Oregon

Tells ODOE to study nuclear energy and make a report on its findings. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.4). Directs the State Department of Energy, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. Directs the department to engage with tribal governments, consult with certain [state agencies and] organizations and utilize moneys from federal, private and other public sources to carry out the study. Requires the department to report and make public information on the sources of moneys or assistance and amounts of moneys that the department receives to carry out this Act, anticipated uses of those moneys or assistance and any potential conflicts of interest. Directs the department to submit the report to the interim committees or committees of the Legislative Assembly related to energy not later than one year after the date the department receives the moneys or assistance necessary to complete the study. Directs the department to provide an update on the department's progress in carrying out this Act to the interim committees or committees of the Legislative Assembly related to energy not later than February 15, 2027. Establishes the Nuclear Energy Study Fund. Sunsets January 2, [2028] 2030. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act would repeal the law that allows UI benefits to be paid to a person who is unemployed due to an active strike. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.6). Repeals Enrolled Senate Bill 916 (2025), which authorized unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are unemployed due to a strike.

The Act adds detail for methods of making estimates of how much tax money comes into the General Fund. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.6). Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Applies to estimates prepared on or after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the difference in surplus revenue calculations using stated methodologies, and transfer an amount equal to the difference for use for various purposes. Establishes the One-Time Emergencies and Finance Fund. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

The Act tells OHA to study health care. (Flesch Readability Score: 92.9). Requires the Oregon Health Authority to study health care. Directs the authority to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care no later than September 15, 2027. Sunsets on January 2, 2028.

The Act says a syringe service program may not operate by a school or child care facility. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.1). Prohibits a syringe service program from operating a mobile or temporary location within 2,000 feet of a school or licensed child care facility. Defines "syringe service program." Provides that any person may bring a cause of action for damages against a syringe service program operating in violation of the prohibition.

This Act makes OHCS study housing. (Flesch Readability Score: 87.9). Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to study housing. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to housing no later than September 15, 2027. Sunsets on January 2, 2028.

The Act says that persons who contract with the state or get grants from the state must promise not to help transport people for deportation. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.7). Directs state agencies to require prospective contractors, subcontractors and grant recipients to attest that they do not and will not transport individuals detained by federal agencies for the purpose of deportation, except in accordance with judicial orders. Provides that if the attestations are false or become false, contractors are disqualified from contracting with the state agency for a specified period, and grant recipients must repay the grant moneys to the state. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Bans the recoupment of certain costs that a power company incurs from claims based on a wildfire. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.1). Prohibits an electric company from recovering from retail electricity consumers certain litigation or settlement costs or expenses if a court or jury finds that a wildfire resulted from the negligence or a higher degree of fault on the part of the electric company. Requires an electric company that has been found to be liable for damages in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire to establish and maintain a qualified escrow fund for the benefit of those persons to whom the electric company is found to be liable. Provides that an electric company that is found to be liable for damages in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire shall also be liable for any federal income tax liability that a plaintiff or class member owes or pays on amounts the plaintiff or class member receives in relation to the civil action. [Provides jurisdiction to the Supreme Court to hear and determine all appeals from the circuit court in any civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire.] Establishes the Wildfire Recovery Fund, to become operative January 1, 2027. Directs that 60 percent of the punitive damages awarded in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire be deposited in the Wildfire Recovery Fund. Reserves the first $50 million deposited in the fund to be payable to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Account. Applies to wildfires ignited on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2025. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

The Act makes new laws with respect to people with disabilities. (Flesch Readability Score: 64.9). Directs the Bureau of Labor and Industries to create certain guidance and informational materials to assist employers and employees. Prohibits employers from denying an employee's request to have [an authorized representative] a support person accompany the employee in discussions concerning reasonable accommodation subject to specific conditions. Extends prohibition against discrimination in government services, programs and activities to local governments. Prohibits employers from using minimum physical requirements [to screen out persons with disabilities] in a job posting without connecting the physical requirements to the essential functions of the job.

Ends session. (Flesch Readability Score: 77.9). Adjourns sine die the 2026 regular session of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly.

Directs ODE to conduct a study about tests given in public schools. (Flesch Readability Score: 67.7). Requires the Department of Education to study the adequacy of assessments administered in the public schools of this state. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than September 15, 2027. Sunsets on January 2, 2028.

