The Oregon House on June 6 approved House Bill 5041, the biennial budget for the Oregon Youth Authority, after members described ongoing investigations and pressed for stronger oversight of youth custody facilities.

Representative Evans, carrying the bill, told colleagues the joint Ways and Means recommendation is for $518,812,257 in total funds and 1,006 positions. He described the agency as having had "clear wrongdoing on the part of people who have been there in the past," and said the governor appointed leadership to "clean up the mess." The bill passed on final reading after floor discussion and a closing statement from the bill carrier.

Lawmakers from both parties framed the funding vote as a response to significant agency failures reported publicly in recent months. Representative Evans said Oregon has a "moral obligation to take care of those that are in our custody" and described investments to reinstate procedures, strengthen HR integration and professional standards, and review past audits and chain-of-command decisions. Representatives Mannix and Drazen noted the agency’s mission to rehabilitate youth and the need for resources to reduce recidivism and address systemic problems.

Representative Smith declared a potential conflict of interest on the House floor because several family members work for the Oregon Youth Authority and acknowledged she would submit the required written notice. Multiple representatives emphasized that while there were "bad apples" in the agency’s past, many staff are hardworking and deserve support as reforms proceed.

The budget includes operational and staffing changes. The bill summary read on the floor notes custody and transitional camp facilities average capacity at 17 youth per living unit; the joint committee included reductions in capital improvement spending and a net-zero package that adds positions and FTE with no new net cost. The Ways and Means subcommittee recommended funding for a Professional Standards Office to address a backlog of cases.

Representative Drazen, who supported the bill in committee, said the investment would allow the agency to address earlier abuses and restore higher standards. Representative Helfrich and others said they would vote for the bill while stressing the need for accountability and continued legislative oversight. The bill was carried on final passage with a bipartisan majority.

Next steps: The enacted budget provides specified funding and direction for the agency; legislators indicated ongoing oversight and follow-up reviews would continue through the public safety committee and subcommittees.