HB 4034 Oregon House · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to animal rescue entities.

Summary

] Revises the definition of "animal rescue entity." Provides that veterinary facilities do not qualify as animal rescue entities for purposes of regulating animal rescue entities. Directs the State Department of Agriculture to enforce provisions related to regulating animal rescue entities. Makes changes related to recordkeeping and licensing requirements for animal rescue entities. Removes the impoundment of animals as a civil penalty for a violation of provisions related to animal rescue entities.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Mar 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

A-Engrossed → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 5, 2026

MODERATE

This bill finalizes the transition of animal rescue regulation from the State Veterinarian to the State Department of Agriculture. It clarifies that veterinary clinics are excluded from these rules, updates record-keeping requirements, and replaces the previous penalty of animal impoundment with a fixed monetary fine and a formal hearing process.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of oversight by moving enforcement authority from the State Veterinarian to the State Department of Agriculture and explicitly excludes veterinary facilities from the definition of an 'animal rescue entity.'

DEFINITION

Added a specific clause stating that veterinary facilities do not qualify as animal rescue entities, removing ambiguity about their status.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the enforcing agency from the State Veterinarian to the State Department of Agriculture.

Removed the provision allowing for the impoundment of animals as a civil penalty for violations.

REQUIREMENT

Added new procedural requirements for civil penalties, including mandatory notice to the accused, a right to a hearing, and the option for judicial review.

Established a specific maximum civil penalty of $500 per violation, replacing the vague previous penalty structure.

Updated the record-keeping requirement to specify that records must identify the animal's date of birth or approximate age.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026 · House Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

29–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 30

Feb 25, 2026

D Democratic18

18 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican12

11 Yea 1

91% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 5, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Referred to Natural Resources and Wildfire.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

First reading. Referred to President's desk.

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third reading. Carried by Levy B. Passed.

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

Subsequent referral to Ways and Means rescinded by order of the Speaker.

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and subsequent referral to Ways and Means be rescinded.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

lower

2 primary · 17 co-sponsors