January 20, 2022 •
Gov. Kate Brown Appoints New Justices

Oregon Supreme Court - by Cacophony
Gov. Kate Brown has tapped Appeals Court Justice Roger Dehoog to the Oregon Supreme Court. Dehoog is replacing retiring Justice Lynn Nakamoto after six years on the state’s highest court. Brown appointed Judge Ramon Pagan to replace Dehoog and has […]
Gov. Kate Brown has tapped Appeals Court Justice Roger Dehoog to the Oregon Supreme Court.
Dehoog is replacing retiring Justice Lynn Nakamoto after six years on the state’s highest court.
Brown appointed Judge Ramon Pagan to replace Dehoog and has also appointed Kristina Hellman and Anna Joyce to the Court of Appeals, covering retirements.
The appointments take effect immediately, but all appointees will have to run in this year’s election to remain in their positions.
December 1, 2021 •
Oregon to Convene Special Session

Oregon State Capitol Building
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced she will be calling the Legislature into a special session on December 13 to address eviction protections for renters. The state’s federal funds for rental assistance will be nearly spent by December 1, right before […]
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced she will be calling the Legislature into a special session on December 13 to address eviction protections for renters.
The state’s federal funds for rental assistance will be nearly spent by December 1, right before the country enters the winter season.
Brown wishes to extend eviction protections for renters, ensure landlords are paid for rent owed, raise $90 million additional funds for immediate rental assistance, and raise $100 million to create a long-term emergency rental assistance service controlled by the state.
November 17, 2021 •
Oregon to Hold Special Session

Oregon State Capitol Building
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has announced she is in talks with legislative leaders and housing advocates to construct a plan to increase funds in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The federal funds allocated to Oregon to assist renters and owners […]
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has announced she is in talks with legislative leaders and housing advocates to construct a plan to increase funds in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
The federal funds allocated to Oregon to assist renters and owners have been almost exhausted, which will force the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program to stop accepting applications on December 1.
Gov. Brown declared she will call a special session to draft a proposal to combat the looming evictions when the federal assistance is fully expended.
There is not a firm date announced for the special session.
September 13, 2021 •
Gov. Brown to call Special Session

Oregon State Capitol Building
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced she is calling a special legislative session to adopt the new congressional and legislative district maps. The session will commence September 20, leaving the Legislature seven days to finalize the maps before the September 27 […]
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced she is calling a special legislative session to adopt the new congressional and legislative district maps.
The session will commence September 20, leaving the Legislature seven days to finalize the maps before the September 27 deadline.
Lawmakers have an arduous task during this special session as Oregon added an additional congressional district as a result of the 2020 census.
August 10, 2021 •
Justice Lynn Nakamoto to Retire

Oregon Supreme Court - by Cacophony
Gov. Kate Brown announced Monday she is accepting applications to fill a seat on the Oregon Supreme Court. Justice Lynn Nakamoto is set to retire December 31 and the new appointee will fill the vacancy on January 1, 2022.
Gov. Kate Brown announced Monday she is accepting applications to fill a seat on the Oregon Supreme Court.
Justice Lynn Nakamoto is set to retire December 31 and the new appointee will fill the vacancy on January 1, 2022.
December 16, 2020 •
Governor Brown Calls One Day Special Session

Oregon Senate Chamber - photo by Cacophony
Gov. Kate Brown will call lawmakers into a one-day special session on December 21. The legislature will consider $800 million in relief for Oregonians suffering financially from the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s wildfires. The funding will go towards helping […]
Gov. Kate Brown will call lawmakers into a one-day special session on December 21.
The legislature will consider $800 million in relief for Oregonians suffering financially from the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s wildfires.
The funding will go towards helping tenants and landlords, funding vaccine distribution and contact tracing, wildfire prevention, and community preparedness and support for reopening schools.
The one-day session will take place in person at the Capitol.
Legislative officials are consulting with the state epidemiologist to ensure they can meet in a healthy and safe environment.
November 19, 2020 •
Oregon Lawmakers Considering First-Ever Catastrophic Special Session

Oregon Senate Chamber - photo by Cacophony
Lawmakers on Wednesday signaled support in using a provision from the state constitution never before used. Under the provision, Gov. Kate Brown can declare a catastrophic disaster. In addition, she can convene a special legislative session under looser rules than […]
Lawmakers on Wednesday signaled support in using a provision from the state constitution never before used.
Under the provision, Gov. Kate Brown can declare a catastrophic disaster.
In addition, she can convene a special legislative session under looser rules than lawmakers would normally abide by.
Legislators likely would not be required to appear at the Capitol for such a session, eliminating concerns about spreading the coronavirus.
The House and Senate also could operate without a two-thirds quorum of lawmakers in attendance.
If Gov. Brown does declare a catastrophic emergency, it can only last for 30 days unless extended by lawmakers.
A spokesperson for Brown stated the governor is open to holding another special session if legislators can agree to a succinct list of policies addressing Oregonians’ most pressing needs.
August 3, 2020 •
Oregon Governor Calls for Special Session to Balance State Budget

Oregon Senate Chamber - photo by Cacophony
Gov. Kate Brown announced she will convene a second special session of the Oregon Legislature starting Monday, August 10. The main objective of the session will be to address the state’s devastating budget shortfall arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The […]
Gov. Kate Brown announced she will convene a second special session of the Oregon Legislature starting Monday, August 10.
The main objective of the session will be to address the state’s devastating budget shortfall arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor’s decision to call lawmakers into session could be a concession the state is unlikely to receive any budget assistance from Congress, a possibility Brown and public employee union leaders cited earlier in the summer as a reason to delay the second special session.
In her proclamation calling the special session, the governor also noted her support for urgent legislation building on matters considered in the first special session, including additional police accountability reforms.
July 22, 2015 •
Oregon Ethics Commission to Expand to Nine Members
Gov. Kate Brown signed House Bill 2019 into law, expanding the membership of the Oregon Ethics Commission from 7 members to 9, effective July 1, 2016. Lawmakers passed many ethics reforms during the 2015 legislative session as a result of […]
Gov. Kate Brown signed House Bill 2019 into law, expanding the membership of the Oregon Ethics Commission from 7 members to 9, effective July 1, 2016.
Lawmakers passed many ethics reforms during the 2015 legislative session as a result of the ethics scandals and resulting resignation of former Gov. John Kitzhaber.
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