Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.

2023 Oregon legislative session

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
← 2022
2024 →


2023 Oregon legislative session
Seal of Oregon.png
General information
Session start:    January 17, 2023

Session end:    June 25, 2023

Leadership
Senate President
Rob Wagner

House Speaker
Dan Rayfield
Majority Leader
Senate: Kate Lieber
House: Julie Fahey
Minority Leader
Senate: Tim Knopp
House: Vikki Breese-Iverson

Elections
Next Election:    November 5, 2024

Last Election:    November 8, 2022

Previous legislative sessions
2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018
Other 2023 legislative sessions


In 2023, the Oregon State Legislature was scheduled to convene on January 17, 2023 and adjourn on June 25, 2023.

The legislators serving in this session took office following the 2022 elections. Democrats won a 17-12 majority in the Senate with one independent member and a 35-24 majority in the House with one vacancy. The party also controlled the governorship, creating a Democratic state government trifecta. At the start of the 2023 session, Oregon was one of 23 state legislatures where neither party had a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers.


At the beginning of the 2023 legislative session:
  • Democrats held a majority in the Oregon state House and state Senate.
  • Oregon was one of 17 Democratic state government trifectas.
  • Oregon's governor was Democrat Tina Kotek.

    • Leadership in 2023

    Oregon State Senate

    Oregon House of Representatives

    Partisan control in 2023

    See also: State government trifectas

    Oregon was one of 17 Democratic state government trifectas at the start of 2023 legislative sessions. A state government trifecta occurs when one political party holds the governor's office, a majority in the state Senate, and a majority in the state House. For more information about state government trifectas, click here.

    Oregon was also one of 23 state legislatures where neither party had a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. Veto overrides occur when a legislature votes to reverse a veto issued by an executive such as a governor or the president. If one party has a majority in a state legislature that is large enough to override a gubernatorial veto without any votes from members of the minority party, it is called a veto-proof majority or, sometimes, a supermajority. To read more about veto-proof supermajorities in state legislatures, click here.

    The following tables show the partisan breakdown of the Oregon State Legislature in the 2023 legislative session.

    Oregon State Senate

    Party As of January 2023
         Democratic Party 17
         Republican Party 12
         Independent 1
    Total 30

    Oregon House of Representatives

    Party As of January 2023
         Democratic Party 35
         Republican Party 24
         Vacancies 1
    Total 60

    Regular session

    The list below shows up to 25 pieces of legislation in the 2023 legislative session that most recently passed both chambers of the legislature, were signed by the governor, or were approved by the legislature in a veto override. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation met these criteria in 2023. This information is provided by BillTrack50.

    Noteworthy events

    May walkout

    See also: Noteworthy state legislative walkouts
    Topic being considered at time of walkout: Parental consent for abortion, firearms, and social, psychological, and medical treatments for transgender adults and minors
    Length of walkout: 43 days
    Resolution: Legislation amended, passed

    On May 3, 2023, all but two members of the Republican Senate caucus were absent from the legislative session, preventing a quorum. The walkout ended 43 days later, on June 15, making it the longest in state history.[1] The next-longest walkout lasted nine days in 2019.[2]

    At the outset of the walkout, Minority Leader Tim Knopp (R) said Democrats broke chamber rules on the plain wording of bills. "When the majority of bill summaries written demand a post-graduate degree to understand what the bills do, we disenfranchise Oregonians across the state and violate the law in the process," he said. Majority Leader Kate Lieber (D) said Republicans walked out because of the content of the bills. "It is no coincidence that Republicans are employing these embarrassing antics as the Senate is about to vote on bills that protect reproductive health freedom and establish common sense gun safety laws," she said.[3]

    The walkout ended after Democrats and Republicans reached a series of compromises on bills and chamber rules:

