Oklahoma Weather Tracking Licensure Legislation

[Shaun Kelly]

While it has been more yeare than I want to think about since I have chased as far south as OK, I did see this pop up wanted to add a point.

I remember hearing ambulances and other responders on the way to Manchester, SD complaining to dispatch about slowed response time due to storm chasers everywhere. Maybe nothing worse than just both sides of the road parked up, I didn't see anything overlty bad in my corner of the chaser convergence, but as a former EMT it did cetainly catch my attention and changed some of how often and where I chased.

Put in a conflict with "licensed" storm chasers also trying to get right of way, seems like it will lead to problems and won't enhance net safety.

I could also see local officials tempted to abuse road closures - "Roads in X county are now closed excepting authorized emergency vehicles during the emergency" maybe with an exception for residents of the county.

 

[Andrew Fryhover]

If a law can be abused here in Oklahoma... It will surely be abused here. Small town cops on an ego trip can do whatever they want in the middle of nowhere. Geary, Watonga and many other corrupt small town cops have been caught abusing power here in Oklahoma. This behavior is the norm here. This used to be a "State of freedom" when I was younger, now it is a "Police State".

 

[Warren Faidley]

If a law can be abused here in Oklahoma... It will surely be abused here. Small town cops on an ego trip can do whatever they want in the middle of nowhere. Geary, Watonga and many other corrupt small town cops have been caught abusing power here in Oklahoma. This behavior is the norm here. This used to be a "State of freedom" when I was younger, now it is a "Police State".

You nailed it. That is one of the main flaws of this law. I believe as soon a few chasers are arrested I will be sending them files hidden in cakes.

 

[Warren Faidley]

#sb158 (parody)

 

[gdlewen]

Regarding the following bill language:

"b. any tornado or severe thunderstorm watch issued by the National Weather Service or the chief meteorologist employed by a qualified media outlet,
c. any storm in one or more counties located in this state, or anticipated to enter this state, for which a tornado or thunderstorm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service or the chief meteorologist employed by a qualified media outlet,"

Are media meteorologists permitted to issue tornado watches or warnings? Under what conditions and what is the outlet liability for the outcomes of such watches and warnings?

 

[Mike Smith]

Are media meteorologists permitted to issue tornado watches or warnings? Under what conditions and what is the outlet liability for the outcomes of such watches and warnings?

"Permitted"? Of course. The First Amendment guarantees it.

In fact, the first tornado warning was not government, it was WKY TV and Harry Volkman (when he worked there) that issued the first-ever tornado warning.

I don't know if they are still running it, but OKC's KWTV ran a promo saying "our tornado warnings don't wait for the National Weather Service."

There is no liability. SCOTUS has decided this several times.

 

[Warren Faidley]

I was not aware that TV mets. could issue official watches and warnings?

 

[Andrew Fryhover]

I've read the bill three times today: Oklahoma SB158 | 2025 | Regular Session

Service Oklahoma collects all the fees for permits. This is who handles all our drivers licenses etc already.

Big red flag for me is: "If an emergency is declared to exist"... then all the restrictions can be enforced immediately.

Imagine a tornado watch, then warning is called, it is now declared an emergency, they can shut down roads etc to everyone except the few licensed storm chasers, the local police, sheriffs etc.

Remember the emergency declarations during covid? If a weather emergency is declared, all aspects of this bill are in effect. Also, this bill creates several new laws.

This is a very bad idea. I can't believe a democrat from Del City and a MAGA loving Republican from Okmulgee co-sponsored this bill???

 

[Brett Roberts]

I'm about ready to quit this campaign due to the disgusting lack of interest by other chasers, especially those who live in Oklahoma the flock of Internet chaser who this bill will squash. What the hell do they think is going to happen? Is there a sudden IQ venting within the community? I guarantee the first time they nearly get hit by some "professional TV" crew running code-3, they will be bitching and moaning. Or if they interfere with an "emergency vehicle" and have to pay a $1,000 fine. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people?

For what it's worth, as a state resident, I've contacted my representatives in both state houses to express my reasons for opposition. Based on Rep. Fetgatter's comments in the House this morning, it sounds like many others have been in touch, to the point of annoying him.

In terms of some kind of more organized campaign among chasers, I'm afraid the fractured, fickle, ADHD social media environment we often complain about on ST is going to be a factor yet again making that fairly difficult to pull off.

 

[Mike Smith]

I was not aware that TV mets. could issue official watches and warnings?

Don't know what you mean by "official."

Gary England, Jim Williams, Mike Morgan, etc., say, "I'm issuing a tornado warning for Oklahoma County...." When I worked at WKY (1971-75), I was instructed to use that terminology.

Since WKY, I've always issued tornado warnings/forecasts without the term "warning" or "watch." I've reserved those terms to the NWS. I would say, "Radar indicates that a tornado may develop over northern Sedgwick County. People in that area as well as into northwest Butler County will probably want to take tornado safety measures."

 

[Warren Faidley]

I've read the bill three times today: Oklahoma SB158 | 2025 | Regular Session

Service Oklahoma collects all the fees for permits. This is who handles all our drivers licenses etc already.

Big red flag for me is: "If an emergency is declared to exist"... then all the restrictions can be enforced immediately.

Imagine a tornado watch, then warning is called, it is now declared an emergency, they can shut down roads etc to everyone except the few licensed storm chasers, the local police, sheriffs etc.

Remember the emergency declarations during covid? If a weather emergency is declared, all aspects of this bill are in effect. Also, this bill creates several new laws.

This is a very bad idea. I can't believe a democrat from Del City and a MAGA loving Republican from Okmulgee co-sponsored this bill???

This is exactly why chasers need to fight like they are on fire to stop this bill. Don't think for a second that this has not been thought out. I honestly believe the Senators think this bill is somehow good because a few "well-known" chasers whispered the concept into their ears. They have not considered the consequences. We can only hope the liability and public endangerment issue is brought up in the committees or some Government group like LE, Emergency Management and EMS gets involved. On the other hand, as one attorney told me, there is not enough insurance in the world to cover them for the liability of civilians running code-3, especially given the reckless history some of them have.

 

[gdlewen]

Don't know what you mean by "official."

Gary England, Jim Williams, Mike Morgan, etc., say, "I'm issuing a tornado warning for Oklahoma County...." When I worked at WKY (1971-75), I was instructed to use that terminology.

Since WKY, I've always issued tornado warnings/forecasts without the term "warning" or "watch." I've reserved those terms to the NWS. I would say, "Radar indicates that a tornado may develop over northern Sedgwick County. People in that area as well as into northwest Butler County will probably want to take tornado safety measures."

I think the distinction is very important as this bill permits television stations to trigger official law enforcement action simply by issuing an advisory, watch, or warning.

 

[Mike Smith]

I think the distinction is very important as this bill permits television stations to trigger official law enforcement action simply by issuing an advisory, watch, or warning.

Agree 100%. And, I noticed that while reading the bill. This is ridiculous bill on multiple levels.

 

[Andrew Fryhover]

If they issue a "weather emergency" for Canadian County... then only the licensed, official news channel chasers can be out and about chasing the storms. That is exactly what they mean. Just like if they declare an emergency, they can do just about anything they want, all our rights are suspended during and emergency. Now that I see is passed the committee vote 9-0, the next step will be attaching this bill to a larger package of bills and get it immediately into law.

 

[gdlewen]

If they issue a "weather emergency" for Canadian County... then only the licensed, official news channel chasers can be out and about chasing the storms. That is exactly what they mean. Just like if they declare an emergency, they can do just about anything they want, all our rights are suspended during and emergency. Now that I see is passed the committee vote 9-0, the next step will be attaching this bill to a larger package of bills and get it immediately into law.

It needs to pass the House Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee, pass on the House floor, and go through two Senate Committees, pass on the Senate floor. We have lots of chances to stop it.