82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly
The 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly is the current session of the Oregon Legislature. It began January 9, 2023.
| 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Overview | |||||
| Legislative body | Oregon Legislative Assembly | ||||
| Jurisdiction | Oregon, United States | ||||
| Meeting place | Oregon State Capitol | ||||
| Term | 2023–2025 | ||||
| Website | www.oregonlegislature.gov | ||||
| Oregon State Senate | |||||
 | |||||
| Members | 30 Senators | ||||
| Senate President | Rob Wagner (D) | ||||
| Majority Leader | Kate Lieber (D) | ||||
| Minority Leader | Tim Knopp (R) | ||||
| Party control | Democratic | ||||
| Oregon House of Representatives | |||||
 | |||||
| Members | 60 Representatives | ||||
| Speaker of the House | Dan Rayfield (D) | ||||
| Majority Leader | Julie Fahey (D) | ||||
| Minority Leader | Vikki Breese-Iverson (R) | ||||
| Party control | Democratic | ||||
The Democratic Party of Oregon holds a majority in both chambers, but no longer holds a supermajority. Democrats lost one senate seat in the 2022 Oregon State Senate election, resulting in a 17–13 majority, and lost two seats in the 2020 Oregon House of Representatives election, resulting in a 35–25 majority.[1]
Senate
The Oregon State Senate is composed of 17 Democrats, 12 Republicans, and one Independent. Senator Art Robinson is registered as a Republican, but caucuses with Independent Brian Boquist.[1][2]
Senate President: Rob Wagner (D-19 Lake Oswego)
President Pro Tempore: James Manning Jr. (D–7 Eugene)
Majority Leader: Kate Lieber (D-14 Beaverton)
Minority Leader: Tim Knopp (R-27 Bend)
Events
To prevent passage of bills related to abortion and gun control by the Democratic majority, ten Republican senators took advantage of the quorum requirement in the Oregon Constitution that requires two-thirds of senators be present and did not attend sessions for six weeks, preventing any Senate business from occurring.[4] This action triggered Oregon Ballot Measure 113, passed by voters in 2022, which disqualifies members with ten unexcused absences from serving in the legislature following their current term.[5] The Democratic leadership eventually made concessions to the bills to allow the session to resume.[6]
House
The Oregon House of Representatives is composed of 35 Democrats and 25 Republicans. Republicans gained one seat from the previous session.[1][2]
Speaker:Dan Rayfield (D-16 Corvallis)
Speaker Pro Tempore: Paul Holvey (D-8 Eugene)
Majority Leader: Julie Fahey (D-14 Eugene)
Minority Leader: Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-59 Prineville)
Notes
References
- McInally, Mike (December 16, 2022). "Oregon GOP hailed end to Democrats' 'supermajority' but will that matter much?". Oregon Capitol Chronicle. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- "November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- Battaglia, Roman (January 12, 2023). "David Brock Smith appointed to fill southwest Oregon state Senate seat". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- "Republican Oregon state senators boycott for a 2nd day, preventing quorum". PBS. May 4, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- Giardinelli, Christina (June 5, 2023). "Oregon Republicans say ballot measure barring absent lawmakers has loophole". KTVL. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- Lugo, Dianne (June 15, 2023). "Oregon lawmakers make deal on gun, abortion, LGBTQ bills to end longest walkout in state history". Register Guard. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- Battaglia, Roman (February 2, 2023). "Southwest Coast county commissioners select Court Boice to fill vacant state representative seat". Jefferson Public Radio. Retrieved February 11, 2023.