One of the results of the November election resulted in a Democratic Party “supermajority” in both chambers of the Oregon legislature (18 in Senate and 36 in House). If they all vote together, they can pass revenue measures without the minority party (Republicans). However, revenue measures can be referred to the people, so it is prudent to work together on such decisions. It is important to note that the three-fifths supermajority would not be enough, however, to meet Oregon's unique quorum rules and deny the possibility of legislative walkouts. Oregon requires two-thirds of lawmakers to be present to conduct business (20 Senators and 40 Representatives).
The 2025 session began January 13 with the swearing in of newly elected legislators and other state officials. Committee hearings began January 21. The session lasts for five months with constitutional sine die June 29. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website. Oregon has a biennial budgeting process so all state agencies will need to have budgets approved by the end of session. On December 2, 2024, the Governor presented a summary of her Recommended Budget (GRB) focused on housing, addiction, public safety, school funding and transportation.
Please contact advocacy [at] lwvor.org to learn how you can help the League track and advocate for legislation on crucial issues. League volunteers make a difference and we hope you find an issue you want to follow. Training with mentors is available and below are just some of the areas of interest! Some of these agencies are very large with many responsibilities. Volunteers can select one area, just following the agency's Board or Commission or any narrower area of interest--especially if the League has already taken a position.
- Clean Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation
- Natural and Working Lands - Agriculture
- Resilient Communities/Public Health
- Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust
- Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team)
- CE Portfolio - State Agency Budgets
- Climate Friendly Transportation
- Climate Migration
- Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment.
- Social Policy
- Criminal Justice
- Juvenile Justice
- Governance
- Cybersecurity and Privacy
- Artificial Intelligence
- Revenue
- Natural Resources
- Air Quality (Dept. of Environmental Quality is lead)
- Columbia River Gorge Commission
- Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (science and mining divisions)
- Follow Hanford Cleanup
- Oregon Dept. of Agriculture
- Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
- Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
- Parks and Recreation Dept.
- Recycling/Materials Management (Dept. of Environmental Quality is lead)
LWVOR publishes weekly legislative reports during each state legislative session and you can sign up for state league communications at https://mailchi.mp/lwvor.org/newsletter-signup.
LWVOR testimony letters are produced related to gun safety, governance, education, climate action, as well as many other issues. Forty-two letters were issued in 2024. You can read these letters at https://www.lwvor.org/testimony. League members serve on legislative workgroups and committees, and are members of several advocacy coalitions that align with the league’s mission and advocacy priorities listed at at https://www.lwvor.org/committees-coalitions:
- Human Services Coalition
- Coalition Against Hate Crimes
- Oregon Housing Alliance
- Oregon Conservation Network
- NW Energy Coalition
- Coalition for Climate and Economic Justice
