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Committee advances 'storm‑chaser' bill after lengthy testimony from meteorologist and assurances sponsor will strike title
Summary
House Bill 2426, a voluntary licensing and credentialing measure for storm‑chasers and media trackers, was reported out of committee 15–2 after extended debate and testimony from meteorologist David Payne. Sponsor said he will strike title on the floor to continue negotiations.
House Bill 2426, dubbed the "storm‑chaser" bill by its sponsor, was reported out of committee with a 15–2 vote after extended testimony from broadcast meteorologist David Payne and lengthy Q&A from members about public safety, press freedom and agency input.
The sponsor (referred to in the transcript as Ambassador Fettgetter) opened with a statement saying the bill aims to improve public safety by creating a voluntary credentialing process for storm trackers and giving credentialed media and research teams access to areas or routes when roads are congested. The sponsor emphasized the measure is voluntary and said it would not prohibit any individual from storm chasing.
David Payne, identified in committee as a meteorologist and long‑time storm chaser, gave an extended explanation of how increased numbers of out‑of‑state trackers, tour groups and hobbyists now congest roads and can block trained television storm‑tracker teams from getting close enough to monitor and warn the public. Payne said Oklahoma set a record with 52 tornadoes last year and described many recent instances of miles‑long traffic lines that can impede warning operations.
Members asked whether the bill would require credentialing of university research vehicles (the sponsor said no, the program is voluntary), whether it would limit press freedoms (the sponsor and chair said courts would decide constitutional challenges), and about concerns raised at the last minute by the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation. The sponsor acknowledged agency concerns but said many law‑enforcement and firefighter organizations moved to neutral after meeting with him.
The sponsor announced he will strike title on the bill before the floor to allow continued negotiation and modification; several members said they would support the measure if the sponsor continued to work with agencies and stakeholders. The committee adopted the bill with a do‑pass recommendation and recorded the vote as 15 ayes, 2 nays.
Ending: The sponsor and committee members agreed to continue stakeholder conversations; the sponsor said title will be struck on the floor, making the bill a working draft until title is restored.
