Allows an additional estate tax exclusion of $7 million. Imposes tax at a flat rate of seven percent. Applies to estates of decedents who die on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
] [ Directs ] Appropriates moneys to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to award grants to soil and water conservation districts that operate in certain counties. Appropriates moneys to the department for distribution to the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council for soil and water conservation districts for coordination and administrative support and to perform certain monitoring. [ Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the department for awarding the grants. ] Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
Prohibits an individual from using a gillnet to land salmon in the main stem of the Columbia River. Establishes certain exceptions. Provides that an individual may renew a Columbia River gillnet salmon vessel permit only if the individual has used the permit to land salmon in at least one of the two years preceding the renewal.
Requires the State Department of Energy to study avoided costs paid to qualifying facilities under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act compared with the costs incurred by investor-owned utilities to acquire or maintain renewable energy generation facilities. Directs the department to submit its findings to the interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to energy no later than September 15, 2026. Requires state agencies, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish information and advice necessary for the department to complete the study. Sunsets January 2, 2027.
Requires school districts and certain private schools to designate athletic competitions and extracurricular sports according to biological sex. Prohibits biological males from participating in athletic competitions or extracurricular sports designated for biological females. Provides causes of action for students, school districts and private schools.
Maddy summaryHB 3502 makes permanent the certification requirements for professionals who conduct water right surveys in Oregon. It establishes that registered geologists, engineers, land surveyors, or eligible water district employees (with 7+ years experience) can become certified examiners after passing an exam administered by the Water Resources Department. The bill outlines the process for certification, including fees based on program costs and disciplinary procedures for violations. It directly affects water rights professionals and water districts by standardizing examiner qualifications under Oregon law (ORS 537.797-798). The bill repeals temporary 2023 provisions, making these certification rules permanent.
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.
Prohibits a hospital from closing or ceasing, reducing or relocating health services without first providing notice 275 days in advance. Requires the hospital to provide notice to the Oregon Health Authority, local governments, patients, employees and the public. Allows the authority to impose civil penalties for violations.
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.
Appropriates moneys to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for distribution to Oregon State University for purposes of the Institute for Water and Watersheds.
