|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
June Interim Legislative Days
June Interim Legislative Days occurred this week on Monday through Wednesday. It was a busy three days at the Capitol with committee hearings and updates from our state agencies, meeting with advocates and constituents, and a Senate floor session to confirm the Governor's Executive Appointments. We also had a special unveiling ceremony for Governor Kate Brown's official portrait in the Capitol and a ceremonial bill signing for HB 4132, the Veterans Omnibus Bill.
Senate Energy and Environment Committee - POWER Act Update
This week in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee we heard updates on The POWER Act, HB 3546 from the 2025 session. The Public Utility Commission talked about their recent rulemaking and answered questions from committee members. They shared what a positive impact this bill is for Oregonians and that we are a model to follow for other states in regulating power usage for data centers.
|
Quality Education Commission Appointments
During Wednesday's Senate Floor Session, I voted against recent appointments to the Quality Education Commission (QEC).
The QEC plays a critical role in shaping how Oregon funds every public school in the state. With these appointments, the Commission has now reached the maximum number of school employees allowed by law — and that matters, because what the QEC needs most right now is greater methodological rigor, not a more homogenous makeup.
A recent report from the American Institutes for Research was unambiguous: improving the Quality Education Model will require additional researchers with data skills and the technical background to produce more robust, policy-relevant estimates. I look to Massachusetts, a national leader in education, as the direction Oregon should be heading.
Backgrounds in school leadership and classroom teaching are valuable, and Oregon is better for having people with that experience in public service. But the QEC's core function right now is expanding the rigor of a complex modeling process. We paid researchers to study this problem and tell us exactly what the Commission needs. We owe it to Oregon's kids to listen.
|
Reception and Unveiling Ceremony for the Official Portrait of Governor Kate Brown
On Tuesday we celebrated the Unveiling Ceremony for the Official Portrait of Governor Kate Brown. The painting is an absolutely stunning portrayal of the Governor and it was wonderful to see former Governors and statesmen in attendance. If you are visiting the Capitol, be sure to stop by and see this beautiful new addition to the Governor Hall of Paintings.
Veterans Omnibus Bill Signing
This week we also saw the Governor sign HB 4132, the Veterans Omnibus Bill from the 2026 Legislative Session, a bill that I Chief Sponsored alongside bill champions, Representative Paul Evans and Senator James Manning Jr.
 
Out and About in Senate District 15
Washington County Juneteenth Celebration
Thanks to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Black Advisory Business Council for organizing the Juneteenth celebration in Orenco Station on Saturday in Hillsboro. A vibrant gathering of community, the festival brought together local artists, artisans, food vendors, live music, and advocacy organizations for a fun-filled day.
West Tuality Habitat for Humanity "Let's Open the Door" Event
Last weekend I attended the West Tuality Habitat for Humanity "Let's Open the Door" Event. It was a night of celebration and community, raising money to provide housing stability for our neighbors. We celebrated 35 years of our own local West Tuality Habitat for Humanity and 50 years of Habitat for Humanity!
Community Outreach
Free Event at Capitol June 27
Celebrating America’s 250th – A Passport to History and Democracy
Salem, Ore. – To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, the Oregon State Capitol will be hosting “A Passport to History and Democracy” event on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free passports, available while supplies last, will be available in the Capitol’s Galleria, and encourage visitors to visit 13 stops inside and outside the building. The Sons of the American Revolution, Republic Chapter, will be providing costumed interpretation at the replica Liberty Bell and will be stamping passports for that location. A commemorative souvenir will be given to those that finish their passports.
The Tri-Cities Steel Band Association’s OK2Botay will be performing in the Capitol Plaza starting at 10 a.m. for a half hour to kick off the event.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will also be on hand for a specialty, one-day-only postmark. This postmark alone is a great commemorative souvenir that is only available at this postal station inside the building during this event. A postmark can be given on any paper that has a stamp affixed. The postmark is free. The USPS will also be selling specialty products that day.
Willamette Heritage Center will be exhibiting “Caralyn B. Shelton – The Nation’s First Female Governor,” also in the Galleria. This special exhibit will be available to view through July 29.
Nothing is more American than apple pie, and the Willamette Valley Pie Co. has donated samples of their apple pie for this event. Tillamook Creamery is offering free vanilla ice cream bars during this event as well. Both items are first come, first served as quantities are limited.
This event is sponsored by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation. For more information regarding Oregon State Capitol events, contact 503-986-1388 or click on events at www.oregoncapitol.com.
|
Hidden Bottle Hunt 2026
Shared from Oregon Bottle Drop
 We are proud to host the sixth annual HIDDEN BOTTLE HUNT: Celebrating 55 years of Oregon's Bottle Bill!
Join BottleDrop's Hidden Bottle Hunt (June 25–28) — a family-friendly statewide adventure celebrating Oregon's first-in-the-nation Bottle Bill, which has kept our parks and trails litter-free for 55 years!
Solve clues, explore Oregon's public lands, and try to find one of six hidden bottles. Each lucky finder keeps the bottle (it’s like a trophy!) and directs a $1,000 donation to a BottleDrop
Give nonprofit of their choice.
This year's bottle design celebrates SOLVE— founded by Governor Tom McCall, who also signed the Bottle Bill into law. While you're out hunting, pick up any litter you find and help keep Oregon beautiful!
Sign up for daily clue alerts at BottleDrop.com/Hunt — Happy Hunting!
2026 Coolest Thing Made in Oregon
 Do you know of an Oregon business that makes a cool product? Even better, do you work for a business that does?
Either way, help get that product the recognition it deserves by nominating it for Oregon Business & Industry’s Coolest Thing Made in Oregon contest. To do so, head to the Coolest Thing Made in Oregon web page and enter a few, simple pieces of information.
The contest, now in its fourth year, identifies the coolest thing made in the state through a series of online votes involving 16 finalists arranged on a tournament-style bracket. The 16 finalists will be chosen this summer from a list of products nominated by businesses and individuals across the state. Which is where we are now.
The window to nominate products will remain open until July 10. To be eligible, a product must be manufactured substantially in Oregon and be legal to buy in all 50 states. OBI especially encourages businesses (and their employees) to nominate their own products. Nobody knows how cool a product is more than the people who make it, after all.
Coolest Thing Made in Oregon finalists will be announced in September, at which point the voting will begin. The winner will be announced at OBI’s Vision Oregon Event on Oct. 28.
Bullseye Glass won the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Oregon Contest, following Epic Aircraft’s E1000 GX in 2024 and Freres Engineered Wood’s Mass Ply Panels in 2023.
A product you nominate could take home bragging rights in 2026.
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
| 
