Legislative Tracker

5/3/2024

Legislation that has been signed by the Governor: 

HB 3462 by Reps. Nick Archer and Sen. Grant Green. Directs ODWC to do genetic testing of wild deer for CWD resistance markers (ODWC has said it intends to test 1,000 deer), across 10 management zones, followed by a scientific review to determine if rules will be enacted to allow for release of deer into the wild. If warranted, rules would be promulgated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.

HB 3856 by Rep. Rusty Cornwell and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton. House floor substitute creates a $5, 5-day upland winged game license, excluding wild turkeys, for hunters on commercial hunt areas and specifies it will be available as a hardcopy booklet for sale (and to be issued by) licensed areas.  

HB 3997 by Rep. Scott Fetgatter and Sen. David Bullard. Removes certain date limitations on the use of cyanide gas traps for predator control.  

HB 4060 by Rep. Kevin Wallace and Sen. Grant Green. Provides a process whereby meat processors can obtain liability protections against harms related to the donation of wild game to charitable organizations and food banks under certain circumstances.  

SB 941 by Sen. David Bullard and Rep. Ty Burns. Carryover bill from the 2023 session. Consolidates more than 50 hunting and fishing licenses into 15; creates a youth super license (all species) and provides for certain higher license costs for non-residents.  

SB 1243 by Sen. Roger Thompson and Rep. Kevin Wallace. Repealing the authorization to use bonds issued through the Capitol Improvement Authority to purchase public hunting and fishing property.  

HB 3997 by Rep. Scott Fetgatter and Sen. David Bullard. Removes certain date limitations on the use of cyanide gas traps for predator control.  

SB 941 by Sen. David Bullard and Rep. Ty Burns. Carry over bill from the 2023 session. Consolidates more than 50 hunting and fishing licenses into 15; creates a youth super license (all species) and provides for certain higher license costs for non-residents.  

Legislation that has gone dormant: 

HB 1229 by Speaker Charles McCall and Sen. Chuck Hall. Carry over bill from the 2023 session. Transfer licensure and responsibilities for commercial hunting areas to the Department of Agriculture. Passed by the House, passed by the Senate Ag and Rural Affairs Committee; bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate. 

HB 2353 by Rep. Eddy Dempsey and Sen. Grant Green. Carry over bill from the 2023 session. Directs the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to set bear season no earlier than Sept. 1. Passed the House. Bill amended and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee to require the season opener be set no earlier than Sept. 1 and no later than Sept. 15. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate. 

HB 2862 by Rep. Kevin Wallace and Sen. Chuck Hall. Carry over bill from the 2023 session. Establishes that the Department of Agriculture shall be the only state entity to establish policy for Chronic Wasting Disease in Oklahoma.  Passed by the House, passed by the Senate Ag and Rural Affairs Committee; bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.  

B 2270 by Rep. Rick West and Sen. Warren Hamilton. Carry over bill from the 2023 session. Would require non-residents to buy a $85 habitat stamp to hunt on wildlife management areas. Would earmark the funds for maintenance and improvement of those public lands. Passed by the House Wildlife Committee, went dormant awaiting action by the full House. 

HB 3427 by Rep. Nick Archer and Sen. Dossett – Creates a tax credit of 50 percent of the cost of gun safe or firearms safety device, not to exceed $1,000. Title stricken and passed by the House; bill passed by the Senate Public Safety Committee and by the Senate Finance Committee; bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.  

HB 3429 by Rep. Nick Archer and Sen. Haste. Creates – Provides that rifle firearm ammunition designed to be used in connection with hunting deer shall be exempt from state sales tax, beginning the Friday before the firearms deer season opener and running 3 days. Title stricken and passed by the House; bill passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee; bill goes dormant awaiting action in the Senate Finance Committee. 

HB 3504 by Reps. Chris Sneed and Nick Archer and Sen. Cody Rogers. Creates a tax credit for qualifying feral hog control devices, up to $15,000. Passed by the House; bill passed by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee; bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.  

HB 3804 by Rep. Burns and Sen. Weaver. Permits the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to employ attorneys to advise and represent them in legal actions. Passed by the House Wildlife Committee; went dormant awaiting action by the full House for action.  

HB 3807 by Rep. Burns and Sen. Garvin. Specifying that the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission may choose to have future CLEET-certified employees participate in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. Title struck and passed by the House; committee substitute passed by the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate for consideration with language that provides the Wildlife Commission to enroll future new hires and provides for them to make a decision to join or not by Nov 1.  

HB 4086 by Rep. Kevin Wallace and Sen. David Bullard. Raises the state duck stamp to $20 for residents and $30 for nonresidents; exempts anyone under 18. Bill would be effective July 1. Passed by the House; committee substitute directs the Department of Wildlife to produce an elk population study to be presented to the Governor and Legislature. Passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.  

SB 196 by Sen. Michael Bergstrom and Rep. Jay Steagall. Carry over from the 2023 session. Removes affirmative action requirements from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and removes the power of the Director to make complaints and cause proceedings against persons. Passed by the Senate; bill went dormant awaiting action by the House Wildlife Committee.  

SB 352 by Sen Casey Murdock and Rep. Kevin Wallace. Carry over from the 2023 session. Current version allows for the use of air-powered air-rifles (air bows) during archery season for antlerless deer only; allows physically disabled persons to use them during any season; and allows them to be used for taking nuisance wildlife and feral swine. Passed by the Senate; bill went dormant awaiting action by the House Wildlife Committee.  

SB 876 by Sens. Roland Pederson and David Bullard and Rep. Ty Burns. Carry over bill from the 2023 session. Establishes certain restrictions and regulations surrounding the issuance of hunting guide licenses and activities by non-residents. Passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee; awaiting action by the full Senate. 

SB 1336 by Sens. David Bullard and Blake Stephens. Creates a boating access fund under the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation that expands access to Oklahoma lakes and rivers, and makes an appropriation to the fund. Passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee; referred to Appropriations and went dormant. 

 SB 1431 by Sen. David Bullard and Rep. Ty Burns. Establishes a reimbursement program for licensed farmed cervidae facilities making disposals as required by law. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee; bill went dormant awaiting action by the full Senate. 

SB 1636 by Sen. David Bullard and Rep. Humphrey. Directs the Department of Wildlife to produce an elk population study to be presented to the Governor and Legislature. Passed the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee; bill went dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.  

SB 1840 by Sen. Nathan Dahm and Rep. Kevin West. Adjusts several provisions relating to the Wildlife Conservation Commission’s authority to designate endangered species, hiring directives of the Commission and the enforcement powers of the Director. Specifies the authority to manage all wildlife is pursuant to the Legislature. Specifies all wildlife found on publicly accessible lands is the property of the people state. Passed the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee; bill went dormant awaiting action by the full Senate. 

SB 1846 by Sen. Nathan Dahm and Rep. Kevin West. Prohibits game wardens from entering private property uninvited upon suspicion of the discharge of a firearm or bow. Passed the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee; bill went dormant awaiting action by the full Senate. 

02.06.24 Bill Tracking Report (PDF)

04.17.23 Legislative Tracker (PDF)

 (PDF)

2021 Wildlife-Related Legislation (PDF)

2020 Session (PDF)

2019 Session (PDF)

2018 Session (PDF)

No content available.

New Bills Passed for the 2016 Legislative Session

House Bill 1116 allows ODWC to enter into agreements/easements beyond 20 years, which is now the maximum allowed. - Link (.doc)

House Bill 1654 by Rep. Wallace and Sen. Sharp. HB 1654 prohibits the waste of edible game, unless it is not fit for human consumption due to disease, injury, gunshot, or is being prepared for taxidermy.

House Bill 2637 by Rep. Wallace and McCall, Kern, and Ritze and Sen. Silk and Brecheen. Allowing suppressors on public lands for hunting and shooting. - Link (.pdf)

House Bill 2642 by Rep. Vaughan and Sen. Fields. Deletes land size restriction for special use permits on public lands.

House Bill 2646 by Rep. Wallace and Rep. Park, and Sen. Barrington. Exempting agricultural producers from burn bans under certain circumstances.

New Bills Passed for the 2015 Legislative Session

House Bill 1650 by Rep. Vaughan and Sen. Fry. Eliminating mesh size for turtle trapping on private waters. Signed by Governor.

House Bill 1651 by Rep. Dunlap and Sen. Fields. Adding exotic wildlife to the list of wildlife that cannot be taken by certain methods. Signed by Governor.

House Bill 1652 by Rep. Park and Sen. Silk. Changing the expiration date of the nonresident deer archery license. Signed by Governor.

House Bill 1653 by Rep. Vaughan and Sen. Fry. Providing for other forms of wildlife to be used as decoys for law enforcement purposes. Signed by Governor.

House Bill 1774 by Rep. McCall and Sen. Simpson. Creating a 3-day conservation passport for $15 and providing exemptions. Signed by Governor.

House Bill 1857 by Rep. Wright and Sen. Boggs. Modifying trapping requirements and fur dealer requirements. Signed by Governor.

New Bills Passed for the 2014 Legislative Session

House Bill 2518 by Rep. Vaughan and Sen. Fields. Stating that applicants for resident lifetime licenses must intend to remain residents of the state.

House Bill 2618 by Rep. Steve Martin and Sen. Fields. Providing for specialized licensing for nuisance wildlife control operators; providing for exemptions. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2014.

House Bill 3135 by Rep. Jackson and Sen. Schulz. Removing quail from the list of species that can be hunted on a five-day nonresident hunting license. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage.

House Bill 3134 by Rep. Jackson and Sen. Schulz. Changing purchasing procedures for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for conservation-related activities on lands owned or managed by the Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2014.

New Laws Approved by the Legislature and Signed by Governor

Senate Bill 324: by Sen. Wyrick and Rep. Glenn. Allowing blue and channel catfish to be caught by noodling.

Senate Bill 780 by Sen. Brecheen and Rep. McCall. Increasing the penalty for improperly disposing of wildlife. Passed by the Senate. Amended by the House to include a one-day non-resident fishing license for $15.  Amendments approved by the Senate. Bill now goes to the Governor for action.

Senate Bill 819 by Sen. Shorty and Rep. Bennett. Allowing the use of laser sights for hunting by persons who are 100% disabled or legally blind.

Senate Bill 919 by Sen. Justice and Rep. Armes. Allowing manned aerial hunting of feral hogs and depredating wildlife with a permit from the State Department of Agriculture.

House Bill 1010 by Rep. Brown and Sen. Wyrick. Allowing bowfishing, gigging and spear gunning on the Upper Illinois River.

House Bill 1426 by Rep. Biggs and Sen. Justice. Increasing the penalties for failure to check game as required. Passed by the House. Title struck and passed by the Senate. House rejects Senate amendments and bill now goes to a conference committee.

House Bill 1594 by Rep. Vaughan and Sen. Brecheen. Allowing information that is voluntarily provided to the Wildlife Department to be released for promotional purposes. Directs the Wildlife Dept. to publish the name, county and description of deer checked via e-check and allowing a hunter to have his or her name withheld. Passed by the House. Amended and passed by the Senate. First Conference Committee report submitted and emergency clause added.

House Bill 1597 by Rep. Vaughan and Sen. Fields. Requiring sandhill crane permits for all persons hunting cranes as specified by federal law.

House Bill 1920 by Rep. Dustin Roberts and Sen. Allen. Allow feral hogs and depredating animals to be taken from a helicopter from Jan. 16 - Sept. 30.

House Bill 1928: by Rep.DeWitt and Sen. Fields. Modifying provisions for apprentice designated hunting licenses to allow anyone under 30 years of age to hunt with apprentice designated licenses while supervised.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor

Senate Bill 1518 by Sen. Fields and Rep. Armes. Prohibiting the import of feral swine into the state unless the feral swine are going directly to a slaughter facility in a sealed trailer and accompanied by a USDA permit. Bill is effective Nov. 1, 2012.

Senate Bill 1743 by Sens. Russell, Ivester, Marlatt, Treat, Brinkley, Childers, David, Schulz, Brecheen, Newberry, Shortey, McIntyre, Ellis, Simpson, Justice and Johnson and Rep. Osborn. Allowing noise suppressors to be legal devices for hunting as long as they are hunting on land they own or they are guest on property for which they have permission from the owner. Bill is effective Nov. 1, 2012.

