OR SB686

Establishes the Interim Committee on Civic Information, a five-member legislative committee tasked with researching local news ecosystems across Oregon, particularly those serving rural, underserved, multilingual, and ethnically specific communities, with findings due by December 1, 2026

Creates an income tax credit of up to $100 for joint filers ($50 for others) for subscriptions to media news outlets and donations to 501(c)(3) organizations supporting journalists, news professionals, and government transparency

Defines qualifying "media news outlets" as those registered as a business for at least 12 months and regularly employing staff journalists producing Oregon news coverage

Prohibits non-qualifying entities from falsely advertising eligibility for the tax credit, with civil penalties up to $500 per violation enforced by the Department of Revenue

Tax credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025 through January 1, 2031; the interim committee sunsets December 31, 2027