SB 722: Agriculture; prohibiting electronic monitoring of certain animals. Effective date. - Oklahoma

SB722 (3-11-25) (KERN) FA1.PDF → Floor (Senate) · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Oklahoma Agricultural Code to modernize definitions, clarify the role of the State Board of Agriculture, and establish a framework for an official animal identification program. It specifically prohibits the use of electronic monitoring devices on animals within the state and clarifies that backtags are not considered official identification unless the animal is shipped directly to slaughter.

Scope change

The bill expands the definition of 'Livestock' to include domesticated rabbits and chickens, and clarifies that the term 'Department' now refers to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'Department' to explicitly include 'Food' and 'Forestry' in its name.

Added new definitions for 'Beef', 'Beef product', 'Pork', 'Pork products', 'Producer', 'Quarantine', and 'Stop sale order'.

Removed the previous definition of 'Authorized agent' and replaced it with a new, more detailed definition requiring a written commission signed by the Board President.

Modified the definition of 'Official identification' to include USDA standards but explicitly forbid electronic monitoring.

REQUIREMENT

Added a prohibition on using official identification to monitor animals electronically.

Established a new Section 4-20 authorizing the Department to develop and administer an Oklahoma Animal Identification Program.

Set specific goals for the animal identification program, including disease preparedness, herd health protection, and infrastructure development.

Authorized the Department to create rules for the animal identification program if federal USDA or Congress requirements are issued.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 → SB722 (3-11-25) (KERN) FA1.PDF · 3 edits

MINOR

The document was updated from a House Committee Substitute version to the final Senate Floor version, incorporating specific amendments to clarify when the state must reimburse farmers. The most significant change is the addition of a requirement that the state must act without the owner's consent to trigger reimbursement liability, and a specific restriction on the age of cattle or bison eligible for compensation.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed and clarified by adding specific conditions regarding the owner's consent and the age of the livestock involved in the loss.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific eligibility criterion requiring the livestock to be cattle or bison younger than eighteen months of age.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that the state must act without the owner's consent to be liable for economic losses.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document title from 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' to 'Senate Chamber' to reflect the bill's progression in the legislative process.

Engrossed → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten by the Policy Committee to shift its focus from general agricultural definitions and animal identification rules to a specific liability provision. The new version requires the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to reimburse agricultural operations for economic losses if the department loses a lawsuit while enforcing a court order. The original text, which defined terms like 'beef' and 'livestock' and established the department as the official animal identification agency, was entirely removed.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a broad regulatory framework covering definitions and animal identification to a narrow financial liability statute specifically addressing reimbursement for legal losses incurred by the state.

DEFINITION

All original definitions for terms such as 'authorized agent', 'beef', 'livestock', 'official identification', and 'producer' were deleted.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for the Department of Agriculture to serve as the official animal identification agency and manage an identification program was removed.

FISCAL

A new liability clause was added, mandating that the state reimburse agricultural operations for economic losses resulting from the department losing a court-related lawsuit.

SCOPE

The bill's title and subject matter were changed from general agriculture and animal ID to specifically requiring the department to reimburse for certain legal losses.

TIMELINE

The effective date was set to November 1, 2026.

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 17, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates the official definitions for the Oklahoma Agricultural Code and modifies the state's animal identification program rules. The most significant change is a new exemption that prevents the state from using electronic monitoring on cattle and bison under 18 months old without the owner's consent. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the State Board of Agriculture and its President are also known as the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on agriculture and animal identification, but the applicability of electronic monitoring rules is now restricted for young livestock based on owner consent.

DEFINITION

Added a specific exemption prohibiting the use of electronic monitoring for cattle and bison younger than 18 months without the owner's consent.

Clarified that the President of the State Board of Agriculture is also designated as the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Updated the definition of the 'Department' to explicitly include 'Food' in its full title.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting inconsistencies and standardized the layout of the bill text.

Agriculture; prohibiting electronic monitoring of certain animals. Effective date.

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