Relating to public safety; and declaring an emergency.
What changed between versions
Driving while suspended is now a Class B felony if the suspension resulted from murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, or felony DUI, whereas previously it was generally a misdemeanor.
Driving while suspended for reckless endangering or menacing is now a Class A misdemeanor, removing criminal mischief as a qualifying offense for this specific misdemeanor classification.
The minimum fine for first-time criminal driving while suspended convictions increased to $1,000, and second or subsequent convictions now require a minimum fine of $2,000.
New affirmative defense added for fleeing police, allowing a person to avoid conviction if they lawfully proceeded to a necessary area before stopping after being signaled by an unmarked police vehicle.
New amendments to ORS 811.182 become effective on January 1, 2027, applying to conduct occurring on or after that date.
The definition of criminal driving while suspended was reorganized to clearly separate felony and misdemeanor classifications with specific subsections for each offense type.