Allows a partial exemption of ad valorem property taxes due on the owner-occupied principal dwelling of an individual who is at least 65 years of age and the individual's surviving spouse regardless of age. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
HB 2295 modifies Oregon's landowner immunity laws to protect property owners from liability for injuries occurring during recreational activities, gardening, woodcutting, or harvesting special forest products. It shifts the focus from a visitor's *intended purpose* for entering land to the *actual activities and location* where the injury occurred. For example, a landowner wouldn't be liable if someone is injured while hiking (a recreational activity) even if they were on the land for unrelated reasons. The bill also clarifies that immunity generally applies unless the landowner charges more than $25 annually for gardening use or explicitly charges for specific recreational activities with proper notice. This affects landowners and users engaging in outdoor activities on private or public land in Oregon.
HB 3861 changes qualifications for directors of Oregon's soil and water conservation districts. It requires most zone directors (except in Deschutes County) to either own or manage 10+ acres of land actively or have at least one year of prior conservation board experience plus an approved conservation plan. These rules apply directly to candidates running for district director positions. The bill ensures directors have direct land management or conservation experience, aligning with the district's purpose. (Note: This is a procedural qualification change, not a new program or funding measure.)
Directs the Department of Land Conservation and Development to commission a study on policies that may contribute to disparate access to homeownership. Sunsets on January 2, 2028. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Requires an applicant for change of name who has been convicted of some crimes to prove necessity of name change by clear and convincing evidence. Removes provisions allowing a person to request an amendment of a record of live birth to change a name for the purpose of affirming gender identity without court approval.
Enacts the interstate Social Work Licensure Compact. Allows the State Board of Licensed Social Workers to disclose specified information to the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission. Exempts individuals who hold multistate licenses issued under the Compact from the requirement to obtain a license from the board. Allows the board to use moneys to meet financial obligations imposed on the State of Oregon as a result of participation in the Compact. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Defines "dangerous to self or others" for the purpose of taking a person with mental illness into custody. Describes evidence that the court must consider in civil commitment proceedings. Directs the Oregon State Hospital to ensure a minimum bed capacity for individuals who have been civilly committed. Directs the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to contract with a qualified community mental health provider to provide certain services in eastern Oregon. Directs the Oregon Health Authority to collect certain data regarding admissions for mental health treatment and submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly relating to health care no later than September 15 of each even-numbered year. Modifies a declaration for mental health treatment to allow the principal to authorize inpatient treatment for up to 180 days. Prohibits a criminal court from committing certain defendants who lack fitness to proceed. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
Establishes the Oregon Public Places Are Safe Places Investment Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys in the fund to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management for the implementation of strategies for identifying and developing staging areas for emergency response. Creates an advisory committee within the department to provide recommendations and advice regarding expenditures from the fund.
Establishes the Rare Disease Advisory Council. Directs the council to biennially submit a report to the Governor and appropriate legislative committees summarizing the activities of the council and making policy recommendations.
Requires the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to study seaport transportation infrastructure resilience. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to emergency management not later than September 15, 2026.
Permits a public official to establish a specific purpose account for purposes of expending donations of funds to the account for specified emergency expenses. Requires the public official to submit certain notices and reports to the Secretary of State regarding donations to and expenditures from the account. Requires the Secretary of State to make any notice or report filed with the secretary for a special purpose account available to the public on the electronic filing system maintained by the secretary.
Allows the Department of Revenue to establish electronic means for the collection of elector signatures in support of inclusion of an entity on a schedule of the income tax return for the purpose of receiving contributions by means of checkoff. Applies to elector signatures collected on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
