Rep. Paul Evans

Maddy summaryHB 2875 authorizes Oregon public school districts to create and manage "maker spaces" - hands-on project areas for community members, especially those focused on computing and technology. School boards can make school facilities available after hours, charge only basic operational costs for safety and oversight, and partner with nonprofits for equipment or resources. The bill also allows schools to enter patent-sharing agreements if they provide space at below-market value. The Oregon Department of Education will develop guidelines for schools on best practices for operating these spaces. This bill directly affects school districts and community users seeking collaborative tech-focused workspaces.

Directs the Oregon Business Development Department to develop and implement a program to reimburse companies that relocate headquarters to Oregon for tariffs paid on goods imported through the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay.

Requires the Governor to interview at least one candidate from an underserved racial, ethnic or minority population when making an appointment to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of Portland.

Creates the crime of criminal defamation of a servicemember. Punishes by a maximum of 364 days' imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Creates the crime of unlawful appropriation of the identity of a servicemember. Punishes by a maximum of 364 days' imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both.

Maddy summaryHB 3581 removes time limits for prosecuting most felony sex crimes in Oregon, allowing victims to pursue legal action at any time regardless of when the crime occurred. It directly affects victims of specified offenses like rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, child exploitation, and trafficking, enabling prosecutions without the previous 6- to 20-year deadlines. The bill amends Oregon law to replace fixed time limits with "any time" prosecution for these crimes, except for certain cases involving minors under 18 (which retain a 30-year window from victim's 18th birthday) or specific offenses listed in subsections (3) and (4). The law takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends. This change applies only to felony sex crimes explicitly listed in the bill’s amendments.

Requests the federal government to appoint a special master to ensure that any restructuring of federal environmental and natural resource laws and policies be undertaken in cooperation and collaboration with the states.

Requires a statement of economic interest to be filed by all members of the board of directors or governing body of a nonprofit that has either received or submitted testimony to the Legislative Assembly requesting $1 million or more in state capital construction funding over the previous five years. Requires a statement of economic interest to be filed by all members of the board of directors or governing body of any business that has received $1 million or more in state capital construction funding over the previous five years.

Maddy summaryHB 2650 creates a state grant program administered by Oregon's Department of Veterans' Affairs to fund veterans' courts. It provides counties with $25,000 to $100,000 every two years to either support existing veterans' courts or establish new ones in counties without them. Counties must commit local funding and submit competitive proposals detailing their needs and how funds will be used, with grants awarded to maximize veteran access. The program requires grantees to report on fund usage and aligns with state rules for specialized court programs designed for military veteran defendants.

Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Military Department for the Service Member and Family Support Program in the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with certain other agencies, to establish criteria for recognizing student internship programs. Makes student internship programs eligible for Career and Technical Education Revitalization grants. Modifies references in certain career and technical education funding provisions to focus on high demand jobs. Removes cap on the number of students that may participate in youth apprenticeship programs per biennium.