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Hello Friends,
Working at home today! My nephew Shaman just got back from a 10 month deployment with our Navy and he and his wife came for a visit! All three of us are fully vaccinated, which meant a visit and a hug. It felt good to visit and I encourage others to get an appointment as soon as possible. It will help us all be able to carry on with our normal activities safely!
2021 Session Committee Assignments
Joint Committee On Ways and Means
Joint Committee On Transportation - Co-Chair
House Committee On Agriculture and Natural Resources - Vice Chair
Joint Committee On the Interstate 5 Bridge - Co-Chair
Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Education - Co-Chair
2019-2020 Joint Emergency Board
Watch all Oregon State Legislature Live-Streams and Meetings HERE
Track all 2021 Session Bills HERE
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Instructions for how to testify:
English instructions here
Aquí están las instrucciones
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House Bill 2958 - Prevention of HIV: On Wednesday, the Oregon House passed legislation expanding access to Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), two drugs that prevent HIV infection.
- This bill allows pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and administer both PrEP and PEP, and clarifies that pharmacists have the legal authority to conduct an HIV test.
- It passed 47-7 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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House Bill 3182 - Tribal Adoptions: On Tuesday during an evening Floor session, the Oregon House voted to codify provisions from the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) into Oregon law.
- The bill requires Oregon’s judicial system to recognize tribal customary adoptions, which ensure that Native children who are surrendered or placed for adoption can remain connected to their tribe.
- It passed with unanimous support, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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House Bill 2935 A - The CROWN Act: On Wednesay, House Democrats passed this bill, which will protect students and employees from discrimination based on their hair type, texture and style.
- The bill is imperative to protecting Black communities, who disproportionately face discrimination based on hair styles and textures. In 2020, a study from Duke University found that “Black women with natural hairstyles, including Afros or braids, are often perceived as less professional than Black women with straightened hair, especially in certain industries.”
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Senate Bill 554 - Safe Storage Bill: Yesterday, the Oregon House passed groundbreaking gun safety legislation to reduce the risk of shooting deaths in Oregon.
- This bill makes a number of changes to Oregon firearm statutes. The bill requires that a gun be stored safely, with either a cable lock, a locked storage container, or in a gun safe. Failure to do so would result in a $500 fine, which would increase to $2000 should the unsecured firearm be obtained by a minor. The firearm must also be locked in a storage container or with a cable lock when an individual transfers a firearm. Additionally, if a firearm is lost or stolen, the owner would have 72 hours from when they reasonably should have known it was lost or stolen to report it.
- It also addresses gun free zones, allowing the boards of public universities, community colleges, and school districts to prohibit concealed carry of firearms on campuses. Boards would be allowed to opt into these programs. Additionally, the State Capitol would also be designated as a gun-free zone.
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Governor Kate Brown Extends State of Emergency Amid COVID-19 Surge in Cases, Hospitalizations
*This article comes from Governor Kate Brown’s Press Release. Click the link above to read more.
- Governor Kate Brown yesterday extended her declaration of a state of emergency for COVID-19 for 60 days, until June 28, 2021, unless earlier rescinded or extended.
- The declaration is the legal underpinning for the Governor’s COVID-19 executive orders and the Oregon Health Authority’s health and safety guidance; it also provides additional flexibility for the state and private parties responding to the challenges of the pandemic, from allowing restaurants to offer cocktails to go to allowing greater flexibility in who may administer vaccines.
- Extending the state of emergency also helps ensure Oregon is able to fully utilize available federal COVID-19 relief and assistance, including assistance with vaccine distribution.
- The Governor reviews and reevaluates each of her emergency orders every 60 days, to determine whether those orders should be continued, modified, or rescinded. The findings of this review process are listed in the executive order.
Governor Kate Brown Provides Updates on COVID-19 in Oregon
*This article comes from Governor Kate Brown’s Press Release. Click the link above to read more.
- Governor Kate Brown held a press conference today to provide an update on the status of COVID-19 in Oregon.
- The Governor was joined by Dr. Peter Graven, Lead Data Scientist, Oregon Health & Science University; Mariana Robins, a 15-year old with long-haul COVID-19 symptoms; Dr. Dean Sidelinger, State Epidemiologist, Oregon Health Authority (OHA); and Dana Hargunani, Chief Medical Officer, OHA.
"As we are facing widespread cases, driven by new, more contagious variants, I was presented with data showing two paths Oregon could take: One in which we took no additional action and stood by while more people die from this disease, and another that required a temporary tightening of restrictions for certain counties but could save hundreds of lives and prevent as many as 450 hospitalizations over the next three weeks. As your Governor, I chose to save lives," said Governor Brown.
"There is some good news. The same scientific modeling also shows that over the course of the next two-to-three weeks, based on current vaccination rates, we can get ahead of these variants. Following that trajectory, we should be able to lift restrictions statewide and return to a sense of normalcy no later than the end of June.
Additional Materials
- A copy of the Governor's prepared remarks from today's press conference is available here.
- A copy of a Governor's letter being sent to Extreme Risk counties and other stakeholders is available here.
- More information on vaccines is available at covidvaccine.oregon.gov.
OHSU Data
- Data and analysis from OHSU is available on their website under the section titled "OHSU COVID-19 forecast."
- OHSU's COVID forecast for April 30, 2021 is available here.
Video Links
- A recording of today's live-streamed press conference is available on YouTube. Please note the video starts at the 18:37 mark.
- A recording of a Spanish language translation is available on OHA's Facebook page.
- An HD recording of today's press conference for members of the media is available on Vimeo.
Oregon to receive more than $90 million in federal homeowner relief, senators say
*This article comes from KTVZ News. Click the link above to read more.
- Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced Wednesday that Oregon will be allocated more than $90 million in federal assistance from the American Rescue Plan for homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage, home insurance and utility payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Wyden and Merkley both voted for the American Rescue Plan Act, which among its provisions provides up to $9.96 billion in relief nationwide for homeowners through the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). The purpose of the HAF is to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Funds from the HAF may be used for assistance with mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance and utility payments. Homeowners who have experienced the greatest hardships will be prioritized.
- HAF funds will be distributed through Oregon Housing & Community Services.
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Washington Co. Vaccine Information:
There is still less vaccine supply than necessary to meet the needs of everyone who is eligible and wants the vaccine. We ask for your continued patience until we get more vaccines (coming soon!).
Please do not double-book or no-show for your appointment.
Oregon Convention Center: Sign up here and you will be sent an invitation when a vaccine is available to you. Names are selected at random from eligible pool.
OHSU drive-thru clinics at Hillsboro Stadium and PDX Airport Red Economy Lot: Schedule online via OHSU's tool. New appointments are released at 9 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays at the very least. Other days are often added at the last minute, so you might want to visit OHSU's page weekdays at 9 a.m. if you are looking for an appointment.
Washington County-Sponsored Community Clinics: April 30-May 1: Drive-thru clinic at Nike campus in Beaverton. In partnership with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Nike and City of Beaverton. Pfizer vaccine. Schedule appointment here.
Local pharmacies:
On April 23, the Food and Drug Administration lifted the pause on the use of the J&J vaccine, with a warning about the potential for rare blood clots for women under age 50. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup also found that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is “generally safe and effective and that the resumption of its use is warranted once culturally and linguistically appropriate patient and provider educational materials in plain language that support informed decision-making are available.” The FDA has provided an updated Q&A about the J&J vaccine.
The Oregon Health Authority says that Oregon health care providers and pharmacies may resume administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine if they can ensure patients or their caregivers are informed about the benefits and risks of the vaccine in their primary language.
National Numbers:
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Confirmed Cases: 32,091,429
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Deaths: 572,190
- These national numbers come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can view their national and state by state data here.
Oregon Status Report:
- Oregon now has 184,000 total cases (confirmed and presumptive) of COVID-19.
- Today we have 990 new confirmed and presumptive cases, and 4 new deaths.
- A total of 2,507 Oregonians have died from COVID-19 (previous daily case updates from OHA here)
- Washington County has 24,577 confirmed cases, including 229 deaths.
- The Oregon Health Authority recently provided a Public Health Indicators Dashboard to enable communities across Oregon to monitor COVID-19 in the state. The dashboard, which will be updated weekly on Thursdays, provides a transparent report that presents complex epidemiological data in an interactive, easy-to-understand way on a state and county level
Relaxed precautions, social gatherings and the B.1.1.7. variant increase the spread
*This article comes from the Oregon Health Authority Press Release. Click the link above to read more.
- You may be wondering why cases have been on the rise recently, especially as we see an increase in vaccination across the state. There are two answers to this question – variants that are more transmissible and increased social gatherings without face coverings.
