(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
A storm chasing bill proposed by Okmulgee Rep. Scott Fetgatter won approval this week in the Oklahoma House, but not before questions were raised whether the measure really required a storm chasers license in the state.
Passed on a 53-45 vote, Fetgatter’s HB2426, formally called the Emergency Response and Tracking Regulatory, won approval Tuesday after extensive debate.
“We’re not requiring anything in this bill,” professed Rep. Fetgatter under questioning by Rep. Tom Gann , R-Inola who said the original bill required storm chasers to be licensed in the state.
Fetgatter struck the title and admitted the original bill had been “gutted” and “started over.”
Gann pestered Fetgatter with questions about the need for the bill if licenses were not actually required.
“It’s not a mandate. It’s completely optional,” explained Rep. Fetgatter who added it would give those who obtain such a storm chaser’s license the ability to carry out emergency functions, such as running red lights as they reported on severe weather.
“So in essence we’re creating a special privilege for them…we’re creating another class of storm chasers. Why call it a license,” challenged Rep. Gann.
“Call it a permit, call it what you want,” answered Rep. Fetgatter.
Since the title of the bill was struck, Rep. Michelle McCane, Tulsa, questioned why not wait and devote more time to creating a better bill.
Below is a list of those who favored approval and those Representatives who voted against the bill.
Fetgatter Emergency Weather Response and Tracking Regulatory
YEAS: 53
Adams Fetgatter Lawson Sneed
Alonso-Sandoval Ford Lay Staires
Banning Fugate Lepak Stark
Bashore Hall Manger Sterling
Bennett Harris Marti Stinson
Blancett Hasenbeck Maynard Tedford
Burns Hays Miller Turner
Caldwell (C) Hefner Moore Waldron
Caldwell (T) Hill Osburn West (J)
Cantrell Johns Pae West (T)
Cornwell Kane Provenzano Williams
Dempsey Kannady Roe Wolfley
Dobrinski Kerbs Schreiber Mr. Speaker
Duel
NAYS: 45
Archer Grego McCane Shaw
Blair Hardin Menz Smith
Boles Hildebrant Munson Steagall
Chapman Humphrey Newton Stewart
Crosswhite Hader Jenkins Olsen Strom
Culver Kelley Patzkowsky Townley
Deck Kendrix Pittman West (K)
Dollens Lowe (D) Pogemiller West (R)
Eaves Lowe (J) Ranson Wilk
Gann Luttrell Roberts Woolley
George May Rosecrants Worthen
Gise
EXCUSED: 1
Pfeiffer
