The Oklahoma Supreme Court is considering a petition from 34 state legislators challenging Service Oklahoma's authority to share driver records with a national database system. State Senator Kendal Sacchieri leads the group of lawmakers seeking to block the state agency from transmitting records to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators' State-to-State Verification Service.
The case, *The Honorable Kendal Sacchieri et al. v. Service Oklahoma* (2026 OK 5), was decided Feb. 9, 2026, though the opinion has not been released for publication and remains subject to revision or withdrawal. The petition names Service Oklahoma and its Executive Director Jay Doyle as respondents in their official capacity.
The lawmakers seek two primary forms of relief from the Oklahoma Supreme Court. First, they request a temporary injunction that would prevent Service Oklahoma and Executive Director Doyle from transmitting any records maintained by the agency to the State-to-State Verification Service. Second, they ask the court to declare that Service Oklahoma lacks statutory authority to share such records with the interstate database system.
The State-to-State Verification Service operates under the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, an organization that facilitates data sharing among state motor vehicle agencies across the country. The system allows states to verify driver information and credentials across state lines, supporting various law enforcement and administrative functions.
The legislative challenge appears connected to broader privacy concerns about government data sharing, particularly regarding driver information. Senator Sacchieri previously introduced Senate Resolution 18 during the first session of the 60th Legislature last spring. That resolution sought to declare that Oklahoma should protect the personal information of citizens who choose REAL ID-noncompliant driver licenses or identification cards.
The resolution specifically addressed concerns about sharing personally identifiable information, including biometric samples, biometric data, and biometric templates. It advocated for prohibiting such sharing absent court approval, reflecting growing legislative concerns about privacy protections for Oklahoma residents who opt for alternative identification documents.
The REAL ID Act, a federal law enacted in 2005, established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards. States must comply with these standards for their licenses to be accepted for federal purposes, such as boarding aircraft or entering federal facilities. However, states can still issue non-compliant licenses for residents who prefer not to meet REAL ID requirements.
Service Oklahoma serves as the state's consolidated service delivery agency, handling various government functions including motor vehicle services. The agency operates under the governor's office and manages driver licensing, vehicle registration, and related services for Oklahoma residents.
The interstate data sharing system enables participating states to verify driver information when individuals apply for licenses in new states or when law enforcement agencies need to confirm credentials. Supporters argue such systems help prevent fraud and ensure public safety by providing accurate driver information across jurisdictions.
However, privacy advocates and some legislators express concerns about extensive government data sharing, particularly when it involves personal information that citizens may not expect to be transmitted across state lines. The Oklahoma case reflects these broader tensions between administrative efficiency and privacy protection.
The legal challenge raises questions about the scope of state agency authority and whether existing statutory frameworks provide adequate authorization for participation in interstate data sharing systems. The legislators' petition suggests they believe Service Oklahoma is operating beyond its legal mandate in transmitting records to the verification service.
The case also highlights ongoing debates about federalism and state autonomy in implementing federal identification requirements. Oklahoma's approach to REAL ID compliance and related data sharing policies reflects broader state-level discussions about balancing federal mandates with local privacy concerns.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court's eventual ruling could influence how the state approaches interstate data sharing agreements and may affect other states considering similar privacy protections. The decision could establish precedent regarding state agency authority to participate in voluntary federal or interstate information sharing systems.
Given that 34 legislators joined the petition, the challenge appears to have significant support within Oklahoma's legislature. This broad legislative backing suggests the case reflects substantial policy disagreements rather than isolated concerns about data sharing practices.
The court's consideration of both injunctive relief and declaratory judgment requests indicates the legislators seek both immediate protection from ongoing data transmission and longer-term clarification of Service Oklahoma's legal authority. The outcome could reshape how Oklahoma participates in interstate motor vehicle administration systems and influence similar debates in other jurisdictions.
As the opinion remains unpublished and subject to potential revision, the final resolution of this dispute continues to develop. The case represents a notable example of legislative oversight challenging executive agency actions in the digital privacy context.