This Act makes DLCD study housing credits. (Flesch Readability Score: 66.7). Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development to study housing development opportunities conditioned upon land conservation. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to land use no later than September 15, 2027. Sunsets on January 2, 2028.

The Act tells OLCC to let a distillery be a craft low-proof spirit distillery. The Act tells OLCC to let some stores sell low-proof spirit beverages. The Act also taxes the low-proof spirit beverages. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.9). Defines "craft low-proof spirit distiller" and "low-proof spirit beverage." Allows the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to issue a craft low-proof spirit distiller endorsement to certain distillery licensees. Directs the commission to issue a low-proof spirit beverage endorsement to the holder of an off-premises sales license for a premises that is greater than 4,000 square feet. Directs the commission to establish a craft brewery and distillery marketing and economic development grant program to support the craft brewery and distillery industry. Establishes the Craft Brewery and Distillery Marketing and Economic Development Grant Program Fund in the State Treasury. Imposes a tax on low-proof spirit beverages. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Proposes a change to the state Constitution. Requires the names of all candidates to be listed on a single ballot for a primary. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.0). Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require that primary election ballots must contain the names of all candidates of any political party affiliation for specified offices. Provides that a registered elector in this state may not be denied the right to vote in any primary election in this state solely because that elector is registered as unaffiliated with any political party. Permits a political party to decline to participate in a primary election, subject to certain requirements. Designates a minor political party. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

The Act transfers duties from the OAC to a new committee within the CJC. (Flesch Readability Score: 77.8). Establishes the Behavioral Health and Deflection Committee within the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. Directs the committee to administer grant programs for Behavioral Health Resource Networks and deflection programs. Transfers the duties of the Oversight and Accountability Council to the committee.

Makes school meals available at no cost. (Flesch Readability Score: 78.8). Requires school districts to offer lunch and breakfast to students at no charge, regardless of income. Provides exceptions. Requires school districts that make breakfast accessible at a school site to make breakfast accessible at the school site after the beginning of the day. [Prescribes nutrition standards for reimbursable meals that are paid for by state sources.] Takes effect on July 1, 2026.

The Act makes changes to OTC and tells the OTC to make a policy about how to handle debt for road projects. The Act says that ODOT may still ask to issue bonds, but first it must let the OTC know and review the request. (Flesch Readability Score: 82.4). Modifies membership of the Oregon Transportation Commission. Directs the commission to develop a debt financing management policy for all forms of debt financing issued to finance highway projects. Provides that before the Department of Transportation may request the State Treasurer to issue bonds, the department must first submit the proposed request to the Oregon Transportation Commission for review. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Pays respect to the life and memory of Aaron Woods. (Flesch Readability Score: 78.2). In memoriam: State Senator Aaron Lionel Woods, 1949-2025.

This Act directs OED to adopt rules for administering the funds in the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund. The Act becomes law 91 days after sine die. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.7). Authorizes the Director of the Employment Department to adopt rules establishing an accounting system for handling moneys in the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

This Act updates the laws on what wages must be paid to workers who engage in certain domestic services. (Flesch Readability Score: 67.3). [Digest: The Act directs BOLI to study issues about worker protections. The Act tells BOLI to submit a report by September 15 of next year. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.7).] [Requires the Bureau of Labor and Industries to study issues relating to worker protections. Directs the bureau to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to labor and business no later than September 15, 2027.] [Sunsets on January 2, 2028.] Clarifies the meaning of "companionship services" for purposes of minimum wage and overtime requirements for certain individuals performing such services.

The Act says the vote on the transportation ballot measure will be in May. (Flesch Readability Score: 77.8). Moves the election date for the parts of chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2025 (special session), referred to the people by Referendum Petition 2026-302, to the primary election held on May 19, 2026. Sets the procedure for the statewide special election on Referendum Petition 2026-302. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Pays respect to the life and memory of Moses Ross. (Flesch Readability Score: 78.2). In memoriam: Moses Ross, 1966-2025.

Honors an important agency that helps fight fires as it turns 75 years old. (Flesch Readability Score: 71.7). Celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Fire District Directors Association.

Asks Congress to pass a new law so people who were victims of wildfires will keep getting the help they need. (Flesch Readability Score: 86.7). Urges Congress to pass legislation to permanently extend federal tax cuts for wildfire victims.

Honors the AOC on the 120th year since it was founded. (Flesch Readability Score: 72.6). Honors the Association of Oregon Counties on the 120th anniversary of its founding.