Requires the Legislative Policy and Research Director to study changes necessary to adopt a policy of passing budget bills before passing other bills. Directs the director to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to ways and means not later than June 1, 2026. Sunsets on January 2, 2027.
Makes in-person voting on the date of an election the standard method for conducting an election. Allows an elector to request a ballot that may be voted by mail if the elector is unable to vote in person on the date of the election. Retains vote by mail as the primary method for conducting elections for military and overseas electors and for electors who have a mailing address outside of Oregon. Requires electors to present valid government-issued identification when appearing in-person to vote or when requesting a ballot be sent by mail. Requires all ballots to be returned by the date of an election. Removes a requirement that the state pay postage for ballots returned by mail. Refers the Act to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.
Establishes the Disabled Veterans Assistance Fund. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide grants to disabled veterans for accessibility resources at residences inhabited by the veteran if the residence is owned by the veteran or a family member of the veteran. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to develop and implement a program to award grants for fairgrounds used as emergency evacuation sites. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Directs the Department of Education to conduct a study to identify sources of funding to pay for the costs of establishing a secure, single point of entry for each public school. Directs the department to submit a report to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets January 2, 2027. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
Requires that the sex offender risk assessment methodology take into consideration victim input and other specified information. Directs the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision to conduct a study on the implementation of changes to the sex offender risk assessment methodology. Directs the board to submit the results of the study to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the judiciary no later than February 15, 2026, and September 15, 2026. Provides that a victim may request the reassessment and reclassification of a sex offender into a risk level within three years of the initial classification, or within five years when certain circumstances exist. Authorizes a victim to make a request notwithstanding the time limits within two years of the effective date of the Act. Requires as a condition of supervision for certain sex offenders a prohibition on residing within 1,000 feet of locations where children are the primary occupants or users. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
Limits standing in appeals made to the Land Use Board of Appeals to those who reside or maintain a business in or within 25 miles of the boundary of the local government or special district and who have appeared before the decision maker in person at a hearing if available.
Provides that a commission formed by local governments to replace a bridge crossing the Columbia River is a public body for purposes of the Oregon Tort Claims Act.
Increases the Oregon standard deduction allowed for personal income taxpayers. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Maddy summaryHB 3579 requires Oregon voters to approve any new tolls proposed by the Oregon Transportation Commission before implementation. The bill amends state law to mandate that tolls can only be assessed after a majority of voters approve them in a referendum. This directly affects the Transportation Commission (which must seek voter approval) and Oregon residents (who gain a direct vote on tolls). The key provision replaces the Commission's authority to implement tolls with a voter approval requirement, applying to all new tolling proposals across the state.
