Senator Thatcher: Mid session update

By State Senator Kim Thatcher,
Newsletter excerpt,

As we reach the midpoint of the 2025 Oregon State Legislative Session, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the progress made and share updates on a few initiatives that aim to improve the lives of Oregonians. Your engagement and support continue to inspire me as I work to represent Senate District 11.

This session has been marked, so far, by collaboration and determination to address pressing issues. Below, I highlight three of my legislative proposals, which are moving through the process:

1. Senate Bill 907 (A-Engrossed):
Strengthens rules for licensing marijuana and psilocybin operations in Oregon, ensuring transparency and safety. Key provisions include:

• Clear Property Details Required: Maintains provision requiring applicants for marijuana growing, or psilocybin or cannabis processing licenses to provide the location and owner of the property used for growing or processing marijuana or psilocybin, aiding in state tracking and regulation for safety and legality.
• Notarized Signature from Property Owners: Adds requirement that license applicant get notarized statement from property owner, consenting to operations on their property. Fraud prevention measures ensure the true property owner consents, addressing previous cases where non-owners provided signatures.
• Ownership Verification: Counties confirm property ownership to discourage false claims.
• License Denial for Violations: Applications are canceled if ownership isn’t verified, a notarized signature is missing, or false information is provided.
• Annual Renewals with Owner Consent: Licenses require annual renewal, and non-owners may need a new notarized signature if consent expires.
• Owner Flexibility: Property owners can set the duration of consent for these operations, giving them control over their property.
• Consistent Rules for Marijuana and Psilocybin: The bill applies to recreational / medical marijuana and psilocybin industries alike.

2. House Concurrent Resolution 23 (HCR 23):
Commemorates the extraordinary courage of 134 Oregon civilians who endured immense trials on Wake Island during World War II. Contracted by the U.S. Navy to construct a naval base, they stood alongside U.S. Marines, defending the island during a 16-day siege that began just five hours after the Pearl Harbor attack. Following the island’s fall, these civilians faced harrowing conditions as prisoners of war, with 31 Oregonians tragically losing their lives. HCR 23 pays tribute to:

• The Bravery of All 134 Civilians: Recognizing their contributions and sacrifices.
• The 31 Who Perished: Memorializing individuals like Carl C. Charters and Norman A. Anderson.
• Their Enduring Legacy: Preserving their story in Oregon’s history.

By adopting this resolution, we honor the unsung courage of these individuals, ensuring their legacy endures. Heartfelt gratitude to Bonita Gilbert, author of Building for War, and Retired Lt. Colonel Dick Tobiason for their dedication in illuminating this story and joining us for the passage of HCR 23.

3. Senate Bill 1006:
Reinforces the separation of powers and ensures that Oregon’s three branches of government operate within their designated roles. Key provisions include:

• Restores Legislative Oversight: For 72 years, Oregon has allowed other branches of government to be able to directly draft and introduce legislation without any legislative member involvement. SB 1006 states that all proposals, regardless of origin, are drafted, introduced and controlled by the Legislative Assembly, preserving the authority of elected legislators.
• State Agencies Collaborate with Legislators: Agencies and the governor’s office must work through elected members or committees of the Legislative Assembly to propose laws, ensuring their ideas are vetted by voter-chosen representatives.
• Clear Identification of Agency Proposals: Any legislation proposed at an agency’s request will continue to explicitly state the agency’s involvement, promoting transparency in the legislative process.
• Executive Branch Partners with Legislature: The Governor and other executive officials can suggest laws by partnering with legislators, aligning their priorities with the democratic process.
• Judicial Branch Follows Same Process: The Judicial Department must channel its legislative proposals through Assembly members or committees, ensuring judicial needs are addressed via elected lawmakers.
• Encourages Cooperative Dialogue: Agencies, the executive, and judicial branches are incentivized to build relationships with legislators to advance their proposals, fostering collaboration.

Background:

• Since 1953, Legislative Counsel has directly drafted bills for the Executive and Judicial branches and their agencies without Legislative branch oversight.
• According to a National Conference of State Legislatures (2016 survey), 40 of the 47 states that responded prohibit other government branches or unelected agency officials from requesting bill drafts without legislator sponsorship, with Oregon being the sole exception.
• In this legislative session, I found hundreds of bills requested directly from Legislative Counsel without involvement from any Legislative Assembly member.
• Senate Bill 1006 ensures a transparent, cooperative legislative process, keeping power in the hands of the lawmakers elected by the people of Oregon.

As we move forward, I urge you to stay engaged in shaping Oregon’s future. Your input is vital. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with your ideas, questions, or concerns—I’m here to represent you.

Thank you for your ongoing support,

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