Req. No. 13116 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 1024 By: Bashore COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE An Act relating to the Unfair Sales Act; amending 15 O.S. 2021, Sections 598.2 and 598.3, which relate to the Unfair Sales Act; modifying definitions; modifying provisions related to unreasonably low profit margins; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 15 O.S. 2021, Section 598.2, is amended to read as follows: Section 598.2. For the purposes of the Unfair Sales Act: (a) The 1. a. Except as provided for in subparagraph b of this paragraph, the term "cost to the retailer " means the invoice cost of the merchandise to the retailer or the replacement cost of the merchandise to the retailer, Req. No. 13116 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 whichever is the lower; less all trade discounts except customary discounts for cash; to which shall be added (1) freight charges not otherwise included in the invoice cost or the replacement cost of the merchandise as herein set forth, and (2) cartage to the retail outlet if done or paid for the retailer, which cartage cost, in the absence of proof of a lesser cost, shall be deemed to be three -fourths of one percent (3/4 of 1%) of the cost to the retailer as herein defined after adding thereto freight charges but before adding thereto cartage, and taxes, and (3) all state and federal taxes not heretofore added to the cost as such, and (4) a markup to cover a proportionate part of the cost of doing business, which markup, in the absence of proof of a lesser cost, shall be six percent (6%) of the cost of the retailer as herein set forth after adding thereto freight charges and cartage but before adding thereto a markup,; b. For gasoline and diesel fuel retailers, the term "cost to the retailer" means the invoice cost of the merchandise to the retailer or the replacement cost of the merchandise to the retailer, whichever is the lower; less all trade discounts exce pt customary Req. No. 13116 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 discounts for cash; to which shall be added (1) freight charges not otherwise included in the invoice cost or the replacement cost of the merchandise as herein set forth, and (2) cartage to the retail outlet if done or paid for the retailer, w hich cartage cost, in the absence of proof of a lesser cost, shall be deemed to be three-fourths of one percent (3/4 of 1%) of the cost to the retailer as herein defined after adding thereto freight charges but before adding thereto cartage, and taxes, and (3) all state and federal taxes not heretofore added to the cost as such, and (4) a markup to cover a proportionate part of the cost of doing business, which markup, in the absence of proof of a lesser cost, shall be six percent (6%) of the cost of the re tailer as herein set forth after adding thereto freight charges and cartage but before adding thereto a markup ; (b) 2. The term "cost to the wholesaler " means the invoice cost of the merchandise to the wholesaler, or the replacement cost of the merchandise to the wholesaler, whichever is the lower; less all trade discounts except customary discounts for cash; to which shall be added, (1) freight charges, not otherwise included in the invoice cost or the replacement cost of the merchandise as herein set for th, and (2) cartage to the retail outlet if done or paid for by the Req. No. 13116 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 wholesaler, which cartage cost, in the absence of proof of a lesser cost, shall be deemed to be three -fourths of one percent (3/4 of 1%) of the cost to the wholesaler as herein set forth a fter adding thereto freight charges but before adding thereto cartage, and taxes, and (3) all state and federal taxes not heretofore added to the cost as such; (c) 3. The term "replacement costs" means the cost per unit at which the merchandise sold or of fered for sale could have been bought by the seller at any time within thirty (30) days prior to the date of sale or the date upon which it is offered for sale by the seller if bought in the same quantity or quantities as the seller's last purchase of said merchandise; (d) 4. When one or more items advertised, offered for sale, or sold with one or more other items at a combined price, or advertised, offered as a gift, or given with the sale of one or more other items, each and all of the items shall be dee med to be advertised, offered for sale, or sold, and the price of each item named shall be governed by the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, respectively; (e) 5. The terms "sell at retail", "sales at retail", and "retail sale" mean and include any transfer for valuable consideration made in the ordinary course of trade or in the usual prosecution of the seller 's business of title to tangible personal property to the purchaser for consumption or use other than resale Req. No. 13116 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 or further processing or manufacturing. The above terms shall include any transfer of such property where title is retained by the seller as security for the payment of the purchase price; (f) 6. The terms "sell at wholesale", "sales at wholesale", and "wholesale sales" mean and include any transfer for a valuable consideration made in the ordinary course of trade or the usual conduct of the seller 's business, of title to tangible personal property to the purchaser for purposes of resale or further processing or manufacturing . The above terms shall include any transfer of such property where title is retained by the seller as security for the payment of the purchase price; (g) 7. The term "retailer" means and includes every person, partnership, corporation or association eng aged in the business of making sales at retail within this state; provided that, in the case of a person, partnership, corporation or association engaged in the business of making both sales at retail and sales at wholesale, such term shall be applied only to the retail portion of such business; (h) 8. The term "wholesaler" means and includes every person, partnership, corporation, or association engaged in the business of making sales at wholesale within this state; provided that, in the case of a person, partnership, corporation or association engaged in the business of making both sales at wholesale and sales at retail, such term shall be applied only to the wholesale portion of such business; and Req. No. 13116 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 9. The term "unreasonably low profit margin" means that a seller of goods has established a price for an item of tangible personal property which is offered for sale at the cost to the seller as otherwise defined by this act, but with an increment in price above such cost that is intended to have the effect of eliminating market competition for the sale of such item of tangible personal property by any other seller within a reasonable geographic area where the item is offered for sale by such seller or which has the actual effect of eliminating market competitio n for the sale of such item of tangible personal property by any other seller within a reasonable geographic area where the item is offered for sale . SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 15 O.S. 2021, Section 598.3, is amended to read as follows : Section 598.3. It is hereby declared that any advertising, offer to sell, or sale of any merchandise, either by retailers or wholesalers, at less than cost or at an unreasonably low profit margin as defined in the Unfair Sales Act with the intent and purpose of inducing the purchase of other merchandise or of unfairly diverting trade from a competitor or otherwise injuring a competitor, impair and prevent fair competition, injure public welfare, are unfair competition and contrary to public policy and the policy of the Unfair Sales Act, where the result of such advertising, offer or sale is to tend to deceive any purchaser or prospective purchaser, or to substantially lessen competition, or to Req. No. 13116 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 unreasonably restrain trade, or to tend to create a monopoly i n any line of commerce. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025. 60-1-13116 AO 03/04/25