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We are off! The session has begun and there is a lot to do. As a reminder, during even numbered years, the Legislature convenes for a 35-day short session, as opposed to the 160-day long session in odd-numbered years. The short legislative session began this morning, February 5, and ends by March 10, 2024. This 2024 “short” legislative session has a lot to unpack in 35 days, where we will be tackling big issues like housing and homelessness, the addiction crisis, community safety, and more.
As your representative, I serve as your voice at the Capitol, and I want to take a moment to remind you that your concerns and suggestions do matter. You can always find information on me or how to contact my office here.
For those who are wanting to get more involved. Remember that during the legislative session, there will be multiple opportunities to testify and share your thoughts about the bills different policy committees are considering.
This Legislative Participation Guide (available here) details how you can find and read bills on the Legislature’s bill database, watch committee meetings, and submit written testimony or give verbal testimony on bills.
Committee Schedule
House Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care - Vice-Chair
- Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:00 pm
- Tuesdays at 5:00 pm
House Committee On Early Childhood and Human Services:
- Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:00 pm
House Committee On Business and Labor:
- Mondays and Wednesday at 8:00 am
You can learn more about each committee and who else is serving on them here.
You can also learn more about important dates and information from the Office of Chief Clerk Office page here.
My Bills
HB 4088: Hospital Workplace Violence
As a registered nurse of 20 year, I consistently hear from nurses and hospital staff that they do not feel safe, a sentiment that is supported by data and my own personal experiences within the system. A survey conducted in Oregon in 2022 found that 70% of emergency department nurses experienced assault at work, with 30% reporting having been assaulted one to three times in the past year.
To briefly summarize this bill, it will increase the penalty for anyone who intentionally or knowingly causes physical injury to a person working in a hospital while acting in the course of official duty. We will also require additional signage of penalties and worker rights. It gives employees’ the choice if they choose to include their last name on badges for additional safety precautions. There will be a process for hospital's to report workplace safety plan status to the state. It allows union representatives to attend safety meetings at represented hospitals. Lastly, this bill creates grant funding for hospitals to implement workplace violence prevention measures.
HB 4089: Hospital Transparency
All too often we are hearing that hospitals do not have money and HB 4089 will help to get to the bottom of the fiscal situation.
This bill will have a requirement for hospitals to report financial data to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on a quarterly and annual basis. As I have said before, I believe that sunlight is the best disinfectant. We should be fostering transparency into the financial status of our hospitals. HB 4089 includes the disclosure of cash on hand and detailed compensation packages of the highest-paid hospital employees. Additionally, it will reveal the flow of profits to and from Oregon - which is a matter of local economic integrity and guarantees that the financial benefits derived from Oregon patients are reinvested into the local healthcare system. Such openness ensures that hospitals remain responsible stewards of their financial resources. The bill will require each hospital to post certain financial information to their website. This information will include classifying income and expenses, investments by asset class, and outlining future asset management plans. This will be testament to its thoroughness and the commitment to an informed public within a one of the most vital sectors in our state.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next few newsletters so I can keep you informed on the status of these bills.
Funding Ask
George Park
This is a $750,000 ask in state funding to enhance George Park in North Portland which will help toward safety improvements and better access. The park, central to the St. Johns neighborhood and near four schools, is severely underutilized and very vital for the community's diverse population. Plans for the funding will include new play equipment and capital improvements, with $3.5 million already secured through partnerships with Portland Parks and Recreation and Commissioner Dan Ryan. The Kids Outside, a growing Black-led effort to reimagine George Park, has conducted extensive community advocacy for the last five years. I believe this will be an amazing community space and we have received lots of support from local educators and students voicing support for its development to reflect and serve the community's needs.
 I met with Donovan Scribes from The Kids Outside at George Park to discuss the critical need to invest in this park and this community.
Albina Vision Trust
For those not familiar with this project, the Albina Vision Trust (AVT) is leveraging the relocation of Portland Public Schools' headquarters to advocate for a transformative project in Portland’s Central City. This initiative aims to catalyze economic growth, address historic injustices, and lead environmental sustainability efforts. With a $25 million state investment, AVT plans to develop over 1,000 housing units for 3,000 working-class residents, creating Oregon’s first climate-positive district and generating significant employment and minority business opportunities.
Historically, Albina was a major Black community in Portland, devastated by racist policies and urban renewal efforts that displaced families and demolished homes for infrastructure projects like the construction of I-5. AVT's vision for Lower Albina includes affordable housing, green spaces, commercial areas, and community hubs, with profits reinvested into the community.
 I toured the AVT project at the end of last year to learn more about their goals and see how the state could be helpful in securing land for affordable housing.
BIPOC Caucus Agenda
For those not familiar with what a Caucus is, it is a coalition of members who share specific ideological, regional, or demographic interests, working together to influence lawmaking and advocate for collective goals.
Oregon’s Legislative Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus is one I am proud to be a part of and honored to serve as Vice Chair. This is a Caucus who have members of the legislature with a shared mission to advance racial justice initiatives and eliminate systemic oppression and racism in Oregon.
This session, the BIPOC Caucus is dedicating its energies to fostering inclusive economic development and tackling the persistent disparities in wealth based on race, gender, and immigration status in Oregon. It aims to champion economic fairness by supporting small enterprises, boosting homeownership rates within communities of color, and broadening the availability of affordable childcare throughout the state, especially in rural areas. Additionally, the BIPOC Caucus will push for the establishment of Oregon's inaugural comprehensive support system for Newcomers, guaranteeing that immigrants and refugees receive the essential resources needed to find both security and success in their new environment.
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House Democrat's Caucus Agenda
The Caucus Agenda for Oregon's House Democrats is a comprehensive plan aimed at fostering a fair economy and modernizing education to enable every Oregonian to achieve their full potential. Acknowledging the challenges disproportionately faced by low-income families, small businesses, veterans, and communities of color, the agenda focuses on reducing child poverty and rebuilding the middle class.
Key issues for 2024 include addressing the housing shortage, combating the addiction crisis, and improving public safety, all through strategies rooted in Oregon's values of compassion, accountability, and courage.
Significant legislative efforts include investing over $2 billion to combat homelessness, enhancing housing production and infrastructure, and increasing access to addiction treatment and behavioral health support. The agenda also emphasizes improving community safety by providing resources to law enforcement and continuing the work of the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response to reduce crime rates associated with drug and alcohol addiction.
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Black History Month
On Facebook, I will be highlighting Black Leaders each day of February to celebrate Black History Month. I will focus on leaders from Oregon and throughout the country. Join me in taking a moment every day to celebrate Black excellence!
Stay Tuned...
As always, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be you voice in Salem. This is not a responsibility I take lightly. Feel free to reach out to my office with concerns, questions and suggestions. Together, we will continue to progress change in our communities and state!
I will be posting another Newsletter soon to keep you informed on my bills and the session!
 Travis Nelson
State Representative
House District 44
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-275, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nelson
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