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

Dear Neighbors and Community Members,

We have reached Memorial Day weekend, a time to honor and celebrate the brave individuals who have given everything to protect our freedoms. As a member of a military family and a strong advocate for supporting our veterans, I feel a deep gratitude for the courage, dedication, and selflessness of those who serve. 

Committee work, with the exception of budget committees and a few others, wound down this week. We had our final bill vote in the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water on Wednesday, and Tuesday marked the last meeting of the session for the Joint Committee on Transportation. The Transportation Reinvestment Plan work will now be conducted in a new committee, which I write about in the "Legislative Updates" section of this newsletter.

Keep reading to learn about:

• The Memorial Day ceremony at the Capitol
• The Veteran Benefits Expo
• Bills passed in the House this week
• Updates on my personal bills
• New committee to consider the Transportation framework
• Community Shout Outs
• Visitors to the Capitol this week
• Events in Western Washington County
• Fire Safety as Fire Season begins on June 1st

Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday of May, and it honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It originated in the years following the Civil War, but did not become an official federal holiday until 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, and local organizations across the country honor those who served by putting American flags and other markers on their gravesites for the holiday.

VETERAN BENEFIT EXPO & ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) is proud to announce the return of its annual Veteran Benefit Expo, the state’s largest veteran resource event, on June 16th at the Salem Armory Auditorium, 2310 17th St. NE.

This marks the first in-person Expo since 2019 and will also feature a special 80th Anniversary Celebration of ODVA beginning at 10 a.m.

Organized by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and presented in partnership with the Oregon Lottery and the Oregon Military Department, the Veteran Benefit Expo is a one-of-a-kind event and a one-stop shop for Oregon veterans of all eras and walks of life to learn about and access the full range of their earned benefits and local resources.

More than 65 participating agencies, nonprofits and service providers will be on hand to provide in-depth information and direct services across a wide range of benefit areas, including health care, disability claims assistance, housing, emergency assistance, long-term care, mental health, education, business, recreation and more.

This year’s Expo will also celebrate ODVA’s eight decades of service to Oregon’s veteran community, kicking off with the 80th Anniversary Ceremony at 10 a.m. on the Armory Auditorium stage, which will be immediately followed by a cake cutting and the opening of the Expo. The public is invited to attend.

Space is limited, but there are still openings for state or local organizations who provide direct benefits to veterans and who are interested in being an exhibitor at this year’s Expo. Registration is free but is subject to approval by ODVA based on space and other considerations. To register, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/orvetexpo25vendors.

UPDATES FROM THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Below is a snapshot of bills we passed in the House this week. We had Floor Sessions Monday - Thursday for up to three hours each day so that we could get through as many bills as possible.

♦ SB 599 - Ending Rental Housing Discrimination

The House passed SB599 this week, which prohibits housing discrimination based on immigration status. The bill was chief sponsored by Rep. Ricki Ruiz and Sen. WInsvey Campos.

SB 599 closes a longstanding gap in state law by explicitly banning housing discrimination on the basis of immigration status and prohibiting landlords from inquiring about or disclosing the immigration status of applicants, tenants, or household members. The bill also modernizes identity verification requirements by expanding the types of ID landlords may accept.

Under the bill, landlords can verify applicants and run credit checks but cannot limit tenant identification to forms that are presumed to be tied to citizenship or permanent residency. The proposed law designates as acceptable social security cards, birth certificates, “green cards,” travel and immigration visas, taxpayer ID number cards from the IRS, passports, driver licenses, other government IDs, and reasonably verifiable nongovernment IDs.

♦ SB 228 - Memory Care Residents Rights for Council

SB 228 passed in the House this week. It establishes the right of a resident of a memory care facility to organize and participate in an independent family council. The measure specifies requirements for a facility if a council is formed and prohibits a facility from interfering in a council's formation.

Independent family councils are groups made up of family members of residents who come together to represent the interests and concerns of those residents. These councils typically function independently from the facility’s administration.

♦ SB 830 - Support for Homeowners on Septic Systems

This week, the House followed the Senate in passing SB 830. As background, Oregon’s Onsite Wastewater Management Program, administered by the Department of Environmental Quality, oversees the regulation and management of septic systems for properties not connected to public sewer systems. Under existing law, On-Site Septic System Low-Interest Loan Programs overseen by DEQ provides low-interest loans to property owners who need financial assistance for septic system repairs or replacements. SB 830 allow grants or other financial assistance, in addition to loans, to be provided to eligible applicants and extends eligibility to residential housing providers.

♦ SB 1191 - "Know Your Rights" legal protections

The House just passed SB 1191 this week, which allows Oregonians to inform others of their constitutional and civil rights without being guilty of interfering with law enforcement.

Rights granted in the United States Constitution and the Oregon Constitution include freedoms of speech and association along with rights to due process and to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Under Senate Bill 1191, telling people about these rights does not qualify as the crimes of obstructing government and judicial processes or preventing law enforcement from performing their duties.

Rep. Muñoz and I on the House Floor this week!

