Rep. Hai Pham

Adds new requirements for obtaining an initial license to operate and maintain a hospice program. [ Requires a hospice program to apply for a new initial license after a change in ownership. ] Prohibits individuals who have been excluded from participation in Medicare or Medicaid or have been found liable for fraud or abuse from holding an ownership interest in a hospice program. Requires the Oregon Health Authority to complete rulemaking within 24 months. Subject to exceptions, prohibits the authority from issuing new hospice licenses until rulemaking is complete. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Expands the definition of "debilitating medical condition" for the medical use of marijuana. Requires an organization or residential facility that is designated as an additional caregiver for a medical marijuana cardholder to create and maintain a written policy and provide educational training for certain staff regarding the medical use of marijuana. Exempts hospitals and hospital-affiliated clinics from the requirements. Requires that in order to engage in the medical use of marijuana, the patient or resident of the organization or residential facility must be a medical marijuana cardholder or have applied to be a medical marijuana cardholder. Protects an organization or residential facility [ and its employees and contractors ] from certain criminal liability related to the medical use of marijuana. Prohibits the Oregon State Board of Nursing from taking disciplinary action against a nurse for discussing the medical use of marijuana with a patient. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

] [ Authorizes ] Requires the State Treasurer to [ loan ] use up to [ 20 percent of ] $44 million from the Unclaimed Property and Estates Fund to guarantee a loan made to a rural [ hospitals ] hospital for financial stabilization. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Increases the state transient lodging tax. Changes the name of the Oregon Conservation Strategy Subaccount to the Recovering Oregon's Wildlife Fund Subaccount. Specifies how moneys attributable to the increase are to be distributed. Applies the transient lodging tax increase to transient lodging charges occurring on or after January 1, 2027. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

] Allows property tax special assessment for land under processing facilities. Clarifies , for purposes of the special assessment, the meaning of "preparing" products or by-products raised for human or animal use on a farm unit for purposes of the definition of "farm use."

Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to administer and enforce requirements of the Act. Establishes the Battery Producer Responsibility Fund. Imposes civil penalties for violations of the Act.

Directs the State Board of Pharmacy to issue a license to operate a mobile pharmacy to a qualified applicant. Establishes requirements for a mobile pharmacy. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Creates [ statewide emergency preparedness offices and authorities ] authority to coordinate emergency management. [ Authorizes bonding for public safety projects. ] Requires state agencies to designate liaisons for emergency management. Imposes duties on the Oregon Department of Emergency Management related to management of emergency preparedness assets. Modifies the definitions of and grant requirements for Resilience Hubs and Resilience Networks. Authorizes certain training facilities to host overnight training activities. Requires the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to obtain fingerprints of employees and contractors. Authorizes counties to waive certain civil penalties related to food service facilities during emergencies. Requires the Department of the State Fire Marshal to study health coverage for firefighters. [ Requires legislative committees to identify a revenue source for certain public safety programs. ] Establishes grant programs for emergencies.

[ Declares that it is the goal of the Legislative Assembly to fund the Department of Veterans' Affairs in an amount that is not less than $10,000,000, from the General Fund, in 2015 dollars, adjusted for inflation. ] [ Requires the Director of Veterans' Affairs to add additional full-time positions within the department. Creates in the department the position of Veterans Employment Coordinator. ] Requires the director to be a veteran who has received a discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions. Allows the director to appoint a deputy director, subject to approval by the Governor. Directs the department to develop and implement a grant program for suicide prevention and workforce training and preparation. Allows moneys in the Veterans' Services Fund to be used for the grant program. Increases an expenditure limitation for the purpose of the grant program. Directs the director to distribute moneys appropriated for county veterans' service officer programs on a quarterly basis. Directs the department to provide a report on the quarterly distribution process. Changes who are allowed to request county veteran discharge records. Increases, from $5,000 to $10,000, the cap on the individual grant amount that is allowed under the Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Program. Directs the Judicial Department, in consultation with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, to study methods for providing access to veterans' treatment courts to residents of each county or judicial district. Takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Requires certain health benefit plans to provide coverage for preventive health services in accordance with federal rules in effect on June 30, 2025, and immunizations recommended by the Public Health Officer in the future. Authorizes the Public Health Officer, or designated physician, to issue a standing order for a prescription to control, prevent, mitigate or treat any infectious or noninfectious disease or other significant public health concern. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.