Bill > SB1268

This bill amends the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act by increasing the state's minimum wage to $13.00 per hour, with an additional fifty-cent increase each year over a five-year period. The legislation replaces older language referring to "the State of Oklahoma" with "this state" and modifies the existing requirement that employers pay wages that are not detrimental to workers' health or maintenance. The bill specifies that employers must pay either the new incrementally increasing state minimum wage or the current federal minimum wage, whichever is higher. This change aims to provide workers with a more competitive wage that adjusts annually, potentially helping to keep pace with rising living costs. The bill will become effective on November 1, 2026, giving employers time to prepare for the wage increases. The gradual implementation of the wage increase allows businesses to adjust their budgets and compensation strategies over time while providing workers with a predictable path to higher earnings.

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1268&Session=2600