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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Community Conversation - Tomorrow, February 22nd
Join me tomorrow, February 22nd at 10:00 am, at Starbucks on Pacific Avenue in Forest Grove, for a Community Conversation. Come share your thoughts and questions and meet fellow community members. I look forward to seeing you there.
Policy Spotlight
SB 710: Judicial Education on Domestic and Sexual Violence
Senate Bill 710 will create education standards within the Oregon Judicial Department to provide education and support for judges regarding cases involving domestic and sexual violence (DVSA).
As a Senator and a board member of the Family Justice Center of Washington County, I have heard from numerous advocates and survivors that improvements to the family court system are much needed. In order to protect children and survivors of abuse and domestic violence, we must have better training and awareness for our judges all across Oregon. It can have dire consequences if they do not have this trauma-informed training. As a survivor of domestic violence myself, growing up in a home where violence was a traumatic and constant pattern, I understand this pain and fear and critical safety for young children.
Judicial training is an important first step in addressing the trauma and safety for DVSA survivors. The passage of SB 710 will ensure that judges have access to reliable and consistent education, support, and resources regarding the complex and difficult case dynamics present when a case involves domestic or sexual violence. You can watch the public hearing on SB 710 here, to learn more.
Legislative Updates
This Week's Testimonies and Floor Speeches
Bill Updates
Intern Corner
This week, SD 15 high school interns, Anna and Mari, joined us at the Capitol on President's Day. Anna testified in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment for Youth Voices, watch her testimony here. I am always encouraged to hear our youth use their voice to speak on issues they are passionate about. Anna and Mari are also both members of the Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council (YAC), and help advocate for important issues at the city level. Our future looks bright with youth like Mari and Anna blazing a path.
Honoring Black History Month - Titonian Wallace, Sr.
Titonian Wallace Sr. has been an inspiration in the Hillsboro community as a black leader. He is currently serving as the first Black Chair of the Board of Directors in the Washington County Chamber of Commerce where he champions inclusivity and growth. As the founder of Nesace Media, which is a marketing platform that provides businesses with a stronger digital presence and more sustainable business models, he aims to use his position in the Chamber to promote sustainable economic growth. Additionally, Wallace Sr. is a founding member and the former chair of the Washington County Chamber Black Advisory Business Council where he led the creation of the Black Advisory Business Council Scholarship fund which supports Black seniors in the Hillsboro School District who are pursuing educational and vocational career paths.
~Mari Park and Anna Kappler
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Week 5 Committee Snaps
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Public Hearings were heard on:
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SB 526 Prohibits the sale of new clothes washers that are not equipped with a microfiber filtration system, beginning January 1, 2030.
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SB 339 Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the State Forestry Department for purposes related to the plant disease Sudden Oak Death.
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SB 992 Requires the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to study the modernization of the beverage container redemption and recycling law.
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SB 91 Prohibits the sale and use of firefighting foam containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
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SB 221 Directs the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study the salmon and trout enhancement program.
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SB 222 Directs the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to operate a program in southwest Oregon to control populations of species that prey on salmon.
Work Sessions were held on:
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SB 825 Requires the program for state agency facility energy design to minimize costs of reports to state agencies and minimize duplication of reporting requirements under the energy performance program for covered commercial buildings.
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SB 827 Expands the Oregon Solar and Storage Rebate Program to offer rebates for energy storage systems that will be paired at the time of installation with previously purchased and installed solar electric systems.
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SB 828 Establishes the Grid Resilience Matching Fund.
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SB 833 Makes certain changes related to label requirements for soil-enhancing products.
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SB 843 Removes the requirement that the Public Utility Commission provide a biennial report to the Legislative Assembly on the volumetric incentive rates pilot program.
Senate Committee on Education
Public Hearings were held on:
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SB 905 Eliminates reporting redundancies required under a Healthy and Safe Schools Plan.
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SB 310 Requires only one party to file a petition for a fact finder if the public employer is a public education employer.
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SB 313 Directs the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to develop an implementation plan for a statewide collective bargaining process for licensed educators in this state.
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SB 324 Transfers certain duties, functions and powers related to teaching, administrative and personnel licensure from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to the Department of Education.
