PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
®
June 3, 2011
Oklahoma Farm Bureau wins big in 2011 state session By Tyler Norvell, OFB Vice President of Public Policy The 2011 legislature adjourned a week early this year after completing the budget and redistricting. This year, legislators had to fill a $500 million budget shortfall with state agencies taking anywhere from a 1% to 9% cut. However, cuts to education were mitigated as the Commission of Land Office distributed record amounts of money to schools with more than $112 million in FY 2010. Redistricting also went as well as could be expected for the rural interest, considering the population loss for some rural areas. The session was extremely successful for the OFB with 12 bills off the priority program being signed into law, as well as several other pieces of legislation supported by the OFB. The following bills signed into law this session were supported by Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Reforming the Administrative Procedures Act On April 14, HB 1044 was signed into law.
Rep. George Faught and Sen. Anthony Sykes authored HB 1044, which requires any agency rule that 1) increases a fee, 2) has a fiscal impact, or 3) comes from a board that gets there jurisdiction from Title 59 to be approved by the legislature before the end of each legislative session. Eminent Domain Reform SB 124 prohibits the power of eminent domain for siting or building wind turbines on private property. This legislation was signed into law May 10 and was authored by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Tom Newell. Protecting Private Property Rights HB 1249 authored by Rep. Wade Rousselot and Sen. Kim David, was signed into law by the governor on April 12. HB 1249 removes the exemption under current trespass law that allows
owners to retrieve animals by entering the property of another without permission. This legislation clears up the argument: If it’s not yours, don’t go onto it without permission! SB 494 creates the “Oklahoma Private Lands and Public Recreation Act” which allows any law enforcement agency to issue a ticket for recreational trespass violations similar to how speeding tickets are issued. Sen. Don Barrington and Rep. Skye McNiel authored this legislation, which was signed into law May 13, 2011. Annexation Reform Signed by the governor on April 14, HB 1296 requires municipalities to obtain consent of a majority of the acres before annexing property. This has been a priority piece of legislation for OFB for several years, and we applaud its passage. It was authored by Rep. David Derby and Sen. Anthony Sykes. SB 147 changes the requirements for in(See OFB Wins Big, page 3)
New Secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office meets with OFB committee Oklahoma’s new Secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office, Harry Birdwell, met with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau School Land Committee May 24 in Oklahoma City. State Secretary of Agricul-
ture Jim Reese and the Commissioners of the Land Office Assistant Secretary Keith Coolman also participated in OFB’s discussion on school land policy. Birdwell said school lands set aside to benefit education have made a big difference in the state’s ability to fund public education. The Commissioners of the Land Office, or School Land Trust, distributed a record amount of funds this year to the state’s
schools, colleges and universities. Contributions totaled in excess of $125 million. “In a year when state funds otherwise have been necessarily reduced a bit, that’s useful in helping to make up the difference,” Birdwell said. OFB Vice President of Public Policy Tyler Norvell said the School Land Committee is newly established due to a 2010 internal resolution passed at OFB’s state convention. The committee now will begin suggesting recommendations for OFB’s 2011 policy development book used in the resolutions process this fall.
Members of the OFB School Land Committee discuss land guidelines. Pictured from left to right are committee member Monte Tucker, State Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese, Secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office Harry Birdwell and committee members Mason Mungle and Hal Clark.
Member Benefits
OFB Women’s Committee Events
• Lands End Business Outfitters – Offers members 10% off catalog pricing. Call 800-9162255 and identify yourself as an OFB member. • Lenscrafters – Offers members a 15% discount at all Oklahoma locations on frames and lens, non-prescription sunglasses, coatings and tints contact lens and eye exams. Call 800-522-LENS. OFB highlights a few benefits in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members. Find a complete list of savings online at www.okfarmbureau.org.
OFB Calendar Farm Bureau Safety Seminar June 6-8, 2011 • Tatanka Ranch, Stroud Contact: Justin Grego, (405) 523-2391 National Ag in the Classroom Meeting June 22-23, 2011 • Ft. Lauderdale, FL Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 FBW Summer Conference July 8-9, 2011 • Bartlesville Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405
LEFT – Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Committee members met in Ada May 21, for District 8 Women’s Day. Members Janet Gibson (left) and Helen Denslow (right) demonstrate how to make pie crust. RIGHT – Women’s Committee members met for lunch and a presentation for Alfalfa County Women’s Day in Cherokee May 25. Young Farmers and Ranchers speech contest contestants, including third place “I Believe in Oklahoma Ag” division winner Bayli Hyde of Burlington, presented their speeches to the group.
