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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Community Conversations - Two Upcoming Opportunities to Connect
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This Monday! July 20th at 12:00-1:00pm at Zesti Carts in Forest Grove. Join me at Zesti Carts in Forest Grove for a Community Conversation. Come early and grab some delicious food, then pull up a chair to chat over the lunch hour.
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Saturday, August 8th at 10:00-11:00am at Fernhill Wetlands. Join me at Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove. We will meet in the covered shelter area. Wetlands staff will join us to share some fun facts and information. Bring your binoculars to spot wildlife, and your family and friends to walk the trail after the conversation ends.
Legislative Updates
Recycling Modernization Act Updates
Shared from Oregon DEQ
Celebrating one year of RMA implementation!
Oregon’s new recycling system has been operating successfully for a full year! Thanks to the hard work of hundreds of partners around the state, this past year has been full of exciting milestones as we have made steady progress implementing the program.
Congratulations to all who have participated in making recycling in Oregon more accessible, transparent, and equitable!
Upcoming meetings and reminders
RMA Updates Rulemaking
- July 20, 2026: Rulemaking Advisory Committee, 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. PDT
Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council
- July 30, 2026: Regular council meeting, 9 a.m. - noon PDT
Public comment deadline for CAA’s 2025 Annual Report
- Aug. 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m. PDT
Find more information and updates at DEQ's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act page here.
Environmental Updates
Chemical Recycling: More plastic, more pollution
Shared from OSPIRG Newsletter
The plastics industry would like us to believe that so-called "chemical recycling" is a silver bullet.
But while "chemical recycling" might sound like a clean, green solution to plastic pollution, the reality is that it isn't one.
Instead of solving environmental problems, chemical recycling creates them. Let's take a look at three such problems made worse by so-called chemical recycling:
 "Chemical recycling" is a new term for an old, dirty practice: incineration.1
Many chemical recycling facilities that use extreme heat to break down plastic can emit cocktails of harmful substances, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. Some estimates suggest that chemical recycling facilities can emit a whopping 96 different types of dangerous air pollutants into the air we breathe.2
Meanwhile, the end product of a type of chemical recycling called pyrolysis is a synthetic crude oil.3 That oil is destined to be burned, whether in a truck, a car or a factory. Burning oil means more air pollution. And more air pollution may mean more asthma attacks, more lung disease diagnoses and more lives cut short.
 Forcing plastic molecules apart demands extremely high temperatures, and generating high temperatures requires staggering amounts of energy.4
Chemical recycling facilities may use nonrenewable sources to generate this energy. But even if recycling facilities used 100% clean energy, using that much power just to create more fuel to burn is an incredible waste of resources.
 The term "chemical recycling" certainly sounds promising, as recycling is an environmentally friendly practice. Right?
Not in this case. In addition to locking us into a fossil fuels-burning future, chemical recycling also makes it easier to justify the continued production of single-use plastics.
And by framing chemical recycling as the solution to addressing plastic pollution, we're distracted from doing the harder, more impactful work of addressing our collective overreliance on plastic in the first place.
The answer to our plastic pollution problems won't be found in finding new ways to burn it. We don't need more ways to pollute -- we need to stop using and producing so much plastic in the first place. That's why OSPIRG is urging lawmakers to phase out the worst single-use plastics, petitioning companies to eliminate plastic packaging and educating our members about plastic's harms.
1. Celeste Meiffren-Swango, Grace Vickers, James Horrox and Carol Li, "Chemical recycling": What you need to know." U.S. PIRG Education Fund, July 14, 2025.
2. Celeste Meiffren-Swango, Grace Vickers, James Horrox and Carol Li, "Chemical recycling": What you need to know." U.S. PIRG Education Fund, July 14, 2025.
3. Janet Domenitz, "A new EPA move on chemical recycling would hike pollution," PIRG, April 27, 2025.
4. Celeste Meiffren-Swango, Grace Vickers, James Horrox and Carol Li, "Chemical recycling": What you need to know." U.S. PIRG Education Fund, July 14, 2025.
In the News
Oregon team of nearly 100 partners awarded NSF Regional Innovation Engine Award, set up to receive up to $160 million to grow state’s semiconductor industry, Oregon State University Newsroom, Sean Nealon, July 14, 2026.
Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology, known as FAST, an Oregon consortium that includes nearly 100 partners from across Oregon, will receive up to $160 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) during the next 10 years to grow the state’s semiconductor ecosystem. Oregon State University is the administrative home for FAST.
“This award serves as a prime example of a modern land-grant university in action. It catalyzes transformative economic development and applied discovery by bringing together higher education, industry, government, and trade and community organizations to advance innovation and prosperity,” said Jayathi Murthy, Oregon State president. “The results will be profound for Oregon, the region and beyond.”
Read the full story here and watch the YouTube video below from OSU.
Congratulations to Oregon State University and FAST! This is amazing news for Oregon, our high-tech and semiconductor industries and workforce development. Critical investments from the Oregon Legislature contributed along the way, including the University Innovation Research Fund and the Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund (HB 4154, 2024).
Oregon National Guard community ruck march strengthens ties while helping local families, DVIDS - Digital Visual Information Distribution System, Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan, July 12, 2026.
FOREST GROVE, Ore. — Soldiers, veterans and community members laced up their boots for more than just exercise during the 2-218th Field Artillery Community Ruck March and Food Drive on July 11, 2026, in Forest Grove.
The annual event brought together Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers, local veterans organizations, community partners and residents for a morning focused on service, fitness and community. Participants completed a ruck march while donating food to support the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Forest Grove.
Designed to bring Soldiers and the community together, the event featured a one-mile family walk, a five-mile ruck march and a competitive seven-mile race. Participants of all ages and fitness levels were invited to take part while helping collect food for local families. Organizers estimated this year's event would collect more than 1100 pounds of food.
Read the full story here.
Listen. Learn. Act.
CSG West Annual Meeting
Last week I joined leaders from across the western states in Salt Lake City for the Council of State Governments West Annual Meeting. It's one of my favorite gatherings of the year as it offers a chance to dig into the policy trends and challenges we all share as a region, and to build relationships across party lines that make good governance possible.
Over several days, we covered a lot of ground: energy production, microplastics, housing, wildfire mitigation, AI policy, healthcare, economic development, and technology infrastructure. On day three, we heard bipartisan leadership perspectives, took a tour of the University of Utah's AI initiatives, and visited the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
The highlight for me was hearing from Elizabeth Smart on the final day. Her story of bravery and resilience was powerful, and one I will take with me. We closed things out with Executive Committee goodbyes and a visit to a wonderful local museum.
Beyond the policy discussions, it was great to spend time with colleagues, and learn from one another. Thank you to the Council of State Governments for putting together such a valuable few days. Keep up the great work.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Small Business Sunday
This past Sunday took me to a couple of great local spots. I started the morning at Papa Floyd's Doughnuts in Forest Grove for my 166th Community Conversation, then headed over to Zesti Carts for their local vendor event, where my friend Lauren's new business, "Lauren's Cards" had a booth.
Thanks to those who came out to Papa Floyd's to share in thoughtful conversation, and thanks to Zesti Carts for creating community events in support of local business.
Portland Cascade Softball Game
What a crowd, what an experience! Thanks to a good friend and the Portland Cascade, a professional women's softball team with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, for a fun afternoon. It was a beautiful day at the ballpark, and I'd encourage anyone who has the chance to catch a game. You can find the Cascade schedule here. Home games are played at the Hillsboro Ballpark.
Forest Grove America 250th Birthday Celebration
Thank you Downtown Association of Forest Grove for hosting such a grand America 250th Celebration party! The crowd went wild over the dazzling firework display.❤️🤍💙
Hillsboro Rotary Club - 4th of July Parade
What a beautiful community celebration of America's 250th birthday! Thank you to the Hillsboro Rotary Club for all the work that goes into making the parade happen, and to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce for the honor of being one of their 2025 award recipients.
The crowds were pure joy, and so was my friend Lauren, who has brought her parade spirit to many parades with me over the years.
Community Outreach
Plastic Free July
Choose to Refuse single-use plastic and take part in Plastic Free July. Join the challenge and learn more here.
Help Create Oregon's Official Adoption Day Logo
Last year, Oregon established August 25 as Oregon Adoption Day—a day to recognize, honor, and celebrate adoption in all its forms.
To commemorate this new statewide celebration, Representative Lucetta Elmer, an adoptee and chief sponsor of the legislation creating Oregon Adoption Day, is inviting Oregonians with a personal connection to adoption to help create the official Oregon Adoption Day logo.
The contest is open to Oregon residents with a personal connection to adoption, including adoptees and adoptive parents. The winning design will be the official Oregon Adoption Day logo, helping create a lasting symbol that celebrates adoption across our state for generations to come.
Contest Details
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Who May Enter: Oregon residents with a personal connection to adoption
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Entry Deadline: August 11
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Winner Announced: August 25 (Oregon Adoption Day)
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Submit Logo and Entry Forms: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Whether adoption is part of your own story or your family's journey, we invite you to help create a symbol that reflects the love, hope, and belonging that adoption brings to so many Oregon families.
Cyclosporiasis Prevention and Symptoms
Shared from Oregon Health Authority
Cases of cyclosporiasis have increased in some parts of the U.S., but Oregon continues to have low risk.
Learn what the cyclosporiasis is, how to help prevent it and the symptoms to look for. If you develop any of the symptoms, contact your health care provider.
For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/zxmg50ZowWV
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
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