Committee adopts amendments to, then advances Senate Bill 10‑29 to Ways and Means; bill exempts certain caregivers from estate recovery

Committee staff summarized Senate Bill 10‑29 (with dash‑2 amendment) on April 8 as a measure that would prohibit the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority from recovering medical assistance payments from a recipient’s estate or surviving spouse if the recipient’s surviving child provided care for the recipient in their home or has inherited or received legal interest in that home.

Staff told the committee a fiscal impact statement is posted and that the measure carries no revenue impact. Senator Linthicum and the chair moved to adopt the dash‑2 amendments; the committee adopted the amendments by roll call.

After amendment adoption, Senator Linthicum moved the bill as amended with a due‑pass recommendation and requested referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Committee members discussed the fiscal note and the mechanics of estate recovery: one senator noted that estate recovery affects department receipts and that, if recovery is reduced, it would be recorded as decreased revenue to the department. Committee members had no additional questions and the committee approved sending the amended bill with a due‑pass recommendation and a subsequent referral to Ways and Means by roll call.

The committee closed the work session on SB 10‑29 following the votes; the measure will proceed to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for budgetary review.