Legislative Days and Review of New Laws Taking Effect

You can read our previous newsletters here.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I've enjoyed being back in Salem this week for Legislative Days! It's great to see colleagues and to begin critical dialogue about the upcoming 2024 Short Session! In addition to important testimony in committee hearings, I've had the opportunity to meet with a variety of different organizations, from SEIU, to Family Forward, and the Oregon Farm Bureau. One of my favorite meetings was with the new president of Western Oregon University, President Jesse Peters. I am a proud alumni of the College of Education (as it was previously known) and have been very impressed with the work that WOU has done in recent years to ensure student success, especially among underrepresented populations. Completion rates are on the rise at WOU, due in large part to the commitment that the university has made to ensuring students are supported through their entire educational careers.  

Rep. McLain with President Peters of WOU

Visiting with teachers, one of whom is a former student of mine!

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Visit the Hillsboro or Forest Grove Farmers' markets before they close for the season and then come join me for coffee and conversation! These constituent coffees are a great opportunity to dialogue about the issues that matter to you in an informal setting. I hope to see you in either Forest Grove on 10/18 or in Hillsboro on 10/21. 

LEGISLATIVE DAYS THIS WEEK!

What Are Legislative Days?

In the Oregon Legislature, Legislative Days are a time when committees hold informational hearings on a variety of topics, but do not vote on policy or pass legislation.  Topics can often be ones that may lead to legislation in upcoming sessions or committees may hear updates on previous bill implementations.  Many committees will hear reports from state agencies and Task Forces or consider testimony regarding current subject areas affecting Oregonians.

Legislative Days Committee Meetings Schedule and Agendas

Below are my interim committees that met during Legislative Days. I've included the topics we covered and if you click on the date, it will take you to a page where you can watch a recording of the hearings. I will also provide a thorough review in my newsletter next week. 

♦Joint Committee On Transportation

Friday, September 29th at 2:30

• Presentation of 2023 Highway Cost Allocation Study
• Presentation of House Bill 2017 Section 75 Report
• Structural Challenges in Funding + Maintaining the Transportation System
• Update from Transportation Subcommittee
• Update from Counties/Utilities Work Group

♦Joint Interim Committee On Ways and Means 

Friday, September 29th at 8:30

• Approval of Consent Grants

♦House Interim Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water

Thursday, September 28th at 2:30

• Senate Bill 789 (2023) Canola Workgroup Update
• Agricultural Impacts of Grasshopper Crisis
• Water Infrastructure Needs Assessment
• State Beaver Action Plan Implementation
  

♦Joint Interim Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Education 

Thursday, September 28th at 8:30

• Approval of Consent Grants

IMPORTANT NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT

This session, the Legislature stood up for working Oregonians, delivering on the critical issues facing the state, including cost of living, housing, public safety and more. And now, there’s good news for Oregonians: On Sunday, September 24, several bills we passed this year went into effect. These bills will:

• Make Oregon more affordable for working families; 
• Grow a strong, stable economy with good-paying jobs; and 
• Protect Oregonians’ health and safety.

Here’s how this will impact Oregonians: 

♦MAKING OREGON MORE AFFORDABLE: 

Oregon Kids’ Tax Credit (HB 3235): For the first time, Oregon will have its own child tax credit. This will provide low-income families with up to $1000-per-child between the ages of 0 and 5. It’s estimated this support will benefit over 55,000 children across the state. 

More Housing Options (SB 919): This law addresses Oregon’s housing crisis by incentivizing the construction of affordable “middle housing,” so working families can have more options in their price range. 

Keeping Oregon Competitive (SB 310): Antitrust laws protect competition and protect consumers, workers, and taxpayers, incentivizing innovation, lower prices, and higher quality products. This law increases civil and criminal penalties for bad actors who violate antitrust laws. 

♦GROWING A STRONGER, STABLE ECONOMY 

More Good Paying Semiconductor Jobs (HB 2009): This will create family-wage, long-term jobs in the semiconductor industry across every corner of the state. It will also keep Oregon’s economy stable and competitive in the 21st Century.

A Boost for Small Businesses (SB 1048): Small businesses make up the backbone of our economy. This establishes a small business development program to aid small businesses who want to compete for Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) public improvement contracts. 

Higher Wages for Hazardous Jobs (SB 594): Oregonians doing dangerous jobs deserve to be compensated for the risk they take on at work. SB 594 makes Oregon’s economy more fair by requiring accurate prevailing wage rates.

Investing in Veterans (HB 2295): We have a duty to support the veterans who put their lives on the line to protect our safety, our rights, and our freedom. HB 2295 empowers entrepreneurship by broadening public contracting preference for businesses that service-disabled veterans own to include all veteran-owned businesses.

♦PROTECTING OREGONIANS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY

Funding for the 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention & Behavioral Health Line (HB 2757): Oregonians in need who are experiencing a mental health crisis aren’t alone. This law provides a stable funding source for Oregon’s two 9-8-8 call centers and helps to build out the mobile crisis response system so that services are uniformly available 24/7 across the state. 9-8-8 has resolved or de-escalated nearly 97% of calls in Oregon. 

Safer Streets (SB 615): This law empowers law enforcement to deter street racing, including tougher consequences for those convicted of street racing. This change comes after multiple street racing crashes in Oregon have claimed the lives of both racers and pedestrians. 

Support for Survivors of Child Sex Trafficking (SB 745): SB 745 works to support survivors of child sex trafficking by requiring the juvenile justice system to determine if youths taken into custody are survivors of child sex trafficking and connect them with appropriate resources, including access to a special advocate.

Protecting Oregon Kids from Dangerous Chemicals (HB 3043): HB 3043 expands the Toxic-Free Kids Act, allowing the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to regulate by classes of chemicals, rather than individual chemicals one-by-one. It also helps OHA be more responsive to the hundreds of new chemicals introduced each year.

OREGON PROMISE GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

For July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Graduates

The Oregon Promise Grant application is now open for students who will graduate between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Deadline varies by graduation date. Please refer to the chart below or this handout to determine the correct deadline. All students only have one opportunity to apply for Oregon Promise, based on their graduation date. Most students must apply by June 1. If you have any questions or need application assistance, please email OregonPromise@hecc.oregon.gov.

The first deadline is for high school students who will graduate between July 1, 2023 and Nov. 30, 2023 is up first. They must submit their Oregon Promise application AND the 2023-24 FAFSA or ORSAA by Nov. 1, 2023. High school registrars must verify their GPA by Nov. 8, 2023 for Winter Cohort. If you are a high school registrar and need assistance, please email PartnerPortalSupport@hecc.oregon.gov.

CITY COUNCILS

LEAF PICK-UP SCHEDULE IN FOREST GROVE

I know you're excited for leaf pickup this year so I'm sharing the leaf pickup schedule a little early! Just search your address to receive your collection schedule. Leaf pickup begins Sunday, October 22. The digital map, collection guidelines, and Saturday drop-off information are located here:

https://bit.ly/fgleafschedule

WOMEN'S BUILD WITH WEST TUALITY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

One of West Tuality Habitat's most popular events returns! ANY woman who wants to learn make basic home repairs, wants to help vulnerable home owners with yard work, or wants to help others learn, is invited to join the Habitat Women’s Build. No construction experience is necessary! Volunteers work under the guidance of construction professionals, alongside other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners. You can come alone or sign up as a group. You may help construct a wheel chair ramp, paint the home of a person with a disability, or help with yard work for a senior home owner. Whatever you do, you will help Habitat for Humanity in making a difference in your community.

This special Habitat Women’s Build takes place Saturday, October 7, 2023 and begins at 9 a.m. They ask each participate to pay a $25 registration fee to cover the costs of the lunch we will provide, the t-shirt and all project supplies. However, if you or some in your group need a partial or full scholarship in order to participate, please email volunteer@westtualityhabitat.org or call at 503-359-8459, Mondays through Thursdays, 9 to 5.

GET YOUR FREE COVID TESTS

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Before You Throw Out "Expired" Tests: Check FDA's website to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.

Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests?
Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

My office has compiled a list of resources for our community. You can click on the images below to open a document with the relevant links. If you know of a resource that should be included here, or you need a resource and are having trouble finding the information you need, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.

EDUCATION RESOURCES

Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of Education-related resources. This includes links to the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts, the Oregon and US Departments of Education, information on how to pay for college, student lunch programs, and much more!

WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES Click here, or on the image to the right for important resources related to wildfire prevention and recovery. This list includes links to current fire restrictions and recreation site status maps, the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire prevention tip page, and important resources for wildfire victims.

RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of important resources for Veterans, including links and phone numbers to the various divisions of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, local Washington County assistance, supportive and community-based groups like the American Legion, and mental health resources.

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT  Click here, or on the image to the right for links to important local and state government pages, including the Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Cornelius city government pages. You can also access the Oregon Legislature's page, and other important state agency sites, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Unemployment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority.

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The beginning of Fall at the Oregon Capitol this week!

Yours truly,

Representative Susan McLain
House District 29

email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-493, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain