Culver discusses legislation regarding state powers and wildlife issues

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, provided a final update for the year ahead of the new session, which begins January 2025. In a Dec. 6 press release, Culver wanted to discuss legislation regarding state powers and wildlife issues for his last update.

SB 404 updated the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act by declaring that the act of excluding any person or entity from participation in or receipt of governmental funds, benefits, programs, or exemptions based solely on the religious character or affiliation of the person or entity will be considered a substantial burden.  

SB 941 modified several hunting and fishing licensing fees for residents and nonresidents. The measure also modifies certain provisions relating to the Wildlife Commission and hunting and fishing licenses. Those modifications include:

• Raising the age at which residents and nonresidents are exempt from having a fishing or hunting license from 16 to 18;

• Creating a five-year disability combination hunting/fishing license for $20;

• Removing the five-year fishing, hunting, and combination licenses for residents and replacing it with a three-year combination hunting/fishing license for $120;

• Removing the lifetime hunting licenses;

• Providing that certain licenses are required to hunt in a commercial hunt area;

• Requiring the Wildlife Commission to submit a report to the Legislature every five years with proposed licensing fees based on the latest Consumer Price Index; and

• Repealing Title 29 Section 4-112, which relates to hunting licenses. This repealer addresses a duplicate sections issue. 

Anyone needing assistance from Culver are asked to call his Capitol office at 405-557-7408 or email him at bob.culver@okhouse.gov.