Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1775

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Electric utilities; requiring utility companies to report suspicious activity for certain business. Effective date.

Impact

If enacted, SB1775 will significantly change the relationship between electric utility companies and customers engaged in medical marijuana businesses. By requiring utility providers to monitor energy usage and report anomalies, the bill aims to enhance regulatory oversight and deter illicit activities. The law assigns investigative powers to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and allows for collaboration with law enforcement agencies, such as the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and local narcotics control authorities, in the pursuit of compliance and enforcement.

Summary

Senate Bill 1775 introduces a regulatory framework for electric utilities in Oklahoma concerning the monitoring and reporting of suspicious activity related to commercial medical marijuana operations. The bill mandates that electric utility companies report unusual usage data when such data indicates potential misconduct by customers operating within the medical marijuana sector. To facilitate this, the bill provides detailed definitions for key terms, including 'electric utility' and 'usage data', ensuring clarity in its enforcement and implementation.

Contention

Notably, there may be points of contention regarding privacy and the extent of monitoring required under this bill. Opponents may argue that such oversight could infringe upon the rights of valid medical marijuana operations, potentially stigmatizing legal businesses. Moreover, there might be concerns over the quality and interpretation of 'suspicious usage data,' as this could lead to unnecessary scrutiny of lawful entities and create challenges for compliance and operations.