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Learn more about effectively engaging with elected officials. / Advocacy / Effective Advocacy / Effective Advocacy Effective Advocacy: Communicating With Your Legislators Political action can take many forms. Contact with elected and appointed officials is one of the most effective ways citizens can influence policy and legislation. The expressed wishes and desires of the electorate ultimately influence most governmental decisions. Direct, personal lobbying can make a significant difference in an official’s vote or in an executive’s action. Use this guide to learn more about communicating with your legislators at every level from local to federal. Your Government Learn more Links to legislator lookup, county offices, senators, and more. Getting to Know Your Elected Officials Knowing your elected officials is relatively easy, and being acquainted is a big help when you need to communicate with them. Talking or writing to someone you know personally is almost always easier than dealing with a stranger, particularly a busy stranger. Whether or not you know the official with whom you want to communicate, some simple but important points should be kept in mind: be brief be clear be accurate be civil be persuasive be timely be persistent be grateful These points apply whether you are using the telephone, video calls, are testifying to a committee, or just writing a letter or an email. Some other common-sense rules are obvious to most of us: Don't promise rewards, offer deals, or make threats. Don't attack your opposition. Attacks on your opponents weaken your message. Meeting with Your Elected Officials Make an appointment by letter, video chat, or phone. Briefly outline the issues you wish to discuss in your letter or in your call. If you've had prior discussions about these issues, mention them. Don't insist on setting up the appointment through the official; he or she has competent helpers. Be as courteous with staff as you are with your elected officials. Arrive on time. Limit the issues you discuss to not more than three. Organize your presentation. Be brief, friendly, and to the point. Plan on not more than 15 minutes. Prepare a brief summary of your comments to leave with him or her, and documentation that confirms your message. The written message should restate exactly what you're asking of your elected official. Offer to provide additional information and assistance. Bring a second person to help present the message, but don't bring a crowd. If you're asked a question you can't answer, say so and ask for a chance to do some checking and provide the answer later. Send a thank you letter, whether the official has been able to help you or not. When You Write Keep your letter to a single page. If you must exceed one page, make the second page an attachment that elaborates on your one-page summary. Be absolutely sure you spell the official's name correctly and have the right address. If you're writing to several officials on the same subject, individualize the letters. Use your own words, not form letters. Clearly identify the issue (or bill) you are writing about, and only discuss one issue or bill per letter. Give definite and concise reasons for your position. Be specific. A few facts and figures supporting your position will be more effective than just stating your opinion. Explain the impact of the legislation or issue on you and other constituents. What needs are being met or unmet? Provide facts. Suggest, don't demand, a course of action. Be constructive. If you have expert knowledge or wide experience on the subject of your letter, let the legislator know of your expertise. Don't be condescending – be forthright and helpful. Ask, tactfully, for a response, and provide a return address. Express your appreciation – say thanks. More Resources The Legislative Process (PDF) Lobbying the Legislature (PDF) Overview of County Government Appropriate forms of address and salutation US President President (full name) The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. President: US Senator The Honorable (full name) US Senator Washington DC address OR Oregon address (look up on the web through each Senator's page) (Use DC address when Congress is in session; otherwise use Oregon address) Dear Senator (last name): US Representative The Honorable (full name) US Representative Washington DC address OR Oregon address (look up on the web through each Representative's page) (Use DC address when Congress is in session; otherwise use Oregon address) Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (last name): Governor The Honorable (full name) Governor, State of Oregon 254 State Capitol Salem, OR 97310 Dear Governor (last name): State Senator The Honorable (full name) State Senator (if to President, use President of the Senate) Interim address(es) OR State Capitol address (Use State Capitol address when Legislature is in session; otherwise use interim address) Dear Senator (last name): State Representative The Honorable (full name) State Representative (if to Speaker, use Speaker of the House) Interim address OR State Capitol address (Use State Capitol address when Legislature is in session; otherwise use interim address) Dear Representative (last name):

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 1/20 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: Campaign Finance (CFR) Redistricting Election Systems By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator Campaign Finance A CFR workgroup called by Rep. Fahey that began in June is still working to identify technical adjustments needed to ensure successful implementation of HB 4024 (2024) , to recommend legislative fixes for 2025, and to consider broader policy improvements for future sessions. The workgroup includes representatives from the legislature, business, labor and Honest Elections that negotiated on HB 4024. Since such a technical fix bill would likely be introduced by the House Rules committee, it could happen at any time during the coming legislative session. Redistricting Both SJR 08 and SJR 21 have been introduced to create independent redistricting commissions. SJR 21 is the same as the initiative proposed by People Not Politicians . However, neither is expected to even get a hearing. HB 2250 and HB 2704 would both require that census population counts be adjusted for the most recent address of prisoners for use in redistricting. Election Systems By Barbara Klein The Legislative Concept that the League has worked on with the OERC (Oregon Election Reform Coalition) has been introduced as bill HB 3166 . Due to timing, the original language of the bill (which included ranked choice voting) was used in HB 3166, but it is clearly expected to be amended. Other amendments may follow as well. The Oregon Secretary of State (SOS) office has given notice of administrative orders to update rules and statutes to comply with the Federal Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Act. Included are security measures and change of date to 1st Tuesday after 2nd Wednesday in December for Presidential Electors to meet in Salem (OAR 165-010-0005 ,). The orders define terms, requirements and pledge of candidate-electors ( 165-025-0100 ). 165-025-0110 d evelops security features for identifying electors and safeguards through certificates of ascertainment, for authenticity. It is OAR 165-025-0120 that establishes the time, place and manner of electors official duties and aligns Oregon with the national act. Further, the SOS orders include requirements for transmission of original documents to authorized officials of the US ( 165-025-0130 ), again aligning Oregon with the new act. A reminder that Oregon is one of the states to sign onto the (League-supported) National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. If that law were to go into effect (reaching compacting states representing 270 electors), the above orders would remain in effect as the NPV compact works with the Electoral College. Currently introduced, SB 213 would repeal Oregon’s agreement with the NPV compact.

HAI NGUYEN (he/him) HAI NGUYEN (he/him) Youth Events Co-Chair We warmly welcome Hai Nguyen, currently a student at Clackamas High School with plans to continue in Global Studies or Political Science at University of Oregon and ultimately Law School. Hai is involved mainly in Speech and Debate (Policy Debate) and different youth advocacy groups such as Oregon School-Based Health Alliance and Communicare. Hai feels a definite stake in the rights and participation of Asian-Americans and serves on the Youth Council and Voting teams to increase polical participation of the minorities communities across our state and work with local Leagues to encourage youth civic engagement. Email him at youtheventschair@lwvor.org or message Youth Council Instagram at @lwvoryouthcouncil youtheventschair@lwvor.org

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne Community Resilince & Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: Claudia Keith Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Federal Oregon Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Oregon Treasury Natural and Working Lands Other Climate Bills Environmental Justice Bills Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust The current administration continues to dismantle/desecrate ~ five decades of climate, energy, environmental justice and sustainability policies and related budgeting. See project 2025 for many of these preplanned executive branch and congressional politically focused directives/decisions. A very Unfavorable Revenue Economic Forecast was released 5/14 which could limit funding for climate emergency related bills and potentially existing climate/ Environmental Justice programs. Please refer to the Revenue and NR LR for details. While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/ targeted outcomes. Federal US House targets big climate, clean energy rollbacks in budget proposal | Reuters Energy Star program is on the chopping block, sources say | CNN Science policy this week : May 12, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) How the Trump Administration Bakes Climate Denial into U.S. Policy | NRDC Can states and cities lead on climate under Trump? » Yale Climate Connections Oregon How the Pacific Northwest’s Dream of Green Energy Fell Apart — ProPublica. 5/12/25 EPA chief Zeldin faces bipartisan anger in Senate over funding freeze, grant cancellations – OPB 5/14/25 You can track effects of federal cuts in Oregon through the Impact Project. See their interactive map . Many of the cuts listed affect climate and environmental concerns. Closed-door negotiations create hard feelings as the Oregon Capitol awaits a transportation bill – OPB DEQ announces enforcement discretion for Oregon ACT for model years 2025 and 2026 - Grace period available for 2025 and 2026 model years (5/15/25) “Today, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Feldon issued a memo directing the agency to use its enforcement discretion for the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule. Effective immediately, DEQ will not pursue enforcement or issue penalties to manufacturers failing to meet zero-emissions vehicle sales targets for all Model Year 2025 and 2026 Class 2b-8 vehicles. This update does not affect Oregon’s Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus Rule ….” Current Week CE Action: This past week the League joined a number of organizations signing on to a Letter to support OSW Offshore wind Energy Roadmap, DLCD led study group. HB 3963. Transportation Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Transportation Package Priorities (The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities:) Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets , Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter this past week requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081 ): This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place. Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) Disadvantaged Communities (aka Environmental Justice) Bills HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session was held 4/9 passed 4/3, with no amendments, no recommendation and in House Rules. It is unclear why this bill is inactive. Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update By Claudia Keith HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead 
 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summary (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS .fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fiscal >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 
 
 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon received a C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates By Claudia Keith SB 681 : May be still active: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, in Sen F&R, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. 
 
 HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. (still in H EMGGV, still awaiting transfer to desk) 
 
 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force , Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans . 
 
 HB 2081A Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Passed House along party lines. WS Senate Finance & Rev is 5/21. ( see HB 2200 ) PH is 5/19. At the request of: (no sponsor: at the request of House Interim Committee on Revenue for Representative Nancy Nathanson) Historically, since 2009 Public banking policy topic has been included in many Leg sessions, (go here and then use Control F to search for ‘bank’. ) 22 bills mentioning Public and Bank have died in committee over the past 16 years. Divest Oregon The Pause Act would enact a 5-year moratorium on new Public Employees Retirement Fund (PER investments in new private fossil fuel funds. March 2025 Fund Performance - Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund and graphics Published by Divest Oregon: Executive Summary and Praise for Report (see SB 681) Addressing the Risk of Climate Change: A Comparison of US Pension Funds' Net Zero Plans – Jan 2025 Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 
 HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 Other Climate Bills New HB 3963 posted to OLIS 4/15, Rep Gomberg, House Rules. PH 5/19. Extends the deadline from Sept 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2027, for the DLCD to draft and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on the department's activities to develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. Existing HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, 4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . House Cm Educ, WS 5/19 , League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , 
 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $974K fiscal , moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 
 
 SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 first reading. 5/15 House 2nd reading HB 3546A , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , PH 4/30, 5/5, P WS was 5/14, moved with due pass. The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 
 HB 3189 in JWM. Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 SB 1143A : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. 
 
 HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. H CEE, PH 3/11 
 
 HB 3653 in Sen E&E, PH 4/28, WS was 5/5, 6-0 vote. House vote was 51 - 9. Senate 5/15 vote passed, 26 ,1-3. Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. 
 
 Environmental Justice Bills HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes By a 29-1, the Senate passed HB 3874 A , increasing the threshold for siting and approval of a wind energy facility at the county level from 50 MW to 100 MW of average electric generating capacity, before the facility must obtain a site certificate from EFSC. Either the county or the developer could elect to defer regulatory authority to EFSC. Under the bill as amended by the Senate, a county seeking to issue a permit for a facility of the specified size would have to require the applicant to provide a bonded decommissioning plan to restore the site to a useful, nonhazardous condition. HB 3336 , requiring IOUs to file strategic plans with the PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETs), was scheduled for a possible Work Session in Senate E&E but the WS was postponed until Monday 5/19. Process notes: The base bill passed the House by a comfortable margin in April. Testimony in House CE&E had been overwhelmingly supportive; PGE was neutral. Shortly before the Senate E&E public hearing 2 days ago, Rep. Gamba posted a -2 amendment that he said was intended to "streamline" the siting of GETs for the IOUs. This stoked opposition from cities and counties that complained of not having had enough time to study the amendment to ensure that it did not encroach on their local siting authority. OMEU (consumer-owned utilities) also criticized the lack of prior consultation and said they were afraid the amendment could make the GETs siting provisions apply to them too. Sen. Brock Smith chewed out Gamba on their behalf. Rather than drop the -2 amendment, Gamba promised to bring the parties together to spin out a -3 amendment that would meet all concerns, as soon as LC could get around to it. As of 5/14 LC had not gotten around to it. Senate E&E voted 3-2 to move HB 3546 A-7 , the POWER Act, to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. This bill was the top priority on the OCN Hot List this week. It would direct the PUC to provide for a separate classification of service for data centers and crypto mining facilities. PUC would have to require IOUs to enter into a 10-year contract with these large energy users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the term of the contract, which could include a charge for excess demand. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them. (Currently, these users are classified as industrial customers, which pay the lowest rates for electricity.) The bill would apply only to large users that apply for service on or after the effective date of the act, or that make significant investments or incur costs after the effective date that could result in increased costs or risks to other retail customers. Rep. Marsh described the -A7 amendment as technical to ensure against double-charging direct access customers that contract independently with an electric service provider, and to clarify that the large energy users can pursue alternative pathways to compliance through green power or renewable energy tariffs. The committee declined to adopt Sen. Brock Smith's -A6 amendment that would have defined "large energy user" by excluding a long list of specific industries other than data centers and crypto operations. He and Sen. Robinson, in explaining their "nay" votes, said they don’t oppose making large users pay their proportionate share of costs, but "singling out" data centers and crypto centers in statute could have adverse economic consequences. SB 685 A , requiring a natural gas utility to notify all customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen blended with natural gas, was scheduled for a Possible Work Session in House CE&E 5/12. House CEE Chair Lively carried over the PWS until Tuesday 5/20. This is a Bill of Support on the OCN Hot List. Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation May 15 Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. There are no recent press releases or media from Our Children’s Trust. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 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 Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection Elections Artificial Intelligence 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. 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 altogether. The bill was 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 in a special legislative session or during next year’s short legislative session. Bill wrap: Cybersecurity, National Guard, ethics, privacy and safety, partner agency budget By Becky Gladstone Relevant to this portfolio, this issue was raised last week at EPAB , the Oregon Electronic Portal Advisory Board, June 26, 2025. Note that this follows our reporting on cyber-attacks forecast on the Pacific Northwest power grid in the near future, from JCIMT earlier this session. “We now live in an era of retroactive insecurity where vast amounts of sensitive and encrypted data, government communications, defense secrets [and] critical infrastructure telemetry are being silently intercepted, stored by foreign adversaries. This is known as ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ “. Stakeholders highlight urgency to House panel of moving quickly with implementing post-quantum cryptography , Inside Cybersecurity , June 25, 2025. 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. Republicans block attempt to prevent federal overreach with Oregon’s National Guard , Oregon Live, June 30, 2025. 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 3569 Enrolled has the Governor’s signature, to invite a sponsoring legislator, committee chair or designee onto the bill’s Rules Advisory Committee, as a non-voting member. Our testimony opposed for a myriad of reasons. 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 A public hearing for HB 3390 A was held on 6/24, a work session was on the agenda for later in the week but was removed without comment. 100% of the vast submitted testimony was in opposition. The League submitted testimony opposing this bill, in part because it minimizes the minority party voice more, and also gives greater power to the legislature for ballot issues than to the people. We stated “the normal process based in the offices of the Secretary of State and Attorney General has greater impartiality than this proposal grounded in the legislative branch. The latter (under HB 3390-2) could more likely jeopardize transparency and understanding for voters.” Several legislators indicated that this measure was related to the transportation bill (and how it might be described on the ballot if it became a referendum petition). As that effort was scrapped, the League assumes that is why the HB 3390 A was no longer active. [Summary – the bill prescribes the method for creating a ballot title and explanatory statement by a joint legislative committee for any amendment to the Oregon Constitution that passes both houses of the Legislative Assembly during the 2025 regular session and is referred to the people by the Legislative Assembly and for any Act that passes both houses of the Legislative Assembly during the 2025 regular session if the Act is referred to the people by either the Legislative Assembly or by referendum petition.] HB 3687 Enrolled will establish in law that counties and 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 allowed. This does NOT relate to any ballot measure on taxes, fees, fines, etc. This bill would make it easier for a community to adopt new election systems in local cities and counties. Currently, only one county in the state requires a supermajority for such changes. A public hearing was held 6/23 in Senate rules; work session 6/24; and on 6/26 the third reading passed the senate 17 to 12. On 6/27, the House Speaker and Senate President signed the bill. HB 3908 Enrolled was signed by House Speaker 6/23 and Senate President 6/24. Filed 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 obtain major political party status. Other minor parties wrote in support of HB 3908. The League did not testify on this measure. Artificial Intelligence By Lindsey Washburn HB 3592 A , which would have established the Senator Aaron Woods Commission on AI with the Dept. of Justice, remained in Ways and Means when the Legislature adjourned. 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 Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 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: After School and Child Care Behavioral Health Education Healthcare Housing Reproductive Rights DEIJ After School and Child Care By Katie Riley The final report for the 2024's session report on HB 4082 includes a request of $50 million per year for the biennium ($100 million total). It is not clear how that fits with the Governor's budget proposal of $78.5 million for 2025 summer learning (summer school). The summer funding includes partnerships with community partners for care after summer school scheduled periods. No funding was recommended by the HB 4082 task force or the Governor for afterschool programs. SB 896 has been introduced to provide grants for afterschool and summer programs. It will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Monday, February 3. It does not have a proposed budget amount attached to the bill. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller SB 538 will have a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Health Care on February 4. The bill would require the Oregon Department of Human Services to pay parents for attendant care services for minor children with developmental disabilities who have high behavioral health or medical needs. HB 2596 , the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact bill, will have a public hearing before the House Committee on Education on February 3. Proponents of the bill believe it would increase access to school psychological services by streamlining the licensure process for school psychologists coming from other states. Education By Jean Pierce Over 65% of the education budget comes from general funds. It represents 17% of the state’s total fund budget and 40% of their general fund/lottery fund budget. Approximately $2M for the biennium comes from federal funding. This includes block grants (e.g. for childcare development), title funds, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Every Student Succeeds Act funding, and specialty grants. The budget breakdown is as follows: 51% - State school fund 25% - Department of Education (includes student nutrition, special education, STEM programming, Career and Technical Education, etc.) 17% - Higher Education 7% - Department of Early Learning and Care Less than 1% - Teacher Standards and Practices Commission Pre-K – 12 Education LWVOR submitted testimony in support of HB2811 , which would provide funding for the Imagination Library of Oregon. The premise is that children from ages 0 to 5 receive an age- appropriate book each month at absolutely no cost to their parents. This program is made possible through the largesse of the Dolly Parton Foundation, which provides 50% of the funding. Higher Education The House higher education committee heard testimony that the number one concern of faculty and staff is the need for stable, dedicated public funding for higher education. Oregon ranks 44th in the nation in per Full Time Equivalency funding for four-year public institutions. Because of the low level of state funding for higher education, in-state tuition and fees for four-year institutions in Oregon are the 12th highest in the nation, and for 2-year institutions Oregon ranks 5th in the nation. Related to the high cost of tuition and fees, is the fact that students need help meeting basic needs of food, housing, transportation, and child care. A 2023 survey of Portland Community College students revealed that 43% were facing food insecurity and 56% were dealing with housing insecurity. (See also the Housing Legislative Report) In addition, a single textbook can cost up to $600, so a 2018 survey of 21,000 students revealed that over 64% of them had not purchased at least one textbook because of the costs. LWVOR has submitted testimony for HB2550 which would make Oregon Promise Grants available to a broader range of community college students. Another concern is that Oregon is the only west coast state where public records laws do not apply to public university foundations. Finally, serious concerns were expressed that approximately 70% of all higher education classes in Oregon are taught by temporary and part-time faculty. LWVOR has plans to submit testimony for · HB3182 , which would provide funding for grants to programs meeting students’ basic needs for housing (Hearing Feb. 13) · HB3183 , which would provide funding to the Open Education Resources program, which makes textbooks affordable. (Hearing Feb. 13) Healthcare By Christa Danielson LWVOR is tracking HB 3225 -This bill is the culmination of multiple work groups and work done within Representative Bowman’s office to ensure that decisions about patients’ medical care are not decided by corporations. The new bill specifies the qualifications for the MD who is among the majority of shareholders or directors of a professional corporation organized for the purpose of practicing medicine. The MD needs to live in Oregon, be actively involved in the corporation and licensed to practice medicine in the state of Oregon. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona The PSU Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative presented information to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development in January. They reported that the estimated number of people experiencing homelessness, including sheltered, unsheltered, and doubled-up, was 43,670 in 2022. People of color often experience disproportionately higher rates of homelessness than their percentage in the general population. In 2023–24, 22,072 students across Oregon experienced some form of homelessness (unsheltered, sheltered, or doubled-up). At four percent of the student population, it is the highest recorded rate in Oregon to date. Of those, 2,980 were unsheltered and 2,438 were sheltered. (See also the Higher Education Legislative Report) The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness heard an agency overview from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Homelessness in 2023 is the worst it has been since the Great Depression. Eviction filings in 2023 are at the highest level since 2011. The OHCS plans for preservation of existing affordable housing include financing the purchase of publicly-supported housing with expiring affordability contracts and acquisition and rehab of manufactured home parks that will be owned by non-profits and resident-owned cooperatives. Between Jan. 1, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2024, OHCS funding rehoused 3,257 households, prevented 17,569 households from becoming homeless, and funded 6,147 beds across 136 shelters. LWVOR is a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance that includes nearly 100 organizations across the state. We take action to shape policy, submit testimony for upcoming hearings on bills that promote affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and expand homeownership opportunities for all Oregonians. The Housing Alliance, with member input, recently issued its priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Here are the highlights: Build and preserve affordable housing · New production of affordable rental homes: LIFT program plus permanent supportive housing, $685M in general obligation bonds · Preservation and operations support for existing affordable rental housing: $260M in lottery-backed and/or general obligation bonds · Manufactured housing park preservation: $25M in lottery-backed bonds · Permanent supportive housing operations and resident services: $11M in general funds · Governor’s housing infrastructure program: $100M in lottery bonds Homelessness prevention and response · Emergency rent assistance: $109M in general funds · Homelessness prevention services: $63.5M in general funds · Shelter operations and housing navigation: $217M in general funds · Strengthen notice requirements and supports for residents of expiring affordable housing · SB 722 : Reduce the new-construction exemption from rent stabilization from 15 years to 7 years; prohibit landlords’ use of price-fixing algorithms to set rents Expand access to affordable homeownership · Improve access to fair-market mortgages for immigrant Oregonians Unlocking Homeownership Agenda · Build new homes for homeownership (LIFT program): $100M in general obligation bonds · Homeownership Development Incubator Program: $50M in general funds · Down payment assistance: $45M in general funds · Individual Development Accounts (IDAs): $20M Reproductive Rights By Trish Garner Abortion-related bills which are being proposed this term in the legislature reflect a change in approach from straight-out abortion bans to more complex models. There are nearly identical House and Senate “Born-Alive Infants Protection Act” bills ( HB 2372 , SB 384 ) which essentially require practitioners to exercise the same degree of care to any child born of the same gestational age and if this standard is not met, a health care practitioner present at the time of the birth or a health clinic employee shall “immediately” report it to law enforcement. There are a number of additional provisions which contain some rather nuanced differences between the bills, including, for example, different provisions regarding civil liability. The Senate bill says a violation of the act can't be charged against a person whose pregnancy was terminated, but the House bill does not provide this protection . HB 2381 doesn’t technically ban or limit abortions but rather requires OHA to set up a Pregnancy Launch Program and accompanying staffed hotline that will encourage “healthy” childbirth, support childbirth as an alternative to abortion, promote family formation, and more. All persons seeking abortion services will be automatically connected to services provided through the Pregnancy Launch Program. HB 3249 and SB 66 are identical and are directly aimed at abortions. At the same time they also adopt a different approach than in times past and impose a duty on health care providers to determine gestational age. Unless it’s a medical emergency, abortion is prohibited unless the provider determines the unborn child is less than 15 weeks, the pregnant person presents a medical emergency or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. Interestingly, providers must supply OHA with detailed data regarding an abortion procedure, and if they fail to do so can be sued by the pregnant person or the person responsible for fertilization. HB 3330 not only deals with abortion but also gender-affirming treatment. It prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who object to abortion, fetal transplants, gender-affirming treatment or assisted suicide. In a related vein- SB 918 provides that school curricula would be required to include information about human development from conception to birth. DEIJ HB 2439 seeks to remove the word “gender identity” from statutes.

