Legislative Update:
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I am excited to continue working with my colleagues in the Legislature to move our coastal communities forward. We are doing this by continuing to invest in Oregon families and supporting legislation to reinvest in mental health care that works for the most vulnerable in our communities. We’re also moving forward with legislation that will help further develop the coast’s phenomenal maritime workforce. While doing all of this, we will ensure that our state continues in her historic tradition of environmental protection and appreciation that is so fundamental to our coastal and rural way of life.
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SB 52 - Student Suicide Prevention
According to the most recent Oregon Healthy Teens Survey, 16 percent of eighth-graders and 18 percent of 11th-graders seriously considered attempting suicide during the previous 12 months. Senate Bill 52 would require school districts to adopt policies on student suicide prevention, intervention and healing; identify officials responsible for the policies; develop procedures for reviewing school actions in response to suicidal risk; adopt methods to address the needs of high-risk groups; and create district-approved training materials. SB 52 is named Adi's Act, in honor of Adi Staub, who died from suicide in 2017.
SB 259 - Maritime Sector Workforce Development
In 2017, the Oregon Coastal Caucus, on behalf of the Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association (OCZMA), introduced Senate Bill 867 to create a task force to study and identify workforce training opportunities in the Oregon maritime industry. Senate Bill 259 continues the work of the Task Force to study and develop recommendations to incorporate the maritime sector’s consideration regarding the statewide workforce development system.
SB 260 - Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia
The Legislative Assembly recognizes that ocean acidification and hypoxia endanger the state’s commercially and culturally significant resources, and that strategic investments are necessary to address the risks caused by these phenomena. In 2017, the Oregon Legislature provided critical leadership in facing the challenges of ocean acidification and hypoxia by passing Senate Bill 1039. That legislation created the Oregon Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Council. Senate Bill 260 requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish a program for strategic investments and initiatives to battle ocean acidification and hypoxia.
SB 287 – Farm Breweries
Senate Bill 287 would set standards for the establishment of farm breweries on lands zoned for exclusive farm use or mixed farm and forest use and produce less than 150,000 barrels of malt beverages on lands zones for exclusive farm use of mixed farm and forest use. Like SB 841 (wine) and SB 677 (cider), SB 287 strikes a balance between agritourism and preservation of farmland. The legislation builds on the rich and growing history of brewing in Oregon. Passage of the bill will boost tourism and tourist activity in Oregon’s coastal and rural economy, and introduce beer enthusiasts to the unique, flavorful, and creative efforts of Oregon finest brew-masters
SB 584 – Safe Schools to Learn:
In 2014, the Legislature created the Task Force on School Safety. The task force includes representatives from police and fire departments, schools and community mental health programs, as well as elected officials. SB 584 includes a proposal from the task force that aims to help school districts and education service districts decrease harassment, intimidation and bullying by implementing and supporting programs within the schools. The bill also supports coordination between schools and health agencies, as well as providing training and outreach related to youth suicidal behavior and wellness.
SB 753 - Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST)
In 2013, Senate Bill 737, which passed with unanimous support in both chambers, established OOST to promote ocean and coastal resource research. It builds on the state’s commitment to marine reserves. This brought together a broad coalition of supporters, such as the Audubon Society of Portland, Our Ocean, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Oceana, Surfrider Foundation and The Nature Conservancy to help engage the public in their stewardship. Senate Bill 753 would permit the executive director of OOST to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit organization under which the organization solicits gifts, grants and donations to support Trust activities.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means announces Community Hearing tour dates
SALEM – The Joint Committee on Ways and Means announced Friday the dates for its public, biannual Community Hearings. Oregonians will be able to testify before the committee and present their thoughts on how the Legislature should allocate its budget for the 2019-21 biennium.
Topic-based signup sheets for testimony will be available on site at each venue before the two-hour hearings. The committee will attempt to hear from as many community members as possible but cannot guarantee time for all Oregonians who sign up to speak.
The four dates and locations are listed below:
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Coos Bay: Saturday, March 9 – Marshfield High School, Auditorium, 972 Ingersoll Ave. (1-3 pm)
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Pendleton: Friday, March 15 – Blue Mountain Community College, Pioneer Hall, Bob Clapp Theatre, 2411 NW Carden Ave. (5:30-7:30 pm)
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Redmond: Saturday, March 16 – Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Three Sisters Conference and Convention Center (South Sister), 3800 SW Airport Way (2-4 pm
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Portland: Thursday, March 21 – Portland Community College – Cascade, MAHB 104 Auditorium, 5514 N. Albina Ave. (5:30-7:30 pm)
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Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction announces public hearing dates
SALEM – The Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction announced on Tuesday the upcoming dates for public hearings about Oregon House Bill 2020.
The joint committee will host four public hearings where Oregonians will be able to voice their opinions and ask questions about the bill. Additionally, there will be a public hearing on February 25 where the committee will accept live, remote testimony from around the state.
The five dates and locations are listed below:
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Springfield: Friday, February 22 – Springfield City Hall, Council Chamber (12-3 pm)
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Medford: Saturday, February 23 – City Council Chambers, Medford City Hall (9 am-12 pm)
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Remote: Monday, February 25 – Remote testimony (live video feed from various rural locations), Oregon State Capitol (TBD)
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The Dalles: Friday, March 1 – The Dalles Civic Auditorium, Community Room (12-3 pm)
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Bend: Saturday, March 2 – Central Oregon Community College, Cascade Hall, Room 246-248 (9 am-12 pm)
These feedback opportunities are in addition to two public hearings on February 15 and 18 in Salem before the committee.
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email: Sen.ArnieRoblan@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1705
address: 900 Court St NE, S-417, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/roblan
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