Rep. Werner Reschke

Establishes the Task Force on Tax Competitiveness. Requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to revenue on or before December 1, 2026. Sunsets the task force January 2, 2027. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Prohibits an individual from collecting and returning a ballot of another individual, subject to specified exceptions. Imposes a fine of $2,500 per ballot for a person other than an individual that illegally collects and returns the ballot of an individual and a fine of $500 per ballot for an individual who illegally collects and returns the ballot of a different individual.

Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a program for examination and certification of operators of lagoon wastewater treatment systems.

Provides that elections on local option tax measures shall be held only on the date of general elections in even-numbered years, with one exception for certain measures seeking to extend current local option taxes. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs school districts to give parents, guardians and district residents equitable access to instructional materials for the purpose of examining the materials.

Provides that a person who receives a finding under the wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program may appeal the finding to a county advisory committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2428 prohibits Oregon public bodies (like government agencies) from collecting or maintaining individuals' political, religious, or social views, associations, or activities without their explicit consent. The bill includes an exception allowing law enforcement to collect such information during criminal investigations if there are reasonable grounds to suspect criminal involvement. This directly affects how public agencies gather personal data, requiring consent for sensitive information unless tied to active criminal investigations. The bill amends Oregon Revised Statute 181A.250 and is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2196 creates a new felony crime for individuals aged 18 or older who knowingly send a pattern of written or verbal communications containing explicit sexual descriptions or narratives to minors (under 18), causing harm. The law prohibits defenses based on ignorance of the minor’s age, even if the minor lied about their age. Violators face up to five years in prison, a $125,000 fine, or both. This bill directly affects adults communicating with minors online or in person, targeting harmful sexual content rather than general interactions.

Requires a commercial entity that engages in the business of publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to minors to verify the ages of individuals to whom the commercial entity distributes or makes available the sexual material harmful to minors. Specifies reasonable methods for age verification and requires a person that verifies ages to destroy or delete information that could identify an individual or the individual's address or that could disclose other personal information about the individual. Imposes liability in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for failure to comply with the age verification requirement if the failure results in exposing an individual under the age of 18 years to sexual material harmful to minors. Imposes liability in an amount not to exceed the greater of a plaintiff's actual damages or $5,000 for failure to destroy or delete information used in age verification.

Repeals the requirement to secure firearms in specified circumstances. Repeals the requirement to secure firearms prior to transfer. Repeals the requirement to report the loss or theft of a firearm within a certain time after the loss or theft. Repeals the requirement to directly supervise the use of a firearm by a minor after transfer of the firearm to the minor. Repeals provisions limiting the possession of firearms by concealed handgun licensees in the Capitol, certain airport buildings and certain school grounds. Repeals the affirmative defense to a charge of possessing a weapon in a public building for a person possessing a firearm in an airport in accordance with federal law. Reduces fees payable to the county sheriff for the issuance and renewal of a concealed handgun license.