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Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
2024 Legislative Session has Begun
The 2024 Legislative Session is underway! It has been a full and busy week of committee hearings, constituent lobby days, floor sessions and working on policy. Thank you to my team for their hard work this week and to constituent, Jonathan Clark, for gifting our office with delicious apple pies on our first day.
SB 1596 - Right to Repair
The Right to Repair bill had a big week! On Monday, I introduced the concept to the press in our Senate Caucus press conference. On Tuesday, we held an informational hearing in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee on 'parts pairing', explaining what it is and why it is so important to have in the bill. The specific prohibitions on parts pairing, seen in SB 1596, prevent anti-consumer behavior, such as unnecessary warning messages, or slowing down functionality of your device. Thursday was the Public Hearing for SB 1596, where I testified alongside fellow sponsor Senator Kim Thatcher and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. We were able to hear from the public and ask questions of the bill's proponents and opponents. Stay tuned next week as we finish up public testimony and hold a work session for the bill on Tuesday. SB 1596 is the most comprehensive, consumer driven policy, thoughtfully crafted, with many minds put together to save Oregonians money, to support Oregon small business and provide protections to our environment and resources. I am so excited to see this bill over the finish line this session.
Right to Repair In the News
Bills I am Co-Chief Sponsoring this Session
HB 4070, the School Based Health Centers bill had a public hearing on Monday. You can watch my testimony and the full public hearing here.
SB 1549 is a bill brought forward by Senator Thatcher, that I introduced last session. This bill will exempt up to $17,500 in military pension for veterans under age 63, in Oregon. Currently, Oregon ranks last, out of all 50 states, on its quality-of-life metric for military retirees and now has one of the highest percentages of homeless veterans (according to a report published in 2023). As the wife and daughter of military veterans, I believe we should be doing all we can to attract opportunity for veterans to live, work and thrive right here in Oregon. While SB 1549 focuses on veterans below the age of 62, it is a crucial first step to offering this type of financial relief to veterans of all ages. Watch Thursday's public hearing here.
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Week One Committee Snaps
Throughout session, I will share snapshots from the committees I serve on including what was discussed over the past week.
Senate Committee on Housing and Development
Informational Meetings were held on the following:
- Technical Fix to the Housing Choice Guarantee Program (SB 1529, 2024)
- Community Warehouse Project (SB 1530, 2024)
- Cooling Needs Study
- Technical Fix and Updates on the Air Conditioner Deployment Program (SB 1529 and SB 1530, 2024)
- Cooling and Warming Shelter Support (SB 1530, 2024)
- Healthy Homes Program (SB 1530, 2024)
A Public Hearing was held on the Governor's Housing bill, SB 1537.
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Informational Meetings were held on the following:
- Parts Pairing Provisions - Senate Bill 1596, 2024
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Goals - Senate Bill 1559, 2024
- Examples of Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Alternative Fuels Development
A Public Hearing was held on SB 1596, the Right to Repair bill.
Ways and Means Joint Committee on Public Safety
Informational Meetings were held on the following:
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Judicial Department/Public Defense Commission - Update on Unrepresented Defendant Crisis and Implementation of Judicial District Crisis Plans
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Public Defense Commission - Update on SB 337 (2023) Implementation and Executive Branch Transfer
Work Sessions were held on the following:
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Judicial Department Grant - Domestic and Sexual Violence Training and Pretrial Release Program
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Public Defense Commission Report - Remediation Plan
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Public Defense Commission Report - Quality Management Plan and Key Performance Measures
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Public Defense Commission Report - Internal Audit and Activities Report
Ways and Means Committee
The Full Ways and Means Committee met for Introduction of Committee Bills
Meet the Interns
Hi everyone, my name is Andrew Matto and I am a current senior undergraduate student at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR studying public health and politics and government. Before interning with the Senator I was a legislative intern for Rep. Hai Pham (HD-36) during the 2023 session and a district intern for Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-6). My main policy interests include health, housing, indigenous affairs (including Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander), environment, education, and veterans affairs.
I will be working closely with Senator Sollman specifically on housing which is a new policy area for me, but I look forward to experiencing the Senate side of things during this short session. I am excited to be a part of the team and give back to SD-15 after they have taken such great care of me the last four years!
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Hello! My name is Tayen Ledbetter and I am a freshman at Portland Community College in Portland, OR studying Political Science. Before interning with Senator Sollman I worked and continue to work for City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation as an event aide and for the Hillsboro Hops baseball club as a clubhouse assistant (bat girl). My main policy interests include, housing, environment, education, transportation and healthcare.
I will be working closely on Energy & Environment as well as Higher Education. I am excited to learn everything I can and serve SD-15 to the best of my ability as it has been my home district for the past 17 years.
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Listen. Learn. Act.
Washington County Sheriff's Office Ride Along
Last Saturday was a beautiful day for a ride-along with Deputy Chad Gravley from the Washington County Sheriff's Office. I appreciated learning about his job responsibilities, challenges and ideas.
Aloha Safe Rest Pod Village
On Friday, I toured the Aloha Safe Rest Pod Village. Up to 60 people will be able to receive housing and services here. Washington County shared that these pods are an alternative shelter model utilized in temporary locations to support people experiencing homelessness transition into long-term, affordable housing. Open Door Housing Works is the service provider for this village. Learn more here
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Annor Market LLC.
Annor Market is a black owned, woman owned, resale shop established in 2022, they sell new and high end clothes for an affordable price. They have a wide variety of brands, sizes and styles for men, women and kids.
They can be reached by
- Phone: (971) 500-4918
- Email: annorretail@gmail.com
They have a store at 2015 Main St. Forest Grove, OR or you can shop their online store here.
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Intern Corner
January 30th was the 6th Annual Oregon Youth Summit, held at Willamette University. Students involved in youth advisory councils/boards across Oregon came together to collaborate and share ideas. The overall theme was teen mental health, and Kid Governor Zoya Shah gave opening remarks. Group conversations were facilitated by experts, and involved topics such as substance abuse, teen houselessness, advocacy and the election process, and more.
“I think it was a great opportunity to connect with other youth councils and discuss what matters to us.” ~Yasmine Othman-Gomez (Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council)
~By HS Intern Mari P.
Community Outreach
February is Black History Month
All throughout February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month. Black History Month was created in 1970 to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. The contributions from many historical figures such as Barack Obama, Mae Jemison, and Martin Luther King, Jr. just to name a few are highlighted. Other countries have also taken on the national holiday through activities such as museum exhibits and film screenings, and by encouraging the study of achievements by African Americans year-round. There will be many events such as a festival of African films and comedy shows throughout Portland which are listed here.
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Valentine's Day Sip & Shop- 2/20 1:00-4:00 PM
A Framer's Touch 1920 21st Ave. STE. A Forest Grove, OR 97116
We invite the community to join us for an enchanting afternoon of shopping, creativity, and delightful sipping and snacking! A Framer’s Touch, Green Heron Book Arts, AJ Smiles Photography, Wedge & Cured, and Kramer Vineyards have come together to create a unique and memorable experience for the community. Don't miss out on this special collaborative event
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Hops Ballpark Project
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On February 6th the Washington County board of commissioners unanimously approved $8 million for a new city owned ballpark that will help meet MiLB's new facility requirements.
You can read the in-depth article here
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Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Senate District 15 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon's past and we must honor them well into our future.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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