Governor signs OFB priority legislation 
By Lori Kromer Peterson, OFB Vice President of Public Policy,
and Tyler Norvell, OFB Legislative Specialist, State Affairs

With just a few more weeks left in this legislative session, four bills supported by Oklahoma Farm Bureau have already been signed by the governor. Two more bills supported by OFB are on his desk.

Transfer on Death Deed
Authored by Rep. Ron Peters and Sen. Brian Crain, HB 2639 was recently signed by Governor Henry and becomes effective November 1st. This will allow an owner of real property to pass that property upon death in a manner similar to a payable on death checking account. During his or her life, the owner has full control of the real property and upon death the property would pass to the beneficiary without the need for probate. This has been a Farm Bureau legislative priority issue for several years.

Increased Fines for Trespassing
Two bills signed by the Governor, effective November 1st, are SB 1735, authored by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Phil Richardson, and SB 2111 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. T.W. Shannon. Both bills would significantly increase the fine for trespassing when convicted of a second offense and could also require a trespasser to pay for actual damages caused by the trespass. SB 1735 is in the Game & Fish title of law and covers hunting and fishing without permission, while SB 2111 is in the Criminal Justice title of law and relates to criminal trespass.

Fuel Storage Tanks
Signed by the governor, HB 3303 became law on April 18, 2008. HB 3303 will grandfather the existing underground tanks used for aboveground fuel storage. This protects rural access to fuel for schools, fire departments and rural citizens.

Water Permit Fees Reduction
HJR 1105 modifies the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s newly adopted water permit application fee increases by reducing the amount of the increases to 50 percent, rather than 100 percent. The bill places caps on the amount that can be charged for a stream and groundwater permit application. HJR 1105, having passed the House and Senate, is on the governor’s desk.

Agriculture Burning
SB 1662, on the governor’s desk, would require a municipality to allow for agriculture burning within the city limits following a flood or natural disaster. This legislation was authored by Sen. Don Barrington and Rep. Shane Jett.

Additional Legislation
Additional legislation still alive includes: HB 2547, HB 2573, SB 1987 and HJR 1014.

HB 2547, by Rep. Phil Richardson and Sen. Mike Schulz, increases the fine for trespassing from $250 to $500 and authorizes a judge to require a convicted trespasser to forfeit his or her hunting and fishing license for up to one year. This bill needs to pass the full House before heading to the governor.

HB 2573, authored by Rep. Jeff Hickman and Sen. David Myers, will allow a property owner who is successful in a case for wrongful annexation to recover attorney fees. This legislation is headed to conference committee due to an unfriendly amendment added to the bill on the Senate floor.

SB 1987, by Sen. Owen Laughlin and Rep. Gus Blackwell, would send to a vote of the people a state question to put term limits on all state elected officials. This bill will next be heard in the Senate for acceptance of House amendments.

HJR 1014, currently in conference committee, attempts to remove the current 3 mills cap for district ambulance services. Oklahoma Farm Bureau opposes attempts to raise property taxes in Oklahoma.

Following a resolution passed by both the Senate and the House, this legislative session will adjourn Sine Die on May 23, 2008.