Representative Scott Fetgatter

R

District 16

Hi, I'm Scott Fetgatter and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 16th District.


representative

Leadership

Tribal & External Affairs

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Feb 6, 2025
Recent Posts

Fetgatter Passes Storm Chasing Licensing Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, on Tuesday passed a bill in committee that would allow professional storm chasers to obtain licensing through the state that will allow them special accommodations while they are tracking severe weather. House Bill 2426 passed the House Business Committee 9 to 0. It will now be eligible to be considered in the Committee on Commerce & Economic Development Oversight. "Tornadoes do a tremendous amount of damage in our state to families, homes, businesses and other structures," Fetgatter said. "Storm chasers provide an invaluable service in keeping the public informed about the track of a storm, often providing the first warning for people to take cover. This undoubtedly saves lives." Fetgatter said the bill is still a work in progress as he gains further input from stakeholders. It could be amended before its next committee hearing or before it comes to the House floor for a vote. He stressed, however, that nothing in the measure would change how storm chasers – even amateurs – are able to operate today. HB2426 would simply create an optional severe weather tracker license for those who are professionally employed by a media outlet or affiliated research program at specified universities. This would allow licensed storm trackers to be treated as emergency responders during severe weather events. The measure would authorize 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 renewal fee of $250. Fetgatter said last year, tornado sirens sounded in the cities of 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.  Fetgatter said he too has been known to chase storms in his pickup truck, and he's supportive of anyone exercising their right to do this. But he sees value in offering this professional license for those with verified experience. "We love storm chasing in Oklahoma. We've made movies about storm chasing in this state. Nothing in this bill will stop this most American of rights," Fetgatter said. "But we have to be able to give professional severe weather trackers the ability to chase storms without being impeded." 

Jan 29, 2025
Recent Posts

Fetgatter Thankful for Clarity over Federal Funding Freeze

House Tribal and External Affairs Leader Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, today expressed thanks to the Trump Administration for clarifying the freeze on federal grant and loan funding. In a White House press briefing today, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. Office of Management and Budget memo implementing the freeze on Tuesday had been rescinded ensuring the pause would not to affect programs including Social Security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and others that provide direct benefits to individuals. "While I'm incredibly thankful for President Trump's diligence to scrutinize the spending of every penny of taxpayer dollars at the federal level," Fetgatter said, "I'm also relieved for the assurance that Oklahomans that rely on assistance dollars won't have any immediate impact on the benefits they currently receive." As soon as the funding pause was announced, Fetgatter began working to collect information from state agencies and the state's congressional delegation about the impact of the pause and to get a timeline. He said there was never an indication that state agencies that dispense aid such as Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, funds for small businesses and farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance and other similar programs were impacted by the temporary pause. It's important to note that the executive orders mentioned in the memo have not been rescinded and funding supporting other programs is still under review. Fetgatter said he will continue to monitor the situation and will be ready to respond given new information.

Jan 28, 2025
Recent Posts

Fetgatter Assessing Impact of Federal Funding Freeze

OKLAHOMA CITY – In his role as Oklahoma House Tribal and External Affairs Leader Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, is working with the state's federal delegation and state agencies to assess the impact of a federal funds freeze under the new presidential administration. The White House announced it is pausing federal grants and loans starting today as it begins an across-the-board review of spending. The pause was not to affect benefit programs including Social Security benefits, Medicare, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and others that provide direct benefits to individuals. "I'm working with state agencies and Oklahoma members of Congress to make sure the needs of Oklahomans are met," Fetgatter said. "I appreciate President Trump wanting to do due diligence to ensure federal funds are being spent appropriately, but I also want to make sure those who rely on Social Security benefits, Medicare or other forms of aid are not left without care." House Speaker Kyle Hilbert praised Rep. Fetgatter for his efforts to collect information from the federal delegation and state agencies to know what issues exist and serve as the point person for the House Republican caucus. "Our nation’s federal debt is out of control, so we are thankful to have President Trump back in the White House to scrutinize all federal spending and fulfill his campaign promise to get our national economy back on track. We have been in touch with our federal delegation and have been assured that Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance and other similar programs will not be impacted by this temporary pause. Rep. Fetgatter will continue to work with our federal delegation to better understand the timeline and impact of this temporary pause to ensure critical services to Oklahomans continue as uninterrupted as possible." According to a memo from the Office of the President, Office Management and Budget (OMB), the guidance establishes a process for agencies to work with OMB to determine quickly whether any program is inconsistent with the President’s executive orders. A pause could be as short as day. In fact, OMB said it has worked with agencies and has already approved many programs to continue even before the pause went into effect. Fetgatter said he is awaiting additional information from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which currently is surveying state agencies to assess the impact of the funding pause. He's also reached out to Oklahoma congressional members for a timeline of the review.  House fiscal staff already had been in contact with several state agencies to assess the impact of a pause in funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act passed under the Biden Administration. Fetgatter said the result was mixed based on what funds the agency was receiving and the purpose for the funding. The impact of the new order is expected to be much the same. As indicated by the OMB memo, some funding and programs will be reviewed and cleared quickly while other impacts may differ. He said he'll keep his fellow legislators and the public updated with any information he receives.