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Senate District 24 rests on the traditional ancestral lands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Cowlitz bands of Chinook, Talatin, Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. As a former refugee from Africa, who now resides on this stolen land, I pledge to share in the struggle and fight for Native sovereignty, decolonization, and collective liberation alongside our Indigenous communities.
Senator Kayse Jama
Salaam Friends,
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the beginnings of the Oregon spring sunshine. On March 7, the 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned Sine Die, marking the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session. Despite the condensed timeframe of the short session, I am proud of the critical investments and policy changes we made this year. From $367 million for homelessness prevention and housing production to $211 million for behavioral health and addiction treatment, legislators came together to address the most urgent crises facing our state.
I want to thank all of you who have reached out to my office to share your thoughts, joys, and concerns over the past several months. Whether you've contacted us via email, given us a phone call, or visited us in-person in Salem, I greatly appreciate hearing your input. If you have not had the chance to connect with us, I encourage you to do so. Our contact information is located at the end of this newsletter—we look forward to hearing from you.
HOUSING PRIORITIES
I have been busy this session as chair of the Senate Committee on Housing and Development, where I have been working with the Governor’s Office, legislative colleagues, and community partners to address our state’s urgent housing crisis. I know that housing stability is a top issue for Oregonians in every corner of the state, and we need swift legislative solutions.
I am proud to announce that the comprehensive Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package (Senate Bill 1530 and Senate Bill 1537) passed unanimously out of my committee, then proceeded to pass both legislative chambers with bipartisan support.
Senate Bill 1530 makes targeted investments designed to keep Oregonians in their homes, increase access to homeownership for low-income families, expand supportive housing for Oregonians in addiction recovery, and build climate resiliency into our housing supply.
In addition to investments that keep Oregonians housed, the legislature recognizes that we must urgently and comprehensively identify strategies to increase housing production in our state. Oregon has dramatically underbuilt housing in recent decades, and we simply do not have enough housing units for our growing population. Senate Bill 1537 is the culmination of a several months-long stakeholder engagement process led by the Governor’s office, and is designed to drastically increase our state’s capacity to produce dense, affordable housing. The bill eases cost burdens on our cities, streamlines application approval processes, and establishes a revolving loan program to facilitate moderate-income housing. House Bill 4134 includes additional direct allocations to cities for shovel-ready projects.
Here is the break-down of the package:
Strengthening Housing Stability
- $41 million for rental assistance and eviction prevention programs
- $1 million for community furniture banks
Climate Resiliency
- $15 million to the Healthy Homes Repair Fund
- $4 million to the Residential Heat Pump Program
- $3.5 million for air conditioners and air filters delivery
- $1 million for outreach, education, and support for residents whose housing may be withdrawn from publicly supported housing
Addressing Housing and Homelessness
- $65 million to continue operations at shelters at risk of closure
- $18 million to support organizations in providing recovery housing
- $2 million to support emergency shelters and facilities utilized during extreme temperatures or air quality event
Improving Access to Homeownership
- $5 million for Individual Development Accounts
Boosting Housing Production
- $101.4 million in direct allocations for housing infrastructure projects
- $75 million for moderate-income housing financing
- $29.2 million to acquire lands for culturally specific affordable housing
- $10 million to establish the Housing Accountability and Production Office
- $3 million to provide local governments capacity and support for infrastructure planning
You can find a copy of the package HERE.
PERSONAL PRIORITIES
In addition to introducing their own 2 priority bills, legislators have the option to sponsor legislative concepts introduced by other offices. This session, along with 3 legislations that I signed on as a Chief Sponsor, I'm thrilled to share that 4 out of 5 priorities have passed both legislative chambers. I expect them to be signed into laws by Governor Tina Kotek in the coming weeks.
Senate Bill 1532 - Immigrant and Refugee Student Success Plan
- The bill passed both legislative chambers, awaiting Governor's signature
- The bill summary can be viewed HERE
Senate Bill 1533 - Expanding Voter Pamphlet Translations
- The bill passed both legislative chambers, awaiting Governor's signature
- The bill summary can be viewed HERE
Senate Bill 1595 - Family Financial Protection Act
The Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act (UDCPA) sets parameters on how a debt collector may attempt to collect unpaid debts. Oregon statute also has minimum exemptions that protect a limited amount of an individual's money from collections for unpaid debts.
Senate Bill 1595, introduced by Senator Chris Gorsek (Gresham), improves outdated and flawed consumer protection and debt statutes by strengthening economic protections for Oregonians working to pay back their debts and providing recourse for Oregonians subjected to unfair debt collection practices.
The bill phases in an increase in the minimum amount of wages protected from garnishment to reach Oregon Standard Minimum Wage on July 1, 2027. It also increases the values protected for vehicles and homesteads, and creates a new $2,500 bank account balance protection. Additionally, the bill strengthens the UDCPA by expanding the statute of limitations to three years and protects consumers from unfair attorney fees.
- The bill passed both legislative chambers, awaiting Governor's signature
House Bill 4132 - Oregon’s Marine Reserves
A "marine reserve" is an area within coastal waters dedicated to scientific research and conservation. Ocean development and removal of marine life are prohibited in marine reserves. Oregon currently has five marine reserve areas. House Bill 4132, introduced by Representative David Gomberg (Otis), directs the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), in partnership with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and State Land Board, to develop an adaptive management plan for Oregon's marine reserves.
- The bill passed both legislative chambers, awaiting Governor's signature
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Senate Bill 1583 - Ban on Book Bans
Senate Bill 1583, introduced by Senator Lew Frederick (North and North East Portland), would prohibit discrimination when selecting textbooks, instructional and program materials, or library books in public schools.
- The bill passed the Senate Chamber on a party-line 17-12 vote, and unfortunately did not receive a floor vote after being voted out of the House Rules committee on a 4-3 party-line vote. I expect this bill to be brought back in 2025.
HB 4002 - OREGON DRUG INTERVENTION PLAN
While I enthusiastically voted in support of HB 5204 (companion budget bill to HB 4002) which included more than $200 million in investment for treatment, prevention, and related addictions services, I could not support HB 4002.
I acknowledge that drug use is a complex, polarizing issue, and that many people in Oregon do not feel safe. However, my objections to HB 4002 are numerous and serious. I believe this bill will have devastating impacts on communities of color and low-income Oregonians, burdening our already-strained justice system while failing to address the root causes of our addiction crisis. For these reasons, it’s important to clearly state why I oppose HB 4002 and the re-criminalization of drugs in our state. You can read my full vote explanation here.
JOINT TOWN HALL
In addition to calling or emailing our office, we invite you to participate in any of our in-person town halls, I would be pleased to see you at a Joint Town Hall held by Representatives Andrea Valderrama (Outer East Portland) and Hoa Nguyen (North Clackamas) and myself next week on Tuesday, March 19th at 6:00 PM.
The town hall will be hosted by the Oregon Department of Human Services East County Branch at 11826 NE Glisan St. Portland, OR 97220. Join us for an evening of discussion about the 2024 legislative session. You can rsvp for the event at bit.ly/townhall031924
I look forward to meeting you there.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1724
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-409, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.KayseJama@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/jama
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