Sen. Fred Girod

Maddy summaryHB 4153 allows farmers to operate "farm stores" (not just farm stands) on land zoned for farming, expanding permitted uses beyond traditional farm stands. To qualify, farms must meet specific acreage requirements (e.g., 45 acres of farm use on an 80-acre tract) and limit store structures to 5,000 square feet (or 10,000 sq ft for pre-existing structures). Stores may sell farm products, processed foods, limited retail items (up to 25% of space), and certain agri-tourism activities like farm tours or farm-to-table meals. Local governments must permit these stores but can set reasonable rules for access, traffic, and sanitation without blocking operations.

[ Declares that it is the goal of the Legislative Assembly to fund the Department of Veterans' Affairs in an amount that is not less than $10,000,000, from the General Fund, in 2015 dollars, adjusted for inflation. ] [ Requires the Director of Veterans' Affairs to add additional full-time positions within the department. Creates in the department the position of Veterans Employment Coordinator. ] Requires the director to be a veteran who has received a discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions. Allows the director to appoint a deputy director, subject to approval by the Governor. Directs the department to develop and implement a grant program for suicide prevention and workforce training and preparation. Allows moneys in the Veterans' Services Fund to be used for the grant program. Increases an expenditure limitation for the purpose of the grant program. Directs the director to distribute moneys appropriated for county veterans' service officer programs on a quarterly basis. Directs the department to provide a report on the quarterly distribution process. Changes who are allowed to request county veteran discharge records. Increases, from $5,000 to $10,000, the cap on the individual grant amount that is allowed under the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. Directs the Judicial Department, in consultation with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, to study methods for providing access to veterans' treatment courts to residents of each county or judicial district. Takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Provides that, in lieu of making a first appearance for a traffic violation citation, the person who is the previous owner of a vehicle may notify the court that the person has transferred interest in the vehicle and is not liable for the citation.

Maddy summaryHB 4135 designates March 4th each year as HPV Awareness Day in Oregon to address gaps in public knowledge about HPV prevention. It directly affects state agencies like the Oregon Health Authority and community groups (clinics, schools, health departments) by encouraging them to use this day for voluntary education on HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. The bill's key mechanism is creating an annual awareness event to improve understanding of recommended vaccination (starting at age 9) and screening (starting at age 21), targeting Oregon's lower-than-national vaccination rates (67.6%) and screening rates (53.1% for women 25-44). It declares an emergency for immediate effect but does not create new laws or funding, instead complementing existing prevention efforts through public education.

Allows for the provision of epinephrine in schools by methods other than injections. Broadens the training requirements related to the administration of epinephrine.

Prohibits an electric company from recovering from retail electricity consumers certain litigation or settlement costs or expenses if a court or jury finds that a wildfire resulted from the negligence or a higher degree of fault on the part of the electric company. Requires an electric company that has been found to be liable for damages in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire to establish and maintain a qualified escrow fund for the benefit of those persons to whom the electric company is found to be liable. Provides that an electric company that is found to be liable for damages in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire shall also be liable for any federal income tax liability that a plaintiff or class member owes or pays on amounts the plaintiff or class member receives in relation to the civil action. [ Provides jurisdiction to the Supreme Court to hear and determine all appeals from the circuit court in any civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire. ] Establishes the Wildfire Recovery Fund , to become operative January 1, 2027 . Directs that 60 percent of the punitive damages awarded in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire be deposited in the Wildfire Recovery Fund. Reserves the first $50 million deposited in the fund to be payable to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Account. Applies to wildfires ignited on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2025. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

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.

Directs the Department of State Lands, in consultation with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, to develop a salmon credit pilot program to encourage the voluntary restoration of salmonid habitat in the Coquille and Coos watershed basins. Establishes the Salmon Credit Trust Fund. Directs the Department of State Lands and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to consult with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to seek federal approval for a bank instrument and authorization of activities that occur in navigable waters of the United States. Becomes operative on the date that the federal authorization and bank instrument are approved. Provides that the Department of State Lands may not approve a salmon credit project on or after January 1 of the sixth year following federal approval. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Creates Oregon corporate excise and income tax subtractions for amounts received in resolution of a civil action arising from wildfire. Creates Oregon corporate excise and income tax subtractions for wildfire-related legal fees paid by plaintiffs. Allows a taxpayer to amend a return to claim a refund for the earliest tax year in which a subtraction is allowed. Applies to declarations and executive orders issued on or after January 1, 2018, and before January 1, 2027, and to amounts received, losses incurred and legal fees paid in tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires the county clerk to notify the owner of real property when an instrument affecting the title to the property is presented for recordation unless presented by a financial institution, an insurer or an attorney, or an employee or agent of the professional person. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.