Technology

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 53: Child sexual abuse material; modifying certain term. Effective date.

SB 53 updates Oklahoma's legal definitions related to child sexual abuse material by clarifying terms like "child sexual abuse material," "distribute," and "reasonable age verification methods" across multiple statutes. It specifies that "reasonable age verification" includes using digitized ID cards, third-party services, or other commercially reasonable methods to confirm users are 18+ before accessing certain online content. The bill modifies existing definitions in statutes covering possession, distribution, and child abuse offenses but does not create new criminal penalties or change sentencing. It directly affects online platforms, service providers, and law enforcement by standardizing how these terms are applied in Oklahoma law. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 3, 2025.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates age verification via digitized ID/third-party services to restrict minor access to online content, imposing technical restrictions on platform operations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 387: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology; modifying definition of eligible student. Effective date.

SB 387 updates the definition of "eligible student" for Oklahoma's STEM Intern Partnership Program, expanding eligibility to include students enrolled in technology center schools under the State Board of Career and Technology Education - previously limited to university students. This change directly affects tech center students and organizations seeking to hire them for industry internships through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). The bill requires applicant organizations to secure 50% non-state funding for projects and ensures internships provide real-world tech experience with measurable outcomes. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, after passing the legislature and receiving gubernatorial approval in May 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands STEM internship access for tech center students, broadening educational opportunities beyond university students in OCAST program.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands STEM internship eligibility to tech center students, directly supporting tech workforce development through OCAST's program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 552: Public safety; prohibiting state agencies from certain use of biotechnology. Effective date.

Oklahoma's SB 552 bans state agencies that receive federal or state funds from using biotechnology equipment or services from companies designated by the federal government as "biotechnology companies of concern" (entities controlled by foreign adversaries posing national security risks through multiomics data collection). The bill specifically targets the use of multiomics technology - which combines data from genomics, proteomics, and other biological research areas - to prevent potential security threats. State agencies cannot contract with entities using such biotechnology, and the law only takes effect after a comparable federal law is enacted. This directly affects all Oklahoma state agencies managing federal or state funds, requiring them to avoid specific biotech vendors.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans state agencies from using biotech services from 'companies of concern' due to national security risks, directly restricting technology deployment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1243: Career and technology education; creating the National Guard CareerTech Assistance Act; tuition assistance; repayment amount; hardship waiver; creating fund; effective date; emergency.

HB 1243 creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma National Guard members enrolled in state technology center programs that lead to certification or licensure. The program covers tuition costs (up to a three-year limit) for members who agree to remain in service for 24 months after completing their training and maintain academic requirements like a 2.0 GPA. Members who fail to meet service or academic obligations must repay assistance calculated as a monthly amount based on the total assistance received, though hardship waivers are available. The program is funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, supported by annual state appropriations, and administered by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state fund for tuition assistance, directly allocating budget resources to fund National Guard education programs without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition assistance fund for National Guard members in career tech programs, expanding educational access and funding for vocational training.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members in technology certification programs, funding workforce development in technology fields.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members' career training, directly supporting veterans' education and employment benefits through state-funded program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1540: Appropriations; Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund; effective date; emergency.

HB 1540 creates the Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund within the State Treasury to support career and technology education programs. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE), will use state appropriations, gifts, and donations to expand career tech education based on critical occupation data. It operates as a reusable fund (replenished by incoming revenue) until July 1, 2030, with expenditures requiring state treasurer warrants. The bill directly affects ODCTE's ability to fund workforce training programs, aiming to align education with local job market needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state fund for career tech education via appropriations, expanding essential workforce programs through government spending, directly advancing budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates fund to expand career tech education programs, increasing funding and access for workforce training within education system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds career tech education programs to align with critical occupations, enhancing workforce development and employment opportunities through dedicated state funding.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds career and technology education programs to develop workforce skills in tech fields, directly advancing technology sector workforce development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1275: Social media; social network; parents and guardians; permission; verification.

HB 1275 requires social media platforms meeting its definition (e.g., those using algorithms, infinite scrolling, and enabling public social interaction) to verify users are at least 18 years old before granting access. It specifically affects platforms used by Oklahoma residents, excluding email services, gaming platforms, educational tools, and professional networking sites. Key mechanisms include using state-approved digital ID verification and prohibiting "dark patterns" that trick users into sharing age data. The bill explicitly states it does not restrict content or minors' ability to post content on platforms they legally access, focusing solely on age verification for platform access.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyVerifies user age and bans deceptive 'dark patterns' to protect minors' data privacy on social media platforms, aligning with consumer protection regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 410: Schools; requiring students beginning certain school year to complete a computer science unit to graduate with standard diploma. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 410 requires Oklahoma public high school students in grades 8-12 to complete a computer science unit to earn a standard diploma starting with the 2024-2025 school year. This replaces the previous requirement for two world language units with a new computer technology course requirement covering programming, hardware, and business applications like spreadsheets. The bill mandates that this unit must be approved for college admission and excludes basic keyboarding or typing courses. It directly affects all students pursuing standard diplomas in Oklahoma public high schools under the updated graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science curriculum for graduation, replacing language requirements to enhance digital literacy and modernize K-12 education standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates computer science education for all high school students, advancing digital literacy and workforce readiness through required programming/hardware curriculum.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 572: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology; requiring the cessation of the technology business financing program; directing transfer of remaining funds. Effective date.

SB 572 ends Oklahoma's technology business financing program, which previously provided funding to help local businesses commercialize innovations. The bill requires all remaining program funds and annual royalty payments (from businesses that received funding) to be transferred to the state's General Revenue Fund by November 1, 2025. This affects OCAST (the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology), businesses that had received program funding, and state finances. The program officially ceases upon the bill's effective date, redirecting all unused funds to general state revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds OCAST program by transferring remaining funds to General Revenue Fund instead of program-specific use, ending targeted business innovation funding.92% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyEnds tech business financing program, transferring funds to General Revenue Fund, defunding innovation support for technology businesses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 693: Social media; requiring certain warning on social media platforms. Effective date.

SB 693 requires social media platforms to display a clear warning about potential mental health risks for minors when users under 18 access the platform. This warning must be provided in a specific, conspicuous manner as defined by the bill, and failure to do so would be deemed an unlawful business practice under Oklahoma's Consumer Protection Act. Violations would result in civil penalties, which would be deposited into a new "Social Media Mitigation for Minor Mental Health Fund" managed by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The fund aims to support mental health services for minors in Oklahoma, directly affecting social media companies operating within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a fund to mitigate minor mental health risks from social media, directly supporting mental health services through mandated platform warnings and dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates social media platforms for consumer protection (minor mental health), aligning with tech regulation indicators under consumer safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 885: Social media; creating the Safe Screens for Kids Act. Effective date.

SB 885, the Safe Screens for Kids Act, requires social media platforms to obtain parental consent before minors under 18 in Oklahoma can create accounts, verify user ages, and grant parents full access to their children’s accounts and activity. The bill prohibits platforms from collecting data from minors (except de-identified data), showing targeted ads to minors, using algorithms to personalize content based on minors’ behavior, or designing features that encourage excessive use or exploit psychological vulnerabilities. It also bans platforms from using minors’ data for advertising or personalization and allows Oklahoma’s Attorney General to enforce compliance through civil actions. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, directly impacting social media companies operating in Oklahoma and their minor users.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts social media data collection, targeted ads, and algorithms for minors, directly limiting tech company practices under data privacy protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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