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HB 1411

True Grit Trail; Department of Transportation; designating roads as True Grit Trail; signage; online resources; source of funding; effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Grego and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1411 designates a True Grit Trail in Oklahoma with ODOT signage, online guides, and site signage funded by private sources to boost tourism along a defined route.

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Bill Summary · HB 1411

Summary of HB 1411 (2026) – Oklahoma

Purpose and Intent

HB 1411 designates a specific scenic route as the “True Grit Trail” and directs the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to implement signage and maintain related online resources. The bill aims to promote travel and tourism by highlighting sites associated with the True Grit Trail, a heritage or thematic tourism route, and to provide clear information to visitors about significant locations along the trail.

Key Provisions

A. Signage designation (ODOT)

  • ODOT must erect signage identifying a designated route as the True Grit Trail.
  • The trail begins at U.S. Highway 64 at the Oklahoma-Arkansas state line and proceeds through a sequence of highways and towns, ending at the intersection of State Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 259.
  • The specific routing includes segments across multiple corridors:
    • U.S. 64 (Arkansas border) to U.S. 59
    • U.S. 59 to U.S. 271
    • U.S. 271 to Spiro
    • Spiro to U.S. 59
    • U.S. 59 to State Hwy 31
    • State Hwy 31 to U.S. 270
    • U.S. 270 to Main Street in McAlester
    • Main Street to East Krebs Ave
    • East Krebs Ave/Main Street back to U.S. 270
    • U.S. 270 to State Hwy 2
    • State Hwy 2 to Robbers Cave State Park
    • Robbers Cave State Park on State Hwy 2 to U.S. 270
    • U.S. 270 to State Hwy 82
    • State Hwy 82 to U.S. 271
    • U.S. 271 to State Hwy 1
    • State Hwy 1 to the intersection of State Hwy 1 and U.S. 259

B. Informational highway signage (ODOT)

  • In addition to route designation, ODOT must erect informational signs directing visitors to sites of significant interest along the True Grit Trail.
  • Target sites include:
    • Sallisaw
    • Spiro
    • Bokoshe
    • McCurtain
    • Kinta
    • Quinton
    • Krebs
    • McAlester
    • Hartshorne
    • Wilburton
    • Robbers Cave State Park
    • Red Oak
    • Bengal
    • Talihina
    • The Talimena National Scenic Byway

C. Online resources (ODOT and OK Tourism)

  • ODOT must collaborate with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) to maintain online resources for the True Grit Trail.
  • Resources to be maintained include:
    • A map of the True Grit Trail
    • Information about each site of significant interest
    • Historical context related to the True Grit Trail

D. Funding

  • Signage costs shall be funded from private sources.
  • Funding may cover initial erection and ongoing replacement or reconstruction of signs.
  • Once adequate private funding is available, ODOT shall place suitable permanent markers as required.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)
  • Partner: Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD)
  • Potential Beneficiaries: Visitors and tourists seeking to explore the True Grit Trail, local communities along the designated route and referenced sites, and historical/cultural tourism in the listed towns and parks.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: November 1, 2026.
  • The bill was amended during committee process (Committee Substitute) and received approval from:
    • Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee (do pass, amended)
    • Oklahoma House of Representatives (enrolled, signed, sent to Senate)
    • Oklahoma Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee (do pass)
  • Final steps: Enactment and signing into law by the Governor (as indicated by the enrolled and sent-to-governor status in April 2026).

Notes

  • The funding approach relies on private contributions rather than state funding for signage.
  • The bill codifies a new statutory section (Section 4101 of Title 69) and specifies an expansive route and set of interest sites to be publicized.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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