Sen. Tim Knopp

Clarifies meaning of "because of age" in employment discrimination law. Designates as unlawful employment practice for employer to seek age of applicant prior to making conditional offer of employment and to include certain words or phrases in job application that suggest or imply age preferences. Permits employer to observe terms of bona fide seniority system that does not require employee to retire at certain age. Allows person to bring civil action alleging certain types of employment discrimination under disparate impact or disparate treatment theory of proof. Requires additional award of liquidated damages to prevailing plaintiff in civil action alleging age discrimination.

Allows counties to authorize construction of accessory dwelling units on lands zoned for rural residential use. Establishes conditions of approval for accessory dwelling units. Requires Department of Consumer and Business Services to map wildfire risk and to develop appropriate fire protection standards within state building code for accessory dwelling units based on fire risk identified in maps. Requires department and Oregon State University College of Forestry to report to interim committee of Legislative Assembly on updates to maps and state building code no later than September 15, 2022.

Limits local government regulations on certain nonresidential alarm systems and battery-charged fences. Requires signage for battery-charged fences.

Prescribes additional requirements for health benefit plan coverage of telemedical health services. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires ballots for general and primary elections that are received after election to be counted if postmarked no later than Saturday before date of election and received no later than seven calendar days after election. Prohibits individual from collecting and returning ballot of other individual, subject to specified exceptions. Requires Secretary of State to submit biennial report to Legislative Assembly identifying name, address and birthdate of each individual who cast more than one ballot in single election during previous two years. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution directing Legislative Assembly to enact property tax relief program for owner-occupied principal dwellings of certain seniors. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

Allows certain local governments to include within urban growth boundary lands for needed housing. Requires consent of city and affected properties. Provides that inclusion results in city annexation of land. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes that decisions related to immunizations are personal health care decisions and that immunizations may not be mandated as condition of employment for registered nurses or other medical staff unless required by federal law. Makes violation unlawful employment practice.

Requires individual and group health insurance policies to reimburse services provided by naturopathic physicians within scope of their practice if services are reimbursed when provided by licensed physicians. Requires reimbursement paid to naturopathic physician in independent practice to be in same amount as reimbursement paid to physician. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes Task Force on Vehicle Charging Stations. Directs task force to investigate installing vehicle charging stations across Oregon on public property and make recommendations for any changes necessary in state statutes that can promote installation and use of vehicle charging stations. Sunsets December 31, 2022. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.