Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Thank you for your interest in the 2023 Legislative Session.

The 1^st Chamber Work Session deadline was on Tuesday, April 4^th. Senate and House Bills that were not voted out of a policy committee by the end of day Tuesday will not be moving forward.

This legislative update includes bills that are still moving through the process. Many bills have been referred to Ways and Means, Rules, or a Joint Committee -- these bills are still alive. It is my understanding that 99% of the bills will not make it out of Ways and Means.

Thank you for the emails you have sent my office expressing your concerns with many bills this legislative session. We have received thousands of emails and they are placed in the proper bill folder to be viewed. Your involvement with this process gets important information to my office. 

My desire is to help you know what is happening so you can be engaged and informed.

Thank you,

Senator Kim Thatcher

Senate District 11

These are the bills most active right now.

SCR 2 A Recognizing and honoring service members of Oregon National Guard

SCR 2 A Filed with the Secretary of State

We all know how tirelessly the National Guard has worked in recent times.

During the COVID pandemic they gave personnel and medical support to the many local hospitals. They were even made available to help the Employment Department when there was an unprecedented number of folks filing for unemployment benefits during the pandemic. The Oregon National Guard help law enforcement and assist in search and rescue missions. None of us will forget the infamous Labor Day wildfires. They were there to help. They truly live by their motto “Always Ready, Always There.” In short, they go wherever they’re needed.

SB 409 Transparency for courses of study offered by school districts

Bill will provide parents transparency to child’s school courses.

SB 409 is on its way to the Senate floor for a vote.

SB 470 Prohibits denial of medical assistance to those 19 years and younger while in juvenile detention facilities.

SB 470 voted out of committee on its way to the Senate floor for a vote.

SB 510 Public Records Advocate

This bill will establish a stable funding model in line with the Public Records Advisory Council proposed budget and ensuring consistent and effective services to all state and local public bodies.

Work Session held on 3/28 and referred to Ways and Means.

SB 512 Motor vehicle emission control fees

This bill would require the agency to correct a 500% fee inequity between two very similar self-test methods- dealerships and fleets.

Public hearing held 3/2 in Joint Committee on Transportation.

SB 514 Creates Adult Suicide Prevention Coordinator

We have a high rate of suicide in Oregon. Our data shows it’s the 2^nd leading cause of death for 10–44-year-old in Oregon. Oregon Suicide Prevention

Work session held 3/1 and referred to Ways and Means.

SB 554 Forensic science

The scientific understanding changes over time, but these changes sometimes take decades to emerge, meaning people whose convictions relied on bad science face significant barriers that keep them out of the courthouse. This bill is an effort to ensure our system does no more harm in the lives of wrongfully convicted, innocent individuals.

Work Session held 4/4 and referred to Ways and Means.

SB 884 Property tax exemption for disabled veterans

Bill will establish a property tax exemption that is reasonable and substantial.

Work Session held on 3/30 in Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs. Voted out of committee and referred to

Tax Expenditures.

SB 894 Oregon State Fair

Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center as regional emergency and evacuee center.

Work Session held on 3/27. Voted out of committee and referred to Ways and Means.

SB 1083 Exempts hybrid and some motor vehicles from emissions testing with DEQ

This bill is in Joint Committee on Transportation.

SB 1090 Making Standard Time Permanent

Currently in Senate Rules

ALERT HB 2002 Taking away the age of consent requirements for "reproductive health care" which includes abortion and hormone therapy for transgender youth.

Work Session held 4/3. Voted out of committee by 6 Ayes and 5 Nays. Referred to Ways and Means.

ALERT SB 348 -3 BM 114 Firearms

Work Session held on 4/4. Voted out of Senate Committee on Judiciary with 2 Nays (Senator Thatcher and Senator Linthicum) and 3 Ayes (Senator Gelser Blouin, Senator Manning, and Senator Prozanski). Referred to Ways and Means. A minority report has been submitted by Republicans.

ALERT SB 891 Eliminates residency requirements for assisted suicide

Work Session held on 3/29 in Senate Committee on Judiciary. Voted out of committee with 2 Nays (Senator Thatcher and Senator Linthicum) and 3 Ayes (Senator Gelser Blouin, Senator Manning, and Senator Prozanski). Referred to Rules.

ALERT SB 704 Universal Health Care

This bill will create the Universal Health Plan Governance Board. This board will have nine seats with members appointed by the governor. They will have four-year terms and will be paid as full-time public employees. The board will design the administrative structure for the Universal Health Plan which will be implemented the early part of 2027.

Voted out of committee on 3/22 to Rules and then Ways and Means.

         Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care  Final Report and Recommendations

ALERT SB 767 Limits scope by which public charter schools may conduct operations

Authorizes Superintendent of Public Instruction to withhold State School Fund moneys from nonvirtual public charter school that violates provisions.

SB 767 passed the Senate floor on 3/8. Referred to House Committee on Education.

ALERT SB 579 Voting by adults in custody

Allowing convicted felons to vote while in prison.

Referred to Ways and Means

ALERT SB 530 Climate Change

This bill creates state policy regarding natural solutions and the Natural and Working Lands Fund.  This bill directs the Oregon Global Warming Commission, ODOE and other state agencies to jointly coordinate on the development and prepare a net carbon sequestration and storage baseline for natural and working lands. A natural and working lands advisory committee will be create and will consist of 14 members.

Work Session held on 4/3 in Senate Committee on Natural Resources. Voted out of committee and referred to Ways and Means.

Visitors to the Capitol

I had the honor to give a courtesy to Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark on the Senate Floor on her birthday!

email: sen.kimthatcher@oregonlegislature.gov | phone: 503-986-1711

address: 900 Court St. NE, S-307, Salem, OR 97301

website: Visit our web site.