Rep. Boomer Wright

Provides that a public body may not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting. Provides certain exceptions.

Allows education service districts to establish regional career centers to provide career and technical education. Prescribes the purposes of the centers [ and the requirements of funding plans for the centers ]. Appropriates moneys to the Department of Education from the General Fund for the purpose of [ providing grants to education service districts for ] supporting regional career centers.

Makes certain changes related to members of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center Board. Makes certain changes related to the duties of the board. Makes certain changes related to board meetings. Makes certain changes related to the activities of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center. Makes certain changes related to hatchery research funding. Establishes the Chum Subaccount in the Fish and Wildlife Account. Provides that moneys in the subaccount must be distributed for purposes related to chum. Establishes the chum enhancement validation. Provides that moneys from the validation shall be credited to the subaccount. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryHB 3980 expands eligibility for state financial assistance to help fund levee projects, specifically adding cities and towns (municipalities) as qualifying recipients alongside existing groups like drainage districts and private entities. The bill requires that levee projects receiving assistance must substantially improve infrastructure and be essential for farm, industrial, or commercial land use in Oregon. It amends state law to include municipalities in the list of eligible applicants for loans or grants under the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective immediately upon passage to address urgent flood protection needs.

Provides that the Oregon estate tax is imposed only on the estates of decedents dying on or before January 1, 2025. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Encourages Oregon counties that have not already done so to create and adopt a natural resource plan and invoke and enforce coordination with all federal and state agencies.

Requires the Department of Education to study methods for improving school attendance. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to education no later than December 31, 2025. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Repeals the statute enacted by House Bill 3115 (2021) that established objective reasonableness as a statewide standard for city and county laws regulating the use of public property with respect to persons experiencing homelessness, as the basis for a cause of action for injunctive and declaratory relief to challenge such laws and as an affirmative defense in the prosecution of violations of such laws. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Appropriates moneys to the Charleston Merchants Association to purchase properties for the purpose of community development. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Directs the Department of Education to use moneys from the Statewide Education Initiatives Account to provide school districts with technology for data analysis systems for the early warning system.