As Okmulgee County continues to recover from recent severe weather while planning for future infrastructure improvements, discussion at Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting centered on emergency response efforts, public safety upgrades and critical funding needs – issues that took center stage majority of their revenue from selling data. The legislation also requires businesses to provide transparent privacy notices, maintain reasonable data security practices and obtain consent before processing sensitive personal information. If companies fail to comply, the Oklahoma Attorney General could take action against them.

“Senate Bill 546 puts Oklahomans back in control of their personal data,” Howard said. “For too long, technology companies and online platforms have collected and sold consumers’ personal information, including search histories, spending habits and other browsing data, without giving them the chance to opt out. This new law protects Oklahomans’ privacy online by giving every individual the right to know what data is being collected, while also giving them the power to delete that information and prevent it from being sold.”

West said the policy has been a long time coming. In 2021, he authored legislation that would have implemented the strongest data privacy law in the nation. The measure, which was coauthored by 44 legislators, passed the House broadly but stalled in the legislative process.

“I started working on this legislation in 2019 after a conversation with former Representative Collin Walke,” West said. “After seven years and five drafts, Oklahomans will finally have the say they deserve in how their personal data is used. I appreciate Senator Howard’s work to push Senate Bill 546 across the finish line and thank the governor for signing it into law.”

There are exemptions for certain entities, including state agencies, nonprofits and higher education institutions, as well as exemptions for organizations working with data already regulated by federal laws, such as HIPAA.

SB546 will take effect January 1, 2027.