    • House Bill 2002 dealt with abortion access and medical treatments for transgender adults and minors. Initially, the bill allowed minors under the age of 14 to receive an abortion without parental consent. In the compromise, those minors still retained that ability, but only after an assessment from a healthcare provider. The compromise bill also removed provisions funding reproductive healthcare and abortion access centers in rural communities and on public university campuses. The provisions regarding medical treatments for transgender adults and minors were not substantively changed.[1]
    • House Bill 2005 dealt with firearm laws. Initially, it prohibited the construction of unserialized and untraceable firearms, raised the purchase age for firearms in most cases from 18 to 21, and allowed local governments to prohibit firearms in public spaces. The compromise bill retained the prohibition on the construction of unserialized and untraceable firearms.[1]
    • Readability laws were mentioned throughout the walkout, with Republican senators saying bills before that chamber did not comply with a 1979 law, which KGW8's Jamie Parfitt described as "a long-forgotten law requiring that bill summaries be readable at an 8th-grade level as established by the Flesch readability test." In a statement released following the walkout, Republicans wrote they had secured guarantees that "bill summaries will be redrafted to comply with House Rules, Senate Rules, Oregon statute, and the state Oregon Constitution."[1]

    For more information about the multiple compromises reached at the end of the walkout, use the links below:

    On June 1, during the walkout, Senate Democrats voted to fine members $325 every day their absence prevented a quorum, the same amount as each senator's per diem allowance.[4] Following the walkout, Senate President Rob Wagner (D) indicated the rule would remain in place.[1]

    In 2022, voters approved Measure 113, a ballot measure that makes legislators ineligible to be re-elected to a subsequent term if they accrue 10 or more unexcused absences. By the end of the walkout, 10 lawmakers involved met that threshold:

    On August 8, Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade (D) announced an administrative rule clarifying that any lawmaker with 10 or more unexcused absences during the 2023 session would be unable to run for re-election in 2024.[8] On August 25, Sens. Bonham, Weber, Findley, Knopp, and Linthicum filed a lawsuit challenging that rule.[9]

    Standing legislative committees

    See also: Standing committee and List of committees in Oregon state government


    A standing committee of a state legislature is a committee that exists on a more-or-less permanent basis, from legislative session to session, that considers and refines legislative bills that fall under the committee's subject matter.

    At the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, there were 41 standing committees in Oregon's state government, including 10 joint legislative committees, 13 state Senate committees, and 18 state House committees.

    Joint legislative committees

    • Joint Conduct Committee
    • Joint Information Management and Technology Committee
    • Joint Interstate 5 Bridge Committee
    • Joint Legislative Administration Committee
    • Joint Legislative Audits Committee
    • Joint Legislative Counsel Committee
    • Joint Legislative Policy and Research Committee
    • Joint Tax Expenditures Committee
    • Joint Transportation Committee
    • Joint Ways and Means Committee

    Senate committees

    • Finance and Revenue Committee
    • Housing and Development Committee
    • Human Services, Mental Health and Recovery Committee
    • Judiciary and Ballot Measure 110 Implementation Committee
    • Labor and Business Committee
    • Natural Resources and Wildlife Recovery Committee
    • Senate Conduct Committee
    • Senate Education Committee
    • Senate Energy and Environment Committee
    • Senate Health Care Committee
    • Senate Redistricting Committee
    • Senate Rules Committee
    • Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee

    House committees

    • Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
    • Behavioral Health Committee
    • Business and Labor Committee
    • Early Childhood Committee
    • Economic Recovery and Prosperity Committee
    • General Government Committee
    • House Conduct Committee
    • House Education Committee
    • House Energy and Environment Committee
    • House Health Care Committee
    • House Housing Committee
    • House Redistricting Committee
    • House Rules Committee
    • Human Services Committee
    • Judiciary Committee
    • Revenue Committee
    • Veterans and Emergency Management Committee
    • Water Committee

    Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

    In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

    The methods by which the Oregon Constitution can be amended:

    See also: Section 1, Article IV, and Article XII of the Oregon Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Oregon
    Cover of the 1857 Oregon Constitution

    The Oregon Constitution lays out four different paths, in two different articles, for how to go about changing the state's constitution.

    • An initiated amendment must be proposed "by a petition signed by a number of qualified voters equal to eight percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the election at which a Governor was elected for a term of four years next preceding the filing of the petition."
    • The petition must include the full text of the proposed amendment.
    • The signatures must be filed "not less than four months before the election at which the proposed...amendment to the Constitution is to be voted upon."
    • Article IV contains several restrictions on the initiative process such as Section 1b, which prohibits pay-per-signature.
    • Amendments can be proposed in either house of the state legislature.
    • To earn a spot on the ballot, a "majority of all the members elected to each of the two houses" must vote in favor of a proposed amendment.
    • The Legislature can put any such referred amendments on a special election ballot.
    • If more than one amendment is proposed by the legislature, they must be voted on separately.
    • The constitution does not define how such a referendum is to be put before voters.
    • Possible ways might include a citizen-initiated question or a vote of the legislature.


