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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Join me on Saturday, March 15th at 11:00 am, at Food Carts At the Station on Baseline street in Hillsboro, for a Community Conversation. Come share your thoughts and questions and meet fellow community members. I look forward to seeing you there.
Join me online, Thursday, March 27th, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, for a Community Conversation. Come share your thoughts and questions and meet fellow community members. I look forward to seeing you there. Please register here to receive a virtual link to join.
Policy Spotlight
SB 702- Prohibiting the Sale or Distribution of Flavored Products with Nicotine or Tobacco
Senate Bill 702 prohibits the distribution of flavored tobacco products, bans free distribution of any tobacco products, and requires all tobacco product sales to take pace at licensed retailers.
In 2019, the Oregon Health Authority estimated that one in four 11th graders in the state was using a vaping product, and in Washington County, which includes my district, 75% of 11th graders reported using flavors, if they used a tobacco product. Banning the sale and advertisement of flavored tobacco products will make it less desirable for youth to use and buy these products.
With the boom in popularity of flavored vaping, there is also another concern to consider. The environmental cost of vaping is real, and with no clear way of disposal, not only are they harming our youth, but also our environment. This is contributing to our waste, with many components such as batteries, plastic casings, and cartridges ending up in landfills, where they can take years to decompose. Vapes that contain lithium-ion batteries, and are not disposed of properly, can lead to battery fires at our landfills, a growing problem.
Banning flavored tobacco products is the right thing to do for the health and safety of our youth, and the health and safety of our environment.
To learn more about this bill, click here. For the Public Hearing on this bill, click here to watch.
Legislative Updates
This Week's Testimonies and Floor Speeches
Bill Updates
Week 7 Committee Snaps
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Work sessions were held on:
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SB 551- Relating to plastic waste
Informational hearings were held on:
- Electricity Resource Planning in the Pacific Northwest
- Opportunities and Challenges of Small Modular Reactors
Public Hearings were held on:
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SB 88- Relating to expenditures nonrecoverable from ratepayers
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SB 215- Relating to nuclear-fueled thermal power plants
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SB 216- Relating to nuclear-fueled thermal power plants
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SB 635- Relating to a study on the feasibility of developing nuclear energy generation in this state
Senate Committee on Education
Public Hearings were held on:
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SB 717- Relating to stipends for student teachers
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SB 1098- Relating to access to materials in schools
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SB 979- Relating to a study on post-secondary educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities
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SB 981- Relating to the maximum age for students in public education
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SB 982- Relating to out-of-state residential placements of students
Work Sessions were held on:
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SB 720- Relating to funding for a cultural workforce center
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SB 768- Relating to agricultural research
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SB 933- Relating to reports on talented and gifted children
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SB 834- Relating to facilities that provide mental health treatment
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SB 948- Relating to play-based education
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education
An Informational Meeting and Public Hearing was held on:
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SB 5514 - Department of Early Learning and Care
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Work Session were held on:
- Federal Grant Applications
- Agency Reports
Week 7 - Oregon State Capitol Visits in the halls and in #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
In the News
Oregon lawmakers consider ban on flavored tobacco that officials say addicts children still in elementary school
The Oregonian, Aimee Green, March 5th 2025
"Proponents of the bill told a legislative committee that flavored tobacco “smells like candy” and addicts children as young as elementary school age while setting them on a path toward early death...But Senate Bill 702, which is similar to House Bill 3437, sparked enormous support during its hearing Tuesday. The bills are sponsored by more than 20 senators and representatives, all Democrats. This includes Sen. Janeen Sollman, who also is sponsoring Senate Bill 544, which would require high schools with more than 1,000 students to install vaping detectors in bathrooms."
‘Get the Junk out of our Rates’ bill could limit how Oregon utilities pay for lobbying, ads
OPB, Monica Samayoa, March 4, 2025
"Senator Janeen Sollman, D-Forest Grove, said the bill is about transparency, and will allow Oregonians to better understand what can and cannot be included when rates are set. But she warned that ratepayers may not see a significant decrease on their energy bills with this proposed legislation."
Oregon could become the latest state to ban underage marriage
OPB, Dirk VanderHart, March 4, 2025
"By one estimate, an Oregonian under the age of 18 gets married roughly every other day on average. A bill to bar that from happening is on the move in the Legislature this year.
Senate Bill 548 would add Oregon to a growing number of states that prohibit minors from being married — even with a parent’s permission. Currently, Oregon allows 17-year-olds to be married as long as a guardian says it’s OK. Many other states allow even younger people to walk down the aisle.
SB 548 has both Democratic and Republican sponsors and passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in a unanimous vote on Monday."