Senate Bill 1751 by Senators Brecheen and Allen and Rep. Armes. Allowing feral hogs to be caught, fitted with a tracking collar and released onto the same private land for the express intent of utilizing the Judas pig tagging system or into a controlled area as long as it is part of a Judas pig tagging system. The Judas pig tagging system is a population control technique where a radio collared feral swine is released into a control area and, after sufficient time is allowed to join other feral swine, it is tracked down and all swine associated with the collared swine are removed. Bill is effective Nov. 1, 2012.

House Bill 1314 by Reps. Richardson and Ritze and Sen. Coates. Repealing the prohibition against hunting white deer. The bill is effective immediately.

House Bill 2198 by Rep. Vaughan and Sen. Wyrick. Provides higher penalties for poaching paddlefish eggs with a current market value exceeding $5,000.

House Bill 2495 by Reps. Hardin and Roberts (Dustin) and Sen. Brecheen. Allowing persons or businesses operating as a meat processor to release to the Hunters Against Hunger Program unclaimed processed wild game after a 90 days following notification by telephone to the person who brought the wild game for processing that the wild game has been processed and is available for collection. Bill is effective Nov. 1, 2012.

House Bill 2573 by Reps. Ownbey and Vaughan and  Sen. Simpson. Increases fines for fishing and hunting without permission and provides for a one- to five-year suspension of hunting and fishing privileges upon a second conviction of hunting or fishing without permission, and specifies that the minimum suspension will be one year. Further specifies that the Department may not issue any other licenses to the person during their suspension. Bill is effective Nov. 1, 2012.

House Bill 2607 by Rep. Blackwell and Sen. Shulz and Ivester. Limiting the Department of Wildlife Conservation from entering or approving conservation easements or setbacks for purposes relating to energy or agricultural structures and regarding the lesser prairie chicken that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law, rules or guidelines. Prior to entering or approving a conservation easement or setback the Commission and Department shall review all information and studies presented to the Commission and Department by a public or private entity affected by the proposed conservation easement or setback. Bill is effective immediately.

House Bill 2920 by Rep. S. Martin and Sen. Coates. Allowing enclosed trigger traps as legal trap methods. Bill is effective Sept. 1, 2012.

House Bill 2925 by Rep. Armes and Sen. Marlatt. Prohibiting transport of live cervidae across state lines unless there is a reciprocal agreement with the state where the cervidae is being transported to or from; allowing the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to negotiate reciprocal agreements with the federal government or any state, or any department or agency of either regarding farmed cervidae. Bill is effective Nov. 1, 2012.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor

House Concurrent Resolution 1011 by Rep. Blackwell. Would direct the Secretary of the Environment and ODWC to identify research needs, develop a conservation plan for Lesser Prairie Chickens and encourage responsible development. Introduced to the House. Signed by the House. Adopted by the Senate. Files with the Secretary of State.

House Bill 1249 by Rep. Rousselot and Hickman and Sen. David. Prohibiting persons from entering land owned by another for the sole purpose of retrieving domestic livestock or other animals. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011.  Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1338 by Reps. Renegar and Lockhart and Sen. Lerblance. Modifying apprentice designated licensing options to allow persons 8 to 30 years of age to purchase apprentice designated licenses. Adjusting the age at which hunter education certification is no longer required from 35 to 30. Adjusting the age requirement for persons to accompany apprentice license holders from 21 to 18 years of age. The bill would be effective August 26, 2011. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1339 by Rep. Renegar and Sen. Lerblance. Requiring hunting and fishing licenses be issued via an electronic point of sale system beginning no later than Jan. 1, 2013. Repealing current license dealer bond requirements after Jan. 1, 2013. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1347 by Rep. Newell and Sen Coates. Providing for bail procedures for fish and wildlife violations and specifying that persons failing to appear for fish and wildlife citations shall have their hunting and fishing privileges suspended until they do so. The bill would be effective August 26, 2011.   Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1348 by Rep. Newell. Providing that taxidermy specimens of native wildlife may be sold at an estate sale only if the specimen is part of the personal property of the estate and with written permission from the Wildlife Department director. Taxidermy of migratory birds is excluded and the provisions do not apply to farmed cervidae. Bill effective immediately. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1473 by Rep. Armes and Roberts (Dustin) and Sen. Fields. Removing the double-fencing requirement for export of farmed cervidae. Bill is effective Nov. 1, 2011. Passed by the full House 97-0. Title struck and amended and passed by the Senate 42-0. Title restored and conference committee submitted.  Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1474 by Rep. Armes and Sen. Fields. Increasing the maximum fine for trespass on a commercial hunting area or farmed cervidae facility to $1,500 for a first offense. The bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 494 by Sens. Barrington and Sparks and Rep. McNiel. Creates the "Oklahoma Private Lands and Public Recreation Act." Prohibits recreational trespass; provides that any local, county or state law enforcement officer may issue trespass citation to person violating provisions of the act;  provides that any governmental entity which has issued a hunting, fishing or other license for recreational activity may revoke the license and deny permission to reapply for a replacement for up to one year from the date of the violation. August 26, 2011. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 603 by Sen. Schultz and Rep. Blackwell. Creates the Endangered Species and Economic Development Task Force to assist agencies in providing policy and technical assistance regarding compliance with endangered species laws. The bill specifies the makeup of the task force and requires that the task force provide reports on innovative programs to address endangered species issues while promoting economic growth. The bill is effective immediately. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 828 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Armes. Adds surface lessees and hunting lessees to persons who may file against someone for trespass. Increases the fine to not less than $500 nor more than $1,500 for a first offense and not less than $1,500 nor more than $2,500 for second and subsequent offenses. It also specifies that anyone shooting from or across a public road, highway or railroad right-of-way onto a big game commercial hunting area shall face a fine of not less than $2,500 nor more $10,000. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Signed by the Governor.

Bills that died during the 2011 Legislative Session

House Bill 1063 by Rep. Lockhart. Exempting lifetime hunting and lifetime hunting and fishing combination license holders from all additional license and permit requirements, including the black bear license and sandhill crane permit. Also repeals Legacy Permit provisions that specify lifetime license purchases contribute towards the Legacy Fund. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2012. Bill goes dormant in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

House Bill 1257 by Rep. Rousselot. Prohibiting the Wildlife Conservation Commission from promulgating any rule setting a limit on the number of blue catfish 30 inches or larger which a person may take in one day. Requiring the Commission to repeal or amend any current rule that limits the number of blue catfish 30 inches or larger which may be taken in a day. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 1311 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Fields. Creating the Endangered Species and Economic Development Task Force to assist agencies in providing policy and technical assistance regarding compliance with endangered species laws. The bill specifies the makeup of the task force and requires that the task force provide reports on innovative programs to address endangered species issues while promoting economic growth. The bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 77-12. Title struck and passed by the Senate Business and Commerce Committee. Bill goes dormant waiting action by the full Senate.

House Bill 1708 by Rep. Hilliard. Specifying that no person may ship or transport catfish, minnows, fingerlings, fish, frogs or other aquatic species into the state to sell without first getting a license from the Director of the Wildlife Department. Specifying that the Wildlife Conservation Commission shall establish the fee for the license and the annual renewal fee. The bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Title struck and passed by the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House.

House Bill 1730 by Rep. Fourkiller. Shell bill relating to wildlife conservation. The bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Bill goes dormant in the House Agriculture, Wildlife and Environment Committee.

House Bill 1837 by Rep. Johnson. Exempting resident owners or tenants who hunt on land owned or leased by them from all annual licenses and permits required to hunt. The bill would be effective Sept. 1, 2011. Bill goes dormant in the House Agriculture, Wildlife and Environment Committee.

Senate Bill 72 by Sen. Ellis. Exempting nonresident landowners from annual hunting license requirements if they are hunting on their own land. Requires they carry proof of ownership while hunting. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Title struck and bill failed in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 94 by Sen. Ballenger and Rep. Shoemake. Exempting any legal resident who as a firefighter or law enforcement officer suffered a disability in the line of duty of 60 percent or more from having to purchase an annual hunting or fishing license. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Title struck and bill passed by the full Senate 44-0. Bill goes dormant in the House Agriculture, Wildlife and Environment Committee.

Senate Bill 106 by Sen. Ellis. Allowing gray fox to be trapped anywhere in the state and setting the season limit at 10. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 128 by Sen. Schultz. Exempting hunting dogs, sporting dogs, and working dogs from the provisions of the Commercial Pet Breeders Act. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Senate Bill 129 by Sen. Russell and Rep. Osborn. Creating the “Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act” and allowing suppressors to be used for hunting by persons hunting on property owned by them or by people who are hunting on property with the landowner’s permission. Bill amended on the Senate floor. Language allowing suppressors for hunting removed and language allowing for open carry of firearms inserted.

Senate Bill 224 by Sen. Coates. Shell bill relating to wildlife conservation. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Bill went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 225 by Sen. Coates. Shell bill relating to wildlife conservation. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011.Bill went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 314 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Armes. Specifying that tags for animals taken at commercial hunt areas shall cost $5 per animal if the animal is donated to the Hunters Against Hunger program. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Title struck and passed by the Senate 40-0. Bill goes dormant in the House Agriculture, Wildlife and Environment Committee.

Senate Bill 361 by Sen. Shortey. Making all laser sighting devices that project an artificial light or beam illegal for hunting, except persons who are 100 percent disabled as certified by a physician licensed in this state or any state which borders this state, if the person is hunting on private property and is accompanied by a licensed hunter as provided in Section 4-112 of Title 29. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 370 by Sen. Sparks. Directs that all lineal descendants of a hunting, fishing or combination hunting and fishing lifetime license holder who died in the line of duty during a wartime operation shall inherit the lifetime license. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2011. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 829 by Sen. Sparks. Increases the fine for trespassing to not less than $1,500 nor more than $2,500 for a first offense and not less than $2,500 nor more than $5,000 for second and subsequent offenses. Bill went dormant in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2010

Senate Bill 1275 by Sen. Gumm and Rep. Carey of the House. Would allow taxidermists to sell unclaimed taxidermy to other Oklahoma residents six months following notification that the specimen is completed for an amount not to exceed the original price for mounting the specimen. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010.  Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1594 by Sen. Marlatt and Rep. Sanders. Allows crossbows and conventional bows with draw lock devices as a legal means of hunting whenever conventional bows are allowed. Bill would be effective immediately. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1889 by Rep. Phil Richardson and Sen. Sparks. Would allow the Wildlife Department to establish Oklahoma as a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact and designate procedures for implementation. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2295 by Reps. Armes and Jordan and Sens. Shulz and Ivester. Codifying Department of Agriculture rules on farmed cervidae and allowing the sale of antlers and horns from farmed cervidae or commercial hunting areas; allowing the ODWC Director to grant an exemption for the sale of antlers and horns in other circumstances. Bill would be effective immediately. Awaiting action by the Governor.

House Bill 2861 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Garrison. Increases fines for certain wildlife violations and provides for restitution in cases involving illegal killing or possession of wildlife. Allows courts to suspend or revoke hunting and fishing license privileges depending on the type of violation and a person’s previous record of violations. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage.   Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2862 by Reps. Richardson and Roan and Sen. Justice. Specifies that the Wildlife Conservation Commission can establish an annual user license for people who do not have a hunting or fishing license for lands owned by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2963 by Rep. Sears and Sen. Schulz. Hunting and Fishing License consolidation bill. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2011.Signed by the Governor.

Directing that lifetime licenses sold to persons under 18 years age can be paid for through installments not to exceed a three-year period of time and in a manner determined by the Wildlife Department.

Would allow all residents and nonresidents to fish in state-designated trout areas without having to buy a special trout license. Costs for the trout program would be offset by increasing nonresident fishing license fees. Adds housekeeping language that incorporates the Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit in with nonresident fishing licenses.

Changing the five-day nonresident fishing license to a six-day license.

Consolidates and simplifies nonresident deer licensing by providing only one license for each of the deer season – archery, muzzleloader and gun. Specifies a fee of $279 for a nonresident deer license.

Provides for the option of hunting license effective dates to expire June 30 of the following fiscal year or Dec. 31 the end of the calendar year.

Provides that all persons serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces can purchase any resident annual fishing or hunting license.

