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Legislative session should be good for agricultureOklahoma The 2008 Oklahoma legislative session should be good for agriculture if lawmakers pass the list of priority issues established by Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders. At the top of the list is legislation strengthening private property rights. This includes a measure to improve the state's no trespassing law. "During the past two sessions, progress has been made to put more teeth in the criminal trespass and hunting without permission segments," said Lori Peterson, OFB vice president of public policy. This session Sen. Mike Schulz has filed legislation to increase the monetary fine as well as allow for the forfeiture of a convicted trespasser's hunting and fishing license for up to one year. The farm group supports a bill by Rep. Jeff Hickman to improve annexation law in Oklahoma. Hickman's bill will allow the landowner to recover attorney fees when it is proven that a municipality improperly annexed property. Under the heading of giving young farmers and ranchers a leg up, OFB leaders support legislation proposed by Sen. David Myers to allow an established producer a tax credit for leasing agricultural land and equipment to a beginning producer. Immigration reform will also receive farmers' attention during the session. Rep. Shane Jett has filed a bill to created a guest worker program in the state. "The American Farm Bureau, with input from delegates representing OFB, has adopted policy supporting a guest worker program," Peterson said. "We believe we have strong leadership in both the House of Representatives and Senate that understands agriculture's priority issues," Peterson said. "This should help us pass legislation to improve the lives of rural Oklahomans."
Date: 2/21/08
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