Committee reports HB 4340 do pass; sponsor says sales tax exemption is constituent request, fiscal impact unclear

A House committee voted to report House Bill 4340 out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The bill would exempt sales tax on frac-water (fracking water) sales, a change the presenter said was requested by a constituent in Roger Mills County.

Pro Tem Moore, the presenter, described the bill as "pretty simple" and said it was a constituent request tied to oil-and-gas activity in western Oklahoma. Representative Alonso asked why the exemption was necessary and whether staff had a fiscal-impact estimate. Moore said he did not yet have a full fiscal estimate but planned to provide one to the full Appropriations & Budget committee; staff told members they were "estimating a minimal impact" in the summary available to the committee at that time.

The committee recorded a vote of 8 yays and 2 nays and reported HB 4340 as do pass. Sponsors were reminded to secure a senate author and complete the required one-page form before further action.