Updates from Senator Tim Knopp.

Week 10: Release The List

Hello Senate District 27,

This last week was a busy one in both the House and the Senate. Last Friday was the deadline for bills to be posted on a committee agenda and scheduled for a committee vote. Because of this, many bills were heard, and many others met their end. A late reading of the new "Oregon Housing Package" had members on the Senate Floor until late in the evening, and the offices of three legislative leaders proposed an investigation of the OLCC. 

Should the OLCC release the list? 

You may have heard about the recent news regarding the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), which has been under investigation for alleged favorable treatment of land acquisitions and rare liquor distribution.

Last week I joined House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson, and Senate Independent Leader Brian Boquist, in a letter calling on the Governor to have a special prosecutor and launch a nonpartisan investigation into the OLCC. The investigation would be based on allegations of "favorable treatment, access to land acquisition, and rare liquor distribution".

Below is the letter from our three offices. 

Click here to voice your opinion!

The Homelessness Package- House Bills 2001B and 5019

On Tuesday night, the Senate reconvened at 5:15pm to give a final reading and an eventual passing vote to HB 2001 and HB 5019. On a funding and policy package to help with the homelessness crisis. These bills would provide an influx of funding towards homeless prevention programs across Oregon, including $3 million to fund a pilot project for pre-construction loans, $5 million in grants for Oregon farmers, $20 million to develop modular housing, $25 million to address youth homelessness, and $27 Million to specifically target homelessness for 25 of Oregon's rural counties. 

Learn more about the housing package by reading the press release provided below. 

Legislative Priorities 

Remonstrances

I spoke in support of House Bill 2001 during the evening Floor Session on Tuesday night (image left). Click here to watch my remarks.

Committees 

Last week, I testified in the Committee on Judiciary in support of Senate Bill 1052, which would establish affirmative defense for human trafficking victims. You can watch my testimony here.

On Monday, I testified on Senate Bill 655 in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee. If passed, SB 655 would freeze property tax for homestead of individual at least 68 years of age. Click here to watch my testimony. 

In the Committee on Judiciary last week, I testified on Senate Bill 974, which creates crime of sexual assault by fraudulent representation. You can watch my testimony on SB 974 here.

On Tuesday I testified on Senate Bill 2, which would give tax credits of up to $1000 to anyone willing to rent out a room in their primary residence. Click here to watch my testimony. 

Last week, I testified on SCR 11, a resolution to honor Lance Corporal Don Edward Darnall for his service to his country. You can watch my testimony in the Senate Committee On Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs here.

Courtesies     

Last week I extended courtesies to Sam Herscovitz, as seen in the image below. Sam is one of the policy analysts for the Senate Republican Office. He has been in the public policy arena for a few years now and loves what he does. Click here to watch Senator Knopp give Sam courtesies. 

I also extended courtesies to three separate high school sports teams in my district that achieved the title of state champion. Click here to watch me give courtesies to the state championship winners. 

Last week my staff sat down with Dana Whitelaw, the Executive Director for the High Desert Museum, to discuss bond funding for an exciting expansion project on the campus. 

I also got the chance to meet with Dr. Jason P. Jundt, a Vascular specialist out of Central Oregon. 

Oregon battery parts producer plans 1.5B manufacturing campus in Indiana
The Oregonian

House passes bill to allow Oregonians to pump their own gas
Oregon Capital Chronicle I Julia Shumway

Oregon Senate OKs housing package
The Bulletin I Peter Wong

Oregon Republicans seek independent investigation
The Bulletin I Ted Sickinger

Bend Cracker Barrel closes, citing pandemic as cause
The Bulletin 

Traeger to close Redmond pellet plant
Redmond Spokesman I Tim Trainor

Redmond considers RV park for houseless residents
Redmond Spokesman I Nick Rosenberger

Four candidates vie for city manager job
The Nugget 

Best Regards,

Senator Tim Knopp 
Senate District 27

email: sen.timknopp@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1727
address: 900 Court St NE, S-309, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/knopp
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