By Journalist Teyte Holcomb (OSU).
The Senate has been busy hearing bills all day, and it has not been without some debate.
Senate bill No. OSU-001 by Senator Pelfrey (OSU) addressed a bill known as the “Avian Wing Clipping Protection” Act, which sought to “prevent the practice of wing clipping among all avian species other than that which would aid in further health benefits for a specific creature.”
Senator Aiden Minton (OSU) said he thinks this bill would aid in helping avian species all across Oklahoma.
“The bill was meant to protect the majority of birds in Oklahoma,” Minton said. “I’m glad it passed because it provides more protection than Oklahoma has ever had, which is close to none.”
Currently, the state of Oklahoma has a law which protects all migratory birds, However, the law states that there are a certain subset of migratory birds classified as “game birds,” which may be hunted in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
While the Senate passed the bill, some senators thought it could’ve used some help.
Reese Sconyers (OSU) said he thinks the bill isn’t going to do as much as it is intended to.
“I think the bill had great intentions,” Sconyers said. “However in cases involving certain birds it may not be desirable because they could injure themselves if they were in an enclosure that would limit how high they could fly. Again, I think the bill had great intentions, but I think it needs to take into account situations like that.”
Pelfrey (OSU) said his intention of this bill was to help prevent the majority of health and physical risks associated with clipping birds.
“I can see where the opposition is coming from,” Pelfrey said. “If it’s a matter of finances, or if they think there is a hierarchy of species, but based on the legislation I brought to session, I can’t agree with them.
The senate will have another full day of bills tomorrow, and it is clear that they are just getting started.