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We spent the week hearing Senate Bills on the House floor, and we have until April 25 to do so. After that, the focus will shift to the state budget.

Last week, House Bill 4156 passed to create the crime of impermissible occupation, which is committed if a person willfully and without permission enters and remains in Oklahoma without having first obtained legal authorization to enter the United States. It also prohibits municipalities from becoming "sanctuary cities."

The U.S. has a severe problem at our southern border. Congress and the White House have failed to take significant action, leaving the responsibility up to the states. In the past three years, there have been more illegal border crossings at our southern border than the previous 12 years combined.

Uncontrolled borders pose a significant national security risk as they allow bad actors to enter the United States with ease. This has led to an increase in the availability of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.

From 2019 to 2022, the number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Oklahoma has increased from 50 deaths in 2019 to 609 in 2022. With this in mind, the House passed this legislation to reduce the harmful consequences of drugs and human trafficking from the southern border to Oklahoma.

While we welcome people who come here legally and pursue a path to citizenship, we also prioritize the safety of our community by taking measures to protect against violent gangs and individuals who seek to harm our law-abiding citizens.

As mentioned earlier, the Legislature will focus on the budget in the upcoming weeks. According to the Oklahoma Constitution, passing a state budget is the only obligation required of the Legislature. Therefore, we have until May 26 to deliver a general appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024, which starts on July 1, to the governor's desk.

It is such an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. I want to encourage any constituent with questions or concerns regarding legislation to reach out to my office at (405) 557-7358 or at john.kane@okhouse.gov.

John Kane, a Republican, serves House District 11 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Tulsa and Washington counties.