Subcommittee Hears Budget Request for Oregon Advocacy Commission’s Office; Public Testimony Urges Increased Funding

The General Government Subcommittee opened a public hearing April 1 on Senate Bill 5501, the governor—s recommended appropriation for the Oregon Advocacy Commission—s Office (OACO). Agency staff described OACO—s role supporting four state advocacy commissions and the staff and limited-duration positions needed to finish work directed by prior legislation.

The hearing centered on the agency—s mission and workload, the remaining work under House Bill 4052 (2022) and its extension under House Bill 2925 (2023), and a policy option to fund three limited-duration positions through June 30, 2026. Dr. Kyle Myers, operations and policy analyst at the Oregon Advocacy Commission—s Office, told the committee, "The mission of the Oregon Advocacy Commission's office or OACO is to provide the administrative support for the statutory work of the four Oregon advocacy commissions," and summarized the commissions— statutory duties and recent projects.

Why this matters: OACO provides administrative support for the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OCAPIA), the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs (OCBA), the Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs (OCHA), and the Oregon Commission for Women (OCFW). Committee members and public witnesses said the office—s work—data modernization, language access, coordinating a joint domestic-violence subcommittee and convening affinity-group task forces—affects statewide equity efforts and relies on a small permanent staff.

Agency overview and budget details: Jason Tremblay of the Department of Administrative Services Chief Financial…