Rep. Ken Helm

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 9) commemorates the 50th anniversary of Oregon’s Legislative Commission on Indian Services (LCIS), a state commission established in 1975. LCIS serves as Oregon’s first permanent forum for tribal-state government consultation, advising the Legislature and state agencies on American Indian concerns and facilitating communication between Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes and state government. The resolution honors LCIS’s role in addressing tribal needs, monitoring relevant legislation, and promoting intergovernmental cooperation. It does not create new policies or affect specific legislation, as it is purely a ceremonial recognition of the commission’s longstanding service.

Requires 10 percent of the electricity sold in this state by each electric company that makes sales to 25,000 or more retail electricity consumers to be generated by small-scale renewable energy facilities or certain biomass facilities. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Increases the penalties for the crime of strangulation constituting a felony. Punishes by a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both. Directs the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify the offense as a crime category 8 on the sentencing guidelines grid. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

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.

Directs the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt by rule standards for certification of sewage treatment works operators from nonreciprocal states, provinces or other certifying entities. Directs the Oregon Health Authority to adopt by rule standards for the certification of potable water treatment plants and water distribution systems from nonreciprocal states, provinces or other certifying entities. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Requests the United States Department of Energy and the United States Congress to support the Bonneville Power Administration in providing cleaner, more affordable and more reliable energy to all consumers in the Pacific Northwest.

Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for deposit in the Community Drinking Water Enhancement and Protection Fund. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Limits to 25 the number of legislative measures that a member of the Legislative Assembly may ask the Legislative Counsel to prepare for a regular session of the Legislative Assembly that begins in an odd-numbered year. Limits to 15 the number of legislative measures that a committee of the Legislative Assembly may ask the Legislative Counsel to prepare for a regular session of the Legislative Assembly that begins in an odd-numbered year. Provides exceptions. Limits to 400 the number of legislative measures that the Governor and state agencies under the authority of the Governor may ask the Legislative Counsel to prepare for a regular session of the Legislative Assembly that begins in an odd-numbered year. Provides exceptions. Limits to 25 the number of legislative measures that other statewide elected officials may ask the Legislative Counsel to prepare for a regular session of the Legislative Assembly that begins in an odd-numbered year. Limits to 100 the number of legislative measures that the Judicial Department may ask the Legislative Counsel to prepare for a regular session of the Legislative Assembly that begins in an odd-numbered year.

Requires the State Department of Energy to study avoided costs paid to qualifying facilities under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act compared with the costs incurred by investor-owned utilities to acquire or maintain renewable energy generation facilities. Directs the department to submit its findings to the interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to energy no later than September 15, 2026. Requires state agencies, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish information and advice necessary for the department to complete the study. Sunsets January 2, 2027.

Imposes a surcharge on certain vehicle registration fees and recreational vehicle trip permits. Transfers proceeds of the surcharge to the Abandoned Recreational Vehicle Account. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to provide reimbursements for the costs of towing and disposing of abandoned recreational vehicles. Sunsets new surcharges after 10 years.