Storm Chasing Should Not Be Regulated—No One Deserves Special Privileges

I am a storm chaser—part of a community that plays a critical role in severe weather research, public safety, and real-time reporting. However, Senate Bill 158 (SB 158) and House Bill 2426 (HB 2426) attempt to regulate storm chasing by creating a government-sanctioned class of "Professional Severe Weather Trackers" who are granted exclusive privileges.

This is not about safety—it is about government overreach and picking winners and losers in storm chasing.

These bills would:

Grant special privileges to government-approved chasers, allowing them to run red lights, exceed speed limits, and enter closed roads—privileges that only first responders should have.

Set the stage for future government expansion, where lawmakers could eventually regulate who is allowed to chase, what equipment they can use, or even prohibit independent storm chasers entirely.
Storm Chasers Should Not Be Regulated—And No One Should Get Special Treatment

If these laws were truly about safety, then no one should be granted special privileges. The media is not there after a tornado hits to help victims. It is storm chasers—then first responders—who are on the ground first, assisting in rescues and providing critical information to emergency managers.

Government should not be picking which storm chasers "qualify" for special privileges. If these privileges are dangerous for the public, then no one should have them.

Why Storm Chasers Matter
Storm chasers are not thrill-seekers—they are volunteers, citizen scientists, and researchers who provide real-time reports that save lives.
✅ They verify radar-detected tornadoes and severe weather.
✅ They provide early warnings, giving communities more time to seek shelter.
✅ They contribute to meteorological research that improves storm forecasting.

 

Thank you to Dan Robinson for allowing me to share this image. :)

 

 

 

 

Take Action
We urge all Oklahomans, meteorologists, and supporters of science and public safety to stand against SB 158 and HB 2426. Sign this petition to oppose unnecessary government intervention in storm chasing and ensure that severe weather tracking remains free and accessible.

Let’s protect science, public safety, and the right to chase responsibly—without government interference or special privileges for anyone.