Immigration

HB 1624 amends Oklahoma law to clarify firearm possession restrictions for specific groups. It prohibits convicted felons, individuals on felony probation, delinquent youth (within 10 years of adjudication), and undocumented immigrants from possessing most firearms. The bill also restores firearm rights for pardoned nonviolent felons and penalizes licensed gun owners who knowingly allow prohibited individuals to possess firearms, with penalties including license revocation and fines up to $5,000. Key provisions define terms like "altered toy pistol" and "sawed-off shotgun" for clarity in enforcement. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Oklahoma's SB 489 prohibits local governments from adopting "sanctuary policies" that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It specifically bans policies limiting law enforcement from sharing immigration status information, delaying federal immigration holds, or requiring warrants for immigration-related requests. Local governments violating the law lose eligibility for state funding until they repeal the policy, and officials who willfully violate it face removal for misconduct. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and directly affects cities, counties, and their officials.

SB 659, the Voter Registration Integrity Act, requires Oklahoma state agencies (like Service Oklahoma) to verify both U.S. citizenship and Oklahoma residency before providing voter registration materials. It mandates agencies to document and retain these verifications for five years, with penalties including fines up to $5,000 or 30 days in jail for staff who skip verification. The State Election Board oversees compliance and requires agencies to submit annual reports detailing adherence to the law. This bill directly affects state agencies handling voter registration and the individuals applying for registration, focusing on verifying eligibility before processing applications.

SB 868 prohibits Oklahoma state and local governments from implementing "sanctuary policies" that block cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It requires law enforcement agencies to support federal immigration enforcement by complying with immigration detainers (federal requests to hold individuals), sharing inmate release information with federal agencies, and allowing federal interviews of detainees. The bill also mandates judges to reduce sentences by up to 12 days in criminal cases where defendants face immigration detainers, facilitating their transfer to federal custody. This directly affects county jails, police departments, and state agencies that manage detention facilities.

SB 655, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, requires most Oklahoma employers to verify all new employees' work authorization using the federal E-Verify system within three business days of hiring. Employers must maintain verification records for at least three years, cannot hire individuals whose verification fails, and face penalties for violations - including $2,500 fines for second offenses and $5,000 for third offenses. The Oklahoma Attorney General enforces the law through investigations, warnings, fines, and a database that bars violators from state contracts for one year. The bill explicitly states it does not replace federal immigration requirements and allows employers to terminate staff for compliance without facing wrongful termination claims.

HB 1546 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from specific countries (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or other U.S.-designated "foreign government adversaries") from owning agricultural land, forestry property, or real property within 200 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure facilities (like power plants, refineries, or water treatment plants). It requires sellers to submit a notarized affidavit verifying compliance with these restrictions when recording property deeds, with limited exceptions for deeds correcting title defects or securing debts. The bill applies to direct ownership and indirect ownership through business entities or trusts, effective November 1, 2025. This law directly affects foreign entities from the listed countries seeking to purchase or hold certain types of land in Oklahoma.