Five key developments at the Oklahoma State Capitol this week

Capitol reporter Haley Weger breaks down five big things that happened at the State Capitol this week.

Governor announces “DeepSeek” ban

1. DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence company. 
2. Governor Stitt directed the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to conduct a review of the program DeepSeek and provide a recommendation regarding its use on state devices.
3. After evaluating the review, Stitt announces the State of Oklahoma has decided to ban DeepSeek on all state-owned devices, including laptops, desktops, and mobile phones/tablets.
4. “We’re not going to take chances when it comes to protecting Oklahomans’ data,” said Governor Stitt. “DeepSeek has too many security risks, and we’re not about to let foreign adversaries have access to our state’s information. This is about keeping Oklahoma safe and making smart decisions for our future.”
5. Stitt says the decision stems from four key concerns: security risks, regulatory compliance issues, susceptibility to adversarial manipulation, lack of robust security safeguards. 

RELATED:

1. Chinese AI company DeepSeek banned from state-owned devices in Oklahoma: 'Too many security risks''

State lawmakers move forward with a bill to criminalize misrepresenting a service animal.

1. HB 1178, provides that any person who does not have a disability or is not trained to assist individuals with disabilities who use a service animal to gain treatment or benefits will be guilty of a misdemeanor, upon conviction.
2. Additionally, no person will knowingly present any animal or therapy animal as a service animal to get any of the rights and privileges set forth for people with disabilities.
3. The legislation passed off the house floor with a vote of 52 - 28.
4. The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

RELATED:

1. New bill could criminalize misrepresentation of service animals in Oklahoma
2. ADA Service Animal Guidelines: Rules, rights, and requirements explained

State lawmakers move forward with a bill making it a misdemeanor to steal a shopping cart

1. HB 1689 provides that it is unlawful to remove a shopping cart from the parking area of a retail establishment or to be in possession of any shopping cart that has been removed from the parking area of a retail establishment.
2. The crime is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.
3. The legislation passed off the house floor with a vote of 54 - 33.
4. The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

DOJ lifts injunction on Oklahoma’s immigration law

1. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lifted a preliminary injunction on Oklahoma’s House Bill 4156.
2. Oklahoma House Bill 4156, signed into law in April 2024, criminalizes the presence of individuals in the state without legal authorization, creating a new crime called "impermissible occupation" with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, and requiring offenders to leave the state within 72 hours.
3. In June 2024, the DOJ, under the Biden Administration, successfully petitioned a federal judge to place a preliminary injunction on HB 4156. That was lifted last week.
4. “As we had hoped and anticipated, President Trump and the DOJ have taken action that will enable Oklahoma law enforcement to crack down on the illegal marijuana operations that have infested our state,” Attorney General Gentner Drummond said. “This marks the start of a new day for public safety. The Biden Administration’s absurd opposition to HB 4156 was particularly frustrating since it was the White House’s gross negligence on border security that had made the state law so necessary in the first place.”

State lawmakers, leaders respond to the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education

Gov. Kevin Sitt

“We applaud the president's efforts to look at that federal spending to say give us more flexibility and we’re gonna be able to do it better in Oklahoma than somebody in Washington DC so I don’t think that's scary at all,” said Governor Stitt in a press conference earlier this month. “As long as the state’s getting the block grants or the flexibility to educate our kids, aren't we closer to what Oklahomans need and what is the workforce that we need to train our kids for than somebody in Washington DC?,”

Sen. Adam Pugh, (R-Edmond), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

“President Trump’s executive order gives Oklahoma a unique opportunity to return accountability and transparency to the state. I am all for ending the heavy-handed, one-size-fits all approach that has been going on for decades through federal mandates from the U.S. Department of Education. Returning more power to the states, with no interruption in services to kids that need it most, will allow more flexibility in education and create innovation, which is something I have been working on for years. I am in ongoing discussions with our federal delegation to understand what exactly this means for Oklahoma. My plan is to continue working with all stakeholders to ensure we are well-positioned to take on a greater leadership role in shaping our own education system. I will continue to advocate for the policies that put students and families first."

Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, Senate Education Committee Vice Chair

“The Trump Administration’s announcement to upend the U.S. Department of Education is welcome news given the ineffective bureaucracy it has become. For too long, the U.S. Department of Education has imposed burdensome regulations and mandates that hinder innovation and limit the ability of states to address the unique needs of their students. By shifting decision-making authority back to the states, we can cut through federal red tape and empower local leaders, educators and parents to craft policies that best serve their communities. To be clear - this approach is not about reducing funding for critical programs but about ensuring those dollars are spent more effectively. States will retain funding for students with special needs and other essential programs, while gaining the flexibility to allocate resources based on what works best for their schools — not what a federal bureaucracy dictates. Education decisions should be made closer to the classroom, where leaders understand the specific challenges and opportunities their students face."

Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, (D-OKC)

“We have seen nothing so far that gives me confidence this change will be well-planned or avoid negatively impacting student learning. Swift policy shifts at the state level have already had a negative impact on the classroom. Educators are left scrambling to understand what's happening while simultaneously trying to support students and prepare for the upcoming school year. This is truly alarming. However, Oklahoma Senate Democrats are committed to doing everything in our power to protect Oklahoma’s students.”

Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Carri Hicks, (D-OKC)

“Turning over the reins to those in our state that have consistently pulled down children’s opportunities leading to Oklahoma ranking 49th in education should make every parent concerned about their child’s future opportunities. Rolling back protections for every student to receive appropriate educational interventions jeopardizes our future workforce and economy.”

Sen. Regina Goodwin, (D-Tulsa).

“Only an act of Congress can end the U.S. Department of Education, however, President Trump’s executive order to decimate this agency, the cutting of experienced staff in half, eliminating federal oversight, ridding accurate data collection, gutting the civil rights division and education research arm, greatly harms American children, particularly, our most underserved children. We already have local control of our students’ education. Let’s not be deceived.”

Sen. Mark Mann, (D-OKC)

“This action by the Trump administration is alarming and will do nothing to improve student outcomes. Upending programs geared towards those with learning disabilities and in high poverty environments without any forethought or solid plan will be disastrous. Furthermore, turning these programs over to the state of Oklahoma, whose education system is in disarray and almost dead last in rankings under the inept leadership of Superintendent Ryan Walters, will compound our problems. Walters is woefully underprepared and incapable of handling the responsibilities he currently has, let alone being handed new ones.”

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, (D-OKC)

“I have many concerns about this attempt by the president to usurp legislative authority by working to dismantle a federal agency without congressional approval. I am especially concerned with the future of Oklahoma’s public education system being led by our current State Superintendent, who will be given more power and less accountability. This may be a win for him, but not for Oklahoma students, teachers, or families. He will feel even more emboldened to make similar declarations without legislative approval to implement religion in our classrooms, advocate for public dollars going to private schools, and cut programs that help our most vulnerable students who need access to disability services and meal programs. While this Executive Order leaves a lot of uncertainty, Oklahoma House Democrats will continue to advocate for our public schools, teachers, and students. We will continue to hold the State Superintendent accountable to Oklahomans, not the president."

RELATED:

1. Trump to sign order today to begin dismantling Education Department
2. Oklahoma Leaders React to Trump's Executive Order to Dissolve the Education Department: Key Facts About the U.S. Department of Education