- The CDC and OHA are closely monitoring variants of concern (VOC). VOCs are variants that have mutations in the virus genome that alter the characteristics and cause the virus to act differently. For example, a variant of concern may cause more severe disease, spread more easily between humans, require different treatments and change the effectiveness of current vaccines.
- One variant is B.1.1.7 which has now become the dominant variant in Oregon statewide. It is 50% more transmissible and may cause more severe disease. At this point, it appears that COVID-19 vaccines are effective against variant B.1.1.7.
- While we are seeing this variant become more prominent in Oregon, people also seem to be relaxing their precautions. Much of the increase in cases we’re seeing is in younger people and is due to social gatherings where people are not wearing face coverings. The fact that variant B.1.1.7. has become Oregon’s dominant strain is intensifying the spread at these events.
- The good news is that we know how to turn this around. The same precautions that we have been taking throughout this pandemic are what will slow this spread – wear a face covering and keep gatherings small and outdoors. And get vaccinated if you’re eligible. The best way to end the pandemic is by vaccinating enough of the population to keep the virus from being able to spread easily.
Washington County looks to vaccine event for homeless in May
*This article comes from Hillsboro NewsTimes. Click the link above to read more.
- A lack of adequate supply of COVID-19 vaccines and the pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have stifled efforts to vaccinate homeless people in Washington County, officials say.
- It has been nearly a month since Oregon's vaccine eligibility guidelines expanded to include homeless people, specifically. Some were eligible previously due to having a medical condition or disability.
- A small number of homeless Washington County residents have already received doses either through addiction recovery services or transitional housing programs, said Tyler Slattery, a senior program coordinator with the county's COVID-19 response team.
- But vaccine providers haven't yet opened clinics or held vaccination events exclusively for the estimated 1,000 homeless residents of Washington County.
- Homeless people have been considered at higher risk for COVID-19 due to often living in congregate settings and not having access to sanitary resources.
- Slattery said the county has partnered with Neighborhood Health Center, a nonprofit healthcare provider, to hold a vaccination event for homeless people to receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccine in early May. The event will be followed by another event several weeks later when people will receive their second dose.
- The events will primarily make the vaccine available to people in the county's winter shelter network registration system and those who access existing day centers, Slattery said.
- Officials are also working with homeless service providers to inform people about how and where to get vaccines, Sawyers said, adding that the county is currently producing flyers with such information to be placed at shelters, day centers, markets and other places accessed by homeless people.
- Slattery said service providers have reported they hear vaccine hesitancy among people who access their services, adding that he has asked service providers to engage in conversations with people about the need to be vaccinated.
Highway 47 improvements in Forest Grove move forward
*This article comes from Forest Grove NewsTimes. Click the link above to read more.
- Washington County is considering several design options to make improvements to a notoriously dangerous intersection: Highway 47 at the Fern Hill Road and Maple Street.
- The junction is known for being one of the most frequent spots that Forest Grove police are called out to because of motor vehicle crashes. In 2014, seven people ended up in the hospital after a T-bone crash at the intersection.
- County officials are considering several options to improve safety at the intersection.
- Currently, the project is funded only for the $2.2 million design phase, paid for through Washington County's Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program. Estimated design completion date is Dec. 31.
Hazard tree removal saves lives
Oregonians have emotional connections to the state’s natural resources, particularly our vast forestland. Following the devastating wildfires of 2020 and the destruction left in its wake, it’s more important than ever to ensure that Oregon can rebuild and recover safely and before the next disaster strikes. These efforts are currently underway throughout the state, with a key first step including the evaluation and removal of thousands of dead or dying trees posing threats to communities, property, utilities and roadways.
A variety of accountability and quality control measures are in place to ensure this work is done right. Using a detailed set of criteria created by certified professionals and regulatory experts, each fire-damaged tree near state highways and future rebuilding sites is examined individually to determine if it is healthy enough to safely remain on the landscape. Throughout the process, safety is maintained as the number one priority: for crews doing this important work, home and landowners working to rebuild and traveling these corridors, and recreators seeking solace and adventure in the outdoors.
Once a tree is determined too damaged to survive, and therefore a threat to safety and infrastructure, it is marked for removal. The same tree is then examined by two additional independent teams – including arborists and monitoring firms – to verify the need for removal. Checks and balances are in place to help ensure accountability; work is separated among different teams and companies and $2,000 penalty fines are levied for each unmarked tree cut down.
