[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6197560,"mediaKeyId","3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6","parentId",3850937,"title","Subcommittee advances judicial judgeships but removes two eastern Oregon posts in dash-2 amendment; lawmakers object","audioSeconds",1047,"startMs",5376000,"endMs",6423000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6&start=5376&end=6423","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6/thumbnail_5376000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197560/Oregon/Subcommittee-advances-judicial-judgeships-but-removes-two-eastern-Oregon-posts-in-dash-2-amendment-lawmakers-object","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197560-345cc835d1f1f951591f5a4b383e774b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185241&Signature=OO8iK2b5Zhukk-THY4bqKmxRuX9cQ1zJhquUfruyC2vHaMVXt8-zfMP8KRlmoJkm~5uNbf0dQQhL~nsLmDKhSDfCmUA5FwJe~fEERQQu3L-hYWrqyDd2-IixwHeEH0XsJY0G626aOmFnJ1BDb7Upjbkgr4naRQUD5fp-QL~E0keSfvrNhVL6pGrSkl6LemlXteviqUXOd48NUIZcsdnr17DtHR9cwtqYTNEUuPWReTql-INB-4s~fi0SI-9aJHUVFcfn5WRQv44SAxXFmwLDl5~dspi29bSZDmP9zjF4kI6rZq0Y5AaHPI01dDzG6ghbPK8JoQPlk1th32cJWrMdxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-06-16T00:00:00Z","article","The subcommittee voted to advance Senate Bill 95 with a dash-2 amendment that provides four new statutory judgeships in the 2026 effective cycle but removes additional judgeships for certain eastern Oregon districts.

What the bill does: SB 95 would add four judgeships across judicial districts with fiscal support estimated at roughly $5.4 million General Fund and 20 staff positions (17 FTE) to support the judgeships. The positions are effective Jan. 1, 2026; counties would be responsible for court facilities for the new judges and staff.

Dash-2 amendment and controversy: The dash-2 amendment removed an additional judge for Judicial District 22 (Crook and Jefferson counties) and another for Morrow and Umatilla counties. Lawmakers from eastern Oregon criticized the amendment as underfunding core judicial needs in their districts. State Court Administrator Nancy Cozine told the committee that the Judicial Department prioritized requests based on a workload study and data-driven caseload analysis, but members said the decision to remove eastern-Oregon judges appeared to be a budget-driven legislative choice rather than a reflection of need.

Votes and next steps: Committee members debated the amendment and several registered objections were recorded. The subcommittee adopted the dash-2 amendment and moved SB 95 as amended to the full committee with a due-pass recommendation. Members from affected eastern districts pledged to continue advocacy for the removed judgeships on the floor and in subsequent budget cycles.

Ending: The bill will go to the full Ways and Means Committee; judicial-branch officials said they will continue to push their prioritized list and members signaled that future appropriation rounds could revisit the removed judgeships.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Capital Construction 06/16/2025 8:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The subcommittee advanced Senate Bill 95, which would add four judgeships statewide, but adopted a dash-2 amendment that removed two proposed judgeships in eastern Oregon. Several members from affected districts opposed the amendment and pledged to press for those judgeships in future steps.","taxTitle","Capital Construction, Ways and Means, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",18449,"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},6197566,"Committee approves doubling low-income electric assistance collection; members question cost to ratepayers",375,4043000,4418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6&start=4043&end=4418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6/thumbnail_4043000.jpg","/articles/6197566/Oregon/Committee-approves-doubling-low-income-electric-assistance-collection-members-question-cost-to-ratepayers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197566-f000755c030191e8eb6f77a1c5486f0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185241&Signature=d8t3cGlJK5K-PF2m8IM93kWRkarH8Ebi0bznyDMqigZW4qy8vBdj9PDF1rrQZq4b5ws4L9D6dR856avBFhstXppne~kicOAX4-Ji0IBstggrs8U9W2o4IGFkrKxr15CEv8dkfwNMpePF34JE2Ky6Cc8ufRvuJ5jflZ~xAMR1NGwWu~DwWgj3kreQSQykelBkiKE9cw6KFAsdWcwBiIrzPxqJyEYqeXFdHbg00JMRwj3K~oobXgiLCD0TpwbzeZ5CBRR~OorwfNIXp0f~NueZICAhHB0OpAemXC0Hz3u7G3jZqTDEOHI95pnoDSi52q12YN1EklCnDGhBAAd5K7al3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee adopted a dash-A5 amendment to House Bill 3792 on June 16, 2025, directing electric utilities to collect a higher minimum for the Low Income Electric Bill Payment Assistance Fund and increasing administrative resources for the Housing and Community Services Department, which runs the program.

Why it matters: the change would increase the amount collected by electric companies for low-income bill payment and crisis assistance from $20 million to $40 million annually. The money funds assistance payments and administrative costs for the Housing and Community Services Department (HCSD).

Committee discussion: Members asked whether the change creates a new fee for ratepayers or simply increases an existing collection. Staff clarified the program already exists; the amendment would expand the existing collection. Witnesses said the current charge per customer is roughly 65¢ per month and testimony indicated the increase would raise the surcharge to about $1.55–$1.70 per month, though members asked for verification before full committee. Representatives raised concerns that increasing a surcharge spreads costs across all customers and can increase burden for lower-income households.

Other provisions and guardrails: the bill requires the Public Utility Commission to reassess community need and electricity rates biennially and caps any single customer charge at $1,000 per month per customer site. The dash-A5 amendment also increased HCSD’s expenditure limitation to manage the larger fund.

Action: The subcommittee adopted the dash-A5 amendment and moved HB 3792 to the full Ways and Means Committee with a due-pass recommendation; the amendment passed after recorded objections from some members and carry motions were assigned for floor sponsorship.

Ending: Members requested follow-up on whether the change triggers supermajority thresholds and asked staff to confirm the precise per-customer surcharge estimate before full committee consideration.","The subcommittee adopted an amendment to House Bill 3792 to increase the minimum collections for low-income electric bill payment assistance from $20 million to $40 million annually, a change that will increase a per-customer surcharge and drew questions about cost burden on ratepayers.",{"_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},6197571,"Subcommittee backs Lifeline expansion to include $100 computing benefit, funds for PUC administration",113,3579000,3692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6&start=3579&end=3692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6/thumbnail_3579000.jpg","/articles/6197571/Oregon/Subcommittee-backs-Lifeline-expansion-to-include-100-computing-benefit-funds-for-PUC-administration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197571-ba3e8177c20a3d356966e8a63139f20d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185241&Signature=CdjsMkYq8yS3ZcmReh9wjh8USb8S8htYE3SJzwtlZdG65PvP3cYAc7WZs5qE9AKrN9HQvhn63p6EKNVUv4GQPci4zROC3LpCg2e6HQ-vOWhzdnKpJd~zu-ud-ro3IfJnH~hLPMbQTLNl4WFXV6dcilL9E5MxlVnKVPawlrrAZTaxfQy8sg~1imHpNmFs~SH1rh6WanqsbFyRX8E~XcssejpP5xxwcfGmTGfU1mpmQu7MgPYIfIRzCB4y1gEQaxBZoDiu1an2y8qYzoakn4PuyHPpg6GWM0Kib59Z6bC8X9H8JCAdOSib-HGyHPkJGqJYkAWrK19aHVT4q4yHOOdPPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee moved House Bill 3148, renaming the Oregon Telephone Assistance Program the Oregon Lifeline Plan and expanding benefits to include a one-time $100 personal-computing-device benefit for eligible low-income customers. LFO recommended the dash-A3 amendment and a due-pass referral to the full committee.

Why it matters: the bill expands an existing affordability program, removes a 2030 sunset, and directs the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to administer a capped device benefit and to use an increased Residential Service Protection Fund (RSPF) expenditure limitation to cover program costs.

Details: LFO described a dash-A3 amendment that caps the device benefit at $100 per recipient and increases the PUC's RSFP expenditure limitation by $1,977,012 other funds in the 2025–27 biennium. The PUC will be allowed to contract with third parties for device distribution and bulk purchases. The PUC will administer the program with one position (0.92 FTE) to recommend priorities and strategies and LFO assumed biannual auditing of the program.

