2012 Legislative Priorities

Oregon Education Investment Board

In 2011, OBA supported SB 909, which created the OEIB and tasked them to draft a report for initial implementation of a new Pre-K to college and career education system. OBA support the initial steps for OEIB implementation contained in the two bills that have been submitted by the Governor. 

  • Achievement Compacts and Governance (SB 1581) – This bill will require K-12 school districts, ESDs, community colleges, OUS and OHSU to enter into achievement compacts with the OEIB and relevant governing bodies in order to receive state funding. This bill will also clarify that the Chief Education Officer has authority over the six education executives, and will lead the development of an integrated public education system.
  • Early Learning (HB 4165) – This bill will transfer duties and responsibilities from the Children & Families Commission and Childcare Commission to the Early Learning Council and integrate other early childhood services. This bill will begin the process of using the administrative hubs for coordinating funds and services at the local level. The bill will also pilot Kindergarten readiness assessments. 

Health Care Reform

  • Health Insurance Exchange (HB 4164) - SB 99 created the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation and set up a roadmap for the Governor to appoint a nine-member Board of Directors. The charge of the Board is to oversee this public corporation, which will create a central marketplace where consumers and small businesses can shop for health insurance plans and access federal tax credits to help pay for the coverage.  
  • Health Care Transformation (SB 1580) – Transformation will, beginning with the Medicaid population, create a more coordinated health care system through the formation of Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs). The goal of CCOs is to deliver patient-centered, quality care with an emphasis on prevention to reduce waste and inefficiency that comes from unnecessary procedures or emergency room visits, duplicative testing, or lack of coordination. It’s no easy task, but Transformation will save millions of dollars over time.
  • Exchange and Transformation Guiding Principles - OBA advocated for the Health Insurance Exchange and Health Care Transformation in 2011 and has been actively tracking the development of both initiatives.  Under the leadership of OBA’s Health Policy Committee, a subcommittee was formed to more closely track the Exchange and Transformation and form Guiding Principles for each effort that will serve as OBA’s position on these proposals as we advocate for both in the 2012 Legislative Session. 

Please click here for OBA’s Guiding Principles for the Health Insurance Exchange and here for OBA’s Guiding Principles on Health Care Transformation. 

Other Priority Areas

  • Support Oregon Investment Act
  • Defend Renewable Portfolio Standards
  • Data Center Exemption from Central Assessment
  • Stable Court Funding
  • Commission on Public Safety
  • Morse Bill to Define “Excess Revenue
  • B Corporations