Current Events: Oregon's 2023 Legislative Session

The Oregon Legislative Assembly is set to return for the 2023 legislative session on January 9 for “legislative organizational days”. These days include the swearing in of members-elect, the introduction of bills, and the announcement of committee memberships in the houses. The Legislative Assembly will begin its convening for the purposes of lawmaking on January 17; the session will last for 160 days, ending on June 25, 2023.

Like the United States Congress, the Oregon Legislative Assembly consists of two houses: the Oregon State Senate and the Oregon House of Representatives. It was not that long ago that these part time legislators would be returning the Capitol building after a more than a year break. Originally, Section 10 of Article IV of the Oregon Constitution established that the Legislative Assembly would meet in a regular session once every two years. Since the late 1800’s, that meant that the legislature’s regular sessions occurred in odd-number years, like most states who followed the biennial legislative session calendar. This changed with the approval of a statewide ballot in November of 2010.

The Oregon Legislature Annual Sessions Amendment (Measure 71), a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, was ratified by the voters with roughly sixty-eight percent of the vote. The measure amended the state Constitution to require a 160-day session for the Legislative Assembly in odd-numbered years and shorter, 35-day session even-numbered years. This change to the legislative calendar was a long time in the making. Two decades earlier voters rejected a similar measure and through the mid-2000’s legislators worked on – but could not agree to – an annual structure. At the time of its ratification, Oregon was one of only five states left that had legislators meeting just every other year.

As Measure 71 was worked out in the legislature, a key component to the negotiations was the focus of the 35-day ‘short’ session. Some argued that the short sessions should focus solely on budget adjustments and addressing emergency issues. This language was never included in the amendment itself, but a number of lawmakers still hold the view that these even-numbered sessions should limit its scope to addressing those issues, and not larger policy debates.

With 2023 being an odd number year, the long session is sure to include a wide-ranging number of issues to be addressed. Democratic leaders in the state legislature have cited issues such as infrastructure, workforce investment, and campaign finance reform as major topics they are looking to address. Republican leaders are considering their own legislative priorities, including providing a “substantial kicker for those families who have paid taxes”, as well as lowering taxes.

This week’s Current Events resources examine the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session, its short and long session origins and the issues being decided by legislators.The resources shared provide information and context surrounding the Oregon Legislative Assembly.

Essential Questions, Vocabulary & Extend the Resources:

From where does the Oregon Legislature derive its power?
What role does the Oregon Legislative Assembly play in the creation of new laws?
What roles do the OR House/Senate have in writing and ratifying bills? What role do committees play in the legislative process?
Why does the Oregon Legislature have a ‘long’ and ‘short’ session?
What are the pro’s and con’s associated with an annual legislative session? What are the pro’s and con’s associated with a biennial legislative session?
What role do citizens play in the Oregon legislative process?
In your opinion, does the current way Oregon creates law seem like the best system for the state? Explain.

Click here for a hardcopy of the Essential Questions and Oregon Legislature Vocabulary

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