The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Oregon Overhauls Emergency Management Systems With New Recovery Authority and Grant Programs
Last action · April 13, 2026: Chapter 114, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.Sponsors: Paul Evans and 15 others
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
Oregon has enacted a sweeping emergency management overhaul that creates the Oregon Disaster Recovery Authority, establishes new public infrastructure and individual assistance grant programs, and mandates criminal background checks for state emergency department personnel.
Local governments, tribal entities, and qualified nonprofits gain access to new state infrastructure grants, while displaced residents can receive direct financial assistance or service vouchers for temporary housing, home repairs, and immediate survival needs.
- Oregon frequently faces severe natural hazards ranging from coastal tsunamis and major earthquakes to widespread wildfires and seasonal flooding. context
- House Bill 4121 was processed during the 2026 Regular Session of the 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly before receiving final enrollment and executive action. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Local governments and tribal entities
Eligible to receive grants from the Oregon Preparedness Grant Account and the Oregon Public Assistance Grant Program to support compliance and infrastructure recovery.
Displaced individuals and households
Can apply for and receive direct financial assistance or service vouchers for temporary rental housing, home repairs, and immediate personal property needs through the Individual Assistance Grant Program.
Paid and volunteer firefighters
Included in a mandatory study conducted by the State Fire Marshal regarding health coverage disparities.
ODEM and DHS employees and contractors
Subject to mandatory fingerprinting and state or nationwide criminal records checks.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the newly created Oregon Disaster Recovery Authority?
Who is eligible to receive grants from the Oregon Individual Assistance Grant Program?
Can emergency facilities host overnight training activities under this law?
What background checks are now required for emergency department workers?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
23 actions- Apr 13, 2026HouseChapter 114, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.
- Apr 7, 2026HouseGovernor signed.
- Mar 10, 2026SenatePresident signed.
- Mar 10, 2026HouseSpeaker signed.
- Mar 6, 2026SenateRules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Manning Jr. Passed.
- Mar 6, 2026SenateSecond reading.
Show 17 earlier actions
- Mar 6, 2026SenateRecommendation: Do pass the B-Eng. bill.
- Mar 5, 2026SenateReferred to Ways and Means.
- Mar 5, 2026SenateFirst reading. Referred to President's desk.
- Mar 5, 2026HouseThird reading. Carried by Evans. Passed.
- Mar 4, 2026HouseSecond reading.
- Mar 4, 2026HouseRecommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.
- Mar 3, 2026HouseWork Session held.
- Mar 3, 2026HouseReturned to Full Committee.
- Mar 3, 2026HouseWork Session held.
- Mar 2, 2026HouseAssigned to Subcommittee On Capital Construction.
- Feb 16, 2026HouseReferred to Ways and Means by prior reference.
- Feb 16, 2026HouseRecommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.
- Feb 12, 2026HouseWork Session held.
- Feb 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing held.
- Feb 5, 2026HousePublic Hearing and Work Session held.
- Feb 2, 2026HouseReferred to Emergency Management and Veterans with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
- Feb 2, 2026HouseFirst reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 11 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Centralization of Emergency Response and Recovery
The legislation marks a distinct structural shift by creating dedicated advisory authorities (Oregon Disaster Recovery Authority) alongside separate, continuously appropriated grant accounts for public infrastructure and individual citizen assistance.
Connected Entities
Sources
olis.oregonlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance90How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools