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

Jul 28, 2026
Recent Posts

Bashore Named to National Gaming Council Executive Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, has been named to the Executive Committee of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS). The executive committee is the governing body of state lawmakers responsible for guiding the national, non-partisan organization that meets regularly to focus on the regulation, legislation and policies of the U.S. gaming industry. "I'm honored to both bring Oklahoma's perspective as a gaming compact state to the table and to learn from other national legislators who have devoted years of study to the issues surrounding gaming in their own states," Bashore said. Bashore currently serves as Deputy Floor Leader in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His private industry experience includes serving as general manager of the Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in northeast Oklahoma. His house district includes several casinos. He said his knowledge of the gaming compacts between the state and many of the tribal nations that call Oklahoma home will serve him well on the council's executive committee. NCLGS is structured to include committees on lotteries, pari-mutuel betting, casinos, responsible gaming, state-federal relations focusing on Indian gaming issues and iGaming. The organization's meetings provide information on cutting edge gaming issues, such as sports betting, iGaming, lottery and prediction markets, that legislators need to know. Programs include balanced panel presentations that offer opposing views. NCLGS also is valuable to local and tribal officials, and as a result, all non-legislative government officials (including tribal and state/local government officials) are invited to attend meetings. 

May 15, 2026
Recent Posts

Expedited School Abuse Reporting Becomes Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill requiring allegations of abuse or neglect by a school employee to be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours has been signed into law by the governor. Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, is the author of House Bill 2959 . The measure would require independent law enforcement to be notified prior of any formal investigation by the school or school board or the questioning of the subject of the accusation. "Our most important priority is to protect our youth," Bashore said. "This legislation will ensure that law enforcement is made immediately aware of any allegation of misconduct so they can properly investigate the situation. This will keep students and the larger community safe from any potential abusers." Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, is the Senate author of the legislation. “Children's safety is always my top priority,” Thompson said. “That’s why this new law strengthens reporting requirements and accountability whenever abuse or neglect is alleged at a school. Quickly notifying law enforcement when serious accusations are made against a school employee can help protect other students and prevent additional trauma.” HB2959 specifies the reporting must be done by any superintendent or school administrator of a private or public school district who has reason to believe, or receives an allegation or disclosure, that a school employee is involved in the abuse or neglect of a student. The law enforcement agency to whom they report must be independent of the school district. The only exception would be if law enforcement determines an immediate school response is necessary to protect student safety. If a school resource officer is utilized, the officer must submit a detailed written report to the investigating independent law enforcement agency. The law also would not relieve any person of the duty to report to law enforcement because of the resignation, termination, transfer or other separation from employment of the subject of the allegation. Every school employee must annually sign an attestation acknowledging his or her responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect pursuant to the new law. Failure to sign does not relieve school personnel from the obligations created in the act. Bashore said schools still will be able to conduct their own internal investigations and determine best policies, but this is a necessary step to ensure student safety. HB2959 passed with an emergency clause, meaning it is immediately in effect. 

May 15, 2026
Recent Posts

Gov. Signs Overdose Notification, Fentanyl Reporting

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.