Sen. David Smith

Provides, for purposes of ad valorem property taxation, a specially assessed value for the owner-occupied primary residences of veterans and surviving spouses of veterans. Disqualifies the residence for the special assessment on the death of the veteran, remarriage of the surviving spouse or sale of the residence. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to notify the Attorney General if the air quality index readings for an area of the state reach 250 or higher during seven consecutive days and the cause is believed to be a wildfire originating on lands owned by the United States. Directs the Attorney General to investigate and bring a civil action if the wildfire was caused by negligent or unlawful forest management practices.

Requires the Legislative Policy and Research Director to study methods for legislative oversight of administrative rules. Directs the director to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to general government not later than September 15, 2026.

Defines "postal indicator" as an official mark stamped on an envelope by the United States Postal Service for purposes of determining the date or time at which a ballot was mailed.

Allows a community solar project to participate in the community solar program irrespective of the project's nameplate capacity or location within this state. Prohibits the Public Utility Commission from establishing a limit on the program capacity that is less than 25 percent of an electric company's retail electricity load in this state as of September 25, 2021. Prohibits the commission from establishing any limit on the program capacity for any increase after September 25, 2021, in an electric company's retail electricity load.

Requires the Oregon Health Authority to develop, implement and administer a program to support consumer engagement efforts aimed at increasing and optimizing consumer involvement in planning and decision-making surrounding the access to, and delivery of, behavioral health services in this state. Requires coordinated care organizations to contribute $1 per member per month toward the consumer engagement program. Requires the authority to administer a pilot program in eastern Oregon to develop an innovative model for providing residential treatment to young adults experiencing early psychosis in conjunction with a substance use disorder. Sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2036. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Exempts from state income tax for a taxpayer who is a veteran all retirement pay or pension received for service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 524 amends Oregon law to clarify which students are exempt from requirements for abbreviated school day programs. It directly affects students in specific situations, such as those with health-related absences, disciplinary placements, medically complex needs, or those meeting graduation requirements. The bill adds 15 specific exemptions to existing statutes, ensuring these students aren't subject to abbreviated day rules when they have meaningful access to equivalent instruction hours. It declares an emergency effective July 1, 2025, to implement these changes.

Requires course instruction provided as part of a health education curriculum to include information about human development from conception to birth.

Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development to study lodging near waterways and submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to land use no later than September 15, 2026.