NEWS UPDATE FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GOMBERG: A Bundle of Bills Passed

By Representative David Gomberg, House District 10

4/28/2025
Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Rhodies and azaleas are blossoming in my home garden at the Coast. Long days in Salem mean I’m missing most of the color. Instead, I’m dealing with the blossoming number of legislative bills that came out of committee and across the House and Senate floor just after the first deadline.

Oregon lawmakers proposed more than 3,400 bills this legislative session, most of which will fail to pass. As of the “First Chamber Deadline,” hundreds of bills were dead.

This month to date, the House considered 164 measures or motions. The Senate advanced 118 measures and also considered executive appointments made by the Governor, which must be approved by the Senate. Most of these bills were technical and non-controversial. I’m particularly proud that the vast majority of the bills we have passed so far have moved forward with bipartisan support, as was the case in 2023 and 2024.

But as is sometimes the case, there were days when Democrats and Republicans failed to achieve consensus.

Here are some highlights of measures that have cleared the first hurdle, were approved in the chamber where they originated, and now begin the review, hearing, and approval process in the second chamber.

House Measures:

HB 3766: Lets someone pursue civil action if another person sends them an unwanted intimate image.

HB 3920: Raises the age limit for the existing Veterans Dependent Tuition Waiver Program from 23 to 31 years for the children of 100% disabled veterans.

HB 3932: Will close recreational and commercial beaver trapping on impaired waterways within state and federal land in Oregon. Read more here. (Gomberg Sponsored)

HB 2421: Non-profit universities can participate in the Higher Ed Coordinating Commission “direct admission” program through which students are notified of their college acceptance without an application process.

HB 3522: Allows property owners and landlords to reclaim premises from squatters with a 24-hour notice. Read more here. (Gomberg Sponsored)

HB 2373: Creates a timeshare sales agent license similar to requirements for realtors. (Gomberg Sponsored)

HB 3605: Makes home solicitation and telephone solicitation sales subject to the Unlawful Trade Practices Act regulations. (Gomberg Sponsored)

HB 3875: Limits car manufacturers from collecting and selling information about driving habits or accessing email and texts from collected mobile devices. Read more here. (Gomberg Sponsored)

HB 2007: Invests in summer classes for students focused on reading, using proven teaching methods with special supports for students in need of extra help. Read more here. (Gomberg Sponsored)

HB 3724: Prohibits advertising, packaging and labeling of marijuana items in a manner likely to cause minors to unlawfully possess or consume.

HB 3533: Requires all fees and charges to be included in advertised prices. (Gomberg Sponsored)

HB 2251: Directs school districts to adopt a policy that prohibits the use of students’ personal electronic devices.

HB 3372: Permits certain exempt groundwater users to withdraw up to 3,000 gallons of water per day for watering any lawn or noncommercial or commercial garden that does not exceed one-half acre. (Gomberg Sponsored)

Senate Measures:

SB 926: Stops utility companies from charging customers for wildfire-related costs if a court or jury finds the company was negligent, and also stops these companies from delivering profits to their shareholders if they have unresolved wildfire liabilities. Read more here. (Gomberg Sponsored)

SB 1016: Bans the use of trash bags for transporting foster kids’ personal belonging during a move. Read more here.

SB 951: Closes a loophole so licensed medical professionals are in control of their clinics to ensure that patient health comes before corporate profit.

SB 957: Bans the use of noncompetition agreements for most licensed health providers, improving the public’s access to physicians.

SB 1098: Protects Oregon’s schools and libraries from groups outside the school seeking to ban books. Read more here. (Gomberg Sponsored)

SB 221: Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to help set up fall Chinook salmon nurseries and report back to the Legislature on their progress.

SB 181: Prohibits public money from funding lab experimentation on cats and dogs. Read more here.

SB 916: Permits striking workers to seek unemployment benefits after a two-week waiting period.

SB 1176: Requires BOLI to publicize and explain the obligation to accept cash as payment for goods and services

SB 15: Makes changes to estate taxes.

The avalanche of bills introduced has made this legislative session more challenging and spurred House Speaker Julie Fahey to introduce legislation that would limit the number of bills that can be introduced each year. I was proud to sign on as a co-chief sponsor.

Despite all the work we’ve done, there are some really big conversations on the horizon as we begin the second half of the 2025 session.

First and foremost is delivering a transportation plan that will keep Oregonians safe on our roads, bridges and transit systems now and for years to come.

As the gasoline tax we developed over 100 years ago continues to decline, fewer vehicles are using gasoline, and as costs for maintaining our roads and bridges increase, we need to consider new revenue options. Oregonians already struggling with the cost of living are not eager to see new taxes. But they do want their roads to be safe and drivable.

