agrees with his opinion that the bill is an unfunded mandate that burdens landowners. OCA is strongly committed to the protection of the quality and the right of groundwater and we recognize that we must work cooperatively to effect sound water policy.”