Questions from members: Representative Smith asked where the other funds come from; staff answered the revenue source is a monthly surcharge charged to retail subscribers (currently about 27¢ per month, statutorily capped at 35¢). Committee members asked about duplication with federal programs; witnesses said the state supplement augments federal benefits and is not a complete offset. League of Oregon Cities and other witnesses described PUC fraud-prevention and matching processes.

Action: The subcommittee adopted the dash-A3 amendment and moved HB 3148 to the full Ways and Means Committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Ending: The bill advances to full committee; members asked for continuing auditing and oversight from the PUC on eligibility and to ensure the one-time benefit is not repeatedly claimed by the same person.","The subcommittee advanced House Bill 3148 to the full committee with the dash-A3 amendment, renaming Oregon’s Telephone Assistance Program as the Oregon Lifeline Plan, adding a one-time $100 personal computing device benefit, and increasing the Public Utility Commission’s expenditure limitation to administer the program.",{"_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},6197575,"Committee discusses expanding prevailing wage to off-site \"bespoke\" fabrication; bill held for language and implementation questions",1196,2284000,3480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6&start=2284&end=3480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6/thumbnail_2284000.jpg","/articles/6197575/Oregon/Committee-discusses-expanding-prevailing-wage-to-off-site-bespoke-fabrication-bill-held-for-language-and-implementation-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197575-0fd28166b28ae17516226f258434ad2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185241&Signature=XclbcfdD2Rt6kbVAtq-Cr5QMRd5G1sMZdlcutsfdB6RoenbMvsMjVFtN~EfwF58hoMggmaRTxUa8kY-3m-kOjOINOwa2B0wfx5aeH1lgvD4RMr3yhotNe9UagQDKxf7GSRxOR~LptM8uWTRqBwJ2lyAx1wxnpEAq2FTg9JTEr3c1JUdD0LvnBJVS0l-2jAO2BdMCceOlqQVP7Fnro3-p3UCPNmRnKAkTCrvO9-BzMKrjgRZ-p4Ez2XBsCFB0W2vMm~YbB97MX~I~dky5L68-cDsXB-zW6jgwhz0S0x~AxvosfGa4jqyv3QVY0sbmATJ9cGuLTu4at4KtyIUyYlsdPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee heard House Bill 2688 on June 16, 2025, a bill that would expand the definition of \"public works\" for prevailing-wage purposes to include certain off-site work that is fabricated, preconstructed, assembled or constructed to project specifications.

Why it matters: HB 2688 would change how prevailing wage applies when public projects use bespoke off-site fabrication or preassembly. Proponents say the change is a technical fix to align law with modern construction methods; opponents warned it could raise costs for local governments and create enforcement problems for items made outside Oregon.

Key details from staff and proponents: Legislative staff summarized that the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) would adopt rules to clarify exclusions and reporting, and the measure includes an operative date for contracts entered on or after July 1, 2026. LFO identified a fiscal impact for BOLI of $268,664 General Fund and two positions to handle training and increased determinations and complaints.

Points of contention: Representative Draesen and others questioned whether the bill would reach off-site fabrication done out of state and whether that would give out-of-state vendors an advantage. Proponents and union witnesses said BOLI cannot enforce actions in another state; prevailing wage would apply when the fabricated item is custom-made for a specific public project and used in an Oregon public works contract. Witnesses described that many components are currently built off-site in Oregon at prevailing rates for other public projects.

Action taken: Committee members raised drafting and punctuation concerns — notably the placement of commas around the term \"bespoke\" — that could affect statutory interpretation. With unresolved implementation and enforcement questions, the committee carried HB 2688 to the foot of the calendar to allow rewording and further review before advancing.

Ending: Sponsors and advocates asked the Legislature to clarify whether the bill is intended as a narrow, technical fix; committee members directed staff and proponents to refine language and to bring back clearer drafting and enforcement detail before the bill proceeds.","Lawmakers debated House Bill 2688, a measure to extend prevailing-wage requirements to certain off-site fabricated, preconstructed or assembled components for public works. The committee moved the bill to the foot of the calendar to resolve wording and enforcement questions about interstate and bespoke components.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6197580,"Ways and Means subcommittee advances legislative branch budget after debate over member staffing",0,3657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6&start=3657&end=3657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850937-7a83eba7ea5fa1109f2b4f583bdac6a6/thumbnail_3657000.jpg","/articles/6197580/Oregon/Ways-and-Means-subcommittee-advances-legislative-branch-budget-after-debate-over-member-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197580-635cb1032fe0890fe612cb514c825a49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185241&Signature=AksMg8ot2L4nWFyRz8nsitSB2kHMd-K4V34VRvzgkoqPUSAi7PXXyivOBMdGgKjZACOEkUaBwsj-IAi~7KwpH878WQwnj3iEHlj1U~nxWZRKzNvXMkKUn~zs6lIrIzD1LcOekiVqoArhQBCkNV7c99-2hOoOCzYe5b75I6U1yob-rZSsVZIgnFvZA1FXryzjvTxd-JGyUllBrFxA~Tm1Nv-r-xjYxfMH-6LjFGmJcqE77GmHA23jBbHOjdxCWl1t0nj91A1aHneYmhHhlY4G1D8vdZqj9KysgvZ1V5wFEXYdLehWVwy0TWNA23jVSgsj4-MOTLD0kjMUm67l62mFSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Committee on Ways and Means subcommittee voted to move House Bill 50 16, the legislative branch budget for the 2025–27 biennium, to the full Ways and Means Committee with a due-pass recommendation on June 16, 2025.

The Legislative Fiscal Office recommended a 2025–27 total funds budget for the legislative branch and proposed adjustments, including a $263,705,733 general fund recommendation reflected in the dash-6 amendment. The package the subcommittee advanced includes funding to reopen the Capitol for the 2026 session, new positions across legislative agencies, and one-time funding for a third-party evaluation of member-office staffing.

Why it matters: the bill sets pay and staffing levels for the legislative branch and includes proposals to shift some position costs to general fund reversions and to create or convert positions to address workloads in Legislative Administration, Legislative Fiscal, Legislative Policy and Research, and other offices. Members debated whether to provide permanent status and full-time coverage for a second staff position for member offices during the interim. The outcome affects lawmakers’ ability to get policy, budget and oversight work done outside session.

Most important facts: LFO staff described a net zero impact to the branch budget overall because some divisions’ reductions and use of reversions offset new investments. Provisions highlighted in the work session report included security upgrades for the Capitol, IT positions to replace the OLIS system, language access staff and a $150,000 one-time contract for a third party to evaluate member-office staffing models with a final report expected January 2026.

Debate and amendments: Representative Tran (sponsor of an amendment discussed as the “dash-1”) sought an amendment to fund a full-time LA2 staffer for members year-round. Co-chairs and members from the General Government subcommittee said they preferred a data-driven interim review before making that staffing change permanent. A roll-call occurred on the dash-1 amendment; the amendment failed on a recorded vote and the subcommittee proceeded with the dash-6 budget package. Several members signaled support for a study and a staged approach while others argued for immediate staff retention to avoid layoffs.

Formal actions: the subcommittee moved the LFO recommendation and then adopted the dash-6 amendment. The final motion to move HB 50 16 as amended to the full committee carried over objections noted in the record; Senator MacLean opposed the final due-pass motion on the floor (recorded opposition during the final motion). The committee also moved key performance measure updates for the Legislative Equity Office.

Implementation notes and next steps: the package includes one-time and ongoing positions and directs LPRO to produce the staffing-model report in January 2026. Legislative branch offices will rely partly on general fund reversions to cover some ongoing costs, and security, IT, visitor services and language access positions were among those specifically funded. The bill will next go to the full Ways and Means Committee.

Ending: Lawmakers left the door open to additional adjustments during the interim and emphasized the report and data-gathering as the path for resolving persistent disagreements about how many and which member-office staff should be funded permanently.","The Joint Committee on Ways and Means subcommittee advanced House Bill 50 16, the legislative branch budget for the 2025–27 biennium, moving it to full committee with a due-pass recommendation after debate over funding for additional member staff and several amendment votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee advances judicial judgeships but removes two eastern Oregon posts in dash-2 amendment; lawmakers object

Committee approves doubling low-income electric assistance collection; members question cost to ratepayers

Subcommittee backs Lifeline expansion to include $100 computing benefit, funds for PUC administration

Committee discusses expanding prevailing wage to off-site "bespoke" fabrication; bill held for language and implementation questions

Ways and Means subcommittee advances legislative branch budget after debate over member staffing