Rules Committee advances time-zone bill and adopts three honorary resolutions, including T‑bone state steak

The Senate Committee on Rules on Feb. 24 moved four measures out of committee: Senate Bill 1038, which would keep standard time year-round in the Pacific time zone under certain conditions; Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, designating the T‑bone as Oregon’s official state steak; Senate Concurrent Resolution 12, honoring Union County Clerk Robin A. Church; and Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, honoring long-serving Independence Mayor John McCardell. Each measure was reported to the Senate with a recommendation to advance.

Why it matters: SB 1038 would change how time is observed in Oregon if neighboring states act the same and if Congress authorizes a permanent daylight saving time. The three concurrent resolutions are honorary measures recognizing agriculture and public service; SCR 13 drew testimony from cattle producers and industry associations and touches on the state’s agricultural economy.

Senate Bill 1038 (time observance) Senate Bill 1038 would have the part of Oregon in the Pacific time zone maintain standard time year‑round if California and Washington do the same within 10 years; it would permit year‑round daylight saving time if Congress authorizes it and California and Washington adopt it within 10 years. Leslie (committee staff) summarized the measure for the committee and said the fiscal impact statement shows no revenue impact. The committee voted to return the bill to the president’s desk for referral to another committee without a recommendation as to passage.

Action (SB 1038): Motion: "Chair John, I move Senate Bill 10 38 without recommendation as to passage be returned to the president's desk for referral to another committee." (verbatim from transcript) Second: "Vice Chair Buena move Senate Bill 10 38 without a recommendation as to passage be returned to the President's desk for referral to another committee." (verbatim from transcript) Vote: Committee members present voted to move the bill; roll-call entries recorded the following explicit "aye" responses in the transcript: Senator Golden (Aye); Senator Manning (Aye); Senator Fecker (Aye); and the vice chair and chair recorded aye votes. The motion passed. (Transcript roll-call excerpts recorded partial vocal ayes; the committee chair announced the motion passed.)

Senate Concurrent Resolution 13 (state steak — T‑bone) SCR 13 would designate the T‑bone as the official state steak of Oregon. The committee held a public hearing. Testimony in support came from Senator Todd Nash (sponsor), Representative Bobby Levy, ranchers and industry representatives including Jake Seifert (Union County Cattlemen), Diana Worth (president‑elect, Oregon Cattlemen's Association), and other ranching advocates who described cattle production’s economic role and cultural importance across Oregon. Testimony emphasized cattle and calves as Oregon’s second leading agricultural commodity and the role of ranchers in rural economies.

Action (SCR 13): Motion: "I move senate concurrent resolution 13 to the floor with a B adopted recommendation." (verbatim from transcript) Vote record (as recorded in the transcript): Senator Golden — Aye; Senator Manning — Excused at first roll call but later recorded as voting Aye by unanimous-consent request; Senator Thacker — Aye; Vice Chair Bonham — Aye; Chair Johnson — Aye. The committee chair announced the motion passed and that Senator Nash would carry the measure to the floor.

SCR 13 — testimony highlights: - Todd Nash, sponsor and senator for Senate District 29, described the T‑bone’s two cuts (filet and New York strip) and framed the resolution as recognition of Oregon ranching and rural livelihoods. - Representative Bobby Levy noted cattle and calves’ near‑$800 million production value and urged support for ranchers facing challenges such as wolf predation. - Union County ranchers and Oregon Cattlemen’s Association representatives testified in unified support; some witnesses were excused before testifying.

Notes: SCR 13 is an honorary designation; no fiscal impact was reported in the committee summary.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 12 (honoring Robin A. Church) SCR 12 honors Robin A. Church for her service as Union County clerk and for leadership in county clerks’ professional associations, including contributions to Oregon’s vote‑by‑mail system. Testimony came from Senator Todd Nash (sponsor), Representative Bobby Levy, Union County commissioners and county clerks, and the Oregon Association of County Clerks.

Action (SCR 12): Motion: "I move senate concurrent resolution 12 to the floor with a B adopted recommendation." (verbatim from transcript) Vote record (as recorded in the transcript): Roll call excerpts include Senator Golden — Aye; Senator Hancock — Aye; Senator Voss — Aye; Chair Johnson — Aye. The committee announced the motion passed and that Senator Nash would carry SCR 12 to the floor.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 (honoring John McCardell) SCR 18 recognizes John McCardell’s long service as mayor of Independence and his leadership on regional and statewide municipal issues. Testimony in support included Senator Deb Patterson (sponsor), city managers, mayors and councilors from Monmouth, Independence and neighboring cities, regional government representatives and civic leaders who cited economic development, riverfront revitalization and regional collaboration under McCardell’s leadership.

Action (SCR 18): Motion: "I move senate concurrent resolution 18 to the floor with a B adopted recommendation." (verbatim from transcript) Vote record (as recorded in the transcript): Roll-call excerpts show Senator Goldman — Aye; Senator Manning — recorded as Aye; Senator Patrick — Aye; Vice Chair Bonham — Aye; Chair Johnson — Aye. The committee announced the motion passed and Senator Patterson was recorded as carrying the measure.

Why this roundup: The committee advanced one policy bill for referral and moved three honorary resolutions to the Senate floor. SB 1038 has conditional, interstate and federal dependencies (California, Washington, and possible Congressional authorization for year‑round daylight time). The resolutions are ceremonial recognitions but elicited substantive local testimony (particularly SCR 13, which drew industry witnesses).