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Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 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 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: After School and Summer Behavioral Health Civil Commitment Education Gun Policy Healthcare Housing Legislation Immigration Revenue After School and Summer By Katie Riley There are several bills that are dealing with afterschool and summer care. On Monday, March 17th, the League visited legislators to ask that HB 3039 and HB 2007 which both concern summer learning, include a differentiation of care during non-school time from summer school for both funding and data reporting purposes. The offices that were visited included those for Senators Lieber, Sollman, and Bonham and Representatives Ruiz and Sanchez. Those visits were selected due to their leadership positions on party caucuses and/or committees that determine budget allocations. We also talked to legislative sponsoring offices for SB 876 (Sen. Dick Anderson) and HB 3162 (Rep. Jami Cate), both of whom propose funding for after school care. SB 876 has passed out of committee and will need to be voted on by the Senate before it can be sent to the House for consideration. HB 3162 has not received a committee hearing so it may not progress further. The House Committee on Education was scheduled to have a hearing on Wednesday, March 19th on HB 3039 and HB 2007 but only HB 2007 had a hearing. Both bills have had amendments submitted which help to improve the focus on expanded learning to include the possibility of after school care during the summer. Senator Sollman and Representative Ruiz who authored HB 2007 with Representative Fahey testified. Time was limited so only a few community members were able to testify and most supported the bill with the new amendment submitted by Representative Susan McLain. LWVOR submitted written testimony for both bills encouraging further amendment to differentiate care during after school hours from summer school. Without separate data, it will be impossible to determine the impact of each component. It is expected that the HB 3039 and HB 2007 may be combined. Since HB 3039 is one of the Governor's priority bills, legislators are working hard to address problems before the bill is passed out of committee. A work session is scheduled in the committee for Monday, March 24th. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller The House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee held a public hearing and work session on HB3129 (Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund.) LWVOR submitted testimony earlier in support of this bill. The committee adopted an amendment to the bill which includes a minimum service requirement of at least two years for student recipients. It also increased the amount appropriated for the bill from $17,900,000 to $25,700,000. The bill passed the committee on March 18 and was referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Civil Commitment By Patricia Garner SB 171 / HB 2467 : A significant amendment to these bills is anticipated to be filed by the Forensic Behavioral Health Work Group chaired by Representative Jason Kropf. The primary proponent of the legislation is the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Oregon (NAMI). Current law provides that a person can be civilly committed if that person is dangerous to self or others, but importantly, dangerousness to self or others is not defined. This ambiguity has created significant barriers to civil commitment. This LC attempts to remedy this ambiguity. It provides that dangerousness to self / others takes place when a person is engaged in or is threatening to engage in behavior that resulted in or was likely to result in physical harm to self /another, and it is reasonably foreseeable that due to their mental disorder, they will engage in behavior that presents a risk of harm to self/others in the near future. Importantly, “near future” is specifically defined as a period of time that is reasonably foreseeable, but no more than 14 days. “Physical harm” is also clarified as physical contact that results in injury to another, and serious physical harm places a person at a “non-speculative” risk of death, impairment of health or bodily organs, including impairment or deterioration of brain function due to untreated psychiatric conditions. In deciding whether someone should be committed, the court is also specifically authorized to consider whether that person has insight into their mental illness and their ability to follow a treatment plan. This latter factor relates to anosognosia, a neurological condition where a person is unable to recognize her or his own illness, which is common in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. (See Judiciary Committee Hearing at 54:15 minutes). The prevalence of anosognosia in mental illness means that many people are not just avoiding treatment, but rather they do not apprehend they even have a mental illness. The LC also specifies several factors that can be used when a person is subject to commitment because of danger to self. Some of these factors include recent overt acts attempting to cause serious physical harm to self, recent threats to inflict this harm, the context of such acts or threats, and any past behavior resulting from a mental disorder that caused physical harm to self and past patterns of deterioration that contributed to prior involuntary hospitalizations. Dangerousness to others generally follows this format, but also recent destructive acts against property that were reasonably likely to place others at risk of injury HB 2015 – Oregon Residential Services Legislation This bill is currently a placeholder but should shortly be amended to require the Oregon Health Authority to study and make recommendations (9-25 and 9-26) to the Legislature about a range of issues related to residential treatment facilities and homes. The areas for review are detailed. For example, they include considerations that staffing costs for a facility should not change when the acuity of an individual changes, the workforce needs to be paid a professional wage, whether and how to support discharge from residential levels of placement, and how to create one license and set of rules for Transition Aged Youth Residential Treatment Homes that serve people 17.5 to 24 years of age. Education By Jean Pierce Recently, the Trump administration sent a “ Dear Colleague ” letter pressuring educational administrators not to “embrace pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences”. This was accompanied by a FAQ sheet. In addition, there is an Executive Order threatening cuts to essential programs if schools honor standards of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). So on March 13th Oregon’s Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, joined 14 other state attorneys general to provide guidance regarding what public schools can do to honor the law. They note that “nothing in the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter or FAQ changes existing law and well-established legal principles that encourage—and even require—schools to promote educational opportunity for students of all backgrounds.” This week the administration issued an Executive Order closing the Department of Education. While the administration insists that it will continue funding student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking, still no plan has been suggested for how that might happen. The Education Law Center has a helpful tool showing how much federal funding for K-12 education each state is receiving for FY 2025. The total for Oregon is more than $433 Million. This includes close to $200 million for Title 1 (funding for educating low income students) and more than $170 million for IDEA (funding education of students with special needs). Legislation which advanced this week SB 1098 , which prohibits discrimination when selecting or retaining school library materials, textbooks or instructional materials or when developing and implementing a curriculum was passed unamended with a partisan vote, by the Senate Education Committee. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. HB2997 , which directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to establish a grant program to expand access to populations which are under-represented in colleges and universities, was passed with a partisan vote by the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development with an amendment to appropriate $5 million. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. HB 3182 , which directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award grants to nonprofit organizations providing affordable housing support to low-income students. was passed 6 to 1 with minor amendments by the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. HB 3183 , which would appropriate money to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide no-cost, low-cost textbooks and course materials across Oregon’s colleges and universities, was passed 6 to 1 by the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development with an amendment lowering the amount appropriated from $4.5 million to $2 million. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. Gun Policy By Marge Easley Six gun policy bills are now making their way through the legislative process. HB 3075 , heard on March 17 in House Judiciary, contains details for implementing the firearm permitting requirement in Measure 114 (2022). The committee received over 1000 pieces of testimony on the bill, including testimony from the League, and emotions ran high during oral testimony in the packed hearing room. A work session is scheduled for April 2. HB 3076 , heard on March 20 in House Judiciary, establishes a gun dealer licensing program in Oregon. League testimony stated that a state system is needed to curtail illegal guns that are used in crimes, often obtained through straw purchases and gun shop thefts. Oversight is currently under the direction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), but the agency is woefully underfunded, and inspections are a rarity. A work session on the bill is scheduled for April 2. The League is also following four additional gun policy bills that are scheduled for an omnibus hearing and possible work sessions in the Senate Judiciary on April 7. SB 696 bans rapid-fire devices that convert semi-automatic weapons to the nearly full-automatic. SB 697 raises the age to purchase military-style weapons like AR-15s from age 18 to 21. SB 698 expands the types of public buildings that are authorized to ban firearms, even for holders of concealed handgun licenses (CHLs). SB 429 creates a 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of a firearm. Healthcare By Christa Danielson HB 2010-A : The League submitted testimon y for this bill, which extends the funding for the state portion of Medicaid. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the President of the Senate as well as the Speaker of the House. It will be heading to the Governor’s desk for consideration of signature. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona The Senate Committee on Housing and Development will hold another public hearing on SB 722 on March 26. The bill would prohibit residential landlords from software and occupancy control, and would apply rent caps for younger properties. This bill would help prevent displacement by prohibiting landlords of multifamily housing from using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to inflate rents or occupancy rates. This unethical practice is the subject of national attention . Attorneys General in eight states, including Oregon, have joined the Justice Department in an antitrust suit to disallow this method of sharing and aligning non-public information to drive up rents. The bill also would reduce the current 15-year exemption for new construction from our statewide rent stabilization statute down to 7 years. This change would provide reasonable rent stabilization protection for an additional 40,000 housing units and between 80,000 to 100,000 Oregonians. Oregon renters are the 6th most cost burdened in the nation, and our eviction crisis is growing with more than 27,000 cases filed last year. Eighty-eight percent of evictions are because tenants cannot afford Oregon’s high rents. Studies show that rent stabilization policies help keep tenants stably housed and reduce evictions. The League provided testimony in support of SB 722 . The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness will hold a public hearing on HB 2964 on March 26. It would direct Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to provide grants and loans for predevelopment costs for new affordable housing. OHCS would have the responsibility to administer a grant and loan program for predevelopment costs for new affordable housing for low-income households to rent or own. OHCS would integrate this program into its existing Predevelopment Loan Fund with monies from the General Fund. Properties would be developed with affordability restrictions to ensure that they remain affordable. Oregon's population growth has outpaced housing construction leading to a severe shortage of affordable properties. This bill will give our state’s lower income households an opportunity to live in stable, new and affordable housing. The League provided testimony in support o f HB 2964 . Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Bill # Description Policy Committee Status $* Chief Sponsors + Comments SB 149 Immigration Study SCJ PH & WS 4/2 Y Sen Jama DHS SB 599A Immigration status: Discrimination in Real Estate transactions Floor Floor vote 3/24 Sen Campos Carry over SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented SC HS - JWM PH 3/25, Work Sess 4/1 Y Sen Campos Rep Ruiz SB 703 A bipartisan immigration status update funding bill SCJ PH 3/19 WS 3/26 6 Sen Reynolds, Reps Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony SB 1119 To prohibit employers from engaging in unfair immigration-related practices. SCLAB PH 3/27, Work Sess 4/1 Sen. Taylor SB 1140 Prohibits requirements that employees speak only English in workplace unless business necessity SCLAB PH 3/27, Work Sess 4/1 Sen. Taylor HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. HC LWPS PH 3/12 WS 4/2 Reps Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 Funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. HC ECHS wk Ses 3/25 Rep Hartman HB2788 Funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status/legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Reps Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 Nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Sen Ed 3/12 Reps Hudson, Sen Campos House vote 36 v 18 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, Reps Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193 Farm Worker Relief Fund HC LWPS Wk Ses 3/24 10 Rep Marsh, Sen Pham, Rep Valderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund JCWM-GG ? 7 Das We are considering joining a coalition that has recently formed to support a number of 2025 bills affecting many agricultural workers and other immigrants. There may be League alerts on this topic later this session. (refer to Immigration LR) Revenue By Peggy Lynch The Co-Chairs of Ways and Means provided their framework for the 2025-27 state budget. Note on the last page the potential effect of federal budget cuts. This Oregonlive article suggests some of the most painful cuts. The Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Capital Construction met on March 21st and received a report from the State Treasurer, including the 2025 bonding capacity: “$2.22 Billion Issuance For Each Biennium, Or $1.11 Billion Annually” . We note that this capacity is based on the Sept. 2024 Revenue Forecast. Also, there is a recommendation that bond sales be scattered throughout the biennium instead of waiting until the last quarter of the biennium. However, that means that the cost of debt service will have to be calculated into the 2025-27 budget. But scattering the sales can also provide the legislature with a pullback of those sales should the economy not support the ability of the state to back those bonds. The Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) on behalf of the Governor reported on the Governor’s bond requests in her 2025-27 budget. A complete list is available here . 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 5/8 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 Immigration, Refugee & other Basic Rights Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Despite the controversy over sensitive bills and the walkout by Senate Republicans since last May 3, legislators continue to hold committee meetings with the intention of meeting their constitutional obligation to adjourn after 160 days, which is Sunday, June 25 at midnight. This past week many important housing bills were passed by both the Senate and House. SB 702 Adopts training for real estate appraisers and assistants : This bill requires inclusion of information on state and federal fair housing laws and implicit and racial bias in training for real estate appraiser certification. The League submitted testimony in support. On May 8 the House, on third reading, passed this legislation. SB 611 B Modifies the maximum allowable residential rent increase for designated units: This bill will change from 7% plus the September annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to the lesser of either 10%, or 7% plus the CPI. This will limit rent increases on tenancies (other than week-to-week tenancies) to not more than once in any 12-month period. This also applies to the rent increase limit to units from which a tenant was evicted. A May 4 work session was held by Senate Rules with a do pass. SB 599 A Allows tenants to operate home-based childcare: requires 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. House Early Childhood and Human Services held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 3462 Emergency housing for all: This bill will extend access to emergency housing for all, regardless of immigration status, when the federal government declares a state of emergency in Oregon. Housing access would comply with the federal Fair Housing Act. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 3042 Protections for residents of housing with expiring affordability contracts: will prohibit landlords from terminating a tenancy in the three years after the housing has been withdrawn from an affordability contract. It also would limit rent increases to no more than annually, and those increases could be no greater than what is allowed by law. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 3151 Manufactured housing dispute resolution and tenant legal aid: prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to pay fees for improvements, pay system development charges, or cover the cost of repairs or improvements that cannot be removed when the tenant moves away. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 2680 A Screening fees changes for rental applications: requires a landlord to refund screening fees within 30 days if the landlord fills the unit before screening the applicant or if the application is withdrawn before the screening takes place. If the landlord fails to return the fee, damages the applicant may recover range from $150 to $250 under the new legislation. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session with a do pass recommendation. Immigration, Refugee & other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Bills we are supporting or following: HB 2957 A in JW&Ms, -4 Staff Measure Summary . Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Fiscal. League Testimony . HB 3176 A : ‘Welcome and Reception’ program for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, In JW&Ms with 9/1 vote. Staff Measure Summary . Public Hearing was March 8 . Fiscal . Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: SB 627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals ($15M) Sen Lieber. In JW&Ms with a partisan vote. The League has supported this policy/funding category in the past. Fiscal Analysis . Bills of Interest or possible League support: SB 849 A Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS -1 :. Now in JW&Ms. Fiscal $20M grant fund. Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals. Basic Needs SB 610 A : Now in JW&Ms. Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal , Staff Measure Summary . HB 2990 A : Now in JW&Ms. Resilience Hubs. Directs Oregon Health Authority to develop and implement grant programs to support resilience hubs and networks in Oregon. Fiscal Statement Other Bills SB 216 A 5/8 governor signed . Related to data collected by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), request of Governor Kate Brown. OHA set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). HB 2905 : 5/9. work session, vote 5,0,0,2. Expands the list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. In Senate Committee Awaiting transfer to the President’s Desk. SB 421 A Work session 3/30 moved to JW&Ms with 6/1 vote, establishes a youth advisory council. Prescribes youth standards advisory council membership and duties. ODE to establish a work group to establish member selection process. Staff Measure Summary , Fiscal SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. In Senate Rules. SB 612 A Establishes Indigenous Language Justice $ 2.5M Fund . Requires nonprofit organization in this state to serve as fiscal agent to receive disbursement of moneys for purposes related to supporting Indigenous languages interpretation in this state. In JW&M. SB 911 Creates Commission for Original Peoples from South America, Central America and Mexico. Still In Senate Rules, WS was 3/28. fiscal Other Topics Oregon announces it will stockpile abortion drug – 4/20/23 - Oregon Capital Chronicle. The Washington legislature passed a bill related to this topic Governor Inslee administration submitted the request and drugs were purchased in March. Lawmakers briefed on WA plan to distribute abortion pill | The Seattle Times. Washington state purchases three-year suppl y of abortion pill | 4/4/23 - Reuters. LWVOR corresponded with Oregon Planned Parenthood on Apr 11 concerning this topic. LWVWA supported SB5768 . The Washington bill was posted 4/5 and signed by the governor 4/27.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - November Interim 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: Behavioral Health and Public Safety Housing and Homelessness Immigration Behavioral Health and Public Safety By Karen Nibler The Joint Interim Addiction and Community Response Committee held an in-depth discussion on the controlled substance crimes of unlawful possession, manufacture or delivery of illegal drugs during November interim legislative days. Felony and misdemeanor crimes were reviewed, and Class E possession of small amounts of drugs were explained under BM 110. Sentencing for Class E violations (BM 110) could draw a fine of $45 to $100. Screening or treatment cancels the citation. Failure to respond draws no consequence. The police and sheriff representatives held that addiction and mental illness are health issues and they have no tools to abate. They need places to take drug users for services and need tools to shut down public use and open markets. City and county law enforcement requested that the legislature consider new legal options for diversion and drug treatment. The BM 110 providers are not connected with law enforcement. The Court system has diversion and treatment options but the inadequate availability of public defenders continues to be problematic. Expect these issues to be examined in the 2024 legislative session. Public Defense Services Commission The Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee heard reports on PDSC salary plan increases and classification changes. In January new members will join the commission and the agency will move under Governor’s Office oversight. Current court system actions are to reduce the number of filings, speed up case disposition, hire additional attorneys, and increase the capacity of attorneys in the system. The Criminal Justice Commission staff are monitoring district plans and implementation now. House Judiciary heard a progress report on a Restorative Justice Grant that serves crime victims in 7 areas for one year. The grant was set up and is monitored by the Criminal Justice Commission. The Mental Health Courts Workgroup is scheduled to report to the 2025 session on the civil commitment procedures and assisted outpatient treatment in the state court system. Statistics submitted showed 8,000 cases in 2022 with only 6% committed to the hospital, 15% in diversion programs, 29% dismissed after investigations, and 61% dismissed prior to investigation. The Oregon State Hospital has been at capacity due to Aid and Assist evaluations resulting in efforts to treat locally. Community Mental Health Programs in counties bear the responsibility for patients discharged from the state hospital who need housing or secure facilities. State funding is needed for these services as well as case management. Marion County District Attorney commented on the numbers of homeless persons released from the OSH. Many of these patients are currently unserved in the Salem community without follow-up care after leaving the hospital. It was estimated that Marion County bears a $2 million cost for released patients. School Based Health Center supporters testified in the House Behavioral Health Committee on the preventive services offered by nurses in school based health centers on public school campuses. The nurses managed chronic conditions, preventive options, mental health and physical health referrals. Continued funding for nurses is requested for school clinics. Housing and Homelessness By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan The Oregon Housing Alliance is gearing up to propose its 2024 legislative priorities and concepts. On 11/16 it held its annual membership meeting in Salem. Representing the League of Women Voters, a member of the Housing Alliance, were Nancy Donovan, LWV of Oregon and Beth Jacobi, LWV of Deschutes County. The following guest speakers provided overviews of the 2024 legislative session: · Representative Maxine Dexter, Chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness, · Policy staff from Governor Kotek’s Office on Housing and Homelessness: Housing and Homeless Initiative Director, Taylor Smiley Wolfe, and Housing Advisor, Matthew Tschabold. · Christopher Allanach from the Legislative Revenue Office reviewed the newly released 11/15 quarterly state revenue forecast. The Housing Alliance presented their proposed 2024 legislative priorities and strategies below for the 2024 short session. The Housing Alliance did not ask meeting members to vote at this early juncture. Homeownership 1. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs): $10-12 million from the general fund to provide Individual Development Accounts and financial education for additional 600-700 households statewide. 2. Housing Production: $7-15 million from the general fund, to be paired with the state’s Local Innovation and Fast Tract (LIFT) bonds to build new homes for first-time buyers in the state. 3. Mortgages for homebuyers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to remove barriers to mortgage lending for borrowers to use their ITIN numbers to establish their identity. Affordable Housing Preservation 1. $125 million to keep Oregonians housed by acquiring and or renovating buildings, including those with expiring affordability restrictions. 2. $2 million for tenant outreach, education, and resource navigation. Grants would enable community-based organizations to help residents in buildings that are scheduled to lose their affordability restrictions. Homeless Prevention and Shelter Operations 1. (TBD) million to keep Oregonians housed by providing emergency rent assistance. Due to the high cost of rent, over 80% of evictions are for non-payment. 2. (TBD) million to maintain homeless shelter operations in Bend, Cottage Grove, Eugene, Medford, and Salem, which were established using American Rescue Plan Act money. The Senate and House interim committees on housing and homelessness met during the Legislative Committee Days in early November. The topics below provide a preview of possible hot topics to be considered during the upcoming short session. Interim committees are authorized by the Legislative Assembly to study subjects between sessions. The House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness held an interim informational meeting on 11/17. The housing and homeless topics presented by organizations are below. · Medicaid 1115 Waiver Housing Component Implementation · Homelessness Response Strategies · Regional Homeless Services Coordination · Land Readiness and Infrastructure in Cities · Manufactured Housing: Stability and Affordability for Residents · Urban Unincorporated Areas in Metro Counties Workgroup The Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development met on 11/6/2023. The following housing topics were discussed during the meeting. · Statewide Eviction Landscape · Joint Task Force on Addressing Racial Disparity in Homeownership · Land Availability within the Faith Communities Immigration/Refugee/Asylum By Claudia Keith There continues to be growth in Oregon Immigration and Refugee populations that will affect a number of state agencies. This policy topic will likely not be addressed in 2024 however given the favorable revenue forecast additional funding may be added during the 2024 short session. LWVUS Joins Letter Urging President to Finalize Rule on Health Coverage for DACA Recipients | League of Women Voters Oregon has $3.6 million in grants to help refugees from Afghanistan – Oregon Capital Chronicle, Immigrants' Rights | ACLU of Oregon, Unaccompanied Children Released to Sponsors by State | The Administration for Children and Families

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 5/29 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Housing Criminal Justice Gun Safety Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York The continued Republican walkout has prevented 17 floor sessions from being held, with 150 bills waiting to be worked on by the Senate after significant effort and gaining bipartisan support. Unfortunately, due to the walkout, the Senate can recommend passage, but is unable to vote on key bills. It is unlikely that the bills will be voted on before the session ends. SB 892 A will amend housing statutes and laws of the Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Housing Stability Council to add federally recognized tribes as community development corporations to allow access, and to administer housing funds. The House held a third reading and the bill passed on May 25. SB 225 will address a problem with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. The bill addresses a barrier, which would allow Oregon Housing and Community Services to move forward on affordable housing developments to avoid construction delays and cost increases. The House passed the bill on May 25. HB 2680 A would strengthen and clarify legislation passed in 2019 related to screening fees charged for rental applications. The bill requires the landlord to refund screening fees within 14 days if the apartment is filled before screening the applicant or if the application is withdrawn before the screening takes place. The Senate Committee on Housing and Development recommended a do pass on May 30. A second reading will be held May 31, and a third reading will be held on 6/1. HB 3151 would limit improvements landlords of manufactured home parks can require of tenants. It also will extend the sunset date on a landlord/tenant dispute resolution program. Senate Housing and Development recommended a do pass on May 30. A second reading will be held on May 31, and a third reading on 6/1. 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. Senate Housing and Development recommended a do pass on May 30. A second reading will be held on May 31, and a third reading on 6/1. SB 611 B would modify the maximum annual residential rent increase for affected units to the lesser of 10%, or 7% plus the consumer price index one-year change. It applies the rent increase limit to units from which a tenant was evicted. The bill is awaiting a second reading by the Senate on 5/31 and a third reading on June 1. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Karen Nibler A May 31 press release issued by House and Senate Democrats announced a $4 Billion Public Safety and Accountability Budget Framework to emphasize strong support for Oregon’s crisis response network that includes the Oregon Department of Justice ($813 million), Oregon State Police ($611 million), Department of Corrections ($2.2 billion), Oregon Judicial Department ($750 million), Department of Public Safety and Safety Standards and Training ($83 million), and the State Fire Marshal ($73.9 million). Many of the framework’s details are contained in the following criminal justice bills passed by the J W&Ms in recent days. On May 26, W&Ms passed SB 344 to continue Justice Reinvestment programs, SB 1034 to allocate federal funding for at risk youth, HB 5012 to fund district attorney expenses, HB 5022 to fund the Governor’s Office administration, HB 5055 to fund the Criminal Justice Commission, SB 5513 relating to judicial conduct, SB 5514 on child support in the Department of Justice Budget, HB 5515 to fund the Bureau of Labor and Industries, HB 5535 to fund the Racing Commission, and HB 5541 to fund the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA). The latter bill drew the most comments and 3 nays by Sen. Hansell, Rep. Lewis, and Rep. Breese-Iverson. OYA has a high number of staff positions (990) and behavioral residential beds (328) funded. There was a reduction in the number of beds with a higher rate per bed noted. Most discussion focused on Behavioral Residential Services and mental health needs for youth. The agency has scheduled an upgrade of the Juvenile Justice Information System, which is used by County Juvenile staff and OYA staff. The Subcommittee on Public Safety approved several bills on May 30, which will soon be voted on in full W&Ms: HB 5017 funds the Department of Emergency Management, SB 900 A establishes the Organized Retail Theft Grant Program, HB 2320 A establishes the Juvenile Justice Policy Commission, and HB 2772 A defines terms related to domestic terrorism. On the May 31 docket for the full W&Ms are SB 5512 to fund the Judicial Department, HB 2225 to increase fees for court transcripts, HB 2316 A to expand the number of intoxicants included in the driving under the influence statute, and HB 2645 B to increase penalties for fentanyl possession. Gun Safety By Marge Easley The Republican walkout continues to stall the passage of gun safety bills HB 2005 and SB 348. However, we will be closely monitoring the five-day federal trial on Measure 114 that starts June 5 with U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut presiding. According to a May 30 th Oregonian article , The City of Portland recently submitted a court brief in support of the measure, particularly the ban on large capacity magazines, citing the city’s record number of 101 homicides and 1,306 shootings in 2022, on the heels of the 92 homicides and 1,315 shootings in 2021.

