The pace at the state Capitol was significantly slower this week compared to the hustle and bustle of the previous week. According to the state Constitution, the legislative session must end no later than Friday, May 27; however, early chatter indicates both chambers are aiming to finish sooner in hopes of jumping on the campaign trail before the June 28 primary election. In addition to the usual budget negotiations, this period of session consists of the two chambers hammering out final negotiations and agreements on bills that have been amended multiple times throughout the legislative process. Several bills related to […]

The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta on Wednesday, April 27. Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation submitted an amicus curiae – or “friend of the court” – brief alongside the Environmental Federation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma in support of the state of Oklahoma’s position. Castro-Huerta stems from the 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, where the Supreme Court ruled that the state of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to prosecute Jimcy McGirt, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, for a […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation recently joined 20 other state Farm Bureaus to file an amicus curiae – or “friend of the court” – brief in support of the petitioner in the Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency United States Supreme Court case review. Background Now spanning more than a decade, Sackett v. EPA focuses on federal jurisdiction of wetlands under the 1972 Clean Water Act. The case began with a dispute over a piece of the Sackett family’s land in Idaho that was filled and leveled for home construction. Soon after filling the land, the Sackett family received word […]

Last week marked the last major policy deadline ahead of the final legislative deadline on May 27 when the legislature must adjourn for the 2022 session. HB 4413 by Rep. Dick Lowe and Sen. John Michael Montgomery passed the Senate this week with the title stricken. This bill would remove third-party assessors from disputed ad valorem assessment litigation and negotiations while still allowing them to be utilized to make the initial assessment. HB 4413 seeks to mitigate issues surrounding increasing and prolonged assessment disputes that have handicapped school districts across the state that rely on ad valorem revenue. While HB […]

The focus at the Capitol this week was a request by Governor Stitt that resulted in HB 4455, a piece of legislation called the Large-Scale Economic Activity Development Act (LEAD Act). The LEAD Act creates incentives for businesses seeking to create enhanced economic development within Oklahoma. HB 4455 allows for a 3.4% rebate on qualified investments made by businesses in the state of Oklahoma. The rebate will be paid through a fund set up through HB 4455 that will be appropriated by the legislature. It is projected that lawmakers will appropriate $698 million of monies carried over from previous fiscal […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau is set to host the first-ever Youth Legislative Experience July 12-13, 2022, at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. The Youth Legislative Experience will bring together high school juniors and seniors from 4-H and FFA to learn about the Oklahoma legislative process and how a bill becomes a law. “The Oklahoma Youth Legislative Experience is a fantastic way for high school students to get a real-world taste of the legislative process in Oklahoma,” said Rodd Moesel, OKFB president. “The opportunity to act as a legislator and meet elected officials in the actual chambers where laws are passed […]

Tensions were high at 23rd and Lincoln this week with another committee deadline on Thursday, April 14. All bills that passed the committee opposite their chamber of origin will now advance and can be heard by the full chamber. Conversely, any remaining bills – except those assigned to the House Appropriations and Budget Committee – are now effectively dormant for the rest of the 2022 legislative session, including nearly a dozen bills unexpectedly laid over in the House. SB 1261 by Sen. Brent Howard and Rep. John Pfeiffer deals with spray drift on medical marijuana and was one of several […]

Following last week’s deadline rush, this week was unusually light for both chambers of the legislature. The Senate met for a handful of committee meetings this week, while the House canceled all but one committee meeting. Floor agendas reflected the reduced committee workload with only five bills receiving consideration on the House floor. On Tuesday, March 29, members from Canadian and Woodward counties came to Oklahoma City to meet with their legislators. They discussed a variety of bills currently working their way through the legislature and visited with their elected officials on how the legislation would impact their operations. A […]

Lawmakers wasted no time getting back to work at 23rd and Lincoln with a major deadline following a three-day break in observation of spring break. Thursday, March 24 was the last day for policy bills to pass off the floor of their chamber of origin, marking the approximate halfway point of the 2022 legislative session. Rough totals indicate the House approved around 380 bills and joint resolutions while the Senate passed just over 300. Attention now turns back to committee work where legislators will have until April 14 to consider legislation from the opposite chamber. Bills assigned to the House […]

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry hosted Ag Day at the Capitol March 24 at the state’s Capitol. The annual event celebrates the impact agriculture has in Oklahoma while highlighting the many commodities grown across the state. Oklahoma Farm Bureau members along with other agriculture organizations and Made in Oklahoma producers shared the story of agriculture at their booths in the rotunda of the Capitol with guests and legislators. Kay County Farm Bureau member Don Schieber was honored as the 2022 Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture. The Ponca City native is a past Kay County board member. […]