Senator Brock Smith addresses Oregon's historic registrants funding challenges

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety convened on May 7, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding community corrections and the classification of historic registrants in Oregon. Co-chair Senator Brock Smith raised concerns regarding the 11,091 historic registrants who remain unclassified by the board responsible for their oversight.

The board's inability to classify these individuals has been attributed to inconsistent funding. A representative from the board explained that while they have managed to keep pace with the classification of approximately 100 new registrants each month, the resources available have only allowed for limited progress on the historic registrant population. Initially, there were about 25,000 historic registrants, and the board is currently focused on addressing the new cases as they arise.

The discussion highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the board in managing both new and historic registrants due to financial constraints. The implications of this situation raise concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of community corrections in Oregon. The committee's deliberations underscored the need for increased funding to ensure that all registrants, both new and historic, receive appropriate classification and oversight.