Sen. Dick Anderson

Establishes the Task Force on the Perinatal Workforce. Directs the task force to evaluate the existing perinatal workforce and make recommendations for improvement. Directs the task force to report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care not later than December 1, 2026. Sunsets December 31, 2026. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires the governing board of each public university in this state to adopt a personnel policy that includes institutional standards for faculty qualifications. Requires that the standards include that faculty must have obtained at least a master's degree. Provides for exceptions to the policy.

Maddy summarySB 1079 allocates $50 million from the state General Fund to the Housing Project Revolving Loan Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium. This funding supports existing housing programs managed by the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department, which provides loans for housing development and preservation. The bill does not create new policies or directly affect specific residents, but rather provides financial resources to existing housing initiatives. The funds will be deposited into a revolving loan fund established under prior Oregon law (2024 Oregon Laws, Chapter 110, Section 35). The bill is currently in committee review following its introduction in February 2025.

Creates an Oregon tax subtraction for interest received by financial institutions from loans made for the purchase or improvement of agricultural real estate, rural residences and coastal fishing boats. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and before January 1, 2032. Exempts from commercial activity subject to the corporate activity tax interest received by financial institutions from loans made for the purchase or improvement of agricultural real estate, rural residences and coastal fishing boats. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and before January 1, 2032. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Authorizes certain cities with a demonstrated need for housing to add a project area to their urban growth boundary upon certain conditions. Sunsets the authorization January 2, 2035. Amends principles that the Land Conservation and Development Commission must consider in adopting rules regulating urban reserves. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Permits a person to open a first-time home buyer savings account until January 1, 2030, and doubles the annual contribution limits on the accounts. Permits a person other than the account holder to take a subtraction and exemption for contributions to the account if the account holder does not take the subtraction and exemption. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to administer a grant program to award moneys to tenants to update dwellings for use as a family child care home. Sunsets January 2, 2045.

Provides, for purposes of ad valorem property taxation, a specially assessed value for the homestead of individuals who are at least 70 years old. Sunsets the program after six years. Maintains the specially assessed value for homesteads granted the specially assessed value before the sunset date as long as the homesteads continue to qualify for it. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Adds crimes of conviction that qualify for sexually violent dangerous offender sentencing, requiring lifetime post-prison supervision if the court makes certain findings. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Maddy summarySB 987 amends Oregon law to require the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify "felon in possession of a firearm" as crime category 8 in the state's sentencing guidelines. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of a felony who possess a firearm, as it changes how this offense is categorized for sentencing purposes (currently a Class C felony under ORS 166.270(5)). The key provision mandates the Commission to assign this specific crime category, which influences sentencing severity without altering the underlying offense definition or penalties. The bill does not change the basic requirements for the offense (e.g., felony conviction, firearm possession) or the exceptions listed in subsection (4), such as those with only one non-violent felony conviction after 15 years. This is a procedural change to sentencing classification, not a substantive policy shift.