Bill > HB4068

This bill establishes the "Oklahoma Truth in Environmental Marketing Act" to protect consumers from misleading environmental claims. It defines terms like "compostable" and "recyclable" to ensure these labels have specific, verifiable meanings within Oklahoma, requiring that "recyclable" products are accepted by recycling programs serving at least 60% of the state's population and are processed into new materials. The act prohibits anyone from making environmental marketing claims, which are defined as any representation about a product's environmental benefit or reduced impact (such as "eco-friendly," "biodegradable," or "carbon neutral"), unless these claims are truthful, not misleading, and supported by evidence, known as "substantiation." For claims like "carbon neutral" or "net zero," specific disclosures about emission calculations, the use of carbon offsets, and third-party verification are required, with supporting documentation accessible online. Businesses making such claims must keep substantiation records for at least five years and provide them to the Oklahoma Attorney General upon request. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce this act, investigate violations, and evaluate the accuracy of environmental claims, with penalties for violations including civil fines of up to $2,500 per day, corrective actions, and restitution for consumers, with collected funds used for enforcement and consumer education. The act will take effect on November 1, 2026.

Business and Industry

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb4068&Session=2600