Lifetime license consolidation bill would provide for uniform benefits between senior citizen lifetime licenses and regular lifetime licenses. Would also make lifetime license holders exempt from the trapping license and extend the effective dates for the trapping license through the end of February to include all of furbearer season. Would also consolidate some lifetime licenses.

Changed the year in which you can purchase the senior citizen license to seniors 65 and older that calendar year.

Bills that died during the 2001 Legislative Session

Senate Bill 1257 by Sen. Russell. Would remove the law prohibiting silencers for hunting. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1278 by Sen. Garrison. Allows the purchase a five-year disability hunting or fishing license for $10 for residents who have a written determination that they are 100 percent disabled from a doctor licensed to practice medicine in the state. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1312 by Sen. Ellis. Requiring 12-foot fencing, specifying sign placement and requiring quarterly inspections of commercial hunting areas. Would also require payment for all animals that remain within an area enclosed for a commercial hunting area. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1322 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Hilliard. Specifying that the sale of handguns, rifles and shotguns be exempt from state sales tax from the third Friday in August and continuing for a period of three days. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 1365 by Sens. Coffee and Gumm and Reps. Russ and Walker. Directing that lifetime licenses sold to persons under 18 years age can be paid for through installments not to exceed a three-year period of time and in a manner determined by the Wildlife Department. .* This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1378 by Sen. Sykes and Rep Richardson. Limiting the civil liability for persons engaged in firearm activities at gun ranges, shops or clubs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Pre-filed Senate bill. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 1393 by Sen. Schulz and Rep. Richardson. Would allow all residents and nonresidents to fish in state-designated trout areas without having to buy a special trout license. Costs for the trout program would be offset by increasing nonresident fishing license fees. Adds housekeeping language that incorporates the Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit in with nonresident fishing licenses. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1594 by Sen. Schultz and Rep. Richardson. Consolidates and simplifies nonresident deer licensing by providing only one license for each of the deer season – archery, muzzleloader and gun. Specifies a fee of $279 for a nonresident deer license. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1597 by Sen. Stanislawski and Rep. J. Wright. Limits the terms of Wildlife Commissioners, and commissioners of other state agencies, to six-year terms and that they cannot serve more than 12 years. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill passed 26-16 by the Senate. Title restored and passed by the House Government Modernization Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House.

Senate Bill 1680 by Sen. Marlatt. Shell bill relating to the office of the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1728 by Sen. Schulz. Shell bill relating to the office of the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1781 by Sen. Schulz. Lifetime license consolidation bill would provide for uniform benefits between senior citizen lifetime licenses and regular lifetime licenses. Would also make lifetime license holders exempt from the trapping license and extend the effective dates for the trapping license through the end of February to include all of furbearer season. Would also consolidate some lifetime licenses. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2011. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1798 by Sen. Anderson. Prohibits possession of certain animals, including bears, cougars, lions, tigers and nonhuman primates. Provides for certain exemptions. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill failed in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 2091 by Sen. Sparks. Shell bill relating to the office of the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 2093 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Sanders. Specifying that anyone who shoots from or across a public roadway onto the land of another is guilty of trespassing. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Title stricken. Bill passed by the Senate 40-0. Title restored and passed by the House Judiciary Committee. Bill goes dormant in Conference Committee.

House Bill 2275 by Rep. Cox and Sen. Wyrick. Sets the year-round normal elevation of Grand Lake at 745 feet above sea level. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill passed by the House 54-41; emergency fails. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.

House Bill 2314 by Rep. Smithson and Roan and Sen. Ballenger. Changing the five-day nonresident fishing license to a six-day license. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

House Bill 2334 by Rep. Murphey. Shell bill on consolidation of state agencies. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 2555 by Rep. Steve Martin. Restricts fishing guide license requirement to Lake Texoma only. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2557 by Rep. McCullough. Allows tag agents to sell 5-year hunting and fishing licenses, providing that this information would be added to a person’s drivers license. Requires game to be checked in within 24 hours but specifying that they can be checked in at the most convenient location. Provides that senior citizen licenses will have the same benefits as regular lifetime licenses. Sets the total yearly buck limit at one whitetail buck and one mule deer buck, with antlerless whitetail and mule deer harvest allowed on any day the season is open. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2585 by Reps. Pruett and Roan and Sen. Justice. Consolidates and simplifies nonresident deer licensing by providing only one license for each of the deer season – archery, muzzleloader and gun. Specifies a fee of $279 for a nonresident deer license. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

House Bill 2595 by Rep. Sears and Sen. Schultz. Provides for the option of hunting license effective dates to expire June 30 of the following fiscal year or Dec. 31 the end of the calendar year. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

House Bill 2701 by Reps. McDaniel and Hoskin and Sen. Lamb. Provides that all persons serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces can purchase any resident annual fishing or hunting license. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

House Bill 2850 by Rep. Pruett and Sen. Barrington. Would allow all residents and nonresidents to fish in state-designated trout areas without having to buy a special trout license. Costs for the trout program would be offset by increasing nonresident fishing license fees. Adds housekeeping language that incorporates the Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit in with nonresident fishing licenses. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

House Bill 2963 by Rep. Sears and Sen. Schulz. Lifetime license consolidation bill would provide for uniform benefits between senior citizen lifetime licenses and regular lifetime licenses. Would also make lifetime license holders exempt from the trapping license and extend the effective dates for the trapping license through the end of February to include all of furbearer season. Would also consolidate some lifetime licenses. * This bill was consolidated into House Bill 2963 which was passed by the Governor.

House Bill 2993 by Rep. Enns. Allows people who are actively serving in the military and are children of Oklahoma residents to buy resident licenses regardless of their state of residency. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 3137 by Rep. Ownbey. Shell bill relating to raccoons. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 3206 by Rep. Armes and Sen. Schultz. Spells out licensing and facility requirements for farmed cervidae. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2010. Title stricken and bill passed by the House 83-0. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Appropriations Committee, subcommittee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services.

House Bill 3207 by Rep. Armes. Increases the fine for shooting from a public road to a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $3,000 and in addition the court shall order restitution for actual damages incurred. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 3260 by Rep. Blackwell and Sen. Marlatt. Requiring the Wildlife Conservation Commission to declare an open season in any counties or parts of counties in the state for a species of wildlife if a state contiguous with Oklahoma has declared and established an open season on that species of wildlife. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and bill passed by the House 69-24; emergency failed. Enacting clause struck and passed 10-0 by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill passed by the Senate 44-0. Senate amendments rejected conference committee requested. Conference Committee named Sens. Marlatt, Schulz, Justice, Wyrick, Ellis and Reps. Blackwell, Richardson, Pruett, Smithson and Jordan. Title restored. Conference Committee report rejected in the House, further conference requested, same conferees. Bill goes dormant in Conference Committee.

House Bill 3281 by Rep. Jackson. Providing for public fishing on any watershed lake operated or maintained by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission or a conservation district or which was funded with monies from the Small Watersheds Flood Control Fund. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the Rules Committee.

House Joint Resolution 1073 by Reynolds. Proposed constitutional amendment specifying non-appropriated agencies would have their budgets cut in the same manner as other state agencies during times when the state is experiencing a budget shortfall. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the House Rules Committee.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2009

Senate Bill 248 by Sens. Ford and Sweeden and Reps. Sears and Fields Adds Copan and Hulah lakes to the existing list of lakes which allow anglers to enter and wade in the safety zone.  Bill would be effective July 1, 2009. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 277 by Sens. Schulz and Gumm and Rep. Armes and Fields. Specifies that paid fishing guides must procure a guide license at a fee of $200.00 annually. Effective July 1, 2009. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1031 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Schwartz. Bill would adjust the fee for annual hunting and fishing licenses to include the Fishing and Hunting Legacy Fee that is currently being charged as a separate permit. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1033 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Armes, Fields and Sherrer. Bill would make it a felony to wrongfully injure any cervidae upon the premises of a farmed cervidae facility and set penalties of not less than a $5,000 fine and up to two years imprisonment in the State Penitentiary, or both. Convicted persons shall also be liable for damages of not less than three times nor more than 10 times of the actual detriment. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1034 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Schwartz. Bill would establish the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Consolidation of Licenses, Permits and Fees Task Force. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage.  Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1464 by Reps. Pruett, Dorman and Liebmann and Ellis of the Senate. Establishes a black bear hunting license for $100 for residents and $500 for nonresidents and specifies the Wildlife Conservation Commission shall decide the open season, bag limits and territorial limitations for hunting black bear. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1465 by Rep. Pruett and Sen. Corn. Expands the harvest season for furbearers through the last day of February. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1691 by Rep. Sears and Sen. Ford. Bill provides that falconry licenses from other states would be valid in Oklahoma. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage.  Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 1761 by Reps. Enns, and Sherrer and Barrington of the Senate. Specifying that persons qualified to use a crossbow may also use devices that allow conventional bows to be held at full or partial draw. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage.  Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2154 by Reps. Armes and Schulz and Sparks of the Senate. Bill would increase the fine for any person hunting without permission at a facility licensed pursuant to the Oklahoma Farmed Cervidae Act or big game commercial hunting area. Also specifies that the court shall also order restitution for actual damages incurred. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2158 by Reps. Armes and Schulz. Authorizing the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to issue permits to persons holding a big game commercial hunting area license to engage in the management of depredating animals by use of aircraft without limitation of statewide season, bag limits, or methods of taking. Depredating animals that could be taken would include feral hogs, coyotes, and crossbreeds between coyotes and dogs. Bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2009. Signed by the Governor.

Dormant bills for the 2009 Legislative Session

Senate Bill 53 by Sen. Anderson. Bill would allow any person serving in a branch of the United States Armed Forces to buy an Oklahoma hunting license for $6 or an Oklahoma fishing license for $6. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 278 by Sen. Schulz. Allowing the Department of Wildlife to issue permits to persons holding a big game commercial hunting area license to engage in the management of depredating animals by use of aircraft without limitation of statewide season, bag limits, or methods of taking. Depredating animals that could be taken would include feral hogs, bobcats, red fox, coyotes, and crossbreeds between coyotes and dogs. Bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2009. Title struck and passed the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 245 by Sen. Gumm. Would allow any person holding a nonambulatory motor vehicle hunting permit to be able to hunt on any Department of Wildlife managed lands authorized for hunting. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 450 by Sens. Corn and Ellis and Rep. Brannon. Establishes a black bear hunting license for $100 for residents and $500 for nonresidents and specifies the Wildlife Conservation Commission shall decide the open season, bag limits and territorial limitations for hunting black bear. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the Senate 37-7. Title stricken and passed by the House Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House.

Senate Bill 625 by Sens. Sparks. Shell bill relating to the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 626 by Sens. Sparks. Shell bill relating to the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 627 by Sens. Sparks. Shell bill relating to the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 628 by Sens. Sparks. Shell bill relating to the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 629 by Sens. Sparks. Shell bill relating to the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 651 by Sen. Ivester. Bill would remove the prohibition against hunting with a firearm that is equipped with a silencer. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 776 by Sen. Schulz. Shell bill relating to noncommercial wildlife breeder's license. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 777 by Sen. Schulz. Shell bill relating to noncommercial wildlife breeder's license. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 779 by Sen. Schulz. Shell bill relating to noncommercial wildlife breeder's license. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 861 by Sen. Schulz. Bill would increase fines and provide for a one-year forfeiture of hunting or fishing licenses for persons found guilty of trespass. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 1032 by Sen. Sparks. Bill would create an Oklahoma Native Lifetime License for persons born in Oklahoma but who no longer live in the state. Would set the fees at $500 for fishing, $1,800 for hunting and $2,000 for a combination hunting and fishing. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1035 by Sen. Sparks and Rep. Armes. Increases the fine for trespassing and provides for actual damages. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Bill goes dormant in the conference committee.

Senate Bill 1058 by Sen. Sparks. Setting the fee at $5 for tags for animals taken at commercial hunting areas if the animal is to be donated to the Hunters Against Hunger Program. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009.Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 1356 by Rep. Auffet. Bill would allow grab hooks and snagging to take fish in waters declared open to taking of those fish with gigs. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill goes dormant in the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 1358 by Rep. Sherrer. Bill would allow anyone eight years of age or older to purchase an apprentice-designated hunting license. Would also require all persons under 12 years of age hunting big game to be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years of age or older who is hunter education certified or exempt. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Pre-filed House bill. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full house.

House Bill 1429 by Rep. Lamons. Bill would make hunting and fishing without permission a felony and increase the fine to not less than $500 and not more than $5,000 or imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not less than two years, or both. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Pre-filed House bill.

House Bill 1889 by Rep. Richardson. Would establish Oklahoma as a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact and designate procedures implementation in Oklahoma. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Pre-filed House bill.

House Bill 1890 by Reps. Richardson, Roan, Walker and Barrington and Inman and Smithson of the Senate. Adjusting senior citizen lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to include all annual licenses and special season permits for a one-time fee of $25. Bill would be effective immediately. Passed by the House 91-2. Title stricken and passed by the Senate 46-0. House rejects Senate amendments. Bill now goes to conference.

House Bill 1891 by Rep. Richardson. Bill would adjust the fee and license structure for non-resident deer licenses. Bill would be effective immediately. Pre-filed House bill.

House Bill 2007 by Rep. Blackwell. Specifying that antelope may only be hunted from Sept 1 through 30, and that only bow hunting is allowed. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Pre-filed House bill.

House Bill 2100 by Rep. Enns. Shell bill called the Oklahoma Game and Fish Act of 2009. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2009. Pre-filed House bill

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2008

Senate Joint Resolution 38 by Sen. Glenn Coffee. A proposed vote of the people to adopt a constitutional amendment providing that all citizens of this state shall have a right to hunt, fish, trap and harvest game and fish, subject only to reasonable regulation as prescribed by the Legislature and the Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Wildlife Conservation Commission shall have the power and the authority to approve methods, practices and procedures for hunting, trapping, fishing and the taking of game and fish. Traditional methods, practices and procedures shall be allowed for taking game and fish that are not identified as threatened by law or by the Commission. Hunting, fishing, and trapping shall be the preferred means of managing game and fish that are not identified as threatened by law or by the Commission. Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify any provision of common law or statutes relating to trespass, eminent domain or any other property rights. Signed by the Governor. Resolution is directed to the Secretary of the State to prepare and send to a vote of the people.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 by Sen. Kenneth Corn of the Senate and Rep. Neil Brannon of the House. Recognizing the limited public consideration for the regulation of ATVs on Forest Service lands in the Ouachita National Forest and requesting that the U.S. Congress intervene to postpone the date on which the regulations are to take effect and a more thorough public input process be devised. Adopted by the Senate. Adopted by the House 101-0.

Senate Bill 1463 by Sen. James Williamson. Prohibits computer software or services that allow a person, not physically present, to remotely control a firearm or weapon to hunt any live animal or bird. Also prohibits persons from engaging in activities that sell or provide for computer - assisted remote control hunting of wildlife. Provides penalties and defines computer - assisted remote control hunting. Bill is effective immediately. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1734 by Sen. John Sparks. Makes it unlawful to enter or attempt to take species on licensed commercial hunting areas and facilities licensed under the Oklahoma Farmed Cervidae Act without permission.  Bill is effective immediately. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1735 by Sen. John Sparks. Requires that persons convicted of trespassing shall be responsible for actual damages incurred and increases fines for second and subsequent offenses. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 2111 by Sen. John Sparks. Requires that persons convicted of trespassing shall be responsible for actual damages incurred and increases fines for second and subsequent offenses. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2544 by Rep. Phil Richardson. Removes the restrictions on fees for land access fee permits and eliminates most exemptions to the permit. Allow Wildlife Conservation Commission to set the permit fee. Bill is effective immediately. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2667 by Rep. Randy McDaniel. Creates 5-year hunting, fishing and combination licenses. Sets the fee for these licenses at $75 (fishing), $75 (hunting) and $135 (combination). Would require persons buying one of these licenses to also purchase a 5-year fishing and hunting legacy permit for $12. The 5-year license shall not lose the privileges by change of residency. Bill will be effective Jan. 1, 2009. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2735 by Rep. Brian Renegar of the House and Sen. Richard Lerblance of the Senate. Allows youth 10 years of age and older to purchase apprentice designated hunting licenses as needed. Bill is effective immediately upon passage.  Also increases the fee for a resident fur dealer's license to $100 and sets the fee for nonresidents equivalent to that state's nonresident fee. If no equivalent fee exists in a state where a nonresident resides, the fee for an Oklahoma nonresident fur dealer's license shall be $300. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 3164 by Rep. Gus Blackwell. Would include pheasants as a huntable species with a five-day non-resident hunting license and raise the fee for a five-day non-resident hunting license to $69. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 3268 by Rep. Terry Harrison. Provides that the Department of Public Safety may enter into a written agreement with the Wildlife Department to allow the Wildlife Department to enforce laws outlined in the agreement on the turnpikes of the state. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 3365 by Rep. Skye McNiel. Restricts possession of paddlefish eggs to the eggs of only one paddlefish if the egg membrane is still intact, or three pounds combined of processed paddlefish eggs or fresh eggs that have been removed from the membrane. Specifies that no person may transport any paddlefish eggs or paddlefish with viscera intact out of the state. Bill is effective immediately. Signed by the Governor.

House Bill 2226 by Rep. Glen Bud Smithson. Committee substitute allows residents 55 years of age or older to hunt with a crossbow. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 91-0. Bill amended and passed by the Senate 45-2. Amendment changes the age to 60 years old for those allowed to use a crossbow. House concurs with Senate amendments 93-1. Signed by the Governor.

Dormant bills for the 2008 Legislative Session

Senate Bill 1173 by Sen. Patrick Anderson. Provides that any person serving in a branch of the Armed Forces, who is on properly authorized leave of absence from military duty and has in possession proper written evidence showing such authorized leave, and is serving outside Oklahoma, may purchase an annual fishing or hunting license for a fee of $5. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1388 By Sen. Jay Paul Gumm. Reduces lifetime license cost by 10 percent for persons under 18 years of age. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Not  heard in committee.

Senate Bill 1474 by Sen. Jeff Rabon. Authorizing game wardens to assist in enforcing state fire laws without request from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 1665 by Sen. Charles Wyrick. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1677 by Sen. Earl Garrison. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1678 by Sen. Earl Garrison. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1679 by Sen. John Sparks. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1680 by Sen. John Sparks. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1681 by Sen. Jonathon Nichols. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1682 by Sen. John Ford. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1702 by Sen. John Ford. Prohibits importation into the state, sale, purchase, trade, barter possession or breeding of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrids of these species, wolves, bears and nonhuman primates except marmosets, tamarins, capuchins and squirrel monkeys. Defines wildlife sanctuaries and provides an exception for these facilities. Also provides exemptions for other persons, including hunters with legally harvested animal carcasses or parts thereof and those persons who had lawful possession of a prohibited animal prior to the effective date of the bill if the person provides written notification of possession of the animal to the local animal control authority within 45 days of the effective date of the bill. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Public Safety.

Senate Bill 1732 by Sen. John Sparks. Repeals residency requirements for commercial hunt area owners. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1733 by Sen. John Sparks. Increases the penalty for trespass and removes certain exemptions that allow persons to enter onto land of others without permission, and prohibits hunting or fishing without permission on land that is primarily devoted to farming, ranching or forestry without the requirement to post such land. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008.  Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1920 by Sen. Mike Schulz. Increases the penalty for trespass and removes certain exemptions that allow persons to enter onto land of others without permission, and prohibits hunting or fishing without permission on land that is primarily devoted to farming, ranching or forestry without the requirement to post such land. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008.  Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 2058 by Sen. Jeff Rabon. Shell bill relating to attempted game and fish violations. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 2084 by Sen. Jeff Rabon. Authorizing game wardens to assist in enforcing state fire laws without request from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Bill would also authorize game wardens to enforce wildlife laws on turnpikes of the state. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008.  Passed by the Senate 47-0. Title stricken and passed by the full House Natural Resources Committee. Bill went dormant awaiting action by the full House.

Senate Joint Resolution 39 Sen. Tom Ivester. A proposed vote of the people to adopt a constitutional amendment providing that all citizens of this state shall have an inherent right to engage in hunting, trapping, fishing and the taking of game and fish, free of state laws which explicitly or implicitly effectively prohibit the ability of citizens to engage in such activities.  Hunting, trapping, fishing and the taking of game and fish are a valued part of our heritage and will forever be preserved for the people.  The Wildlife Conservation Commission shall be vested with the power and authority to approve methods, practices and procedures for hunting, trapping, fishing and the taking of game and fish. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit reasonable regulation of hunting, trapping, fishing and the taking of game and fish; or repeal or invalidate any laws or rules in existence on the effective date of its adoption. Went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2524 by Rep. Larry Glenn. Allows non-resident college students 25 years of age or less who are enrolled as full-time students at a school within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to obtain annual hunting licenses for deer or turkey for $20. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Passed by the House 98-1. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2546 by Rep. Phil Richardson. Prohibits computer software or services that allow a person, not physically present, to remotely control a firearm or weapon to hunt any live animal or bird. Also prohibits persons from engaging in activities that sell or provide for computer - assisted remote control hunting of wildlife. Provides penalties and defines computer - assisted remote control hunting. Provides an exemption for persons with permanent disability incapable of using a firearm/crossbow or conventional bow. Bill would be effective immediately. Passed by the House 99-0. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2549 by Rep. Phil Richardson. Requires administrative fines to be paid by mail and states that these fines shall be enforceable in the district courts of the state. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on the Environment.

House Bill 2649 by Rep. Inman. Reduces annual fishing license fee to $9.50 after June 30, and also creates a one-day resident fishing license with a fee of $5. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2009. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on the Environment.

House Bill 2738 by Rep. David Braddock. Requires the Wildlife Conservation Commission notify the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission prior to making a management decision that would increase the number and types of birds and waterfowl flying onto or around property owned or operated by the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Title struck. Committee substitute passed by the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Passed by the House 97-0. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

House Bill 2791 by Rep. Mike Jackson. Provides that entering a licensed farmed cervidae facility or commercial hunt area without permission is trespass, and provides fines for this trespass. Also provides fines for attempting to take wildlife on such areas. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Conference committee report adopted by the House 95-1 and adopted by the Senate 45-0. Report also adds language authorizing the Department of Wildlife to issue special permits to licensed commercial hunting areas for the purposes of managing depredating animals with the use of aircraft. Bill vetoed by the Governor.

House Bill 2803 by Rep. Mike Brown. Allows veterans with less than 60 percent disability to purchase a five-year disability fishing license for $10. Bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on the Environment.

House Bill 2962 by Rep. Scott Inman. Shell bill relating to the Wildlife Department and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2008. Went dormant in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 3077 by Rep. Joe Dorman. Providing that the Wildlife Conservation Commission shall decide open seasons, bag limits and territorial limitations for hunting or taking black bear and the bill would also establishes bear hunting license requirements and costs. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House Natural Resources Committee. Bill goes dormant.

House Bill 3083 by Rep. Joe Dorman. Requires owners of non-native bears or cats that will grow to 50 pounds or more to be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and requires their owners to keep the animals controlled and restrained. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 3247 by Rep. Lucky Lamons. Creates a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the fair market value for lands donated to a public or private conservation agency for the purposes of conservation or preservation. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2009. Went dormant in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 3388 by Rep. Covey. Requires owners of non-native cats and bears that will grow to 50 pounds or more to be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and requires their owners to keep the animals controlled and restrained. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage.

House Joint Resolution 1074 by Rep. Scott Martin. Proposed Constitutional amendment that would allow the Governor to have the power to appoint and replace up to forty percent (40%) of gubernatorial appointments on any agency, board, or commission within the first twelve (12) months in office, including the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.  Passed by the House 70-28. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

House Joint Resolution 1099 by Rep. Ken Miller. Proposed Constitutional amendment allowing each Governor, within forty-five (45) days of assuming office, to create a cabinet system for the executive branch of state government, and providing that the Governor or the Governor’s cabinet secretary shall appoint certain agency heads, including the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Title stricken and passed by the House 91-10. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

House Bill 2547 by Rep. Phil Richardson. Increases the fine for trespassing, removes certain exemptions that allow persons to enter onto land of others without permission, and prohibits hunting or fishing without permission on land that is primarily devoted to farming, ranching or forestry without the requirement to post such land. Specifies that the courts may include up to a one-year forfeiture of hunting and fishing license for trespass. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 78-13. Amended and passed the Senate 34-14; House votes 84-13 to concur with Senate amendments. Vetoed by Governor.

2/04/08 - Session Begins

2/21/08 - Senate Bills Reported from Senate Committees Deadline

3/06/08 - House Bills Reported from House Committees Deadline

3/13/08 - 3rd Reading in House of Origin

4/03/08 - House Bills from Senate Committees Deadline

4/17/08 - Senate Bills from House Committees Deadline

4/24/08 - 3rd Reading in Opposite House of Origin

5/30/08 - Sine Die Adjournment

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2007

Senate Bill 161 by Sen. Justice and Rep. Richardson. Committee Senate substitute allows landowners to kill any animals of the family canidae or felidae found chasing livestock on their property. Bill is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 558 by Sen. Sparks and Rep Richardson. Creates a $10 youth license for deer archery and deer muzzleloader permits for legal residents under 18 years of age. Allows the Wildlife Department to waive bond requirements for dealers who are selling licenses via the Internet point of sale system. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007.

House Bill 1042 by Rep. Smithson and Sen. Wyrick. Would modify hunter education requirements to specify that hunters 35 years of age and younger would have to either have successfully passed a hunter education course or they could if they purchased an apprentice hunting license and were accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 years of age or older. The measure defines different accompanying parameters for small game and big game hunting. Bill is effective immediately.

House Bill 1393 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Ford. Would clarify residency requirements and proof of residency for the purposes of purchasing hunting or fishing licenses. Bill would also eliminate the sunset provisions for the Wildlife Diversity Fund. Would allow the Department to issue a duplicate of any annual license for $1.50, and would allow persons arrested for violations of fish and wildlife laws to, in lieu of posting bond, pay an administrative fine equal to one-half of the current bond schedule, as prepared by the Administrative Office of the Courts. All fines collected would be payable to the Department of Wildlife to be exclusively used for developing, managing, conserving and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat.  Bill is effective immediately.

House Bill 1914 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Ballenger. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007.

House Bill 1915 by Rep. Richardson and Sen. Justice. Committee substitute prohibits trespass on lands devoted to farming, ranching or forestry regardless of whether or not it is conspicuously posted, including school lands. Also would increase the fine for trespassing to not less than $50 and not more than $500. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007.

House Bill 2064 by Rep. Hyman and Sen. Barrington. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon and crow.  The permit allows night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit is valid for up to one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill will be effective Nov. 1, 2007.

Dormant bills for the 2007 Legislative Session

House Bill 1043 by Smithson. Would require commercial hunting areas to compensate the Department of Wildlife for any deer, elk, antelope or bighorn sheep that still remain in the enclosure after a reasonable effort to remove the wildlife is completed. The number and value of the wildlife remaining in the enclosure shall be determined pursuant to rules promulgated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources.

House Bill 1048 by Rep. Ellis and Sen. Wilson. Would exempt legal residents of Oklahoma serving in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from land access permit requirements. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 100-0; bill failed in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 1420 by Rep. Duncan. Would exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma, their spouses, parents, grandparents, children of their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, who fish in private ponds located on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a fishing license. Would also exempt nonresidents who own land in Oklahoma and who hunt on land owned by the nonresident from having to purchase a hunting license. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 1516 by Rep. DeWitt. Would create the feral swine control act. The bill would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Went dormant in the House Committee on Natural Resources.

House Bill 1564 by Rep. Brown. Would allow the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish an annual special use permit that would be required for persons to operate all terrain vehicles off-road in wildlife management areas. The Commission may establish a three-day special use permit that would allow persons to use all terrain vehicles off road in wildlife management areas for up to three consecutive days. The fees from these resident and nonresident permits shall be expended exclusively for managing, preserving and protecting wildlife in wildlife management areas. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Bill failed in the House subcommittee on Environment and Wildlife and does not go to the full House Committee on Natural Resources.

House Bill 1668 by Rep. Dorman and Sen. Rabon. Committee substitute would direct the Oklahoma Tax Commission to distribute a portion of state income taxes paid to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in the amount equal to the sum of license fees forgone by exemptions to those licenses authorized by the Legislature. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2008. Title stricken and passed by the House 91-2. Bill went dormant in the Senate Finance Committee.

House Bill 1728 by Rep. McCarter and Sen. Barrington. Modifying the hunting license exemption for persons engaged in training dogs to specify a license is not required provided the persons training or working dogs does not take or attempt to take in any manner any game. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 101-0. Bill amended and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Committee amendment would prohibit field training of dogs during deer gun and deer muzzleloader seasons. Bill goes dormant in the Senate.

House Bill 1970 by Reps. Armes and Dorman. Assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Provides that no person may hunt wildlife, including waterfowl, from or with the aid of an airboat on any body of water designated by the Director of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Went dormant in  the House Committee on Natural Resources.

House Bill 2108 by Rep. Cargill and Sen. Ford. Creates the Oklahoma Forever Land Trust Advisory Council and specifies goals, objectives and operation of the Council. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed by the House 99-1. Bill went dormant in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bill 70 by Sen. Ballenger and Rep. Hyman. Creates the feral swine control act. Senate floor substitute would authorize the removal of feral swine from private lands, create a process for allowing night hunting of feral swine and hunting of feral swine during deer firearms seasons, and establish import/export rules relating to feral hogs. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed from the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Passes the Senate 48-0. Not heard in the full House Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Bill 95 By Sen. Corn and Rep. Richardson. Would prohibit hunting on private lands without landowner permission, whether they are posted or not. Bill also provides for revocation of a person's hunting or fishing license for up to a year if they violate these provisions. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed the Senate 40-7. Amended and passed by the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Passed the House 73-12. Senate concurs with House amendments and pass bill 37-9. Bill held on a notice to reconsider.  Governor vetoed.

Senate Bill 174 by Sen. Barrington. Would exempt volunteer fire fighters from having to purchase an annual hunting or fishing license. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Rabon and Rep. Dorman. House Committee substitute clarifies the authority of game wardens.  Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. Passed the Senate 42-0. Passed by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on the Environment and Wildlife and went dormant the full House Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Bill 505 by Sen. Easley. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. Permit allow night hunting and would be valid for one year. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill went dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 700 by Sen. Ballenger and Rep. Steele. Committee substitute would require any landowner building a high fence on their property to perform a reasonable effort remove any deer, elk, antelope or big horn sheep before the area is enclosed. Passed by the Senate 47-0. Bill went dormant in the House Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Bill 721 by Sen. Barrington and Rep. McCarter. Authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to issue permits to landowners, lessees, or their designated agents to control nuisance damage by any species of wildlife, including, but not limited to beaver, coyote, deer, bobcat, raccoon, crow and feral swine. The permit would allow night hunting to protect marketable agricultural crops, livestock, or processed feed, seed or other materials used in the production of an agricultural commodity. Permit would be valid for one year and must be carried while hunting. Permit holders would have to possess a current agricultural tax exempt certificate from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2007. One floor amendment adopted and bill passed the Senate 45-0. Passed from the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on the Environment and Wildlife and went dormant in the full house Natural Resources Committee.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2006

House Bill 2621 by Rep. Purcy Walker and Sen. Charles Wyrick. Would change the annual fee for a commercial hunting area offering big game hunts to $500; specifies nonresidents must purchase an annual nonresident hunting license to hunt big game in a commercial hunting area; provides that residents would be exempt from big game permit requirements but must have an annual hunting license, unless exempt, if hunting big game in a commercial hunting area. Bill is effective immediately upon approval. Passed by the House and Senate. Signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1296 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Purcy Walker. Senate floor amendment authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Commission to declare an open season on mountain lions, black bears and river otters. Bill is effective immediately upon approval. Bill passed by the House and Senate. Signed by the Governor

Senate Bill 1678 by Sen. Owen Laughlin and Rep. Jeff Hickman. Designates the Mexican free-tailed bat as the state flying mammal. Signed by the Governor

Dormant bills for the 2006 Legislative Session

House Bill 2077 by Reps. Jerry Ellis, Neil Brannon, Wes Hilliard, Terry Hyman, Mark Liotta, Ray Miller, Paul Roan, Jerry Shoemake, Bud Smithson, Purcy Walker and Paul Wesselhoft and Sen. Frank Shurden. Would exempt legal Oklahoma residents serving in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces from land access permit requirements. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Passed by the House 98-0. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Passed by the Senate 46-0; House refuses to concur with Senate amendments. Bill now goes to a conference committee. Senate conferees named: Shurden, Wilson, Rabon, Corn, Nichols, Riley. The House rejected the first conference committee report; bill now goes back to conference. The second conference committee report has been submitted. Fencing requirements that were outlined in the first conference committee report have been amended to 40 acres as opposed to two acres. I have a complete copy of the bill for those who want it. Bill went dormant.

House Bill 2401 by Ray McCarter. Shell bill relating to annual combination hunting and fishing licenses. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Failed to be acted on in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 2406 by Rep. Dale Turner. Committee substitute creates the "Farmed Cervidae Act." The Act authorizes the Department of Agriculture to promulgate rules governing farmed cervidae. The bill does not change rules governing cervidae in commercial hunting areas, which would remain regulated by the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Passed by the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House.

House Bill 2563 by Reps. Mike Jackson and Purcy Walker and Sen. Jim Wilson. Would change hunter education requirements to allow persons between 16 and 35 years of age to hunt without hunter education certification if accompanied by a licensed, hunter education certified persons who is at least 21. Bill provides for the definition of accompany. It also changes hunter education requirements such that youth under 16 must be accompanied while hunting unless they are hunter education certified. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the House 89-3. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill amended, title restored and voted down (33 to 12) by the full Senate.

House Bill 2710 by Rep. Mike Jackson. Shell bill that creates the Rights of Landowners Act of 2006. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Failed in the House Corrections Committee.

House Bill 2929 by Reps. Richardson, Hyman, Brown, Covey, Denney, DeWitt, McCarter, McMullen, Morgan (Fred), Roan, Shoemake, Turner and Walker, and Senators Frank Shurden and Ron Justice. House floor substitute would establish the Feral Swine Control Act. Provides that no person shall be required to obtain a hunting license to remove feral swine during daylight hours on property owned or leased by that person. Provides that a person shall obtain a permit from the Department of Wildlife to remove feral swine at night. Any person removing feral swine from public property during an established hunting season shall do so according to rules prescribed by the Wildlife Department with weapons and methods authorized for that season. The bill also specifies parameters for importing feral swine into Oklahoma. It also provides for and specifies that the Department of Agriculture shall promulgate rules for the testing and intrastate movement of feral swine. Title stricken and passed by the House 100-0. Committee substitute passed by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee retains much of the same language except that it specifies during designated muzzleloader and firearms deer seasons hunters must possess deer hunting licenses and permits as required by the Wildlife Department. It specifies, however, that landowner may obtain a free permit from their local game warden that shall allow the owner and one person of lineal or collateral descent to kill feral swine on their property during these seasons without any licenses or permits. Passed by the Senate 46-0. House refuses to concur with Senate amendments; bill now goes to a conference committee. House adopted conference committee report 96-0; The Senate has rejected the first conference committee report; bill went dormant in conference committee.

House Bill 2948 by Joe Dorman. Authorizes the Director of the Wildlife Department is authorized to issue rattlesnake hunting permit forms to a municipal entity or organizer of a rattlesnake-hunting event or festival which shall issue the rattlesnake permit and collect and remit the permit fees to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Not heard in the House Wildlife Committee. Referred to the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 2943 by Joe Dorman. Committee substitute provides for a tax credit of 100 percent of the cost of certain hunting and fishing licenses for many of the individuals who are normally exempt from hunting and fishing license requirements while keeping license exemptions for select individuals. Bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2007. Passed by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House.

House Bill 2952 by Rep. Joe Dorman. Shell bill relating to exotic wildlife. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Failed to be acted on in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 3006 by Rep. Fred Morgan. Would remove authority from the Wildlife Conservation Commission to develop and implement a plan to provide step raises for Commission Employees so that discrepancies within pay levels within a pay grade will be eliminated; further provide that the Director of the Wildlife Department shall determine the salaries and wages to be paid to employees under the Commission subject to the rules promulgated by the Commission and the subject to the Oklahoma Personnel Act and the Merit System of Personnel Administration. Bill would also provide for suspension, discharge, station or transfer of employees subject to the Oklahoma Personnel Act and the Merit System of Personnel Administration. Specifies that effective July 1, 2006, the Department of Wildlife Conservation shall be a Merit System agency and all employees shall be classified employees subject to the Oklahoma Personnel Act and the Merit System of Personnel Administration. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Failed to be acted on in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

House Bill 3018 by Rep. Don Armes. Provides that no person may harass, attempt to capture, capture, attempt to take or take, kill or attempt to kill any wildlife, including waterfowl, from or with the aid of an air boat on any body of water designated by the Director of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Failed to be acted on in the House Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1019 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Paul Roan. Adding those portions of the Blue River and tributaries located in Johnston County from the Pontotoc/Johnston County line ending where Blue River passes under State Hwy. 48A to the list of scenic river areas. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Passed by the Senate 42-0. Bill failed in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Bill 1045 by Senators Shurden, Crutchfield and Rabon and Rep. Bud Smithson. Senate floor substitute provides that prior to enclosure of any tract of more than two acres with a fence capable of confining deer or other wildlife, a drive must be made throughout the area to ensure that any wild whitetail or mule deer, elk, antelope or other big game are not present on the area. Such drive must be made in the presence of designated Wildlife Department employees and shall be to the satisfaction of such employees. Provides a penalty of up to $1,000 per acre for every acre in violation of the law. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Passed by the Senate 30-16. Committee substitute with similar language passed by the House Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full House.

Senate Bill 1300 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Turner. Specifies that any person using a Wildlife Management Area must possess a hunting or fishing license, whether or not they are hunting or fishing. Provides exemptions for those under 18 years of age; students and instructors in bona fide educational tours and persons entering, but not fishing or hunting on the following Department fishing areas: Etling, Raymond Gary, Watonga and Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. Bill would be effective immediately upon approval. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill fails in the Senate by a vote of 11-30.

Senate Bill 1506 by Sen. Jim Wilson. Shell bill relating to in lieu of tax payments by the Wildlife Department. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2006. Assigned to the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1783 by Sen. Jeff Rabon and Rep. Mike Jackson. Senate committee amendment would provide any Wildlife Department employee aggrieved by disciplinary action resulting from a complaint from the public with the opportunity to file an appeal with the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission within 60 days of the alleged disciplinary action. Title struck and passed by the Senate 36-9. Bill failed in the House Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1833 by Sen. Mike Johnson. Would require written permission to hunt or fish on private land. Bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2006. Introduced but not yet assigned to a committee. Assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 44 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Turner. Refers to a vote of the people a proposed constitutional amendment to add one at-large member to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant while awaiting action by the full Senate.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2005

House Bill 1240 by Rep. Chris Benge and Sen. Nancy Riley. Would exempt veterans who are 100 percent disabled as certified by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs from all deer archery, deer primitive firearms and deer gun licenses. Bill effective immediately.

House Bill 1575 by Rep. Rep. Purcy Walker and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield. Authorizes legal residents who are 100 percent disabled and are receiving disability payments from the Multiple Injury Trust Fund to purchase disability hunting and fishing licenses. Bill effective immediately.

House Bill 1722 by Rep. Rex Duncan and Sen. Patrick Anderson. Provides that any person who has been convicted or has pleaded guilty to two wildlife violations in a two-year period, may, after one year, apply for a new hunting or fishing license only after paying a reinstatement fee of $200 for residents and $500 for nonresidents. The reinstatement fee shall be in addition to other fees required for the hunting or fishing license. The bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2005.

House Bill 1814 by Rep. Don Armes and Sen. Frank Shurden. Modifying the Fishing and Hunting Legacy permit legislation to allow the Department to use permit revenue to purchase, lease, or purchase easements for property to be used for public fishing and hunting. Also modifies persons exempt from having to purchase the permit to include anyone who is normally exempt from an annual hunting or fishing license. Conference committee substitute also creates a $5 rattlesnake harvest license and exempts persons with this license who are participating in an organized rattlesnake hunting event or festival from the requirements of the Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permit. Bill effective immediately.

Senate Bill 498 by Sen. Scott Pruitt and Rep. Doug Miller. Conference committee substitute exempts 100 percent disabled veterans from all deer archery, gun and muzzleloader licenses. It also creates a $25 lifetime combination license for disabled veterans with a compensable disability of 60 percent or more. It also creates a $200 lifetime combination license for veterans who have a compensable disability up to 60 percent. It also exempts persons fishing in a Department sanctioned aquatic education fishing clinic from fishing license requirements, and allows for $1.50 duplicate annual licenses to be issued by the Wildlife Department. Bill effective immediately.

Senate Bill 685 by Sen. Owen Laughlin and Rep. Jeff Hickman. Removes the prohibition against issuing nonresident deer, antelope or elk licenses to residents of Kansas and any other states that have a deer season but do not allow Oklahoma residents the opportunity to purchase general unrestricted nonresident licenses in their state. The bill is effective July 1, 2005.

Other Action taken by the Legislature

House Concurrent Resolution 1010. That the Oklahoma Legislature directs the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to adopt rules changing the class hour requirement for the traditional hunter education course from ten hours to eight hours. Adopted by both the House and the Senate.

Bills that died during the 2005 Legislative Session

House Bill 1341 by Mike Jackson. Modifies laws relating to trespass to allow for posting of property by placing purple paint on trees or posts. It specifies that additional signs must accompany the purple posting until July 1, 2007. Bill also increases the fine to $500 for trespassing on posted property. Passed by the House 90 to 5. Bill goes dormant awaiting Committee assignment in the Senate.

House Bill 1376 by Rep. Mike Jackson. Committee substitute establishes an expiration date of June 30 for all annual fishing and hunting licenses. The cost for licenses effective between Jan. 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006, will be 50 percent of the normal charge. Passed by the House Appropriations Committee – Subcommittee on Select Agencies. The bill would be effective Jan. 1, 2006. Bill fails to get acted on by the full House Appropriations Committee.

House Bill 1396 by Rep. Jerry Ellis. Specifies that any person purchasing a lifetime fishing or combination license shall also be provided with a lifetime trout license at no additional charge. This lifetime trout license would make them exempt from trout license requirements. The bill would become effective immediately upon final passage. Bill dormant in the House Appropriations Committee – Subcommittee on Select Agencies.

House Bill 1505 by Rep. Paul Roan. Adds the Blue River and tributaries in Pontotoc and Johnston counties to the list of areas designated as scenic rivers. The bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2005. Failed in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

House Bill 1575 by Rep. Purcy Walker. Shell bill relating to the disposal of dead fish caught or obtained from waters of the state. The bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2005. Bill dormant in the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 1597 by Rep. Jerry McPeak and Sen. Earl Garrison. House floor substitute would provide a credit against the state income tax imposed in an amount equal to 100 percent of the cost of annual fishing and hunting license fees for paid firefighters employed by any county or municipality of the state, paid municipal police officers, county sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, state troopers, any law enforcement officer having CLEET certification to carry a firearm, volunteer firefighters, reserve police officers and any member of the U.S. Armed forces, including active duty personnel, reserve personnel and members of the Oklahoma National Guard. The bill would become effective Jan. 1, 2006. Bill fails to be acted on by the full House.

House Bill 1723 by Rep. Rex Duncan. Provides that equipment may be confiscated on the first offense for wildlife violations. The bill would become effective immediately upon final passage. Failed to pass the House 36 to 62. Bill dormant.

House Bill 1724 by Rep. Rex Duncan. Shell bill relating to game warden arrests. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2005. Bill dormant in the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 1930 by Rep. Dorman. Shell bill relating to the retention of firearm by a game warden upon retirement. The bill would become effective Nov. 1, 2005. Bill dormant in the House Rules Committee.

House Joint Resolution 1012 by Rep. Fred Morgan and Sen. Jeff Rabon. Proposed constitutional amendment specifying that state citizens have the right to hunt, trap, fish and take game. State laws which keep people from engaging in such activities would not be allowed. Gives authority to approve methods and practices relating to hunting, trapping and fishing to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. The amendment would not prevent reasonable regulation of such activities. Passed by the House 97 to 0. Title stricken and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill goes dormant awaiting action by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 269 by Sen. Nancy Riley. Provides an exemption from the annual hunting license for person having a proven temporary or permanent disability which renders them nonambulatory and confines them to a wheelchair, as certified by physician licensed in this state or in a bordering state. The bill would become effective immediately upon final passage. Bill dormant the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 336 by David Myers. Provides a 30 percent tax credit, to be applied against the tax imposed by Section 2355 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma statutes, for donations to nonprofit organizations dedicated to natural resource protection and wildlife habitat improvement. Provides requirements for qualified nonprofit organizations and specifies that the credit not exceed $1,000 for a taxpayer in any year. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2005. Went dormant in the Senate Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 342 by Sen. Jim Wilson and Rep. Purcy Walker. Provides exemptions to the annual Fishing and Hunting Legacy permit for persons otherwise exempt from the purchase of a hunting or fishing license and veterans in receipt of a disability compensation at the rate of 100 percent. Also specifies that funds accrued from the sale of these permits can be used by the Wildlife Conservation Commission to purchase and manage land. The bill would become effective Sept. 1, 2005. Title struck and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Passed by the Senate 44 to 0. Amended to add exemptions for nonresidents who purchase a five-day fishing license from a license dealer located on a body of water and residents who purchase a two-day fishing licenses, enacting clause struck and passed by the House 83 to 16. Bill goes dormant in a conference committee.

Senate Bill 430 by Sen. Patrick Anderson and Rep. Purcy Walker. Committee substitute modifies laws relating to trespass to allow for posting of property by placing purple paint on posts. It specifies additional signs must accompany the purple posting until July 1, 2006, at which time signs will not be required to explain the purple posting.  The bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Title stricken and passed the Senate 26 to 20. Emergency passes 30 to 16. Title restored and passed by the House 79 to 16. Bill passed the Senate for 25 to 22. Bill vetoed by Governor.

Senate Bill 474 by Sen. Jeff Rabon and Rep. R.C. Pruett. Prohibits the cutting of any live tree that is 10 inches or more in diameter from the McCurtain County Wilderness Area. The bill would be effective immediately. Title stricken and passed by the Senate 45 to 0. Emergency passed 45 to 0. Failed in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Bill 480 by Sen. Randy Bass. Would exempt resident veterans who are disabled to a 60 percent or more compensable degree by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from having to purchase deer archery or deer muzzleloader licenses. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2005. Bill dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 481 by Sen. Jeff Rabon. Creates the Oklahoma quail hunting license. Requires the license of anyone hunting quail, except those under 16 and 65 years of age or older. Also exempts landowners hunting only on their own property. Sets the fee for an annual quail license at $10 and an expiration date of June 30 of each year. All proceeds are to be spent on quail management and conservation. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2005. Amended and passed by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Committee amendment sets the fee at $5. Bill failed in the Senate 33 to 13.

Senate Joint Resolution 13 by Sen. Jeff Rabon. Proposed constitutional amendment specifying that state citizens have an inherent right to hunt, trap, fish and take game within reasonable regulations for doing so. Gives authority to approve methods and practices relating to circuses, rodeos, hunting, trapping and fishing to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the State Department of Agriculture. Also provides that no method, practice or procedure which is lawful on the effective date of the adoption of the amendment shall ever be disapproved by the Wildlife Conservation Commission or Department of Agriculture. Title stricken and passed by  the Senate 35 to 7. Bill amended by the House to remove all references to circuses and rodeos. House passed the bill 100 to 0. Bill goes dormant in a conference committee.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2004

House Bill 1860 by Rep. Bill Mitchell. Allowing a landowner, lessee or designated agent of the landowner or lessee to hunt feral hogs at night, with a permit, to protect crops from damage by feral hogs. The permit to hunt at night shall be valid for 90 days and my be renewed. The permit can be issued by the local game warden in the county for which it is to be used by the Law Enforcement Division of the Wildlife Department. Bill effective July 1.

House Bill 1882 by Rep. Dale Smith. Specifying that commercial wildlife breeder’s licenses expire June 30 of each year. Also repeals the sunset clause on the state duck stamp.

House Bill 2182 by Rep. Don Armes. Directing the Wildlife Conservation Commission to develop an Internet-based application for migratory bird permit applications; providing a waiver of the permit fee for persons using the Internet to apply for the permit. Bill is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 1617 by Sen. Kenneth Corn. Increasing the fee for a nonresident annual hunting license; eliminating nonresident lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses; eliminating the lifetime waterfowl hunting license. Bill is effective immediately.

