When Senate Democrats announce their agenda for the 2026 legislative session, we prioritize policies that put people over politics. Oklahomans deserve this – we need to make sure our government protects and supports people, not protects or enriches big business and politicians. Unfortunately, too many Oklahomans right now feel like their government isn’t working for them. Our caucus has introduced numerous bills to increase transparency, protect individual rights, and restore faith in government. These bills deserve support from this Legislature.
I have filed Senate Bill 1234 to ensure Oklahomans can clearly identify officers when serving arrest warrants. Trust is eroded when people cannot tell whether those trying to exercise power are legitimate officials, and this fear prevents people from seeking help when they need it most and makes our communities less safe. We must ensure that law enforcement secrecy is rare and never routine.
I also filed SB 1470, a bill that would give clergy and elected officials the right to inspect private prisons located in Oklahoma. Our government has a legal and moral obligation to ensure that human rights are protected, which gives us more eyes and ears to determine when those rights are being violated.
At a time when many in power are restricting or restricting voter access, we must work to strengthen voters’ rights. Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt filed SB 1583, the Oklahoma Voting Rights Act, which would ban voter suppression. Senator Regina Goodman has filed SB 2032 to ensure that state issues are not unreasonably delayed while a vote is scheduled. The bill requires state questions to be placed on the ballot within 70 to 250 days of the start of an election. These bills will remove barriers that threaten our democracy.
Members of the Oklahoma House and Senate applaud at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Monday, February 2, during the first day of the 2026 state legislative session.
Sen. Mark Mann’s SB 1420 strengthens an individual’s right to comment at public meetings by ensuring comments are made before officials vote. If a political institution only allows comment after a matter has been decided, they are essentially excluding the public from the process. This legislation ensures greater opportunities for meaningful input.
Senator Mary Boren has introduced legislation to combat eminent domain and cronyism in transportation. SB 1440 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to follow the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act when approving contracts and submit reports to the Legislature, governor and elected officials of the county or city where the road will be built. The bill gives elected officials in those counties or cities the authority to put routes to a popular vote and binds the OTA to the city or county’s decisions. SB 2113 (also filed by Senator Bolen) would strengthen the rights of property owners facing eminent domain.
Protecting human rights, voter rights, and property owner rights are all fundamental to our democracy and the values on which our state and nation were founded. Senate Democrats will continue to put people before politics and work with our colleagues across party lines to ensure Oklahomans’ rights are upheld in our laws.
Senator Michael Brooks
Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, represents Senate District 44 and is chairman of the Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus.
This article originally appeared in Oklahoma: Oklahoma Legislature should put people before politics | Opinion
