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.
SB 1441 prohibits operating unmanned aircraft (drones) below 400 feet over critical infrastructure facilities, such as power plants, water treatment plants, refineries, and telecommunications towers, without authorization. It bans drone contact with facilities, interference with operations, or proximity that disrupts functions. The law exempts government entities, law enforcement, facility owners/operators, and FAA-authorized commercial drone operators. Violators face civil liability for damages under existing Oklahoma law, with the bill effective November 1, 2026.
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.
This Oklahoma bill requires investor-owned electric utilities to evaluate and potentially deploy grid-enhancing technologies that increase the capacity and efficiency of existing transmission lines without building new infrastructure. The law mandates that utilities analyze the cost-effectiveness of advanced technologies like dynamic line rating and high-performance conductors in their planning processes and report findings to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. If the Commission determines these technologies are cost-effective, utilities can recover the associated costs through rates paid by customers. The legislation specifically applies to investor-owned utilities and does not cover cooperatives or municipal providers.
HB 4358 limits screen time for prekindergarten through fifth grade public school students to one hour per school day, including all classroom activities using devices like tablets, computers, or smart devices. The law exempts students requiring special education accommodations under IEPs or 504 plans, as well as necessary assistive technology. It applies to all public schools in Oklahoma starting the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "screen time" broadly to cover both teacher-directed and student-selected digital activities during school hours.
HB 2293 extends the Oklahoma Broadband Office's operations until December 31, 2030 (previously ending June 30, 2028) and reorganizes it as a division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The bill also extends the Broadband Governing Board and Broadband Expansion Council until 2030, maintaining their roles in overseeing statewide broadband grant programs, the Statewide Broadband Plan, and rural connectivity initiatives. These entities will continue managing federal and state funds for broadband expansion while operating under open-government laws. The changes ensure continuity for existing broadband infrastructure projects and grant programs without altering their core functions.
HB 3176 creates the Oklahoma Gas, Artificial Intelligence, and Space Research Hub (GAS Hub) as the state's central coordinator for recruiting a U.S. National Laboratory. The hub will prepare federal-ready sites, coordinate workforce development, aggregate state incentives, and serve as Oklahoma's formal applicant to agencies like the Department of Energy and NASA. It requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to administer the hub, working with state agencies including the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority. The bill mandates annual reports on federal engagement and site readiness, with implementation effective November 1, 2026.
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 1083 requires digital asset kiosks (physical terminals for exchanging cryptocurrencies or digital assets for cash) to operate under a money transmitter license in Oklahoma. It mandates kiosk operators to report locations to the Banking Department quarterly, disclose clear warnings about irreversible transactions and scams (including specific fraud alerts), and display risk information like "losses are not recoverable." The law prohibits unlicensed operation, with fines up to $2,000 per violation or jail time, and allows customers harmed by unlicensed kiosks to sue for losses. It directly affects kiosk businesses and users engaging in digital asset transactions at these terminals.
