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To contact me, please click here: Rep.ShannonIsadore@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
The 2025 legislative session has officially come to a close. Lawmakers have considered thousands of bills, budget requests, amendments, and heard from a vast array of Oregonians on the issues that matter most to them. We have passed hundreds of bills, most of which were passed with bipartisan support. We have also considered incredibly contentious policies that divided us along party and ideological lines. I have personally have had to make challenging decisions on issues where both sides make compelling arguments. Ultimately, I have remained guided by the input of my constituents, community, and colleagues to make the choices that I feel best serve the needs of House District 33 and all of Oregon.
One of the final and most talked about bills of the session was HB 2025, the Transportation Reinvestment Package. This bill was long overdue and urgently needed to fund the State’s Department of Transportation (ODOT), which has struggled to maintain services as costs rise and funding has stagnated.
However, despite extensive discussion and effort, the bill did not pass during the regular session. Legislative leaders have indicated their intention to call a special session soon to revisit this critical issue and ensure Oregon’s transportation system receives the funding it needs. As a former financial advisor for working families, I understand how tight budgets are right now, and I recognize the difficulty of supporting tax and fee increases. At the same time, our transportation system is at a crossroads, and every Oregonian will feel the impact if we do not adequately fund ODOT’s essential work, from filling potholes and clearing roads to stabilizing aging bridges. Throughout the interim, I will continue to listen closely to your concerns and advocate for a balanced approach that prioritizes safety, maintenance, and sustainability while respecting the financial pressures many families face.
I am beyond grateful to the legislators, staff, advocates, constituents, and friends and family who have made this session not just possible, but rewarding and successful. A supportive community has uplifted me throughout my life, whether it was when my community came together to send me to college or when my supporters sent me to the House of Representatives. This legislative session has reinvigorated my commitment to service and I look forward to continuing this work in the interim and the 2026 short session. That said, I am also looking forward to some much needed time away from the Capitol and am looking forward to being based in HD 33 full-time once again.
 (The 2025 Freshman Class of Legislators. I couldn’t be more honored to be a part of this incredible group of leaders!)
In my first session, I was proud to sponsor a whopping 48 bills! I want to highlight some of the ones that are of particular significance to me and share why they are so crucial.
I am absolutely thrilled to announce that we have secured the full $10 million in funding for the James Beard Public Market! Securing this funding was my top priority this session, and I am immensely pleased to have successfully championed this effort. This market will be the centerpiece of Portland’s downtown revitalization, located a stone’s throw from Pioneer Square, Portland’s living room. I am so proud of all of the effort from project leaders, staff, and advocates that has ensured the market will receive the resources it needs to open in 2026.
This is a much-needed and well-deserved win for downtown Portland, and I am celebrating this victory alongside all of the leaders, visionaries, and small business owners who have worked for decades to bring this market to life and with you, my constituents, who love our beautiful Portland and want to see it thrive.
I am pleased to announce three more wins for HD 33 in the upcoming budget!
Hoyt Arboretum, with whom I've had the pleasure of getting to know this session, has received their full $2 million budgeting ask in order to renovate their education and research facilities to better serve our Oregon community.
Portland Center Stage has received an allocation of $1.5 million (it was one of the only theaters to receive funding this year!) and I am excited to see all that they will accomplish with it.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park has also received an allocation of $3 million to fund their festivals and events.
So glad to see these cornerstones of our community receive this crucial funding!
HB 2024 - Behavioral Health Workforce Investments Package
HB 2024, which directs OHA to give grants to some entities to help them hire and keep behavioral health care workers and makes changes to laws to improve the safety of workers in certain behavioral health settings, is now only awaiting the governor’s signature to pass. The grants funded with the $45 million that this bill has appropriated from the General Fund include $1 million allocated to apprenticeships, $5 million to student loan assistance, and $1.1 million for full time equivalent employees that lets the OHA implement stronger safety measures. I look forward to seeing our behavioral health entities receive this much needed support.
HR 3 - Black Drag Resolution
I was proud to co-Chief Sponsor House Resolution 3, which recognizes the impact of Black Drag on our great state. Drag is not just entertainment; it’s a powerful expression of joy and resistance for groups here in Oregon who have historically not been accepted.
It was a pleasure to join so many of my colleagues who spoke in support of the resolution on the House floor. I shared my pride in representing House District 33, home to iconic drag venues including the trailblazing Darcelle’s, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. In a time of divisiveness, it was heartening to see the resolution pass with overwhelming bipartisan support.
SB 450 - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
SB 450, which designates November 14th as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, has been signed into law. As one of the Chief Sponsors of this bill, I was thrilled to see it pass the House nearly unanimously and touched to hear heartfelt remarks from members on both sides of the aisle. This bill hit home for me, as my mother was born around the same time and in the same New Orleans community as Ruby Bridges, who was the first African American student to attend a previously segregated school. At just 6 years old she was escorted to school by U.S. Marshals and maintained perfect attendance in the face of outright hostility and discrimination. I'm so glad to see this legislature take steps to honor this hero and her legacy of resilience and dedication. I look forward to seeing Ruby Bridges' story celebrated across Oregon for years to come.
