Oklahoma high court rebukes lawmakers’ request to keep data private
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has denied a request from 34 lawmakers to prevent a state agency from sharing some driver’s license information with a Virginia-based nonprofit.
In an 8-1 decision, the state’s high court declined to prohibit Service Oklahoma from sharing some licensing information with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
The nonprofit operates a system that helps states determine if an applicant holds a driver’s license in another state.
Service Oklahoma issues driver’s licenses and registers vehicles.
Senator Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard, and 33 other lawmakers on Jan. 27 asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to determine that the agency did not have the power to share the information without explicit authorization from the Legislature.
While Service Oklahoma is generally required to keep personal information confidential, the Legislature crafted an exception for information requested by another state or country’s driver licensing agency, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in an order issued Monday.
The high court denied the request to assume original jurisdiction and issue an emergency stay or injunction.
Justice John M. Kane IV dissented, saying he would grant emergency relief and send the matter to district court.
Sacchieri did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision confirms Service Oklahoma’s authority under state law and allows us to proceed with the implementation of our system of record confidently and without interruption,” according to a statement from Service Oklahoma. “We appreciate the Court’s clarity as we continue administering secure and reliable driver license and identification services.”
Oklahoma City attorney Collin Walke, a former Democratic House member and data privacy advocate, said the Oklahoma Supreme Court made the right call, but it serves as a wake up call for lawmakers.
Lawmakers need to realize “our data is ours, and the bartering, trading, and giving away of our data subjects us all to safety and economic threats.”
The Legislature needs to address the issue, he said.
