Agricultural News
Drought Emergency Legislation Bills Approved, Move to Appropriations Committee
Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:04:27 CST
The passage by an Oklahoma House of Representatives sub-committee of two legislative measures designed to help agriculture producers and rural fire districts cope with the record drought currently gripping the Southern Plains is a very positive development according to Joe Parker, president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD). The two measures, House Bill 1827 by Representative Don Armes, (R-Faxon) and House Bill 1923 by Representative Dale DeWitt (R-Braman) both passed the House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services with no opposition.
"We are very happy that the members of the Sub-Committee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services took this important action to help Oklahoma's Farmers, Ranchers and other landowners," Parker said. "We know this is just a first step in a long process, but we are excited that these bills are moving through the process."
Armes spoke with Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays at the state capitol. He said the bills won't work miracles, but they are solid steps in the right direction. (You can listen to the full interview by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story.)
"Is that going to fix the drought or make it rain? Probably not, but what we're trying to aim at is rural Oklahoma that needs help. Maybe it's drilling a well. Maybe it's fuel costs for water hauling. Maybe it's cleaning out a pond. Maybe it's doing whatever we can to help with drought issues. This is the worst drought we've ever seen in our history since the Dust Bowl. It's an epic drought and we've got to do what we can- The big deal is we're going to try to get some dollars to rural Oklahoma and help cattlemen keep water in front of their cattle, just things like that."
Designed to provide cost-share support for agriculture and other landowners to deal with issues surrounding the drought, both House Bill 1923 and House Bill 1827 would provide funding for emergency cost-share measures at the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. These funds would then be used to help landowners with issues such as providing water to livestock, helping control soil erosion, improving irrigation systems, controlling the spread of water consuming invasive species like the Eastern Red Cedar, and repairing damaged pastures. Funds would also be provided to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to help rural fire districts with operational and equipment needs to deal with the upcoming fire season. Both bills will be carried in the State Senate by Senator Ron Justice (R-Chickasha) who is also is the author of Senate Bill 996, a companion bill to the two House measures.
Armes said there is support growing among lawmakers to tap the state's "rainy day" fund to pay for the drought assistance measures.
According to OACD's Parker, while these measures have a long way to go before they reach the governor's desk, the endorsement by every member of the Sub-Committee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services was a great start.
"We know that we are just beginning the work on getting these bills passed," Parker said, "Still, this strong endorsement from this group of legislators should give hope to our state's agriculture industry that they have not been forgotten during this time of record drought.
Despite the hardships facing producers because of the drought, Armes said there are still some lawmakers who are pushing to end the agricultural sales tax exemption.
"You know, that's a cow that won't stay milked. I hate to use that term, but it is an ag program. That's a cow that won't stay milked. We're going to have to fight that battle over and over and over. I think that we have enough rural representation still in our state that I think that discussion may occur, but actually is that going to become a problem and actually go away? I don't believe so. There are some things I would die for; that would be one of them. That and ag youth and stuff like that are some issues I'd die for. But I think that one's probably OK for the time being. Again, I think we have to be ever-vigilant in our grassroots.
"You can't take an industry like ours and kick it in the teeth while it's down. And we're down right now because of the drought. So, it's a bad time to add any burden."
Both House Bill 1923 and House Bill 1827 now advance to the full House Appropriations Committee for consideration.
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