Today, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approved a bill aimed at reducing the number of individuals entering our state illegally.

Neil Hays, R-Checotah, authored House Bill 3071, which would prohibit state revenue from being used to provide benefits to illegal immigrants unless the costs are related to education, jailing, or transporting an illegal immigrant to an out-of-state destination.

"With porous borders and ineffective federal policies, every state in the United States is, in effect, a border state," Hays said. "The proposed legislation will act as a preemptive measure to deter people from entering Oklahoma illegally."

HB3071 would allow for exceptions to be made for law enforcement agencies or personnel investigating incidents of domestic violence or human trafficking. It would ensure that victim service programs certified by the Office of the Attorney General to provide domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking services to a person are not restricted if the services are required under federal law.

The measure would apply to all state agencies, public or private entities, meaning they must enact policies to ensure compliance or risk losing funding through state taxes.

Hays said that this legislation does not prohibit providing services to illegal individuals. However, if someone offers these services knowingly, they would not qualify for state tax appropriation.

HB3071 passed the House 71—17 and now moves to the Senate for consideration. The Senate author is Sen. Bullard, R-Durant.