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To contact me, please click here: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2025! I wish you all a healthy and happy year ahead and hope you had the opportunity for some rest and time with loved ones over the winter holidays. I was able to enjoy a few days mostly off that I spent with family and friends. I am now looking forward to finishing preparations for the upcoming legislative session.

House members received the new committee assignment list for the next session on December 24, and on January 13th we will be sworn in for the new term. In just 18 short days, we'll be back in Salem full-time for the 2025 Legislative Session. In this week's newsletter, you'll find a list of my new (but familiar) committee assignments and tips on how to follow and participate in the session. The following topics are also included in this week's newsletter:

• An announcement of my next Town Hall
• A list of new laws that took effect on January 1, 2025
• Where we're at in the process for replacing the I-5 Bridge
• Oregon gets major grant for I-5 Wildlife Crossing
• Safe Routes to School funding nominees announced
• DMV warns of new scam
• New bike/ped lanes on Hall Blvd
• Open-enrollment deadline is fast approaching
• Pertussis cases in Oregon at highest number since 1950
• What to know about the Norovirus
• Library events in Western Washington County

BELOW: The McLain holiday gathering at my house this year

Here's to a year of health and happiness in 2025

TOWN HALL ON JANUARY 25

Join me at my next town hall on January 25 to talk about the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session. Bring your questions and comments for an in-depth conversation on Transportation, Education funding, Land Use, and more! We'll be meeting in the Rogers Room of the Forest Grove City Library at 10:00 am.

THE NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW LAWS

On January 1, 2025, new laws went into effect that were passed during the 2024 Legislative Session. These laws will make Oregon safer, cleaner, and more affordable and will directly impact the day-to-day lives of Oregonians. They cover everything from stopping drug use on public transportation and lowering the cost of prescription drugs to making it cheaper to repair electronic devices and increasing transparency in public education. Here are a review of some of the new laws now on the books:

• Stopping Dangerous Drug Use on Public Transit (SB 1553): I was a chief sponsor of this bill that addresses the statewide problem of drug use on public transit. This bill came about after hearing from TriMet of a 30% drop in riders feeling safe on buses and trains, and also that the Tillamook County Transportation District was forced to close their transit center to the public because of drug use and drug smoke exposure incidents. Schools have even reported that students are finding drug paraphernalia on transit vehicles provided by ride connection partners. SB 1553 expands the existing crime of Interfering with Public Transportation to include drug use on public transit. This is a drug-designated Class A misdemeanor, which would open up access to state-funded treatment for those convicted of the crime in many cases.

• Lowering Costs, Protecting Consumers with Right to Repair (SB 1596): SB 1596 makes repairing electronic devices more fair and affordable in Oregon. It requires original equipment manufacturers to provide repair tools and information to owners and independent repair providers so consumers have more choices when it comes to fixing their electronic devices.

• Preventing Insurers from Mandating How Patients Get Prescription Drugs (HB 4012): This law prevents health benefit plans from requiring that physician-administered drugs, like chemotherapy, be dispensed at specialty pharmacies. Traditionally, physicians have been able to “buy-and-bill” physician-administered drugs for patients, but in recent years, insurers have sought to reduce costs by requiring that physician-administered drugs be purchased from a specialty pharmacy. This practice sparked safety concerns from providers because it made it difficult for them to adjust dosages and could cause delays in care due to drug shipping issues.

• Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable for Oregonians (HB 4113): This legislation will help people reach out of pocket maximums easier, bringing down overall costs that Oregonians will have to spend on their prescription medications. By including all amounts paid towards prescription drugs in the calculation of an enrollee's out-of-pocket maximum, this bill ensures that individuals aren't unfairly burdened by high drug costs. 

• Safeguarding Oregon’s Economic and Environmental Future (HB 4083): This new law directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to make efforts to eliminate investments in coal companies and funds containing coal companies. The bill requires that these divestments must be accomplished without monetary loss to the investment funds.

• Ensuring Safety and Fairness for Oregon Workers (HB 4127): Warehouse work can be very dangerous, and workers in this field face higher injury rates than coal miners, lumberjacks, trash collectors, and police officers. Advocates for warehouse workers cite the use of productivity quotas and productivity metrics as a contributing factor to the elevated injury rate in warehouse distribution centers. HB 4127 requires transparency about productivity quotas, giving workers the information they need to perform their work safely, effectively and advocate for themselves. The bill also protects workers from discipline or dismissal for failure to meet a quota that was not adequately communicated by an employer. 

