2024 Legislation
Legislature Adjourned 3/7/24
2025 LEGISLATURE to Begin in January
This page will be archived and available for reference.
The COIN Legislative Team will, once again, be watching and participating in hearings, watching for bills that reflect the values of our members, and making recommendations for endorsement or opposition.
Please scroll down on this page to see bills we are tracking, organized by categories. Note that some of the bills may be ENDORSED by COIN, others OPPOSED by COIN, and still others are being WATCHED by COIN, as amendments and further work on the bills continue. COIN volunteers won't be able to track all of the bills, but will focus on those that potentially have the most impact on the things our members value. Also, watch closely for any ACTION ALERTS for bills. We'll post these when there are bills that need some help from COIN members - calling your state senator or rep, submitting testimony, or spreading the word on social media. Submitting testimony is really important and it doesn't have to be difficult or scary. It can be as simple as a couple of sentences about why you support or oppose a bill. For some excellent tips on how to provide written or oral testimony on a bill, check out SOCAN's Testimony Tips.
If you know of a bill you think COIN should be tracking, email us at COINLegTeam@gmail.com. Here's a description of the process that COIN uses to endorse or oppose legislation. If you are interested in helping track legislation with us, please sign up here.
To learn more about tracking legislation on the OLIS (Oregon Legislative Information System) website, check out this great video by Cheryl Conway, OLIS for Beginners, and also this great primer by Alan Journet, What's an OLIS?
You can also check out the legislation COIN endorsed and opposed in 2022 and 2023.
Our volunteers are tracking a lot of bills on a variety of topics. Here's a list of the topics in order, so you can click on any of the following and jump to the topic of your choice, or you can scroll down through all of the bills in the sections below.
JUMP TO A TOPIC:
View the daily schedule for Legislative Committee Meetings HERE.
You can look for meetings today or pick a new date as shown in the graphic to the right. You can search for meetings by committe or specific bills using the links In the upper right corner of this page.
Session announcements and bill status are accurate as of: Saturday Mar 9, 3:30 pm
Topic: Climate, Energy and Environment
HB 4083 - The COAL Act COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
The COAL Act sets the goal of moving our state’s investments out of dirty coal and keeping Oregon pensions and state finances safe. It will direct the Treasury to 1) Phase out publicly traded investments in coal, 2) Halt new investments in coal, and 3) Report on the phase out of coal. COIN is a member of the Divest Oregon coalition that worked with legislators over the past year to develop this bill.
This bill had a public hearing on Feb 8 with the Committee On Emergency Management, General Government. You can watch the recorded hearing HERE. A work session was held on Feb 15 at 1:00 PM. You can watch the recorded session HERE. The bill passed out of committee on Feb 15 with a 4-3 vote (on party lines). Passed the HOUSE 33-24 on Monday Feb 19. This bill had a public hearing in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee on Feb 22. You can view the recording HERE. A work session was held Tuesday Feb 27. Watch the recording HERE. The bill passed out of committee with a 3-2 vote.
MOVEMENT ALERT: The COAL Act passed the full Senate with a 16-13 vote Mar 5. It returned to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments. The House concurred in the Senate amendments and repassed the bill on Mar. 6 by a vote of 34-21. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
SB 1559 - Climate Target Modernization COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill will update Oregon's long outdated climate goals and align them with the best available current science. It will update our GHG emissions reduction targets from those established in 2007 via HB 3543 as a totally inadequate and purely voluntary target of 75% below 1990 levels by 2050 to 95% below 1990 levels. The bill also includes interim targets of 45% below 1990 levels by 2030, to 70% below by 2040. Additionally, this bill will also establish the first-ever target for Oregon to achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
A public hearing was held Tuesday Feb 13. Watch the recorded hearing HERE.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
HB 4015 - Energy Storage Siting COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill does three things. (1) It adds a definition of Battery Energy Storage Systems (“BESS”) in state statute; (2) It states that a battery sited in location with an existing generating facility does not require a separate, additional site certificate; and (3) most importantly, clarifies that BESS projects may be permitted at the state Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC). Many rural counties don’t have the capacity to do the necessary facility analysis and will need the help of the EFSC for siting to proceed. It is one significant piece of a larger strategy to help Oregon reach its clean energy and climate goals.
This bill had a hearing on Wednesday Feb 7 at 3:00 PM in the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment. The recording is available HERE. A work session was held on Feb 14 and the committee voted 9-1 to pass this bill along. You can watch the recording HERE. On Feb 15, this bill passed the HOUSE with bipartisan support, 44-13. Had its first reading in the Senate Feb 19.
This bill had a public hearing in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee on Feb 22. You can view the recording HERE. A work session was held Tuesday Feb 27. You can find the link to watch the recording HERE.
The bill passed out of committee with a 3-2 vote. Had its 2nd and 3rd readings.
MOVEMENT ALERT: HB4015 passed the full Senate with a 16-13 vote Mar 5. Awaiting signatures.
HB 4080 B - Roadmap for Offshore Wind Energy COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
The AFL-CIO originated this bill to push for labor standards for construction and manufacturing “if and when” Floating OffShore Wind (FOSW) development is initiated by the Federal Government. The Oregon Consensus project added components for ensuring participation of fishing, tribal and environmental communities. The bill provides resources to the Department of Land Conservation and Development to design a “Roadmap" to bring together state agencies, labor groups, port and fishing interests, and tribal nations to ensure Federal engagement meets State standards and needs. This bill is “agnostic”: it does not take a position on whether FOSW projects should be developed on the Oregon coast.
This bill had a hearing on Wednesday Feb 7 at 8:00 AM in the House Committee on Business and Labor. View the recording of the hearing HERE. A work session was held on Feb 14. You can watch the recorded work session HERE. The committee voted 6-5 to pass this bill after amendment. The bill was referred to the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources, where a work session was held on Feb 28 and the bill was returned to the full JW&M Committee. Watch the recorded session HERE. A work session with the full Joint Ways & Means Committee was held March 1. You can view the recording HERE.
