Oregon Senate Press Releases

“Though we have much more work to do, this is a critical first step in boosting Oregon’s chip industry which will be an economic driver providing family-wage jobs to Oregonians across the state,” said Senator Bill Hansell (R-Athena), member of the Joint Semiconductor Committee. “Redmond and Central Oregon are well-situated for this kind of significant investment,” added … [Read more...] about Oregon Senate’s Passage of Semiconductor Bill Points to the Need for Additional Legislation to Follow

“ADUs are an effective tool in bringing housing to rural Oregon. The state’s chaotic and ineffective release of wildfire risk maps (SB 762) in 2021 not only put rural Oregonians’ home insurance rates in crisis, but it also limits our ability to provide rural housing options. Until the wildfire maps are resolved, SB 644A removes that barrier. I am confident this is the … [Read more...] about Senator Knopp Leads Oregon Senate in Passing Bipartisan Bill Removing Rural Housing Construction Barrier

“We must engage all of the development community to unlock capital and accelerate our housing supply if we are going to meet the ambitious production goals set forth by the Governor. HB 2001 was the result of a multi-year process that will only impact development years down the road. Our neighbors shouldn’t be asked to wait that long before we act again.” … [Read more...] about Homelessness Package is Only the First Step in Addressing the Housing Backlog

This morning, Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend), House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville), and Senate Independent Leader Brian Boquist (I-Rural Yamhill & Polk Counties) sent a letter to Governor Kotek urging that independent nonpartisan investigations be launched into the OLCC’s alleged favorable treatment of land acquisitions and rare liquor … [Read more...] about Knopp, Breese-Iverson, Boquist Send Letter to the Governor Urging Independent Nonpartisan Counsel to Investigate OLCC

Three Senators and twenty other Senators & Representatives have filed legislation that would allow residents to submit a formal complain to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) about human waste, illicit drugs, batteries, and other harmful substances being dumped by homeless camps into state rivers and streams. Upon receiving the complaint, DEQ must … [Read more...] about Senators Brock Smith, Weber, Representative Osborne Introduce Bill Protecting Waterways from Toxic Pollution from Homeless Camps

Today, the Senate Committee on Judiciary held a work session on Senate Bill 579, an extreme bill allowing incarcerated criminals to vote in Oregon elections before completing their sentences. It passed along party lines with a 3-2 vote. … [Read more...] about Senate Republicans Criticize Extreme Bill Allowing Convicted Felons Including Murderers and Rapists to Vote While in Prison

Yesterday, Danielle Tudor and Tiffany Edens, who are victims of “Jogger Rapist” Richard Gillmore, joined Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (RBend), Deputy Leader Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), and Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek) for a press conference at the State Capitol. Together, they discussed a series of bills that collectively support victims of sex crimes and promote … [Read more...] about Victims Join Senate Republicans to Speak in Support of Fixes to Oregon’s Flawed Sex Crime Laws

“It is important for us to be equitable in our policies as it relates to financial matters, and that we be sensitive to Oregon taxpayers,” said Knopp on the Senate Floor. “Today we get to pass the most bipartisan bill of this session. It would be great if there were other bills that follow suit having such consensus and collaboration. I appreciate [my colleagues] for signing … [Read more...] about Senate Unanimously Passes Session’s Most Bipartisan Bill: Senate Bill 853-A Bans Taxpayer Funded Out-of-State Travel Reimbursements for Government Employees