2026 Regular Session, 2026R1 - Senate Chamber [Source] Translate

The meeting commenced with the Senate coming to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Drazen. Pastor Bob Johnson from the Bridge Church Northwest provided the invocation, focusing on humility and community service. Senator Drazen acknowledged Pastor Johnson and his wife for their community contributions. Senator Weber recognized the Tillamook High School senior class for raising over $103,000 for charity and honored bus driver Linda Christopherson for her quick thinking in a dangerous situation. Senator Thatcher introduced seventh-grade page Malia Vasquez, while Senator Gorsuch welcomed Tom Weiss from the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce. Senator Patterson introduced pages Judah Schenkenberger and Grayson Steinman, and Senator Drazen recognized local business owner Kim Hopper for her community engagement. Senator Hayden discussed the importance of homeschooling and parental rights in education, and Senator Neron-Mislin introduced Odessa Akraval, a competitive figure skater involved in community service. The roll call confirmed a quorum. Senator Robinson raised concerns about the costs of the Abernathy Bridge expansion, questioning the engineering process's efficiency. Senator Meek expressed appreciation for Pastor Johnson. Senator Drazen emphasized the need for the Senate to heed public opinion regarding a gas tax, criticizing the committee's decision to pursue litigation instead of public input. Messages from the House included the failure to pass House Bill 4098 and the passage of several other bills. Senator Jama moved to postpone consideration of Senate Bill 1599, which was supported and carried. Senator Starr moved to suspend the requirement for section-by-section reading of bills during the third reading calendar, which passed with 23 votes in favor. The meeting proceeded with the introduction and first readings of several Senate measures, including Senate Concurrent Resolution 206 in memory of State Senator Aaron Lionel Woods, and various Senate Bills related to public safety, affordable housing, crime, consumer products, and energy generation. Senate Bill 1551, concerning fire hardening of residential properties, was discussed and passed with 28 votes in favor. Senate Bill 1556 clarified representation in the magistrate division of the Oregon Tax Court and also passed with 28 votes. Senate Bill 1557 standardized procedures for finding defendants in contempt of court, passing with 28 votes. Senate Bill 1576 aimed to increase accessible housing for people with disabilities and older adults, passing with 27 votes. Senate Bill 1590 addressed the protection of public lands, with differing views on its implications, but no final vote was recorded. Senate Bill 1590A, concerning the sale of federal public lands, was discussed, with concerns raised about its impact on land management. The bill passed with 17 votes in favor. Senator Weber introduced Senate Bill 1596, promoting play-based learning in elementary schools, which passed with 28 votes. Senate Bill 1598 aimed to streamline access to vaccines by allowing pharmacists to administer them under standing orders from the public health officer. The bill passed after discussions about its implications for public health and individual choice. Senate Bill 1513 addressed timing fixes for real estate team naming rules and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1546, concerning AI companions, aimed to improve safety for users, particularly minors, and passed with bipartisan support. Senate Bill 1548, known as the Safer Marijuana Act, aimed to limit THC in edible cannabis products to prevent poisoning among children and passed after discussions on its market impact. Senate Bill 1509, holding presidential electors accountable to voters, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1532A, an omnibus measure from the Department of Human Services, passed with 26 votes. Senate Bill 1539A allowed non-veterinarians to perform pregnancy checks on cattle and passed with 26 votes. Senate Bill 1561 aimed to ease rebuilding processes for homes damaged by disasters and passed with a majority vote. Senator Reynolds introduced Senate Bill 1568 to improve perinatal services, which passed with 22 votes. Senator Manny Jr. presented Senate Bill 1585 to adjust matching grant requirements for smaller cities, which received majority support despite concerns from some senators about potential inequities for medium-sized cities.