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Campaign Finance

The June 8 House Rules Committee finally saw some CFR action, starting at ~1:20 in the video. Speaker Rayfield’s staff explained some history, concepts, and complications of crafting a CFR bill. He admitted there were small group consultations earlier in the session (not including the League) and that stakeholder groups had not changed their (conflicting) positions. Also, given the complications in the Senate, no CFR bill will go forward during this long session. Discussions to continue during interim will be used to hopefully bring back a bill in next year’s short session. For campaign finance reform, the League wants true reform without loopholes for large special interest organizations.

Redistricting

People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 petitions downloadable from its website. Thousands of signatures have been collected, but more donations are needed.

Cybersecurity and Privacy

By Rebecca Gladstone

We posted a thumbnail list of the 52 bills currently waiting on the Senate floor, see Facebook and Twitter, June 8. This wide assortment of policies and budgets affects all Oregonians. Discussion and conjecture abound amid courtesies and the hollow procedural counts confirming quorum failure. We met with other activists to consider what can happen next, not in order of likelihood: the session ends soon with many bills dying in the Senate. Or, R’s return and process some bills as limited remaining time allows.

A single special session could address a limited few urgent bills, or split special sessions could hear urgent budget and policy bills separately. An issue popularity contest could suffocate lower profile but very important policy bills, inviting “why didn’t anyone tell us?” Please keep reading.

Awaiting Senate quorum:

These League priority bills are listed by bill #. All dates are subject to change (again):

HB 2049 A: This Cybersecurity Center of Excellence bill passed 22 to 0 from full W&Ms, June 9, to the Senate floor. See Rep Nathanson’s Spring 2023 newsletter: 

“Cybersecurity Center of Excellence to be jointly operated by PSU, OSU, and UO to grow the workforce pipeline (there are now over 7,000 unfilled, high paying cybersecurity jobs in Oregon) and help local governments, school districts and other public and private entities prepare for and defend against cyberattacks. The “teaching hospital” model of learning would allow students to learn on the same equipment they will use after completing the program and entering the workforce. Read more about it in my Jan.-Feb. Newsletter.”

HB 2052 A: This AG Data Broker Registry bill could have Senate floor first reading, June 13. League testimony in support was filed before the current -7 amendments.

HB 2107 See earlier reports for this Oregon Health Authority extension of automatic voter registration, further rescheduled for Senate floor reading, June 13.

HB 2490: This cyber omnibus bill awaits second and third Senate floor readings, June 13 and 14. The League urges for maximum protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Defending our critical infrastructures is at stake (our testimony).

HB 2806 relating to public meetings and cybersecurity, further re-scheduled for June 13 and 14. See our testimony.

HB 3073 A passed from the House floor, May 31, 55 to 1, awaiting first Senate reading, June 13. See our Feb 16 estimony supporting candidate and incumbent home address privacy.

HB 3127: We are following this “TikTok” bill, relating to the security of state assets. Currently further rescheduled for June 12 and 13.

SB 166 A awaited third Senate reading on June 13, to address privacy and harassment concerns. There is now a proposed limit to directly address dark money concerns, of $100 cash “physical currency” annually, for aggregated campaign contributions. See our March 14 testimony and previous extensive reports, predating amendments.

SB 619: This larger bill from the AG’s consumer data protection task force got rescheduled Senate floor reading dates of June 13 & 14. See our testimony.

Ethics Issues

By Chris Cobey

HB 2038 B: Requires statement of economic interest to include certain information about sources of income for business in which public official or candidate, or member of household of public official or candidate, is officer, holds directorship or does business under if source of income has legislative or administrative interest and 10% or more of total gross annual income of business comes from that source of income. Prohibits candidate or principal campaign committee of candidate from expending campaign moneys for professional services rendered by certain businesses required to be listed on candidate's statement of economic interest. Creates exceptions. 6/9: JW&Ms passed it 21-0.

SB 168 B: Expressly prohibits public employees, while on job during working hours or while otherwise working in official capacity, from promoting or opposing appointment, nomination or election of public officials. 6/7: House passed it 48-0 with 12 excused. SB 168 B must go back to the Senate for concurrence or other process. 

SB 661 Enrolled: Prohibits lobbyist from serving as chair of interim committees, or certain legislative work groups, or legislative task forces. Provides exceptions. 6/2: Effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.