Okla. Stat. tit. 4, § 116
Definitions
Effective Nov 1, 2026Laws 2024, HB 2986, c. 191, § 1, eff. November 1, 2024; Amended by Laws 2026, SB 2112, c. 235, § 1, eff. November 1, 2026 (superseded document available).
A. As used in this section:
- 1. “Cattle crossing signage” means a sign in a twenty-four-inch diamond shape that depicts a black cow graphic on a yellow background; and
- 2. “Open pasture road” means a road maintained by a county where the land on both sides of the road is owned or leased by the same owner or lessee and such roadway is without fencing.
B. Any public road, as defined in Section 232 of Title 69 of the Oklahoma Statutes, in whole or in part, that is maintained by a county and that meets the following conditions shall be designated as an open pasture road:
- 1. Cattle guards have been installed at the access points of such road or part thereof; and
2. Cattle are allowed to be unrestrained or to run at large through such roads.
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to notify the board of county commissioners that the roadway is eligible to be designated as an open pasture road. Such notification shall state the proposed action and clearly show on a map the location and terminals of the road. The map shall also demonstrate that the property where the road is located belongs to the property owner requesting such designation.
- C. The board of county commissioners shall cause the erection of cattle crossing signage at the terminals of the open pasture road. The cost associated with such signage shall be provided by the property owner requesting such designation.
- D. Neither the property owner nor the owner of livestock that are on property where an open pasture road is located shall be liable for damages to any motor vehicle or occupants thereof caused by collision with livestock on a designated open pasture road.
- E. The board of county commissioners shall have authority to designate an open pasture road.
- F. Once annually, the owner of a property where an open pasture road is located shall provide notice to the board of county commissioners demonstrating that the property continues to meet the requirements of subsection B of this section. Such notice shall also include an indication that the property owner desires such designation to continue. If such property owner indicates that the owner no longer desires for such designation to continue, or if the notice demonstrates that the property no longer meets any of the conditions required by subsection B of this section, the road shall lose the designation and the owner of such property shall have thirty (30) days after the board of county commissioners receives such notice to ensure any livestock on the property are fenced out of the roadway.
Laws 2024, HB 2986, c. 191, § 1, eff. November 1, 2024; Amended by Laws 2026, SB 2112, c. 235, § 1, eff. November 1, 2026 (superseded document available).