HB 4423 requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to verify the immigration status of all Medicaid applicants using the federal SAVE system (or its successor) before approving benefits. It specifically mandates that the Authority notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if an applicant's status cannot be verified as lawful. This applies to all applicants, including adults applying for child-only Medicaid benefits on behalf of a child. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not change Medicaid eligibility criteria but adds a verification step for immigration status.
SB 1633 removes provisions allowing undocumented students to qualify for Oklahoma resident tuition by submitting immigration status applications or affidavits. It eliminates language ensuring these students would not be disqualified from state scholarships or financial aid based on immigration status. The bill aligns Oklahoma’s higher education residency rules with Section 3242.2, which generally prohibits non-residents from receiving resident tuition benefits or state financial aid. This change directly affects students who previously relied on the removed documentation pathways to access in-state tuition rates.
HB 4422 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to verify applicants' immigration status using the federal SAVE system before approving benefits for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It establishes a five-year bar for qualified aliens who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, from receiving TANF or certain other benefits, unless exceptions apply. If SAVE verification shows unverified status, the department must notify the Oklahoma Attorney General, who may then alert U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The bill directly affects non-citizen legal residents applying for TANF or SNAP benefits, mandating status checks and specific notification procedures.
SB 1287 amends Oklahoma's Abstractors Act to update license qualification standards for abstractors. It directly affects individuals applying for abstractor licenses by requiring applicants to have legal U.S. work authorization, reside in or be physically present in the United States, and not have certain criminal convictions that pose a threat to public safety or relate to abstracting duties. The bill clarifies that the Oklahoma Abstractors Board may deny licenses based on these criteria, defining "poses a reasonable threat" as criminal conduct involving harm to others and "substantially relates" as direct bearing on abstracting duties. Licenses remain valid for one year with a maximum $150 renewal fee. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3495 makes it illegal for anyone to act as a "straw person" to purchase property in Oklahoma on behalf of a foreign national. It defines a "straw person" as someone who buys property for a foreigner to conceal their identity or bypass restrictions. Violators face felony charges punishable by up to two years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3787 requires all candidates for municipal, county, or school board positions in Oklahoma to meet the state's basic voting eligibility requirements as defined in the Oklahoma Constitution. This means candidates must be U.S. citizens, residents of the district, and otherwise qualified to vote in Oklahoma elections. The bill amends existing election laws to enforce this standard for all state, county, municipal, and school board offices, effective November 1, 2026. It does not change the specific requirements but ensures candidates already must meet these standards.
