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Committee advances revolving fund bill to help towns pay for aging water systems
Summary
Senate Bill 265 would create an Oklahoma Infrastructure Revolving Fund — a state treasurer-managed revolving fund intended to support municipal water infrastructure — and passed committee 10-1.
The Oklahoma Senate Energy Committee advanced Senate Bill 265 by voice and then roll call, recording 10 ayes and 1 nay. Senator Tom Murdoch presented the measure, describing it as a revolving fund at the state treasurer to finance water infrastructure projects in towns and cities across Oklahoma.
Murdoch told the committee that many small municipalities still use water lines installed in the early 1900s and that repairs require funding beyond local capacities. "Our infrastructure, our water infrastructure in our towns all over the state is pushing 100 years old," he said, arguing a revolving fund would allow longer-term repairs without immediate rate shocks.
Committee members asked about the fund's size and whether excess revenue could be used for other purposes. Murdoch said he did not have a precise statewide cost estimate and indicated that if the fund generated surplus revenue it could be used for other priorities in the future. Senators offering debate characterized the bill as a useful tool for smaller communities; Senator Bourne described local examples where residents lacked safe drinking water and supported the bill as a state-level response.
The clerk called the roll after debate and recorded 10 ayes and 1 nay; the chair declared the bill to have passed the committee.