This immediate assessment happens by determining which trees will pose safety risks during a five-year timeframe, as required for FEMA reimbursement. This means that trees posing threats now — and those that will in the future as communities rebuild — are being identified, evaluated and eventually removed before accidents happen. Reducing risk and ensuring no more lives are lost to the 2020 wildfires is the priority.
Just a few months into the process to remove the dead or dying hazard trees lining Oregon highways and future home sites, we are seeing positive results. More than half of the total estimate hazard trees have been methodically evaluated and marked for future removal, over half of the participating home sites have been cleared so that families and communities can start to rebuild, and roadways continue to remain open for safe travels. The mission to deliver both safety and environmental stewardship, while preserving and restoring Oregon’s forests for future generations, continues to drive this important work. Together, we are rebuilding Oregon communities to be safer and stronger than before.
Wildfire Recovery Resources
OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:
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Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
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Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
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Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
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Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
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Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
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U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
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U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
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Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
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Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
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SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
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State taxes (Oregon Dept. of Revenue) Phone: 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222 TTY: All relay calls are accepted. Website: www.oregon.gov/dor
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Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
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Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
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Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
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Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
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Medical records - Call your doctor or your medical insurance company; medical and prescription records are tracked electronically.
The Governor’s office has put together a Wildfire Resources page that you can access from the Governor’s home page. It has links to many of the most important updates about the status of fires and resources for evacuees. This website will be updated regularly.
Legal Resources: Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Program, Oregon lawyers, through the Oregon State Bar, are partnering with FEMA and the American Red Cross to provide legal assistance on FEMA claims, contract claims, insurance claims, landlord-tenant matters and more.
The Department of Forestry’s Wildfire Response and Recovery Overview has ongoing updates about firefighting efforts, damage reports, and more.
FEMA Updates: FEMA has provided several different Fact Sheets and resources for accessing benefits, determining eligibility and avoiding scams.
With counties moving to 'extreme risk', Oregon braces for more unemployment claims
*This article comes from KATU News ABC. Click the link above to read more.
- With 15 Oregon counties moving into the extreme risk category, which includes additional restrictions for businesses, the state is bracing for additional unemployment claims.
- Oregon Employment Department Acting Director David Gerstenfeld said he anticipates people who previously filed for unemployment in the past 12 months to be the ones to claim benefits once again.
- "It may result in more people seeking benefits as their livelihoods are impacted. The employment department is watching the situation very closely and we are prepared to handle any increase in benefit claims or customer questions about their benefits. We're continually seeking process improvements and finding better ways to serve Oregonians," said Gerstenfeld.
- The change in risk categories may result in people who applied for unemployment, went back to work, and now need to resume benefits, according to Gerstenfeld. Some people who were working part-time and receiving benefits may receive a higher benefit amount if their employer cuts their hours.
- Previously, the employment department said they were seeing a higher number of claims being filed, and crowded phone lines, because many Oregonians saw their claim reach the one-year mark. At that point, people receiving regular unemployment need to reapply. That does not apply to people who received PUA benefits.
- Gerstenfeld said they could be faced with some challenges with additional unemployment claims.
- "Some of the things we’ve done [to address those challenges] include putting some information on our website, including a tool to help people identify if they need to file a new claim or not. We’re required to look at any earnings they’ve had in the meantime to see if it makes them eligible for a new claim and compare what their benefit amount may be to make sure they are not going to lose weekly benefits as a result of which claim they go on," said Gerstenfeld.
Department of Homeland Security pushes REAL ID deadline to 2023
*This article comes from ABC News. Click the link above to read more.
- The federal government is delaying the deadline for the REAL ID enforcement for a second time.
- Every domestic air traveler 18 and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver's license or another TSA-acceptable form of identification beginning on May 3, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday.
- The original deadline of Oct. 1, 2020, was postponed for one year due to the pandemic. The second delay is also "due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," according to the DHS press release.
Oregon opens applications for second round of commercial rent assistance
*This article comes from The Oregonian. Click the link above to read more.
- Oregon has opened applications for a second round of grants to support small businesses that have fallen behind on rent during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Business Oregon, the state agency administering the program, will award $42 million to landlords across the state to cover the outstanding rent of their small business tenants. The money comes from a second round of funding for the state’s $100 million Commercial Rent Relief Program.
- The application process opened Thursday and will run through May 6. Since the state expects applications will exceed available funding, it will choose from among the applicants through a lottery system.
- Small business owners with 100 or fewer employees can apply together with their landlords for funding. The state will award grants of between $500 and $100,000 per business tenant for a maximum of $3 million going to each landlord.
- Landlords must complete the initial application, but both the businesses and property owners need to participate in the application process and sign the grant agreement in order to qualify.
- Business Oregon has made some minor changes to the program for the second round to expand eligibility. Under the new requirements, eligible landlords can be publicly-traded businesses and sole proprietors do not need to register with the Secretary of State to apply for funding, if they are not already required to do so.
- During the first round of funding, Business Oregon funded nearly 87% of applicants, approving grants totaling nearly $50 million to cover the outstanding rent of 2,605 businesses statewide. The average grant size was $19,058.
- Eligible applicants who weren’t chosen to receive funding in round one are automatically being considered along with new applicants during the second round.
- Business Oregon has begun sending out checks to landlords who were approved for funding to cover their tenants’ outstanding rent in round one, but the agency is also still in the process of finalizing many of those grants. Nathan Buehler, a spokesperson for Business Oregon, said the agency is still waiting to receive paperwork from roughly 800 applicants approved for funding in round one, which has prevented them from finalizing those applications and getting the money out.
- The Oregon House approved a bill earlier this month that would give businesses until the end of September to repay missed rent accumulated during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers said at the time that it was important to extend the repayment deadline to give the state more time to get rent relief to struggling businesses. The bill still has to gain approval in the Senate.
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Landlord Compensation Fund: Round Two Open Now – May 17th
- Are you a landlord with past due rental payments? The Landlord Compensation Fund can help!
- The program covers 80% of past due rent (April 2020 – now) for tenants with a signed declaration of financial hardship if a landlord agrees to forgive the other 20%. The first round will cover rental debt for approximately 12,000 tenants and helped more than 1,900 landlords. More relief resources are available now!
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- As referenced above, the first round applications will provide financial relief to thousands of Oregonians, landlords and renters alike, across the state. The map below shows where assistance will be distributed. Our Public Housing Authority partners will verify ownership, make payments to landlords, and notify tenants that their rent has been forgiven in the coming weeks.
Oregon Community Foundation to Grant $41.2 Million of State Funds for Summer Academic and Enrichment Programs
- Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced that it will administer $40 million of state-funded grants for community organizations to provide summer enrichment activities for K-12 aged students, such as day camps and outdoor programs as well as $1.2 million earmarked for parent-child summer programming for families with young children.
- The move is part of a substantial investment by the State of Oregon to address learning inequities and help mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Oregon children and families.
- OCF will administer two different grant programs , both funded by the State of Oregon, for summer educational and enrichment programs:
K-12 Summer Learning Grants: $40 Million
- The K-12 Summer Learning Grants will prioritize community-based programs for underserved youth and families that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The grants will be available to public and nonprofit organizations that provide community-based programming including:
- Support enrichment programs for learning outside of the classroom
- Support arts, sports, mentoring, workforce development, science, museum education and many other indoor and outdoor activities
- A priority to programs that serve K-12 aged youth from communities of color, youth from low-income families, and youth living in under-resourced rural communities.
- OCF will accept, review, and award grants on a rolling basis throughout the spring to ensure programs have funds in hand to begin planning and implementation. OCF will seek the advice of a diverse, community-based advisory committee throughout the granting process to ensure that the program is meeting community priorities.
- The application form can be found on the OCF website at: https://oregoncf.org/grants-and scholarships/grants/k-12-summer-learning-grant-program
Early Childhood Summer Support Grants: $1.2M
- The Early Childhood Summer Support Grants will support enrichment programs for learning by providing services for approximately 600 children (from birth to 5 years of age) and their parents.
- These grants will help deliver 12 weeks of parent-child summer programming, including group classes and activities that offer social and learning opportunities for young children and their parents, play groups and kindergarten readiness programs.
- To apply for a grant or learn more about this program, please visit:
- https://oregoncf.org/grants-and-scholarships/grants/early-childhood-summer-support-grants
Employers and Employees
The following list of resources is from Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Office. The fastest way to get in touch with the SOS team is by emailing business.sos@oregon.gov, using the “Need Help?” button found on most state agency websites or visiting www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness.
Education Links
Local Government
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
Working and meetings! Very productive today.
Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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