Oklahoma Weather Tracking Licensure Legislation

[Dan Robinson]

I'm not an expert on how the system works, but it's my understanding that all House and all Senate members still need to hold a final vote on this bill, then the Governor needs to sign it. Since the bill's two sponsors are obviously not listening to any of us, should attention be turned to the other legislators in terms of the community's point of contacts? If any of the counter-points were allowed to be heard by all, I think it would easily sink the entire thing. But so far, none of those counter-points have been raised in an official setting where the voting members can hear them. I'm not sure that any of the committee members even heard them. The only outside party that got to speak in the committee meeting was David Payne.

 

[gdlewen]

I'm not an expert on how the system works, but it's my understanding that all House and all Senate members still need to hold a final vote on this bill, then the Governor needs to sign it. Since the bill's two sponsors are obviously not listening to any of us, should attention be turned to the other legislators in terms of the community's point of contacts? If any of the counter-points were allowed to be heard by all, I think it would easily sink the entire thing. But so far, none of those counter-points have been raised in an official setting where the voting members can hear them. I'm not sure that any of the committee members even heard them. The only outside party that got to speak in the committee meeting was David Payne.

I don't know who has been contacted. Certainly OK residents should contact their House/Senate reps and provide them feedback. It's scary that none of the obvious counterarguments have been brought up in committee, but in the first hearing (Business, I think), there was no debate. In Thursday's meeting there was some debate but, mostly long statements by Fetgatter and Payne. Payne, at least, made it clear that HR2426 is a bill aimed at helping TV stations with ratings. After that the vote should have been 0 Ayes/Infinity Nays.

 

[Dave C]

I don't know who has been contacted. Certainly OK residents should contact their House/Senate reps and provide them feedback. It's scary that none of the obvious counterarguments have been brought up in committee, but in the first hearing (Business, I think), there was no debate. In Thursday's meeting there was some debate but, mostly long statements by Fetgatter and Payne. Payne, at least, made it clear that HR2426 is a bill aimed at helping TV stations with ratings. After that the vote should have been 0 Ayes/Infinity Nays.

Agreed, has to be OK residents or agencies who are willing to make some noise. In my experience, a well presented and polite case to lawmakers gets their attention if you 1) show the conflict/concern clearly,a nd the bad optics, and 2) be repetitive if necessary.

I have no idea why no one is up in arms from OK. Either people think the bill won't hurt anything, or they are being misled. It seems the bill has been deliberately moved under the radar as a nothing burger that hurts no one. If I lived in OK, I would write and call my representatives with just these 3 questions:

1. Why is this bill suddenly needed when media already has huge money to throw at storm tracking, including helicopters and fleets of paid chasers?
2. How will media and researchers with code 3 priveleges not be a serious danger on the road when without this power of driving wrong way, running signs, and pushing others around with their 'emegency responder' status, they are already the #1 cause/group of chase related fatalities?
3. The bill goal has nothing to do with anything other than media money and influence (per it's own backers admission) and the backers state they resent normal residents or anyone else on the roads interfering with their money/prestige making. Why should special powers be given to a group who views the public as a nuisance to their finances and private agenda?

 

[Rick Schmidt]

I have not read every post in this thread, so I have a question. If this bill is signed into law by the governor, what date does it go into effect? I thought I read something about July 1 being the date. If so, that would take care of most of the season for this year, at least.

 

[gdlewen]

It will be effective Nov. 1 of this year, per the most recent version. As introduced it was to be in July but that was changed.

 

[Warren Faidley]

I received some information tonight regarding the progression of hb2426. This was learned during a podcast on X. There is hope that Sen. Mann, the Senate sponsor of the bill, may have received so much negative public feedback, that he no longer supports the bill. Therefore, it is imperative that we begin contacting members of the Oklahoma State Senate and ask them to not support the bill. There are only 39(?) members of the Senate, so it might be easier to kill the bill there. As always, all contact must be professional and non-threatening.