OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, on Monday secured passage of a bill that will create a lottery system for nonresidents seeking a hunting, killing or trapping permit with the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Senate Bill 448 requires out-of-state hunters to pay a $100 permit fee in addition to the traditional hunting license fee to use refuge or wildlife management areas maintained by the commission.

The measure now moves to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law.

"This just allows the Wildlife Conservation Commission to know who is hunting in the areas they maintain," Grego said. "If they have more hunters than can be managed at one time, this allows the commission to establish a lottery system."

Grego explained this can be done on a case-by-case basis for specific areas maintained by the Wildlife Conservation Commission. It does not affect in-state residents or private land.

Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, is the principal Senate author of the bill.

“The passage of Senate Bill 448 marks a significant step forward in safeguarding Oklahomans’ access to our state’s wildlife management areas," Hamilton said. This legislation prioritizes the rights of our citizens while continuing to welcome visiting outdoorsmen from other states through the lottery system and permitting process outlined in this bill. I am grateful for the support of my legislative colleagues and look forward to seeing this measure signed into law.”