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Oregon House seats two new members, reads first bills and adopts joint procedural resolution SCR 207
Summary
On opening day the House adopted the credentials report seating Lamar Wise and Matt Bunch, read a long slate of bills for referral and adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 207 to set joint short-session procedures; Speaker and members offered courtesies and remonstrances before adjourning to Feb. 5.
The Oregon House of Representatives convened the 2026 short session, adopted a credentials report seating two new members and advanced routine business including first readings of many bills and final adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution 207 establishing joint procedural rules for the branch.
A special committee on credentials reported that Lamar Wise will replace Huawin representing House District 48 and Matt Bunch will replace Christine Drazen representing House District 51. Representative Sanchez moved adoption of the credentials report; the motion carried and the House welcomed the newly credentialed members to the floor.
Clerks read an extensive list of bills for first reading and referral covering topics including immigration, natural resources, transportation, health care, housing, behavioral health, energy, taxation and education. These first readings were passed to the Speaker's desk for referral to committee.
Later the House considered SCR 207, a Senate concurrent resolution establishing joint procedures and deadlines for the short session. Representative Bowman urged adoption, Representative Reschke objected to the ending date in the resolution, and a recorded portion of the roll call captured at least two "no" votes; the clerk declared SCR 207 adopted after it received the required majority.
Members offered courtesies and remonstrances on the floor. Representative Juncker and others acknowledged family and staff; Representative Hartman noted a return to the chamber following cancer treatment; Representative Ruiz recounted a constituent family detained in Texas in remarks about immigration enforcement.
Before adjournment, Representative Bowman moved that the chief clerk notify the Senate and Governor that the House had organized and was ready for business; the motion carried. Representative Smith moved and the House adopted an adjournment until 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
Actions and votes: - Credentials report adoption (mover: Representative Sanchez) - SCR 207 adoption (mover: Representative Bowman); the resolution was declared adopted after receiving the required majority; transcript records at least two "no" votes (Representative Osborne and Representative Reschke) during the roll call. - Adjournment motion adopted (mover: Representative Smith) and the House adjourned until Feb. 5, 2026.
Quote highlights: "I move the chief clerk be instructed to notify the Senate and the Governor that the House of Representatives has organized and is ready for the business of the 2026 regular session," Representative Bowman said.
"Without objection, the house is adjourned," the Speaker said after Representative Smith's motion to adjourn carried.
Next steps: Bills read for first reading will be referred to the appropriate committees for further consideration in the coming days of the short session.
