The Oregon Civil Registry Act (OCRA) was amended to remove the requirement that a person register with the state or become a member of the Oregon Police Association (OPPA).
This change was made to allow the OPPA to provide more resources to law enforcement and increase its ability to enforce the law.
The law has been criticized by civil rights advocates, and the Oregon Legislature is considering a new version of the law that would remove the OPVA’s role as a registration agency.
This article focuses on the legal issues that will be discussed in court on March 23, 2019, when a judge is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the new law.
In order to keep this article as current as possible, the Oregon Attorney General’s office is using a “clarification date” to update this article to reflect the latest information about the case.
For more information about this case, including updates to this article since the original publication, see the “Updated Information” section below.
To learn more about the Oregon civil registration law and the OPA, visit our Civil Registration Act (ORCL) page.
How did the OCLA get its name?
The OCL Act, signed into law by Governor Kate Brown in November of 2017, was designed to increase transparency in Oregon’s civil registration process.
In December of 2017 the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) began to distribute a form to registered voters, informing them that they were required to register with ORC and sign a document that outlined their rights and responsibilities.
The form was designed as a way to make Oregon more “responsive” to the people who use the state’s roadways and public transportation systems.
The OCRA, as it was officially named, became law on July 15, 2018.
How many people are registered?
In 2020, Oregon became the first state to require people to register.
The act also created a new state entity, the OPCA, which was responsible for the issuance of the registration form and providing more resources for law enforcement.
However, the act did not require that people register with an OPC or register with a member organization.
The Oregon Department for Transportation (OPD) began distributing a registration form in January of 2021.
The state began offering the registration forms to people in November 2020.
The registration forms were distributed through mailboxes in Portland and Multnomah counties.
On March 7, 2021, the Secretary of State (OSS) sent a letter to ORs public service commissions requesting the extension of time for people to fill out their registration forms.
The OSS then ordered the OPD to begin distributing the registration process to the public in April.
What happens now?
The law was passed after the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OPUC) rejected a proposal from the Portland-based Oregon Department Of Transportation (ODEOT) to extend the deadline for people registering with the OCR.
On February 25, 2021 the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed the decision by the OSS to extend registration.
The decision states that OPD’s decision to extend enrollment dates was not arbitrary, but rather was based on a “fundamental analysis” that the law is designed to “enhance the public’s access to public services and facilities.”
The court also notes that “the law does not mandate registration of all registered voters or impose any requirement that individuals pay a fee to the state for the privilege of registering with a civil registration.”
What happens if I am unable to register?
If you are unable to complete your registration form because you are not able to make an appointment, or because you have already registered, you may be eligible to receive an additional form.
The deadline for those who are unable or do not want to register is February 14, 2022.
If you would like to register online or by mail, you can do so by visiting the OCPA website.
You will be able to complete the online registration form by logging in to the OCPA website and clicking “I’m not registered yet” in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
If the form does not work, you should contact the OCA or the OPEA.
What is the impact on Oregon drivers?
In addition to the registration deadlines, the law also requires that Oregon drivers complete a road safety course that is also available through the OCEA, an Oregon Department For the Protection of Animals, a law enforcement agency.
If convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor, or a misdemeanor related to public drunkenness, Oregon drivers must undergo a background check by the OLEA.
If caught with alcohol in the state, the driver must register with OPD or be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation.
How does the OCCA provide services?
The Oregon Office of the Attorney General (OOGA) provides legal services to the Oregon public.
The Office of Public Safety is a separate entity and has its own budget and staff.
The State Department of Commerce, Industry and Consumer