|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
How can it be March already? Spring is coming slow but sure. I love the flowers that are up and blooming.
Today marks the first chamber deadline of the 2025 Session, and I am glad to share that many of our priority bills remain “alive,” meaning they will continue to move through the legislative process.
While we are hard at work to deliver solutions for Oregonians in the State Legislature, I know our community is impacted by continuing uncertainty at the national level. As a former educator of over 40 years, I am deeply concerned by this week’s federal Executive Order attempting to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This announcement emphasizes the importance of our work at the State Legislature to provide robust, high-quality, and equitable education opportunities to Oregon students. I will continue to advocate for adequate funding and resources for our schools.
As always, I appreciate hearing from constituents on the issues that matter most to our community. Please continue to share your comments, questions, and concerns with my office by emailing rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.
In this newsletter, you’ll find:
- My testimony on the importance of Summer Learning
- Status update of bills I'm working on
- An update on Transportation work this session
- A recap of my conversations with advocates and leaders
- Highlights and upcoming events from Washington County
SUMMER LEARNING GETS HEARING
The House Committee on Education heard HB 2007 this week, a bill that continues Oregon's investment in Summer Learning. I am working with the Governor's Office and the Speaker's Office to ensure that HB 2007 provides us the necessary tools to continue to provide longterm Summer Learning programming for our students.
I support Summer Learning programming because it can foster success for all Oregon's students by improving readiness to learn, promoting academic achievement, and providing safe, healthy, and enriching ways to grow as individuals during the Summer months. In addition, long-term programming for Summer Learning benefits all communities in Oregon and is equally essential to our small and rural schools, those in our urban areas, and students with culturally specific needs.
View the entire committee hearing on OLIS by clicking here. You can also view a clip of just my testimony by clicking on the image below or here.
STATUS OF BILLS AT POSTING DEADLINE
March 21st is the First Chamber Work Session Posting Deadline, which requires that all bills in policy committees either be posted on an agenda for a work session (a committee vote) by this date or they officially die in committee. The First Chamber Work Session Deadline is on April 9, which is the last day for policy committees to hold a work session and move bills introduced in their chamber (i.e. Senate bills in the Senate, House bills in the House) out of committee. With a record number of bills this year, the reality is that the majority of them will officially die on either March 21st or April 9th.
Here is a status of my personal bills and my other priority bills as of today's deadline:
MY PERSONAL BILLS:
|
HB 3449 - Modifies the grants and rules for my pilot program that provides support to foster child students and allows other schools within a school district to use the money
- Work Session scheduled in House Education on 3/31
|
|
HB 2358 - Requires the Department of Education to conduct a study to determine the appropriate number of students on a workload for a school-based health practitioner who is a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist or physical therapist
- Did not receive a hearing or work session and will not move forward
|
|
HB 2357 - The measure enacts the interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (Compacts) to allow occupational therapists and audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed in other compact states to practice in Oregon without obtaining a new license.
- Work Session scheduled in House Behavioral Health & Health Care on 4/1
|
|
HB 2356 - The measure establishes that when a city within the urban growth boundary of a metropolitan service district annexes territory and that territory is within the UGB of the district, the territory is annexed to the district without any further process.
- Passed the House and now has hearing in Senate Housing & Development on 4/2
|
|
HB 2359 - I sponsored this bill on behalf of the Multnomah Youth Commission. It requires school districts and public charter schools to implement a schedule for high schools that does not start regular instructional hours before 8:30 a.m.
- Hearing scheduled in House Education for 3/26
|
BILLS I AM A SECOND CHIEF SPONSOR ON:
|
HB 3192 - Allocates $4 million to Oregon’s Newborn Screening program to add five new diseases to the testing panel.
- Work Session scheduled in House Behavioral Health & Health Care on 4/1
|
|
HB 2950 - Requires the Land Conservation and Development Commission to update the statewide land use planning goal relating to "citizen involvement".
- Work Session scheduled in House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water on 3/31
|
|
HB 2299 - The measure adds "a digitally created, manipulated or altered depiction that is reasonably realistic" to the definition of "image” for a crime of "unlawful dissemination of an intimate image”.
- Work Session scheduled in House Judiciary on 4/7
|
|
HB 3652 - Expands the requirement to discuss class size and caseload as mandatory subjects of bargaining for purposes of school district collective bargaining.
- Work Session scheduled in House Education on 3/26
|
|
HB 3650 - The measure establishes the Latino Health System Task Force to develop proposals for a Latino Health System.
- Work Session scheduled in House Behavioral Health & Health Care on 4/1
|
|
SB 702 - Prohibits distributing, selling, attempting to sell or offering to sell flavored inhalant delivery system products or flavored tobacco products in Oregon.
- Work Session scheduled in Senate Early Childhood & Behavioral Health on 4/1
|
|
SB 1098 - Prohibits discrimination when selecting or retaining school library materials, textbooks or instructional materials or when developing and implementing a curriculum.
- Voted out of committee and will be on Senate Floor for vote soon
|
 |
 |
ODOT WORKERS ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING
Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting with ODOT workers who were at the Legislature as part of an SEIU Lobby Day. They took the time out of their busy work schedules to come and talk to Legislators about the importance of passing a bipartisan transportation plan in order to sustain ODOT's skilled workforce and ensure our roads are open and safe for families and businesses.
I appreciate the work that these ODOT employees do and am committed to a Transportation plan that adequately funds ODOT and keeps these workers on the job and our multimodal system safe.
THE CONDITION OF OREGON'S BRIDGES
Oregon's aging bridge inventory is a growing concern for ODOT’s Bridge Program, in particular the Interstate Era bridges.
