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Dear Friends,
The work of the Oregon Legislature in its 2024 session continues, with Sine Die (end of session) scheduled for March 10th. We are now considering the last of the Senate bills that have passed out of committees and been referred to the floor. We are also hearing bills that have passed out of the House in our Senate and Joint committees.
Some of the bills that you may have heard about this week include (SB 1553), which would make it a criminal offense to use controlled substances on public transportation, in an effort to protect drivers and other passengers. We also considered whether to stay on Pacific Standard Time (as opposed to changing between Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time) – a bill which generated a great deal of controversy and failed on a tied vote, 15-15. It has been referred back to Senate Rules and an amendment is being considered. (SB 1548) We have heard from many folks on both sides of this issue!
In Senate Healthcare next week, we will be hearing four more bills, one related to the corporate practice of medicine (HB 4130), another about access in a timely manner to cancer drugs (HB 4012 A), a third bill that would allow patients’ co-payments to be counted toward meeting their deductibles (HB 4113 A), and a bill that changes the title of Physician Assistants to Physician Associates, which aligns with national standards (HB 4010 A).
Of course, conversation continues around fixes to Measure 110 in (HB 4002). This legislation, if passed, will expand drug treatment across Oregon, and provide first responders with the tools to confiscate drugs, stop public drug use, and address drug dealing. It will offer multiple entryways into treatment and expungement. The Joint Committee on Substance Abuse and Recovery would continue their work during implementation, and would oversee the work of collecting and evaluating of data on racial disparities, as well.
Finally, the work continues around more access to needed services. As a member of the Oregon Hunger Task Force, I continue to advocate for funding for summer meals for students, for funds for the Oregon Food Bank, and for support for our local Marion Polk Food Share, among other initiatives. And I am advocating for funding for homeownership programs, as part of SB 1530, which supports the Governor’s Housing priorities during the balance of the biennium.
Thank you for stopping by our office, calling, or sending us an e-mail. We are glad to hear from you!
Warmly,
Deb
There should be no homelessness, hunger, or financial barriers to education for any student.
Encourage your lawmakers to support the Student Emergency Basic Needs Package, HB 4162.
For more information, click here!
During Black History/Black Futures Month, Outdoor Afro will be giving a presentation on George Washington Carver, the pioneer of regenerative agriculture a worldwide botanist, scientist, and innovator. He had a grand vision to reimagine outdoor areas that were uniquely tied to farming culture.
He was the first Black person to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in 1894 and invented over 300 agricultural products.
For more information click here!
Spread the word about AgriStress Helpline for Oregon
Access AgriStress Helpline outreach resources, click here!
Habitat for Humanity Now Accepting Applications for Affordable Homeownership Program
For more information click here!
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson
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