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Oregon State Bar Bills Pass the Legislature
Over the last month, the Oregon State Bar’s Law Improvement bills have moved through the second chamber of the Legislature. At the time of publication, four of the Oregon State Bar’s five Law Improvement bills have been voted out of both chambers and signed by Governor Kotek. One bill, House Bill 2463, is awaiting signature. The final deadline to move a bill out of a policy committee is May 23, 2025.
Senate Bill 166. This bill changes terminology in statute that generally refers to OSB “members” and instead refers to OSB “licensees.” The bill also updates the Board of Governors’ statutory quorum requirement from two-thirds to three-fifths.
Senate Bill 167. This bill adopts in Oregon the new Chapter 12 of the Uniform Commercial Code, addressing transactions involving virtual currencies.
Senate Bill 168. This bill amends several statutes related to probate administration, addressing application of the harmless-error statute and clarifying what documents may be used to establish testator intent to create a will.
House Bill 2461. This bill revises ORS 45.400(2) to give the court greater flexibility to consider motions for remote location testimony filed less than 30 days in advance of an appearance.
House Bill 2463. This bill clarifies that the recipient of a notice of small claim may request a jury trial if the amount identified as “total” on the small claim form exceeds $750, and that certain fixed fees and costs may be applied toward that total.
Thank you to the section committee members and volunteers for your efforts to pass these bills through the legislative process.
May Revenue Forecast Released
On May 14, the Office of Economic Analysis presented the much-anticipated May Revenue Forecast. The May forecast is an essential tool for Oregon policymakers, providing fiscal clarity to inform decisions about the state budget and accounting for dispensation of surplus revenues. Following the release of this forecast, fiscal considerations come into focus as legislators use the final weeks of the session to finalize the two-year budget.
A recorded version of the presentation can be watched on OLIS, where the forecast materials are also available: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Committees/SFR/2025-05-14-08-00/Agenda
Oregon Joins ABA Lobby Days in DC to Advocate for Legal Aid Funding
In April the Oregon State Bar, along with Oregon’s civil legal services providers, once again participated in the American Bar Association’s annual Lobby Days.
The focus of this year’s Lobby Days was to advocate to maintain existing levels of funding for the Legal Services Corporation.
OSB President Myah Kehoe, Ed Harnden (Campaign for Equal Justice), Ayla Ercin (Campaign for Equal Justice), and Erika Hente (Oregon Law Center) shared with Oregon’s congressional representatives the critical importance of federal funding to Oregon’s civil legal aid system. The group also shared constituent stories from around the state, illustrating the positive impact of access to legal aid for families and communities.
During the event, Oregon’s own Representative Suzanne Bonamici was honored with the ABA’s Justice Award for her tremendous leadership in advocating access to justice for Oregonians.
| The Oregon ABA Lobby Days delegation meets with Representative Bonamici |
| The Oregon ABA Lobby Days delegation meets with Representative Salinas |
Archives
Thank you for reading the Oregon State Bar’s CAPITOL INSIDER.
The archives are available here.
2025 Oregon State Bar Officers and Public Affairs Chair
Myah Kehoe, President, Oregon State Bar
Tomás Hernandez, President Elect, Oregon State Bar
David Rosen, Immediate Past President, Oregon State Bar
John Marandas, Chair, Public Affairs Committee, Oregon State Bar Board of Governor
For questions about articles, legislation, or the legislative process, please contact:
Dominique Rossi, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer
Avery Pickard, Public Affairs Legislative Attorney