Press release
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Steve Vaughan, chair of the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ Transportation Committee, today praised the unanimous passage in both the House and Senate and the signing into law by the governor of three House bills he authored this session.
House Bill 2651 permits Oklahoma’s public safety commissioner to choose training material from Truckers Against Human Trafficking for education purposes to distribute to commercial truck drivers applying for Class A, B or C licenses. The material includes training on recognizing, preventing and reporting human trafficking.
“Oklahoma is at a crossroads of the nation when it comes to distributing goods by truck,” said Vaughan, R-Ponca City. “Unfortunately, this means we also have the potential to see an enormous amount of human trafficking. Using our public safety commissioner to help select material to distribute to our truck drivers is hoped to help these men and women recognize those who might be victims of this terrible crime and help get them to safety and freedom. I was honored to be asked to carry this important bill, and equally pleased with its unanimous passage in the House and Senate.”
House Bill 2650 requires a merge-now traffic-control device to be placed in accordance with the standards set by the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Current law requires the device to be placed no greater than one mile nor less than 1,500 feet in advance of a highway construction or maintenance zone.
“These devices will help save lives on our state highways and roads, both our transportation workers and our motorists,” Vaughan said. “This also helps us comply with federal regulations.”
House Bill 2915 renames portions of roads and bridges to honor local heroes in various places throughout the state.
“As the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, this bill comes under my job description,” Vaughan said. “It’s a way for representatives to recognize veterans, local law enforcement officers and others who have made significant contributions to their local communities.”
In addition to the legislation, Vaughan also commented on the unanimous passage of the three bills.
“As transportation chairman, it has been my privilege to have authored and passed bills that will improve the lives and safety of Oklahomans,” Vaughan said. “I’m even more humbled that every other lawmaker in the state, in both legislative chambers, would vote in favor of these bills. To be able to rise above the political posturing at the Capitol and find common ground is rare. To me, this means my colleagues recognize that I’m not only representing my district, but I have the best interest of our great state at heart.”
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