Oregon State Senate

Oregon State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 21, 2025
Session end:	June 27, 2025
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$35,052/year + per diem
Members
Total:	30
Democrats:	18
Republicans:	12
Other:	0 (Independent of Oregon)
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Rob Wagner (D)
Maj. Leader:	Kayse Jama (D)
Min. Leader:	Bruce Starr (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Oregon State Senate is the upper chamber of the Oregon State Legislature. Alongside the Oregon House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Oregon state government and works alongside the governor of Oregon to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Oregon State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Oregon State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Salem, Oregon.

Fifteen of the state Senate's 30 seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Democratic supermajority increased from 17-12 (with one independent) to 18-12.

Fifteen of the state Senate's 30 seats were up for regular election in 2022. A special election also took place in 2022 for Senate District 18 for a two-year term. The chamber's Democratic supermajority decreased from 18-11 (with one independent) to 17-12 (with one independent).

Oregon has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Oregon State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control[edit]

Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Oregon State Senate as of November 2025:

Party		As of November 2025
	Democratic Party	18
	Republican Party	12
	Independent	0
	Independent Party of Oregon	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		30

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The president of the Senate is the presiding officer of the body.

Leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: Rob Wagner (D)
• Majority leader: Kayse Jama (D)
• Minority leader: Bruce Starr (R)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2024[1]
Salary	Per diem
$35,052/year	$157/day

Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Oregon legislators assume office the second Monday in January following the election.^[2]

Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

According to Article IV, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution, candidates for the Oregon State Legislature must meet the following qualifications:^[3]

• Be a citizen of the United States,
• Be at least 21 years of age,
• Be an inhabitant of the district from which the Senator or Representative may be chosen for at least one year preceding the election (or from January 1 if a reapportionment year),
• Not be convicted of a felony (unless the conviction happened prior to winning the election and the sentence received for the conviction is completed prior to the date that person would take office if elected.)

In 2022, Oregon voters approved Measure 113, which disqualifies legislators from seeking re-election if they accumulate more than 10 unexcused absences in a single legislative session.

Candidates must also be registered to vote.^[4]

Historical party control[edit]

Democrats won control of the Oregon State Senate in 2004. In 2024, they won a 18-12 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Oregon Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Oregon State Senate election results: 1992-2024

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	16	11	10	12	14	15	18	17	18	16	16	18	17	18	18	17	18
Republicans	14	19	20	18	16	15	12	11	12	14	14	12	13	12	12	12	12
Other	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Oregon was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 2007-2010, 2013-2023
• Republican trifecta: None
• Divided government: 1992-2006, 2011-2012

Oregon Party Control: 1992-2025
Seventeen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	S	S	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
House	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	S	S	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Oregon state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Oregon holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026[edit]

See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Oregon State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024[edit]

See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Oregon State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was May 21, 2024. The filing deadline was March 12, 2024.

Before the 2024 election, Democrats held a 17-12-1 majority and they increased their majority to 18-12 after the election.

Oregon State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	17	18
	Republican Party	12	12
	Independent Party of Oregon	1	0
Total		30	30

2022[edit]

See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Oregon State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 8, 2022.

Heading into the 2022 election, Democrats held an 18-11-1 majority. Following the election, Republicans gained one net seat, giving the Democrats a 17-12-1 majority. On January 1, 2023, before the new Oregon Senate was sworn in, State Senator Dallas Heard (R) resigned, giving the chamber one vacancy.

Oregon State Senate
Party		As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	18	17
	Republican Party	11	12
	Independent	1	1
Total		30	30

2020[edit]

See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for May 19, 2020. The filing deadline was March 10, 2020.

Heading into the election, Democrats held an 18-12 majority. Democrats maintained their 18-12 majority in the election.

Oregon State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	18	18
	Republican Party	12	12
Total		30	30

2018[edit]

See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Oregon State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on May 15, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 6, 2018.^[5]

In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Oregon State Senate from 17-13 to 18-12.

Oregon State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	17	18
	Republican Party	13	12
Total		30	30

2016[edit]

See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Oregon State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2016. A total of 16 seats out of the 30 seats in the Oregon State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Democrats held an 18-12 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 17-13 majority.

Oregon State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	18	17
	Republican Party	12	13
Total		30	30

