Dear friends,

With just two months remaining in the session, I wanted to give you an update of some of the Legislature's major accomplishments so far. As always, please feel free to email me (just click reply) to let me know your thoughts on these or other issues.

Healthy Kids
HB 2201 would extend health insurance to Oregon's 117,000 uninsured children, paid for by an increase in the tobacco tax. It has been passed by the Committees on Health Care, Revenue, and Ways and Means, but died on the floor of the House today when it failed to receive the 3/5 majority required for passage.

Ben continues to support the Healthy Kids concept, and will work with other legislators to salvage this important piece of legislation in the remainder of the session.

The Bottle Bill
SB 707 updates Oregon's Bottle Bill by adding water and flavored water to the list of beverages with container deposits and setting up a task force to examine additional changes. It passed out of the Senate last week on a 23-7 vote, and the House Speaker sent it to the Committee on Energy and the Environment. The Committee, on which Ben serves as vice-chair, plans to hold public hearings on SB 707 Wednesday and Friday of next week.

Ben supports expanding the Bottle Bill in general, but urges you to share your thoughts on what work, if any, the Committee should do on the bill, and to come testify in support of your positions next week. Email or call the office at (503) 986-1446 to share your thoughts and to get help signing up to testify.

Oregon Renewable Energy Standard
SB 838 requires Oregon utilities to ensure that 25 percent of their electricity comes from renewable sources by the year 2025. Qualifying sources include wind, solar, geothermal, and wave energy. SB 838 will help combat global warming, promote cleaner air, and spur economic development in Oregon's rural areas.

The bill passed the Senate 20-10, and the House Committee on Energy and the Environment expects to move the bill to the floor within the next several days.

Read Ben's testimony to a Senate committee in favor the legislation here.

Electronics Recycling
House Bill 2626 creates a free, statewide system of electronics recycling, funded by manufacturers and utilizing local infrastructure to maximize re-use. If this bill becomes law, consumers will be able to drop their televisions, computers, and monitors off at convenient drop sites for safe re-use and recycling. Ben chaired a work group of consumer advocates, recyclers, and industry representatives to develop this innovative legislation.

House Bill 2626 has passed the Committees on Energy and Environment and Ways and Means, and soon will come to the floor of the House.

Insurance Transparency
House Bill 2213 will require health insurance companies to provide patients with an estimate of out-of-pocket costs before they undergo common services or treatments. Ben led a group of patient advocates, insurance representatives, and Oregon's Department of Consumer and Business Services to write this model legislation.

House Bill 2213 passed the House unanimously and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy and Public Affairs.

Oregon Rainy Day Savings Account
Early in the session, the Legislature approved a one-time suspension of the corporate kicker and used the revenue to create the state's first-ever general purpose rainy-day fund. The fund will help insulate education, health care, and public safety services during the next economic downturn.

The Oregon Rainy Day Savings Account passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor.

Anti-Discrimination and Domestic Partnerships
SB 2 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual or gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodation. HB 2007 allows same-sex couples to enter "domestic partnerships" in order to receive some of the protections associated with marriage, such as hospital visitation rights. Ben expressed his support for this landmark legislation in a floor speech here. The photo above and to the right is from this speech.

SB 2 has passed the Senate 21-7 and the House 35-25, and now awaits the Governor's signature. HB 2007 passed the House 34-26 and has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Biofuels
HB 2210 provides incentives for the production and processing of Oregon-grown biofuels feedstock, provides a tax credit for Oregon consumers to use higher blends of biodiesel in cars and trucks and for home heating oil, and establishes a renewable fuel standard tied to in-state and Northwest biofuels production.

HB 2210 passed the House 53-4 and is now in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee.

Contraceptive Equity/Emergency Contraception
HB 2700 requires insurers that cover prescription drugs to cover prescription contraceptives the same way they do other drugs, and also ensures that all victims of rape are offered emergency contraceptives in hospital emergency rooms.

HB 2700 passed the House on a 49-9 vote, and is now in the Senate Committee on Health Policy and Public Affairs.

Workplace Benefits for Breastfeeding Mothers
HB 2372 requires businesses with at least 25 employees to provide a clean and private location (not a bathroom) and unpaid break time for nursing employees to express milk.

HB 2372 passed the House on a 49-7 vote, and is now in the Senate Committee on Business, Transportation and Workforce Development.

School Nutrition Standards
The House voted 46-11 to pass HB 2650, which limits the amount of fat, sugar or calories in foods sold in school vending machines and a la carte cafeteria lines. It would not affect what is sold in school lunch or breakfast menus, which are regulated by federal nutrition guidelines, nor would it regulate what students can bring to school to eat or drink.

After passing the House, HB 2650 is now in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

Other Bills Ben is Working On