HB 3597 prohibits unauthorized immigrants (defined as individuals without proper legal documentation, including those who entered without inspection or overstayed visas) from receiving food stamp benefits or Medicaid/SooonerCare coverage in Oklahoma. The bill amends state statutes to explicitly ban these benefits for such individuals under all circumstances, with penalties for knowingly assisting them. It aligns Medicaid eligibility requirements with federal SNAP work rules but excludes Insure Oklahoma and specific exempt populations. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3789 would bar non-U.S. nationals from filing for, running for, or holding any elected office in Oklahoma, including municipal, county, state, or other government positions. The bill directly affects individuals who are citizens of countries other than the United States seeking public office in Oklahoma. It creates a citizenship requirement by prohibiting non-U.S. nationals from participating in elections for these roles. The law would take effect on November 1, 2026.
SB 1667 requires all Oklahoma voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must submit specific documents like a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or tribal enrollment card to verify citizenship. Election officials must verify this proof before classifying a voter as "verified," and non-citizens (referred to as "federal-only voters") cannot vote in state elections without using provisional ballots. The bill directly affects anyone registering to vote in Oklahoma, adding a new verification step to the registration process.
This bill updates Oklahoma's definition of "coercive control" within the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. It adds specific examples to the definition, including isolating a victim from support networks, depriving basic needs, controlling finances or movements, threatening based on immigration status, forcing sex acts, and using animal cruelty to intimidate. These changes clarify what constitutes coercive control in domestic abuse cases, directly affecting victims and legal proceedings under Oklahoma's domestic abuse laws. The bill does not create new penalties or procedures - it solely refines the statutory definition to better capture non-physical abuse tactics.
HB 3598 prohibits undocumented immigrant students in Oklahoma from receiving in-state tuition rates or state-funded scholarships and financial aid at public colleges and universities. The bill amends Oklahoma law to remove the existing pathway allowing such students to qualify for resident tuition by meeting high school residency requirements and submitting immigration applications, and explicitly bans them from these benefits. An exception applies to students enrolled in a degree program during the 2006-2007 school year or earlier who previously received resident tuition under prior rules. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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 2073, the "Hire Oklahomans Act," prohibits all Oklahoma state entities (including agencies, universities, and local governments) from hiring or renewing employment for individuals under H-1B visas or Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. The law applies only to new hires or contract renewals starting July 1, 2026, and does not affect existing employment agreements. It aims to prioritize public employment opportunities for Oklahoma residents by restricting state-funded positions to individuals not relying on these specific federal visa programs. The bill explicitly states that state employment funded by Oklahoma taxpayers is a matter of state sovereignty, separate from federal immigration authority.
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.
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.
SB 2010 requires noncitizen applicants to provide proof of lawful presence in the U.S. (such as valid U.S. authorization documentation) when applying for an Oklahoma driver license. It also mandates all applicants to submit proof of identity and proof of residency at the time of application. The bill creates a new license designation for certain applicants and disallows specific renewal options for some licenses. These changes directly affect anyone applying for or renewing a driver license in Oklahoma.
