PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
®
June 15, 2012
OFB reviews 2012 session
FARM BUREAU Legislative Update
Oklahoma Farm Bureau is grateful for members who took an active role in the recent legislative session and helped OFB pass its priority legislation. With the help of our members, Oklahoma Farm Bureau passed multiple pieces of legislation to improve the law for agricultural producers and rural Oklahomans, despite a session clouded by budget concerns. OFB Priority Legislation Signed into Law 1. SB 1665: Creates Energy Litigation Reform Act Authors: Sen. Rob Johnson, Rep. Fred Jordan Status: Signed by the Governor 5- 8-12 Bill: SB 1665 provides statutory protection for surface owners who have seismic operations on their property by providing them with a reasonable remedy to address damages sustained from seismic operations. 2. HB 1562: Creating the Landowner Bill of Rights Authors: Rep. Fred Jordan, Sen. Greg Treat and Sen. Bryce Marlatt Status: Signed by the Governor 4-30-12 Bill: Creates a Landowner’s Bill of Rights to be provided to landowners facing eminent domain proceedings. HB 1562 protects the rights of landowners facing eminent domain proceedings by instructing the attorney general to prepare a Landowner’s Bill of Rights. Eminent domain proceedings are usually commenced by entities having a legal team well versed in the eminent domain process. However, landowners are often unfamiliar with the legal technicalities involved in eminent domain proceedings. By providing a landowner with a Bill of Rights prepared by a neutral party (the attorney general) their (See Review, page 3)
In This Issue • 2012 Legislative Review • OFB $5,000 Reward • OFB Honors Dr. Bob Whitson • Centennial Planning Feedback • FOX News in Oklahoma • The New Vegas Strip Steak
Vinita man receives OFB $5,000 reward Oklahoma Farm Bureau recently rewarded a Vinita resident with $5,000 for providing information that lead to the conviction of a crime. Van Gates was awarded a check June 1 for working with Craig County law enforcement to solve a rural theft case dating back to the summer of 2011. On July 24, Gates discovered a man in his driveway who admitted he was wanted by Tulsa police. The suspect had been driving (See Reward, page 2)
2012 wheat harvest draws to a close Here’s one last look at the season’s crop as wheat harvest wraps up around the state. Noble County Farm Bureau member Marty Williams cuts a field of wheat near Red Rock, June 4. “We’ve had really good harvest weather and really good yields,” Williams said.”Everything is beating our expectations. After the drought last year, we didn’t know what to expect and we had a lot of early season dryness. We were worried about a lot of diseases but so far everything has been very good.” The Noble County farmer said his test weights ran above 60 with yields averaging in the mid-50s. He and his family began cutting on May 17 as part of Oklahoma’s earliest harvest on record. To see a video of Marty and his harvest, visit http:// youtu.be/wJii_QNfJ_U
Member Benefits
• Qualsight – OFB members can receive 40
to 50% off the national retail price for LASIK eye surgery. Call 877-507-4448 for a provider near you.
• Beltone Hearing Aid Centers – Offers
members a free, no obligation hearing evaluation plus a 15% discount on hearing aid purchases. Call 800-BELTONE.
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 okfarmbureau.org.
OFB Calendar National AITC Meeting June 19-22 • Loveland, Colorado Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 FBW Summer Conference July 13-14 • Ada Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 OSU Big 3 Field Days July 17-19 • Stillwater Contact: Thad Doye, (405) 523-2307
OFB honors Whitson for DASNR leadership
Earlier this spring, Oklahoma State University’s Vice President, Dean and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Robert Whitson, announced he is resigning from his OSU post. Whitson said he plans to return home to Texas and spend more time with family. As his final days at OSU draw to a close, farmers and ranchers are reflecting on the impressive OSU career of Robert Whitson. “We greatly appreciate his leadership and vision,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. “I consider Bob a close friend and I will miss his wit and wisdom.” Since 2005, Whitson has served as dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and also vice president/ OFB President Mike Spradling director of the two state agencies adminis- (right) honored Dr. Bob Whitson tered through the division: the Oklahoma with a plaque during the OFB Board Agricultural Experiment Station and the Meeting, May 31. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Under Whitson’s leadership, CASNR has experienced a significant increase in enrollment and helped the division strengthen its land-grant university mission. “In a rural, agriculture state it is important to have someone of Bob’s abilities who understands our culture and industry,” Spradling said. “We depend on Oklahoma State University from an education, research and extension standpoint to improve the lives of our citizens. Bob has been a major factor in moving Oklahoma agriculture and OSU forward during his tenure.” Whitson plans to officially step down at the end of July 2012.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • OFB Programs – Oklahoma Farm Bureau offers several different programs for individuals of all ages. From the OFB Women’s Committee to the Young Farmers and Ranchers group, learn more by clicking the Programs button on our home page. • Agricultural News – Oklahoma Farm Bureau features a new agriculturerelated story every day on its site. Read about both AFBF and state Farm Bureau news by visiting the home page.
