Oregon legislature

With 20 days left in this legislative session, Republicans ripped a Democratic proposal that would raise gas taxes and roughly 10 other taxes and fees, simplify how heavy trucks are taxed and more.

What you need to know about Senate Bill 141.

House Bill 3546, known as the POWER Act, is now headed to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk. It could lead to higher rates for industrial electricity customers that currently pay much less per kilowatt hour than residential customers.

The latest package from Oregon Democrats would raise revenue for electric vehicles, buses, mass transit and bridges through higher taxes and fees on cars, gas and payrolls.

House Bill 3582 would put Oregon in league with a growing number of states.

The bill would ban rapid-fire devices, including bump stocks, which make semi-automatic weapons fully automatic. It would also allow governing bodies to pass rules to prohibit people from carrying guns in public buildings, even if they have a concealed handgun license.

Republicans say Democrats are using the bill as a bargaining chip to get Republicans to vote on redirecting $1 billion of kicker tax to fund wildfire mitigation work.

Backers say SB 951 will close a loophole that has allowed health care decisions to be increasingly driven by profit motives.

Beginning in 2027, grocers and restaurants will have to use recycled paper bags.

The surprising development dredges up debate on a topic that once inspired multiple Republican walkouts.

GOP lawmakers have launched three podcasts from a Salem basement this year, with more on the way.

Lawmakers couldn’t find agreement, but speculated Gov. Tina Kotek would act.