AFBF supports rural education policy American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman recently wrote to members of the U.S. Senate urging them to support rural education by co-sponsoring S. 946, the Office of Rural Education Policy Act. “Rural schools face unique challenges and are often able to provide unique ben-
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at www.okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • Legislative Wrap-Up – Read about Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s legislative victories during the 2011 legislative session. OFB Public Policy members are pleased with several new pieces of legislation now signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin. • About Us – Looking for more information about the organization, what we believe or what programs we offer? Check out the “About” section of our website.
www.okfarmbureau.org
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efits to their students,” Stallman said. “ S. 946 establishes an office of rural education policy inside the current office of elementary and secondary education at the Department of Education. Among other priorities, the director of the office of rural education policy plans to establish a clearinghouse for issues faced by rural schools.
OFB Field Services planning technology workshop Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Field Services Division is developing a new computer technology workshop called Production Advantage, currently scheduled for July 28-29. The technology seminar is available to FB members who want to improve their agricultural marketing and computer skills. “We encourage members of all ages to attend and learn more about how they can incorporate more computer skills and programs into their operations,” said OFB field service representative Burton Harmon. The field services division hopes to add several Production Advantage workshops to the OFB schedule after its July debut. The workshop will be held at the OFB office in Oklahoma City. For more information, contact Burton Harmon at 405205-0074. To RSVP, call Kelli Beall at 405-523-2470.
OFB wins big in 2011 session ...
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corporating a town, requiring more involvement from agricultural landowners and establishing a more accountable petition process. SB 147 was authored by Sen. Don Barrington and Rep. Corey Holland. It was signed by the governor on April 25. Protecting Livestock Owner’s SB 530 has two key provisions to protect those in the livestock industry. First, it provides a non-judicial process for foreclosing on agistor liens. Second, it contains measures to protect the future rights of Oklahoma livestock owners by granting an owner’s lien that will secure payment of the sales price. The intent of this provision is to protect livestock owners from situations similar to those experienced when Eastern Livestock failed. SB 530 was authored by Sen. Sean Burrage and Rep. Don Armes. It was signed by the governor on April 26. Reducing the Goundwater Permit Fee SB 248 reduces the current groundwater permit administration fee from $50 per permit to $25 per permit. Signed into law on May 18, the bill was authored by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Wade Rousselot. Lowering Ad Valorem Taxes HJR 1002 authored by Rep. David Dank and Sen. Jim Reynolds sends to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that
reduces the cap on ad valorem valuation from 5% to 3%. This has been a longtime OFB priority and will be SQ 758 in the November 2012 general election. Requiring Vehicles to Display “Not for Hire” Current law requires the words “NOT FOR HIRE” to be displayed on both sides of a non-commercial vehicle transporting horses or livestock. SB 95 repeals this language. SB 95 was authored by Sen. Eddie Fields and Rep. Skye McNiel. The governor signed the bill into law on April 20. Reforming Continuing Education Requirements The governor signed SB 92 into law on April 13. Authored by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Steve Kouplen, SB 92 reforms continuing education requirements for poultry growers. Instead of having to obtain three hours of continuing education each year on poultry waste handling, poultry growers now only have to obtain two hours every three years after completing the initial 19 hours of required education. Protecting Traditional Animal Husbandry Practices HB 1310 contains the comprise language between OFB and the veterinary community. HB 1310 protects animal husbandry practices by establishing a certification process for those performing “for hire” reproductive services in ruminant animals. Additionally, the bill creates an Animal Technology Advisory Committee. Composed of individuals from both the veterinarian and livestock (See OFB Wins Big, page 4)
AFBF estimates 3.6 million ag acres hit by floods After learning firsthand from state Farm Bureaus about recent flooding devastation in the southern United States the American Farm Bureau Federation now estimates that nearly 3.6 million acres of farmland has been impacted by the natural disaster. On a Farm Bureau nationwide call two weeks ago, states also reported an estimated 40 percent of this year's rice crop has been affected. Arkansas topped the list with a million acres affected, including 300,000 acres of rice and 120,000 acres of wheat. Illinois was estimated to have 500,000 acres of farmland under water, with Mississippi and Missouri coming in at 600,000 and 570,000 acres, respectively. Tennessee reported 650,000 acres and Louisiana was pegged at 280,000 acres. “There is no doubt about it, the effect of the flooding on farmers and ranchers is being felt deeply across the south,” said AFBF Chief Economist Bob Young. “One is reminded of the ’93 or ’95 floods in terms of scale of affected area.”
