Sen. Kayse Jama

Provides that an individual otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits is not disqualified for any week that the individual's unemployment is due to a labor dispute in active progress at the individual's place of employment. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a rental licensing program for the annual licensing of dwelling units for rental or vacation occupancy. Authorizes the department to assess licensing fees and penalties. Requires dismissal of eviction for units not licensed. Requires the department to report annually on aggregate data and to provide a copy of the report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to housing. Requires the department to provide no-cost education courses to licensees. Becomes operative on January 1, 2027. Establishes the Residential Licensing Account for the licensing program. Appropriates moneys to the account.

Maddy summaryHB 3523 prohibits housing discrimination based on "minor status" (a person under 18) in real property transactions like renting or buying homes. It adds "minor status" to Oregon's existing fair housing protections, making it illegal for landlords, real estate agents, or housing providers to refuse to rent or sell property to families with minors. The law applies to all housing transactions covered by Oregon's fair housing law, with limited exceptions for past conduct or inability to pay rent (consistent with existing rules). It takes effect 91 days after Oregon's legislative session ends.

Allocates lottery funds to the Oregon Business Development Department to develop a unified trade strategy for Oregon in collaboration with the Port of Portland, the Oregon Tourism Commission, the State Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Expands the requirement to discuss class size and caseload as mandatory subjects of bargaining for purposes of school district collective bargaining. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryHB 3595 establishes the Lunar New Year as an official state holiday in Oregon, recognized on its actual date each year (determined by the lunar calendar). This bill directly affects Oregon residents, public and private sector employees, and businesses, as it adds the Lunar New Year to the state's list of designated legal holidays. The legislation amends Oregon Revised Statutes 187.010 to include the holiday date ("the day of the Lunar New Year on the date corresponding with the second new moon following the winter solstice"), aligning it with existing holiday rules for scheduling and observance. It does not change existing holiday pay or collective bargaining terms, as specified in the bill's provisions.

Requires more information to be included on a certificate of a notarial act and certain other documents. Authorizes a county clerk to refuse to accept a document that has any characteristic suggesting it may be fraudulent.

Directs the Department of Land Conservation and Development to commission a study on policies that may contribute to disparate access to homeownership. Sunsets on January 2, 2028. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires health insurance coverage of specified fertility services and treatments with exemption for certain insurers. Directs the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Consumer and Business Services to study access to fertility and reproductive endocrinology services and report findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Removes the percentage cap on the amount of moneys that are distributed from the State School Fund to school districts for students eligible for special education as a child with a disability. Directs the Department of Education to prepare and submit a report related to special education funding and expenditures. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund for transfer to the State School Fund. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.