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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
I am excited to have so many upcoming opportunities to connect. Please visit me at an upcoming Community Conversation or Town Hall. Bring your thoughts and questions and meet fellow members of the community. I look forward to seeing you soon!
- Community Conversation #150!! at Orenco New Seasons/Farmers Market. Sunday, September 7th. 10:00AM-11:00AM. We will meet on the outside patio at the Orenco New Seasons.
- Community Conversation at Rogers Park in Forest Grove. Wednesday, September 24th. 6:30PM - 7:30PM. Meet at the tables under the shelter.
- Save the Date! Town Hall with Senator Lisa Reynolds and Reps Mari Watanabe and Nathan Sosa. Thursday, October 2nd. 5:30-7:00PM at PCC Rock Creek. Register to attend at this link here.
Legislative Updates
Special Session - Transportation Funding
Next week, the Oregon Legislature will convene in a Special Session to discuss passage of a transportation funding bill. Oregon’s transportation system is facing pressing and complex challenges. While a comprehensive funding package was under consideration during the 2025 legislative session, the time clock from when we finally received the final transportation package information had run out. With the scope of the package and end of session before us, the proposal did not advance and the session ended. Now, with a budget shortfall threatening core services and jobs at the Oregon Department of Transportation and within Oregon cities and counties, a special session has been scheduled to begin August 29 for the Oregon House to take up the issue. The Oregon Senate will convene on Monday, September 1st to conclude with a solution.
The proposal coming forward has a goal to preserve critical services, stabilize public transit agencies, and avoid large-scale layoffs, while also being mindful of the long-term need for a more sustainable, fiscally responsible, and equitable transportation funding model.
Read a detailed summary of the proposed LC 2 here. Key elements include:
- Biennial performance audits of ODOT
- Highway Cost Allocation Study
- State gas tax increase from 40 cents to 46 cents, beginning in January 2026
- Vehicle Registration fee increases - passenger vehicles from $43/year to $85/year
- Title fee increase for passenger vehicles from $77 to $216
- Increase of Employee payroll tax from one-tenth of one percent to two-tenths of one percent
- Road usage charge program for electric and hybrid vehicles
Estimated revenue from these new fees and increases can be found here.
I remain committed to ensuring Oregon’s transportation system is safe, reliable, and responsive to the needs of all communities—urban and rural. That includes supporting workers, addressing public safety, and being accountable to taxpayers. With accountability comes public trust. I’ll be at the table during the special session to help move us toward balanced, forward-looking solutions.
The Joint Interim Committee on Transportation Funding will hold a public hearing Monday, August 25 at 3 p.m. in Hearing Room F at the Oregon State Capitol to hear from the public on the proposal. The agenda for that hearing is posted on OLIS here. The proposed LC Draft is posted here. Oregonians can sign up for in-person or remote testimony on the committee’s webpage here. Written testimony can also be submitted.
Protecting VOCA Funds for Survivors
Oregon has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging new federal conditions that threaten Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants by tying them to immigration enforcement. VOCA supports shelters, hotlines, advocates, and forensic exams; in Oregon, 146 providers could lose about $15 million in 2025 if the policy stands. VOCA is funded by criminal fines, not tax dollars, and the suit asks the court to block the changes while the case proceeds.
Watch the KGW news story at this link here or by clicking on the picture below.
Listen. Learn. Act.
This week I did a ride-along with Officer James Weed from Hillsboro Police Department's Community Impact Team. The CIT officers get to know our neighbors that are struggling with housing and facing instability in their lives. Knowing and saying their name is about human connection, dignity and community relationships. I watched the interactions with Officer Weed. There was familiarity and recognition. It was real and not for show. He knew the ones that have a history of violence, the ones that are the helpers and even went out of his way to make connections with outreach workers. He even made sure it was known that one familiar neighbor was celebrating their birthday today. These ride-alongs provide critical perspective for me and I learn something new each time I go out.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) - Legislative Summit
Earlier this month, Team SD15 was fortunate to travel to Boston, Massachusetts for the Annual NCSL Legislative Conference. This year was NCSL's 50th Anniversary and the summit was their largest in history, with over 9,000 attendees. In the 2025 session, I sponsored SCR 11, honoring NCSL on their 50 years. Learn more about NCSL and all the important ways they help state legislatures- from convening events that bring staff and legislators together to learn from each other- to top quality non-partisan research for our office to utilize in policy making, NCSL is an integral partner in our work to create positive change for Oregon.
At this year's summit, we were able to learn from experts across fields and policy topics in a variety of programming. We took advantage of touring the rich history of Boston, including walking the Freedom Trail, a tour of a colonial battle ship and a visit to the JFK Library. These summits are a great opportunity to meet and build relationships with staff and legislators across the country and hear about policy trends and things that we can bring back to Oregon. Such as when I learned at last year's summit about raising the legal of marriage in Oregon to 18, and was able to pass SB 548 in the 2025 session. That policy idea came directly from my meeting with advocates at NCSL who are working to pass this legislation state by state. I look forward to all the future learning opportunities NCSL has to offer.
I am also pleased to also share with you Ali's perspective as a first time attendee of the summit-
Attending the National Conference of State Legislatures in Boston was a valuable opportunity to strengthen my skills and connect with colleagues from across the country. Many of the sessions I attended focused on writing, communication, and education policy — areas that are central to my role in supporting the needs of Senate District 15. These conversations sparked new perspectives and practical tools that I’m eager to bring back to Oregon. Beyond the conference halls, I also enjoyed exploring Boston’s rich history. Overall, the trip was both energizing and inspiring, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned in my work here at home.
~Ali Lanenga
Intern Corner
Android Earthquake Alert (AEA)
Google has developed a system that uses data from two billion smartphones and smartwatches to create a global earthquake early warning system. Dubbed the Android Earthquake Alert (AEA), it uses these common devices to detect P-waves, a tremor that precedes the more destructive S-waves in an earthquake. The goal of this system is to give people a few seconds of early warning before an earthquake starts. This might allow people enough time to do things such as get off a ladder or take cover.
AEA is most useful in parts of the world without sophisticated earthquake detection and warning. So far, this system has sent alerts for 11,000 earthquakes in 98 countries. This is an important supplement to more expensive earthquake warning system technologies.
~Anna Kappler
If you have an Android phone, you can enable or disable earthquake alerts under the "Safety and Emergency Menu" in your phone's settings.
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Out and About in Senate District 15
Hillsboro Readiness Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
Yesterday I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hillsboro Readiness Center for the Oregon National Guard. The original armory served the community and the Oregon National Guard for over five decades and was sold in 2010. A number of companies have continued to be assigned to the Hillsboro area, and this new Readiness Center will be a vital hub for the Oregon National Guard and a valuable resource for the surrounding community. The units that are designated to the new Readiness Center are Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion 218th Field Artillery Regiment and Delta Company, 2nd Battalion 162 Infantry Regiment. The new facility, located on Veterans Drive, features 44,992 square foot Readiness Center, 19,886 square foot storage building, six complete pass-through bays for artillery pieces and approximately 190 parking stalls to support unit training and community events. Thank you to Brigadier General Alan Gronewald, Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace and others for their welcoming remarks and shared vision for the Hillsboro Readiness Center.
Joint Town Hall
On Monday, I held a Joint Town Hall with Representatives Nathan Sosa and Susan McLain at the Hillsboro Civic Center. There were a lot of intense feelings in the room regarding federal immigration enforcement actions and how we can best help our neighbors. Transportation was also a hot topic as we go into a special session next week for transportation funding. I was heartened to see so many community members come out in support of their neighbors and bring up areas of concern including housing, homelessness and food banks. We all want to make sure our neighbors are safe and healthy, with a roof over their heads. It was a great reminder of the power of community and getting involved with local organizations on the ground, who are helping to make positive impacts in Senate District 15. Thank you to all who attended. I look forward to seeing you again at an upcoming event.
AT&T Human-I-T Event at the Blazers Boys and Girls Club
Last week, I took part in a wonderful, community event at the Blazers Boys and Girls Club. The generosity of AT&T and connection of Human-I-T, brought students steps closer to closing the digital divide with refurbished laptops, giving them the tools and skills to thrive. The smiles on the kids and the show of relief of parents was pure joy to experience with my colleagues.
Westside Electric Living Fair
Debby Garman's environmental advocacy produces truly remarkable results, as evidenced by the outstanding success of the Westside Electric Living Fair. This exceptional green event featured a notable special guest: Oregon's Kid Governor Rosie Lanenga, a dedicated environmental champion. The event provided valuable educational opportunities. I learned so many new things. Sincere gratitude goes to Debby Garman and all the dedicated volunteers whose efforts made this meaningful gathering possible.
Community Outreach
Hot Weather Resources - Extreme Heat Warning
Blackberry Grove Energy Storage Facility
Jupiter Power is proposing the Blackberry Grove Energy Storage Facility (Blackberry Grove) in Washington County, Oregon. Blackberry Grove is a 100-megawatt battery energy storage project that will connect to the existing West Union substation on NW West Union Road.
What is energy storage and why is it an important part of Oregon's energy transition and grid reliability? Learn more from PGE here.
The Blackberry Grove facility aims to improve the reliability, stability, and resiliency of the local grid. A stand-alone battery storage system connects to the grid at a substation, providing a firm and dispatchable resource during peak demand hours.
The facility is designed to be a low-impact neighbor: existing berms and tree buffers will be preserved, limited noise and zero emissions will be generated during operations, and dark-sky compliant lighting will minimize visual impacts to neighbors.
Jupiter is coordinating with local first responders to ensure the project meets the highest fire-safety standards and is safe to operate in the community.
Beyond strengthening the grid, the project team is also engaging with community partners to deliver tangible local benefits. Learn more at blackberrygroveenergy.com, or reach out to project lead Kurt Nelson via email (blackberrygrove@jupiterpower.io).
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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