The team at KOSU (and KGOU) did a deep dive into 276 new laws about to take effect in Oklahoma on Nov. 1. One of those new laws will require Oklahoma hospitals to be transparent about their prices, as Oklahoma Voice reports.

And it’s a fresh episode of the ‘Bedlam Buds’ podcast in the Oct. 29 edition of ‘Oklahoma Memo.’

By Lionel Ramos, Graycen Wheeler, Sierra Pfeifer, Abigail Siatkowski, Jillian Taylor and Chloe Bennett-Steele, KOSU
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A slate of 276 new laws will take effect on Nov. 1.

They address a wide array of issues from renewable energy to elections to criminal justice.

Here is a breakdown of more key laws set to take effect next month.

One of the big victories for lawmakers this session was securing income tax cuts, a goal long championed by the Republican supermajority in the legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt.

House Bill 2764 sets the top income tax rate at 4.5% for individuals earning more than $2,300 each month or married couples earning more than $7,500. It's the quarter-percentage-point cut Stitt managed to work out with Republicans in the legislature earlier this year, despite some expressing concerns about induced state revenue cuts amid rising inflation.The law reduces all the state income tax rates by one-quarter of a percent and eliminates the three lowest brackets, all while establishing a system for further reductions in income tax rates based on revenue estimates.

Legislative fiscal reports estimate the tax reduction will cost the state $357 million annually by Fiscal Year 2028. 

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By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s hospitals will be required to post prices for procedures and services online beginning Saturday as part of a new law that could also prohibit them from collecting some outstanding medical debt.

Gov. Kevin Stitt celebrated Senate Bill 889 at a press conference Tuesday and said it was “common sense” legislation working to lower Oklahoma’s health care costs by putting the “power back in the consumer’s hands.” 

“So now, as a patient, you can see the cost of services upfront before you actually go into the hospital,” he said. “You have the opportunity to shop around to find the best service, the best price possible. And we think that’s really, really good. It happens in every other industry, but somehow, the health care industry has done a really good job of hiding the prices and not letting it be transparent with the consumers, but we do it with whether you’re buying a car or going to the grocery store.”

The law, authored by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, requires all Oklahoma hospitals to post the prices of their services on their website, and it authorizes the Oklahoma State Department of Health to oversee compliance and enforcement. 

Hospitals are required to publish prices for at least 300 services, prioritizing their “frequently used” services. 

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This week’s Bedlam Buds podcast is heavy on college football — this week starting with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and their 42-0 loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock. Jeremy says he’s glad to see the guys still engaged with the program despite the on-the-field struggles.

And then Ryan let’s it all out after a frustrating 34-26 Oklahoma loss to Ole Miss.

The episode closes with a quick sports lap: why the Dodgers’ playoff experience should tame the Blue Jays unless Toronto cracks L.A.’s bullpen, early-season Thunder takeaways (SGA steady; depth emerging), concern over NBA gambling headlines, and a love letter to the CFL as playoff season arrives—rouge talk, Grey Cup traditions, and a tentative Saskatchewan vs. Hamilton path to the final.

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A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:

• Poll shows McCall leading Drummond in early 2026 Oklahoma Governor race (News 9)

• Oklahoma lawmakers weigh options to reduce early voting waits (Oklahoma Voice)

• Federal credit unions in Oklahoma offer relief for federal workers without jobs, pay (KOSU)

• Gov. Kevin Stitt says SNAP funding loss must be resolved at federal level (Tulsa World)*

• Search warrant reveals items seized from State Rep. Ajay Pittman amid forgery, embezzlement probe (KOCO)

• 3 lawyers file more than half of central Oklahoma’s 18,000 annual eviction cases (Oklahoma Watch)

• Oklahoma didn't pay PragerU for Walters-backed 'woke' test for teachers, Fields says (The Oklahoman)*

• Restaurant at center of controversy releases statement on Elgin teacher’s death (KSWO)

• ‘Right place, right time’: Mother and son save man from burning truck in Choctaw (News 9)

• Oklahoma County killer to seek clemency (Oklahoma Voice)

• Convicted of murder as a teenager, Wayne Thompson is free after more than four decades in prison (The Frontier)

• TPS superintendent lays out progress since taking office, but the district is still falling short of its goals (Tulsa Flyer)

• 40K reasons to care about Tulsa Public Schools’ new five-year plan (Tulsa Flyer)

• At Philbrook, this portrait of a long-time Tulsa queen is finding new meaning (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Tulsa’s camera network grows as Flock and Ring team up, sparking privacy concerns (Tulsa Flyer)

• Hundreds of orders: Tulsa companies say ‘Today’ show led to boom in business (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Norman brewery announces end of production, closure of two taprooms (The Oklahoman)*

• As MAHT grand opening nears, chef Kevin Lee to compete on Food Network again (The Oklahoman)*

• Money raised to keep Langston students in college (KFOR)

• Thunder stay perfect with comeback over Kings, 107-101 (KOCO)

Windy and chilly.

🌡️ Wednesday's high in OKC 57°
🌡️ Wednesday’s high in Tulsa 54°

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