Democrat Lawmakers Breaking the Law
Two of the most hotly contested bills of the 2023 Legislative Session passed the House this week—on a nearly straight party line vote. Make no mistake about it, HB 2002 and HB 2005 are divisive and almost certainly unlawful pieces of legislation. As a result, House and Senate Republicans are taking drastic measures to push back.
Much has been said about how long and confusing HB 2002 is—with even our Legislative attorneys being unsure about the implications of the policy—and Oregon Republicans have found that the bill summary of HB 2002 does not comply with laws requiring it to be readable at an eighth-grade level. As a result, Rep. McIntire (R-Eagle Point) and Senator Weber (R-Tillamook) filed a lawsuit against Legislative leaders on Wednesday. The full joint statement is below.
Virtually every House Republican spoke at length in opposition to HB 2002, but there was one speech that we really want to highlight. Rep. Elmer (R-McMinnville) shared her powerful story about when her birth mother chose life. You can watch her speech with this link.
HB 2005 was debated and ultimately voted on the following day with predictable results. All House Democrats voted yes following hours of discussion, passing the bill along party lines. Still, HB 2005 along with other anti-gun legislation will have to go through inevitable legal hurdles, costing taxpayers more money! In preparation for the inevitable court challenges if signed into law, House Republicans have pledged $25,000 towards litigation.
As with HB 2002, House Republicans spoke passionately throughout the day on HB 2005. Perhaps the most notable speech of the day was given by Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner). You can watch it with this link. His passion and conviction for allowing his daughter to protect herself in the remote reaches of Eastern Oregon is undeniable, and even obtained a “yield” of speaking time from across party lines (as well as one from myself, as nothing I had planned to say could come close to being as impactful in that moment.)
Following the vote in the House, the fight now moves over to the Senate, where Senate Republicans have walked out in protest of Senate President Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) not upholding Oregon Law on readability standards. It's safe to say that the 2023 Legislative Session has reached a certain level of drama! What happens next is anyone’s guess, but we will continue our efforts to be a voice for Oregonians across our state.
Impeachment of Executive Officials
I introduced HJR 16 because Oregonians deserve to have every avenue of accountability possible for their state-wide elected officials. Every state has the power of impeachment, except Oregon. And in light of our Secretary of State's resignation amid ethics accusations, I ask you: Should we have the ability to impeach our executive officeholders here in Oregon? Let us know your thoughts by emailing Rep.JamiCate@OregonLegislature.gov!
And if you feel so inclined, let the members of the House Committee on Rules know your thoughts as well!
HB 3076: Expanding Safe Surrender – KILLED ON SENATE FLOOR
This bill would have expanded the safe surrender period of an infant in Oregon from 30 days to 60 days after birth, and more importantly created awareness of Oregon's existing Safe Surrender laws. The bill passed the House and Senate Committee unanimously, but was killed on the Senate floor.
HB 3501: “Right to Rest” – HEARING CANCELLED
This is the "right to rest" bill that we highlighted last week. Although it was already dead, it was poised to have a courtesy hearing this week. However, after an overwhelming number of negative emails and written testimony, the Chair cancelled the hearing. Let this be a reminder that your voice matters and there is power in advocacy!
HB 3107: “Motor Voter” Expansion to OHA – Passed the House
This is yet another bad bill that passed out of the House this week along a party line vote. By giving this power to the Oregon Health Authority, we continue to expand the registration of voters without their knowledge or consent. And without any real oversight to inspire Oregonians' confidence in our election system.
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SB 1012: Property Tax Relief for Wildfire Victims
I was honored to stand in for Senator Girod (R-Stayton) to testify on this important wildfire recovery bill. SB 1012 would allow counties to freeze the assessed value to the pre-fire rate for homes that are rebuilt after the 2020 wildfires. You can watch my testimony with this link.
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HB 2898: RV Habitation After Wildfires – Headed to Senate Floor!
Our RV habitation bill is headed to the Senate Floor! HB 2898 extends an allowance that was passed in the 2021 session which allowed for recreational vehicles to be used for habitation on a lot where the single-family dwelling was destroyed in the 2020 wildfires, and creates this allowance for 5 years in any future natural disasters.
