Controversial Oklahoma storm chasing license bill stalls, but lawmakers plan future study

OKLAHOMA CITY — Lawmakers tabled a bill creating an optional license for “professional” storm chasers for this session, but plan to study the topic more in the Oklahoma Legislature’s interim.

House Bill 2426 would allow some chasers to be classified as “professional severe weather trackers.” For a small fee, they could act as “emergency vehicles” and do things like subvert road closures and run red lights.

Bill author Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, said in a press release April 10 that he and Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, would be hosting an interim study on the subject and that “many misunderstood the intent of the legislation.” Mann filed a similar bill in the state Senate.

Critics of the bill, including many well-known storm chasers, expressed concern that it would  overregulate the industry and define who is considered a “professional” storm chaser.

“This was not to stop or disrupting any storm chaser that currently comes to Oklahoma to help residents stay aware of dangerous weather,” Fetgatter said in a statement. “Our interim study will help continue this conversation and determine the path of the legislation going forward. I believe the proper role of government is public safety, and this is a necessary discussion.”

He said he hopes people from all sides of the issue will come together after the legislative session to dig deeper into the details of the bill’s concept.

The bill had cleared the House and was referred to a Senate committee for consideration.

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