reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.12. Water delivery prohibited in delinquent cases.

No water shall be delivered to any land on which there are delinquent assessments owed to the district. Before any water user who has been delinquent is entitled to the delivery of water, such water user shall procure from the secretary-treasurer a certificate that all assessments have been paid.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 12, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 13, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.14. Irregularity or error in land description not jurisdictional.

Any irregularity or error in a description of land shall not be deemed jurisdictional if the land can otherwise be identified.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 14, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 14, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.15. Payment of claims against district.

No claims for goods or services shall be paid by the district until the claims have been allowed by the board. The claims shall be paid only upon warrants signed by the manager and countersigned by the secretary-treasurer. The warrants shall state the date authorized by the board and for what purpose. No warrant shall be issued or obligation incurred unless the district has sufficient funds on hand to pay such warrant when it is presented for payment. The district shall keep records of each warrant as issued and as presented for payment, showing the date and amount of such warrant, to whom payable, the date of the presentation for payment, and the date of payment. All warrants shall be drawn payable to the claimant or bearer.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 15, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 15, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.16. Consolidation.

Two or more districts desiring to consolidate into one district may file a petition with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and shall attach the following:
1. A certified resolution authorizing the same approved by the board of directors of all the districts;
2. A certified resolution authorizing the same approved by the electors of the districts in a meeting called in each district for that purpose;
3. Approval by the bondholders of the districts; and
4. Any additional data and information required by rules and regulations of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
After receipt thereof, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board may approve or disapprove the petition as it deems advisable. If the petition is approved, an amended order shall be issued and filed of record in the office of the county clerk of each county or counties wherein lands included within the consolidated district are located within thirty (30) days after date of issuance.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 16, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 16, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.17. Tax exemptions.

A. All property, owned or purchased by a district, both real and personal and reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of the district, shall be exempt from taxation by this state, or by any municipal corporation, county or other political subdivision or taxing district of this state. All property, products and benefits sold, leased or furnished by a district shall be exempt from sales tax.
B. All bonds, notes and warrants and the interest thereon issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Irrigation District Act shall be exempt from taxation by this state or by any municipal corporation, county or other political subdivision or taxing district of this state.
C. 1. All districts organized under the provisions of the Oklahoma Irrigation District Act shall be exempt from the payment of sales and use taxes on purchases and use of tangible personal property in this state.
2. Districts shall be exempt from payment of the vehicle excise tax levied on the transfer for first registration of vehicles purchased and used in this state.
3. All districts organized under the provisions of the Oklahoma Irrigation District Act shall be exempt from the payment of motor fuel excise taxes, as provided in Section 500.10 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 1973, c. 179, § 17, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973. Amended by Laws 1992, c. 69, § 17, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992; Laws 2009, c. 426, § 19, eff. July 1, 2009.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.18. Dissolution.

A. Upon petition by twenty-five percent (25%) of the electors of a district, the board shall call a special election to determine whether the district should be dissolved and a settlement of its financial obligations made.
B. The election shall be conducted as provided by the bylaws of the district. If the electors vote to dissolve the district, the board shall immediately notify all persons having claims against the district of the result of such election and shall adjust, settle and pay all claims.
C. If the amount realized from the sale of district property, together with other money of the district, is insufficient to pay the indebtedness of the district, assessments shall continue to be made against the land in the district until all obligations are paid.
D. Within thirty (30) days after all the property of the district has been disposed of and all of its obligations have been paid, the board shall file a certificate of dissolution in the office of the county clerk of each county in which the district is located, and in the office of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The certificate shall be signed by the president and attested by the secretary-treasurer, with the seal of the district affixed. The certificate shall state that the district has disposed of its property, has been dissolved and shall describe the lands released from the district.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 18, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 18, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.19. Inactive districts.

If a district is inactive, the district judge of the county in which the greater part of the district is situated may designate a board of directors who shall act with the same authority and in the same manner in dissolving the district as if such board had been duly elected officers of the district.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 19, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 19, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.20. Holding and conveyance of property.

