Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4041: Relating to public safety; and declaring an emergency.
Status: Chaptered, March 17, 2026
Digest: The Act changes laws about crime and sentencing. The Act takes effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 78.7). Reduces penalties for driving while suspended if the suspension is due to a conviction for criminal mischief resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle or reckless driving. Punishes by a maximum of $2,000 fine. Increases the crime category, for the sentencing guidelines grid of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, for felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer when the defendant has a prior conviction or causes injury. Establishes a final time period for any person to file a petition for post-conviction relief based on a nonunanimous jury verdict. Creates a procedure by which the Department of Corrections or the state can petition the sentencing court, after determining that a person was released from department custody as the result of a material error in sentence computation or legal interpretation, for a determination as to whether the person is subject to further incarceration. Provides for a process for requesting and ordering that the person be held or taken into custody pending the hearing. Establishes time limits on when petitions can be filed. Requires the Department of Corrections to provide notice to specified persons after performing certain sentence recomputations that result in a new projected release date. Limits how presentence incarceration credit may be applied in specified circumstances. [ Authorizes ] Requires the Department of Corrections to grant an additional 120 days of short-term transitional leave to certain persons released from custody due to a material error in sentence computation or legal interpretation concerning presentence incarceration credits. Increases the dollar amounts in specified property crimes that serve as a minimum value amount of damages or stolen property or as a threshold between offense levels of the crime. Declares an emerge
What the bill says
To amend the action and seek relief under ORS 138.510 to 138.680. If such person does not choose to amend the action in this manner, the law existing prior to May 26, 1959, shall govern the case. (7) A petition for post-conviction relief under ORS 138.510 to 138.680 claiming, as grounds for relief, that the person was convicted of a criminal offense as the result of a nonunanimous jury verdict, must be filed by no later than 120 days after the effective date of this 2026 Act. SECTION 6. (1)(a) This section applies to petitions for post-conviction relief under ORS 138.510 to 138.680 claiming, a.