HEALTH CARE - SB 1089

Perhaps my office’s biggest accomplishment this session was the Herculean effort to pass SB 1089, a bill that establishes a Universal Health Plan Governance Board. My colleague and co-chief sponsor in the House, Rep. Travis Nelson, a registered nurse makes clear, “We have a chance to give all Oregonians the ability to access high-quality medical care without going into debt or being pushed into extreme poverty... A trip to the doctor shouldn’t break the bank and no one should ever die because they can’t afford to pay.”  

I couldn’t agree more.  

As Health Care for All Oregon; labor unions such as SEIU, AFSCME Retirees, ONA, and AFT-Oregon; and healthcare activists from all corners of the state can attest, SB 1089 is my signature piece of legislation this session. By establishing a nine-member governance board to study, plan and develop proposals to establish a health plan for all Oregonians, this bill honors the will of voters who, last fall, passed Measure 111 and it puts Oregon a significant step closer to achieving universal health care for all.

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION - SB 611 & SB 702

Earlier this session, the Legislature passed Governor Tina Kotek’s Affordable Housing & Emergency Homelessness Response Package, which bolsters housing production to build more, and build faster.  The Housing Package invests millions in innovative housing solutions like modular homes and it funds vital rental assistance programs, providing security to renters and landlords alike.  

And just before we adjourned, the Legislature passed SB 611, a bill I am proud to have sponsored. SB 611 provides for both renters to know their rent won’t increase over 10% and the flexibility for landlords to continue their business investments. SB 611 accomplishes these points through:  

• Rent stabilization. Provides that landlords may adjust the rent between tenants to market rates. Current state law allows for monthly rent to be set at market rate adjusted for inflation plus 7%. This new legislation sets rents at the rate of inflation and has a clearly understood cap of 10%.  
• Equity. While rent stabilization protects all tenants, it especially benefits low-income tenants, seniors, communities of color, women-headed households, persons living with disability and chronic illness, families with children, and others who have the least choice in the rental market and who are most susceptible to unacceptable rent gouging.  

• Flexibility for landlords. In addition to the consumer price index adjustments, SB 611 continues to exempt new construction, and allows landlords to reset rents to market rates in between tenancies in the same way they can under current law.   

Bottom line: If we don’t act to stabilize rising rents now, more and more people will become homeless.

Vital rent stabilization as seen in SB 611 immediately addresses the rising costs of living and it provides critical relief for families choosing between basics like food, bills, or prescription medications and keeping a roof over their heads.  

Additionally, many of you will remember that last summer I co-chaired the Joint Task Force Addressing Racial Disparities in Homeownership. One of the bills I introduced from the recommendations of that task force was SB 702, which allows Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board to require training on implicit bias and state and federal fair housing laws for real estate appraisers. From an equity perspective, this is a most necessary fix for an industry plagued with generations of discriminatory practices.

PUBLIC SAFETY - SB 816 & HB 2005

This session, I'm proud to share that the Oregon Senate unanimously voted to extend the duration of restraining orders to protect survivors of abuse. Senate Bill 816 has now been signed into law by the Governor, and extends the duration of certain restraining orders from one year to two years, unless the order is withdrawn or amended, allowing survivors more time to heal before having to confront abusers in legal proceedings.

By extending the duration of these restraining orders, survivors will have an additional 12 months to stabilize and find safety away from their abuser. This also allows them time to present evidence that there is an imminent danger of further abuse to the petitioner and that the respondent represents a credible threat to the physical safety of the petitioner or the petitioner’s child.

After years of work, my colleagues and I also took action on ghost guns with House Bill 2005. Ghost guns are unserialized and undetectable, making them the gun of choice for gun traffickers, violent criminals, and people legally prohibited from buying firearms.

They are dangerous to our communities’ safety and are notoriously the weapon of choice for people who commit crimes. Throughout my law enforcement career, my goal every shift was to make it home safely at the end. As a legislator, my goal is to make sure all of our law enforcement officers are able to do the same. House Bill 2005 keeps our peace officers and the neighborhoods they serve safer. HB 2005 prohibits the sale, manufacturing, or importing of ghost guns.

WORKERS RIGHTS - SB 851

This year, I introduced Senate Bill 851, which directs the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to prepare a model respectful workplace policy that Oregon employers may adopt. Workplace bullying and discrimination can have serious mental and physical health impacts on employees. It can also reduce productivity, decrease retention, and increase employer health costs.

Developing a respectful workplace policy is an important tool for employers who want to prevent workplace bullying. With Oregon businesses facing challenges related to hiring and retention, SB 851 will develop a model policy to support Oregon employers in establishing respectful workplaces.

Everyone should feel safe and respected at work, period. Workplace bullying and harassment harms employees and businesses alike. Establishing a commonsense, respectful workplace policy will protect Oregonians’ mental and physical health and help our local businesses attract and retain crucial talent.

VETERANS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FEDERAL & WORLD AFFAIRS - SB 1034