Transportation

SCR 202 is a non-binding concurrent resolution urging Oregonians to avoid psychoactive drugs (like marijuana, fentanyl, heroin, meth, and cocaine) except for legitimate medical purposes. It specifically clarifies that Oregon's licensing of marijuana facilities by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission does not constitute state endorsement of recreational use. The resolution cites rising drug-impaired driving fatalities (e.g., from 56 to 188 fatal crashes linked to psychoactive drugs since 2015) to support its recommendation. It directly addresses all Oregon residents and emphasizes that current laws criminalize small drug possessions, while the state does not approve recreational use.

Sets maximum matching fund requirements for state grants to small incorporated cities for certain capital construction and municipal infrastructure and improvements . Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Allows a person to operate an autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged without a grant of driving privileges if certain conditions are met. Requires an automated driving system to be able to achieve a minimal risk condition or issue a request to intervene. Requires an autonomous vehicle to operate in compliance with state vehicle laws and comply with federal safety standards. Provides for exemptions. Allows the Department of Transportation to grant an autonomous vehicle that operates exclusively by an automated driving system and without an onboard driver an exemption to any state equipment requirement. Requires a person operating an autonomous vehicle that is involved in a collision that results in damages to property to perform certain duties. Exempts a person operating an autonomous vehicle from other certain duties of a driver. Prescribes financial responsibility requirements for a person operating an autonomous vehicle. Authorizes a person to operate an autonomous vehicle for the purpose of transporting persons or property for hire if the person provides certain information to the department and provides a first responder interaction plan. Prescribes that authorization does not expire unless suspended or revoked. Exempts autonomous vehicles and on-demand autonomous vehicle networks from provisions related to motor carriers. Prohibits local governments from regulating, imposing a tax or fee on or requiring a license or permit for on-demand autonomous vehicle networks. Prohibits local governments from prohibiting or regulating the operation of autonomous vehicles or on-demand autonomous vehicle networks.

SB 1544 requires Oregon's Department of Transportation to study whether uniform standards for speed bump height and markings should be developed. The study must be completed by September 15, 2027, with a report submitted to transportation committees. This bill does not create new rules but directs the DOT to evaluate potential standards for local communities that use speed bumps. The bill expires on January 2, 2028, meaning the study requirement ends then.

Digest: The Act would phase in a mandatory per-mile road usage charge for owners and lessees of electric and hybrid cars and delivery vans engaged in e-commerce. The Act would allow a flat annual fee in lieu of the per-mile road usage charge. The Act would have ODOT biennially recommend a rate for the per-mile road usage charge that would raise the money needed to keep up the highways in this state. Phases in a mandatory per-mile road usage charge for registered owners and lessees of electric and hybrid passenger vehicles and delivery vehicles engaged in e-commerce. Allows an annual flat fee in lieu of the mandatory per-mile road usage charge. Requires the Department of Transportation to submit a biennial report to the Legislative Assembly recommending a rate for the per-mile road usage charge that would sustainably raise the revenue necessary to maintain the public highways in this state. Prohibits the Department of Environmental Quality from providing certain zero-emission and electric vehicle rebates for a period of time. Limits the charge ahead rebate to one per household. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Authorizes a county with a population of 700,000 or more to, by ordinance, identify zones within the county where the Department of Transportation has estimated that median household income is less than $____ and to reduce or eliminate county registration fees within those zones. Authorizes a county with a population of 700,000 or more to establish a regional allocation plan and allocate county registration fee revenues derived from sub-areas identified in the plan to specific transportation projects within those sub-areas. Requires counties that adopt fee reduction or elimination ordinances or regional allocation plans to annually report to affected cities and to the Legislative Assembly on specified effects of these decisions. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

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.

Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to study the legislative establishment of an inland port for the purposes of coordinating infrastructure development, improving trade mobility and promoting economic development. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development no later than September 15, 2027. Sunsets on January 2, 2028. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Prohibits a retailer from knowingly selling or offering for sale, and a retail platform operator from knowingly permitting a retailer to advertise or offer for sale, a child safety system that does not comply with federal standards or standards the Department of Transportation adopts by rule. [ Requires a retailer to disclose clearly and conspicuously in any advertisement or offer for a child safety system whether the child safety system complies with federal standards or standards the Department of Transportation adopts by rule. ] Prohibits a retail platform operator from permitting a retailer to advertise or offer for sale a child safety system unless the retailer affirmatively discloses to the retail platform operator whether the child safety system complies with federal standards or standards the Department of Transportation adopts by rule. [ Punishes ] Provides for a private right of action to enforce a violation of, or failure to comply with, the requirements and prohibitions set forth in the Act, allowing a recovery of the greater of the plaintiff's actual damages or statutory damages of $500 after allowing for a period of 30 days to cure the violation or failure to comply. [ as an unlawful practice under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. ].

Directs the Oregon Transportation Commission to create a 10-year capital investment plan. Provides that the plan must include a scoring methodology to prioritize and rank projects that are included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Specifies requirements for the scoring methodology. Adds criteria to the list the commission must consider before adding a project to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires the Department of Transportation to produce a condition report on the highways. Specifies additional information the commission must include on its website.