by Gus Blackwell, Rep.-61
Speaker Pro-Tempore
This past election I received many inquiries about the state questions, which were on the ballot. A persisting urban myth was one amendment would limit landowner’s rights.
One of the state questions that passed made hunting and fishing part of the Oklahoma Constitution. This does nothing to change the laws dealing with trespassing. Landowners still have the right to prohibit hunters and fishers from their land.
It does help insure hunting and fishing will not be prohibited by activist judges. This constitutional amendment also makes it more difficult for the legislature to stop this activity. Laws can still be made to define hunting seasons, limits, and species for hunting and fishing.
Last year, a bill I authored passed making a five-day pheasant hunting license available. It reduced the price from about $150 to about $75.
One of the bills I will be filing this session also deals with hunting. It will be a bill allowing over-the-counter permits for bow hunting antelope. The season will be in the fall and cover both bucks and does.
Another bill will help landowners and detail a bill of rights for landowners dealing with wind farm developers. Right now, there are many different contracts with a variety of terms. This bill would help insure every landowner would retain certain rights, even with different wind generator companies.
School land lease changes will be in another bill I will be filing. This would mandate the state reduce the amount of lease payment paid by the landowner, in case of a drought. If the state reduces the amount of acres the landowner can use during a drought, then the landowner will have to pay that much less on the lease.
A constituent I was talking to asked me to file a bill requiring a toxicology test be done in the case of auto fatalities. This applies to accidents involving two or more vehicles.
Once again, the deadline for me to request bills is December 15th. After that date I can’t request any additional bills to be filed. If you have an idea for a bill, please contact me before the deadline.
I am at the Capitol during part of the week for meetings and interim studies. You can reach me there at 405-557-7384 or contact me at my home in Goodwell or by email at gusblackwell@okhouse.gov
