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Senate District 24 rests on the traditional ancestral lands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Cowlitz bands of Chinook, Talatin, Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. As a former refugee from Africa, who now resides on this stolen land, I pledge to share in the struggle and fight for Native sovereignty, decolonization, and collective liberation alongside our Indigenous communities.
Senator Kayse Jama
 Salaam friends,
I hope you are doing well. Last night was the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. I would like to wish those who observe this holiday an easy and meaningful fast.
On June 25th, the 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned Sine Die, concluding the 2023 legislative session. Together, the legislature advanced $10.2 billion for K-12 schools, $2.2 billion for higher education funding, more than $150 million to stabilize mobile crisis response funding and coordination between care centers and response systems, $90 millions to address the public defense crisis, $75 million to establish the first-ever Oregon state child tax credit, and the historic HB 2002 that would establish provider protections against anti-abortion and anti-transgender laws in other states and require that health insurance covers medically necessary gender-affirming care.
As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing and Development, I worked closely with the Chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness Rep. Maxine Dexter to lead a bipartisan effort to address the ongoing housing crisis, securing nearly $2 billion to increase housing supply and affordability.
I am incredibly proud of the remarkable work that the Oregon legislature and my office were able to accomplish. We must continue working on increasing our housing supply production to address our housing affordability crisis, and the money we are investing this session will help us accomplish that goal.
Below are some notable legislation my office helped pass this session. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you are interested in getting more information about a particular legislation.
Housing and Homelessness
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SB 847: Removing red tape and other disincentives to boost the production (HB 3395)
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SB 919: Providing a property tax exemption for newly constructed ADUs that are occupied as a primary residence
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SB 918: Providing grants to culturally specific organizations to provide homelessness services (SB 5511/SB 5506)
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SB 611: Capping annual rent increases for residential tenancies at 10% or 7% plus CPI whichever is less
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SB 799: Extending non-payment eviction and sealing eviction record in certain circumstances (HB 2001)
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SB 599: Requiring landlords to allow registered childcare in their rental properties
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SB 1069: Allowing landlords to provide electronic delivery of notices if they are accompanied by first class mail
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HB 3042: Limiting rent increases for three years after tenants' housing is withdrawn from publicly supported housing
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HB 3462: Requiring state agencies providing temporary housing to displaced individuals in response to emergency to ensure housing is safe and provided in compliance with state and federal laws relating to discrimination
Immigration
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SB 627: Allocating $6.7 million for the Universal Legal Representation Fund (SB 5506)
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HB 3176: Allocating $20.9 million to provide support services for immigrants and refugees (SB 5506)
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HB 5014: Allocating $570,000 to develop student success plans for immigrant and refugee students
Labor and Business
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HB 2009: Bolstering Oregon’s economy through strategic investments in SIP and Enterprise Zones
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HB 2921: Requiring hospitals to submit reports to BOLI detailing the demographic within their workforce
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HB 3306: Requiring an entity that receives WIOA funds to establish wage standards for program participants
Community Safety
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SB 586: Making restorative justice communications confidential
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SB 581: Making the earned discharge eligibility requirements consistent
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HB 3443: Expanding protections for victims of bias crime
Strengthening Democracy
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SB 585: Allowing newly naturalized U.S. citizens to declare candidacy for the office of Precinct Committee Person
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SB 169: Allocating funds to continue staffing for Secretary of State’s Translation Advisory Council (SB 5506)
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HB 2004: Referring to voters a measure to establish ranked choice voting
Other Policy Packages
- There are critical legislative policy packages that I was proud to cast my vote for, including the historic $10.2 billion for K-12 schools and $2.2 billion for higher education funding. Check them out HERE.
Unfinished Businesses
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SB 849: Reducing systemic barriers to licensure pathway for out-of-state and internationally educated professionals
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SB 925: Requiring wage ranges to be added to job listings
Join Representative Maxine Dexter, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Peterson, Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio and I next Saturday 9/30 at 10:00 AM via Zoom as we discuss progress and ongoing challenges our state and region are facing in addressing housing and homelessness.
September 2023 Legislative Days
Since Oregon voters adopted annual sessions in 2010, the Legislature meets for a maximum of 160 days in odd numbered years and 35 days in even numbered years. The period of time in between sessions is called the interim. The Legislature convenes periodically during the interim for Legislative Days which happen approximately every eight weeks and last for four days.
During Legislative Days, Committees hold informational hearings on topics that may lead to legislation in upcoming sessions, hear updates on previous implementations, hear reports from state agencies and Task Forces, and keep current on the subject areas affecting Oregonians. The Senate may also convene for the purpose of confirming the Governor's executive appointments.
Senate Committee on Housing and Development
The Senate Committee on Housing and Development, which I chairs, will hold its meeting on Wednesday, 9/27 from 8:30 - 11:00 AM. You can check out its schedule and agenda, as well as all other committee hearings HERE.
 
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1724
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-409, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.KayseJama@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/jama
Instagram: @SenatorKayseJama
Twitter: @SenatorJama
Facebook: @SenatorKayseJama
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