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Friends and Neighbors,
2024 Legislative Session begins this Monday, February 5.
The 2024 Legislative Session will begin this Monday, February 5.
The schedule and information for the committees I serve on, are linked and listed below:
Youth Voices - Senate Energy and Environment Committee
This is an opportunity for youth to tell the committee about an energy or environment issue that is significant to them. If you are a student (kindergarten - 12th grade) that would like to participate, please register at the following link https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nEbp6d5Ue80fEG and indicate your preference to participate either remotely or in person. Due to committee schedule, we may need to limit how many individuals can speak in one day and we ask that you keep your testimony to three minutes. If you would prefer to share your views in writing, please submit your testimony to SEE.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov and it will be posted on OLIS for the public to see.
If you are planning a visit to Salem, there are metered and electric vehicle charging spots near the Capitol. The historic part of the Capitol is still under construction and remains closed, but the Senate and House wings are open. Stop by my office (S-207) to say "Hello" if you are at the Capitol. Visitors may enter through the ADA accessible doors on State Street, the south side of the building. To ensure the safety of the public, employees, tenants and Legislators in the Capitol, all visitors will encounter a security checkpoint with a walk-through metal detector upon entry. Please see the Building Use Policy, Rule #15 for prohibited items.
Not able to make the trip? You can still watch the meetings from home on OLIS, the Oregon Legislative Information System. Please find links provided by OLIS below for further information.
2024 Legislative Session Details:
Bill of the Week:
Senate Bill 1549 (Military Pension Tax Exemption) - a bipartisan bill I am co-chief sponsoring with Senator Kim Thatcher (R).
Problem: Oregon is near the bottom on its quality-of-life metric for military retirees and has one of the highest percentages of homeless veterans which places the state near the bottom of the list for housing affordability.
About 2/3 of states overall do not tax military retirement pay, either because they don’t have state income taxes at all or have specifically exempted military retirement pay. The remaining states tax military retirement income partially. In 2022, there were 7 states that passed laws exempting or partially exempting military retirement pay from state income tax liability.
OR has a law on the books that allows Retired Service members to subtract military retired pay earned for service prior to 1 October 1991 from their Oregon income taxes. Any military retired pay earned on 1 October 1991 or after may not be subtracted. But as our population ages, that applies to less people over time.
This bill is being reintroduced during the 2024 session in a joint effort with Senator Kim Thatcher. When I first introduced the bill during the 2023 session, I did so with the hope of making our state more appealing to working Veterans. Veterans bring a rich work experience, professional training, strong work ethic and commitment to purpose, to our workforce. As a 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. Those who have dedicated their lives and their family time to serving and protecting our nation should feel the honor for that service.
2024 Proposal: Exclude from Oregon taxable net income up to $17,500 of retirement income received form military taxpayers under the age of 62. Amounts exempted would be: Up to $17,500 of retirement pay or pension for service in the Armed Forces. While these tax exemptions should be available to veterans of all ages, this is a crucial first step in providing this type of financial relief to those who have served and protected our nation.
If you are interested in following this bill click here to e-subscribe on the Oregon Legislative Information System. Subscribing to a bill will notify you via email when the bill is having an informational hearing, public hearing, work session, and when it is up for a formal vote in committee and the chamber floor.
Listen. Learn. Act.
120th Virtual Community Conversation
It was great to be able to connect with so many of you during yesterday's virtual community conversation. Thank you for coming and advocating for the issue areas that are most important to you.
121st Community Conversation
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Thank you to everyone who joined myself and the team earlier this morning for an in-person community conversation at Ava Roasteria. With the 2024 session starting this Monday, constituents were eager to touch base on the following topics: Quorum requirements, education, climate and environment, senior care, right to repair and M110.
Pictured here are the newest additions to the SD 15 Team. Tayen and Andrew are both joining the office for the duration of the 2024 Session as college interns.
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Out and About in Senate District 15
City of Hillsboro - State of the City
Earlier this week, I attended the City of Hillsboro's State of the City. It was great to be in community. "Together, we keep getting better" was the theme of the event.
Portland Community College Legislative Reception
Tuesday night, Team SD 15 attended Portland Community College's legislative reception to learn more about PCC's 2024 priorities. These priorities include investing in our states workforce training to meet the urgent talent needs of the semiconductor industry, investing in Oregon's Basic Needs Navigators, Textbook Affordability Program, and the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
Metro Legislative Reception
Yesterday, Team SD 15 spent a beautiful morning at the Oregon Zoo meeting furry friends and learning about Metro's priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which includes Right to Repair! Other priorities include Industrial Site Readiness, Regional Economic Recovery and Growth, the Hillsboro Hops, Equitable and Achievable Housing Production and Urban Growth Management.
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
The Car Doctor Shop - Veteran Owned Business
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The Car Doctor Shop is veteran owned business located in Hillsboro. Rob Russell, the owner of the small business, aims to educate customers and the community on what it truly takes to diagnose and repair today's complex vehicles.
