Rep. Mark Owens

Provides that a manufactured-protein food product that bears a label suggesting that the food product is made from meat is misbranded unless the food product label contains text disclosing that the food product is not made from meat. Provides that a fabricated-egg food product that bears a label suggesting that the food product is made from eggs is misbranded unless the food product label contains text disclosing that the food product is not made from eggs.

Maddy summarySCR 204 is a concurrent resolution honoring the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) on its 120th anniversary. It formally recognizes the AOC's historical role in representing Oregon's 36 counties and its contributions to state governance, including supporting county services like elections, public safety, infrastructure, and advocacy for policies like property tax systems and transportation funding. The resolution has no policy impact or funding changes - it is purely ceremonial, celebrating the AOC's work without creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryHCR 201 is a ceremonial resolution celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Fire District Directors Association (OFDDA). It recognizes the association's history of promoting fire safety and public protection since its founding in 1950, highlighting its role in advancing fire district coordination and education. The resolution honors the OFDDA's contributions to Oregon's fire service agencies and encourages continued collaboration across the state's fire safety organizations. This is purely a commemorative measure with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryOregon's legislature is requesting Congress permanently extend federal tax relief for wildfire victims, which expired at the end of 2025. This follows Oregon's 2024 state law (SB 1520) that provided tax relief for wildfire recovery, but required federal companion relief to prevent liability settlements from being taxed. The memorial specifically urges Congress to make permanent the temporary federal tax cuts established by H.R. 5863 (Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023). This applies to wildfire victims in Oregon who faced federal taxation on recovery funds after recent catastrophic fires.

Requires the Director of the Oregon State University Extension Service to establish a lumber grading training pilot program. Establishes the requirements of the pilot program. Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a process by which specified individuals may obtain lumber from an individual who is certified as having completed the lumber grading training pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2033.

Maddy summaryHB 3544 establishes standardized procedures for challenging proposed water use decisions in Oregon. It requires anyone objecting to a water permit or decision to submit a written protest within 45 days, including specific details about how the decision would harm their interests and legal arguments. The bill defines what makes a protest valid (e.g., clear issues, sufficient detail) and outlines when hearings must occur or can be skipped, such as if all parties agree or a protest is withdrawn. These changes directly affect individuals, businesses, and organizations filing objections to water permits and the Water Resources Department managing these cases.

Requires, for each dwelling unit rented by a landlord for which the source of drinking water is an exempt well in a ground water quality management area, that the landlord collect and test samples of drinking water from the dwelling unit for arsenic, coliform bacteria, lead and nitrates. Requires the Oregon Health Authority to adopt implementation rules. Becomes operative on January 1, 2027.

Allows designation by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services of certain state-owned and locally nominated lands within an urban growth boundary as home start lands to be used for affordable housing. Exempts home start lands from local land use laws. Allows the department to transfer state-owned home start lands to a developer exempted from ordinary transfer processes once the lands are subject to an affordable housing covenant. Establishes the Home Start Lands Fund to implement the program and to provide loans and grants to develop affordable housing on home start lands or to provide public services for residents. Allows the department to collaborate with the Housing Accountability and Production Office and requires collaboration with the Department of State Lands to implement the program. Exempts home start lands from property tax assessments for a period of up to five years under certain conditions. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Authorizes the Water Resources Commission to approve a Deschutes River water bank pilot program. Establishes certain requirements for the pilot program. Increases Water Resources Department expenditure limitation authority to fund the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2034.

Directs the Oregon Health Authority to provide information on the screening protocol for cytomegalovirus to hospitals and birthing centers. Requires the authority to establish by rule a newborn screening protocol for cytomegalovirus. Eliminates the requirement if cytomegalovirus is added to the newborn bloodspot screening panel. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.