Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4034: Relating to animal rescue entities.
Status: Chaptered, March 17, 2026
Digest: The Act changes a definition for places that rescue animals. The Act changes the agency that oversees places that rescue animals. The Act changes the records that the places have to keep. The Act makes changes related to licensing the places. (Flesch Readability Score: 66.4). [ Digest: The Act changes the agency that oversees places that rescue animals. The Act changes the records that the places have to keep. The Act makes changes related to licensing the places. (Flesch Readability Score: 70.8). ] Revises the definition of "animal rescue entity." Provides that veterinary facilities do not qualify as animal rescue entities for purposes of regulating animal rescue entities. Directs the State Department of Agriculture to enforce provisions related to regulating animal rescue entities. Makes changes related to recordkeeping and licensing requirements for animal rescue entities. Removes the impoundment of animals as a civil penalty for a violation of provisions related to animal rescue entities.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, February 25, 2026:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session House Bill 4034 Sponsored by Representative LEVY B, Senator NERON MISSLIN; Representatives ANDERSEN, BOICE, EDWARDS, GOMBERG, HELFRICH, HELM, LEWIS, MCDONALD, MCLAIN, OSBORNE, OWENS, RESCHKE, SCHARF, SKARLATOS, YUNKER, Senators NASH, SOLLMAN (Presession filed.) CHAPTER ................................................. Relating to animal rescue entities; amending ORS 609.415 and 609.420. SECTION 1. ORS 609.415 is amended to read: 609.415. (1) As used in this section and ORS 609.420: (a) "Animal" means any nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile[,] or amphibian [or fish]. (b) "Animal rescue entity": (A) Means an individual or organization, including but not limited to an animal control agency, humane society, animal shelter, animal sanctuary or boarding kennel not subject to ORS 167.374, [but excluding a veterinary facility,] that keeps, houses and maintains animals in the individual's or organization's legal custody [10 or more animals], whether physically located at a facility operated by the individual or organization or kept, housed or maintained elsewhere, and that solicits or accepts donations in any form. (B) Does not mean a veterinary facility as defined in ORS 686.010. [(c) "Enforcing agency" means the State Veterinarian.] (2) [Any] An animal rescue entity shall [comply with all of the following record-keeping requirements]: (a) Maintain a record for each animal [that identifies:] in the legal custody of the animal rescue entity, in compliance with rules adopted by …