[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6313206,"mediaKeyId","2388626-33c2a7b4e29541929b9066ec56296a59","parentId",2388626,"title","Committee hears competing views on bill to apply public‑records law to public university foundations","audioSeconds",2430,"startMs",2837000,"endMs",5267000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388626-33c2a7b4e29541929b9066ec56296a59&start=2837&end=5267","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388626-33c2a7b4e29541929b9066ec56296a59/thumbnail_2837000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313206/Oregon/Committee-hears-competing-views-on-bill-to-apply-publicrecords-law-to-public-university-foundations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313206-37b5147537d3afd8cd288156258cf9e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142793&Signature=k7CpjX7KxBOalwdX~eDINMnynxCC3vAJ~91uK6JTwls0A16xJSmCKTvi~VBCjrJZ0lbiRzvkuC8PFjLlO1IHOctuakw~G1eI7RMn9KAbs-Rukh6Ji4RLnpZKx~F9ISCkZ2oyHScbxKdMHL3-QrpMRin~pWdZfuAyrsavY5pa-jXwDKJy5n4i9x4GNneTKJzLvGQ6njQbYycMPtI~UDCRYy3uryF7sSzRDLU0mrDduEA3fdJkqUkyFp~K2mdAPZQstJI1Jl8TPhGQQ0D8wAUCflwGX1gVCTwRKI8heMxL5VhiW446vDE0xsUd8SOA~mym2sK2TuWAlpkBQ9A69t1QTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","SALEM, Ore. — Supporters and foundation leaders offered sharply different views Tuesday on House Bill 3213, the so‑called University Foundation Sunshine Act, which would bring public university foundations under Oregon public‑records laws.

Representative Bárbara (Bara) Chaitche (D–House District 35), the bill sponsor, said the measure would expand transparency by adding university foundations to the statutory definition of public bodies and requiring annual financial reporting, audits and disclosure of donor‑restricted terms and foundation contracts. “Shining a light on these conditions encourages open discussion on spending in the best interests of students, faculty, donors and the public,” she said.

Supporters’ case: Andrew Ducharme, a graduate student at the University of Oregon and ASUO senator, testified on behalf of education workers that foundations hold and disperse donated money “for the use of a public university” and that gift restrictions substantially shape university programs. He said many foundation activities are effectively intertwined with university operations — shared websites, shared offices, and subsidiaries that acquire and transfer property — and that, in his view, the public should be able to see gift letters and donor restrictions. Erica Thomas, chair of political action for PSU’s adjunct faculty union, cited research finding no demonstrated “chilling effect” on donations after public disclosure in other states and said transparent reporting can increase donor confidence.

Opponents’ case: Executives from several university foundations argued the bill would impose sizable administrative costs, risk donor privacy and deter giving. Kevin Harvey, chief financial officer of the Oregon State University Foundation, said foundations are private nonprofit corporations that already file IRS Form 990 and publish audited financial statements, and he warned the bill would require hiring public‑records staff and in‑house legal counsel. Katie Wilkie, vice president of advancement and executive director of the Western Oregon University Foundation, said many donors specifically request anonymity and that public disclosure of gifts or gift agreements could be a “deal breaker” for future donations. Ken Fincher of the Oregon Institute of Technology Foundation said the bill conflates government transparency expectations with private nonprofit operations and could have a “chilling effect” on giving, particularly in small or rural communities.

Points of detail and committee questions: Supporters pointed to estimates that foundations hold multi‑billion dollar endowments statewide and said roughly 93% of funds are donor‑restricted; the sponsor asked that the bill preserve protections for donor anonymity and allow confidentiality for fundraising and investment strategies. Committee members asked whether the bill would allow requesters to see individual scholarship recipients; Andrew Ducharme said the bill would require reporting of totals spent on scholarships but would not permit disclosure of individual student records. Representative Heather McDonald asked what would change if records simply confirmed that most funds are donor‑restricted; supporters said disclosure would prompt public discussion, improve shared governance and potentially broaden fundraising efforts by increasing trust.

Evidence cited and outside examples: Witnesses referenced other states (California, Washington, Nevada, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee) and a study arguing that disclosure has not diminished fundraising at institutions cited in that research. Opposition witnesses stressed that existing nonprofit reporting and governance practices already provide accountability and that statutory treatment of private foundations as public bodies is unprecedented in Oregon.

What did not happen: The committee did not take a vote. Several witnesses on both sides asked for additional time; the chair ended the hearing at the scheduled adjournment and invited written testimony.

Next steps: The bill’s sponsor and proponents urged committee members to consider the measure as a tool to strengthen transparency and shared governance; foundation leaders urged lawmakers to weigh donor privacy and administrative impacts before changing the legal status of private nonprofit foundations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Higher Education and Workforce Development 02/25/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Supporters and foundation leaders offered competing testimony Feb. 25 before the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee on HB 3213, which would subject public university foundations to Oregon public‑records law.","taxTitle","Higher Education, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",18022,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313211,"Committee hears support for HB 3129 to create higher education behavioral health workforce fund",2780,32000,2812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388626-33c2a7b4e29541929b9066ec56296a59&start=32&end=2812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388626-33c2a7b4e29541929b9066ec56296a59/thumbnail_32000.jpg","/articles/6313211/Oregon/Committee-hears-support-for-HB-3129-to-create-higher-education-behavioral-health-workforce-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313211-6cc2b4d48a12ba6deb9afe63ed8f9c3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142793&Signature=VRR9mRObtMGz3o9sjQQVGa75zXyZSj5l2MJ7f1beoVtVo5yPV4tievYeuwAHl6fcxs8O03yxs6gDTndKRfGPhHL78XcT56Gf4J7qET4QIqgktTvmDM8BDK6qDWKN43M8Wwsz2ms4lL4Wjq40lIaGJ9OzhTc4OD9sPkoEZ0abL7qMYi8vKVvG-UzSTivG-Hq5HEWED0ai9ZtN17T5METw3hUY0c12aQPiCn0BTISeNRl2QEJSEy1Pxe5bCdnpf~DpKAr8QVQQRmT02FKK99hGDGyzaftOV8KVM~jLEgA9FwMknVx3~FRYGZnrLGbL6Q74rR-crUvOrjq-OYLZ2TUzGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SALEM, Ore. — Lawmakers and higher education leaders told the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on Feb. 25 that House Bill 3129 would create a statewide fund to expand training and recruitment of behavioral health providers.

Sen. Deb Patterson (D–District 10) told the committee, “Oregon is in the midst of a behavioral health crisis,” and said a “major driver of this crisis is our severe provider shortage.” Representative Rob Nosse (D–House District 42), a bill sponsor, said many public institutions are at capacity and lack the faculty, classroom space and training sites to graduate more master’s‑level clinicians.

The bill, as described by sponsors and university representatives, would establish the Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund, to be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). Testimony said the fund would be available to public and private colleges and universities and community colleges for faculty and program capacity, scholarships and paid placements, and other supports to grow the behavioral health workforce.

Why it matters: Witnesses said Oregon’s shortage of trained behavioral health professionals has left patients with long waits or no care, especially in rural and underserved areas. Representatives of Southern Oregon University, Portland State University, Eastern Oregon University, George Fox University, Lewis & Clark College, and community colleges described local training programs and said additional, targeted funding would enable them to enroll and graduate more practitioners who are likely to remain in the communities where they trained.

Supporters and students gave details about program scale and needs. Dr. Alma Wencesuk Trinidad, interim associate dean at Portland State University’s School of Social Work, said the school “prepares over a thousand students to meet the state’s workforce needs,” and listed bachelor’s and graduate enrollments and a new online human services undergraduate program. Mark Overbeck, director of government relations at Southern Oregon University, said the bill’s sponsors plan amendments to align the measure with the governor’s priorities and to add accountability measures.

Funding and program design: Representative Nosse described the concept as “pretty straightforward,” and said institutions have requested about $7.9 million in the bill’s current form to support faculty, staff and scholarships. Several witnesses noted larger proposals from the governor: Dr. Robin Holmes Sullivan (president of Lewis & Clark College) referenced Governor Tina Kotek’s recommendation of a $25.7 million investment in behavioral health workforce development. Nosse recalled a prior, broader investment of $80 million in federal ARPA funds in 2021 that supported loan forgiveness and repayment programs.

Target populations and service commitments: Representative Mike Yonker asked whether the bill’s language that highlights culturally responsive services for specified groups would exclude others. Representative Nosse replied that the language is intended to “lift up” certain populations and not to exclude others. Representative Heather McDonald asked whether scholarships and stipends would include service commitments for graduates to work in high‑need public behavioral health settings; Mark Overbeck said forthcoming amendments will clarify that intention.

Student testimony: Multiple students described personal reasons for entering behavioral health and the effect of financial supports. Ernie (a student at the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health) urged support on behalf of children and families; Julissa Rios Chavez, a Portland State senior, urged funding for paid field placements, scholarships and instructor retention that she said reduce financial and academic barriers.

Community college role: John Wyckoff of the Oregon Community College Association described short‑term certificates, associate degrees and partnerships that place students into internships and said community colleges are essential access points for the behavioral health pipeline.

What did not happen: The committee did not vote on HB 3129 during the hearing; witnesses offered to submit amendments and additional data and the sponsors indicated they will return with clarifying language.

Next steps and outlook: Supporters said they will propose amendments to clarify accountability, service commitments and statutory alignment with HECC. Proponents urged funding to scale program capacity across geographies so graduates can provide care in underserved areas.

Ending note: Committee time for this bill concluded after multiple institutional and student testimonies; the committee chair invited additional written testimony from those who had not spoken.","Supporters told the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee on Feb. 25 that House Bill 3129 would create a Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund to boost training, scholarships and faculty capacity at Oregon colleges and universities to address a statewide behavioral health provider shortage.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee hears competing views on bill to apply public‑records law to public university foundations

Committee hears support for HB 3129 to create higher education behavioral health workforce fund