The longest legislative walkout in Oregon’s history came to an end Thursday, June 15. Minority Senate Republicans ended their 42-day walkout after striking a deal with majority Democrats on bills they opposed. They returned to the Senate floor, providing a constitutionally required quorum.
“It’s go time, Mr. President,” Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, told Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego. Immediately the Senate began voting on bills for the first time since May 2.
The content of the deal, which has been widely reported, centers on two bills, House Bill 2002 and HB 2005. Both will move forward, but with some of the most objectionable provisions to Republicans removed.
Democrats also agreed to kill a measure, Senate Joint Resolution 33, that would have called for a statewide vote to make abortion, same-sex marriage and transgender care protections part of the Oregon Constitution.
HB 2395, a bill that OSBA has supported that would make anti-overdose medication more accessible, will also move forward. We have also been told that SB 819, a bill to address school districts’ abbreviated day practices, will have a final set of amendments and is included in the “go home” bills package.
In return for these concessions, Republicans agreed to provide enough members to break the walkout and work bills on the Senate floor. On Thursday, Knopp and Sen. Lynn Findley, R- Vale, returned and joined their colleagues Sens. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, and David Brock Smith, R- Port Orford, who did not meaningfully participate in the walkout.
For the education community, this deal is good news because crucial bills for K-12 policy and funding can be considered.
Looking ahead to the rest of this week, both chambers will likely work quickly to clear remaining bills, possibly even finishing before the session’s required close on Sunday, June 25.
Looking toward future sessions, Democrats have already started talking about how to prevent the next walkout. House Joint Resolution 30, a measure to change the quorum from two-thirds to a simple majority, was introduced last week. It has been referred to the Rules Committee, but Wagner told reporters last week that he doubted there was enough time left for both chambers to take it up. Still, Democrats wanted to get the conversation started.
– Richard Donovan
Legislative Services specialist
