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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
SB 1507: Federal Tax Disconnect Bill
Senate Bill 1507 has passed in the House and is on its way to the Governor for signature. The bill responds to the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in Oregon funding that resulted from federal tax changes last year, closing several tax loopholes primarily used by large corporations and wealthy individuals, and redirecting those resources toward working families and essential state services. As co-chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, I want to note that the preservation of $311 million in state funding was critical to prevent classroom dollar cuts, early education to higher education. This is meaningful progress toward limiting harm to our education budget at a time when federal funding remains uncertain.
The legislation delivers on several key fronts:
Largest EITC expansion in Oregon history: More than 500,000 Oregonians, half of them children, will see more money in their pockets through the largest-ever increase to the state Earned Income Tax Credit.
A new $25 million Jobs Tax Credit: Oregon businesses that create good-paying jobs right here in our state will be rewarded, spurring local economic growth and keeping Oregon competitive.
$311 million preserved for critical services: Funding for health care, public safety, and education is protected, funding that federal policy had stripped away.
No taxes on tips or overtime: The bill reaffirms that neither tips nor overtime pay will be subject to Oregon income tax.
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HB 4132: Supporting Oregon's Veterans
Coming from a military strong family, supporting Oregon's veterans is personal to me. I was glad to vote yes on HB 4132 this morning in the Ways and Means Committee, particularly for its focus on suicide prevention. Oregon's veteran suicide rate is significantly higher than the national average, and one in four veterans report difficulty accessing mental health or substance use care. This bill directs real resources toward closing those gaps.
The legislation delivers on several key fronts:
Suicide prevention grants: The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs will develop a suicide prevention program and award grants to organizations pairing suicide prevention with workplace training, with priority given to those serving veterans in their local communities.
Veterans Treatment Court access: Studies methods for making treatment court available to veterans in every county and judicial district.
Bridge Grant expansion: Raises the individual grant cap for veterans experiencing financial hardship.
VSO program updates: Modifies the Veteran Service Officer program in Oregon counties to better serve veterans.
Administrative updates: Modernizes DD214 records access and hiring criteria for ODVA leadership.
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Sponsored Legislation Successfully Passed
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SCR 204: Honoring the Association of Oregon Counties on the 120th anniversary of its founding.
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HB 4034: Revises the definition of "animal rescue entity."
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HB 4092: Prohibits a retailer from knowingly selling or offering for sale, and a retail platform operator from knowingly permitting a retailer to advertise or offer for sale, a child safety system that does not comply with federal standards or standards the Department of Transportation adopts by rule.
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HB 4099: Establishes the Task Force on Responding to Veterans in Crisis and directs the task force to submit a report to the interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to emergency management and veterans no later than September 15, 2026.
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HB 4152: Modifies provisions regarding solemnization of marriage to permit deployed service members to be married remotely.
Week Four Committee Snaps
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Public Hearings and Work Sessions were held on the following bills:
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HB 4025: Allows an increase in the residential rates of a public utility to take effect from November 1 to March 31 for public utilities other than public utilities that provide electricity or natural gas services.
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HB 4029: Requires a solar energy contractor or person that installs a solar energy system to have a license appropriate for the scope of work the solar energy contractor or person will perform.
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HB 4031: Exempts an energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the energy facility produces power from a renewable energy source, qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits and is placed in service on or before December 31, 2030, or a date allowed by exception and a local land use application for the facility is submitted on or before December 31, 2028.
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HB 4060: Exempts sales to purchasers with facilities totaling more than one million square feet from a prohibition on sales of certain fluorescent lamps until January 1, 2030.
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HB 4076: Requires the Energy Facility Siting Council to find that reasons justify why the state policy in applicable statewide planning goals should not apply to a proposed energy facility if the council finds that the proposed energy facility will deliver electricity to the electric grid using an existing energy facility's surplus interconnection and does not require associated transmission lines more than two miles from the existing energy facility.
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HB 4077: Authorizes a public utility, upon approval by the Public Utility Commission, to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the public utility associated with a self-insurance or captive insurance program.
A Work Session was held on:
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HB 4102: Modifies the authority of the Department of Environmental Quality to enter into agreements with regulated entities to expedite or enhance a regulatory process.
Senate Committee on Education
Public Hearings and Work Sessions were held on the following bills:
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HB 4079: Directs school district boards and governing bodies of institutions of higher education to adopt policies that address how the school district or the institution of higher education will respond when a federal immigration authority enters school property or a campus.
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HB 4154: Requires the compilation of data about students who are regular attenders or who are chronically absent.
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HB 4160: Directs schools to have a cardiac emergency response plan as part of the procedures for responding to medical emergencies.
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HB 4149: Directs school districts to adopt policies that provide for the immediate enrollment, school placement and provision of services to homeless students.
