PORTLAND — Lawmakers in Salem, Ore., have a packed schedule ahead from now through April 18, the deadline for all proposals to advance out of their initial policy committee. What that means is, save for some exceptions, the window for introducing new bills this year is pretty much closed and Senate and House committees that handle education, health care and other policy-related topics have scant time to advance any bills still awaiting their first vote.
Here’s an outline of some key items to look out for amid the frenzy next week:
Health Care
The House Health Care Committee has roughly 50 bills up for vote on its meeting agendas this week, including House Bill 3391, sometimes called the Planned Parenthood bill that’d require Oregon health plans, with the exception of religious-based plans, to fully cover abortions, birth control and other reproductive services at no extra cost to the enrollee. A first hearing and possible vote is also in store for Republican Rep. Julie Parrish’s week-old proposal, House Bill 3428, which would fold government employee health plans into the state’s Coordinated Care Organizations, potentially solving the bulk of the state’s upcoming budget shortfall.
Real ID
Today, the Senate Business and Transportation Committee will hold its second discussion and then vote on Senate Bill 374, a measure designed to get Oregon driver’s licenses, permits and personal identification cards in compliance with the 2005 federal Real ID Act. Under the proposal, Oregon DMV offices would be authorized to issue various forms of ID that comply with the federal standards currently being implemented in phases. Federally-compliant Oregon IDs, however, would be issued only by request of the applicant, rather than automatically. Oregon’s extension to comply with the federal rules expires in June, meaning Oregonians won’t be able to use their state-issued IDs at U.S. airports beginning in January — that is, unless the state can get another extension, which lawmakers hope SB 374 will do.