There was positive momentum on several of my priority bills in the last week, and below is a brief update on each one:

•  HB 2299 to include digital forgeries, or “deepfakes,” in criminal statutes on revenge pornography, was signed by the Governor and will officially become law. I was proud to join Reps. Mannix and Hartman in championing this bill to give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools necessary to address the proliferating problem of deepfake intimate images being created and disseminated as a form of harassment, and to give voice to the victims of this type of crime.

• HB 3449, which fixes an error in HB 4084 (2024), will allow school districts to continue a pilot program to provide educational support and wrap-around services to students in foster care. It passed overwhelmingly in the Senate this week and now heads to the Governor for her signature. Foster youth have a graduation rate of less than 50% and this pilot program is the first step in ensuring we can meaningfully address and help alleviate many of the challenges that students in foster care face.

• HB 2356, a bill I sponsored for the Metro Regional Government, had its second reading in the Senate this week, which means it will likely be on the Senate Floor for a final vote next week.

  The bill would require that a territory already in a city's urban growth boundary is also automatically annexed to the Metro District when it is annexed by a city. It simply eliminates the need for a separate Metro District annexation application as is currently required and reduces red tape to efficiently facilitate needed development by Metro cities. It eliminates the current duplicative, costly, and time-consuming process of separate annexations.

UPDATE ON TRIP 2025 NEGOTIATIONS RELEASED

My Joint Committee on Transportation co-chair, Senator Chris Gorsek, and I have been working hard over the last several years to hear about the Transportation needs of Oregonians in rural and urban areas, and to listen to our jurisdictional partners, businesses, and environmental and safety advocates. We led a 13-stop tour across the state and also held over 50 hours of workgroup meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders. Those conversations became the foundation of a Transportation funding proposal, called the Oregon Transportation ReInvestment Program (Oregon TRIP), that we released in early April. Since then, we have continued important conversations and negotiations, and. there are now two important developments to share:

First, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate have created a new committee to finish the work on the TRIP plan this session. The Joint Committee On Transportation Reinvestment has the same membership as the Joint Committee on Transportation, and will also be co-chaired by Senator Chris Gorsek and me. The committee is focused only on the Transportation Reinvestment framework and will have a first meeting on Tuesday, May 27th at 1:00 pm. The first meeting agenda will cover ODOT accountability and a review of a recent accountability study done by outside experts.

Second, Senator Gorsek and I have had an opportunity to brief fellow legislators on the policy conversations happening around the TRIP framework. The core of the framework is focused on ensuring a balanced, measured, modernized, and stable Transportation system. Safety, ensuring a variety of multimodal modes, preservation, and maintenance are the key concepts at the heart of all conversations and of the framework itself, and there will be opportunities for public input and feedback as our work progresses in the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment.

As a reminder, it is essential that we take urgent action to keep our roads paved, our bridges safe, and our economy strong. Oregon's transportation system is essential for a strong economy, our emergency preparedness and responses, and to our connectivity. It deeply impacts the daily lives of all Oregonians and inaction is not an option — Oregon's multimodal transportation system is at risk due to unstable and insufficient funding and if we do not fund it sufficiently this session, we risk:

• Losing 1,000 ODOT employees who keep our roads and bridges safe
• Unfixed potholes
• Crumbling bridges
• Unplowed roads in the wintertime
• Longer wait times to clear traffic accidents

We’re making real and significant progress on a plan to keep Oregon’s roads and bridges safe, whether they’re in a city, a small town, a county or on a state highway. Members of both parties are working together to develop a proposal that will address the issues we have been focused on all along: safety, maintenance and long-term sustainability. We've gotten to this point after years of hard work and engagement from hundreds of stakeholders and Oregonians from every corner of the state. Conversations are ongoing and we will have more details to release in the coming weeks.

STANDING UP FOR OREGON'S ECONOMY 

This week, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led a coalition of 12 states arguing against Trump's tariffs before the U.S. Court of International Trade. This lawsuit challenges the legality of federal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), claiming that the law does not give the President the authority to impose tariffs without approval from Congress. The tariffs are estimated to cost American families an average of $3,800 per year. Oregon leaders continue to stand up for our constitutional system of checks and balances and and keep up the fight to protect families from cost-of-living increases. 

You can stay informed about the Oregon Department of Justice's work to prevent federal overreach with the Federal Litigation Tracker tool on their website.

AG Rayfield is partnering with the Office of Ron Wyden, United States Senator for Oregon and the Ranking Member of the United States Senate Committee on Finance, and his office to track and better understand how federal actions are impacting Oregonians. Share how you've been impacted by federal actions by using this form.

WOMEN'S SPORTS FACILITY BREAKS GROUND

You may have seen the exciting news that Portland Thorns FC and Portland’s new WNBA team have officially broken ground on the world’s first dual-sport performance center exclusively for professional women's teams, right here in Washington County! Our community is leading the way by investing in women's sports and and inspiring the next generation of young athletes in our region.

