A potential minimum wage increase and tax-free diapers are on the agenda for Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session.
The Flyer told you education will be a top priority when lawmakers kick things off Feb. 2, but affordability and cost of living are also top of mind. Some of the topics up for discussion include changes to health care and benefits programs, increasing rent and tax exemptions.
Here are a few items worth watching.
Wages and work requirements
- Senate Bill 1268 would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $13 an hour, with another 50 cents added yearly for the next five years. The current minimum wage is $7.25, which hasn’t changed since 2009. But there’s also State Question 832, which is unrelated and you’ll vote on in June. It would increase the minimum wage to $12 in 2027 and $15 by 2029.
- Senate Bill 1253 enshrines national work requirements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits program into state law. You can read about those in our breakdown of SNAP changes here.
- Senate Bill 1277 requires anyone receiving unemployment benefits to complete five weekly job search activities, like submitting a resume or job application to an employer.
Rent and housing
- Senate Bill 1296 prevents landlords from excessive rent increases in a 12-month period, capping them at 7% plus the Consumer Price Index. For example, if you pay $1,000 monthly in rent, your landlord cannot raise the next month’s rent above $1,092.
- Senate Bill 1290 would earmark $3 million to keep the 211 hotline in Oklahoma. This would support food, shelter, clothing, transportation and medical needs.
- Senate Bill 1545, known as the “Yes In God’s Backyard Act,” allows churches, temples, mosques and synagogues to develop affordable housing on their property to address housing shortages.
Prescription drugs and health care
- Senate Bill 1306 stops insurers from charging higher premiums on prescriptions, with some restrictions.
- Senate Bill 1329 requires women on Medicaid get mental health screenings for signs of postpartum depression, which will be reimbursable.
- Senate Bill 1344 funds a program to improve insulin accessibility and affordability by developing a lower-cost alternative.
Tax exemptions and relief
- Senate Bill 1301 gives sales tax exemptions to 501(c)(3) animal shelters and rescue organizations.
- Senate Bill 1387 allows car buyers to factor their sold vehicle’s value into the new car’s sales tax calculation for sales up to six months prior. If you sell it within six months of buying, you can still get some money refunded.
- Senate Bill 2935 gives sales tax exemption for diapers. On average, that could save you around $8 a month in Tulsa.
Other rates and fees
- House Bill 2971 allows sellers to charge you more for using a credit card on purchases. It was raised from 2% of the total transaction amount to 4.5%.
- Senate Bill 1294 waives charges for juveniles in detention facilities and inmates to make phone calls.
- House Bill 2992 prevents higher utility rates for residential customers due to data center expansion.
Insurance
- House Bill 2929 stops homeowner insurers from raising rates based on claims from more than five years before the policy went into effect or weather-related claims — that is, unless three or more weather claims happened in three years.
- House Bill 1435 prevents your credit history from determining the cost of your auto or home insurance. Need tips on how to boost your credit? Check out this story.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