SB 874 - Traditional Eastern Medicine
SB 874, which I had the honor of carrying on the floor, has been signed into law. This bill changes the term “Oriental medicine” as it is currently found in the Oregon Medical Practice Act to the more culturally appropriate term “Traditional Eastern Medicine.” This is an important change that reflects robust stakeholder engagement between the Oregon Medical Board, Oregon Acupuncturists Association, and APANO. I am so glad to see this bill move forward in the legislative process with updated, culturally appropriate language.
SB 1098 - Freedom to Read
SB 1098, also known as the “Freedom to Read” bill, prohibits discrimination when selecting or retaining school library materials, textbooks or instructional materials or when developing and implementing a curriculum. This bill is already in effect, having been fully signed into law, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this legislation will have on our schools.
 (A heartfelt moment with my incredible mentor Rep. Tawna Sanchez.)
HB 2007 - Summer Reading
I was proud to co-sponsor HB 2007, which was signed into law and will allocate $35 million of funding to summer learning grants.
HB 2059 - Funding for residential treatment facilities
HB 2059, which establishes the Residential Behavioral Health Capacity Program within the Oregon Health Authority to fund behavioral health programs that are determined by the authority to increase residential behavioral health capacity throughout this state, has passed the Senate and is just awaiting the governor’s signature.
HB 2292 - HIV Coverage
This bill, which requires health benefit plans and medical assistance managed plans to provide coverage with no cost-sharing for additional treatment for HIV, is only awaiting the governor's signature to pass.
HB 2556 - PSU Urban Research University Designation
HB 2556 was signed by the Governor, officially designating Portland State University as Oregon's Urban Research University. Go Vikings!
HB 2685 - CMV Newborn Screening
This bill updates the law concerning cytomegalovirus, a disease that affects newborns, and requires the authority to establish by rule a newborn screening protocol for cytomegalovirus. It is now only awaiting the governor’s signature.
HB 2741 - Newborn Bloodspot Screening
HB 2741, which directs OHA to maintain a state public health laboratory and to implement and administer newborn bloodspot screening programs, is now law.
HB 3187 - Age Discrimination
HB 3187 is officially law. HB 3187 will change laws in order to prevent age discrimination by prohibiting employers from requiring or requesting disclosure of certain information regarding age and attendance or graduation dates.
HB 3522 - Squatter Eviction Fix
This bill has been signed into law, allowing a property owner or landlord to evict a squatter.
HB 3532 - Offensive Geographic Names
HB 3532 has been signed into law and is already in effect, meaning that the Oregon Geographic Names Board will make a list of offensive geographic names in Oregon and have the board suggest new names within the next three years.
HB 3582 - Child sexual abuse
This bill gets rid of the time limit for claims based on child sexual abuse or sexual assault and has officially been signed into law.
 (Looking from the rotunda into the house chambers. This is a view that I hadn’t gotten to see yet due to the construction!)
SCR 31 - Legislative Commission on Indian Services 50th Anniversary
Commends the Legislative Commission on Indian Services for 50 years of service to the State of Oregon. Just awaiting the governor’s signature!
SB 548 - 18 to Marry
This bill, which increases the legal marriageable age to 18, has been signed into law and will take effect at the beginning of next year.
SB 537 - Workplace Violation Prevention
This bill creates new laws for workplace violence prevention in health care settings and is still waiting for the governor’s signature.
SB 611 - Food for All
This bill establishes the Food for All Oregonians Program in the Department of Human Services to provide nutrition assistance to qualifying children residing in this state.
SB 992 - Bottle Bill Update
SB 992 passed the House following a near unanimous vote in the Senate. Now, the bill will head to the Speaker's and President's desks for their signatures before finally being signed by the Governor. This legislation updates the Bottle Bill to meet the unique needs of Downtown Portland. It will help Downtown retailers who currently face challenges associated with accepting bottles and cans by shifting the bulk of returns to alternative sites, all while preserving the many benefits of the program. This will be a great relief to Downtown Portland and will provide a safer, healthier environment for both retailers and participants.
SB 1032 - Aerosol Duster Regulations
SB 1032, which prohibits the retail sale of an aerosol duster that contains 1,1-Difluoroethane to an individual under 18 years of age, has been fully signed into law and will go into effect at the beginning of next year.
SB 1182 - Albina Vision Trust I-5
SB 1182 allows the Department of Transportation to give, lease, or sell surplus real property of the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter Project to Albina Vision Trust, Inc. and has been fully signed into law.
Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or neighbors, I hope today brings you a chance to reflect on the incredible community that we have here in Portland, and across our state.
If you're looking for something to do tonight, swing into HD 33 for the Waterfront Blues Festival for great music, good food, and to take part in a true Portland tradition, capped off by the City’s iconic fireworks show at 10PM over the river! Wishing you all a safe and joyful Independence Day. See you out there!
 Team Isadore is a force to be reckoned with!
(Zia - Intern, Rep. Isadore, Jackson - Chief of Staff, and Mie - Legislative Director)
Thank you for reading! You are welcome to send me an email at rep.shannonisadore@oregonlegislature.gov or call my office at 503-986-1433. Stay tuned for more newsletters with updates or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.
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Shannon Isadore
State Representative
House District 33 |
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Sugar |
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1433
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-276, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.ShannonIsadore@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/isadore
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