Animals; Elk Population Study and Management Act; definitions; comprehensive study of the elk population; requirements; effective date; emergency.

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ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1770 By: Moore of the House

and

Murdock of the Senate

An Act relating to animals; enacting the Elk
Population Study and Management Act; defining terms;
requiring certain organizations to establish a plan
and outline for a comprehensive study of the elk
population within a certain region of the state;
requiring the plan and outline to be completed on a
certain date; providing requirements for the
comprehensive study; providing for coordination with
other relevant state and federal agencies; requiring
the maintenance of detailed accounting and financial
records of appropriations received and expenditures
made; providing that external experts and scientists
may be engaged to complete the study; providing for
codification; providing an effective date; and
declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 4101 of Title 2, unless there is
created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Elk
Population Study and Management Act".
B. As used in this act:

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1. "Authority" refers to the Oklahoma State University
Veterinary Medicine Authority;
2. "Management plan" refers to a document developed based on
the findings of the study that outlines recommended actions for the
conservation and management of elk populations; and
3. "Study zone" refers to the Special Northwest Zone that
encompasses all private lands in Woodward, Dewey, and Ellis
Counties, and a portion of Roger Mills County north of State
Highways 33 and 47 to the north county line and west to the state
border and east to the county line.
C. No later than November 1, 2026, the Oklahoma State
University Veterinary Medicine Authority, in cooperation with the
OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, shall establish a plan and
outline for a comprehensive study of the elk population within the
Special Northwest Zone. The comprehensive study shall assess
current population levels, trends, and habitat usage, and develop
science-based management recommendations aimed at ensuring the long-
term sustainability of elk populations and the health of the
ecosystem. The comprehensive study shall include, but not be
limited to, the following program characteristics:
1. The current elk population size, distribution, and density
within the study zone;

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2. The health and genetic diversity of the elk population,
including disease monitoring and signs of inbreeding or other health
concerns;
3. The effectiveness and impact of current elk population
management strategies, including hunting, predation control, and
habitat conservation; and
4. Recommendations culminating in the form of a management plan
for the conservation and management of elk populations within the
study zone.
D. The Authority may coordinate with other relevant state and
federal agencies to effectuate the provisions of this act. Such
coordination may include requests for temporary suspension and/or
restrictions of elk hunting or harvesting while the comprehensive
study is being conducted.
E. The Authority shall maintain detailed accounting and
financial records of appropriations received and expenditures made
pursuant to the purposes of this act. The Authority may engage
external experts and scientists to plan and implement the
comprehensive study. The engagement of such external experts shall
be implemented in accordance with the policies of the Authority.
The Authority is authorized to carry forward to a future fiscal year
any unexpended funds related to this act.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.

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SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the House of Representatives the 11th day of March, 2026.

Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives

Passed the Senate the _____ day of __________, 2026.

Presiding Officer of the Senate