Agriculture; Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; livestock; RFID tags; compacts; effective date.

HB 1238 prevents Oklahoma from requiring livestock producers to use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for federal animal disease traceability, which is mandated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill directly affects Oklahoma cattle ranchers and livestock sellers by removing a state-level tag requirement. It directs the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to negotiate agreements (compacts) with other beef-producing states to allow tag-free livestock sales across state lines. These compacts must be submitted to state legislative leaders for ratification. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.