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Friends and Neighbors,
What an emotional third week of session! This week, the Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs held a public hearing for the Senate Concurrent Resolution Representative McLain and I introduced this session, SCR 6 celebrating the life and legacy of Ralph Davis Brown, had a public hearing on Thursday, February 2nd. Laurie Saunders, Ralph’s daughter, was able to join us remotely from the east coast and lend the family’s appreciation for this honor. Cornelius Mayor, Jeffrey Dalin and Cornelius City Councilor, Angeles Godinez joined remotely with their moving testimony. State Representative Susan McLain provided testimony that reflected the years of friendship and community partnership. Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, Former Cornelius City Manager Rob Drake and Former Forest Grove Mayor Pete Truax joined in-person to attest to Ralph's legacy of positive change. Please watch the full committee hearing at this link here. The committee will move SCR 6 out of committee next week and it will come to the Senate floor for a vote soon after.
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Upcoming Events
2023 Session - Virtual Joint Town Hall
Join me, along with Representatives McLain and Sosa, on Saturday, February 18th, from 10:30am-12:00pm, for a virtual joint town hall. Spanish interpretation will be provided, and we will be discuss what is coming up for the 2023 session. Register here or at the link below. We will see you there!
Únase a mí, junto con los representantes McLain y Sosa, el sábado 18 de febrero de 10:30am-12:00pm, para un ayuntamiento conjunto en línea. Interpretación en español estará disponible, y discutiremos lo que se viene para la sesión legislativa de 2023. Regístrese aquí o en el enlace de abajo. ¡Nos vemos allí!
Legislative Updates
Governor's Recommended Budget
This week, Governor Kotek released her recommended budget. Oregon is facing an incredibly complex budget year. We are adjusting to a new normal in the wake of a major crisis, no longer receiving much of the temporary pandemic aid, but still grappling with much of the fallout. Our state is also navigating uncertain economic waters, and we have to take the necessary steps to keep ourselves afloat in the event of a recession.
We need to pass a balanced budget that protects our priorities while consolidating where we can to ensure the state runs efficiently and effectively. We are clear on our priorities: fixing the housing and homelessness crisis, keeping Oregon communities safe, and stabilizing our economy. At a high level, we believe the Governor’s budget does this. We will be able to speak to more specifics once we have a full analysis of her proposal in a couple weeks. Progress is restarting on a lot of projects that agencies had to pivot away from during the pandemic. Oregonians can expect to see a lot of work done with minimal impact to the budget.
Through a collaborative, inclusive process between the Governor and all of our colleagues in the Legislature, we will craft a final, balanced budget that protects the essential programs that serve Oregonians’ most urgent needs and consolidates where we can so the state is running as effectively and efficiently as possible.
This Week in Committee
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Informational hearings were held on Renewable Hydrogen in Oregon: Overview and Opportunities and House Bill 2021 (Clean Energy Targets) Implementation. Public hearings were heard on the following bills:
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SB 405: Prohibits sale of new clothes washers unless washers are equipped with built-in or in-line microfiber filtration system.
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SB 64: Requires Department of Environmental Quality to study disposal of electric vehicle batteries and batteries used to store energy in wind or solar renewable energy facilities.
Follow the links to watch the hearings or learn more about the proposed bills.
Senate Committee on Housing and Development
Public hearings were heard on the following bills:
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SB 799: Requires residential landlords to extend notice periods for terminations of tenancy based on nonpayment of rent and to include additional notices.
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SB 599: Requires landlord to allow dwelling to be used as family child care home, subject to conditions.
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SB 534: Requires Oregon Facilities Authority to provide financing for infrastructure and predevelopment costs for moderate income housing.
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SB 632: Requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide grant and loan to specified entity to develop multifamily dwellings, affordable to moderate income families, using scaled modular or prefabricated construction.
Joint Committee on Semiconductors
Informational hearings were held on Recommendations for Industrial Land in Semiconductor Industry and Semiconductor Industry Supply Chain and public testimony was heard.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety
Informational hearings were held on Department of Justice: Development of Legal Services Rates, Department of Administrative Services: Development of Assessments and Rates, and Judicial Department: Datasets and Dashboards (Civil/Revenue).
Work Sessions were held on the following:
Community Outreach
**New links added under 'Additional Resources' section below. We have included links to the Event Calendars for the Cities of Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove. Visit their pages to find upcoming community events happening near you!
Black History Month
All throughout February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month. Black History Month was created in 1970 to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. The contributions from many historical figures such as Barack Obama, Mae Jemison, and Martin Luther King, Jr. just to name a few are highlighted. Other countries have also taken on the national holiday through activities such as museum exhibits and film screenings, and by encouraging the study of achievements by African Americans year-round. There will be many events such as a festival of African films and comedy shows throughout Portland which are listed here.
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Gun Violence Survivors Week February 1-7
It’s National Gun Violence Survivors Week—Feb. 1-7—a time to lift up the stories of gun violence survivors who live with the devastating impact of gun violence every single day. Read and share survivors’ stories at momentsthatsurvive.org.
Es la Semana Nal. de Sobrevivientes de la Violencia con Armas – Feb. 1-7 – un tiempo para compartir las historias de sobrevivientes que viven con el impacto de la violencia con armas de fuego todos los días. Lee y comparte sus historias en momentsthatsurvive.org.
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
The 7 Types of Rest That Every Person Needs
The quick pace of the legislative session has reminded my staff me about the importance of rest and relaxation. Read this article to learn more about the 7 types of rest that every person needs.
 Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Senate District 15 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon’s past and we must honor them well into our future.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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