• Protecting Kids Getting On and Off School Buses (HB 4147): When school buses extend their stop-arm and turn on their red flashing lights, motorists are supposed to stop and allow kids to safely get on or off the bus. However, bus drivers report thousands of instances of motorists illegally passing stopped school buses every day, putting students in danger. HB 4147 allows schools to install cameras on buses to record drivers who fail to stop for bus safety lights and enable law enforcement to cite those who fail to stop based on those recordings. 

• Improving Transparency in School Boards (SB 1502): SB 1502 requires that education boards of public school districts, community colleges, and universities video record their meetings and upload those recordings for the public to view online.

2025 SESSION COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Speaker of the House, Representative Julie Fahey, recently announced the new committee assignments for the next legislative session. I am pleased to report that I will continue to serve as a co-chair of both the Joint Committee on Transportation and the Joint Committee on the Interstate 5 Bridge. I am focused on the Transportation challenges and opportunities ahead in the 2025 Legislative Session and will continue to work hard to ensure Oregon has stable, sufficient, and diversified funding tools. I am looking forward to continued partnership with my Senate counterpart, Senator Chris Gorsek, who also returns as a co-chair of both committees. 

I am also glad to be able to continue my advocacy for increased Education funding and greater support for educators as a returning member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education. I look forward to furthering my collaboration with the House co-chair, Rep. Ricki Ruiz. 

Finally, I am also returning as a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water, where I will remain a voice for protecting agricultural lands and our incredibly important land use system in Oregon. I am very pleased that this committee will again set the standard for bipartisan cooperation with co-chairmanship by Reps. Ken Helm (D) and Mark Owens (R).

I will share the links to the official OLIS committee pages when the session begins, but here are the meeting times for each committee:

House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water: Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00-9:30 am

Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education: Mondays thru Thursdays from 1:00-2:30 pm

Joint Committee on Transportation: Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30 pm and Fridays from 1:00-2:30 pm

Joint Committee on the Interstate 5 Bridge: meetings set every few months based on availability of legislators from both Washington and Oregon

PARTICIPATION TIPS FOR THE 2025 SESSION

Below are some great tips that my staff put together on how to participate in the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session. If you ever have trouble finding out information on a bill or want help with participating, please reach out to my office via email. We are here to assist you throughout the session!

TIP #1: Visit the Oregon Legislature's Citizen Engagement page

Click here, or on the image below, to access the most comprehensive resource for following and participating in the 2025 Legislative Session.

TIP #2: Track bills and get committee schedules on OLIS

The Oregon Legislature Information System (OLIS) is a great place to keep up with committees, bills, and the legislative schedule. As I shared in my last newsletter, this video is a comprehensive tutorial on how to use OLIS. 

To track bills and look up committee meetings and agendas, head to the OLIS website. The link will take you immediately to the current date. From there, you can see when the House and Senate are in Floor sessions, what committees are meeting that day, what bills are being read, and more. 

From the OLIS home page, you can also look up specific bills and committees. On a bill's page, you will be able to look at it's history for the session as well as upcoming events scheduled for that bill. On a committee's page, you can see the membership of that committee, past meetings from that session, upcoming meeting agendas, and measures assigned to that committee.

Click the image below for a video clip with instructions for tracking bills and votes through OLIS:

All upcoming meeting agendas will be posted when Session begins on the Oregon Legislature's "Committee Agendas Online" page here.

During Session, you can watch House and Senate Floor Sessions and Committee Hearings directly here.

TIP #3: Learn how to submit written or oral testimony on a bill

One of the most important parts of the legislative process is public hearings. Each bill will have a public hearing as it makes it's way through policy committees. These hearings are an opportunity for experts and the public to share their thoughts and experiences regarding the proposed legislation. You can submit written testimony or sign-up to testify in the hearing. There are virtual and in-person options. More information about testifying can be found on the Oregon Legislature's website here (AQUI están las instrucciones).