Intern Corner
Meet Ali Lanenga - SD 15's Newest Legislative Intern
Hello! My name is Ali Lanenga and I’m a graduate student at Oregon State University studying public policy with a focus on education/social policy. I’m the mother of two daughters, one of which is Oregon’s 2025 Kid Governor. In addition to my graduate studies, I serve on the Riverdale School Board, Position 4.
I’m excited to support Senator Sollman in delivering on the promise of a bright future for all Oregonians.
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Listen. Learn. Act
Special Education Funding
This week I got to meet Jemma, a 12 year old student on Pacific University ELC, who receives Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. She values these services, as they make school more accessible to her. She came to Salem to advocate for Special Education Funding. It was great to meet Jemma and hear her incredible story.
 "Hi! I’m Jemma, I was born severely deaf and I am now 12 years old. I have been receiving Early Intervention, Early Childhood Education Services and Regional Inclusive Services since I was 6 months old. When I was 9, my school district felt they could not facilitate my classroom needs. My family was told to send me to the Oregon School of the Deaf in Salem. That really scared me, the idea of being taken so far away from my friends and community was heartbreaking. I did not want to go to boarding school and I did not want to leave my sister who has been my guide my whole life. As a result, I started school at Pacific University ELC. NWRESD made my school and classrooms more accessible to me. I’m really happy I got to stay and grow up in Forest Grove and keep all my friends. What I appreciate the most, is that I get to help other kids in my school district who are deaf and hard of hearing get support in class as I go and grow. I am a trailblazer! I play the guitar now and I hope to start a band! I can hear my teachers like never before! I love my friends (I call them my pookies), life is good!" - Jemma
Out and About in Senate District 15
Tour of the Oregon Vault
What a treat to get an amazing tour of Oregon Historical Society's Vault on Saturday! There is such rich, preserved history and fascinating storytelling. Thank you to Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk for their passion and knowledge. Kerry is a trivia expert when it comes to Oregon History.
Gala de Cultura
Last Friday evening, the Gala de Cultura was an incredible night and honor! Thank you to Centro Cultural de Washington County for the beautiful recognition - I was gifted their Cámpeona Honoree award. I love this district that I have the privilege to represent and all the wonderful people that stand together for comunidad each and every day!
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
"In August of 2006 I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie & Baking Program. I enjoyed everything I learned in culinary school, but I was most adept at creating unique works of art out of something as simple as cake.
Since then I've been honing my craft as a cake artist and hope to become one of the best in the field. If you are interested in a delicious edible work of art crafted especially for your special occasion, please do not hesitate to contact me!"
Nichicakes is a small, female-owned business located in Forest Grove. More information can be found on their website, linked here.
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Community Outreach
Yard Debris Burn Season Open
On March 1st, the Oregon DEQ Spring Yard Debris Season began. This means households can burn yard debris in the city limits of Forest Grove as well as in the rural areas. Burning is limited to natural items from your property (branches, grass, leaves, etc). Burning of other items is not allowed by DEQ and is subject to fines.
Please burn with caution. Have a bare dirt area around your burn pile. Have a shovel and water source readily available in case the fire unexpectedly flares up. Never leave the burn pile unattended. Lastly, once done, soak the area with water to make sure it is completely out and cool to the touch. Yard debris burning season ends on June 15th.
For more details, visit their website linked here.
STEAM Kids Wonderland
March 22, at Cornelius-Virginia Garcia, the Early Learning Washington County HUB (ELWC), is hosting an exciting event for children ages 3–6 to dive deep into the amazing world of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
For other events, click here.
Free E-filing help in local libraries
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Volunteers from the Oregon Department of Revenue will travel to libraries in 18 different communities in February, March, and April to assist taxpayers filing their own returns in using the free combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon. See more about these sessions on the DOR website.
Upcoming stop in Cornelius:
March 13
Cornelius Public Library
1355 N Barlow St Cornelius, OR 97113
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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Nurse Navigation: Calling 9-1-1 for a Medical Reason? Big Changes Coming March 4th
 As 9-1-1 dispatchers continue providing callers excellent service in figuring out the right level of care, they now have a new tool for assessing incoming calls. Calls that are not life threatening or time sensitive may be connected with a Nurse Navigator.
What does this mean for a caller connected with a Nurse Navigator?
- Lower health care costs: By providing connections with more appropriate, cost-effective care options.
- Enhanced patient experience: Callers have more options available to them beyond just a trip to the emergency department. Patients receive the right care at the right time, in the right setting to achieve the right outcome at the right cost.
- 24/7 access: The program provides round-the-clock support, ensuring community members have access to a nurse navigator any time of the day or night
- Cost: This service has no cost to the caller. Medical care at a clinic or urgent care will be billed as usual.
- Language access: Interpretation is available for all callers who need support in any language
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
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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