Sen. Todd Nash

Removes provisions that allow the Energy Facility Siting Council to find that an energy facility is in compliance with statewide planning goals even when the council determines that the facility does not comply with applicable substantive criteria from the affected local government's land use plan and regulations that the facility must be evaluated against if the council determines that the facility otherwise complies with applicable statewide planning goals.

Requires the Department of Education to conduct a study to identify effective methods for teaching students with dyslexia. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education not later than September 15, 2026.

Directs the State Department of Agriculture to establish a wildlife damage prevention and compensation pilot program. Establishes the Wildlife Damage Prevention and Compensation Fund in the State Treasury. Continuously appropriates moneys in the fund to the department for implementing the program. Sunsets the program and fund on January 2, 2030. Directs the department and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to report on the program to committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to natural resources on or before September 15, 2028. Appropriates moneys to the State Department of Agriculture for implementing the program. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires law enforcement agencies to take a DNA sample of a person arrested for certain crimes. Requires the destruction of the sample, upon the person's request, if the arrest is followed by an acquittal, dismissal, reversal of the conviction or expiration of the statute of limitations. Removes provisions directing the Department of State Police to prioritize testing of certain DNA samples when funds are limited. Includes obtaining and analyzing DNA samples of arrested persons as a purpose for which moneys may be allocated from the Criminal Fine Account. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Lowers the disability threshold for property tax exemption for the homestead or personal property of veterans to 10 percent. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Provides for an additional exemption against Oregon estate tax. Phases out the availability of the exemption based on the size of the estate. Applies to the estates of all decedents who die on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires the Oregon Health Authority to study issues related to telemedicine. Directs the authority to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care not later than September 15, 2026.

Directs the State Department of Agriculture to establish an elk damage prevention and compensation pilot program. Establishes the Elk Damage Prevention and Compensation Fund in the State Treasury. Continuously appropriates moneys in the fund to the department for implementing the program. Sunsets the program and fund on January 2, 2031. Directs the State Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to report on the program to committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to natural resources on or before September 15, 2029. Appropriates moneys to the State Department of Agriculture for implementing the program. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die. .

Requires the State Board of Education, in coordination with Eastern Oregon University, to establish a pilot program to provide resources and support for students to access post-secondary education opportunities. Directs the Department of Education to submit a report on the pilot program no later than December 15, 2026. Sunsets on January 2, 2028. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires a health care practitioner to exercise the proper degree of care to preserve the health and life of a child born alive, regardless of whether the birth was the result of an induced abortion. Allows specified persons to bring an action against a health care practitioner for violations. Allows the court to order that the identity or personally identifiable information of specified persons is protected from disclosure.