1. State Question 777: A Constitutional Amendment
Shannon Ferrell Larry D. Sanders
2016
Department of Agricultural Economics
DASNR
Oklahoma State University.

2. caveat
 OSU is not taking a stand on this issue. As appropriate research based on sound science becomes available, it will be shared with the public. 2

3. Key points
SQ 777 is on the Nov 8, 2016 ballot to change the OK Constitution to guarantee agriculture can engage in farming and ranching practices without abridgement from the Legislature.
There is a caveat that allows public intervention if there is a compelling state interest.
A state law currently exists that says agricultural activities conducted on farm or ranch land, if consistent with good agricultural practices and established prior to nearby nonagricultural activities, are presumed to be reasonable and do not constitute a nuisance unless the activity has a substantial adverse affect on the public health and safety. 3

4. Framing the Issue
There has been a growing concern on the part of some in Oklahoma agriculture/agribusiness that some interest groups have an agenda to destroy modern industrial agriculture.
The question is part of a longer list of concerns about government and a non-sympathetic public attacking farmers/ranchers and reducing profitability.
About this, there is much debate. 4

5. “Right to Farm” State Question 777 Ballot measure November 2016
Constitutional provision to protect farmers from private/public intervention
“… would establish a constitutional guarantee for farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices. It would prohibit the Oklahoma Legislature from passing laws abridging the right of farmers and ranchers ‘to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices’ without a compelling state interest.” 5

6. Right to farm laws
All 50 states have at least some form of right to farm statute
Generally provide protection against nuisance claims
“Grandfathering”
Adherence to generally accepted farming practices and applicable laws
A few states have passed constitutional amendments (MO, ND) 7

7. The ballot measure
This measure adds Section 38 to Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution. The new section creates state constitutional rights. It creates the following guaranteed rights to engage in farming and ranching: • The right to make use of agricultural technology, • The right to make use of livestock procedures, and • The right to make use of ranching practices.

8. The ballot measure (continued)
These constitutional rights receive extra protection under this measure that not all constitutional rights receive. This extra protection is a limit on lawmakers’ ability to interfere with the exercise of these rights. Under this extra protection, no law can interfere with these rights, unless the law is justified by a compelling state interest—a clearly identified state interest of the highest order. Additionally, the law must be necessary to serve that compelling state interest. The measure—and the protections identified above—do not apply to and do not impact state laws related to: • Trespass, • Eminent domain, • Easements, • Right of way or other property rights, and • Any state statutes and political subdivision ordinances enacted before December 31, SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED? FOR THE PROPOSAL Yes: __________ AGAINST THE PROPOSAL No : __________

9. “Compelling state interest”
would provide “the right of citizens and lawful residents of Oklahoma to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices” with protection of fundamental rights (i.e., First Amendment rights)
the state has the burden of proving not only
(1) a “compelling state interest” was served by the restriction, but also
(2) the restriction enacted by the Legislature was the least restrictive way to protect the compelling state interest

10. Legal questions on SQ 777 Potential for unintended consequences?
Potential for little to no impact (do exemptions swallow the rule)?
Potential for significant increase in litigation
“Compelling state interest”
Litigation pushed to exemption areas
Problems with federally delegated programs?
Federal primacy issues? 10

11. Policy/Economic Questions
Grievances?
Risk management?
Innovation/technology adoption?
Long-term benefits & costs?
Private sector?
Public sector?
Legislature
Interest
Groups
State
Agencies
Courts

12. SOURCES
Ferrell, S. & L. Sanders, State Question 777: A Proposed Constitutional Amendment, Oklahoma Cooperative Education Service Fact Sheet, under review July 2016.
Gratto, Charles P. “Policy Education: A Model With Emphasis on How.” Increasing Understanding of Public Problems and Policies Farm Foundation, Oak Brook, Ill
House, Verne W. Shaping Public Policy: The Educator’s Role. Westridge Publishing., 1981.
Oklahoma Statutes.
Sanders, Larry D. & S. Williams, various publications