Rep. Emily McIntire

Maddy summaryHB 2575 gives Oregon parents three educational options if their child scores in the bottom 20% on the state third-grade reading test. Parents may use 80% of the district's per-student funding for private school tuition, 10% for private tutoring, or transfer the child to another public school (including a charter) if space is available. School districts must annually notify parents about these choices in accessible formats. The bill directly affects third-grade students not meeting reading proficiency and their families, providing immediate alternatives without requiring school district approval for the options.

Enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. Allows the Oregon Board of Psychology to disclose specified information to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission. Exempts individuals authorized under the Compact from the requirement to obtain a license from the board. Allows the board to use moneys to meet financial obligations imposed on the State of Oregon as a result of participation in the Compact. Becomes operative on January 1, 2027. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Creates an income tax credit for the unreimbursed expenses of certain public school teachers and adjunct instructors. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2031. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs the Department of Education to provide oversight of a program that coordinates an in-state and a national cultural exchange for students of this state. Prescribes the requirements of the program. Directs the department to transfer moneys from the Statewide Education Initiatives Account for the program. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Establishes the open enrollment process for school districts to allow students with an individualized education program or a 504 Plan to attend schools in a nonresident school district with the consent of the receiving school district.

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to provide for surplus corporate tax revenue to be used for school construction and maintenance projects and infrastructure improvements. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Allows virtual public charter schools to be eligible for grants distributed from the Student Investment Account. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Appropriates moneys to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to fund nine additional full-time staff positions to support student safety and adult accountability in the education system. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3961 establishes the Family Coach Program within Oregon's Department of Human Services to provide culturally responsive support services for underserved populations, focusing on family well-being and stability. The bill appropriates $2,063,239 from the General Fund to hire 8.5 full-time family coaches and one manager, effective July 1, 2025. This program directly serves Oregon families in underserved communities through targeted, specialized team support. The legislation declares an emergency to expedite implementation, though it does not alter existing eligibility or service requirements.

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.