Oregon legislation · 2025 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB2255: Relating to interpretation of laws.
Status: Failed, June 27, 2025
Digest: The Act says that courts may not defer to a state agency's thinking about a law or rule. The Act says that courts have to use an interpretation that limits agency power and favors people's liberty. (Flesch Readability Score: 64.0). Provides that courts may not defer to an agency's interpretation of a statute or rule. Directs courts to exercise doubt in favor of an interpretation that limits agency power and maximizes individual liberty.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to interpretation of laws.
From the introduced text, January 10, 2025:
A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to interpretation of laws. Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section: (a) "Rule" has the meaning given that term in ORS 183.310. (b) "State agency" means any officer, board, commission, department, division or institution in the executive or administrative branch of state government. (2) In the interpretation of a statute or rule, a court may not defer to a state agency's interpretation of the statute or rule. (3) In a proceeding in which a state agency is a party, the court or other adjudicator, after applying all customary tools of interpretation, shall exercise any remaining doubt in favor of a reasonable interpretation that limits agency power and maximizes individual liberty. matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted. New sections are in boldfaced type. LC
Sponsors
- Dwayne Yunker (R, 3) · primary sponsor
- Edwin Diehl (R, 17) · primary sponsor
- Gerald Wright (R, 9)
- Todd Nash (R, 29)
- Noah Robinson (R, 2)
- David Smith (R, 1)
Latest actions
- : In committee upon adjournment.
- : Referred to Judiciary.
- : First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Subjects: Judiciary
Common questions
- What is HB2255?
- HB2255 is a bill in the Oregon Legislature (2025 Legislative Measures): Relating to interpretation of laws.
- What does HB2255 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to interpretation of laws.
- What is the status of HB2255?
- Failed as of June 27, 2025. Latest action: In committee upon adjournment. (June 27, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB2255?
- Dwayne Yunker (R, 3), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2255?
- On the Oregon Legislature website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/2255
Source: official Oregon record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.