Rep. Gann studies citizen privacy impact of warrantless license plate readers

Gann Studies License Plate Readers Impact on Privacy

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, on Thursday led a study on the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and what he said is their use as a tool for mass surveillance allowing law enforcement to conduct warrantless searches. The study was held before the House Public Safety Committee.

Gann looked back at legislation governing the use of ALPRs, which statutorily may only be used to show whether an Oklahoma motorist has automobile insurance.

"We were at a crisis level in Oklahoma with the number of uninsured motorists," Gann said, "and the legislation we put in place helped us drastically reduce that number. Now, however, these cameras with the enhanced use of artificial intelligence are monitoring law-abiding citizens in details of their everyday lives. The data is being used well beyond what the law allows."

Gann study of license plate readers highlights need for statute updates

Gann Study of License Plate Readers Highlights Need for Statute Updates

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 8th) – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, on Tuesday led a study on the use and abuse of surveillance cameras and warrantless searches before the House State Powers Committee.

Gann particularly looked at the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), which under state law only legally can be used to identify uninsured motorists who are in violation of the state's compulsory insurance law. The cameras, however, - many of them illegally placed, he said – are being used to track much other activity.

Gann highlights suppression of license plate scanner evidence by State Court

Gann Highlights Suppression of License Plate Scanner Evidence by State Court

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 30th) – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, has taken notice of what he believes is the first of many actions by Oklahoma courts to suppress evidence obtained from license plate scanners.

“The decision will place many cases against perpetrators of criminal acts in jeopardy,” Gann explained.

According to Gann, the issue arises from local government entities entering into contracts with a nationwide big-tech firm, Flock, to install 24/7 vehicle scanning technology—despite such actions being prohibited by Oklahoma law.

“When the government uses these devices to scan every passing vehicle, they are violating Oklahoma law. This puts every resulting conviction in jeopardy,” Gann stated.

New Oklahoma license plate design released

LT. GOVERNOR PINNELL AND SERVICE OKLAHOMA ANNOUNCE NEW LICENSE PLATE DESIGN

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 1st) — Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and Service Oklahoma today unveiled the new standard issue license plate design, called the Iconic Oklahoma Plate. The new plate will be in circulation beginning September 1, 2024.

“It’s great to finally unveil the Iconic Oklahoma Plate design, which honors and highlights our truly iconic state,” said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “Using color and intentional symbology, this design pays tribute to Oklahoma’s culture and history, nodding to iconic landmarks, our original flag, state animals, and more. This design celebrates much of what makes Oklahoma unique, and I am excited to see it out on the road.”

Pro Tem Treat applauds House for passing car tag legislation

It is worth noting that this "fix" legislation exists because the legislature passed a bill several years ago without considering the ramifications contained in it in the first place, as so often is the case:

Dash cam view just prior to vehicle slamming into car on shoulder

Pro Tem Treat Applauds House for Passing Car Tag Legislation

Senate Bill 2035 was authored by Pro Tem Treat after son’s near-deadly accident

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 23rd) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today applauded the Oklahoma House of Representatives for passing Senate Bill 2035, legislation he authored after his son’s near-deadly accident.

The bill passed off the House floor by a vote of 89-2.

Pro Tem Treat’s son was driving legally but did not have a car tag because current state law allows a private seller of a vehicle to retain possession of the physical car tag. While his son, Mason, was pulled over, the driver of another vehicle veered off the road and slammed into the back of his car, injuring him and the sheriff who had pulled him over.

“This goes beyond politics, and I greatly appreciate the members of the House of Representatives who voted in favor of this legislation,” Pro Tem Treat said. “I nearly lost my son due to no fault of his own. He was driving legally but was pulled over because he didn’t have a tag, even though he had all of the proper vehicle information, insurance and registration forms. Senate Bill 2035 is my main priority this session because I don’t want any families to have to go through what my family has gone through. I deeply appreciate Rep. Kyle Hilbert, who carried this legislation on the House side and all of the coauthors. I look forward to seeing this being signed into law.”

The bill will go back to the Senate for adoption of a perfunctory amendment before heading to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 2035 provides that motor vehicle license plates shall be transferable to different owners but shall remain with the vehicle it is initially registered to beginning July 1, 2024. The measure repeals a statute authorizing the transfer of a license plate to a different vehicle.

Pro Tem Treat’s son Mason spent 20 days in the hospital recovering from his injuries. He continues his recovery at home and in various physical therapy sessions.  

Click here to watch Pro Tem Treat’s floor debate on Senate Bill 2035.

Provisions of Senate Bill 2035

• Provide a method for dealers to electronically enter required purchaser information for each vehicle purchase and submit information to Service Oklahoma every 24 hours.
• Dealers and sellers must also complete the pre-registration of the vehicle by submitting documentation to Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator identifying the vehicle within two-days of the purchase.
• Individuals purchasing a motor vehicle in a private sell can also print a temporary tag to place on their vehicle after proper documentation is submitted to Service Oklahoma in the instance of the seller keeping a custom tag.
• Tribal tags will not be impacted by the law change.   

Gov. Stitt, Choctaw Nation finalize 10-year motor vehicle compact

GOVERNOR STITT FINALIZES MOTOR VEHICLE COMPACT

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 8, 2024) - Governor Stitt announced the finalization of a motor vehicle compact with the Choctaw Nation. 

"I am happy to announce that we have finalized a 10-year car tag compact with the Choctaw Nation," said Gov. Stitt. "This is our 12th compact finalized with tribal governments since the end of 2023. I am grateful to the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations for their ongoing partnership and willingness to come to an agreement on car tag compacts. These compacts continue the existing commitment to transparency and public safety. 