The district shall hold title to its property in its corporate name for the uses and purposes of the district unless required to hold title in some other name or manner by the United States or this state. The formation of a district shall not transfer water rights to the district under lands included within the district. Any district which contracts with the State of Oklahoma or the United States may convey district property, with or without consideration, if such property is needed by this state or the United States in connection with the construction, operation or maintenance of an irrigation project.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 20, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 20, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.21. Conflict of interest.

A. Except for contracts of employment, directors and employees shall not be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract entered into by the district unless the district court of the county wherein the principal office of the district is located considers the contract, the interest of such persons therein and approves the execution thereof.
B. Directors and employees shall not:
1. Directly or indirectly accept or request any compensation, gift, loan, entertainment, favor, or service given for the purpose of influencing such director and employee in the discharge of his official duties;
2. Directly or indirectly spend district funds or permit any property of the district to be used for political campaigns;
3. Engage in political campaigns in the name of the district;
4. Disclose confidential information acquired by reason of their official positions to any person, group, or others not entitled to receive such confidential information; or
5. Use confidential information acquired by reason of their official position for their personal gain or benefit.
C. A director shall immediately forfeit his office in the event he sues the district for any action, directly or indirectly, related to the operation of the district.
D. The failure of a director or employee to comply with these prohibitions shall constitute a willful neglect of duty and shall be grounds for removal from office.
E. Every person who knowingly and willfully violates this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by the imposition of a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by confinement in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 21, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 21, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.23. Electors, who may become.

A. A municipality may become an elector in the district by action of the council or trustees in execution of the petition by the mayor or chairman and attestation by the clerk. The mayor or chairman may cast one vote on behalf of such municipality in all district elections and shall agree to pay an amount equal to the assessments against lands owned or held in trust by such municipality. Membership by such municipality shall not prevent residents therein who are qualified pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Irrigation District Act from being electors of the district.
B. A corporation may become an elector in the district by action of its board of directors and execution of the petition by its president and chairman and attestation by its secretary-treasurer. The president or chairman may cast one vote on behalf of such corporation in all district elections and shall agree to pay an amount equal to the assessments against lands owned or held in trust by such corporations.
C. The United States or the State of Oklahoma or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and the Commissioners of the Land Office, may become electors in districts organized pursuant to the Oklahoma Irrigation District Act and are authorized to agree to pay an amount equal to the assessments against lands owned or held in trust by such governmental entity, agency, instrumentality or department responsible for the supervision of land within a district, shall have one vote in the district and may exercise such vote through the chief officer of such agency or his designated representative.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 23, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 22, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.24. Salt water - Exemption.

The provisions of the Oklahoma Irrigation District Act shall not apply to the taking, use, or disposal of salt water associated with the exploration, production and recovery of oil and gas.
Laws 1973, c. 179, § 24, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69, § 23, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-277.26. Transfer and substitution of land unsuitable for irrigation.

A landowner who owns assessed irrigable land which is no longer useful or suitable for irrigation may transfer and substitute such land for other land owned by such landowner within the district or to land outside of but adjacent to the district when such transfer is approved by the board of directors of the district. The unsuitable land from which the transfer is made shall become nonirrigable land and the land to which the transfer is made shall become irrigable land.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 69, § 25, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-501. State Board authorized to organize conservancy districts - Members of board as directors of districts.

In addition to the powers conferred upon the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma by Article 5, Chapter 70, Oklahoma Statutes of 1931, as amended by House Bill Number 84, of the Fifteenth Legislature, the said Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma is hereby authorized and empowered to determine and map proposed water conservancy and/or water improvement districts and/or soil erosion prevention districts and to perfect the organization of such proposed districts in the manner as hereinafter prescribed. For the purposes of this act and other Laws in connection therewith, the members of the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma may be, by the courts upon which jurisdiction is hereinafter conferred, appointed directors of the conservancy districts hereafter created under the authority of this act.
Laws 1935, p. 343, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-502. Organization of districts - Petition - Notice.

