Session 2022 Summary

The Oregon Legislature’s 2022 regular session ended on Friday, March 4 with several significant pieces of legislation making it across the finish line. I could not be more inspired by the resilience and courage demonstrated across all Oregonians in overcoming the hardships of the last two years, but I also understand that our communities and their people need continued support as we move forward. I am extremely pleased with this session’s outcomes as my colleagues and I passed several initiatives that will assist mightily in providing Oregonians with that meaningful support. 

For an in-depth breakdown of these successes and how they’ll assist communities across Oregon, I encourage you to read my post-session press release here. Below, I am also including a rundown of personal priorities that passed this year. I am ever grateful and thankful to all those who had a hand in helping realize these wins for our state.

Mattress Recycling (SB 1576)

"Protecting Our Environment and Expanding the Workforce"

I am proud to share that my proposed Mattress Stewardship initiative successfully passed through the Oregon Legislature this session. SB 1576 establishes a statewide program for mattress recycling, setting up collection sites in each county. This bill will help ensure that we do not have mattresses or box springs littering our beautiful state, while also creating new, local jobs throughout Oregon, including opportunities for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues and other stakeholders for their support on this bill, and especially to my wife Lawanda, whose memory lives on in the hard work it took to bring this measure across the finish line and in the benefits the bill will reap for Oregonians statewide.

SCR 201

"Honoring a Late Veteran, Oregonian, and Hero"

I was honored to introduce this initiative, as it celebrates the life and legacy of Patrick James Simpson—a proud Oregonian, Veteran, and Hero. Born on August 3rd, 1940, in Ashland, Mr. Simpson spent his upbringing in Southern Oregon, and went on to a decorated career in the United States Army. His time in the service spanned from the Army Reserves to several tours in Vietnam and domestic assignments in Louisiana before teaching at West Point. Mr. Simpson retired from the Army following 26 years of service, having received the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, four Bronze Stars (two for valor and two for meritorious service), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.

Following his retirement from the Military, Mr. Simpson and his family came to Eugene, where he attended the University of Oregon for a year to update his teaching credentials before serving as a beloved substitute teacher for 20 years, among several other local community involvements. I encourage you to read the full resolution detailing further accounts of Mr. Simpson's dignified life and ask that you please join me in honoring his legacy.

Name, Image, Likeness (SB 1505)

"Empowering Collegiate Athletes"

SB 1505 builds on work I did with Senate President Peter Courtney during the 2021 Regular Session and further empowers collegiate athletes to pursue equitable compensation in the multi-billion-dollar collegiate sports industry. This bill mandates that producers of college team jerseys, video games, and trading cards pay a royalty to each college athlete whose name, image, or likeness (NIL) is used; moreover, the passage of this initiative ensures that Oregon remains a leader in the national conversation regarding fairness in college athletics. I am grateful to President Courtney for his leadership and partnership on this issue, and I celebrate our continued commitment to fairness for all Oregonians.

It is an honor to serve as your senator and Senate President Pro Tempore. Here I am before the rostrum in the Senate Chamber at the end of the legislative session.

Bills Passed

Chief Sponsorship

SB 1505—Requires person that produces intercollegiate sports team jersey, video game or trading card for profit to make royalty payment to student athlete for use of student athlete's name, image or likeness.

SB 1509—Provides that portion of Oregon Route 35, beginning where highway intersects with U.S. Highway 26 and ending where highway intersects with U.S. Highway 30, shall also be known as Oregon Nisei Veterans World War II Memorial Highway.

SB 1538—Establishes COFA Dental Program in Oregon Health Authority to provide dental care to low-income citizens of Pacific Islands in Compact of Free Association who reside in Oregon.

SB 1543—Provides for nonprofit organization that addresses and executes worker relief to serve as fiscal agent to award grants to organizations to provide services related to immigration matters through universal representation program.

SB 1556—Requires Department of Human Services to establish certification process for direct care providers of home or community-based services and implement online registry of direct care providers of home or community-based services.

SB 1560—Updates statutory references to individual who is not citizen or national of United States to replace "alien" with "noncitizen." Directs state agencies to use "noncitizen" in rules and regulations to reference individual who is not citizen or national of United States and to update rules and regulations that use "alien" to use "noncitizen."

SB 1565—Makes unlawful practice for place of public accommodation to refuse to accept United States coins or currency as payment for goods and services.

SB 1567—Requires owners or operators of bulk oils and liquid fuels terminals located in Columbia, Multnomah or Lane County to conduct and submit to Department of Environmental Quality seismic vulnerability assessments

SB 1576— Establishes product stewardship program for mattresses.

SB 1574—Includes specified documentation, when authorized by victim, in definition of "sexual assault forensic evidence kit" for purposes of statutes regulating collection, testing and retention of kits.

SB 1579—Directs Oregon Business Development Department to develop and implement Economic Equity Investment Program to award grants to organizations that provide culturally responsive services to support economic stability, self-sufficiency, wealth building and economic equity among disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses and communities in Oregon.

HB 4002—Prohibits employers from permitting or requiring agricultural workers to work in excess of maximum allowable hours unless workers are compensated for overtime hours worked.

HB 4074—Requires employee or worker of marijuana licensee to report human trafficking on licensed premises to Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

HB 4092—Modifies composition and duties of Oregon Broadband Advisory Council.

HB 4098—Expands designated state agencies that must work with Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission and requires agencies to meet with commission quarterly to review and report on each agency's progress and to report process and outcome measures established under commission's comprehensive addiction, prevention, treatment and recovery plan.

