Yesterday, the Oregon House of Representatives voted 41 to 14 to approve a bill that would automatically end certain unpaid court fines and penalties for marijuana-related offenses.
House Bill 3825, sponsored by Representatives Chaichi Chotzen (D) and Tom Andersen (D), targets lingering monetary penalties tied to minor marijuana possession convictions issued by municipal or justice courts. Specifically, the bill states that judgment remedies associated with convictions for possessing less than one ounce of marijuana will expire on the law’s effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session adjourns.
Under existing law, judgment remedies—such as the collection of fines or other monetary obligations—can persist for years. HB 3825 seeks to remove these lingering penalties for qualifying marijuana offenses, allowing affected individuals to be considered in full compliance with their sentence for the purposes of expungement.
The bill also amends ORS 137.225 to clarify that once these monetary obligations expire under the new provisions, individuals are eligible to apply for their convictions to be set aside, provided all other legal requirements are met.
By automatically ending judgment remedies tied to minor possession convictions, the bill represents another effort by lawmakers to address the long-term consequences of low-level marijuana offenses in a state where recreational marijuana is already legal.
Having cleared the House, HB 3825 now heads to the Senate for consideration. If approved, it will be sent to Governor Tina Kotek for final action.
