Oklahoma House Passes Procurement Protection Act of 2024
On March 14, Oklahoma became the latest state to advance legislation to restrict the purchase of dangerous technology from companies owned or operated by the Chinese government. Sponsored by Speaker Charles McCall, the Procurement Protection Act of 2024 (HB1151) passed by an overwhelming vote of 76-3.
Specifically, the bill prohibits a covered company from entering into contracts with a state agency or political subdivision. A covered company is defined in the measure as a: state-owned enterprise of a foreign adversary; company domiciled within a foreign adversary; foreign adversary company; or federally banned corporation. Additionally, the bill requires companies to certify they are not a covered company before bidding on a contract and calls for a set of penalties for providing a false certification.
China Tech Threat’s 2023 report on state spending on restricted Chinese technology found that the state of Oklahoma spent $587,883 on restricted Chinese technology from Lexmark, Inc. and Lenovo, Inc. between 2018 and 2012. The research showed the technology is being used by the Secretary of State, the University of Oklahoma, and the Departments of Commerce, Correction and Public Safety, all holding sensitive information and research, intellectual property, and private data entrusted to the state by Oklahomans.
China Tech Threat commends Oklahoma’s leadership on this ussie and urges swift approval by the State Senate.