HB 3390
Prescribes the method for creating a ballot title and explanatory statement by a joint legislative committee for any amendment to the Oregon Constitution that passes both houses of the Legislative Assembly during the 2025 regular session and is referred to the people by the Legislative Assembly and for any Act that passes both houses of the Legislative Assembly during the 2025 regular session if the Act is referred to the people by either the Legislative Assembly or by referendum petition.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2025 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of Representative Ben Bowman)
Committee
Rules
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
1%
Oppose
99%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Secretary of State to conduct a study of elections and submit findings and recommendations to the Legislative Assembly’s interim committees by September 15, 2026. The study’s results will be reported to the committees in accordance with existing Oregon law. The bill expires on January 2, 2027.
Key provisions
- The Secretary of State will study elections.
- The Secretary of State must submit a report with recommendations to the Legislative Assembly’s interim committees.
- The report must be submitted by September 15, 2026.
- The bill expires on January 2, 2027.
Who is affected
- Secretary of State
- Legislative Assembly (interim committees)
- Oregon Voters
Notable changes
- Establishes a specific timeline for the Secretary of State’s election study and report submission.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
House Committee On Rules
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of this measure emphasize the need for robust election oversight to ensure the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, citing concerns about voter suppression and disenfranchisement. They argue that adequate safeguards are crucial to maintaining public trust in elections and protecting the rights of all Oregonians, particularly those with limited access to resources or voting information. Proponents also highlight the importance of providing necessary resources, such as secure voting equipment and accessible polling stations, to ensure equal access to the ballot for every eligible voter. By prioritizing election oversight and resource allocation, supporters believe that Oregon can strengthen its democratic processes and promote a more inclusive and equitable electoral system.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 3390-2 express concerns that allowing the Legislature to write ballot titles and explanatory statements would undermine minority party voice, remove impartiality, and erode transparency. They argue that this would give the Legislature too much control over the referendum process, potentially leading to partisan manipulation and less direct input from the people. Many testifiers also criticize the rushed process of the bill, citing a lack of public notice and significant amendments introduced with little time for review or public input. Furthermore, opponents believe that this change would weaken Oregon's referendum process by removing public input and checks on the ballot title, leading to less impartial and transparent elections. They argue that the current system is more effective and should be preserved, and that the bill's proposed changes are not convincing.