ABBY RENNER (she/her) ABBY RENNER (she/her) YC Climate Team Coordinator youthoutreach@lwvor.org

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 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 Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Age Discrimination/Reproductive Health Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Education Healthcare Housing Immigration Age Discrimination/Reproductive Health By Trish Garner HB 3187 : League supports . A hearing was held on this workplace age discrimination bill in the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee on February 19, 2024. The bill closes a loophole that exists regarding lawsuits claiming discrimination based on age such that even if employers take a negative action regarding employees or job applicants based on age, they can avoid liability by claiming that they made the decision based on salary, retirement status or length of service. This loophole does not exist in cases based on discrimination based on race or gender. SB 548 : League supports. A hearing was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 19, 2024. The bill provides that the minimum age for marriage is 18, with no exceptions. Marriage at earlier ages disproportionately harms girls by potentially disrupting their education, increasing the risk of domestic abuse and causing serious health consequences. It also raises significant questions about the voluntary nature of entering into marriage as minors under 18 are more vulnerable to pressure from family and peers. Under Oregon law, once an individual marries, they are considered emancipated adults. This change carries significant financial, social and psychological consequences. For example, parents are no longer legally obligated to support their children or provide medical insurance coverage when their children are emancipated. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller HB 2596 , the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, passed in the House on February 20. HB 3129 would establish the Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund. The bill will have a public hearing on February 25 before the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. The League will submit testimony. The League of Women Voters of Oregon submitted testimony in support of HB 3351 which would enact the interstate Counseling Compact. There is a critical shortage of behavioral health workers in Oregon. HB 3351 can help increase access to care, particularly among underserved populations. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley LWVOR submitted testimony for HB 2233 , which renews funding for a legal services program for adults in custody at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, unanimously passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on February 18 and was referred to Ways and Means. The total fiscal impact is estimated at $1.6 million. Education By Jean Pierce Education Committees from both Chambers will hold a joint meeting at 5:30 on Wednesday, February 26 to hear a report commissioned by the Legislature from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), which studied recent education financing in Oregon. This follows a Quality Education Model (QEM) Report issued in August, 2024, which concluded, Due to tax revenue barriers and decreased prioritization of K-12 public education funding over the past 25 years, Oregon is projected to fund its K-12 system close to two billion dollars less per biennium than is needed to run a system of effective schools. The AIR report recommends that the QEM consider additional factors in its cost projections. The League submitted testimony for SB604 , which would fund the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Strong Start program, which has a history of success in supporting underrepresented students at public universities. LWVOR also submitted testimony for HB2997 , which directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to establish a grant program supporting organizations with proven track records of expanding access to populations which are under-represented in colleges and universities. LWVOR is tracking HB2953 , which would remove the artificial cap on special education funding provided to districts. HB2953-A was considered in a House Committee on Education work session on February 20, which concluded “Do pass with amendments, refer to Revenue and then to Ways and Means”. LWVOR is also tracking HB2586 , which would permit an asylum seeker who is a student at a public university in this state to receive an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees. The bill received a public hearing on February 4th. Healthcare By Christa Danielson LWVOR submitted testimony for HB 2010-A, which extends assessments from health plan premiums, payments by Oregon Health to managed care, hospitals, and the Oregon Reinsurance program. Previously, this amended bill passed through the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. The League submitted testimony for a public hearing held by the House Committee on Revenue. The committee voted to pass the amended bill on February 20. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona HB 2958 would extend the sunset date for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by six years, from Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2032. It would increase Oregon’s percentage of the federal EITC for lower income taxpayers from nine percent to 20 percent and for those with children under age three from 12 percent to 25 percent. The bill also would expand eligibility to all childless adults over the age of 18. League testimony explained the importance of strengthening the tax credit. This tax policy currently provides critical support for Oregonians struggling to make ends meet. Costs for food, housing, child care, transportation, health care, and other essentials continue to grow, placing a significant strain on household budgets. By strengthening the state EITC, individuals and families will receive help keeping up with those growing costs. The bill is scheduled for a February 25 public hearing in the House Committee on Revenue. LWVOR submitted testimony supporting HB 3507 . This bill proposes to invest $30 million in down payment assistance to Oregon Housing and Community Services to increase the eligibility of its Culturally Responsive Organization Program and Homeownership Program targeted to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Investing $30 million will open the door to an estimated 750 first-time and first-generation homebuyers, helping them plant roots in their communities. Moderate Income Revolving Loan program : In good news on the housing production front, Governor Kotek and Oregon Housing and Community Services announced the start of the new Moderate Income Revolving Loan program. It will provide zero interest loans to cities and counties. They will offer grants to developers building rental or homeownership units affordable to households earning no more than 120 percent of area median income. Over time, the grants will be paid back to local jurisdictions which will repay the state fund, thus providing a stable source of funds for future projects. Immigration By Claudia Keith Find below a list of policy and or funding-related bills that may have traction. Additionally, there are a number of other bills proposed in Oregon supporting the new 2025 federal administration potential policies that, given House and Senate Democratic supermajorities, will likely not receive a public hearing. Given where we are in the session, it is not clear if these bills will receive public hearings. Depending on the revenue forecast the funding bills may show up in the end-of-session reconciliation bill. (Christmas tree bill) SB 149 DHS Immigration Study - Sen Jama
 SB 599 : Immigration status - discrimination in real estate transactions - Senator Campos
 SB 611 : Food for All Oregonians Program - Senator Campos, Representative Ruiz
 SB 703 : A bipartisan immigration status update funding bill - Senator Reynolds, Representatives Neron, Ruiz, Smith HB2788 : Aunding to nonprofits to assist with lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - Representatives Neron and Ruiz, Senator Reynolds
 HB 2586 : Nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. - Representative Hudson, Senator Campos; Work session 2/27 HB 2543 : 15$M for Universal FUND: The Act gives funds to Oregon Department of Administrative Services (ODAS) for universal representation and the Act gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal help for immigration matters.
 HB 5002 : ODAS Agency Budget: includes 7$M for Oregon Worker Relief Fund Immigration resources in Oregon Coalition of Communities of Color Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO):
Serves immigrants and refugees in Portland, Oregon. 

 Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA):
Advocates for immigrants and refugees in Oregon. OIRA is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). 



 Oregon Department of Justice has a Community Toolkit with information about immigration and civil rights. 




 Oregon Justice Resource Center Offers case assistance for immigrants through the Immigrant Rights Project (IRP). 






 Education League Education, March 12 opportunity: Spring 2025 Community Education Series: Immigration - League of Women Voters of Portland Sanctuary Promise Guidance - Oregon Department of Justice Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement OIRA Immigration and Refugee News and events and Mission, Vision and VALUES : “As OIRA talks with federal, state, local and community partners, we will continue to post the most updated information we have on this web page.” Immigrants in Oregon : American Immigration Council resources. State Map on Immigration Enforcement 2024 : Immigrant Legal Resource Center In the News Oregon Republicans seek to partially roll back state sanctuary laws - kgw.com February 11 U.S. Rep. Salinas expects Trump to continue crackdown on immigrants despite any court action - Oregon Capital Chronicle February 6 Staff and Students at Oregon Colleges Brace for Possible Immigration Enforcement - Oregon Public Broadcasting February 5 Immigrants in Oregon could be significantly impacted by Trump’s second term - Oregon Capital Chronicle January 21 Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 5/15 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 a topic: Housing Criminal Justice Social Policy Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York Republican walkouts have prevented the full Senate from considering key housing bills that passed out of Senate Housing and Development and are ready for floor votes. In better news, the full House adopted SB 702, which will require racial justice and implicit bias training for home appraisers. It is now ready for the Governor’s signature. Other key bills are also expected to pass the House and go on to the Governor for her signature. SB 702 : As mentioned in the introduction, this bill is awaiting signature by the Governor. It will require home appraisers to receive bias training to receive certification. Representative Ricki Ruiz sent a thank you note thanking the League for its testimony letter. SB 225 : This bill will address a problematic issue with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. In addition to other provisions, it will eliminate the current “blackout period” that begins with the start of the new biennium and ends when the Governor signs the bond authorization bill. During that time, Oregon Housing and Community Services cannot move forward on affordable housing developments. Eliminating this period will prevent construction delays and the resulting cost increases. House Revenue held a work session on May 16 and recommended passage. SB 599 A : Allows 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 House held a third reading on May 18. HB 2983 : LWVOR added its logo to an informational document on this bill to provide financial resources to Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Department of Land Conservation and Development for the purpose of developing new manufactured parks and drafting new model codes for them. Manufactured housing is a significant source of unsubsidized affordable housing in Oregon. SB 892 A amends housing statutes and laws of the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department and the Housing Stability Council. It will add federally recognized tribes as community development corporations to allow them to access and administer housing funds. The bill addresses the need to provide loans directly to individuals for down payment or closing costs assistance. It adds to the definition of residential loans for down payment or closing cost assistance to allow low- and moderate- income households to qualify for a primary mortgage loan. The Detailed in this bill are other corrections and conforming amendments. House Housing and Homelessness held a work session on May 18. Several housing bills of interest are awaiting a vote by the full Senate: HB 2680 would require more transparency when tenants submit applications for rental housing. HB 3151 would limit the improvements manufactured home park landlords could require of tenants. It would also extend the sunset date on a landlord/tenant dispute resolution program. HB 3462 would ensure that individuals covered by federal and state fair housing laws are eligible for emergency housing when an emergency declaration is made. This extends to people regardless of their immigration status. SB 611 is the updated version of caps on rent increases in Oregon. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The following bills passed unanimously out of House Judiciary on May 17 and await the Governor’s signature: SB 212 B maintains confidentiality of peer support check-in sessions for Oregon Youth Authority employees. SB 745 A directs county juvenile departments to conduct sex trafficking screening for adjudicated youth. SB 974 A creates the crime of sexual abuse by fraudulent representation. SB 1052 amends statutes on human trafficking and involuntary servitude to include more categories of forced behavior.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 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: Healthcare Housing Implementation of Oregon Drug Intervention Plan Higher Education Summer School Pre-K-12 Education Healthcare By Christa Danielson On May 29th the Senate interim Committee on Health Care met during legislative days. Of interest is the ongoing concern about the rising cost of health care. After the meeting, the chair of the committee, Senator Deb Patterson (D-SALEM) said that “We need to empower Oregon employers and consumers to demand more transparency and better results from our health care system.” During the session the committee heard from Chris Whaley (Associate Professor, Brown University) whose research found a strong correlation between rising prices and industry consolidation. Also Piper Block (Research and Data Manager) from OHA reported on costs of procedures in different hospitals and the tremendous variation in payments. Increased transparency would help policymakers to better understand the challenges with rising health care costs. Expect more of these types of discussions to follow both nationally and in Oregon as we anticipate there will be bills that examine corporate and equity takeover of the practice of medicine and bills to strengthen reporting by pharmacy benefit managers along with other bills that follow these themes. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Senate and House Committees on housing held informational meetings on topics of interest and invited the agency speakers below to present their programs in advance of next year’s Legislative session. The Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development met on May 30, 2024. The following topics were presented: Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Affordable Housing Preservation Strategy Framework Task Force on Homelessness and Racial Disparities Report (SB 893 – 2023) Modular Housing Grant Fund Updates Oregon Health Authority Air Conditioners and Air Filtration Program Future Generations Collaborative Land Donation for Affordable Housing The House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness met on May 30, and the programs below were discussed. Governor Kotek Policy Updates: Homelessness Response and Housing Production Frameworks Oregon Housing and Community Services Modular Housing Rural Housing Production Housing Stabilization Climate and Health Resilience in Housing, Healthy Homes Program Manufactured Housing Oregon Housing Alliance LWVOR is a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance, a statewide organization that brings together advocates, local governments, housing authorities, community development corporations, environmentalists, service providers, business interests and others concerned about the lack of affordable housing, homelessness, and the devastating impact of the shortage on Oregon families and individuals. The alliance has begun developing its priorities for the 2025 legislative session. The four areas that the alliance plans to prioritize when advocating for Oregon Housing and Community Services agency budgets include: Prevent homelessness and provide lifesaving shelter and services, including rent assistance and homelessness prevention, shelter operations, and youth and child homeless services and prevention. Preserve affordable homes, including preservation of existing low-income housing with expiring rent restrictions, housing owned by non-profits or housing authorities in need of renovation, and sale of manufactured home parks. This also includes funding for affordable housing operations and stability for developments facing financial challenges. Expand affordable homeownership opportunities, build new homes for affordable homeownership, and support lower-income homeowners and homebuyers through Individual Development Accounts, down payment assistance, foreclosure prevention, and fair housing investigation and enforcement. Develop new affordable housing in all parts of the state, including development of new affordable rental units, permanent supportive housing, and farmworker housing. Funding for a housing development pipeline that includes land acquisition, pre-development loans and lines of credit, and a reserve fund for disaster recovery. Fairview Trust Oregon Housing and Community Services announced the Fairview Trust’s 2024 Integrated Housing Grant Program. Its focus is innovative housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Grants will go to projects that give preference to this population and are integrated into the community. See also the Land Use and Housing Report in the Natural Resources section of this Legislative Report. Implementation of Oregon Drug Intervention Plan (HB4002) By Jean Pierce The Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety heard reports about progress being made in implementing HB 4002 (2024). They learned that 23 counties were considered “early adopters” – because they had plans to roll out deflection programs quickly. 17 counties have received a base minimum of $150,000. This is being used to Hire coordinators Define deflection programs, including criteria for entry into treatment and for success Train law enforcement in addiction and deflection options Identify community provider partners Plan – almost half of the counties are considering a model resembling the Marion County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, which has been in existence for 8 years. Some of the challenges encountered already: FUNDING! How long will the state invest in the programs? More is needed to fully implement a LEAD-like model. Breaking down silos Sharing information between law enforcement and treatment agencies (the Legislature may need to address privacy issues) Hiring effective peer mentors Coordination of county treatment providers and coverage of treatment for non-OHP individuals Assessing services such as housing needs – determining how to support and prioritize needs Translating national best practices to local communities In 2025, the Legislature will need to consider Year 2 Funding. The Governor has made Behavioral Health/Public Safety a priority. Higher Education Jean Pierce The House Interim Committee on Higher Education heard from institutions of higher education who expressed serious concerns over delays in FAFSA funding following the US Department of Education’s (USDOE) attempt to simplify the application. Problems caused by new regulations (including a major overhaul of eligibility) imposed by the Department: People are struggling to get support from the USDOE – their guidance is confusing at best or even nonexistent Poor data quality from the USDOE Students do not know whether they will receive financial support for food, housing, childcare and transportation until the first day of class this summer. Many potential students are stuck at various stages of the process and may not return to school The problems particularly impact low income, first generation students, and people from mixed families (having an undocumented parent) As a result, 2800 fewer students filed for FAFSA this year in Oregon, and there is a concern that they will walk away from higher education. According to the Oregonian, “Gradual declines since 2017 were supercharged by the pandemic. College-going fell to just 56% for the class of 2021, a nearly 1- percentage point drop over the last decade.” This trend had started to reverse slowly before the FAFSA debacle. When legislators asked what the state could do to help, they were told: Continue allocating additional funds to the Oregon Opportunity Grant Remain flexible and responsive to funding requests Students need to know state resources are available Colleges lack sufficient staff to answer students’ questions about FAFSA The committee also heard a request to extend the tuition equity program for refugees seeking asylum. People who have been forcibly displaced from their countries are automatically classified as non-residents in Oregon, so – regardless of how long they have lived in the state - they pay out-of-state tuition for higher education, which can be 3 times as much as in-state tuition. Courts are experiencing a large backlog of asylum cases. In fact, people applying for asylum can wait over 6 years for courts to decide their claims. As of April 1, 2024, Oregon has 5,539 cases filed on behalf of college-aged individuals between the ages of 18 and 24. Currently, California, Florida, Maine, New York, and Washington have legislation that enables asylum seekers to pay instate tuition rates. It is anticipated that granting this request would have little or no cost impact to institutions of higher education because of the small numbers affected. Summer School By Katie Riley The Senate Education Committee met during Legislative Days and heard a report on progress for HB 4082, Summer Learning 2024 and Beyond. ODE Director Charlene Williams and Assistant Manager of Finance and Facilities Michael Elliott reported on progress to date. The $30 million allocated by the legislature to ODE for disbursement has been distributed to the highest priority areas of the state in terms of equity and inclusion. Some districts declined to participate due to a variety of reasons (e.g., lack of capacity or planning) and their funds were reallocated to high priority areas. Allocations: 43 districts and 13 ESD's have received grants for this summer with 133 partners (tribes, community based organizations, and ESD's) participating 51,000 kids, 63% at the elementary level; others at middle and high school levels will participate. As provided in the bill, a work group has been formed to plan for sustainable funding for afterschool and summer programs in the future. The group will be examining current practices in Oregon and nationally as well as potential sources of support and administrative barriers. They are charged with submitting a report with their recommendations in September. Senator Weber remarked that she has received complaints from her district (northern coast) about not being included and hopes there will be improvement. Senator Dembrow hoped that the work group would make recommendations that would lead to having afterschool and summer programs being included in service levels. He also noted that he would like to learn how effective the summer programs would be in preventing summer learning loss. Finally, Senator Frederick emphasized that programs need predictability. Pre-K-12 Education By Anne Nesse Public school funding issues continue to be in jeopardy. Therefore it is not surprising that an “Oregon school choice group is trying to get 2 measures on the statewide November ballot, with the goal of creating more school choice.” The measure would permit using public tax dollars to support education in private schools. Link to the OPB article about this is here . Oregon's history of funding issues is best summarized by this quote from Jenny Liu, a Portland State University professor who specializes in economics and public policy: “Some 30 years ago, a series of anti-tax ballot measures fundamentally changed the school funding equation.” This created a unique myriad of problems for the future of public school funding in Oregon. “Measure 5, passed by voters in 1990, created a new limit on what portion of local property taxes could be spent on schools. And Measure 50, passed seven years later, further limited how quickly local property taxes could increase. A local option levy is probably one of the only ways that [districts are] able to generate that additional amount of money because schools don’t really have any say in [the state funding] formula,” states Jenny Liu in an OPB interview. Early Childhood Meeting 5/29 2:30 • Agenda included informational meeting with federal funding of $3M, over 3 years, as pilot project from Doris Duke Foundation to create programs for prevention of child abuse, in lieu of waiting for hotline responses that yield no effort to help. • Presentation on combining early learning childcare with retirement facilities as mutually beneficial to both age groups, and increasing our number of facilities. House Education 5/30 8:30 AM • Timeline for increasing literacy in Oregon presented by ODE Director and staff. 70% of districts are functional on this program, 30% still require some assistance, with costs that would be sustainable. No new accreditation for teachers is necessary. Simply better use and selection of the correct materials. • Reasons for limiting or banning cell phone use in school were presented by a pediatrician, along with neuroscience evidence by Dr. Dodgen-Magee. Statistics showing prefrontal brain weaknesses of control of actions with use of even over 30 minutes a day. Statistics that were presented showing increased anxiety, depression, and bullying were the results of excessive social use of digital devices on the brain. Chair Rep. Neron and Rep. McIntire were interested in seeing results of bans of cell phone use in Grant HS, and Clackamas school district. It was also noted that increased cell phone use correlated with absenteeism in school. Senate Finance and Revenue as it relates to School Funding Formulas 5/30 2:30 • A detailed study of school finance was reported by the state financial advisor, as a result of ballot measures 5 and 50 in our state. The conclusion was that the only way to actually increase school revenue is to increase the state contribution of 2/3, because the remaining 1/3 in local collections is too variable. Essentially changing some of the historical initiative law. The school funding formula awards additional money to school districts based on the number of students in poverty, students requiring special education, English language learners, etc. Members of the committee questioned: • Whether the formula is still appropriate • What data justifies use of the current formula • Whether districts are being held accountable for using funds to meet needs identified in the formula Senate Education 5/30 2:30 • Review of progress on SB 3, financial literacy classes for graduation bill passed in 2023. It was reported by Legislative council Hanna Lai that the present interpretations of how the credits for graduation would be measured was unclear, and some more work needs to be done before it aligns with the intent of the law. • Update on SB 819, implementation of improvements for students in programs of abbreviated school days due to Individual education plans, IEP’s. 129 school districts appear to be successfully using this plan out of 197. 52 school districts using this plan for medical adaptations for students. Tenneal Wetherall from ODE reported improvements were being made by documentation of use of new Law. Perhaps not all parents knew how to use this planning method, she stated, and there may be a gap in use with foster care programs not being aware of this alternative service.