When in the opinion of the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma, the organization of irrigation, flood control, reforestation and/or soil erosion prevention districts is necessary and expedient to effect the purposes and intentions of House Bill No. 84, of the Fifteenth Legislature and all laws to which said act is cumulative, said Commission may perfect the organization of said district or districts by filing with the court hereinafter prescribed a petition alleging the necessity of said district, describing with common certainty the area proposed to be included therein and praying for an order of the court directing the formation and organization thereof. Upon the filing of such petition, without affidavit or further pleading, the clerk of such court shall give notice to all persons interested in or affected by the formation of any such district by publication once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper, published in the county seat of each county in which any part of the proposed district is located. Said notice shall run in the name of the State of Oklahoma, shall be captioned "In the matter of the formation of the ....... conservancy district" and shall be addressed "To all persons interested" in the formation thereof; said notice shall recite the filing of such petition and describe with common certainty the area proposed to be included in such district and shall notify all persons interested or affected by the organization of such district to appear in not less than fifteen (15) days after the date of the first publication of said notice and show cause, if any they have, why such district should not be organized.
(a) In cases where all of said proposed district lies within one county, the petition for the organization thereof shall be filed with the district court of such county and where the proposed district lies in more than one county, but within one judicial district, such petition may be filed in either county of such judicial district.
(b) In cases where the proposed conservancy district lies in more than one judicial district, the petition for the formation thereof shall be filed in the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma. When such petition is filed in the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, the clerk shall docket the same as an original action in such Court and the Supreme Court or any member thereof, shall forthwith determine which district court of this state is more conveniently near the center or middle of said proposed district and can hear and determine said petition to the greatest convenience of the people within said district, having in view the customary route of travel; and shall thereupon refer and assign said petition and proceeding to such district court and direct the hearing, determination and control and administration of such proceeding as an original action therein.
Laws 1935, p. 343, § 2 emerg. eff. April 26, 1935.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-503. Hearing on petition - Order for formation of district.

Upon the hearing had upon any such petition filed as hereinabove set out, if it shall appear to the court that the purposes of Chapter 70, Article 5, Oklahoma Statutes of 1931, as amended by House Bill No. 84, Of the Fifteenth Legislature, will be best served by the creation of the conservancy district and the owners of a majority of the area of land in the proposed district have not filed written protest against the formation of such district, the court shall, by its findings duly entered of record, adjudicate all questions of jurisdiction and declare the districts organized, giving it a name or number in its discretion, by which it shall be known in all proceedings; provided, that no assessment for benefits shall be levied by a conservancy district created under this act.
Laws 1935, p. 344, § 3.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-504. Decree to describe district - State Board as directors.

In such decree the court shall designate the general description of the outline of said district and shall appoint as directors thereof the members of the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma and their successors in office, who shall thereupon have and exercise with reference to such conservancy districts all powers and duties conferred upon said Commission by Chapter 70, Article 5, Oklahoma Statutes of 1931, as amended by House Bill No. 84, of the Fifteenth Legislature of the State of Oklahoma.
Laws 1935, p. 344, § 4.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-505. State Board to control district - Redress accorded persons injuriously affected.

Upon the creation of any such conservancy district, as herein provided, the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma, shall have authority and is hereby empowered and authorized to take such action as is deemed necessary by said Commission to properly carry out the intention and purpose of Chapter 70, Article 5, Oklahoma Statutes of 1931, as amended by House Bill No. 84, of the Fifteenth Legislature of the State of Oklahoma, and said Commission or any member thereof, its servants, agents and employees shall have the right of ingress and egress upon all property comprising said conservancy district; provided, that any person, firm or corporation, private or public, who shall consider itself or himself injuriously affected in any manner whatsoever by any act performed by any official or agent of said Commission may seek redress according to subsection (L), Section 6, House Bill No. 84, of the Fifteenth Legislature of the State of Oklahoma.
Laws 1935, p. 344, § 5.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-507. Costs.

Any petition filed under authority of this act by the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma shall be accepted and filed by the clerk of the court in which the same is filed without costs, and all proceedings thereunder shall be had without cost to the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma, except that such Commission shall be liable for all costs of publishing the notices herein prescribed.
Laws 1935, p. 345, § 7, emerg. eff. April 26, 1935.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-508. Appeal from organization of district - Collateral attack.

The Conservation Commission or any landowner affected by any proposed conservancy district or by the creation of any conservancy districts under the provisions of this act, who is aggrieved by any order refusing to establish or establishing such district may, within one hundred eighty (180) days after the rendition of such order, appeal from the same to the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma upon giving bond in the sum to be fixed by the court. Provided, however, that where any order is made organizing any such district, such judgment shall not be superseded pending appeal unless fifty-one percent (51%) of the landowners affected by such order join in the appeal. The organization of any conservancy district hereunder shall not be subject to collateral attack in any suit, action or proceeding except as to jurisdictional questions.
Laws 1935, p. 345, § 8.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-509. Act cumulative.

This act shall be cumulative to Chapter 70, Oklahoma Statutes of 1931, as amended by House Bill No. 84, of the Fifteenth Legislature of the State of Oklahoma, and the powers, duties and limitations hereby imposed upon the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma shall be in addition to those already imposed by said laws.
Laws 1935, p. 346, § 10.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-521. County commissioners - Duties concerning conservation - Cooperation with State Board.

The board of county commissioners of the various counties of the State of Oklahoma are hereby authorized to cooperate with the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma in all instances where such cooperation is necessary and will expedite the provisions of this act or any other act to which this act is cumulative, and such boards are further empowered and authorized to devise methods and means to stop and/or prevent soil erosion or soil drifting in their respective counties. In any county or any part thereof of the state where the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma has not exercised its powers for the prevention and control of soil erosion, the board of county commissioners may order the land subject to soil erosion and drifting to be cultivated, plowed, listed or planted, or may in any other manner take such steps as are necessary to prevent such soil erosion and drifting. Upon any such order being made by the board of county commissioners, all owners of land within the district designated by the board of county commissioners shall forthwith take such steps as are designated by said board and in case any land owner shall fail or refuse to comply therewith, the board of county commissioners is hereby authorized to employ agents to go upon the land of any such person who shall fail or refuse to comply with such orders, for the purpose of plowing, ditching, listing or planting the same to prevent soil erosion and drifting, and said board of county commissioners is hereby expressly authorized to assess reasonable charges for such services against such lands affected thereby, which charges and assessments shall be levied and collected as other taxes on real estate; provided, that no order for the plowing, ditching, listing or planting of any lands in any given area shall be ordered by any board of county commissioners unless and until sixty percent (60%) of the land owners of such area have filed with such board of county commissioners written requests for such action.
Laws 1935, p. 345, § 9.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-526.3. Approval by Texas and New Mexico - Consent of Congress.

The ratification and approval of said Compact by this state shall not be binding or obligatory until it shall have been likewise approved by the Legislature of the State of Texas and the Legislature of the State of New Mexico and consented to by the Congress of the United States of America.
Laws 1951, p. 331, § 3.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-531. Short title - Definitions.

This act may be known and cited as the "Conservancy Act of Oklahoma"; the bonds which may be issued hereunder may be briefly called "conservancy bonds," and shall be so engraved or printed on their face; the districts created hereunder shall be briefly termed "conservancy districts."
The books and records provided for hereunder shall be termed "Conservancy Books of Conservancy Record," and such titles shall be printed, stamped or written thereon.
Wherever the term "publication" is used in this act and no manner specified therefor, it shall be taken to mean three insertions in a weekly paper or in one (1) issue a week for three (3) weeks in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties wherein such publication is to be made.
Wherever the term "person" is used in this act, and not otherwise specified, it shall be taken to mean person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation, other than county, city, town or other political subdivision. Similarly, the words "public corporation" shall be taken to mean counties, cities, towns, school districts, road districts, ditch districts, park districts, levee districts and all other governmental agencies clothed with the power of levying general or special taxes or assessments.
Wherever the term "court" is used, and not otherwise specified, it shall be taken to mean the district court wherein the petition for the organization of the district was filed or assigned.
Wherever the terms "land" or "property" are used in this act, they shall, unless otherwise specified, be held to mean real property, as the words "real property" are used in and defined by the laws of the State of Oklahoma, and shall embrace all railroads, tramroads, roads, electric railroads, street and interurban railroads, streets and street improvements, telephone, telegraph, and transmission lines, gas, sewerage and water systems, pipelines and rights-of-way of public service corporations, and all other real property whether public or private.
Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 161, § 1; Laws 1957, p. 552, § 1; Laws 1959, p. 374, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-532. Change of names of boards, commissions, etc. - Transfer of powers and duties to Oklahoma Planning and Resources Board.

