Sen. Dennis Linthicum

Provides protections for person who refuses to participate in procedure related to abortion or physician-assisted suicide if refusal is based on person's ethical, moral or religious convictions. Allows health care facility to refuse to perform procedure related to abortion or physician-assisted suicide. Allows person to bring action for damages and equitable relief against health care facility, health professional regulatory agency, employer or school for violation. Directs court to award attorney fees to prevailing plaintiff.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to allow Legislative Assembly, by passage of joint resolution, to repeal administrative rule or amendment of administrative rule adopted by executive branch agency. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

Specifies that electricity generated by hydroelectric facility or other equipment that generates electricity through use of hydroelectric energy may be used to comply with renewable portfolio standard.

Establishes education savings account program. Allows participating students to obtain grants from education savings accounts to fund attendance at specified types of schools or education programs. Establishes Education Savings Program Fund and transfers moneys from State School Fund distributions for use in education savings accounts. First applies to 2022-2023 school year. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Prohibits performance of late-term sex-selective abortion.

Requires health care practitioner to exercise proper degree of care to preserve health and life of child born alive after abortion or attempted abortion. Requires health care practitioner to ensure child born alive is transported to hospital. Creates crime for failure to exercise proper standard of care, punishable by maximum of five years' imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both. Allows specified person to bring civil action for damages and equitable relief against health care practitioner for failure to exercise proper standard of care. Directs court to award attorney fees to prevailing plaintiff. Allows court to order identity or personally identifiable information of specified person protected from disclosure.

Adds two members who are physician assistants or retired physician assistants and one additional public member to membership of Oregon Medical Board. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Recognizes and honors service members of Oregon National Guard.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to eliminate even-numbered year regular sessions of Legislative Assembly. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election held throughout this state.

Creates program for gathering and reviewing data and research regarding ground water in Umatilla Basin and creating implementation plan to improve ground water quality and obtain full or partial removal of ground water management area designation from Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area. Requires that program include department recommendation of scientifically based rationale for removing designation in specific areas of Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area if practicable. Requires that program include appointment of, and support for, task force. Sunsets program January 2, 2030. Appropriates moneys to State Department of Agriculture for biennium ending June 30, 2021, to carry out program activities. Declares emergency, effective on passage.