Bill would create state licenses for storm trackers

OKLAHOMA CITY — A House committee has passed a bill that would allow professional storm chasers to obtain state licenses that would give them special accommodations when tracking severe weather.

House Bill 2426, by Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, unanimously passed the House Business Committee last week and now heads to the Committee on Commerce & Economic Development Oversight.

Fetgatter said the bill still is a work in progress, as he gains further input from stakeholders. He said it could be amended before its next committee hearing or before it comes to the House floor for a vote, but noting in the measure would change how storm chasers operate today.

HB2426 would create an optional severe weather tracker license for those who are professionally employed by a media outlet or affiliated research program at specified universities. Fetgatter said that would allow licensed storm trackers to be treated as emergency responders during severe weather events, authorizing them to activate flashing emergency lights on their vehicles so they could proceed through red traffic lights and travel on closed roads and highways. Licenses would be issued by the Oklahoma Insurance Department with a fee not to exceed $500 and a $250 renewal fee.

Fetgatter said the reason for his bill hits close to home. Last year, tornado sirens sounded in Okmulgee and Morris in his House district, but weather radar had picked up the storms too late and residents already were in danger. Had it not been for the quick action of a local storm tracker, residents would not have known to take shelter, he said.