[Libs-Or] OLA Legislative Report

[Esther Moberg]

Stephanie was a tireless and fearless leader. There was an OVERWHELMING amount to be done this legislative year but Stephanie handled it all, delegated, sorted, and prioritized like a champ! Thank you Stephanie, you were such a great leader this year. Much appreciated and stepping down is definitely well deserved as well!
Sincerely,
Esther Moberg
OLA President
 
 
From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of OLA Library Development & Leg Comm
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 11:23 AM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [Libs-Or] OLA Legislative Report
 
Hello -
 
I have been serving as Chair of the Oregon Library Association Library Development & Legislative Committee (LDLC) since April 2018. It has been an incredibly humbling and educational experience that I've been fortunate to have. I am now passing the reigns over to the amazing Buzzy Nielsen.
 
I would like to share a bit about this past legislative session. It was a doozy! By everyone's accounts, we had more library related bills that we were tracking than ever before. In most cases, we succeeded with our efforts. This was due to the work of our top notch lobbyist Amanda Dalton, OLA membership and library supporters. In those areas where we were not successful, there are plans to pursue the efforts in future legislative sessions. Thank you to everyone who engaged with legislators! Folks wrote letters/emails, talked to legislators over the phone or in person at Library Legislative Day, and testified. I was astounded by how generous people were with their time, and how passionate, persuasive and articulate their messages were. This is why we succeeded! Thank you all! 
 
Here is a summary of our legislative efforts:
 
OLA Priority Bills 
o SB 858 – Law Library bill – OLA opposed - died in committee 
o HB 2213 – Textbook Affordability – signed by Governor – effective 1/1/20 
o HB 2214 – Oregon’s Open Educational Resources – died in Ways & Means 
o HB 2243 – Public Library Definition - signed by Governor – effective 1/1/20 
o HB 2247 A – Imagination Library Project – OLA neutral - died in Joint Student Success Committee 
o HB 3263 – School Library Program & Academic Content Standards – died in House Education Committee 
o SB 5518 – State Library Budget (including Ready to Read grant funding) – signed by Governor – effective 7/1/19 
 
Tax & Education Funding Bills 
o HB 3427 – Commercial Activity Tax & Education Spending (may include access to licensed educators with a library media endorsement) – signed by Governor – effective 1/1/20 
o SB 543 A – Children Special Service District – OLA opposed – died on the house floor 
 
Other Bills of Interest 
o SB 282 – Digital Use in Classroom Study Bill – died in committee 
o SB 283 – Wifi “Danger” Disclosure Bill – awaiting Governor Signature 
o HB 2173 – Creation of Oregon Broadband Office – awaiting Governor Signature 
o HB 2184 – Oregon Universal Service Fund Bill – died on Senate President’s desk  
 
For details about our legislative and other committee work, please see the attached reports; End of Session Report from our lobbyist, and my OLA unit report. Pour your self a cup of your favorite beverage and settle in, they are a bit lengthy, but of course fascinating! ;-)
 
Last but not least, a shout out to my fellow LDLC members! They are incredible and I am so grateful to have worked with and gotten to know them all! 
 
Questions about library legislative and other LDLC issues can now be directed to Buzzy! :-) He can be contacted at this email address - ldlcchair at olaweb.org 
 
Best,
-- 
Stephanie Lind
Outgoing Chair, Oregon Library Association Library Development & Legislative Committee
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