Branch News Editor: Following is a timely update from Patricia “Trish” Garner, AAUW of OR State Public Policy Chair; and AAUW National Public Policy Committee member. Keep an eye on this Branch News section for additional updates from Trish as the 2020 Oregon Legislative Session proceeds.
Hi Everyone –
The 2020 Oregon Legislative Session is on the brink of opening its doors — Monday, February 3rd. At least to my mind, it seems as if we get lulled in a pre-planting stage and then lurch to harvest in one week! Many bills have already been filed, with more to come. As you know, it’s a Short Session and is scheduled to run from February 3rd through March 8th (sine die).
Needless to say, the issue that is on everyone’s mind — regardless of our position — is what is going to happen, or if anything is going to happen, regarding a climate change bill. Will there be another Senate walkout? I don’t have the answer. I do know, however, that a great deal of work has been done in attempting to arrive at a reasonable solution.
Here’s our Agenda:
- Your Action Needed ASAP !! Hearing this Monday, February 3rd on an Age Discrimination Task Force bill (HB 4076). Please send in Emails in support by this Friday, January 31st.
- Lobby Day Reminder – February 24th
- Here’s a Ready-To-Go Program for your Branch — It’s about the Creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission in Oregon
- Other Legislative Issues We Support or are Considering
- Your Action Needed ASAP !! Hearing this Monday, February 3rd on an Age Discrimination Task Force bill (HB 4076). Please send in Emails in support by this Friday, January 31st.
ASAP Action Needed
Speaking of legislative issues starting off with a bang, on next Monday, February 3rd at 5:30 pm, the House Committee on Business and Labor will be hearing a bill that sets up an Age Discrimination Task Force to study and make bill legislative recommendations for the 2021 Session. It is our #1 Priority bill for the 2020 Session.
I know it’s short notice but if you can, but please send ASAP an email expressing your support for HB 4076 to the House Committee on Business and Labor. The Committee needs to receive it by the close of business on Friday, January 31st. Yes, that’s tomorrow. Here’s what to do:
- Here is where to send it: jan.nordlund@oregonlegislature.gov
- Make sure the subject line of your email says “Testimony for House Business and Labor Committee hearing regarding HB 4076, Monday, February 3, 2020”
- Be Brief.
- Thank them for their service.
- It’s best if you can add in a personal line, example or statement, but attached below is some language you might also wish to incorporate.
- Here’s a sample:
There is some history here. In the 2019 Session we strongly supported a substantive bill that would make clear that age discrimination in Oregon is unlawful. The reason? Right now if an employer can present one reason other than age to justify a negative employment decision — even if that reason is directly related to age — the aggrieved employee cannot sustain a claim based on age discrimination. Reasons directly related to age include such things as pension, retirement or medical benefits. The bill unfortunately did not make it to the finish line. We therefore gathered our stakeholder group, including for example, AARP and the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, as well as Representative Carla Piluso who served as our Chief Sponsor then and now. After much discussion it was decided that the best way to generate sufficient momentum to get something passed in the 2021 Session was to appoint a Task Force in the 2020 Session that will examine the problem of age discrimination.
I anticipate that the bill will authorize the Task Force to:
(a) Identify and evaluate the impacts of age discrimination in the workplace; and
(b) Establish policy recommendations, including recommendations for legislation, to deter age discrimination and ensure that employees of all ages have full and equal access to opportunities in the workplace.
And please don’t forget to send me a copy of your email !!
Lobby Day Reminder – February 24th
Before I launch into a recitation of our current legislative agenda, I just want to remind you that the 2020 AAUW of OR Lobby Day is on the horizon as well. It’s going to take place on Monday, February 24th and promises to be both educational and fun. The Ashland Branch is doing a great job in organizing it. Thank you! Our theme: Women Legislators in Salem: Getting There and Staying There. Speaking of getting somewhere — I’ll see you on the 24th at the Capitol! You can easily sign on via the internet, or send in your registration information and check.
- Here’s a Ready-To-Go Program for your Branch — It’s about the Creation of an Independent Political Redistricting Commission in Oregon
AAUW of OR supports a Constitutional Initiative that creates an Independent Redistricting Commission that draws Oregon’s political district lines fairly and on a non-political basis. Right now that important process is run by state legislators and politicians for whose benefit these lines are drawn. The public can apply to serve on the Commission and a panel of administrative law judges nominates finalists according to specified criteria. The 12 Oregonians include 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 4 from neither major party. At least 10 public hearings must be held acrosss the state regarding the redistricting process and all information is a public record. Maps drawn must be adopted by a majority, including at least one member from each partisan pool.
The Redistricting Campaign Coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Oregon, Candalynn Johnson (mailto:candalynn@lwvor.org) is a primary leader in this effort. As you might surmise from her email address, she is also a member of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. She has asked for the opportunity to present information about the Initiative, which could include giving presentations to your local chapter or partnering with your local chapter to provide a panel or forum to the public. Please let me know when you contact Candalynn so I can keep track of our interest.
As a note, It also appears that as a result of the 2020 census, Oregon is projected to gain another U.S. Congressional seat due to population growth.
Other Legislative Issues We Support or Are Considering
Because the final text of the following issues have just been published or are still not in the public record, the State Public Policy Committee has not taken an official position on all of them. Please let me know if YOU wish to weigh in!!!
Firearms Safe Storage (HB 4005) – This bill requires that when a firearm is not carried by or under the control of a firearm owner, it needs to be secured with a trigger or cable lock, in a locked container or in a gun room. If someone obtains an unsecured firearm and injures an individual or property, the firearms owner may be liable for the injury. It’s a Class A misdemeanor if a minor obtains an unsecured firearm if the owner knew or should have known that a minor could gain unauthorized access.
AAUW of OR supports this bill, although we will may raise some question about the limited definition of “control” in relation to a firearm (i.e.,”control” means “a person is in sufficiently close proximity to the firearm to prevent another person from obtaining the firearm”).
A hearing is scheduled on this bill in the House Judiciary Committee this Friday at 2:00. If any of you wish to attend, please do so — but let me know. I will be testifying but to be honest, this is the kind of bill that draws a large crowd.
Student Health Survey (HB 4132) – The Oregon Health Authority has conducted the Oregon Healthy Teens Survey for several years, but with this bill the Survey will be co-produced with the Oregon Department of Education and will be statutorily funded. The bill also seeks to amplify the intent of the Student Success Act enacted in 2019 which sought to identify data on school climate and the health and well-being of Oregon students. AAUW of OR supports this bill.
Funding for Domestic Violence Co-Location (HB 4133) – This program is designed to fully authorize and fund domestic violence advocates co-located within DHS offices. This is not a new program, but the Oregon Department of Social Service’s previous allocation formula has failed to provide sufficient funding for the program, leading to layoffs. AAUW of OR supports this bill.
Funding for the Family Preservation Project at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. This program for incarcerated women and families was established in 2019, but it requires funding. AAUW of OR supports this bill.
Vaping (1) SB 1559 – This bill seeks to ban sales of “flavored inhalant delivery system products,” or vaping products. (2) HB 4078 – This bans the distribution and sale of vaping products through the internet.
Family Treatment Court (HB 4040) – This proposal sets up a Family Treatment Court for the following counties: Coos, Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson and Marion. The purpose of the program “is to improve outcomes in child welfare cases that result from a parent’s or caregiver’s alleged substance use disorder by minimizing or eliminating the amount of time a child requires protective custody and by protecting children from abuse and neglect by addressing the comprehensive needs of children, parents and family members through an integrated, court-based collaboration of court, child welfare, treatment and social service providers who work as a team to achieve timely decisions, coordinated treatment and ancillary services, judicial oversight and safe and permanent placements.” A worthy goal. AAUW of OR supports this bill.
Licensing for Student Loan Services (SB 1540) – This bill requires that persons servicing student loans must obtain a license, which must be periodically renewed. A similar bill was presented in the 2019 Session but that one included a component whereby licensees had to obtain extensive education and counseling through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. That portion of the 2019 bill was removed, at least in part because it significantly reduces the “fiscal,” or the amount the state must pay to enact the statute. AAUW of OR supports this bill.
Carbon Cap & Invest – Clean Energy Jobs – I’m not going to summarize this bill as I warrant that no one knows what is exactly what it’s going to say.
Federal Tax Opportunity Zone Disconnect (HB 4010) – This is a complicated but important measure. In essence, given that state taxable income tracks federal taxable income, federal tax breaks created by President Trump’s 2017 tax plan carry over as state tax breaks. Oregon’s disconnection from these tax breaks means that the monies not subject to federal taxation would have to be added back to state revenue and be available for use by Oregon in paying for such items as education, social services, and so on.
As a little more detail, the 2017 plan provided that if an investor accrues capital gains on an investment and the n places these monies into so-called “Opportunity Zone” funds, they could defer payment of capital gains until 2026. If the Opportunity Zone investment is kept for at least 5 years, the “basis” in the Opportunity Zone investment wold be reduced, and reduced even further at the 7 year mark. Capital gains generated by these investments are completely tax-free if they are held in the fund for at least ten years.
Lest we think that Opportunity Zones benefit low income individuals, history does not bear that out. The tax plan failed to include a requirement that it benefit for low income individuals, and in fact may foster gentrification. The only definition of opportunity zones are that they be “economically distressed communities,” or near these communities. At least in Portland, most of these Opportunity Zone investments have been made in the Pearl. AAUW of OR supports this bill.
Campaign Finance Reform – The State Public Policy Committee has been closely following this issue. Ann Bard (Ashland) has in particular undertaken responsibility here. That you Ann!! A recent statement of Governor Brown indicating that she would not support campaign finance reform legislation during this Session has cast doubt on whether campaign finance reform will be enacted now. There is Senate House Bill 1524 that provides for contribution limits and House Bill 4124, presented Representative Dan Rayfield, which creates a Task Force to study campaign contribution limits.
So that’s it for now. A hefty email. I sure hope you can send something into the House Committee on Business and labor regarding the Age Discrimination Task Force Bill HB 4076. Thanks !!
Best,
Trish