Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
Preparation for the short session is hot and heavy! This week, we had January Legislative Days in Salem, which were both incredibly packed and productive. Additionally, during our committee meetings, we received important updates on all things transportation, education, land use, and water.
If you are planning to follow this session's legislation, our bills are expected to drop very soon! Many bills will be moving forward in their final version, while some will require additional amendments.
ABOVE: Sun setting on the Capitol Thursday evening
In this newsletter, you will find:
- Information on the upcoming joint town hall with Attorney General Rayfield, Representative McLain, Sen. Janeen Sollman, and Rep. Nathan Sosa
- Information on January Legislative Days and how to catch up on this week's committee meetings
- Updates from Oregon House Democrats
- Folks who stopped by to chat at the Capitol
- Local upcoming events
- My MLK Day message to you
 
❗Joint Town Hall on Friday, January 30th ❗
Exciting news! I will be joined by Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Senator Janeen Sollman, and Representative Nathan Sosa for an Oregon Priorities Town Hall in Forest Grove on Friday, January 30 at 6:30pm. We will be at Pacific University's Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center. As we work to keep communities safe, protect consumers, seniors, and working families, and defend Oregonians' values, we want to hear what’s most important to you and your families.
RSVP: http://bit.ly/Jan30ForestGrove
The event is part of a statewide Oregon Priorities Town Hall series with AG Rayfield focused on hearing directly from Oregonians, in order to shape legal strategies that best protect the state’s interests. We hope to see you there!
2026 Short Session Bills
In case you missed it, each member of the legislature gets two personal bills they can put forth this short session. My two personal bills will focus on improvements to transportation safety and modernization of our laws. These legislative concepts are:
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Autonomous Vehicle Regulation: This bill will create a framework to regulate autonomous vehicles. Clear statewide guidance on the circumstances under which autonomous vehicles may operate is currently lacking. As emerging technologies are introduced into our transportation systems across the nation, Oregon must adapt by modernizing definitions and regulations.
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Work Zone Safety: This bill will address highway work zone safety by implementing photo radar speed technology to protect frontline transportation workers. Right now, workers face safety risks due to drivers operating vehicles at excessive speeds. This legislation aims to reduce crashes and improve safety in our work zones.
We have been working to secure a supportive group of legislative partners and build bipartisan support for both of these proposals.
Legislative Days Committee Meetings
If you missed any of this week’s committee meetings during Legislative Days, you can watch them via the links below and access the meeting materials.
House Interim Committee on Transportation: 1/13/2026 Meeting at 8:30 AM
House Interim Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee: 1/13/2026 Meeting at 11:30 AM
Joint Subcommittee on Education: 1/14/2026 Meeting at 11:30 AM
Joint Interim Committee on Transportation Oversight: 1/14/2024 Meeting at 5:30 PM
Joint Public Education Appropriation: 1/15/2026 Meeting at 2:30 PM
New: Outcomes Review!
On Monday, January 12, Leader Bowman announced that the Oregon Legislature will launch a new accountability tool: Outcomes Reviews. It will encourage legislative members to assess, review and improve the implementation of previously passed laws.
Through Outcomes Reviews, we’re committed to reviewing the outcomes of bills we’ve previously championed, working with agencies, stakeholders, and impacted communities to understand what’s working, what isn’t, and why. This approach centers real-world experience and helps identify practical barriers like staffing challenges, procedural burdens, or outdated systems that slow implementation.
January Legislative Days
During Legislative Days, I met with many community leaders and change-makers around the state, including students, educators, and staff!
Students leaders from Oregon's public universities stopped by to chat about their priorities for the upcoming session and issues they notice within their own communities. It was great to touch base and hear how the academic year has been treating them.
I also had the opportunity to meet with leaders from Portland State University to talk about the budget challenges facing higher education and to reaffirm my strong commitment to protecting the programs that mean so much to students, families, and the state of Oregon.
Thank you for stopping by!
Forest Grove Affirms Sanctuary Status
This week, the Forest Grove City Council affirmed in a 6-1 vote its status as a sanctuary city and therefore, vowed to prohibit the use of city resources for federal immigration enforcement assistance.
This update reinforces the city’s existing sanctuary status and the state’s Sanctuary Promise Act. Forest Grove’s city manager will be directed to develop policies, training, and staff resources to guide city employees in their interactions with federal immigration enforcement. The update also establishes reporting requirements and directs the city to request public records to monitor federal activity. Additionally, the city will define “nonpublic” areas of city-owned facilities that federal agents may not access without a warrant.
Professional Softball Coming to Hillsboro
The Portland Cascades, a new professional softball team of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), announced they will play their games at Hillsboro Ballpark, with its home opener to be played on Thursday, June 18.
