 * “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
—Helen Keller
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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JeffGolden@oregonlegislature.gov
Greetings:
Most of the bills we pass take effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns. For 2025, that implementation day is today. Here are some of the measures that become law today.
Sunday night I’ll be heading for Salem for a combination of the normally-scheduled Legislative Days (to begin committee discussions of proposals we’ll consider in 2026) and, hopefully, completion of the drawn-out special session for transportation funding.
Take care,
 Senator Jeff Golden, Oregon Senate District 3
Helping to Pay for Wildfire (HB 3940)
HB 3940 imposes a tax on the distribution of oral nicotine products. The revenue raised from the tax goes toward paying for wildfire mitigation.
Insurance Transparency (HB 2563)
Requires an insurer to provide to an insured a clear and reasonable explanation of the reasons for any increase in the premium amount for a qualified policy upon renewal of the qualified policy.
Strengthening Consumer Data Privacy in Vehicles (HB 3875)
HB 3875 requires motor vehicle manufacturers and their affiliates to comply with state privacy laws when collecting, controlling, or processing personal data obtained from a consumer’s use of a motor vehicle. The bill applies these privacy requirements regardless of how many consumers’ data the manufacturer or affiliate collect. Companies now must honor your request to delete your personal data, give you a copy of your data, or stop selling it or using it for targeted advertising.
Protecting Job Applicants’ Privacy (HB 3187)
HB 3187 makes it illegal for employers to ask for or require certain information about a job applicant’s age or the dates they attended or graduated from school. The bill is designed to help prevent age discrimination in hiring.
Public Employee Retirement Fund Investments (HB 2081)
HB 2081 directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risk of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund.
Expanding Affordable Housing Access (SB 1086 & HB 3232)
SB 1086 calls on the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to work with the Oregon Building Officials Association to propose an apprenticeship program for building inspectors, helping train and grow the workforce that’s essential for producing more housing options.
HB 3232 makes it easier for certain affordable housing to get a property tax break, removing the rule that the housing must be built or changed after the tax break program started.
Preventing Youth Exposure to Marijuana Advertising (HB 3724)
HB 3724 prohibits the advertising, packaging, and labeling of marijuana products in ways that are likely to appeal to minors or encourage them to unlawfully possess or consume marijuana. The bill aims to reduce youth exposure to marketing that could normalize underage marijuana use while maintaining legal access for adults.
Protecting Privacy in Short Term Rentals (SB 470)
SB 470 gives guests in Oregon hotels and short-term vacation rentals the authority to sue innkeepers, landlords, and reservation services if these rental providers record still photos, videos, or audio of the guests in private spaces. Until this law was passed, photos and videos taken or shared without consent counted as an invasion of privacy only if nudity was involved. SB 470 widens the definition to any images taken when a person reasonably expects privacy in their vacation rental or hotel room.
Regulating Compensation for Veteran Benefit Services (SB 150)
SB 150 is intended to protect veterans from being charged improper or excessive fees. Oregon has Veteran Services Offices (VSOs) all over the state that provide assistance claiming benefits at no charge to veterans. This new law bans anyone from taking compensation for services that are free through local VSOs, and the statute prohibits unreasonable fees for providing help that isn’t available at VSOs.
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