Sen. Kirt files trio of bills tackling the high cost of insurance

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt has filed a trio of bills for the 2026 session to make insurance rates in Oklahoma more affordable. Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said her bills were the result of stories from her own constituents about challenges they faced as well as from Oklahomans across the state. Kirt said those concerns were backed up by an interim study she held last fall on insurance rates.

“The message is clear – many people in Oklahoma are having a hard time paying for insurance because prices have skyrocketed in recent years. This is especially tough for seniors living on fixed income and for families who are already struggling to pay their bills,” Kirt said. “The bill I introduced will make insurance prices in Oklahoma lower, easier to understand, and fair for everyone.”

Senate Bill 1438 would put profit caps on insurance companies by refunding excess insurance company profits to customers at the end of each year. Florida has a law like this on the books, and they’ve already seen a positive impact for consumers, with $1 billion being refunded to customers and a number of companies filing for rate decreases.

SB 1444 would bring down insurance rates by increasing accountability and transparency. The bill changes the way companies can make price changes. Right now, the Department of Insurance has few ways to check if the rates are too high. SB 1444 reforms that process by requiring insurance companies to file paperwork justifying the rate before being able to move forward with an increase and giving power to the Insurance Commissioner to reject rate increases that are too high. 

SB 1435 will make insurance coverage and prices more fair by removing a person’s credit score from consideration in determining premium prices. Other states have already banned the use of credit scores in setting premiums.

“These ideas are real solutions to a big problem many people in Oklahoma face. Our state laws should protect consumers, and these bills will do that,” Kirt said. “I look forward to presenting these bills when the 2026 session begins in February as we work to make insurance more affordable and fair for all Oklahomans.” 

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov