Republican senators in Oregon end legislative walkout
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Republican senators went back to work in Salem Thursday, ending the longest legislative walkout in Oregon's history, which stalled work for six weeks.
Why it matters: Democrats dialed back proposals on guns, abortion and transgender health care to get the Senate back to work, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports. The Legislature now has just over a week left to pass a raft of laws and a state budget for the next two years.
Details: Proposed gun restrictions were changed significantly in the deal to bring Republicans back to Salem, according to The Oregonian.
- A proposal to ban "ghost guns" — weapons with no serial number, typically assembled at home after buying parts online — remains on the table, but Democrats agreed to drop amendments they had added to the bill, including raising the purchase age from 18 to 21 and allowing local governments to ban concealed weapons in public buildings.
- Democrats also agreed to drop a bill that would have required training and a 72-hour waiting period before buying a gun. Similar rules put in place by a ballot measure are under court challenge.
Separately, a bill guaranteeing access to abortion and gender-affirming care will be amended as part of the deal, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports. Abortion providers will be required to notify parents of people younger than 15 who are seeking abortions, unless two separate providers agree that would be harmful.
- It also drops grants for reproductive care and abortion services in rural areas and on college campuses.
- Legal protections for abortion providers remain in the bill, which also mandates more insurance coverage of gender-affirming care.
Context: Republicans also won consideration of a bill that would ask voters to change the state constitution to allow impeachment of elected state officials.
What they're saying: Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, said in a written statement that he was "encouraged that we were able to come to an agreement that will allow us to finish the important work Oregonians sent us here to accomplish."
- Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said Republicans returned "in good faith" to finish the business of the session.
Of note: It's still unclear whether the extended absences of multiple senators will prevent them from serving another term, as intended by a 2022 ballot measure.
- It could face a legal challenge.
What's next: Lawmakers need to change procedural rules to speed through bills stacked up on the Senate side. Republicans have agreed to stay for the rest of the session, which by law ends June 25.
- If their work is not done, Gov. Tina Kotek could call the Legislature back for a special session.