PROPERTY SELLERS REQUIRED TO TELL OF METH LAB USE

A bill requiring sellers to disclose whether a building or house has been
the site of methamphetamine production -- which passed the Legislature
unanimously -- became law without the governor's signature.

House Bill 1319, authored by Reps. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, and John Nance,
R-Bethany, passed 100-0 in the House and 45-0 in the Senate.

Gov. Brad Henry wanted lawmakers to change or delete a provision that
cancels a buyer's ability to sue a seller who fails to disclose problems
with a building or house for anything other than actual damages.

"The governor was concerned that eliminating the ability to sue for damages
would result in no penalties for someone who might be tempted to lie when
selling property," said Paul Sund, communication director for the
governor's office. "He believes it's important to require disclosure of
previous meth production."

Under the law, a buyer still can sue a seller for repairs within two years
after buying the property.

In the end, Henry decided "the bill had more good than bad," so instead of
a veto, he chose to let it become law five days after reaching his desk
without his signature, Sund said.

The bill became law April 8 and will take effect Nov. 1.

"I was very pleased with the bill," said Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, the
Senate sponsor of the legislation. "I knew that Governor Henry wanted me to
recall the bill so that the language could be changed, but I thought it was
a very good consumer bill and believed it should be left the way it passed."

Henry has not vetoed a bill this session.