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SB 159 Oregon Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to veterans' recognition plates.

SB 159 expands Oregon's veterans' recognition plate program to include mopeds and motorcycles, allowing qualifying veterans and Gold Star families to display these plates. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to design plates featuring military-related decals or "Gold Star Family" wording, with a $2.50 annual surcharge per plate. Proceeds fund Oregon Veterans' Homes or designated veterans' groups, and Gold Star Family members may qualify for surcharge waivers if funding is appropriated. The program becomes effective January 1, 2026, with production ending if fewer than 500 plates are sold in a year.
Issues: ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' recognition plates to mopeds/motorcycles with $2.50 surcharge funding veterans' homes/groups, directly advancing recognition and funding.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Signed May 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · May 28, 2025
MINOR
The bill evolved from a simple introduction to an enrolled version that added co-sponsors and official signatures, while the substantive policy content remained largely unchanged. The core legislation authorizing veterans' recognition license plates for Oregon residents was preserved through the legislative process.
Scope change
The bill's scope remained unchanged; the only substantive difference is the addition of co-sponsors (Senators SMITH DB and Representative BOICE) in the enrolled version compared to the original single sponsor.
TECHNICAL

Added co-sponsors to the bill (Senators SMITH DB and Representative BOICE) in the enrolled version.

Changed document header from 'Senate Bill 159' to 'Enrolled Senate Bill 159' indicating final passage.

Added official signatures and dates showing Senate passage (April 10, 2025), House passage (May 19, 2025), and Governor approval.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2025 · House May 19, 2025

How they voted

29–0
Passed
Total votes 29
Apr 10, 2025
D Democratic17
17 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
12 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
7
Committee
6
May 28, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
upper
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Boice. Passed.
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass.
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans.
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Meek. Passed.
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass.
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs by order of the President.
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
Recommendation: Without recommendation as to passage and be referred to Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
upper
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of David Smith
David Smith
RRepublican
OR
1
P
Photo of Mark Meek
Mark Meek
DDemocratic
OR
20
Co
Photo of Court Boice
Court Boice
RRepublican
OR
1