SB 1589 updates Oklahoma's gambling laws by broadly defining "online casino games" to include mobile and wearable devices (like smartphones or smartwatches) that simulate traditional gambling. It clarifies that "representative of value" covers virtual currency systems exchangeable for prizes or cash. The bill expands criminal liability to include not just operators but also geolocation providers, gaming suppliers, platform providers, promoters, and media affiliates involved in such games. Violators face a Class C2 felony charge, fines of $500-$2,000, and imprisonment, effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1734, the Oklahoma Responsible Technology in Schools Act, restricts AI tool use in public schools to educator-supervised settings, requiring all classroom AI applications to operate under teacher oversight ("human-in-the-loop") with educators reviewing outputs before use in instruction or assessment. It prohibits AI from determining high-stakes outcomes like grading, discipline, or student placement, and mandates school districts to adopt policies by the 2027-2028 school year covering data privacy, appropriate use, and transparency for families. The State Department of Education must develop guidance to help districts comply, while ensuring AI tools meet federal privacy laws (like FERPA) and minimize student data sharing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not compel schools to adopt AI but sets guardrails for its responsible use.
HB 1276 requires Oklahoma public school districts to adopt policies banning student cell phones and personal electronic devices (like tablets, smartwatches, or laptops) during the entire school day and on school grounds, effective July 2025. Exceptions are permitted for medical emergencies documented by a licensed professional. School boards may opt out of the ban through annual approval, but must still allow device use for emergencies. The bill defines "personal electronic devices" to exclude school-issued tech used for instruction and clarifies "school day" as the full instructional period from first to last bell. It directly affects all K-12 students and school districts in Oklahoma.
SB 1122 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Equalization to assess property used for **wired broadband service** (offering internet over 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload) at a **15% tax rate** for tax years 2026-2036. It applies only to infrastructure in areas with **less than 10% broadband coverage** (per FCC maps) and exclusively to property used for broadband, excluding other services like video streaming. The bill amends tax code to define "broadband service providers" and mandates this specific assessment ratio for qualifying assets, including fiber, cables, and network infrastructure. This policy directly affects **wired broadband providers** expanding service in underserved rural or low-coverage regions.
SB 1716 amends Oklahoma's Security Breach Notification Act to limit class action lawsuits against private entities following cybersecurity breaches. It prohibits class action liability unless a breach results from the entity's "willful and wanton conduct or gross negligence." The bill also clarifies that private entities using reasonable safeguards and providing required breach notices cannot be held liable for civil penalties, while those failing to use reasonable safeguards face reduced penalties ($75,000) but not class actions. This directly affects businesses and organizations handling personal data in Oklahoma, shifting enforcement exclusively to the Attorney General or district attorneys for most cases.
SB 1923 prohibits inmates in Oklahoma prisons and reformatories from accessing social media platforms on any electronic devices provided by the Department of Corrections (like phones, tablets, or computers). The bill defines "social media platform" as websites enabling user-generated content and interaction, such as Facebook or Instagram. The Department of Corrections must create specific rules to implement this ban, which takes effect November 1, 2026. This policy directly affects all inmates in state correctional facilities by restricting their use of social media during incarceration.
Oklahoma Senate Bill 224 creates the Oklahoma Education and Workforce Efficiency Data System (EDS), a secure platform for state agencies to share de-identified student and workforce data across education and employment systems. It directly affects state agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Education, Workforce Commission, and higher education bodies by enabling data integration for improving educational outcomes and taxpayer return on investment. Key provisions include requiring strict privacy compliance (under FERPA and similar laws), prohibiting collection of sensitive data (religion, medical information), and establishing a Governance Council to oversee data access and vendor selection. The system aims to support evidence-based decisions while ensuring data privacy through formal agreements and anonymization for approved users like researchers.
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.
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.
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.