House Bill 2341 by Rep. Dale Smith. Committee substitute authorizing sale of bonds for Wildlife Land Acquisition. Revenue for bond payment generated through sale of Wildlife Land Permit. Bill effective September 1 ($5 Wildlife Land Permit implementation date to be determined).

Bills that died during the 2004 Legislative Session

House Bill 1883 by Rep. Dale Smith. Requiring certain persons or entities who provide guide or outfitter services to procure a guide and outfitting license; requiring employees of outfitters to procure a license; establishing fees for guides. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Bill dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 2180 by Rep. Don Armes. Expanding the exemption from the prohibition against lotteries to include federally tax-exempt sportsman organizations. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Referred to House Rules Committee. Dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

House Bill 2449 by Rep. Clay Pope. Clarifying language relating to recreational use of private land; removing certain liabilities for charges for uses. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Referred to House Wildlife Committee. Referred to House Rules Committee. Dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

House Bill 2267 by Rep. Joe Hutchison. Committee substitute passed repealing sunset provision on Waterfowl Hunting Stamp, and authorizes Full-time College Students to hunt on resident license. Passed by the House. Bill goes dormant in the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2531 by Rep. Purcy Walker. Creating the Oklahoma Limitation of Liability for Farming and Ranching Land Act; limiting liability for recreational activities on personal property. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Referred to House Judiciary Committee. Dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

House Bill 2590 by Rep. Jim Wilson. Creating an Oklahoma Natural Resources Management Act; providing for an Oklahoma Natural Resources Management Task Force; specifying duties of the secretary of environment. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Referred to House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Referred to House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

House Bill 2628 by Rep. Carolyn Coleman. Expanding commercial wildlife breeder’s license requirements to include exotic wildlife; requiring commercial wildlife breeder’s license and facility inspection form; requiring the Wildlife Department to establish caging requirements. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2004. Bill failed in House Wildlife Committee. Dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

Senate Bill 886 by Sen. Owen Laughlin. Limiting liability of a landowner who invites or permits the use of farming or ranching property for hunting or other recreational activity. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2004. Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

Senate Bill 1466 by Sen. Kenneth Corn. Committee substitute directs the Wildlife Department to establish a free Internet-based migratory bird hunting permit by July 1, 2004. Bill would be effective immediately. Passed the Senate and House and is awaiting action by the Governor.

Senate Bill 1532 by Sen. Rick Littlefield. Shell bill clarifying language relating to protected game. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Referred to the Senate Rules Committee. Dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

Senate Bill 1535 by Sen. Owen Laughlin. Removing the prohibition against the Wildlife Department issuing nonresident deer, antelope or elk licenses to residents of a non-reciprocating state. Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Passed by the Senate; Bill goes dormant in the House Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 1548 by Sen. Frank Shurden. Providing for guide and outfitter licenses from the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2004. Title struck, then bill approved the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill passed by the full Senate. Bill not heard by the House Wildlife Committee and dormant pursuant to Legislative rule.

Senate Bill 1560 by Sen. Frank Shurden. Senate Rules Committee substitute exempts persons receiving social security disability benefits, supplemental social security income benefits or disability benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act from the $5 controlled hunt application fee.  Passed by the Senate; bill amended and passed by the House. Senate adopts conference committee report.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 40 by Sen. Frank Shurden. Withholding permission from the U.S. government to purchase additional lands for the Deep Fork Wildlife Refuge until a plan is formulated guaranteeing holders complete access to all their property within the refuge. Approved by the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Bill now awaits action by the full Senate.

House Joint Resolution 1073 by Rep. Debbie Blackburn. Calling for a vote of the people to establish the Oklahoma Natural Resources Trust Fund. Approved by the  House Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources. Bill dormant pursuant to the rules.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2003

House Bill 1419 by Rep. Joe Hutchison and Sen. Frank Shurden. Committee substitute increases lifetime license fees; effective date July 1, 2003.

House Bill 1492 by Rep. Dale Smith and Sen. Frank Shurden. Expanding the type of wildlife covered and functions of the wildlife habitat development program; emergency.

House Bill 1493 by Rep. Dale Smith and Sen. Frank Shurden. Specifying the date when a commercial wildlife breeder’s license expires; emergency.

House Bill 1565 by Rep. Dan Boren and Sen. Frank Shurden. Committee substitute allows the sale or trade of legally acquired squirrel pelts; effective date Nov. 1, 2003.

House Bill 1566 by Rep. Dale Smith and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Modifying restrictions on confinement and exhibition of certain bears and cats; increasing fee for commercial wildlife breeder’s license; emergency.

House Bill 1663 by Representatives Dale Smith and Joe Hutchison and Sen. Frank Shurden. Modifying fees for certain licenses; codification; effective date July 1, 2003.

Senate Bill 294 by Sen. Kevin Easley and Rep. Jerry Hefner. Specifying that one member of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission must possess a fishing license or have been active in the promotion of fishing in the state for the past five years. Emergency.

Senate Bill 360 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Smith. Modifying certain exemptions relating to bears and cats; limiting provisions relating to cats and bears to native cats and bears only. Bill also creates several reduced-cost licenses. Emergency.

Bills that died during the 2003 Legislative Session

House Bill 1093 by Rep. Clay Pope. Removing certain liability for charges for recreational uses of agricultural lands; emergency. Removed from the House Judiciary Committee and went dormant in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 1138 by Rep. Joe Hutchison. Transferring the Division of Parks of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission; emergency. Went dormant in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

House Bill 1482 by Rep. Purcy Walker and Sen. Robert Kerr. Limiting liability of landowners who make their property available to the public for recreational purposes, even when that land is used primarily for farming or ranching activities; limiting liability to a maximum $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 for a single occurrence of bodily injury or death and $100,000 for each single occurrence for injury to or destruction of property; emergency. Passed the House 97-0. Bill fails to be acted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee and goes dormant.

House Bill 1679 by Rep. Debbie Blackburn and Sen. Kevin Easley. Modifying membership in the Statewide Water Policy Planning Commission to include members from environmental and wildlife organizations. Committee substitute passed the House 88-10. Bill fails to be acted upon by the Senate Energy, Environment and Communications Committee and goes dormant.

Senate Bill 359 by Sen. Frank Shurden. Shell bill clarifying language relating to commercial fishing. Emergency. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 362 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Smith. Prohibiting taxidermists from selling certain product. Emergency. Title struck and passed from the Senate 42-0. Bill fails to be acted upon by the House Wildlife Committee and goes dormant.

Senate Bill 365 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Smith. Committee substitute relates to licensing of hunting guides and outfitters and modifies provisions for lifetime licenses; emergency. (Title struck in committee.) Passed the Senate 35-10. Amended and passed by the House Wildlife Committee. Bill fails in the House 28-68; returned to the House Wildlife Committee where it is dormant.

Senate Bill 366 by Sen. Frank Shurden. Increasing lifetime license fees. Emergency. Referred to the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee. Vote in Committee fails.

Senate Bill 367 by Sen. Frank Shurden. Shell bill relating to commercial fishing seasons. Emergency. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 407 by Sen. Kevin Easley and Rep. Larry Rice. Directing a study of designating Honey Creek as a Scenic River; including the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in those agencies participating in the study. Emergency. Passed the Senate 37-1. Passed by the House 95-0. Bill died in Conference Committee.

Senate Bill 449 by Sen. Owen Laughlin and Rep. Elmer Maddux. Removing provisions restricting the sale of big game licenses to nonresidents. Passed the Senate 36-4. Bill fails to be acted upon by the House Wildlife Committee and goes dormant.

Senate Bill 467 by Sen. Jeff Rabon. Shell bill clarifying statutory language and making language gender neutral. Emergency. Went dormant in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 9 by Sen. Frank Shurden. Constitutional amendment providing constitutional protection for hunters and fishermen. Went dormant in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2002

Senate Bill 920 by Carol Martin of the Senate and Paul Roan of the House. Transferring administration of commercial aquaculture provisions and regulations from the Wildlife Department to the State Department of Agriculture. Requiring licensure from the Department of Agriculture to engage in the private commercial production of catfish, minnows, fingerlings, fish, frogs and other water species; setting the initial and renewal license fees at $10 annually; authorizing the department to provide technical assistance for persons; lawfully engaged in commercial operations, requiring that such assistance be through recommendations but prohibiting the department from providing manpower or funds to effectuate its recommendations; authorizing the department to charge reasonable fees for providing such assistance; requiring segregation of commercially produced and wild species;  authorizing inspections by the agriculture department; specifying penalties for violations; repealing sections relating to aquaculture, confinement and separation; from wild species and to inspections and reporting. Effective date Nov. 1, 2002. Signed by Governor May 22, 2002.

Senate Bill 938 by Robert Kerr of the Senate. Exempting persons under age 18 who are in the physical custody of child care facilities from hunting and fishing license requirements. Bill is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 1370 by Frank Shurden of the Senate and M.C. Leist of the House. Conference Committee Report Submitted, Senate Adopted Conference Committee Report, Passed Bill 39-0; bill now goes to the House. The conference committee substitute provides for an annual combination hunting license for nonresidents hunting one antlered and one antlerless deer, at a fee of $250, and, for nonresidents hunting antlerless deer, $50, which would be valid only on private lands not managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. It also establishes a lifetime fishing license for persons 60 years of age or older for $30 and a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for persons aged 60 or older for $215; and it establishes certain exceptions from the prohibition against possessing wildlife or parts during closed season or any endangered or threatened species or parts thereof. Effective date Nov. 1, 2002. Signed by Governor May 21, 2002

House Bill 2150 by Joe Hutchison of the House and Jeff Rabon of the Senate. Modifying provisions of the land access fee to authorize the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish a three-day special use permit for private lands leased and administered by the Wildlife Department for non-hunting or non-fishing activities for up to three consecutive days. The bill also sets the fee not to exceed $5 for the three-day resident access permit.

House Bill 2040 by Clay Pope of the House and Bruce Price of the Senate.  Authorizing the OK Conservation Commission to administer the carbon sequestration certification program. Signed by Governor

House Bill 2374 by Paul Roan, Wayne Pettigrew and Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Authorizing the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish a special use permit to be designated as the "Blue River Conservation Passport" for entering or using the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. Limiting the fee to $1 more than the cost of an annual resident fishing license, and exempting persons holding valid hunting or fishing licenses from the passport requirements. Also establishing exemptions for those under 18, students on educational tours and those participating in organized events sanctioned in advance by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Signed by the Governor.

Bills that died during the 2002 Legislative Session

Senate Bill 937 by Frank Shurden of the Senate. Increasing resident lifetime license fees to $175 for a lifetime fishing license, $625 for a lifetime hunting license and $750 for a lifetime combination license. The bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2002. Passed  the Senate 39-1; amended and passed by the House Wildlife Committee (Committee amendment is not substantive in nature); Bill failed to pass House 16-79.

Senate Bill 941 by Frank Shurden of the Senate. This was a shell bill; never acted on by the Senate Wildlife Committee.

Senate Bill 989 by Frank Shurden of the Senate and M.C. Leist of the House. Expanding activities deemed not to be violations of state lottery or gambling laws to include fundraising by qualified organizations issuing numbered tickets in conjunction with voluntary contributions, with the corresponding stub or stubs of one or more of the tickets to be drawn by lot under supervision of an official of the qualified organization, the stub or stubs so drawn entitling the ticket holder to a prize.  Defining "qualified organization" as a church, a public or private school accredited by the Department of Education or registered by the State Board of Education for purposes of participating in federal programs, a student group or organization affiliated with a public or private school, a parent-teacher association or organization affiliated with a public or private school, or a religious, charitable, labor, fraternal, veteran, firefighter, law enforcement, educational or other such entity.  Bill would be effective immediately upon passage. Amended (by striking title) and passed by the Senate 28-1; emergency failed 29-15; bill failed to be acted on by the House Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 1239 by Jim Maddox of the Senate and Bill Paulk of the House. Requiring that primary state agency telephone numbers be answered by an employee during normal business hours. Bill would be effective July 1, 2003. Amended (by striking title) and passed Senate 43-1; bill fails to be acted on by the House Government Operations and Agency Oversight Committee.

House Bill 1994 by Clay Pope of the House. Providing that law relating to property owner liability for recreational activity shall not apply to land unless primarily for farming or ranching activities and structures attached to realty on such property.  Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2002. Never acted on by the House Environment and Natural Resources.

