SB 235 & 998 – Tobacco Retail Licensure (TRL)
There are two TRL bills alive in the Senate. Senate Bill (SB) 235 is the original bill, drafted based on multiple workgroup meetings between counties, the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO), and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). This bill would create one statewide license through the Department of Revenue, with counties able to pass local ordinances on top of the statewide qualifications. Fees would vary across counties based on the cost for enforcement in each jurisdiction. SB 998 is a more recent bill that would create a statewide tobacco retail registry (as opposed to a license), run through the Department of Revenue. The fee would be set at $25 across the state. The bill grandfathers in existing local TRL programs, but would preempt any future work. Beyond that, it preempts local governments from passing any ordinances regulating tobacco products or inhalant delivery systems or the retail thereof. This is an incredibly far-reaching preemption that causes AOC to strongly oppose the bill. Both bills are scheduled for a work session on April 18.

AOC is neutral on SB 235 and opposes SB 998.

SB 307 – Social Consumption of Cannabis
Senator Ferrioli has been pulling together a workgroup of cannabis industry representatives and public health and local government advocates to discuss Senate Bill 307. After the last meeting, Senator Ferrioli had a -1 amendment drafted. The -1 would establish a local opt-in for cities and counties to allow temporary events or fixed location lounges, with regulations against any consumption other than inhaling (i.e. no edibles) and prohibiting the sale of alcohol or tobacco with marijuana. The majority of public health advocates at the table submitted feedback requesting to pass SB 308, which would establish a Task Force on Social Consumption, rather than passing a social consumption policy bill. The bill is not currently scheduled for action, but is in a joint committee, so is still alive.

AOC opposes the bill.

SB 944
This bill is being considered with a -1 gut-and-stuff amendment that establishes the Youth Acute Behavioral Health Leadership Council in the office of the Governor. The Council would include one representative of a county juvenile department,  as well as one urban and one rural community mental health program (CMHP) director with experience in intensive treatment. There was a public hearing on April 12, and a work session on April 17.

AOC does not have a position on this bill.

HB 2122
Modifies requirements for coordinated care organizations (CCO) in 2018 and 2023. Beginning in 2023, requires coordinated care organizations to be community-based nonprofit organizations, to have membership of governing body that reflects local control and to distribute at least 80 percent of payments to providers using alternative payment methodologies. Creates Community Escrow Fund in State Treasury to hold coordinated care organization restricted reserves. Requires Oregon Health Policy Board to adopt minimum criteria for continuation of contracts with coordinated care organization. Requires coordinated care organizations seeking to contract with Oregon Health Authority in 2018 to present plan for moving toward 2023 requirements and to explain steps taken to innovate health care delivery.
This is the “CCO 2.0” bill, and as of the work session on April 14 it was on -11 amendments. The bill was moved out of committee on April 14, though there is likely to be more work done on this bill.

AOC does not have a position on this bill.

HB 2170
Establishes an independent Office of Oregon Ombudsmen, containing Long Term Care Ombudsman, Residential Facilities Ombudsman, Foster Parent Ombudsman, Foster Child Ombudsman and Oregon Public Guardian and Conservator. Requires Department of Human Services to notify foster parents and foster children of availability of Foster Child Ombudsman and Foster Parent Ombudsman to investigate complaints. This bill had a work session on April 18.

HB 2310
The Public Health Modernization cleanup bill had a work session on April 17. AOC, CLHO, OHA, and county lobbyists have been working to reach consensus on amendments. The -1 specifies which foundational capabilities counties would be responsible for during the initial rollout of modernization, and was drafted after Representative Greenlick requested a bill with a fiscal impact of roughly $50 million for the first biennium. The -3 amendments continue to clean-up technical language regarding the funding formula and relinquishment.

AOC supports the bill with amendments.

Contributed by: Stacy Michaelson | AOC Health and Human Services policy manager