Treat bill reverting law back to having tags remain with vehicle after sale passes Senate committee

Dash cam view just prior to vehicle slamming into car on shoulder

Pro Tem Treat Comments on Tag Legislation Passing Committee

Treat: This is the most important piece of legislation I am prioritizing

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 27th) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today released the following statement after Senate Bill 2035 unanimously passed through the Aeronautics and Transportation Committee.

Senate Bill 2035 was authored by Pro Tem Treat in the wake of a tragic accident that involved his son, Mason. He was driving legally with proper documentation but didn’t have a car tag because the sale of the vehicle was from a private individual. Current state law requires a private seller of a vehicle to retain possession of a motor vehicle tag after the sale of a car.

New law extends vehicle registration and title timeline

Bashore Law Extends Vehicle Registration/Title Timeline

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans now have two months instead of just 30 days to obtain registration and title after purchasing a motor vehicle or a travel or commercial trailer after a new law took effect Nov. 1.

Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, authored House Bill 1390, which allows a temporary license plate to be valid for two months.

Gov. Stitt offers 1-year extension for Cherokee car tag compact

GOVERNOR STITT OFFERS ONE YEAR EXTENSION FOR CHEROKEE CAR TAG COMPACT

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 10, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt sent a letter to the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation with an offer of a one-year extension on their current car tag compact set to expire on August 16, 2023. The offer contains the same material terms provided in the existing compact.

Thanks to veto override (and PlatePay), tribal tags may evade turnpike tolls to tune of $10.8M per year

The double-whammy of removing toll booths to implement PlatePay and the legislative override of Gov. Stitt's veto of a tribal vehicle tag compact is going to cost Oklahoma citizens a pretty penny:

Tribal plates allow drivers to evade Oklahoma tolls

By Ray Carter | July 25th, 2023

This week, members of the Oklahoma Legislature overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of legislation authorizing a one-year compact with tribal governments that allows the issuance of tribal vehicle tags.

When lawmakers did so, they locked in place a system that is allowing drivers with tribal car tags to evade paying tolls on state turnpikes, a practice that is expected to cost the state millions of dollars and increase the fees imposed on all other, non-Indian drivers.

Small: Push for auto-renewal of tribal tobacco, license-tag compacts bad for Oklahoma

Renewing compacts bad for Oklahoma

By Jonathan Small

Special interest attempts to force automatic renewal of existing tobacco and license-tag compacts will create enormous challenges for the state.

The legal reality that undergirded current compacts is under attack by special interests who are inaccurately wielding the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which declared the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Oklahoma reservation was never formally disestablished for purposes of federal major-crimes law, in an effort to exploit that decision.

Proposed "Trump Highway" moved to Panhandle, bill passes committee

Remember several weeks back when State Sens. Nathan Dahm and Marty Quinn authored bills to rename a portion of Route 66 after President Trump and create Make America Great Again/Keep America Great license plates? There's some new news on those bills.

Both have had some significant changes, and both passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee yesterday.

SB1089 originally was going to name a several mile stretch of Route 66 in Ottawa County the President Donald J. Trump Highway. There was significant pushback from local elected officials who decried the effort. The location of the highway renaming has been moved from the far northeast corner of the state to the far northwest corner, to a 20-mile section of Highway 287 in Cimarron County.

ALTHOUGH.... I just noticed a potential problem with the Committee Substitute. It specifies State Highway 287 at Boise City. There is no State Highway 287 in Oklahoma. There is a U.S. Highway 287, which is the road they intended. Probably needs amending again if they want signs to actually go up.

The measure passed the Senate Transportation committee by a 5-4 vote.

The other bill authored by Dahm and Quinn originally created two new Trump campaign-themed license plates, a Make America Great Again plate and a Keep America Great plate. Sen. Dahm reports that both plates have now been combined into a single America First license plate.

SB1384 passed the Transportation committee with an 8-1 vote.

State Sen. Dahm files bill to create "MAGA" license plates

While I generally agree with him more than almost every other member of the state senate, I'm getting the feeling that the majority of State Sen. Nathan Dahm's bills this year are either just memes, or specifically written to trigger as many liberals and get as much publicity as he possibly can. Several of them are the equivalent of legislative clickbait. Just callin' it as I see it...

Legislation filed to create “Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” license plates

“Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” license plates may soon be cruising by in a lane near you.

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed Senate Bill 1384, which would create special “Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” Oklahoma license plates. Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, is co-author of the bill.

“With the introduction of these specialty license plates, we are providing Oklahomans with the option to show their support for America,” Dahm said. “The added benefit of these special license plates is the proceeds from their sale will support two veteran groups here in Oklahoma that President Trump has donated to in the past.”

Each purchase of the specialty license plates would donate $10 to the Folds of Honor Foundation and $10 to the Warriors for Freedom Foundation.

The fee for special license plates is $35 per year, in addition to all other registration fees required by the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act. Twenty dollars of the plate fee supports the charity, foundation or fund designated by the special plate. There are currently 98 special license plates available in Oklahoma.

“I believe these license plates could be very popular with Oklahomans,” Quinn said. “Our president has been very supportive of our veterans, and these plates are a great way to give back to some very deserving Oklahoma veteran groups.”

License Plate Camera Controversy

There is a controversy brewing over plans in the recently announced state budget agreement to install cameras on Oklahoma highways to check for insurance verification.

Click here to get the whole story from Mike McCarville.

This issue involves current and former members of the legislature (including a certain state house member who is running for statewide office), Barry Switzer, Brad Henry, and a host of other participants.

Be sure and read all about it at the McCarville Report.