Analysis

BEST watches transportation bills before the Oregon Legislature

By Rob Zako
February 1, 2024

Because state transportation funding and policies have a significant effect on what can or can’t be accomplished locally, during the Oregon Legislature’s 2024 short session BEST is watching a few bills related to highways, bridges, commuter rail, transit, electric bicycles and micromobility, trails, aviation, weight-mile taxes, affordable housing, and climate change.

How an Idea Becomes Law Diagram
Source: Oregon State Legislature

LAST UPDATED 3/7/24: Add proposed amendments, public hearings, work sessions, and floor votes.

NOTE: The 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly convened for the 2024 Legislative Session on Monday, February 5th and adjourned Sine Die Thursday, March 7th.

BEST is watching a few bills related to transportation introduced during the Oregon Legislature’s 2024 short session. Check back here as more information becomes available.

Highways

Senate Bill 1556: Relating to U.S. Highway 30. The Act requires ODOT to study a section of U.S. Highway 30. ODOT must make a report of the study and share its findings with the JCT. ODOT may start work on the study 91 days after sine die.

Senate Bill 1563: Relating to U.S. Highway 101. The Act requires ODOT to study a section of U.S. Highway 101. ODOT must make a report of the study and share its findings with the JCT. ODOT may start work on the study as soon as the Act is passed.

Bridges

Senate Bill 1512: Relating to the Bridge of the Gods. The Act gives money to the Port of Cascade Locks for the Bridge of the Gods. The money will be used for the bridge’s seismic analysis and strengthening project. The Act takes effect as soon as it is passed.

House Bill 4110: Relating to the Bridge of the Gods. The Act gives money to the Port of Cascade Locks for the Bridge of the Gods. 

Commuter Rail

Senate Bill 1572: Relating to a study on extending the Westside Express Service commuter line to Salem. The Act requires ODOT to study extending the WES commuter rail line to Salem. The Act creates an advisory committee to aid ODOT in its study. Requires ODOT to consult with the advisory committee as part of the process of conducting the study. ODOT must submit a report no later than December 1, 2024. Gives money to ODOT to pay for the costs of the study. The Act takes effect as soon as it is passed.

Transit & School Buses

Senate Bill 1553: {placeholder re crime of interfering with public transit} Relating to the addiction crisis in this state. The Act requires the OHA to study the problems in this state caused by drug use and to send a report on its findings to the legislature. The section is repealed on January 2, 2026.

  • 2-5 (S): Referred to Judiciary.
  • 2-12 (S): Public Hearing.
  • 2-14 (S): Work Session.
  • 2-16 (S): Recommendation (5-0-0-0): Do pass with -1 amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
  • 2-21 (S): Third reading. Carried by Lieber, Prozanski. Passed. Ayes, 27; Nays, 3—Boquist, Jama, Robinson.
  • 2-21 (H): Referred to Judiciary.
  • 2-27 (H): Public Hearing.
  • 2-29 (H): Work Session.
  • 3-1 (H): Recommendation (10-0-0-0): Without recommendation as to passage, refer to Rules.
  • 3-4 (H): Work Session.
  • 3-4 (H): Recommendation (4-2-1-0): Do pass with -A2 amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.
  • 3-5 (H): Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by McLain. Passed. Ayes, 51; Nays, 5—Chaichi, Hartman, Kropf, Marsh, Valderrama; Excused, 4—Boshart Davis, Bynum, Cramer, Owens.
  • 3-6 (S): Senate concurred in House amendments and repassed bill. Ayes, 23; Nays, 6—Boquist, Findley, Girod, Jama, Linthicum, Robinson; Excused, 1—Thatcher.
  • 3-7 (S): President signed.
  • 3-7 (H): Speaker signed.

House Bill 4147: Relating to school buses. Permits an education provider to have stop arm cameras on school buses for the purpose of recording persons who fail to stop for bus safety lights.

  • 2-5 (H): Referred to Education.
  • 2-12 (H): Public Hearing.
  • 2-14 (H): Work Session.
  • 2-15 (H): Recommendation (7-0-0-0): Do pass with -6 amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
  • 2-19 (H): Third reading. Carried by Neron. Passed. Ayes, 49; Nays, 5—Evans, Osborne, Reschke, Scharf, Yunker; Excused, 2—Lively, Smith G; Excused for Business of the House, 4—Boshart Davis, Goodwin, Kropf, Speaker Rayfield.
  • 2-20 (S): Referred to Education.
  • 2-22 (S): Public Hearing.
  • 2-27 (S): Work Session.
  • 2-29 (S): Recommendation: Do pass the A-Engrossed bill.
  • 3-5 (S): Third reading. Carried by Dembrow. Passed. Ayes, 25; Nays, 4—Boquist, Linthicum, Robinson, Thatcher; Excused, 1—Woods.
  • 3-6 (H): Speaker signed.
  • 3-7 (S): President signed.

Electric Bicycles & Micromobility

House Bill 4067: Relating to electric micromobility vehicles. The Act creates the Task Force on Electric Micromobility. The Act takes effect as soon as it is passed.

House Bill 4103: Relating to electric assisted bicycles. The Act states that kids under 16 years of age may ride Class 1 e-bikes. The Act also states that only those 16 years of age and older may operate Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes. The Act creates the offense of unsafe e-bike riding. If a person violates the law, the person could face a fine of up to $100.

  • 2-5 (H): Referred to Transportation.
  • 2-15 (H): Public Hearing.
  • 2-22 (H): Work Session.
  • 2-26 (H): Recommendation (9-0-3-0): Do pass with -3 amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
  • 2-27 (H): Third reading. Carried by Levy E. Passed. Ayes, 59; Excused, 1—Boshart Davis.
  • 2-28 (S): Referred to Transportation.
  • 2-29 (S): Recommendation: Do pass the A-Engrossed bill.
  • 3-1 (S): Carried over to 03-04 by unanimous consent.
  • 3-4 (S): Third reading. Carried by Knopp. Passed. Ayes, 28; Nays, 2—Bonham, Hayden.
  • 3-5 (H): Speaker signed.
  • 3-6 (S): President signed.

Trails

Senate Bill 1576: {placeholder re recreational immunity} Relating to civil matters. The Act tells the Judicial Department to do a study.

Aviation

House Bill 4109: {placeholder for transportation omnibus} Relating to transportation. The Act states that certain aviation grant funds may be used for matching shares of any FAA grant and the funds are not limited to federal Airport Improvement Program grants. The Act changes photo radar laws. Becomes law 91 days from sine die.

  • (at the request of Joint Committee on Transportation for Representative Susan McLain, Senator Chris Gorsek)
  • 2-5 (H): Referred to Transportation.
  • 2-8 (H): Public Hearing.
  • 2-29 (H): Work Session.
  • 3-1 (H): Recommendation (8-2-3-0): Do pass with -33 amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
  • 3-5 (H): Third reading. Carried by McLain. Passed. Ayes, 37; Nays, 15—Boice, Cate, Diehl, Elmer, Goodwin, Hieb, Javadi, Lewis, McIntire, Osborne, Owens, Reschke, Scharf, Stout, Yunker; Excused, 4—Boshart Davis, Bynum, Cramer, Neron; Excused for Business of the House, 4—Fahey, Levy E, Nguyen D, Speaker Rayfield.
  • 3-5 (S): Referred to Transportation.
  • 3-7 (S): Recommendation: Do pass the A-Engrossed bill.
  • 3-7 (S): Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Gorsek. Passed. Ayes, 21; Nays, 7—Bonham, Boquist, Findley, Girod, Linthicum, Robinson, Smith DB; Excused, 2—Thatcher, Weber.

Weight-Mile Taxes

Senate Bill 1519: Relating to transportation. The Act lowers weight-mile taxes. The Act directs ODOT to adopt rules so that ODOT may issue refunds to taxpayers who overpaid weight-mile taxes in recent years. The Act limits ODOT spending on certain things. Becomes law 91 days from sine die.

Senate Bill 1543: Relating to transportation. The Act lowers weight-mile taxes. The Act limits ODOT spending on certain things. Becomes law 91 days from sine die.

House Bill 4165: Relating to vehicle cost responsibility. Requires ODOT to prepare and submit a report on the changes in the law that are needed to balance costs between light and heavy cars and trucks.

Affordable Housing

Senate Bill 1530: {placeholder for housing} Relating to state financial administration. Gives money to OHCS, OHA, DHS, DOE and DAS for programs. Goes into effect when the Governor signs it.

Senate Bill 1537: Relating to housing. The Act establishes HAPO to support and enforce housing laws; lets home builders use updated local rules; awards additional lawyer fees for housing appeals; gives grants and loans to encourage home building; creates a fund for grants to developers of affordable housing; makes cities approve changes to housing rules; makes cities expedite applications to build housing; lets cities change their growth boundaries; and gives money to DLCD, BO and OHCS for this Act.

  • At the request of: (at the request of Governor Tina Kotek for Office of the Governor)
  • 2-5 (S): Referred to Housing and Development, then Ways and Means.
  • 2-8 (S): Public Hearing.
  • 2-13 (S): Work Session.
  • 2-16 (S): Recommendation (5-0-0-0): Do pass with -9 amendments, refer to Ways and Means by prior reference, and be printed A-Engrossed.
  • 2-24 (S): Assigned to Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development.
  • 2-27 (S): Work Session.
  • 2-27 (S): Returned to Full Committee.
  • 2-28 (S): Work Session held.
  • 2-29 (S): Recommendation (23-0-1-0): Do pass with -A15 amendments to the A-Engrossed bill and be printed B-Engrossed.
  • 2-29 (S): Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Jama, Anderson. Passed. Ayes, 21; Nays, 7—Bonham, Boquist, Linthicum, Manning Jr, Prozanski, Robinson, Thatcher; Excused, 2—Gorsek, Hansell.
  • 2-29 (H) Referred to Ways and Means.
  • 3-1 (H): Recommendation: Do pass.
  • 3-4 (H): Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Dexter, Gomberg. Passed. Ayes, 50; Nays, 6—Neron, Reschke, Scharf, Stout, Walters, Yunker; Excused, 3—Boshart Davis, Cramer, Hartman; Excused for Business of the House, 1—Hieb.
  • 3-5 (S): President signed.
  • 3-5 (H): Speaker signed.

Climate Change

Senate Bill 1559: Relating to climate change. This Act changes the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. The Act changes the term “global warming” to “climate change” in some laws. The Act declares an emergency and takes effect when it passes.

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