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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you enjoyed your week. I've included some updates below.
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House Committee on Business and Labor: we held public hearings on several bills including - SB 851A, which requires the Bureau of Labor and Industries to prepare a model respectful workplace policy that employers can adopt; SB 418A, which strengthens our workers compensation laws for workers who still need medical care after returning to work; and SB 592A, a bill I am co-sponsoring, which increases penalties on employers who commit serious, willful, or repeated violations of workplace safety requirements.
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House Committee on Higher Education: we held hearings on SB 449, which permits adopted foster children to have their college tuition and all fees waived while pursuing their initial undergraduate degree; SB 424, which prohibits Oregon colleges from refusing to provide a student's transcript because the student owes outstanding fees; and SB 270A, which authorizes the Department of Corrections to enter into agreements to offer academic programs to adults in custody in partnership with community colleges in Oregon.
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Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development: We had a public hearing on the Oregon Department of Transportation's efforts to obtain federal funds for the deployment of electric charging and hydrogen fueling stations on the I-5, I-84, and throughout the state. We also passed the budgets for the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
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HB 2008: the Family Financial Protection Act of Oregon. This bill provides a much-needed update to our debt collection statutes to (1) prevent people from falling into an ever-worsening debt trap, and (2) crackdown on misconduct within the debt collection industry.
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Current Location: Awaiting a work session in the House Committee on Rules
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HB 2802: establishes pilot work-study programs at Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University where students receive 20% off their tuition if they work for a small, non-profit in their community.
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Current Location: Joint Committee on Ways and Means
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HB 2804: requires the Oregon Department of Human Services to conduct annual assessments of workforce capacity to address excessive caseloads and worker burnout.
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Current Location: Awaiting a floor vote in the Senate
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HB 2805: strengthens and updates our open meetings laws while requiring training for most elected officials.
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Current Location: Joint Committee on Ways and Means
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HB 2806A: allows public bodies to discuss cybersecurity and safety protocols in private “executive sessions".
- Current Location: Awaiting a floor vote in the Senate
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HB 3242: allows consumers and small businesses to enforce their rights under the Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act.
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Current Location: Awaiting a work session on 5/17 in the Senate Committee on Judiciary
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HB 3243: subjects the insurance claims process to the same requirements as other business transactions under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act.
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Current Location: Awaiting a work session on 5/17 in the Senate Committee on Judiciary
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HB 3431: provides an ongoing revenue stream to fund the Economic Equity Investment Program. The program is designed to help people in economically disadvantaged communities buy a home, start a business, or grow an existing business, with an overall goal of helping them break the cycle of poverty and create intergenerational wealth.
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Current Location: in House Committee on Revenue
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HB 3583: expands the pool of law enforcement officials who can serve on the Board of Towing.
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Current Location: Awaiting a committee assignment in the Senate
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SB 1082: requires the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to establish a project connecting adults in custody and former adults in custody to community colleges, public universities and apprenticeship programs.
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Current Location: Joint Committee on Ways and Means
In order for a bill to move forward in this session, it needed to be scheduled for a Work Session by May 5th and it needs to be voted out of committee no later than May 19th, the second chamber deadline of the 2023 session. Bills in regular policy committees cannot move forward if they are not scheduled and passed by those dates. House Committee on Revenue, House Committee on Rules, and Joint Committees are not subject to these deadlines.
 Photo courtesy of Blogspot
The Sunday Farmer's Market at Orenco Station is open for the season! Stop by Orenco Station on a Sunday between now and market's end in October. The destination market for locals and travelers alike is open 10 am to 2 pm. Debit/credit cards are accepted, as are SNAP and Oregon Trail Cards.
 Photo courtesy of Administration for Community Living
The month of May serves to recognize Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, “Aging Unbound” highlights how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included. In May and beyond, we have the opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat age-based stereotypes and discrimination.
Temperatures will be rising all across Oregon this weekend. Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. The OHA website provides easily accessible resources for members of the public, local health departments and other organizations to assist ongoing outreach efforts to those most vulnerable to extreme heat events.
Don't forget to contact my office with any questions or feedback. You can do so via email at Rep.NathanSosa@Oregonlegislature.gov or by phone at (503) 986-1430. Feel free to also stop by in-person at office H-280. I look forward to hearing from you!
Take care!
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-280, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.NathanSosa@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sosa
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RepresentativeSosa/
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