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Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov

Navigating the Short Session 

Don't try this at home

Hello Friends,

We're halfway through the 2026 legislative session! While it might not be quite as dramatic as juggling flaming torches, I feel like it’s gotta be about the same level of danger, heat, and fun! And a helmet is definitely called for.

Short session is so busy that every day feels like a week. According to my calendar, in my first 10 days of session I attended 6 floor sessions, 10 caucus meetings,12 committee hearings, and 54 meetings. This doesn’t count quick check ins with colleagues or conversations on the fly about bills. Each legislator can introduce 2 bills in a short session. We have less to keep track of, but it’s a sprint. We’re working fast to deliver results for Oregonians!

Halfway Through Short Session

That hair is a VIBE

We're halfway through Short Session and one bill has completed stage one of the four-stage race to March 8th. 

Stage one = First chamber committee

Safeguarding Students and Families Act – HB 4079

On February 4^th, I was proud to testify in front of the House Committee on Education, on our Safeguarding Students and Families Bill, House Bill 4079. The hearing went very well. You can view my testimony here. The vote in the House will be Feb. 17, then it's on to Senate Education Committee, the Senate full chamber and then the Governor’s desk.

HB 4079 requires Oregon’s public schools—K-12 and higher education—to notify students, families, and staff when it is verified that federal immigration authorities are on school grounds or on campus.

Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement agents are and have been terrorizing our communities for a year. From shooting Americans in Minneapolis, to targeting our college students, daycare centers, and K-12 institutions here at home – they are creating an atmosphere where students aren’t sure they are safe coming to school. HB 4079 will address some of our community’s fear by making sure good information from a trusted source is available.

For more information about HB 4079: 

With fears rising about ICE keeping students home, Oregon weighs school alert system - oregonlive.com

Oregon bill would require school alerts if ICE agents are on campus

The protection of sensitive places from immigration enforcement is one of the Democrats in Congress’s demands to restore funding to DHS.  But it is unclear where negotiations are as the Senate left town on Feb. 13 without moving a DHS funding bill.

National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers filed an emergency motion on Feb. 12 to stop immigration enforcement in and around sensitive locations. The education unions are part of a federal lawsuit, along with PCUN (Oregon’s farmworker union) and faith and community groups, demanding the reinstatement of the protections for schools, medical centers, and churches.

Immigration Justice Package

HB 4079 is part of a package of bills being considered to push back against federal overreach and protect immigrants. Bills in the package include:

HB 4111 Anti-Discrimination Protections

HB 4114 Protect Your Door Act

HB 4117 Universal Representation & Children’s Stability Fund

HB 4138 LEAVA: Law Enforcement Accountability and Visibility Act

HB 4150 Public Contracts Prohibition

SB 1587 Stop Data Brokers from Sharing Our Info

+ maintaining funding for the Healthier Oregon Program and anti-hunger investments including SNAP and school meals

Plug-In Solar Update HB 4080

It seems that our friends in the Beehive State got off easy as the first state to pass legislation aimed at bringing Plug-in Photovoltaic Systems to consumers. In Oregon, we may have flown too close to the sun trying to pass HB 4080.

When you try to pass legislation about electrical technology, especially new technology, there’s quite a bit to learn and quite a bit to be worried about. In the US, there is not yet consensus on how plug in solar systems need to be installed and used to be safe. Although our bill did not change the process for safety certification or code writing, questions about plugs, circuits, and breakers sparked enough concerns that HB 4080 did not make it out of committee this session.

Thankfully, there are excellent electrical experts among our advocates, fellow lawmakers, and bill opponents. We will work with them all to develop the policy and return in 2027 with a better bill! (I’m a Tottenham fan. I’m getting used to saying we’ll come back with a better plan next season.)

One solar bill that is moving and that I’m quite excited about is HB 4029 which requires solar energy contractors and installers to hold licenses appropriate to the work they perform and requires them to disclose all elements of contract agreements. If you’ve ever had salespeople knock on your door and tell you that your solar installation will be free, you know how important this bill is.