www.okfarmbureau.org
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(Reward, continued from page 1) a 4-wheeler of which Gates recognized as his neighbor’s, a Pittsburg County Farm Bureau member from Vinita. Gates’ Van Gates of Vinita wife called police and he held the man at gunpoint until police arrived. Gates and Craig County law enforcement later discovered the suspect also had stolen a tractor from another neighbor’s barn. The second neighbor also was an OFB member from Craig County, allowing Gates to receive a $5,000 check for his efforts in helping law enforcement solve the crimes and convict the suspect of grand theft larceny. OFB offers a $5,000 reward program to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest and felony conviction of persons committing theft, arson or vandalism on an OFB member’s property.
(Review, continued from page 1)
FARM BUREAU Legislative Update
rights under the law will be detailed in language that is easy to understand. This will enable a landowner to make an informed decision on how to proceed and whether or not legal counsel should be retained. 3. HB 1952: Limiting the Authority of the OK Corporation Commission Authors: Rep. Skye McNiel and Sen. Gary Stanislawski Status: Signed by the Governor 5-16-12 Bill: Sets limitations on the authority of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to weigh vehicles at temporary scales. 4. HB 2994: Reforming Street Improvement Districts Authors: Rep. Tom Newell and Sen. Dan Newberry Status: Signed by the Governor 5-1-12 Bill: Currently, municipalities can create a street improvement district without getting the consent of all landowners who will be required to pay for the improvement. Street improvement districts are paid for by assessments on adjacent landowners. HB 2994 will require petitioners or the municipality to seek written consent of the owners of more than half of the land to be included in the district and assessment. 5. HB 2573: Increases fines for poaching Authors: Rep. Pat Ownbey and Sen. Frank Simpson Status: Signed by the Governor 5-8-12 Bill: Increases fines for poaching 6. HB 2654: Reasonably prudent operator Authors: Rep. Fred Jordan and Sen. Rob Johnson Status: Signed by Governor 5-8-12 Bill: Clarifies that an operator is bound as a reasonably prudent operator and must operate the well on behalf of all owners in the well and not as a fiduciary or quasi fiduciary. 7. HB 2188, HB 2189: Castor Beans Authors: Rep. Dale DeWitt and Sen. Mike Schulz Status: Signed by the Governor 4-2-12 Bill: Prohibits the commercial production or transportation of castor beans. OFB Supported Legislation Signed into Law 1. HB 3110: Personal Property Tax on Livestock Authors: Rep. Earl Sears and Sen. Eddie Fields Status: Signed by the Governor 5-11-12 Bill: The Oklahoma Constitution provides for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of household goods and livestock employed in the support of a family. Currently, only livestock owned in the rancher’s individual name or as a sole proprietor is considered “in support of the family” and is exempt from ad valorem taxation. Livestock owned by a family partnership or limited liability company is not considered “in support of the family” and is therefore subject to ad valorem taxation. 2. HB 2249: Ensuring that structurally deficient bridges and county roads across Oklahoma are repaired. Authors: Rep. T.W. Shannon and Sen. Bryce Marlatt Status: Signed by the Governor 6-4-12. Bill: HB 2249 seeks to repair deficient infrastructure, such as bridges and county roads, across Oklahoma. Over the next three years, five percent of the collection tax from the General Revenue Fund to the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) Fund will go toward making these infrastructure improvements. 3. SJR 52: Eliminating the Intangible Personal Property Tax Authors: Sen. Mike Mazzei and Rep. David Dank Status: Passed both the House and Senate. Will be sent to a public vote Bill: Before 1969, Oklahoma collected taxes on intangible personal property. In Aug. 27, 1968, voters adopted State Question 460 to exempt certain intangible property from ad valorem or other tax. In 2009, the Oklahoma Supreme Court found the exemption of taxes on intangible personal property only applied to those items specifically listed in the Constitution, not all intangible personal property. SJR 52 will fix the problem caused by this ruling. Intangible property includes items such as trademarks, copyrights, membership and client lists, patents, royalties, and goodwill.
Farm Bureau seeks input on cenntennial plan
After an initial meeting in May, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Centennial Planning Committee is asking for comments to help development a strategic plan for the future. The project is a part of the American Farm Bureau Centennial Development Project to study agriculture’s future and define a direction for both AFBF and other state Farm Bureau organizations. OFB centennial project committee members were divided into district groups and plan to meet again over the course of the next two years. The project’s expected completion date is 2014 with implementation planned on a five-year schedule in anticipation of AFBF’s 100th anniversary in 2019. To contribute to the OFB centennial plan, see the list of district representatives below. Mike Spradling Tom Buchanan Charles Sloan Roland Pederson Alan Jett Rodd Moesel Jimmy Kinder Gary Crawley Billy Gibson Phyllis Holcomb
President District 2 Director District 6 Director District 7 Director District 1 Director District 3 Director District 4 Director District 5 Director District 8 Director District 9 Director
Kitty Beavers Roberta Hughes Desdive Milacek Linda Fox Lowayne Piercey Sharlene Lambring Margaret Ann Kinder Nadine Butler Beverly Delmedico Lena Henson
FBW Chairman District 8 FBW District 7 FBW District 1 FBW District 2 FBW District 3 FBW District 4 FBW District 5 FBW District 6 FBW District 9 FBW
Brent Straub Tim Taylor Mason Bolay Derek Crain Chad Selman Ashley Parks Brian Knowles Marty Williams Joshua Miller Zac Harris
YF&R Chairman District 9 YF&R District 6 YF&R District 1 YF&R District 3 YF&R District 4 YF&R District 5 YF&R District 7 YF&R District 8 YF&R YF&R At Large
(See committee, page 4)
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STAFF DIRECTORY STAFF DIRECTORY Gail Banzet, 523-2346
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Perspective/Online News Editor Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Monica Wilke, 523-2303 Perspective/Online News Editor Executive Director Sam Sam Knipp, Knipp, 523-2347 523-2347 Vice Vice President President of of Communications/PR Communications/PR Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Director of Public Policy Tyler Norvell, 523-2402
Marla Peek, 523-2437 Vice President of Public Policy Director of Regulatory Affairs MarlaKidd, Peek,523-2539 523-2437 Chris Director of of State Regulatory Affairs Affairs Director and National
FOX News visits Oklahoma
A videographer from FOX News-New York tapes Logan County Farm Bureau member Paul Fruendt as he harvests a field of wheat near Guthrie. The national news network made a stop in Oklahoma May 30, to gather material for a documentary about government regulations and agriculture. The show debuts later in August.
Centennial Committee (from page 3) Duane Mote Leon Richards Mike Wiley Dale Schauer Joe Parker James Fuser Richard Wild Paul Tuley Scott Dvorak Ryan Pjesky Matt Muller Lawrence Sawatzky Macy Strom Larry Harvey David VonTungeln Jay Fulton Terry Caldwell Chris Hackler
Woodward County Texas County Cleveland County Garvin County Rogers County Ottawa County Love County Carter County Noble County Alfalfa County Jackson County Custer County Washington County Okmulgee County Canadian County Grady County Choctaw County Pittsburg County
OSU’s FAPC helps discover new Vegas Strip Steak Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center recently joined forces with a renowned meat scientist and a famous chef to discover the newest cut of steak, the Vegas Strip Steak. “The Vegas Strip Steak is the latest and perhaps last steak to be found in the beef carcass,” said Jacob Nelson, FAPC value-added meat processing specialist. “I have a feeling this is the last new steak that will have real implications in the industry.” Tony Mata with Mata & Associates, Rich Gresh – a chef at David Burke’s Primehouse at The James Hotel in Chicago and FAPC’s Nelson worked to The new Vegas Strip Steak. identify and research the new product. “Initially, the cut was labeled as undervalued,” Mata said. “This is a complex and challenging muscle.” FAPC officials said the Vegas Strip Steak’s tenderness, flavor and appearance are comparable to the New York Strip, Petite Tender and Flat Iron Steak during the research and development phase. The FAPC’s Nelson said the steak is targeted for food service entities and can be fabricated from 4 ounces to 12 ounces. “The versatility of this steak allows it to be utilized across a wide range of food service sectors,” he said. Photo courtesy The Vegas Strip Steak was well received by audiences during its April debut of OSU’s FAPC. at the Protein Innovation Summit in Chicago. The steak’s patent is pending.
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