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OregonHB 29312025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to the interstate bridge replacement program.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Hood River drivers face toll enforcement

For bridges operated under covered Port of Hood River agreements, the port or its designated operator can set reasonable tolls. It can also set or change administrative fees and civil penalties. Oregon's transportation department must collect unpaid charges and refuse registration renewal for vehicle owners who have not paid. Existing toll exemptions apply, and the department must create a process for requesting enforcement.

Unpaid tolls can block vehicle registration

Registered owners are personally liable for tolls and related charges imposed during their ownership; each co-owner may owe the full amount. Overdue tolls bring an administrative fee capped at actual collection costs, and Oregon's transportation department may impose a civil penalty. The department sets penalty amounts by rule; this law states no dollar amount. It can refuse to issue or renew registration while covered tolls, fees, or penalties remain unpaid. Enforcement agreements with governments, tribes, or private entities can allow owner-information sharing and registration holds until payment is confirmed.

Dedicated money supports Interstate 5 replacement

The law creates a separate Interstate 5 Bridge Toll Account, keeps its interest there, and continuously authorizes project spending. Oregon's transportation department can transfer money to the Toll Program Fund only for authorized bridge-project and related-facility uses. Oregon's share of project toll revenue remains limited to uses allowed by the state constitution. With the state treasurer's approval, that revenue is exempt from certain state deposit rules while fully secured by collateral. The security must be under a Washington agreement covering collection, holding, and payment of Oregon's money.

States gain tools for bridge replacement

The law defines the Interstate 5 project as a corridor serving several travel modes between Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. It runs from Vancouver's State Route 500 interchange to Columbia Slough, south of Portland's Victory Boulevard interchange. It includes new river crossings, changes to existing bridges, interchange work, and other corridor improvements. Oregon's transportation commission can make project agreements with Washington or its designee. A bistate entity created for the project qualifies for powers granted to government units under Oregon's tollway laws.

Tolls bypass interim agency fee reviews

Commission-approved tolls and covered unpaid-toll administrative fees are exempt from state agency fee controls between legislative sessions. They do not face those controls' approval and reporting requirements or automatic expiration at the next regular session's end. This exemption does not itself set or change a toll or fee amount.

Toll records stay private, with exceptions

The law keeps toll records confidential but allows limited sharing for collection and enforcement. Collection agencies, payment processors, and other legally authorized entities can receive information needed to collect tolls, fees, and penalties. Vehicle-registration agencies can also receive information under transportation department agreements to enforce registration penalties for unpaid charges.

Toll financing expands, with repayment rules

Oregon's transportation department can contract for tollway design, property, financing, operation, and maintenance with government or private partners. Under reciprocal agreements, it can operate tollways and set, collect, keep, and pay out tolls. At the department's request, the treasurer can issue revenue bonds for authorized projects and repayment of eligible department tollway costs. The transportation commission must keep tolls sufficient to cover bondholder obligations, financing promises, and required credit support. It must consider traffic demand and use comparable market standards to assess private investors' fair and reasonable returns.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 115 • No: 83

Senate vote • 5/22/2025

Third reading. Carried by Gorsek. Passed.

Yes: 17 • No: 12

House vote • 5/7/2025

Passed.

Yes: 31 • No: 24

House vote • 5/7/2025

Vote reconsideration carried.

Yes: 33 • No: 22

House vote • 5/6/2025

Third reading. Carried by McLain. Failed.

Yes: 26 • No: 24

legislature vote • 4/28/2025

Transportation: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 255, (2025 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2026.

    6/19/2025House

  2. Governor signed.

    6/3/2025House

  3. President signed.

    5/27/2025Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    5/23/2025House

  5. Patterson, granted unanimous consent to change vote to nay.

    5/22/2025Senate

  6. Third reading. Carried by Gorsek. Passed.

    5/22/2025Senate

  7. Carried over to 05-22 by unanimous consent.

    5/21/2025Senate

  8. Carried over to 05-21 by unanimous consent.

    5/20/2025Senate

  9. Carried over to 05-20 by unanimous consent.

    5/19/2025Senate

  10. Second reading.

    5/15/2025Senate

  11. Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.

    5/15/2025Senate

  12. Referred to Transportation.

    5/8/2025Senate

  13. First reading. Referred to President's desk.

    5/8/2025Senate

  14. Vote explanation(s) filed by Nelson, Walters.

    5/7/2025House

  15. Passed.

    5/7/2025House

  16. Vote reconsideration carried.

    5/7/2025House

  17. Nelson served notice of possible reconsideration.

    5/6/2025House

  18. Third reading. Carried by McLain. Failed.

    5/6/2025House

  19. Second reading.

    5/5/2025House

  20. Subsequent referral to Ways and Means rescinded by order of the Speaker.

    5/2/2025House

  21. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and subsequent referral to Ways and Means be rescinded.

    5/2/2025House

  22. Work Session held.

    4/28/2025House

  23. Public Hearing held.

    2/3/2025House

  24. Referred to Transportation with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

    1/17/2025House

  25. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • JCT Amendment -1 (Adopted)

    4/28/2025

    PDF

  • JCT Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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