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.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/27 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 Gun Safety Criminal Justice Human Services Housing Gun Safety By Marge Easley As implementation of Measure 114 (permit-to-purchase and high-capacity magazine ban) remains in limbo awaiting court decisions, a bill has just been introduced by several Republican legislators that would, in effect, allow counties to opt out of enforcing the measure. HB 3445 gives a county the authorization to adopt an ordinance to make Measure 114’s permit-to-purchase requirements optional for county sheriffs, police chiefs, gun dealers, and county residents. Although the bill will likely fail to progress and has not yet been referred to a committee, we will keep you informed of its progress. SB 993 , sponsored by Senator Brian Boquist and referred to the Senate Judiciary, is an interesting bill that we will be keeping an eye on. It creates the crimes of pointing a firearm at another person and unlawful carrying of a handgun, increases penalties for crimes of criminal trespass while in possession of a firearm, and directs the Oregon State Police to maintain a database of those convicted of crimes related to firearms. Meanwhile, gun sales continue to soar in Oregon. Here are some alarming facts from a recent article in 247wallst.com : “ The FBI conducted an estimated 55,581 background checks related to firearm sales in Oregon in January 2023, up 88.7% from the same period in 2022. Adjusting for population, this comes out to about 13.1 background checks for every 1,000 people, the most among states.” Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler The League submitted supportive testimony on two bills, both heard on February 27 in the House Judiciary, related to programs at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. HB 2535 establishes a doula program for pregnant and postpartum adults in custody that would provide an array of doula services overseen by an onsite pregnancy coordinator. The bill also prohibits shackling during labor, childbirth, or postpartum recovery. HB 2731 authorizes the long-term continuation of the Family Preservation Project under the auspices of the Oregon Justice Commission (OJC) and the Department of Corrections. This program, supported by the League in previous sessions, promotes family connections during incarceration and is a lifeline for inmates and their children. The League submitted testimony on HB 2327 , which was heard on March 2 in the House Judiciary Committee. The bill permits county juvenile departments to provide preventive services for children under 12 who engage in delinquent behavior. The League is pleased that another criminal justice bill we have supported is moving forward: SB 529 , relating to alternative incarceration programs for those suffering from addiction disorders, passed the Senate on January 22 and is now awaiting referral to a House committee. The Senate Judiciary scheduled SB 519 A for a hearing on March 2 on an amendment. The bill related to juvenile delinquency records and expunction will stipulate the process within the juvenile system. The amendment proposes requirements for the destruction of records and possible damages for confidentiality violations. The League did not testify on the legalities in this bill but supports expunction of juvenile records. SB 763 is a related bill that has opposition from the District Attorneys Association and has not moved forward. Human Services By Karen Nibler Senate Human Services took testimony on March 27 from many citizens on the need for food programs through the Department of Human Services . SB 609 , SB 610 and SB 856 covered higher education graduate students, immigrants from Asian countries and Pacific Islanders, who expressed the need for the food programs. The Human Services Ways and Means Subcommittee will consider the costs and the decisions in the Department of Human Services Budget process. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Significant strides are being made to address Governor Kotek’s executive order declaring housing and homelessness a state emergency. A bipartisan and bicameral process is in action, and bills are being passed on near unanimous votes. Legislators are meeting more frequently than originally scheduled. HB 2001-11 Oregon Housing and Community Services Governor’s Budget The Oregon Legislature is moving quickly to address urgent homeless and housing priorities. On 2/28, the House Committee on Housing and Homeless passed HB 2001-11. The estimated $200 million dollar package will fund the Governor’s Homeless State of Emergency, prevent more people from becoming unhoused, make affordable housing a top priority for the state, and much more. The bill is headed to Ways and Means, and lawmakers aim to pass the final package by mid-March in response to the current housing and homeless crisis facing Oregonians. A complete list with descriptions of the bill’s 11 amendments can be found at: HB 2001-11 Metro Regional Multi-Agency Coordination Group On Friday, February 24, Governor Kotek convened the first meeting of the Metro Regional Multi-Agency Coordination Group. This group includes representatives from local jurisdictions, public housing authorities, local homelessness agencies, rapid rehousing service providers, shelter developers and operators, landlord associations and behavioral health providers. Its formation came out of the governor’s declaration ( EO 23-02 ), of a homeless state of emergency. MAC groups also will be established in other regions: 1) Central Oregon, 2) Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County, 3) Medford, Ashland, and Jackson County, and 4) Salem, Marion, and Polk Counties. The MAC groups will provide planning, coordination, and operational leadership and be responsible for working with landlords and unsheltered people to move them into housing stability. They will work with Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Office of Emergency Management to meet the following goals by January 10, 2024: Prevent 8,750 households from becoming homeless statewide; Add 600 low-barrier shelter beds in emergency areas; and Rehouse at least 1,200 unsheltered households in emergency areas. This work depends on the Legislature passing the governor’s proposed funding package. SB 976 - Mortgage Interest Deduction Oregon’s largest housing subsidy, the Mortgage Interest Deduction, costs the state about $1 billion per biennium in reduced revenue. Benefits primarily go to wealthier homeowners who live in urban areas. SB 976 would place limits on the deduction by prohibiting its use for second homes and reducing the amount a household can deduct based on income. The resulting increase in state revenue would be placed in a newly created Oregon Housing Opportunity Account. Resources in the account would flow through Oregon Housing and Community Services to promote affordable homeownership and prevent homelessness. Write your senators and encourage them to schedule a hearing on this common sense proposal.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 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 topic: Housing Public Safety Reports Summer Learning Housing By Nancy Donovan, Beth Jacobi, Debbie Aiona Homelessness State of Emergency: Governor Kotek declared a homelessness state of emergency a year ago and set targets for local jurisdictions. Based on preliminary data, the state and local partners have exceeded those targets. They created 1,032 low-barrier shelter beds, exceeding the original goal by 432; rehoused 1,293 unsheltered households, exceeding the goal by 93; and prevented 8,886 households from experiencing homelessness, exceeding the goal by 136. LWVOR supported funding this effort. To meet these goals, the Legislature allocated $155 million early in the 2023 session for homelessness prevention, rehousing, and shelter capacity expansion. They went on to budget $316 million for the same purpose in the 2023-25 biennium. The 2023 Point in Time annual count showed that as of last January an estimated 20,100 people were experiencing homelessness. About 62% were unsheltered. In recognition of the fact that Oregon has a long way to go before it can claim success, Governor Kotek issued Executive Order 24-02 on January 9. 2024, to extend the 2023 Executive Order and continue the state’s focus on addressing the homelessness crisis. In 2024, Governor Kotek is proposing $65 million for homeless shelter operations. The funds will be used primarily to prevent closure of state and locally funded shelters and invest in re-housing focused services at shelters to improve exits into permanent housing. Rent Assistance: The Governor’s legislative budget is also requesting $33 million for rent assistance to help keep Oregonians from losing their homes. Affordable Housing : Our League of Women Voters of Oregon actively partnered with a number of other organizations to inform legislators prior to the session on What we need to build more affordable housing . Oregon is in short supply of approximately 140,000 homes for people with low- and moderate-incomes. Housing Production : Also, with League support, the Housing Alliance sent a letter on January 4, encouraging state leaders to introduce housing production bills in the 2024 session in line with principles outlined in the letter. Housing Alliance Membership Meeting : On Tuesday, January 23, the League will participate in the Housing Alliance’s Membership Meeting to vote on bill endorsements, via Zoom. Monday, January 29 is the voting deadline for bill endorsements, via an online form. House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness held an informational meeting on 1/11. H ousing and homeless representatives made presentations on the topics below. Note that Legislative Concepts (LCs) are being assigned to certain bills. When available, LC drafts will be posted on committee OLIS pages. · Financing affordable/moderate income housing · Committee Legislative Concepts Technical fix omnibus, LC 40 · Member Housing-Related Legislative Concepts Individual Development Account Funding , LC 151 · Oregon Housing and Community Services Legislation Implementation Updates , Shelter Operations Funding · Modular Housing The Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development held an informational meeting on 1/10/2024. These housing topics were discussed. · Committee Budget Bill ( LC 158): Shelter Operation Needs · Recovery Housing · Affordable Housing Land Acquisition Revolving Loan Program · Emergency Rental Assistance Program · Public Safety Reports – 1-11-24 Public Safety Reports The Joint Addiction Committee discussed the Secretary of State Audit of the Ballot Measure 110 process at the January 10 hearing. The grants totaled $209.3 million awarded to Behavioral Health Networks to provide access to services. The reports listed harm reduction as the highest service followed by peer support and mentors. Other services were low barrier treatment, screening, needs assessments, supported housing and supported employment. Problems were reported: hiring staff for behavioral health services, providing housing costs and documenting poor usage of the hotline. Funding Medicaid services was the highest priority. The committee heard presentations on youth substance abuse and prevention plans through the Oregon Social Learning Center in Eugene. Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission leaders talked about prevention efforts in the counties and tribal areas. Treatment access with mobile units, sobering centers and residential programs were needed. Specialty Courts are operational within the Oregon Judicial System with the Lincoln County Court spot lighted as an example. The Criminal Justice Commission provides program funding and supervision. The Public Safety Subcommittee of Ways and Means discussed one of the primary needs for defense attorneys: for those in custody prior to hearings to determine release conditions and future hearings. Lack of defenders has delayed many cases and clogged court processes. The most urgent Oregon Public Defense Commission need was to provide funds for unrepresented cases (132 in custody). They cited 4,289 unrepresented cases of which 2,324 were pretrial, 268 parole or probation violations not in custody, and 1,365 on warrants. The Committee considered extending a Temporary Hourly Increase Program for six months through the end of June. This program was created to ensure that persons in custody have representation by public defenders in a timely fashion. In the meantime, it is anticipated that sufficient contract providers will be found so that people charged with crimes do not need to wait an inordinate period of time. Summer Learning By Katie Riley Different groups are working on a proposal for funding summer learning to be submitted by Rep. Susan McLain. The Governor’s office is working with the Department of Education. Another group with ODE representatives is working with a group of afterschool and summer providers called EASE. EASE has subgroups including data gathering and measurement, logistics, and professional development. These groups will provide input to the final bill. A key action to be required for the bill to succeed is for parents to come forward to testify about why care is needed for them to be able to work.

