With House Committees wrapping up this week, much of our time was spent in work sessions tying up loose ends on legislation. 

• House Committee on Business and Labor: we held a work session on SB 907A, which would prohibit employers from retaliating or discriminating against employees who, in good faith and with no reasonable alternative, refuse exposure arising from hazardous workplace conditions. 
• House Committee on Higher Education: we voted on SB 449, which would permit adopted foster children to have their college tuition and all fees waived while pursuing their initial undergraduate degree.  
• Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development: we approved the Oregon Business Development Department’s request to apply for a federal grant to expand trade opportunities for Oregon businesses and another federal grant to encourage the deployment of high‐performance computing technologies for small-to-medium-sized businesses in Oregon.  

On Monday, one of my sponsored bills, SB 592B, passed on the House Floor. This bill strengthens Oregon’s workplace safety laws, aligns them with federal standards, and imposes increased penalties against repeat offenders. SB 592B has been signed by the Senate President and is now awaiting signatures from the Speaker of the House and Governor Kotek.

It is essential that we do all we can to create safer workplaces in Oregon. It is good for our businesses, our workers, and our state overall. SB 592B is a significant step in that effort.  

To view my remarks, visit the OLIS website here. I begin my speech at timestamp 33:51.

On Thursday, I testified in front of the Joint Committee on Transportation in support one of my chief co-sponsored bills, HB 2951. The bill would provide support for traffic safety education courses in Spanish. All Oregonians should have the ability to be fully versed in our traffic safety laws.

I'm proud to have a role in promoting public safety and lessening the chances of auto-related injuries and fatalities. I am also grateful to be working alongside my colleagues Senator Janeen Sollman, Rep. Courtney Neron and Rep. Ricki Ruiz in this effort.  

To view my testimony, visit the OLIS website here. I begin my remarks at timestamp 02:01.

This session, we're shining a spotlight on non-profit organizations in HD 30. This week, we’ve chosen Griffin's Place, located at 5635 NW Elam Young Pkwy Hillsboro, OR 97124. Griffin's Place was established in 2014 and is operated by Becky Berger. Becky is the mother of Griffin, who has autism and requires assistance with daily activities of living. 

Following the passing of her late husband, Keith, and as Griffin continued to get older, it became increasingly important for Becky to obtain the resources of skilled trainers to give Griffin structure in his life and to offer encouragement and motivation for his success. This was remarkably successful in improving Griffin's quality of life and in increasing his level of independence. Becky was determined to find a way to share their success with others by making critical resources available to others. 

Griffin’s Place was created to "provide individuals and their families/providers resources and information, classes and hands-on experiences and much needed training and support to enable all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be included, engaged and successful in all aspects of their lives". 

To learn more about Griffin's Place, visit their website HERE. 

This weekend is the 35th Annual Oregon International Airshow in Hillsboro. On Friday, gates open at 6:00 pm and close at 10:00 pm, with flying starting at approximately 6:30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 9:00 am and close at 5:00 pm, with flying starting at approximately 12:30 pm. 

Small backpacks or bags for medications, folding chairs and blankets for general admission areas, and unopened plastic water bottles or empty water bottles are allowed. Outside food and drink, weapons, coolers, tents, large backpacks, and non-service animals are prohibited.  

For road closure hours and affected areas, visit the City of Hillsboro's website.