Rep. Paul Evans

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution requiring the Legislative Assembly to create an administrative authority for funding public safety in this state. Directs the Legislative Assembly to impose a state property tax to fund public safety in this state. Allows the Legislative Assembly to delegate to the administrative authority the authority to implement the tax. Provides that the tax would not be subject to Article XI, section 11, of the Oregon Constitution (Ballot Measure 50) (1997), or Article XI, section 11b, of the Oregon Constitution (Ballot Measure 5) (1990). Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Requires the Oregon Health Authority to contract with a third party to examine restructuring of the authority to improve efficiency and responsiveness. Directs the authority to report the findings of the contractor to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health no later than September 15, 2026.

Authorizes the Governor, if necessitated by an emergency, to require any person in this state to accept and fulfill orders for the manufacture, sale or distribution of certain goods. Specifies conditions under which a person may reject such orders. Provides that a person that accepts an order is not liable for contractual damages resulting from an act or omission necessary for compliance with the Act.

Urges the President of the United States to carry out foreign policy and defense doctrines that are rational, well-understood and well-reasoned. Urges the President to appoint, and the Senate to confirm, foreign policy and defense officials possessing sufficient professional experience and understanding of global dynamics and international law to carry out such doctrines.

Authorizes the State Treasurer to issue general obligation bonds under Article XI-E of the Oregon Constitution in an amount that produces $500 million in net proceeds for a Strategic Carbon Sequestration and Forestry Sustainability Program. Directs the State Forestry Department to establish a Strategic Carbon Sequestration and Forestry Sustainability Program.

Authorizes all public universities in Oregon to offer doctoral degrees, subject to approval by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Limits certain public universities to five doctoral programs until 2044. Prohibits the commission or any other state agency from using public moneys to award scholarships, grants or other types of student financial aid to post-secondary institutions of education that offer coursework primarily online and have been found to have engaged in fraudulent or predatory practices against students or prospective students.

Directs the Oregon Military Department to study and make recommendations regarding improvements to the operations of the department. Requires the department to submit a report on its findings by January 1, 2027.

Repeals the statute enacted by House Bill 3115 (2021) that established objective reasonableness as a statewide standard for city and county laws regulating the use of public property with respect to persons experiencing homelessness, as the basis for a cause of action for injunctive and declaratory relief to challenge such laws and as an affirmative defense in the prosecution of violations of such laws. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Directs the State Treasurer to develop and implement a small business support loan program that aids in supporting the economic activities of small businesses during times in which small businesses cannot conduct business activities at an ordinary or customary level because of a statewide or regional emergency or other significant disruption of business activity. Specifies the structure and funding for the program and describes features that the program must include. Specifies eligibility for small business support loans. Authorizes the State Treasurer to issue bonds to fund the program. Establishes the Small Business Support Loan Fund. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Urges Congress to enact legislation that extends certain benefits to Reserve and National Guard units deployed under 10 U.S.C. 12304b that are comparable to the benefits received by Reserve and National Guard units under other mobilization authority.