|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. After taking a couple of weeks off for vacation, I wanted to bring everyone up to date on the status of legislation that I co-sponsored, happenings around the district, and my work during the interim.
Click on the image below, or here, to RSVP for my joint town hall with Representative McLain and Senator Sollman. We will be highlighting accomplishments from the 2023 legislative session, answering questions, and hearing from constituents like you. Please list the topics you would like to discuss on the RSVP form.
The following bills that I co-sponsored have been signed by Governor Kotek and will become Oregon law (additional bills will be listed in the next newsletter):
-
HB 2802: my non-profit work study bill establishes pilot work-study programs at Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University where students receive 20% off their tuition for every semester they work at a small, non-profit in their community.
-
HB 3031: requires school districts undertaking HVAC infrastructure improvements for which state and federal funds are made specifically available to expend such funds on improving indoor air quality and ventilation in schools.
-
SB 3: requires high school students to complete personal financial education and career path skills classes in order to graduate. Effective 1/1/2024
-
SB 424: prohibits institutions of higher education from withholding a student’s transcript because they have outstanding debts owed to the school. Effective 1/1/2024
Consumer Protection
-
HB 2759: amends the anti-robocall law to hold telemarketing companies liable for illegal robocalls if they know, or consciously avoid knowing, that their lines are being used for such practices. Effective 9/24/2023
-
HB 2982: allows an insurance customer to settle for 70% of the insured value of personal property destroyed in a major disaster without completing an inventory. Effective 9/24/2023
Good Governance
-
HB 2805: strengthens and updates our open meetings laws while requiring training for most elected officials. Effective 9/24/2023
-
HB 2806: allows public bodies to discuss cybersecurity and safety protocols in private “executive sessions". Effective 7/13/2023
Childcare
-
HB 3005: directs the Oregon Business Development Department to administer a financial assistance program for childcare providers to cover the costs of expansion and improvements of childcare facilities / services and it establishes the Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund.
-
HB 3235: creates a refundable child tax credit for low-income Oregonians equal to $1,000 per qualifying child.
-
SB 548: directs the Department of Human Services to provide foster children with luggage to transport their personal effects rather than garbage bags. Effective 1/1/2024
Animal Welfare
-
HB 2904: requires the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) to annually publish certain information on its website relating to nonhuman primates used in research conducted by OHSU and the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Effective 1/1/2024
-
HB 2915: prohibits the sale of dogs and cats for profit in retail pet stores, except for stores that sold them before the effective date, and which are not under new ownership or selling dogs or cats from a new location; ends the exception on September 1, 2028. Effective 9/24/2023
Transportation
-
HB 3583: provides that a member of the State Board of Towing may be a chief of police or county sheriff. Effective 7/18/2023
It was great to connect with folks and discuss issues including college affordability, economic development, tax policy, and climate change.
Oregon employees who need to take time off work to care for a new child or seriously-ill family member can soon begin applying for paid leave benefits through the state’s new paid family and medical leave program. Benefits for Paid Leave Oregon will start for leaves taken on or after September 3 (with payments going out mid-September), but you can submit an application for benefits starting August 14.
Paid Leave Oregon covers paid family leave, medical leave, and safe leave for working Oregonians. Employees can apply for the following reasons:
- To care for themselves or members of their family during the birth of a child, or to bond with a child after birth, adoption, or placement of a child in their home through foster care
- To care for themselves during a serious health condition
- To care for a family member when they have a serious health condition
- If they or their child experience sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking
Most workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually through the program, although those who are pregnant, have given birth, or have health issues related to childbirth may be eligible for up to 14 weeks of paid leave.
Employees can apply for benefits online beginning August 14 through the Oregon Employment Department’s Frances Online system at https://bit.ly/OregonFrancesOnline.
Learn more about Paid Leave Oregon at https://PaidLeave.oregon.gov, or attend an informational webinar hosted by Paid Leave Oregon. Webinars occur every Thursday through September 28 – you can register here.
Temperatures will be rising all across Oregon this weekend and into next week with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.
Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, but many people succumb to extreme heat every year.
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.
I look forward to hearing from you!
 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
| 
