Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today, the final gavel of the 81st Legislative Assembly dropped, and the 2021 Legislative Session officially adjourned – Sine Die.  

This six-month long session was unlike any before, with the people’s work conducted mostly online in virtual committee hearings while Oregon’s Capitol building remained closed to the public. We saw an increased number of committees formed, bills introduced, and the largest tax revenue increase in our state’s history. The virtual session was clunky with various technological challenges that presented hardships for Oregonians without internet access and for the thousands of Oregonians who experienced extended power outages following February’s ice storm - leaving them in the dark.

The past 16 months have been anything but normal in Oregon, throughout the country, and around the globe. The overwhelming impacts of the pandemic, economic crisis, natural disasters, student learning losses, and the political and civil unrest we have seen in our streets have had a profound impact on our daily lives. These events serve as a call to action for us to prepare for the challenges ahead. I am proud of my work this session that focused on emergency management, economic and wildfire recovery, and public safety.

This newsletter highlights some of the key bills I sponsored that will benefit Oregonians.

HB 2927 B – Oregon Emergency Management Reorganization (Passed)
Reshapes Oregon’s Emergency Management structure by updating and aligning Oregon’s emergency structures so that our emergency response efforts are more efficient in times of crisis.

HB 2289  Building in Areas Affected by Wildfires (Passed)
Directs Housing and Community Services Department to study issues relating to building in areas affected by wildfires and report to appropriate committee or interim committee of Legislative Assembly on or before September 15, 2022.  Establishes alternative process for alteration, restoration or replacement of certain uses affected by 2020 wildfires. Expands eligibility to repair or replace subsurface sewage disposal system for dwellings approved under alternative process.

HB 2247 A - Pandemic and Wildfire Property Tax Waiver (Passed)
Alleviates burdens for property owners who show that they were severely burdened by wildfires and/or COVID-19 hardships by allowing County Commissioners to waive interest on their delinquent real property taxes.

SB 405 – Wildfire Recovery for Non-Conforming Use Properties (Passed)
Allows for older homes and structures that were built under old land use law (non-conforming use) but destroyed by fire, to be rebuilt to conform to those previous laws. Provides more flexible building requirements for wildfire survivors by extending the timetable to 5 years to rebuild, ensuring families who had older homes can rebuild and continue living where their house was before.

HB 2564 - Willamette Falls Locks Public Corporation (Passed)
Establishes the Willamette Falls Locks Authority to own and operate the Willamette Falls Locks bringing in increased opportunities for tourism, economic development, and historical and cultural relevance. It further continues the restoration and operation of the Willamette Locks to maintain a vital waterway for residents of the Willamette Valley.

HB 2593 - Search and Rescue Funding (Passed)
Authorizes the Office of Emergency Management to contract with the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association to conduct a “Voluntary SAR Card” program. Under the program, recreators could purchase a SAR Card at the same outlets where hunting and fishing licenses are available for purchase. The proceeds of those cards would be used to fund grants to reimburse county sheriffs’ offices for the costs of SAR operations, and to help them pay for SAR training and obtain SAR equipment.

This week, OPB’s “Think Out Loud” covered the recent uptick in Oregon’s search and rescue events.  Click here - It’s worth a listen. 

HB 2700 - POW/MIA Roadside Markers (Passed)
Allows Oregonians who have sacrificed their lives to be honored through Oregon’s Fallen Hero Memorial Highway Sign program and expands the eligibility for a Fallen Hero memorial sign to include servicemembers who were declared missing in action. Surviving family can apply through ODOT, pay the fee and obtain roadside memorial sign to be installed on a state highway to commemorate and honor their loved one.

HB 2243 - Emergency Declarations (In Committee Upon Adjournment)
Brings balance to the Governor’s sole executive authority in emergency decision making to include the Legislature's input for extending emergency declarations. Though this bill died on a narrow party line vote after a motion pulled it to the floor for a vote. The vote count spoke to a shared interest by both parties to bring balance to the emergency decision making process.

HB 2701 - Affordable Housing/SDC Waiver (In Committee Upon Adjournment)
This is my bill that would provide affordable multi-family housing in rural communities. Sadly, the bill did not pass again this session.  

HB 3139 - Youth Suicide (Passed)
Requires a mental health care provider who assesses a minor to be at imminent and serious threat of attempting suicide to disclose relevant information to a parent, guardian or other individuals to engage in safety planning.

HB 2826 - Child Advocacy Centers (Passed)
Requires Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention Program within the Oregon Department of Justice to allocate funds to support local and regional child advocacy centers.  These centers provide medical assessments, treatment, and safety to prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse. Ensuring access to child advocacy centers keeps kids safe.

SB 562 - Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) (Passed)
Codifies the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) into Oregon Law regarding adoptions. This bill completes the critical work started with HB 4214 in the 2020 first special session, creating the Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act that promotes the safety of Native children, preserves tribal families and communities, recognizes tribal sovereignty, and supports compliance with federal ICWA standards in courtrooms and DHS offices throughout the state.

HB 2852 - Crimes Committed in Areas Declared an Emergency (In Committee Upon Adjournment)
Would allow judges to depart from sentencing guidelines for crimes committed in an area that has been declared an emergency. As the measure’s Chief Sponsor, I introduced this bill in response to the testimony provided by wildfire survivors who experienced looting and theft of their property following the fires, victimizing them a second time.

HB 3411 - Recovery Rebates (Passed)
Creates refundable income tax credit to adjust for effect on federal income subtraction of recovery rebates allowed to personal income taxpayers. Provides for credit to be claimed on personal income tax return for 2021 tax year. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. Provides that federal tax subtraction is to be calculated without taking into account recovery rebates allowed to personal income taxpayers. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2022.

HB 2738 - Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Funding (Passed)
Appropriates moneys to the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund for the CASA Volunteer Program and for distribution to Oregon CASA Network for court appointed special advocate training programs. CASA volunteers play a critical role to represent a child's best interest before the court and bring positive change to the lives of Oregon's most vulnerable children. Interested in becoming a CASA?  Learn more here. 

In the interim, between now and the next session there is a great deal of work to do.

Legislators have been asked to reserve the week of September 20 for a possible special session on redistricting. Redistricting is the process of redrawing legislative and congressional district lines following the decennial U.S. Census. The lines are redrawn so that districts are of roughly equal population as required by the Oregon Constitution and the U.S. Constitution.

For twenty years Oregonians have been living with district lines that were drawn for political gain. That means many Oregonians have values that aren’t accurately represented. Through the redistricting process, we have an opportunity to make important changes that will result in more fair and balanced elections for our state. The public is strongly encouraged to participate in these discussions. To learn more about redistricting, visit: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting.

Also, during the interim, the Legislature convenes periodically for Legislative Committee Days. Legislative Days happen approximately every eight weeks and last for four days. During this time, committees hold informational hearings on topics that may lead to legislation in upcoming sessions, hear updates on previous implementations, hear reports from state agencies and Task Forces, and keep current on the subject areas affecting Oregonians. The Senate may also convene for the purpose of confirming the Governor's executive appointments. 

More information about Legislative Days can be found at:  https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/commdays. 

July 10, 2021 through December 31, 2021 Legislator offices in the House and Senate wings will be inaccessible in order to complete seismic upgrades. During this time, Legislative Committee meetings will be held virtually. More information about the Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety project (CAMS) can be found at: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/cams