PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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February 11, 2011
Congressional Action Tour deadline is February 25
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Developments in OFB policy By Kinsey Money, OFB Director of Research & Policy Development
Oklahoma Farm Bureau has long championed the rights of private property owners and isn’t about to let up. This session, the policy development team is working to enact safeguards in eminent domain law and new provisions to strengthen Oklahoma’s trespass law. EMINENT DOMAIN: ENACTING THE LANDOWNER’S BILL OF RIGHTS Mirroring Texas legislation, Rep. Fred Jordan has introduced HB 1562, which contains language to create a “Landowner’s Bill of Rights.” The Bill of Rights would detail the rights of a landowner facing eminent domain. Entities seeking to enact the power of eminent domain would be required to provide a copy of the Bill of Rights to the landowner before proceedings begin. The Bill of Rights will be prepared by the attorney general and written to be easily understood by all. In addition to this, failure of an entity to follow the eminent domain procedures set forth in statute would create a private cause of action between the landowner and the entity. This would allow the landowner to initiate legal action. TRESPASS LAW: CREATING THE OKLAHOMA PRIVATE LANDS AND PUBLIC RECREATION ACT Legislation was introduced by Sen. Don Barrington in SB 494 to create the Oklahoma Private Lands and Public Recreation Act. The Act would allow any law enforcement agency to issue a citation to individuals engaged in recreational activities on private land without the landowner’s consent. The Act will address many issues Farm Bureau members have had with trespassing, including mud bogging. The citation would operate similar to a traffic citation. Individuals can choose to pay the fine or protest the fine in court. The fine amount (minus taxes and fees) is to be credited to the land owner for restitution.
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau is planning its annual Congressional Action Tour, which will be held March 27-31 in Washington, D.C. This year’s trip is all inclusive with flights, four nights lodging at the Holiday Inn Capitol and a group breakfast included. The cost is $1,520 for single occupancy and $2,070 for double occupancy. Each additional person is $600, with a limit of four per room. *Airline tickets are non-refundable. (See Congressional, page 3)
YF&R Speech Contest, Scholarship apps available online Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee has made available applications for its upcoming speech contest and scholarship program. The applications are available for download on OFB’s website at www.okfarmbureau.org. (See YF&R Speech Contest, page 2)
Food Check-Out Week is Feb. 20-26 Farm Bureau Women will reach out to consumers with practical information and tips on how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food during Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 20-26. America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget. (See Food Check-Out, page 2)
OFB to hold Commodity Tour OFB’s 2nd annual Commodity Tour will be held March 23-24 across the north central and northeastern sections of the state. This tour is for producers interested in learning more about the beef cattle industry, including management practices, what buyers are looking for and how to add value to their livestock. Participants on the commodity tour will make several interesting stops during the two-day trip. The group will tour a processing plant in Kansas, learn about management practices on the Tall Grass (See OFB to hold Commodity Tour, page 4)