[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6318693,"mediaKeyId","2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489","parentId",2364658,"title","Committee hears expansion request for tax‑preparation grants to connect low‑income Oregonians with refundable credits","audioSeconds",1596,"startMs",2258000,"endMs",3854000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489&start=2258&end=3854","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489/thumbnail_2258000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318693/Oregon/Committee-hears-expansion-request-for-taxpreparation-grants-to-connect-lowincome-Oregonians-with-refundable-credits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318693-341d44be3fe3632b37a8d8c867651737/orig.mp4?Expires=1775336850&Signature=GG9~vTYDaaQlFrpD73yMvaHn5u9Fgqn6KMFtHZJG37DUVBq4owlGmjpJJqdWF8aTClQYY9b-TMfzwYNryqOcuXrN0AiaX6KB5~aBKYgqwHyK2sT3z95vHr-IOLSnGUULpqxXyko2EYBcuNIfR7liTY36GuUNBhxxIL6Ay5C-1NAJFDlHkirYBZhtJEoQcPl9hBhp06iz8Qk9jg9p8cn5L7HhSEmGSMpQPfSjy6UDkSJBjAV39mrY7r8I23uYzgNneNRjHmIVDwCE0JF3gjCLDGvdRnvBjKPDNp3k4nrDCLPJs-HjVLHfPT-qRni5JVOkL6Y78KUiKRVblGW8~1knkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-02-20T08:00:00Z","article","Supporters of House Bill 2991 told the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services on Feb. 20 that expanding the state’s tax‑infrastructure grants would bring federal and state refunds to low‑income Oregonians, improve family finances and stimulate local economies.

Lisa Reynolds, a pediatrician and state representative, said many low‑income families never file taxes and miss valuable credits. “Nothing we put in the tax code matters if folks don't file their taxes or cannot file their taxes,” Reynolds said in opening testimony supporting increased grant funding for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and other free filing services.

Riley Eldridge, director of the CASH Oregon program at Metropolitan Family Service, described how grant support expanded one organization’s capacity from about 4,000 to more than 9,000 families served since 2022, producing “over $42,000,000” in combined refunds and federal returns reported by the program. Eldridge said clients average roughly $28,000 annual income, 1.3 household members are limited English proficient on average, and many are infrequent filers who need one‑on‑one help to claim credits.

Representatives from Oregon State University, United Way of Jackson County, Western Oregon University and community organizations described rapid growth at VITA sites and local results: United Way said its program increased from 371 returns in 2021 to more than 1,000 last year and has returned more than $15 million to Jackson County over 15 years. Diane Everson (United Way) called VITA “the single best anti‑poverty program in the country.”

Panelists emphasized barriers that software alone does not solve: language access, technology gaps, complex or intermittent filing histories, and anxiety about mistakes. Student volunteers and interns cited professional development benefits; several speakers said the VITA network trains future tax preparers and creates paid internships.

ODHS program staff said the department administers the tax‑infrastructure grants and will publish a public website to centralize information for available free tax help; the department also provided a summary of program outputs and agreed to share more detailed reports with the committee. Committee members asked for regular reporting and more public visibility of where services are available; ODHS staff said they would provide reports and were preparing a public website for the program.

No committee vote occurred during the hearing. Witnesses urged the committee to fund expansion to reach under‑served rural and coastal areas and to continue building volunteer and student capacity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Early Childhood and Human Services 02/20/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses including local VITA sites, community organizations and agency staff urged the committee to fund an expanded tax infrastructure grant program (House Bill 2991) to increase free tax preparation capacity statewide and help low‑income families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and other refunds.","taxTitle","Early Childhood and Human Services, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17511,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6318698,"Rep. Evans proposes tax credit to encourage community gardens, orchards and local food resilience",526,1759000,2285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489&start=1759&end=2285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489/thumbnail_1759000.jpg","/articles/6318698/Oregon/Rep-Evans-proposes-tax-credit-to-encourage-community-gardens-orchards-and-local-food-resilience","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318698-9d32da8435228f89c612f1c911abb055/orig.mp4?Expires=1775336850&Signature=U8l0vu-E9sIvZMkoTy7iZKp9L~Mg2V7NGonnlSnhcNIQwAJaK79OkE81YWZhRZiZoI0mNgYTOS-zus0aGqL~SfAb7qqcBJpgJAT~1rwK1EKETa-zZKbPAgc7X6TDv3zpSvw5E5rirKiPkdgVqwVIWpaluAEEnrkrzmOzxz8Sz4qb9M~PMHWHfHq0XpYwbfxZ4hq3g6vCQWj~HT1eNxnabHeScT49FvdVseIKfmt1gV850J0Ekaevm26fzqhV~C~c8FN-EckYPKtvZPtPOjZHvcIBZ5uz45mqhjurv-~XbzQ7G2w83szkA8mNWwnUns72bIBxpgqlsRKRbZkiC3OKjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Paul Evans introduced House Bill 2907 to the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services on Feb. 20, proposing a tax credit to encourage community gardens and orchards tied to schools, seniors and other community spaces.

