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Committee backs $3 million for OSBI cybercrime unit to combat financial fraud and identity theft

Oklahoma Senate Public Safety Committee · February 10, 2026

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Summary

SB 18-59 would create an OSBI division focused on cyber-enabled financial fraud, identity theft and digital-evidence investigations with an estimated $3,000,000 fiscal impact; the committee approved the bill unanimously (8-0).

Senator Reinhardt presented SB 18-59 to create an OSBI division dedicated to cyber-enabled crime — financial fraud, identity theft and investigations driven by digital evidence — and requested a fiscal appropriation of approximately $3,000,000 to staff and equip the unit.

Sponsor and OSBI representative Derek White said the funds would pay for agents, analysts, forensic examiners, digital-forensics tools and training. White also said the unit would provide victim education and assistance, and cited 2024 figures indicating more than 7,500 reported Oklahomans lost over $80,000,000 to fraud.

Committee members asked how the figure was calculated and whether prevention/education might be an alternative to enforcement spending; the sponsor and OSBI answered that both approaches are needed and education is part of OSBI’s role.

After discussion the committee recorded eight ayes and zero nays and reported the bill favorably. The bill will proceed to appropriations for the fiscal impact.