SB 1297: Census; creating the Oklahoma Decennial Census Accuracy Revolving Fund. Effective date. Emergency. - Oklahoma

SB1297 (3-17-26) (MCINTOSH) FA1.PDF → SB1297 (3-17-26) (MCINTOSH) FA2.PDF · 2 edits

MINOR

This floor amendment changes the language of SB 1297 to restrict funding eligibility. The original text allowed funds to be used for creating materials in English or Native languages, while the new text prohibits any entity that supports or assists people who entered the country illegally from receiving funds for this purpose. This represents a significant policy shift from language preservation to immigration enforcement restrictions.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from supporting language materials to explicitly excluding entities that assist undocumented immigrants from receiving funding.

ELIGIBILITY

Replaced language allowing funds for English or Native language materials with a restriction prohibiting funding for entities that assist people who entered the country illegally.

FISCAL

Changed the purpose of allowable funds from language material creation to explicitly excluding immigration-related assistance organizations.

Floor (Senate) → SB1297 (3-17-26) (MCINTOSH) FA1.PDF · 1 edit

MINOR

A floor amendment was added to SB 1297 requiring that any funds from the Oklahoma Decennial Census Accuracy Revolving Fund can only be used to create materials in English or Native languages as specified in the Oklahoma Constitution. This adds a language restriction to how the census outreach and marketing campaign funds may be spent.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by adding a language requirement that limits how the census funding can be used.

REQUIREMENT

New language requirement added to Section 1, Line 24 stating that all funds from the revolving fund may only be used to create materials in English or Native languages as provided in Article XXX of the Oklahoma Constitution.

Introduced → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its introduced version to the Senate floor version, primarily adding a specific funding amount of $500,000 for fiscal year 2027, reorganizing the section numbering, and adding standard emergency and effective date provisions. The core purpose of creating a revolving fund for census outreach remains unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on creating a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to support 2030 Census outreach efforts, with no substantive change to its applicability.

FISCAL

Added a specific appropriation of $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027

TIMELINE

Added Section 2 establishing July 1, 2026 as the effective date

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 3 declaring an emergency to allow immediate effect upon passage

TECHNICAL

Reorganized section numbering and added committee report information

Added explanatory bracketed text describing the bill's subject matter

Census; creating the Oklahoma Decennial Census Accuracy Revolving Fund. Effective date. Emergency.

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors