Sen. David Smith

Maddy summarySB 213 would repeal Oregon's participation in the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote. The bill specifically removes Oregon's 2019 law (section 1, chapter 356) that committed the state to awarding its electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. If enacted, Oregon would no longer pledge its electoral votes based on the national popular vote outcome. This directly affects Oregon's electoral college representation in presidential elections.

Directs the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to cause an audit of the Secretary of State Elections Division to be performed to assess the integrity of elections in Oregon. Establishes dates by which the audit is to commence and audit findings are to be reported to the committee. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to study solar events. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to emergency management not later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets on January 2, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 502 changes attorney fee rules for appeals of local land use decisions. It requires intervenors (like neighbors or groups opposing a project) to pay the applicant’s legal fees if their appeal against a land use decision fails. The bill specifically applies to affordable housing projects and certain approved developments, directing fees to be paid by the losing intervenor rather than the local government. This policy shift aims to discourage frivolous appeals while clarifying who bears legal costs in land use disputes.

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to increase the number of Senators serving in Legislative Assembly to 36 and to modify Senate legislative districts to be coterminous with county boundaries. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Authorizes a county tax collector to withhold from property tax distributions to taxing districts within the county an amount equal to three percent of the distributions. Applies during any period in which the county is listed in an audit report of the Secretary of State as being at high risk of financial distress. Requires the county to use the withheld amounts to fund the office of the county assessor. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires a physician who prescribes drugs for a chemical abortion to provide certain information to a person to whom such drugs are prescribed. Requires the Oregon Health Authority to publish, on a website developed and maintained by the authority, specified information regarding the possible reversal of a chemical abortion. Allows specified persons to bring a cause of action for actual and punitive damages. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryHB 2439 removes the phrase "gender identity" from 50 Oregon statutes, including those covering jury eligibility (ORS 10.030), discrimination claims (ORS 20.107, 30.860, 93.270), and real estate restrictions. The bill specifically deletes "gender identity" from lists of protected characteristics in these laws, such as the definition of "unlawful discrimination" and eligibility criteria for jury service. This is a textual amendment that changes the language of existing statutes without adding or removing new protections. The bill directly affects how these statutes are written but does not alter the legal framework governing discrimination or jury service.

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to remove the provision that disqualifies a member of the Legislative Assembly from holding office for the term following the election after the member's current term is completed if the member fails to attend 10 or more legislative floor sessions without permission or excuse. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Oregon law to require state agencies to waive all fees for public records requests made by members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. It directly affects legislators who seek records from state agencies, eliminating cost barriers for their official inquiries. The key provision (added to ORS 192.324) mandates that agencies must not charge fees for such requests, while maintaining existing fee structures for other requesters. This change streamlines access to government records for legislative oversight without altering general public access rules.