|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox. To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Come share your thoughts, questions, and meet fellow community members at my upcoming Community Conversation. I look forward to seeing you there.
Join me online, Wednesday, June 18th from 6:30-7:30PM, for a virtual Community Conversation. Click here to register.
Policy Spotlight
POWER Act: Protecting Households and Small Businesses from Rising Energy Costs
This Tuesday, I was proud to vote yes on House Bill 3546, also known as the POWER Act. This bill takes important steps to hold big energy users, like data centers, accountable for paying their fair share of energy costs and making sure those expenses aren’t passed on to Oregonians' utility bills. The POWER Act ensures that those who require massive energy infrastructure investments, specifically data centers and crypto mining industries, are the ones who pay for them—not Oregon families already struggling with rising energy costs.
This bill does a few key things:
- Creates a new customer category for data centers and cryptocurrency shops to ensure they're paying their fair share of energy costs.
- Requires 10-year contracts to make sure data centers stay committed to their high-energy investments.
- Sets clear minimum and maximum limits on how much energy data centers can use, with extra fees if they go over.
- Monitors large energy users’ growth and energy needs, with reports every two years.
The bill has passed both chambers and now heads to the Governor's Desk for signature.
Legislative Updates
Legislative Action Alerts
This Week's Testimonies and Floor Speeches
Visit from Oregon Kid Governor Cabinet Member Saanvi Shah
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of welcoming Saanvi Shah, an SD 15 constituent, to the Oregon Capitol. Saanvi serves as a cabinet member to the Oregon Kid Governor and visited the Capitol in 2024 for her inauguration! While here in 2024, she shared her three-point plan as a cabinet member focused on "Reducing Homelessness and Providing Basic Amenities to Those Unhoused." Saanvi understands that homelessness is a significant issue in our state. However, she also recognizes that small steps can make a big impact. To do her part, she started Creations for Cause, where she raises money to buy art supplies and donates them to shelters for local youth experiencing houselessness. I am truly impressed by Saanvi’s initiative and dedication. She exemplifies community engagement and advocacy in support of Oregonians. I look forward to hanging my new piece of art in my office for all visitors to enjoy.
Watch my Courtesy of the Senate to Saanvi here.
Week 20 Committee Snaps
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education
Work Sessions were held on
-
SB 5525 - Higher Education Coordinating Commission
-
HB 2815 A - Relating to tribal early learning services
-
SB 5514 - Early Learning and Care
-
HB 5037 - Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Work Sessions were held on various bills and agency reports. See agenda here.
Week 20 - Oregon State Capitol Visits in the halls and in #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
In The News
Oregon lawmakers pass bill to ensure data centers cover their own energy costs
The Oregonian/OregonLive, Mike Rogoway, June 5, 2025
HB 3546 “ensures that those who create the need for massive infrastructure investments are the ones that pay for them, not Oregon families already struggling with rising energy costs,” Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, said before the Senate voted on the bill Tuesday.
'Power Act' sets up separate pricing for data centers in Oregon
KGW TV News, Ashley Koch, June 5, 2025
One of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Janeen Sollman, D.-Forest Grove, said this week that it's time that data centers need to pay their fair share. “The numbers tell the story, a very, very stark story: Over the past five years, data center growth on PGE system alone has been equivalent to adding 406,000 people. That's nearly four times the population of the city of Hillsboro," Sollman said. "While household energy bills have increased by 7.63 cents per kilowatt hour, large industrial customers in the same category as data centers have seen increases of only 2.8 cents per kilowatt hour.”
Out and About in Senate District 15
146 Community Conversations and Counting!
Last week I held 2 Community Conversations, both in person and virtually. Listening remains the foundation of my work as a legislator. I completed my 145th Community Conversation virtually last Wednesday, and my 146th this Saturday at AVA Roasteria in Orenco. I am grateful to everyone who made time to be there.
These gatherings are where ideas are shared, concerns are voiced, and community is strengthened. Thank you for showing up, speaking up, and helping shape the future we share.
Forest Grove Viking House - Celebrating 50 Years of Building!
I am a proud Forest Grove High School graduate. Congratulations to Forest Grove High School on 50 years of the Viking House Program, showcasing such beautiful talent and hard work! Forest Grove High School Viking House is a gem every year, but this year was extra special, as it was designed by a 2019 FGHS Viking House graduate. The landscaping was done by another graduate, that has a landscaping business. 18 students built this home, learning through CTE programming at FGHS.
Career Technical Education programs in our schools help students with horticulture skills and more. They also provide future job prospect opportunities and increase graduation rates. State dollars support CTE and pathways for our students.
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Immigration Resources
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
|