Whenever the words "Commission of Drainage and Irrigation" occur in Chapter 139 of the 1923-1924 Session Laws of the State of Oklahoma, and where the words "Commission of Drainage and Irrigation and Reclamation," and whenever the words "Commission of Drainage and Irrigation" occur in said chapter, and whenever the words "Commissioner of Drainage, Irrigation and Reclamation" occur in Chapter 148, Session Laws of Oklahoma 1925, and whenever the words "Conservation Commission" occur in Chapter 70 of the 1927 Session Laws of the State of Oklahoma, and whenever the words "Conservation Commission" occur in Article 2 and Article 3 of Chapter 70 of the 1935 Session Laws of the State of Oklahoma, and whenever the words "Oklahoma Forest Commission" occur in Chapter 146 of the Session Laws of 1925, and whenever the words "Oklahoma Forest Commission," or "Commission" occur in Chapter 102 of the Oklahoma Session Laws of 1927, and whenever the words "The Oklahoma State Planning Board" occur in Article 23 of Chapter 24 of the 1935 Session Laws of Oklahoma, and whenever the words "The State Engineer" occur in Article 2, Chapter 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes of 1931, occur, there shall be substituted therefor "Oklahoma Planning and Resources Board"; and whatever powers, rights and duties and limitation are conferred under Chapter 42 of the Session Laws of 1925 hereby be transferred to the said Oklahoma Planning and Resources Board.
Laws 1927, c. 70, p. 93, § 4; Laws 1937, p. 74, § 6.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-541.1. Board of directors - Federal contracts.

The board of directors of any conservancy district or master conservancy district, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and in addition to all other powers conferred by law, hereby is authorized and empowered to enter into any contract or contracts with the duly-constituted authorities of the federal government under and pursuant to the provisions of Act of Congress approved June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. at Large 388, and Acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto (43 U.S.C. Sections 371 - 611), and is further authorizied and empowered to qualify as a "local organization" as defined in the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, as amended (68 Stat. 666, 70 Stat. 1088), and to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States in carrying out, maintaining, and operating the works of improvement authorized by said Act, for the accomplishment of the purposes of the district, and by such contract or cooperation to enter into such stipulations and undertakings, assume such duties, establish and enforce such regulations, make such conveyances and assignments, establish such tolls, rates, prices, charges, rentals and assessments, and conform to and enforce such regulations of the Department of the Interior, or such regulations, policies and procedures of the Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to the aforesaid Federal Acts, as to enable said district to secure the benefits of said Federal Acts. The board is hereby further authorized and empowered to negotiate and contract with any other federal or state agency and/or any other public entity in matters relating to waters of the district. For the purpose of such contract or contracts, the board of directors hereby is vested with all powers necessary and requisite to comply with the conditions and requirements of said Federal Legislation, and of regulations promulgated thereunder; and no provision or limitation contained in this Chapter which shall be in conflict with the provisions of such contract or terms of cooperation shall apply to any contracting district, nor shall they impair or limit the power and authority herein conferred. And such contract or terms of cooperation further may provide that they shall remain in force until the district has fully discharged all obligations incurred to the United States or the State of Oklahoma or its agencies thereunder. Providing, however, no contract shall be made conveying the title or use of any waters of the State of Oklahoma to any person, firm, corporation or other state or subdivision of government, for sale or use in any other state, unless such contract be specifically authorized by an act of the Oklahoma Legislature and thereafter as approved by it.
Laws 1955, p. 469, § 1; Laws 1957, p. 554, § 3; Laws 1961, p. 622, § 3.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-543. Court costs.

At the time of filing the petition, the petitioners shall deposit as court costs the sum of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), which deposit shall be in lieu of bond and the court may require such additional deposits of costs as may be necessary from time to time.
Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 164, § 5; Laws 1927, c. 70, p. 93, § 5; Laws 1959, p. 375, § 2.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-544. Notice of hearing on petition.

