Legislation would let cities, counties ban smoking on property they own
BY BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that would allow cities and counties to ban smoking on properties they own or operate.
Senate Bill 501 by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, heads to the House for consideration after securing approval by a vote of 44-1.
Simpson said the measure would apply to parks, libraries, baseball fields, golf courses, soccer fields and other properties.
Last month, a Senate panel killed a bill that would have allowed cities and towns to pass ordinances more stringent than state laws governing tobacco use.
Critics of Senate Bill 36, also by Simpson, said they were reluctant to tell local businesses what they could and could not do.
The measure's defeat prompted Gov. Mary Fallin to announce she would lead efforts to let voters decide to crack down on smoking in public places. The wording of the proposed initiative petition has not been released.
Associated Images:
Sen. Frank Simpson
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