COVID-19 Updates 6/26/2020

Rep. Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

Special Session

Capitol

The Oregon Legislature is currently in Special Session that began on Wednesday and continues today. Follow along with Floor Session of both the House and Senate here.

Bills That Have Passed Out of the House

  • HB 4202: Modifies administrative provisions of corporate activity tax
  • HB 4206: Authorizes State Department of Agriculture to adopt rules establishing program of state inspection for processing and sale of meat products from amenable species, including but not limited to cattle and sheep.
  • HB 4209: Allows Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board to enter into agreement with third-party administrator to operate programs for awarding grants and making loans that enhance and expand workforce development and economic development in Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region.
  • HB 4211: Clarifies timing of when Department of Education is required to make transfers from Fund for Student Success.
  • HB 4210: Repeals driving privilege suspension and eliminates imposition of driving privilege restrictions for failure to pay fine.

Bills That Have Passed Out of Committee

  • SB 1601 Upon passage, allows Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund moneys to be used to maintain existing public transportation services.
  • SB 1602  Requires Governor to facilitate mediation sessions between forest industry and environmental interest representatives.
  • SB 1603 Modifies definitions applicable for purposes of universal service surcharge.
  • SB 1605 Modifies Oregon Promise program to extend eligibility to certain Oregon foster children who attain their highest level of education while in out-of-state placements.
  • SB 1606 Prohibits hospital from conditioning admission or treatment, or suggesting that treatment is conditioned, on patient having POLST or executing advance directive or other instruction regarding administration, withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining procedures or artificially administered nutrition and hydration.
  • SB 1607  Extends for one year small school district grants and school district funding for foreign exchange students.
  • HB 4213 Prohibits residential and commercial evictions under specified conditions during emergency period.
  • HB 4212 Authorizes governing bodies of public bodies, other than State of Oregon, to conduct all public meetings using telephone or video conferencing technology or through other electronic or virtual means.
  • SB 1604 Restricts arbitration award from ordering disciplinary action that differs from disciplinary action imposed by law enforcement agency if arbitrator makes finding that misconduct occurred consistent with agency's finding of misconduct, and disciplinary action imposed by agency is consistent with provisions of discipline guide or discipline matrix adopted by agency as result of collective bargaining and incorporated into agency's disciplinary policies.
  • HB 4207 Directs Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to establish statewide database of police officer discipline records.
  • HB 4201 Requires law enforcement agency to notify Attorney General when police officer uses physical force resulting in death or qualifying physical injury.
  • HB 4205 Directs Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to adopt rules requiring police officer to intervene to stop another police officer from engaging in act that is unethical or that violates law, rules or policy.
  • HB 4208 Prohibits law enforcement agencies from using tear gas or from using long range acoustic devices or sound cannons.
  • HB 4203 Provides that peace officer may not use force that limits ability of person to breathe, including but not limited to choke holds.
  • HB 4204 Establishes temporary limitations on lenders being able to enforce default remedies on obligations secured by mortgages, trust deeds, land sale contracts or other instruments.
  • SB 5711 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to _____ for biennial expenses.
  • HB 4214 Declares Oregon policy regarding Indian children.
  • HCR 212 Establishes deadlines for presession-filed legislative measures for 2021 regular session of Eighty-first Legislative Assembly.
  • SCR 211 Adjourns sine die 2020 special session of Eightieth Legislative Assembly

Previous Hearing and Floor Links

Joint Committee On The First Special Session of 2020:

Housing Assistance

State Distributes $70 Million in COVID-19 Rental Relief and Energy Assistance

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is distributing $55,000,000 in
COVID rental relief funds and $15,000,000 in Energy Assistance to local organizations statewide.

At the June Joint Emergency Board meeting, state lawmakers unanimously allocated $95 million in Coronavirus Relief funds to OHCS for housing stabilization, rent assistance and energy assistance. $55,000,000 is dedicated to emergency rental assistance. These resources will augment the COVID Rent Relief Program announced by the state in May. Eligible tenants must have had their ability to pay rent impacted by the COVID pandemic and live at or below 80% in Area Media Income (AMI) of the county for which they reside. The rental relief funds were distributed to Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the state. 

