Representative Steve Bashore

R

District 7

Hi, I'm Steve Bashore and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 7th District.


representative

Leadership

Majority Deputy Floor Leader

59th Legislature

Majority Deputy Floor Leader

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Apr 30, 2025
Recent Posts

Lauria and Ashley's Law Moves Closer to Final Passage

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, today welcomed Senate passage of a bill that would add accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes that would require an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. Those convicted also would not be eligible to earn any type of credits that would reduce the sentence to below 85% of what was imposed. House Bill 1001 is named Lauria and Ashley's Law after 16-year-olds Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, of Welch, who were kidnapped, tortured, raped and killed on New Year's Eve 1999. It is presumed their bodies were dumped in a Pitcher mine pit, but their remains have not been recovered. Ashley's parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were shot to death in the crime. Their remains were found in their mobile home that had been set on fire. The bill was amended in the Senate so it now moves back to the House for fourth reading and final passage. "I made a promise to the families of these two girls that I would seek better justice on their behalf," Bashore said. "After working on this legislation nonstop for the past few years, I'm incredibly excited to see it this close to final passage. I'm hopeful the governor will soon be signing it into law." On Wednesday, the bill passed the Senate on a vote of 38-5, carried by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond. "Lauria and Ashley’s Law honors the memory of the victims and reinforces Oklahoma's commitment to holding everyone involved in violent crimes accountable," Thompson said. "As this bill moves forward, it reflects our dedication to justice and keeping our communities safe." Bashore thanked Thompson and also thanked Michael Bergstrom, R-Adair, who worked on similar previous legislation and who taught Lauria Bible before her death. The bill previously passed the House on a vote of 76-11. From the House floor today, Bashore recognized Lorene Bible, the mother of Lauria Bible, and her cousin, Lisa Broderick, who were present in the House Gallery. He credited both women with the final draft of the legislation and its passage through both chambers of the Legislature. Lorene Bible said, "We're very thankful to Representative Bashore as well as Senator Thompson and all those in both the House and Senate who worked with us to pass this bill. For us, this will help guard other families who might be in our same situation. This is so they won't have to watch the people who hurt their family members escape justice." The legislation addresses the reduced prison sentence of a man charged with accessory to felony murder in the case. Ronnie Busick in 2020 received a 10-year prison sentence with five years' probation, but only one year supervised. Because of good-days earned while incarcerated as well as time credited while in a county jail, Busick was released after just three years in prison. He was released back into the community where the crimes were committed, in close proximity to where family members of the victims still live. It is reported that Busick received a lessened sentence in exchange for information leading to the discovery of the teens' bodies. They still have not been found.  

Apr 29, 2025
Recent Posts

Bill to Eliminate Mandatory Markup on Retail Goods Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Key legislation to eliminate an archaic state law that forces retailers to add a 6% markup to everyday consumer goods is one step closer to the governor’s desk. The Unfair Sales Act – legislation from Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and House Majority Deputy Floor Leader Steve Bashore, R-Miami – passed the House unanimously on Tuesday, putting the Oklahoma Legislature one step closer to eliminating a relatively unknown price hike on groceries and consumer goods. Senate Bill 638 repeals the state’s 76-year-old Price Control Act that forces Oklahoma businesses to impose a minimum 6% markup on retail goods like gasoline, groceries, over-the-counter medicines, diapers and other basic necessities. Daniels said Oklahoma is one of just seven states with a mandatory markup on retail goods because many other states have rescinded similar laws in recent years. “Repealing this outdated law reinforces the Legislature’s commitment to providing inflation relief for hardworking Oklahomans by putting more money back in their pockets,” Daniels said. “Coming on the heels of eliminating the state grocery tax — the largest tax cut in Oklahoma history — this bill takes another meaningful step toward helping families save on everyday essentials while eliminating an unnecessary government mandate.” Bashore, whose hometown is just a short drive from Missouri and Kansas, said this legislation encourages Oklahomans to keep their shopping local. "Forcing Oklahomans to pay 6% more for everyday items is simply unacceptable,” Bashore said. “We want our residents to shop in state for what they need without going to surrounding states where this unfair markup no longer exists. This will ultimately benefit the taxpayer, our local businesses and our overall state economy, and will allow the free market to flourish as intended. “I am extremely honored to partner with Senator Daniels to make positive change benefiting all Oklahomans. I'm incredibly pleased to have secured passage of this bill in House, especially gaining bipartisan support." The bill was amended in the House and now returns to the Senate for fourth reading and final passage before being sent to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law. 

Mar 12, 2025
Recent Posts

Lauria and Ashley's Law Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, today secured House passage of a bill that would add accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes that would require an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. Those convicted also would not be eligible to earn any type of credits that would reduce the sentence to below 85% of what was imposed. House Bill 1001 is named Lauria and Ashley's Law after 16-year-olds Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, of Welch, who were kidnapped, tortured, raped and killed on New Year's Eve 1999. It is presumed their bodies were dumped in a Pitcher mine pit, but their remains have not been recovered. Ashley's parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were shot to death in the crime. Their remains were found in their mobile home that had been set on fire. "This bill is named after two girls in my House district in the prime of their lives when they were brutally tortured, raped and murdered," Bashore said. "Yet the person who admitted to participating in these crimes served less than three years in prison and had his prison sentence reduced because of credits earned for things such as maintaining good hygiene. He then was allowed to move less than 20 miles from the mother of one of the girls. This law is trying to keep these type of perpetrators in prison for at least 85 percent of the time to which they are sentenced." A similar bill passed the House last year with an overwhelming majority, but the bill was not considered on the Senate floor. Lorene Bible, the mother of Lauria, was in the House today when the bill passed. She said she and her family were heartbroken when the bill did not receive a hearing in the full Senate last year. While she's thankful for passage in the House, but she said she plans to work hard to assure the measure makes it to the governor's desk this year. "We know this will not bring Lauria and Ashley back," she said. "But we want to prevent this nightmare from happening to any other family that might experience something like this. And unfortunately in this day and age, there will always be another family, one that might not have the energy to pursue justice for 25 years like we have. If we can help them by ensuring someone that admitted to participating in the crime stays in prison on a longer sentence, then that will give us some measure of peace." The legislation addresses the reduced prison sentence of a man charged with accessory to felony murder in the case. Ronnie Busick in 2020 received a 10-year prison sentence with five years' probation, but only one year supervised. Because of good-days earned while incarcerated as well as time credited while in a county jail, Busick was released after just three years in prison. He was released back into the community where the crimes were committed, in close proximity to where family members of the victims still live. Lorene Bible said Busick now has more rights than she does as she's been warned by law enforcement to do nothing to upset him now that he's served his sentence. She said had she known he would not be required to serve 85% of his 10-year sentence, she never would have agreed to the deal offered by prosecutors at the time. It is reported that Busick received a lessened sentence in exchange for information leading to the discovery of the teens' bodies. They still have not been found.  Bashore said this bill would assure family members of other felony murder victims going forward that any person convicted and sentenced to participating in such a crime would have a lengthier time behind bars. HB1001 passed the House on a vote of 76-11. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond.