OKLAHOMA CITY – Lawmakers have filed bills to curb smoking, increase the minimum wage and allow sports betting.
More are coming. Jan. 16 is the bill filing deadline.
But here’s a breakdown of a couple more notable ones that have been filed so far.
Cigarette and vape bans
Senate Bill 23, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, would ban the use of cigarettes or vapor products in a vehicle with a minor present. Violators would be subject to a fine of up to $100. Fine revenue would go to the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Revolving Fund.
“We have study after study that talks about the effects of cigarette smoke for anybody,” Stanley said. “It is important to protect our children.”
Stanley is a former school teacher and principal.
“Sometimes children would come in reeking of cigarette smoke,” she said. “That is not healthy for anybody.”
She said the measure is timely, adding that she is not trying to infringe on anyone’s rights.
Minimum wage hikes
Senate Bill 35, by Sen Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour effective Nov. 1.
“I feel like $15 an hour is a reasonable ask to decrease the suffering and the rise in poverty we are seeing all across the state,” Hicks said.
Another measure, Senate Bill 55, by Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City, would increase the minimum wage to $13 an hour with additional 50 cents each year over a 5-year period.
Several bills filed in recent years seeking to raise the minimum wage failed to garner support.
Oklahomans are expected to go to the polls on June 16, 2026, to vote on State Question 832 that seeks to gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2029. Additional increases would be tied to the cost of living measured by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index.
The state and federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Free turnpike travel for veterans Senate Bill 64, by Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, would let 100% disabled veterans drive cars they own or partially own on turnpikes without paying tolls.
Adding more items to Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend Senate Bill 231, by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, would add school and art supplies to the list of taxexempt items during the back-to-school sales tax holiday period, which begins at 12:01 a.m. the first Friday in August, ending at midnight the following Sunday.
Disclosure of a judge’s party affiliation on ballot Sen. Shane Jett, RShawnee, filed Senate Bill 420 that would require the party affiliation, appointing governor and appointment date to appear next to judges on the retention ballot.
The measure comes after voters for the first time in history in November voted not to retain former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger. Kauger and two other justices were targeted by dark money groups.
Restoration of Ten Commandments monument at State Capitol Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 380 that would require a Ten Commandments monument to be displayed at the Capitol.
A Ten Commandments monument was removed from the capitol grounds following a 2015 court ruling.
Exempting tips from taxable income Sen. Jack Stewart, RYukon, has filed Senate Bill 383 that would exempt tips from taxable income.
“I heard (Presidentelect Donald) Trump say that,” Stewart said. “I thought that we need that with the state.”
Covering the cost of spaying and neutering pets House Bill 1046, by Rep. Mickey Dollens, DOklahoma City, would create a spay and neuter grant program within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The goal is to reduce the pet population and lower the euthanasia rates by providing grants to local governments and animal welfare organizations, according to the measure. The bill does not have a funding source.
Legalizing sports betting
Rep. Ken Luttrell, RPonca City, has reintroduced a sports betting bill, House Bill 1047. Prior sports betting bills failed to garner traction.
Sen Dave Rader, RTulsa, has introduced Senate Bill 125 that would also allow for sports betting.
Changing makeup of state education board House Bill 1054, by Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, would reduce the number of State Board of Education members appointed by the governor to two from six. Two would be appointed by the House Speaker and two would be appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem.
The legislative session begins Feb. 3.
Oklahoma Voice (oklahomavoice.com) is an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, supported by grants and donations. Oklahoma Voice provides nonpartisan reporting, and retains full editorial independence.
