Senate Bill 561, which would remove the license requirement for residents raising quail for noncommercial uses, passed the Senate Agriculture Committee after debate over zoning, public health and enforcement.

Sponsor Senator Jett said the bill is designed to allow Oklahomans in rural areas to raise quail for food with minimal regulatory burden. She described the fee as $5 or $10 and told the committee the change would raise “less than $250 for the annual budget for the Wildlife and Conservation Commission,” calling the current requirement mostly an administrative hassle.

The nut graf: committee members raised questions about disease risk, municipal regulation and whether the statute should contain language limiting the activity to rural areas. One member raised concerns about avian influenza and potential public‑health impacts; the sponsor said quail are not typical carriers of salmonella and emphasized biosecurity and owner interest in healthy birds.

A proposed floor amendment to bar quail breeding or raising in single‑family residential (R‑1) zones was offered by Senator Nise (introduced verbally during committee). After extended debate—sponsors and opponents argued whether municipalities should handle such rules—the committee voted the amendment down on a voice vote. The bill then went to a recorded roll call and passed, 10 ayes to 2 nays.

The sponsor said language in the bill limits the change to noncommercial use and that violations of other criminal statutes would remain enforceable by game wardens.

The committee advanced the bill to the next stage.