While short sessions are typically reserved for smaller business items like technical amendments and minor reallocations, the 2024 short session handled much more substantive legislation.

Session Dynamics

Two key elements overshadowed this session’s proceedings: 1. Measure 110 reform, more on that later, and 2. the looming threat of another Senate walkout. In a unanimous ruling on February 1, the Oregon Supreme Court upheld Measure 113, effectively barring the ten affected senators from running for reelection in 2024 or 2026 (based on when current term expires). Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp of Bend acknowledged Republicans’ ability to once again stymie proceedings in a press release following the decision. This tension was especially apparent during negotiations around contentious bills Measure 110 reform, as Democrats felt pressure to make concessions to keep Republicans at the capitol. 

Political Shifts

The 2022 election cycle ended with a new governor, new presiding officers, and a largely new Legislature and this period of transition is far from over. The 2024 session concluded with Rep. Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) stepping down from his post as Speaker to focus on the statewide race to replace retiring Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum. A bipartisan group of House members chose Majority Leader Julie Fahey (D- West Eugene) to take the helm as House Speaker. Representative Fahey’s transition leaves an opening in her caucus for a new Majority Leader with numerous candidates vying to succeed her.  

House Republicans have also experienced turnover when House Republican Leader Vicki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) stepped down ahead of the 2024 session and was replaced by Rep. Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River). Senate Republicans will face significant changes in the coming election cycle as ten of their twelve members are now ineligible to run for reelection because they accumulated more than ten consecutive absences during a walkout in the 2023 Legislative Session. Of the ten found to be ineligible for reelection, six seats will be vacant in this current election (the other four have terms that expire during the next go-around). Notably, Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp is one of those ineligible to run this year.

In addition to the statewide elections, several current electeds are seeking higher office in Congress. Reps Maxine Dexter (D-Portland) and Janelle Bynum (D-Clackamas) have entered crowded primaries for CD 3 and CD 5, respectively. Needless to say, one vacancy leads to a domino effect in the Oregon political landscape, so buckle up for shake-ups in the months to come. 

OPCA’s advocacy efforts largely revolved around the ban of manufacturer contract pharmacy restrictions on 340B covered entities. We introduced this concept to Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland) in September of 2023 and he included it in his omnibus bill, HB 4010. Despite compelling testimony from OPCA, FQHCs, national 340B policy experts, and a community of other safety net providers, the concept saw substantial pushback from PhRMA and it became clear that it would not have the votes to advance from the House Healthcare Committee. The concept was then amended into HB 4028 and referred to the Rules committee. It narrowly passed out of the committee on a 4-3 party-line vote, but ultimately lacked the votes to advance on the House floor and was pulled from the House of Representatives’ agenda.

While we are disappointed and frustrated with how this played out, we are so impressed with and grateful for the advocacy efforts of Oregon’s FQHCs. We want to recognize Neighborhood Health Center and their Director of Pharmacy, Jennifer McElravey, One Community Health and their Clinical Pharmacist, Lisa Sandoval, and Mosaic Community Health and their Director of Pharmacy, Melissa Brewster, for their compelling testimonies. Additionally, Aviva Health played a pivotal role in educating key lawmakers about the value of 340B in their community. Our concept only went as far as it did because of the advocacy efforts of FQHCs.

HB 4028-2 (Previously HB4010, Section 3):

• Status: Failed
• Concept: Would have prohibited Drug Manufacturer Restrictions on 340B Contract Pharmacies. 
• Between the Lines: The concept lacked the votes necessary to pass out of the House Committee on Behavioral Health & Health Care and was instead amended to HB4028 and referred to the Rules Committee. The bill narrowly passed out of committee and ultimately lacked the votes to advance from the House floor.

HB 4130: Pretect Healthcare from Corporate Investment

• Status: Failed
• Concept: Would have prevented corporations from purchasing healthcare clinics and making care delivery decisions.
• Between the Lines: The bill passed from the House floor on February 22nd with 42 to 12 but was referred to the Rules Committee where it remained at adjournment.

SB 1595: Updates to the Financial Protection Act

• Status: Passed
• Concept: This bill increases the amount exempted from court seizure or garnishment to the value of minimum wage and adjusts annually to keep up with inflation. It protects the first $2,500 in a bank account from seizure. It also criminalizes knowingly attempting to collect a debt that a consumer does not owe or for the wrong amount and extends the consumer complaint period.
• Between the Lines: The bill passed the House on March 6th 45-9.

HB 4149: Regulations for Pharmacy Benefit Managers

• Status: Passed
• Concept: Requires PBMs to be licensed and to submit contracts with pharmacies to state regulators upon request. Permits pharmacies to file a complaint to contest a PBM appeal finding. Restricts certain behaviors regarding 340B pharmacies: a PBM may not: 1. Discriminate in the reimbursement of a prescription for 340B drugs from other prescription drugs; 2. Assess a fee, chargeback, clawback or other adjustment for the dispensing of a 340B drug; 3. Exclude a pharmacy from a pharmacy network on the basis that the pharmacy dispenses a 340B drug; 4. Restrict the methods by which a 340B drug may be dispensed or delivered; or 5. Restrict the number of pharmacies within a pharmacy network that may dispense or deliver 340B drugs.
• Between the Lines: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 7, 25-3 and is awaiting the governor’s signature.

HB 4070: School Health Crisis Response Act

• Status: Failed
• Concept: Would have funded at $7.8m grants to districts to increase and improve mental health services. Additionally, it would have authorized $10 million in lottery bonds for expansion of School Based Health Centers for construction and equipment.
• Between the Lines: The legislation faced challenges when OHA expressed concerns that the funding would have been for one year only, making it hard for health centers to make long-term plans for operations and staffing. Following the bill’s Work Session on February 15, it was moved to Ways and Means where it died upon session adjournment.  

SB 1530: Eviction Protection & Rent Assistance

• Status: Passed
• Concept: The Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package passed this session, making a total of $376M directed at the immediate needs of Oregonians struggling with homelessness, having trouble paying rent, or needing a place to live while recovering from a substance use disorder. Specifically, the bill includes $34M for rent assistance with 30% set aside for culturally responsive organizations, $7M to the Urban League of Portland for homelessness prevention services, $5M to individual development accounts (IDAs), and $1M for outreach services to residents of expiring affordable housing units. 
• Between the Lines: The bill passed in the House on March 4, 52-5. It is now awaiting the governor’s signature.    

The Children's Agenda

• Status: 8 out of 10 items were passed
• Between the Lines: OPCA serves on the Our Children Oregon Steering Committee. While we did not submit any concepts to the agenda this session, we thoughtfully considered each concept brought to the committee and supported the agenda as a whole. The agenda is divided into three priority areas: Economic Well-Being, Education, and Family and Community. You can read the Children’s Agenda Session recap here.