|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
The 2026 Legislative Session is underway and Week One is nearly done. With just four weeks to go, we are off to a busy start. Many public hearing were held this week. I testified on six different bills and participated in nine committee meetings. I look forward to keeping you updated on the policies I am working on and the legislative session overall during this next month.
Legislative Updates
March 2026 Economic and Revenue Forecast
Revenue Outlook
2025-27 Net General Fund revenue is $35.3 billion, up $105.6 million from the December 2025 forecast.
The 2025-2027 General Fund net resources are now $37.5 billion, an increase of $252.7 million from the December 2025 forecast.
Lottery revenue for the 2025-27 biennium is $1.8 billion, a $33.8 million increase from the December 2025 forecast.
Reserve accounts as of December are $1.08 billion (Education Stability Fund) and $1.95 billion (Rainy Day Fund). The projected ending balances for the 2025-2027 biennium are as follows: Education Stability Fund: $1.22 billion and Rainy Day Fund: $2.18 billion. The Rainy Day Fund is not projected to receive a transfer from the General Fund beginning balance, as the legislature chose to notwithstand the Rainy Day Fund transfer in the 2025 session.
Kicker Outlook
There is no personal kicker projected for the 2027-29 biennium. There is no corporate kicker projected to be transferred to K-12 spending in 2027-29.
OEA Economic Outlook
The overall economic forecast reflects a firming economy, with the growth forecast increasing and the possibility of a recession declining. Oregon’s employment reflects a “low hire/low fire” dynamic, and the unemployment rate is 5.2%, up from 5% from the December 2025 forecast.
Population growth is expected to remain modest, averaging 0.5% annually through 2035. Oregon’s labor market is not yet reflecting growth improvement.
OEA Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) Projections
Anticipated revenues for the current biennium (2025-27) are up $17.9 million to $3.05 billion. For 2027-29, projected revenue is now $3.43 billion, up $6.2 million from the December 2025 forecast.
Forecast Documents
Economic and Revenue Forecast, March 2026
This Week's Testimonies
Week One Committee Snaps
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Informational hearings were held on:
-
HB 4144: Battery Producer Responsibility Program
- Oregon Public Utility Commission Update on the Implementation of 2025 Legislation
Public Hearings were held on the following bills:
-
SB 1525: Establishes the Blue Economy Task Force.
-
SB 1526: Requires the State Department of Energy to apply for grant moneys from the State Agency Program Fund to cover the costs and expenses of carrying out pre-startup activities and forming a nonprofit entity.
-
SB 1597: Requires an electric utility to disclose to its customers the costs of storing the waste produced by an energy facility in generating electricity.
Senate Committee On Education
Informational hearings were held on:
-
SB 1538: Requires district school boards to admit all students to all schools and programs of the school district.
-
SB 1581: Requires school districts to offer lunch and breakfast to students at no charge, regardless of income.
- Executive Order 25-09
Public hearings were held on the following bills:
-
SB 1596: Directs the State Board of Education to allow play-based learning to be considered instructional time for students in kindergarten through grade five.
-
SB 1538: Requires district school boards to admit all students to all schools and programs of the school district.
-
SB 1581: Requires school districts to offer lunch and breakfast to students at no charge, regardless of income.
Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Education
Informational hearings were held on:
- Subcommittee Orientation
- Department of Early Learning and Care - Program Underspend
Work session were held on:
- Board of Licensed Social Workers/Mental Health Regulatory Agency Report - Licensing Database
-
Higher Education Coordinating Commission Report - Apprenticeship Utilization
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Public hearings were held on:
- 2026 Agency Reduction Options
Work sessions were held on:
- Introduction of Committee Bills
- Federal Grant Applications
- Agency Reports
Week One - Oregon State Capitol Visits in the halls and in #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
In The News
In The News
Oregon’s 2026 legislative session: What you need to know, OPB, Dirk VanderHart, Lauren Dake, and Bryce Dole, February 2, 2026.
Some lawmakers are getting in on the action.
State Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, has a multipronged bill that bolster tax credits for research and development investments. More controversially, the bill would open up 1,700 acres of land in North Hillsboro to development for advanced manufacturing. The land has been part of a decades-long tug of war over industrial development in Hillsboro, epicenter of the state’s semiconductor industry.
Oregon lawmakers pitch JOBS Act to boost manufacturing, unlock industrial land, KATU News, Vasili Varlamos, January 27, 2026.
The proposal, called the Oregon JOBS Act, would also prepare large industrial sites for development and reduce permit delays that have pushed companies to other states.
“Oregon’s working families are feeling the squeeze, from rising costs at the kitchen table to growing uncertainty in the economy,” said Sen. Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro), the bill's sponsor, in a press release announcing the bill. “Support Oregon workers and families by strengthening the state’s ability to create and retain high-wage jobs,”
“Without deliberate action on site location, incentives, and regulatory relief, Oregon risks losing jobs and investments to other states and falling further behind,” said Sollman. “It becomes a promise without a place.”
Gov. Kotek addresses immigration enforcement impact in Salem, KDRV, Newsroom Staff, January 26, 2026
Gov. Tina Kotek recently held a roundtable with community leaders and legislators to address the impact of increased federal immigration enforcement in Oregon.
State leaders, including Sen. Janeen Sollman and Rep. Ricki Ruiz, condemned the federal government's actions. "We must demand care, dignity, and due process for all Oregonians," said Ruiz.
Intern Corner
Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month, first recognized in 1976 under the Ford Administration, serves as a monthly recognition of Black Americans’ contributions to our society. Whether that be culturally, socially, or economically, there is no denying the immense impact on society that Black voices have shaped. From the United States’ historical roots in enslavement to 1968’s civil rights movements, Black Americans have consistently fought for equality and freedom in a nation that has often denied them fundamental rights. Although significant progress has been achieved since our country’s foundation, the status quo continues to allow the perpetuation of racism towards Black Americans.
2026’s Black History Month aims not only to commemorate Black contributions to society but also to challenge citizens to combat everyday instances of prejudice. Its significance is global, since the foundation in the United States, the observance has evolved to take place inside countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and
Germany.
A “theme” is selected each year for Black History Month, with notable themes ranging from Black Resistance, Black Health and Wellness, and Black Businesses. These themes are then incorporated into education systems worldwide, from museums to school curricula. The 2026 Black History Month theme is A Century of Black History Commemorations. Thus, for this year’s theme, Senator Sollman’s office would like to recognize the impact of Ida B. Wells.
A journalist and civil rights leader born in 1862, Wells targeted racial injustices and critiqued segregation laws through her writing. As the civil rights movements intensified in scope, Ida B. Wells’s influence grew as well. Her foundation of the NAACP served as a keystone behind the famous “peaceful protests” that ultimately led to the campaign’s success. Well’s advocacies extended beyond racial equality; her passionate nature led her to combat issues of sexism, famously organizing mass movements that spurred national attention.
Ida B. Wells embodies the courage and moral leadership celebrated during Black History Month, encouraging us to embrace these values in our own communities.
|
~Athena L.
Community Outreach
America 250 Oregon Update
The America 250 Oregon Commission was created by SB 1531 during the 2024 legislative session and was charged with the mission of “coordinating, providing guidance, and ensuring that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial.” SB 1531 also provided $250,000 in funding to the Oregon Historical Society “to expend and allocate” in the fulfillment of that mission. The 2025 legislature provided an additional $250,000 to OHS for similar purposes.
The Commission has met on six occasions, with the first meeting held on August 6, 2024, and the most recent being held last week, on January 29, 2026. Since its creation, the Commission has accomplished the following:
ADOPTED GUIDEPOSTS
Adopted seven “guideposts” as the priorities for America 250 Oregon programs:
- To inspire Oregonians to participate in the work of forming a more perfect union.
- To highlight the importance of civics and history education in building a better future.
- To highlight the work of Oregon’s many history and heritage organizations.
- To encourage a robust, thorough, and honest examination of our collective history.
- To celebrate the unique traditions, arts, and cultures of communities throughout Oregon.
- To honor the service and sacrifice made by Oregon’s veterans.
- To celebrate the power of place through Oregon’s remarkable landscapes and scenic beauty.
OREGON 250 WEBSITE
Oregon’s official U.S. Semiquincentennial website, oregon250.org, was launched in February 2025. In this digital space, the public can browse a community events calendar, explore online exhibitions, and access resources for getting involved in this nationwide commemoration. The site also includes website links to all nine of Oregon’s federally recognized tribes as well as information on understanding tribal treaties, visiting tribal museums, and resources to learn about Indigenous histories and traditions.
OREGON 250 TRAVELING EXHIBITS
The America 250 Oregon Commission partnered with acclaimed photographer Peter Marbach to create two digital and traveling photographic exhibits that showcase the essence of Oregon and its vibrant communities. The Power of Place highlights Oregon’s awe-inspiring landscapes, many of which have remained unchanged for centuries. The Pursuit of Happiness focuses on the people and communities of Oregon and the ways we gather to celebrate the diverse cultures that define our state. Both exhibits will continue to travel throughout 2026 to museums, libraries, and civic centers around the state free of charge, and will be available to travel after the semiquincentennial.
OREGON 250 COMMUNITY GRANTS
With the assistance of the Oregon Heritage Commission, the America 250 Oregon Commission created the Oregon 250 Grant Program to assist in funding America 250 observances and programs across the state.
To qualify, programs have to align with at least one of the Commission’s seven guideposts. To date, two rounds of funding have provided a total of $125,000 divided between 38 recipients, with half of the recipients serving rural Oregon communities. Applications for a third round of funding, totaling $50,000, will open on March 4, 2026. A list of grant recipients can be found on the Commission’s news and press page.
AMERICA 250 OREGON E-NEWSLETTER
The America 250 Oregon Commission publishes a monthly e-newsletter to share updates on all 250–related activities. Subscribe to our email list to receive the newsletter.
PARTICIPATION IN AMERICA 250 PROGRAMS
The America 250 Oregon Commission is encouraging Oregonians to participate in a variety of programs sponsored by other states, organizations, or by the national America 250 Commission, which was established by the United States Congress. These programs include:
-
Moments that Made Us: This traveling exhibition was developed through a multi-state collaboration that explores the ideas of the Declaration of Independence through defining moments in American history. Designed as a free, customizable, print-on-demand exhibition, it can be easily shared at schools, libraries, civic centers, and museums nationwide. In the Pacific Northwest, the America 250 Oregon Commission partnered with Washington 250 and Idaho 250 to create regional panels that highlight local stories alongside the national narrative. The main exhibition panels will be available on February 13, 2026, with the regional component available in early March.
-
America’s Potluck: Led by Utah 250, this nationwide effort encourages Americans to gather with friends and neighbors for potlucks on July 5, 2026.
-
Sharing the Spirit of America: Oregon will participate in a nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence taking place at 3pm PT on July 8, 2026.
-
America Gives: This national initiative invites businesses, nonprofits, schools, faith groups, and community organizations to increase volunteer service in 2026.
-
Oregon’s Revolutionary War Memorial: Located at Beaverton Veterans Memorial Park, this new memorial honors America’s first veterans. The dedication also recognizes figures such as William Cannon, a Revolutionary War veteran who later settled in Oregon and is buried in St. Paul, Oregon. The public opening and celebration is scheduled for April 19, 2026.
-
Light to Unite: This initiative, led by the National Flag Foundation, calls on Americans and communities to light buildings and landmarks in red, white, and blue and fly the U.S. flag on the evening of July 4, 2026.
-
America 250 Time Capsule: On July 4, 2026, America 250 will bury a time capsule within Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, which will be opened on July 4, 2275. Each state has been asked to submit items that represent the people of its state that can fit within a 6" x 5" x 2" archival storage box and/or a single page of archival lay-flat paper, not larger than 8.5" X 11". The America 250 Oregon Commission will issue soon a media release to ask Oregonians to submit suggestions by March 1, 2026.
In addition to the above, representatives of the America 250 Oregon Commission have attended numerous meetings and statewide conferences to share news and answer questions about local programs.
ABLE Age Adjustment Act
Shared from the Oregon State Treasury
The Oregon ABLE Savings Plan is celebrating a major milestone for financial inclusion as the ABLE Age Adjustment Act officially takes effect, expanding eligibility and opening the door for thousands more Oregonians with disabilities to save and invest without risking critical benefits. As of January 1, 2026, individuals whose disability or blindness began before age 46—up from the previous age limit of 26—may now be eligible to open an ABLE account. The change, authorized by federal law, reflects growing recognition that disability can occur at any stage of life and that access to financial tools should not be limited by age of onset.
ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals to save for qualified disability-related expenses—including housing, education, transportation, healthcare, and assistive technology—while maintaining eligibility for federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.
You can find more details here: www.oregonABLEsavings.com.
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
| 
