Important Notice: If a bill comes in later than 5PM on Fridays, check here for updates & changes! We will not be sending additional emails!
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Links are provided for more information, testimonies on various sites, including OLIS as featured testimonies.
The bill text, any submitted amendments and testimony that may have already been submitted is available in the tabs at the top of the OLIS webpage.
By Clicking the “Register to Testify” tab on OLIS, you can fill out the form to sign up to testify remotely through Microsoft Teams for the bill either via Teams Video or on the phone.
The bills below, of course, do not incapsulate all the bills for the coming week. Bills could also be added to committee agendas at any time and after the work to put this list together.
Are we missing bill? SUBMIT A BILL every Friday by 5PM for distribution in the weekly alert!
Fight for Oregon, Rep. Vikki Breese Iverson, Sen. Tim Knopp, Rep. Boomer Wright, Sen. David Brock Smith, Rep. Virgle Osborne, Rep. Court Boice, Senator Kim Thatcher, Sen. Linthicum, Sen. Findley, Oregon Cattleman’s Association, Oregon Firearms Federation and the Oregon Citizens Lobby have provided the content this week. Listed below are Bills of Concern and Bills to Support that are coming up for Public Hearings this week and/or need your voice.
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Visit FightforOregon.com Weekly Alerts for a more updated version of this week’s bills! We are committed to NOT inundate your email box because these are a moving target and change daily, so the latest news will be on the website!
ALERT: SHOWDOWN ON THE SENATE FLOOR!
100% Walkout
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 23, 2023
Contact Ashley Kuenzi
Ashley Kuezi@oregonlegislature.gov
To Avoid the Senate President’s Threatened Government Shutdown, Senate Republicans, Indpendents Will Return on June 25 to Pass Substantially Bipartisan Budgets, Bills
SALEM, Ore. – To avoid the Sentate President’s threatened government shutdown, Senate Republicans and Independents reaffirm that they will return in the morning of June 25th to pass lawful, substantially bipartisan budgets and bills.
Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) released the following statement:
“Democrat leadership including President Wagner are threatening shut down the government if they don’t get their way. That is no way to govern. We guarantee that we will be back before constitutional sine die to address the issues most important to Oregonians – homelessness, affordable housing, public safety, cost of living, job creation, and fully-funded education. We are not interested in facilitating an agenda that is unlawful, uncompromising and unconstitutional. This has not changed.
“Republicans have faced intimidation and retaliation from the Senate President and the special interest groups that installed him as President. In exposing and standing against the culture of corruption perpetrated by top Oregon Democrats, we have requested that an independent investigation into the broad reaching potential wrongdoing of the Democrats be conducted. President Wagner and his special interest supporters are attempting to silence our voices to obstruct the truth from being revealed to the public. We will continue to stand for accountability, transparency, and the people of Oregon.
We are the last line of defense to hold the majority accountable.”
The Legislature’s primary resp0onsiblity is to balance the budget. Republicans and Democrats have come together on the final day of Session in recent years to get this critical work done.
###
Update: 05-19-2023
OPB Article May 18, 2023: “The ongoing walkout by Senate Republicans hit a meaningful milestone Thursday, as the bulk of the chamber’s GOP members opted to remain absent and potentially forfeit their ability to run again.
Six Republicans — Sens. Tim Knopp, Lynn Findley, Bill Hansell, Kim Thatcher, Art Robinson and Suzanne Weber — did not attend a scheduled floor session, each notching their 10th unexcused absence of the session. That’s the threshold, approved overwhelmingly by voters last year with Measure 113, at which lawmakers are disqualified from serving their next term.
The six lawmakers join four others — Sens. Daniel Bonham, Cedric Hayden, Dennis Linthicum and Brian Boquist, a former Republican who is now a registered Independent — who hit the mark earlier this week. Three Republicans — Dick Anderson, David Brock Smith and Fred Girod — have fewer than 10 absences. Their presence would theoretically be enough to grant the chamber a 20-person quorum if all Democrats are present. But both Girod and Democratic Sen. Chris Gorsek have been absent for weeks for health reasons.”
The Democrats, in their zeal for retribution, screwed up. They now have zero leverage. The Senate Republicans have demonstrated amazing courage and selflessness.
Senator Daniel Bonham
503-986-1726
503-876-8676
Senator Bill Hansell
Senator Cedric Hayden
05.22.2023
Today, most Republican Senators again refused to participate in the repellant sideshow that Oregon’s Democrats have made of the legislature.
After a few “courtesies” including Senator Manning’s “courtesy” to another social justice warrior, (we think that was what he was doing) a grim looking Senate President Rob Wagner again dismissed the Senate for lack of a quorum. Manning’s “courtesy” can be enjoyed here..
(Manning’s legislative staffer is Miles Pendleton. While that sounds like a white preppie from Connecticut, young Miles is actually the president of the Eugene NAACP. He was trotted out by the crackpots behind Ballot Measure 114 to shill for them when OFF was invited to debate the issue on KPTV. None of the people actually behind the measure would appear. Pendleton, as you might imagine, demonstrated a comical lack of knowledge about the measure and predictably accused OFF of being racist.).
For Republicans in the Oregon House however, it was business as usual and they continue to show up to pass Democrat bills. And once again, Republican Kim Wallan asked that the rules be suspended so the bills they were passing for the Democrats could be voted on without reading them..
While most Senate Republicans have made enormous sacrifices to defend your rights the House Republicans seem determined to move the Democrat agenda forward as quickly as possible. .
As you know, two Republicans recently voted to attack self defense and your Second Amendment rights by voting to pass HB 2572..
For their absurd and embarrassing explanations see this link.
Below, are the bills “scheduled” for Public Hearing for the coming week, if there is a quorum. Hold onto your chairs, there are more bills headed our way in the days to come. We need ALL of you to make a difference.
WE are going to NEED ALL OF YOU come election time to HOLD the seats we currently have and gain more. That’s the ONLY way we can stop this madness… by being the MAJORITY! It’s time.
Pick a Date or Bill
OLCC is trying to raise taxes on Alcohol! Take Action Now! Register to testify in person on 5/18/2023 or Submit written testimony by June 5, 2023!
BAD BILLS:
SB 348 -3 BM 114 – Firearms
SB 891 – Assisted Suicide
SB 579 – Voting in Prison
SB 530 – Climate Change
Nothing is Scheduled for Public Hearing at this writing.
Please Review the Schedule, bills can be added at any time for Public Hearing
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/Committees/Meeting/List
Tuesday - May 23, 2023
Bills of Concern
Senate Committee on Rules 3:00 PM
****** MAJOR THREAT ******
SB 85 – WORK SESSION – Requires State Department of Agriculture to study confined animal feeding operations. Directs department to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to agriculture no later than September 15, 2024.
-3 Amendment The Department of Environmental Quality and the State Department of Agriculture may not issue or renew a license or permit to allow the construction or operation of (many, many operations).
Read Testimonies
Featured Testimony: Oregon Cattleman’s Association in Opposition and Dairy Farmer in Opposition and My Family of 5
EMAIL Committee Members NOW!
Committee Chair: Sen. Kate Lieber
Vice Chair: Sen. Tim Knopp
Member: Sen. Bill Hansell
Member: Sen. James Manning, Jr
Member: Sen. Elizabeth Steiner
"This bill was originally introduced as requiring the State Department of Agriculture to study confined animal feeding operations (CAFO), and to submit findings to Legislature. However, -1 amendment stops all operations upon renewal of license until adequate study is completed and addressed through laws and rules. It is written as if the study was already shown to need restrictions, so any study will be geared towards controlling CAFO, and not an objective study of what they are already doing right. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Department of Agriculture to not issue or renew a license or permit to allow the construction or operation of new industrial CAFO, additions or expansion of existing CAFO, or additions or expansions of existing livestock farm that would cause it to become an industrial CAFO. The definition of CAFO would apply to any large farming operation. The supporters of this bill do not understand farming operations or how much this would impact the food chain. Food prices are high now, this bill affects beef, pork, dairy, chickens, laying hens, turkeys, ducks, milk, cheese, eggs and all the by-products. Any study restricting farming practices will have a domino effect on the economy, impacting low income and homeless the hardest."
