Votes at a glance: House approves bills on vehicle noise standards, land-use planning grants, consumer finance

The Oregon House on March 3 passed several measures on third reading in addition to HB 20 10A. Brief summaries, sponsors and outcomes are below.

HB 22 32 — Off‑highway vehicle equipment and noise standards Representative Osborne presented HB 22 32, which transfers decision‑making on decibel standards for off‑highway vehicles (OHVs) from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Osborne said DEQ and Parks both supported the change and that the committee unanimously recommended the bill. Representative Mannix expressed support for the bill while noting he wished other vehicle standards were moved as well. The clerk announced the bill received the required constitutional majority and declared HB 22 32 passed on third reading.

HB 23 47 — End‑use policy planning, tribal/local planning grants (Governor’s bill via DLCD) Representative Anderson presented HB 23 47, described as Governor Kotek’s request bill carried by the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). Anderson said the bill authorizes DLCD to award grants and technical assistance to federally recognized tribes and local governments to encourage planning for urbanization, land‑use decisions, permits and zone changes and to support housing production. The bill also clarifies permit completeness criteria and updates statutory references to ORS 197.522. The clerk announced HB 23 47 passed on third reading.

HB 25 61 — Consumer finance and high‑cost online loans Representative Sosa presented HB 25 61, which seeks to close a loophole some out‑of‑state lenders use to evade Oregon’s 36% interest cap on short‑term loans by partnering with out‑of‑state banks under federal law. Sosa said the bill would hold such lenders to Oregon’s rate cap and protect consumers from loans charging effective interest rates well above 36%; the sponsor cited complaints and examples of loans with effective repayment costs far exceeding the state cap. Opponents raised concerns about unintended consequences for access to credit for low‑income borrowers and urged a cautious approach; several members argued the loans in question provide a ‘‘last resort’’ credit source for people in crisis. Representative Sosa clarified on the floor that roughly 75% of the online loans she described already comply with Oregon’s cap and would not be affected. The clerk announced HB 25 61A received the constitutional majority and declared it passed.

Procedural note: The House also agreed to carry remaining bills on the third‑reading calendar over to a later date by unanimous consent, and the chamber adjourned until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2025.