Breakdown of HB 2426: Bill to establish professional severe weather tracker license and guidelines

A bill that would establish regulations for professional severe weather trackers is advancing in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

House Bill 2426, authored by Rep. Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee), would create a licensing system for severe weather trackers, allowing them to operate as emergency vehicles during severe weather events. While the bill does not prohibit amateur or professional storm chasing, it grants licensed trackers certain privileges, such as exceeding speed limits, passing red lights after checking for traffic, and traveling on closed roads.

“This is about public safety,” Fetgatter emphasized, acknowledging concerns about the bill. He added that the legislation is a working draft and that he is open to collaborating with lawmakers and outside groups to refine the proposal.

News 9 Chief Meteorologist David Payne highlighted the growing challenges faced by professional storm trackers. “The roads have become so crowded over the past 20-25 years that to do our jobs has become very, very, very hard,” Payne said.

However, not all officials are on board. Rep. Tammy Townley (R-Ardmore) noted opposition from first responders in her district. “I still have a police chief and a fire chief in my district who are not for this bill because … they’re still feeling like this is going to be the Wild West,” she said.

Fetgatter maintained that the goal is to ensure that media professionals delivering life-saving information can do so without obstruction. “It’s important that we make sure the people that are delivering life-saving information … have the ability, unimpeached, to follow these storms as best as possible,” he said.

The bill passed out of committee with only two no votes and will now move to the full House for consideration.

The author struck the title on the bill, meaning he is open to changes and amendments as the bill advances.

Here is a breakdown of the bill:

The proposed committee substitute to HB 2426 introduces a professional severe weather tracker license and outlines the guidelines for professional severe weather trackers. The bill defines a professional severe weather tracker as a licensed individual or company associated with a media outlet or university research program.

License Issuance and Fees

1. License Issuance: Licenses are issued by Service Oklahoma.
2. License Fees: The initial three-year license fee is not to exceed $500, with a renewal fee of $250.
3. Violations: Violators can face fines up to $500 and the revocation of their license.

Requirements for Professional Severe Weather Trackers

Professional severe weather trackers must:

1. Keep License on File: Maintain their license with their employing media outlet or affiliated university.
2. Display License Information: Show their license number and either the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license number of the employing media outlet or the university's identifying number on both sides of their primary storm tracking vehicle.
3. Criminal History Check: Submit to a national criminal history record check.
4. Recommendation Letter: Provide a recommendation letter from their media outlet or university dean (or designee) to Service Oklahoma.
5. Insurance Coverage: Provide valid insurance for the storm tracking vehicle, with a minimum of $1 million in combined single liability coverage.
6. Emergency Driving Course: Complete an emergency driving course before receiving the license and with each renewal.
7. Employment Requirement: Have at least one year of employment or a contract with a media outlet and not have been terminated for cause by a qualified media outlet in the last four years.

Special Provisions During Significant Weather Events

Authorization to Exceed Traffic Regulations: During significant weather events, professional severe weather trackers are permitted to:

1. Exceed maximum speed limits.
2. Proceed past red lights or stop signs after checking for cross traffic.
3. Disregard regulations regarding movement and turning.
4. Travel on closed roads and highways.
5. Act as an emergency vehicle and activate flashing green and yellow emergency lights.

Restrictions on License Use

1. No Filming Locations: The professional severe weather tracker license is not intended for finding filming locations.
2. No Impact on Storm Chasing Rights: The act does not prohibit individuals from engaging in recreational or commercial storm chasing.

Severe Weather Tracker Licensure Fund

1. Creation of Fund: A fund is established to collect license fees.
2. Purpose of Fund: The fund will be used to cover the administrative costs related to licensing professional severe weather trackers.