Evans framed the bill as a resilience and civic‑engagement measure that would increase local food production, reconnect communities and provide educational benefits for students. “Imagine a situation where folks who own homes could actually... allow their yard to be used for a community garden, get a little bit of support in a tax credit to help pay for the water or whatever is involved,” Evans said, noting potential benefits for seniors, schools and food banks.

Committee members asked how garden produce would be used and distributed. Evans described multiple distribution options: school consumption as part of meals or curriculum activities, donations to food banks to offset perishable needs, or prioritizing nearby senior centers. He said the orchard component was intended to create long‑term community assets and educational opportunities for children to learn about food production.

Representative McIntyre asked whether the program would require water rights or restrict sale of produce; Evans replied the bill as envisioned would focus on encouragement through tax credits and partnership with schools and community organizations and said practical implementation details — including distribution and any statutory waivers needed for school consumption — would be addressed in program design if the bill moves forward.

Members and witnesses described existing successful local models, and several committee members suggested tying the proposal to local extension and school programs that could provide staffing and curriculum connections. No fiscal note or committee vote occurred during the hearing.","Representative Paul Evans presented House Bill 2907 to create incentives—via tax credits—for community gardens and orchards to increase local food production, civic engagement and resilience; committee members asked about distribution, school participation and volunteer capacity.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6318703,"Supporters push bill to revive local child‑care referrals through CCR&R grant program",578,1236000,1814000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489&start=1236&end=1814","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489/thumbnail_1236000.jpg","/articles/6318703/Oregon/Supporters-push-bill-to-revive-local-childcare-referrals-through-CCRR-grant-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318703-cb71b0bf0fe85d64fbf13afbb42bfcf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775336850&Signature=nSLXz29uckqdCpCvprVnL9Bz7mbh~xbKf~3CvAA03DjRF38cukEzZ~5KQji2eJuN2h-TwFaVKwkZYRX6qMhv1kaMAHcoV8Yc9mDruOJm6JXBR2X1nWJemS6MVKxhcVNEt~A~JSvhoSdlrc7IY4PWkUUnAwydID~xsePK2cWuNWUectXWAdXm2LHtxN6w5-CAzUTmK8uLsAsB2DdtrmYcIKApk36eX3VNNRF7duD7zmCInSOEJynXmD9woIN6eOKJaJALTwZFIJ3-0OWL9NzR6VAjXFhIrfkO9O-HSorQgvmSpQcPF6w8CmmgFPfgW2ukETjz6BddC~O5YDdffF6Arw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services took testimony Feb. 20 on House Bill 2452, which would direct the Department of Early Learning and Care to establish a grant program to build capacity at Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies and restore more personalized referral services to families seeking child care.

Marchelle Marcos, political director at Family Ford, told the committee that many families struggle to find openings that match hours, language needs, and special‑needs care, and said CCR&Rs offer the “personal touch and local expertise” needed to connect families to providers. “With nearly every county in Oregon being a child care desert, it's clear that we need to make every open slot count,” Marcos said.

Alyssa Traeger, DELC director, provided context on referral infrastructure. She said Oregon shifted centralized referrals to 2‑1‑1 in 2016 to provide 24/7 multi‑service access and to reduce costs, but that enhanced local referrals (previously provided by CCR&Rs for some program populations) offered individualized contacts — calling multiple providers and following up — and were not fully available statewide. Traeger said recent DELC work includes a January text outreach to ERDC‑approved families not yet connected to providers; of 107 families who replied requesting contact, 55 received referrals and eight reported they had found a provider.

Witnesses from community CCR&R organizations and providers described on‑the‑ground experience. April Paul of NeighborImpact Childcare Resources said CCR&Rs “went beyond simply giving families a list” by vetting providers, confirming openings, and helping families with financial assistance and special‑needs referrals. Drea Smith, co‑owner of a child care center in Eugene, described expanding capacity following a CCR&R referral effort but said filling preschool slots remains difficult and that many programs rely on ERDC‑subsidized families.

Committee members asked about program funding and oversight. Representative Elmer asked whether a fiscal impact analysis exists; DELC staff said a fiscal statement had not yet been provided and that the agency was present only to offer background. Vice Chair Sharf asked whether CCR&Rs were decommissioned; Traeger said CCR&Rs remain active but shifted toward workforce development after referrals moved to 2‑1‑1 in 2016.

