Oklahoma Legislation Would Require Tornado Safety Information in Hotels
Under legislation passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, new or renovated hotels and motels would be required to tornado safety information in every room and common areas.
Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, who authored House Bill 1748, said the policy was suggested to her by a constituent who, while staying in another part of the state, was not able to find information about safety procedures while the county was under a tornado warning.
The tornado safety information, provided by the State Board of Health, would include the county, the hotel’s location on a state map, recommended safety precautions, and the day and time of local tornado siren testing.
The Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association supports the bill.
HB 1748 is a refiled bill from the 57th Legislature, House Bill 3016, which passed the House unanimously in 2020 but was stalled when the legislative session was paused due to the pandemic.
HB 1748 passed the House 79-2. It now proceeds to the Senate for consideration, where it is authored by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan.
Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives