Committees

Standing Committees

Joint Committee on Ways and Means (JWM), Vice-Chair

Ways and Means, sometimes called “the budget-writing committee” of the Legislature, is comprised of members from the House of Representatives and from the Senate.  The committee reviews recommendations from the subcommittees, requests to submit proposals for grant funding, and budgets deriving money from sources including taxes, fees, grants, federal allocations, lottery proceeds, and other sources.

“The Joint Committee on Ways and Means, created under ORS 171.555, is the legislative entity charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the Legislative Assembly with regard to its constitutional requirement to adopt a balanced budget.” –Oregon Blue Book

JWM Subcommittee on General Government, Co-Chair

Reviews budgets for the Department of Administrative Services which provides fleet, facilities, human resources, information technology, and other services for state government agencies; The Secretary of State and State Treasurer; and a number of boards and licensing agencies such as Tax Accountants, etc.

JWM Subcommittee on Public Safety

Reviews budgets which comprise the third-largest portion of the state’s general fund expenses, including Department of Corrections (state prisons and local community corrections); Youth Authority; Military Department; Criminal Justice Commission; and Department of Justice.

JWM Subcommittee on Capital Construction and Information Technology

Reviews proposals for major projects. For example, in early 2009, this committee was the first to hear and vote on a proposal for bonds for an Oregon economic stimulus plan, quickly starting projects for public buildings in all 36 counties.

Other committees

OWIN Work Group

This group of 3 representatives and 3 senators reviews progress of the the Oregon Wireless and Interoperability Network project, providing oversight and advice on project scope, phasing, and funding.

Committees, 2009 Interim

Joint Committee on Ways and Means (JWM), Vice-Chair

Emergency Board (“E-Board”)

Health Care Committee

Task Force on Efficient and Cost-Effective Government, Chair

This Task Force was created by my legislation, HB 2920.  For background see my testimony, A fresh look at state and county shared services.

Justice System Revenues, Co-Chair (Joint House-Senate Committee)

The Interim Committee on State Justice System Revenues is directed by HB 2287 to develop an understanding of Judicial Department revenues and the distribution and use of those revenues; determine the HB 2287 revenue available for distribution; identify the 2009-11 funding gaps for State Justice System entities; and recommend distribution of HB 2287 revenue; identify national justice system funding models, and identify best practices; develop a recommended structure to simplify  Oregon’s Judicial Department revenue structure, including  new revenue and collection methods;  develop recommendations for the distribution and use of revenues; and develop proposed legislation.

OWIN Work Group