House Judiciary holds public hearing on HB 3,075 to implement Measure 114; wide public testimony for and against

The House Committee on Judiciary held a public hearing March 17 on House Bill 3,075 (dash-1), legislation that would implement and amend provisions of 2022’s Ballot Measure 114, including a permit-to-purchase system and a large-capacity magazine restriction. Jessica Menefee of the Office of Legislative Counsel gave a technical overview of the bill and amendment; Robert Koch of the Oregon Department of Justice summarized the current status of state litigation over Measure 114. The committee accepted two-minute public testimonies from more than 100 speakers who were scheduled to appear.

Why it matters: Measure 114 was approved by Oregon voters in 2022 but has been held from enforcement by litigation. HB 3,075 would specify how and when Measure 114’s provisions take effect if the courts allow enforcement, set permit procedures and fees, and add a statutory mechanism for a 180-day dealer/manufacturer grace period tied to the lifting of any injunction on Measure 114. The bill therefore determines how the state would regulate firearm transfers, training requirements, and magazine limits if and when the law becomes enforceable.

Key provisions described in the hearing: Legislative counsel summarized the principal changes in HB 3,075 (dash-1). The bill: increases an initial permit fee from $65 to $150 and a renewal fee from $50 to $110; extends the time for a permit agent to act from 30 to 60 days; clarifies where applications are filed (codified at ORS 166.505); narrows disclosure of background-check information; expands acceptable forms of firearms training and…