Katie Fast, OSU Government Relations
Week 1 – February 7, 2020
On February 3, the Legislature convened and immediately got to work with committees hearing bills on the first day. Oregon State University’s legislative agenda progressed forward with several hearings:
- HB 4055 – HECC to study and develop recommendations on how community colleges and public universities can best combat food and housing insecurity among their students. Claire McMorris, OSU Government Relations Coordinator, testified with a collation of student and hunger advocates. Scheduled for a work session next week.
- HB 4051 – Establishes a hemp commission. College of Agriculture faculty, Jeff Steiner, joined hemp farmers in support of the creation of a commission to assist this growing agriculture sector. Scheduled for a work session next week.
- SB 1501 – Allows collegiate athletes to earn compensation for their name, image and likeness. OSU gymnast, Halli Briscoe, joined UO Athletic Director shared both student and universities perspectives on this high-profile issue. Amendments are agreed upon, and OSU is neutral. Scheduled for a work session next week.
- SB 1554 – Appropriates funding for several ocean programs including ocean acidification and hypoxia. Faculty from the Marine Studies Institute and the Sea Grant shared with the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee some of the work they are doing in these areas.
Discussions around capital continue, but leadership does not yet have agreements on bonding projects. Advocacy for OSU’s three projects continues. Thank you to the Beaver Caucus for all your work in this area. Let’s keep it up!
