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OregonHB 40342026 Regular SessionHouse

Relating to animal rescue entities.

Sponsored By: Bobby Levy (Republican), Courtney Neron Misslin (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Animal rescues face licensing and fees

Rescues keeping 10 or more animals in legal custody for more than two consecutive business days must get a state license. They must pay a reasonable license or annual renewal fee, limited to actual enforcement costs. Applicants and renewing rescues must meet the animal rescue requirements. A license transfer requires written agency consent, a qualified recipient, and a background investigation. Money collected must support Oregon's animal rescue laws.

Animal rescues face investigations and penalties

Authorities can investigate suspected unlicensed rescues and check compliance on-site at reasonable times. The department or law enforcement must investigate complaints it finds credible and serious about failures to follow rescue requirements. Complaint investigations are limited to checking those requirements, and state agencies must notify the department about licensed-rescue complaints and follow-up actions. Violations can bring animal impoundment, license denial, suspension or revocation, and fines up to $500 per violation. The law provides notice, a hearing opportunity, and access to judicial review before penalties. When the department finds animal-cruelty evidence, it must seize and report it to law enforcement; that evidence is presumed admissible in later criminal proceedings.

Animal rescues must keep auditable records

Animal rescues must keep a record for each animal in their legal custody. The Oregon Department of Agriculture sets the record contents through rules rather than a fixed list in law. It must create an audit process that considers each rescue's compliance history. During audits or on-site investigations, rescues must allow record inspections and provide required reports and information. When developing rules, the department must seek input from rural and urban rescues, rescue transporters, and free or low-cost animal-care providers.

Rescue rules reach smaller animal groups

Oregon's rescue rules cover individuals and groups that keep animals in their legal custody and seek or accept donations. Coverage no longer requires keeping at least 10 animals, though licensing has a separate threshold. The rules cover nonhuman mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, but not fish. Veterinary facilities are excluded.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bobby Levy

    Republican • House

  • Courtney Neron Misslin

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alek Skarlatos

    Republican • House

  • Anna Scharf

    Republican • House

  • Court Boice

    Republican • House

  • Darcey Edwards

    Republican • House

  • David Gomberg

    Democratic • House

  • Dwayne Yunker

    Republican • House

  • E. Werner Reschke

    Republican • House

  • Janeen Sollman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeffrey Helfrich

    Republican • House

  • Ken Helm

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Owens

    Republican • House

  • Rick Lewis

    Republican • House

  • Sarah McDonald

    Democratic • House

  • Susan McLain

    Democratic • House

  • Todd Nash

    Republican • Senate

  • Tom Andersen

    Democratic • House

  • Virgle Osborne

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Natural Resources and Wildfire: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 4 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2026

Third reading. Carried by Levy B. Passed.

Yes: 58 • No: 0

House vote • 2/4/2026

Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 13, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.

    3/17/2026House

  2. Governor signed.

    3/5/2026House

  3. President signed.

    2/27/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    2/26/2026House

  5. Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.

    2/25/2026Senate

  6. Carried over to 02-25 by unanimous consent.

    2/24/2026Senate

  7. Second reading.

    2/23/2026Senate

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

    2/23/2026Senate

  9. Work Session held.

    2/19/2026Senate

  10. Public Hearing held.

    2/17/2026Senate

  11. Referred to Natural Resources and Wildfire.

    2/11/2026Senate

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

    2/11/2026Senate

  13. Third reading. Carried by Levy B. Passed.

    2/10/2026House

  14. Second reading.

    2/9/2026House

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

    2/5/2026House

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

    2/5/2026House

  17. Work Session held.

    2/4/2026House

  18. Public Hearing held.

    2/2/2026House

  19. Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

    2/2/2026House

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

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • HALNRW Amendment -2 (Adopted)

    2/4/2026

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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