This is an exciting development to the Washington County area. Welcome to Hillsboro, Portland Cascades!
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Voter Privacy
The U.S. Department of Justice demanded that Oregon and other states turn over extensive voter information, including names, dates of birth, home addresses, and sensitive identification numbers for every registered voter this past summer. Secretary of State Tobias Read refused, stating that complying would violate Oregonians’ privacy rights and that the federal government does not have the authority to demand such data.
In response, the federal government sued Oregon in September. Just this week, U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai heard the arguments in Eugene and announced plans to dismiss the lawsuit, affirming that Oregon is not required to hand over the personally identifiable information of more than 3 million voters. This decision represents an important step in protecting voter privacy and upholding the integrity of Oregon’s elections.
Forest Grove School District’s Family Resource Center
The Forest Grove School District recently implemented a wonderful resource that is providing critical assistance to families in need. At a time when economic uncertainty is high and many families are fearful of immigration enforcement efforts, programs like this are vital in easing even a small portion of the very real stress our communities are experiencing.
 ABOVE: Erika Diaz Tofaeono, the coordinator for the Forest Grove School District's Family Resource Center
Erika Diaz Tofaeono has served as the center’s director since it opened at Cornelius Elementary School in September. While the center initially anticipated spending this year simply establishing operations, it quickly became clear that the need was immediate and significant, and that demand has not slowed.
I am deeply appreciative of the hardworking individuals at the center, as well as the broader community that has stepped up to support this important work.
Hillsboro - Tidy Up Downtown Hillsboro
Join us on the Third Monday of every month to Tidy Up Downtown Hillsboro. Give back and build community while we clean up litter and remove graffiti in Downtown Hillsboro.
WHERE: 494 East Main Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123
WHEN: Jan 19, 2026 from 9:00 AM PST to 12:00 PM PST
Come prepared for any weather with a sturdy pair of walking shoes and some water! We will be meeting at the First Congregational Church located on the corner of 5th Ave and Main St., look for the SOLVE signs. Free parking is available in the lot just South of the church on 5th Avenue in any unmarked spot, and we will meet by the breezeway on 5th Ave.
Forest Grove - Friends of Trees Volunteer Opportunity
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has long been observed with community service. Friends of Trees is proud to offer meaningful volunteer service opportunities throughout the region. Together, we’re working toward everyone having access to trees, green spaces, and the important benefits they provide to community members.
Help plant hundreds of native wildflowers and shrubs at Stites Nature Park in Forest Grove!
WHEN: January 17, 8:45 am – 1 pm
WHERE: 2423 26th Ave, Forest Grove, OR
Online pre-registration has closed at this time, but there is still room at this event! Please simply show-up at 8:45am and sign-in at the welcome table. Friends of Trees provides gloves, tools, and planting guidance, as well as breakfast snacks and coffee/tea/hot chocolate -- all you need to do is show up dressed for the weather wearing sturdy shoes or boots, and be ready to have fun!
Cornelius - Cornelius Fire Department Blood Drive
Join us for a community blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross! On Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, from 1–6 PM, the Cornelius Fire Department (1311 N Barlow Street, Cornelius, OR 97113) will be hosting a donation event right in our fire station bay.
Stop by to donate blood, support local patients in need, and hang out with our Cornelius firefighters. Your contribution can help save lives—and we’re excited to welcome you into the station for this important cause.
Schedule your donation and enter: CorneliusFire
Or call 1-800-733-2767 and let them know you’d like to donate at the Cornelius Fire Department.
Happy MLK Weekend!
ABOVE: Martin Luther King Jr.
I hope each of you has a safe and wonderful weekend and observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Monday is not simply a day off, but a day to remember and honor a man who truly embodied the spirit of justice, equality, and service. May we follow in his footsteps by speaking out against and fighting injustice wherever we see it. His example and words remain profoundly relevant today.
My office has compiled a list of resources for our community. You can click on the images below to open a document with the relevant links. If you know of a resource that should be included here, or you need a resource and are having trouble finding the information you need, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.
EDUCATION RESOURCES
Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of Education-related resources. This includes links to the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts, the Oregon and US Departments of Education, information on how to pay for college, student lunch programs, and much more!
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WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES
Click here, or on the image to the right for important resources related to wildfire prevention and recovery. This list includes links to current fire restrictions and recreation site status maps, the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire prevention tip page, and important resources for wildfire victims.
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RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS
Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of important resources for Veterans, including links and phone numbers to the various divisions of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, local Washington County assistance, supportive and community-based groups like the American Legion, and mental health resources.
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STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Click here, or on the image to the right for links to important local and state government pages, including the Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Cornelius city government pages. You can also access the Oregon Legislature's page, and other important state agency sites, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Unemployment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority.
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Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-493, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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