Preview of January Legislative Days

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 01/09/2022 09:26 PM PST
Michael Dembrow

January 9, 2022

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

This coming week the Legislature will hold a series of remote committee hearings for the last of our so-called “Interim Leg Days” prior to the 2022 session in February. It's an exciting time for those of you who are close watchers of the legislative process here in Oregon because this is when you'll get your first real glimpse at a number of the bills that will be before us in the upcoming session.

The number of such bills will be very constrained, however, compared to the thousands of bills that are introduced in the long sessions held during odd-numbered years.  This session (as is true of all even-year sessions) will last no more than five weeks (a constitutional requirement), so we cannot take on all the issues that our constituents would like us to.  Each member is limited to two bill drafts, and each committee to three.  And it's important that the work on these bills be finalized as much as possible prior to the actual beginning of the session on February 1.

For tonight's special newsletter I've put together a kind of cheat-sheet for this week's hearings.  The list below gives you the sequence of hearings and the topics that will be covered. It also provides an easy, direct link to each of them.  Hope it helps.  You can of course go into the legislative web site (oregonlegislature.gov or olis.oregonlegislature.gov) and wander around in there.  You'll find a wealth of information.

I'll also take advantage of this newsletter to provide some new links to COVID news.  Even though it's only been a few days since the last newsletter, some new information has emerged regarding COVID here in Oregon, including hospitalizations and impacts on schools.  

As always, until the next newsletter, please stay healthy and safe, and let me know if you have any questions about information in tonight’s newsletter.

 

 

 

JANUARY LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AGENDAS

This is a list of the agenda items scheduled for this week, with links to the committee webpages that include the actual agendas and other materials.  The pages will also let you know who will be testifying on each of the agenda items.

Nearly all of the committees will be voting on the introduction of committee bills for the upcoming February sess. You can find the text of those legislative concepts (LCs) by clicking on the “Meeting Materials” tab on each committee agenda page. In addition, many of the committees will also be hearing about relevant legislative concept proposals coming from individual members.

The "Meeting Materials" tab will also get you to reports, PowerPoints, and other information related to the topics in the hearings.  You can of course watch the hearings live or later in recorded form.

For the most part, these meetings are not public hearings, so there won’t be an opportunity for public testimony at this time (though you can of course always contact committee members directly with your input). There will be opportunity for written and oral/video testimony on bills during the February session itself.

These committee meetings are all being held remotely due to the ongoing risk of COVID-19 at this time, particularly via its Omicron variant.

If you'd prefer, here's a PDF version of the committee and task force list, times, and topics.  

Monday, January 10

Task Force on Student Success for Underrepresented Students in Higher Education, 9:00-11:00 a.m.:

  • Update from Planning Group and Review of Task Force Charge
  • Presentation on Oregon’s Workforce Needs
  • Public Hearing: Input from Underrepresented Faculty and Students

 

Tuesday, January 11

Senate Energy and Environment,  8:00-10:30 a.m.:

  • Overview of the Bottle Bill Program
  • Implementation of HB 2021 (2021), 100% Clean Electricity
  • Oregon Reach Code
  • Overview of Member Legislative Concepts

Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness, 8:00-10:30 a.m.:

  • Legislative Concepts:
    • LC 11 Resolution Honoring Patrick James Simpson
    • LC 29 Resolution Honoring Paul Laruya Ramirez, Sr.
    • LC 169 Relating to Military Pay
  • Income Tax Exemption for National Guard Members
  • Overview of COVID-Related Deaths in Veterans Centers
  • Veterans’ Housing
  • Emergency Preparedness—Imminent Disasters, Plans, and Updates
  • Sleep Disorders in Veterans and Others

House Business and Labor,  8:00-10:30 a.m.:

  • Update on Overtime for Agricultural Workers
  • Essential Worker Pay Act
  • Qualified Nonprofit Agency Procurement Oversight
  • Member Concepts

House Human Services,  8:00-10:30 a.m.:

  • Community Information Exchange
  • LC 212, Long-Term Care Workforce Challenges
  • LC 2244, Child Welfare Service Providers
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  • LC 43, Child Caring Agencies
  • LC 201, Homeless Youth Services and Support

Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee of Joint Ways and Means, 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:

Agenda includes 12 items.  Go to “Meeting Materials” for details on the various requests and reports.

