The Oregon State Bar has published a list of legislative proposals submitted by OSB groups for sponsorship in the 2013 session of the Oregon Legislature. The proposed bills address the following subject areas:

Board of Governors

• Dischargability of Costs – an award of costs in an OSB Disciplinary proceeding would no longer be dischargeable in bankruptcy
• Custodianship of a Law Practice – custodians who take over a law practice would receive first priority in payment of fees/expenses

 Unlawful Practice of Law

• Amending the Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA) to make the unlawful practice of law a violation under the UTPA

Lawyers for Veterans

• Requiring notice of compliance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act in administrative hearings
• Allowing increased judicial discretion in sentencing qualifying veterans suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injury

Administrative Law

• Requiring state agencies to maintain Final Orders in digital format to facilitate inclusion in Fastcase

 Animal Law

• Allowing peace officers to enter premises, search and seize an animal without a warrant under specified conditions

 Business Law

• Permitting remote shareholder meetings via Webcasts or similar electronic communications medium
• Providing express authority for boards of directors to delegate to corporate officers the authority to grant equity awards to corporate employees

 Consumer Law

• Amending the UTPA to require disclosure of early cancellation fees

 Debtor-Creditor

• Clarifying the duties of a trustee in a trust deed foreclosure
• Permitting another attorney in the trustee attorney’s firm to act on behalf of the attorney trustee when he/she is not available

Elder Law

• Clarifying the rules regarding attorneys fees and costs in protective proceedings

Estate Planning

• Establishing definitions and rules for digital assets; numerous technical changes to Uniform Trust Code

 Family Law

• Housekeeping corrections to ORS Chapters 107 and 109
• Providing for attorneys fees in certain cases involving ordered life insurance policies
• Protection of survivor benefits for former spouses

 Juvenile Law

• Technical correction to ORS 419B

 Criminal Law

• Technical correction to Uniform Criminal Jury Instructions

See the detailed list of legislative proposals here.