Past Legislation
Oregon consistently ranks among the top three states in the nation based on the strength of its laws protecting animals. During this year’s legislative session in Salem, OHS will once again work in support of new measures to fight animal cruelty and bring offenders to justice. Highlights of the current session will be included below. Watch for updates.
Animal-Related Legislation in 2019
In 2019, Oregon Humane Society was active in proposing improvements to existing laws, supporting bills that promoted the welfare of animals statewide, and opposing bills that would be detrimental to animal welfare.
Over the course of this session, representatives from OHS attended hearings, submitted written testimony, met directly with state representatives, collaborated with various interest groups, and aided in drafting bill language. Each year we fight to give a voice to animals at the legislative level and we have a history of success in that regard. Influencing change through the law can be a long process that requires patience and compromise. Inevitably varying interests can result in a piece of legislation taking more than one session to pass. The following is a synopsis of the outcomes stemming from our advocacy at the Capitol this year.
Yes on SB 883
SB 883 was the focus of OHS’ legislative agenda this year. This bill aimed to streamline the enforcement of the Senate Bill 6 rescue licensing regulations that were passed in 2013. In 2013, OHS assisted Marion Co. Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a warrant at a warehouse leased by Willamette Animal Rescue. OHS took in over 100 sick and starving dogs that night and the citizens of Oregon were outraged that an animal rescue could hide and neglect so many dogs for as long as they did. In response to this case, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 6 which included an animal rescue licensing requirement to be implemented statewide but enforced at the county level. Six years later OHS identified a need for more uniform and consistent enforcement of this law.
Senate Bill 883 amends the existing animal licensing statute to move the enforcement authority from the county level to the state level by naming the State Veterinarian as the “enforcing agency.” This will make great strides in serving the original purpose of the law—to prevent fraudulent and “bad actor” animal rescues from exploiting a vulnerable population of animals.
Yes on SB 638
OHS came out in support of this bill which was proposed to Senator Steiner Hayward by students from Elmonica Elementary School in Beaverton. The bill required research facilities to offer cats and dogs for adoption instead of euthanizing them at the conclusion of the research. This law will not only save the lives of thousands of animals but enrich the lives of the people who open their homes to them. We saw this in 2012 when OHS partnered with OSU to transfer and rehome 6 dogs that were used in a cardiology research study at the university. This was a hugely successful endeavor and one of the research assistants who had bonded with one of the dogs over the course of the study was able to adopt that dog, Emma, and introduce her into the first home she had ever lived in.
Yes on House Bill 2227
This bill modified existing law regarding the mandatory reports of suspected child abuse to include animal control officers. There is a clear connection between the mistreatment of animals and the abuse and/or neglect of children. It is important for any discipline involved in either field to cross report when there is a concern about the welfare of a vulnerable victim.
NO on Senate Bill 723
The language of this bill prohibited a person from conducting or participating in a contest, competition, tournament or derby with the objective of killing coyotes for a prize or other reward. This bill generated a lot of discussion between various interest groups across the state. OHS joined a coalition of state and national conservation and animal welfare organizations in support of this bill. We were joined in that effort by Mike Finley, chair of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. The bill was passed out of the Senate on June 5th but did not pass out of the House Committee On Rules during this session.
NO on House Bill 2804
This bill prohibited retail pet stores from selling or offering to sell any dog, cat, or rabbit acquired from a source other than an animal shelter or a rescue organization. In an effort to combat the poor conditions associated with the mass commercial production of domestic animals, this bill aimed to redirect the focus on animal rescues and shelters. Many cities and states have adopted this model in their retail pet stores but there was not enough consensus in the Oregon Legislature to move this bill out of committee during this session.
NO on Senate Bill 268
This bill proposed creating a personal income tax subtraction for adopting dogs and cats from animal rescue entities. There were two public hearings held on this bill but ultimately it did not get the support it needed to move it out of committee during this session.
Other Animal Related Bills to Note
HB 2500 was successfully passed during this session. This bill created a private right of action for an individual to recover veterinary expenditures made on behalf of abused domestic animals.
This bill made modifications to the existing law, ORS 811.200, addressing dogs being carried on the external part of a vehicle. This bill did not receive a public hearing and did not move out of committee during this session.
This resolution sought to designate rescued shelter dogs and cats as the official state pet. This resolution did not receive a public hearing and did not move out of committee during this session.
This bill prohibits the use of cyanide devices to control wildlife. This bill passed and became effective January 1, 2020.
This bill expands on the foundation OHS helped establish in 2011 for egg laying hens and their living conditions. It broadens the scope of which producers are required to meet the standards and increases oversight of the standards. This bill was successfully passed during this session.
Animal-Related Legislation in 2018
HR 4879
NO on Protect Interstate Commerce Act of 2018 (HR 4879)
Representative Steve King from Iowa has introduced the Protect Interstate Commerce Act of 2018 (HR 4879), which completely undermines the authority of Oregon to pass laws to protect our citizens and animals. HR 4879 could roll back many hard-fought protections for animals, including Oregon laws regarding animal welfare, puppy mills, horse slaughter, and the trade of endangered wildlife parts. Sharon Harmon submitted a letter to congress speaking out against King’s legislation. You can join Sharon Harmon in opposing this assault on Oregon’s democratically passed laws by reaching out to your U.S. senators today.
Legislative Hearings & News in 2017
June 15: Updates on four recently-passed bills that will strengthen protections for animals in Oregon »
June 6: HB 2732 passed the Senate with a unanimous vote and will go on to the Governor to be signed into law. This bill protects good Samaritans from civil or criminal liability for entering a motor vehicle to remove an unattended child or domestic animal from imminent danger (e.g. a car on a hot day). More details below and online here »
June 1: Three bills that passed the House were also approved by the Senate this week: HB 3177 (Cockfighting), HB 2625 (Forfeiture), and HB 3283 (15-year possession ban). An amendment to 3283 means that it will be reconsidered for a final vote by the House. The other two bills will go on directly to the Governor to be signed into law.
April 27: Hearing on HCR 16, designating the shelter dog as the Oregon state dog. Hearing details here »
Read testimony submitted by individuals about this bill »
April 6: Hearing on HB 3044, relating to dogs riding in the back of vehicles. See below for more details. More about the hearing (PDF).
March 29: OHS and other animal advocates will be testifying in Salem on March 29 in favor of five bills to strengthen Oregon laws protecting animals. Learn more about the bills here.
Summary: Opposition to HB 2107, HB 2589, SB 371 and SB 458* – Cougar Hunting with Hounds
* above indicates bill is one of these cougar-related bills
Various bills introduced aiming to allow counties to opt out of Measure 18, which makes hunting cougars with hounds illegal. View details of each bill listed above.
Update, May 2017: These bills will not continue as they did not receive enough support in the House or Senate. Thank you to all who contacted your legislators.
Proposed Animal Legislation – 2017 Regular Season
Learn the outcomes of the Senate and House bills that OHS supported or opposed during the 2017 Regular Session.
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Appropriates money from General Fund to Department of Justice for 2017-2019 biennium for purposes of resource prosecutor position dedicated to assisting prosecution of offenses involving detriment or risk of detriment to animals. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.
Status: Passed. Became effective July 19, 2021
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Oppose
Summary: Provides that county is exempt from applicability of statute banning use of dogs to hunt or pursue cougars if voters approve county measure proposed by initiative petition or referred to people by governing body of county.
Status: Did not receive enough support to continue, 5/4/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Oppose
Summary: Permits part or product of animal species covered by wildlife trafficking prevention program to be distributed, sold or have legal ownership transferred to bone fide scientific or educational institutional for scientific of educational purposes. Clarifies definition of “covered animal species.” Makes conforming changes. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status: Did not receive enough support to continue.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Oppose
Summary: Provides that county is exempt from applicability of statute banning use of dogs to hunt or pursue cougars if voters approve county measure proposed by initiative petition or referred to people by governing body of county.
Status: Did not receive enough support to continue, 5/4/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Provides that forfeiture petition may be filed for animal impounded pending outcome of animal crime even if specific animal is not named in charging instrument.
Status: Passed. Became effective May 14, 2019.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Creates crime of animal abuse in third degree. Makes violation punishable by maximum of 30 days’ imprisonment, $1,250 fine, or both.
Status: Did not pass the House, 5/4/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Provides that person who enters motor vehicle to remove child or domestic animal in imminent danger of suffering harm is not subject to criminal or civil liability if person meets certain requirements. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status: Passed. Became effective on June 22, 2017.
Links: Oregon Legislative Information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Allows seizure, constructive possession and forfeiture of hens and chicks used in connection with cockfighting operation. Amends existing offense of forcible recovery of fighting bird, punishable by maximum of five years’ imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both, to include forcible recovery of seized hens and chicks. Revises offense elements to conform language to related statutes.
Status: Passed. Became effective January 1, 2018.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Removes psittacines not bred and maintained commercially from definition of “livestock” used for laws regarding offenses committed against animals, interference with livestock production, unlawful possession of iodine matrix and dogs chasing livestock.
