HB 3597 Oregon House · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to electric vehicles; declaring an emergency.

Summary

] [ Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to study electric vehicles. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment not later than September 15, 2026. ] [ Sunsets on January 2, 2027. ] Authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to reduce the amount of rebates available under zero-emission vehicle rebate programs, subject to certain conditions. Expands eligibility for the charge ahead rebate. Requires the department to allocate additional moneys from the Zero-Emission Incentive Fund to education and outreach each biennium, unless the balance of the fund is below a certain threshold. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Last action Jun 28, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from a simple study requirement to actively managing and modifying Oregon's zero-emission vehicle rebate programs. The changes allow the Department of Environmental Quality to adjust rebate amounts based on demand and funding, expand eligibility for certain rebates, and require additional fund allocations for education and outreach.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a one-time study requirement to an active regulatory framework for managing zero-emission vehicle rebates, including authority to modify rebate amounts and expand program eligibility.

SCOPE

Changed from requiring a study on electric vehicles to authorizing active management and modification of existing rebate programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility for the charge ahead rebate program.

FISCAL

Requires allocation of additional funds from the Zero-Emission Incentive Fund to education and outreach each biennium.

REQUIREMENT

Added authority for the department to reduce rebate amounts based on demand and available funding.

TIMELINE

Declared an emergency provision effective upon passage.

TECHNICAL

Updated digest summary to reflect substantive policy changes rather than just the original study requirement.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

In committee upon adjournment.

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

Referred to Transportation then to Ways and Means by order of the Speaker.

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

Without recommendation as to passage, with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Transportation, then Ways and Means.

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment.

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Introduced

First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors