LEGISLATIVE UPDATE / From the desk of Kendal Sacchieri
When government expands, it rarely announces what it is taking until it is gone. That lesson applies to budgets, taxes, and the quiet erosion of privacy through federal compliance programs. Last session, we passed the largest budget in our state’s history, a budget that I could not in good conscience support, and that put some conservative priorities in perspective for me. This session, I am doubling down on an agenda that slows spending, confronts unchecked systems, pursues meaningful property tax reform, and holds elected officials accountable to the conservative principles they claim to support.
A responsible government starts by respecting property rights and the local institutions that have helped communities thrive for generations. SB 1195, the Right to Race Act, shields our historic racetracks from unnecessary noise and nuisance lawsuits. These tracks are more than entertainment venues. They are part of Oklahoma’s heritage, centers of economic activity, and sources of jobs for local communities. By defending them, we are ensuring that these institutions can continue to operate without undue legal burdens.
That same respect for order and accountability must also apply to the systems that keep Oklahoma’s economy moving safely every day. SB 1222 bans non-domicile CDL holders from driving commercial vehicles in Oklahoma. This law strengthens safety standards on our highways, protects our American trucking companies, and ensures that every commercial driver in our state can meet a basic standard of accountability. Our trucking industry is one of Oklahoma’s biggest economic stimulators, and this measure ensures that families and businesses can thrive with safe and reliable transport.
Beyond protecting businesses and public safety, the state also has an obligation to defend the personal freedom and privacy of its citizens. These rights remain at the forefront of my legislative agenda. To that end, I authored SB 1231, which would prevent mandated digital IDs and protect Oklahomans from unnecessary federal overreach. Meanwhile, I am actively challenging Service OK’s efforts to upload driver data to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) network, and I am preparing to file an injunction to safeguard Oklahomans’ personal and biometric information. Further, my bill SB 1229 would provide a genuine opt-out option for those who chose not to participate in the REAL ID national database, ensuring that privacy protections are real and enforceable.
At the same time, I am committed to ensuring responsible, evidencebased development. SB 1488 would impose a three-year moratorium on new data centers while we study their long-term impacts. There are just so many unknowns with this new industry. Oklahoma must make decisions that balance economic growth with community needs, infrastructure capacity, and energy requirements. Decisions about development should be deliberate and informed, not rushed or driven by corporate interests alone.
These efforts reflect a broader principle: government should be limited, accountable, and focused on the people it serves. We need true property tax reform, a restraint on unchecked spending, and a legislature whose policy decisions are consistent with conservative principles as they promised on the campaign trail. As your senator, I am proud to fight for Oklahoma families and businesses, making sure our state grows stronger without sacrificing our freedom or future. I will continue to hold officials accountable, oppose overreach, and ensure that our state government works for the people, not the other way around. This is the standard I set for myself, and it is the standard I will uphold in every session. Thank you District 43, it will be a pleasure to serve you this 2nd session of the 60th Legislature. Please call or email my office if there is anything you need.
State Senator, District 43 Kendal Sacchieri
