|
Friends and Neighbors,
This Weeks Legislative Wins:
Toxic Free Cosmetics Act - SB 546:
SB 546-A is the result of an open process collaboration between proponents of the bill, legislators, and manufacturers. It unanimously passed the Senate Energy and Environment Committee and passed out of the Ways and Means Committee.
People assume cosmetics and personal and beauty products are safe. But the products we use every day, such as lotions and make-up, contain many chemicals that are known to be hazardous to our health – such as formaldehyde, lead, and arsenic. SB 546 would require the public disclosure of all chemical ingredients on a company’s product webpage as an accessible way for consumers to make educated purchasing decisions. Additionally, it will regulate and prohibit the sale of the worst carcinogens in these products- such as formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers.
This is a huge win that will continue Oregon’s reputation of being an environmental health leader, caring about the health and well-being of Oregonians and helping them be better informed consumers.
Environment Oregon article - Toxic-Free Cosmetics bill passes Oregon legislature, heads to Governor Kotek’s des
Energy and Environment Wins:
Toxic Free Kids Modernization Act - HB 3043: Gives the Oregon Health Authority the ability to regulate chemicals by class and remove the limit on chemicals they can regulate, furthering the goal of limiting the amount of toxic chemicals that children are exposed to, and limiting the toxic chemicals that make their way into the environment.
Modernizing Electronics Recycling Program - HB 3220:
In 2007, the Legislature unanimously voted to create the Oregon Electronics Recycling Law. Oregon E-Cycles is a statewide program that requires electronics manufacturers to provide responsible recycling for computers, monitors, TVs, printers, keyboards, and mice. Since its inception, Oregon E-Cycles has significantly expanded opportunities for Oregon residents to recycle electronic wastes, preventing toxins from entering Oregon’s landfills and recovering materials that can be used to make new electronics. In 2022 alone, the program collected 12.4 million pounds of devices for recycling and 39,131 devices for reuse.
Despite the program’s success, in 2022, sites providing collection services faced instability because of how the program is structured under Oregon’s Electronics Recycling Law.
This bill removes the source for the potential instability, includes additional protections, and makes other changes to ensure the program’s success. These changes include expanding the list of covered devices that residents can bring in for recycling and ensuring the program provides equitable service and allows for reuse. Oregon E-Cycles will continue to be free and easy to use. The public will be able to recycle more types of electronics at a collection site and there will be more stability in the number of collection sites available throughout the year.
Other bills passed this week:
HB 2426: Pump Your Own Gas
In the News:
A file photo from OPB of a gasoline pump fueling a car. If signed by Gov. Tina Kotek, House Bill 2426 will enable retail gas stations to designate up to half of their pumps as self-serve. (David Zalubowski / AP)
Out and About in Senate District 15
Washington County Chamber of Commerce Juneteenth Event
Thank you Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Black Advisory Business Council for hosting a fabulous Juneteenth celebration on Saturday. It was a fun, interactive event with history, good music, food, shopping, and community.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth, it is celebrated on the anniversary of June 19, 1865.
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
What a lovely treat to have a spot of tea & delicious goodies with these four lovelies last weekend. Treat yourself to goodness and visit the marvelous Skywater Tea House soon. 
About Skywater Tea House: Located in Hillsboro, the Skywater Tea House is a locally owned shop that provides full-service afternoon tea from one of their specialized menus using top ingredients, house-made goodies, locally sourced and seasonal products whenever possible. The owners of the tea house, Hans and Neil, believe that Hillsboro, with its growing, vibrant community, provides a wonderful opportunity to serve its residents with a fun, traditional, service-oriented place for the community to gather and make memories together.
Bottom right corner: Hans Thompson (Skywater Tea House owner) and I
Community Outreach
Hillsboro, OR, Is One of the Best Cities To Live in America
- From Livability -
"Just minutes outside Portland, Hillsboro is a picturesque city surrounded by farmland and vineyards. With a strong job market, excellent schools and a vibrant cultural scene, Hillsboro provides a high quality of life, lots of things to do and affordability."
Read the full article here!
National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC)
- From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency webpage -
The National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC) is an exciting new opportunity for young people between the ages of 16-29. This group of passionate young leaders from across the country will provide advice and recommendations on environmental issues directly to the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The NEYAC will include sixteen members, and anyone can apply themselves or nominate someone else. Selected applicants who become members are appointed to NEYAC for a two-year term.
In accordance with Executive Order 14035 (June 25, 2021), EPA values and welcomes opportunities to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility on its federal advisory committees. EPA’s federal advisory committees should reflect the diversity of the American people.
EPA encourages anyone and everyone to apply – this committee is meant to be by youth and for youth.
If you're interested in applying, or want to find out more information click here.
|
Forest Grove School District Free Summer Food in the Parks!
- From FGSD -
Free summer lunches will be available to youth (ages 1-18) through the federally funded Summer Food Program. There are no fees and no registration is needed. Find locations here.
GroveLink directly serves four of the summer meals locations. The free transportation goes past the high school, Joseph Gale, Lincoln Park, and Bard Park. .
Additional Resources
What’s happening around town in Senate District 15? – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
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
| 
