OklahomaOklahoma requires requested 45-mph zones near some schools
Starting November 1, 2026, the transportation department must establish a 45-mile-per-hour zone on qualifying state highways when a local jurisdiction requests one.
What it does
At a local jurisdiction’s request, the state transportation department must set a school zone with a maximum speed limit of 45 miles per hour on a qualifying highway near a K–12 school.
After construction, the local jurisdiction must pay to maintain and operate the zone’s signs and equipment. Drivers must follow the lower limit during flashing periods, including any extra hours approved by the department.
Argument forStudents and school communities could benefit from lower speed limits on nearby highways, with flashing signs showing when drivers must slow down.
Argument againstLocal jurisdictions could face ongoing costs to maintain and operate the signs and equipment after a school zone is built.
More detail
At a local jurisdiction’s request, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation must establish a school zone with a maximum speed limit of 45 miles per hour. This covers public and private K–12 schools and only state highways meeting at least one of the listed conditions. The school must be public or private and teach kindergarten through grade 12. The state highway must have at least four lanes and run directly beside the school; have a speed limit of at least 65 miles per hour, no grade-separated off-ramp or frontage road providing access to the school, and run directly beside it; or have its center line within 150 yards of the school property. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
After construction, the local jurisdiction must maintain and pay to operate the school zone signs and equipment. This responsibility applies to the local jurisdiction for a school zone established under this law. The department must install flashing signs marking the zone’s beginning and end. The lower speed limit applies when the beacons flash during school drop-off and pick-up times, and during additional hours designated by the school and approved by the department. Speeding violations are enforced like other school zone speeding violations under Oklahoma law. The local jurisdiction’s responsibility starts when construction of the school zone is complete.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/11/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Fourth Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- May 6Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- May 6Referred for enrollment
- May 6Fourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 86 Nays: 0Major
- May 6SA's read, adoptedMajor
- Apr 27SA's received
- Apr 27Engrossed to HouseMajor
- Apr 23Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 23Measure passed: Ayes: 41 Nays: 1Major
- Apr 23Enacting clause restored
- Apr 23Title restored
- Apr 23General Order, Amended
- Apr 15Placed on General Order
- Apr 13Withdrawn from Appropriations committee
- Vote recorded Aeronautics & Transportation. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 13Referred to AppropriationsMinor
- Apr 13Enacting clause stricken
- Apr 13Reported Do Pass as amended Aeronautics and Transportation committee; CR filedMinor
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to Aeronautics and Transportation Committee then to Appropriations CommitteeMinor
- Mar 4First ReadingMinor
- Mar 4Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 3Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 85 Nays: 0Passed House
- Mar 3Title stricken
- Mar 3AmendedMajor
- Mar 3General Order
- Feb 24Authored by Senator Gollihare (principal Senate author)
- Vote recorded Judiciary And Public Safety Oversight Committee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Feb 4Coauthored by Representative(s) Manger
- Vote recorded Public Safety Committee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Public SafetyMinor
- Feb 3Referred to Public SafetyMinor
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety OversightMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative Banning
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
TransportationEducationPublic Safety