Supporters urged restoring enhanced, local referral capacity to reach the roughly 25% of ERDC‑eligible families who were approved but unconnected to a provider. Proponents framed the bill as rebuilding community‑based navigation, especially for rural and limited‑English families. No committee action or vote was recorded during the hearing.","Family‑level testimony and agency briefing backed House Bill 2452, which would direct the Department of Early Learning and Care to establish a grant program to strengthen Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies and restore enhanced, personalized referral services statewide.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6318708,"Committee hears bill to let child care agency waive licensing rules and move family-provider ratios into rulemaking",1131,128000,1259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489&start=128&end=1259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364658-d835c5922def824da66a0c43748a1489/thumbnail_128000.jpg","/articles/6318708/Oregon/Committee-hears-bill-to-let-child-care-agency-waive-licensing-rules-and-move-family-provider-ratios-into-rulemaking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318708-25be00008047ff769c54dc3d36a888a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775336850&Signature=MFYN8taJ~755MfInmPB64IJFMwOB92aDtTytpebVl6w-R2RMAa79FL6V-pL2QKo9jI9ryrXGIYw2ZTYVsFhS0UbuRgP1NcJes33-db4ehzu57runNqHapBGMJ7mmD8qWFMes3yU6V3BuyBrNoWo163kqqnnJVtXwWcLEBb4ZQ6d2m7dngModsc2Q~Dw7DgneVny2MUgckEYsCbSaeUtE7fdrXmOfh6xZw0RKaNed7Tp~m0JBW61dLkw2Mtub3Em6pl1YlZ8kTB-LhEFM-4OW~LwL2b3UVJsb40GYULzZZ0BVn7aeqZaptipCwjxUaGnmkC-CWqyA3DOAN8bclKn0Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services Chair Hartman opened a public hearing Feb. 20 on House Bill 2814, which would allow the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to waive certain statutory certification requirements for child care facilities when the agency determines health and safety can be assured.

The bill also would move the maximum numbers and age‑group staffing ratios for registered family child care into administrative rulemaking under the Early Learning Council, rather than keeping those numeric limits in statute. Proponents say the change would give DELC flexibility to prevent unnecessary closures and provide options in communities with limited child care.

DELC child care licensing division director Alicia Gardiner told the committee the bill would “align child care statutes across both types, certified and registered” and permit waivers to avoid forced closures when providers submit renewal applications late or when county inspections are delayed. Gardiner said current statute (cited in testimony as “329A” in discussion) requires renewal applications 30 days before expiration and that late applications can lead to temporary license expirations if required inspections are not completed in time. “House Bill 2814 offers a solution by allowing DELC to temporarily waive certain inspections with proper safeguards in place,” Gardiner said, adding the change would reduce care disruptions for families and providers.

Gardiner described other scenarios the bill would address: owners who manage multiple certified family homes may lose a license if a single provider leaves and current statutory language does not permit short‑term accommodations; and statute currently limits certified family homes to a maximum of 16 children even when space and staffing could safely accommodate more. She said DELC already issues exceptions for registered family providers by rule in roughly 30% of requests related to allowing an additional younger sibling; the bill would move that flexibility into rulemaking for registered family care as well.

Members asked about oversight and follow‑up. Representative McIntyre asked how many children the current rules allow and how waivers would be monitored; Gardiner replied that registered family care statutes currently allow two children under 24 months within a 10‑child maximum and explained DELC’s monitoring: unannounced visits at least once per year for registered family providers, supplemented by announced renewal visits on a two‑year cycle, with additional follow‑up when compliance concerns appear. “We look at the compliance history to determine that that provider is actually showing that they can stay in compliance,” Gardiner said.

Representative Walters pressed for data on how frequently inspections find welfare‑of‑child concerns; Gardiner said she did not have that dataset in the hearing but offered to follow up, and described DELC’s progressive enforcement tools — from education to civil penalties and, for serious concerns, emergency suspensions or revocations and coordination with child welfare.

Vice Chair Sharf cautioned the committee that moving numeric provisions from statute to rulemaking reduces the legislature’s direct control and urged DELC to ensure transparent, equitable rule processes consistent with recent rulemaking reforms discussed in other bills.

No committee vote was taken during the hearing. The committee closed the public hearing on HB 2814 and moved to the next item on the agenda.

The testimony framed HB 2814 as a technical change intended to give DELC operational flexibility while keeping health and safety safeguards, but members requested follow‑up data on inspection outcomes and asked for assurances about transparent rulemaking if the bill advances.","A bill that would let the Department of Early Learning and Care temporarily waive some inspection and staffing requirements and shift family‑child ratios from statute into rulemaking drew questions about oversight and rural flexibility during a public hearing before the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears expansion request for tax‑preparation grants to connect low‑income Oregonians with refundable credits

Rep. Evans proposes tax credit to encourage community gardens, orchards and local food resilience

Supporters push bill to revive local child‑care referrals through CCR&R grant program

Committee hears bill to let child care agency waive licensing rules and move family-provider ratios into rulemaking