Natural Resources Subcommittee of Joint Ways and Means, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.:

Agenda includes five fiscal items.  Go to “Meeting Materials” for details on the various requests and grant reports.

House Economic Recovery and Prosperity,  11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.:

  • Overview of Legislative Concepts
    • LC 236: Broadband
    • LC 268: Live Venue Assistance
    • LC 133: System Development Charges Study
    • LC 134: Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund Modification
    • LC 242 and LC 262: Cannabis Proposals
  • Governor’s Workforce Ready Oregon

Joint Information Management and Technology,12:45-2:00 p.m.:

  • Cybersecurity Programs
  • Discussion of Legislative Concept: LC 261, Relating to Cybersecurity

Senate Health Care, 2:30-5:00p.m.

  • COVID-19 Update
  • Prescription Drug Prices and State Policy Considerations
  • Medicaid Waiver Renewal and Oregon Health Plan Redeterminations in 2022
  • Discussion of Committee Bills and Member Bills

Senate Labor and Business,  2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Governor’s Future Ready Oregon 2022
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (LC 254)
  • LC 51: Workplace Fairness Act Revisions
  • LC 60: Prohibited Adverse Employment Actions
  • Overtime for Agricultural Workers
  • Essential Workers Pay Act
  • Update on SB 893 (2021 Second Special Session) – Financial Assistance for Illegal Cannabis Enforcement

House Education, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Update on Task Force on Student Success for Underrepresented Students in Higher Education
  • Anthony’s Circle
  • Ethnic Studies Implementation
  • Racial Equity and Justice Youth Collaborative
  • Member Bills
  • Committee Bills:
    • Student Leaders Training Bill (LC 197)
    • Education Workforce Work Group Bill (LC 197)
    • Education Equity Act and ODE Employees (LC 199)

House Judiciary, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Updates regarding Incidents Involving the Department of Corrections:
    • Jailhouse Lawyer Incident (Severe discipline imposed against an Adult in Custody)
    • Tear Gas Incident
  • Update on HB 2928 (2021)
  • Updates from the Oregon Judicial Department
  • Discussion of Various Legislative Concepts:
    • Compassionate Medical Release (LC 142)
    • Survivor Access to Police Records
    • Peremptory Challenges; Disqualifying Judges; and Justified Use of Physical Force (LC 186)
    • Restitution (LC 160)
    • Justice Reinvestment (LC 94, redraft of 2021’s HB 2002)

House Revenue, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Overview of Senate Finance & Revenue Bills
  • Overview of the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT)
  • Corporate Activity Tax Update
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Private Forest Accord: New Assessment and Tax Credit

 

Wednesday, January 12

Senate Judiciary and Ballot Measure 110 Implementation Committee, 8:30-10:30 a.m.:

  • Overview and Introduction of Committee Measures:
    • LC 98: Related to Crime
    • LC 94: Related to Public Safety
    • LC 112: Collateral Consequence Effects On Adjudicated Persons
  • Psychiatric Security Review Board Work Group Report
  • Oregon Justice for Exonerees Act Update
  • Universal Representation
  • Oregon Law + Connect Portal Project

House Housing, 8:00-10:30 a.m.:

  • Manufactured Housing Technical Updates
  • Concurrent Permitting
  • Housing Policy Concepts:
    • Homeless Services Pilot Programs
    • Affordable Housing Tax Credit
    • Rental Application Fees
    • Charge-in-Lieu of Security Deposit: Co-Signer Alternative
    • UGB Expansion for Workforce Housing

General Government Subcommittee of Joint Ways and Means, 8:00-9:30 a.m.:

Agenda includes six fiscal requests.  Go to “Meeting Materials” for details on the various requests.

