NEWS UPDATE FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GOMBERG: Adjournment is Around the Corner

Rather than wait for a final wrap-up and review, I thought I would use this time to highlight a few bills of particular interest that have passed and been signed by the Governor but may not have generated headlines elsewhere.

Ending Workplace Discrimination: HB 3187 A addresses discrimination that older workers face when applying for a job. I was proud to join my friend and colleague Representative Nathan Sosa as a chief sponsor of this bill, which he introduced on behalf of AARP. The bill prohibits employers from asking for an applicant’s age, date of birth, or date of graduation until after the initial interview, unless the disclosure of age is a bona fide occupational qualification or otherwise required by law. Currently, many job applications require workers to disclose their age, or when they obtained their degree or certification. This opens the door for discrimination against older workers and prevents them from having the opportunity to interview for the position. HB 3187 A is an important step forward in the fight to end age discrimination and the bill now heads to Governor Kotek’s desk.

Fairness for Renters Forced to Move: When renters lose their homes through no fault of their own, current law allows a landlord to require the outgoing tenants to stay a full 90 days after getting a vacate notice or face lease-break penalties if they leave before the 90 days are up. HB 2134, introduced by Rep. Tawna Sanchez would allow tenants in good standing to give a 30-day notice to vacate instead of having to wait and pay for the full 90 days. Giving renters flexibility is critical in today’s housing market. Rental forecasts in Oregon show that due to a lack of inventory, rents are expected to increase with fewer housing options available in the market. Most renters face stiff competition and have to move quickly to secure a new rental option. Too often this means paying the full 90-days on the rental being vacated and paying on a new lease simultaneously.

Expanding the Role of CASA Volunteers: I strongly support the use of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), who are appointed by courts to advocate for children’s interests during court proceedings. CASA volunteers serve a critically important role in protecting children, which is why I voted for SB 135 to include their expertise and perspectives on certain multidisciplinary and review teams. Multidisciplinary teams are collaborative groups of professionals from various disciplines working together to address a specific issue or problem, often involving multiple agencies or systems. These teams are commonly found in child abuse investigation, mental health care, and other areas where comprehensive solutions are needed. SB 135 specifically requires the inclusion of a representative of a local CASA Volunteer Program, if available, to serve on the following teams:

• Multidisciplinary domestic violence fatality review teams established by local domestic violence coordinating councils
• County child abuse multidisciplinary teams developed by each county’s district attorney
• Critical Incident Review Teams assigned by the Department of Human Services.

Clarifying Insurance for National Guard: SB 803 is a technical fix bill to allow the Oregon National Guard (ONG) Adjutant General to take steps to make the state-sponsored life insurance program offered through the Oregon National Guard Association available to all ONG members. It also provides opportunities for ONG members to purchase state-sponsored life insurance products and allows representatives from the state-sponsored life insurance program to provide information to ONG members. This technical fix aligns state and federal policies and clarifies benefits and options for Oregon National Guard members. It removes ambiguity and provides greater understanding and communication materials to service members about the benefits available to them.

Improving Healthcare Access for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: SB 729 prohibits mental health providers from denying services to folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). For too long, people with I/DD have faced systemic barriers when it comes to accessing health care. This bill will close this gap, enforce accountability, and exemplify Oregon’s commitment to providing equitable, accessible health care to every population.

Right to Repair Bill Expands to Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices: In 2024, Oregon became the fourth state to enact a “Right to Repair” law, making it easier for consumers and repair shops to fix electronics. This year we expanded our state’s right-to-repair framework to include electric wheelchairs and complex rehabilitation technology. Manufacturers are now required to provide owners and independent repair providers with the tools, parts, and information necessary to diagnose, maintain, and repair these essential devices. By empowering individuals with greater control over their mobility equipment, SB 550 enhances accessibility and reduces downtime for users who rely on these devices for daily activities. This is a significant step forward in ensuring that all Oregonians have the right to repair the equipment they depend on.

Oregon Eliminates Medical Debt on Credit Reports: SB 605B stops medical debt from showing up on credit reports and prohibits anyone from providing that information to a credit reporting agency. In January 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule that would’ve removed an estimated $49 billion in medical bills for 15 million Americans. However, NPR reported that new leadership under President Trump is actively trying to block the rule from going into effect. Far too many Oregonians have their credit scores ruined by an illness, an unexpected medical emergency, or even an error on their bill. The long-term effects of this can cost them a job and make it harder for them to find a place to live. This legislation empowers individuals to pursue housing, employment, and credit opportunities without the burden of medical debt on their records. By passing this bill, we affirm our commitment to protecting consumers and promoting financial equity across our state.

It has been my honor to preside over the House almost every day this session.

A Lincoln County resident reached out to our office last month after they had received an unexpected bill from a medical transport company for over $50,000. The constituents had thought the bill would be covered by their insurance and their attempts to connect their insurance to the company had been unsuccessful. As most people would be when facing an unexpected $50,000 bill, the thought of repayment caused them to lose sleep and threatened to delay their retirement plans. Fortunately, our staff was able to connect them with the company through its lobbyist, and the company’s CFO called them just last week, apologizing and rescinding their collections.

While not all stories like this have happy endings, it makes me grateful when we can have a real impact on the lives of our constituents.

Each year, we spend tens of millions (sometimes hundreds of millions) trying to put those fires out. But despite our best efforts, the fires keep getting worse — more dangerous and more destructive. And the legislature continues to struggle to find the resources needed to for investments to protect our forests, our homes, and our public health.

Outlook: We’re expecting an active fire season this year. Drought conditions are re-emerging around the state. Northeast Oregon and all of western Oregon are currently abnormally dry, with counties from Clatsop to Douglas and parts of Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Baker counties in moderate drought. Compounding that are the three-month forecasts showing below average precipitation and above average temperatures for Oregon. Additionally, the significant wildfire potential is projected to be above average for the entire state in August and September. Some of our fellow western states are also prepared for very active fire seasons, which could result in national and regional resource shortages.

Current situation: Large fire activity started in Oregon earlier than anticipated. As of June 13, there have been 196 fires on ODF protection that have burned about 634 acres. We are at almost exactly the same number of fires as our 10-year average, but luckily with far fewer acres burned. Statewide across all jurisdictions, there have been 394 fires and 14,380 acres burned.

As of June 16, two conflagrations have been invoked for the Rowena Fire in Wasco County and the Alder Springs Fire in Jefferson County. According to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, 56 homes and 91 other structures, including sheds, barns, and shops, were destroyed. Current information about the fire is available on the Rowena Fire 2025 Facebook page.

Resources: ODF is entering into the 2025 fire season with a robust array of tools in our toolbox. From across our districts, we have 200 engines, 400 firefighters, 15 large dozers, lookouts and dispatchers. For aviation statewide, we have 21 tactical aircraft to drop water and retardant on fires, 8 detection and aerial supervision aircraft. And 25 unmanned aerial systems for mapping, situational awareness and detection. Private landowners across the state have 640 trained personnel and 445 pieces of equipment that we can call on. OSFM also manages the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, the network of the 300+ local structural fire agencies around the state that mobilize when needed to protect Oregon.

Federal impacts: We’ll be faced with new challenges this summer as our federal agency partners will continue to work through numerous changes to their organizations. The full scope of operational impacts won’t likely be known until we’re well into fire season, but we do know already that there are several fewer interagency incident management teams in the national system than usual. Thankfully, Oregon is one of only four states with its own incident management teams. We’re also anticipating more asks to assist in fighting fire on federal lands than usual. As we receive those requests, we’ll be weighing them against potential impacts to our ability to keep fires small on the lands we’re obligated to protect and, most importantly, the safety and wellbeing of our employees.

Prevention: The majority of the wildfires we’ve had in Oregon so far could have been prevented. Every Oregonian has a responsibility to help prevent wildfires. You can help us by reminding people to know the fire danger level of the areas they live, work and play, and follow all local restrictions on burning equipment use, campfires and other activities that can start wildfires. Fire danger levels and restrictions throughout the state are available here. You can also help us get the word out more broadly by sharing these informative graphics via social media, newsletters or other communications.

I thank the Department for the work they do to protect Oregonians, their communities and our state’s natural resources.

Please make a note of the town hall on July 7^th. I hope to see many of you there.

House District 10

phone: 503-986-1410

address: 900 Court St NE, H-480, Salem, OR, 97301

website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/gomberg