2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 250 - Initiative and Referendum
Section 250.044 - When actions challenging constitutionality of state measure must be filed in Marion County Circuit Court.


(a) The action is filed by a plaintiff asserting a claim for relief that challenges the constitutionality of a state statute or an amendment to the Oregon Constitution initiated by the people or referred to the people under section 1 (1) to (4), Article IV of the Oregon Constitution;
(b) The action is commenced on or after the date that the Secretary of State certifies that the challenged measure has been adopted by the electors and within 180 days after the effective date of the measure; and
(c) The action may not be commenced in the Oregon Tax Court.
(2) An action under subsection (1) of this section must be within the jurisdiction of circuit courts and must present a justiciable controversy. The plaintiff in an action subject to the requirements of this section must serve a copy of the complaint on the Attorney General.
(3) If an action subject to the requirements of this section is filed in a court other than the Circuit Court for Marion County, the other court, on its own motion or the motion of any party to the action, shall dismiss the action or transfer the action to the Circuit Court for Marion County.
(4) This section does not apply to any civil or criminal proceeding in which the constitutionality of a state statute or provision of the Oregon Constitution is challenged in a responsive pleading.
(5) If a judgment in an action subject to the requirements of this section holds that a challenged measure is invalid in whole or in part, a party to the action may appeal the judgment only by filing a notice of appeal directly with the Supreme Court within the time and in the manner specified in ORS chapter 19 for civil appeals to the Court of Appeals. Any party filing a notice of appeal under this subsection must note in the notice of appeal that the case is subject to this subsection.
(6) If a judgment in an action subject to the requirements of this section holds that a challenged measure is valid, a party to the action may appeal the judgment by filing a notice of appeal in the Court of Appeals within the time and in the manner specified in ORS chapter 19 for civil appeals. Notwithstanding ORS 19.405 (1), the party may move the Court of Appeals to certify the appeal to the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeals acting in its sole discretion may so certify the appeal. If the Court of Appeals certifies the appeal to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court shall accept or deny acceptance of the certification as provided in ORS 19.405 (2). [1997 c.794 §2]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections

Chapter 250 - Initiative and Referendum

Section 250.005 - Definitions.

Section 250.015 - Form of petition; numbering of signature sheets; rules.

Section 250.025 - Qualifications for signers of petition; removal of signatures.

Section 250.029 - Withdrawal of initiative or referendum petition; form.

Section 250.031 - Rules for conduct of election under Article XI, section 11, of Oregon Constitution.

Section 250.035 - Form of ballot titles for state and local measures.

Section 250.036 - Form of ballot title for measure subject to Article XI, section 11 (8), of Oregon Constitution; exception.

Section 250.037 - Form of ballot title for measure requesting approval of certain bonds.

Section 250.038 - Form of ballot title for measure authorizing imposition or renewal of local option taxes or establishing permanent rate limitation.

Section 250.041 - Applicability of ORS 250.005 to 250.038 to counties and cities.

Section 250.043 - Acceptance of initiative or referendum petition without original signatures.

Section 250.044 - When actions challenging constitutionality of state measure must be filed in Marion County Circuit Court.

Section 250.045 - Prospective petition; signature requirement; cover and signature sheet requirements; rules.

Section 250.048 - Registration and training for paid petition circulators; requirements; effect of failure to register; criminal records check; registration of organizations that pay petition circulators; rules.

Section 250.052 - Official templates of cover and signature sheets; electronic template; rules.

Section 250.065 - Preparation of ballot titles for certain state measures.

Section 250.067 - Notice of draft ballot title; written comments; certification of title; correction of clerical errors; rules.

Section 250.075 - Preparation of ballot titles by Legislative Assembly.

Section 250.085 - Procedure for elector dissatisfied with ballot title of state measure; Supreme Court review of title.

Section 250.105 - Petition filing requirements; monthly filing; signature verification; rules.

Section 250.115 - Numbering of state measures.

Section 250.125 - Estimate of financial impact of state measures; financial estimate committee; application to Native American or American Indian tribal governments; notice in voters’ pamphlet if no funding source identified.

Section 250.127 - Preparation and filing of estimates and statements of financial impact of state measure.

Section 250.131 - Court review of procedures under which estimates and statements of financial impact of state measure were prepared.

Section 250.137 - Citizens’ Initiative Review Commission; members; term of office; rules.

Section 250.139 - Citizen panels; composition; compensation; selection and review of certain state measures; moderators; rules.

Section 250.141 - Citizen panel statements; preparation; inclusion in voters’ pamphlet; rules.

Section 250.143 - Evaluation of citizen panel procedures; findings and recommendations; appointment of certain commission members.

Section 250.147 - Contributions to Citizens’ Initiative Review Commission; prohibitions; disclosure.

Section 250.149 - Determination of sufficient funds for commission and citizen panels.

Section 250.155 - Application of ORS 250.165 to 250.235.

Section 250.165 - Prospective petition; cover and signature sheet requirements; circulation; filing deadline.

Section 250.168 - Determination of compliance with constitutional provisions; notice; appeal.

Section 250.175 - Preparation of ballot titles for certain county measures; correction of clerical errors; notice.

Section 250.185 - Preparation of ballot titles by county governing body.

Section 250.195 - Procedure for elector dissatisfied with ballot title of county measure.

Section 250.205 - Filing and signature requirements for nonhome rule counties.

Section 250.215 - Filing officer for county measure; filing requirements; signature verification.

Section 250.265 - Prospective petition; cover and signature sheet requirements; circulation; filing deadline.

Section 250.270 - Determination of compliance with constitutional provisions; notice; appeal.

Section 250.275 - Preparation of ballot titles for certain city measures; correction of clerical errors; notice.

Section 250.285 - Preparation of ballot titles by city governing body.

Section 250.296 - Procedure for elector dissatisfied with ballot title of city measure.

Section 250.305 - Signature requirements.

Section 250.315 - Filing officer; filing requirements; signature verification.

Section 250.325 - Procedure following filing of initiative petition.