SB 85: Attack on Family Farms – Had Another Hearing
The anti-CAFO and anti-family farm bill that we've been following all session long is still alive, due to it being in the Senate Committee on Rules. It just had a hearing yesterday with a new amendment proposal restricting CAFO citing, imposing more regulations, and drastically limiting farmers’ use of water for livestock. You may submit written testimony in opposition until 3:00PM tomorrow on OLIS with this link.
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I want to congratulate our local FFA chapters on their performances at the Upper Willamette District Field Day on April 27th! It's such a thrill to see young people take such a strong interest in agriculture, and ensures that our rural communities are in good hands for at least a couple more generations! The Lebanon FFA team took first place in Crops! |
Central Linn had competitors in Crops, Dairy Foods, and Meats. The competitors included Jaxon Wirth, Drew Davidson, Hollis Kizer, Greyson Tenbusch, Jay Erz, Don Ware, Hank Davidson, Jayne Neal, Isabelle Curtis, Carmen Ware, Brooklyn Winningham, Nikki Billington, Jackson Duringer, Bailey Lester, Mia Fiorito, Maddy Duringer, and Ximena Cruz Gomez. |
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Sweet Home had competitors in Poultry, Meats, Crops, Milk Quality, and Products. The competitors included Ashely Duncan, Rizeal Moore, Alex Lowry, Zola Carlyle, Kambria Parker, and Anabelle Morris. Congratulations to all who competed! And best of luck to those advancing on to State! |
Do you know of anyone in House District 11 who deserves to be acknowledged? Send us your nominations at Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Sodaville History Event Reminder
The Lebanon Museum Foundation will be hosting a free event at the Lebanon Public Library next Wednesday, highlighting the history of Sodaville! Julie Grunberg and JaDala Doyle will present a program going through Sodaville's unique story, drawing from insight gained from their ancestors' time in the town.
Sweet Home Mother's Day Sale
Still thinking about what to get for Mother's Day? Consider shopping at Sweet Home High School's commons area for thoughtful gifts from 43 different vendors—and support local breast cancer warriors at the same time!
Sweet Home Fun Run
The Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce invites you to come out and enjoy a family friendly fun run in Sweet Home later this month! This fun run is exactly a mile in length and begins at 8:00AM. Dawn your rabbit ears and participate on May 20th! A link to the course map is here.
Secretary of State Resigns
Oregon's political landscape was rocked by the resignation announcement of scandal-ridden Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan. As you may know, Secretary Fagan was moonlighting as a highly paid consultant for a subsidiary of the cannabis company La Mota—while also auditing the marijuana industry.
Make no mistake, such an glaring example of poor judgment has cast doubt in Oregonians of the ethical integrity of all of our elected officials, and Fagan made the right decision to resign her office. We can only hope that her successor can lead a better example. Secretary Fagan's announcement is below.
Ontario Roadshow Recap
That's a wrap! Many in the Legislature traveled to Ontario last Friday for the final in-person installment of our Joint Committee on Ways and Means “Roadshow.” In case you missed it, the purpose of these Roadshow visits are actually to hold public hearings on HB 5506, without the public having to travel clear to Salem!
HB 5506 is the major budget bill this session that appropriates money from the general fund. As usual, there was lively discussion on what programs and projects the money should fund, and was amazing to see folks from across the state show up to view the hearing as well as testify in front of the committee.
It is always nice to get an excuse to travel our beautiful state, and my only complaint was that the trip wasn’t long enough!
Bad Bill Double Header
Risking Our Kids and Parental Rights
Bills Are Dying - First Chamber Deadline
Advocating for Our Most At-Risk Students
Protect Our Gun Rights: Action Needed!
Opening Ceremonies Needed
Do you sing? Read poetry? Play an instrument? Pray? Then we have a job for you!
Every Floor Session in the House of Representatives starts with Opening Ceremonies, and is a great way to showcase the talents found across the state. Guidelines for Opening Ceremonies are below, but if you're interested in being a ceremonial part of the 82nd Legislative Session, let me know! My office can help coordinate with the Chief Clerk's office to get you on the calendar.
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