Human Services Subcommittee of Joint Ways and Means, 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:

Agenda includes ten fiscal requests.  Go to “Meeting Materials” for details on the various requests.

House Early Childhood,11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.:

  • Multnomah County Preschool for All
  • Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) Update
  • Unified Agency Implementation in Other States
  • Discussion of Committee Bills

House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.:

  • Committee Bills
  • Wildfire Corridors and Vehicle Collisions
  • Governor’s Environmental Justice Bill
  • Emergency Heat Relief for Communities
  • Efficiency Standards for Spray Sprinklers
  • Member Concepts

Public Safety Subcommittee of Joint Ways and Means,12:30-2:15 p.m.:

Agenda includes 13 items.  Go to “Meeting Materials” for details on the various requests and reports.

Education Subcommittee of Joint Ways and Means, 12:45-2:00 p.m.:

Agenda includes five fiscal items.  Go to “Meeting Materials” for details on the various requests and reports.

Senate Education,2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Virtual Education
  • Streamlining Complaints regarding Discrimination and Division 22 Standards
  • Education Workforce Work Group Status Report
  • Discussion of Committee Bill Concepts:
    • Superintendent Protections
    • YCEP/JDEP (Youth Corrections Education) Funding
    • Second Chance PELL
    • Oregon Promise Update

Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Introduction of Committee Bills LC 0150 - School Finance LC 0161 - Various policy and technical changes LC 0252 - Federal Reconnect
  • Overview of House Revenue Bills
    • Historic Property Legislative Concept Gain Share Corporate Activity Tax Revenue Update

Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery,2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • LC 36: Technical Assistance for Organic Agriculture
  • LC 240: Natural/Working Lands and Climate Action
  • LC 224: Minor Fixes to SB 762 (2021) Wildfire Policy
  • Member Legislative Concepts
  • 2022 Private Forest Accord Legislation
  • SB 762 (2021) Implementation Updates
  • Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program

House Agriculture, Land Use, and Water, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Committee Legislative Concepts:
    • LC 164: Related to Water Resources, with Focus on Illegal Cannabis Operations
    • LC 114: Related to Federal Funding Opportunities for Natural Resource Programs
    • LC 207: Related to Licensing of Persons Using Pesticides
  • Oregon Water Resources Department Implementation of 2021-23 Budget/Policy Priorities
  • State-Supported Regional Water Planning and Management
  • Drought and Water Challenges on Tribal Lands
  • Federal Funding Opportunities for Water and other Natural Resources
  • Member Concepts

House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Committee Legislative Concepts:
    • LC 265, Relating to Military Service Members
    • LC 266, Relating to Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District
    • LC 267, Relating to Emergency Preparedness
  • Member Legislative Concepts
  • Property Tax Exemption for Veterans
  • Veterans’ Sheltering Status for Colder Months
  • Status Update on Winter Months—Potentially Hazardous Roads & Trees

Joint Legislative Audits, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • ODOT Wildfire Debris Removal Advisory Report (Report 2021-30)
  • EIS Cybersecurity Management Report (Report 2021-25)

 

Thursday, January 13

House Health Care,  8:00-10:30 a.m.:

  • Nursing Work Force Crisis
  • Oregon Health Plan and Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Updates
  • Hospital-Based Community Violence Intervention Programs
  • Racism as Public Health Crisis – Mobile Clinic Pilot Project
  • 2022 Legislative Concepts Related to Health Care

 Full Joint Ways and Means, 8:00-10:30 a.m.:

The agenda currently lists 51 items for consideration, mainly following up on appropriations made during the 2021 session.  This list could change, depending on action by the various Ways and Means subcommittees.

Senate Rules and Executive Appointments, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.:

  • Committee Legislative Concepts
  • Campaign Finance Reform

House COVID-19 Response: 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.:

  • OHA Update
  • COVID-19 Variant and Outbreak Update
  • Health System Update
  • Crisis Care Guidelines
  • K-12 School Update

House Wildfire Recovery, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.:

  • Update: Water Infrastructure Investments
  • Update: Housing Investments
  • Update: Natural Resources Investments

Senate Housing and Development, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Renters Rights and Access to Cooling – Committee Bill
  • Housing Cost Impact Statements – Committee Bill
  • Homeless Services Pilot Programs – LC 218
  • Rental Assistance and Homeowners Assistance Updates
  • FED Filings Update

Senate Human Services, Mental Health and Development, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Transparency and Accountability in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services
  • OHA Update on Restraint and Seclusion in Intensive Treatment Services
  • Overview of Oregon Kids’ System of Treatment Services
  • Update on Implementation of SB 707, SB 710, and SB 749
  • Overview of Committee Bills:
    • LC 173, Related to Children
    • LC 174, Community-Based Services
    • LC 175, Memorial to Kathryn Weit
  • Youth Voices

House Behavioral Health, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Workforce Shortage (LC 193)
  • Consumer Advisory Council (LC 171)
  • Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission Update (LC 74)
  • Update from Oregon Health Authority, Behavioral Health

House Rules,  2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Racial Impact Statements
  • Committee Legislative Concepts

Joint Transportation, 2:30-5:00 p.m.:

  • Wildfire Cleanup and Recovery Update
  • Update on Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project
  • Motor Carrier Safety and Enforcement
  • Director’s Report – Oregon Dept. of Aviation
  • Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): Embracing Innovation in Transportation

 

town hall

 

Additional Brief Updates and Links

  • Here's the latest on COVID in Oregon from this morning's Oregonian.
  • And here's the latest on in-person school closures in the Portland area.  The shift to distance learning is due to high numbers of absent teachers and students, as well as a lack of substitutes.
  • And a national perspective from this morning's NY Times on the potential toll across the U.S. from Omicron.
  • And an even more in-depth look  from the Times.
  • Following up on an article that I linked to on Thursday, there's more and more discussion of what it means to be hospitalized "with COVID," now that so many people are infected with Omicron.  Several faculty at the University of California-San Francisco's School of Medicine take a closer look in the Washington Post. They estimate that a third of COVID hospitalizations were actually admitted "with" COVID rather than "for" COVID.
  • What are the latest graphs showing us about the growing number of hospitalizations in the states that were hit by Omicron earlier than we were?  Here's a perspective from the New York Times on how to think about COVID data right now.
  • And, from this morning's Washington Post, are  four charts that compare the Omicron wave to previous surges.
  • A couple of weeks ago I mentioned some initial research suggesting that with Omicron and the way that it attacks the body, saliva tests might be a better way to test than nasal swabs.  Here's more.
  • Here's a podcast and transcript about the latest research into COVID vaccines.  Is regular boosting the answer? Or new vaccines more focused on individual variants?
  • In the last newsletter I mentioned that the length of time between a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and a booster had been reduced from six months to five.  The FDA has now extended that same reduction to the Moderna vaccine. Here's the announcement from the FDA.
  • A New Yorker editor speculates on who should really be getting the blame when schools have to shut down. 

 

AND FINALLY,

Here again are some resources that you will find useful

If the above links are not providing you with answers to your questions or directing you to the help that you need, please consider me and my office to be a resource.  We’ll do our best to assist you or steer you in the right direction.

Best,

dembrow signature

Senator Michael Dembrow
District 23

email: Sen.MichaelDembrow@oregonlegislature.gov
web: www.senatordembrow.com
phone: 503-281-0608
mail: 900 Court St NE, S-407, Salem, OR, 97301