But, said Young, it’s critical that the gov- rain in the past couple of weeks temporarernment acts quickly to rebuild the levees ily closing some county roads and flooding and allow producers to make plans for the fields. Consequently, Green Country wheat future. farmers are dealing with the oppostite “In many of these areas, agriculture is conditions of some western Oklahoma the major economic driver for the region,” producers who battled drought earlier this said Young. “While some may be able to season. get a crop in the ground this year, we need “I’m sure there’s going to be some standto also think about the long-term economic ing water in wheat fields,” Milliman said. health of these farms and communities.” On a local level, residents in northeast Oklahoma also have experienced recent flooding conditions. Nowata County Extension Educator Gage Milliman said areas around Vinita have received 10 Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University to 15 inches of
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Staff Directory Gail TraciBanzet, Morgan, 523-2346 523-2346 Perspective/Online Perspective/Online News News Editor Editor Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Sam 523-2347 Vice Knipp, President of Communications/PR ViceNorvell, President of Communications/PR Tyler 523-2402 Vice President of Public Policy Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Marla Peek, 523-2437 Vice President of Public Policy Director of Regulatory Affairs Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Research & Policy Development Director of Regulatory Affairs
Spradling promotes U.S. pecans in China Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling attended China’s largest food, beverage and hospitality show called SIAL China, May 18-20, in Shanghai. As an Oklahoma pecan grower, Spradling traveled with fellow members of the U.S. Pecans organization to promote using native pecans in Chinese food. Spradling said meeting with Chinese buyers indicated there is potential for a large U.S. pecan market in Asia because consumers there consider pecans a very healthy snack food. Also, he said the overseas experience will benefit his involvement with policy development on the home front later this year. “This trip helped me better prepare for international trade matters in relation to the 2012 Farm Bill,” Spradling said. RIGHT – OFB President Mike Spradling meets with pecan broker Winnie Lung (middle) and one of her Chinese buyers (right) during the food and beverage show, SIAL China. (OFB Wins Big, continued from page 3) community, the committee is charged with classifying new technology as animal husbandry or veterinary medicine. HB 1310 was authored by Rep. Phil Richardson and Sen. Eddie Fields. It was signed by Gov. Mary Fallin on April 20. Other Bills Also Supported by OFB Protecting Rural Hospitals HB 1381 creates an assessment to be paid by qualifying hospitals and will in turn be used to gain a 2 to 1 match in federal dollars. This legislation will help keep our rural hospitals viable. OFB worked with the OK Hospital Association and the Oklahoma State Chamber to pass this legislation. Protecting Property Rights HB 1821 was compromise language between the wind companies and the oil & gas industry. This bill is a reasonable solution and ensures no landowner will lose a property right. HB 1821 allows all parties, wind and solar companies, oil companies, surface owners, and mineral owners,
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2011 wheat harvest in progress The 2011 wheat harvest is underway in Oklahoma, but many producers in the western and southwestern parts of the state are not expecting too much out of this year’s crop. Drought conditions that persisted in much of central, western and southwestern Oklahoma until just a couple of weeks ago have forced some farmers to declare at least 25 percent of their planted acreage a total loss. Earlier this year, Oklahoma State University Extension Economist Dr. Kim Anderson predicted a 2011 harvest total of close to 70 million bushels compared to 126 million bushels of wheat cut last year.
to work together and enjoy each of their respective rights. OFB worked with mineral owners, wind companies, and the oil & gas sector in crafting this legislation. Tort Reform HB 2128 provides for a $350,000 cap on awards for non-economic damages in any civil action arising from a claimed bodily injury. This legislation will help keep premiums down for all insured in the state. OFB worked with the State Chamber and the medical community in passing HB 2128. Wheat Check-Off HB 1472 increases the check-off fee per bushel to two cents on all wheat sold by producers in the state. HB 1472 was authored by Rep. Don Armes and Sen. David Myers and signed by the governor on April 20.