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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we move into Fall, I hope you were able to enjoy the last days of summer. I am preparing for the upcoming Legislative Days (September 27, 28, 29) and for the upcoming 2024 Short Session. Additionally, I wanted to complete the update on the status of legislation that I co-sponsored in the 2023 session as well as let you know about happenings around the district.
The following bills that I co-sponsored have been signed by Governor Kotek and will become Oregon law:
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HB 2955: designates August 4th of each year as Bracero Program Day; recognizing the Mexican Farm Labor Program and the millions of Mexican men that came to work legally in the U.S. to address a national agricultural labor shortage during World War II. Effective 7/18/23
Economic Development / Business & Labor
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HB 2294: establishes pilot projects for firefighter apprenticeship training. Effective 1/1/24
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HB 2649: increases apprentice utilization requirement on public improvement projects from 12 to 15 percent of all work hours performed as well as requiring contractors to meet workforce diversity goals. Effective 9/24/23
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HB 2804: requires Department of Human Services to utilize workload models to assess workforce capacity and needs each year and report to the Legislative Assembly. Effective 9/24/23
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HB 3028: prohibits employer from requiring employee to use vacation, sick, or annual leave for time spent by employee as appointed member of state board or commission. Effective 9/24/23
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SB 4: establishes the Oregon CHIPS fund to provide grants and loans to qualifying businesses for the purpose of growing the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry in Oregon. Effective 4/13/23
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SB 592: requires the Director of DCBS to conduct a comprehensive workplace inspection when an accident investigation reveals a violation caused or contributed to a work-related fatality or when three or more willful or repeated violations occur within a one-year period at a place of employment. Effective 5/24/23
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SB 606: establishes Task Force on Modernizing Grant Funding and Contracting relating to nonprofit organizations that provide services on behalf of the state. Effective 9/24/23
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SB 609: allows hours worked as a graduate assistant to be considered for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirements for SNAP. Effective 1/1/24
Housing
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HB 2001: establishes the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), with the stated purpose of furthering housing production and housing choice at all levels of affordability. Effective: 3/29/2023
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HB 3215: authorizes Housing and Community Services Department to support replacement, reconstruction or rehabilitation of residential units damaged or destroyed by disaster and to support recovery of residents of such housing. Effective: 7/27/2023
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HB 3443: prohibits landlords from terminating a lease or taking other specified actions due to status of tenant as victim of bias crime. Effective: 1/1/2024
Environmental
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HB 3179: modifies the definition of “renewable energy facility” for purposes of county permitting process for solar photovoltaic power generation facility. Effective 1/1/24
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HB 3409: amends and creates various climate laws that address energy use, environment, building performance, environmental justice, land use, fuels, and electric vehicles. Effective 7/27/23
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HB 3630: directs State Department of Energy to establish program to provide assistance related to energy projects and activities to environmental justice communities. Effective 7/31/23
Health Care
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HB 2002: assures access to reproductive health services in Oregon, including creating an enforceable right to make decisions about one's own reproductive health. The measure also requires coverage of gender-affirming treatments by the state's medical assistance program and health insurers. Effective 7/13/23
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HB 2611: includes dental and vision benefits in health care benefits available to part-time faculty at public institutions of higher education. Effective 7/31/23
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HB 2697: requires the establishment of hospital professional, technical, and service staffing committees and staffing plans in addition to the already required nurse staffing committee and staffing plan. Effective 9/1/23
Strengthening Our Public Meetings Laws
 Public officials should be held accountable if they violate the law. Until recently, however, it was nearly impossible for citizens to do this in regard to our public meetings laws in Oregon. That is why I am proud to have been a chief co-sponsor of HB 2805 which updates and strengthens our public meetings laws while creating a mechanism for enforcement. Jefferson Public Radio recently did a story on this topic which was also picked up by Oregon Public Broadcasting. You can read the story here.
Addressing Homelessness Together in Washington County
 Last month, I received a briefing and tour of the site for the upcoming year-round shelter in Washington County. It will be located on SW17th Ave. in Hillsboro and provide 75 beds to help get people off the street. It's an excellent example of our city, county, state, and federal governments working together to address the crisis of homelessness.
Unveiling a New Playground in Hillsboro
 I also attended the grand opening of Hidden Creek Park West featuring Oro the Friendly Forest Giant. It is Hillsboro’s first fully inclusive park and playground for kids of all abilities. What an incredible addition to our community!
Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15th - October 15th
Festejo Latino - Latin America Festival
- Hillsboro Public Library, Shute Park 775 SE 10th Ave.
- September 30 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- More Information
Workforce Development Month
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Career Quest Week
- Career Exploration
- Tuesday, September 26, 10 – 11:30 am (Brookwood)
- Tuesday, September 26, 4 – 5:30 pm (Shute Park)
- Introduction to Resumes
- Tuesday, September 26, 12:30 – 2 pm (Brookwood)
- Tuesday, September 26, 6 – 7:30 pm (Shute Park)
- Interview Workshop
- Thursday, September 28, 10 – 11:30 am (Brookwood)
- Thursday, September 28, 4 – 5:30 pm (Shute Park)
- Navigating Free Online Resources for Job Seekers
- Thursday, September 28, 12:30 – 2 pm (Brookwood)
- Thursday, September 28, 6 – 7:30 pm (Shute Park)
- More Information
Free at-home COVID tests by mail are available to order again
 Photo Illustration: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
- Starting today, households can order four free tests through COVIDTests.gov, which directs people to a U.S. Postal Service site.
- The tests are available at no cost and ship for free. Shipping will begin the week of Oct. 2, per USPS.
For those who can't order through the website, there's also a government hotline, 1-800-232-0233 or TTY 1-888-720-7489.
I will be holding my monthly constituent coffee for October at the Insomnia Coffee at Baseline on Saturday 10/7 from 9am - 10:30am. The address is 5389 E Main Street Hillsboro, Oregon 97123.
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!
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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