The first phase of construction is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2026 seasons for both teams. The WNBA team, yet to be named, will make its debut at the Moda Center in 2026, while the Thorns will continue their legacy at Providence Park as one of the NWSL's founding teams.

Click here to learn more about new 63,000-square-foot Hillsboro facility. 

CONGRATULATIONS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

I would like to welcome and congratulate all new and returning school board members who represent our community in Hillsboro, Cornelius, and Forest Grove. In the Hillsboro School District, returning members Mark Watson and Nancy Thomas will continue to serve. New members Yessica Hardin-Mercado and Katie Rhyne will join the board. In Forest Grove School District, Brisa Franco, Alma Lozano, and former Mayor Peter Truax will all join as new additions. Thank you to all community members who dedicate their time and service to our students, educators, and families!

VISITORS AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK

I appreciated the opportunity to connect with local leaders from Washington County and across the state to discuss Oregon's transportation needs. This week, I spoke with Mayor Beaty of Beaverton, the Yamhill County Parkway Committee, and a coalition of Environment and Safety Advocates about our progress on a proposal to maintain and improve our multimodal system.

I enjoyed speaking with the Urban League of Portland, one of Oregon’s oldest civil rights and social service organizations advocating for racial justice and equity in education, employment, health, housing, and economic development. Thank you to the advocates who shared about the organization's critical work!

My office also met with Portland State University students, faculty, and staff about the important role of our public higher education institutions in workforce development, public policy, and economic empowerment. This was an exciting week for PSU, as the Senate voted unanimously to officially designate PSU as Oregon’s urban research university. I was proud to vote yes on this bill, HB 2556, when it came before the House. We discussed the importance of Student Basic Needs and the Oregon Opportunity Grant—two programs that expand higher education access and uplift our communities. 

Thank you to the PSU employees and students who contribute to PSU's significant and positive public impacts across our state. We all benefit in so many seen and unseen ways from having strong public universities in our state.  I will continue to advocate for increased funding for higher education so that our community colleges and universities can keep advancing our state through research and programming, and by providing opportunities for all students.

Yesterday, I was glad to see my friend, Donald Scott, on Development Disabilities Advocacy Day. We spoke about the importance of supporting the Direct Support Professional workforce and sustaining Regional Family Networks that empower families to foster confidence and opportunity for their children with disabilities. 

My staff connected with advocates for Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), that support Oregonians in homeownership, business development, higher education, and more. By providing financial education and matching the savings of lower-income individuals, IDAs help community members reach their financial goals. We appreciate the work of the organizations supporting economic empowerment in our communities.

OUT & ABOUT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

Community Paint Donation Event Metro, Washington County and Centro Cultural are co-hosting a community paint donation event, where attendees can get up to 20 gallons of paint per family completely free. You'll be able to choose from 8 different colors to breathe new life into your spaces! Click here to learn more. WHEN: Saturday, May 24 from 9:00 to 12:00 pm WHERE: Cultural Center Parking Lot

Hillsboro Film Festival Enjoy thought-provoking cinema and discover the eateries, wine bars, tea shops, and bakeries that Historic Downtown Hillsboro proudly showcases. Click here to learn more. WHEN: May 30 to June 1 WHERE: The Vault Theater

Gales Creek Strawberry Festival Come celebrate the historic role of strawberries in the Gales Creek Valley since the 1960's at the 55th annual Gales Creek Strawberry Festival. Featuring live music, vendors, and homemade strawberry shortcake. Click here to learn more.  WHEN: Saturday, June 14 from 11:00 to 4:00 pm WHERE: Gales Creek Elementary School

Hillsboro Pride Party Enjoy this free, family-friendly community celebration to kick off Pride Month. Featuring a variety of vendors, live music & entertainment, food, community resources, and activities for all ages. Click here to learn more. WHEN: June 7 from 12 to 5 pm WHERE: Shute Park

BE PREPARED FOR WILDFIRE SEASON

Last year was a record-setting wildfire season, and not in a good way. This year, experts are predicting another hot and dry summer that will likely mean a significant number of wildfires. The season starts on June 1st, and starting then, you can check the status of fires across the state on this ODF website.

With over 70% of Oregon wildfires caused by human action, this is the time to be extremely vigilant with fire prevention tactics. Below is important information to keep in mind for fire prevention:

♦ Know Before You Go: Campfires may be prohibited outside of maintained campgrounds with established fire pits. Always contact the forest district, agency or landowner first to learn if there are any current campfire restrictions where you plan to recreate.

♦ Call Before You Burn: Burning regulations are not the same in all areas and can vary with the weather and fuel conditions. Check to see if there are any current burning restrictions or if a permit is required.

♦Create defensible space: Create a 30-foot perimeter of defensible space around your home to reduce the risk of wildfires. Fire follows the fuel. Make sure your landscape is LEAN (plants are spaced apart), CLEAN (free of flammable debris), and GREEN (healthy and watered often).

♦ Resources for Fire Prevention:

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.

Many people coming to talk about bills and budgets!

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