Rep. Sarah McDonald

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges and wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Directs [ law enforcement ] specified investigators of deaths of decedents , prior to making any findings as to the cause or manner of death where the decedent is suspected to have died from suicide, [ overdose or ] accident or other undetermined cause , to review documented evidence of abuse and interview family members of the decedent if the decedent has a history as a victim of domestic violence or child abuse and certain conditions exist. [ Requires law enforcement to submit a written request to the district medical examiner for the performance of an autopsy if a reasonable basis exists that the death of the decedent may be the result of domestic violence or child abuse. ] [ Directs a medical examiner or district attorney to order the performance of an autopsy in certain circumstances. ] Directs the law enforcement officer or district medical examiner to request further post-mortem examination of the decedent if a reasonable basis exists to suspect the death is a homicide due to domestic violence or child abuse. Directs the Chief Medical Examiner to engage in collaborative consultation regarding appropriate actions to take. Prohibits the release of the body of the decedent until the consultation has occurred and recommended actions have been completed. Authorizes appropriate post-mortem assessments. Provides that certain individuals may examine and obtain copies of evidence generated during an autopsy or investigation of death. Requires law enforcement to provide notice of rights to certain members of the decedent's family upon opening an investigation of a death that is suspected to have been caused by suicide[ , overdose or accident ] or occurred under suspicious circumstances .

Provides that a violation of prohibitions against certain practices with respect to insurance is subject to an enforcement action under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. Specifies exemptions. Removes some exemptions for insurance from the definition of "real estate, goods or services" under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. Permits a person to obtain, and a court to award, appropriate equitable relief in addition to monetary damages under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. Requires the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to request action before a prosecuting attorney may take action under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act against an act or practice related to insurance.

Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism-related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs the State Forester to determine the available state forestland, establish sustainable harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and manage available state forestland. Allows certain persons to seek a court order if the State Forester fails to establish sustainable harvest levels or manage available state forestland. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Permits a person who will be 17 years of age on the date of a primary election and 18 years of age on the date of the general election to vote at the primary election for candidates of a major political party with which the person is affiliated. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Secretary of State for the purpose of printing and counting additional ballots.

Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for purposes of deposit in the Universal Representation Fund. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Authorizes the Governor to direct state agencies to withhold moneys owed to the federal government if federal funds are being withheld from the state in contravention of a valid court order. Requires the state to indemnify officers, employees or agents for civil claims arising from compliance with the Act. Sunsets on January 2, 2037. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryOregon's legislature is requesting Congress permanently extend federal tax relief for wildfire victims, which expired at the end of 2025. This follows Oregon's 2024 state law (SB 1520) that provided tax relief for wildfire recovery, but required federal companion relief to prevent liability settlements from being taxed. The memorial specifically urges Congress to make permanent the temporary federal tax cuts established by H.R. 5863 (Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023). This applies to wildfire victims in Oregon who faced federal taxation on recovery funds after recent catastrophic fires.