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Friends and Neighbors,
It's been a busy week as we prepare for the start of the 82nd Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, January 17th. I wanted to share with you a brief recap of our town hall from earlier this week, my committee assignments, and a preview of some of my legislative bills.
Town Hall Recap
In case you missed it, we hosted a town hall at the St. Johns Community Center on Tuesday, January 10th. It was a fantastic opportunity for me and my fellow legislators to connect with our constituents. I was joined by my Senate counterpart, Sen. Lew Frederick, and by Sen. Elizabeth Steiner and Rep. Maxine Dexter. We discussed the staffing shortage in health care, transportation concerns in the districts (including an emergency route and the 2040 freight plan), what is being done to address poor air quality in North Portland, and more.
 From left to right: Sen. Lew Frederick, Rep. Maxine Dexter, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, and Rep. Travis Nelson at the January 10th town hall.
It was amazing to see such a large turnout for the town hall, and to hear from so many engaged, compassionate constituents. Thank you to everyone who came to the event (and said hi afterward!), and a huge thank you to our hosts, Portland Parks & Recreation!
 It was a packed house at the St. Johns Community Center.
Committee News
Eagle-eyed constituents may have noticed that committee appointments for the 2023 legislative session have been officially released. I have been assigned to three committees for this year, and I look forward to working on topics that are very important not only to my constituents but to the whole state.
When you click on the links below, you can view all members that sit on that committee, when and where the committee meets, the link to submit testimony, and all bills that have already been assigned to that committee (under the "Assigned Measures" tab).
Committees
My Legislative Priorities
Over the past few months, I have been hard at work crafting legislative concepts to introduce for the 2023 legislative session. I am excited to share some of those proposed bills with you now that they are fully drafted. The link for each bill below will take you to the landing page where you can see all legislators who have already sponsored the bill, a brief summary, the bill text itself, committee(s) it is assigned to, the schedule of where the bill is, and a tab called "Register To Testify" that walks you through how to sign up to provide written or verbal testimony.
Health Care
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HB 2558 and SB 704
- Establishes Universal Health Plan Governance Board and directs board to create comprehensive plan for implementing Universal Health Plan beginning in 2027.
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HB 2918 and HB 2925
- Fixing issues with HB 4052 from the 2022 legislative session which directed the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Advocacy Commission Office to set up mobile health units and look at solutions to address racism as a public health crisis. HB 2918 adds additional funds to the mobile health unit pilot program to help implementation. HB 2925 continues funds and the work of the state agencies and affinity groups. This will allow for work to continue until the final report is due in June 2026.
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HB 2927
- Establishes Statewide Steering Committee on Sickle Cell Disease.
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HB 2928
- Extends health care provider incentive program to health care providers who are students enrolled in health professional training programs leading to licensure as licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.
Health Care Workers' Rights
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HB 2919
- Provides that registered nurse providing patient care in good faith is immune from criminal liability for act or omission that is part of provision of care unless offense has intentional or knowing culpable mental state.
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HB 2923
- Imposes requirements on hospitals with respect to health care workers' schedules.
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HB 2926
- Directs Oregon Health Authority to establish program to provide financial incentives to hospitals for offering clinical training opportunities for nursing students.
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HB 2697
- Requires hospitals to establish technical staff and service staff staffing committees to develop staffing plans, in addition to nurse staffing committee.
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HB 2744
- Adds registered nurse who is nursing faculty member to types of providers who are eligible for income tax credit allowed to rural medical providers.
Workers' Rights
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HB 2924
- Expands allowable uses of sick leave provisions to include leave for employee's mental health and for care of mental health needs of employee's family member.
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HB 2921
- Requires hospitals to file certain reports showing demographics of hospitals' workforces with Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries for posting to Bureau of Labor and Industries' website.
Consumer Protection
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HB 2920
- Directs insurer to consider only specified information in determining rates for motor vehicle liability insurance policy. Specifically, they cannot use credit score for determining rates. Other factors such as housing status, marital status, and employment also cannot be used.
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HB 2922
- Increases bond amounts that persons licensed by Construction Contractors Board must maintain. This would increase the base amount by $5,000. The current base is $10,000-$20,000.
I wish you all a restful and joy-filled long weekend as we celebrate the life, work, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please reach out to my office with your thoughts on the legislative session.
 Travis Nelson
State Representative
House District 44
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-275, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nelson
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