Public Policy

July 16th Update

Nearly the last words on Legislature 2025 Session: Oregon AAUW supported two bills that passed both Houses and were signed by the Governor, the Age Discrimination Act sponsored with AARP, and Lew Frederick’s Anti-Book Banning bill. All money measures were sidelined by the Transportation Megabill which eventually did not pass in any form, creating ongoing chaos.

I am pleased to have found one bright note however. I personally followed HB2233 which directs the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to establish a program to provide legal serves to assist adults in custody at Coffee Creek Women’s Prison. The League of Women Voters posted this summary on its most recent newsletter:

The League is pleased to see that the Legal Services Pilot Program for Coffee Creek Correctional Facility received $1.2 million in the end-of-session “Christmas Tree” Bill (HB 5006).

None of the other prisoner-support bills passed but at least we got this little bitty light at the end of the tunnel. I will let you know when I find out more.

Note: our six bills are listed below.

Oregon Lobby Days 2025

Advocate for Bills to Advance AAUW Values

Get ready to advance legislation that makes a difference! The Oregon Lobby Days 2025 will be held over the week of March 17-21 with in-person and virtual meetings over Zoom.

Lobby Days Materials

For your Legislative Office Meeting

Bills

Bill Script

The Lobby Days Training Slideshow (PDF)

If you are interested in participating, please complete BOTH Step One and Step Two by March 3, 2025:

Step One:

Complete Lobby Days Event Registration

Step Two:

Attend mandatory Training on March 13, 2025 at 7-8PM Pacific Time

Step Three:

Participate in Lobby Days March 17 – 21, 2025

Training materials will be available on the AAUW of Oregon website the week of March 3rd and can be previewed before the March 13th Mandatory Training Orientation. After registering, you will receive the Zoom link.