Table of Contents
December Legislative Activity
December was relatively busy for an interim month. December Legislative Days were held from the 10th to the 12th. Committees in both chambers introduced hundreds of bills and previewed topics to focus on in 2025. Oregon State Bar’s Law Improvement Program concepts were introduced as courtesy in the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. These committees also held a joint hearing in which Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan Flynn and OSB CEO Helen Hierschbiel presented on programs to expand legal access across the state. Additionally, December 12 was the day that Governor Kotek called for a special session to address the budget shortfall from the historic 2024 wildfire season. The State Fire Marshall reports that a record 19 million acres burned, and the mitigation cost totaled $350 million.
Oregon Campaign for Court Funding
The Oregon Campaign for Court Funding gathered for its breakfast event on December 21, 2024, in downtown Portland at the Sentinel Hotel. Leaders from the business, nonprofit, and legal communities discussed the importance of funding Oregon’s court system to meet basic needs such as security. Chief Justice Flynn gave the keynote address. Graciously cosponsored again by Ed Harnden (Barran Liebman LLP), Graciela Cowger (Schwabe), and Peter Bragdon (Columbia Sportwear), the Campaign mobilizes a broad group of community leaders to raise awareness of the central role the courts play in the economic and social fabric of our state. In the coming months, these leaders will communicate with Oregon’s legislators to share this message and to help the courts come out of the session with the best budget possible. The bar thanks all those who have continued their support and advocacy as part of the Oregon Campaign for Court Funding.
Upcoming Dates of Interest
January 10 will be the first meeting of the 2025 OSB Board of Governors, in which they will have their official orientation.
January 13 is the official swearing-in ceremony for incoming legislators for the 2025 session. This is also when all pre-session filed bills will become publicly available. Over the course of the next couple weeks, the OSB Public Affairs Department will read through the thousands of concepts and share ones of note with relevant OSB sections. The department will continue to track bills that sections have indicated interest in throughout the legislative session.
January 21, the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, will be the first day of the 2025 legislative session.
Retirement of Susan Grabe
Susan Grabe, Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer, retired from the Oregon State Bar at the end of 2024 after many years of dedicated service. A steadfast voice for progress, Susan has shaped impactful policies and strengthened Oregon’s legal profession. Her leadership has created a lasting legacy and left a profound impact.
We celebrate Susan’s remarkable career and her countless contributions to the justice system. Her work has made a meaningful difference, and we wish her well on her next adventure.
Archives
Thank you for reading the Oregon State Bar’s CAPITOL INSIDER.
The archives are available here.
2024 Oregon State Bar Officers and Public Affairs Chair
Myah Kehoe, President, Oregon State Bar
Tomás Hernandez, President Elect, Oregon State Bar
David Rosen, Immediate Past President, Oregon State Bar
John Marandas, Chair, Public Affairs Committee, Oregon State Bar Board of Governor
For questions about articles, legislation, or the legislative process, please contact:
Dominique Rossi, Director of Public Affairs