An Introduction to Legislative Advocacy
Getting Started is Quicker & Easier Than You May Expect
If there is proposed legislation or a budget issue you are concerned about, the first step is to contact your two state legislators and let them know your position on the specific issue.
Then contact their office by phone or email, introduce yourself as a "constituent" and indicate that you support or oppose [bill or budget item]. It can be as simple as this.
This basic level of engagement is a great way to stretch your legislative advocacy muscles and get warmed up for this long session!
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Agency Budget Hearings
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Services kicked off its agency budget hearings last week and will be continuing them this coming week and, in the weeks ahead. Because the Subcommittee started with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) budget in 2019 (our last long session), it has started with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) budget this year.
The next hearing on HB 5024, the OHA budget bill, will be on February 2nd at 1:00 pm in Remote 174. These hearings typically start with a high-level overview by Agency leadership, followed by a more detailed look at department budgets inside the agency. This, in turn, is typically followed by an opportunity for the public to give input on the agency budget.
The DD budget (SB 5529) is part of the DHS budget, which will be up for a public hearing after the OHA budget. Stay tuned for more information on advocacy opportunities related to the DD budget. The GO! Project will keep you informed about the ODHS budget details in a future GO Bulletin.
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Our Budget Priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session
- Reinstate Regional Family to Family Networks ($1.3 million GF)
- Set DSP Wage at 150% above minimum wage (HB 2964)
- Fully Fund Case Management Entities
- Develop Statewide Data System
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Policy Bills and Hearings This Week
After what felt like a slow start to the legislative session, we are starting to see more bills get scheduled for hearings. Listed below are some of the hearings and bills we’re following in the upcoming week.
Please see our DD Coalition Priority Bills REPORT for proposed legislation that we are currently tracking closely. It takes one click to open the report and we are confident that you will find a policy bill that you are interested in tracking along with us! Here is a preview:
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MONDAY — February 1, 2021
3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Education will be holding public hearings on the following bills:
o SB 53: Updates terminology and funding provisions related to special education programs provided on local, county or regional basis.
o SB 55: Directs Office of School Facilities to administer statewide facilities assessment program.
TUESDAY — February 2, 2021
1:00 pm / Remote 174: Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Services will be holding a public hearing on HB 5024, the Oregon Health Authority budget bill.
WEDNESDAY — February 3, 2021
1:00 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Health Care will hold a public hearing on SB 70, a bill that requires Oregon Health Authority to work with regional health equity coalitions and groups utilizing a regional health equity coalition model throughout the state.
3:15 pm / Remote E: House Committee on Business and Labor will hold a public hearing on HB 2151, a bill that sets up a task force, commissions a report, and directs the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with Oregon Department of Administrative Services, to establish a State as Model Employer Program beginning on January 1, 2023.
3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee on Education will be holding public hearings on the following bills:
o SB 52: Directs Department of Education to develop and implement statewide education plan for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, nonbinary or another minority gender identity or gender orientation.
o SB 222: Directs Department of Education to provide reimbursements for vision screenings of students to persons that provide vision screenings.
THURSDAY — February 4, 2021
3:15 pm / Remote F: House Committee on Health Care will be holding a public hearing on HB 2508, which requires the Oregon Health Authority to ensure reimbursement of health services delivered using telemedicine.
3:15 pm / Remote 170: House Committee on Veterans and Emergency Management will be holding public hearings on the following bills:
o HB 2426: Directs Oregon Homeland Security Council to develop updated list of equipment for purposes of emergency preparedness equipment grant program.
o HB 2461: Directs Oregon Business Development Department to establish program to create Oregon Critical Disaster Preparedness Stockpile to ensure robust stock of emergency supplies and equipment.
o HB 2891: Requires health care facilities, health care providers, local public health authorities and public and private safety agencies to maintain capacity, including sufficient amounts of certain supplies, to continue in normal operation for 120 days at 25 percent mortality rate.
o HB 2893: Establishes Oregon Disaster Response Assistance Matching Fund.
o HB 2895: Directs Oregon Business Development Department to establish program to create Oregon Critical Emergency Preparedness Stockpile to ensure robust stock of emergency supplies and equipment.
o HB 2896: Directs Office of Emergency Management to conduct annual multidisciplinary, all-hazards emergency response exercise.
o HB 2898: Relating to an income tax surtax to fund emergency preparedness.
3:15 pm / Remote B: Senate Committee Human Services, Mental Health and Recovery will be holding public hearings on the following bills:
o SB 86: Authorizes licensing agency to impose conditions on license to operate residential facility and to consider performance and experience of applicant or licensee in other states or jurisdictions.
o SB 88: Corrects statutory cross-references to community developmental disabilities programs.
o SB 89: Modifies definition of “developmental disabilities residential facility.”
o SB 90: Exempts from public disclosure addresses of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities residing in adult foster homes, residential training facilities or residential training homes.
INTERESTED IN GIVING TESTIMONY AT A COMMITTEE HEARING?
In order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, entry to the Oregon State Capitol is for authorized personnel only until further notice. The Oregon Legislative Assembly has established a process to accept remote verbal public testimony on bills by video or phone during this time, in addition to written public testimony. For more information, see the helpful information posted on the Oregon Legislative Information System.
INTERESTED IN TRACKING BILLS OR HEARINGS?
Use the Oregon Legislature's Capitol e-Subscribe service to receive bill alerts for individual bills as they move through the legislative process, receive committee agendas, news from members of the legislative body and more.
You can also watch or listen to live or archived video and audio of Oregon Senate and House chamber sessions and Committee hearings.
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Please join us in advocacy during the 2021 Legislative Session. The Oregon Developmental Disability Coalition’s GO! Project Advocacy Team will be available online by registering here to attend an advocacy event. Our GO! Staff will be available from 10AM to 1PM on each of the following Tuesdays to provide information and support:
- February 10th
- March 10th
- April 15th
- May 12th
- June 9th
We have created a series of training videos to support your preparation for remote legislative advocacy. Visit our You Tube Channel or Facebook Page to view these videos. You can expect to learn about the following topics:
- Why Is Advocacy Important?
- How To Develop Your Message
- Making a Legislative Appointment
- Preparing For a Virtual Visit
- Expecting the Unexpected
- What to Do After a Legislative Visit
- Advocacy Via Email
To participate in GO! Advocacy Days:
- Watch our recorded training series to help you get prepared
- Schedule visits with your legislators on these dates
- Wear something yellow to show unity in advocacy
- Log-in to the GO! Video event before and after your visits for support and important advocacy updates!
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About the Oregon DD Coalition |
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The Oregon DD Coalition advocates for DD services on behalf of and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and support organizations in Oregon.
We influence DD service and community support systems and legislation by communicating with a common, consistent voice – creating better opportunities for Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Interested in signing up for the GO! Bulletin or
becoming a member of the Oregon DD Coalition?
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1775 32nd Place, Suite F, Salem OR 97301
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