Immediately after the filing of such petition, the clerk of the district court, with whom such petition is filed, or to whom it has been assigned, shall cause notice by publication, to be made of the pendency of the petition and of the time and place of the hearing thereon, and said notice as provided herein shall be given in each county affected by the district, and the time of hearing shall be not less than sixty (60) days from the date of the first publication. Said notice shall also include a map of the proposed district. Provided, that for any district created prior to the passage of this act in which notice of hearing petition was published in only one newspaper in a county affected by the district, such notice shall be deemed sufficient. The district court in which the petition was filed, or to whom it was assigned, shall thereafter, for all purposes of this act, except as hereinafter otherwise provided, maintain and have original and exclusive jurisdiction coextensive with the boundaries and limits of said district, and of lands and other property to be included in said district, or affected by said district, without regard to the usual or other limits of its jurisdiction and shall convene at the convenient county seat.
Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 164, § 6; Laws 1927, c. 70, p. 94, § 6; Laws 1955, p. 471, § 1; Laws 1961, p. 624, § 8; Laws 1963, c. 271, § 3; Laws 1967, c. 382, § 25, emerg. eff. May 23, 1967.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-546. Decree of incorporation filed with Secretary of State.

Within ten (10) days after the said district has been declared a corporation by the court, the clerk of the court shall transmit to the Secretary of State, and the county clerk in each of the counties having lands in said districts, copies of the findings and the decree of the court incorporating said district.
The same shall be filed and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State in the same manner as articles of incorporation are now required to be filed and recorded under the general law concerning corporations and copies shall also be filed and recorded in the office of the county clerk of each county in which a part of the district may be, where they shall become a permanent record, and the county clerk of each county shall receive a fee of Two Dollars ($2.00) for filing, recording and preserving the same, and the Secretary of State shall receive for filing and recording said copies such fees as now are or hereafter may be provided by law for like services in similar cases.
Added by Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 166, § 8. Amended by Laws 1955, p. 472, § 3.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-547. Irrigation districts - Formation.

Districts may be formed under the provisions of this act for irrigation, or partly for irrigation, by a substantial compliance with the terms as near as possible. But no such district in its construction or operation shall in any manner interfere with works for the prevention of floods, or the drainage of lands, or materially diminish their protective value. And the court organizing such irrigation district shall require a statement in the petition and proof to the effect that the organization and operation of the same will not materially interfere with any work or plans for flood prevention, the drainage or protection of lands, or the flow of waters covered by the terms of a contract. Nor shall any improvement under this act deprive the owners of lands lying upon any stream of water of the ordinary flow in said stream sufficient for domestic and stock uses, without compensation therefor.
Subject to the above, the board of directors shall have the same powers as are herein conferred generally by its provisions as far as applicable.
Special assessments shall be levied and bonds issued as already provided, using the words "Conservancy Special Assessments," or "Conservancy Bonds."
Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 198, § 70; Laws 1957, p. 556, § 5.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-548. Amendment of district boundaries to include other necessary lands - Validation.

Any time subsequent to the entry of the decree creating the district, and prior to the filing of the report of the board of appraisers, land situated outside of the district boundaries, necessary to accomplish the purposes of the district, may be included within the boundaries of said district. Said lands may be included within the boundaries of said district, by the filing, with the court having jurisdiction of said district, a petition, signed by owners of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the land area and by not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the landowners in the area proposed to be added to the said district. Proceedings of said petition shall conform to the proceedings to create a district as provided in this title. Upon said hearing, if the court finds that said land is reasonably necessary to be included within said district to accomplish the purposes for which said district was originally created, the court shall amend the boundaries of the district to include said land.
Any amendments to the boundaries of a district heretofore made by a court having jurisdiction thereof according to the procedure herein provided are hereby validated.
Added by Laws 1963, c. 271, § 15, emerg. eff. June 13, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-549. Amendment of district boundaries to include other necessary lands - Validation.

Any time subsequent to the entry of the decree creating the district, and prior to the filing of the report of the board of appraisers, land situated outside of the district boundaries, necessary to accomplish the purposes of the district, may be included within the boundaries of said district. Said lands may be included within the boundaries of said district, by the filing, with the court having jurisdiction of said district, a petition, signed by owners of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the land area and by not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the landowners in the area proposed to be added to the said district. Proceedings of said petition shall conform to the proceedings to create a district as provided in this title. Upon said hearing, if the court finds that said land is reasonably necessary to be included within said district to accomplish the purposes for which said district was originally created, the court shall amend the boundaries of the district to include said land.
Any amendments to the boundaries of a district heretofore made by a court having jurisdiction thereof according to the procedure herein provided are hereby validated.
Laws 1967, c. 382, § 23, emerg. eff. May 23, 1967.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-562. Board of Directors to organize - Records.

Each director before entering upon his official duties shall take and subscribe to the Constitutional oath before a suitable officer and further that he will honestly, faithfully and impartially perform the duties of his office, and that he will not be interested directly or indirectly in any contract let by said district, which said oath shall be filed in the office of the clerk of said court in the original case. Upon taking the oath, the Board of Directors shall choose one of their number President of the Board, and shall elect some suitable person Secretary of the Board, who may or may not be a member of the Board. Upon organization of the Board of Directors, and as often thereafter as may be necessary to correctly reflect all changes therein, a certificate shall be filed in the initial case, by the President of the Board, setting forth the names, addresses and official titles of all officers of the District. Such Board shall adopt a seal, and shall keep in a well-bound book a record of all its proceedings, minutes of all meetings, certificates, contracts, bonds given by employees and all corporate acts, which record and proceedings, so recorded, shall be signed by the said Board of Directors or such members of said Board, concurring in said acts or proceedings, at the time of the making of such record or on date of the first meeting of the Board thereafter, which shall be open to the inspection of the owners of property in the district, as well as to all other interested parties, said record is hereby declared to be the official record of the district, and shall be conclusive evidence as to all actions, proceedings and notices and the contents thereof affecting said district.
Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 167, § 10; Laws 1967, c. 382, § 2, emerg. eff. May 23, 1967.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-564. Secretary and other employees or staff.

The secretary shall be the custodian of the records of the district and of its corporate seal and shall assist the board in particulars as it may direct in the performance of its duties. It shall be the duty of the secretary to attest, under the corporate seal of the district, all certified copies of the official records and files of the district that may be required of the secretary by the provisions of this act, or by any person ordering the same and paying the reasonable cost of transcription and any portion of the record so certified and attested shall be prima facie evidence of the facts contained in the record. The secretary shall serve also as treasurer of the district, unless a treasurer is otherwise provided for by the board. The board may also employ a district manager and any engineers, attorneys or other staff as may be useful and necessary. The board may provide for compensation of employees of the board, which, with all other necessary expenditures, shall be taken as a part of the cost of the improvement. The employment of persons or entities by the district shall be evidenced by agreements in writing which shall specify the amounts or rates to be paid for their services. The district manager shall be superintendent of all the works and improvements, and shall make a full report to the board each year, or more often if required by the board, and may make suggestions and recommendations to the board as the manager may deem proper.
Added by Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 168, § 12. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 175, § 1, emerg. eff. April 26, 2010.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-566. Execution of plan - Powers of directors.

The board of directors shall have full power and authority to devise, prepare for, execute, maintain and operate any or all works or improvements necessary or desirable to complete, maintain, operate and protect the official plan. They may secure and use men and equipment under the supervision of the chief engineer or other agents, or they may in their discretion let contracts for such works, either as a whole or in parts.
Added by Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 170, § 14.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-567. Entry upon lands for surveys and examinations.

The board of directors of any district organized under this act, or their employees or agents, including the contractors and their employees, and the members of the Board of appraisers and their assistants, may enter upon lands within or without the district in order to make surveys and examinations to accomplish the necessary preliminary purposes of the district, or to have access to the work, the district being liable, however, for actual damages done, but no unnecessary damage shall be done.
Added by Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 170, § 15.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-569. Contracts - Advertisement - Bond - Waiver of advertisement in emergency – District bidding process.

A. When it is determined to let the work of a master conservancy district by contract, contracts in amounts to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) shall be advertised after notices calling for bids have been published once a week, for three (3) consecutive weeks completed on date of last publication, which shall not be less than fourteen (14) days from the first publication, in at least one newspaper in each county, where any part of the work under terms of the contract is to be performed. The board may let the contract to the lowest and best bidder, who shall give a good and approved bond, with ample security, equal in amount to the total of the bid, conditioned on the carrying out of the contract to completion, and shall file the bond and contract with the secretary of the district in amount and conditions as provided by law, conditioned on the carrying out of the contract. The contract shall be in writing and shall be approved by the board of directors and signed by the president of the board and by the contractor. In the case of sudden emergency when it is necessary in order to protect the district or when the board determines that the contract must be implemented by a sole source or in any situation in which the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974 would allow a state agency to do so, the advertising of contracts may be waived.
B. The board of directors of any conservancy district may adopt rules establishing a district competitive bidding process not in conflict with the provisions of this section.
Added by Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 171, § 17. Amended by Laws 1927, c. 70, p. 96, § 9, emerg. eff. March 23, 1927; Laws 1963, c. 271, § 5, emerg. eff. June 13, 1963; Laws 1992, c. 133, § 2, eff. July 1, 1992; Laws 2008, c. 93, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2008; Laws 2010, c. 175, § 3, emerg. eff. April 26, 2010; Laws 2021, c. 113, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-570. Dominant right of eminent domain.

Said board, where necessary for the purpose of this act, shall have dominant right of eminent domain over the right of eminent domain of railroad, telegraph, telephone, gas, water power and other companies and corporations, and over townships, villages, counties and cities. In the exercise of this right due care shall be taken to do no unnecessary damage to other public utilities, and, in case of failure to agree upon the mode and terms of interference, their operation or usefulness shall not be interfered with beyond the actual necessities of the case, due regard being paid to the other public interest involved.
Oil, gas and minerals are specifically excluded from the right to condemn, except to the extent necessary to prevent activities adversely affecting the purposes of the district.
Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 171, § 18; Laws 1967, c. 382, § 4, emerg. eff. May 23, 1967.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-571. Condemnation under general law.

Said board shall also have the right to condemn for the use of the district any land or property within or without said district, according to the procedure provided by law for the condemnation of land or other property taken for telegraph, telephone and railroad rights-of-way.
Added by Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 171, § 19.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-571.1. Condemnation for easement purposes - Damages.

When the board of directors of a conservancy district determines that a lesser estate is needed for flood control purposes than fee simple absolute, the board shall have the right to condemn for easement purposes an easement as may be required.
In such cases, the measure of damages payable to a landowner shall be the difference in the fair market value of the entire tract with the easement and the fair market value of the entire tract without the easement. Commissioners or jurors shall take into consideration in assessing damages for permanent inundation or for flowage easements for intermittent inundation of land, the estimated or anticipated frequency of inundation, the value of the remnant of the estate for landowner's agricultural or other economic use, and such other relevant factors as may be ascertained or anticipated by reasonable evaluation.
Added by Laws 1988, c. 50, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1988.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 82. Waters and Water Rights › §82-572. Regulations to protect works - Enforcement - Penalty.

Where necessary in order to secure the best results from the execution and operation of the plans of the district, or to prevent damage to the district by the deterioration or misuse, or by the pollution of the waters, of any water course therein, the board of directors may make regulations for and may prescribe the manner of building bridges, roads, or fences or other works in, into, along or across any channel, reservoir, or other construction; and may prescribe the manner in which ditches or other works shall be adjusted to or connected with the works of the district or any watercourse therein.
The construction of any works in a manner harmful to the district or to any water course therein, and in a manner contrary to that specified by the directors, shall be a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). The directors shall have authority to enforce by mandamus or otherwise all necessary regulations made by them and authorized by this act, and may remove any harmful construction or may close any opening improperly made. Any person, corporation or municipality willfully failing to comply with such regulations shall be liable for all damages caused by such failure and for the cost of renewing any construction damaged or destroyed.
Laws 1923-24, c. 139, p. 171, § 20.