First Bill Signing of 2013 Shows What Can Happen When Corporations Help Write Law

• Joe Wertz
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  Joe Wertz was a reporter and managing editor for StateImpact Oklahoma from 2011-2019. He reported on energy and environment issues for national NPR audiences and other national outlets. He previously worked as a managing editor, assistant editor and staff reporter at several major Oklahoma newspapers and studied journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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The first bill to survive Oklahoma’s 2013 legislative session was signed last week by Gov. Mary Fallin.

But the signing of House Bill 1646 met little fanfare. Here’s why: It’s nothing new. When this bill goes into effect, Oklahoma state law will return to where it was just two years ago.

This story is about a bill. A measure that was ineffective, had unintended consequences, and had to be undone. A bill that a big Oklahoma energy company helped write — and helped fight.