OKLAHOMA CITY (April 19, 2010) – Under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives today, military personnel deployed outside the state would be exempt from a fine if they failed to renew their vehicle tag.
Senate Bill 1816, by state Sen. Brian Bingman and state Rep. Pat Ownbey, would make military personnel deployed outside the state exempt from penalty during their assignment and for 60 days after that assignment ends.
“Deployment makes it difficult to keep up with a number of local details including vehicle tag renewal,” Ownbey, R-Ardmore, said. “Legislators have continually looked for ways to reward those men and women who choose to serve our country. This is my contribution, an exemption from a fine if they fail to renew their tag while they are deployed outside the state.”
In addition to the numerous Oklahomans who serve in other branches of the military, around 400 members of the Oklahoma National Guard are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Myles Deering has recently said he expects some 4,000 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen will be deployed.