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If you're having trouble viewing this message, please visit my legislative web page at http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/prozanski/, click on "News" in the lower left-hand column and scroll down.
Dear friends,
On January 20, I enjoyed joining thousands of women, men and children for the second annual Women's March in Eugene. For too long, some voices have gone unheard. I'm impressed by the passion of this movement and am excited for its continued impact.
There's more good news for Oregon's economy: Our unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent in December as employers added more than 14,000 jobs. The Employment Department announced that no major industry substantially cut jobs in December. Industries adding a lot jobs were construction, manufacturing and leisure/hospitality.
From January 10-12, the Legislature held its final set of "legislative days" leading up to the 2018 "short" session, which begins on February 5. During this set of legislative days, committees met for updates on a variety of topics and to introduce committee measures for the short session. Audio recordings of committee and task force meetings can be found, here. Introduced member and committee bills for the short session can be reviewed using the Oregon Legislative Information System (select "Bills" from the upper right-hand menu).
On January 11, I was proud to attend a ceremonial bill signing of SB 485 (2017). I sponsored SB 485 at the request of Orchid Health, a clinic located in Oakridge that serves more than 1,500 patients. For years before Orchid Health set up shop, Oakridge struggled to keep a doctor's office in town. This bill allows Orchid and other businesses to operate for-profit medical offices so long as they serve rural areas that the Oregon Office of Rural Health has calculated have a medical access shortage.
Signing ceremony for SB 485 (2017)
Below you will find information on:
- My Bill: SB 1551 - Strengthening Oregon's Consumer ID Protection Act
- Grant Opportunity for Nonprofits, Providers to Expand Veteran Services
- DHS Aging and Disability Resource Connection
- Public Comment Period on New Boat Operation Rule in Douglas County
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
My Bill: SB 1551 - Strengthening Oregon's Consumer ID Protection Act
During the 2018 short session, each senator is allowed to introduce one personal bill. In light of the massive Equifax data breach that compromised the personal information of 143 million Americans, I have introduced SB 1515 to strengthen and modernize Oregon's Consumer Identify Theft Protection Act (CITP), which I spearheaded in 2007.
When personal records are compromised, consumers should not have to pay to protect themselves from identity theft. When these breaches occur, consumers also have a right to know that their personal data may not be safe as soon as it is possible if notification will not compromise any ongoing investigation of the matter.
SB 1551 requires free and reasonable self-protection measures for consumers who may find themselves in that situation in the future. The legislation is a direct response to address the concerns of many of my constituents.
Under SB 1551, consumers will be able to place a credit freeze with each credit reporting agency for free following a data breach that has affected them. They also will be able to freeze their credit for no cost once every 12 months, regardless of data breach, and temporarily lift credit freezes free of charge.
Consumers will be required to receive notice of a breach no more than 45 days after it is discovered, unless it takes longer to investigate and stabilize the system. Expanded notice requirements also will be put in place to include financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, as well as credit and debit transaction processors.
Companies that offer free credit monitoring or other services in response to a breach will not be allowed to charge those customers for those services within six months of providing the services for free. Those companies also must be transparent about how much time is left of free services if and when they offer those services after the six-month mark. Consumers in these cases must select to begin a paid process, when the service no longer is offered free of charge.
Consumers have a right to know if their most personal identifying information has been compromised or is in the hands of criminals. No company should charge fees or make money based on a consumer's response to a data breach. This bill will ensure consumers have adequate tools and protections in place in the unfortunate circumstance that this type of massive breach happens again. It's worth noting that Rep. Paul Holvey (HD-8) has introduced a similar measure in the House (HB 4147). He and I are working together on passage of these bills.
Grant Opportunity for Nonprofits, Providers to Expand Veteran Services
The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs is seeking grant proposals from nonprofits and other service providers that want to help expand needed services for Oregon veterans.
The grant program was created to improve services in a number of key areas, including mental and physical health care, housing, employment opportunities and stability, education and training opportunities, transportation, and promoting veterans' organizations that provide critical services for veterans.
Funding for the program comes from the Veteran Services Grant Fund, which was established by the Legislature in 2017 with passage of HB 2891. The Veteran Services Grant Fund is funded by Oregon Lottery revenue, which was made possible through voters' approval of Measure 96 in November 2016.
Eligible organizations include nonprofit organizations incorporated under 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4); veterans organizations incorporated under 501(c)(19); tribal, regional and local governments; state agencies; Oregon quasi-public agencies; and Oregon intergovernmental agencies. More information and application documents can be found at ODVA's website, or on the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN).
All awards will be one-time grants, ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. Questions may be directed to ODVA Senior Policy Adviser Laurie Skillman at: laurie.skillman@state.or.us.
DHS Aging and Disability Resource Connection
The Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at the Oregon Department of Human Services provides assistance, information, and options counseling for individuals and families who need support in navigating Oregon's aging and disability service delivery system. ADRC services are free for people of all ages, incomes, and disabilities.
ADRC brochures have now been translated into nine languages and are available for downloading, printing, and distribution. Printable versions can be found here: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/SUA/Pages/ADRC.aspx.
Public Comment Period on New Boat Operation Rule in Douglas County
The Oregon State Marine Board is soliciting written comments on a petition to begin rulemaking for a local rule in Boat Operations in Douglas County, OAR 250-020-0102.
Petition Summary
On January 11, 2018, the Marine Board accepted a petition requesting that the Marine Board adopt a new rule for Boat Operations in Douglas County. The proposed new rule would prohibit the use of motorboats on Ford's Pond except for those propelled by electric motors. It would also establish a 5 mph speed limit on Ford's Pond. The new rule is being proposed as a safety measure due to the size and depth of Ford's Pond and to protect the pond's earthen dam.
More Information
An electronic copy of the petition is available, here: http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/info/Pages/Rulemaking-and-Public-Notices.aspx
How to Participate
Provide written comment on the petition proposal by email (osmb.rulemaking@oregon.gov) or by mail/fax:
Oregon State Marine Board
June LeTarte, Rules Coordinator
435 Commercial St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
Fax: 503-378-4597
Written comments are due by 5 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
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