Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1350

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Refer: 2/3/26

Caption

Oklahoma Department of Commerce; making an appropriation; identifying source of funds. Emergency.

Summary

SB 1350 creates the Oklahoma State Data Center within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The new center would serve as the state’s primary applied population research office, act as Oklahoma’s official contact with the U.S. Census Bureau, and serve as the official conductor of special censuses for the state. It would also be responsible for preparing and maintaining population statistics, estimates, and projections; coordinating demographic information with other state agencies and organizations; producing a biennial population report for the Governor and Legislature; assisting the Legislature with reapportionment; supporting Commerce Department divisions and advisory committees; and hiring a state demographer. The bill also establishes the Oklahoma State Data Center Revolving Fund in the State Treasury. That fund would receive money from charges for data processing, copying, duplication, and related report-production services, and those monies would be continuously appropriated to the Department of Commerce for the center’s purposes. In addition, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2027 to support the center’s duties. The act is set to become effective July 1, 2026, but it also contains an emergency clause so it would take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Impact

SB 1350 would add a new statutory section in Title 74 creating a state demographic and census coordination function under the Department of Commerce, while also creating a dedicated revolving fund and a direct appropriation to finance it. It would affect state administrative operations, population data collection and reporting, and legislative reapportionment support, and it would provide a formal state structure for census-related and demographic analysis work.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill is being treated as a routine government-operations and economic-development measure rather than a controversial policy proposal. Its referral to the Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee and then the Appropriations Committee indicates it is being handled as an administrative and funding bill. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence in the record of strong opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction and referral.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are fiscal and structural: the bill creates a new state entity, authorizes a continuing revolving fund, and appropriates $500,000 from General Revenue. Legislators concerned about spending, duplication of existing demographic functions, or the need for a separate state demographer could question whether the new center is necessary or whether its duties overlap with other agencies. Another possible issue is the emergency clause, which would accelerate implementation before the normal effective date.