Other Legislation

Our bills aren't the only important ones this session, the Democrat caucus is working on policies that will protect Oregon's wildlife, support students, and make Oregon more affordable for working families. Read more about some standout legislation below. 

• SB 1581 – School Meals for All
  This bill offers free lunch and breakfast to all Oregon k-12 students, regardless of income.
  
  This bill was a no brainer for me to support. We know that students learn better when they’re fed and having an empty stomach increase the likelihood of children struggling with concentration, behavior, and attendance. But I believe the timing of this bill is critical because of the cuts to SNAP benefits by the Trump Administration. In Oregon, it’s estimated that 313,000 SNAP recipients are going to be impacted by the changes. I believe it's critical to pass this bill now so we can ensure the children of SNAP recipients can get good nutritional meals.
  
  
• HB 4134 - Wildlife Conservation Funding 
  This bill increases the state transient lodging tax to fund wildfire conservation. 
  
  We know that one of Oregon's largest attractions is our wildlife. Whether it's camping at our beautiful coast, fishing in our rivers, or climbing our mountains people come to Oregon because of its natural beauty that we have preserved. This bill will help preserve our natural beauty by funding anti-poaching efforts, wildfire risk reduction, and invasive species response. 
  
  
• HB 4124 - Oregon Higher Education Assessment
  This bill directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to assess our higher education system and provide recommendations to create a financially stable framework for it.
  
  Before I was an elected official, I worked for OSU as an advisor for x number of years, where I learned that we don't support higher education the way we should. In fact, Oregon ranks 46th in the nation for state funding for public universities. With the cuts the Trump administration has made for higher education and attempting to shut down the Department of Education; I believe Oregon is at a point where we have to evaluate how our public university system is working and learn what options there are to ensure students get the education they need at an affordable price.
  
  

• SB 1507 – Disconnecting Oregon from the Federal Tax Code This bill would disconnect Oregon’s tax code from the federal tax code. 

  When the Trump Administration passed what I call the “Big Ugly Bill,” it included federal tax changes that automatically reduced Oregon’s projected revenue by nearly $1 billion because our tax code mirrors the federal system. That’s money we rely on to fund schools, transportation, and human services. We still have those responsibilities, even if Congress chooses to cut federal taxes. This legislation will maintain part of Oregon's tax code as it was before the federal tax cuts and save Oregon over $300 million.

• HB 4024 - Banning Speculative Ticketing
  This bill bans event ticket resellers from offering tickets if they don't possess an actual ticket. 
  
  Oregonians shouldn’t have to worry about getting turned away at the door after buying event tickets. This session, we passed a bill to help ensure the ticket you buy actually gets you into the event. That’s common-sense consumer protection that saves you money and gives fans greater confidence when purchasing tickets. Event ticket scams don’t just hurt consumers. They hurt local nonprofits, small venues, and artists, leaving them to deal with fallout they didn’t create. With HB 4024 now passed, Oregon is protecting fans AND supporting the cultural spaces that make our communities vibrant.

Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day

Even this guy knows how important (some) vaccines are

In an extraordinarily rare event, I agree with Trump’s Administrator for Medicare and Medicaid--Dr Oz, you should get vaccinated against Measles! Last month, the measles virus was found in Corvallis’ wastewater. There haven’t been any confirmed cases in Benton County but the presence of it in our wastewater means at least one person has it. The good news is that if you have already been vaccinated against measles, there’s nothing to worry about. The other good news is that if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, it’s very easy to do! You can learn more about measles and how to get vaccinated from Benton County’s information.

The measles vaccine is just one amazing thing that science-funded by tax dollars-has created for us. In fact, it's estimated that the vaccine has averted nearly 59 million deaths since 2000. So, as a scientist, I am urging you to please go get the measles vaccine and all other vaccines that medical professionals recommend. 

Yours truly, 

Representative Sarah Finger McDonald 
House District 16

email: Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1416
address: 900 Court St NE, H-477, Salem, OR 97301

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