Oklahoma Senate Bill SB15

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Firearms; prohibiting certain contracts; requiring written verification. Effective date.

Impact

If enacted, SB15 will significantly alter the contractual landscape for government entities in Oklahoma. Specifically, the bill applies to contracts valued at $100,000 or greater between governmental entities and companies that have at least ten full-time employees. This means that if a business wishes to contract with local or state governments in Oklahoma, it will need to affirmatively verify its non-discriminatory practices toward companies involved in the firearms sector. This could lead to a preference for businesses associated with the firearms industry when it comes to government contracts, potentially shaping the market dynamics in this sector.

Summary

Senate Bill 15, titled 'Firearms; prohibiting certain contracts; requiring written verification,' focuses on prohibiting state and local governmental entities from entering into contracts with companies unless certain conditions are met regarding their relationship with firearm entities and associations. The bill mandates that any applicable contracts must contain a written verification stating that the company does not engage in discriminatory practices against firearm entities. This legislation aims to ensure that businesses involved in the firearm trade are not unfairly discriminated against by governmental bodies based on their industry affiliation.

Contention

The legislation has the potential to spark significant debate around the principles of discrimination and public funding. Proponents argue that restricting discrimination against firearm entities aligns with the rights of businesses to operate without bias. However, detractors may raise concerns about the implications of enforcing such a requirement on the nature of public contracts. Critics could argue that this may limit governmental flexibility in selecting vendors based on performance or alignment with broader community values, raising questions about the exclusion of companies from other industries based on their ideologies or practices. The exception for sole-source providers may also lead to discussions regarding which companies qualify, raising further questions around legal interpretation.