I’ve received more than a few letters urging we look for efficiencies in ODOT rather than new money. And I’m committed to searching out those budget reductions. But I also understand they will not be enough to solve the larger problem.

It is important to understand that half of the current taxes and the proposed new ones comes back to cities and counties for local roads. If you are among those who think we need “belt tightening”, I encourage you to talk with your local elected leaders and ask what the consequences will be of reduced funding from the state.

As I have detailed in past newsletters, the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation have released their framework for the Oregon Transportation ReInvestment Package, informed by 13 statewide tour stops last summer and countless hours of workgroup and public meetings. It is a strong starting point for continued conversations with legislators, stakeholders, and the public on how we can provide cities, counties and the state with stable funding to create better and safer transportation systems in Oregon.

I’m looking forward to these conversations and would encourage everyone to make their voices heard.

We also must deliver the Legislature’s one constitutional duty: a balanced statewide budget. Even in a normal budget cycle, the state does not have enough funds to support every worthy project or program. But in this budget cycle — with the president’s tariffs sparking a trade war and increasing fears of a global recession — we must focus on protecting core services and getting the most out of every dollar.

Case in point: The Ways and Means co-chairs’ budget framework fully funds K-12 schools at $11.4 billion, but does so pending the approval of certain accountability measures to make sure our students are getting a high-quality education.

At the same point, while policy bills are being debated on the House floor, any measure that might cost money is being held in the Legislative Fiscal Office until we receive the forecast of anticipated revenue in mid-May. Only then can we finalize agency budgets and planned contributions to reserves. Any money left can be applied to those money bills and there won’t be enough for most of them.

My highest priority is HB 3870, my bipartisan package to support public safety like police stations, firefighting infrastructure, and emergency water storage. The cost for a dozen projects around the state is just under $50 million. Watch my interview on KATU here.

I’ve made it a priority to travel with other members of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for community budget hearings over the past month to listen to Oregonians about their budget priorities. I’ve visited East Multnomah County, Astoria, La Grande and this last weekend, Klamath Falls for public hearings with my fellow legislators.

Many folks had similar needs: funding for housing production, public education, infrastructure improvements, wildfire prevention, public safety, and nutritional support. It was a sobering reminder of the role the state must play in supporting as many communities across the state as possible as we tackle our most pressing challenges.

All of us in the Capitol are holding our breath as we wait for the critical May revenue forecast. As we wait, here are several concerns we are watching closely.

The stock market continues to react as new federal tariffs are announced and rescinded. Here is one example from April 7, as reported in CBS: Leading indexes fell sharply in the morning, briefly rebounded on a false report that President Trump was considering a 90-day tariff freeze for all countries except China, then rode the roller-coaster back down in the afternoon. “Could things get worse? Of course they could,” said Nate Thooft, a senior portfolio manager at Manulife Investment Management. “We’re not calling the all-clear at all, but when you have this type of volatility in the market, of course you’re going to have back and forth” in markets.

Certainly the health of the stock market affects the strength of Oregon businesses, which in turn affects the taxes they pay, the people they employ, and how much money Oregon will have to spend in the next budget. But it also affects returns in investments we have put aside for other commitments like the PERS public employee retirement system fund, or the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. And I am certainly aware of how fluctuations affect your own personal savings and investments as well.

State Economist Carl Riccadonna told OPB, “Businesses do not like uncertainty. They do not like to be playing a game where the rules of the game are in flux, and they have to make these adjustments to supply chains and investment patterns, et cetera.”

Federal job reductions will affect the state and local economy. Several federal agencies employ nearly 30,000 people in Oregon. It is unclear how many of these jobs may be reduced or eliminated in the coming months. In Lincoln County, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce are the two largest federal employers, each with 111 and 110 employees, respectively. The U.S. Postal Service also has a significant presence in the county with 62 employees. And of course, there are many grant-funded positions and researchers at NOAA, Hatfield, and PacWave.

State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner said that federal economists estimate Trump’s tariffs will cost the average U.S. household $3,800 more per year. Oregon’s state economist, Carl Riccadonna, explained that the full impact of these tariffs on Oregon’s economy probably won’t be known until mid-summer. For context, he pointed out that before Trump’s 2018 tariffs on steel, aluminum and other imported materials, Oregon’s economy was growing about twice as fast as the national economy, and following the tariffs, Oregon’s economy almost immediately shrunk by about 2.5 percentage points.

