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

The meeting commenced with the Senate being called to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Reynolds. Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein provided an invocation, highlighting the significance of constructive disputes in governance. Senator Taylor recognized the Future Generations Collaborative and introduced honorary page Core Dudley Borte. Other introductions included Noel Hendrickson, Connor McGee, and Charlie Marshall as honorary pages. The roll call confirmed a quorum. Senator Robinson discussed the nature of government jobs, arguing that many do not produce useful goods or services. Messages from the House included the passage of several bills. Senator Starr moved to suspend the requirement for reading bills section by section, which passed with 23 votes in favor. Senate Bill 1595, extending the implementation date for temporary professional licensing for foreign-trained medical professionals to 2028, passed with 25 votes in favor. House Concurrent Resolution 202 and several House Bills were introduced, including House Bill 4012A, aimed at addressing unlicensed construction labor contractors. Senator Taylor advocated for the bill, which passed with 27 votes in favor. Senators Starr and Thatcher declared potential conflicts of interest regarding this bill. Senator Taylor introduced House Bill 4013, which aims to maintain child labor protections in Oregon. The bill passed with 18 votes in favor after discussions on its necessity and implications. House Bill 4024, banning speculative ticketing practices, passed with 29 votes in favor. House Bill 4005 established an annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week, also passing with 29 votes in favor. House Bill 4034 aimed to streamline regulations for animal rescue entities and passed with a constitutional majority. House Bill 4097 authorized the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create a nonprofit for ocean research and coastal protection, receiving unanimous support. House Bill 4022A focused on children's literacy, emphasizing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The bill passed with 27 votes in favor after discussions on book selection and program administration. House Bill 4025 corrected an error regarding water utility rate adjustments and passed with 24 votes in favor. House Bill 4029 aimed to provide consumer protection for residential solar customers and passed unanimously despite some opposition. The meeting also addressed renewable energy development, with House Bill 4031A introduced to exempt certain renewable energy facilities from needing a site certificate. Concerns were raised about farmland loss and public engagement. House Bill 4068 corrected an age requirement for youth transition programs and passed unanimously. Senator Reynolds advocated for House Bill 4083A, addressing workforce shortages in behavioral health. The bill aims to streamline licensing processes and received broad support, passing with a constitutional majority. The meeting concluded with a distribution of a committee referral list and an announcement for a lunch meeting for Senate Democrats, with the Senate set to adjourn until the following day.