Bill shucking season started early this year. What started out as a shell bill titled “The Oklahoma Game and Fish act of 2026,” next became a proposal to amend the Feral Swine Control Act.
Read more: Bill shuckingThis is how House Bill 3270 was presented in the House Wildlife Committee, where it passed unanimously. The bill’s author said it was a constituent request that would help farmers and ranchers deal with the damage done by feral swine. He said the bill was a work in progress.
I’d say! By the time the bill got to the Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee, the language of the first proposed policy committee substitute had been shucked. In its place was a bill that seeks to update the Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act, which was intended to permit the intentional commingling and integration of farmed and native Cervidae if such deer meet the specifics of the Act.
It was less than 24 hours between the time this substitute language was filed and presented in committee. This gives hardly any notice to legislators so we can be prepared with questions, talk to our constituents about potential impacts of the legislation, or make wise decisions. This gave almost no opportunity for hunters or any other Oklahoma to see the language of the proposed bill before it faced this oversight committee vote.
This Act was first enacted in 2024. It’s something I voted against. The Act said that beginning in 2026, during the months of February and March and through April 15, bred female and male deer may be released into the wild.
I have contacted both Boone and Crockett Club and the Pope and Young Club, and they say if these deer that are genetically mutated to prevent CWD are released in the wild they will no longer score any deer taken in Oklahoma or enter them into their record books. Those who support this bill say these clubs are bluffing. I am not willing to take that chance without more investigation.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation was charged with administering the original Act that was passed in 2024. They haven’t yet complied. The author of this bill said it’s because of that that he is pursuing this legislation that would remove Wildlife from collecting the permit fees for citizens purchasing deer under this program and instead allow the state Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to collect the fees. Wildlife doesn’t take state appropriations. They exist on user fees. The Department of Agriculture does get state appropriations and therefore could feel greater pressure to operate according to the whim of the Legislature.
Bills have consequences. If this one gets enacted, I’m afraid it could have a forever impact on our state deer population and our hunters. With the enactment of the earlier law, it already may be too late.
On a much brighter note, I was visited by members of the Wister Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Teachers Paula Midgley and Kristi Morgan brought 10 students to the Capitol last week. Four of these are foreign exchange students from Spain, Brazille, France and Italy. I was kind of amazed that in our area we have such a cosmopolitan group.
Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