TIMELINE FOR REPLACING THE I-5 BRIDGE

During the last Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting on December 17th, we heard updates from Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program Administrator Greg Johnson and his team on where the program is at in terms of the planned timeline for replacing the I-5 Bridge. We are currently in the middle of the permitting stage, or the permitting process that must be completed before construction begins. One of the primary permits the team is working on is the bridge clearance permit. During this stage, the IBR program is meeting regularly with impacted river users to understand future business and negotiate settlement agreements with businesses that will be impacted by construction of a new bridge. Once all agreements are in place, the program will formally submit an updated Navigation Impact Report to the United States Coast Guard (USCG). A preliminary report was submitted in 2022. Following that submission, the USCG will initiate a 30-day public comment period to provide the opportunity for river users to identify themselves as impacted by a fixed span bridge. The IBR program hopes that with agreements in place, no impacted river users will be identified, and a revised navigation clearance determination will be issued. The program hopes to submit the bridge clearance permit application in late 2025 or early 2026 for a fixed span bridge.

Another ongoing part of the process involves the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. During the recent public comment period, the IBR program received over 3,400 public comments. Over the next few months, the committee will receive an interim public comment summary highlighting the number of comments received and primary topics. All comments received will be used to refine the design options considered and to update the analysis as appropriate. All comments and responses will also be included in the Final SEIS statement submitted to the Federal Government, which is another pre-requirement before bridge construction can begin. IBR program responses will include any updates made to the program options and/or analysis as a result of the comment. 

FIRST I-5 WILDLIFE CROSSING GETS GRANT

A $33 million federal grant award will allow ODOT to construct a wildlife crossing over Interstate 5 in southern Oregon in the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. This will be the first wildlife overcrossing for Oregon and for the entire stretch of I-5 between Mexico and Canada. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grant was announced in late December.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL FUNDING UPDATE

DMV WARNS OF NEW SCAMS

Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicles Services is warning Oregonians about a new scam using fake Manufacturer Certificates of Origin to obtain titles for stolen vehicles. An MCO is a document that certifies the original ownership of a vehicle. It's issued by the manufacturer when a vehicle is produced and contains information like the make, model, year and vehicle identification number.

Crooks are creating fake VINs that appear to be legitimate and adding them to counterfeit Manufacturer Certificates of Origin created by either altering printed information on a genuine certificate or by creating a completely fake version downloaded from the internet. A fake certificate often lists the manufacturer’s name and an out-of-state dealer or distributor as the first buyer.

To determine if your VIN is legitimate, you should:

1. Run the VIN through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall site. This will show if the VIN on the certificate is one issued by the manufacturer. If no VIN is found, you will get an error message meaning the VIN was not issued by that manufacturer. This search is free.
2. Research the vehicle history through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, a consumer protection database that provides title information from states across the country. Only use an approved National Motor Vehicle Title Information System data provider. These sites will generally charge a nominal fee.

If you suspect the certificate or VIN is fraudulent, Oregon DMV recommends you contact the dealer that originally purchased the vehicle from the manufacturer (listed as the buyer on the back or distributor on the front of the certificate) to determine if the vehicle transaction, certificate and VIN are genuine.  If the dealer or distributor cannot confirm they purchased the vehicle from the manufacturer, the certificate is probably fake.

If you’re buying a vehicle from someone other than a certified dealer, always take a photo of the seller’s identification and get their contact information. If they have another vehicle – write down or take a photo of the plate on that vehicle.

Oregon DMV is also warning of fraudulent dealerships being set up, giving the appearance of being a legitimate certified dealer. The DMV website provides a look-up tool to verify if the business is a certified dealer DMV strongly urges you to check the website before doing any business with a vehicle dealer in Oregon. You should also verify the person you are dealing with is an employee of the dealership.

For more information, visit Oregon DMV’s dealer web page.

NEW BIKE/PED LANES ON HALL BLVD

In the final year of the OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project, construction is expected to wrap up on time at the end of 2025. Part of the project, the new sidewalk and bicycle lanes, are now open on the Hall Boulevard overpass in Beaverton. In partnership with the City of Beaverton, ODOT widened the overpass by 19 feet adding a sidewalk on the north side and bicycle lanes on both sides. These improvements provide a much-needed connection for people bicycling, walking, and rolling on Hall Boulevard between Scholls Ferry Road and Cascade Avenue.

