The controversial tort reform legislation passed during the closing hours of the 2004 Oklahoma legislative session fell short of satisfying many in the business community but it contained a nugget of gold for rural Oklahoma landowners. The legislation included a landowner liability measure, protecting landowners who allow recreational activities on their land.
“Passing the landowner liability section of the bill accomplished a major, long term policy goal for us,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau resident. “Landowner liability reform is essential for rural economic development,” Kouplen said. Previously, landowners were at risk of losing their assets if someone hunting, fishing or otherwise enjoying the property was injured.
The balance of the legislation dealing with limiting non-economic damages, lawyer fees and class action reforms, failed to receive meaningful action. Therefore, landowners were one of the few recipients of positive tort reform.
The Farm Bureau leader also was pleased to have the lawmakers pass a bill preventing municipalities from annexing rural property without input from the property owners.
“We sponsored legislation exempting rural landowners from ordinances affecting their ability to farm and ranch.”
A jump in gasoline prices combined with constant pressure from rural lobbyists prevented legislation increasing fuel taxes. Proponents of the legislation said the additional fuel taxes would be used for road and bridge maintenance.
“Even though we realize road and bridge repair is important, this is not the time to make living and doing business in rural Oklahoma more expensive,” Kouplen said.
Legislation placing a five-year moratorium on out-of-state water sales also attracted applause from the state’s largest farm organization.
“We felt like it is extremely important for Oklahoma to study and determine long term needs for water before signing a long-term agreement to sell water to Texas or anybody else,” Kouplen said.
Farm Bureau expressed disappointment when lawmakers failed to pass meaningful workers compensation reform legislation.
“High workers compensation rates dim the state’s economic climate and make it difficult to attract businesses to rural areas,” Kouplen said.
The Beggs rancher adds because of term limits, there will be 48 open House and Senate seats this year, many in rural areas, making it even more important for rural residents to be involved in the election process. Farm Bureau, along with the Oklahoma Ag Fund, will seek to find quality rural candidates willing to step forward to represent rural Oklahomans.
