Legislator raises concerns over stakeholder exclusion in 2024 policy amendment debate

Concerns over stakeholder inclusion dominated the Oregon Senate Committee on Rules meeting on June 17, 2025, as lawmakers grappled with the implications of a controversial bill. A committee member expressed frustration over the lack of Republican representation in the work group that formulated the legislation, highlighting that key parties were excluded from critical discussions.

The member pointed out that this oversight has led to the need for an amendment through a separate piece of legislation to address inadequacies in the original policy. "This is what happens when you leave stakeholders that have an interest out of the process," they stated, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive vetting.

Despite acknowledging the effort that went into the bill, the member criticized the process as flawed, stating, "I'm not super pleased with this process. I'm not super pleased with this bill." The committee is now faced with the challenge of incorporating Senate Bill 957 into the existing legislation, which complicates the situation further, as it includes elements the member previously opposed.

As discussions continue, the committee must navigate these concerns while striving to create a more inclusive and effective legislative process. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for future policymaking in Oregon, particularly regarding stakeholder engagement.