As we reach the halfway point of this year’s legislative session, we continue to see the same relentless attacks on civil rights and liberties that have defined past years. While harmful policies threaten communities across Oklahoma, we remain steadfast in our fight. As these bills move through the legislature, we will continue to track their progress, mobilize resistance, and defend our freedoms long after the session adjourns.
Legislative Wins
Let’s start with the good news. Despite ongoing attacks, no bills attacking religious freedom or gender-affirming care survived the legislative deadline. Additionally, SB 601, which would pause executions until June 1, 2027 and create a Death Penalty Reform Task Force, will continue to move forward. Moreover, multiple bills preventing rushed evictions have passed their committees and will advance further.
These victories are worth celebrating, but the fight is far from over as we confront a wave of damaging bills going forward:
Immigration
We continue to fight two major bills attacking immigrant rights: HB 1362, which would create a 5-year felony or deportation for undocumented immigrants arrested for allegedly violating any criminal law such as speeding, and SB 868, which bans sanctuary cities in Oklahoma.
Criminal Legal
We are fighting four major bills attacking criminal legal reform: HB 1592, which rolls back the progress made from SQ 780 and lowers the felony larceny limit back down from $1000 to $500, SB 633, which allows public schools to access the entire juvenile justice database on all students and could exacerbate the school to prison pipeline, and HB 1693, which would speed up the process of determining competency for executions, limit discovery, and apply retroactively. This would mean individuals on death row, who are already determined to be incompetent for execution because of severe mental illness, would now be up for execution again. And last but not least, SJR 6, which is a constitutional amendment to abolish the judicial nominating commission, a fair and impartial group of volunteer members who help select judges for our state, and places the power directly into the hands of our Governor.
Reproductive Freedom
We are fighting five major bills attacking reproductive rights in Oklahoma. Our top priorities include: HB 1168, which would make the trafficking of abortion-inducing drugs a felony, HB 1008, which would reinstate an overturned abortion ban and narrow the definition of a medical emergency for abortions, and HB 1603, which mandates public high schools display a medically inaccurate anti-abortion video to students.
2SLGBTQ+
We are fighting six bills attacking 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Oklahoma. Our priorities include HB 1217, which would place a ban on drag shows anywhere a minor could conceivably be present, HB 1219, which would ban state entities from endorsing or organizing pride month, and HB 1224, which would allow health care providers and insurance companies the ability to deny care on a basis of “conscience.” Additionally, we are pushing back against SB 658, which would limit safeguards for 2SLGBTQ+ children in the foster care system.
Voting and Elections
We are fighting two major bills attacking voting and election processes in Oklahoma. Our top priorities include HB 1007, which would ban the use of student IDs for voting, and SB 1027, which places several restrictions on the initiative petition process such as: requiring no more than 10% of signatures come from a county with a population of 400,000 or more, requiring paid signature collectors to post notice that they are being paid and by whom, and restricting funding for state questions to organizations within Oklahoma.
Want to keep track of these bills and more? Check out our public bill tracker to stay informed during this legislative session!