Oregon

The Act makes budget changes for the current biennium. (Flesch Readability Score: 66.1). Establishes and modifies certain biennial appropriations made from the General Fund to specified state agencies and the Emergency Board. Establishes and modifies limitations on expenditures for certain biennial expenses for specified state agencies. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

This Act changes some housing programs, agencies and laws and rules about home building. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.7). Adjusts certain terms of the revolving loan program for cities and counties to fund affordable housing projects. Allows state agencies to adjust terms of a grant made to the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing in the last biennium. Limits the building permit plan review for housing with two or fewer dwelling units. Establishes a local government process for land use approvals for housing subject only to clear and objective standards, conditions and procedures. Becomes operative on July 1, 2026. Establishes responsibilities for landlords and tenants for residential tenancies destroyed by natural disasters. Requires state agencies to give priority to housing providers when transferring surplus real property. Requires the Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt rules regarding prioritization of lands added to urban reserves. Limits the amount of commercial lands within certain planned areas that may be used for affordable housing. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

The Act allows a public body to give public employees certain things. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.7). Provides exceptions to the prohibited use by a public official of official position or office to obtain financial gain or avoid financial detriment that permit a public body to give public officials food, beverages and merchandise. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act says that one person put on the OGEC must have a certain background. The Act protects certain protected words during investigations by the OGEC. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.4). [Digest: The Act says that the Governor has to put a person with a certain background on the OGEC. The Act protects certain protected words during investigations by the OGEC. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.8).] [Provides that the Governor shall appoint one member of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission who has local government experience.] Provides that at least one member who is appointed to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission must have local government experience. Provides that attorney-client privilege is not waived when a communication is made to the commission for purposes of providing information regarding a complaint alleging a violation of government ethics laws or public meetings laws.

The Act says that some entities have to write a policy and teach their staff about the medical use of marijuana. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.6). Expands the definition of "debilitating medical condition" for the medical use of marijuana. Requires an organization or residential facility that is designated as an additional caregiver for a medical marijuana cardholder to create and maintain a written policy and provide educational training for certain staff regarding the medical use of marijuana. Exempts hospitals and hospital-affiliated clinics from the requirements. Requires that in order to engage in the medical use of marijuana, the patient or resident of the organization or residential facility must be a medical marijuana cardholder or have applied to be a medical marijuana cardholder. Protects an organization or residential facility [and its employees and contractors] from certain criminal liability related to the medical use of marijuana. Prohibits the Oregon State Board of Nursing from taking disciplinary action against a nurse for discussing the medical use of marijuana with a patient. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

The Act allows places of public accommodation and public bodies to round some transactions to the nearest five cents. Says it is an emergency. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.7). [Digest: The Act allows places of public accommodation to round some transactions to the nearest five cents. Says it is an emergency. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.2).] Allows [a] some [place] places of public accommodation offering goods or services to adopt a rounding policy under which the final digit of the total amount due or remaining amount due in certain in-person transactions will be rounded to the nearest five-cent increment. Specifies rounding procedures. Provides an exception for a buyer who pays in exact change. Requires a place of public accommodation to post signs giving notice of the rounding policy. [Declares that rounding done in accordance with the Act is not an unlawful distinction, discrimination or restriction against United States coins or currency under ORS chapter 659A or price misrepresentation under ORS 618.236.] Exempts from liability as an unlawful trade or business practice any rounding done in accordance with the Act. Allows a public body to establish a reasonable rounding policy under which the final digit of the total amount due or remaining amount due in certain in-person transactions with the public body may be rounded to the nearest five-cent increment. Requires a public body to post signs giving notice of the rounding policy and publicize the rounding policy. Declares that rounding done in accordance with the Act by a place of public accommodation or a public body is not an unlawful distinction, discrimination or restriction against United States coins or currency under ORS chapter 659A or price misrepresentation under ORS 618.236. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act would grant the tax break for land that is in "farm use" to land under a processing facility. The Act would clarify what "preparing" farmland products and by-products means in the context of the tax break. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.5). [Digest: The Act would clarify what "preparing" farmland products and by-products means in the context of the tax break for land that is in "farm use." (Flesch Readability Score: 66.4).] Allows property tax special assessment for land under processing facilities. Clarifies, for purposes of the special assessment, the meaning of "preparing" products or by-products raised for human or animal use on a farm unit for purposes of the definition of "farm use."

