Summary — SB 5517 (2025)
Relating to the financial administration of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management; and declaring an emergency.
Status: Enacted (Chapter 423, 2025 Laws). Governor signed June 24, 2025. Effective date: July 1, 2025. Introduced January 13, 2025.
Plain‑language summary
SB 5517 makes statutory changes affecting how the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) manages its finances and related administrative funding activities. The bill includes an emergency clause (noted in the title) and was enacted as Chapter 423, 2025 Laws; it takes effect July 1, 2025. The legislative record shows committee hearings, an amended “A-Engrossed” version, and floor passage in both chambers before being signed by the Governor.
What the bill is intended to do (high level)
- Modify statutory authorities and procedures governing OEM’s receipt, custody, allocation, and expenditure of funds.
- Clarify or expand OEM’s ability to accept, manage, and expend federal, state, and private grants, gifts, and reimbursements related to emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
- Adjust internal financial administration tools — for example, account structure, revolving/working capital authorities, emergency funds, or interagency transfer rules — to improve the speed and flexibility of financial operations during declared emergencies.
- Include an emergency declaration to accelerate implementation of the bill’s financial provisions.
Note: The full bill text was not provided. The above describes the bill’s purpose based on its title and legislative history. For precise statutory changes (specific ORS sections amended, dollar amounts, new account names, or procedural language), consult the enrolled bill or Chapter 423 text.
Key provisions likely included (typical for this subject)
- New or modified authority to receive and expend federal funds and donations without additional legislative appropriation in certain emergency circumstances.
- Creation or restructuring of one or more special funds or accounts for emergency management activities.
- Changes to grant-making or subgranting rules for local governments, tribes, and nonprofit partners.
- Adjusted reporting, audit, or oversight requirements for OEM financial transactions.
- Transitional or implementation provisions timed to the July 1, 2025 effective date.
Who is affected
- Oregon Department of Emergency Management (primary agency).
- State agencies that coordinate with OEM (finance, homeland security, public safety).
- Local governments, tribal governments, special districts and nonprofit partners that apply for or receive OEM grants or reimbursements.
- Potentially state fiscal staff and auditors who administer and review emergency funds.
Procedural timeline (selected actions)
- Jan 13, 2025: Introduced and referred to President’s desk; to Ways & Means.
- Jan 19, 2025: Assigned to Subcommittee on Public Safety.
- Apr–May 2025: Public hearing, informational meetings, work sessions; committee reported “Do pass with amendments” (A‑Eng).
- Jun 5 & Jun 13: Third readings and passage in the chambers.
- Jun 17: Speaker and President signed; Jun 24: Governor signed.
- Jul 1, 2025: Effective date (Chapter 423).
Impact and considerations
- Expected to improve OEM’s fiscal responsiveness during emergencies by clarifying fund management and authorities.
- May alter oversight or reporting obligations; stakeholders should review the enacted language to assess compliance responsibilities.
- If the bill changes grant or appropriation mechanisms, local recipients should track any operational or cash‑flow impacts.
Next steps / where to find the enacted text
To understand the exact statutory amendments, dollar amounts (if any), account names, and compliance requirements, review the enrolled bill or the published Chapter 423, 2025 Laws on the Oregon Legislative Information System or the Oregon Secretary of State website.