SB 775 – Provides that zone directors on local governing body of soil and water conservation district in county with population of ___ or more need only reside within district and be registered voters.
Read Testimonies
Featured Testimony: There are no opposing testimonies at this writing. Please consider testifying.
To view a live stream of the meeting go to:
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/SRULES/Overview
Joint Committee On Tax Expenditures 8:00 am
HB 3039 – Requires addition to federal taxable income of amounts excluded as gain attributable to investment in federal qualified opportunity zone. Allows subtraction in later tax year if gain is temporarily deferred at federal level. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Read Testimonies
Featured Testimony: Oregon Business Industry in Opposition
Bills to Support
HB 3086 -7 – Clarifies process of Senate confirmation of members of State Fish and Wildlife Commission. Provides that commission must consist of one member from each of five regional river basin management areas in state, one member from west of Cascade Mountains and one member from east of Cascade Mountains.
Read Testimonies
Featured Testimony: Oregon Chapter of Backcountry Hunter & Anglers in Support
Wednesday - May 24, 2023
Bills of Concern
Nothing is Scheduled for Public Hearing at this writing.
Please Review the Schedule, bills can be added at any time for Public Hearing
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/Committees/Meeting/List
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Bills of Concern
Senate Committee on Rules 3:00 PM
SB 1058 – Requires State Department of Agriculture to study expansion of organic agriculture sectors. Directs department to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to agriculture no later than September 15, 2024.
Read Testimonies
Featured Testimony: Small Scale Farmer in Opposition to Bribe Farmers
Bills to Support
Senate Committee on Rules 3:00 PM
SB 1090 – Abolishes annual one-hour change in time from standard time to daylight saving time and maintains Oregon on standard time for all 12 months of calendar year, except in portion of Oregon in Mountain Time Zone. Further amends law to maintain Oregon on daylight saving time, except in portion of Oregon in Mountain Time Zone. Becomes operative at 2 a.m. on second Sunday of first March following enactment of changes in federal law that allow states to adopt daylight saving time as standard of time for all 12 months of calendar year. Repeals advancement to daylight saving time standard and restores standard time for entirety of calendar year as standard of time in portion of Oregon in Pacific Time Zone if required changes in federal law have not been enacted by December 1, 2033.
Read Testimonies
Note: There are no testimonies at this writing.
Friday, May 26, 2023
Bills of Concern
Nothing is Scheduled for Public Hearing at this writing.
Please Review the Schedule, bills can be added at any time for Public Hearing
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/Committees/Meeting/List
Referred to Bills in Ways & Means - EMAIL NOW!
5-30-2023 Update: The work session scheduled for 5/31/2023 looks to have been cancelled! That’s all we know for now.
**ALERT**
SB 348 -3 BM 114 Firearms
Work Session held on 4/4. Voted out of Senate Committee on Judiciary with 2 Nays (Senator Thatcher and Senator Linthicum) and 3 Ayes (Senator Gelser Blouin, Senator Manning, and Senator Prozanski). Referred to Ways and Means. A minority report has been submitted by Republicans.
"As you know, Measure 114 is on hold due to an injunction issued out of Harney County. A full trial is expected there in September. However, everything could change based on what actions the Legislature takes. In the meantime, the Oregon State Police are accepting your “suggestions” on how best to implement a “permit to purchase” policy that we all know will be every bit as chaotic and unworkable as their current “instant background check” system is.
Comments can be emailed to OSP114@osp.oregon.gov or mailed to:
Oregon State Police
Attn: Permit to Purchase Rulemaking
3565 Trelstad Ave. SE
Salem, OR 97317
You can offer your “suggestions” until May 22.
More information here: http://www.oregonfirearms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Rulemaking-Notice_SOS-Filed_4-17-23-1.pdf "
ALERT SB 891 Eliminates residency requirements for assisted suicide
Work Session held on 3/29 in Senate Committee on Judiciary. Voted out of committee with 2 Nays (Senator Thatcher and Senator Linthicum) and 3 Ayes (Senator Gelser Blouin, Senator Manning, and Senator Prozanski). Referred to Rules.
ALERT SB 579 Voting by adults in custody
Allowing convicted felons to vote while in prison.
Referred to Ways and Means
ALERT SB 530 Climate Change
This bill creates state policy regarding natural solutions and the Natural and Working Lands Fund. This bill directs the Oregon Global Warming Commission, ODOE and other state agencies to jointly coordinate on the development and prepare a net carbon sequestration and storage baseline for natural and working lands. A natural and working lands advisory committee will be create and will consist of 14 members.
Work Session held on 4/3 in Senate Committee on Natural Resources. Voted out of committee and referred to Ways and Means
Oregon Agriculture Bills to Support currently in Ways & Means
HB 2631 – Wolf Compensation with a 7x multiplier for lost cattle – $900,000-$1.2M
SB 471 – Wolf Compensation Fund – $800,000
SB 955 – AgStress – Suicide Prevention Call Line – $300,000
HB 2194 – ODA Grant Program to fund construction of meat rendering plants – $4M
HB 2907 – ODA Grant Program to fund establishments that process and sell meat products – $10M
HB 3247 – Support for OSU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab – $900,000
HB 5002 – Oregon Department of Agriculture Budget
SB 458 – OSU Statewide Funding including Extension, ag experiment stations and forest research – $50M
SB 5509 – Restore Predator Control Funding (USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services) – Leveraging approximately 5:1 federal and county dollars to state dollars, respectively.
Keep Your Eyes on the Kicker!
While the two bills that would steal Oregonians’ hard-earned money by taking the constitutionally protected kicker refund are currently sitting in committee without movement, it’s not “over” until Sine Die in June.
With the full legislature at the whim of the majority party, bills can move lightning fast. These bills are SRJ 26 and SB 774 and they would deny Oregonians their much-deserved $5,200 (average per household) personal kicker refunds and redirect that money to grow an already bloated state bureaucracy.
Between 2001 and 2021, Oregon’s budget more than tripled from $34.1 billion to $121.2 billion per biennium – an insane expansion of government, further demonstrating the legislature’s insatiable appetite to spend. Since 2001, annual inflation has averaged 2.4%.
Read more about the history of the Kicker here, and its 1979 inception.
Remember: Each biennium, the Governor proposes an aspirational budget. The legislature then creates a framework and ultimately passes the final budget for the next two fiscal years.
Your Voice is Needed Now!
Make Your Voice Heard – OLCC Trying to Raise Taxes on Booze
OLCC is seeking public comment on a proposed increase of the current 50-cent surcharge on each bottle of distilled spirits to one dollar per bottle.
The Commissioners heard initial testimony at their April 20 Commission meeting. You can watch the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association (ORLA) testimony on how this tax increase will hurt small bars and restaurants the most at a time when the Governor and the OLCC Commission should be supporting them.
The Commission will listen to additional verbal testimony at the May 18 meeting and will accept written comments through June 5, 2023.
As background, a temporary surcharge of fifty cents was first enacted in the 2009-2011 budget cycle and has been continued ever since, including the 2021-23 cycle. On top of that surcharge, Governor Kotek’s budget for 2023-25 includes a line item for an additional fifty-cent surcharge on distilled spirits which is estimated to raise $45.2 million for the general fund.
Please consider taking action on this by either:
• Providing verbal testimony at the May 18 Commission meeting
(email laura.paul@oregon.gov by 5pm on May 16, 2023)
• Submitting written comments; visit ORLA’s Take Action page by June 5, 2023
at 5 PM to send a customized message to the Commissioners
Bills that need your attention & Emails!
BECAUSE OF YOU!
Last week, HB 3501 received LOTS of testimonies! This bill would have allowed homeless tent cities in nearly every park and street in Oregon and allowed homeless people to sue you personally for $1,000 if you try to move them. It was scheduled for a public hearing last week, but this week, the committee chair removed it from the agenda.
This is an example these action alerts can have an impact. They are meant to cause the Democrats in charge to reconsider what they are doing and get them to stop. Below are ones that need your attention, please take the time to write l
HB 2002 B – BAD ** BAD ** BAD*** MAJOR BAD BILL ALERT!
In plain English, this bill will:
- Force taxpayers to fund medically forced termination of pregnancy without any limitations
- Eliminate parental rights to knowledge and consent for invasive medical procedures and surgeries for their children.
- Hide and protect medical practitioners and hospitals fro legal liabilities and accountability
- Decriminalize the unregulated, irresponsible, and open dumping of deceased human bodies
- Force taxpers to payers to pay for elective gender change surgeries
Bill Summary on OLIS: Modifies provisions relating to reproductive health rights. Modifies provisions relating to access to reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. Modifies provisions relating to protections for providers of and individuals receiving reproductive and gender-affirming health care services. Creates crime of interfering with a health care facility. Punishes by maximum of 364 days’ imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Creates right of action for person or health care provider aggrieved by interference with health care facility. Makes statutory change to achieve gender neutral language with respect to unlawful employment discrimination because of sex. Declares public policy regarding interstate actions arising out of reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. Prohibits public body from participating in interstate investigation or proceeding involving reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. Creates exceptions. Prohibits clerk of court from issuing subpoena if foreign subpoena relates to reproductive health care or gender-affirming treatment. Declares that Oregon law governs certain actions arising out of reproductive health care or gender-affirming treatment provided or received in this state. Repeals criminal provisions relating to concealing birth. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Higher Education Coordinating Commission for allocation to Office of Rural Health, for purposes of providing grants through rural qualified health center pilot project. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Oregon Health Authority for specified expenses. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
HB 2279 – BAD
Repeals residency requirement in Oregon Death with Dignity Act.
This bill could make Oregon an assisted suicide tourist destination. It’s no secret that we do not have a culture of life here in Oregon, and this is just the latest example.
HB 3042 – BAD
Limits terminations and rent increases for three years after tenants’ housing is withdrawn from publicly supported housing. Requires owners or landlords to provide notice to new tenants and applicants during notice period before withdrawal from publicly supported housing. Allows Housing and Community Services Department to record extension of affordability restrictions for publicly supported housing if property owner misses certain deadlines. Allows department to record right of first refusal if no qualified purchaser makes an offer. Makes other amendments to publicly supported housing preservation program. Declares emergency, effective on passage
This bill would allow the government to change an agreement with a subsidized housing provider by limiting their recoup costs beyond the agreed timeframe. This sets a dangerous precedent by changing the rules mid-game. How will this attract more housing to solve our housing crisis? We should create certainty for housing providers, not changing the terms of contracts.
It is scheduled for a Work Session in the Senate Committee On Housing and Development on Monday, May 8, at 8:00 AM. Email the Committee Chair and ask him not to pass the bill.
SB 523 – GOOD
Authorizes community colleges to offer Bachelor of Science, Nursing degrees.
Community colleges have locally elected boards to keep them responsive to local needs. Rogue Community College has an excellent allied health program and is ready to expand to train nurses.
It is scheduled for a Work Session in the House Committee on Higher Education on Thursday, May 11, at 3:00 PM.
Are we missing a bill? Submit a Bill is now available! Submittal deadlines are Fridays by 5PM! We’ll try our best to get it on the list!
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Disclaimer: Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the various authors, and not necessarily each author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.