Stay up to date on the project and read construction updates on the project website.

BELOW: New sidewalk and bicycle lanes on the Hall Boulevard overpass in Beaverton.

OPEN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE IS JAN. 15

Open enrollment for private health insurance – the exclusive time of year for most individuals to enroll in or change health insurance plans – is closing soon. People living in Oregon have until January 15, 2025, to shop, compare and secure coverage through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace.

It's critical to enroll before January 15, otherwise, most people in Oregon cannot make changes to their health coverage until the next annual open enrollment period. After January 15, most individuals can only enroll in or make changes to their coverage if they experience a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period. Qualifying life events include but are not limited to losing a job, expanding your family, getting married, and more.

Last year, over 80% of those who enrolled in a plan through OregonHealthCare.gov received financial help, reducing their monthly premiums by an average of more than $525 per month. For many, additional savings on out-of-pocket costs, like deductibles and copayments, are still available through cost-sharing reductions.

Here's where to start:

• Get free help: Find local, licensed health insurance experts at OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to guide you through the process.

• Compare current coverage: If you currently receive insurance through an employer or other means, a specialized tool is available (orhim.info/ESItool) to help determine if you may receive cost savings with a similar plan through OregonHealthCare.gov.

PERTUSSIS CASES BREAK RECORD

As Oregon closes out 2024 with a record-breaking number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases, health officials are reminding everyone that vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis and, particularly, severe illness among babies.

Oregon reported 1,105 cases of pertussis in 2024—the highest single-year case count since 1950, when Oregon reported 1,420 cases.

Most adults were vaccinated against pertussis as children and get a booster during their teen years, but those who are unvaccinated or too young to be vaccinated (such as infants) are at the highest risk from infection, with babies most likely to be hospitalized with pertussis. If you do not know when or if you were last vaccinated against pertussis, the Oregon Health Authority recommend all people over age 10 receive a dose of Tdap.

Because infants cannot be vaccinated against pertussis until they are two months old, it is recommended that pregnant people get the Tdap vaccine at 27–36 weeks’ gestation. Mothers will make antibodies and pass them to their babies across the placenta, protecting them from the moment of birth. This is recommended during each pregnancy.

Additionally, when pertussis strikes a household in which an infant or pregnant person lives, OHA recommends all members of the household receive a course of antibiotics effective against Bordetella pertussis—typically, a five-day course of azithromycin.

Learn more about where to get vaccines in Oregon here.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NOROVIRUS

You've probably been hearing more about the Norovirus lately, and that's because cases and outbreaks are surging across the United States right now. CDC numbers show that there were a maximum of 65 outbreaks in the first week of December over the last few years. This year, there were a reported 91 outbreaks in the same week. Here's what you should know about the Norovirus, courtesy of Oregon Public Broadcasting:

What is the Norovirus?

Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, responsible for 58% of such infections acquired in the country each year, according to the CDC. Norovirus infections are caused by a group of viruses that spread easily, with as few as 10 viral particles having the ability to make someone sick, health experts say. Along with vomiting and diarrhea, common symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, body ache, headache and fever.

How can you get it?

Most Norovirus outbreaks occur when people who are already infected spread the virus to others by direct means, such as through sharing food or eating utensils. Outbreaks can also be spread through food, water, or contaminated surfaces.

How long do you stay sick?

Illness caused by Norovirus typically starts suddenly, with symptoms developing 12 to 48 hours following exposure to the virus. Most people get better within one to three days and recover fully. But with 19 to 21 million illnesses each year in the United States, Norovirus nevertheless causes on average 900 deaths and 109,000 hospitalizations annually, mostly among adults aged 65 and older. It also leads to 465,000 emergency department visits, mostly involving young children.

Who’s at risk?

People of all ages can get infected and fall sick from Norovirus. Young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk, with dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea the top concern. There is no medication to treat Norovirus, but rehydration is recommended by drinking water and other liquids, with the exception of coffee, tea and alcohol. Anyone suffering from dehydration should seek medical help. Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing. Dehydrated children may be unusually sleepy or fussy and cry with few or no tears.

