Bill > SB931

This bill introduces new provisions that fundamentally change how courts interpret laws and rules involving state agencies. Specifically, the bill prohibits courts from deferring to a state agency's interpretation of statutes or rules, which is a significant shift from previous legal practices where courts often gave weight to agency interpretations. The bill defines key terms, including "rule" (as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes 183.310) and "state agency" (any executive or administrative branch entity). When interpreting laws or rules, courts must now use all traditional interpretation methods and, in cases of any remaining uncertainty, must resolve doubts in a way that limits agency power and maximizes individual liberty. This approach represents a deliberate effort to constrain administrative agency discretion and prioritize individual rights, effectively giving courts more direct authority to check potential overreach by state agencies and ensuring that legal interpretations favor personal freedoms.