HB 4018
Modifies the timelines for the enactment of certain campaign finance regulations.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of House Interim Committee on Rules for Representative Ben Bowman)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
43%
Oppose
57%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
House Bill 4018 directs the Secretary of State to study Oregon elections and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2027. The study’s findings and recommendations are set to expire on January 2, 2028. This bill also includes provisions related to reporting requirements and allows for the temporary reinstatement of certain previously repealed campaign finance regulations. An emergency clause makes the bill effective immediately upon passage.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
House Interim Committee on Rules
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of campaign finance reform advocate for implementing limits on contributions to level the playing field and ensure everyday people's voices are heard. They emphasize the need for transparency, accountability, and responsible rollout of reforms to maintain public confidence in Oregon's elections. Key concerns include preventing a messy implementation, ensuring fair and accessible elections, and protecting donor privacy. Supporters also highlight the importance of regulating unlimited money in elections and maintaining contribution limits on track, while providing necessary clarification for implementation. Ultimately, they believe that campaign contribution limits are essential to ensure democracy-advancing policy and promote fairness in Oregon's election system.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the bill strongly argue that its complex amendment and six-year deadline for implementing campaign finance reforms are overly broad, vague, and potentially detrimental to Oregon's democratic process. They express concerns that the bill would weaken and delay meaningful reform, create loopholes for big money, and undermine transparency, ultimately allowing special interests to influence elections. Many the need for swift implementation of strong finance campaign rules, citing a lack of involvement from key stakeholders and criticism of the secretary of state's actions. They also argue that the bill's proposed changes would gut historic reforms enacted in 2020, erode trust in the legislative process, and deepen cynicism among voters, ultimately undermining the will of Oregonians who voted for these reforms.
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