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SB 604 Establishes the Strong Start Program within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for purposes of providing support to first-year and underrepresented students at public universities in this state.
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SB 953 Establishes the Task Force on Transitions into Kindergarten.
A Work Session was held on:
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SB 796 Allows the Oregon Board of Accountancy to create a grant program to provide scholarships for students seeking accounting degrees in college or individuals who wish to become certified public accountants in Oregon.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education
Public Hearings were held on:
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SB 5524 Health Related Licensing Boards
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SB 5512 Board of Dentistry
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SB 5532 Mental Health Regulatory Agency
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SB 5507 Board of Chiropractic Examiners
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SB 5544 Board of Chiropractic Examiners - Fee Bill
Week 5 - Oregon State Capitol Visits in the halls and in #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
In The News
Oregon lawmakers want to eliminate exception that allows allows marriage at 17
Statesman Journal, Dianne Lugo, February 21, 2025
A bipartisan group of Oregon lawmakers has introduced legislation eliminating existing exceptions in state law that allow 17-year-olds to be married.
Oregon lawmakers consider bill to curb utility rate hikes, boost transparency
KATU News, Vasili Varlamos, February 20,2025
Oregon lawmakers are discussing a bill, dubbed the "Fair Energy Act," that aims to protect consumers from sharp utility rate increases and improve public transparency from the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (PUC)....
"Our constituents have the right to understand exactly what they're paying for, whether it's the cost of infrastructure maintenance, energy generation, or improvements to service reliability," said Sen. Janeen Sollman.
Oregon could ban more single-use plastics, require washing machine filters
Salem Stateman Journal, Tracey Loew, February 17, 2025
Oregon legislators are trying to further restrict single-use plastic in the state and prevent tiny plastic pieces from reaching waterways.
In 2019, lawmakers passed a bill to phase out plastic film grocery bags but allowed stores and restaurants to provide thicker “reusable” plastic bags.
Senate Bill 551 would ban those heavier bags. It also would prohibit restaurants and convenience stores from automatically providing single-use utensils or condiments and would prohibit lodgings from providing small sizes of toiletries, plastic-wrapped soaps or other single-use items.
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Mamancy Tea & Chocolates
In honor of Black History Month, support a local, black owned, small business in Hillsboro. If you like tea and chocolate, like me, check out Mamancy Tea & Chocolate. Mamancy Tea is located at 159 SE 2nd Ave. Hillsboro, OR 97123. Their website is linked here.
Mamancy is a minority woman owned company. Anne, founder of Mamancy Tea Co, grew up drinking tea in Kenya as it was a family ritual and communal ceremony. Dedication to pursue a comprehensive understanding of tea and chocolate horticulture, processing of the raw materials to complete finished product development, has led her to become a certified Tea Sommelier & certified Chocolatier. Mamancy Tea Co offer products that are specially curated and delicately blended from the best quality ingredients from all over the world.
~Mamancy Tea
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Community Outreach
Hillsboro State of the City
Thursday evening was the City of Hillsboro's, State of the City Address. I was happy to be there in support of my friend, Mayor Beach Pace.
Hillsboro School District Black History Month Celebration
On Thursday night, the Hillsboro School District celebrated Black History Month with the theme of African Diaspora. We enjoyed dynamic speakers, captivating performances, and delicious cuisines that showcased the rich, global influence of African-descended cultures. It was an unforgettable journey through history, heritage, and flavor!
Town Hall with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
Earlier this week, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici hosted a Town Hall at Century High School in Hillsboro. The room was overflowing and many people had questions and comments to share.
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
 As I sat listening to Mayor Pace describe Hillsboro's message of how our diversity is our strength and a value we celebrate. How our inclusive parks are welcoming to all. Of why Hillsboro focuses on lifting all people up and supporting their career pathways for a prosperous future. The crowd was engaged. A woman I was sitting next to me turned and said that the speech was the first time this year she felt hopeful. I felt the heaviness of her words and the troubles she carried and assured her she is not alone. It reminded me of a thought I shared in my speech this week when honoring Hector Hinojosa. "We will always advance our way through difficult and challenging waters by building community and championing the needs of those seeking positive change." Let's continue to build community and stand together against hate and division.
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Senate District 15 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon's past and we must honor them well into our future.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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