HB 4081 Oregon House · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to photo radar in highway work zones.

HB 4081 regulates photo radar use in Oregon highway work zones on state highways. It requires photo radar units to operate only within 100 yards of highway workers or temporary roadway changes (like lane shifts), with clear signage placed 100-400 yards before the zone. The Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon State Police must ensure radar units meet strict accuracy standards, produce clear images, undergo regular inspections, and provide annual calibration. The law also mandates biennial safety evaluations and annual reports to the Legislative Assembly about photo radar usage and public acceptance. This directly affects drivers in work zones, the DOT, and law enforcement agencies operating the radar systems.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Oregon's photo radar laws for highway work zones by creating a new statewide program and clarifying how citations are issued. The changes expand the Department of Transportation's authority to operate photo radar units and add requirements for program evaluation and reporting.

Scope change

The bill expands from general photo radar provisions to specifically establish a new highway worker photo radar program with standardized requirements for equipment, signage, and enforcement across all state highways.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new highway worker photo radar program that the Department of Transportation must implement through contracts for equipment, training, and administration.

Added requirements for the department to conduct biennial evaluations of the program's effectiveness on traffic safety and public acceptance, with reports due to the Legislative Assembly by March 1 of odd-numbered years.

Requires the department to notify the Judicial Department annually before deploying photo radar units, including expected deployment locations and number of anticipated citations.

Changed signage requirements from being posted within 400 yards of the radar unit to being posted within one mile of the radar unit or work zone.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that photo radar citations require a police officer to review photographic evidence and sign the citation, removing previous requirements about uniformed officers and marked vehicles.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

In committee upon adjournment.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Transportation with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

lower

4 primary · 11 co-sponsors