Oklahoma bill would create OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit, committee advances measure

Representative Chapman introduced House Bill 4190 on the floor of a legislative committee, proposing a cyber crimes and fraud unit within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate financial fraud and related schemes involving digital evidence. The measure would operate within the OSBI’s existing legal authority and create a revolving fund to receive monies if and when the Legislature appropriates them.

"Members, HB 4190 seeks to establish within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation a cyber crimes and fraud unit," Chapman said in presenting the bill and noting the unit would exercise only powers already granted to the agency. Chapman said the unit is intended to close gaps between local law enforcement capacity and federal focus on large-dollar cases.

During questioning, Chapman said the bill’s fiscal picture remains tentative but that proponents have discussed an initial appropriation of roughly $3,000,000 to staff and equip the unit. "This bill creates a revolving fund and is subject to available funding," Chapman said, adding that the fund is a first step so the agency has a place to receive appropriations.

Derek White, the OSBI legislative liaison, told the committee the unit could pursue asset forfeiture of fraudulent funds and return proceeds to victims. White said, "I do believe there would be asset forfeiture within this unit, specifically forfeiting, fraudulent funds back to victims." He also gave figures for 2024, saying about $75,000,000 was fraudulently taken from Oklahomans and approximately $37,000,000 of that was cryptocurrency-related fraud.

Committee members pressed on staffing and funding. Representative Turner asked whether existing OSBI agents could be reassigned to the unit if appropriations were not immediately available; Chapman said some of the work already takes place within the bureau but that additional resources would expand capacity. Representative West asked why an appropriation was not requested up front; Chapman said the intention is to pursue appropriations through the budget process but that money is uncertain.

After brief procedural steps and no further debate, the committee voted to pass HB 4190 and the chair declared the bill reported out of committee. The transcript records the chair declaring the bill passed with the committee vote characterized as seven ayes and two nays.

The bill now moves to the next stage of the legislative process, where appropriations and detailed staffing plans would be determined.