Oklahoma Farm Bureau is encouraging members to contact their state senators to urge a YES vote on Senate Bill 422 by Sen. Frank Simpson. After hearing multiple concerns from members about new difficulties securing the agricultural sales tax exemption permit, OKFB leaders and staff have been working with state legislators, the Oklahoma Tax Commission and other agricultural stakeholders to find solutions that ensure farmers and ranchers continue to have access to this critical exemption. SB 422 by Sen. Frank Simpson gives flexibility to farmers and ranchers who are applying for or renewing an agricultural sales tax exemption permit by providing […]

Some of the leading issues facing farmers and ranchers in the nation’s capital including tax increases, climate policy, trade policy and the McGirt ruling were highlighted during Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s recent online meeting with Rep. Tom Cole held Thursday, April 29. Representing Oklahoma’s Fourth Congressional District across parts of southwest Oklahoma, Rep. Cole shared his perspective on current and upcoming policy discussions that could impact the state’s agricultural producers. Tax increases on farmers and ranchers  Many Farm Bureau members are concerned by a number of proposals that could result in significant tax increases for farmers and ranchers. The proposed tax […]

With most major legislative deadlines now in the rearview mirror, much of the state Legislature’s attention now turns to state budget negotiations and final amendments on remaining bills. Finalizing legislative redistricting is also at the top of the list for state legislators before sine die at the end of the month. After months of work to create the maps, the new districts now must be passed through the state Legislature like a normal piece of legislation. Last week, the bills carrying the proposed legislative district maps were approved by the Senate and House redistricting committees and are now ready for […]

Legislators last week met another deadline at the state Capitol as bills were required to pass out of committees in the opposite chamber of origin. Oklahoma Farm Bureau saw progress on a number of bills including legislation regarding the agriculture sales tax exemption, nuisance claims and trespass law. Since early on in the legislative session, Farm Bureau has tracked HB 1682 by Rep. Jim Grego and Sen. Mark Allen which would have prohibited the requirement of a Schedule F form to determine eligibility for the state agriculture sales tax exemption. Though the bill did not pass out of committee this […]

The committee process ramped up this week at 23rd and Lincoln as legislators face an upcoming deadline on Thursday, April 8. Several bills of interest to Farm Bureau members were among those receiving approval from their assigned committees. Farm Bureau members are no strangers to the language found in SB 838, as similar legislation has been proposed over the past five years. If passed, the bill would allow municipalities to create public safety protection districts funded by a new ad valorem tax. While OKFB members have longstanding policy opposing increases in ad valorem taxes, this year Farm Bureau has worked […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week announced its plans to distribute more than $12 billion under a program called Pandemic Assistance for Producers, which includes aid that had been put on hold as well as funds newly allocated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The program expands assistance to farmers helped by existing programs and assists farmers and ranchers who previously did not qualify for COVID-19 aid. Farmers will need to sign up only if they are applying for new programs or if they are eligible for CFAP assistance and did not previously apply. “We appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s action to […]