The Oregon Legislature also provided $15,000,000 in Energy Assistance to Oregonians
financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Oregonians concerned about their ability to
make upcoming rent payments or concerned about keeping the lights on should contact 211 to find out about assistance options in their area. CAAs and key partners are taking applications for assistance from residents in their service area. These services are provided free of charge by CAAs.

To find out how to access these resources in your area visit 211info.org or call 2-1-1. The full list of Community Action Agencies, funding allocation amounts and service territories with contact information can be found HERE. For Washington County Community Action, click here.

Education Updates

Hillsboro School District Virtual Graduation Videos   

Graduation Premieres

They’re finally here! Videos from all of our virtual graduation events will premiere on our YouTube channel on Friday, June 26, at 6 p.m. Specific links to each video will be posted on the Graduation page of our website by 5 p.m. at www.hsd.k12.or.us/graduation

After the premieres, we will also post links to versions of the videos you can download and keep. Congratulations Class of 2020!

See photo slideshows and other videos now at www.hsd.k12.or.us/2020gradphotos.

#ProudToBeHSD

Keeping Students Active and Engaged

Read this article "10 Ideas for Keeping Your Child Engaged for Summer" and see a list of activities and resources below that you can do from home.

Insurance Updates

State of Oregon Announces Telehealth Agreement for Health Insurance Plans

The State of Oregon has reached an agreement with several health insurance companies to continue providing expanded telehealth options through at least Dec. 31, 2020.

The agreement follows guidance issued by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Oregon Health Authority in late March requiring health insurance plans of all types to provide coverage for multiple telehealth platforms at the same rate as an in-person visit to limit in-person health care services.

This means health insurance companies will continue to provide coverage for expanded telehealth services for Oregonians and pay for these services at the rates they established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following insurance companies have agreed to provide expanded telehealth services through the end of the year: Bridgespan, PacificSource, Cigna, Providence, Health Net, Regence, Kaiser Permanente, Samaritan, Moda, United Healthcare.

In addition to these companies, the Oregon Health Plan will continue to offer pay parity and other allowances for many telehealth services, offering the same rate as an in-person visit for physical health services, behavioral health services, and some dental and long-term care services.

It is important to note that this agreement does not apply to self-insured plans. The state encourages self-insured plans to cover expanded telehealth services for members. These are plans in which an employer assumes the financial risk of providing health care benefits to its employees. Oregonians who have a self-insured plan should check with their employer about their coverage options.

Oregonians are encouraged to contact their insurance company or health care provider if they have questions about using telehealth services.

Visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s COVID-19 telehealth page for frequently asked questions and additional information. For more information on insurance and financial topics, visit the COVID-19 consumer site.

Community Outreach

Celebrate Hillsboro

The City of Hillsboro invites you to Celebrate Hillsboro from home this year. On July 18, they invite all community members to celebrate where you are during a new, different Celebrate Hillsboro experience they are calling "I Am Hillsboro: Celebrating Community Strength." 

Show your appreciation for our community by:

  • decorating windows, balconies, or yards for all to see; 
  • taking part in chalk art and other joyful visual displays; 
  • having classic summer barbeques at home, synchronously; and 
  • sharing what makes our individual experiences unique via social media through the #IamHillsboro campaign.

Register for your free Celebrate Hillsboro lawn sign and art kit – filled with sidewalk chalk and other supplies to deck out the exterior of your home. Let’s show the vibrancy of Hillsboro while sharing messages of culture, support for others, and hope during this time. 

Registration for your Celebrate Hillsboro kits begins in early June and ends July 3. Pickup details will be shared with participants upon registration.

Register for your free Celebrate Hillsboro lawn sign and art kit.

Read more about this year's Celebrate Hillsboro here.

