Sen. Kayse Jama

Maddy summarySCR 204 is a concurrent resolution honoring the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) on its 120th anniversary. It formally recognizes the AOC's historical role in representing Oregon's 36 counties and its contributions to state governance, including supporting county services like elections, public safety, infrastructure, and advocacy for policies like property tax systems and transportation funding. The resolution has no policy impact or funding changes - it is purely ceremonial, celebrating the AOC's work without creating new obligations.

Establishes the Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley. Directs the task force to submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment no later than December 15, 2026. Sunsets the task force on December 31, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members and publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals. Allows the Oregon Medical Board to issue a provisional license to a qualified internationally trained physician. Requires the holder of a provisional license to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician for four years prior to applying for full licensure. Directs the board to submit a report every odd-numbered year to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care on the provisional licensure of internationally trained physicians. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Applies the prevailing rate of wage to certain off-site bespoke work fabricated, preconstructed, assembled or constructed in accordance with specifications for a particular public works. Specifies examples of such bespoke work. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to distribute moneys to the Center for Public Service at Portland State University to conduct, in consultation with Oregon State University, a study examining the labor standards and working experiences of farmworkers in this state. Requires the center to integrate the study findings with the study conducted by the Legislative Policy and Research Director. Directs the commission to submit reports on the findings of the study to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to agriculture, business and labor and natural resources by certain dates. Directs the Legislative Policy and Research Director to conduct a study relating to the labor standards in the agricultural industry and the rights and protections afforded to farmworkers in this state. Requires the director to submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to agriculture, business and labor and natural resources no later than September 15, 2026. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Prohibits as an unlawful practice under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act a person's initiating a telephone solicitation outside specified hours or more than three separate times within a 24-hour period[ , ] or misrepresenting or falsifying the person's identity[ , ] or the purpose of the call [ or the location from which the person is calling or failing to make required disclosures or inquiries during the call ]. Includes text messaging within the definition of "telephone solicitation."

Maddy summarySB 968 allows public employers to deduct mistaken overpayments of wages from public employees' paychecks, affecting public workers who received more pay than they were entitled to. Employers must provide 10 days' written notice detailing the overpayment amount and limiting deductions to 5% of gross pay per pay period (unless the employee agrees to a higher amount). The bill also permits employers to collect remaining balances from an employee’s final paycheck if they leave before repaying the overpayment. This replaces an older law and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Establishes [ that landowners and persons acting as farmworker camp operators are jointly and severally liable for operating a farmworker camp on the landowner's property unless certain conditions are met. ] joint and several liability for landowners under certain circumstances involving the operation of farmworker camps. Creates a rebuttable presumption that a landowner did not know and could not reasonably have known of the operation of an unregistered farmworker camp on the landowner's property if the landowner produces a lease agreement expressly prohibiting such activity. Modifies remedies that may be sought for violations of certain requirements for farmworker camps.

Maddy summaryHB 3768 designates March 21 of every year as Nowruz Day in Oregon, officially recognizing the Persian New Year rooted in Zoroastrian traditions and celebrated by immigrant communities. The bill acknowledges Nowruz's symbolism of renewal and unity, referencing its UNESCO-recognized status as International Nowruz Day. It includes a procedural emergency declaration to allow immediate implementation upon passage, though the bill itself creates no new legal requirements or financial obligations. This recognition directly affects Oregon residents, particularly those from Iranian or Persian cultural backgrounds, who observe Nowruz through traditions like the Haft-seen table.

Creates workplace violence prevention requirements for certain health care entities. Excludes the Oregon State Hospital from such requirements. Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to prepare and submit a consolidated report of workplace violence incidents. Requires certain health care employers and home care settings to take certain actions to protect workers against risks of violence and other safety-related risks.