Rep. Dwayne Yunker

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.

Requires a taxpayer to list information about persons to whom the taxpayer has paid compensation that is claimed as a business deduction on the taxpayer's federal income tax return. Requires the taxpayer to add back amounts paid to the person for whom the information is not provided. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and before January 1, 2032. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires an electric company to first acquire a replacement resource of reliable or dispatchable electricity prior to retiring an electric power generating facility that provides reliable or dispatchable electricity. Requires the Public Utility Commission to seek a waiver to, or if unable to obtain a waiver, seek an injunction against, any federal regulations or requirements that impose increasing costs to the maintenance or operation of an electric power generating facility such that an electric company seeks to retire the electric power generating facility. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Permits a person to operate Class I, Class III and Class IV all-terrain vehicles on highways that are not interstate highways if the all-terrain vehicle meets vehicle equipment standards and the all-terrain vehicle is registered. Directs the Department of Transportation to permit optional registration for Class I, Class III or Class IV all-terrain vehicles if the applicant provides satisfactory proof that the all-terrain vehicle meets equipment standards for highway use.

Requires the State Department of Energy to study nuclear energy, including [ nuclear waste disposal ] legal pathways for the disposal of nuclear waste produced from nuclear energy. Requires the department to consult with the Public Utility Commission and the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council and to engage with the federally recognized Indian tribes in this state, relevant state agencies and stakeholders. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committee of the House of Representatives on climate, energy and environment not later than [ September 15, 2026 ] January 31, 2027 . Sunsets January 2, [ 2027 ] 2028 .

Limits pretrial release of defendants charged with a felony or Class A misdemeanor to security release. Requires the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to reimburse counties for the costs of pretrial incarceration of persons charged with felonies. Appropriates moneys to the department for the reimbursement.

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to create the County Review Board, consisting of one representative from each county in this state. Directs the board to meet after each session of the Legislative Assembly to review each legislative Act enacted at the session that is related to land use, natural resources or forestry. Provides that if 20 or more board representatives vote in favor of cancelling an Act, the Act is thereafter null and void. Prohibits the board from considering an Act related to the budget or to taxes or taxation. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Requires the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to conduct a study on voter registration in this state. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to elections not later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets on January 2, 2027.

Requires a county clerk to cancel the registration of an elector if the elector registers to vote in another county, surrenders the elector's driver license upon being issued a license in another state or is excused from jury duty for not being a United States citizen.

Repeals the changes made by House Bill 3124 (2021) to the statutes governing local removal of homeless individuals from established camping sites. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.