Rep. Kevin Mannix

Maddy summaryHB 2946 requires Oregon's Secretary of State to conduct a fiscal audit of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and complete it by June 30, 2027. The bill mandates a financial review of the DOT's operations but does not alter the department's existing responsibilities or funding. This procedural measure directly affects the DOT through oversight by the Secretary of State's office, with no changes to DOT's day-to-day functions.

Adds mental health professionals, naturopathic physicians, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians to the types of providers eligible for the tax credit allowed to rural medical care providers. Removes the requirement of hospital consulting privileges applicable to an optometrist claiming the credit. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

] Appropriates moneys to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to an organization and Polk County for [ expanding a program ] programs for providing free drop-in childcare for people with business at a county courthouse or with other governmental business and data collection regarding the [ program ] programs . Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Removes notification and certain examination requirements that apply to children who are taught by a private teacher, parent or legal guardian. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Directs the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify theft of a firearm as a crime category 8 offense on the sentencing guidelines grid of the commission.

Maddy summaryHB 2034 removes legal restrictions that previously prevented public charter schools in Oregon from having religious affiliations or being religion-based. The bill deletes provisions requiring charter schools to avoid violating the Establishment Clause or being "religion based" (previously in ORS 338.115(4)). This change allows charter schools to partner with religious institutions or operate with religious elements, while maintaining other requirements like non-profit status. The bill directly affects Oregon public charter schools seeking to establish or operate under new affiliation rules.

Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for distribution to the University of Oregon and Portland State University for water-related research and grants. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Provides that a state of emergency declared by the Governor terminates after 60 days unless the Legislative Assembly extends the state of emergency by joint resolution. Provides that such extensions may not exceed 60 days. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryHB 2298 modifies Oregon's expungement laws, allowing individuals convicted of certain offenses to petition courts to set aside their convictions or arrests after meeting specific waiting periods. It increases eligibility waiting times: five years for Class C felonies and misdemeanors (up from three years for some misdemeanors), and one year for lower-level misdemeanors or contempt findings. The bill eliminates filing fees for expungement requests, requires fingerprint checks for record verification, and clarifies that courts may only consider recent criminal behavior - not traffic violations or civil debts - when evaluating applications. This directly affects Oregon residents with past convictions who have completed their sentences and meet the revised timeframes.

Appropriates moneys to the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision for purposes of eliminating the backlog of sex offenders who have not yet been assessed and placed into a risk level.