[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6182972,"mediaKeyId","5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f","parentId",5100886,"title","Senate approves expansion of Oregon Energy Assistance Program; ratepayer charges to double","audioSeconds",296,"startMs",2873000,"endMs",3169000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f&start=2873&end=3169","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f/thumbnail_2873000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182972/Oregon/Senate-approves-expansion-of-Oregon-Energy-Assistance-Program-ratepayer-charges-to-double","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182972-b7ee1a2e5a7696094c188a064394ba0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440090&Signature=D9eNUqR~8tyAfYM30sp~cpSwxfGHFaTyIm5iawDEtQ-KKILDwJgvTQ-DfBEw7JlzO~V1kX~PWQCCiOeh6sRIit425kowmmW1uyA19Q4-1uZNFFPTOAxm3QEk1wj-VAnQTBDhm~xT-j9N8sqUq~XGUKguq6Vh0Rl-Ue2isMAk45xVj1w6WF97Frhzauabiyi2eaDadsg8IPrIgav0yKhqinv3Ra6cyy-ibrAPEjIK~D-2l8zd0JhYJkxKt86Vcg0D~l~K2l7t72IwlK3yk~8Dy27NVJZVYkT3mxqca8Cf5FSo3WbTXhtkS4Oa5v2FvBgx9RQgSjGmr~MpC~T~vTAe4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-06-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Oregon Senate on June 26 approved House Bill 3792 B to expand the Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) by increasing the program’s rate‑payer funding from $20 million to $40 million.

Senator Reynolds, carrying the bill, said OEAP prevents residential electricity shutoffs for low-income Oregonians and is funded through monthly utility surcharges rather than general or lottery funds. Under the proposal, the typical residential surcharge for Pacific Power or PGE would rise from roughly 70¢ per month to about $1.40 per month; the cap on large commercial contributions would increase from $500 to $1,000 per month.

Reynolds said the bill responds to widespread rate increases since 2021 and to nearly 58,000 residential shutoffs in 2024 for PGE and Pacific Power customers, and argued the expansion would protect medically vulnerable customers who rely on electricity for life-supporting devices. The bill passed on third reading after no senators requested debate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Chamber Convenes 06/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate passed House Bill 3792 B to double funding for the Oregon Energy Assistance Program from $20 million to $40 million, increasing monthly residential surcharges and raising the cap for large commercial contributors; sponsors cited rising disconnections and medical-vulnerability concerns.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17189,"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},6182977,"Senate adopts House Bill 2614 to move and strengthen public defense commission oversight",395,1934000,2329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f&start=1934&end=2329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f/thumbnail_1934000.jpg","/articles/6182977/Oregon/Senate-adopts-House-Bill-2614-to-move-and-strengthen-public-defense-commission-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182977-94b323925840744ed9738e7dbb8e9446/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440090&Signature=PUuBD3kcLV5wUWbmhZ-P05fsGzGbmiIwP9wobS~PWU7YSVaBJT1tv~fAfO6ivVohoDzmhBiSbREX2BKmMpMyaDa~7fEcVYX24KYkBsRLyB5X1AouZXSBzducsUCUQiq1CPZ3ZYrcQ~g-TEuzy~WIBe~DeXplNsJmH7FF7uUDMz0l4pTLavn5s0hodelOBbD04AinJi2u-C4~F3hlKk8dWK4M5M3sM~aDyoRTYdkP6J0yORoknWYY9glPvD8XsvI7HkbTJT9BOb6qhuXC4-IxM5XC0XdIXZiX17W--ELnE-3QhDTWSn5PX1ikMWLnPUHv9e0gchfSiMusuo6OhYevzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate on June 26 adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 2614, a measure that alters the commission that oversees public defense services and clarifies accountability for attorneys and consortiums that provide public defense.

Senator Lori Brzezinski, who brought the measure to the floor, said the bill transfers the commission into the executive branch while preserving its independence and protections for commission members. The governor will appoint the commission’s executive director with statutory consultation requirements and will have removal authority for just cause. The bill removes a sunset for consortium providers and requires registration for all individuals who provide public defense services so the state can hold individual attorneys accountable to commission standards.

Senator Solman, a former co-chair of a ways-and-means subcommittee on public safety, said the state faces an “unprecedented crisis” in public defense with thousands awaiting attorney assignments and argued the bill’s removal of the consortium sunset is “an extremely practical and wise solution.” Supporters described the measure as a compromise intended to improve oversight while preserving effective service models.