ODOT's 2024 Bridge Conditions Report spotlights Interstate Era bridges built between 1958 and 1973. During this 16-year span, ODOT built on average 63 bridges a year, thanks to funding provided by the National Interstate and Defense Highway Act. Today, these bridges are between 50 and 65 years old.
The 2024 report was presented to the Oregon Transportation Commission last week.
ODOT inspects bridges over a two-year cycle and summarizes bridge condition ratings on state highways based on National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and ODOT data. NBI ratings look at the major structural components of a bridge (deck or driving surface, superstructure, and substructure (base), or culvert rating), deficient bridge classification, and structural condition rating.
A significant portion of state-owned bridges are still in fair condition due to regular maintenance. However, much like maintaining a car, continuing to make expensive repairs on bridges nearing the end of their lifespan becomes less cost effective and practical.
The normal lifespan of a bridge is between 75-100 years and 60% of our inventory was built before 1973. In the foreseeable future, there will be more than 1,000 Interstate Era bridges that must be replaced. However, current funding levels pay for on average only three bridge replacements each year. At this rate, an Oregon bridge will need to stay in service for over 900 years, well beyond the expected service life.
With more than 2,700 state highway bridges across Oregon that vary in size, age, type and condition, the state’s needs are outpacing our resources. We continue to focus on maintaining the bridges we have through preservation and maintenance work to ensure our aging bridge inventory remains safe.
The state of our bridges is just one reason why the Legislature is working on a Transportation plan this Session that will ensure we have diverse, stable, and sufficient funding to keep our multimodal system safe and resilient.
REAL ID DEADLINE LOOMS!
Starting May 7, the federal government will require every person 18 years and older to present a REAL ID or a federally accepted alternative – like a government-issued passport, passport card or military ID – to board a commercial U.S. flight. REAL ID will also be required to access certain federal facilities like military bases or nuclear plants.
As the REAL ID enforcement date approaches, there is greater demand at DMV offices, especially in more populated areas. Oregon DMV has added a significant number of REAL ID appointments to help people looking to update their credential. Additionally, DMV staff from the Salem headquarters have voluntarily deployed to offices to help with tasks to alleviate crowds. Still, customers may experience longer lines and wait times than normal.
Here are some things to consider before upgrading to a REAL ID:
- Make sure you don’t already have a REAL ID. An Oregon REAL ID has a star in the upper right corner.
- You don't need a REAL ID if you have a passport or other federally accepted alternative.
- If you aren’t flying anytime soon, wait until your credential expires before upgrading.
- REAL ID appointments are available, but they aren’t required. All DMV offices welcome walk-in traffic. If no appointment is available, check back later, as new appointments are released daily. Please note, REAL ID appointments are strictly for REAL ID. If you book a REAL ID appointment for a different transaction, you could be turned away.
- Make sure to bring the correct documents, including one proof of identity and two proofs of your home address from two different sources. You also need to provide proof of lawful U.S. status and your Social Security number (or proof you are not eligible for one). We offer a documents guide to help you create a checklist of what to bring.
- If you have everything you need for your appointment, visit the self-check-in station in the lobby at most offices instead of waiting in line at the front desk.
- At busier DMV offices, once you have a ticket, ask if you can provide your cell number to receive text notifications, allowing you to leave and return when your number gets closer.
- It takes up to three weeks to receive your REAL ID card in the mail, so make sure your identification is REAL ID-compliant in advance of your trip. For example, if you will board a U.S. flight on May 7, April 16 would be the last day to be reasonably confident you’ll receive your card.
- If you have a transaction other than REAL ID, see if you can complete it online at DMV2U. You can also renew your vehicle registration at one of 10 express kiosks. While you can’t get a REAL ID online, wait times in offices are reduced for everyone when more customers use online services and kiosks.
|
 |
LISTENING TO OUR COMMUNITY
I enjoyed connecting with community leaders and advocates at the Capitol this week.
As we develop a plan to maintain and improve our transportation system, I appreciate input from stakeholders across Oregon. I spoke with the Oregon Trucking Association, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, and ODOT members of the SEIU 503 about transportation workforce needs, safety, and sustainability.
Students at Oregon's public universities shared about the importance of our Strong Start programs, which provide college transition support and supplemental instruction for first-year students. As a former teacher, I am always proud to see students advocating for education resources.
I met with constituents on behalf of Food For All Oregonians, and we spoke about the necessity of food accessibility. It was great to see so many Washington County community members at the Capitol!
SPOTLIGHT ON FGHS VIKING HOUSE
Forest Grove High School's Viking House program was recently awarded FOX 12’s March Classroom of the Month for their remarkable contributions to our community.
This Career and Technical Education (CTE) class works closely with industry professionals to build homes in the Forest Grove area. The program has been running since 1975, and students have completed almost 50 houses. We should all be exceptionally proud of Forest Grove High School and the CTE classes it provides.
The Viking House needs support to continue their hands-on homebuilding course; the district is calling on our community to help secure ready-to-build lots.
Back in 2022, I was able to tour Forest Grove's CTE classrooms and hear from students about the impact of these courses. Here is a snapshot from that visit:
BANKS HIGH SCHOOL BLOOD DRIVE
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Banks High School. To learn more about opportunities to participate, you can visit their website.
WHEN: April 4th from 9:30 am-2:30 pm
WHERE: Banks High School Wrestling Gym
CENTRO CULTURAL MERCADO
The Mercado offers fresh, local produce and food at no cost. Community members can stop by and pick up what they need!
WHEN: Monday to Thursday: 9 am-12 pm, 2 pm-5 pm
Friday: 9 am-12 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
WHERE: 1216 E Baseline St, Cornelius, OR 97113
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 do not hesitate to 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.
|
|
 |
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
| 
