Rep. Richard Morrissette, District 92
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
State Capitol – Room 543
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Contact: Jacklyn Brink-Rosen
(405) 557-7404

(Oklahoma City, OK) HB2720, an amendment to the state’s current seller’s disclosure liability form, has been construed by those failing to read the bill as a mandate for builders requiring that a safe room or storm shelter be included in the construction.

“I support efforts to save lives, and personally, we have other forms of mandates to include auto insurance in this state, and, if I thought the support was there, I’d advocate for a storm shelter mandate. But, that was never a part of this bill.” clarified the bill’s author state Rep. Richard Morrissette (D-OKC), District 92.

Three local TV stations reported on the bill March 1, 2012, and one, KOCO – Ch 5, did report the details of the bill and its origins accurately.

HB2720 would require that information listed upon the current property condition disclosure form include information as to whether the home for sale was constructed with or without a safe shelter and/or high wind ties.

“My concern now is three fold. We’ve succeeded in confusing the public and in some cases angering them; my phones been ringing all morning with calls from those to say they don’t like mandates that drive up home costs. Secondly, those home builders who had been in support of HB2720 might now think this is not what they bargained for, and, thirdly, that Floor Leader DeWitt who controls the fate of the bill to be heard upon the House floor might think I have plans to amend the bill to include the mandate. I do not have any such plans.”

“I appreciate the interest in the bill by local media and I know they worked hard to prepare these reports but copies of the bill were made available and I think at this point a retraction during prime time reporting hours should be made.” said Morrissette.

“This bill is named for Ryan and Cole Hamil, the two young boys killed in last season’s Piedmont tornado. Their family has had to endure unspeakable pain and they will never be the same. Deborah Hamil, the grandmother of Ryan and Cole, requested that something be done to raise awareness at the point of sale regarding the storm worthiness of a home, especially when young families are the buyers, hence HB2720. She also advocates for the storm shelter mandate and I’ve advised her to continue her pursuit to educate the public and law makers of the need.” concluded Morrissette.

-30-