l9n/ Oregon

2026 Regular Session

House Bill 4041

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.

Became law as Chapter 14, Oregon Laws 2026, signed March 5, 2026, 31 days after it was filed. In force from March 5, 2026.

What it does

The synopsis the Legislative Assembly published with the bill.

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.<b> Establishes time limits on when petitions can be filed.</b> 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. [<i>Authorizes</i>]<b> Requires</b> 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 emergency, effective on passage.

Its course

February 2 to March 17, 2026, on one scale. In the top row each mark is a day something happened; taller marks are busier days.

Each committee stop sits inside its chamber.

Every action21 actions on 14 days

In the House of RepresentativesFeb 2 to Feb 1917 days

Waiting for a committeeFeb 2 to Feb 20 days

JudiciaryFeb 2 to Feb 1816 days

In the SenateFeb 19 to Mar 312 days

Waiting for a committeeFeb 19 to Feb 201 day

JudiciaryFeb 20 to Feb 277 days

Back in the House of RepresentativesMar 3 to Mar 41 day

With the GovernorMar 4 to Mar 51 day

Votes

Yeas to nays, as the Legislative Assembly recorded them. Committee votes are set in.

  • House of Representatives, third reading46–9

    Passed · Feb 19 · 5 present

  • Senate, third reading28–1

    Passed · Mar 3 · 1 present

  • House of Representatives, concurrence51–4

    Agreed to the other chamber's changes · Mar 4 · 5 present

Amendments

Each amendment offered, and what became of it.

  • House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

    Adopted Feb 18

  • Senate committee amendmentAdopted

    Adopted Feb 27

Text

Each version as the Legislative Assembly printed it.

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

What happened

In l9n's words, one line for each step. Every action as the Legislative Assembly published it is below.

In the House of Representatives Feb 2 – Feb 19

  1. Feb 2Introduced
  2. Sent to Judiciary
  3. Feb 9Heard in Judiciary
  4. Feb 16Heard in Judiciary
  5. Feb 18Judiciary recommended it as amended
  6. Feb 19Read a second time
  7. Passed the House of Representatives, 46 to 9

In the Senate Feb 19 – Mar 3

  1. Feb 19Arrived in the Senate
  2. Feb 20Sent to Judiciary
  3. Feb 23Heard in Judiciary
  4. Feb 25Heard in Judiciary
  5. Feb 27Judiciary recommended it as amended
  6. Mar 2Read a second time
  7. Mar 3Passed the Senate, 28 to 1

Back in the House of Representatives Mar 4

  1. Mar 4The House of Representatives agreed to the Senate's amendments and passed it again, 51 to 4
  2. Signed in the House of Representatives

To the Governor Mar 4 – Mar 17

  1. Mar 4Signed in the Senate
  2. Mar 5Signed by the Governor
  3. Mar 17Became chapter 14 of Oregon Laws 2026, in force from March 5, 2026
All 21 actions, as published
  1. Feb 2First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.House of Representatives
  2. Feb 2Referred to Judiciary.House of Representatives
  3. Feb 9Public Hearing held.House of Representatives
  4. Feb 16Work Session held.House of Representatives
  5. Feb 18Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.House of Representatives
  6. Feb 19Second reading.House of Representatives
  7. Feb 19Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Kropf. Passed.House of Representatives
  8. Feb 19Vote explanation(s) filed by Chotzen.House of Representatives
  9. Feb 19First reading. Referred to President's desk.Senate
  10. Feb 20Referred to Judiciary.Senate
  11. Feb 23Public Hearing held.Senate
  12. Feb 25Work Session held.Senate
  13. Feb 27Recommendation: Do pass with amendments to the A-Eng. bill. (Printed B-Eng.)Senate
  14. Mar 2Second reading.Senate
  15. Mar 3Third reading. Carried by Prozanski. Passed.Senate
  16. Mar 3Vote explanation(s) filed by Pham.Senate
  17. Mar 4House concurred in Senate amendments and repassed bill.House of Representatives
  18. Mar 4Speaker signed.House of Representatives
  19. Mar 4President signed.Senate
  20. Mar 5Governor signed.House of Representatives
  21. Mar 17Chapter 14, (2026 Laws): Effective date March 5, 2026.House of Representatives