Sen. Lynn Findley

In memoriam: Senator Jackie Winters, 1937-2019.

Requires local workforce development boards to evaluate programs administered by state workforce agencies through WorkSource Oregon system. Requires agencies to provide boards with information for performance evaluation. ] Requires annual report to Legislative Assembly and Governor listing all programs delivered through WorkSource Oregon and identifying program problems and potential solutions. ] Requires state workforce agencies to annually provide to each local workforce development board information on amount of fund availability and services provided by agencies in each local workforce development area. Requires agencies to also provide to boards quarterly expenditure and performance information for each workforce program delivered by agency through WorkSource Oregon. ] Requires state workforce agencies to implement all recommendations made by local workforce development board during program evaluation, unless recommendation is prohibited by federal or state law. ] Requires Governor to collaborate with members of Legislative Assembly to establish funding formula to support WorkSource Oregon evaluation. ] Authorizes Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide grants to local workforce development boards for paid work experiences for youth. ] Authorizes commission to establish pilot programs to provide grants to local workforce development boards to work with organizations to enhance adult learning. ] Requires State Workforce and Talent Development Board to convene representatives from state workforce agencies and local workforce development boards to identify program and system changes to support individuals and business most impacted by COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 wildfire disasters. Requires report on findings to be submitted to Governor and Legislative Assembly within 45 days of effective date of Act. ] Directs State Workforce and Talent Development Board to establish Committee for Continuous Improvement to assess effectiveness of Oregon's public workforce development system. Requires committee to identify and contract with independent third-party entity to conduct assessment and develop recommendations prioritizing needs of individuals and businesses most impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, no later than September 30, 2021. Sets forth requirements for developing recommendations. Requires committee to submit to State Workforce and Talent Development Board report that includes results of assessment and recommendations. Directs board to approve report and submit copy of report to Governor and interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to workforce development, no later than 45 days after receipt of report. Requires that, once every even-numbered year, Committee for Continuous Improvement identify and contract with independent third-party entity to conduct comprehensive assessment of Oregon's public workforce system and make recommendations for improvements. Establishes requirements for comprehensive assessment. Requires committee to present results of each assessment, along with recommendations for improvements, in reports to Governor and interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to workforce development, on or before December 15 of each even-numbered year. Requires committee to include in first report submitted to Governor and committees of Legislative Assembly update regarding implementation of recommendations from initial assessment. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Maintains unemployment insurance tax rate in effect for each employer for calendar year 2020 until first calendar year that begins after later of December 31, 2022, or date on which state of emergency declared by Governor on March 8, 2020, for COVID-19 pandemic, and any extension of state of emergency, is no longer in effect. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Grants fee waiver to certain family members of persons who were killed in action during armed conflict while serving in Armed Forces of United States.

Prohibits public bodies and private entities from requiring person to receive COVID-19 vaccination or to possess COVID-19 immunity passport, immunity pass or other evidence certifying COVID-19 vaccination or immunity status. Prohibits public bodies and private entities from discriminating against person based on non-receipt of COVID-19 vaccination or failure to possess COVID-19 immunity passport, immunity pass or other evidence certifying vaccination or immunity status. Prohibits public bodies and private entities from interfering with certain rights on account of risks presented by COVID-19 pandemic. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Provides that agency may not use amended rulemaking filing to correct failure to comply with requirement to include citation of statutory or other legal authority relied upon and bearing upon promulgation of rule.

Establishes procedure for charging aggravated version of certain assault and attempted murder offenses when defendant causes permanent physical injury to victim during commission of crime. Provides that if defendant is convicted of aggravated offense, court shall sentence defendant to 300 months' imprisonment. Authorizes court to impose lesser sentence in certain circumstances.

Directs State Fish and Wildlife Commission to develop and adopt by rule invasive grass pilot program in Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area. Sunsets pilot program on January 2, 2025.

Establishes income tax credit for forgiveness by landlord of tenant's nonpayment of rent or other charges ] amount of unpaid rent forgiven by landlord and certified by Housing and Community Services Department . Subtracts from federal taxable income tenant's discharge of indebtedness income attributable to landlord's forgiveness of nonpayment ] unpaid rent . Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs Oregon Business Development Department to study use of economic development methods for purpose of developing workforce housing in eastern Oregon and to report findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to business on or before September 15, 2022. Sunsets January 2, 2023.