Oklahoma

NEW OKLAHOMA LAWS: A look at some bills passed so far this year

Published

2 years ago

May 6, 2024

Press Room

NEW OKLAHOMA LAWS: A look at some bills passed so far this year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The countdown is on as Oklahoma’s legislative session comes to a close at the end of the month.

So far, there’s been quite a few bills the governor has signed into law.

In the past few weeks alone, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has approved dozens of bills.

Here are some notable ones that span a wide range of topics.

HB 4156 – Banning Undocumented Immigrants

One law bans the presence of undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma.

Penalties involve hundreds or even thousands of dollars in fines, jail time, and a requirement to leave the state.

The law has proven controversial.

While supporters of the bill, like the state Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R), argue that it protects the border from drugs and illegal marijuana trafficking, groups like the Oklahoma ACLU call it unconstitutional.

SB 2035 – Temporary Car Tags

One bill creates a new system for temporary license plates on vehicles sold in the state.

Under the Mason Treat Act of 2024, rules will be implemented so no one will have to drive without a license plate after purchasing a car.

The bill is named after Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat’s 16-year-old son, who was involved in a near-deadly accident on I-40.

While his car was legally owned and he had all the proper documentation, he didn’t have a tag on his car due to the then-existing law.

SB 1200 – Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Oklahoma is now the 20th state to sign a law that would “lock the clock,” following Stitt’s signing of a new law.

Specifically, Oklahoma wants daylight saving time—the time used from March to November—to be permanent all year long.

However, the federal government would have to trigger all these laws by passing its own law.

HB 1955 – Eliminating the State Grocery Tax

Stitt signed a bill eliminating the state sales tax on groceries.

Starting in August, that’s 4.5% that shoppers will no longer have to pay.

There are some exceptions—including alcohol, dietary supplements, and prepared foods.

However, shoppers will still have to pay the city or county portion of the grocery sales tax.
HB 2102 – Hope Shaffer Act

Just last week, the governor signed the Hope Shaffer Act.

This law prohibits student drivers from operating a motor vehicle when other students are passengers.

Hope Shaffer was a 15-year-old student driver who died in 2020 while sitting in the back of a car driven by a fellow student. When exiting I-240, another vehicle rear-ended their car.

One exception is that a student driver’s parents or guardians may sign a waiver allowing the student driver to ride as a passenger in a motor vehicle that is being operated by another student driver.

SB 1854 – Outlawing Homeless Encampments on State Land

One bill Stitt approved last month outlaws and fines homeless people who refuse to leave state-owned land.

The law also bans tents, shelters, and bedding on state property.

First-time violators would receive a warning and offered help, such as driving them to a nearby shelter or pantry.

However, if the person refuses this help or to leave, they face either a $50 fine, upwards of 15 days in jail, or both.

HB 3571 – Odell’s Law

Those who are well over 21 years old may have tried to buy alcohol but were refused because they forgot to bring their ID.

That reportedly happened to a 90-year-old man named Odell, who was refused beer because he didn’t have his.

Odell’s Law says establishments that sell alcohol no longer have to check the customer’s ID.

However, it reaffirms that places cannot sell alcohol to people younger than 21 years old and that they still have the right to verify someone’s age.

This year’s legislative session ends May 31 at 5pm.

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Oklahoma

Most Oklahoma voters didn’t cast a ballot during June’s primary election

Published

3 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Most Oklahoma voters didn’t cast a ballot during June’s primary election

Just 26%, or about one in four registered Oklahoma voters, cast a ballot in the race, according to an analysis of the results.

In total, 630,085 people weighed in on a state question to gradually increase the minimum wage. It was the only race open to Democrats, Republicans and independents, who weren’t eligible to vote in partisan races.

Democrats have typically opened their closed primaries to include independents, but failed to submit the paperwork for this year’s primaries on time. Some voters expressed frustration with the system on election day.

This year’s polls drew fewer voters than in 2018, the last time there was a similar gubernatorial race without incumbents. The election included a state question to approve medical marijuana, and 44% of registered voters cast ballots.

There are almost 1.3 million registered Republicans in Oklahoma, but the GOP race for governor only garnered about 400,000 ballots. Out of more than 613,000 registered Democrats, only about 172,000 voted in Tuesday’s election.

Even though general elections are usually better attended, Oklahoma’s numbers were also low during the 2024 presidential election. One report from the University of Florida rated Oklahoma’s turnout at the time as the lowest in the nation.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Adds OF Adi Hansen From Southern Idaho

Published

13 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma Adds OF Adi Hansen From Southern Idaho

NORMAN — Oklahoma softball’s transfer portal activity may have been fairly slow developing.

But now, as the portal window nears its end, the Sooners have started having success.

Oklahoma added outfielder Adi Hansen, a standout at the College of Southern Idaho for the last two seasons on Thursday.

Hansen’s announcement, made on Instagram, followed shortly after Middle Tennessee outfielder Macie Harter announced her commitment to the Sooners.

Hansen led the Golden Eagles with a .457 batting average in 186 at bats in 2026, with an eye-popping 82 runs scored and a school-record 62 stolen bases on 67 attempts.

Hansen had 17 games with two or more stolen bases this season and twice had four stolen bases in a game.

Hansen had four triples and 21 RBIs, drawing 23 walks.

She earned NJCAA first-team All-America honors, helping her team finish 43-13 with a NJCAA Division I Juco World Series appearance.

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In 2025, as a freshman, Hansen hit .401 with 36 stolen bases and 62 ruyns scored.

Hansen is a Logan, Utah, product.

Hansen and Harter join a group of outfielders that includes Kai Minor in centerfield and Ella Parker in right field.

The Sooners lost Abby Dayton to graduation and Kasidi Pickering to transfer after the season. Pickering will reportedly transfer to Texas Tech.

Oklahoma finished 52-10 last season, missing the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2015 after falling to Mississippi State in three games in the Norman Super Regional.

The Sooners have a strong incoming recruiting class and return a trio of pitchers — Audrey Lowry, Miali Guachino and Allyssa Parker — as well as experienced hitters Kendall Wells, Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas plus Minor and Ella Parker.

In addition to the departures of Dayton and Pickering, the Sooners also lost pitchers Sydney Berzon and Kierston Deal, first baseman Isabela Emerling, and second baseman Ailana Agbayani to graduation. Outfielder Tia Milloy, pitcher Berkley Zache and utility player Riley Zache also entered the transfer portal.

Oklahoma’s incoming class includes Edmond Santa Fe pitcher Keegan Baker, Lakewood, Calif., infielder Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Mililani, Hawaii, infielder Ori Mailo, Fullerton, Calif., pitcher Malaya Majam-Finch, Katy, Texas, pitcher EK Smith, and Mesa, Ariz., outfilder Payton Westra.

Mailo was with the Sooners this season, redshirting after joining the program a year early.

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