Across our District 10, the tariffs will be felt most in our exports of fish products, agriculture, and wine. Orders for Oregon wine producers have been returned or terminated from Canadian sellers. This is all bad news for an Oregon wine industry that counts on Canada for 46% of its total exports. Dai Crisp, co-owner of Lumos Wine Co. in Philomath, called the effect of tariffs and taxes “massive.”

Canadians are also turning away from Oregon beers and the impact to Oregon will be noticeable. Nearly 45% of Oregon beer exports go to Canada. Curtis Robinhold, Port of Portland executive director, said 88% of Oregon exports are from small and medium sized businesses. Governor Kotek held a roundtable discussion at Chemeketa Community College on April 16 to discuss the impact of federal tariffs for Oregon. Some of the noteworthy points are reported here.

A report from a Portland State University economist describes Oregon’s export economy (14.5% of state Gross Domestic Product, compared to 10.3 % U.S. average, 2022) and warns that the proposed tariffs “would take the average tariff rate on all imports to highs not seen since the Great Depression,” and “raise taxes for all income groups, with biggest hikes on the poorest Americans.” The report is posted here.

I am often asked what Oregon is doing to protect Oregonians in response to unprecedented federal actions.

Oregon Attorney General Rayfield is convening a series of community hearings to hear from the public about the impact of federal firings and DOGE funding freezes across the country. The next forum in the series is planned for May 3 in Bend. More information is available here.

AG Rayfield has also joined other states in 13 separate lawsuits related to federal actions. The lawsuits challenge executive orders, budget memos, and other actions. Those suits include:

President’s executive order revoking birthright citizenship
Elon Musk’s constitutional authority to exercise significant government powers as the head of DOGE without Senate confirmation pursuant to the Constitution’s Appointments Clause
Office of Management and Budget funding freeze memo
Treasury Department permission for DOGE-affiliated individuals to access sensitive personal and financial information
Mass layoffs of federal probationary employees by numerous federal agencies. (In many agencies, many or most employees are probationary, for example in addition to new employees, anyone already working at the agency who is promoted will be on probation for 1 or 2 years or more.) Efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education through planned reduction in workforce
Health and Human Services termination of nearly $12 billion in public health grants to states. (See more info in The Lund Report.)
National Institutes of Health grant terminations and delays, and removing NOFOs (Notice of Funding Opportunity)
Executive Order regarding elections: makes sweeping changes including requiring votes sent by mail to arrive no later than Election Day to be counted, even though 18 states, including Washington and Oregon, accept ballots postmarked on or before Election Day.
Executive Order restrictions on grant funding for medical institutions providing gender-affirming care and calling for enforcement against providers
Executive Order gutting seven federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
National Institutes of Health guidance on reimbursement for indirect costs of medical research
Department of Education termination of funding for schools, teachers, and vulnerable students
Four of President Donald Trump’s executive orders that claim the power to increase tariffs worldwide without congressional action.

I’m going to finish my report this week with one positive highlight. It was a tour of the ongoing construction at the Oregon State Capitol’s Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety Projects (CAMS). Seismic improvements and expansion of the Capitol have been ongoing for years at a cost of over $500 million, with much of the building being closed since the end of 2022.

Photos and some reporting is courtesy of my colleague, Representative Jami Cate from Lebanon.

Progress continues on four new hearing rooms in the basement, along with the restoration of Historic Hearing Room 50. To help reduce confusion going forward, ground floor rooms will switch to being all letters, while basement rooms will be all numbered. The revamped layout will also include new stairways, access via historic elevators, public spaces, and a beautiful new public dining space as well!

As part of Phase III of the project, workers are installing 105,000 square feet of sheetrock—that’s nearly 2.4 acres, or just under the size of two football fields! This immense effort supports the restoration and modernization of our historic building. Meanwhile, the dome restoration has involved a complex setup that took a full month to assemble—and will take another month to dismantle once the work wraps up.

As we move toward a (mostly) reopened Capitol in time for September Legislative Days, some changes bring mixed feelings. Sadly, the historic revolving front doors—once iconic entry points—will no longer serve as entrances due to new security changes. However, the team is exploring ways to preserve their use as exit-only doors, so visitors can still experience a piece of Capitol history. Finally, the photo to the left is the so-called “moat”—a hidden seismic safety feature that will allow the building to move up to three feet in any direction, protecting it from earthquakes. It’ll be completely hidden beneath new landscaping when the Capitol reopens—but its quiet presence will help keep our historic seat of government safe for generations to come.

email: Rep.DavidGomberg@oregonlegislature.gov

phone: 503-986-1410

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

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