MOVEMENT ALERT: This bill had its 2nd reading on Monday March 4. Had a 3rd reading and, after multiple motions to move the bill back to committees all failed, passed by a 36-21 vote in the full House Tuesday March 5. After a 1st reading in the Senate, reassigned to Joint Ways & Means Committee. The Committee passed the bill, HB 4080 B, and the bill was approved by the Senate on Mar. 7 by a vote of 17-11. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
SB 1581 A - Reporting Status of Regional Energy Market COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Requires investor-owned utilities that sell more than two million megawatts per year (in other words, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power) to report to the legislature annually on any steps taken or being considered to participate in a regional energy market. This seemingly innocuous bill is important because the utilities appear close to reaching a decision to join one of two “day-ahead regional markets.” If one set of Northwest utilities joins one market and the other set join the other, most Oregonians and the climate would lose. The greatest benefit for Oregon and the Northwest will come from a West-wide market that enhances resource and load diversity across the largest possible footprint. Utilities need to consider the impact of their pending decision from a broad public interest perspective. Their decisions will affect all Oregonians and the entire region and not just their own operations and the segment of the region’s transmission system they happen to control. Thus, it is important for the Oregon legislature with its mandate to represent all Oregonians to be kept informed and, when appropriate, offer guidance. This bill had a public hearing and work session Tuesday Feb 13 in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. You can watch the recording HERE.
This bill passed the full Senate on Feb 21 with a bipartisan vote of 24-6. A public hearing in the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment was held Monday Feb 26. Watch the recorded hearing at this link. A work session was held on Feb 28 and the bill passed out of committee with a vote of 8-1 with 1 person absent. You can watch the recorded session HERE.
MOVEMENT ALERT: This bill had its 2nd reading on Monday March 4 then a 3rd reading and passed the House with a 37-14 vote Tuesday March 5. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
HB 4014-3 - Landowners Living with Beavers Grant Program COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
No further action in 2024.
Beavers are an important keystone species throughout Oregon, but they can cause damage to property and crops and have thus been the target of extermination efforts for decades. This is a proposal for a $1.5 million grant program fund that incentivizes private landowners to engage and implement non-lethal coexistence strategies. It will be administered through the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund under ODFW as flexible block grants up to $50K until the fund runs out. The program will allow for some funds to be allocated for technical assistance. Eligible entities to apply for grants include watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts, and nonprofits.
This bill was originally assigned to the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee and had its first hearing on Monday Feb 5. You can view the recording HERE. A work session was held Feb 14. You can watch the recording HERE. This bill had another work session Monday Feb 19. You can view that work session recording HERE. The bill was passed with amendment by a vote of 10-0. Referred to Joint Ways & Means Committee.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
SB 1596-15 - Right to Repair COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill requires makers of electronics to provide consumers what they need to do effective repairs and maintenance. Many electronic devices can be more expensive to repair that to purchase a new device, which results in a lot of waste and environmental degradation. It also makes such devices inaccessible to many. This bill was endorsed by COIN in the 2023 Legislative Session, but it did not pass. Let's work extra hard to get it passed this year.
This bill had a public hearing on Thursday Feb 8 in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. Due to the large number of people testifying and the committee questions too many, the hearing was extended to Tuesday Feb 13 with a work session to follow. You can watch the recorded Feb 8 hearing HERE and you can view the Feb 13 recording HERE. The bill was passed out of committee with amendment by a vote of 4-1. A 2nd reading was held Monday Feb 19. After a 3rd reading, the bill passed the full Senate 25-5 Tuesday Feb 20. A public hearing was held Monday Feb 26 at 8:00 AM in the House Business and Labor Committee. The recorded hearing can be viewed HERE. This hearing and work session continued at 8:00 AM Wednesday. The bill was passed out of committee with a 7-3 vote with one person absent. You can watch the recorded session HERE.
MOTION ALERT: This is the second year COIN has endorsed this bill. It's across the finish line! After a 3rd reading, the House passed SB 1596 Monday Mar 4 with a bipartisan vote of 45-13. Awaiting the Governor's signature.
SB 1593 - Fire Safe Communities COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill, sponsored by Senator Golden, would study the best way to generate revenue to address wildfire risk, mitigation, and firefighting, including looking at the forest harvest tax, which has been reduced over the last decades. Among other things, the study will investigate need for a gradual increase in this tax based on timber property size. The study will also investigate how best to distribute the revenue to the Department of Forestry, to timber communities and local taxing districts, to the Oregon Fire Marshal for risk reduction, and to the Watershed Enhancement Board for restoration of water supplies damaged by wildfire and logging. Referred to the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee.
The public hearing scheduled for Feb 20 was cancelled and rescheduled for Feb 28. View the recorded hearing HERE. The bill remains in the Senate Committee On Finance and Revenue.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
HB 4132 A - Marine Reserves COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill will implement recommendations of a 10-year assessment of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council to develop an adaptive management and social monitoring program to support and enhance the Marine Reserves Program. This bill would likely have passed last year if not for the senate GOP walkout.
This bill had a public hearing on Tuesday Feb 6. You can view the recording HERE. A work session was held Wednesday Feb 8. Watch the work session recording HERE. The bill was passed with amendment by the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water with a 9-0 vote. It was assigned to the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources. A work session was held Feb 26. You can watch the recording HERE.
The Subcommittee voted to recommend HB 4132 with Amendment -2 which would increase funding for the Marine Reserves Program by $894,324. The bill was returned to the full Joint Ways & Means Committee, which passed it with a bipartisan vote of 23-0! While it's not as much funding as some experts think the bill needs ($1.2 million), there is a lot competing for funding this session and we are very glad to see this bill is moving forward.
MOVEMENT ALERT: This bill had a 2nd and 3rd reading and passed by a unanimous 55-0 vote with 5 excused in the full House Monday Mar 4. The bill then passed on Mar. 6 in the Senate by a 26-3 vote. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
SB 1511 A - Neighborhood Fire Protection Grant Program COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill will provide grants for neighborhoods to work together, under direction of the state fire marshal or conservation districts, to help property owners with wildfire resilience. It will direct agencies to plan for a program for certifying reduced wildfire risk for insurance purposes.
This bill had a hearing on Feb 8 (watch the recording HERE). A work session was held Feb 13 (watch the recording HERE). The bill was passed with amendment by a vote of 5-0 Feb 19 and assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee. It remains in that Committee.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
HB 4112-4 - Clean Technology Leadership COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
COIN endorsed this bill during the 2023 session but it didn't pass. We're hoping to see it through this session. If adopted, this bill will enhance Oregon's competitiveness in attracting, expanding, and sustaining in-state clean energy manufacturing through incentives ($20 million in a new Clean Technology Manufacturing Opportunity Fund), procurement, and an Advisory Council.
The House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment held a public hearing for this bill on Feb 12 (view recording HERE) and then carried it over to Feb 14 (view recording HERE). A work session was held Monday Feb 19. You can view the recorded session HERE. The bill was passed with amendment by a vote of 7-3 Feb 19 and assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
SB 1561 A - Monsanto Settlement Disbursement COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill establishes a council with authority to disburse funds received from the settlement with Monsanto involving PCB's. Portions of the funds will be distributed to the Disproportionately Impacted Communities Fund and the Tribal Nations Natural Resources Program Fund. Groups generally support this bill but several request an expansion of the wording to include restoration projects, as intended in the original settlement document. An amendment has been introduced to satisfy that concern.
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held public hearing Thursday Feb 8. View the recorded hearing HERE. A work session was held Tuesday Feb 13 and you can view the recording HERE. The bill was passed with amendment by a vote of 5-0. The bill was assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources. This committee held a work session Feb 21, and returned the bill to the full Joint Ways & Means Committee. HERE is a link for viewing the recording. It was scheduled for an additional work session in JW&M on Feb 28.
The bill passed out of the Joint Ways and Means Committee with a vote of 23-0 and had its 2nd and 3rd readings and a vote on Monday March 4.
MOVEMENT ALERT: SB 1561 passed the Senate with a 26-4 bipartisan vote. It also had its 1st reading in the House and been referred once again to Joint Ways & Means Committee. The bill passed the House with a 54-2 vote on Wednesday Mar 6. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
HB 4148 Wildlife Omnibus Bill COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Many species of wildlife are having a very difficult time in this state. If passed, HB 4148 would: protect migrating wildlife from getting hit by vehicles, address native species impacted by nonnatives, provide grants to wildlife rehabilitators to support and enhance their efforts to care for injured wildlife (a service that has no permanent funding source from the state that benefits from their work), and provides funds for the state’s veterinary lab and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to identify and prevent disease spread (just 2 examples: CWD (deer) and WNS (bats)). WHAT IT DOES: Directs the ODFW to expand programs related to wildlife disease. Directs the department to establish a wildlife coexistence program. Makes certain changes concerning a program to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Directs the Invasive Species Council to undertake a review of council programs and activities regarding non-native invasives. Appropriates moneys out of the General Fund for implementing the expansion, review, new program(s) and changes to wildlife programs.
The bill had a public hearing on Feb 6 (view recording HERE) and a work session on Feb 13 (view recording HERE) and was passed with amendment by the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water by a vote of 8-0. It is now assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee, awaiting funding decisions.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
Funding the Climate Budget COIN supports funding these programs.
There are several programs that resulted from legislation passed last year that need additional funding this year. The funding will potentially be part of bills yet to be determined. Here are the five programs:
Healthy Homes Program ($15 Million) to support affordable energy bills and resilient housing through whole-home weatherization upgrades.
Charge Ahead Electric Vehicles Rebates ($20 Million) to support equitable access to electric vehicles for low- and moderate-income Oregonians.
Worker Climate Fund ($9 Million) to provide compensation for farm workers who lose income due to wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
Storage + Solar Rebate Program ($10 Million) to increase access to renewable energy for low- and moderate-income Oregonians.
Oregon Rental Home Heat Pump Program ($5 Million) to Oregonians install life-saving, efficient heat pumps in rental, manufactured, or recreational vehicle homes.
HB 4106 - Logging Over Habitat Conservation COIN OPPOSES this bill. No further action in 2024.
The bill is clearly an effort by the timber industry to undo the current Habitat Conservation Plan from the State
Forester that has been under consideration. The bill would require the State Forester to develop a model for managing state forests that prioritizes logging. The bill notes there has been an emphasis on environmental and habitat conservation concerns which drive the current Habitat Conservation Plan under consideration. The bill directs the State Forester to develop an inventory of timber on the state forests; project the yield and growth of the inventory of the timber for 100 years; and develop a sustainable harvest level that maximizes the net present value of the land. The bill is currently in the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. A public hearing was held Tuesday Feb 20. A recording of the hearing is available HERE.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: We'd like to give lots of thanks to the dozens and dozens of individuals, many of whom are part of our COIN network, who have already submitted testimony opposing this bill. Check out this very impressive list of testimonies.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
HB 4133-4 - Wildfire Prevention and Suppression COIN OPPOSES this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill shifts more responsibility for wildfire prevention and suppression onto taxpayers, effectively giving a tax break to timber companies and large landowners. The bill establishes the State Forestry Department Large Wildfire Fund to be funded by appropriations by the legislature and makes other changes to fire protection districts, the Emergency Fire Cost Committee, and the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund. The bill potentially would shift $7 million annually from timber companies and large ranch owners onto taxpayers for firefighting efforts that would protect timber and ranching interests. Sen. Steiner who has championed the bill is quoted as saying, “You can make an argument that we’re letting them off easy, or that we’re giving them the big tax break….And I’m gonna say, I don’t know, you may be right.”
There was a public hearing in the House Revenue Committee Tuesday Feb 13 and another on Feb 14. Watch Feb 13 recording HERE. Watch the Feb 14 recording HERE. An informational hearing was held on Feb 22. You can view that recording HERE.
This bill was significantly modified by amendment and passed without recommendation of the Revenue Committee 5-2 in a work session Monday Feb 26. Watch the recorded session HERE. Referred to the Joint Ways & Means Committee.
Assigned to the Joint W & M Subcommittee on Capital Construction but was deleted from the March 6 Agenda for that subcommittee.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
Topic: Homelessness and Affordable Housing
SB 1537 A - Housing Production Package COIN is WATCHING this bill.
This bill is a top priority for Governor Kotek. COIN is still "watching" this bill due to concerns about the provision that would give cities a one-time expansion of their urban growth boundaries (UGBs). The original bill allowed expansions of up to 75 acres for cities under 30,000 people and for up to 150 acres for larger cities. Due to a lot of resistance from environmental groups, land use watchdog groups, and ordinary citizens, the bill was amended to reduce the allowed expansions to 50 acres for small cities and 100 acres for large cities. The primary concern is that any temporary suspension of Oregon's land use laws could result in construction of mostly private-sector, high-end housing, which would undermine the intention of this bill - to facilitate the building of housing most needed for middle and lower-income Oregonians, and the amendment doesn't really alleviate those concerns. However, we also recognize the severe need for housing. Below are some additional sources of information about this bill.
This bill had a public hearing Feb 8 in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. You can watch the recorded session HERE. A work session was held on Feb 13. Watch the recorded session HERE. The bill was passed with amendment by a vote of 5-0 and assigned to a subcommittee of the Joint Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development resulted in the bill being returned to the full Joint Ways & Means Committee. You can view the recording HERE.
The bill passed out of JW&M with the -15 amendment on Feb 28 with a 23-0 vote with 1 person absent. Watch the session HERE. On Thursday Feb 29, the bill MOVEMENT ALERT: with a bipartisan vote of 21-7. It was then referred to Ways and Means again and on March 1, the committee gave it a Do Pass recommendation.
MOVEMENT ALERT: This bill had both a 2nd and 3rd reading then passed the House with a 50-6 vote in the full House Monday Mar 4. Awaiting Governor's signature.
SB 1530 A - Funding for Housing Programs COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill will fund several housing programs: Housing and Community Services Department, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, State Department of Energy and Oregon Department of Administrative Services for various programs. Some of the elements we supported from SB 1537 above, were moved into this bill, specifically, the infrastructure investments and climate-smart housing incentives. The -3 amendment adds $100 million to such housing development and the hope is that the bill will be further amended to specifically target projects inside current UGBs that are shovel-ready now. If passed, this bill will provide funds to specific agencies and community organizations that run a variety of supportive housing programs, including renter assistance, housing stability, resident outreach, emergency shelters, and housing preservation. However, the funding is not quite as much as many groups would like to see. 350 PDX has submitted testimony in support of this bill but with requests for additional funding that align with the Climate Budget goals (above) which COIN supports.
A public hearing and work session for SB 1530 were held on Feb 13 (view recording HERE) where it passed with the -3 amendment by a vote of 5-0. It moved to the Joint Ways & Means Committee. A work session was held Tuesday Feb 27 with the Joint Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development. You can view the live session or watch the recording afterward HERE.
The bill was returned to the full Joint Ways & Means Committee. A work session was held Feb 28 and this bill passed with the -7 amendment that shows how much funding was allocated to each program. Watch the action HERE. This bill got a full vote in the Senate Feb 29 and it passed with bipartisan support 21-7.
MOVEMENT ALERT: This bill had both a 2nd and 3rd reading then passed the House with a 52-5 vote in the full House Monday Mar 4. Awaiting Governor's signature.
Topic: Health Care
Measure 110: Recriminalize or not?
There have been over a dozen bills introduced this session to change some or all of the major components of Measure 110. While the COIN team is analyzing these proposals, please be aware the coalition that wants to keep measure 110 unchanged had a lobby day in Salem on February 14th. Details on the ACLU Oregon website HERE. They oppose both the democrat and republican proposals for change.
HB 4002-33 – Democratic proposal to “fix” Measure 110 COIN is WATCHING this bill.
The amended wording can be found HERE, and according to our analysis includes these points:
Makes possession of small amounts of drugs a Class C misdemeanor, but expressly does not allow for civil penalties, fines, or attorney fees to be levied against people for Class C misdemeanors under this section
A misdemeanor violation can be avoided by any person who completes a drug treatment intake assessment and a second meeting where they map out a treatment plan
This is a complex proposal with many parts, including increasing opioid medication treatment in jails, expanding behavioral health clinics, and setting up more recovery housing.
The length of time for welfare holds would increase from 48 to 72 hours because fentanyl stays in a person’s system for longer than alcohol and other drugs.
Intent to deliver is a crime, fixing some loophole in the current law
Insurers may not require pre-authorization for substance abuse medication treatment on an emergency basis.
Oregon Chapter of American College of Physicians supports the measure but the ACLU and the vast majority of testimony submitted so far has opposed the measure. Many organizations support some parts of the bill and oppose others. See the COIN worksheet below for more details.
The Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety held a public hearing Feb 7. The recording of the Feb 7 hearing is available HERE. Another public hearing was held Monday Feb 26. You can watch that recording HERE.
In the Tuesday Feb 27 work session, this bill was passed with the -33 amendment 10-2. Two Democratic members of the committee voted nay. On Feb 29, it passed in the full House with a vote of 51-7.
MOVEMENT ALERT: On March 1, it passed the full Senate with a vote of 21-8. Awaiting Governor's signatures.
For more information on the terms of the bill, see this Feb 27 OP-ED from the Rogue Valley Times: Detailed Explanation of HB4002 from Rep. Pam Marsh
SB 1555 - Makes Public Drug Use a Crime COIN OPPOSES this bill. No further action in 2024.
This measure would return us to addressing drug use primarily through the criminal justice system rather than the health care system, a criminal justice system that rarely includes addiction treatment in its jails and does not have enough public defenders or court personnel to prosecute the crimes currently before it. SB 1555 does the following:
Returns possessing small amounts of controlled substances to a Class A Misdemeanor (as it was before Measure 110), punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6250 fine.
Makes public use of a controlled substance a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6250 fine.
Mandates harsher penalties for certain drug related crimes.
Changes the law to make it easier to prove intent to transfer drugs.
Mandates addiction assessments and treatment for its diversion programs, probation, or conditional release. This free assessment and treatment, set up under Measure 110, is already available to anyone. However, not enough treatment beds are available and nothing in this measure would change that.
Changes the supervision of Measure 110 money (from marijuana taxes) from the Oregon Health Authority to the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission.
The Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety held a public hearing Wednesday Feb 7. The recording of this hearing is available HERE.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
HB 4130 B - Corporate Practice of Medicine Ban COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
Corporatization significantly increases the costs of health care. This bill protects against the corporatization of health care in Oregon.
Supported by Oregon Nurses Association, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Physicians, Oregon Pediatric Society, and other health care related groups. A public hearing was held Wednesday Feb 7 at 3:00PM. The recording of this meeting is available HERE. A work session was held on Feb 14 (view recording HERE) and has been carried over to Monday Feb 19. This bill passed out of committee with the -6 amendment by a vote of 7-4
This bill passed the full House on Feb 22 with a bipartisan vote of 42-12.
HB4130A was referred to the Senate Committee on Health Care, where it was further amended and passed 3-2 after a hearing and work session Monday Feb 26. You can watch the recording HERE. It was referred to Rules Committee.
This bill was given a public hearing and work session in the Senate Rules Committee on Monday March 4. You can watch the hearing/work session HERE.
Members of the Rules Committee approved the B15 amendment and voted 3-2 with a DO PASS recommendation, sending the bill on for additional readings and a vote in the Senate.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking further action on this bill.
HB 4017 - Mobile Crisis Response Units Study COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill directs the OHA to study ways to increase the number, capacity and effectiveness of local mobile behavioral health crisis response teams. The best example of a successful mobile crisis unit is in Eugene, called CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets). This program supports local police depts in handling many social service-type calls that involve mental health, drug-related health care or non-emergency medical care. A local mental health clinic staffs the unit, using City of Eugene vehicles. Assigned to the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care.
Bill was stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year.
SB 1536 - Abortion Restrictions COIN OPPOSES this bill. No further action in 2024.
Restricts abortion after 15 weeks unless urgent health need or pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.
Allows woman who is given an abortion after 15 weeks to sue the provider.
Requires the provider to report all procedures to the OHA.
Specifies where abortions can take place.
A bill like this, which would seriously restrict the reproductive rights of women, has no place here in Oregon where we value freedom and equality for all. Assigned to the Senate Health Care Committee.
The legislature adjourned for the year without taking action on this bill.
HB 4070-5 - School Based Health Centers Expansion COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill provides greatly needed expansion and renovations for school based health centers, in particular, for mental and behavioral health services. The bill sets a minimum for grants that must be adjusted for inflation. Ten school districts will be selected to receive planning grants and technical assistance, and with these resources the districts will come up with a plan that identifies and addresses the needs in the district and then contract with nonprofits to implement these health initiatives and services. There is a directive to engage with culturally specific organizations that can provide culturally and language specific services. Also, the bill would direct OHA to develop a statewide grant program to increase and improve school-based health services for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment through grants and reimbursements. Finally, additional funds would be directed to construction and renovation of school based health centers and for necessary equipment.
Originally assigned to the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. A public hearing was held Feb 5 (recording HERE) followed later by a work session Feb 14 (recording HERE) where it passed with the -5 amendment by a vote of 10-1. The amendment reduced one of the funding recommendations. Assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee awaiting funding decisions.
Bill was stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year.
HB4129 B - Homecare Modernization Act COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Offers APD/DHS homecare service recipients a new homecare option entitled “Agency with Choice,” which will provide home care workers with a more person-centered option that increases choice and can be more efficiently managed, leading to higher quality care and better job opportunities. Improves access to homecare services regardless of client’s background or circumstances, recognizing the importance of supporting families who want to care for their loved ones at home, and bolstering the caregiving workforce that plays a critical role in this endeavor.
Originally assigned to the House Early Childhood and Human Services Committee. View the recordings of the Feb 12 public hearing HERE and the Feb 14 work session HERE. The bill was amended and passed 6-3 and sent to the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Human Services. A work session was held Feb 28. Watch the session HERE. Subcommittee members returned the bill to the full Joint Ways & Means Committee, and a work session was held March 1 where the committee voted 15-8 to pass the bill. You can view the work session HERE.
MOVEMENT ALERT: This bill was given its 2nd reading on Monday March 4 then a 3rd reading and vote, passing 34-22 the full House Tuesday March 5. . It also had its 1st reading in the Senate and was referred once again to Joint Ways & Means Committee. The Committee passed HB 4129 B on Mar. 7, and the bill was passed by the Senate also on Mar. 7 by a vote of 17-11. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
HB 4113A - Counting All Medicine Payments COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would require insurers and health insurance or pharmacy plan managers or contractors to count payments
from manufacturers or other third parties or from coupons and the like towards a deductible or co-pay or any other cost
a person covered under the policy or plan must pay for certain medication. Insurers must count payments made by or on behalf of an insured or an enrollee in a plan for the costs of certain prescription drugs when calculating the enroll contribution to an out-of-pocket maximum, deductible, copayment, coinsurance or other required cost-sharing for the drugs.
Originally assigned to the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee. View the recordings of the Feb 7 public hearing HERE and the Feb 14 work session HERE. The bill passed 11-0 with the -3 amendment and then passed the full House 58-0 with 2 excused absences.
MOVEMENT ALERT: The Senate Committee on Health Care, held a public hearing and a work session Feb 28 and passed this bill out of committee 5-0. Watch the session HERE.
ACTION ALERT: This bill had its 3rd reading Monday Mar 4 but the vote in the full Senate was carried over to Tuesday March 5, where it passed 30-0! Awaiting signatures.
Topic: Protecting Democracy
HJR 202 - Changing the Quorum Rule COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
The Simple Majority Quorum Referral is a bicameral resolution as a first step in amending the Oregon state constitution to end the chaos caused by legislators’ walkouts. It requires a simple majority of 50 + 1 rather than the current 2/3 of the members of the House and the Senate to be present to conduct the state’s business that they were elected to perform. HJR202 refers the proposed amendment to Oregonians for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. It is a priority issue for Democrats but we realize that Republicans could sabotage the 2024 session over this or any other bills they don't like, especially after losing the recent Oregon Supreme Court decision related to their previous walkout. Currently assigned to the House Rules Committee.
Bill was held in committee without any action taken. The legislature adjourned for the year.
Topic: Campaign Finance Reform / Election Reform
HB 4024 A - Campaign Finance Reform COIN is WATCHING this bill, pending endorsement.
The original wording of this bill requires the Secretary of State to study ways to improve campaign finance. This is a placeholder bill, and may be used as a last-minute submission from legislators to attempt campaign finance reform. See the OPB reports on these efforts here OPB: Business and Labor Negotiating Campaign Finance Package CFR 2.9.24 and OPB: Business and Labor Negotiating Campaign Finance Package CFR 2.15.24
The efforts by legislators in the past have been unacceptable to COIN so we will be paying close attention to this bill or any other submitted related to CFR. Groups who support real campaign finance reform will compare any HB4024 wording to Initiative Petition 9, which has an excellent chance of qualifying for the November 2024 election. COIN has endorsed IP 9 as the gold standard for CFR. You can read more about IP 9 HERE at the Honest Elections Oregon website. This bill has been assigned to the House Rules Committee, which is one of the committees for which public hearing and work session deadlines do not apply.
The House Rules Committee held a public hearing on Friday Feb 23, specifically about the -3 amendment. Our friends at Honest Elections and Common Cause have concluded that these amendments do not represent real campaign finance reform. They have prepared the documents linked above, listing their concerns and offering some talking points for us to use. HERE is a link for viewing the recording. Not surprisingly, all those who gave testimony in support of this bill were groups that would benefit from the bill's loopholes allowing them to continue to make large campaign contributions and influence Oregon politics.
Legislators pulled a fast one Friday Mar 1, dropping the -5 amendment FIVE MINUTES before the close of business with the amendment to be considered at the 8:00 AM session Monday. The amendment converts the bill to a referral to the voters in November. We believe the intention is to interfere with and nullify Initiative Petition 9, but our team member Dan Meek from Honest Elections Oregon has provided valuable analysis to show the major flaws in HB4024-5:
Here is more information suggesting this bill will NOT get big money out of our politics:
A public hearing and work session were held 8:00 AM Monday March 4. You can view the recording HERE.
MOVEMENT ALERT: During the work session at 8:00 AM Wednesday Mar 6, the -8 amendment was passed and the amended bill received a unanimous vote from the committee to progress to the House floor. Watch the session HERE. The bill, HB 4204A, then passed the House also on Mar. 6 by a vote of 52-5.
Update: A public hearing and a work session were held on Mar. 7 by the Senate Rules Committee; the Committee passed the bill as approved by the House. The bill was then approved by the Senate also on Mar. 7 by a vote of 22-6. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
This is a historic moment for Oregon! All those who negotiated tirelessly to ultimately produce a bill acceptable to all sides deserve our gratitude. While most admit the bill is not perfect, it deserves passage by both the House and the Senate in this session. It is a huge step forward toward honest and open elections in our state! If you submitted testimony or wrote to legislators opposing earlier versions of this bill, you were a part of the wave of grassroots support that helped bring about this moment. Thank you!
SB 1589 - Eliminating Vote-By-Mail COIN OPPOSES this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill would do away with Oregon’s vote by mail system and require in person voting on election day as the standard method of voting. Voters would be required to show a photo ID to vote. There would be some exceptions for those who can’t vote in person on election day, for military and overseas voters, and voters with a mailing address outside Oregon. In those situations, the voters could vote by mail but must show a photo ID when requesting a ballot and must return the ballot by election day; the state would not pay for postage.
Assigned to Senate Rules Committee
Bill was still in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year.
Topic: Agriculture
HB 4049 A - PFAS in Biosolids COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
Directs the Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to conduct a study of the fate and transport of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in biosolids that are applied to agricultural fields across this state. PFAS are toxic in small quantities. They are persistent and bioaccumulative and are not known to break down in the environment. When biosolids containing PFAS are applied to agricultural fields, the PFAS may be taken up by plants and even potentially by animals that eat those plants.
A public hearing was held Thursday Feb 8 at 3:00PM. View the recorded hearing HERE. A work session was held Tuesday Feb 13 which you can view HERE. The bill was passed with amendment by a vote of 8-0 with one excused absent and assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee.
Bill was stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year. To get an idea of how critical this bill should be, and for some talking points to use next year, see this article about issues with biosolids in Texas.
HB 4059 A - Brassica Canola Study COIN is WATCHING this bill.
This bill requires the study of the production of specific species in the brassica family and its impact on the Willamette Valley Protected District farmers.
The House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water held a public hearing on Feb 13 (watch the recorded hearing HERE). A work session was held on Feb 15 (watch the recording HERE).
The bill was passed by the full House on Feb 22 with a vote of 32-25. It now moves to the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire. A public hearing was held Tuesday Feb 27. You can view the recording HERE. A work session was held Feb 29, where the committee voted for this bill 3-2 with the -21 amendment. You can watch the session HERE.
MOVEMENT ALERT: HB 4059 B was passed by the Senate on Mar. 7 by a 17-11 vote with amendments that were approved by the House also on Mar. 7; the House repassed the bill by a vote of 33-23. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
Topic: Immigration and Social Justice
HB 4085 - Immigrant Status Assistance COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill would give grants to non-citizens to assist with the expense, such as application and legal fees, of obtaining lawful immigrant status. Legal immigration status is vital to the health and well-being of immigrant and refugee families. This status is essential to insure Oregon's newest residents thrive in their new home by allowing access to employment, health care, education, and other essential services.
This bill had its first hearing on Monday Feb 5 at 1:00 PM. You can view the recording HERE. One work session was held Feb 14 (watch the recording HERE) and another was held Monday Feb 19. You can watch the recorded Feb 19 work session HERE. The bill was passed with amendment by a vote of 9-0 with one excused absence and assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee.
Bill was stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year.
Topic: Criminal Justice
HB 4097 - Modification of Expungement Statute COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill modifies and improves the statute for processing criminal records expungement, makes technical fixes, considers cost and wait time barriers, to increase success rate of Oregonians who expunge their records in order to reduce barriers to employment, housing and other vital services.
A public hearing was held Thursday Feb 8 (view recording HERE). A work session was held on Feb 15 (view recording HERE). On Feb 15, this bill was moved to the House Rules Committee without recommendation as to passage by a vote of 9-1.
A public hearing and work session were held Tuesday Feb 27. You can view the recording HERE.
The bill passed the House Rules Committee 4-3 with -6 amendment. Referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
Bill was stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year.
SB 1560 A - Early Medical Release for Adults in Custody COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill supports the compassionate release of adults in custody who have medical conditions that with continued incarceration would constitute inhumane treatment for them to be left in the general population of prisons, or with ill-equipped prison medical services. It includes provisions for release assessment of individuals in order to ensure public safety. The bill is supported by Justice Action Network, ACLU, Sponsors Inc, Oregon Justice Resource Center, Oregon Health Equity Alliance, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. UPDATE on 2/23 from Senator Dembrow's office: The bill has a great chance this session. It’s not at all guaranteed because it has a small fiscal attached to it, and bills like that can get lost in the end rush of funding requests. But advocates support the bill and are organizing outreach to the decision-makers who really need to hear how important this bill is.
A public hearing was held Tuesday Feb 6 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. View the recorded hearing HERE. Watch the recorded Feb 12 work session HERE. The bill was amended and subsequently passed out of committee by a 3-2 vote along party lines. SB 1560 is now assigned to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
Bill was stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year.
Topic: Hunger
SB 1585 A - Hot Food with SNAP COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Requires DHS to set up a work group and come up with a plan for a program that allows people who receive SNAP aid to be able to use the aid to buy hot foods and hot foods that are ready to eat. This bill would allow Oregon to join the 11 other states that already allow SNP aid to be used in this manner. People without access to a kitchen or who are limited by disability deserve access to a hot meal.
A brief public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services was held Feb 7. Watch the recording HERE. A work session was held Feb 14. Watch the recording HERE.
This bill passed on Feb 14 with amendments by a vote of 4-1. It is assigned to the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Human Services.
A work session was held Monday Feb 26 at 8:00 AM. You can watch the recording HERE. The bill has been referred back to the full Joint Ways and Means Committee. At its work session on Feb 28, the full committee voted to pass this bill with a vote of 22-1. Watch the action HERE.
MOVEMENT ALERT: This bill passed the Senate with a 22-8 vote Monday March 4. After having its 1st reading in the House, it was given a quick look and then passed by the Joint Ways and Means Committee. The bill passed the House on Mar. 6 by a 47-7 vote. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
HB 4162 A - Funding Basic Needs for College Students COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
Appropriates funds to be distributed as grants to public universities and colleges and community colleges to support basic needs programs at the school and to help students apply for and obtain assistance from benefits programs.
This bill was originally assigned to the House Committee on Higher Education. A public hearing was held Feb 8. Watch it HERE. The Feb 13 work session can be viewed HERE. The bill was passed on Feb 13 with amendment by a vote of 8-0 with one excused absent and assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee.
Time ran out for this bill to get through both chambers! The coalition of student and hunger groups supporting this bill put out a call to action. They provided a list of legislators to contact and some talking points to help you write them a message in support of this bill. Bill was stuck in committee when the legislature adjourned for the year.
The Oregon Hunger Task Force has requested funding of $660,000 for organizations tasked with supporting and monitoring home based child care programs that participate in the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program that provides food for children and adults in care. Here is the Task Force letter that was sent to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education.
Topic: Education and Children
SB 1583-4 - Ban on Book Bans COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This ban-on-book-bans bill prohibits a board or a person from discriminating when selecting textbooks, instructional/program materials, and library books for Oregon public schools. In this unfortunate time of alternative facts and disinformation, this bill is a necessity to protect truth in the education of Oregon youth. Proving the imperative nature of SB 1583, it will be effective upon passage.
A public hearing was held Tuesday Feb. 13. Watch the recording HERE. A work session was held on Feb 15. Watch the recording HERE. On Feb 15, the bill passed along party lines in the Senate Committee on Education by a vote of 3-2. It received a 2nd reading and was referred to the Rules Committee.
A work session in Rules was held on Feb 22, where it was passed out of committee with a 3-2 vote. The minority submitted its own amended version for consideration. You can find the link to watch the recorded work session HERE.
Additional readings and a vote were held in the full Senate. The motion to substitute the minority committee report failed by a 12-17 vote along party lines. SB 1583-4 then passed the Senate 17-12, again along party lines.
The House Rules Committee held a public hearing at 8:00 AM Tuesday Mar. Watch the hearing HERE.
An -A6 amendment to create a task force to look into book banning procedures failed and SB1583-4 was voted out of committee 4-3. Never scheduled for a 2nd and 3rd readings so no vote in the House chamber.
Contact your senator to encourage a yes vote.
HB 4098 A - CHIPS Child Care Programs and Funding COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Directs the Oregon Business Development Department to develop a workgroup for funding child care, administer a child care infrastructure grant program, and require certain businesses to help fund child care for their workforce. Declares a child care emergency.
Originally assigned to the House Committee on Economic Development and Small Business. A public hearing was held Tuesday Feb 6. Watch the recorded hearing HERE. A work session was held Thursday Feb 15. Watch the recording HERE. On Feb 15, this bill passed with amendments by a vote of 7-3 with one excused absence.
Assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. A work session was held Feb 29 and the bill was referred back to the full Joint Ways & Means Committee. Watch the session HERE.
HB4098 was amended and passed the full JW&M committee on a 23-0 vote during a work session Monday March 4. You can watch the recorded session HERE. On Mar. 6 the bill passed the House by a vote of 46-9 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
MOVEMENT ALERT: The Joint Ways and Means Committee passed the bill on Mar. 7, and the Senate also voted on Mar. 7 to approve the bill by a vote of 24-4. Awaiting enrollment and signatures.
SB 1551 A - Oregon Promise Grant Eligibility COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill amends the eligibility for students who qualified for Oregon Promise grants for community colleges during the COVID pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. During the chaos of this time many eligible students were unable to take advantage of the program. This bill would apply a waiver so these qualified students would be eligible for Oregon Promise grants awarded for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.
This bill had a public hearing on Feb 8 (view recording HERE) and a work session on Feb 13 (view recording HERE), where the Senate Committee on Education voted 5-0 to move it forward with a DO PASS recommendation with the -1 amendment.
Stuck in the Joint Ways & Means Committee.
HB 4004A - Penalties for Child Labor Law Violations COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill increases the amount of the civil penalties against those who violate child labor laws and also eliminates a loophole that requires the state labor agency, Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, to refund or waive penalties to those who also face an investigation or penalties by or have paid penalties to the federal Dept of Labor. This restriction on Oregon’s DOL does not apply to any investigation except child labor. Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson identified this restriction which endangers children and gives a pass to those who exploit them for labor; this is her bill to eliminate this loophole and also increase civil penalties for those violating child labor laws.
This bill had a public hearing and work session in the House, and has already passed the full House, unanimously! You can view the recorded House hearing and work session HERE. It quickly moved to the Senate, had another public hearing and work session, was given a unanimous DO PASS recommendation by the Senate Labor and Business Committee. You can view the recorded hearing and work session HERE.
MOVEMENT ALERT: HB 4004 has crossed another hurdle, passing the Senate on a 24-6 bipartisan vote. Signed by Senate President and Speaker, and next it goes to the Governor for her signature.
HB 4082 A K-12 Summer Learning Grants Program COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill requires the Dept. of Education to establish the Summer Learning Grant Program for K-12 students. Programs must meet certain standards to qualify including (1) learning strategies that meet state academic content standards and focus on mathematics, science, language arts or personal financial education and that, when appropriate, assist with credit recovery and may include access to the arts; and (2) as appropriate, assistance with school readiness prior to transitions to the next education level and after high school graduation. The programs must include support for students’ mental health and well being, ensure equitable access with culturally and language appropriate learning and by engaging families. The expenses covered under the grants include not only personnel and staffing, facilities, equipment, and the like, but also transportation and meals and snacks and family engagement efforts.
A public hearing was held on Feb 5 (view recording HERE) and a work session was held on Feb 7 (view recording HERE). The bill was passed out of committee with a 5-0 vote. It was assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Education and scheduled for a work session on Feb 28.
The JW&M Education Subcommittee voted unanimously to fund the bill at $30 million, rather than the $50 million asked for in the original bill. View the session HERE. The bill had a work session on Friday March 1 at 10:30 AM. You can view the session HERE.
This bill had a 2nd reading and a 3rd reading then a vote in the full House on Monday March 4 where it passed 53-4. It was referred back to Joint Ways and Means Committee after having its 1st reading in the Senate.
MOVEMENT ALERT1: This bill has moved quickly through the Senate, passing 26-4 after a 2nd and 3rd reading Tuesday. Awaiting Senate President's and Governor's signatures.
HB 4158 Home and Small Center Child Care Fund COIN has ENDORSED this bill. No further action in 2024.
This bill would establish the Home and Small Center Child Care Fund to be administered by Oregon Business Development Department. This Department would award grants to child care facilities that serve a maximum of 75 children, certified or registered family child care homes, or organizations that support the expansion or establishment of child care facilities. The purpose is to establish or expand child care infrastructure. Financial assistance would be provided to providers or organizations that support these child care providers. Funds would be provided to the Department of Early Learning and Care to provide technical support to these child care providers.
This bill had a public hearing on Feb 7 (view recording HERE) and a work session on Feb 12 (view recording HERE). It passed out of committee with a vote of 9-1 and is now assigned to the Joint Ways & Means Committee, awaiting funding decisions.