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: Education Gun Policy Housing Legislation Immigration Education By Jean Pierce On April 30, SB 1098 , the “Freedom to Read” bill, had a public hearing in the House Education Committee. The bill would prohibit banning a book simply because it concerns a group experiencing discrimination. As of the time of the hearing, they had received 1113 written testimonies, with 83 percent supporting the bill. LWVOR submitted testimony when the bill was in the Senate. Impact of Federal Actions on Education in Oregon Head Start Recently, Head Start has been the subject of a tug of war over federal funding. In March, the Administration announced that it was closing 5 regional offices, including one in Seattle which oversees funding for programs in Oregon. Nevertheless, programs did receive delayed funding in early April. But the office remains closed, jeopardizing funding of $196M for over 8000 students in Oregon. The proposed budget would totally eliminate funding for Head Start and Early Head Start. According to Education Week , on April 28, four state Head Start associations joined parent groups including Family Forward Oregon and the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions towards Head Start as unlawful and unconstitutional. The groups are calling for a court order that reverses recent layoffs and funding changes affecting Head Start. On Wednesday, seven Oregon school superintendents released a video describing the potential impact of federal cuts on Oregon children and schools. The video mentions that $7 M in federal funding for food banks has already been cut, causing 144,000 children to experience hunger. K-12 On March 28, a US Department of Education letter to State Departments of Education contended that “many states and school districts have enacted policies that presumechildren need protection from their parents.” And that “schools are routinelyhiding information about the mental and physical health of their students from parents.” The letter insisted that this was being done to hide schools’ indoctrination of gender ideology. This week, Charlene Williams, director of Oregon’s Department of Education, responded , assuring the federal government that Oregon is complying with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, and that this has been required in the in state statutes dating back to 1996. Higher Education All 13 international students at the University of Oregon whose visas had been revoked in April have had them reinstated. Oregon State University officials also reported that seven international students had their visas reinstated as well, out of a total of 13 students with revoked visas. Gun Policy By Marge Easley Although we remain hopeful that the omnibus bill SB 243 A will soon be voted out of Senate Rules and move to the Senate floor, two other bills related to gun policy (HB 3075, HB 3076) are in serious jeopardy as legislators grapple with the state budget crisis. League members have been asked to contact legislators to urge passage of SB 243 A, which bans rapid-fire devices, mandates a 72-hour waiting period between a background check approval and the transfer of a firearm, and expands the public areas that are designated as “gun free zones.” Bad news arrived at the end of April with the announcement that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is terminating grants to Multnomah County and four nonprofit organizations for existing gun violence prevention programs, resulting in a loss of $6 million in funding. SB 1015 was introduced to provide state funding to compensate for the expected loss of federal dollars, but it is highly unlikely the bill will move out of Ways and Means. Nationwide, the DOJ is terminating $811 million in grants for community safety programs. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona 5,000 Unit Housing Challenge On May 1, Governor Kotek announced the partnership with Portland Mayor, Keith Wilson on a new initiative to develop 5,000 new housing units in Portland. If passed by the Portland City Council, the System Development Charges (SDCs) would temporally be waived until 5,000 housing units are built or three years have passed. By waiving these fees, stalled housing projects could be made available to bolster the city’s housing supply. Mayor Wilson has estimated that developers are ready to build over 4,000 homes in Portland, but because of costs, waiving SDCs can reduce the cost of thousands of needed to build homes, which would be affordable and market rate. Status of Housing Bills LWVOR has submitted testimony on a number of housing-related bills during the session. Following is a status report on the bills we have supported that have passed or are in the review process. Bill Passed by the Senate and House SB 973 : Requires landlords of publicly supported housing to notify applicants when the affordability contract will expire. Also extends from 20 months to 30 months the minimum notice landlords must give tenants when affordability restrictions will expire. LWV testimony supports passage of this bill. The bill passed the Senate on April 2. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness held a public hearing on April 23 and the bill passed unanimously during a work session on 4/30. Bills in Process SB 814 A : Expands eligibility for Oregon Housing and Community Services long-term rent assistance program to youth under the age of 25 exiting Oregon Youth Authority or childcare facility. League testimony supports passage of the bill. It passed the Senate 30 – 0 on March 6. A public hearing was held in House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 16, and on April 21 it was referred to Housing and Development. A public hearing is scheduled for May 7. HB 3054 A seeks to limit rent increases for homeowners experiencing escalating rents and other practices by landlords that can threaten their 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 consumer price index (CPI) changes. League testimony supports passage of this bill. On April 16 the bill passed the house, and on May 7 a public hearing is scheduled by the Senate Housing and Development Committee. HB 2964 : Requires Oregon Housing and Community Development to award loans to non-profit affordable housing developers to cover pre-development costs of developing new housing. LWV testimony supports passage of the bill. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 15, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. The Senate had its first reading on April 16, and the bill was referred to the Housing and Development on April 21. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Highlights - News 5/1 Oregonians rally on May Day to protest Trump admin, defend immigrant right s • Oregon Capital Chronicle 5/1 Oregon lawsuit seeks to block immigration enforcemen t at churches, schools - OPB 4/24. Feds Threaten Oregon Transportation Funding Over DEI and Driver’s License Policies - Oregon is one of many states that offer licenses to undocumented immigrants. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy disapproves. 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 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 WS 5/7 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.

