Note:  Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE.

Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills.

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• Age-Related

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Age-Related

By Trish Garner

After a number of attempts over the last six years, a bill addressing workplace age discrimination, HB 3187,  finally passed.  The League wrote testimony  in support of the original bill. The bill prohibits employers from asking for a date of birth or graduation date on job applications unless it is a job requirement or an offer of employment has already been made. While a move forward, the enrolled bill also struck key provisions contained in the bill as originally filed. These were the provisions that caused the bill to be filed in the first place, but the passage of HB 3187 reflects some progress. The problem that HB 3187 initially sought to address arose from courts’ interpretations of discrimination “based on age.”  This language had been construed so narrowly that all employers needed to do was to point to one other reason for an action unfavorable to its employees and they would thereby avoid liability - even if age was a factor in their decision. The first version of HB 3187 sought to address this problem by clarifying that discrimination “based on age” can include factors such as salary, length of employment service, or retirement or pension eligibility or status. 

HB 3497 received a “do pass” recommendation from the Early Childhood and Human Services Committee but it remained in the Ways & Means Committee upon adjournment, so it did not pass. It sought to require 14-plus State agencies to consider the effects of their actions on older adult populations. The bill also sought to establish the Shared Future Oregon Task Force which would be directed to develop a multisector plan for aging that provided a comprehensive framework comprised of Oregon state government, local governments, private and nonprofit entities and philanthropic organizations in order to implement coordinated statewide strategies and partnerships which promote healthy aging and intergenerational connections and prepare for the growth of Oregon’s older population.

SB 548  establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage.  It passed the Senate with only one “nay” vote (Senator Noah Robinson) and the House passed it with two “nay” votes (Representatives Jami Cate and Darin Harbick). It was signed into law by Governor Kotek and is effective January 1, 2026. LWVOR submitted   testimony   in support.

Behavioral Health

By Trish Garner

While the legislative results of the 2025 Session may not have lived up to all expectations, there were significant advances in behavioral health, and in particular to serious mental and behavioral health challenges. The immediate impetus for these actions stemmed from the ongoing challenge of providing residential or involuntary mental health services. The evidence for this situation seems to be clear.  At least one of the major causes for this bottleneck stems from significant overcrowding in the Oregon State Hospital and the fact that approximately 95% of these individuals are there because they were found by a court not able to “aid and assist” in their defense of criminal charges. With the OSH full of “aid and assist” patients, there was no room for other individuals needing residential mental health services. Added to this mix were problems associated with Oregon’s law regarding civil commitment or involuntary treatment. As a result of several court decisions, the standards for commitment were unclear. This situation led Oregon courts to require a significant degree of acuity before authorizing commitment.

Two bills were filed at the outset of the Session which were designed to deal with these issues. HB 2481 was directed to the unable to “aid and assist” situation and HB 2467 related to civil or involuntary commitment. As the Session moved closer to a conclusion, neither bill had passed. A very strong objection to HB 2481 had come from District Attorneys and criminal defense attorneys who objected to the very specific time limits that HB 2481 prescribed for the amount of time defendants could be hospitalized or participate in community restoration services in order to restore their fitness to proceed. For example, a defendant charged with a felony other than a violent felony could be committed for a maximum 6-12 months and remain in community restoration for 6-18 months. The attorneys claimed that these limits were unrealistic.  

Into this mix (June 6, 2025) came a ruling in Oregon Advocacy Center v. Mink, a federal case addressing overcrowding in the Oregon State Hospital. The judge in the Mink court held that Oregon was in contempt for its failure to comply with a previously issued injunction that “aid and assist” defendants must be hospitalized within 7 days of their being determined unable to aid and assist. Because Oregon was (and continues to be) significantly out of compliance with this order, it was held in contempt of court and faced significant fines amounting to $500.00 per person per day that an “aid and assist” individual stayed in jail beyond the 7-day maximum. (See OR Adv Center v Mink). 

HB 2005 Enrolled combined the provisions of HB 2467 and HB 2481 into one omnibus bill.  Although speculation, it would seem apparent that there was support for changes to the civil commitment laws but less support to pass the “aid and assist” portion of the bill. Judge Mink’s contempt order increased the pressure to pass the “aid and assist” bill over and above the DA and defense attorneys’ objections, and thus the bills were combined. District and defense attorneys remain quite concerned about the impact of HB 2005.

In dealing with civil commitment, HB 2005 provides that individuals can be civilly committed based on whether they are dangerous to self, dangerous to others, are unable to meet essential needs or have a chronic mental disorder. It also details specific factors courts “shall” and “may” consider in making these determinations. The bill acknowledges the importance of anosognosia which impairs one’s ability to recognize they have a mental illness, making them unlikely to seek or comply with treatment. HB 2005 also redefines the previous legal standard which required that a danger to self or others be “imminent,” to a reasonable foreseeability that a danger exists “in the near future.”  This language gives more flexibility to judges making these determinations. The bill also provides that dangerousness to self requires that a person engage in or threaten to engage in behavior that is likely to result in serious physical harm, while the “danger to others” standard uses similar language but omits the word “serious.”

HB 2481’s contribution to HB 2005 is an itemization of factors that courts may consider when determining whether defendants are mentally competent to proceed, or “aid and assist” in their defense. These include, for example, prior evaluations, evidence of a prior diagnosis by a certified evaluator or qualified mental health practitioner, prior commitments, and/or the defendant’s conduct as observed in court. It also requires courts to appoint counsel for these defendants and if the defendant is unable to afford counsel, the court will appoint one at state expense. HB 2005 also places time limits for involuntary commitments depending on the nature of the crime and its interface with community treatment. The Judicial Department is also mandated to study the interactions between the state and tribal entities regarding behavioral health treatment and the involuntary commitment procedures in these communities.

Appropriations to the Oregon Health Authority in the amount of $5,400,000 were authorized for payments to community mental health programs regarding civil commitments and $1,100,000 to the OR Public Defense Commission to provide public defense to financially eligible persons

.

Other Behavioral Health Bills which Passed

HB 2015 focused on the many regulatory barriers to building and operating secure residential treatment facilities and homes. On the surface HB 2015 appears to be a study bill but while it was not prescriptive about what OYA needs to do to find solutions for these barriers, it directs OYA to find them. For example, Trillium Family Services is Oregon’s sole provider of a full continuum of mental health services for youth aged 5 – 24 and has a staff of 685 employees. According to current regulations such a facility must be licensed with and provide services and documentation as both a child caring agency and an adult residential treatment provider. These processes are time consuming and take away from the provision of treatment. Another example relates to nurse staffing.  Current OHA rules provide that these facilities must have one nurse on site at all times, and not just on-call, which is particularly challenging for non-urban settings. OYA also currently requires a facility to be fully licensed before it can accept patients rather than allowing admission after a certain point in the licensing process. Financial compensation for residential services is based on the acuity of an individual’s treatment which might initially seem logical, but when an individual has received an appropriate level of services, by definition the acuity decreases, and the facility is paid less. Determining “acuity” for any given patient is not always easy and is frequently a dynamic process. HB 2015 groups people in facilities by level of acuity.  HB 2015 also appropriates $2,250,000 in support of its goals.

HB 2024 grants permission to the Oregon Health Authority to establish a grant program designed to foster the recruitment and retention of behavioral health workers. It also appropriates $7 million towards that goal. Entities eligible to receive this funding include urban Indian health programs, qualified medical providers that offer office-based medication-assisted treatment, non-hospital entities certified by OHA to provide behavioral health care or which are contracted with Oregon Youth Authority to provide care to youth, licensed opioid treatment programs and programs that provide withdrawal management services.

HB 2059 which the League publicly supported , will fund residential behavioral health facilities throughout the state by allocating $65 million from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium. It is estimated that this funding will increase behavioral residential facility capacity by approximately 196 new beds.  These facilities include inpatient psychiatric facilities, residential treatment homes, adult foster homes, residential substance use disorder treatment programs and crisis facilities. HB 2059 also requires the Oregon Health Authority to develop guidelines for distributing these funds, which must at least include the ability to quickly put funding to use – including the availability of service providers, the bed-to-cost ratio with priority being given to shovel-ready projects, geographic equity across the state, and local community input on projects that will serve the highest need.

HB 3064 requires health plans, including that provided by the Public Employees Benefit Board, to include coverage for the treatment of perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. This includes coverage for services that include hormone therapies, antidepressant mediations and osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

HB 2387 clarifies circumstances when OHA may disclose otherwise confidential information obtained in an investigation of a psilocybin training program, licensee or applicant. It also prohibits medical and other professional boards from taking disciplinary action against a licensee for providing psilocybin services. Information regarding veteran status must be collected at psilocybin service center from clients. The provision of psilocybin was authorized in November 2020 with the passage of Ballot Measure 109.

HB 3294 makes changes to recently passed laws  [HB 2697 (2023) and SB 469 (2015)] regarding hospital staffing plans and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. For example, if a hospital nurse staffing committee has adopted a staffing plan for a unit, the hospital must comply with it and may not require a direct care registered nurse to be assigned to more patients than is specified in the unit’s plan.

SB 920  directs the Oregon State University Extension Service to accelerate the promotion of behavioral health in Oregon by convening local communities to develop plans that promote behavioral health and facilitate community conversations about mental health and substance abuse.

SB 834 modifies standards for certain aspects of care delivered at Oregon State Hospital, including a prohibition against treatment of patients under age 18 and allowing psychiatric nurse practitioners to evaluate patients. 

SB 951 attempts to close a loophole in Oregon’s Corporate Practice of Medicine law by protecting the relationship between clinicians and patients from outside monied and profit-driven interests. It restricts individuals who are not licensed medical providers from owning or controlling medical practices and prohibits noncompetition and non-disparagement agreements between practices and licensees. A management services organization and its officers are prohibited from owning, working for, managing or directing a professional medical entity. The League filed testimony in support of the bill.

Behavioral Health Bills Which Did Not Pass:

The most significant of these bills is HB 3835 which sought to address seclusion and restraints in child and youth residential treatment facilities and school settings and out-of-state treatment. The portion of the bill dealing with schools was removed from the bill relatively early in the Session. The bill stemmed from legislation passed in 2021 (SB 710), sponsored by Senator Gelser Blouin, which placed a number of limitations on these processes.  Since SB 710 was enacted, Oregon has seen a 41% reduction (from 90 to 53 facilities) in licensed residential facilities that can serve children and youth with behavioral or psychiatric treatment. Oregon has also lost more than half (from 31 to 14) of its programs that certify foster parents who provide specialized behavioral health treatment and support  (SOCAC testimony).

Proponents of HB 3835 contended that these facility and program closures arose from the application of SB 719. They pointed to the overbreadth of SB 719’s requirements regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in residential child-care settings so that any intervention, however minor, had be reported and investigated as child abuse. SB 719 also required, for example, that a child must be provided water and an opportunity to use the bathroom every 5 minutes. If a complaint was justified, even for minor violation of these rules, providers could lose their licenses. The duty to report all incidents to ODHS and OHA was also seen as burdensome to treatment facilities. Providers could not work during the investigation period. As a result of this regimen, staff were unwilling to work in residential settings lest they lose their licenses. Many residential treatment centers no longer do business in Oregon, which in turn has resulted in many of Oregon’s at-risk children waiting in emergency departments or hotels until they can get the care they need.

In response to this situation the legislature formed the System of Care Advisory Council  (“SOCAC,” 2019) which was comprised of numerous stakeholders, including providers, agencies, youth, families, experts and others (See, SOCAC Bylaws, description). Among other duties, SOCAC was charged with developing a long-term plan for Oregon’s behavioral health care. settings, including out-of-state placements of children.  HB 3835 is the result of their consultations.

Senator Gelser Blouin led the group opposing HB 3835. She had filed SB 1113 in this legislative Session which addressed the same topics but left most of the restrictions in place. A Work Session was held regarding HB 1113 in the Senate Committee on Human Services but that was the extent of its advance. Those opposing HB 3835 stated that the bill would eliminate much needed protections for youth in care and place them at further risk. If enforcement through possible license termination is severely restricted or eliminated, they argued, compliance with rules regarding restraint and seclusion would be largely ignored. 

HB 2202 was in the Ways & Means Committee upon adjournment and so did not pass. It identified certain redundancies, contradictions and outdated language regarding services provided by coordinated care organizations. For example, the standard for provision of CCO services must also “support an individual’s progress towards clinical goals, as defined by the individual’s service plan,” instead of the prior standard which was defined as “leading to a meaningful improvement in individuals’ lives.”

HB 2056 did not pass. It would have appropriated $64,800,00 for community mental health programs. The intent of the allocation was to support early intervention instead of resorting to criminal or other last resort systems of care. It may be that at least some of this money was appropriated via the OHA budget bill HB 5025, but there does not seem to be a clear correlation.

HB 2729 was left in the Ways & Means Committee upon adjournment. It would have made a $7 million appropriation to OHA for the development and implementation of grant programs for school districts, education services districts and entities that provide physical or behavioral health services to be used to increase and improve school-based mental health services and substance abuse prevention, screening, referral and treatment services. Again, this appropriation may have found its way in the OHA budget but that is not clear.

Child Care, After School, and Summer Care

By Katie Riley

PASSED

• HB 2007 which would modify requirements for the summer learning program to emphasize literacy and accountability was passed.  The League submitted testimony commenting on the bill. The accompanying funding bill HB 5047 provides $35 million for summer 2025 and $47 million in 2026 and 27.  It also moves the funds into a special summer learning grant fund in the Treasurer’s office outside the general fund; thereby, establishing a sustainable funding source that allows for advance planning.  The bill also included provision for an advisory council to plan for future support of both summer and afterschool care.  Specific provisions were not included for afterschool care but school districts were directed to partner with community based organizations.  The bill was one of the Governor's priorities and she signed it during the session.  

• HB 5002 – provides funding for the Department of Administrative Services (DAS),

  and included $6.3 million ($7  million was requested) in state funding for the Oregon CASA Network and Oregon’s 19 local CASA programs.  It passed with $6.3 million included in the bill.

• SB5514 includes appropriations for the Department of Early Learning and Care but due to reduced funding for the state from federal sources and the corporate tax it includes a $35.4 million reduction to the agency budget including a 10% reduction to the Preschool Promise program that provides preschool for 3 and 4 year olds from families whose incomes are up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, and an approximately 10% reduction to Healthy Families, which provides long-term regular visits with high-need families, as well as a 2% reduction to the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten program.  The Employment Related Day Care program, which provides subsidized child care for low-income working families and has a long waitlist was not cut. Originally, the cuts were supposed to be a $45 million or approximately a 3% reduction from previous funding for the department.

  
  

DIED

• SB 896  would have provided funding for afterschool grants. Do pass recommendation and referred to Ways and Means.  Died in committee.

• SB 1127 would have provided $500,000 for grants to develop and provide educational activities during recess, lunch or after school for Title I elementary schools. It was noted that school foundations might be a better source of funding for these activities.  Work session held but no vote held. Died in committee.

• HB 2593 would have allocated $500,000 to the Department of Early Learning and Care to study the impact on student parents and working parents who are on the Employment Related Day Care subsidy  waitlist (currently over 10,000).  Received a do pass recommendation and referred to Ways and Means.  Died in committee.

• HB 3162 would have provided funding for select afterschool programs.  Did not receive a work session.  Died in committee.

• HB 3008-4 would have allocated funds to different agencies for investment in the childcare workforce, including $9 million from the General Fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) in the 2025-27 biennium for distribution to Portland State University to fund recruitment and retention payments to childcare providers working in Oregon through the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education. The measure also included a one-time appropriation of $6.5 million General Fund to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in the 2025-27 biennium for distribution to childcare workforce training programs.  Received a do pass recommendation and was referred to Ways and Means.  Died in committee.

• HB 3011 would have established the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Fund and appropriated $5 million in the fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide funding to community colleges and public universities in this state that offer early childhood education degrees and certificates.  Received a do pass recommendation and referred to Ways and Means.  Died in committee.

• HB 3039 would have allocated moneys from the General Fund to the Department of Education and Requires the Department of Education to study methods for increasing the availability of summer and after-school academic and enrichment programs. The League submitted testimony commenting on the bill.  Referred to Ways & Means.  Died in committee.  A similar bill (SB1113), also died in committee.

• HB3196 would have provided $3 million in backfill from the loss of federal funds to support the CASA program.  Died in committee. Funding for CASA was received through HB 5002.

• HB 3835 would have modified rules regarding the use of restraint and involuntary seclusion for young people.  This bill applies to foster children.  It defines the terms and states behavior that is allowed vs behavior that is not permitted.  It received a work session but died in committee.

