Republican Oklahoma Governor Betrays Constitution, Signs Law Implementing REAL ID

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (March 22, 2017) – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin (R) has signed a bill into law implementing the federal REAL ID Act in the state, overturning a decade-old law prohibiting participation in the national ID program. House Bill 1845 (HB1845) was sponsored by six Republicans and one Democrat. It passed the state House…

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Oklahoma Bill Would Legalize Medical Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition in Effect

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 6, 2017) – A Oklahoma bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, effectively nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Scheduled for introduction on Feb. 6 by Rep. Eric Proctor (D-Tulsa), House Bill 1877 (HB1877) would shield any qualifying medical marijuana patient from “arrest, prosecution or penalty…

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Oklahoma Bill would Create Mechanism to Review and Reject Federal Rules and Regulations

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 31, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the Oklahoma Senate would require legislative approval before a state agency could adopt or enforce any new federal rule or regulation, setting the stage to nullify such rules and regulations in practice. Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) prefiled Senate Bill 636 (SB636) for introduction in…

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Oklahoma Bill Would Allow People to Opt Out of Smart Meters; Undermine Federal Program

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 27, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the Oklahoma House would ensure utility customers could opt out of installing “smart meter” technology on their homes and businesses. Passage of the bill would allow Oklahomans to protect their own privacy, and it would take a step toward blocking a federal program in effect.…

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Oklahoma Bill Takes on Asset Forfeiture, Closes Federal Loophole

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 24, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the Oklahoma Senate would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws by eliminating civil forfeiture and providing for a jury trial. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds. Sen. Kyle Loveless…

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Oklahoma Bill Would Eliminate Marriage Licenses, Nullify Federal Control in Practice

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 23, 2017) – A bill filed in the Oklahoma House would end government licensing of marriages in the state, effectively nullifying in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Rep. Todd Russ (R-Cordell), prefiled House Bill1418 (HB1418). The legislation would end the issuance of state marriage licenses.…

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Oklahoma Bill Would Eliminate Marriage Licenses, Nullify Federal Control in Practice

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 23, 2017) – A bill filed in the Oklahoma House would end government licensing of marriages in the state, effectively nullifying in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Rep. Todd Russ (R-Cordell), prefiled House Bill1418 (HB1418). The legislation would end the issuance of state marriage licenses.…

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Oklahoma Bill Would Prohibit Spending State Funds to Promote Gun Control

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Jan. 5, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Oklahoma Senate would prohibit the use of state funds to promote gun control. Passage of the bill would take a small step toward thwarting federal gun laws in the state. Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) prefiled Senate Bill 65 (SB65). The legislation would…

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Federally Funded Tech Helps Police Seize Money from Prepaid Cards

A new technology at least in part funded by the federal government has made it even quicker and easier for cops to grab money via asset forfeiture. The device is called ERAD, short for Electronic Recovery and Access to Data, and it has already been deployed in Oklahoma. ERAD is made possible through a combination…

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Oklahoma Bill Would Set Stage for Implementation of the Unconstitutional REAL ID Act

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 22, 2016) – A bill prefiled for the 2017 legislative session would repeal an Oklahoma law prohibiting implementation of the Real ID Act and set the state on a course to participate in an unconstitutional national identification system. Sen. John Sparks (D-Norman) and Sen. Kay Floyd (D-Oklahoma City) prefiled Senate Bill 1…

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