Senator Brzezinski closed by saying the bill would “hold each and every attorney who does public defense services in the state accountable to the state, and that we can ensure that individuals have their constitutional rights protected by having access to attorneys when they're eligible.” The clerk later announced House Bill 2614 B had received the constitutional majority and was cleared.","Senators approved House Bill 2614 to reorganize the state's public defense commission into the executive branch while retaining protections, add governor appointment authority for executive director with consultative requirements, and require registration for public defense providers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182982,"Senators pass statewide shelter program; critics call $217 million price tag premature",255,2613000,2868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f&start=2613&end=2868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f/thumbnail_2613000.jpg","/articles/6182982/Oregon/Senators-pass-statewide-shelter-program-critics-call-217-million-price-tag-premature","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182982-4960464fd9309d549a12a43a6a6940a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440090&Signature=LOobcote7IaAgaotK9CF6O4zXLyvHudezJoLEAGIWx-WbGGa6NHxZdzTf7frl5cjvlf6DVxauNwL10BAUrPqOO6UP6xSQPW-OP1oGlwHH2afRRdPZOTVGc9AW5l1dbaN--PzNiOkm0eWmHGE3lgmoBh1Jv1tso3pe6-nIcyiht-bO-fcl--Y-E4U7~lHB51xRZwOEXBX-n3ERmZbwp~~s8lqxtQMmuNLcFgswdVpg7IPYg-N6fZb9mOIoGT6D~4czGBjd19-fgdUm4MHPwTd~gmVu5k4dtPbK15RTfa3mYEp53HjrjqvdlBu9O-iq1YXohL4c27OCMWjfDSRQKuOxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate on June 26 passed House Bill 3644 B, directing the Housing and Community Services Department to establish a statewide shelter program designed to reduce unsheltered homelessness and transition people into housing stability.

The bill requires regional coordinators to plan and fund shelter services based on region needs, prioritizes all-season 24/7 shelters that use coordinated entry and data systems, and sets aside funding for low-barrier and recovery-based shelters. The measure includes a sunset of January 2, 2034; the floor stated funding and staffing are included in the budget bill House Bill 50 11.

Senator Neron Mislan (bill carrier) said the measure requires shelters to “use best practices, including coordinated entry and data systems,” and that the joint committee on ways and means recommended approval as amended. Senator Gerard registered a firm no vote on the floor, saying the program would cost \"$217,000,000\" and that the legislature lacks a master plan tying multiple housing bills and funding streams together. Gerard also criticized the program’s large allocation—he said 70% of funding must go to low-barrier shelters—and predicted it could “attract” more people with substance-use disorders if local controls are insufficient.

Senator Neron Mislan did not close debate; the clerk declared House Bill 3644 B passed after roll call. Members opposing the bill voiced concerns about cost, strategy and whether the program had adequate statewide planning and coordination with other housing measures.","The Senate approved House Bill 3644 B to create a statewide shelter program administered by the Housing and Community Services Department. Supporters described regional coordinator contracts and standards for 24/7 all-season shelters; opponents criticized the program's $217 million cost and the emphasis on low-barrier shelters.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182986,"Senate approves House Bill 3940 B to create dedicated wildfire mitigation funds, with debate over new nicotine tax",3156,8156000,11312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f&start=8156&end=11312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f/thumbnail_8156000.jpg","/articles/6182986/Oregon/Senate-approves-House-Bill-3940-B-to-create-dedicated-wildfire-mitigation-funds-with-debate-over-new-nicotine-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182986-282f1d57cedaae835abcc5d742dac350/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440090&Signature=nOc0OBFnu9uMYpPkdi4zgRSGLwSiIHyEHwX6aZ0m5S5Ez0t8VGfRs5RJo-3m-UxrtSGpdkOBSbZ8dKIAco7tlRf3m9pYXcDPxJauNzMJ92CsJoFMlQd99HW2n0wjayc~wdj-ePeY7fbONVBMGfkYdx2p3uody9UOrXztMCVOK9ApR-h-9Bhig5XzJCduvQXVMCMW3bourzU8AcV4aORZXdgGkR4eFQ8OwTNjzrKv84MSjaB~jwBjiPz5W9Y2pqcq8~LYUclV16JxaVGGBywKPBbRiPx~mQnH0P7E8ZG6kHcRDoYYNY6UczRDVqCwaaH-QhF6dzAbQUNu2iNzeVP1LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oregon Senate on June 26 passed House Bill 3940 B, a multi-part wildfire finance and policy package that dedicates new revenue to landscape resilience, community risk reduction, and forestry programs.

The bill dedicates a portion of rainy-day fund interest and establishes a tax on oral nicotine products to generate recurring revenue. Sponsors said the package also modernizes several wildfire-related fees, creates a state forestry large-wildfire fund, improves cash-flow arrangements with Treasury, and directs allocations for mitigation and community risk reduction.

Senator Pam Broadband, the bill carrier, framed the bill as a bipartisan, consensus product designed to create predictable funding for both the Oregon Department of Forestry’s landscape-resilience programs and the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s community-risk work. Broadband described two revenue streams: a dedication of 20% of rainy-day fund interest and a per-container tax on oral nicotine products (65¢ for up to 20 units, plus an additional per-unit surtax). She said one-third of the revenue would go to the Department of Forestry landscape-resilience fund and two-thirds to community risk reduction at the State Fire Marshal.

The tax provoked sustained floor pushback. Senator Hayden opposed using an oral-nicotine tax, saying the products are often used as cigarette-cessation tools and that revenue would divert funds from unmet oral-health needs, veterans’ dental programs, and other health services. Senator Robinson argued that essential government functions like wildfire suppression should be funded from the general fund rather than by new targeted taxes. Several senators, including Gerard and Golden, said the bill is only a partial step toward the larger funding need and supported it as a pragmatic move to provide immediate risk-reduction funds.

Senators also discussed landowner assessment relief, updated forest-products harvest tax indexing, and bridge-loan cash-flow arrangements to prevent late payments to suppression contractors. Senator Golden estimated total funding leverage for the biennium could reach roughly $263 million when paired with budget actions; supporters argued that dedicating funds for mitigation would reduce future suppression costs.

The clerk announced that House Bill 3940 B “having received a constitutional majority is declared passed.”","The Senate passed House Bill 3940 B, which creates new dedicated funding for wildfire mitigation and community risk reduction via a combination of rainy-day interest and a new tax on oral nicotine products; the measure drew extended floor debate over revenue choices and fairness.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182988,"Senate passes overhaul of civil-commitment and behavioral health rules amid federal monitoring",5187,4966000,10153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f&start=4966&end=10153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100886-369c8acd2a315603250f5262a5db1a5f/thumbnail_4966000.jpg","/articles/6182988/Oregon/Senate-passes-overhaul-of-civil-commitment-and-behavioral-health-rules-amid-federal-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182988-6ceb0a3cff55a14c409b33c49bab0a8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440090&Signature=NxUGoOB1BI-ZW4teUaTsGa32sP886EcCQdmN6beLI0JfdalZA~omxI2v7hiec9nhjEzXFEFa9iQIobpxIHCx1YThUHrWq~HOnQbnkVk3Ex593In95Uj-5Dwujk3uaOhVd7od84zGv7fY7d0NmRJbSmecJeCnRxAVALkX8p4vKbwSsuFtI9lrSmVSw7TholDT65URFcee9R4fMKHJgG36LNbOPpwZJxSt36GNHbx9Sfuo3fO-Q5emtx5EM2O10i9tat-o37lWlFItnsGUi04Fv-9k93kkal0vXtM1jpRRQK4jJopE0yh9neHnDXDKtZg24TULm-YEMNuQL1OCUfr3ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oregon Senate on June 26 passed House Bill 2005 C, a sweeping package that revises when and how people with serious mental illness may be detained or committed for involuntary treatment and includes related budget appropriations.

Supporters said the bill modernizes definitions and time frames for civil and criminal involuntary hospitalization and adds funding to help communities manage civil commitments and court-ordered competency matters. Opponents and some members flagged concerns about local land-use impacts tied to siting new community residential treatment facilities.

Senator Lori Brzezinski, the bill carrier, described the measure as “a step in the right direction,” saying it modifies when a defendant may be committed, clarifies several definitions, and adds a $5.4 million general-fund appropriation to the Oregon Health Authority for payments to community mental health programs and $1.1 million to the Public Defense Commission to provide counsel for financially eligible persons. Brzezinski told colleagues the bill is intended both to address long-running state issues and to respond to federal court monitoring of the state's mental-health system.

Senator Kathleen Gelser Bluhin, who said she was “not sure how I’m going to answer” when her name was called, praised the bill’s work on civil commitment language and noted it removes older stigmatizing phrasing. Gelser Bluhin warned that civil commitment “is not a part of the criminal justice system” and urged continued work to protect individual rights and expand community supports so people do not lose rights because services are unavailable.

Senator Chris McLean objected to a provision that allows local governments to site residential treatment facilities inside urban growth boundaries without standard plan amendments or conditional use permits when certain conditions apply; McLean said the change could reduce industrial land available for economic uses.

Senator Tim Reynolds and other members who spoke in favor emphasized the bill’s urgency, noting a federal court monitor recently found Oregon out of compliance and that the state faces fines tied to individuals awaiting placement. Brzezinski said the bill includes sunset provisions the legislature expects to revisit after meeting federal requirements.

The Senate approved the measure; the clerk announced that House Bill 2005 C “having received a constitutional majority is declared passed.” The measure now proceeds as required for enactment.","The Oregon Senate on June 26 passed House Bill 2005 (as amended) updating circumstances for involuntary civil commitment, adding funding for community mental health payments and public defense, and creating implementation steps the legislature says aim to address federal court findings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves expansion of Oregon Energy Assistance Program; ratepayer charges to double

Senate adopts House Bill 2614 to move and strengthen public defense commission oversight

Senators pass statewide shelter program; critics call $217 million price tag premature

Senate approves House Bill 3940 B to create dedicated wildfire mitigation funds, with debate over new nicotine tax

Senate passes overhaul of civil-commitment and behavioral health rules amid federal monitoring