A Work Session was held on:
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HB 4066: Prohibits the student member of the Oregon Health and Science University Board of Directors from participating in any discussions or action by the board or attending any executive session of the board involving collective bargaining issues that affect students.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education
Work sessions were held on the following:
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HB 4124: Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to conduct a study of the condition of Oregon's post-secondary education system and to develop detailed recommendations for the design, implementation and operation of a viable and superior institutional framework.
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HB 4131: Directs the State Board of Pharmacy to issue a license to operate a mobile pharmacy to a qualified applicant.
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SB 1535: Allows the Early Learning Council to modify the priority given to families receiving temporary assistance for needy families for participation in the Employment Related Day Care subsidy program.
- Department of Education Report - Summer Learning
Work sessions were held on various bills and agency reports. See agendas below.
Week Four - Oregon State Capitol Visits in the halls and in #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
Listen. Learn. Act.
Celebrating Black History Month
This week of Black History Month we recognize the impact of Thurgood Marshall on racial equality in the U.S. government. Born in 1908 in Maryland, Marshall grew up experiencing the effects of segregation on Black Americans. Despite having successful parents, Thurgood Marshall experienced significant discrimination—from rejection from law school due to his race, to racial harassment. Following law school, Marshall founded a law firm aimed at using legal tools to assist underprivileged members of his community, often taking cases pro bono. Winning police brutality and housing cases, Marshall slowly gained prominence with his analytical and fair presentations. He eventually joined the NAACP as an attorney and won the Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954. His victory declared segregation in U.S. classrooms unconstitutional, removing educational and social barriers that young Black Americans like himself faced. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Marshall as the first Black American to serve on the Supreme Court.
Thurgood Marshall’s work on SCOTUS unraveled racial barriers across sectors such as voting rights and criminal protections. He used the tool of the law to combat racial injustices and set a precedent for future Black advocates in office. As we observe Black History Month, we honor Marshall’s steadfast pursuit of justice and his legacy of advancing equality.
~Athena L.
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Out and About in Senate District 15
Forest Grove High School Cheerleaders - National Champions
I was so very proud to stand with community and welcome our Forest Grove High School Cheerleaders home from competition. They brought home the GOLD from Las Vegas as the 6A National Champions last weekend. As the Class of '87 Viking Mascot, my maroon and gold heart was bursting with Viking Pride!
Community Outreach
Month of Ramadan
This year, the evening of February 17th through March 19th marks the month of Ramadan, occurring in the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. Celebrated by millions globally, the holiday entails a period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection. Originally established for Muslims in the year 624 CE, the celebration has significant cultural and spiritual roots in the Islamic religion. Specifically, Ramadan aims to commemorate the month in which the sacred Quran was believed to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE. Ramadam Mubarak to all who celebrate.
Civic Leadership Academy - City of Cornelius
Shared from City of Cornelius
Have you ever thought about getting involved in your community, but you’re not sure how?
Are you interested in helping guide the future of Cornelius, and developing leadership skills in the meantime?
A Civic Leadership Academy is designed to bring together a group of Cornelius residents to learn about City and community functions and process, and to focus on a real issue of community importance. Members will share their perspectives, work on the issue, and present to City Council. The Academy is a great way to get involved in the community and City, and especially to build skills, knowledge, and perspective to support community service, including elected office.
Find more information and apply here.
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Fundraising for Children in Foster Care - Washington County
 Shared from Oregon Department of Human Services - Washington County
We’re excited to announce a unique and first-time fundraising opportunity in collaboration with Multnomah and Clackamas County Oregon Dept. of Human Services (ODHS) and the Portland Trail Blazers! This tri-county effort will support children in foster care through the Child Welfare Donated Funds account.
📅 Game Night: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz
🗓 Friday, March 13, 2025
📍 Moda Center, Portland
Here’s how it works:
- Use the attached flyer to access the special ticket link.
- Purchasers are able to select their ticket level and which county will receive their donation (Washington County please!).
- A portion of every ticket sold will directly benefit children in care, helping cover needs that aren’t supported by existing budgets.
✨ Exclusive Fan Experience Available
- Enter the arena 30 minutes early to line up by the tunnel — you might even high-five a Blazer!
- After the game, head down to the court to take a free-throw shot and snap a photo on the hardwood.
This opportunity is open to all and only available through the shared link in the flyer. Please feel free to spread the word to your family, friends, and community partners — anyone who loves basketball and wants to support foster care.
Thank you for helping us make a difference while enjoying an unforgettable night with the Blazers!
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Immigration Resources
 Thank you to Salem/Keizer students for showing up today at your Oregon State Capitol for our families and communities. You were heard loud and clear! One more week to pass the bills the community has advocated for - ¡Si se puede!
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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