Rep. Paul Evans

Allows a credit against income taxes for up to three years for employment of qualified military veterans if the wage requirement is met. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, and before January 1, 2033. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 requires Oregon school districts to withhold a portion of payment (retainage) from contractors until they complete services mandated by state or federal law. This applies to contracts for services like safety programs or educational support that schools are legally required to provide. The bill mandates that school districts include this withhold requirement in all procurement documents for such services and must actually retain the payment until work is finished and accepted. It ensures contractors complete their obligations before receiving full payment, protecting school districts from incomplete service delivery.

Limits the applicant screening charge a residential landlord may collect to $20. Extends certain screening requirements to include landlords who do not collect an applicant screening charge. Allows landlords to alternatively accept third-party screening reports provided by an applicant.

Establishes the Oregon Desalination Authority. Directs the authority to study the development and maintenance of desalination facilities in this state. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Modifies the educational goals of the state to take into consideration students' aspirations, to provide students with a well-rounded education and to provide students with sufficient instructional time to meet students' educational goals. Expands the state's mission of education beyond high school.

Directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to administer a grant program in support of projects to consolidate and modernize or upgrade public safety answering points. Sunsets January 2, 2045.

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.

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.

Prohibits public universities in this state from increasing enrollment by more than five percent over the preceding academic year. Requires public universities to refer any application received by the university in excess of the limit on enrollment to the nearest community college and to specified public universities.

Directs the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish a grant program for court and community care programs providing services to children of veterans and veteran families. Allocates lottery moneys from the Veterans' Services Fund for the program. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.