Sen. Suzanne Weber

] Increases the state transient lodging tax. Changes the name of the Oregon Conservation Strategy Subaccount to the Recovering Oregon's Wildlife Fund Subaccount. [ Transfers moneys attributable to the increase of the state transient lodging tax 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, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Maddy summaryHB 3097 amends Oregon law to increase penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer while operating a motor vehicle. It creates new sentencing categories: Class C felony (Category 6) if property damage occurs or related offenses like careless driving are committed, and higher penalties (Category 8 or person felony) for repeat offenses, minors in the vehicle, or causing physical injury. The bill directly affects drivers convicted of eluding police under these specific aggravating circumstances. These changes apply to cases occurring after the bill's effective date, modifying how the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission classifies such offenses for sentencing.

] Directs the Oregon Business Development Department to develop and administer a program to issue grants to certain [ medical facilities ] hospitals near a tsunami inundation zone to enable the [ facilities ] hospitals to store fuel and water for emergency purposes. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Requires that trains have a minimum of two crew members. Provides exceptions. Imposes civil penalties for violation. Makes violation a Class D violation, punishable by a maximum fine of $250.

Creates income tax credit for taxpayers that provide apprenticeship opportunities. Applies to all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Transfers the office of Children's Advocate from the Department of Human Services to the office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman. Establishes the Children's Advocacy Advisory Board to nominate candidates for the Governor to select from when appointing the Children's Advocate. Expands the duties and authority of the Children's Advocate. Transfers oversight of the Critical Incident Review Teams from the Director of Human Services to the Children's Advocate. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die. .

Establishes the Agriculture Education Scholarship Program to provide [ free tuition and fees for qualifying agriculture education students in exchange for the student's commitment to work in a rural community after graduation ] grants to qualified students for the equivalent of the cost of one full-time academic year in a qualified agriculture program that will prepare the student to be an agriculture teacher in a high school in this state . Appropriates moneys for the 2025-2027 biennium to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the purpose of administering the Agriculture Education Scholarship Program.

Directs district school boards to ensure that the curriculum of each course of study offered by a school district is made available to the public on the school district's website. Phases in the requirement for small school districts. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Creates the crime of initiating a false report in the first degree. Punishes by a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both. Creates the crime of initiating a false report in the second degree. Punishes by a maximum of five years' imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both. Renames the crime of initiating a false report to initiating a false report in the third degree. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Allows the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site an additional dwelling on the property for occupancy by a relative of the owner. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.