Hillsboro Hops Partner with Community Action

Hillsboro Hops

Monday would have been Opening Day for the Hillsboro Hops, the only MLB affiliated team in the Portland metro area. I think so many of us will miss the hot dog at sunset, the pop of a mitt, the crack of a bat and most importantly, seeing our friends at Ron Tonkin Field. With the start of the big league season on the horizon it’s becoming more clear that minor league teams will not have a 2020 season at all. Still, the Hops remain a caring member of our community. 

As of Wednesday, seven counties are requiring face coverings when employees and customers are in public spaces. While we won’t be able to experience fireworks after the game on July 4th, we can still show our team spirit by wearing Hillsboro Hops face coverings. 100% of the profits from the sale of masks will go to Community Action, who has been offering hope, help and change for families in transition for over 50 years. And hopefully we’ll see you at the park next season!

Get your Hillsboro Hops masks here.

Library News

HPL To Go

HPL To Go is Here

You can now reserve items and make an appointment to pick up library materials!

Here’s how it works:

  • Place a hold in the library catalog
  • When your items arrive, you will be notified by an email or phone call from an HPL staff member.
  • Once you’ve been notified your hold is ready to pick up, you will need to make an appointment by following a provided link in your email notification or calling us. 
  • Appointments are currently available Monday through Saturday from 2 pm to 6 pm.
  • You must pick up your materials at the library they are shipped to, either Brookwood or Shute Park.
  • Due to COVID-19 precautions, you may experience shipping delays with holds. 

Information to prepare for your visit

  • When you arrive to pick up your holds, please note the Library buildings will not be accessible.
  • You will see a table at our entrance where you can safely interact with staff and pick up your holds.
  • We will be practicing physical distancing and all staff you interact with will be wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). We would appreciate you wearing a mask when picking up items. Learn more about our City's safety recommendations.
  • There will be directional signage on the ground guiding you to maintain safe distancing.
  • Please send just one family member or representative to pick up your holds when possible.
  • To cancel any current holds please contact us.

Returning Materials

Our book drops are open for 24/7 returns. However, you are welcome to keep your library materials for now and know that you are helping us by “babysitting our books.” This allows us to manage the amount of materials we anticipate receiving. 

  • All materials will be quarantined for 72 hours before being checked in and removed from your account. The quarantine period is based on recommendations from Washington County's Public Health Division and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • To help our patrons, no late fees will be charged through September 30.

Questions and Updates

Questions? Give us a call at 503-615-6500 or email us. For updates to our services, follow our Reopening Plans and Timeline on our website.

Plastic Free Ecochallenge

Plastic Free

Reducing plastic use and plastic pollution is as important as it ever was. But preventing the spread of COVID-19 requires that we sometimes have to adapt to changing regulations and the changing availability of plastic free alternatives in order to prioritize public health and the safety of our communities and loved ones.

These challenges present the opportunity for creativity and innovation, and we hope you'll approach Plastic Free Ecochallenge with that spirit of creation and adventure.

Registration is open now! We invite you to join #TeamHD30 once again as we reduce our plastic dependency and consumption as creatively as we can. Please share your ideas! Let’s learn from each other.

Plastic free

Additional Resources

 House District 30 Links

Federal Delegation Links

Education Links

Utilities Assistance

Food and Housing Assistance

  • Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-11: places a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment in light of the public health emergency caused by the spread of coronavirus in Oregon. The order is effective for 90 days.
  • Governor Brown's Executive Order 20-13 strengthens Governor Brown's previous ban on residential evictions, and prohibits landlords from charging tenants late fees for nonpayment of rent during the moratorium. 
  • Community Action.org
  • Oregon Food Bank
  • Meals on Wheels

Much appreciation and respect for my colleagues on the Joint Committee on the First Special Session of 2020. Yesterday was a long day of public testimony, dialogue, respectful debate and progress in your Oregon State Capitol. I held out until 8:30pm to watch from my office, but they endured for another hour. Historic bills coming to the floor today to bring relief and accountability. I listened on my car ride home last night and was moved to tears by the heartfelt words that were shared and the incredible leadership. Thank you colleagues for your service. What a place in history we are in now.

Be good to yourself and each other. ❤

Onward & Upward

Janeen

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman