The last Oregon legislative session may have ended in June 2019, but many laws passed during that session just went into effect yesterday. From bike-friendly traffic rules to expanded protections for pregnant employees, some of these laws could have a significant impact on Portlanders’ day-to-day lives.
Here are five of the most noteworthy state laws that took effect in the new year.
The Idaho Stop
Cyclists, rejoice: Rather than being required to come to a complete stop at every stop sign and flashing red lights, Senate Bill 998 allows you to treat them like yield signs. Dubbed the “Idaho stop” for the state that first legislated this traffic rule, the new law is meant to help cyclists maintain momentum, rather than having to make sometimes-unnecessary starts and stops every few blocks.
As BikePortland noted when SB 998 passed last June, “bicycle users have superior peripheral vision as they approach intersections,” meaning the new rule shouldn’t sacrifice safety for convenience.
Pregnancy protections
As of January 1, all Oregon workplaces with six or more employees will need to adhere to new protections for pregnant people and new parents. While existing state law already barred discrimination against pregnant employees, Senate Bill 2341 spells out specific steps employers must take to help employees—including allowing for longer or more frequent rest breaks, modifying their work schedule, and helping them with manual labor.
Stampless ballots
Thanks to our vote-by-mail system, Oregon elections are already ahead of the curve when it comes to convenience and accessibility. A new law takes that radical user-friendliness to the next level by eliminating the need for a postage stamp when mailing a ballot in. Use that 55 cents to buy yourself a stick of gum instead!
Finally, kefir gets legal recognition
Oregon’s Bottle Bill—in which consumers pay a small deposit on beverages in glass, plastic, or metal packaging, which is refunded when the containers are returned for recycling—has been around since 1971. But the Oregon Liquor Control Commission recently approved new rules for the Bottle Bill: Now kefir, milk-based, and plant-milk-based drinks are eligible, as are kombucha and hard seltzers.
Plastic bag ban
Stores and restaurants within Portland city limits have been banned from giving out single-use plastic bags since 2012. The rest of the state is now following suit thanks to House Bill 2509, titled the Sustainable Shopping Initiative.
In addition to no longer using plastic bags, stores will also need to charge 5 cents for each paper grocery bag, so now is a good time to invest in some reusables. And if you’ve been trekking to the suburbs to stock up on plastic bags for your cat litter, time to come up with a new plan. (But also: Please don’t narc on mom-and-pop convenience stores trying to use up the last of their plastic bag supply. They’re doing their best.)
