Rep. Lucetta Elmer

Maddy summaryHB 3558 modifies Oregon's definition of "recovery" in the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act to clarify it as "a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety and personal health." This change directly affects how Oregon's addiction treatment and recovery services are defined and implemented under existing law. The bill ensures that all services under the Act align with Oregon's established health-based approach to addiction, which prioritizes treatment over criminal penalties for low-level drug possession. It does not create new programs but updates terminology to support consistent application of the Act's policy goals.

Adds a criterion to the standards that the Energy Facility Siting Council must find for the council to take an exception to an applicable statewide planning goal for a proposed energy facility. Applies to exceptions taken on or after the effective date of this Act. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

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.

Provides that, for the estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2026, Oregon estate tax is not due unless the value of the Oregon taxable estate exceeds $13.99 million. Raises the threshold for the filing of an estate tax return to a gross estate valued at more than $13.99 million. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

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.

Removes the limits on the duration of medical services, the number of visits and the areas of practice for chiropractic physicians serving as attending physicians in workers' compensation claims.

Directs the State Department of Agriculture to establish a program to promote the purchase of Oregon-made food and beverage products by persons in other states. Directs the department to study the competitiveness of food and beverage processing businesses in Oregon. Directs the department to report to committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to natural resources no later than September 15, 2026. Appropriates money to the department out of the General Fund for the program and the study. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Digest: The measure makes changes to LBPR 27 to limit the role of secrecy in investigations made under the rule. The measure says that a person being investigated has a right to a lawyer, with the costs paid for by the LEO, a right to discover evidence and question witnesses and a right to appeal to a court. The measure makes changes to the standard of proof for facts. (Flesch Readability Score 60.6). Modifies Legislative Branch Personnel Rule 27 to eliminate confidential reports or information being used for investigations performed under the rule by requiring disclosure at conclusion of investigation. Authorizes an investigation respondent to obtain independent counsel to be paid for by the Legislative Equity Officer. Provides that an investigation respondent has the right to discover evidence and depose witnesses. Requires that findings of fact must be established beyond a reasonable doubt. Provides that a respondent who is subject to remedial measures has the right to appeal the determination to a court for de novo judicial review. Provides that a person subject to the rule may not be accused of violating the rule for the same conduct that was previously not found to violate the rule.

Maddy summaryHB 2455 changes Oregon's zoning law to allow property owners in resource-use zones (like farms or forests) to operate home-based businesses without living on the property. Previously, such businesses had to be run by a resident owner or their employee; this bill removes that residency requirement for the property owner. The law keeps existing rules about business size (max five employees), location (in the home or associated buildings), and avoiding interference with other zone uses. It does not permit new structures or affect decisions about changing land zones.

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.