Can't be in Salem to watch Multnomah County testimony? No problem. Follow Multnomah County experts on Multnomah County's legislative priorities.
Feb. 7, 2020: HB 4131- the expansion of the Family Preservation Project pilot at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
HB 4131 Testimony (101.35 KB)
"Not only will this bill have a positive effect on inmates at Coffee Creek, but we all know how crucial it is for children to be able to maintain their relationship with an incarcerated parent which can result in the emotional and behavioral health outcomes that every child needs and deserves. The continuation of this program is paramount to strengthen families who are already struggling in our community and will help them to be independent, stable, and successful." - Commissioner Lori Stegmann
HB 4131 Testimony (Rose) (48.97 KB)
"We clearly see, and research supports, that connectivity with family and personal support systems is the leading factor for the successful re-entry of women who have been incarcerated and this program is set up to facilitate that for those at Coffee Creek. Establishing a stable and sufficient source of funding to provide these crucial support services through the Family Preservation Project will assist healing and stability for Oregon families impacted by incarceration and we urge the passage of HB 4131." - Shannon Rose, Domestic & Sexual Violence Coordination Office
Feb. 7, 2020: SB 1547 - Clarifies that state felony traffic offenses charged in Multnomah County will be heard in court facility in Portland
SB 1547 Testimony (101.12 KB)
"With the passage of SB 1547, we can better serve our residents and allow those who have been released prior to their trial, the ability to have their hearing held closer to home and in their community. This allows us to fully utilize our facility and have the capacity to serve additional cases at the East County Courthouse. With this increase in the number of cases heard, we can receive the full benefit from a vital community asset, while at the same time relieving the overload of cases our downtown courthouse experiences. I urge your support for SB 1547." - Commissioner Lori Stegmann
Feb. 7, 2020: HB 4049 - Relating to direct combustion of municipal solid waste
HB 4049 Testimony (164.2 KB)
"I urge you to reject HB 4049, it is bad for the state’s air quality, it is bad for the state’s progress on greenhouse gas reduction, and it takes away from the development of affordable renewable technologies like wind and solar. The legislature has wisely avoided granting renewable energy credits to trash incineration and excluded this source of energy from the renewable portfolio standards. It is time to put this issue to bed, and consign this idea to a suite of false solutions promoted by an industry that should be able to finance their own equipment upgrades and investments." - John Wasiutynski, Sustainability Director
Feb. 6, 2020: SB 1577 - Prohibits distributing, selling or allowing to be sold flavored inhalant delivery system products
SB 1577 Testimony (162.1 KB)
"Multnomah County began learning about flavored inhalant delivery systems over 6 years ago and quickly began educating our community about the dangers of flavors. The FDA is only now acting and their guidance and action appear temporary, with a focus on returning flavored products to the market as soon as possible. The State acting to ban flavors in both combustible tobacco products and inhalant delivery systems would move Oregon into a position of protecting our youth and other community member. We can no longer wait for federal action to do so. The very health of our future generations is at stake." - Rachael Banks, Public Health Director
Feb. 5, 2020: SB 1536 - Requires electric company to operate in compliance with risk-based wildfire protection plan acknowledge by Public Utility Commission
SB 1536 Testimony (157.79 KB)
"For a relatively small investment in room-sized filters, cleaner air rooms can be established in schools, offering a safe place for students with underlying conditions like asthma. This can be accomplished by striking the word “residential” from Section 15(1) and adding language to Section 15(3) as follows: “The Authority may issue grants for the installation of smoke filtration systems in residential buildings and other buildings likely to be occupied by vulnerable populations in areas susceptible to wildfire smoke.” - Sarah Lochner, Deputy Director of Government Relations
Feb. 5, 2020: SB 1547 - Clarifies that state felony traffic offenses charged in Multnomah County will be heard in court facility in Portland
SB 1547 Testimony (65.35 KB)
"By increasing the number of cases heard in Gresham, we can maximize efficiency for both our downtown and east county courthouses. This improves service and convenience for Multnomah County residents, especially our east county residents, and takes some of the pressure off of our highly utilized downtown courthouse." - Taylor Steenblock, Multnomah County Government Affairs
Feb. 5, 2020: Support for Release of $9 million of 2019 Special Appropriation Funds for Community Mental Health Programs
HB 5050 testimony (211.59 KB)
"The release of this $9 million will help restore critical safety net services for individuals suffering from serious mental health issues who are at risk of civil commitment, justice system involvement, homelessness and potential placement in the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). . . . Without restoration of these funds, our community mental health system will be weakened at exactly the same time we are launching CCO 2.0 and raising hopes of improved behavioral health-physical health integration." - Andy Smith, Association of Oregon Counties Legislative Affairs Manager
Feb. 4, 2020: House Joint Resolution 202 - Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution establishing obligation of state to ensure every resident of state access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care
HJR 202 Testimony (104.13 KB)
"We all benefit when everyone has access to health care -- nobody should have to make the impossible choice between paying their rent and getting a prescription they need, and I know firsthand that access to preventive care is more cost-effective than expensive emergency care. I believe strongly that these values are jointly held by communities across the state, and encourage you to pass HJR 202 as a reflection of this shared commitment to accessible and affordable health care." - Commissioner Sharon Meieran
Feb. 4, 2020: HB 4031- Removes exemption from requirement to obtain licensure for persons providing certain counseling services
HB 4031 Testimony (162.62 KB)
"As the Local Mental Health Authority for Multnomah County, my organization is responsible for ensuring the provision of mental health care services to people experiencing mental illness in Oregon’s largest metropolitan region. A thriving behavioral health workforce is central to our mission. . . . At Multnomah County, improving the behavioral health system is a top priority. We want to be partners in supporting any legislation that will support individuals seeking behavioral health services." - Ebony Clarke, Multnomah County Mental Health and Addiction Services Division Director
Feb. 4, 2020: HB 4102 - Requires coordinated care organizations to report specified information to Oregon Health Authority regarding requests for prior authorization
HB 4102 Testimony (158.85 KB)
"The proposed requirement for insurers to report claim and drug prior authorization approval and denials to the State, and to provide authorization criteria and processes is a welcome clarification for treating many patients. However, there are unwanted impacts for patients living with HIV. . . . It is medically crucial to have all options on the table when prescribing and to be able to start those drugs quickly, with no barriers to access." - Toni Kempner, HIB Services Senior Manager
Feb. 4, 2020: HB 4082 - Would establish a Behavioral Health Road Map Commission to drive a clear, sustained, accountable
process to improve and oversee behavioral health care systems
HB 4082 Testimony (96.47 KB)
We need a formal, permanent structure that is closely tied to both the Legislature and the Oregon Health Authority, and that is expressly responsible for delivering a consistent, integrated system of behavioral health care. And, in developing this Commission’s membership, it will be essential to formally include consumers of mental health services as equal partners in the work -- if we want to deliver a system that truly meets peoples’ needs, consumer voice must be central to creating and holding us accountable to that vision." - Commissioner Sharon Meieran