• HB 3941 would have allocated $4,990,000 for a grant program to establish up to 5 community schools at $170,000 per year in matching funds. Did not receive a work session.  Died in committee.

Education

By Jean Pierce

K-12

• SB 1098, the Freedom to Read bill, was signed into law by the Governor and took effect immediately.  LWVOR provided testimony in support. The law  opposes book bans based on discrimination.

• HB2811: Although the bill did not advance, the Imagination Library will continue to have full state coverage. League testimony is here.

• HB2953: This bill would have removed the cap on special education funding. It did not advance this term. The League’s testimony is here.

• Senate Bill 5516 has been signed by the Governor.  The bill will increase the budget for Oregon’s State School Fund by more than 11% from the last biennium. Unfortunately, this increase is needed simply to keep funding at current service levels.  According to the American Institute on Research (AIR) , in order to provide adequate funding for education,  Oregon would need a 30% increase, with more attention to equitable spending for the education of low income and high needs students.

Higher Education

• The Governor signed HB 2586  into law. The bill  permits an asylum seeker who is a student at a public university to receive an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees. LWVOR filed testimony in support.  The bill took effect immediately. 

• HB 3183 Although the bill did not advance, the Open Education Resources program will continue to be funded, making text books and other resources more affordable. The League’s testimony is here.

• SB 604: Although the bill did not advance, the Strong Start program which supports access to higher education for first generation and under-represented students, will continue to be funded. LWVOR testimony is here.

• The League had also supported changes in requirements for the Oregon Promise Grant, making higher education affordable for more students, but HB 2550 did not advance. 

• SB 5525, was signed by the Governor.  For the most part, the proposed budget maintains the Current Service Level, (CSL). It is important to note that the Oregon Opportunity Grant and Benefits Navigators would at least be maintained at CSL, but legislators expressed concern that funding for the Outdoor School Program would be cut. The allocation is 6.2% below the last biennium,  so this bill does nothing to address the fact that Oregon has been ranked 46th in the nation for state investment in higher education. They recognized that in future sessions, the thinking needs to shift from CSL to setting a higher target. 

  
  

Gun Policy

By Marge Easley

To the disappointment of the League and other gun safety advocates, only one gun bill survived this session and was signed by the Governor: SB 243. This omnibus bill bans rapid-fire devices and allows cities and counties to ban firearms in public buildings. It also sets the date of March 15, 2026, for implementation of Measure 114, with the condition that the Oregon Supreme Court  decides favorably on its constitutionality later this year. The League filed testimony in support of separate bills which were combined in SB 243 and League members lobbied for SB 243.  To fund the provisions of the bill, the end of session Christmas Tree Bill (HB 5006) allocated over $14 million to the Oregon State Police for Criminal Justice Information Services and other associated costs.  

HB 3076, which creates a gun dealer licensing program in Oregon, was killed during the final acrimonious days of the session—another instance of a gun bill being traded away at the last minute in an effort to gain votes for other legislation. Given the anticipated gutting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives and the loss of federal regulation of gun dealers, this bill was a session priority for gun safety advocates. Rep. Kropf, one of the bills’ chief sponsors, stated that he would reintroduce it in a future session.   The League filed testimony supporting the bill.

Healthcare

By Christa Danielson

Healthcare bills which passed:

• HB 2010 Extends the assessment format for funding the Oregon Health Plan otherwise known as Medicaid. The League submitted supporting testimony on February 18 and on March 10. This funding mechanism and our state’s pledge to see all patients regardless of immigration status may reduce Oregon’s Medicaid budget by up to 10 percent threatening rural hospital viability and/or programs such as obstetrical deliveries.

• SB 951 Strengthens bans against a corporate entity making health care decisions by limiting the power of Management Service Organizations. LWVOR submitted testimony in support. Instead of private equity determining decisions about health care this will be the decision of the doctor/provider and the patient.

• HB 3134 Requires reporting of data from insurance companies to the Department of Consumer and Business services such as time from request to final determination of an prior authorization and removes requirement for surgeons to prior authorize a surgery mid procedure. Overall hope is to reduce the burden of prior authorization on physicians. The League supported the bill with testimony

• SB 296 - The League was also tracking SB 296. It will provide help for discharge from hospital. Most of the  work centers around expanding discharge options for Medicaid patients and providing faster determination for Medicaid in the hospital.  This expands work and funds work recommended from the task force on hospital discharge commissioned in summer of 2025.

Housing

By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona

After a flurry of activity by the state legislators and the Governor’s office, supported by housing advocates, LWVOR, and many others, legislators approved three major housing budget bills.

• General Obligation bonds (SB 5505)

• Lottery bonds (SB 5531)

• End-of-session omnibus funding bill, the “Christmas Tree” bill (HB 5006)

Below is a list of budget bills and funding allocations approved during the session. Due to declining state revenues, cuts were made across the board to agencies such as the Housing and Community Services Department, which received $2.6 billion, representing $1 billion less as compared to last year.   

Key session takeaways include: $204.9 million for a statewide shelter program; $468.2 million for the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) program to build new affordable rental housing through LIFT and Permanent Supportive Housing programs; $100.9 million in bonds to build new homes for affordable homeownership; $10 million in bonds for a new housing infrastructure fund; and $11.2 million to develop, rehab or preserve housing for older adults and people with disabilities. 

Most concerning is the $44.6 million for emergency rental assistance and homeless prevention services, representing a 74% cut from the $173.2 million needed to maintain the current level of statewide services. Preventing homelessness is much more humane and cost effective than sheltering unhoused people.  

On July 24, Governor Kotek sent a letter to Tobias Read, Secretary of State with concerns about the scale of the Legislature’s reductions in funding for rehousing, long-term rental assistance, and prevention services. Her letter details the anticipated outcomes and impacts due to decreased funding for these urgently needed services. 

LWVOR is a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance that includes over 110 member organizations and represents a diverse membership that spans the state. During the session they worked tirelessly to advocate for additional funding for emergency rent assistance and homeless prevention. That advocacy resulted in an additional $11 million, which was included in HB 5006 (Christmas tree bill). These funds will prevent evictions for an additional 1,400 households and increase funding for legal aid and other services by about $4 million. The Legislature is funding only 26% of what is needed to maintain the current level of homeless prevention services. Housing remains a huge issue statewide with rising homelessness, thousands facing eviction and not enough affordable housing being produced. 

 Housing bills which the League supported and were passed this session:

SB 814 A will be administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to expand eligibility criteria for the agency’s existing Long-Term Rent Assistance Program. Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) youth under the age of 25 will have an opportunity to access long-term rental assistance to help achieve a greater level of housing security. This measure also requires OHCS to consult with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), among other stakeholders. Youth assisted will be exiting a childcare center or a correctional facility. At least 14% of youth who were committed to OYA since October 2022 have already experienced some period of homelessness. Studies indicate that housing instability increases the risk for recidivism. This  bill will assist youth by providing a safe and stable home so they can devote their attention to employment, education, and family.   The League submitted testimony in support.

SB 973 protects residents of publicly-supported housing by requiring notices from landlords when affordability restrictions are ending. This applies to tenants who are living in subsidized units, applicants, and new tenants. For existing tenants, the bill would extend the notice requirements from 20 to 30 months. It will require landlords to warn tenants that their housing will no longer be affordable. For applicants and new tenants who are entering into a new rental agreement, landlords of publicly-supported housing must provide written notice of when the affordability period will end, prior to charging a screening fee or entering into a new rental application. These tenant protections are critical to giving low-income Oregonians additional time to find stable housing they can afford.   The League submitted testimony in support.

HB 2958:  The bill would have extended the sunset date to 2032 and increased to 25 percent the EITC for families with children under three years of age. Other families with children would receive 20 percent of the federal credit. It further extended the benefit to all childless working adults over age 18.  The League submitted a letter in support.  While HB 2958 did not advance, HB 2087, which slightly expands the tax credits, was signed into law.

HB 2964: Requires Oregon Housing and Community Services Department to award loans to non-profit affordable housing developers to cover pre-development costs of developing new housing.   LWV testimony supported passage of the bill. 

HB 3054 A limits rent increases and sales constraints by a landlord in a home park or marina, which can threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. It fixes at six percent the maximum rent increases for rental spaces in a larger facility and limit to 10 percent the maximum increase in rent paid by the purchaser of a dwelling or home in a facility. It prohibits a landlord from requiring aesthetic improvements or internal inspections as conditions of sale of a dwelling or home in a facility.   It declares an emergency, effective September 1, 2025. LWVOR submitted a letter in support. 

Housing Bills funded by the General Fund

Homeless Prevention and Response

• HB 5011 Emergency Rental Assistance and Homeless Prevention Services: $44.6 million (requested $173.2M)

• HB 3644 and HB 5011 Statewide Shelter Program: $204.9 million (requested $217.9 million)

• HB 5011 Rehousing Initiative: $50.3 million (requested $188.2 million)

• SB 814  Modifies long term rental assistance for youth: $87.4 million (requested $105.2 million) 

  
  

Stabilize Existing Affordable Housing 

• HB 5011 and HB 5006 Permanent Supportive Housing operations and resident services: $10.5 million (requested $11.1 million)

• SB 51 Property management and asset management staffing and training: $3.3 million (requested $7.3 million) 

• SB 829 Insurance relief and cost-reduction study: $2.5 million (requested $5 million)

  
  

Expand Affordable Homeownership: 

• HB 5011 Foreclosure prevention: $2 million (requested $2.5 million)

• HB 2139 Tribal Housing Grants: $10 million ($12.8 million requested) 

• HB 5006 Development, rehabilitation or preservation of housing for older adults and persons with disabilities: $11.2 million

• HB 3031 Developing manufactured homes and infrastructure: $2.5 million (requested $25 million)

  
  

Housing bills funded by Lottery Bonds

Housing Production and Preservation 

• SB 5505 Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Rental:  $468.2 million (requested $600 million) 

• SB 5505 Permanent supportive housing:  $80.9 million (requested $80 million)

• SB 5531 Rental housing preservation: $50 million (requested $260 million) 

• SB 5531 Manufactured housing park preservation: $2.5 million (requested $25 million)

• SB 5531 Housing infrastructure fund: $10 million (requested $100 million)

  
  

Expand Affordable Homeownership

SB 5505 LIFT Homeownership: $100.9 million (requested $100.9 million) 

Immigration

By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith

EARLY AUGUST NEWS

Fewer than half of ICE arrests under Trump are convicted criminals • Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon’s sanctuary hotline sees nearly 300% reporting increase: OregonLive

Attorney General Dan Rayfield Files Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Illegal Demands that States Hand Over Sensitive Personal Data of SNAP Recipients - Oregon Department of Justice : Medi

Oregon leaders decry, challenge new Head Start immigration restrictions • Oregon Capital Chronic

Oregon, Washington sue Trump admin for sharing Medicaid files with immigration enforcement - OPB

ICE arrests of noncriminal immigrants surge in Northwest - Axios Portland

Governor Kotek Releases Statement in Response to Climate Danger Rollback | Gov Kotek Press Release

Northwest states, cities targeted in latest federal threats over sanctuary laws - OPB

OIRA July Newsletter  (Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement Updates

Asylum seeker taken by ICE outside Portland immigration court to be immediately released • Oregon Capital Chronicle

  Oregon is on Trump justice department sanctuary jurisdictions list - Eugene Register Guard

Trump Administration Targets Oregon Cities and Counties in Sanctuary Jurisdiction Crackdown - That Oregon Life

How this Oregon group aids immigrants as DOJ targets sanctuary cities - KOIN

Bills

• SB 149A - Immigration (Support Services For Case Management), died in Committee , See HB 5006 $2 MSB

• SB 599A  - Immigration status: discrimination in real estate transactions,  effective 5/28/25, no fiscal, Governor signed

• SB 611A - Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented, died in Committee, see HB 5006 $

• SB 703 - A bipartisan immigration status update funding bill , died in Committee

• HB 2548 - Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. Study Bill, Signed By Governor, fiscal $ .67, League Testimony

• HB 2976  - Funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. Died in Committee ($.8M in HB5006 )

• HB2788 - Funding to nonprofits to assist with lawful permanent resident status/legal aid , Died in Committee, 10M in HB5006

• HB 2586 A - Nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Governor Signed, League Testimony

• HB 2543 - Funds for universal representation, funds to Oregon State Bar, dead ($4.5M in HB5006)

• HB3193A - Farm Worker Relief Fund, died in committee, see $2M in HB 5006

• HB 5002 - Oregon Worker Relief Fund, died in Committee

Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency, Governance, and Natural Resources, and Revenue report sections.