New Police device in Oklahoma Underscores Need for Asset Forfeiture Reform

A few months ago, local media reported that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is using a device that allows officers to electronically confiscate money on prepaid cards based on mere suspicion rather than a criminal conviction. The revelation underscores the importance of asset forfeiture reform, something the Oklahoma legislature unsuccessfully tried to do last session. The…

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A Disgrace in the Sooner State: 21 Nullification Bills Killed in Republican-Dominated Oklahoma

The legislature effectively killed 21 bills that would have blocked the federal enforcement of unconstitutional policies. To make matters worse, the vast majority of the bills did not even receive a vote in their respective chambers.

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Fierce Debate Erupts Over Federal Partnerships and Asset Forfeiture in Oklahoma County Sheriff Race

A heated debate in an Oklahoma county Sheriff’s race shows two contrasting mentalities common among elected officials. In this case, we have a Constitutional Sheriff who takes his oath very seriously going toe-to-toe against a big government centralizer repeating the federal propaganda no matter how absurd it may be. After the previous Canadian County Sheriff…

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Two Oklahoma Law Enforcement Agencies Possess Stingrays; State Legislation Needed to Limit Use

Two Oklahoma law enforcement agencies have acquired or used devices to track and collect information from cellphones. This demonstrates the need for state legislation to limit their use. According to Oklahoma Watch, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs possesses a stingray device used to collect cellphone data but has never used it, while…

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Oklahoma House Passes Bill to Restrict ALPR Use; Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 15, 2016) – Yesterday, the Oklahoma House passed a bill that would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of…

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Oklahoma House Committee Passes Bill to Restrict ALPR Use; Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 11, 2016) – Last week, an Oklahoma House committee passed a bill that would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the…

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Committees in Two States Pass Bills Taking on ALPR License Plate Tracking Program

Committees in 2 states passed bills that would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal license plate tracking program too. Yesterday, a Missouri Senate committee passed a bill that would put limitations on the storage and…

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Oklahoma House Subcommittee Passes Bill to Restrict ALPR Use; Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 1, 2016) – On Thursday, an Oklahoma House subcommittee passed a bill that would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the…

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Special Report: 3 States Advance Privacy Bills

While most privacy activists have their attention on the FBI-Apple standoff, a number of states are considering important bills to help stop mass surveillance – no matter what the outcome. In Oklahoma last week, the Senate passed a bill that would strictly limit the use of Automated license plate readers and help block a nationwide…

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Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill to Block Implementation of EPA Clean Power Plan Rules

OKLAHOMA CITY (Mar. 14, 2016) – Last week, the Oklahoma Senate passed a bill that would prohibit the state from “developing or adopting a State Implementation Plan” under the EPA’s Clean Power Plan rules. If the bill becomes law, it would set the foundation to nullify such regulations in practice. Sen. Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) introduced Senate…

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