HB 3474
Requires the Secretary of State to study changes to the United States Postal Service.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
92%
Oppose
8%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Secretary of State to study changes made by the federal government to the United States Postal Service. The study must specifically analyze how these changes could affect Oregon’s vote-by-mail system. The Secretary of State is required to submit a report to the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2026, and the study will conclude on January 2, 2027.
Key provisions
- The Secretary of State must conduct a study of changes to the U.S. Postal Service.
- The study must analyze the potential impact on Oregon’s vote-by-mail system.
- The Secretary of State must submit a report to the Legislative Assembly.
- The report is due by September 15, 2026.
- The study and related provisions expire on January 2, 2027.
Who is affected
- Secretary of State
- Oregon Legislative Assembly
- Oregon Voters
- United States Postal Service
- Oregon Elections Office
Notable changes
- Requires a specific analysis of the impact on vote-by-mail.
- Establishes a sunset date for the study and related provisions.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
David Brock Smith
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the bill advocate for increased transparency and accountability, particularly with regards to voter rolls and the legislative process. They believe that requiring committee chairs to disclose their sources of income will improve transparency and accountability in the legislative process. Additionally, supporters urge passage of HB 3474, which proposes a study on the potential impact of USPS changes on Oregon's voting laws, citing concerns about mail-in voting and the need for adequate funding to ensure the integrity of the vote-by-mail system. Many testifiers also emphasize the importance of evaluating changes to the USPS in relation to mail-in voting, highlighting past issues with delayed ballots and conflicting guidance from local post offices, and encouraging the Governor's appointments to the Board of Regents without Senate approval.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 3474 argue that the proposed legislation is unnecessary due to the existing functionality of the US Postal System, which they claim is not in need of significant overhaul. They also contend that Oregon's status as a Sanctuary State does not significantly impact voting by mail, and that the bill's focus on this issue is misplaced. Furthermore, critics point out that the bill lacks sufficient funding and resources to effectively implement its provisions, rendering it incomplete and potentially ineffective.