Rep. Kevin Mannix

Maddy summaryHB 3979 prohibits strikes by Oregon public employees, including teachers, police, and other government workers, and requires labor disputes to be resolved through binding arbitration instead. The bill amends labor laws to mandate final decisions by a neutral third party for unresolved issues like wages, hours, and working conditions. It clarifies which topics qualify as negotiable "employment relations" (e.g., excluding school calendars or minor conduct rules) and defines key terms for dispute resolution. This directly changes how public employee contracts are negotiated, removing strike options as a bargaining tool.

Modifies provisions regarding the appointment of counsel for parents or children in juvenile dependency proceedings and contested adoption proceedings. Directs the court to appoint counsel for parents in juvenile dependency proceedings, including proceedings for termination of parental rights, only if facts found in the dependency proceeding may effect a criminal proceeding. Directs the court to appoint counsel for a child in a juvenile dependency proceeding only if the child was allegedly abused. Directs the court to appoint counsel for parents in contested adoption proceedings, including certain proceedings to determine parentage, only if facts found in the adoption proceeding may effect a criminal proceeding.

Directs the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the State Department of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the administration and enforcement of the safety and health standards for agricultural labor housing. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires manufacturers of consumer products that enable access to the Internet, that have operating systems that recognize the geographical location where the device is being used and that determine a user's age during setup to also have a parental control filter that blocks access to software applications and Internet sites that provide access to obscene material and to turn the parental control filter on automatically during setup for users who are younger than 18 years of age. Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and bring an action against consumer product manufacturers that sell devices that do not comply with the requirements of the Act. Becomes operative on July 1, 2026.

Increases the percentage of federal earned income credit allowable as a credit against Oregon personal income tax. Provides an additional percentage tier based upon the age of the youngest dependent of the taxpayer. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and before January 1, 2032. Extends the sunset for the earned income tax credit. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Creates the Catastrophic Wildfire Fund to pay for property damage claims arising from catastrophic wildfires that are ignited by the facilities of a public utility. Allows a public utility to participate in and capitalize the fund. Defines "public utility." Requires the Public Utility Commission to appoint an independent administrator to administer payments of eligible claims arising from a catastrophic wildfire. Provides for an independent administrator to prepare and present a plan of operations. Provides for a process to recapitalize the fund as needed, as determined by an independent administrator. Provides for procedures if an independent administrator determines that the fund is depleted. Establishes a claims process. Limits the amount of property and noneconomic damages that may be recovered by a claimant from the fund. Directs the commission to investigate whether the actions and conduct of a public utility prior to the ignition of a catastrophic wildfire were prudent or imprudent. Allows the commission to require a public utility whose actions were imprudent to reimburse the fund in whole or in part. Allows a public utility, upon approval by the commission, to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses associated with contributions to the fund. Applies to wildfires that begin on or after the effective date of this Act. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2310 requires Oregon district attorney offices to create and provide a multilingual (Spanish and Russian) form detailing all crime victims' rights under Oregon law. This form must be given to every victim at the start of a criminal prosecution, regardless of prior notification. The bill specifies that the form covers constitutional and statutory rights, ensuring victims receive clear information early in the process. It does not change conviction validity or plea requirements if the form isn't provided. The bill directly affects all victims in criminal cases where prosecution begins.

Requires the Department of Corrections to study when medications can and should be given involuntarily to adults in custody. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the judiciary not later than September 15, 2026.

Provides funding to the Employment Department for staffing workforce reentry programs for adults in custody. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Establishes the Latino Health System Task Force. Prescribes the task force's membership and duties. Directs the task force to report to the Legislative Assembly no later than December 15, 2026. Sunsets on December 31, 2026. [ Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die. ] Declares an emergency, effective on passage.