Status: Referred to Judiciary, 3/9/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Amends findings by Legislative Assembly regarding provision of care and treatment for impounded or seized animals. Prohibits person convicted of animal neglect in the first degree or animal neglect in the second degree from possessing certain animals for period of 15 years after conviction if crime of conviction was felony. Clarifies that person convicted of possessing animal in violation of prohibition may be further prohibited from possessing certain animals as condition of probation.
Status: Passed. Became effective August 8, 2017
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Oppose
Summary: Clarifies definition of “covered animal species” for purposes of wildlife trafficking prevention program. Makes conforming changes. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status: Did not receive enough support to continue.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Testimony »
Fact Sheet from Save Endangered Animals Oregon »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Designates rescued shelter dogs as official state dog.
Status: Referred to Rules Committee, 1/17/17. Public hearing, 4/27/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Modifies trap check requirements. Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt by rule wildlife control operator permit program for persons acting as agents of landowners or lawful occupants in taking wildlife causing damage. Requires certain persons engaged in trapping activities to meet certain reporting requirements. Requires State Department of Fish and Wildlife to compile statewide annual trapping report and make report publicly available.
Status: Referred to Environment and Natural Resources, 1/17/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Directs Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examining Board to adopt rules to require person licensed to practice veterinary medicine to provide written copy of prescription for animal medication to animal owner. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Status: Public Hearing held, 2/13/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Oppose
Summary: Provides that county is exempt from applicability of statute banning use of dogs to hunt or pursue cougars if voters approve county measure proposed by initiative petition or referred to people by governing body of county.
Status: Did not receive enough support to continue, 5/4/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Oppose
Summary: Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt controlled hunt program for hunting cougars with dogs.
Status: Did not receive enough support to continue, 5/4/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Oppose
Summary: Establishes personal income tax credit for contributions to charitable organizations. Limits availability of credit based on federal adjusted gross income. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Status: Referred to Finance and Revenue, then Tax Credits, 1/17/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
OHS Position: Support
Summary: Creates crime of causing an animal to ingest marijuana. Punishes by maximum of six months’ imprisonment, $6,500 fine, or both.
Status: Referred to Judiciary, 2/16/17.
Links: Oregon Legislative information »
2016 Legislation Hearings & News
Oregon Wildlife Trafficking Prevention, Ballot Measure 100
The Wildlife Trafficking Prevention Act, also known as Measure 100, was on the November 8, 2016 ballot in Oregon as an initiated state statute. OHS urged a YES vote.
Measure 100 would ban the sale of products and parts of 12 types of endangered animals in Oregon: elephant, rhinoceros, whale, tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, pangolin, sea turtle, ray, and shark, except the spiny dogfish. Full text, background and more here »
Update: Measure 100 passed with more than 70% of the vote this November.
2015 Legislation Hearings & News
Session Recap
The 2015 Regular Session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned July 6. During this legislative session in Salem, OHS worked hard in support of new measures to fight animal cruelty and bring offenders to justice. Highlights of this session include:
This new law, which garnered overwhelming support, addresses the issue of dogs locked in cars during hot weather. Temperatures inside cars on hot days can easily reach dangerous levels for dogs, and the new measure gives law enforcement officers the authority to break into a motor vehicle to rescue an endangered animal.
This bill, also signed into law, gives citizens a new tool to fight animal cruelty by allowing the use of a nuisance statute to shut down an establishment where animal cruelty is occurring. It allows observers or neighbors to take action against properties that host puppy mills, dog fights and other forms of animal crimes. With many jurisdictions reducing resources dedicated to investigating animal crimes, the new law gives local residents a new way to take action themselves.
This law provides a technical fix to Senate Bill 6 from 2013. It states that regulations pertaining to adoption groups that maintain control of 10 or more animals also applies to those groups that house 10 or more pets in multiple locations.
Looking Back at Legislative Successes
This historic bill enacted in 2013 included a sweeping set of measures that increased the penalties for animal crimes and gave authorities new investigation tools. Among the provisions: the law granted judges strong new powers to sentence animal offenders to prison; elevated the penalties for animal crimes committed in the presence of a minor; barred offenders convicted of animal neglect from possessing horses and other livestock; and greatly increased the penalties for crimes involving more than ten pets–a powerful tool in cases that involve hoarders and neglectful breeders.
Legislators approved a new measure that restricted the practice of tethering dogs to a stationary line for more than ten hours a day, a practice that frequently leads to neglect and isolation.
Animal advocates also cheered the passage of SB 835, which banned equine tripping in rodeos. The practice involves the use of a rope to bring down a moving horse, and is already banned in many states as it constitutes a serious danger to the health of the horse.
