Relating to animal rescue entities.
This bill updates the definition of animal rescue entities, excluding veterinary facilities, and sets new recordkeeping and licensing requirements. It directs the State Department of Agriculture to enforce these regulations and removes animal impoundment as a civil penalty for violations.
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HB 4034 — Relating to animal rescue entities.
Last action — Chapter 13, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Tina Kotek (Democratic) on March 05, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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19 sponsors
2 primary, 17 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (12 R · 6 D) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 4 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
The bill revises regulations for animal rescue entities in Oregon.
This bill updates the definition of animal rescue entities, excluding veterinary facilities, and sets new recordkeeping and licensing requirements. It directs the State Department of Agriculture to enforce these regulations and removes animal impoundment as a civil penalty for violations.
Summary
</b> </i>] <b>Revises the definition of "animal rescue entity."</b> Provides that veterinary facilities do not qualify as animal rescue entities for purposes of regulating animal rescue entities. Directs the State Department of Agriculture to enforce provisions related to regulating animal rescue entities. Makes changes related to recordkeeping and licensing requirements for animal rescue entities. Removes the impoundment of animals as a civil penalty for a violation of provisions related to animal rescue entities.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
152 added · 159 removedPlain-language change summary
The updated version of Bill HB 4034 revises the definition of "animal rescue entity" to clarify that veterinary facilities are not included in this category, which is significant for ensuring that different regulatory frameworks apply to each type of organization. It specifies that the State Department of Agriculture will enforce regulations concerning these rescue entities, which centralizes oversight and could improve compliance and accountability in the sector. Additionally, changes to recordkeeping and licensing requirements aim to streamline operations and enhance the welfare monitoring of animals under the care of these organizations. Lastly, the bill removes the option to impound animals as a civil penalty for violations, reflecting a shift in how penalties are structured.
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session A-EngrossedEnrolled House Bill 4034 Ordered by the House February 5 Including House Amendments dated February 5 Sponsored by Representative LEVY B, Senator NERON MISSLIN;
Representatives ANDERSEN, BOICE, EDWARDS, GOMBERG, HELFRICH, HELM, LEWIS, MCDONALD, MCLAIN, OSBORNE, OWENS, RESCHKE, SCHARF, SKARLATOS, YUNKER, SenatorSenators NASHNASH, SOLLMAN (Presession filed.) SUMMARYCHAPTER The................................................. following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly.
ItAN isACT anRelating editor’sto briefanimal statementrescue ofentities; the essential features of the measure.
The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards.
Digest:
The Act changes a definition for places that rescue animals.
The Act changes the agency that oversees places that rescue animals.
The Act changes the records that the places have to keep.
The Act makes changes related to licensing the places.
(Flesch Read- ability Score:
66.4).
[Digest:
The Act changes the agency that oversees places that rescue animals.
The Act changes the records that the places have to keep.
The Act makes changes related to licensing the places.
(Flesch Readability Score:
70.8).] Revises the definition of “animal rescue entity.” Provides that veterinary facilities do not qualify as animal rescue entities for purposes of regulating animal rescue entities.
Directs the State Department of Agriculture to enforce provisions related to regulating animal rescue entities.
Makes changes related to recordkeeping and licensing requirements for animal rescue entities.
Removes the impoundment of animals as a civil penalty for a violation of provisions related to animal rescue entities.
A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to animal rescue entities;
NOTE:[(A) The date of birth for the animal or, if the date of birth is unknown, the approximate age of the animal;] [(B) The date the animal rescue entity acquired possession, control or charge of the animal and the source of the animal;] [(C) The number of offspring the animal produced while in the possession or control of the animal rescue entity, if applicable;] [(D) The disposition the animal rescue entity makes of each animal possessed by, controlled by or in the charge of the animal rescue entity, including the date of disposition, manner of disposition and the name and address for any individual or organization taking possession, control or charge of an animal;] [(E) The source of the animal, date of acquisition, age, sex, breed type and weight of the animal at intake;
Matterand] inEnrolled boldfacedHouse typeBill in4034 (HB 4034-A) Page 1 [(F) A photograph of the animal taken within 24 hours of intake by the animal rescue entity.] (b) Permit an amendedauthorized sectionrepresentative isof new;the [enforcing agency] department to inspect records of the animal rescue entity required by this subsection and furnish any reports and information re- quired by the [enforcing agency, as provided under ORS 609.420.] department if the department:
matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 21 A-Eng.
HB 4034 [(A) The date of birth for the animal or, if the date of birth is unknown, the approximate age of the animal;] [(B) The date the animal rescue entity acquired possession, control or charge of the animal and the source of the animal;] [(C) The number of offspring the animal produced while in the possession or control of the animal rescue entity, if applicable;] [(D) The disposition the animal rescue entity makes of each animal possessed by, controlled by or in the charge of the animal rescue entity, including the date of disposition, manner of disposition and the name and address for any individual or organization taking possession, control or charge of an animal;] [(E) The source of the animal, date of acquisition, age, sex, breed type and weight of the animal at intake;
and] [(F) A photograph of the animal taken within 24 hours of intake by the animal rescue entity.] (b) Permit an authorized representative of the [enforcing agency] department to inspect records of the animal rescue entity required by this subsection and furnish any reports and information re- quired by the [enforcing agency, as provided under ORS 609.420.] department if the department:
The transferee shall submit a signed release to the en- forcing agency permitting the performance of a background investigation of the transferee, and the en- forcing agency shall conduct the background investigation.] [(6) An applicant for a license issued under this section shall demonstrate that the animal rescue entity that is the subject of the application complies with all standards imposed under applicable law.] [(7) Any animal rescue entity is subject to inspection by the enforcing agency as provided in ORS 609.420.] [(8)(a)] (4) A violation of this section may result in imposition of civil penalties to be determined by the [enforcing agency] department, including but not limited to [impoundment of all animals un- der the animal rescue’s control,] the denial, suspension or revocation of the animal [rescue’s] rescue entity’s license [to operate animal rescue operations] under this section and a civil penalty of not [2]more A-Eng.than $500 for each violation.
HB 4034 more than $500 for each violation.
Enrolled House Bill 4034 (HB 4034-A) Page 2 (e) Allow an animal rescue entity to have an opportunity for a hearing prior to the im- position of civil penalties under this section;
(7) Consistent with the rulemaking procedures set forth in ORS chapter 183, in developingdevelop- ing rules to implement this section, the department shall solicit and review input from:
(3) An authorized representative of the [enforcing agency] State Department of Agriculture or a law enforcement agency shall conduct an on-site investigation of the premises of any licensed animal rescue entity if the department or agency receives a complaint about the animal rescue [3]entity A-Eng.related to the failure to comply with the requirements of ORS 609.415 or a rule adopted thereunder that the department or agency determines is credible and serious.
HB 4034 entity related to the failure to comply with the requirements of ORS 609.415 or a rule adopted thereunder that the department or agency determines is credible and serious.
[4]Enrolled House Bill 4034 (HB 4034-A) Page 3 Passed by House February 10, 2026 Received by Governor:
........................M.,........................................................., 2026 ..................................................................................
Timothy G.
Sekerak, Chief Clerk of House Approved:
........................M.,........................................................., 2026 ..................................................................................
Julie Fahey, Speaker of House ..................................................................................
Show all 44 changed lines (4 more)
Tina Kotek, Governor Passed by Senate February 25, 2026 Filed in Office of Secretary of State:
........................M.,........................................................., 2026 ..................................................................................
Rob Wagner, President of Senate ..................................................................................
Tobias Read, Secretary of State Enrolled House Bill 4034 (HB 4034-A) Page 4
Show all 44 changed rows (4 more)
View plain text versions (4)
- Enrolled View text Current pdf
- Engrossed A-Engrossed pdf
- Introduced House Amendments to Introduced pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill modifies the definitions and requirements for animal rescue entities in Oregon law.
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ORS 609.415
or fishThe definition of 'animal' now excludes fish.
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ORS 609.415
but excluding a veterinary facility,Clarifies that veterinary facilities are not considered animal rescue entities.
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ORS 609.415
10 or more animalsRemoves the specific numerical threshold for how many animals an entity must have to qualify as an animal rescue entity.
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ORS 609.415
enforcing agency→ departmentUpdates the terminology by replacing 'enforcing agency' with 'department'.
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ORS 609.415
The entity shall→ An animal rescue entity shallClarifies that it is the responsibility of the animal rescue entity to comply with licensing requirements.
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ORS 609.415
The enforcing agency may not issue or renew a license under this section unless the animal rescue entity is in compliance with this section and ORS 609.420.Removes a provision about issuing or renewing licenses based on compliance.
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ORS 609.415
impoundment of all animals under the animal rescue’s control,Removes a specific penalty related to impounding animals from the penalties for violations.
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ORS 609.415
enforcing agency under→ department pursuant toClarifies the agency responsible for managing finances related to enforcement.
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ORS 609.415
enforcing agency→ departmentConsistently updates the terminology concerning the regulatory body.
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ORS 609.420
enforcing agency→ State Department of AgricultureReplaces 'enforcing agency' with 'State Department of Agriculture' to specify the authority responsible.
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ORS 609.420
inspect records of the animal rescue entity and shall furnish any reports and information required by the enforcing agency.→ inspect records of the animal rescue entity required by this subsection and furnish any reports and information required by the department if the department: conducts an on-site investigation of the premises of the animal rescue entity pursuant to ORS 609.420; or audits the animal rescue entity pursuant to rules described in subsection (6)(b) of this section.Clarifies the circumstances under which inspections and reporting are required.
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ORS 609.420
enforcing agency→ departmentStandardizes terminology regarding the department conducting investigations.
Amendments
1 amendmentClick Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
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Chapter 13, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.
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Governor signed.
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President signed.
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Speaker signed.
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Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.
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Carried over to 02-25 by unanimous consent.
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Second reading.
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Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.
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Work Session held.
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Public Hearing held.
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Referred to Natural Resources and Wildfire.
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First reading. Referred to President's desk.
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Third reading. Carried by Levy B. Passed.
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Second reading.
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Subsequent referral to Ways and Means rescinded by order of the Speaker.
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Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and subsequent referral to Ways and Means be rescinded.
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Work Session held.
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Public Hearing held.
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Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
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First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Sponsors
- Janeen Sollman · Cosponsor
- E. Werner Reschke · Cosponsor
- Sarah McDonald · Cosponsor
- Susan McLain · Cosponsor
- Todd Nash · Cosponsor
- Dwayne Yunker · Cosponsor
- Alek Skarlatos · Cosponsor
- Anna Scharf · Cosponsor
- Mark Owens · Cosponsor
- Virgle Osborne · Cosponsor
- Rick Lewis · Cosponsor
- Ken Helm · Cosponsor
- Jeffrey Helfrich · Cosponsor
- David Gomberg · Cosponsor
- Darcey Edwards · Cosponsor
- Court Boice · Cosponsor
- Tom Andersen · Cosponsor
- Courtney Neron Misslin · Primary
- Bobby Levy · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 17 co-sponsors · 71 not signed on
Sponsors (2)
- Courtney Neron Misslin
- Bobby Levy Republican
Co-sponsors (17)
- Janeen Sollman Democrat
- E. Werner Reschke Republican
- Sarah McDonald Democrat
- Susan McLain Democrat
- Todd Nash Republican
- Dwayne Yunker Republican
- Alek Skarlatos Republican
- Anna Scharf Republican
- Mark Owens Republican
- Virgle Osborne Republican
- Rick Lewis Republican
- Ken Helm Democrat
- Jeffrey Helfrich Republican
- David Gomberg Democrat
- Darcey Edwards Republican
- Court Boice Republican
- Tom Andersen Democrat
Not signed on (71)
71 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 71 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 97% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (30)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Broadman | Democrat | Yea |
| Chris Gorsek | Democrat | Yea |
| Courtney Neron Misslin | Democrat | Yea |
| Deb Patterson | Democrat | Yea |
| Floyd Prozanski | Democrat | Yea |
| James Manning Jr. | Democrat | Yea |
| Janeen Sollman | Democrat | Yea |
| Jeff Golden | Democrat | Yea |
| Kate Lieber | Democrat | Yea |
| Kathleen Taylor | Democrat | Yea |
| Kayse Jama | Democrat | Yea |
| Khanh Pham | Democrat | Yea |
| Lew Frederick | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Reynolds | Democrat | Yea |
| Mark Meek | Democrat | Yea |
| Rob Wagner | Democrat | Yea |
| Sara Gelser Blouin | Democrat | Yea |
| Wlnsvey Campos | Democrat | Yea |
| Bruce Starr | Republican | Yea |
| Cedric Hayden | Republican | Yea |
| Christine Drazan | Republican | Yea |
| David Brock Smith | Republican | Not Voting |
| Diane Linthicum | Republican | Yea |
| Dick Anderson | Republican | Yea |
| Fred Girod | Republican | Yea |
| Kim Thatcher | Republican | Yea |
| Mike McLane | Republican | Yea |
| Noah Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Suzanne Weber | Republican | Yea |
| Todd Nash | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 80% | 0% | 0% | 20% |
How each member voted (5)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd Prozanski | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Jeff Golden | Democrat | Yea |
| Kathleen Taylor | Democrat | Yea |
| Fred Girod | Republican | Yea |
| Todd Nash | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 34 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 22 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unaffiliated | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 58 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 97% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
How each member voted (60)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Wise | — | Yea |
| Matt Bunch | — | Yea |
| Andrea Valderrama | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Annessa Hartman | Democrat | Yea |
| April Dobson | Democrat | Yea |
| Ben Bowman | Democrat | Yea |
| Dacia Grayber | Democrat | Yea |
| Daniel Nguyen | Democrat | Yea |
| David Gomberg | Democrat | Yea |
| Emerson Levy | Democrat | Yea |
| Farrah Chaichi | Democrat | Yea |
| Hai Pham | Democrat | Yea |
| Jason Kropf | Democrat | Yea |
| John Lively | Democrat | Yea |
| Jules Walters | Democrat | Yea |
| Julie Fahey | Democrat | Yea |
| Ken Helm | Democrat | Yea |
| Lesly Muñoz | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Fragala | Democrat | Yea |
| Mari Watanabe | Democrat | Yea |
| Mark Gamba | Democrat | Yea |
| Nancy Nathanson | Democrat | Yea |
| Nathan Sosa | Democrat | Yea |
| Pam Marsh | Democrat | Yea |
| Paul Evans | Democrat | Yea |
| Ricki Ruiz | Democrat | Yea |
| Rob Nosse | Democrat | Yea |
| Sarah McDonald | Democrat | Yea |
| Shannon Isadore | Democrat | Yea |
| Sue Rieke Smith | Democrat | Yea |
| Susan McLain | Democrat | Yea |
| Tawna Sanchez | Democrat | Yea |
| Thuy Tran | Democrat | Yea |
| Tom Andersen | Democrat | Yea |
| Travis Nelson | Democrat | Yea |
| Willy Chotzen | Democrat | Yea |
| Zach Hudson | Democrat | Yea |
| Alek Skarlatos | Republican | Yea |
| Anna Scharf | Republican | Yea |
| Bobby Levy | Republican | Yea |
| Boomer Wright | Republican | Yea |
| Court Boice | Republican | Yea |
| Cyrus Javadi | Republican | Yea |
| Darcey Edwards | Republican | Yea |
| Darin Harbick | Republican | Yea |
| Dwayne Yunker | Republican | Yea |
| E. Werner Reschke | Republican | Yea |
| Ed Diehl | Republican | Not Voting |
| Emily McIntire | Republican | Yea |
| Gregory Smith | Republican | Yea |
| Jami Cate | Republican | Yea |
| Jeffrey Helfrich | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin Mannix | Republican | Yea |
| Kim Wallan | Republican | Yea |
| Lucetta Elmer | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Owens | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Lewis | Republican | Yea |
| Shelly Boshart Davis | Republican | Yea |
| Vikki Breese-Iverson | Republican | Yea |
| Virgle Osborne | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (11)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Annessa Hartman | Democrat | Yea |
| Ken Helm | Democrat | Yea |
| Lesly Muñoz | Democrat | Yea |
| Pam Marsh | Democrat | Yea |
| Sarah McDonald | Democrat | Yea |
| Susan McLain | Democrat | Yea |
| Anna Scharf | Republican | Yea |
| Bobby Levy | Republican | Yea |
| Court Boice | Republican | Yea |
| Jami Cate | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Owens | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 4034 do?
- </b> </i>] <b>Revises the definition of "animal rescue entity."</b> Provides that veterinary facilities do not qualify as animal rescue entities for purposes of regulating animal rescue entities. Directs the State Department of Agriculture to enforce provisions related to regulating animal rescue entities. Makes changes related to recordkeeping and licensing requirements for animal rescue entities. Removes the impoundment of animals as a civil penalty for a violation of provisions related to animal rescue entities.
- Who sponsors HB 4034?
- HB 4034 is sponsored by Janeen Sollman (Democrat), E. Werner Reschke (Republican), Sarah McDonald (Democrat), Susan McLain (Democrat), Todd Nash (Republican), Dwayne Yunker (Republican), Alek Skarlatos (Republican), Anna Scharf (Republican), Mark Owens (Republican), Virgle Osborne (Republican), Rick Lewis (Republican), Ken Helm (Democrat), Jeffrey Helfrich (Republican), David Gomberg (Democrat), Darcey Edwards (Republican), Court Boice (Republican), Tom Andersen (Democrat), Courtney Neron Misslin, and Bobby Levy (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 4034?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 4034?
- Track HB 4034 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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