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OregonHB 40662026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to education; and declaring an emergency.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Stipends for school and education boards

District and education service district boards may pay voting directors a stipend up to $500 per month, with the cap adjusted each July 1 by the CPI for the West region. Directors can decline the stipend. If a board pays no stipend, it must reimburse actual and necessary expenses; boards may reimburse expenses even when stipends are paid. Stipends count as official compensation under Oregon ethics law, but directors are not employees.

No mental‑health denials for disabled people

Public programs, education providers, coordinated care organizations, and licensed clinicians may not refuse mental‑health assessment, treatment, or services because a person also has an intellectual or developmental disability. The Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, State Board of Education, the Oregon Medical Board, and other health licensing agencies must write rules to enforce this.

Cash option for sick leave, some staff

The State Board of Education and the Department of Education may set rules that let unclassified employees receive payments on account of sickness instead of using accrued or future sick leave. Payments can be made directly or through an insured plan. Payments cannot cover medical treatment or duplicate employer‑paid group insurance.

Cleaner classroom air and quick test results

When schools use federal or state money set aside for indoor HVAC upgrades, each classroom must have a CO2 monitor that meets set mounting, visibility, range, accuracy, data‑logging, and calibration standards. Schools must respond to repeated high readings by improving ventilation or adding airflow measurement, and keep breach records for at least five years for free public access. Districts and charters must post any testing results covered by the plan within 10 business days and email staff, students, and parents; they must also post one yearly statement with a contact, where to get the plan, a compliance certification, how to get results, and a summary of major exposure‑reduction steps. The State Board of Education can adjust the technical HVAC and CO2 details by rule.

Better paths to work for disabled students

Transition services for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities may not take place in sheltered or mock‑sheltered work settings, as defined by rule. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Education must create a statewide Employment First advisory committee, set up regional committees, name at least one statewide coordinator, collect and publish employment outcome data each year, and coordinate services; the advisory committee meets at least quarterly. Members of the State Advisory Council for Special Education are reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses when funds are available.

Rules for school construction bond allocations

The State Board of Education and related entities can set rules for allocating and reallocating school construction bonding authority created or expanded by the 2009 Recovery Act. Rules may set application steps, allocation standards, and conditions to receive the bond authority.

Penalties for unfair youth‑apprentice firings

If an apprenticeship committee finds a training agent ended a youth apprentice without cause or violated apprenticeship laws or rules, the agent can lose eligibility for certain state tax credits under ORS 318.031 and be barred from training or employing youth apprentices for one year, after notice to the Department of Revenue.

Equity seats on school budget panels

School districts must include at least one member of the district’s educational equity advisory committee on the district budget committee for vacancies on or after September 15, 2025. This does not apply if no advisory member is willing or able to serve.

Farmworker wages and safety study

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission funds Portland State University’s Center for Public Service, with Oregon State University consultation, to study farmworker labor standards and experiences. Reports are due May 1, 2026 (status), September 1, 2026 (progress), and December 1, 2026 (final). The final report includes findings, methods, and limits and does not propose policy recommendations.

Full hearings on background‑check rules

The State Board of Education must give full notice and hold a hearing before adopting criminal‑records‑check rules. The Board cannot use abbreviated notice and hearing procedures for these rules.

More state guidance to school staff

The Department of Education must send its guidelines, technical help, and training materials to every school district. Each district must share those materials with all instructional staff.

OHSU board meets at least quarterly

The Oregon Health & Science University Board must meet at least four times each year at OHSU. The chair or a majority of members may call extra meetings and set the time and place.

Fingerprint checks for DOE jobs and vendors

The Department of Education can require fingerprints and state or national criminal‑records checks for its employees, job applicants, and service providers (including contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and volunteers) who may have unsupervised access to children or other listed access. The Department may use FBI records to make fitness decisions under state rules.

School lighting rules change in 2030

The law removes the exemption that let school districts and education service districts buy certain lamps for educational buildings without following ORS 459.488. This change takes effect January 2, 2030. The act also moves earlier amendments to ORS 459.488 to take effect when this 2026 law takes effect.

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: 80 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Third reading. Carried by Sollman. Passed.

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Education: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2026

Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Hudson. Passed.

Yes: 40 • No: 13

House vote • 2/9/2026

Education: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 7 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 42, (2026 Laws): Effective date March 31, 2026.

    4/6/2026House

  2. Governor signed.

    3/31/2026House

  3. President signed.

    3/5/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    3/4/2026House

  5. Third reading. Carried by Sollman. Passed.

    3/2/2026Senate

  6. Second reading.

    2/27/2026Senate

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

    2/27/2026Senate

  8. Work Session held.

    2/26/2026Senate

  9. Public Hearing held.

    2/17/2026Senate

  10. Referred to Education.

    2/12/2026Senate

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

    2/12/2026Senate

  12. Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Hudson. Passed.

    2/11/2026House

  13. Second reading.

    2/11/2026House

  14. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.

    2/10/2026House

  15. Work Session held.

    2/9/2026House

  16. Public Hearing held.

    2/4/2026House

  17. Referred to Education.

    2/2/2026House

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

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    3/2/2026

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • House Amendments to Introduced

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • HED Amendment -5 (Adopted)

    2/9/2026

    PDF

  • HED Amendment -3 (Proposed)

    2/4/2026

    PDF

  • HED Amendment -4 (Proposed)

    2/4/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/28/2026

    PDF

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