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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
***Our planned virtual Community Conversation for next week has been canceled due to an evening floor session. Please stay tuned for information on future events over the summer.
Policy Spotlight
SB 225 - Military Pension Tax Exemption
On Tuesday I was proud to testify in support of Senate Bill 225, an important, bipartisan bill providing a state income tax exemption for military retirees in Oregon. This bill takes meaningful steps to honor the service of Oregon’s veterans and provide them with the financial relief they deserve to build their futures here.
What the bill does:
- Allows up to $17,500 of military retirement pay to be subtracted from taxable income for Oregon taxpayers aged 63 or older receiving federal military retirement pay.
- Includes provisions for annual inflation adjustments and ensures the exemption doesn’t apply to retirement pay already excluded from taxes (like pre-1991 federal service pensions).
On any given night, an estimated 1,400 veterans experience homelessness in Oregon, accounting for more than 10% of the state’s homeless population. Providing meaningful tax relief to our veterans is not just sound fiscal policy; it is a moral imperative that acknowledges their service while giving them the financial breathing room they need to secure stable housing and rebuild their lives in the communities they once defended. Today, two-thirds of U.S. states do not tax military retirement pay, with seven states adopting similar exemptions in 2022 alone. It’s time for Oregon to join them.
The bill has passed in the Senate and passed out of the House Revenue Committee. Having worked on this concept with Senators Manning and Thatcher since 2023, I’m hopeful our legislature will give it the consideration it deserves this session and show Oregon’s veterans they have our full support, both during and after their service.
Legislative Updates
Legislative Action Alerts
 
This Week's Testimonies and Floor Speeches
Week 21 Committee Snaps
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
An Informational Meeting was held on:
- Overview of Washington Cap & Invest Program
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education
Work Sessions were held on:
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HB 5043 - Relating to state financial administration
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SB 5515 - Department of Education
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HB 2508 - Relating to student data
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HB 3037 - Relating to state grants awarded by the Department of Education
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HB 3040 - Relating to early literacy
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Work Sessions were held on various bills. See agenda here.
Week 21 - Oregon State Capitol Visits in the halls and in #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
In The News
Bill to allow 10 weeks of unemployment for striking workers heads to Kotek’s desk
OregonLive/The Oregonian, Sami Edge, June 12, 2025
Senators voted Thursday morning to adopt the 10-week bill on a vote of 16-12. Democrats Jeff Golden of Ashland and Janeen Sollman of Forest Grove joined Republicans in voting against the bill – as they had twice before
Read my vote explanation for Senate Bill 916 here.
Governor Kotek signs bipartisan bill to eliminate bags made of plastic film at checkout
Environment America, Media Release, June 6, 2025
“Wasteful disposable plastics like thick plastic checkout bags aren’t just annoying for consumers, they add unnecessary costs to our Oregon businesses, and are contributing to an ever increasing pile of plastic trash that is harming the environment and public health,” said the bill’s chief sponsor, state Sen. Janeen Sollman (SD-15). “Senate Bill 551 is an important step in addressing this large source of plastic pollution, and I’m proud to see it signed into law.”
Team SD 15 Appreciation
The SD 15 Team has been exceptional this year and I am grateful to all our interns and staff for their tireless work and dedication to helping support constituents, and also the work for the legislative session. Last week we celebrated Narmeen Rashid as she left for Grad School, and this week at the Capitol, we were able to celebrate both Legislative Assistant, Mark Watson and College Intern, Cailey McGuire for their contributions to Team SD 15. You can watch their courtesies below.
I also want to give a special recognition to High School Intern, Mari Park. Mari graduated from Liberty High School last weekend and broke their record for the amount of scholarship money she received. I am so proud of her accomplishments and look forward to following along as she continues down her bright path.
Team work makes the dream work!
Community Outreach
Be Prepared For Summer Heat — A quick guide from PGE!
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Hot and dry conditions can lead to power outages. Make sure you have an outage kit ready with these essential items:
-First aid kit
-Flashlights or headlamps
-Battery-powered radio and fans
-Extra batteries
-Car chargers for devices
-Bottled water
-Frozen cold packs
-Backup prescriptions
-Pet supplies
-List of emergency contacts
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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
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