Rob can be reached via
- Phone: (971) 441-6038 and
- Email: drrob@thehonestcardoctor.com
Check out his Facebook page here
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Community Outreach
Celebrating Rosa Parks Day - TriMet
To celebrate and honor Rosa Parks and her contributions to the civil rights movement, TriMet will not be collecting fares on busses, MAX and LIFT on February 4 - Rosa Park's birthday.
Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN will also join TriMet in not collecting fares on February 4, 2024.
If you’re riding on February 4, you won’t need to tap your Hop card or buy a ticket at the station – just come on board. Transfers are free, too.
There will also be a special edition Rosa Parks bus at these transit centers:
- Clackamas Town Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Beaverton Transit Center, 2-4 p.m.
TriMet will have birthday cupcakes, a photo backdrop of the civil rights leader and a limited amount of commemorative t-shirts to honor Rosa Parks legacy (while supplies last).
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Reduced Rate Now Available for Garbage & Recycling Service in Hillsboro
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Eligible households in the City of Hillsboro can now benefit from a reduced monthly rate for standard garbage and recycling collection.
Customers who live in a single-family home, a duplex, triplex, or fourplex and pay their garbage and recycling collection services are eligible for the reduce rate program if they have an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
The reduced rate program offers a 75% discount on standard garbage and recycling collection services rates.
See full eligibility details and how to apply by visiting this link.
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DEQ's Virtual Public Hearing About Intel's Standard Air Quality Modification
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality invites the public to attend a public hearing and to comment on Intel’s proposed air quality permit modification to their Standard Air Contaminant Discharge Permit.
The public comment period began January 10, and ends on Friday, March 1 at 5pm. A virtual public hearing has been scheduled on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 6pm. DEQ encourages residents to attend. Everyone is welcome to submit comments. All comments, either presented verbally on 2/15 at the hearing or submitted to us in writing, receive equal weight.
You can submit comments by:
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Mail: Oregon DEQ, Northwest Region Air Quality Permit Coordinator, 700 NE Multnomah St. Ste. 600, Portland, OR 97232-4100
- Email: nwraqpermits@deq.oregon.gov comments are due by: 5PM March 1, 2024
To view the public notice click here. You can view more information either by scanning the QR code below or visiting this link.
Department of Revenue - Tax Season Reources
The Oregon Department of Revenue began processing e-filed 2023 state income tax returns on January 29, 2024. Paper filed returns will be processed starting in mid-February.
E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to claim their share of the $5.6 billion kicker and get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.
E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department will begin issuing personal income tax refunds after February 15. Be prepared before you file an Oregon income tax return The department reminds taxpayers a few steps can make it easier to fill out a tax return.
- Gather and organize your tax records and wait until you have all tax records ready including:
- Forms W-2 from your employer(s)
- Forms 1099 from banks and other payers including unemployment compensation, dividends, distributions from a pension, annuity, retirement plan, or other non-employee compensation
- Forms 1099-K, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, or other income statement if you worked in the gig economy
- Use a bank account to speed tax refunds with direct deposit. File electronically, choose direct deposit and you will get a refund faster.
- Choose a reputable tax return preparer. This is important because taxpayers are responsible for all the information on their return, no matter who prepares it for them. The Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners offers a Licensee Lookup website. The IRS has a website with information.
Free options for e-filing Oregon income tax returns
All Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns in 2024 can file electronically at no cost using one of Oregon’s free file options.
Oregon Free Fillable Forms performs basic calculations and is ideal for taxpayers who don’t need help preparing their returns and want the convenience of filing electronically. The IRS offers a similar option for filing federal taxes electronically.
New this year, the department is also offering Direct File Oregon, which allows taxpayers to file their Form OR-40 through Revenue Online. Direct File Oregon is not currently linked with the IRS Direct File. Taxpayers will need to file a separate federal return with the IRS before filing an Oregon return with Direct File Oregon through Revenue Online.
Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Oregon Earned Income Credit
Oregon and the Internal Revenue Service offer many tax credits for low- to moderate- income families. These credits are fully or partially refundable, so the portion of the credit, more than what is owed, can be refunded to a person. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal credit for people making up to $63,398 in 2023 and a person who qualifies may use the credit to reduce taxes owed and maybe increase their refund.
If a person qualifies for EITC, they can also claim the Oregon Earned Income Credit (EIC) which is up to 12 percent of the federal EITC. Individuals may qualify for the EITC, Oregon EIC, and other credits, even if they are not required to file. To receive the refundable credits, however, they must file a federal and state tax return.
More information about the federal EITC, the Oregon EIC, the Oregon Kids Credit and other similar credits, go to the Tax Benefits for Families page.
Oregon Kids Credit
New for tax year 2023, Oregon Kids Credit is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000, per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with MAGI up to $30,000.
Senior and Disabled Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program
Reminder – A disabled or senior homeowner may qualify for a program to borrow from the State of Oregon to pay county property taxes. If a taxpayer qualifies for the program, the Oregon Department of Revenue will pay county property taxes on November 15 of each year.
To participate, a taxpayer must file an application with the county assessor by April 15, or pay a fee and file late from April 16 to December 1. A lien will be placed on the qualified taxpayer property, and the Department of Revenue will become a security interest holder.
For additional information, and to apply for the program see the deferral application booklet here.
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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