Rep. Tom Andersen

] Directs the Public Utility Commission to establish a pilot program that allows each natural gas company to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Requires each natural gas company to file a proposal and plan to develop a pilot project or an explanation for why the natural gas company is not submitting a proposal. Identifies criteria the commission shall take into consideration in evaluating a proposal. Establishes labor standards and reporting requirements for certain thermal energy network projects. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to administer a grant program to fund basic needs programming. Appropriates moneys to the commission to establish the program and award grants for basic needs programming. Sunsets the grant program on January 2, 2027. Establishes the Task Force on Student Housing to review and make recommendations on policy changes regarding barriers that students in higher education face in accessing affordable housing. Sunsets the task force on January 2, 2027. Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide affordable housing support to low-income students in higher education in this state. Appropriates moneys to the commission for purposes of awarding the grants. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2251 requires Oregon school districts to adopt policies banning student use of personal electronic devices on school grounds, during school activities, on school transportation, or at school bus stops. The policy must allow exceptions only for devices supporting academic activities or independent communications under a student's individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. Districts must also outline consequences for violations and ensure policies are accessible to staff, students, and parents. This bill directly affects all public school students and districts in Oregon, shifting from previous allowances to a near-universal ban with narrow disability-related exceptions. The policy must include a process for student requests and appeals regarding device use.

Requires the Land Conservation and Development Commission to update the statewide land use planning goal relating to "citizen involvement" by rule by [ June 30, 2027 ] June 30, 2029 . Requires the advisory committee appointed by the Department of Land Conservation and Development to provide the commission with draft recommendations by June 30, 2027. Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development to make recommendations by December 31, 2026, relating to the goal amendment process to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly [ relating ] related to land use. Establishes the Public Involvement Goal Update Fund. Appropriates moneys to the department for deposit into the fund. Sunsets January 2, 2030. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

] [ Increases ] Specifies, for newly constructed buildings within a metropolitan jurisdiction, the percentage of electrical service capacity for charging electric vehicles or electric vehicle charging stations that must be installed at vehicle parking spaces in the garages or parking areas of [ newly constructed ] commercial buildings, multifamily buildings with [ five ] 10 or more units and mixed-use buildings consisting of privately owned commercial space and [ five ] 10 or more residential dwelling units.

Appropriates moneys to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for distribution to the Sustainable City Year Program at the University of Oregon. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Allows an exclusion from the Oregon taxable estate of a surviving spouse for the unused portion of exclusion that applied to the prior deceased spouse of the decedent. Applies to estates of decedents who die on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryHB 2967 prohibits Oregon landlords from charging applicants a fee to cover screening costs (like credit checks or reference verification) when applying for rental housing. It requires landlords to refund any such fee within 30 days if they don’t screen an applicant or if the applicant withdraws their application. Landlords must also provide written notice of screening criteria, costs, and applicant rights before collecting any fee. The bill applies directly to residential landlords and rental applicants in Oregon and is currently pending in committee.

] Establishes the [ Oregon ] Senator Aaron Woods Commission on Artificial Intelligence within the Department of Justice. Establishes the commission's purpose to serve as a central resource to monitor the use of artificial intelligence technologies and systems in this state and report on long-term policy implications. Directs the commission to provide an annual report to the Legislative Assembly. Allows the commission to make recommendations for legislation, regulations or policies to the Legislative Assembly. Directs the [ State Chief Information Officer ] Attorney General to hire a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to assist the commission in carrying out the commission's duties. Allows the Department of Justice to charge a state or local agency or public body for the commission's services.

] Expands purposes for the corporate excise tax credit allowed for affordable housing lending. [ Establishes the Affordable Housing Lender Fund. ] Allows a tax credit for contributions to [ the ] a qualified mortgage loan fund with the purpose of assisting certain home buyers. Allows credit for loans for preservation or rehabilitation of distressed properties without requiring typical rent reductions. Applies to loans made and tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.