Committee approves bill directing OSU to coordinate elk population studies in northwest Oklahoma

Senator Murdoch explained that House Bill 17‑70 is intended to prompt Oklahoma State University, in coordination with its College of Veterinary Medicine, to conduct science‑based elk population studies in a zone of northwest Oklahoma where an elk herd has been growing. The presenter said the measure mirrors Senate Bill 330 and aims to get studies moving after the Department of Wildlife had not begun a promised review.

Committee members asked whether the Department of Wildlife already performs these studies and what the cost would be. The presenter said the department exists and does studies, but that the sponsor had been told the department had not started the specific study; when asked about cost the presenter said, "Right now we have no money going into it." Members discussed whether other elk populations could be added in future legislation.

After brief discussion the committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation and passed HB 17‑70 in committee.