House Bill 2022 by M.C. Leist of the House. Creating a new section of law that shall be known and may be cited as the "Environment and Natural Resources Committee Act." Never acted on by the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

House Bill 2153 by Joe Hutchison of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. This was a shell bill; never acted on by the House Wildlife Committee; this shell bill has been returned to the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2204 by Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. This is a shell bill that passed  the House 78-19; bill failed to be acted on by the Senate Rules Committee.

House Bill 2205 by Dale Smith of the House. The Wildlife Conservation Commission may establish a special use permit for public fishing and hunting areas to be designated the "Public Fishing and Hunting Area Use Passport". The Passport shall be required of all persons not otherwise exempt who enter or use a public fishing and hunting area. The Commission may establish and assess an annual fee of not more than $1 above the cost of an annual resident fishing license for the Passport. All persons who possess a valid Oklahoma fishing or hunting license are exempt from the passport, as are those under 18 years of age on the first day of the current calendar year. Students and instructors participating in bona fide educational tours or activities sponsored or organized by an educational institution or entity or any other organized event sanctioned in advance by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation also would be exempt. Sponsors of such activities shall provide notice of the date and number of persons participating in the activity to the Department of Wildlife Conservation for approval not less than 20 days prior to the date of the activity. Bill would be effective July 1, 2002. Never acted on by the House Wildlife Committee.

House Bill 2329 by Elmer Maddux and Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Expanding the State Waterfowl License to be required of all game bird hunters; setting the cost of the license at $7.50 for residents and $15 for nonresidents; increasing the lifetime game bird license from $50 to $100; specifying that the funds be used for game bird habitat enhancement and public education; providing exemptions for persons who hold a lifetime hunting or lifetime combination license prior to the bill’s effective date; also provides an exemption for persons who qualify for a disability hunting license. Bill would be effective July 1, 2002. Passed the House 83-13; the Senate Wildlife Committee struck title and passed bill; passed the Senate 31-9 (emergency passed 37-7); House rejects Senate amendments and requests a conference. House names conferees. They are: Maddux, Matlock, Smith (Dale), DeWitt, Smith (Hopper), Bonny, Hutchison. Senate grants conference. Senate conferees are Shurden, Crutchfield, Rabon, Milacek and Johnson. Bill failed to come out of conference committee.

HB 2724 by Jack Bonny of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Appropriating $4.4 million to the Department of Wildlife Conservation to purchase or repair outdated and unsafe equipment used by agency employees. Bill would be effective July 1, 2002. Amended (by striking title) and passed the House 80-18; bill not acted on in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

New Laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor 2001

House Bill 1262 by Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Adds the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to the state’s Geographic Information System Council.

House Bill 1375 by Bob Plunk of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Passed House; amended and passed Senate; bill went to a Conference Committee.  The conference committee substitute is not a new section of law, but amends Section 2 of Article V; requiring that initiative petitions proposing a legislative measure to abolish any method, practice or procedure for hunting, fishing or trapping, or to abolish any occupation or sporting or other entertainment event involving livestock, fowl, fish or other animal contain signatures of 15 percent of registered voters. Scheduled for vote in Nov. 2002.

Senate Bill 550 by Ted Fisher and Mike Tyler of the House. Non codified. Requires the Department of Wildlife Conservation to immediately develop rule making proposals designed to increase an applicant's opportunity to be awarded a controlled hunt permit.  Requiring the Department of Wildlife Conservation to hold five public hearings at five diverse locations and to notify the chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife Committees at least 30 days prior to any such public hearing.

Senate Bill 477 by Frank Shurden and Dale Smith of the House. Requiring the Wildlife Conservation Commission to promulgate rules to sell hunting and fishing licenses via the Internet. 

Senate Bill 480 by Frank Shurden and Dale Smith of the House. In addition to any other fees authorized by law, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is authorized to impose a processing fee of not more than $5 per person, per calendar year for controlled hunts applications.

Bills that died during the 2001 Legislative Session

Senate Bill 86 by Robert Milacek of the Senate and James Covey of the House. Bill allows posting against trespassers by placing purple paint marks on trees or posts on property, provided the marks are vertical lines at least one inch in width and eight inches in length, placed so that the bottom of the mark is three feet to five feet from the ground and placed at locations that are readily visible to any person approaching the property and no more than 1,000 feet apart on land other than forest or 100 feet apart on forest land. Requires that such marks be accompanied by signs placed conspicuously and at all places where entry to the property is normally expected explaining that the purple strips mean no trespassing, property restricted or similar explanation. Specifies that no sign shall be required to explain the purple posting beginning July 1, 2003. Passed Senate 38-0, but died when the House Wildlife Committee failed to act on the bill by the deadline for reporting bills from the committee in the opposite house of origin.

Senate Bill 127 by Sam Helton.  Increase trespassing fined to a maximum of $1,000; allows any law enforcement officer to make arrests for trespassing. Bill dead- not acted on by the Senate Appropriations Committee by the deadline for reporting bills from committee in the house of origin.

Senate Bill 473 by Frank Shurden. Allows the Wildlife Conservation Commission to create a Blue River Wildlife Management Area Access Permit.  Requires anyone using the Blue River WMA either possess a valid hunting or fishing license or purchase a Blue River WMA Access Permit.  Bill dead- not acted on by the Senate Energy, Environmental Resources and Regulatory Affairs Committee by the deadline for reporting bills from committee in the house of origin.

Senate Bill 475 by Frank Shurden and Dale Smith of the House. Authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish a special use permit for privately owned land leased by the Department in tracts less than 4,000 acres. Bill would be effective immediately. Passed Senate 45-1; amended and passed the House Administrative Rule Review Committee. Amended to specify that the permit not exceed $100. Bill failed to pass House on a 44-49 vote, reconsidered and returned to House Administrative Rule Review. (Bill is now inactive for the remainder of this session, but could be brought back next session.)

Senate Bill 478 by Frank Shurden and Dale Smith of the House. Beginning Jan. 1, 2002, permits the Wildlife Conservation Commission to increase license fees annually adjust for inflation in an amount not to exceed that year’s change in the Consumer Price Index or five percent, whichever is greater. Effective date would be Nov. 1, 2001. The Senate Wildlife Committee struck title and amended to provide for increases equal to the change in the Consumer Price Index or five percent, whichever is less. Laid over on Senate General Order; fails to be acted on by the Senate.

Senate Bill 848 by Frank Shurden.  Authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Commission to create an urban fishing license which would act as both a state fishing license and municipal access license.  Also authorizes the Commission to enter into agreements with municipalities to issue urban fishing licenses.  Laid over in the Senate Wildlife Committee (bill dead for this session; could be activated during next year's legislative session).

Senate Bill 683 by Rich Littlefield of the Senate and Joe Hutchinson of the House.  Prohibits the discharge of firearms within 300 yards of a wildlife sanctuary where a licensed noncommercial wildlife breeder is caring for or rehabilitating sick or injured wildlife.  Bill dead for this session; could be activated during next year's legislative session.

Senate Joint Resolution 9 by Frank Shurden and M.C. Leist of the House. Calls for a vote of the people to establish a one-and-half cent sales tax increase on certain hunting, fishing and wildlife watching equipment sales with the proceeds going to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to improve the state's wildlife resources. Amended by striking title and passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee: Passed Senate 25-17; but died when the House Revenue and Taxation Committee failed to act on the bill by the deadline for reporting bills from the committee in the opposite house of origin.

Senate Joint Resolution 12 by Frank Shurden of the Senate and M.C. Leist of the House. Calls for a vote of the people to establish a constitutional amendment providing citizens the inherent right to pursue occupations and engage in hunting, fishing and other sporting events which involve livestock, fowl, fish and other animals, domestic or not, free of laws and regulations which explicitly or implicitly effectively curtail the ability of citizens to pursue such occupations or engage in such sporting events. Would give the Wildlife Conservation Commission and the State Department of Agriculture the power and authority to approve methods, practices and procedures for hunting, trapping, fishing and the taking of game and fish. Specifies that no method, practice or procedure which is lawful on the effective date of the adoption of this amendment shall ever be disapproved by the Wildlife Conservation Commission or the State Department of Agriculture. Passed Senate 28-12, but died when the House Rules Committee failed to act on the bill by the deadline for reporting bills from the committee in the opposite house of origin.

Senate Joint Resolution 16 Stratton Taylor. Specifies that no laws shall be enacted that limit the privilege or properly licensed citizens to hunt and fish in this state; provided, however, all hunting and fishing shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.  Bill dead - not acted on by the Senate Wildlife Committee by the deadline for reporting bills from committee in the house of origin.

House Bill 1039 by John Wright of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Makes hunting and fishing licenses good for twelve (12) months after the date of issuance, rather than expiring Dec. 31. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2001. Passed from the House Wildlife Committee; House reconsiders vote whereby bill failed previously, bill returned to General Order, Amended but fails to pass House 48-49.

House Bill 1093 by Jim Reese. Allows the use of photography to identify a person who trespasses to hunt and increase fines to not less than $75 nor more than $250.   Bill dead- not acted on by the House Wildlife Committee by the deadline for reporting bills from committee in the house of origin. 
House Bill 1261 by Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Authorizing the Wildlife Conservation Commission to adjust fees for hunting and fishing licenses, beginning Jan. 1, 2002, to annually adjust the fees in an amount not to exceed either that year's change in the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent, whichever amount is greater. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2001. Passed from the House Administrative Rule Review Committee; Failed to be acted on by the full House.

House Bill 1265 by Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish a special use permit to be designated the Blue River Conservation Passport; authorizes the Commission to assess an annual fee not more than $1 above the cost of an annual resident fishing license for the passport; requires persons utilizing the Blue River public fishing and hunting area to carry such a passport while in the area; provides exemptions for school activities and any other organized event sanctioned in advance by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Also exempts those 17 and under. Bill would be effective immediately. Passed House and Senate; vetoed by Governor.

House Bill 1402 by Randall Ewin.  Requires a two-thirds super-majority vote by the Legislature to enact any future laws restricting the privileges of hunting and fishing within the limits of the laws and rules set by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.  Bill dead - not acted on by the House Rules Committee by the deadline for reporting bills from committee n the house of origin.

House Bill 1428 by Purcy Walker and David Braddock of the House and Gilmer Capps of the Senate. Increases maximum fine for trespass to $1,000. Bill would be effective Nov. 1, 2001. Passed the House 81-15. Amended and passed from the Senate Wildlife Committee; amended by striking title; reducing fines to $500 maximum and adding language pertaining to retrieving sporting dogs and retrieving wounded or downed game. Now awaiting action by full Senate.

House Bill 1263 by Dale Smith of the House and Frank Shurden of the Senate. Authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Commission to create an urban fishing license which would act as both a state fishing license and municipal access license. Also authorizes the Commission to enter into agreements with municipalities to issue urban fishing licenses. Bill would be effective immediately. House Wildlife Committee substitute specifies the Commission may enter agreements with cities larger than 400,000 which currently charge a municipal fishing fee. The agreement shall be for up to three years with the Commission evaluating the pilot program at that time. Committee substitute passed from the House Wildlife Committee; Returned to House Wildlife Committee.  (Bill no longer active this session; could be considered next year.)

House Bill 1813 by Kevin Calvey.  provides that nonresident active duty military personnel who are stationed at an Oklahoma Military base are considered residents for the purposes of buying hunting and fishing licenses.  Bill dead- not acted on by the House rules Committee by the deadline for reporting bills from committee in the house of origin.

House Bill 1880 by Joe Sweeden.  Limits landowner liability when allowing recreational activities to occur on his or her land. Bill dead- not acted on by the House Judiciary Committee by the deadline for reporting bills from committee in the house of origin.

House Bill 1190 Pope (Clay)/Henry -- 2 O.S. Supp. 2000, Section 1301-315; 76 O.S. 1991, Sections 10, 14 -- Providing that language limiting  liability of agricultural landowners for recreational activity shall not apply to any land unless it is used primarily for farming or ranching activities, and to certain property attached to such land; removing liability for injuries suffered in any case where the landowner charges for certain uses of land; effective date Nov. 1, 2001. -- Senate Granted Conference, Named Conferees: Henry, Shurden, Coffee. Conference committee substitute does not deal with outdoor recreation.