    Historical partisan control

    The table below depicts the historical trifecta status of Oregon.

    Oregon Party Control: 1992-2025
    Seventeen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
    Governor D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
    Senate D D D R R R R R R R R S S D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
    House R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D S S D D D D D D D D D D D D D

    Historical Senate control

    Between 1992 and 2022, partisan control of the Oregon State Senate passed from a Democratic majority to a Republican one, then switched back. The table below shows the partisan history of the Oregon State Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

    Oregon State Senate election results: 1992-2022

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20 '22
    Democrats 16 11 10 12 14 15 18 17 18 16 16 18 17 18 18 17
    Republicans 14 19 20 18 16 15 12 11 12 14 14 12 13 12 12 12
    Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

    The shifts in partisan balance in the state Senate were gradual between 1992 and 2022, with three major changes to control of the chamber in that time. As a result of the 1994 elections, Republicans gained five seats and took control of the chamber with a 19-11 majority. Republicans would maintain control of the chamber until 2002, when the partisan balance moved to a 15-15 split. Democrats gained three seats in 2004, moving the chamber to an 18-12 Democratic majority. As a result of the 2022 elections, Democrats held a 17-12 majority.

    Historical House control

    Between 1992 and 2022, partisan control of the Oregon House of Representatives shifted in favor of the Democratic Party. The table below shows the partisan history of the Oregon House of Representatives following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

    Oregon House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20 '22
    Democrats 28 26 29 25 27 25 27 31 36 30 34 35 35 38 37 35
    Republicans 32 34 31 34 33 35 33 29 24 30 26 25 25 22 23 25

    Changes in the partisan balance of the state House were generally gradual between 1992 and 2022. Between 1992 and 2004, Republican majorities remained relatively steady, with the party's strongest majority resulting from the 2002 elections. At that point, Republicans had a 10-seat advantage with a 35-25 majority. Democrats gained four seats in the 2006 elections, moving the chamber to a 31-29 Democratic majority. That majority held until 2010, when Republicans gained six seats to split the chamber at a 30-30 balance. Democrats regained their majority after 2012, and have expanded their control since that election.

    Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

    Election tracker site ad.png


    State election laws are changing. Keeping track of the latest developments in all 50 states can seem like an impossible job.

    Here's the solution: Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

    Ballotpedia's Election Administration Tracker sets the industry standard for ease of use, flexibility, and raw power. But that's just the beginning of what it can do:

    • Ballotpedia's election experts provide daily updates on bills and other relevant political developments
    • We translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries written in everyday language
    • And because it's from Ballotpedia, our Tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan

    See also

    Elections Oregon State Government State Legislatures State Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    Oregon State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 KGW8, "In ending the walkout, what did Oregon Senate Republicans and Democrats agree to?" June 15, 2023
    2. ↑ KGW8, "Yes, this is the longest legislative walkout in Oregon's history," June 7, 2023
    3. ↑ KGW, "Oregon Senate Republicans stage walkout," May 3, 2023
    4. ↑ Associated Press, "Oregon Democrats vote to fine absent senators amid GOP walkout," June 2, 2023
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Oregon’s Republican-led Senate walkout enters crucial 10th day, meaning penalties for 3 lawmakers," May 15, 2023
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 KGW8, "10 Oregon senators now ineligible for re-election as GOP-led walkouts continue," May 18, 2023
    7. ↑ The Oregonian, "Republican walkout of state Senate continues as 4th senator gets 10 unexcused absences," May 16, 2023
    8. ↑ Oregon.gov, "Legislators Disqualified Under Measure 113 Will Not Be Allowed to File to Run in 2024," Aug. 8, 2023
    9. ↑ Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Republican senators sue Oregon secretary of state, saying walkout doesn’t block them from seeking reelection," Aug. 25, 2023
    v • e
    State legislatures
    Legislatures
    Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S)
    SLP badge.png
    2025
    2024
    2023
    Historical elections
    2022 •  2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000
    Features of
    state legislatures
    State senates
    State houses
    Leadership positions
    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=2023_Oregon_legislative_session&oldid=9947271"