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 6/12 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Housing Gun Safety Immigration, Refugee, and Other Basic Rights Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona On June 6, the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Joint W&Ms issued their recommended budget to the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee on SB 5511 , the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) budget: Legislative Fiscal Office's analysis . The Subcommittee recommends a total OHCS budget of $2,558,608,558 with the addition of 441 positions, a 28.5% increase from the 2023-25 current service level. The suggested budget includes: $111.2 million in General Funds to continue OHCS’s shelter and rehousing services that was funded in HB 5019 in response to the Governor’s emergency declaration on homelessness. $24.1 million in General Funds to provide operating support to existing shelters. $55 million for rental assistance, and $6 million for services to tenants. $10 million in General Funds for down payment homeownership assistance. $2.5 million for decommissioning and replacing manufactured housing. $9.7 million in General Funds to capitalize OHCS’s predevelopment loan program and revamp the process to approve affordable housing finance applications from developers to shorten the time between project approval and construction, while helping smaller developers and projects. $136.8 million in Federal Funds expenditure related to wildfire recovery efforts, supported by a $422 million federal grant. Housing advocates are concerned that this recommended budget bill does not fully support the Governor’s end-of-session investments of an estimated $1 billion in bonding for new affordable housing developments to move the state towards reaching the goal of producing 36,000 in new housing units per year. Their priorities include: New rental and homeownership: $770 million in Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) bonds to Oregonians transitioning out of homelessness, seeking to buy their first home, or just needing an affordable place to live. This is especially true in rural areas that lack housing affordable to workers who provide critical services like education, public safety, and firefighting. HB 5005 and HB 5006 Market Cost Offset Fund: to increase housing production in support of the Governor’s request of up to $40 million in LIFT bonding to recapitalize the Market Cost Offset Fund (MCOF) for projects that have faced cost overruns due to market volatility. Permanent Supportive Housing: $130 million to LIFT for new construction, rental assistance, and wrap-around service delivery designed to reduce chronic homelessness. HB 5005 and HB 5006 Preservation of expiring regulated housing: $100 million in Lottery Funds to save and reinvest in some 163 apartment projects with 7,735 units that are at risk of losing affordability due to the expiration of 30-year affordability restrictions. The people who live in these homes are seniors, people experiencing disabilities, and families just starting out. HB 5030 New homes for homeownership: $100 million in LIFT and the General Fund to affordable homeownership developers who need a combination of LIFT bonds and general fund resources to build homes in all parts of the state. General fund dollars paired with LIFT will ensure that mission-driven developers can build hundreds of homes for first-time buyers, directly addressing the persistent racial homeownership gap. Acquisition and rehab of manufactured housing parks: $35 million in Lottery funds. HB 2983 Gun Safety By Marge Easley As part of the compromise agreement for the Republican’s return to the Senate chamber, the three-part gun safety bill, HB 2005 B , was considerably altered at a Senate Rules work session on June 15. The -B12 amendment was adopted, which includes only the ban on unserialized firearms (“ghost guns”) and removes the provisions raising the minimum age of firearm purchase to 21 and the ability of cities to establish gun-free zones. The bill is now in the Senate for passage. The compromise agreement also included the stipulation that a workgroup will be established to study policy solutions to gun violence and suicide prevention and $10 million will be invested in the Community Violence Prevention program. Immigration, Refugee and Other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith SB 610 A : Now in JW&Ms. Establishes Food for All Oregonians ( regardless of documentation status) Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal , Staff Measure Summary . The fiscal may show up in the end of session budget balancing bill. Recent News: ‘Dozens of advocacy groups disappointed food assistance bill fails’ – Oregon Capital Chronicle HB 2905 : Expands the list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. At Senate Desk awaiting Third Reading.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 1/27 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: Education Immigration Public Safety Human Services and Behavioral Health Education By Jean Pierce K-12 Education Legislators were given an overview of the numbers served by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE): 547,424 students speaking more than 360 languages (’23-24 numbers) 89,249 educators Staff of color comprise 14% of teachers 14% of administrators 20% of counselors 25% of educational assistants 197 districts including 1270 schools 131 charter schools 19 education service districts ODE legislative priorities include Streamlining the reporting processes for small school districts receiving state education grants Clarifying ODE complaint and investigations processes Higher Education Legislative Committees heard presentations describing the current state of funding, and foreshadowing requests for larger allocations. Information presented by the Higher Education Coordinating Council included: Oregon has seen the 7th highest increase in appropriations since 2013, when we ranked 49th in the country. Nevertheless, Oregon’s investment in higher education still lags behind the national average. Now we rank 37th among all states, coming in at 24% less than the national average of appropriations for full time student equivalents. Meanwhile, our 2-year tuition and fees are the second highest among 17 western states. The average is $2,444, while students are paying $6,464 in Oregon. And our four-year tuition and fees are the highest in the west - $13,440 compared to an average of $10,533 Further, our institutions of higher learning are projecting costs increasing by 9.5% for universities and by 10.5% for community colleges over the next biennium. These increases are mostly driven by labor costs. Immigration By Claudia Keith “ Oregon joins lawsuit over Trump attempt to end birthright citizenship ” Washington, Arizona and Illinois are also part of the case, while other Democratic states filed a separate lawsuit” | OCC “ Immigrants in Oregon could be significantly impacted by Trump’s second term . Here’s how. From international students to asylum seekers, the new administration’s plans could affect tens of thousands of people in the state “. | Oregon Capital Chron. “ Trump won’t ban immigration arrests at churches . Now clergy are weighing how to resist…” | Oregonian Oregon governor to stand by sanctuary law despite Trump-allied group’s warning of ‘serious consequences’ | Oregonian More info Here How Oregon is responding to Trump’s crackdown on immigration | OPB Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement OIRA Immigration and Refugee News and events and Mission, Vision and VALUES “As the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) talks with federal, state, local and community partners, we will continue to post the most updated information we have on this web page .” Immigrants in Oregon : American Immigration Council The League has very clear immigration/refugee, human rights and other social policy positions ( state and national) and is following this currently developing situation. Find below an incomplete/tentative list of policy and or funding-related bills that may have traction. Additionally, there are a number of other bills supporting the new 2025 federal administration potential policies that, given House and Senate D super majorities, will likely not receive a public hearing. Immigration, Refugee / Asylum Bills and Budgets Bill # Description Policy Committee Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors: Comments SB 149 Immigration Study SCJ ? Sen Jama DHS SB 599 Immig status: discrimination in Real Estate transactions SCJ Sen Campos SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented SC HS - JWM Sen Campos Rep Ruiz SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill SCJ Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. HC ECHS Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds HB 2586 nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Rep Hudson, Sen Campos HB 2543 The Act gives funds for universal representation and the Act gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal help for immigration matters 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS HB3193 Farm Worker Relief Fund HC LWPS 10 Rep Marsh, Sen Pham, Rep Valderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund JCWM-GG 7 Das Public Safety By Karen Nibler Joint Chamber Judiciary Committee meetings started with reports from the Oregon Judicial Department Court Administrators. The Judicial Department includes the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Tax Court, and 27 County Judicial Districts. The OJD plans to request additional judge positions in its budget request this biennium. Last session additional judges and staff were added but the number of cases are still increasing in family law and behavioral health. Specialty treatment courts require additional court staff time but have proven to be successful. The defense attorney shortage has also impacted the judicial schedules. OJD has developed an Electronic Court Information system for self-help for the public to access details on the court processes. The League has supported the budgets for the Judicial Department and its services. The Department of Corrections manages 12 state prisons and supports county correction services. The DOC has been fighting the presence of contraband drugs within the prison system and provides drug treatment programs within the facilities. The jail facilities are operated by counties, except for 2 counties, but the parole and probation staff are supported by the state. In the last session, drug treatment was initiated within county jail facilities. The Criminal Justice Commission started in 2018 when it provided funds for supervision and community treatment programs. In the last session, HB 4002 allocated funds for deflection programs now in 23 counties. SB 900 provided funding for organized retail theft disincentives. CJC monitors the grant process and funding management. Human Services and Behavioral Health By Karen Nibler The Director of the Human Services Department presented an overview of the major programs within the department. The One Eligibility Program has the task of determining eligibility for all the services. This includes Medicaid, Title IV E Children, and Long Term Care for Seniors and Disabled Persons. The Director discussed the goal of family preservation and services to families toward that goal. The League has been supportive of the agency budget and programs for homeless and runaway youth in past sessions. The Oregon State Hospital primarily holds persons who are unable to assist in their defense in criminal cases. Youth residential programs have been difficult to maintain. Prevention programs are needed in communities and schools.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 4/17 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 Healthcare Criminal Justice Social Policy Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan April is Fair Housing Month. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the passage of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Fair housing includes the rights of all people to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination based on "protected class status.” Three of the bills below focus on issues related to equality of opportunity. Regardless of race, sex, national origin, religion, family situation, or level of ability, everyone has the right to a safe and stable place to call home. SB 702 : This bill would require training to be adopted by the Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board for real estate appraisers and appraiser assistants to comply with state and federal fair housing laws. At the present time, appraiser education requirements do not include provisions specifically covering racial bias or appraiser responsibilities under state or federal fair housing laws. Appraisal training can be completed online or in person. The League submitted testimony in support of the bill. A Public Hearing was held by the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 18. SB 893 A : In 2021, the Legislature passed HB 2021 that directed Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to form a Task Force on Homelessness and Racial Disparities. There are significant disparities in the homeless population in Oregon. The share of homeless Native Oregonians in 2020 was four times higher than their share of the general population. The rate of homelessness among Black Oregonians is three times higher than their share of the population at-large. In its January 2022 report, task force recommendations included identifying needs of housing-insecure individuals, understanding agency capacity issues, adjusting funding structures, and modifying contracting processes. SB 893 A requires OHCS to modify the state’s homeless programs and funding structure so that they are more culturally responsive. It allows OHCS to create committees to work on rules and a policy framework that accomplishes that goal. The bill passed out of the Senate on April 11 and there will be a public hearing on April 20 in House Housing and Homelessness. HB 3443 : Prohibits any landlord from terminating lease or taking other specified actions due to the status of a tenant as a victim of a bias crime. The bill would make changes to the bias crime laws and aspects of the Oregon Department of Justice's (DOJ) Bias Response Hotline. The measure expands the confidentiality of reports. It would make victims of bias crimes and incidents eligible for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Address Confidentiality Program, which would allow victims to break a lease without penalty and have protected leave from work. The measure mandates automatic issuance of a no contact order against the defendant at the time of booking, release officer decision, or arraignment to a defendant accused of a bias crime. A work session is scheduled on April 24 in Senate Housing and Development. SB 976 : Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform bill has received a lot of interest because, if passed, the state’s largest housing subsidy would see some of the savings redirected away from higher earning homeowners and would instead benefit low- and moderate-income home purchasers. In addition, resources resulting from reducing the subsidy would be used for homelessness prevention. The League submitted testimony in support of the reform. Senate Finance and Revenue will hold a work session, April 19 at 3:00 PM. HB 3151 would institute several provisions related to manufactured home parks. It would limit the types of improvements or repairs a landlord could require in a rental contract. It also would allow manufactured home park loan funds to be used for development of new parks and require local governments to allow siting those parks in certain non-residential zones. Senate Housing and Development will hold a work session, April 26. Health Care By Christa Danielson SB 420 : Directs Department of Human Services to provide resource management services to Brain injury individuals and to Convene Brain Injury Advisory Committee. Testimony submitted in favor on 1/23/2023. Referred to W&Ms HB 2395 A Allows wider distribution, education and administering of short acting opioid antagonists. Passed through the house on 3/6/2023. Referred to Senate Health Care. Testimony submitted in favor for public hearing on 4/24/2023. SB 1089 Establishes a Universal Health Plan Governance Board. This is a path forward for Oregon Measure 111-right to healthcare amendment. Testimony submitted in favor to Senate Rules for 4/20/2023. HB 3012 Requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers to annually report costs and rebates of prescription drugs to enrollees to the Department of Consumer and Business Services. No hearing set as yet. Referred to Rules. HB 3157 Establishes Health Insurance Mandate Review Board. Passed the house, referred to W&Ms. No hearing set as yet. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The slowdown on the movement of bills has necessitated hard decisions as to which ones are priorities for passage this year and which can be put off until a future session. Here are some criminal justice bills that were scheduled for public hearings or work sessions in House Judiciary on April 19 and 20: SB 234 authorizes the Chief Justice to establish rules for gathering data to identify disparities and impacts in the justice system. SB 306 A allows non-attorney associate members of the Oregon State Bar to practice law within a certain scope of practice. Four bills relate to the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA): SB 212 A assures confidentiality of communications during peer support check-in sessions. SB 902 allows those 20 or older who are resentenced to continue temporary assignment to youth corrections. SB 903 allows collection of OYA demographic data in order to see disparities between youths and employees. SB 904 A modifies criteria for the maximum allowable population of youth correctional facilities.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Housing Gun Safety Immigration, Refugee, and Other Basic Rights Criminal Justice Healthcare Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona The consequential results of the 2023 Legislative session underscore the urgency of Oregon’s housing and homeless crisis. Near the end of the session, it was clear that legislators were committed to taking substantive steps to address the overwhelming need. They allocated resources to provide shelter for unhoused Oregonians, assist tenants in paying their rent, help lower-income households afford a home purchase, and develop and preserve affordable housing. In the House Policy Bill Passed SB 611 modifies state law related to residential rent increases. This legislation limits maximum allowable rent increases to the lesser of either 10% or 7% plus the September annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index. It also limits rent increases to no more than once a year, except for units rented on a week-by-week basis. Budget Bills Passed HB 5005 limits the maximum amount of bonds and third-party financing agreements that state agencies may issue, and the amount of revenue state agencies may raise from such issuance. The proceeds from issuance of bonds are included as revenues in agency budgets (see below). HB 5006 allocates $600 million of Article XI-Q bonds for OHCS’s Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs to acquire, construct, remodel, repair, equip or furnish real property, in which the department will take an operational or ownership interest to provide affordable housing for Oregonians with low- incomes and citizens in historically underserved communities and communities of color, as well as affordable housing that will be combined with supports to tenants and other services for low-income citizens with high needs, including persons with disabilities and persons coming out of chronic homelessness. HB 5030 authorizes the issuance of Lottery Revenue Bonds to OHCS totaling $50 million for affordable housing preservation. Omnibus Budget Passed SB 5506 is the omnibus budget reconciliation bill that implements the remaining adjustments to state agencies’ legislatively adopted budgets for the 2023-25 biennium. It includes $21 million in funding for affordable homeownership development and long-term rent assistance. In the Senate Policy Bills Passed HB 3042 provides protections for residents of housing with expiring affordability restrictions, such as limiting terminations and rent increases for three years after a tenant’s housing is withdrawn from publicly supported housing. The bill is effective on passage. HB 3309 directs OHCS to study and incentivize accessible units in OHCS-funded affordable housing units by providing financial support and increasing the quantity and quality of accessible units. HB 3395 is an Omnibus spending bill that allows affordable housing on lands zoned for commercial uses within urban growth boundaries. Local governments can extend their decision-making to develop residential structures within the urban growth boundary or to reconsider land use decisions to develop residential structures. Local governments also can site certain emergency shelters, conditioned on the latest estimates of the percentage of individuals experiencing homelessness. HB 2761 will allow OHCS to fund only the portion of mixed-use or mixed-income housing developments affordable to households earning at or below 120% of area median income. The bill grants OHCS rulemaking authority regarding the allocation of the affordable housing portion of project’s shared costs. Bills adopted by both the House and Senate HB 3215 authorizes OHCS to support the replacement, reconstruction or rehabilitation of residential units damaged or destroyed by disaster and to support the recovery of the residents. It establishes the Disaster Housing Recovery Fund to provide funding to the department for specified purposes. HB 2071 extends the sunset provisions for various tax credits and allows qualified borrowers to use the loan proceeds in connection with tax credits for affordable housing lenders, to include limited equity cooperatives under certain conditions. It also creates credit against income taxes for selling publicly supported housing to preserve as affordable housing. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. HB 2080 is an Omnibus property tax bill which authorizes a city or county to approve or terminate a property tax exemption for a multiple-unit housing project. It authorizes a city or county to exempt from property tax the entire structure of multiple-unit housing converted from another use. Extends the low-income rental housing property tax exemption to housing units owned by limited equity cooperative corporations. Authorizes city or county to establish a schedule in which, for 10 years, the percentage of property tax exemption granted to affordable multi-unit rental housing increases directly with the percentage of units rented to households with annual income at or below 120 percent of area median income. HB 3462 requires the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), or Department of Human Services (DHS) to ensure that temporary housing provided in response to emergencies is safe and in compliance with state and federal nondiscrimination laws. It also allows these agencies to assist community members who are otherwise ineligible to access federal resources due to their immigration status. HB 3151 limits improvements that landlords of manufactured dwelling parks may require of tenants. It expands affordable housing that is developable on nonresidential lands. It also expands the manufactured dwelling park preservation loan program to allow loaned funds to be used to develop new parks. HB 2680 requires residential landlords to refund applicants for screening charges within 30 days, subject to certain conditions. The measure requires landlords to promptly notify an applicant once the screening has taken place, their right to a refund of the screening charge, and recovery of damages if the landlord fails to provide the refund within 30 days. It also increases the damages an eligible applicant may recover to twice the amount of the screening charge plus $250, which is a total increase of $100 from current law. SB 5511 is the Oregon Housing and Community Services budget bill. The total funds budget is $2,558,608,558 and 441 positions. This is a 28.5% increase from the 2023-25 current service level. OHCS’s budget from the General Fund includes the following: · $111.2 million to continue shelter and rehousing services that were funded in HB 5019 in response to the Governor’s emergency declaration on homelessness. · $24.1 million to provide operating support to existing shelters. · $55 million for rental assistance. · $6 million for services to tenants. · $10 million in down payment assistance. · $2.5 million for the decommissioning and replacement of manufactured housing. · $9.7 million capitalizes a predevelopment loan program within the Department, and expenditure limitation and position authority were added to revamp the process the Department will use to approve affordable housing finance applications from developers. · $136.8 million is allocated for wildfire recovery efforts, supported by a $422 million federal grant. Gun Safety By Marge Easley The compromise version of HB 2005 , limited to prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and possession of undetectable and unserialized firearms, frames, and receivers (“ghost guns”), passed the Senate and will soon be signed by the Governor. Violations are punishable as a Class A Misdemeanor for possession and a Class B Felony for the sale and manufacture. According to the Oregon Department of Justice, ghost guns are the weapons of choice for gun traffickers, and recent data from California states that 50% of guns used in crimes are ghost guns. HB 2572 , which defines and places severe restrictions on paramilitary activity in Oregon, will also soon be signed into law. The bill, strongly opposed by the Oregon Firearms Federation, will allow the Oregon Attorney General to bring civil action against those who engage in any of the paramilitary activities listed in the bill. SB 348 , which set out the implementation process for permit-to-purchase under Measure 114, unfortunately died in committee this session. However, the end-of-session Christmas Tree bill did include an allocation of $7.6 million to the Oregon State Police (OSP) to conduct background checks for people who are purchasing firearms. This would presumably be used to deal with the increased OSP workload to set up a new permit-to-purchase system with safety courses for applicants purchasing firearms. Immigration, Refugee and Other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith HB 2905 : Approved: Expands the list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. House Speaker and Senate President signed this bill June 24. Passed unanimously. SB 610 A : Did not move from JW&Ms. It would have Established Food for All Oregonians (regardless of documentation status) Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal, Staff Measure Summary. The fiscal may show up in the end-of-session budget balancing bill. Recent News: ‘ Dozens of advocacy groups disappointed food assistance bill fails’ – Oregon Capital Chronicle End of Session Full JWM Budget Reconciliation Bill HB550 A tentative list of Immigration/Refugee + related line items: - $2M OHA Healthcare Interpreter - universal representative fund / Oregon worker relief $8.6M DAS. Section 264 and 265 - Universal rep (legal) and legal services…. $4.8M section 85 & 86 - Language interpretation services $.5M section 76 - Latino Comm Ctr Pdx/Gresh. $4.1M - Immigration legal Services Oregon State Bar $800K - Migrant Bilingual educ team $2.2M - Afghan Refugee $2.5M Supreme Court immigration ruling allows Biden's deportation policy | Washington Post, https://wapo.st/430UGzQ League of Women Voters of the US on social media - June 23, 2023: “This SCOTUS decision rightly leaves in place guidelines that do not target undocumented immigrants for arrest & deportation if they don't threaten public safety. LWV stands with immigrants & partners to support policies to provide a path to citizenship.” Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Karen Nibler Criminal justice bills that passed during the last week of the session include: · SB 212 maintains confidentiality of communications during peer check-ins at the Oregon Youth Authority or county juvenile facilities. · SB 339 requires sex offender treatment as a probation condition if the offense involved a touching offense. · SB 473 requires the Department of Education to integrate the identification and prevalence of sex trafficking into academic standards. · SB 321 establishes the process for post-conviction relief for those convicted by a nonunanimous jury. · SB 337 creates the Oregon Public Defense Commission under the jurisdiction of the judicial branch. · HB 2372 adds several goals for the Youth Development Council, including prevention of justice system involvement, respect for culturally specific and traditional practices, and prevention of and intervention in gang community violence and involvement. · HB 2635 increases penalties for fentanyl possession. · HB 2719 requires certain defendants to submit to testing for HIV and other communicable diseases. · HB 3275 provides that supervision of certain misdemeanor offenders reverts to the Department of Corrections if a county is unable to provide services. Healthcare By Christa Danielson HB 2395 Allows specified person to distribute and administer short acting opioid antagonists and distribution kits. Will expand the ability of these life saving medications to get to the people who need them. Also known as the Opioid harm reduction bill. Passed both houses. Will go to the Governor’s desk. SB 420 Sets up an area in the Department of Human Services for Navigation and support of those who have had a Brain injury. LWVOR testimony provided . Passed both houses and signed. Will go to Governors desk. SB 1089 (changed from SB 704) Sets up a Governance board for Universal Health Care. The board would create a plan to finance and administer Universal Health Care for Oregonians. LWVOR testimony .

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.

Follow revenue related items with the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Revenue Reports February 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 State agencies provided the Ways and Means Subcommittees with proposed cuts of up to 5% from their currently-approved budgets during the November Interim Days. Read More January 6, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Everyone waits anxiously for the Feb. 4th Revenue Forecast so the legislature will know the expected revenue for the rest of this biennium to be able to rebalance the state budget. Read More December 1, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 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. Read More October 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 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. Read More October 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 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. Read More June 16, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 Oregon House Bill 2321 seeks to study Oregon’s property tax system, with a focus on Ballot Measures 5 and 50. Ballot measure 5, passed in 1990, set limits on property taxes through a hybrid levy- and rate-based system originally intended to control rapidly increasing property tax costs. This was a departure from the previous property tax system, which relied on tax levies set by each district as a function of specific budget needs. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 The May 14th economic forecast highlights sluggish growth in the U.S. and Oregon economies, with an elevated risk of recession. Oregon’s GDP growth is forecasted to slow to 0.9% in 2025, marking a decline from previous estimates. However, stronger growth is projected for 2027, in anticipation of trade negotiations and a federal tax cut package. Read More May 12, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 We are all waiting for the May 14th Revenue Forecast from our State Economist Carl Riccadonna at the Office of Economic Analysis to be presented to the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue at 8 a.m. The Economist will provide a verbal presentation with slides as well as providing a more complete in-depth report on his view of the world, the U.S. and Oregon’s economic outlook for 2025-27. Read More April 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 House Bill 3049 (introduced) seeks to modify provisions for corporate excise tax exemptions for businesses operating in economically lagging areas. This bill was discussed during an informational session with the House Revenue Committee on 4/15/25 in response to a request for an interim report on the bill from LRO. Read More April 14, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 House Bill 3049 was introduced at the request of Governor Tina Kotek for Oregon Business Development Department. It seeks to modify provisions for corporate excise tax exemptions for businesses operating in economically lagging areas. While this exemption exists in Oregon currently, the program is believed to be underutilized due to complex eligibility calculations. The new bill provides simplified methods to determine eligibility and employee wage requirements, and limits the amount of exemptions that a single business may claim. Read More April 9, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 House Bill 2362 aims to implement tiered estate tax exemptions based on the size of the taxable estate. The exemption amount would vary based on the estate's value, and would phase out for larger estates. As a result, this bill would modernize Oregon’s estate tax exemption policy with respect to inflation and appreciation of assets over time. Read More Revenue Overview The League of Women Voters of Oregon is actively working toward a more accessible government, better educational resources, statewide privacy protections and more. Read More

Follow social policy related items with the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Social Policy Overview The League of Women Voters of Oregon is actively working toward a more accessible government, better educational resources, statewide privacy protections and more. Read More Social Policy Reports Feb 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Given the time constraints of a short session, it is striking to see the number of bills that relate to current federal government actions on immigration. Read More Jan 26, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Besides ongoing litigation from the Oregon Department of Justice, the League will be monitoring a flurry of bills this session from Senate and House Democrats that prioritize “protecting democracy, our elections, and the civil rights of Oregonians from federal overreach.” Read More Dec 1, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 During the November Legislative Days hearings, The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education held informational briefings on early learning as well as education regarding costs, performance considerations, and proposed cuts due to the pending loss of $880 million in federal funds. Read More Oct 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Oregon’s “School Medicaid” system has not been impacted yet by funding cuts in H.R. 1, but it is possible that impacts will be felt in the future. Read More Aug 11, 2025 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of August 11 This sine die report summarizes the Social Policy portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More Jun 30, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 After a flurry of activity by state legislators, the Governor’s office, housing advocates, the League of Women Voters of Oregon, and many others, on June 23, 2025, lawmakers released three major budget bills. Read More Jun 23, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 The League is hopeful that it is likely some existing immigrant related agency social service programs will receive additional funding at the end of the session reconciliation bill. Read More Jun 16, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 The Legislative Fiscal Office recommends a 2025-27 total funds budget for the Housing and Community Services Department of $2,667,240,094 and 478 positions (474.50 FTE). This is a 28.2% decrease from the 2023-25 legislatively approved budget, and 39.3% increase from the 2025-27 current service level. Read More Jun 9, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 SB 1098, the Freedom to Read bill, passed in the House essentially along party lines. LWVOR provided testimony in support. Read More Jun 2, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 SB 548 has been signed into law by Governor Kotek. This bill establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage. LWVOR testified in support. Read More May 26, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 LWVOR is following several budget bills relating to educational funding. In view of the revenue forecast, it is anticipated that amounts appropriated will be lowered. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 Steady progress has been made in addressing our state’s housing crisis by investing in affordable housing production and preservation. Now thousands of Oregonians have housing stability with affordable homes. Housing advocates are being encouraged to take action now by sending messages to members of the Oregon Legislature's Joint Subcommittee on Capital Construction, and top housing leaders in both the House and Senate, to invest in bond resources in the 2025-2027 state budget. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 This week the League of Women Voters of the United States joined a sign-on letter urging Congress to oppose cuts to Medicaid to help prevent medical debt. Oregon spent about $13 billion on its Medicaid program in 2024, picking up about 25% of the cost for the program covering 1.43 million Oregonians. Read More May 5, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 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. Read More Apr 28, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 LWVOR continues to focus on housing challenges experienced by people with the lowest incomes. Affordable homes in Oregon are in short supply, making it important to strengthen resident protections, as proposed in HB 3054 A. The bill seeks to limit rent increases for homeowners in home parks and marinas that are experiencing escalating rents and curtail landlord practices that may threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. Read More Apr 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 SB 951A prohibits a management service organization from making decisions about patient care. The bill also prohibits non-compete, non-disparage employment clauses in medical work’s contracts. This will allow caregivers to speak out without fear of reprisal if they feel there is a safety issue at the workplace involving patient care. It was passed by the Senate and will be heard in House Behavioral Health and Health Care on May 1. Read More Apr 14, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 On April 8th the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee unanimously passed HB 2015 Amendment 3 with a “do pass” recommendation and a referral to Ways & Means. This wide-ranging bill addresses regulatory barriers in building and operating secure residential treatment facilities (SRTF’s), residential treatment facilities (RTF’s) and residential treatment homes (RTH’s) in Oregon. It directs the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to study nursing requirements in SRTF’s and to assess alternative methodologies for reimbursement. Read More Apr 7, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, behavioral health, education, gun policy, housing, immigration, gun policy, and age-related issues. Read More Mar 31, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, behavioral health, education, gun policy, housing, immigration, public safety, and revenue. Read More Mar 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, civil commitment, behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, housing, immigration, and revenue. Read More Mar 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/17 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, housing, and reproductive health. Read More Mar 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, child care, education, housing, and public safety. Read More Mar 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, and housing. Read More Feb 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 We are following numerous bills relating to age discrimination/reproductive health, behavioral health, child care, criminal justice, education, housing, immigration, and public safety. Read More Feb 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, child care, criminal justice, education, housing, immigration, and public safety. Read More Feb 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 On Feb. 3, the House Committee on Education held a public hearing for HB 2596 (Interstate Compact for School Psychologists). Read More Feb 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 The final report for the 2024 session report on HB 4082 includes a request of $50 million per year for the biennium ($100 million total). Read More Jan 27, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/27 Legislative Committees heard presentations describing the current state of funding, and foreshadowing requests for larger allocations. Read More Jan 20, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/20 The legislature will soon begin its 2025 session, and some bills related to afterschool and summer care will be introduced. Read More Dec 20, 2024 Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 The Governor’s budget includes $80 million for summer school but it is not clear whether that includes summer child care. Read More Oct 1, 2024 Legislative Report - September Legislative Days House Revenue, 9/24/24, 2:30 PM, held report and discussion about how parameters of distribution of dollars of equalization between our school districts is decided, based on poverty, special education, individual education plans (IEP’s), etc.. A report from Revenue Dept. was that any changes to this plan would create winners and losers among school districts. Read More Jun 10, 2024 Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 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. Read More Apr 22, 2024 Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 LWVOR wrote testimony supporting a bill which would have provided $50 million to support summer learning through ODE to school districts. Read More Mar 4, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 3/4 HB 4082 Summer Learning 2024 and Beyond was passed to allocate $30 million for summer learning in 2024 and implementation of a work group to plan for future funding and administration of summer learning and afterschool enrichment. Summer awards will be made to school districts by ODE. Read More Feb 26, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 HB 4082 Summer Learning 2024 and Beyond, was originally recommended for $50 million in funding. It was amended to include an additional $141,767 from Other funds (Student Success funding) for .50 FTE for ODE grant administration and $417,039 in general funds for ODE research and development of the Oregon 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative. Read More Feb 19, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/19 On February 26, The Joint Committee on Addictions and Community Safety Response is holding a public hearing to consider two amendments to HB 4002 which deals with Oregon’s addiction crisis. Read More Feb 12, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/12 HB 4082, Summer Learning for 2024 and Beyond, to provide $50 million for summer care in 2024 and establish a workgroup for planning to support after-school and summer learning opportunities and care in the future was approved unanimously in the House Committee on Education and referred to Ways and Means. Read More Feb 5, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Volunteers are needed who are interested in issues related to Children at Risk, Corrections, Farmworkers, Mental Health, and Physical Health. Please contact SocialPolicy@lwvor.org for more information about how you can make a difference with League advocacy. Read More Jan 15, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 Volunteers are needed who are interested in issues related to Children at Risk, Corrections, Farmworkers, Mental Health, and Physical Health. Please contact SocialPolicy@lwvor.org for more information about how you can make a difference with League advocacy. Read More Nov 13, 2023 Legislative Report - November Interim The Joint Interim Addiction and Community Response Committee held an in-depth discussion on the controlled substance crimes of unlawful possession, manufacture or delivery of illegal drugs during November interim legislative days. Read More Oct 2, 2023 Legislative Report - September Interim Senate Judiciary discussed SB 337 on 9-27. The bill formed a new Public Defense Services Commission, to become effective 1-1-2024. The staff is recruiting new defense attorneys for unrepresented clients residing In jails. Read More Aug 18, 2023 Legislative Report - Sine Die In 2023, it became clear that the housing crisis is now a statewide issue. In communities throughout Oregon people are living on the street and many of those who are housed are at risk of losing their homes because they can’t afford to pay their rent. Read More Jun 26, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 SB 1089 (changed from SB 704) Sets up a Governance board for Universal Health Care. The board would create a plan to finance and administer Universal Health Care for Oregonians. Read More Jun 12, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 On June 6, the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Joint W&Ms issued their recommended budget to the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee on SB 5511, the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) budget: Legislative Fiscal Office's analysis. Read More Jun 5, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/5 At the urging of newly-elected Governor Kotek, the Oregon Legislature invested more than $215 million in the Early Session Housing Package. Read More May 29, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 5/29 The continued Republican walkout has prevented 17 floor sessions from being held, with 150 bills waiting to be worked on by the Senate after significant effort and gaining bipartisan support. Read More May 22, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 5/22 Fortunately, many critical housing policy bills and funding passed earlier in the session, but some are still under consideration or awaiting Senate action. Read More May 15, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 5/15 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. Read More May 8, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 5/8 Despite the controversy over sensitive bills and the walkout by Senate Republicans since last May 3, legislators continue to hold committee meetings with the intention of meeting their constitutional obligation to adjourn after 160 days, which is Sunday, June 25 at midnight. Read More May 1, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 5/1 To address the state’s Homelessness State of Emergency Governor Kotek launched earlier this year an emergency response initiative made up of seven regional multi-agency coordinating groups (MAC). On April 28, the Governor and Oregon Housing and Community Services announced that the funding agreements have been signed and are being sent to the regional MAC groups to effectively distribute this critically needed emergency resource. Read More

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/24 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project By Arlene Sherrett This week we learned more about the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR or the Project) Project’s status from Just Crossing Alliance (JCA) , which published widely about their IBR’s plans objections. We spoke with Chris Smith, long-time observer of the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) plans, which failed to get us a bridge 10 years ago, and the current bridge rebuild, to Indi Namkoong from Verde, and to Brett Morgan from 1000 Friends of Oregon. They represent a local interest groups alliance which would like to see a S.A.F.E.R. bridge, in everyone’s best interests. We asked about having a hard time getting solid Project information. It seemed like there was nothing out there to follow issues raised about design, price and mobility matters. Indi shared that the draft bill (HB 2098-2) and funding plan were only made public a few hours before the informational hearing, and that JCA is “eager to see the bill brought forward for a public hearing soon so a wider range of voices can join the conversation.” Chris also pointed out that the Joint Committee on Transportation (JCT) meeting the night before was a “carefully crafted "infomercial" for the bridge with invited panels only.” Chris wrote legislative testimony opposing the -2 amendment and outlining JCA’s position. Getting the issues of bridge design and funding a broader public examination needs to be done. Anyone interested in how these issues will be resolved should read through this letter. Indi spoke to me about the draft bill. The bottom line is, we need a bill committing to the bridge project and allocating funds before May 5, 2023, in order to be in line for substantial federal funding. That deadline is all that needs to be met right now. So there is an urgency but we do not need a bill that commits to General Obligation (GO) bonds for the funding this bill proposes. Washington State has pledged a billion dollars for this project but is allocating only $300M to begin with. Oregon legislators could follow the same “pledge and allocate” model and find the amount needed in highway tax revenues instead of the general fund, which is so stretched right now. That would be a win for everyone. JCA believes the bill could be decoupled from any specific funding strategy and from the $6.3 billion spending cap. JCA suggests lowering that cap to $5 billion to force consideration of cheaper alternatives. JCA is not advocating for any one bridge plan but points us to the Alliance values . They want issues to be adequately aired before the legislature and the public. Their S.A.F.E.R. bridge platform emphasizes some issues that are not getting attention about the bridge, mobility for bikers, walkers and people in wheelchairs, for one, and points back to addressing funding issues so that State coffers for maintenance work that has been neglected in our neighborhoods would not be further drained. The Project’s unwillingness to respond to mounting criticism not only from the JCA, but many others , is troubling. Criticism that the lack of an Investment Grade Analysis or any other essential oversight of the Project, may leave us in the same situation we were in with the CRC, ignoring the very concerns that caused the failure of the bridge plans at that time. There is a lot to be considered here. It’s a huge project with a huge budget, and we should get it right this time.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Environmental Justice Bills Climate Priority Advocacy Groups Climate Priorities with League Testimony , League Endorsement Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Priorities Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Transportation Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns House and Senate Energy Climate Committee Notes House CE&E - March 25 Summary of Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) News and Commission Meetings Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment SJR 28 now with -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment 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 Sen Rules , so the Legislative deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. LWVUS has provided guidance since over 26 states have - or are in the process of having green / environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. These usually take the form of a legislation–referral to the people. The New Mexico green amendment campaign focuses on racial justice. News: Oregonians ask Legislature to let voters decide on constitutional right to healthy climate ‘A hearing for Senate Joint Resolution 28 was packed with children and seniors asking legislators to refer to voters a constitutional amendment enshrining climate rights’| OCC Oregon Capital Chronicle. Environmental Justice Bills HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session is now 4/7. 
 Climate Priority Advocacy Groups For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities , Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities . OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities with League Testimony with League Endorsement and Still Alive HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package The following four bills are part of a package which was the subject of public hearings February 27 and March 6 in the House Energy Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee: HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session now 4/8 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session now 4/8 HB 3450 : Testimony , work session now 4/8, see also CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis CEI energy storage transition plan, HEMGGV. Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package HB 3081 ( League testimony ) work session 4/8, creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place 
 SB 88 ( League testimony ) work session was 3/24, limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. 
 Moved to Sen Rules. In addition to our testimony, LWVOR joined the Oregon Conservation Network, coordinated through the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, in sign-on letters supporting both HB 3081 and SB 88. PH 3/4 Climate Treasury Investment Bills SB 681 : Dead: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, Senate Finance and Revenue, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. 
 HB 2200 work session now 4/8 requested by Treasury Sec Tobias ESG investing, identified as the compromise bill. League – NO Comment, HC EMGGV, PH was 3/13. 
 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans , House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP) 
 League Testimony 
 
 
 
 Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB 3103A – work session 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 Other Priorities 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 : work session 4/7, climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. 
 
 SB 1187 new Climate cost recovery Liability interagency bill , PH 4/7, possible work session 4/9, Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment 
 
(Replaces SB 679 and SB 682 : 
 SB 680 : Climate Science/Greenwashing , Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Judiciary , no recommendation, (SJ) PH was 2/26 Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski, Taylor 
 
 SB 688 A: -5 Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, $500K fiscal, moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 
 
 
 SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 

 first reading. 
 referred to H CEE 3/10 
 HB 3546 , the POWER Act , work session 4/8, PR was 3/6, 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. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 
 
 
 Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 
 SB 1143 : NEW bill , PH was 3/19 and Work session now 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. Priority Bills that died in policy committee Some of these related to funding may appear in the end of session reconciliation (Xmas tree) bill. HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . House Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE), Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor 
 
 
 SB 54 : Work Session was cancelled. The bill required landlords provide cooling for residential units . The League endorsed and added our name to a OJTA Oregon Justice Transition Alliance, sign-on letter . 
 Transportation Oregon Democrats unveil $1.9 billion transportation funding plan The plan includes raising the state gas tax to 60 cents per gallon, higher DMV fees, higher bike taxes and more. | *OCC. ODOT answers to budget presentation questions an 18-page document dated March 13. ODOT budget presentation package detail materials can be found Here. The League is concerned with federal guidelines: “McLain and Gorsek said they’re confident in Oregon’s ability to continue to receive federal transportation grants, despite directives from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that federal funding should go toward states with high marriage and birth rates, no vaccine or mask mandates and that are committed to working with the federal government to enforce Trump’s immigration policy — all areas that don’t apply to Oregon.” See OCC article . KGW NEWS: What it could cost you to rescue Oregon's transportation funding | The Story | April 4, 2025 Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful climate, CPP and environmental justice programs may run out of funding: Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE) 
 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 
 Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 
 Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ) 
 
 Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ) 
 
 Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS) 
 
 Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS) 
 
 Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) 
 
 Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) (excerpt from OCEN network message) 
 
