Committees Receive Progress Reports

The Oregon Legislature welcomed fall with three days of committee meetings last week during Legislative Days. Committee chairs use these hearings primarily for informational updates and to learn about the progress of workgroups and projects that were launched in previous legislative sessions.

The discussions are wide-ranging, from top priorities like housing and homelessness to semiconductor development to youth behavioral health. The Pac/Westteam tracked the significant threads through the week in the report that follows. 

With the Capitol humming with activity once again, our Pac/West team took the opportunity to host an event at our offices for the Oregon Manufactured Housing Association, showcasing a variety of factory-built housing. Despite a little bit of (predictable) rain, it was a great opportunity to talk about some of the potential solutions to housing development in Oregon. Also of note, the House Republicans elected new leadership following Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson’s decision to step down from the role. The caucus chose Rep. Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) as its new Leader, with Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) as Deputy Leader, Rep. and Kim Wallan (R-Medford) as Whip. These moderate selections indicate a willingness from Republicans to pursue a functional February session and ongoing working relationship in Salem.