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 4/10 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne Community Resilince & Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: Claudia Keith 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 The Oregon Global Warming Commission has released their 2023 Climate Change Report: “ 2023 BIENNIAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE Unlike previous biennial reports, the 2023 Report to the Legislature does not include recommendations. Instead, the Commission developed its Oregon Climate Action Roadmap to 2030 in parallel, which includes extensive recommendations to inform state climate action moving forward, some of which are highlighted in this 2023 Report to the Legislature . However, the report continues to provide key foundational information on state climate impacts, emission trends, and progress towards achieving Oregon’s GHG emission reduction goals. According to preliminary emissions data, despite an overall reduction in emissions in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon still missed its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal by 13 %. In 2021, emissions grew back closer to pre-pandemic levels, putting Oregon even further (19 %) off the 2020 goal. At the same time, recent actions taken to mitigate the state’s contributions to the climate crisis have better positioned Oregon to meet its goals moving forward and the Roadmap to 2030 provides extensive recommendations to ensure Oregon does not miss its next greenhouse gas goal.” OGWC RoadMap 2030 Report Oregon must cut emissions much faster to reach global climate goals, report states - oregonlive.com Priority Bills CE priority bills had no activity last week. All have moved to the floor, or to JW&Ms. Find in previous LR (report)s additional background on each CE priority. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: *** Mark your Calendars: The Resilient Buildings Coalition is having an in-person LOBBY Day at the Capital April 20. Pre-register for this Lobby Day. *** Work sessions were held on 4/4. All four bills moved with a partisan vote. Currently they are posted as: “Senate Presidents Desk - Awaiting Disposition”. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . · SB 868 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 869 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 870A Staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 871A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 530A : Natural and Working Lands : On 4/4 the bill moved to JW&Ms with Do pass with- 7 amendment, a 3/2 partisan vote. The League continues to be an active coalition member. Fiscal . Staff Measure Summary Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13. SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907A , League testimony . New on OLIS: SB 907 amendment -6 staff measure summary. 4/4 work session, moved to the floor with do pass with amendments, a unanimous vote. SB907 Coalition Sign-on Letter - LWVOR one of many organizations… On Wed 4/12 the bill was listed in the Senate as Third Reading. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 A staff measure summary , fisca l, 4/4 Work Session moved, with 4/1 vote to JW&Ms. 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 (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills including state agency budget bills. 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 in both chambers to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will be adding climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony . In both cases, our testimony will request additional agency requests not included in the Governor’s Jan budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast, will likely provide new required budget balancing guidelines. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 A updated with -1 amendment: League Testimony . Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like the 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 policy topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session -1 staff measure summary . Moved on 3/14 with recommendation to JW&Ms with - 1 amendment. Fiscal HB 3016 A updated with -2 amendment, community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session was 3/15 . Fiscal Moved to JW&Ms unanimously. Legislative -2 Staff Measure Summary . Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project By Arlene Sherrett Funding: Oregon’s $1 billion share to start the project was discussed at the Joint Transportation informational meeting Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 5:30 PM. A bill (but no bill number) from ODOT will be discussed at the meeting. Text for the bill was sent out from 1000 Friends of Oregon but a link to it is not available. Perhaps it will be on OLIS before or after the meeting. Estimated Overall cost $ 5 -7.5 Billion. Design: The bi-state program’s latest proposal for the bridge, the Modified Locally Preferred Alternative (Modified LPA) has been criticized by a coalition of local citizen groups called the Just Crossing Alliance (JCA), or Right Size Right Now campaign or a S.A.F.E.R. Bridge for Stronger Communities. Issues with bridge design are listed on the linked websites. It is unclear whether design issues will be discussed officially before the IBR program’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available, anticipated in 2023. A public comment period will open after that. JCA wants to “steer the public’s dollars into transportation solutions that will reduce – not expand – climate warming pollution. This includes safe and accessible public transportation, electrification, and safe streets for all users.” The Alliance held a Day of Action on Thursday, April 13, at the State Capitol. Some would like to see a resurrection of the CommonSense Alternative (CSA) to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC.) The estimated cost for the CSA ($1.8 Mil) was lower than the cost of the CRC by half when the analysis was made. Estimated costs today have not been compared to the current plan, the Modified LPA; the CSA also offers more alternatives for rail, local passenger and truck traffic. Putting yet another twist into the design discussion, Vancouver Mayor Pro Tem Ty Stober said “I am calling on the IBR team to do a fresh, complete study of a tunnel. The benefit would be to reconnect downtown Vancouver to Fort Vancouver and open the skyline.” Apparently the Modified LPA obstructs the view from the waterfront Vancouver has put so much money and time into. Sign up for email on IBR project website : IBR has several public groups formed to give input on the project. Find out about participation at public meetings here and here . Just Crossing Alliance highlighted issues and sign-up are linked 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: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. The Need For Climate Risk Disclosures : A Case Study Of Physical Risk Of Two REITS, EQR And ARE | Forbes. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the IRA $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. The Treasurer recently sent this letter to FTC: 4/11/2023, Letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Proposed Non-Compete Clause Rule. Oregon State Treasury Completes Nearly $1 Billion Bond Sale , Offers State Residents Opportunity to Invest In Oregon. Oregon bill to divest from coal, oil and gas peters out | National News | kpvi.com The Oregon Investment Council will meet April 19. The agenda and meeting materials as of 4/12 were not posted. The Council met March 8; see the meeting packet . ESG is mentioned on page 7. The formal meeting minutes still have not been posted. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First-Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard | OST. The monthly March and Feb ending Oregon PERS Financial Statement has yet to be posted. J an 2023 Pers Statement . Moody’s recent Oregon Bond rating rational: ‘Moody's assigns Aa1 to the State of Oregon's GO bonds; outlook stable’. 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 , (April 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 64 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Oregon, NW regional and National News Amazon strikes renewable power deal for Oregon data centers, won’t say how much it’s buying - oregonlive.com . NW Natural climate strategy takes a hit from Oregon PUC staff | Portland Business Journal. FERC Gets Advice, Criticism on Environmental Justice | RTO Insider Federal HHS : Climate Change & Health Equity and Environmental Justice - April 2023 Climate and Health Outlook "Northwest: Minor spring flooding potential is expected to be above normal for the Upper Snake River Basin in eastern Idaho. Drought is favored to persist in small portions of northeast Washington and northern Idaho. Drought improvement and removal is favored in much of Oregon and in parts of central Idaho. Normal significant wildland fire* potential is also expected.” 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 Climate Emergency Legislative Report - 1/10 - 1/17 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne Community Resilince & Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: Claudia Keith Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Climate Emergency Priorities Oregon Climate Action Commission Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Climate Related Lawsuit State, Regional and National News Local League Climate Updates Volunteers Needed Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith In preparing for the 2023 Legislative session, we identified six priority policy and budget topics: Resilient Buildings: (could include a change to Oregon’s building codes). Refer to the Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings Dec 13 Report . It’s unclear when the bill (s) will be posted to OLIS. The League plans to be an active coalition member. Natural and Working Lands : ( Establishes Natural and Working Lands Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities,…): Natural Climate Solutions SB530 . The legislation includes activity-based metrics and community impact metrics for net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands and establishes carbon sequestration and storage goals. (Related, see interim NR committee SB88 ). The League continues to be an active coalition member. Environmental Justice: A number of 2023 Leg bills are expected to address new and ongoing related topics. A recent update EPA: ‘EPA Releases Updated Legal Guidance on Identifying, Addressing Cumulative Impacts to Advance Environmental Justice, Equity | US EPA, clearly defines at the federal level this new foundational area. (Related to HB4077 (2022). Oregon Climate Action Commission By Claudia Keith Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission ) Roadmap , SB 522 , will change "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to " Oregon Climate Action Commission." and modify membership and duties of commission and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets/goals. This will direct state agencies to report to the commission on progress toward achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals (see SB 928 2019). Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and DOT Dept of Transportation policy and funding. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget The governor’s budget* is scheduled to be available in Feb. There is expected > $50M in CE related state agency POPs and new Legislative funding. (* budget items will come from over 22 state agencies including 14 NR agencies, OHA, DAS, ODOT, ODOE, etc.) Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith (The League may support or just follow. A preliminary list, at this time only ~half of the total bills have been posted on OLIS.) Natural Working Lands: Rep Pham’s urban forestry bill, HB 3016 , Rep Holvey’s severance tax bill, HB 3025 to replace the harvest tax, and ODF’s Regular Harvest tax bill, HB 2087 . SB 88 climate smart Ag increases net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands. Requested: Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery. See Keep Oregon Cool, Natural Working Lands. GHG Emission Mitigation: * HB 2816 High Energy Use Facility - Required GHGE reduction, Chief Sponsors: Dembrow and Marsh. Fossil Fuel (FF ) Divestment: HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with FF energy investments. Chief Sponsors: Rep Pham K, Senator Golden, Rep Gamba. Green Infrastructure: HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba Public & Green Banking: SB501 Bank of the state of Oregon Sen Golden. HB2763 Create a State public bank Task Force, Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters OPUC Oregon Public Utility Commission - CE Team Volunteer By Claudia Keith OPUC held a special informational meeting Jan 10 to update commissioners on measures to ensure the resource adequacy (RA) of the regional electrical grid. This meeting served as a technical conference for OPUC commissioners on the status of resource adequacy (RA) in the western U.S. Major players made "inside baseball" presentations summarized in the attached notes. Pursuant to docket UM 2143 , OPUC staff recommended that the commission develop rules to establish a binding Oregon RA program for regulated utilities and electric service suppliers. Staff is targeting March 2023to begin rulemaking, following public comment. Western Electricity Coordinating Council ( WECC) forecast WECC presented its latest forecast of the regional grid reliability and security risks. Interconnection-wide, the risk is expected to grow in frequency and magnitude over the next 10 years, largely because resource variability will increase, except in the OR-WA-ID subregion where the resource mix will remain relatively stable. The rate of planned resource growth is comparable to historical resource growth, but challenges such as supply chain disruption, skilled labor shortages, and siting issues could increase risk. Reliance on imports will grow in many cases and could be put at risk by transmission capability. WECC emphasized the need for immediate action to address long-term RA risks. Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) forecast NWPCC’s annual RA assessment looks ahead 5 years aiming to provide early warning of resource shortfalls and to ensure that resource strategies will result in adequate future power supplies. The latest assessment found that the 2027 regional power supply would be greatly inadequate if the region relied solely on existing resources and reserve levels with no new energy efficiency measures. NWPCC’s strategy for increasing resources and reserves would ensure an adequate power supply if demand growth remains consistent. Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) update All Oregon-regulated investor-owned utilities and many electric service suppliers take part in the Western Power Pool’s WRAP, the first region-wide RA program. This overview described the WRAP participation agreement and delivery commitments. WRAP filed its initial tariff with FERC at the end of August 2022, received a deficiency letter from FERC in November, filed an amended tariff in December, and expects FERC’s response next month. UM 2143 investigation update and straw proposal for state RA standards OPUC staff recommends that the commission develop rules to establish a binding RA program for all Oregon entities. This presentation summarized key elements of the straw rules proposal released in September, with themes from public comments and the October 2022 stakeholder workshop. Next steps: Jan. 2023: Draft formal rule language and distribute to stakeholders in the UM 2143 docket Feb. 2023: Open comment period to react to staff’s rules; hold workshop(s) on draft rule language March 2023: Open another comment period for stakeholders after workshops and any updated proposed rule language; move to formal rulemaking Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The next Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast is scheduled for mid-Feb. It is unclear how the very volatile security markets (see global instability, inflation and FED) issues / risk will develop. Climate Emergency Financial Risk: The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has never conformed to what is now recommended in the SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. In 2022, the SEC (Federal Securities and Exchange Commission) recommended that all public and private entities that sell securities be required to use the ESG reporting tool . This proposed SEC rule may take effect in 2023. See supportive LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Related: ‘ESG Watch: Why this year could be a watershed moment for investors on nature-related risk | Reuters. The Status of Two Pending Rules That Would Require Disclosure of Climate Risks| Environmental Leader. Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read has changed his Fossil Fuel risk perspective. Oregon Treasurer Pledges to Decarbonize State Pension Fund By 2050. Tobias Read says he’ll have a comprehensive plan to meet Paris Agreement goals by early 2024. Oregon Climate Related Lawsuits By Claudia Keith Be reminded there are numerous lawsuits 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 , (Jan 2023) some 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. ‘ Climate Change Cases Set for Another ‘Exciting Year’ in Court’| Dec 27 2022 , Bloomberg Law. State, Regional and National News By Claudia Keith Merkley, Wyden Secure Funding For Critical Projects Across Oregon 12/22/22 , Merkley, Hyde-Smith Announce The Establishment Of The CDC Office Of Rural Health . Oregon faces sustained and novel risks and opportunities as climate changes, new assessment shows | Oregon State University, Legislature needs to follow energy-efficient building recommendations – Oregon Capital Chronicle. Biden officials lay out road map for net-zero transportation by 2050 | The Hill EPA Urges Groups to Apply for Record Environmental Equity Grants , EPA Creates New Environmental Justice Office | The Regulatory Review, Oregon State University scientist praises fusion breakthrough, calls it the 'holy grail of energy', KOIN. Oregon Bill Requires Data Centers, Crypto Miners to Match Energy Goals| Governing. Why transforming the grid is critical to Oregon’s clean-energy future – OPB. The ‘unprecedented’ risks facing our power grid this winter should be a wake-up call for government | Utility Dive. Financial Firms May Have to Reveal Their Climate Risk - Scientific American Global: Global energy crisis – the key news stories in January 2023 | World Economic Forum The US is to become the world’s top LNG exporter - and other stories about the global energy crisis this week. 6 things to know about international trade in January 2023 | World Economic Forum. Mass Climate Migration Is Coming | WIRED Local League Climate Updates By Claudia Keith The Corvallis League provided public testimony (Dec 19), on the City of Corvallis new NW Natural Gas Franchise Agreement , supporting reducing contract terms from 10 to 3 years. ‘NW Natural Gas has decided to sign off on a 3 year extension of its existing franchise agreement. ’ Corvallis is now similar to many Oregon cities (Eugene, Clackamas, and now Gresham ) that have let the agreement with NW Natural Gas expire/lapse or have a 3-year agreement that refers to no or limited NG expansion. In addition, Corvallis and other cities are working on implementing a mandatory HOME ENERGY Score required at time of sale. The League has recently been very clear about methane in particular . Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA ODOT Transportation & DLCD/LCD Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities Efficient Resilient Buildings Public Health Climate Adaptation 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 Climate and Environmental Justice. We all collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session begins 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 Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of October 13 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: National Guard to Portland Emergency Preparation Consumer Protection Cybersecurity and AI Voters' Privacy Rights Violation Sanctuary Counties Federal pressure on Oregon resonated throughout legislative hearings and made news for national guard activation against small peaceful ICE protests. Revoked federal funding is wreaking havoc on our strained budgets, across the board. Legal resistance will follow federal lawsuits against 4 Oregon counties for observing sanctuary standing and to reveal voters’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII). National Guard to Portland The Oregon National Guard was “activated” to Portland, under federal authority, widely seen as unneeded and an unwelcome presidential partisan retaliation, with restraining orders and countersuits stopping 200 from Oregon, then CA and TX guard. The LWVOR had written to the Governor and Attorney General urging preparation to resist the impending “federalization” of our guard members, repeatedly threatened in social media from the White House. We followed with a joint statement, League of Women Voters Condemns Unjustified National Guard Deployment to Portland . Despite opposition from Governor Kotek, 37 Oregon Mayors, the Oregon Attorney General, the League, and others, unwanted national guard intrusion plans progressed quickly during this week. 200 Oregon guard members were ordered to federal ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) facilities in Portland and Oregon leaders’ press releases rapidly followed. Sending Oregon’s national guard against fellow Oregonians as provocative, unwarranted, and a personal, partisan executive overreach. Legal action progressed as an emergency motion, then temporary restraining order stopped presidential orders for Oregon National Guard members. He then called California members, with similarly prompt and emphatic press conferences and legal actions from California. An Oregon judge ruled that their arrival was in "direct contravention" of her restraining order against activating members from Oregon. She found that order further relevant for orders to bring Texas national guard members to Oregon. Pending litigation, their deployment, boots on the ground, is on hold. This was seen in hearings as a misuse of the guard’s intended mission purposes and training. Masked ICE agents and Oregon Law Enforcement Identification Standards and Practices The Joint Senate and House Judiciary committees spoke to deep concerns for law enforcement distrust building as purportedly federal ICE agents, not clearly marked as law enforcement, and masked, have been seizing individuals. One Rep said from a citizens’ point of view, we should feel/be safe to take pictures of unmarked, masked individuals acting as law enforcement, and not expect to retain details of uniform insignia under stress. Of Oregon’s 174 law enforcement agencies, 160 use Lexipol , to apply ORS conspicuous display requirements for clearly marked and identifiable police presence, labeled with first and last names and clearly as police on uniform fronts and backs, helmets and vests. The policy goal is public transparency. ID must be provided on request, and replies must be received within 14 days. A panelist’s aside comment to ID and stalking law was unclear, and may foreshadow future legislative work. Amid lots of concern, working with Legislative Counsel, legislators wondered if we’d be preempted from asking national guard or others for ID and if federalized forces would have to observe our local ID disclosure standards. The answer was no, apparently not. There has always been variance and some confusion between local law enforcement jurisdictions, but our officers for “de-escalation and comfortability.” One fear is that national guard sent to Oregon will not have that primary perspective. In the Senate Committee On Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs, Brigadier General Gronewold, head of the Oregon National Guard (TAG, or The Adjutant General) said his soldiers know they do not have to obey unlawful orders. He hopes people will try hard to differentiate between ICE and the national guard. They would be sending a military police unit, an infantry unit, and a Headquarters unit. They chose the ones in Oregon with the most training for this kind of mission. Questions included if this deployment would count towards active duty in a war zone. Many VA benefits depend on this. A common plea is to remember that these soldiers are Oregon citizens, having to leave their jobs and families for this work. Emergency preparation, a budget challenge example The House Emergency Management and Veterans Committee ( see video ) discussed emergency preparation and the worsening costs of delaying attention. Federal funding cuts are further looming, recognized as retribution for progressive stances in 16 states. This especially hurts long-range projects, like funding Cascadia seismic preparation and cybersecurity because Ways and Means have prioritized more immediate policy issues pressures like health care and housing. ODOT officials discussed road and bridge access for rescue and evacuation. Rep. Gomberg described the tsunami warning he got this summer. Rep. Evans described the gravity of emergency management, underscored by Oregon city and county speakers and the Benton County Sheriff. State and local agencies plan and practice on an ongoing basis. Meeting materials included maps. Between the Cascadia threat of earthquake and wildfires, there are lots of risks, ODOT and others take a 2-prong approach: resiliency and planning, then response and recovery. Land slides are one of our biggest risks with erosion and earthquake damage. Some local residents were forced to reroute onto 4,5, and 6-hour diversions. The ShakeAlert Early Warning System is working. It is possible to get various alerts on your cell phone . This could be helpful for the impending Cascadia earthquake. 95% of Oregon’s fuel is in Portland, and we don’t have enough fuel for evacuations. Two league volunteers cover our CEI (Critical Energy Infrastructure) Hubs. See Multnomah CO , or Portland Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project. Consumer Protection, Another budget challenge example Speaking to “Economic Justice in Oregon: Fighting for Working Families” In the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, Attorney General Rayfield discussed the Oregon DoJ reorganizing. Several divisions have merged to focus more on front line issues. They’ve identified 14 FTEs and are already hiring, noting the quality of applicants who’ve left federal employment. As feds pull consumer protection funding, states must try to fill gaps. Oregon’s Consumer Protection capacity is doubling, but still only half the size of Washington’s. The Consumer Protection Hotline (877.877.9392), with a new economic justice section, is averaging 200 calls a week Cybersecurity and AI. League member Lindsey Washburn is covering AI and helping develop an LWVOR AI policy. She organized the AI Workshop for Cities on October 3 and is joining the Technology Association of Oregon delegation to the Tallinn Digital Summit in Estonia. Voters’ privacy rights violation Oregon, our Secretary of State, (and Maine) were sued in federal court by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to get personal protected information for all 3 million Oregon voters. See press , The Department of Justice is sharing voter roll data with the Department of Homeland Security, Stateline reported last week .) See LWV “ Class Action Lawsuit Challenges Trump-Vance Administration’s Unlawful “National Data Banks” That Consolidate Sensitive Personal Information Across Federal Agencies , Sept 30, 2025. Sanctuary counties The US Government sued four Oregon counties to provide immigration information to deport 10 convicted immigrants. ( press ) Subpoenas were issued in July, but Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Marion counties did not provide the information. Oregon’s 1987, first-in-the-nation sanctuary law, bars state and local officials from providing information or resources for the federal government to enforce immigration laws without a court order signed by a judge. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Jean was introduced to the League in 2008 after she retired as a Professor of Educational Psychology at Northern Illinois University. Her first experience was serving on the national League’s study committee which developed the Federal Role in Public Education position. She headed the equity part of the study. After that experience, she joined the LWV of Illinois Issues and Advocacy Committee, which she chaired from 2014-2023. In 2023 she moved to Oregon, joining the Washington County Unit and the LWVOR Action Committee. Currently, Jean serves as Chair of the Action Committee for the state League. She is the Coordinator of Social Policy, with a focus on Education issues. Jean Pierce 2nd Vice President and Action Chair Jean was introduced to the League in 2008 after she retired as a Professor of Educational Psychology at Northern Illinois University. Her first experience was serving on the national League’s study committee which developed the Federal Role in Public Education position. She headed the equity part of the study. After that experience, she joined the LWV of Illinois Issues and Advocacy Committee, which she chaired from 2014-2023. In 2023 she moved to Oregon, joining the Washington County Unit and the LWVOR Action Committee. Currently, Jean serves as Chair of the Action Committee for the state League. She is the Coordinator of Social Policy, with a focus on Education issues.

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 - 3/4 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: Campaign Finance Other Governance Bills Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill An amazingly historic thing happened with campaign finance reform as explained here in the Capital Chronicle . The League initially opposed HB 4024 ; see the League’s written testimony . After over a week of private negotiations, a new -5 amendment and then a -8 amendment were posted for the Wednesday 3/6 House Rules work session . The good government groups were able to negotiate some 40 changes to the previously-proposed amendments, enough to make the bill acceptable and to avoid a huge ballot measure fight in the November election. The agreement included IP 9 and IP 42 being withdrawn and HB 4024 not being referred to the ballot. The bill then quickly passed the House floor 52 to 5, a Senate Rules hearing and work session, and the Senate floor 22 to 6 on the last day of the session. Only Gov. Kotek’s signature is now required. We should be clear: Campaign finance reform is not finished in Oregon. There will undoubtedly be adjustments attempted in the 2025 long legislative session. The contributions limits in HB 2024 are way too high, and the disclosure of donors and dark money that pay for advertising, needs more work. The Secretary of State will need funding to implement the bill by its 2027 effective date. And we still need public funding of campaigns as in other states. Other Governance Bills HB 4021 A , which requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy, passed the House floor 35 to 22. However, it stalled after a 3/5 hearing in Senate Rules and was still in committee on adjournment. HB 4026 Enrolled, was amended in House Rules to retroactively prohibit the use of a referendum on any urban growth boundary expansion. This blocks a referendum in the City of North Plains in Washington County. The LWVOR submitted written testimony opposing the amendment and saying the bill is likely unconstitutional and may invite a lawsuit. The bill passed the House 49 to 5 and then the Senate 25 to 3. See also the Land Use Section of the Natural Resources Legislative Report. HB 4031 Enrolled was amended in House Revenue to protect any local government tax payer information from disclosure. It passed the House 57 to 0 and then the Senate 26 to 3. HB 4032 , which would remove the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court, had a public hearing but no further action in House Rules. HB 4117 Enrolled, which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which is a correction to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed the House immediately and unanimously. The bill then passed the Senate 30 to 0. SB 1502 Enrolled requires public schools and college boards to live stream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. The bill passed the Senate 29 to 1. The bill then passed the House 55 to 1. SB 1538 A , an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes, was passed by the Senate as amended on 20 to 10 vote. House Rules then amended the bill to allow the Legislature to write the ballot title and explanatory statement for any constitutional amendment referred to the ballot during this session. The House then passed the bill 45 to 6, and the Senate quickly concurred with the House amendment 22 to 7. Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Rebecca Gladstone The 2024 short session adjourned congenially before the final deadline. These bills passed, supported with League testimony: Campaign Finance Reform, HB 4024 , see above. AI, to disclose synthetic media use in campaign SB 1571 A . The Senate concurred with House amendments passing the bill on partisan lines. We look forward to pressing for attention to protect our elections and for other cybersecurity and privacy concerns. The Senate Memorial Commemoration for Alice Bartelt, SCR 203 passed unanimously from the House floor, some excused, and it has been filed with the Secretary of State. RIP Alice. Increase Voters’ Pamphlet languages SB 1533 passed in the House with some excused. Not passing out of committee: Automatic Voter Registration for students SB 1577 -3 due to widely shared concerns for practical implementation, including from the League, despite generally supporting expanding automatic voter registration.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 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 Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Initiatives Courts and Privacy Government Ethics Initiatives HJR 3 (require signatures in every county) and HJR 11 (greatly increase the number of signatures required) were both heard in House Rules 3/10. Either of these constitutional amendments would have to be voted on in a general election. However, either would destroy the initiative process as we know it by making it much, much more difficult to get an initiative on the ballot. The legislature would, in effect, be insulating itself from being second-guessed by the voters. However, the whole purpose of the initiative process is for voters to have a say in issues that the legislature has failed to deal with. The League strongly opposes both these bills. Courts and Privacy By Becky Gladstone This week’s Joint Legislative Council Public Records committee hearing had more background for panelists, noting that cybersecurity and IT support are like plumbing, you don‘t think about them unless they don’t work. Tuesday’s Future of FEMA: Perspectives from the Emergency Management Community , hearing video highlighted an additional 800 in staffing cuts projected on top of 300 already cut. Anticipate urging to protect FEMA. HB 3012 calls for 16 and 17 year olds who are registered to vote, being able to cast ballots soley for their school districts. The League lacks a position for a specific optimal voting age. We have Strongly supported learning to vote, both with repeated legislative advocacy and for decades with our Mock Elections and Civics Education curriculum. See League COMMENTS filed , including in the hearing video , at time stamp: 1:14:49 to 1:15:58. Verbal testimony was limited to one minute. HB 2581 to coordinate expanded resiliency services with the State Resiliency Officer (SRO), is scheduled for a Senate side work session after passing a House floor vote last week, League testimony . HB 2341 , to add veterans’ email addresses to shared information, has a Senate side public hearing scheduled, after passing a House floor vote with 58 in favor, two excused, League testimony . SB 470 is scheduled for a work session, League testimony filed and presented in support. This bill to protect lodgers’ privacy from illicitly taken videos, seemed likely to generate amendments from discussion in the public hearing but none have been recorded. Upcoming SB 414 is an AI bill, making disclosing fake intimate images a crime. It was slated for a public hearing, removed and rescheduling is anticipated, with League support. HB 5537 We anticipate speaking to this SoS budget bill, during the week of April 7. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey SB 983 to be heard 3/17 in the Senate Education committee, would allow a local public official to discuss, debate and vote on a local budget that includes compensation for the public official or their relative after announcing an actual conflict of interests. This would be a major change in ethics laws . Small local jurisdictions are where most of the conflicts of interest arise. HB 2330 would create a task force to come up with ideas to address fraudulent schemes that target the elderly. The bill passed out of House Commerce and Consumer Protection to the House floor with a 10 to 0 vote. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 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: Campaign Finance Redistricting Websites, public records, and geospatial information The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. House Rules met May 31 to hear from representatives of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy. Senate Rules met May 20 to consider various appointments. Campaign Finance A CFR workgroup called by Rep. Fahey began meeting via video conferencing June 3. The workgroup’s goals are to identify technical adjustments needed to ensure successful implementation of HB 4024 (2024), recommend legislative fixes for 2025, and consider broader policy improvements for future sessions. The workgroup includes most of the groups from business, labor and Honest Elections that negotiated on HB 4024. The LWVOR is represented by Norman Turrill. The Interim Joint Emergency Board decided May 31 to fund the request of the Secretary of State for the work required to implement HB 4024 (2024). Included are 17 new staff positions and an overhaul of ORESTAR. The Elections division has a backlog of 750 election complaints. Redistricting The Oregon Court of Appeals decided March 27 in favor of People Not Politicians that IP 14 does not include two subjects. Our Oregon has now requested a review of the Court of Appeals decision by the Oregon Supreme Court. Their purpose seems to be further delay of redistricting reform. People Not Politicians previously announced that it is pausing the initiative signature campaign for IP 14 . It has now refiled an initiative for the 2028 general election. Websites, public records, and geospatial information By Rebecca Gladstone Several governance groups covered in this LR section have been active since the 2024 short session ended. May 2024 EPAB (Electronic Portal Advisory Board) news: EPAB meets quarterly to oversee state agency websites. The League is represented in the Public Member position, with Rebecca Gladstone appointed by Governor Brown in 2019.Watch for the upcoming state Elections website redesign, featuring ORVIS , the new Voter Registration system, early in 2025! ORESTAR updates are expected to follow soon after. The Oregon Newsroom , the updated state “Newsroom 2.0” website has launched with category and agency menus, and current articles. The ORMaps Project , Tax Districting Work Group through the Department of Revenue met on May 22nd. Significantly, we were referred to the Oregon GeoHub , “Oregon’s Authoritative Geospatial Repository” because our LWVOR They Represent You website efforts begun in 2013 may again hold promise. This group convened in 2022, inviting LWV to work with the policy group to advocate for elections’ districts (Becky Gladstone) and the technical group to improve the data organization and access for our VOTE411 work (Peggy Bengry). SB 417 Public Records Work Group will reconvene soon to prepare for the 2025 session. Technical discussions stalled during the 2024 session around filling public records requests, setting fees, coordinating between government entities, and prioritizing work with limited budgets. The recent unprecedented volume of public records requests seen in our elections offices was addressed in earlier Legislative Reports. The Oregon Transparency Website update ( report ) is complete, as presented to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Management and Technology on May 30. The State AI Advisory Council will meet next on June 11. Https Graphic