Representative Mike Dobrinski

R

District 59

Hi, I'm Mike Dobrinski and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 59th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 11, 2025
Recent Posts

Watershed Restoration Act Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, today passed a measure in the House that would expand a program to eradicate harmful trees and shrubs in certain watersheds statewide. House Bill 2162 would create the Terry Peach Watershed Restoration Act. The act would build on legislation enacted in 2023 that created a pilot program focused on the North Canadian Watershed with the goal of exploring solutions to the infestation of red cedars and other invasive species. The measure is named after former Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach who died in 2022. "The goal is not only to improve water flow to drought-stricken areas of the state, but to protect residential properties and critical infrastructure from the great fire danger these trees and shrubs create," Dobrinski said. "The state has millions of acres it maintains, and it's imperative we protect our grazing lands and wildlife habitats and ultimately our economy." HB2162 would remove the pilot status of the program and would create a revolving fund to be administered by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to accomplish the goals of the program. The estimated cost of expansion is $10 million, which would have to be approved through the appropriations' process. Dobrinski said the return on investment to the state should be greater than this initial investment. Dobrinski said the pilot program created previously has already proven enormously successful, with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission eradicating many invasive species in the initial watershed area. The commission also has provided training and support for rural fire departments and burn associations to continue the work. He said part of the program has been educational with Conservation Commission crews educating the public on eradication methods and how to maintain areas that have been cleared of invasive species. He said without this measure, the state risks significant damage from wildfires. "What we saw happen in California this year is a horrible example of what could happen if we don't address this problem," he said. The bill passed the House on a vote of 88 to 4. It now moves the state Senate where t is authored by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt. 

Feb 4, 2025
Recent Posts

Water Restoration Act Bill Passes Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, today passed a measure in committee that would expand a program to eradicate harmful trees and shrubs in certain watersheds statewide. House Bill 2162 would create the Terry Peach Watershed Restoration Act. The act would build on  House Bill 2239 enacted in 2023, which created a pilot program focused on the North Canadian Watershed with the goal of exploring solutions to the infestation of red cedars and other invasive species. "These trees and shrubs create a great fire danger, and they draw away crucial amounts of water in already drought-stricken areas of our state," Dobrinski said. "Expanding this program statewide will help protect our environment – including grazing lands and wildlife habitats – and boost our economy." HB2162 would remove the pilot status of the program and would create a revolving fund to be administered by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to accomplish the goals of the program. The estimated cost of expansion is $10 million, which would have to be approved through the appropriations' process. Dobrinski said the return on investment to the state should be greater than this initial investment. The bill today passed the House Agriculture Committee and now is eligible to be heard in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Oversight. Dobrinski said the pilot program created previously has already proven enormously successful, with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission eradicating many invasive species in the initial watershed area and around housing developments and critical infrastructure. The commission also has provided training and support for rural fire departments and burn associations to continue the work. Trey Lam, executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission has said in the past that the rapid growth of cedar brush intensifies drought, reduces water levels and fuels intense wildfires every year. While there is no one single short term solution, a three-prong approach of research, eradication by utilizing prescribed burning and mechanically creating brush-free zones around communities and rural infrastructure has been utilized effectively and is the basis for the new legislation.  

Dec 12, 2024
Recent Posts

House Speaker-Elect Files Resolution to Oppose Federal Energy Corridor Designation

Oklahoma House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert filed House Concurrent Resolution 1001 today, which vows to take all legislative action available to prevent the establishment of an eighteen-mile wide federal energy corridor in Oklahoma. There is a town hall tonight at 6 p.m. at the Creek County Fairgrounds to discuss the proposed 18-mile-wide corridor, which could authorize the confiscation of private property to locate high voltage electric transmission lines via eminent domain. "The people of Oklahoma will not stand for private landowners being forced to surrender their property through federal condemnation," said Speaker-Elect Hilbert, R-Bristow. "There are state processes in place to get community input and engagement on pending projects of this nature and I urge anyone in the path of this proposed corridor to come and let their voices be heard tonight on this issue." Speaker Hilbert said he is committed to fighting against this NIETC designation and appreciates the support of his House and Senate colleagues who have already signed on as co-authors of the measure. "Everyone in Oklahoma should be concerned by this federal land grab attempt if the NIETC designation is granted," said Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow. "We stand ready to do all we can at the Legislature to stop it and look forward to working with a DOE under President-Elect Trump, who will better understand and respect private property rights while pushing American energy independence." "Oklahoma's eminent domain laws and regulations provide a level of protection to the landowner that is non-existent at the federal level," said Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene. "This also has the ability to hurt our local utility providers who fall under the regulation of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission while these NIETCs will be able to circumvent local rules and regulations, which is unacceptable." The HCR, which was filed in the House today, will be co-sponsored by Sen. Grant Green in the Senate and will be considered when the 60th Legislature meets starting in February.