The Act creates new systems and structures and changes law to improve emergency response in the state. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.1). Creates [statewide emergency preparedness offices and authorities] authority to coordinate emergency management. [Authorizes bonding for public safety projects.] Requires state agencies to designate liaisons for emergency management. Imposes duties on the Oregon Department of Emergency Management related to management of emergency preparedness assets. Modifies the definitions of and grant requirements for Resilience Hubs and Resilience Networks. Authorizes certain training facilities to host overnight training activities. Requires the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to obtain fingerprints of employees and contractors. Authorizes counties to waive certain civil penalties related to food service facilities during emergencies. Requires the Department of the State Fire Marshal to study health coverage for firefighters. [Requires legislative committees to identify a revenue source for certain public safety programs.] Establishes grant programs for emergencies.

Allows farm stores on farmlands. (Flesch Readability Score: 90.9). Allows counties to approve farm stores[, instead of farm stands,] as nonfarm use on lands zoned for farm use.

The Act says the BOP has to give a license to run a mobile pharmacy to someone who meets the requirements. (Flesch Readability Score: 64.6). Directs the State Board of Pharmacy to issue a license to operate a mobile pharmacy to a qualified applicant. Establishes requirements for a mobile pharmacy. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

The Act says that OHSU must be a member of a nonprofit entity it creates. (Flesch Readability Score: 73.1). Permits the Oregon Health and Science University to create and maintain a nonprofit corporation under the laws of this state so long as the university is a corporate member of the corporation. Provides that certain individuals who provide patient care for the nonprofit corporation are acting within the scope of their state employment or duties. [and that certain prohibitions regarding the practice of medicine do not apply to the nonprofit corporation.] Provides that the entity is a public employer for purposes of the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act. Provides that certain provisions of the Oregon Professional Corporation Act do not apply to the entity.

The Act allows for the switch of electors of President and Vice President if they do not vote like they pledged. (Flesch Readability Score: 72.7). Establishes the qualifications of an elector of President and Vice President of the United States. Provides the contents of a certificate of ascertainment of electors. Provides that an elector who does not vote in accordance with the signed pledge of electors vacates the office of elector. Provides for the filling of the vacancy. Provides for mileage expenses to be given to electors who attend the meeting of electors and whose ballot is not invalid. Takes effect on July 1, 2026.

The Act defines what a "powered micromobility device" is. It also combines the laws for kids under 16, making it clear that they must wear helmets when riding bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and some other vehicles. Changes age a kid must be to use different classes of e-bikes and other types of vehicles. Says a store may not sell a vehicle that looks like an e-bike if it is not an e-bike by state law. The Act tells ODOT to make a new pilot program and let trucks haul more milk on certain routes. The Act tells ODOT to report on the results of the pilot program. Gives DAS more time to finish review of HCAS. (Flesch Readability Score: 73.1). [Digest: The Act defines what a "powered micromobility device" is. It also combines the laws for kids under 16, making it clear that they must wear helmets when riding bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and some other vehicles. Changes age a kid must be to use different classes of e-bikes and other types of vehicles. Says a store may not sell a vehicle that looks like an e-bike if it is not an e-bike by state law. The Act tells ODOT to make a new pilot program and let trucks haul more milk on certain routes. The Act tells ODOT to report on the results of the pilot program. (Flesch Readability Score: 70.7).] Defines "powered micromobility device" for the vehicle code. Consolidates and makes uniform standards for wearing protective headgear for children under 16 years of age when riding or using a bicycle, electric assisted bicycle, motor assisted scooter, powered micromobility device and certain nonmotorized vehicles. Lowers the age requirement to operate a Class 1 electric assisted bicycle. Provides that there is no minimum age requirement to operate a Class 1 or Class 2 electric assisted bicycle if the person is participating in a bicycle safety program. Lowers age requirement to operate motor assisted scooter. Creates offense of improper sale or lease of a vehicle. Punishes by maximum fine of $250. Creates offense of selling an impostor vehicle. Punishes by maximum fine of $250. Directs the Department of Transportation to establish a five-year pilot program that allows vehicles to haul fluid milk products with a loaded weight of not more than 129,000 pounds on routes approved by the department. Directs the department to conduct a study and prepare a report on the results of the pilot program. Extends the time the Oregon Department of Administrative Services has to undertake its review of the methodology for the highway cost allocation study. Makes the report due March 15, 2028. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Says that people who get public contracts must obey tax laws and must show proof of compliance with tax laws. (Flesch Readability Score: 76.8). Requires public contractors to demonstrate and maintain tax compliance, through a certification process, as a condition of the execution of a public contract. Becomes operative January 1, 2027. Directs the Secretary of State to study methods for collecting information through business registry function to ensure tax compliance by persons doing business in this state. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

The Act puts ODEM in charge of the volunteer database known as ORVID. The Act tells ODEM to adapt the database in specified ways. (Flesch Readability Score: 67.7). Transfers responsibility for the volunteer database known as ORVID from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Directs the department to adapt and maintain the database. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act makes changes to licensing laws for hospice programs. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.7). Adds new requirements for obtaining an initial license to operate and maintain a hospice program. [Requires a hospice program to apply for a new initial license after a change in ownership.] Prohibits individuals who have been excluded from participation in Medicare or Medicaid or have been found liable for fraud or abuse from holding an ownership interest in a hospice program. Requires the Oregon Health Authority to complete rulemaking within 24 months. Subject to exceptions, prohibits the authority from issuing new hospice licenses until rulemaking is complete. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Makes changes to veteran laws. (Flesch Readability Score: 66.4). [Declares that it is the goal of the Legislative Assembly to fund the Department of Veterans' Affairs in an amount that is not less than $10,000,000, from the General Fund, in 2015 dollars, adjusted for inflation.] [Requires the Director of Veterans' Affairs to add additional full-time positions within the department. Creates in the department the position of Veterans Employment Coordinator.] Requires the director to be a veteran who has received a discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions. Allows the director to appoint a deputy director, subject to approval by the Governor. Directs the department to develop and implement a grant program for suicide prevention and workforce training and preparation. Allows moneys in the Veterans' Services Fund to be used for the grant program. Increases an expenditure limitation for the purpose of the grant program. Directs the director to distribute moneys appropriated for county veterans' service officer programs on a quarterly basis. Directs the department to provide a report on the quarterly distribution process. Changes who are allowed to request county veteran discharge records. Increases, from $5,000 to $10,000, the cap on the individual grant amount that is allowed under the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. Directs the Judicial Department, in consultation with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, to study methods for providing access to veterans' treatment courts to residents of each county or judicial district. Takes effect on July 1, 2026.

This Act makes the State Treasurer use unclaimed moneys to guarantee a loan to a hospital. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.6). [Digest: This Act lets the State Treasurer loan unclaimed moneys to rural hospitals. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.7).] [Authorizes] Requires the State Treasurer to [loan] use up to [20 percent of] $44 million from the Unclaimed Property and Estates Fund to guarantee a loan made to a rural [hospitals] hospital for financial stabilization. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act changes when Ballot Measure 114 applies. The Act goes into effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 66.1). [Digest: The Act makes changes to the gun permit and transfer process and to the LCM prohibition. The Act goes into effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 73.2).] [Modifies the firearm permit provisions of Ballot Measure 114 (2022). Specifies where a person may apply for a permit to purchase a firearm and adds an eligibility requirement. Provides that information obtained during the application process and during the criminal background check and maintained within the database of permit holders is exempt from disclosure as a public record. Extends the time, from 30 to 60 days from receipt of the application, by which a permit agent must issue a permit to a qualified applicant or mail reasons for a denial in writing to the applicant. Increases the maximum fee that may be charged for an initial application for and renewal of a permit. Specifies the portion of the fee payable to the Department of State Police for conducting a criminal background check. Establishes alternatives to a firearms training course or class that may be used to satisfy the requirement of proof of completion of a firearm safety course for the permit. Provides that permits are not required for firearm transfers until January 1, 2028. Establishes an exception to the permit requirement for certain active law enforcement officers.] [Modifies the affirmative defense language for the large-capacity magazine provisions of Ballot Measure 114 (2022). Provides that a person may not be prosecuted for prohibited conduct occurring while enforcement of the provisions is enjoined by a court. Provides that gun dealers and manufacturers have 180 days after entry of an appellate judgment reversing or vacating the injunction to take certain actions concerning large-capacity magazines.] [Provides that a challenge to the legality of the Act must be commenced in the Circuit Court for Marion County.] [Provides that the Legislative Assembly does not intend the Act to affect current court proceedings concerning Ballot Measure 114 (2022).] Provides that the provisions of Ballot Measure 114 (2022) apply to firearm transfers conducted, and large-capacity magazine manufacture, importation, possession, use, purchase, sale or transfer occurring, on or after January 1, 2028. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act would let local transient lodging tax money be used for grants to small dining and lodging businesses. The Act would also let the tax money be used for services provided by a special district in lieu of a city or county. The Act would change the split of tax uses from at least 70 percent for tourism and no more than 30 percent for local services to at least 50 percent and no more than 50 percent. The Act would let local governments with grandfathered tax laws use the tax money in the new split ratios. The Act would make local governments file a tax revenue report every other year for LRO to combine and submit to the legislature. The Act would have LRO study the uses of the net revenue as allowed under the Act and turn its findings in to the legislature. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.6). [Digest: The Act would let local transient lodging tax money be used for city or county services provided by a special district in lieu of the city or county. The Act would change the split of tax uses from at least 70 percent for tourism and no more than 30 percent for local services to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent. The Act would let local governments with grandfathered tax laws use the new provisions of the Act. The Act would make local governments file a tax revenue report every other year. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.7).] Allows net local transient lodging tax revenue to be used for resiliency grants for small businesses in the restaurant and lodging industry. Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism-related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least [40] 50 percent and no more than [60] 50 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue, the reported information to be aggregated by the Legislative Revenue Officer and submitted to the Legislative Assembly. Directs the Legislative Revenue Officer to conduct a study of the percentage requirements for allowable uses of local transient lodging tax revenue as amended by the Act and to submit the findings to the Legislative Assembly. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

The Act changes the law about compensation for wrongful convictions and makes a new PCR process when a conviction is based on some discredited science. The Act goes into effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.9). Modifies provisions relating to petitions for compensation for wrongful conviction. Creates a new post-conviction relief petition process when a person has a conviction that is based on scientific expert testimony, scientific expert evidence or scientific expert opinion derived from specified discredited forensic science disciplines. Sunsets the new petition process on January 2, 2031. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act changes the rules for how certain health care is given in this state. The Act alters how certain health care providers are licensed or regulated. The Act changes some insurance rules. The Act changes some pharmacy and drug rules. The Act takes effect when signed. (Flesch Readability Score: 79.7). Modifies the requirements for screening a hospital patient for presumptive eligibility for financial assistance. [Prohibits the Oregon Health Authority from requiring certain home health agencies to comply with Medicare conditions of participation.] [Modifies the requirements for how the Department of Human Services must publish Residential Care Quality Measurement Program data.] Removes the requirement that an applicant for a residential care facility administrator license hold a bachelor's degree in a health or social service related field. Allows a person residing in a correctional facility to receive prerelease medical assistance benefits under certain circumstances. [Prohibits the authority or a coordinated care organization from requiring prior authorization for medical assistance coverage for repairing complex rehabilitation technology if the repair costs $1,500 or less.] Modifies the requirements for meetings held by the Health Evidence Review Commission. Modifies the composition of the Medicaid Advisory Committee. Modifies the eligibility requirements for parent providers who are paid to provide attendant care services to their children. See A-Eng Bill for omitted text. Allows a full-time dentistry student enrolled in an out-of-state dental education program to practice dentistry without a license if the student is supervised by a faculty member of a dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Requires casualty or health insurance policies to provide coverage for medically necessary anesthesia services, regardless of duration, for any covered procedures. Requires dental insurers to follow certain rules for payment and denial of claims. Requires the Legislative Policy and Research Director to develop and propose to the [Legislative Policy and Research Committee] committees with jurisdiction over health care an insurance coverage mandate impact statement policy. Directs the [committee] committees to perform due diligence in considering the proposal and authorizes the [committee] committees to modify the proposal if the [committee] committees so [determines] determine, and then to adopt the policy. Repeals requirement that enrollees in individual or group policies or certificates of health insurance [or members of coordinated care organizations] be assigned by their insurer [or organization] to primary care providers under certain circumstances. Specifies exemptions from the requirement that pharmacy services administrative organizations must register with the Department of Consumer and Business Services as third party administrators. See A-Eng Bill for omitted text. Modifies requirements for the Prescription Drug Affordability Board's annual affordability determination for insulin products. Allows licensees of the Occupational Therapy Licensing Board and the Oregon Board of Physical Therapy to provide psilocybin services as licensed psilocybin service facilitators while providing occupational therapy or physical therapy services. See A-Eng Bill for omitted text. Lowers the age at which a naturopathic physician may request a retired license status from 70 years of age to [60] 65 years of age. Includes nurse practitioners and physician associates in the definition of "attending physician" for purposes of the treatment of workers’ compensable injuries. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

This Act lets Eugene add some noncontiguous land to the city. (Flesch Readability Score: 72.6). Allows the City of Eugene to annex noncontiguous land upon receipt of a petition from all owners of the land that satisfies four eligibility criteria.

The Act changes the effective date and notice given for some agencies' rules. The Act tells some agencies to let people know where to ask questions about the agencies' rules. (Flesch Readability Score: 67.5). Modifies effective date and notice requirements for certain permanent rules adopted, amended or repealed by certain agencies. Requires certain agencies to make available on the agency's website contact information for questions about each rule adopted, amended or repealed. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

This Act says that makers of batteries must carry out a plan to collect and recycle batteries. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.1). Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to administer and enforce requirements of the Act. Establishes the Battery Producer Responsibility Fund. Imposes civil penalties for violations of the Act.