Relating to funding for services in domestic relations cases; and declaring an emergency.

Higher marriage fees fund family services

Oregon counties can charge up to $35 above the base marriage license or domestic partnership registration fee. The previous cap was $10. You pay more only if your county chooses to impose or increase the fee. Increases apply to licenses issued and partnership registrations recorded beginning July 1 after the county's decision. Counties can adjust the cap for changes in the West Region Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The adjusted cap is rounded to the nearest 25 cents; future adjustments use the unrounded amount. Fee proceeds must stay in a separate county account and pay for conciliation and mediation services in family court cases. Counties without these services can use other county agencies or contract with public or private providers. Counties can set eligibility rules for funded conciliation services, but those rules cannot conflict with court rules. County treasurers must report account balances and all spending quarterly to the district's presiding judge, starting October 31, 2025. Treasurers can charge the accounts for the actual cost of preparing these reports. Presiding judges must report balances and all spending annually to the State Court Administrator, starting July 31, 2026. The administrator can set report formats and due dates. The law took effect upon passage.