Oregon

Oregon Passes Landmark Stalking Bill to Protect Victims from Emerging Technology

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St. Helens, Oregon – The Oregon House and Senate have recently passed a bill aimed at updating the state’s stalking laws to address the advances in technology that weren’t accounted for when the original laws were written. The bill, known as House Bill 4156, is currently awaiting Governor Tina Kotek’s signature and is set to take effect on July 1, 2024. The motivation behind the bill’s modernization comes in part from the efforts of St. Helens Police Detective Sergeant Matt Smith. Smith’s involvement with the bill began when a local stalking case was brought to … Read more

Oregon Public Records Advocates Defeat Attempt to Create Broad Taxpayer Information Exemption

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Portland, Oregon – Public records advocates in Oregon have successfully campaigned against legislation that would have created a new exemption to state transparency laws, potentially limiting access to important taxpayer information. House Bill 4031 contained a provision that sought to prevent local governments from disclosing any taxpayer information they possess. The proposed exemption, which faced strong opposition from advocates, raised concerns about the potential impact on government accountability and transparency. Critics argued that the provision would have created significant barriers for journalists, researchers, and the public in accessing vital information. The victory for public records … Read more

Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Provide Tax Relief for Wildfire Survivors, Allowing Them to Keep More of Their Settlements

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SALEM, Oregon — The Oregon Senate unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday that aims to provide financial relief to survivors of wildfires in the state. Sponsored by Senator Brian Boquist, the bill, known as Senate Bill 1520, introduces a tax exemption for court awards and settlements related to wildfires. The legislation comes in response to several lawsuits filed against PacifiCorp, which a jury found responsible for sparking four Labor Day wildfires in 2020. Survivors of these wildfires have received millions of dollars in settlements and awards. However, due to federal tax laws, they have only … Read more

Oregon Supreme Court Overturns $10 Million Punitive Damages Award in Landlord Negligence Case

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PORTLAND, Ore. – In a groundbreaking premises liability case, a tenant at an apartment complex in Portland, Oregon alleged that he suffered a serious knee injury when a concrete walkway collapsed beneath him. The tenant, seeking damages for the physical and emotional harm he endured, sued the landlord for negligence. The case, known as Trebelhorn v. Prime Wimbledon SPE, LLC, reached the Oregon Supreme Court, resulting in a significant ruling that could impact similar cases in the future. The tenant, who underwent surgery for a meniscal tear caused by the incident, demanded $45,000 for economic … Read more