Oklahoma Farm Bureau is asking Farm Bureau members and Oklahoma agriculturalists to encourage their state senator to vote YES on HB 4118.
House Bill 4118 will be considered by the Senate agriculture committee on Monday, April 1.
House Bill 4118 provides legal protections for Oklahoma poultry producers from frivolous lawsuits as long as producers are following their state-approved nutrient management plan to properly apply or move poultry litter. The protections would not apply if producers are not in compliance with their nutrient management plan.
Oklahoma agriculturalists have made strides in improving water quality in eastern Oklahoma through voluntary conservation efforts and working hand-in-hand with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to create and follow nutrient management plans.
Highlights of HB 4188 include:
- HB 4118 will ensure liability protection for poultry growers who are in compliance with an approved nutrient management plan.
- Farmers who raise poultry are responsible for the management of poultry litter.
- Farmers are required to develop a nutrient management plan which must be approved by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, which conducts inspections and enforcement.
- HB 4118 protects farmers from litigation when they follow the law and comply with the state-approved management plan.
- HB 4118 ensures those who do not follow their nutrient management plan are held responsible and the violation is remediated in a timely manner, as opposed to requiring an individual to undergo costly and lengthy litigation.
- The senate recently passed a bill to increase the fines ODAFF can assess for violations to ensure it is equipped with the necessary enforcement tools.
- OKFB believes no one should be subject to litigation for following the law.