Sen. Chris Gorsek

Provides that any agreement related to providing ultra-high-speed ground transportation in this state must include service to Eugene. Prohibits Department of Transportation from expending in any biennium more than 50 percent, or $1 million, whichever is less, of moneys available to department for passenger rail service, on ultra-high-speed ground transportation. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Appropriates moneys to Oregon Business Development Department to award grants to communities ] cities and Oregon Indian tribes with high poverty rate ] rates for purpose of developing local poverty reduction plans. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes exception, for video cameras worn by law enforcement officer, to prohibition on law enforcement agency collecting or maintaining information about person's political, religious or social views or activities. ] Establishes circumstances where law enforcement officer may begin recording from video camera worn by officer without developing reasonable suspicion or probable cause. ] Permits law enforcement agency to collect and maintain information about person's political, religious or social views or activities if information was collected and maintained for lawful purpose, including activities carried out in accordance with policy for officer-worn video cameras. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Requires each community college and public university to have at least 45 percent of total number of credit hours offered taught by full-time employee during 2024-2025 academic year, at least 55 percent of total number of credit hours taught by full-time employee during 2025-2026 academic year, at least 65 percent of total number of credit hours offered taught by full-time employee during 2026-2027 academic year and at least 75 percent of total number of credit hours offered taught by full-time employee every academic year thereafter. Requires each community college and public university to report annually to Higher Education Coordinating Commission on compliance with full-time employee requirement. Requires commission to report annually to Legislative Assembly on compliance with full-time employee requirement by each community college and public university. Provides that community college or public university that fails to comply with requirements will receive 50 percent of state allocations during first two years of noncompliance and no state moneys during subsequent years of noncompliance. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Higher Education Coordinating Commission for allocation to public universities and community colleges for purpose of increasing percentage of credit hours taught by full-time faculty. Declares emergency, effective on July 1, 2023.

Appropriates moneys to Higher Education Coordinating Commission, for allocation to Oregon State University through Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, for specified purposes related to zoonotic disease. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Specifies property and funds of judgment debtor that are exempt from execution or garnishment. Permits plaintiff to bring action, including class action, for unlawful debt collection practice within six years after discovering unlawful practice and increases amount of recoverable statutory damages. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Prohibits seller from selling or leasing motor vehicle if sale or lease is contingent upon lender's agreement to purchase retail installment contract or lease agreement. Provides that if seller sells retail installment contract or lease agreement to lender, lender must provide final approval of funding within 14 days after buyer takes possession of motor vehicle. Provides that if lender does not agree to buy retail installment contract or lease agreement or agrees to buy on terms other than exact terms that seller and buyer agreed to, seller must retain retail installment contract or lease agreement, must notify buyer of seller's retention and may not thereafter sell, assign, transfer or delegate any of the benefits, duties or obligations of the contract or agreement. Provides that seller's failure to comply with provisions of Act deprives seller of right to collect payment due under contract or agreement and right to repossess motor vehicle.

Establishes income tax credit for volunteer firefighters. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2030. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to require applicant for cannabis-related license or license renewal to submit signed attestation that applicant will refrain from interfering with labor organizing efforts or submit attestation that applicant and labor organization that is certified to represent employees of applicant have entered into and will abide by terms of labor peace agreement.

Expands crime of assault in the third degree to include assault of public transit vehicle operator acting in course of official duty. Punishes by maximum of five years' imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both. Expands crime of aggravated harassment to include knowing propulsion of bodily fluids at public transit vehicle operator acting in course of official duty. Punishes by maximum of five years' imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both.