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HB 4354

Invasive cedar; Salt Cedar Eradication Act; definitions; creating program; rules; report; effective date; emergency.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony Moore

Oklahoma creates a state program to eradicate invasive salt cedar from waterways and lands through regulatory framework and coordinated management efforts.

Second Reading referred to Rules
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Bill Summary · HB 4354

Legislative bill overview

HB 4354 establishes a Salt Cedar Eradication Program in Oklahoma to combat invasive salt cedar (also called tamarisk), an aggressive non-native plant species that degrades water resources and native ecosystems. The bill creates definitions, program framework, and rulemaking authority for managing and removing salt cedar from Oklahoma lands, with provisions requiring reporting on program progress.

Why is this important

Salt cedar is one of the most destructive invasive species in western and southwestern U.S. waterways, consuming vast amounts of water and crowding out native vegetation. In Oklahoma, particularly in riparian areas and along waterways, salt cedar control has significant economic implications for water management, agriculture, and ecosystem restoration. This legislation provides legal authority and structure for coordinated eradication efforts that individual landowners cannot effectively accomplish alone.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: No clear funding source identified in the bill title; questions about who bears eradication costs (state, federal, private landowners, water districts)
  • Scope and enforcement: Uncertainty about whether the program applies to private property, public lands only, or both; implications for property rights and regulatory authority
  • Effectiveness versus other priorities: Salt cedar eradication requires sustained, multi-year effort; competing budget priorities in state legislature may limit actual resources allocated despite authorizing language

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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