How can I protect myself? Rigorous and frequent hand-washing is the best defense against Norovirus during the peak winter season. Always scrub your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before all meals. Use hand sanitizer when in public or traveling, and scrubbing surfaces with household disinfectants at work and home is helpful. Pro tip: If you are eating out, consider extra steps like wiping the surface of a beverage cup lid before drinking from it since they can be touched by employees not wearing gloves.

LIBRARY EVENTS IN WESTERN WASHCO.

In House District 29, we are lucky to have excellent public libraries that are all part of the Washington County Cooperative Library Services. Our libraries are of course great places to access books, music, magazines, and movies, but they also provide classes, community events, offer meeting and study spaces, and so much more. If you haven't visited your local library lately, I highly suggest you stop in to see all the life-long learning opportunities they provide. Below are just some of the many upcoming events happening at the libraries in Forest Grove, Cornelius, and Hillsboro. 

Forest Grove City Library:

Teen Zone Crafting Hour from 4:00 - 5:00 pm on Thursday, January 9th: Do you knit, crochet, draw, or anything else creative? Have a project you want to work on while you hang out? Join the monthly crafting hour at the Forest Grove City Library! Even if you don’t have a specific craft brewing, materials will be provided for you to start one! For ages 12-18. Questions? Email the Teen Librarian.

Free ESL Class (Beginning Level) from 2:00 - 4:00 pm on Friday, January 10th: Goodwill Industries is offering free English classes at the Forest Grove Library. Fridays from 2:00-4:00pm in the Rogers Room. Registration is not required. Students at the beginning levels are welcome! Goodwill ofrece clases de inglés gratis a la biblioteca de Forest Grove. Todos los viernes, 2:00-4:00pm en la sala Rogers. No es necesario registrarse. Estudiantes de nivel principiante son bienvenidos! Questions? Email the Adult Services Librarian.

Cornelius Public Library:

Sewing Open Studio from 1:00 - 2:30 pm on Saturday, January 4th: Are you stuck with your sewing project? Do you want to learn some basic repairs, or are you looking for some beginner sewing machine lessons? Whether you’re new to sewing or looking to improve your technique, they'll be happy to lend you a hand! Bring your own machine or use the library’s. The event will be in the Drake Learning Center. Click here for more information.

Digital Navigator from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 8th: Do you need one-on-one assistance with your digital questions? Visit the library from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and 3:00 - 7:00 pm for drop-in sessions. Click here for more information. This event will also be offered on Wednesday, January 22nd from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm.

Hillsboro Shute Park Library:

Braille Event from 1:30 - 3:30 pm on Saturday, January 18th: Celebrate and learn about braille! You’ll have the opportunity to dive into the fascinating history of braille while participating in an engaging craft activity. Brought to you by the Hillsboro Shute Park Library in partnership with Portland State University College of Education.

Chess at the Library from 1:00 - 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 11th: Practice your moves in a casual setting with other players of these ancient board games. Students of all ages & adults are welcome! All levels are welcome! Practica tus movimientos de ajedrez en un ambiente informal con otros jugadores. ¡Estudiantes de todas las edades y adultos son bienvenidos! ¡Todos los niveles son bienvenidos!

My office has compiled a list of resources for our community. You can click on the images below to open a document with the relevant links. If you know of a resource that should be included here, or you need a resource and are having trouble finding the information you need, please reach out to my office at rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.

EDUCATION RESOURCES

Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of Education-related resources. This includes links to the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts, the Oregon and US Departments of Education, information on how to pay for college, student lunch programs, and much more!

WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES

Click here, or on the image to the right for important resources related to wildfire prevention and recovery. This list includes links to current fire restrictions and recreation site status maps, the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire prevention tip page, and important resources for wildfire victims.

RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS

Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of important resources for Veterans, including links and phone numbers to the various divisions of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, local Washington County assistance, supportive and community-based groups like the American Legion, and mental health resources.

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

Click here, or on the image to the right for links to important local and state government pages, including the Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Cornelius city government pages. You can also access the Oregon Legislature's page, and other important state agency sites, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Unemployment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority.

Even the rain is beautiful in Western Washington County

Yours truly,

Representative Susan McLain
House District 29

email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-493, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain