Committee passes bill banning baiting of migratory birds to align with federal law

The Oklahoma Wildlife Committee voted to approve Senate Bill 2,069, which prohibits taking migratory birds through baiting. Representative Townley, who presented the bill, said the proposal "lines Oklahoma up with federal law." The committee approved the bill by recorded vote, with staff reporting 6 ayes and 0 nays.

Representative Townley described SB 2,069 succinctly to the committee and then moved for adoption. Committee members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the presentation, and the chair directed staff to open the roll call. After votes were recorded, staff declared the bill passed.

The bill's sponsor framed the measure as aligning state practice with federal migration- and wildlife-protection standards. The committee did not debate implementation mechanisms or cite specific federal statutes during the meeting.