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Things are already heating up at the Capitol with the Republican Senators denying quorum for Thursday’s Senate floor session. When there are so many critical issues facing Oregonians—reopening schools safely, rebuilding communities destroyed by wildfire, getting our small businesses back on their feet… It is disappointing that a bad gun bill like SB 554 has taken priority.
I appreciate our Republican Senators’ attempt to get our Legislature’s focus back on the most pressing needs of our communities. It has been an overwhelming week of listening to personal testimony in the Wildfire Recovery Committee, the devastating impacts COVID closures have had on our restaurants and fitness centers, and the continued pleas by parents about the overall well being of their students being deprived of “normal” school experiences. And rather than focus on these massive issues, the week was dominated by advancing SB 554.
This session needs to get back to addressing the most pressing needs of Oregonians—and attempts like SB 554 to effectively eliminate concealed carry in Oregon aren't it.
 Senators present during Thursday's floor session have their name listed in green and those absent are listed in white.
My office has received literally thousands of emails about the multiple gun bills introduced this session, and I know this is an important issue for many folks. Below is a brief description of the gun bills and their links on OLIS where you can "e-subscribe" for email updates or find contact information to reach out to the bills' sponsors. If you have questions or need help navigating OLIS, please don't hesitate to reach out to my office!
SB 396 - Punishes manufacturing, importing, offering for sale or transferring undetectable firearm by maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both.
SB 554 - Authorizes city, county, metropolitan service district, port operating commercial airport, school district, college or university to adopt ordinance or policy limiting or precluding affirmative defense for possession of firearms in public buildings by concealed handgun licensees.
SB 585 - Repeals statute creating state preemption of local firearm regulation and statutes creating exceptions to preemption.
SB 604 - Requires person to obtain permit before purchasing or otherwise receiving firearm under circumstances requiring criminal background check.
HB 2510 - Requires owner or possessor of firearm to secure firearm with trigger or cable lock, in locked container or in gun room except in specified circumstances.
HB 2543 - Prohibits transfer of firearm by gun dealer or private party if Department of State Police is unable to determine whether recipient is qualified to receive firearm.
 The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Ballot Measure 110 Implementation met Thursday morning and held a work session on SB 554. The committee voted along party lines in a 4-3 vote to send SB 554 to the Senate floor.
The Landlord Compensation Fund is now accepting applications! Established during the last special session of 2020, the program provides relief to residential landlords who have been unable to collect tenant rent due to tenant hardships. Landlords whose applications are selected for funding will receive 80% of unpaid rent they are owed by current qualified tenants (from April 2020 on) and the remaining 20% of unpaid rent is forgiven.
Current applications are open until March 5th at 4pm and cover rent debt accrued from April 2020 - February 2021. This round of application includes $50 M of the total $150 M available for this program. Apply HERE.
Tenants in need of assistance can call or text 2-1-1 or reach out to their local community action agency. Both the state and federal governments have allocated record-breaking assistance for tenants. Homeowners in need of support can access assistance through the Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative.
Small business with 20 or under employees - available Feb. 24-March 10, 2021: In order to reach the smallest businesses, SBA will offer Paycheck Protection Program loans to businesses with 20 or less employees and sole proprietors only from Wednesday, February 24 through Wednesday, March 10, 2021. President Biden has also announced additional program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):
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Find a lender:
Get matched with a lender
Search for lenders in your area
- Identify a loan:
First Draw PPP Loans: If you have not received a PPP loan before, First Draw PPP Loans are available to you.
Second Draw PPP Loans: If you have previously received a PPP loan, certain businesses are eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
Today (2/26) the new County Risk Level updates go into effect! Linn County has been moved from High Risk to Moderate Risk and Marion County has been moved from Extreme Risk to High Risk. You can check the current status of each county HERE.
Monday, March 1st Oregonians 65 and older are eligible to get the COVID vaccine. For more information on getting vaccinated please use the resources below.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1417
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-378, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/cate
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