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Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of 8/11 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection Elections Artificial Intelligence Other Governance Bills Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill In the last few days of the legislative session, we saw extraordinary machinations on campaign finance reform. We have been saying for months that HB 4024 (2024) needed some technical fixes to complete the historic deal that was made during the last session among Honest Elections, legislative leaders, business leaders and union leaders. It was said that HB 3392 was the bill that would be stuffed with these technical fixes. However, a last-minute deal was apparently made behind the scenes to allow Minority Leader Drazan to propose a -5 amendment to HB 3392 to delay implementation of HB 4024 by four years! House Rules held a public hearing on the amendment 6/25 . The Secretary of State sent a six-page letter and testified for half an hour that the delay was necessary and that Oregon has a history of failed large computer projects. (HB 4024 required extensive changes to ORESTAR.) All other in-person testifiers (including the League) and all 96 written testimonies were against the delay. For the House Rules meeting, the League and several other organizations had issued action alerts. Several news outlets also wrote about the situation including OPB , Oregon Capital Chronicle , and Oregon Live . House Rules had scheduled a work session on the bill for the same meeting, but they adjourned without opening the work session. We then saw House Rules reschedule the work session five times(!) that day and then cancel the work session all together. The bill and its amendment were dead for the session. It is clear that we dodged a bullet on CFR and that powerful political interest groups do not want CFR in Oregon. However, HB 4024 is still part of Oregon statutes because Oregonians demanded it. It will still take effect in part on January 1, 2027. Some technical fixes will still be needed and could perhaps be adopted by rule by the Secretary of State or during next year’s short legislative session. Cybersecurity, National Guard, ethics, privacy and safety, partner agency budget By Becky Gladstone HB 3954 , for the Adjutant General to prevent the Oregon National Guard from being called to active service except in certain circumstances, was the only bill pending in this portfolio in the final week of the 2025 session. HB 3954 had passed from the House on a 31 to 16 vote. Senate Rules stopped shy of holding a public hearing despite League testimony in support . It was revived for a first (late date) hearing and work session, after a League letter was sent. This bill became more relevant with the California National Guard being called to action by the President in Los Angeles, overriding the Mayor and California Governor. One letter in opposition to HB 3954 believed that passing the bill would put Oregon in a position to lose critical federal funding for the Oregon National Guard. The issue turned from National Guard activation to hinge on support of the President. The bill remained in committee at the end of the session. Republicans block attempt to prevent federal overreach with Oregon’s National Guard , Oregon Live, June 30, 2025. HB 3569 , a bill that would require a chief sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee (RAC) for legislation they had a hand in passing was signed by the Governor; however she also issued a signing letter that addressed some of the issues of concern to the League. League testimony with our concerns and opposition to the bill. HB 2581 ( emergency services) : The League spoke and filed testimony in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. The bill has been signed by the Governor. HB 2930 Enrolled has the Governor’s signature, for conflict of interest of public officials’ household members. League testimony supported this bill brought by the Oregon Ethics Commission. SB 224 Enrolled , has the Governor’s signature, to keep from posting campaign committee addresses on the SoS website, with League testimony in support. This is sadly more relevant with the recent killing of a senior Minnesota legislator and her husband . Minn. legislator killed in ‘politically motivated‘ shooting, Washington Post, June 14, 2025. HB 5017 Enrolled , has the Governor’s signature, for the State Library budget. League testimony remained the only one filed, supporting our partnership for League Voter Service information. They share our Voters’ Guides in the Talking Books and Braille Library . Elections By Barbara Klein SB 580 Enrolled , signed into law (with an effective date of 9/26/2025), provides more timely transparency to voters showing online declarations of candidacy – or withdrawals – of candidates. (Concessions were made for the differences between various counties, big and small, rural and urban; and it exempted precinct committeepersons.) League’s testimony in support. HB 5017 Enrolled , signed into law (with an effective date of 7/1/2025). appropriates monies from the General Fund to the State Library for biennial management expenses (budget increases primarily inflationary only); analysis provided by Legislative Fiscal Office. League’s testimony in support. HB 3687 Enrolled , signed into law, establishes that cities cannot demand a supermajority vote to change their charter (most do not). To best allow local government to function for the people, only simple majorities to a CHARTER change would be possible, not including any ballot measure on taxes, fees, or fines. Communities will more easily be able to adopt new election systems with the majority vote. HB 3908 enrolled , signed into law, increases the percentage of state voters from 5 to 10 percent required for a party to obtain major political party status. Filed at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO); other minor parties wrote in support. The League did not testify on this measure. Failed Bills The following bills have failed via one process or another. Generally listed as “in committee upon adjournment,” indicating the matter is dead for the session. SB 210 may have been an effort to repeal vote-by-mail (VBM), although sponsors explained it as a ballot measure to have voters “reaffirm” their wishes. It included other requirements for voters as well, such as a valid government ID. Testimony (heated at times) received an extraordinary amount of testimony. League’s testimony in opposition. HB 3390 A . Bill would have allowed a joint legislative committee to create ballot title and explanatory statements for constitutional amendments during the 2025 session. League’s testimony opposing bill. SB 44 was election related. The amended bill, SB 44-4 would have changed statutes to establish rules for vote recounts, tallying or write-in votes when using Ranked Choice Voting, currently used in four Oregon jurisdictions. Another amendment changed language of voter registration “cards” to “applications.” League’s Testimony in support of SB 44-4. SB 1054 , would have required “ each county clerk in this state to provide a live video feed to be made available to the public through the Internet of rooms in which ballots are tallied and official ballot drop sites. ” League’s testimony was a comment, neutral to the bill, describing our interest in transparency but concern for costs, especially in smaller or rural counties. HB 3166-2 promoted an open-primaries system. While the LWVOR strongly supported its original form and had been active in working on that language (somewhat based on the Alaska model), the amended bill contained points we have historically opposed (specifically a top-two election system). Despite our strong support for a “unified” primary, due to the changes in the bill, the League’s testimony submitted a neutral comment. Artificial Intelligence By Lindsey Washburn HB 3936 Enrolled : Prohibits any hardware, software or service that uses artificial intelligence from being installed or downloaded onto or used or accessed by state information technology assets if the artificial intelligence is developed or owned by a covered vendor. Will go into effect as law on January 1, 2026.The League filed testimony opposing the bill. HB 3592 A : Establishes the Oregon Commission on Artificial Intelligence to serve as a central resource to monitor the use of artificial intelligence technologies and systems in this state and report on long-term policy implications. Was not passed and ended in Ways and Means upon adjournment. The League filed testimony in support of the bill. HB 2299 Enrolled : Modifies the crime of unlawful dissemination of an intimate image to include the disclosure of digitally created, manipulated or altered images. Will go into effect as law on January 1, 2026. HB 3228 A : Directs the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council to conduct assessments to address the reasons why public bodies in this state are unable to meet cybersecurity insurance coverage requirements. Was not passed and ended in Ways and Means upon adjournment. The League filed testimony in support of the bill. Other Governance Bills By Chris Cobey and Peggy Lynch HB 2341 Enrolled (cybersecurity): Adds a uniformed service member's or veteran's e-mail address to the information that the Director of Human Services, Early Learning System Director, Director of Transportation and Director of the Oregon Health Authority are required to provide to the Director of Veterans' Affairs. League testimony supporting. Failed bills HB 2250 (prison gerrymandering): Would have directed the Department of Corrections to determine the last-known address of adults in custody, if the address is readily known or available to an adult in custody, and submit information to the Portland State University Population Research Center. League testimony supporting. HB 2710 (cybersecurity): Related to participant eligibility in the Address Confidentiality Program. League testimony supporting. HB 2727 (ethics): Would have expanded restrictions on post-legislative service activities to prohibit receiving money or other consideration for advocacy on behalf of a public or private entity for changes in policy or funding for public or private sector programs or entities. League testimony supporting. HB 2692 was a bill that would create complicated and cumbersome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. League testimony in opposition. The bill did not pass. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

LAASYA KANAMATHA (she/her) LAASYA KANAMATHA (she/her) DEIJ Youth Chair youthoutreach@lwvor.org

We are working to defend democracy from escalating cyber-attacks and disinformation. Policy debates are determining the future of our democracy, the internet, and privacy. Privacy and Cybersecurity 2020 About the Study We are working to defend democracy from escalating cyber-attacks and disinformation. Policy debates are determining the future of our democracy, the internet, and privacy. U.S. state and national policymakers have joined the global debate over digital protection of personal information, mined for multi-billion dollar advertising revenues. Experts now characterize media manipulation as ‘information disorder.' The impact of artificial intelligence on MDM, mis-, dis, and mal- information deserves intense scrutiny going forward. Read our 2020 study for an overview, analysis and comprehensive references to contemporary technology, global policy development, the history of privacy, and our key findings. LWVOR Privacy and Cybersecurity positions were adopted in January 2020, in LWVOR Issues for Action, on p. 16 . Privacy and Cybersecurity Position- Adopted: January 2021; Amended January 2021 Cybersecurity is the prevention of damage to, protection of, and restoration of computers, electronic communications systems, electronic communications services, wire communication, and electronic communication, including information contained therein, to ensure its availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation. This position statement addresses Elections, Information Security, Personal Information Protection, and Electronic Business and Social Media. Elections Security The election process is the foundation of our representative form of government. Election integrity, accuracy, transparency, and trustworthiness require vigilance to ensure security protections. Security requirements include and are not limited to: verifiable ballots; ballots that can be recounted and audited; up-to-date hardware and software, supported by vendors, tested, and secure; protected voter registration databases; election staff/volunteers with cybersecurity expertise; cyber-damage contingency plans; risk-limiting audits; attention to disinformation and misleading ads. Protect voters’ ability to exercise an informed opinion on electoral matters. Explore limiting the unfettered electronic circulation and amplification of election misinformation (e.g., targeted disinformation campaigns, manipulated media, anonymous disinformation, and algorithmic and robotic disinformation campaigns). Information Security Government, individuals, and organizations (including the private sector and critical infrastructure), all require strong cybersecurity protections and effective deterrents to assure national security, economic and social stability, and personal information integrity. Create consistent information privacy laws and regulations across all organizations (government, private, for-profit, and non-profit) that eliminate gaps, inconsistencies, and overlaps. Regulate all technology-enabled organizations (e.g., internet platforms, online intermediaries, business-to-consumer platforms), not shifting sectors, so that organizations are subject to a uniform set of laws and regulations. Regulate all categories of information in the same way, regardless of the type of organization or sector that collects that information. Apply a baseline set of regulations to all types of information, regardless of the type of organization or sector collecting that information. Apply regulatory requirements to organizations according to their size and complexity, the nature of data covered, and the risk posed by exposing private information. All information (including third-party data transfers) needs sufficiently flexible protections to address emerging technologies and scientific evidence while serving the common good by balancing the demands of stakeholders and vested interests. The ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICT) of today’s pervasive digital services, platforms, and marketplaces require a global governance perspective to address their societal and economic impacts: Harmonize laws and regulations across jurisdictions to protect individuals and assure the trustworthy flow of information across all boundaries—government, organizations, industry sectors, states, and countries. Aim to develop flexible regulatory structures that can quickly adapt to social and scientific realities and technical and economic policy challenges. Use forward-looking, collaborative mechanisms such as experimentation and learning, test-and-evolve, and post-doc effectiveness reviews. Incentivize specific outcomes that facilitate anticipating and adapting to rapid changes. State laws that become inconsistent with future comprehensive federal privacy standards may be preempted, while more stringent laws may remain. At a minimum, citizens' information protection rights should be comparable to those of citizens around the world—both current and future protections that may be established. Current European Council personal information protections include the ability to: be informed of what personal information is held and why access information held by an entity request updating or correcting of information request manual processing in lieu of automated or algorithmic processing request transfer of information to another entity withdraw prior consent to process data or object to specific situation consent request deleting personal information. Personal Information Protection Uniform privacy rights need to protect personal privacy and prevent known harm. Establish uniform information protections for personal and behavioral data that can be linked to an individual or devices. Prevent harmful uses of personal information by all information processors who collect, store, analyze, transfer, sell, etc. Expand the legal definition of “harm” to include physical, monetary, reputational, intangible, future, or other substantial injuries and to provide individuals the right to legal remedy. Assure that personal information collection, use, transfer, and disclosure for economic or societal purposes is consistent with the purpose for which individuals provide their data, and does not cause them harm. Shift the focus of information protection from individual self-management when submitting data (e.g., opt-in, obscure notice, and choice disclosures) to organizational stewardship in protecting individuals’ personal privacy. Expand personal information privacy definition to address rapidly changing information and communication technologies, accelerated networking between businesses, and automated collection and dissemination of data, which together subvert personally identifiable information, de-identification, re-identification, and data anonymization. Electronic Business and Social Media: Cybersecurity Responsibilities Organizations conducting electronic business and social media commercializing personal information both bear the responsibility for protecting information and must be liable for failure to protect individuals from harm. All organizations--including third-party receivers: Must protect individuals’ transferred information across multiple organizations to ensure end-use accountability. Have a duty to safely collect, use, and share personal, sensitive information. Should use comprehensive information risk assessments, take proactive measures to implement information security measures, and be held accountable for fulfilling these risk management obligations. Are held accountable for misuse of personal information by strengthening both state and federal laws, rule-making, and enforcement powers. We support the right of free speech for all. The digital tools of information and communication technology (such as algorithms and artificial intelligence) can selectively distort or amplify user-generated content. The resulting disinformation, digital manipulation, false claims, and/or privacy violations may endanger society or harm others. Compel private internet communication platforms (applications, social media, websites, etc.) to be responsible for moderating content. Define liability for damages and provide for enforcement for failure to moderate content. Privacy and Cybersecurity Today LWVOR Privacy & Cybersecurity Study , PDF, 61 pages Many bills passed in final 2023 legislative session days after the 43-day Senate walkout. See our Sine Die Legislative Report for links to our testimony, including references to our work over several sessions and future ongoing effort; all reflect privacy and cybersecurity. Elections SCR 1 : Condemning Election violence. SB 166 : Election Worker Protections. HB 3073 : Candidate and Incumbent Data Privacy Protection. HB 2107 : Automatic Voter Registration expansion. HB 2585 : Oppose ending “Motor Voter” voter registration. HB 5035 : Software, Risk-Limiting Audits and Election Security in the SoS’s Budget. Cybersecurity HB 2049 : Establish the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. HB 2490 : Defend our cybersecurity plans from Public Disclosure. HB 2806 : update cybersecurity and privacy statute for critical infrastructures, etc. Privacy SB 619 : Protect Consumers’ Personal Data. HB 2052 : Data Broker Registry, First in the Nation. SB 5512 : the Judicial Department budget, for Citizen Participation and Access. HB 3201 : Broadband Assistance. Public Records HB 3111 : State Employees, Volunteers, and Retirees Information Privacy SB 510 : Public Records Advisory Budget. HB 5032 : Public Records Advocate funding. Previous Next

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - September Legislative Days Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Oregon Climate Action Commission - OCAC OCAC Biennial Report Environmental Quality Commission Meeting Highlights Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution Volunteers Needed Climate Emergency By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator and Team Department of Environmental Quality Climate Protection Program: Action Alert and Testimony LWVOR published a September ALERT related to an Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) Climate Protection Program Sept 26 rulemaking public hearing. This meeting was scheduled late August to provide for more public comments. OPB: ‘Public will get a little longer to weigh in on Oregon’s program to cut carbon emissions.’ The League continues to advocate for strong ODEQ Climate Protection Program (CPP) rules. We have been participating in the CPP rulemaking process since its inception in 2021. Find the most recent LWVOR testimony for the CPP rulemaking public hearing here . Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) action: DEQ plans to present the final CPP rulemaking proposal, including any modifications made in response to public comments, to the EQC for a decision at its Nov. 21-22 meeting. The goal continues to be a 2025 CPP implementation. Oregon Climate Action Commission - OCAC (formally Global Warming Commission): September 17, Meeting Highlights DEQ Consumption-Based Emissions (CBE) Inventory and Project Report DEQ staff briefed OCAC on the agency’s draft report and recommendations on opportunities to reduce Oregon’s consumption-based GHG emissions , mandated by 2024 HB 3409. Staff had previewed an earlier draft of this report during OCAC’s August meeting. While Oregon’s sector-based emissions peaked in the first decade of this century, CBE have continued to soar, so our overall carbon footprint has gone up, not down. DEQ and its consultant, the Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI), identified many ways Oregon can reduce its CBE—e.g., by reducing embodied emissions in new construction, the largest governmental source, through green building codes, product regulations and standards, financial incentives, etc. The report also presents marginal abatement cost curves (“bang for the buck”) for various policy initiatives. Draft recommendations: 1. The Legislature, in consultation with OCAC, should adopt a goal to reduce CBE. 2. The Legislature, OCAC, and state agencies should take more action to reduce CBE. Address high-impact categories of emissions and activities with high emissions- reduction potential. Enable consumer awareness and choices through structural and policy changes that make low-carbon choices more easy, affordable, equitable, and accessible. Align with other statewide priorities, such as increasing affordable housing, reducing negative health outcomes, and reducing food insecurity. Consider “product stewardship” approaches that engage producers of products and materials sold into Oregon. Center human well-being in policy design, paying particular attention to equity considerations, including needs and opportunities for low-income, BIPOC, and residents in rural areas. Engage cross-cutting/cross-sector approaches that can reduce multiple sets of emissions while also generating co-benefits to society. Minimize rebound effects by focusing on reducing consumption of commodities with high emissions intensities. 3. DEQ should update its CBE inventory on a timely and more frequent basis. OCAC Biennial Report The Commission reviewed and discussed draft recommendations for potential inclusion in its Biennial Report, due to the Legislature on 12/1/2024. OCAC intends to adopt the final recommendations in October. Sources of the following draft recs were OCAC’s Roadmap to 2030, the Natural and Working Land’s (N&WL)priorities, and DEQ’s CBE work. Recommendation 1: Support robust and continuous implementation of existing climate programs and regulations. Restore the CPP with same scope and ambition as before. Develop policies and programs that maximize the existing grid infrastructure, accelerate new transmission and renewable energy siting, and advance regional energy markets. Increase funding for Oregon Public Utility Commission oversight of HB 2021 and CPP implementation. Increase funding for ODOE’s Community Renewable Energy Grant program, Heat Pump programs, and Solar + Storage program; ODHS’s Community Resilience Hubs and Network Grant program; DEQ’s EV Rebate programs; and OHA’s Healthy Homes program. Recommendation 2: Update Oregon’s statutory Green House Gas (GHG) emission goals consistent with best available science – revisiting Senator Dembrow’s bill, SB522A , which failed to pass in 2023. Recommendation 3: Appropriate an additional $10 million to the N&WL Fund and to the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program to increase carbon sequestration. Recommendation 4: Investigate options and create a sustained source of state funding to increase sequestration in N&WL, including consideration of a setting up a Green Bank to use the state’s bonding capacity to incentivize private investments. Recommendation 5: Adopt a goal to reduce Oregon’s CBE. Recommendation 6: Take targeted actions to reduce CBE from transportation, the built environment, and food waste. Recommendation 7: Direct and fund DEQ to update the CBE inventory every 2 years, and direct OCAC to report on progress toward the state’s CBE reduction goals as part of OCAC’s Biennial Report to the Legislature. Senator Dembrow and Commissioner Apter urged a special focus on transportation-related measures to prevent the expected transportation package from increasing GHG emissions. Other commissioners suggested developing additional recommendations related to climate adaptation and resilience. Oregon Environmental Justice Council Environmental Justice Mapping Tool Extension Request was adopted in Aug . New proposed deadline moves to June 2027. Other past and future OEJC meeting details find HERE. Environmental Quality Commission Meeting Highlights Report on the portions of the 9/26-27 EQC meeting bearing on the CPP 2024 rulemaking. Oral public comment on Thursday afternoon heavily favored the OCEN partners' positions. The commissioners' Friday morning discussion made it clear that they had also heard plenty from the regulated businesses, some of whom had suggested that EQC drop this rulemaking and invite the legislature to develop a cap and trade program. The commissioners expressed their determination to move forward with rules for a climate program that will be a model for best practices, providing Oregon businesses with long-term regulatory certainty to bring forth the appropriate investments and giving climate skeptics no reason to point to Oregon as an example of what not to do. The following major issues rose to the top. Community Climate Investments (CCI) program accountability: Industry, especially NW Natural, has challenged the validity and expense of this program as the primary alternative vehicle for CPP compliance. Commissioners expressed support for the program but with guardrails to ensure maximum accountability and investment performance. Chair Donegan stressed the need for a laser focus on the quality, tradability, and bankability of CCI projects to make sure these are attractive investments for potential buyers. Do the CPP rules need to define the vetting process for eligible CCI entities and projects more rigorously? DEQ's McConnaha noted that the Equity Advisory Council is set up to help prioritize work plans and that the proposed third-party fees will fund a full FTE for DEQ to oversee CCI performance. Comm. Schlusser noted that many CCI projects are likely to link with and leverage existing programs such as those of Energy Trust, but attribution of results may become challenging. Donegan suggested that the final rules should clarify EQC's role, if any, in overseeing fund allocation. CCI prices are a related concern. Donegan said the proposed price of $126 per CCI appears less expensive than the cost of neighboring states' compliance instruments, given that the CPP would award most emission allowances free off the top. Real worry is the decarbonization cost passed on to consumers over time. As our emissions cap declines and covered entities have to buy more CCIs, our program could become more expensive than California’s. McConnaha said in 2 years of experience with the CPP, we saw overcompliance with the program requirements without the CCI program in place. So while the focus on the CCI price is understandable, it’s only one of many variables affecting CPP compliance. Treatment of Energy-Intensive Trade Exposed (EITEs) industries: Public comments show widespread support for creating this new category of regulated entities (manufacturers that face competition from outside Oregon), favored with a slower emissions cap trajectory to prevent job losses in Oregon and emissions "leakage" to other states. A movement emerged late in the rulemaking process advocating that DEQ develop a method to regulate these entities according to the specific carbon intensity (MT CO2e/per unit produced) of each manufacturing process. DEQ has pledged to address this proposition and the regulation of industrial process emissions in a near-future rulemaking. Recognition of “early” emission reductions: DEQ proposes a large one-time distribution of compliance instruments to fossil fuel suppliers in 2025 to recognize what those suppliers would have banked or traded by the time the program was invalidated. DEQ believes it is important to honor those suppliers’ early emissions reductions. Environmentalists vehemently oppose this on the grounds that it would oversupply the market with compliance instruments and could derail the CCI program early on. McConnaha maintained that the move to shorter compliance periods (2 years vs. 3) will spur overall market activity for compliance instruments, including CCI investments. Comm. Moynahan asked what would be the consequence if DEQ rescinded this proposal. McConnaha replied: a tighter market with fewer instruments available and less certainty for the regulated entities. OCEN has urged DEQ to consider adopting several changes to mitigate the worst impacts of this measure, including distributing the additional compliance instruments over 10 years, beginning with the second compliance period. It is hard to know whether DEQ will revise any of the proposed rules before EQC votes on the final rulemaking in November, but formal public input is done. Stay tuned! OEA: Oregon Revenue Forecast Sept Report published 8/28/24 I encourage you to notice the number of times climate is mentioned in this report, it appears a model for climate risk disclosure. This may be the only state revenue forecast in the country that clearly addresses most climate related risks. Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution Sept 2024 Updates to the Climate Case Charts | Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Oregon Cases – 78 as of Sept 2024 News: Some of these topics may be addressed in 2025 session Oregon continues to be in the top ten states, the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard , released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), evaluates states across six key policy areas related to renewable energy Bill McKibben in Portland: July 5, 2024. - Greg Martin McKibben gave an address on climate change at the First Unitarian Church in Portland last week. He spoke compellingly for some 40 minutes, starting with the worst disaster news and moving on to more optimistic themes, including the potential of senior activism to make a critical difference. This recording begins with a series of intros, including promotion for Third Act Oregon. McKibben starts at around the 25-minute mark . His advocacy on this subject is nothing short of amazing. Where are Fracking Bans in Place? ‘Statewide fracking bans are in place in five states: Vermont, New York, Maryland, Washington, and Oregon (Oregon’s moratorium ends on January 2, 2025). California currently has a moratorium on fracking in place and a full ban will start in October 2024. Individual counties across the country have also passed their own fracking bans.’ POSTED IN POLLUTION: HCN.: Preventing the next ‘Fukushima’ As oil and gas operations at Portland’s CEI Hub grow , so do the chances of a catastrophic spill. Isobel Whitcomb September 1, 2024 OPB : Energy demand from data centers growing faster than West can supply, experts say “In a webinar hosted by regional transmission authorities, data centers were called a “major challenge” for the energy industry, as well as extreme weather” US delays Oregon floating offshore wind lease auction amid 'low interest' | Windpower Monthly US shelves Oregon offshore wind auction after protest from governor – MarketScreener :Reuters: (Reuters) -The Biden administration on Friday canceled a planned auction of offshore wind development rights off the coast of Oregon after the state's governor said she did not support the sale. Oregon’s biggest gas company isn’t as green as it claims- EHN Agency that approves energy rate hikes explains How and Why Behind Decisions. Volunteers Needed Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the Climate Emergency portfolio team; We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of December 1 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Peggy Lynch On Nov. 19, legislators received the latest Revenue Forecast . (An in-depth version is here .) Oregonlive covered the forecast helpfully. They provide an in-depth Revenue Outlook . The Oregon Capital Insider also provided a good article . However, we still have two economies: One for the wealthy and one for low-income Oregonians—the “k” economy. A Nov. 24 th Salem Reporter story provides more insights. Here is the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) website . With concern about not only this biennium, but the next two biennia forecasted as less than needed to provide Oregonians with the services they need, the Oregon Revenue Coalition has revived. The League has participated in the past and is attending weekly meetings. For now, it is an informal group with a focus on addressing the revenue needed for services to Oregonians. We have signed on to a one-pager created by the “Protect Oregon Now” group—part of the Revenue Coalition. H.R. 1 , the federal “reconciliation” bill, was signed by the President on July 4 th , just a few days AFTER Oregon’s legislative session adjourned. Because Oregon currently “connects” to the federal tax system, the tax reductions in H.R. 1 will also reduce revenue for Oregon . A disconnect bill ( HB 2092 ) passed the Oregon House in 2025, but was not taken up in the Senate. The new Revenue Coalition and legislators are having conversations around options to increase revenue, including targeting disconnect provisions and other ideas that may be politically easier than a full disconnect. One of our partners, the Oregon Center for Public Policy, provides a YouTube video to help explain. The Legislature COULD delay the April 15 filing date should they decide to address the disconnect in the 2026 session. They have taken that action in the past. At a mtg. on Oct. 9 with the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, League learned that agencies are being asked to provide a 5% cuts list by each fund type....so 5% General Fund (GF), 5% Lottery Funds (LF), 5% Other Funds (OF)!!! And in 2.5% increments. The 1% the Gov asked for earlier can be counted as part of that 5% number. And they are to provide a list of NEW PROGRAMS created/funded from 2025. During an OWEB mtg. on Oct. 17, we learned the New Programs list each agency is to provide are ones created from July 2021 forward. So not just the last couple of years. The Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) is looking to see any nexus to Covid/federal programs that were created with one-time money, for instance. Some of these programs were already not funded in 2025. Oregon’s Full Ways and Means Co-Chairs have written an opinion piece about the challenges facing Oregon. The League will need to be actively engaged in helping solve these problems. See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall. A March 5, 2025 report by the Common Sense Institute, including former state economist Mark McMullen, provides interesting statistics on Oregon budget since 2001. As Oregon has reduced its reliance on the General Fund (income taxes), both Federal and Other Funds have grown. Yes, in spite of the revenue shortfall, Oregon still has the “kicker”. Here’s what you can expect . Remember that you can donate the kicker on your 2024 Oregon tax return. On Nov. 13, Multnomah County provided an economic forecast reported by Willamette Week. On Nov. 17, the Senate Finance & Revenue Committee received an Overview of Wealth Transfer Taxes: Estate, Inheritance and Gift. Review of Past Legislative Discussions on Tax Reform: Meeting Materials Video of meeting Learn more about Oregon’s Reserve Funds in an article by the Oregon Capital Chronicle. Oregon is better suited to address a significant downturn in the economy than the last major downturn because of Oregon’s Rainy Day and Education Stability Funds. But there are criteria that must be addressed in order to access those funds. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 1/30 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Campaign Finance Reform Redistricting Elections Rights of Incarcerated People Public Records Volunteers Needed By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance Reform There have been no new bills filed and no public activity for CFR. Redistricting By Chris Cobey and Norman Turrill The People Not Politicians coalition, in which the LWV of Oregon is a leader, now has an office in Wilsonville and a campaign manager. It will circulate only IP 14 (only legislative redistricting) and will begin collecting petition signatures probably in February. Four bills related to redistricting have been filed in the Legislature, detailed in a previous LR. Elections By Tom Messenger SB 804 by Senator Manning emerged as a companion to SB 499 by Senator Weber to move the Presidential Primary to Super Tuesday. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley On January 30, the League delivered testimony in Senate Judiciary in strong support of SB 579, which would restore the right to vote to over 13,000 people in Oregon’s prisons and jails. The response to the many individuals who delivered persuasive testimony was heartening, as was the fact that a work session on the bill was scheduled for February 2. However, instead of a work session the bill was sent to Ways and Means, which means it may or may not resurface later in the session. The League has added our name to the Guaranteeing the Right to Vote’s endorsement list for the bill, and we will continue to work for its passage. Public Records Law By Rebecca Gladstone The League positions balance privacy and transparency needs. At an Oregon Public Records Advisory Council (PRAC) meeting last fall, we heard that a public records request denial might be considered in the public interest if it presents a conflict of interest for workload. We will be evaluating as the SoS budgets ask for increased staffing in response to this. We have always supported Elections Division staffing budget requests, based on services, not on defense from efforts “to complicate or undermine their work.” Last fall, as Oregon hit 3 million registered voters , Oregon election offices got unprecedented numbers of public records requests , mirrored nationally. Last week, the PRAC shared a wide-ranging roster of 33 proposed bills affecting public records law . Some, for example, may affect elections and League Vote411.org access to candidate and ballot measure filing information. We will be watching these for relevant League action, in some cases addressed in previous session versions. Extensive 2017 public records law work passed with our support: SB 2101 for exemptions ( our testimony ), SB 481 for public records access policy (our testimony ), and SB 106 for a Public Records Advocate and Council ( our testimony ). VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 6/29 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Revenue Senate and House Committee Meetings Revenue Josie Koehne 2026 Revenue Forecast Although the June forecast presented on May 21st showed a slight increase of $345 million over the previous forecast in February, state chief economist Carl Riccadonna pointed out that this figure reflected the impact of kicker and federal income tax refunds and a transfer of emergency funds. The economy is actually weaker than projected because of the rise in energy prices. Oil/gas prices have increased from $60 a barrel in January to $110 in May, and gas from $2.85 to $4.50 due to the Iran war. Energy swings have been far worse in the past however. Oil prices have a vital impact on all businesses and households. Uncertainty with the swing in tariffs has also taken a toll, as has the 4.4% inflation rate as a result of increased energy prices among other factors. The result is a decline in GPD from an anticipated increase of 2.4% to 1.6% in the May forecast. This shows a sluggish economy, but not a recession. Sustained over a long period, these factors could bring on a recession but there are no warning signs as yet. Because Oregon’s GDP is highly dependent on exports for its largely agricultural products, Oregon GDPgrowth lags the US average by 1.1%. In terms of the job situation, real income growth has fallen slightly, although unemployment has remained fairly low and steady at 4.3% over the year. But the real picture shows that business income has risen dramatically due to the booming stock market, while personal income has remained flat and the consumer price index has jumped off the charts, especially in Oregon. This shows that lower income earners and small businesses are suffering greatly while the corporations are doing exceptionally well, and the wealth gap is steadily worsening (K- shaped economy). Should the stock market crash as it did in 2001-2002, Oregon's expected revenue could tank. Adding to this story, wealthy investors are investing extremely heavily in data centers and AI, which news reporting suggests may be a bubble, especially as AI and data center build-out seems to be facing a headwind of negative public opinion. Senate and House Committee Meetings Nili Essaides Interim Session: House and Senate Revenue Committees On June 15 and 16, 2026, the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee and the House Revenue Committee, respectively, met for informational sessions on progress made on some revenue collection items and legislative issues. The first item for both committees was the progress made on collecting the new tax on oral nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches. Oral Nicotine Tax Oregon’s Department of Revenue (DOR) provided the Senate and House Committees with an update on the administration of Oral Nicotine Tax. In the first quarter of 2026, the State collected $6.4 million in revenue (twice the expected amount), of which $6.1 were distributed to the Oregon Fire Marshall and the Forestry Department. The state will distribute proceeds monthly going forward. On the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee , there were three additional items: 1. VITA Dee Anne Everson, from the United Way of Jackson County, appealed to the committee to extend the funding for the administration of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) in the 2027 legislative session. VITA, which provides free tax-filing help to certain communities, has helped 10,000 consumers receive $18 million in tax credits. Its full impact will be available next year, after the filing season. 2. SB 1507 In its update on the implementation of SB 1507, the Legislative Revenue Office (LRO) noted that it is too early to report on the bill’s full revenue impact. SB 1507 disconnected Oregon’s taxes from some parts of the Federal tax code. The full impact will not be available until after the filing season. 3. Tax Expenditure Report In its presentation, DOR discussed the voluminous report’s lack of distinction between what is a tax expenditure vs. a spending item. The House Revenue Committee discussed the following items: 1. Revenue System Interdependencies In its presentation, The Legislative Revenue Office (LRO) explained the intricate and often unexpected interdependencies created by taxes from different revenue collection entities, such as cross deductibility. The discussion focused on the resulting policy implications ahead of the next legislative session. 2. New Taxing District The Oregon Legislative Office (LRO), in a joint presentation with the Lane County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector, explained how a local entity can apply for a special taxing district. The LRO’s presentation and the Lane County Tax Assessor outlined how to secure a new taxing district as well as a case study example. However, the bulk of the conversation focused on the restrictions and implications related to Oregon outdated property tax infrastructure, as determined by Measure 5 and Measure 50, both dating back 35 years. The Revenue Committee has established a task force to study the system and make reform recommendations. 3. Other Items Not on the agenda was a list from the LRO of bills to be discussed during the next session, including the sunsetting of the tax exemptions for medical marijuana and estate taxes, as well as tax credit extensions and employment requirements for providing investment tax incentives. Both Committees will meet again on the September 10-12 legislative days.

The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on January 25th, 2023. The position was updated in 2025. Child care concerns have changed dramatically since our  1988 - Childcare In Oregon  publication. Childcare Methods Study Update 2023 About the Study The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on January 25th, 2023. The position was updated in 2025. Child care concerns have changed dramatically since our 1988 - Childcare In Oregon publication. At Convention 2021, LWV of Washington County proposed a restudy of LWVOR's 1985 Childcare Position . The current pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated childcare issues and inequities. The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on January 25th, 2023. The position was updated in 2025. Child care concerns have changed dramatically since our 1988 - Childcare In Oregon publication. You can find a downloadable version of the restudy here. LWVOR's position on Child Care: First adopted March 1989 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that child care is a social and economic issue that reaches beyond the family into the community. Quality child care needs to be available, accessible and affordable to all families for children of all ages and with differing needs. The League of Women Voters supports a diverse child care system to accommodate different parental choices and needs. Such a system may include day care centers, group homes, and family day care homes. The State of Oregon should establish appropriate standards to ensure that high quality care exists in all settings. For centers and group homes: these standards should address facilities, staff qualifications, and number of children served. Program, parent/care giver communication, administration and transportation should be included for centers and may also be considered for group homes. There should be flexible guidelines for family day care homes because of the unique character of these facilities. The State of Oregon should enforce mandatory regulations by funding a sufficient number of inspectors. The State of Oregon should set requirements for adequate training for care givers and ensure those training opportunities are available. This could include state provision of training and/or state incentives for others to provide training. City and county governments should participate in enforcing health and fire standards. Affordable child care should be available and accessible for children with differing needs and in various age groups. While parents have the primary responsibility for choosing child care, a coordinated effort between parents and government, together with providers, employers, and private groups is necessary to deliver quality child care at an affordable price. The State of Oregon should: Provide financial assistance for child care expenses to low- and middle-income families based on need. Such assistance could include tax credits for parents with a ceiling based on income. Support resource and referral programs. Encourage employer involvement in the child care system. Encourage development of school-age child care programs. Parents in job training, in school, with special-needs children and/or needing respite care services should be eligible for financial assistance for child care based on demonstrated need. Child caregivers should be awarded recognition commensurate with their responsibilities. The State of Oregon should take a leadership role in elevating the professional status of child caregivers and ensuring adequate compensation. National Position (adopted in 1988): “Support programs, services, and policies at all levels of government to expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it, in order to increase access to employment and to prevent and reduce poverty.” Caring For Our Children Caring For Our Children Study , PDF, 28 pages LWVOR's 1985 Childcare Study LWVOR's 2023 Childcare Re-Study Previous Next

Campaign Finance In Oregon An Oregon History of Campaign Finance Reform and the League of Women Voters Recent Campaign Finance History In 2020, the League supported the Legislature’s referred constitutional amendment Measure 107 to voters to allow campaign finance limits. Voters passed it overwhelmingly by over 78%. However, three Legislative sessions passed without implementing a Measure 107 statute. Legislators could not agree on anything that limited their own campaigns; they all are experts on financing their own campaigns and all have a huge conflict of interest. In 2022, the Honest Elections group , including the LWVOR, Common Cause and other good government groups, participated in intense negotiations with unions and Our Oregon, lasting for many months. An agreement was reached on an initiative text; however, the unions backed out of the deal at the last minute. Honest Elections redrafted the proposal together with national experts from the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause and the League. They then filed initiative petition (IP) 9 in July, 2022, after a long drafting process where IP 8 (a constitutional amendment to stop campaign finance laws impairment), IP 23 (including Democracy Vouchers) and IP 24 (including public matching of small donations) were also filed. Honest Elections settled on IP 9 as the proposal most likely to make the ballot and be adopted by voters. After an eight month ballot title certification process all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court, while Our Oregon did its best to delay the process, the Secretary of State finally approved IP 9 for circulation in May, 2023. The campaign quickly hired petitioners, organized volunteers including the League, and eventually collected some 100,000 signatures. LWVOR policy says that the League only supports ballot measures after ballot qualification, unless it was involved in measure drafting and organizing. Then Our Oregon, sensing IP 9’s potential success, redrafted the originally agreed Honest Elections initiative text (with huge loopholes for unions and other organizations). Our Oregon filed IP 42 , got a ballot title in less than 5 months, hired circulators, and began collecting signatures in January, 2024. At this point, it was clear to some legislators entering the short legislative session, that an expensive ballot battle was brewing between IP 9 and IP 42. Very quickly and historically , some union and business lobbyists got together and drafted a legislative bill. Dexter Johnson, lead Legislative Counsel, quickly drafted an LC bill. The House Rules Committee, Chaired by Rep. Julie Fahey and Vice Chair Rep. Jeffrey Helfrich, stuffed the LC bill as an amendment into HB 4024 , an unused placeholder bill. Two hearings and a work session were quickly held within a few days. The League initially opposed the bill in its -3 amendment form. Intense negotiations ensued behind the scenes between Honest Elections, some legislators, and business and union lobbyists, with the League being supportive but not directly involved. Some 40 changes were made to the 49-page bill before Honest Elections agreed that it was “ good enough ”. Part of the agreement was withdrawal of both IP 9 and IP 42. HB 4024 initially included a referral to November ballots, also removed from the final bill. The House Rules Committee quickly passed HB 4024 to the House floor, rules were suspended, and it passed 52 to 5. The very next day, the Senate Rules Committee quickly and concurrently held a hearing and work session, passing HB 4024 to the Senate floor. The Senate suspended rules, passed the bill 22 to 6, all on the last day of session . The Governor said she would sign it. It is clear that much more work needs to be done to implement HB 4024. Funding must be allocated to the Secretary of State and administrative rules must be written and adopted before the January 2027 effective date. ORESTAR must be reprogrammed for a “dashboard”,advertising disclosure, and “drill down” to see original campaign contribution funding sources. The 2025 long legislative session will undoubtedly want to consider amendments, both good and bad. This work could continue for years, if not decades. Stay tuned! Earlier Campaign Finance History Campaign contribution limits were adopted in 1908 by initiative . Those limits remained in effect until the 1970s when the Legislature repealed them in favor of campaign spending limits, a fad at the time. In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down campaign spending limits in the famous Buckley v. Valeo court case because they violated the First Amendment. However, the SCOTUS justified contribution limits because of the state’s interest in preventing “corruption and the appearance of corruption spawned by the real or imagined coercive influence of large financial contributions on candidates' positions and on their actions if elected to office." In 1994 Oregon voters again adopted campaign contribution limits by initiative with Measure 9 . They were only in effect for the 1996 election until the Oregon Supreme Court struck them down in 1997 on the basis of free speech in the Oregon Constitution, VanNatta v. Keisling . In 1998, voters approved Measure 62 , a constitutional amendment requiring campaign finance and ad financing disclosures, and allowing the Legislature to regulate signature gathering. The Legislature later prohibited paying petition circulators per signature, among other regulations. In 2000, the League helped draft initiative Measure 6 and supported it with a Voters’ Pamphlet statement., t, to provide public funding to candidates who limited campaign spending and private contributions. It failed on the ballot. Oregon voters again passed contribution limits with initiative Measure 47 in 2006. The companion initiative, constitutional amendment Measure 46 , however, did not pass, so the Measure 47 limits never went into effect. The League did not help draft these measures and later opposed them because Measure 46 required a three-fourths (3/4) legislative vote to amend previously enacted campaign finance laws, or to pass new laws. Measure 47 also required low contributions limits, perhaps unconstitutionally. Later in 2020, when the Oregon Supreme Court rescinded its repeal of campaign contribution limits, the Oregon Attorney General and Secretary of State refused without explanation to allow Measure 47 to go into effect, even though it was still in Oregon Revised Statute. In the early 2020s, the Honest Elections group , including the LWVOR, Common Cause and several other good government groups, succeeded in getting contribution limits adopted for Portland and Multnomah County, with public funding for Portland candidates, with a small donor matching fund.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/20 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator Good news, all CE priorities have Work Sessions scheduled or have already moved forward from their policy committee. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each CE priority. 1. Natural and Working Lands : SB 530 LWVOR Alert : Work Session 3/27. The fiscal has not been posted. An amendment may get posted to simplify multiple-agency policy implementation. The League continues to be an active coalition member. 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): LWVOR Alert . Work sessions are 3/28 and 3/30. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . The fiscals have not yet been posted. I understand that the HOMES part of the federal IRA hasn’t released guidance yet, this makes it difficult for the legislature to know what to count on and what matching might be needed. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 Leg bills: The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13 and SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907 , League testimony . Public Hearing (#2) and Work Session is 3/28 . There are issues with this bill that need to be addressed, in an expected amendment. 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , 3/23. -2 amendment was posted 3/22. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ), requesting additional agency requests that were not included in the Governor’s budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast will provide required budget balancing guidelines. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 : Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like RB task force the 23 member Task Force is required to recommend no later than Jan 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session. HB 3016 community green (tree canopy) infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session was 3/15 . Legislative Summary description . Fiscal is not clear for agency FTE adds, maybe ~$900K, nor source of grant funds. House Bill 2816 , Recent amendments posted “… scheduled for a committee (work session) vote on March 27, would require every (major) carbon emitter to follow the same rules as major utilities. (data centers) A 2021 law set ambitious timelines for utilities, including the state’s two biggest electrical providers, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, to lower their carbon emissions and switch to non-carbon-emitting power sources by 2040.” Oregon could tighten climate regulations for data centers , cryptocurrency farms | Oregon Capital Chronicle. No fiscal posted. Climate Solutions testimony . HB 2713 - 1 , PH 3/29 and work session 4/3. Local Regulation of Fossil Fuels: home rule cities and counties have constitutional authority to prohibit or limit use of fossil fuels in new buildings or installation of fossil fuel infrastructure. Permits cities and counties, whether home rule or not, to prohibit or limit use of fossil fuels in new buildings or installation of fossil fuel infrastructure. No fiscal posted. House CE&E Meeting By Greg Martin The committee moved HB 3418-1 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with referral to Joint Tax Expenditures. The bill would extend the sunset date of the Solar and Storage Rebate Program from 1/2/2024 to 1/2/2029. ODOE would have to waive the requirement that construction begin within 12 months of an award if construction was delayed because of supply chain or workforce disruptions or shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiscal impact is estimated at $547K for 2023-25, $703K for 2025-27. ODOE received a GF appropriation of $15 million in 2021-23 and anticipates that all funds will be obligated by the end of the biennium. If additional funding were provided to carry the program forward, ODOE would change three existing limited-duration administrative positions into permanent positions. Senate E&E By Greg Martin The committee sent these bills to the floor with a do-pass recommendation: SB 145 (w/ referral to Joint Tax Exp.), extends until 7/1/2032 the sunset date for the property tax exemption for the High Desert Biomass Coop, which burns "hog fuel" to produce hot water and steam for delivery in Burns. No fiscal impact (or comments, please). The committee also heard testimony for Sen. Hayden's SB 1015 , which would allow accelerated depreciation (over two years) of “carbon reducing upgrades” that could include replacement of older heavy-duty diesel trucks, manufacturing and building upgrades, adoption of clean vehicles for fleet use. Would apply to tax years beginning on or after 1/1/2020. No fiscal impact statement was available but committee members seemed favorable. Interstate 5 (I5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart Final design is undecided. Stakeholders have been identified and engaged. Draft Environmental Impact Statement to be released early this fall, with a 45-60 day comment period once released. Final environmental impact decision anticipated in 2024 Finance plan will be released in March and updated annually Section 106 impacts (historical, cultural, archeological): An online public open house is planned for April related to Section 106 impacts. The Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee (EMAC) has worked to help identify strategies to improve outcomes and access to travel choices for all demographics. Their most recent meeting, March 20, covered the design process. To find background on the project or get involved, sign up for email on IBR project website . Meetings & Events | I-5 Bridge Replacement Program Interstatebridge.org IBR has several public groups formed to give input on the project. Find out about participation at public meetings here and here . Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. The Need For Climate Risk Disclosures: A Case Study Of Physical Risk Of Two REITS, EQR And ARE | Forbes. Federal and state policies impacting ESG reporting could be issued in 2023 | U.S. Green Building Council. SEC Chair Responds to Questions on Potential Lawsuit on Climate Disclosure , Fast Paced Rulemaking | Reuters. Gensler says SEC climate disclosure rule will focus on consistency | Pensions & Investments. Key insights for asset owners developing investor climate action plans | Ceres. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First -Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard| OST. J an 2023 Pers Statement Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 62 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Oregon and PNW News Oregon’s $4 Billion Economic Opportunity From Ambitious Climate Policy | Forbes. Ashland youth push city to ban fossil fuel infrastructure in new buildings | Jefferson Public Radio. Oregon could tighten climate regulations for data centers, cryptocurrency farms – Oregon Capital Chronicle. Portland Inno - Tech industry, E. Oregon lawmakers warn of economic toll if data center emissions bill passes | BizJR. Energy Facility Siting Council to Meet March 24, 2023 — ODOE. National and Global News A ‘Rocking Chair Rebellion’: Seniors Call On Banks to Dump Big Oi l - The New York Times. Why India Walks a Tightrope Between US and Russia ( cheap oil…) - The Washington Post. Shaheen to admin: Get me the Black Sea strategy | Politico. The climate debate over the Willow oil project , explained - The Washington Post. States debate whether to restrict —or invite—crypto mining – GCN. FACT SHEET: One Year of Supporting Ukraine | The White House. Commentary: Biden weighs in on the battle for the soul of Wall Street. Here’s how the president’s first veto will shape the way Americans’ money is managed | Fortune. Modi’s Climate Change Goal at Risk as India Renewable Energy Push Hits Hurdles – Bloomberg. Russia Wants a Fossil Fuel Relationship . China Has Cold Feet | Time. Climate protesters call on banks to divest from fossil fuels : NPR. Weekly Planet | The Atlantic Journal Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 6/5 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Housing Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York At the urging of newly-elected Governor Kotek, the Oregon Legislature invested more than $215 million in the Early Session Housing Package. It provided Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) with a down payment to tackle the state’s housing and homeless emergency. Now that the end of the session is near, Governor Kotek is calling on the Legislature to invest $1.3 billion in housing solutions through the End of Session Package. This investment will allow OHCS to achieve the goals in its 2023-25 budget request, SB 5511 . The challenge is to balance the needs of people experiencing homelessness and to address the state’s chronic housing supply shortages. The biennial budget represents the largest request any Oregon Governor has proposed. See the full 2023-25 Governor's Recommended Budget . The housing related budget descriptions can be found in these links. Snapshot of the End of Session Housing Package Improving Program Access: Language Access, Training, and Technical Assistance Bond Investments to Expand and Improve Housing Supply Pre-Development Investments Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Risk Mitigation Rehousing Oregonians Experiencing Homelessness Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Investments The Oregon Housing and Community Services budget includes funding for a number of programs aimed at keeping people already housed in their homes, developing new affordable housing, preserving existing affordable housing, and serving people without a place to live. Highlights include: $118 million for preservation of existing publicly supported housing, $415.45 million for homelessness response and prevention, $616 million to develop new affordable rental homes through the Local Innovation Fast Track (LIFT) Rental program, and $130 million to develop permanent supportive homes. Housing Bill Updates SB 225 Enrolled will address a problem with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. The bill addresses this barrier and allows Oregon Housing and Community Services to move forward on affordable housing developments to avoid construction delays and cost increases. The Governor signed SB 225 on June 7. SB 599 A Enrolled would allow tenants to operate home-based childcare by requiring a landlord to allow a renter to use a dwelling unit for a family childcare home if it is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care. The landlord can require a tenant to pay for improvements necessary for certification and carry some form of liability coverage. The Governor signed SB 599 A on June 1. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Karen Nibler Despite the ongoing Senate shutdown, a few criminal justice bills continue to move on the House floor and in the Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee. The following bills passed out of the House from June 1 to June 7 and await a Senate vote: HB 5012 A appropriates money from the General Fund for district attorney expenses, HB 2320 B establishes the Juvenile Justice Policy Commission within the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, HB 2225 A increases fees for court transcripts, and HB 2316 A expands the offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants to include additional substances. SB 1052 Enrolled , establishes a training program for state agency employees concerning human trafficking and awareness, signed by the Governor June 12. The Public Safety Subcommittee passed the following bills on June 6 and returned them to the full Ways and Means Committee: · HB 2024 provides that district attorneys and deputy district attorneys qualify as police officers under the Public Employees Retirement System. · SB 321 A sets up a process whereby anyone convicted as a result of a nonunanimous jury can file a petition for post-conviction relief before December 30, 2024. · SB 5532 appropriates money from the General Fund for expenses related to the Oregon Public Defense Commission. · SB 337 B establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) within the Oregon Judicial Department with an appointed director, 9 voting members, and 4 non-voting members who are not practicing judges, district attorneys, or law enforcement employees. OPDC will present its budget to the Legislature every two years but will reimburse the State Court Administrator for personnel costs and contract with the Department of Administrative Services for forecasts for eligible adults and juveniles and cost estimates. There will be a separate Treasury Account. The bill stipulates the transfer of duties, records, personnel, and fund balance on July 1, 2023, for the new biennium. The Chief Justice will transfer current board members or appoint members to the OPDC by November 1, 2023 and appoint an Executive Director by January 1, 2024. The Commission will officially transfer to the Executive Branch on January 1, 2025. Further directions were to establish an hourly rate payment for defense attorneys with no flat fee cases. The hourly rate is to be calculated by January 1, 2025, with an increasing number of attorneys employed by the Commission. Behavioral Health By Karen Nibler The last hearing of the House Behavioral Health Committee on June 7 featured the Oregon State Hospital staffing crisis. The State Employee Union, SEIU focused on staff overtime, which was mandatory due to state injuries. The injuries affected 1 out of 4 hospital staff and caused high turnover with 800 staff still at work at the hospital. As a result, HB 2701 A was passed, acknowledging the high risk of harm and the benefits in the state employee’s system. The bill was referred to Ways and Means, and the outcome is not yet known.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Natalie Briggs HB 3049 - Informational Meeting 4/17/25 House Bill 3049 (introduced) seeks to modify provisions for corporate excise tax exemptions for businesses operating in economically lagging areas. This bill was discussed during an informational session with the House Revenue Committee on 4/15/25 in response to a request for an interim report on the bill from LRO. Speakers from LRO reviewed the goals of proposed changes to bill 3049, citing that 14 counties currently qualify for the exemption, whereas changes to the bill would increase this number to 18. The bill also changes wage requirements for qualification, implementing a wage to wage comparison instead of a compensation to per capita income comparison as part of qualifying criteria. There is currently no public estimate of the impact of this policy on the general fund. This is due to low participation in the program, such that minimum requirements for disclosure laws have not been met. Moving forward, LRO seeks to estimate the cost of this policy through aggregated data available at the department of revenue. Members of the committee expressed concern that there is not sufficient information or transparency on the financial impact of this policy, and expressed a desire to ensure that this policy is worth continuing to pursue. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Josie Keohne, Patricia Garner, Peggy Lynch OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTION YOU have an opportunity to testify to the Ways and Means Committee on the budget cuts that were proposed during the November Legislative Days. The public hearing will be held at the Capitol in Salem from 5-8p on Feb. 3, but there will be a remote link as well. Individual League members are encouraged to participate, but remember that only our League President can speak on behalf of the League. LWVOR sent an Action Alert to members to share your concerns about these cuts and to attend a rally in Salem on Feb. 5 th from noon-2p. For more information see the For Our Future Oregon website and the Jan. 13 th press release . KOIN reported on tax issues. As did KPTV . State agencies provided the Ways and Means Subcommittees with proposed cuts of up to 5% from their currently-approved budgets during the November Interim Days. Here are the costs to OHA & DHS related to H.R. 1 recently calculated. Oregonlive provides an article to explain the need for staff and software: The Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority say they need $340 million more in state funding and 475 more workers between now and June 2027 to comply with new demands from Republicans’ far-reaching 2025 tax and budget-cutting bill . In addition, we are seeing all the cuts by local school districts as shared in this Oregonlive article and funding the Oregon Dept. of Transportation will need to be addressed, currently set at $242 million. In other reports, you can read about some of the cuts or cost replacements needed to provide Oregonians with the services they need. We look forward to the Feb. 4 th Revenue Forecast (8am in Senate Finance and Revenue Committee-- agenda ) so the legislature will know the expected revenue for the rest of this biennium so they can rebalance the state budget. The League has joined with others in a reconstituted Oregon Revenue Coalition, and signed on to this letter. Some Oregon counties get a pay bump from this article on Jefferson Public Radio. Bills we may be following SB 1562 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. HB 4148 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent , respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. The LOCAL Act, adjusts the post-2003 lodging tax distribution so that local governments may adjust the percentages, with up to 60% used for critical local services and infrastructure, such as first responders, and at least 40% dedicated to tourism promotion and facilities. The LOCAL Act is a bipartisan collaborative bill that updates outdated restrictions so communities can better balance supporting tourism with maintaining residents' quality of life. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Applies to estimates prepared on or after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the difference in surplus revenue calculations using stated methodologies, and transfer an amount equal to the difference for use for various purposes. Establishes the One-Time Emergencies and Finance Fund. HB 4136 : Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, a mortgage interest deduction for a residence other than the taxpayer’s principal residence, unless the taxpayer sells the residence or actively markets the residence for sale. Establishes the Oregon Homeownership Opportunity Account. Transfers an amount equal to the estimated increase in revenue attributable to restrictions on the deduction of mortgage interest to the account, for the purpose of making down payment assistance payments. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. SB 1507 : Reduces taxes imposed under various tax programs, operative conditioned upon imposition of a statewide retail sales tax dedicated to specified purposes. Directs the Department of Revenue to estimate the revenue lost to tax reductions and to direct an equal amount of revenue to various purposes. Public Hearing on Feb. 4. SB 1510 : Updates the terminology used to describe certain income earned by multinational corporations to reflect a change in the term used in federal law. Aligns sunset dates for earned income tax credit provisions with the underlying sunset date for the credit. Expands the tax credit for certified film production development contributions to allow the use of contributions for the production of commercials. Applies to fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Provides an exception from the annual filing requirement for the property tax exemption for property burdened by an affordable housing covenant used for owner-occupied housing. Applies to property tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027. SB 1511 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the estate tax. Directs the Legislative Revenue Officer to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to revenue not later than December 1, 2027. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Land Use section of the Natural Resources Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges as well as wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. OPB covered a story about the bill . NO public hearing has been scheduled at this time. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Public Hearing Feb. 2. The budget was balanced when the legislature adjourned last June. Then in early July Congress passed H.R.1 (see Summary), a collection of tax cuts and program cuts. Oregon’s income tax system automatically “connects” to the federal income tax system. Between the two actions, Oregon is expected to see a reduction in revenue . We are still suffering from income inequality as shared in this Oregon Center for Public Policy Podcast/You Tube . Here is the material from the Oregon State Debt Policy Advisory Commission . Tentatively the General Obligation bond capacity for the 2026 session is $513 million. See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall.

< Back Revenue LWVOR Advocacy Positions Note: these are condensed versions. See the complete positions in Issues for Action . 2026 Legislative Priority ASSURE ADEQUATE REVENUE from all levels of government to provide essential services while promoting equitable and progressive tax policy. Address changes in federal taxation. Consider new revenue to fund services Oregonians need. Positions Governance Economic Development Revenue Bonds LWVOR supports the authority to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds by the state, ports, and cities with more than 300,000 population. 2. In addition to the Economic Development Revenue Bond program, LWVOR supports other state and local economic stimulants Fiscal Policy Evaluating Taxes —any tax proposal should be evaluated with regard to its effect on the entire tax structure. Fiscal Responsibility —local government should have primary responsibility for financing non-school local government. Local services mandated by the state should have state funding. Income Tax—i ncome tax is the most equitable means of providing state revenue. The income tax should be progressive, compatible with federal law and should apply to the broadest possible segment of Oregonians. Sales Tax— A sales tax should be used with certain restrictions Property Tax —local property taxes should partially finance local government and local services. Exemptions to the general property tax include: a. Charitable, educational and benevolent organizations, etc. b. School District Financing. The major portion of the cost of public schools should be borne by the state, which should use a stable system to provide sufficient funds to give each child an equal, adequate education. Previous Next

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection Elections Artificial Intelligence Rulemaking and Audits Campaign Finance and Initiatives By Norman Turrill We are still waiting for urgently needed technical amendments to HB 4024 (2024) on campaign contribution limits, which are expected to be amended into HB 3392 . Since we are nearing the end of the session, we fear that this will not happen or will happen haphazardly. SB 686 A requires online websites, when news stories are copied, to pay digital journalism providers or donate to the Oregon Civic Information Consortium. Senate Rules recommended the bill Do Pass with a partisan 3-2 vote. However, a Minority Report was also filed for the bill, so both reports will go to the Senate floor. The League has not taken a position on this bill but is generally sympathetic in support of local journalism. SB 1077 would require the Public Records Advisory Council to study public records. However, the proposed -1 amendment would replace the bill with several updates to the public records law that were born of multiple years of drafting and negotiation amongst numerous stakeholders, first through the Public Records Advisory Council (PRAC), which became SB 417 (2023) that did not make it out of session, and then via a two-year long workgroup gathered by Senator Lieber after concerns were raised by some public bodies during hearings on the PRAC bill. The amendment had a public hearing in Senate Rules 6/4. It adds a definition for the term "commercial requester." It amends the current fees, creates an allowable fee for commercial requesters, and establishes how the fees collected from commercial requesters will be distributed. It establishes a process for a requester to receive an explanation of the fees charged, and allows non-commercial requesters to request a waiver, or a substantial reduction, of fees, if it is in the public interest. The SB 1077 amendment was opposed in testimony from several local governments. It is supported by the PRAC, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and others. The League has not yet taken a position on the amendment but is generally supportive. General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection By Becky Gladstone SB 952 Enrolled , to consider interim US Senator appointments, League testimony in support, is headed to the Governor for signing. See the OPB article which quoted League testimony. “Without appointed representation, we could lack a US Senator’s voice from Oregon for months, election calendar timing varying,” the League of Women Voters of Oregon said in written testimony. “We deserve to be prepared for this.” SB 430 Enrolled for comprehensive business transparency to protect consumers is headed to the Governor for signing. League testimony in support addressed extensive amendments. SB 473 B Prohibits the possession of a firearm by a person convicted of menacing a public official. It is being sent from House Judiciary, with Do Pass with amendments, to be printed B-Engrossed, with a dramatically revised relating clause, back to House Rules. We await that further public hearing to submit testimony supporting the new relating clause. Our initial League testimony supported creating the crime of threatening a public official. Further interim amendments included those elected, appointed, or filed to serve an established office, adding numerous judicial branch roles. SB 224 A in support of privacy for campaign committee staff home addresses, has a House Rules work session scheduled for June 9, after passing in the Senate with just one dissenting vote. League testimony supports. HB 3569 A would invite a sponsoring legislator, committee chair or designee onto the bill’s Rules Advisory Committee, as a non-voting member. This was rescheduled twice in Senate Rules, passed 4-0, to be carried to the Senate floor. Our testimony opposes for myriad reasons. Elections By Barbara Klein SB 580 A-Eng. requires filing officers in each county and city to make publicly available on the county or city website certain election documents that are filed with the officers within a specified period. The goal of the bill is to provide more timely transparency to voters showing declarations or withdrawals of candidates. The bill was in House Rules for a public hearing on June 5th, at which time the League submitted testimony , based on the needs of our work producing League Voters’ Guides and Vote411 publications. There will be a work session on June 9th. As mentioned in a previous report, the amendment accommodated different issues within counties. Concessions were made to accommodate challenges between large/small, urban/rural counties. Candidacy declarations for precinct committee persons are exempt. HB3908 relates to party membership and registration requirements. It was filed by the Rules Committee at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO). The bill increases the percentage of state voters from 5 to 10 percent required for a party to be a major political party. This would make the development of a new major party more difficult. The LWVOR did not address this bill. On June 4th this bill proceeded to the House floor for a second reading scheduled for June 9th with a Minority Report Recommendation proposed. The minority amendment would allow “fusion” voting (or cross nominations) only between major party candidates. It states, “ An affiliation of electors may nominate for an office a candidate who has been nominated for the same office by another political party only if the affiliation of electors meets and maintains the major political party membership registration requirements under this section.” Minor party candidates could only be cross-nominated by other minor parties; minor parties cannot cross-nominate a major party candidate. Subsequent to the second reading (June 9th), a third reading on June 10th is scheduled for consideration of committee and minority reports as well as the final consideration. There was strong opposition to the original bill, and support for an amendment ( HB 3908 A-Eng), by the minority members. HB 5017 A-Eng . appropriates monies from the General Fund to the State Library for biennial management expenses. On June 2nd, the House floor passed the bill (49-5). June 3rd it was referred to Ways & Means. June 5th Recommendation: Do pass A-Engrossed bill and 2nd reading on Senate Floor; the Third reading is expected June 9th. Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) analysis can be viewed here . (Basically, there was an increase in budget representing levels of inflation only.) The League submitted testimony in February on the bill. In part, that testimony stated: “ The Oregon State Library lists partnerships with 39 organizations, the League of Women Voters being one of them. We have been partners for many years, supplying information about Oregon elections. The State Talking Books Library helps us provide voting information that is accessible to the Library’s registered clients.” Artificial Intelligence By Lindsey Washburn HB3936 A bans the use of AI on state assets if the AI is developed or owned by a covered (foreign) vendor. It has already passed the House 52 to 0. It is now scheduled for a final debate and vote on the Senate floor on June 9. Rulemaking and Audits By Peggy Lynch HB 3569 , a bill that would require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee (RAC) for legislation they had a hand in passing, passed the House. The League provided testimony with our concerns and opposition to the bill. The bill passed Senate Rules on June 5 and now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. The League continues to have discussions with Legislative Leadership and the Governor’s office on these RACs bills, explaining our concerns. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. The League joined others in sharing concerns about this bill to members of House Rules. It was pulled from the scheduled work session on May 28th. The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking ( SB 437 , SB 1006 , SB 370 , SB 483 ) and SB 411 , SB 895 also in Senate Rules. HB 2454 passed House Rules with the -1 amendment and sent to Ways and Means. The bill creates a new Audits Officer (with possible additional staff). The Jt. Audits Committee would hire the Officer. From Leader Bowman’s office: “ HB 2454 changes the statutory authority related to audits and audit reviews from the Legislative Fiscal Office to the Legislative Audit Officer (LAO) and authorizes the LAO to hire necessary staff to carry out assigned functions. The LAO and his/her staff will be housed under the new Legislative Performance Oversight and Government Accountability Office. The bill does substitute LFO for the LAO on a number of responsibilities. LFO will continue fiscal analyses and other duties, while audits and oversight will be housed under the LAO.” We are concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials, would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. A work session was held May 28 where the -2 amendment was adopted to delay the web work and the bill sent to Ways and Means. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies: This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process is set for June with an invitation to the League to continue to participate. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Afterschool, Summer, and Child Issues Education Gun Policy Healthcare Housing Legislation Immigration Afterschool, Summer, and Child Issues by Katie Riley Not much is happening right now in afterschool and summer since HB 2007 was passed and signed into law. We are waiting to hear the outcome of bills that were sent to Ways and Means. HB 3835 modifying rules regarding the use of restraint and involuntary seclusion for young people will have a public hearing on Monday, May 12 at 8 am in the House Committee on Rules. This bill applies to public education programs and children receiving public support including child care programs and foster children. It defines the terms and states behavior that is allowed vs behavior that is not permitted. Education By Jean Pierce In a work session on May 7th, the Senate Committee on Education voted to recommend Do Pass HB 2586 -A which would permit asylum seekers to pay in-state fees for higher education. The League submitted testimony . The House Education Committee work session for the “Freedom to Read” bill, SB 1098 , has been postponed until May 12. Impact of federal actions on education in Oregon In the April 14th Legislative Report, we noted that the Oregon Department of Education had ended 5 math and literacy projects when the U.S. Department of Education terminated more than $3.5 million of funding 10 months ahead of schedule. The money had been approved by Congress in response to needs identified during the pandemic. The next week, it was reported that Attorney General Rayfield had joined a coalition of 15 other attorneys general to bring suit challenging the executive branch action. This week Judge Edgardo Ramos of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Department of Education to restore states’ access to these critical funds immediately while the case continues. Gun Policy By Marge Easley The League submitted supportive testimony on SB 243 A , which is scheduled for a May 12th hearing and a May 14th work session in Senate Rules. The omnibus bill passed out of Senate Judiciary on April 9 with a do-pass recommendation and was assigned to Senate Rules to allow more time for consideration. The three parts of the bill include a ban on rapid-fire devices, a 72-hour waiting period between a background check approval and the transfer of a firearm, and an expansion of the number of public areas that may be designated as “gun free zones.” As is common with hearings on bills related to gun regulations, opposition testimony has been flooding in, and a lot of media attention is expected. There was good news on May 8 from the Washington Supreme Court with their ruling that the 2022 law banning sales of high-capacity magazines is constitutional and can remain in force. This bodes well for Oregon’s Measure 114, which contains a similar provision and is currently under review by the Oregon Supreme Court. Healthcare By Christa Danielson SB 951 A would strengthen bans against corporations practicing medicine by not allowing management service organizations to make patient care decisions in outpatient clinics. It would also eliminate non-compete and non-disparage contracts in medical professional contracts. These two provisions would only allow providers of care to make medical decisions and allow medical professionals to speak up without fear of retribution if there is a safety issue with patient care. The League submitted testimony in support. It has passed the Senate, has had positive testimony in the House and heads to a work session next week in the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Healthcare. T his week the League of Women Voters of the United States joined a sign-on letter urging Congress to oppose cuts to Medicaid to help prevent medical debt. Oregon spent about $13 billion on its Medicaid program in 2024, picking up about 25% of the cost for the program covering 1.43 million Oregonians. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Affordable Homeownership News Oregon Housing and Community Services announced funding for 11 affordable homeownership developments around the state. Two of the developments will preserve and rehab 45 existing homes. The remainder will be new developments. The housing aims to serve families, seniors, persons with disabilities, the agricultural workforce, immigrants, and people experiencing homelessness. You can see the full list of projects here . Individual Development Accounts The House Revenue Committee held an informational meeting on HB 2735 .The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness in early April. If passed, it would raise the cap on the tax credit that funds this program from $7.5 million/year to $16.5 million/year. The state matches participants’ savings up to 5–to-1 giving them the opportunity to put aside money for college, homeownership, starting a business, among other things. The League submitted testimony supporting this bill. Rent Stabilization for Manufactured Home Parks and Marinas HB 3054 would limit rent increases for homeowners in manufactured home parks and marinas and curtail other landlord practices that can threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. The bill passed the House and is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development and a work session on May 14. LWVOR submitted a letter in support. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Highlights - News 2025 Legislative Session Update | ACLU of Oregon Our Defense Against Trump: 100 Days In | ACLU of Oregon May 6: U.S. Government Ordered to Comply with Court Orders i n Refugee Ban Lawsuit or Face Sanctions | HIAS Oregon Department of Human Services : Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancemen t : State of Oregon OIRA community updates -- April 2025 Click Scroll Bar on Bottom of Table to View All Columns Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 Immigration Study JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama -3 amendment SB 599A Immig status: discrimination in RealEstate transactions House Spkr Waiting for Committee N Sen Campos WS 5/8 do pass SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz amendment -1 SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. H Rules PC: No recommen dation Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Sen RepHudson, SenCampos 5/7. WS do pass HB 2543 funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud ? 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund / JWM-GG ? 7 Das Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Child Care and Summer Learning Age Discrimination Education Gun Policy Housing Legislation Immigration Age Discrimination By Trish Garner HB 3187A passed the House and was referred to the Senate Labor and Business Committee. A Public Hearing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 29th, and a Work Session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1st. This is a workplace age discrimination bill but has been amended so that the only surviving language relates to prospective employers and employment agencies not being able to request or require disclosure of an applicant’s date of birth or graduation dates, unless a conditional offer of employment has been made or age is a job requirement. Child Care and Summer Learning By Katie Riley Summer school HB 2007 which modifies requirements for the summer learning program to emphasize literacy and accountability was passed and signed into law by Governor Kotek.The League submitted testimony commenting on the bill. The accompanying funding bill HB 5047 provides $35 million for summer 2025 and $47 million in 2026 and 27. It also moves the funds into a special summer learning grant fund in the Treasurer’s office outside the general fund; thereby, establishing a sustainable funding source that allows for advance planning. ODE has issued information about eligibility and grant application procedures. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) The CASA program operates with a combination of federal and state funds to receive training and coordination to advocate for foster children. With the possible termination of federal funds, the state is being asked to backfill the gap: HB 5002 – provides funding for the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), including $7 million in state funding for the Oregon CASA Network and Oregon’s 19 local CASA programs. The bill is currently in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means subcommittee on General Government. It bill has had informational hearings but has not yet been referred out to the full Ways and Means committee. HB 3196A (copy not available yet)– would provide $3 million in backfill funding for the anticipated shortfall in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants, which provide vital support to CASA and other victim services. It has been referred to Ways and Means. Education By Jean Pierce K-12 Most of the Education bills for which LWVOR has submitted testimony this session have been referred to Ways and Means or Revenue committees. We do not expect to see movement on them until after the May 14th revenue update. SB 1098, opposing book bans based on discrimination in schools, passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Education Committee. HB 2550, the Oregon Promise Grant, was not considered in a work session. Hopefully that funding will be part of a “Christmas Tree” omnibus funding bill. Higher Education The League is submitting testimony for HB 2586 which is in the Senate Education Committee. The bill would permit an asylum seeker who is a student at a public university in this state or Oregon Health and Science University to receive an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees. Impact of federal actions on schools in Oregon President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 23 aimed at bringing artificial intelligence into K-12 schools in hopes of building a U.S. workforce equipped to use and advance the rapidly growing technology. The University of Illinois discussed pros and cons of AI in education. The Oregon Department of Education has issued this guidance on the use of AI in K-12 classrooms . LWVOR has provided testimony in support of SB 1098 , which would promote access to books which do not discriminate.. This is timely, since, as of April 22, the Supreme Court appears to be poised to rule in favor of a group of Maryland parents who want to be able to opt their elementary-school-aged children out of instruction that includes LGBTQ+ themes. According to KOIN as of April 25, at least nine institutions of higher education in Oregon have signed the American Association of Colleges and University(AACU) Call for Constructive Engagement: Chemeketa Community College, Lewis and Clark, Linfield University, Pacific University, Portland State University, Reed College, University of Oregon, University of Portland, and WIllamette University. This alliance was inspired by Harvard’s resistance to administrative overreach. In addition, Reed College has signed onto an amicus brief supporting a federal case challenging recent student visa revocations, detentions and deportations. According to the Oregon Capital Chronicle , visas for international students have been abruptly revoked at Portland State University, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. In some cases, students have alleged they were targeted for participating in pro-Palestinian protests. On April 21,a federal judge in Oregon ordered the government to reinstate visas for two Oregon students and blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement from deporting them. Gun Policy By Marge Easley SB 243 A , which mandates a 72-hour wait before the purchase of a firearm and places a ban on rapid-fire devices, was moved to Senate Rules. This allows the bill to bypass legislative deadlines and gives supporters additional time to lobby for support. A LWVOR Action Alert on SB 243 A was sent to members on April 16. If you have not yet done so, we urge you to contact your legislators to urge passage of this important gun safety bill. LWVOR submitted testimony on the parts of the bill: SB 429 , SB 696 , and SB 698 Three other gun policy bills are sitting in Ways and Means: SB 1015 (grant program for community violence prevention), HB 3076 A (gun dealer licensing program), and HB 3075 A (Measure 114 implementation details). On April 15, Measure 114 was appealed on constitutional grounds to the Oregon Supreme Court, and it is hoped that a favorable ruling will soon allow the measure to go into effect. On the federal level there was news on April 21 that may impact the 30 states that have laws placing age restrictions for firearms. The US Supreme Court declined to review an appeals court’s decision that Minnesota’s law violates the Second Amendment rights of 18-to-20-year-olds. SB 697 was the Oregon bill to set a prohibition on the purchase and possession of firearms to those under 21, but it failed to pass out of committee. The League submitted testimony for SB 697. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona HB 3054 A – Limits annual rent increases in home parks or marinas LWVOR continues to focus on housing challenges experienced by people with the lowest incomes. Affordable homes in Oregon are in short supply, making it important to strengthen resident protections, as proposed in HB 3054 A. The bill seeks to limit rent increases for homeowners in home parks and marinas that are experiencing escalating rents and curtail landlord practices that may threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. This bill with the -2 amendment establishes the maximum annual rent increase percentage for homeowners in a home park or marina with more than 30 spaces to 6% from the current level of 7% plus changes in the consumer price index (CPI). It also prohibits a landlord from requiring that a selling tenant or prospective home purchaser make aesthetic improvements or allow internal housing inspections. Only maintenance or repairs carried out by the homeowner would be required under this bill. Parks and marinas with 30 or fewer spaces are exempt and covered by the current rent cap of 7% plus changes in the CPI, capped at 10%. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness passed HB 3054 A on 4/16. It is scheduled for a public hearing on May 7 by the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. The League submitted testimony. Oregon has more than 140,000 manufactured homes, with 62,000 located in more than 1,000 privately owned parks across the state. Manufactured housing is one of the largest sources of naturally occurring affordable housing. Residents on fixed or limited incomes have few options when costs escalate and far exceed what they can afford. HB 3054 A would help ensure continued affordability of this critical housing supply. SB 814 A : On April 26, the House Committee on Homelessness and Housing held a public hearing on SB 814 A and scheduled an April 30 work session. LWVOR provided testimony in support. The bill would modify eligibility criteria for the Oregon Housing and Community Services long-term rent assistance program by adding youth exiting Oregon Youth Authority custody or child care centers. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Click Scroll Bar on Bottom of Table to View All Columns Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 Immigration Study JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama -3 amendment SB 599A Immig status: discrimnation in RealEstate transactions H Judiciary Sen Campos H J Ws : 4/30 SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz amendment -1 SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. H Rules PC: No recommen dation Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Sen Ed RepHudson, SenCampos 4/28 PH HB 2543 fundsfor universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud ? 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund / JCWM-GG ? 7 Das HB 2586 nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers; S Ed PH 4/28 Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Afterschool and Summer School Behavioral Health Educatio n Housing Legislation Afterschool and Summer School By Katie Riley The Senate Interim Committee on Education heard a report from ODE about HB2007 ’s Summer Learning grants. A final report will not be available until February. The 139 grantees included 105 school districts, 13 charter schools, 15 ESDs, and 6 tribes, more than in 2024. The legislation mandated an emphasis on research-based literacy instruction but districts could include other academic activities. Enrichment activities could be provided if they were consistent with literacy instruction. Community-based organizations could only be funded through partnerships with school districts or tribes. No summer after-school programs were funded directly. Grant implementation had a short timeline for summer 2025, but the bill framework allows multi-year funding in the future. Currently, ODE is engaging in a rule-making process for future planning. A policy advisory committee will be formed. On the national level, funding has been cut for the 21st Century Learning Centers program, which paid for after-school and summer programs with academic enrichment, youth development, and family engagement opportunities for students in high-poverty schools. Behavioral Health By Trish Garner A workgroup formed by Democratic legislators has formed to consider whether and how funding can be allocated to Planned Parenthood. This funding had been eliminated earlier this year when H.R. 1 passed in Congress and was signed into law by President Trump. The legislators serving on this workgroup include House Majority Leader Ben Bowmen, Represenatatives Andrea Valderrama, April Dobson and Sue Smith, and Senators Deb Patterson and Wlnsvey Campos. Planned Parenthood provides not only abortions but a broad array of reproductive and other health care services. Education By Jean Pierce Oregon’s “School Medicaid” system has not been impacted yet by funding cuts in H.R. 1, but it is possible that impacts will be felt in the future. H.R. 1 increased the work requirement for some Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP ) recipients. People who live in rural areas where there are fewer jobs might lose benefits. Medicaid provides federal funding for medically-necessary health services required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If fewer families qualify for medicaid, Tenneal Wetherell, of the Oregon Department of Education, has speculated that there would be fewer IDEA funds available for students in the Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education system. Further, families could experience reduced services and longer wait times. Schools use SNAP numbers as well as Medicaid eligibility to calculate the need for free and reduced-price meals. If fewer people qualify for the program, there may continue to be the same needs but less support provided to schools, particularly after 2030. Currently, 757,000 Oregonians receive SNAP benefits. Jessie Amaya Hoffman, of the Oregon Department of Human Services, summarized research saying that children in families participating in SNAP have improved reading and mathematics skills, a greater chance of graduating from high school, and less likelihood of repeating a grade. Federal revenue for K-12 public schools will be decreased because of H.R. 1, which is providing tax credits supporting private schools. But it is not clear currently how much this will impact Oregon. Higher education One of the biggest impacts of H.R. 1 on higher education will affect graduate students, who will no longer be able to receive Grad PLUS loans. These provided funding to students needing to borrow more than $20,500 to pay for living expenses in addition to academic costs. Students who have depended on these loans will likely be forced to turn to private loans, with higher interest payments. It is anticipated that this will reduce the number of students pursuing graduate degrees. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported in July, “there are currently more than 530,000 people with federal student loan debt in Oregon who owe more than $23 billion to the federal government, according to the nonprofit Student Borrower Protection Center.” Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Due to declining state revenues, cuts were made by the 2025 Legislature across the board to agencies such as the Housing and Community Services Department, which received $2.6 billion, representing $1 billion less as compared to last year. Most concerning is the $44.6 million for emergency rental assistance and homeless prevention services, representing a 74% cut from the $173.2 million needed to maintain the current level of statewide services. Potentially drastic cuts to federal funding are expected to be finalized by Congress. These would further reduce the social safety net in Oregon. Despite these cuts progress is being made to allocate funds for affordable housing and services. Oregon Housing and Community Services is turning legislative intent into new homes for Oregonians, as shown below. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) OHCS announced in September, 2025 a commitment of $291 million in funding to help develop 1,171 new affordable housing, spanning rural, Tribal, and urban communities across Oregon. These homes are coupled with services such as culturally specific services, resident support, and community partnerships tailored to meet the needs of their families. The 12 housing projects listed below will assist older adults, veterans, families exiting homelessness, agricultural workers, and communities of color. The remarkable collaboration of more than 40 partners across Oregon, from culturally specific nonprofits and resident service providers to developers, local governments, and health organizations, will bring these homes to completion. 34 units at Quarterdeck Apartments in Dallas, sponsored by Polk Community Development Corporation 116 units at Allenwood Apartments in Grants Pass, sponsored by Oregon Human Development Corporation and NeighborWorks Umpqua 76 units at Chenowith Affordable Housing in The Dalles, sponsored by Northwest Housing Alternatives and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation 120 units at Compass Points in Salem, sponsored by Catholic Community Services 15 units at Cottages United in Salem, sponsored by United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley 60 units at Gussie Belle II in Salem, sponsored by Green Light Development, Seed of Faith Ministries, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency 183 units at Joseph Street Apartments in Salem, sponsored by Neighborly Communities LLC and Community Resource Trust 74 units at Bull Mountain Apartments in Tigard, sponsored by Home First Development 104 units at Meadowlark Place in Beaverton, sponsored by Community Partners for Affordable Housing 150 units at Barbur Apartments in Portland, sponsored by Innovative Housing, Inc. 96 units at Jamii Court in Portland, sponsored by Community Partners for Affordable Housing 143 units at Flatworks Building in Portland, sponsored by SDP-ODP Management LLC Impact of funding cuts in communities Lane County’s allocation from the state is not final, but officials expect it will be about $7.6 million for homeless shelters and outreach work, which started in July. In comparison, the county’s state funding last year was $15 million. This fiscal year, at least 1,700 fewer people will receive housing assistance from Multnomah County, as the county struggles to account for the loss of about half of the state ‘s homelessness and rent assistance funding. St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County is retooling its budgets, and is forced to look at cuts. The nonprofit provider serves 4,000 to 5,000 people annually, a figure that includes people who receive shelter and those who receive other services like support in finding housing and jobs. The potential reduction is approximately $1 million. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning Criminal justice Hate and bias crimes Juvenile justice Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Read our recent LWVOR studies and related resources. / Studies / Studies Recently Published K-12 Study The LWVOR K-12 study is a set of three reports examining different aspects of K-12 education. Recently Published Assessing the Recall Process In Oregon The League of Women Voters of Oregon conducts voter education and pro-democracy advocacy, and believes it is critical to understand the potential consequences of the recall process as part of our elections framework. Recently Published Childcare Methods Study Update 2023 The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on January 25th, 2023. The position was updated in 2025. Child care concerns have changed dramatically since our 1988 - Childcare In Oregon publication. Recently Published Election Methods Study Update 2023 The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on February 10th, 2023. You can find the downloadable copy of the study here. Recently Published Privacy and Cybersecurity 2020 We are working to defend democracy from escalating cyber-attacks and disinformation. Policy debates are determining the future of our democracy, the internet, and privacy. Recently Published Pesticides and Other Biocides 2021 The LWVOR Board adopted a completed restudy of the Pesticides and Other Biocides position on January 19th, 2023. Recently Published! We study issues... Because we need detailed, reliable, carefully researched information. So LWV members and citizens can reach their own conclusions. To develop advocacy positions that can be used by our Action Team. To request a hard copy of any of these reports, contact LWV of Oregon at lwvor@lwvor.org . Reports are free; however, there is a small charge to cover shipping. Some quantities may be limited. Many college and community libraries have copies as well. You can find additional League studies, including national and other state studies, at the LWVUS Study Clearinghouse website . Looking for more? Find our complete list of studies online. Study Archive Sign Up For Email We Need Your Support Today! Donate Your donation empowers voters and defends democracy.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Privacy and Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Election Policy Access Government Ethics Privacy and Cybersecurity By Becky Gladstone Bills addressed: SB 470 League testimony was submitted and presented in support of this privacy bill. We respect to necessarily comprehensive legal rosters describing the terms used, we simplified the gist to : If you are staying in a motel, the folks there may not take an audio or video of you, any place where you would expect privacy. And you can sue, if they do. There was a thoughtful discussion, and the bill may be amended. HB 2570 League testimony was submitted and presented in support of this privacy bill. It would make a new [non]disclosure law to keep PII (personally identifiable information) confidential for employees working with OSHA investigations or inspections. Thoughtful discussion included concern for retribution impeding communications, both from fearful employees and employers. HB 2581 League testimony was submitted and presented in support of this bill to coordinate resiliency services with the State Resiliency Officer (SRO). It would replace the word “seismic” with hazards, to include storms with flooding and slides, COVID, and wildfires, in 2024 expanding to extreme heat, further drought, the fentanyl crisis, and a tsunami warning. The SRO testified and included the importance of cybersecurity in protecting our infrastructure. HB 2341 League testimony was submitted and presented in support of this bill to add veterans’ email addresses to shared information in providing services. These would be covered by the same privacy protocols as other personal information and could help to efficiently expedite services. We are researching these upcoming bills for when public hearings are scheduled: SB 826 was brought by the Oregon Dept of Emergency Management, to make sure that public safety systems are compatible. Artificial Intelligence We are watching for AI and further cybersecurity and privacy bills, welcoming two new volunteers who will have AI bill reports soon. Note this from the National Conference of State Legislatures: AI 2024 Legislation . In 2024 legislative sessions, at least 45 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C., introduced AI bills, and 31 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands adopted resolutions or enacted legislation. We are watching numerous other bills that haven’t yet been scheduled for hearing. Election Policy We have been invited to collaborate on HJR 9 , a referral for recall timing. HB 3012 would allow 16- or 17-year-olds, who are registered to vote, to vote in school board elections. HB 3384 League testimony was written and held for discussion for this election bill. It would require that initiative and referendum petitions not be processed from 75 days before an election until 35 days afterwards. It was submitted at the request of the Oregon County Clerks Association. We will consider supporting this bill at a future hearing. Access HB 5017 is the State Library budget bill. We are asking for more specific information. HB 3382 , brought to House Rules by Oregon Business and Industries, asks the Secretary of State to make an online system about administrative rules, telling state agencies to make most rules data accessible online. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2727 further limits what lobbying a legislator can do after leaving office. It will be heard in House Rules Feb. 10. The League will likely support this bill. HB 3130 would allow district school board members, who are not paid, to not file statements of economic interest (SEIs) with the Government Ethics Commission. It will be heard in House Rules Feb. 10. The League will likely oppose this bill.