Committee advances bill to build oil and gas research and innovation ecosystem after company departures

House Bill 3176 was presented and passed by the committee. The presenter said the measure is intended to create an ecosystem of research and innovation around Oklahoma's largest industries following recent corporate departures.

Chairman Archer (recognized to present) said, "We saw last week a major oil and gas company pull out of the state. We saw that again this week. What House Bill 31‑76 looks to do is to take our state's largest, strongest industries, and to create an ecosystem of research and innovation around those." The presenter moved adoption and yielded for questions; no substantive debate was recorded in the transcript.

Members voted on the motion; the clerk recorded 5 in favor and 2 opposed and the chair declared the bill passed. The transcript does not record the names of the mover or seconder for the motion to pass.

Next steps: the committee declared HB 31‑76 passed; the transcript does not show scheduling to the floor or amendment language.