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One to Keep An Eye On: Senate Bill 102 (Oklahoma)


As with many employment and labor law related cases (and bills) being litigated around the country, there are always a few that stand out.  This is one to keep an eye on.


Currently, Oklahoma's hourly minimum wage rate sits at $7.25, on par with the Federal hourly minimum wage rate.  Senate Bill 102, introduced by Democratic Senator George Young, seeks to raise the hourly wage rate in the state to "not less than $10.50 or the current federal minimum wage, whichever is greater".  If approved, the state's new hourly wage rate would go into effect January 1, 2020.

Given the wide range of other states that have implemented hourly wage increases last year, it will be interesting to see if Oklahoma joins the ranks of those twenty states with a similar hourly wage increase.  It is worth noting that Republicans hold a sizeable majority in the Senate with 39 seats compared to just 8 for Democrats.  Things are not much better in the state's House of Representatives, where Republicans hold 77 seats compared to the 24 held by Democrats.  While it is still too early to tell whether this bill will have the legs to advance, I think it will become imperative for Democrats to garner Republican support in order for this legislation to pass.  Without Republicans jumping on board with Senate Bill 102, it might already be a long shot.



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