OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, on Monday won passage of a bill that would remove Oklahoma's mandated 6% markup on retail products.

House Bill 1024 is titled the Unfair Sales Act.

"Oklahoma is one of only seven states with this mandatory markup on retail goods still in place, and it creates an uneven playing field for our consumers and store owners," Bashore said. "This legislation should give Oklahomans some inflation relief, and it will give retailers greater discretion over setting their own prices."

Bashore explained the 6% markup is on goods such as groceries, over-the-counter medications, pet food, health and beauty aids, paper and plastic goods, baby supplies and more. It has been in place in Oklahoma since 1949.

It originally was designed to protect small retailers from bigger stores moving into the market and pricing goods below what the smaller stores could afford. It's now become a hindrance to Oklahomans, he said.

Bashore lives in Miami, OK, which is about 20 minutes from Joplin, MO. He said he was encouraged to buy something from a big box store in his city and then buy the exact same item from the same retailer in Joplin to compare the price difference. His purchase was a dollar cheaper in Joplin because of Oklahoma's markup law.

HB1024 does strengthen the definition for "unreasonably low profit margin" to ensure the act continues to protect against pricing decisions that are intended to eliminate market competition.

The bill passed 89-3 in the House. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville.