Deevers files bills to end income tax, feral hog hunting hurdles, and EPA diesel regulations

State Sen. Dusty Deevers has filed a bundle of new bills that are well worth consideration by the Oklahoma Legislature:

Deevers Introduces Tax Cut Elimination Bills, Other Tax Cuts

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan 15th) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, has introduced a slate of legislation to reduce the tax burden on Oklahomans, including the following.

• SB305 to immediately eliminate the State individual income tax.
• SB322 to immediately eliminate the State corporate income tax.
• SB308 to gradually reduce the income tax by 1 percent per year until eliminated by 2029.
• SB323 to gradually reduce the State corporate income tax by 1 percent per year until eliminated in 2028.
• SB311 to reduce the gross production tax on the oil and gas industry from 7 percent to 5 percent.
• Various tax credits for Oklahoma families and family-oriented initiatives, including SB228, SB281, and SB328.

“As Governor Stitt said recently, ‘when we have excess revenue, and Oklahoma certainly does, that means it’s time for tax cuts.’ Rather than using increasing revenue and surpluses to grow government, we need to put money back in the pockets of the people of Oklahoma,” Deevers said.

“Eliminating the State income tax could save the average Oklahoma household $2,000-$3,000 per year. Eliminating Oklahoma’s income tax will empower families, boost local businesses with reinvestable capital, and position the state as a premier destination for talent, innovation, and enterprise, creating a thriving economy driven by growth, opportunity, and long-term prosperity.

Deevers also commented on the feasibility of repealing the income tax and his desire to work with others who have introduced similar bills.

“While there is some disagreement about how to get it done, thankfully, there is a growing consensus that the State income tax needs to be repealed. I have filed four separate bills to do so. My hope is that my colleagues will support SB305 and SB322 to immediately return this money to the people, but I have also filed bills to gradually eliminate the income tax if it becomes clear that that is the only way to achieve majority support. I know that others have introduced legislation to accomplish the same end, and I am happy to consider those efforts. This is not about who gets the credit. This is about giving the people of Oklahoma back their money.”

The Injustice of the Income Tax or ‘Labor Tax’

Deevers also explained the fundamental injustice of the income tax. “Prophetic warnings about the harm of the 16th Amendment have been realized in the ever-expanding bureaucratic apparatus that regulates and consumes increasing portions of national and state resources and freedoms,” Deevers said. “This system disincentivizes productivity and innovation while punishing success. Worse, it fosters a culture of envy, pitting citizens against one another based on income brackets.

“Nowhere does Scripture grant the state authority to claim ownership over the fruits of one’s labor, which belong first to God and then to the individual as a steward. By taxing income, the government declares itself master over and possessor of the labor and property of its citizens, violating their God-given rights to life, liberty, and property.

“Economically, income taxes are a disincentive to growth. When a person’s earnings are forcibly taken, the government not only robs them of their property (their money) but also of the opportunity to reinvest it into productive endeavors. This confiscatory system stifles creativity and rewards inefficiency. Additionally, overlapping federal and state income taxes exacerbate burdens on citizens, creating a double yoke that hinders prosperity and discourages investment.

“The income tax, which could be more appropriately referred to as the ‘labor tax,’ stands as an affront to liberty and justice. A just system would instead adopt limited, consumption-based taxes, ensuring the government operates within its God-ordained boundaries while safeguarding the freedom and prosperity of its citizens by taxing the people as little as possible while still fulfilling its core functions. While some will say cutting taxes is not possible, it is only because such people have not considered the ‘radical’ idea that the government does not need to spend so much money. With a combination of spending cuts and limited consumption taxes, substantial tax cuts are achievable. The income tax must be abolished to restore rightful stewardship, economic vitality, and individual liberty under God.”

Deevers Introduces ‘Free to Hunt Feral Hogs’ De-Regulation Bill to Protect Oklahoma’s Farms, Ranches, and Wildlife Heritage

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan 14th.) — In response to years of feral hogs causing extensive damage to property and agriculture in rural Oklahoma, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, has introduced SB478, the Free to Hunt Feral Hogs bill, designed to remove all required permits for hunting feral hogs and free Oklahomans to protect their land, crops, and livestock from their destructive impact.

“Feral hogs are much more than just a nuisance—they are a threat to Oklahoma’s farms, ranches, and livelihoods,” Deevers said. “It is preposterous that Oklahomans need to obtain multiple permits from multiple agencies to protect their own property from substantial damage. No one should have to navigate permit processes and bureaucratic red tape in multiple agencies just to protect what is rightfully theirs.”

Feral hogs cause an estimated $1.5 billion in damage annually across the United States, with Oklahoma bearing $30 to $50 million in losses each year. “These invasive animals wreak havoc on crops, devastate ecosystems that support quail and turkey, destroy fencing, and contaminate waterways, imposing significant financial burdens on farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,” Deevers said. “They degrade water quality, cause soil erosion, and outcompete native wildlife for food and habitat. This combination of property damage, agricultural destruction, economic strain, and ecological damage underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to manage feral hog populations and protect Oklahoma’s agricultural and environmental heritage.”

SB478 repeals the requirements for feral hog hunters to obtain:

1. A depredating animals license from Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry,
2. A permit from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation,
3. An agricultural exemption from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for nuisance control,
4. A permit for hunting feral hogs at night, and
5. A special license for hunting feral hogs during primitive firearm deer hunting season.

“This is a common-sense solution to a serious problem,” Deevers added. “By passing this bill, we are not only protecting Oklahoma’s agricultural heritage but also sending a clear message that we trust our citizens to manage their own land.”

The Free to Hunt Feral Hogs bill is eligible for consideration by the Senate in the 60th legislature beginning on February 3.

Deevers Introduces Diesel Engine Freedom Act to Defend Oklahoma Farmers, Truckers, and Businesses

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan 14th) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, today unveiled SB457 the Diesel Engine Freedom Act, a landmark bill to protect the rights of Oklahomans to own, operate, and manufacture diesel engines free from burdensome EPA regulations, specifically those requiring Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems.

“Our farmers, truckers, and businesses rely on diesel engines every day to power their work and their dreams,” Deevers said. “An owner of a trucking company in Oklahoma City told me that this bill, if passed, would save his business $30,000 per month, $3.6 million per year. That is the difference between thriving and shutting down.”

Key Provisions and Benefits of SB457 Diesel Engine Freedom Act

• • Protects Oklahomans’ Rights: Prevents state and local enforcement of unconstitutional and extremely burdensome federal DEF mandates, allowing individuals and businesses to use reliable, cost-effective diesel engines.
• • DEF-Free Engine Innovation: Enables Oklahoma manufacturers to produce DEF-free engines without federal interference, supporting job creation and economic growth.
• •Provides Legal and Financial Protections: Shields businesses penalized under federal environmental regulations, ensuring they are not unfairly burdened.
• •Boosts Industry Reliability: Reduces downtime and repair costs associated with DEF system failures, benefiting farmers, truckers, and energy producers.
• •Strengthens State Sovereignty: Asserts Oklahoma’s independence from federal overreach, preserving the state’s ability to regulate its industries.

“This legislation sends a clear message to Washington: Oklahoma will not look out for its people instead of bowing to unconstitutional EPA mandates rooted in climate hysteria that threaten our livelihoods and industries,” Deevers said. “DEF systems not only add unnecessary complexity and expense to diesel engines but also cause frequent failures in extreme weather and heavy-duty conditions, leading to costly repairs, downtime, and decreased reliability for hardworking Oklahomans.”

The Diesel Engine Freedom Act supports Oklahoma’s core industries, including agriculture, transportation, and energy, while promoting economic independence and state sovereignty.

“This is about protecting Oklahoma’s way of life, defending our God-given rights, and ensuring that our industries thrive without unnecessary interference,” Deevers concluded.