HJR12 • 2025

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to specify that a section restricting certain banks does not prohibit the establishment of a bank owned or operated by the State of Oregon. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Elections

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Representative Evans
Last action: 2025-06-27
Official status: In House Committee
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to specify that a section restricting certain banks does not prohibit the establishment of a bank owned or operated by the State of Oregon. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Digest: The measure amends a section of the Constitution to make it clear that the state may start a public bank.

What This Bill Does

Digest: The measure amends a section of the Constitution to make it clear that the state may start a public bank.
(Flesch Readability Score: 72.3).
Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to specify that a section restricting certain banks does not prohibit the establishment of a bank owned or operated by the State of Oregon.
Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2025-06-27 House
In committee upon adjournment.
2025-01-24 House
Referred to Rules.
2025-01-21 House
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

Official Summary Text

Digest: The measure amends a section of the Constitution to make it clear that the state may start a public bank. (Flesch Readability Score: 72.3).
Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to specify that a section restricting certain banks does not prohibit the establishment of a bank owned or operated by the State of Oregon.
Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election.
Relating to: Proposing an amendment to the Oregon Constitution relating to banks.
Current location: In House Committee

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Joint Resolution 12
Sponsored by Representative EVANS
SUMMARY
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. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: The measure amends a section of the Constitution to make it clear that the state may
start a public bank. (Flesch Readability Score: 72.3).
Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to specify that a section restricting certain
banks does not prohibit the establishment of a bank owned or operated by the State of Oregon.
Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular
general election.
JOINT RESOLUTION
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
PARAGRAPH 1.
Section 1, Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Oregon, is amended
to read:
Sec. 1. (1) The Legislative Assembly shall not have the power to establish, or incorporate any
bank or banking company, or monied institution whatever; nor shall any bank company, or instition
exist in the State, with the privilege of making, issuing, or putting in circulation, any bill, check,
certificate, prommisory note, or other paper, or the paper of any bank company, or person, to cir-
culate as money.[ -]
(2) Nothing in this section prohibits the establishment in this state of a bank that is
owned or operated by the State of Oregon.
PARAGRAPH 2.
The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the
people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election held throughout
this state.
NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [ italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 2579