Sen. David Smith

Maddy summarySB 788 allows farm-land zoned for exclusive farm use east of the Cascade Range to host weddings and other events. This change directly affects farm landowners in eastern Oregon who wish to use their property for such purposes without changing the land's zoning classification. The bill amends Oregon's zoning law (ORS 215.283) to explicitly add "weddings or events" as a permitted use on these lands, alongside existing farm-related activities like farm stands and wineries. It does not alter the underlying zoning requirements or allow commercial developments beyond event hosting.

] [ Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to study needed investments in shipyards. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development not later than September 15, 2026. ] [ Sunsets on January 2, 2027. ] Authorizes the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority to approve a loan to the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay for shipyard repairs. Allocates moneys from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund for the purpose of making the loan.

Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Business Development Department for distribution to local governments and other entities for purposes related to public safety. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Grants higher property tax exemptions for the property of veterans with disabilities. Grants exemptions for a veteran's surviving spouse who remains unmarried. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires the Attorney General to adopt and maintain a list of foreign adversaries who are ineligible to receive conveyances of certain land, mineral or water interests. Makes unauthorized conveyances void.

Maddy summarySB 1017 excludes specific public lands from the Oregon Forest Practices Act, meaning forestry regulations under that law won't apply to these areas. It directly affects state and local governments managing lands like public road rights-of-way, parks, public industrial parks (zoned for industry), and other non-forest public lands. The bill’s key provision removes the requirement for forest management practices on these excluded lands, focusing instead on their existing use or designation. This change simplifies land management for these specific areas without altering forestland regulations. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on.

Repeals provisions related to building code standards for wildfire hazard mitigation, defensible space requirements, fire protection for lands outside forest protection districts and the wildfire hazard map. Makes changes related to defensible space. Makes changes related to the wildland-urban interface. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Repeals the requirement that there be a licensed repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste before a site certificate for a nuclear-fueled thermal power plant may be issued. Repeals the requirement that a proposed site certificate for a nuclear-fueled thermal power plant be submitted to the electors of this state for their approval or rejection.

Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services, a municipality, a building official or any other agency or official responsible for administering and enforcing the state building code to approve and issue, or disapprove and deny, any application for a building permit for middle housing or conventional single-family residential housing in a residential subdivision with more than six lots not later than 45 business days after the date on which the applicant submits a complete application. Requires any other agency or jurisdiction that must review an application for a building permit to complete the review within 10 business days after receipt or the portion of the application that is subject to the review is approved. Declares that an application for a building permit is approved if the department, a municipality, a building official or any other agency or official fails to deny or act upon the application within the allowable period. Requires prompt issuance of the building permit in such circumstances. Makes the department, municipality, building official or other agency or official that fails to promptly issue the building permit liable to the applicant for the fees the applicant paid and the costs the applicant incurred in preparing the application.

Requires the State Marine Board to study issues related to the safe operation of motorboats. Directs the board to submit findings to the appropriate interim committees of the Legislative Assembly not later than September 15, 2026. Sunsets January 2, 2027.