HB 4140 Oregon House · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to metal property.

Summary
] Modifies the crime of criminal mischief in the first degree by expanding the types of telecommunications entities whose property may be subject to ORS 164.365. [ Prohibits certain individuals from selling or trading nonferrous metal property or commercial metal property to a scrap metal business unless the individual is registered as a scrap metal seller with the Department of Justice. Punishes by a maximum of 364 days' imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Specifies exemptions. Requires the department to establish a scrap metal seller registration database. ] Modifies the definition of "commercial metal property" and requires scrap metal businesses to check ownership of certain types of commercial metal property before purchasing or receiving the commercial metal property. Requires scrap metal businesses to sign up with a national scrap metal theft alert system and use the system in conducting business activity. [ Requires scrap metal businesses to check that individuals are registered as scrap metal sellers before completing a transaction. ].
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Mar 31, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

A-Engrossed Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 5, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, adding sponsor details and removing the preliminary summary. The substantive policy changes include expanding criminal mischief laws to cover property of telecommunications providers and clarifying the definition of 'commercial metal property' to include specific items like utility covers and traffic signs.
Scope change
The scope of criminal mischief was expanded to explicitly include property of telecommunications providers, and the definition of 'commercial metal property' was broadened to include utility access covers, traffic signs, and agricultural implements.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'telecommunications provider' was added to the list of entities whose property is protected under criminal mischief laws, whereas the previous version only listed 'telecommunications carrier'.

New specific items were added to the definition of 'commercial metal property,' including utility access covers, traffic signs, and agricultural implements, to prevent these items from being stolen and melted down.

TECHNICAL

The preliminary 'Summary' section and the digest explaining the bill's purpose were removed, as this text is typically deleted when a bill is enrolled for final passage.

Sponsor names and filing details were added to the header, and the document title was changed from 'A-Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' to indicate final legislative approval.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House Feb 20, 2026

How they voted

271
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 30
Mar 3, 2026
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
9 Yea 1 Nay 2
75% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Mar 31, 2026
Signed into law
Governor signed.
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Thatcher, Prozanski. Passed.
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Introduced
First reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Rieke Smith. Passed.
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
4 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors