Committee adopts dash‑2 amendment to HB 4057 and sends bill to the floor

Vice Chair Walters moved and the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services adopted the dash‑2 amendment to House Bill 4057 and then voted to move the bill to the House floor with a 'do pass' recommendation, rescinding the subsequent referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

The measure, as described during the committee’s Feb. 10 work session, directs the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care to provide information about publicly funded early learning and care programs to applicants for the Employment Related Daycare subsidy program and allows the Oregon Department of Human Services to provide that information on DELC's behalf. Committee staff noted the dash‑2 removes provisions that would have required a cross‑agency review of background‑check processes and that a minimal fiscal impact statement is posted.

Not all members supported the motion. Representative Yonker said the bill’s emergency designation was disproportionate to its purpose. "We're passing a bill to make sure an agency makes brochures," Yonker said, calling the measure an inefficient use of legislative time and saying she would vote no. Other committee members praised the work group that produced the draft and said they planned follow‑up work on background checks in the interim.

Chair Hartman called the roll on the motion to move the bill to the floor. The committee recorded affirmative votes from Representatives McIntyre and Ruiz, and recorded 'aye' votes from Representative Sharp, Vice Chair Walters and Chair Bartnick; Representative Juncker voted no. The motion passed and Representative Wise was named the carrier for HB 4057.

The committee closed the HB 4057 work session and proceeded to resume the public hearing on House Bill 4059.