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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AprilDobson@oregonlegislature.gov
As we come closer to the end of session, some very important bills are being passed out of both chambers. This week I am proud to have helped pass bills that protect survivors of sexual violence, keep private equity firms out of your doctor's office, and eliminate hidden fees in online advertising. I look forward to a strong end of session as we continue to fight for Oregon's future.
Sincerely,
April Dobson
I am disappointed to announce that House Bill 2251 did not get the required votes from the Senate Education Committee to pass on to the full Senate for a vote.
I've seen firsthand how such policies can impact our schools. In North Clackamas, we implemented a similar bell-to-bell restriction on student cell phones, and the results have been remarkable. Classroom disruptions are down 31% from the previous year. Rates of harassment, fighting, and harmful speech are all down as well, attendance is up, and 98% of the teachers we surveyed said a bell-to-bell ban on phones has had a positive impact on their classroom environment.
As it currently stands, Oregon's education system is not creating the outcomes our students deserve. We need change, and change requires trying new and sometimes challenging ideas. While I appreciate that school administrators worry about altering their standing policies, it is clear that these policies do not work for Oregon students. During the work session for this bill, members of the Senate Education Committee mentioned school districts and administrators 17 times, and students only 7. For our education system to improve, we need to prioritize the needs of students over the comfort of administrators and be willing to accept and embrace change.
This bill had broad support from teachers, parents, pediatricians, and psychologists who all recognize the need to address this issue. It is shameful that Oregon students are being denied a distraction-free learning environment and will continue to face worsening academic outcomes, shorter attention spans, and rising rates of isolation and depression.
My work on this issue is not done, as I will continue to fight for our children's right to an active and engaged classroom. Having carefully tracked the progress of our bill through the House and Senate, Governor Kotek is now considering an executive order banning cell phones in schools. It is my hope that this executive order mirrors the policies in our bill and has the scope to positively impact students. But if for any reason it fails to do so, I plan to revive and pass this bill in 2026.
 On May 14th, Governor Kotek signed into law House Bill 3814 after it passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. I am proud to be a chief sponsor of this bill, which updates regulations on seafood processors.
While fishing may not immediately come to mind when you think about House District 39, we are actually home to Pacific Seafood. Based in Clackamas for the last 25 years, Pacific Seafood creates hundreds of jobs in our community.
House Bill 3814 aligns regulatory requirements with scientific and practical realities, allowing for a balanced approach to water quality monitoring. This legislation brought together environmentalists and Oregon businesses to develop rules that protect the environment and allow the fishing industry to safely maintain compliance.
Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to find common ground and, as my mom always says, "Good fishing in Oregon, forever!"
 On Friday the 30th, I had a wonderful time visiting Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center with Representative Daniel Nguyen, learning about all of the resources available to students, and seeing first-hand the impact our Career Technical Education program has on our community!
Check out these articles to learn more about what's going on in the Legislature!
The Oregonian: Oregon lawmakers move to rein in corporate influence of medicine
The Oregonian: Oregon bill removes time limits for sex abuse lawsuits
Oregon Capitol Chronicle: Oregon bill, headed to governor, sets homeownership goals by 2030
OPB: Wheat, coffee, computer chips: How Trump's tariffs could affect Oregon's key exports and imports
The Oregonian: Gov. Tina Kotek says she may sign executive order banning cell phones in Oregon Schools
KPTV: Proposed Oregon law would make repairing wheelchairs easier
Oregon Capitol Chronicle: Federal Chaos leaves Oregon's economic outlook sluggish, uncertain, short hundreds of millions
To receive regular updates about my work in the state legislature follow me on Instagram @rep.dobdson or on Facebook at April Dobson!
There are a few ways you can share your opinions on bills and issues!
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Submitting testimony: To submit written testimony for a bill you support or oppose, you can visit the bills page on OLIS and click on "submit testimony."
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Testifying in person: To sign up to testify in person for an upcoming public hearing, click on the "register to testify" button.
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Sign up for bill updates: To follow a bill as it progresses through the Legislature, click e-subscribe at the top right corner of the bill's page.
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Watch Floor sessions and Committee meetings: Visit OLIS and click on the camera next to the house convenes time, or on each committee's page.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1439
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-488, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.AprilDobson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/dobson
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