 House and Senate Energy Climate Committee Notes The Senate E&E Committee moved SB 726-3 to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. The bill would direct the EQC to adopt rules requiring the use of advanced methane detection technology for monitoring surface emissions at municipal solid waste landfills. The advanced technology is estimated to cost $20,000 per year for each landfill operated by a local government. The committee voted unanimously to move SB 1160-1 to Joint W&M with a do pass recommendation. It would require ODOE, assisted by the PUC, to study the financial costs and benefits of developing qualifying small power facilities under state and federal law, as well as small-scale renewable energy projects of 20 MW or less, and report to the interim energy committees by Sept. 30, 2026. ODOE expects to contract with a third party to support the study at an estimated GF cost of $250,000. Senate E&E has a dozen Possible Work Sessions scheduled for April 7, along with a public hearing on SB 1102 carried over from the April 2 meeting. The proposed -2 amendment to SB 1102 would authorize the PUC to impose a fine on an electric utility that fails to comply with statutory clean energy targets or to demonstrate continual improvement. It would set a new interim target for greenhouse gas emissions reduction at 50% below the baseline emissions level by 2028. The committee posted a Possible Work Session for this bill on April 9, as well as for the pro-nuclear bills SB 215 and SB 216 and for SB 1187 , establishing the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program. The House CE&E Committee moved HB 3336 to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. It would require electric utilities to file strategic plans with the PUC for using grid enhancing technologies (GETs, defined in the bill) where doing so is cost-effective, and update the plans every two years. A utility would have to carry out its first filed strategic plan by January 1, 2030. The committee moved the following bills to Joint W&M: HB 2370 would increase the statutory cap on the fee PUC may charge public utilities from 0.45% to 0.55% of a utility’s gross operating revenues in Oregon in the preceding calendar year. If the PUC were to adopt the full 0.55% rate, Other Funds revenue could increase by $13.6 million in the 2025-27 biennium. The PUC would need legislative approval to implement a fee increase. HB 2067-2 would require ODOE to establish a rebate program to incentivize commercial contractors, landscape construction professionals, and landscape contractors to buy battery-powered leaf blowers to improve energy efficiency and reduce noise pollution. It would appropriate $2 million GF for deposit into the new Commercial Landscape Equipment Rebate Fund. LFO says it will prepare a more complete fiscal analysis for Joint W&M. The committee moved HB 3747 to Revenue. It would create a refundable income tax credit for the purchase of battery energy storage systems and solar photovoltaic electric systems. Further fiscal analysis is required. The committee has 28 Work Sessions and Possible Work Sessions scheduled for April 8. No Work Session was scheduled for HB 2064 , so it died in committee. The bill would have required the PUC to take certain actions to support the operations of microgrids and community microgrids. HB 3927 also died; it would have required ODOE to study the need to expand electric transmission infrastructure in Oregon. Proposed amendments would have appropriated $1.6 billion to $8 billion over the next five biennia for deposit in the Oregon Electric Transmission Expansion Fund. House CE&E March 25 HB 3823 Revenue without recommendation. The bill would provide a property tax break for personal property used by a business to generate or store energy for consumption by the business on its premises. Rep. Gamba asked for the record that Revenue clarify whether diesel generators installed at data centers would also be included in the exemption – he believes they are real property and thus would still be taxed -- and whether the exemption would apply to actual battery storage systems. Chair Lively carried over work sessions on the following bills because expected amendments are not ready yet: HB 3336 – Declares state policy for electric utilities to a. Meet the required clean energy targets set forth in ORS 469A.410; b. Develop sufficient resources to meet load growth; c. Create efficiencies and resilience in the transmission system; and d. Maintain energy affordability. Utilities would have to file strategic plans with the PUC for using grid enhancing technologies (defined in the bill) where doing so is cost-effective and to update the plans every two years. A utility would have to carry out its first filed strategic plan by January 1, 2030. HB 2961 – Increases the percentage of electrical service capacity for EV charging that must be installed in parking garages or other parking areas of new multifamily and mixed-use buildings with privately owned commercial space and five or more residential dwelling units The committee voted unanimously to move HB 2063-1 to Joint W&M with a do-pass recommendation. It would create the Agrivoltaics Task Force staffed by DLCD. Fiscal impact estimate is $238,978 for 0.75 FTE to manage the project. The committee held a work session on HB 2961 , which would raise the percentage of EV charging capacity that must be installed in parking garages or other parking areas of new multifamily and mixed-use buildings with privately owned commercial space and five or more residential units. The proposed -4 amendment would raise the threshold for installation from 5 residential units to 10, a concession to rural communities. Rep. Osborne strongly opposed the bill, saying it will raise the cost of housing, and pushed the -2 amendment, which would delay the mandate until criteria for new housing construction, housing costs, homelessness, and electricity rates are met for four consecutive years. The committee could not agree on whether to vote on the amendments. Chair Lively said more amendments are not feasible as “we’ve overloaded Lege Council.” He carried over the WS to allow more discussion offline. The chair also carried over another half dozen work sessions on bills for which amendments and/or fiscal impact statements were not available. These included HB 3336 , requiring electric utilities to file strategic plans with the PUC for using grid enhancing technologies (GETs), which had been carried over previously. Summary of Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) By Robin Tokmakian Oregon Mtg of Apr 1, 2025 Major OR Leg. Bills watched by NWEC Wildfire related concern from NWEC that there is not a balance between who pays the costs … ie. —- what is “fair share" HB 3917 Utility Wildfire Fund - the bill creates the Catastrophic Wildfire Fund to pay for property damage (80%) and noneconomic damages (capped at $100k) claims arising from catastrophic wildfires that are ignited by the facilities of a public utility. See U tility wildfire guidance. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/03/31/pacificorp-involved-in-bills-in-oregon-western-states-limiting-utility-wildfire-liability-damages/ HB 3666 - this bill would create applications of utility wildfire safety certificates for Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) and Consumer-Owned Utilities (COUs) under the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Ratepayer cost related HB 3546 – POWER Act: bill to ensure data centers and crypto pay their fair share instead of the rest of us subsidizing their energy costs. HB 3792 - increases the amount of the energy assistance charge designated to reduce disconnections. Allows the PUC to review the charge in relation to rate increases over the previous two years and adjust it upwards if they deem it necessary. * HB 3179 & SB688 are “paired” HB 3179 – Fair Energy Act: bill helps keep energy bills low by allowing regulators to set the lowest possible rates and shifting increases away from winter when usage is highest. It also improves transparency and gives utilities flexibility to use low-cost financing to minimize customer impacts. See: https://oregoncub.org/news/blog/new-amendments-to-the-fair-energy-act/3112 2. Environmental Rights bill needs more support from Enviro Groups (one Dem legislator withholding support until he sees more support) 3. Utilities and PUC Pacific Corp (PAC) is slowly walking various items it needs to get down to comply with HB2021 (Clean energy and climate goals.). Extending coal plants’ lives in Idaho and Utah (from which OR maybe getting electricity). It is writing its Integrated Resource Plan as a 6-state plan and submitting the same plan for all 6 states (OR, WA, ID, CA, UT, and WY). PAC will take longer now to transition to clean energy 4. Wildfire Webinar sponsored by NWEC will be recorded.. Wildfire and Utilities: This webinar will cover the intersection between wildfire and utilities, policymakers, and communities. Increased fire risk is threatening communities as utilities work to mitigate risk and policymakers are deciding how to regulate them. We will explore this intersection, and the role advocates can play in the development of utility regulations, legislation, and wildfire mitigation plans that will do the most to protect Northwest communities. Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/o2eW2lFPQpOzbJhjCN7oTg#/registration 5. Bonneville BPA LWV OR/WA/ID/MT BPA is pushing to approve joining an investor-led “day-ahead energy market”. NWEC is opposed to their choice and supports the alternative market. See This letter from the US Senators of WA and OR News and Commission Meetings Oregon Climate Action Commission to Meet Virtually on April 11, 2025 — Energy Info Climate Solutions : Thermal Energy Networks win win : 
 Carbon sequestration/storage: See DOGAMI Agency Budget– Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 (see Natural Resources Legislative Report which covers both these topics and Geothermal Drilling. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/17 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency (CE) Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator Priority Bills CE priority bills had minimal activity last week. Most have already moved to JW&Ms, And one to the House. Find in previous LR (report)s additional background on the six CE priorities. 1. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: The Work sessions were held on 4/4. All four bills moved with a partisan vote. Bills are Now in JWM. 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 2. 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 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: SB 907 passed in the Senate 21/8, currently at “Speakers DESK”. 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 . 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… 4. 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. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills including state agency budget bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published January 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 January 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 January 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 The Oregon Joint Committee on Transportation held an informational meeting on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project (IBR) on Thursday, April 13 th , 2023. The presentation, supporting testimony and questions from the committee included the urgency of the timeline for federal funding requirements to be met. Oregon’s commitment to a $1 Billion share of the costs would have to be passed through the Legislature by May 5, 2023. The League of Women Voters of Oregon has identified the Project as a key project impacting Oregonians and anyone traveling the I-5 corridor. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here . This particular meeting was for invited speakers only. Greg Johnson, Project Manager, and Kris Strickler, Director of ODOT, presented on the Project, its development, and its value to the region. Links to the presentation and supplementary information can be found here: presentation and fact sheet . SB 2098 has been drafted outlining funding and project direction but was not discussed in depth during this meeting. Other topics of concern were auxiliary lanes to be built in addition to the three existing ones each way on the current bridge and the possible impact of additional lanes to increased greenhouse gas emissions, current condition and maintenance of the bridge and its seismic readiness. The bridge is a bottleneck to west coast freight traffic, an important economic factor for the region. Legislators were concerned about the costs, the urgency to qualify for federal funding and giving airtime to other visions for the design of the bridge to make sure the investment covers all the needs of the region. The next informational meeting was scheduled on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 5:30 PM, with a caution to look for possible date and time changes at the last minute. Public hearing on the bill was scheduled for April 27 th , 2023. 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 proposed rule. Analysis: The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. SEC Climate Rules Risk Legal Battle with Environmental Groups | Bloomberg Law. Commentary: SEC's proposed climate change disclosures put CFOs under the spotlight | Pensions & Investments. 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. Oregon Gov. Kotek balks at plans for $1 billion Interstate 5 bridge bond – Oregon Capital Chronicle 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 meet April 19. The agenda and meeting materials. The Council met March 8; see the meeting packet . ESG is mentioned on page 7. The formal meeting 3/8 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 anuary 2023 Pers Statement . Moody’s recent Oregon Bond rating rationale: ‘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 January 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 - Interim Week 6/10 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Highlights Interim Legislative Day Public Meetings Interim Senate Committee Energy and Environment News State Treasury and Oregon Investment Council Climate County, State, Federal, and Global Lawsuits Climate Lawsuit News Our Children’s Trust – Recent Press Releases By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator and Team Please consider joining the CE team. We have several critical volunteer openings. Natural and Working Lands Agriculture & Food Insecurity: Public Health, Fossil Fuel (FF) Infrastructure, and Regional Solutions / Community Resilience Hubs. The topic of Transportation has been moved to the Natural Resources Legislative Report. Climate Emergency Highlights LWVOR submitted Climate Protection Program (CPP) testimony to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) May 12, 2024, Proposed Rulemaking . Oregon Climate Action Commission Recruiting Members –The Oregon Climate Action Commission (OCAC was OGWC) is seeking members to support its work and advance its statutory duties. Interested Oregon residents with experience in environmental justice, manufacturing, or the fishing industry are encouraged to apply for one of the commission’s vacant voting positions. The commission is also seeking a youth member (aged 16 to 24) to serve a two-year voting member term. Applications submitted by July 17, 2024 will receive priority consideration. The Oregon Climate Action Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Read more about the meeting here . EQC ( Environmental Quality Commission) May Meeting: Included a formal report from DEQ Director . Interim Legislative Day Public Meetings (We lacked a League observer for these meetings, so no meeting notes are available, but links to the video recording, meeting materials and agendas are provided.) Note the interim Leg day meeting agendas are influenced by Leg leadership; likely to include future priority topics. The League continues to be disappointed that updating Greenhouse Gas Energy (GHGE) targets and structural rules changing how 60+ state agencies/entities optimize/coordinate/congruent cohesive budget for climate change planning is not listed. Interim House Climate Energy & Environment Committee The meeting covered a number of topics with meeting materials provided. The Informational Meeting: Invited Speakers and recording addressed issues dealing with where to site energy facilities. Interim House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans This meeting included topics primarily related to winter storms and wildfires Video Link , Meeting Materials Interim Senate Committee Energy and Environment Link to Video Recording and link to Meeting Materials which include reports from the Citizens Utility Board, the Public Utility Commission, and the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative. News Local climate group joins campaign to put environmental rights in Oregon Constitution - Ashland News - Community-Supported, NonProfit News Locals want environmental rights in Oregon Constitution | Environment | rv-times.com Why do we need the Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment? | Jefferson Public Radio 5 takeaways from the (likely) demise of the Juliana climate case By Lesley Clark | 05/30/2024 06:33 AM EDT: | EE News: The landmark youth lawsuit never made it to trial, but it left a legacy. Lawyers behind the case say the fight isn’t over yet. Giant Hail That Batters Homes, Solar Power Is Growing Weather Threat | Bloomberg As insurers around the U.S. bleed cash from climate shocks , homeowners lose | WLRN Memo: Hurricanes, Severe Weather, Climate Change, and an Unfolding Insurance Crisis - Public Citizen Poll: Majority of American Voters Favor Climate Litigation Against Big Oil – Mother Jones, NOW Rising to Meet the Climate Crisis - Part 5 Gov. Jay Inslee - YouTube More Than 200 Tribes and Four Territories Covered by Climate Action Plans with Support from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act -Key milestone reached as part of $5B Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program -May 6, 2024 | Federal EPA PR DEQ CPP Program DEQ will hold three advisory committee meetings. The public is welcome to attend all meetings virtually. There will be an opportunity for the public to give oral comments or provide written comments following each meeting. Meeting dates and tentative times are below. Instructions to attend by Zoom will be posted here. Recordings of advisory committee meetings are available upon request at CPP.2024@deq.oregon.gov . Meeting 2: May 14, 2024, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT • Agenda • Meeting 2 Presentation Slides • CPP 2024 Cap Brief • CPP 2024 Program Elements Brief • Draft Rules • Written comments Join via Zoom 
Join by phone, dial 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 896 2403 8879 Meeting 3: June 25, 2024, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT State Treasury and Oregon Investment Council Treasury: Oregon Investment Council: Invested for Oregon: State of Oregon April Meeting Minutes and May agenda , Public input , and audio recording . Oregon Attorney General DOJ Climate work: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Spotlight: Warming Climate list of a number of DOJ actions related to Climate issues) Climate County, State, Federal, and Global Lawsuits Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (May 2024 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 75 lawsuits , mentioning Oregon. Climate Lawsuit News Climate court cases that could set precedents around the world | Reuters | May 2024 KUOW / NPR- How an ambitious lawsuit reshaped environmental law — without ever going to trial – 5/22/24 Our Children’s Trust – Recent Press Releases May 22, 2024 Alaskan Youth File New Constitutional Climate Lawsuit Against State Government May 21, 2024 International Tribunal for Law of the Sea Recognizes States Must Prevent Greenhouse Gas Pollution but Falls Short on Requiring Sufficient Action to Protect Oceans May 21, 2024 Youth plaintiffs file amended complaint in climate case against U.S. EPA and OMB. May 20, 2024 Montana Supreme Court Sets Date for Oral Argument in Held v. State of Montana Rep. David Gomberg’s newsletter published on June 8, 2024