Creates an income tax credit for subscriptions to media news outlets and donations to certain journalism organizations. Prohibits a person from falsely advertising the availability of the tax credit. Allows the Department of Revenue to impose a civil penalty for violation. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2031. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Oregon's SB 718 establishes a statewide registry to collect data on Parkinson's disease and related conditions (like multiple system atrophy) from healthcare providers. Healthcare facilities, practitioners, and laboratories diagnosing these conditions must report cases to the Oregon Health Authority, though patients can opt out of data collection in writing. The bill requires strict confidentiality for all patient information, prohibits disciplinary action for good-faith reporting, and creates an advisory committee with patient and medical experts to guide the registry. The registry aims to track incidence and prevalence for public health research, without changing patient care or treatment protocols.
SB 883 prohibits Oregon state agencies from enforcing any rules requiring people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. It directly affects state agencies (like health departments or education bodies) and anyone subject to their rules. The bill’s key provision bans such vaccination mandates, and it declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon passage. This is a procedural measure focused solely on removing existing state-level vaccine requirements, with no new programs or funding.
SB 663 prohibits all Oregon state agencies from charging any fees, using the legal definition of "fee" from ORS 291.050. The bill explicitly states that no state agency may charge a fee under any circumstances, overriding other existing laws that might allow such fees. This change would directly affect every state agency currently charging fees for services, permits, or other state actions. The bill does not specify exceptions or exempt certain agencies, creating a blanket prohibition on fee-charging by state entities.
Appropriates moneys to the Department of Justice out of the General Fund for distribution to the Liberty House to provide children's advocacy center services.
] Directs the Housing and Community Services Department to [ establish a project to ] disburse moneys to Self Enhancement, Inc., to develop affordable housing [ that integrates residential units with community services and commercial spaces in the Portland metropolitan area. Requires the department to annually report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to housing on the project's progress ]. Sunsets on January 2, [ 2030 ] 2028 . Declares an emergency, effective on [ passage ] July 1, 2025 .
Requires the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to study the interstate commerce of cannabis. Directs the commission to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development no later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets on January 2, 2027.
SB 468 prohibits noncompete agreements in employment contracts for health professionals in Oregon, making such clauses void and unenforceable. This directly affects health professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, therapists) licensed or certified by Oregon health regulatory boards. The bill ensures these workers cannot be restricted from seeking new employment within the state after leaving a job, removing barriers to career mobility. It does not apply to bonus restrictions or non-solicitation agreements, and requires specific conditions for enforceable noncompetes in other cases.
Directs the Public Employees Retirement Board to study the treatment of the salary of chaplains under the Public Employees Retirement System. Provides that certain members of the system qualify as police officers under the system.
Directs the Secretary of State to establish and maintain a searchable and publicly accessible database containing a copy of every ballot cast in each election. Requires county clerks to scan and upload to the database each ballot cast prior to tallying the votes. Requires each ballot to be printed with a unique identifier that an elector may use to search the database for an electronic copy of the elector's ballot. Requires a ballot's identifier to be secret except to the elector. Permits an elector to inspect the elector's cast ballot for 90 days following the date of an election. Requires county clerks to store ballots in a manner that makes the ballots readily available to retrieve. Requires county clerks to store ballots in batches and to maintain an index that records where each ballot is stored. Permits county clerks to charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of retrieving a ballot. Requires county clerks to permit authorized persons to watch the printing of ballots and the inserting of ballots in envelopes to be mailed to electors. Applies to primary, general and special elections held on or after January 1, 2027. Becomes operative January 1, 2027.
Limits pretrial release of defendants charged with a felony or Class A misdemeanor to security release. Requires the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to reimburse counties for the costs of pretrial incarceration of persons charged with felonies. Appropriates moneys to the department for the reimbursement.
Separates the possession, delivery and manufacture of fentanyl from general controlled substance offense statutes into separate statutes. Establishes a mandatory minimum sentence for the delivery of fentanyl to a person under 18 years of age. Beginning July 1, 2033, prohibits optional probation or a downward departure as a sentence for the manufacture or delivery of fentanyl if a person has a previous conviction. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
