|
Replies to this message are sent to an unsupervised mailbox.
To contact me, click here:
Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends & Neighbors,
The legislature is in full swing here in Salem and there have been more than 4,000 legislative concepts introduced this year. Some of them are fixes to existing legislation, some close loopholes, and some of them introduce new policies to consider. From protecting our farm land to funding our schools, and with a T-bone steak thrown in, there's a little bit of something here for everyone to get behind.
Before we talk policy though - let's take a quick peak behind the curtain!
Don't Sleep on the Deadlines
The "long" legislative session lasts five months - we start in mid January and we go until the end of June. Along the way, there are several stops where hundreds of bills will fail to get back on the bus headed towards Sine Die (adjournment).
For a quick primer on the mechanics of how a bill becomes a law visit: Here
March 21st is the "First Chamber Deadline" and it's the biggest monster we have. Every bill is sent to committee and every committee has a Chair. These Committee Chairs have the discretion to schedule (or not schedule) bills to be heard and voted on. Most bills will "die in committee" and not being scheduled for a hearing and work session is how it happens.
May 9th is the "Second Chamber Deadline". Once a bill is voted on by the Senate or House, it must repeat the committee and floor process in the alternate chamber. House bills go the Senate and Senate bills go to the House. Just because a bill passed out of one chamber, does not mean it will pass out of the other.
May 23rd is the last day for bills to be voted out of committee. After this, policy committee's begin to shut down and floor sessions are held several times a day.
June 18th is target Sine Die. We have about as much a chance at hitting this target as the Crater Lake Monster has of being real. We hope to be done by Independence Day.
|
In my last newsletter I told you about my priorities and about the legislation that I have instructed our counsel to draft. Policies around regulating Coffin Butte and preparing for its end of life next decade, creating the opportunity for 800 new homes in Adair Village, making Highway 99 safer, and addressing gun violence.
Additionally, I am supporting many other pieces of important policy this session. Take a look!
|
Bills I'm Sponsoring
|
HB 2044
|
Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the STEM Investment Council, to conduct specified reviews for the purpose of developing and recommending standards by which technology-based competitive student activities may satisfy high school diploma requirements or career and technical education program requirements.
|
|
HB 2254
|
Makes an owner and a direct contractor jointly and severally liable in a civil action for any unpaid wages owed to the unrepresented employees of the direct contractor and subcontractors at any tier.
|
|
HB 2292
|
Requires health benefit plans and medical assistance managed plans to provide coverage with no cost-sharing for additional treatment for human immunodeficiency virus and prohibits requiring prior authorization.
|
|
HB 2669
|
Requires community colleges to pay part-time faculty at the same rate, on a per-hour basis, as the community college pays full-time faculty to prepare for and teach a course.
|
|
HB 2947
|
Directs the Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to study the distribution and occurrence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in biosolids applied to agricultural fields that do not produce crops intended for human consumption.
|
|
HB 2953
|
Removes the percentage cap on the amount of moneys that are distributed from the State School Fund to school districts for students eligible for special education as a child with a disability.
|
|
HB 2959
|
Requires health insurance coverage of specified fertility services and treatments with exemption for certain insurers.
|
|
HB 2963
|
Directs the Environmental Quality Commission to establish by rule a program for providing rebate vouchers to qualifying individuals who purchase electric assisted bicycles.
|
|
HB 2979
|
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to various entities for food production and distribution.
|
|
HB 3010
|
Directs Oregon State University to develop a program for Spanish language pesticide education.
|
|
HB 3076
|
Directs the Department of Justice to study the establishment of a state gun dealer licensing program, and to provide the results of the study to the appropriate interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than December 31, 2026.
|
|
HB 3131
|
Appropriates moneys to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, out of the General Fund, for deposit in the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Fund.
|
|
HB 3173 A
|
Establishes the OregonFlora Program at Oregon State University.
|
|
HB 3181
|
Establishes the Task Force on Youth Apprenticeship.
|
|
HB 3182
|
Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to administer a grant program to fund basic needs programming.
|
|
HB 3183
|
Appropriates moneys to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for purposes of the Open Educational Resources Program.
|
|
HB 3365
|
Directs the State Board of Education to include an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability and climate change across all subjects for which academic content standards are established.
|
|
HB 3437
|
Prohibits distributing, selling, attempting to sell or offering to sell flavored inhalant delivery system products or flavored tobacco products in this state.
|
|
HB 3525
|
Requires, for each dwelling unit rented by a landlord for which the source of drinking water is a well that is subject to regulation, that the landlord collect and test samples of drinking water from the dwelling unit for arsenic, E.
|
|
HB 3530
|
Directs public bodies to change the name of highways that use the term "squaw" in the name.
|
|
HB 3577
|
Appropriates moneys to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for the purpose of providing a grant to the City of Adair Village to construct a wastewater treatment facility.
|
|
HR 3
|
Recognizes and honors the history of Black drag in Oregon.
|
|
SB 696
|
Creates the crime of unlawful transport, manufacture or transfer of a rapid fire activator.
|
|
SB 697
|
Prohibits a person under 21 years of age from possessing firearms with specified exceptions.
|
|
SB 698
|
Authorizes the governing bodies of certain public entities that own or control public buildings to adopt a policy, ordinance or regulation limiting the affirmative defense for concealed handgun licensees for the crime of possessing a firearm in a public building.
|
|
SB 726
|
Requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act.
|
|
SB 951
|
Prohibits a management services organization, an individual who works as an independent contractor with a management services organization or a shareholder, director, officer or employee of a management services organization from owning or controlling shares in, serving as a director or officer of, being an employee of, working as an independent contractor with or otherwise managing, directing the management of or participating in managing a professional medical entity with which the management services organization has a contract for management services.
|
Black History Month is a period in February where the United States commemorates and celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history, highlighting their significant impact on American culture and society; it's a time to focus on the stories and experiences of Black people that are often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Upcoming Events
Corvallis Blood Drive - Wildfires and winter weather have created a 16,000 blood and platelet donation shortfall! Please consider donating if you are able. More information can be found here: https://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2025/corvallis-blood-drives-scheduled-please-donate/
Corvallis Arts Walk - Taking place on the 3rd Thursday of each month! This free event helps promote and celebrate our local galleries and artists. The next event is on February 20th and more information can be found here: https://www.visitcorvallis.com/eventdetail/2537/corvallis-arts-walk#eventdetail
Winter Wildlife Field Days - Winter Wildlife Field Days are a bilingual and accessible nature adventure hosted throughout the entire month of March, all across the mid-Willamette Valley. Everything is free with in-person events in your favorite nearby nature spots, including places you won't need a car to get to. Click Here for a list of their event dates!
Untold Stories of Albany - Contributions and Challenges in Black History: Albany Public Library. MORE HERE
10:30 – 12:30pm - Saturday, February 22
Join Oregon Black Pioneers and KinCultivate for a groundbreaking presentation highlighting Albany, Oregon’s Black history. Crafted specifically for Albany, this program will explore untold stories of Black pioneers, business owners, and community leaders, shedding light on their contributions and resilience. Led by Oregon Black Pioneers’ Mariah Rocker, this presentation will also include snacks, an interactive trivia session with prizes, and opportunities to connect with local organizations.
Thank you for signing up to receive my e-newsletter. Please consider following me on Facebook and Instagram as well!
Sincerely,
 Representative Sarah McDonald
House District 16
email: Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1416
address: 900 Court St NE, H-477, Salem, OR 97301
website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mcdonald
| 
