A. As defined in this section:

1. "Broadcaster" means a radio broadcasting station or television broadcasting station primarily engaged in, and deriving income from, the business of facilitating speech via over-the-air communications, both as to pure speech and commercial speech; and

2. "First informer broadcaster" means a person who has been certified as a first informer broadcaster pursuant to subsection C of this section.

B. Broadcasters in this state may, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and a statewide organization that represents radio and television broadcasters, develop comprehensive, coordinated plans for preparing for and responding appropriately to an emergency or disaster.

C. A statewide organization that represents radio and television broadcasters may establish a program for training and certifying broadcast engineers and technical personnel as first informer broadcasters. The program established pursuant to this subsection shall:

1. Be consistent with federal law and guidelines;

2. Provide training and education concerning restoring, repairing and resupplying any facilities and equipment of a broadcaster in an area affected by an emergency or disaster; and

3. Provide training and education concerning the personal safety of a first informer broadcaster in an area affected by an emergency or disaster.

D. To the extent practicable and consistent with not endangering public safety or inhibiting recovery efforts, state and local governmental agencies shall allow a first informer broadcaster access to an area affected by an emergency or disaster for the purpose of restoring, repairing, or resupplying any facility or equipment critical to the ability of a broadcaster to acquire, produce, and transmit essential emergency or disaster-related public information programming, including, without limitation, repairing and maintaining transmitters and generators, and transporting fuel for generators.

Added by Laws 2014, c. 129, § 2, emerg. eff. April 22, 2014.