Sen. Noah Robinson

Maddy summarySB 663 prohibits all Oregon state agencies from charging any fees, using the legal definition of "fee" from ORS 291.050. The bill explicitly states that no state agency may charge a fee under any circumstances, overriding other existing laws that might allow such fees. This change would directly affect every state agency currently charging fees for services, permits, or other state actions. The bill does not specify exceptions or exempt certain agencies, creating a blanket prohibition on fee-charging by state entities.

Directs the Secretary of State to establish and maintain a searchable and publicly accessible database containing a copy of every ballot cast in each election. Requires county clerks to scan and upload to the database each ballot cast prior to tallying the votes. Requires each ballot to be printed with a unique identifier that an elector may use to search the database for an electronic copy of the elector's ballot. Requires a ballot's identifier to be secret except to the elector. Permits an elector to inspect the elector's cast ballot for 90 days following the date of an election. Requires county clerks to store ballots in a manner that makes the ballots readily available to retrieve. Requires county clerks to store ballots in batches and to maintain an index that records where each ballot is stored. Permits county clerks to charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of retrieving a ballot. Requires county clerks to permit authorized persons to watch the printing of ballots and the inserting of ballots in envelopes to be mailed to electors. Applies to primary, general and special elections held on or after January 1, 2027. Becomes operative January 1, 2027.

Expands tuition benefits available to disabled veterans to permit veterans who are Oregon residents and are 80 percent or more disabled, and the spouse and child of disabled veterans, to have tuition waived for enrollment in a vocational program or an associate degree, baccalaureate degree or master's degree program at community colleges, public universities and the Oregon Health and Science University. Prohibits the reduction of the amount of tuition that is waived by the amount of scholarships, grants or other aid a qualified student receives. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Requires a school district that is making reductions in educator staff positions to prioritize seniority when determining which teachers to retain. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Requires school district boards to ensure that a specified percentage of expenditures of the school district are paid as compensation to teachers of core academic subjects or manual skills. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

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.

Provides that courts may not defer to an agency's interpretation of a statute or rule. Directs courts to exercise doubt in favor of an interpretation that limits agency power and maximizes individual liberty.