House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, and Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, today commented on the signing of House Bill 2979 , known as the “Talyn Bain Act,” a measure to improve safety for students by establishing lower speed limits on certain highways near schools. The legislation is named in honor of Talyn Bain, a nine-year-old Glenpool student who lost his life in a crash near his school in 2025. Banning, the House author of the bill, said he hopes the bill will help prevent similar accidents. "House Bill 2979 is in honor of a young man we lost too soon, Talyn Bain," Banning said. "This legislation ensures we’re addressing dangerous situations where high-speed highways run too close to schools. If we can prevent even one tragedy like this from happening again, then this effort is worth it." Talyn’s family said they are grateful the legislation will help protect other Oklahoma children and families. "The Talyn Bain Act becoming law means Talyn's name will forever stand for protecting children across Oklahoma," the Bain family said. "While we would give anything to have our son back, we are incredibly grateful that his life is creating change that could help save other families from this kind of heartbreak. "Thank you to Representative Chris Banning, Senator Gollihare and everyone who stood beside us, believed in this bill and helped make this happen. Talyn was so deeply loved, and we will continue doing everything we can to make sure his life matters far louder than the tragedy that took him from us." HB2979 directs the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create 45 mph school zones on portions of state highways upon request from a local jurisdiction, provided specific safety conditions are met. These include highways with speed limits of 65 mph or higher that run within 150 yards of a school and lack a direct exit ramp into the school zone. The measure allows local communities to partner with ODOT to identify qualifying locations and implement the reduced speed zones. The agency has identified approximately 14 locations statewide that meet the criteria outlined in the bill. "This law is about protecting our children and making sure no family has to endure the kind of loss the Bain family has experienced," Gollihare said. "By slowing traffic in high-risk areas near schools, we are taking a commonsense step to improve safety and potentially save lives. Talyn’s legacy will be one of lasting impact, helping safeguard students across Oklahoma for years to come. This was a collaborative effort and I’m grateful to Representative Banning and all those who worked to move this bill forward. I appreciate the governor’s support in signing it into law." Under the law, ODOT will install appropriate signage, while local jurisdictions will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and operational costs. The Tayln Bain Act will take effect Nov. 1, 2026.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation expanding alternative pathways for individuals seeking to become certified teachers in Oklahoma has been signed into law. House Bill 3076 , authored by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, and Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, allows teachers to receive certification through alternative teacher preparation programs, including programs offered by public schools, regional service agencies and private or nonprofit entities. "We know Oklahoma needs strong teachers in every classroom, and this bill helps open more doors for qualified individuals who want to answer that call," Lepak said. "By creating additional pathways into the profession while maintaining oversight and accreditation requirements, we are helping schools recruit talented educators and giving future teachers more opportunities to succeed. Programs like this in other states get candidates certified quicker and at less cost, plus their 5-year retention rates are comparable to those of teachers graduating from our colleges of education, without seeing any decline in student performance. Furthermore, some actually work with school districts to fill their specific needs. Thousands of teaching positions have been filled through this process in other states, and I'm hopeful Oklahoma will see the number of emergency certifications decline when this pathway is fully developed." Under the new law, the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability will oversee the approval process for alternative teacher preparation programs and must approve or deny applicants within 60 days. Applicants denied approval must be given the opportunity to address deficiencies identified by the commission. Seifried said the measure will help strengthen Oklahoma’s teacher pipeline while maintaining accountability and quality standards. "Great teachers can come from all different backgrounds and career paths," Seifried said. "This new law creates more opportunities for qualified individuals to become passionate educators while setting them up for success in the classroom. Expanding these pathways will help address Oklahoma’s teacher shortage while ensuring all students receive a quality education." Private or nonprofit programs approved under the measure will be required to obtain accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation within three years or risk losing approval. The legislation also requires the commission to promote alternative teacher preparation programs to potential educators, while the State Board of Education must maintain and publish a list of approved providers on its website. HB3076 takes effect July 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that requires first responders to notify law enforcement when treating a drug overdose has been signed into law by the governor. Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, is the author of House Bill 2941 . The bill requires first responders to notify law enforcement as soon as practicable after attending to the medical needs of the person they are treating when a drug overdose is suspected. Legal immunity will be granted to those who make the notification in good faith. "The hope is that by bringing first responders, health care workers and law enforcement together we can save lives, better educate our population, design prevention strategies and target resources to communities that need them most," Bashore said. The measure also establishes that in cases of fatal overdoses involving fentanyl, that will be the presumed cause of death. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports fentanyl was involved in 86% of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2024, compared to approximately 10-20% annually prior to 2020.  "Fentanyl is a growing problem in our state and in the nation," Bashore said. "Having better data on the spread of fentanyl in our state will help us better track where help is needed most." The new law becomes effective Nov. 1.