HB 4134—Requires insurer and health care service contractor to cover labor and delivery services provided at out-of-network health care facility, and medical transport of individual presenting with signs of labor from in-network facility to out-of-network facility, if services provided at out-of-network facility due solely to diversion of patient from in-network health care facility for reasons related to state or federal declaration of public health emergency.

HB 4153—Directs Oregon Film and Video Office to establish Creative Opportunity Program to promote film, television, interactive, animation and media industries in Oregon.

Regular Sponsorship

SB 1564—Allows governing body of county that declares state of emergency related to cannabis to request that State Department of Agriculture deny issuance of industrial hemp grower licenses in area subject to jurisdiction of county.

SB 1584—Creates procedure for filing petition for compensation for wrongful conviction.

HB 4138—Amends provisions of workers' compensation law related to authorization of temporary disability, claim closure and overpayments of compensation.

HB 4113—Adds to cancers covered by rebuttable presumption of occupational disease for eligible nonvolunteer firefighters.

Joint Town Hall Announcement

On May 4, I will be hosting a virtual town hall with Representative Nancy Nathanson to discuss the 2022 legislative session and interim. I am looking forward to connecting with you over Zoom to hear your thoughts, concerns and needs as we begin to consider the legislative concepts we will be bringing forward in the 2023 legislative session. Although it feels far away now, it will approach quickly, and I want to hear from you.

Please watch my Facebook page for a detailed town hall announcement. Registration will be required to attend, and a Zoom link will be distributed the day of the event and include your questions. For additional questions, please reach out to my Legislative Director, Kenzy Seifert at Kenzy.Seifert@oregonlegislature.gov.

Mask Mandate Ends

Earlier this month, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), citing current statewide COVID statistics and anticipated trends, announced that the state's indoor mask mandate will be lifted by March 31. As state health officials expressed gratitude to those who have and continue to wear masks, crediting the practice for Oregon's successful COVID response compared to other states, they equally voiced confidence that improvements in Oregon's general COVID risk will enable this adjustment to safety protocols.

OHA simultaneously encouraged continued caution, particularly from community members who will still face high risk despite the move. According to experts, those who remain unvaccinated, are immunocompromised or face an increased risk of COVID hospitalization, and those living with others who face high risk should all continue to wear masks while indoors.

I am so thankful to my fellow Oregonians for masking up to protect themselves and their neighbors. As we transition into this new phase of living with COVID-19, I encourage all of our community members to read the full announcement here, and routinely check OHA's website for the most up-to-date information regarding state COVID statistics and health protocols.

Vaccine and Testing Sites in Lane County

As we continue to navigate the fight against COVID-19, please continue to take advantage of the available resources that are proven to help curtail the virus' transmission. Two of our most effective tools in helping to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19 are frequent testing and vaccinations. Please click here for more information on available COVID testing sites in our community, and here for vaccine distribution locations throughout Lane County.

In addition, the federal government has increased its distribution limit of free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. If you already placed an order for four free tests, you can now place a second order for four more. In total, each residential address can receive a total of eight free at-home tests. The tests can be ordered here, to be delivered to your home via the U.S. Postal Service. Click here for more information on the federal government’s plans to make COVID-19 testing accessible to all.

February Revenue Forecast

Last month, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OOEA) released its latest quarterly economic and revenue forecast. Among their many findings, the OOEA predicts that while inflation and labor shortages will persist nationally in the short term, Oregon's revenue outlooks have strengthened in recent months despite this inflationary boom.

The revenue forecast's findings demonstrate Oregon's profound opportunity to make responsible yet critical investments in our state's economy, workforce, education systems, and families. For a more in-depth summary of the report's analysis and findings, click here.

Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program Update

Oregon Turns 163

Last month on February 14th, Oregon celebrated her 163rd birthday! While much has changed in the many years since our beloved state joined our nation’s union, some things remain unchanged, particularly regarding our qualities and character: the commitment to innovation, relentlessness in the face of challenge, and pulling up our sleeves to do the hard, yet all too meaningful work so that we might all collectively benefit.

Let’s celebrate Oregon and both our historical and living legacy by continuing to embody that same trailblazing spirit that first inspired our founding this year and every one after.

Oregon State Capitol, February 2022 (Photo Credit: Kenzy Seifert)

Black History Month

Each February, we not only learn but are reminded never to forget the historical toil, sacrifice, and subsequent achievement inspired by our Black peers and fellow community members. While Black History Month serves to celebrate the rich legacy and influence of a people, every day, we inherit the opportunity to honor Black Americans and Oregonians who have contributed so much to both our history and journey forward from it. 

I hope you were able to join in the month-long celebration of Black history, culture, and their trailblazers—and in the daily commitment to honor this legacy through pursuits of progress and endeavors for equity so that we might fulfill the promise of our nation and all its people. Happy Black History Month!

Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month—an important time to reflect on the strong, amazing women that have played an instrumental role in our lives and histories. This March, we celebrate these women—their legacy, achievement, love, and life. And, we’re reminded of our shared charge to promote justice, respect, and fairness in everything we do to ensure equity across all genders and identities. 

Please join me in honoring women not only this March, but every day in the actions we take to combat bigotry, violence, and misogyny. Consider starting by taking a look at this exhibit on women’s suffrage in Oregon.

February/March Birthdays

Staff Information

Kenzy Seifert Legislative Director Kenzy.Seifert@oregonlegislature.gov (she/her)

Capitol Phone:  503-986-1707    District Phone:  541-321-5082
Capitol Address:  900 Court St. NE, S-205, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email:  sen.jamesmanning@oregonlegislature.gov

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