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the Oregon State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 16-14 majority. Democrats gained two seats in the election, giving them an 18-12 majority. Oregon State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 16 18      Republican Party 14 12 Total 30 30 2012[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 15, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 6, 2012. A total of 15 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 16-14 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Oregon State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 16 16      Republican Party 14 14 Total 30 30 During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 37 Senate candidates was $7,962,888. The top 10 contributors were:[6] 2012 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount The Leadership Fund $959,638 Senate Democratic Leadership Fund $393,062 Oregon Democratic Party $314,886 Oregon Health Care Association $238,484 Doctors for Healthy Communities $174,225 Douglas County Physicians Association $164,975 Service Employees Local 530 $160,763 Coalition for a Healthy Oregon $128,841 Oregon Small Business Association $108,533 Nike $102,740 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, Oregon State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 25 Laurie Monnes Anderson 9.3% 42,952 Scott Hansen District 5 Arnie Roblan 9.7% 55,322 Scott Roberts District 27 Tim Knopp 18.4% 59,797 Geri Hauser District 12 Brian Boquist 20.3% 56,573 Annette Frank District 14 Mark Hass 23.7% 53,530 Gary Coe District 9 Fred Girod 28.7% 51,729 Steve Frank District 2 Herman Baertschiger, Jr. 30.8% 52,639 Jim Diefenderfer District 17 Elizabeth Steiner Hayward 33.1% 56,424 John Verbeek District 29 Bill Hansell 37.2% 44,527 Antone Minthorn District 18 Ginny Burdick 39% 62,449 Suzanne Gallagher 2010[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010. A total of 16 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held an 18-12 majority. Democrats lost two seats in the election, giving them a 16-14 majority. Oregon State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 18 16      Republican Party 12 14 Total 30 30 During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 41 Senate candidates was $9,803,929. The top 10 contributors were:[7] 2010 Donors, Oregon State Senate Donor Amount Oregon Senate Republican Leadership Fund $1,070,878 Oregon Democratic Party $933,967 Senate Democratic Leadership Fund $723,942 Oregon Education Association $250,846 Oregon Public Employees Local 503 $241,151 Oregon Health Care Association $192,361 Oregon Trial Lawyers Association $181,900 Doctors for Healthy Communities $110,995 Coalition for a Healthy Oregon $102,830 Douglas County Physicians $92,000 2008[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate consisted of a primary election date on May 20, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. A total of 16 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total contributions to Senate candidates amounted to $3,018,794. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2008 Donors, Oregon State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Leadership Fund Of Oregon $251,711 Oregon Senate Republican Leadership Fund $171,042 Northwest Grocery Association $55,000 Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association $53,572 Oregon Soft Drink Association $51,500 Oregon Education Association $49,522 Oregon Health Care Association / Oregon Center for Assisted Living $48,700 Oregon Association of Realtors $46,764 Oregon Beer & Wine Distributors Association $43,307 Ted Ferrioli Campaign Cmte $42,124 2006[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate consisted of a primary election date on May 16, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. A total of 15 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 40 Senate candidates was $7,587,074. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2006 Donors, Oregon State Senate Donor Amount Senate Republican Leadership Fund $634,103 Senate Democratic Leadership Fund $511,391 Oregon Education Association $282,649 Friends of Ted Ferrioli $204,850 Service Employees Local 503 $156,085 Oregon Beer & Wine Distributors Association $122,607 Oregon Health Care Association $122,500 Oregon Forest Industries Council $110,000 Westlund II, Bernard J (Ben) $104,153 Monroe, Billie $93,600 2004[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate consisted of a primary election date on May 18, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. A total of 17 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 36 Senate candidates was $7,490,951. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2004 Donors, Oregon State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Leadership Fund $1,056,249 Senate Republican Leadership Fund $623,155 Oregon Education Association $314,612 Oregon Victory Cmte $180,000 Service Employees Local 503 $141,119 Roger Beyer for Senate $135,500 Oregon Health Care Association $130,446 Oregon Beer & Wine Distributors Association $129,901 Northwest Grocery Association $116,844 Oregon Restaurant Association $103,063 2002[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate consisted of a primary election date on May 21, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. A total of 15 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 37 Senate candidates was $6,330,449. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2002 Donors, Oregon State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Leadership Fund of Oregon $496,913 Senate Republican Leadership Fund of Oregon $412,569 Oregon Education Association $347,166 Oregon Trial Lawyers Association $168,925 Service Employees Local 503 $144,409 Oregon Restaurant Association $121,692 Oregon Forest Industries Council $111,000 Democratic Congressional Campaign Cmte $110,250 Associated Oregon Industries $104,000 Oregon Victory Cmte $92,250 2000[edit] See also: Oregon State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Oregon State Senate consisted of a primary election date on May 16, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. A total of 15 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 30 Senate candidates was $5,255,383. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2000 Donors, Oregon State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Leadership Fund of Oregon $602,496 Senate Republican Leadership Fund of Oregon $414,678 Friends Of Gene Derfler $257,246 Oregon Education Association $256,098 Oregon Forest Industries Council $139,350 Oregon Victory Cmte $120,000 Associated Oregon Industries $100,660 Service Employees Local 503 $100,242 21St Century Fund $90,000 Fahey, Pat $67,500

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Oregon State Legislature, the board of county commissioners representing the vacant seat must select a replacement. This can only be done when the Legislature is in session or when the vacancy happens more than 61 days before the next scheduled general election.^[13] The board must select a person from the political party that last held the vacant seat. The board must consider three to five candidates, nominated by the local county party that last controlled the seat. A replacement must be selected within 30 days of the vacancy. Persons selected to fill vacancies serve until the second Monday in January following the general election.^[14]

See sources: Oregon Rev. Stat. §171.051

District map[edit]

See also: Oregon state legislative districts

The state of Oregon has 30 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Oregon

In Oregon, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. District lines are subject to veto by the governor.^[15]

If the legislature fails to establish a redistricting plan for state legislative districts, it falls to the secretary of state to draw the boundaries.^[15]

State law requires that congressional and state legislative districts meet the following criteria:^[15]

• Districts must be contiguous.
• Districts must "utilize existing geographic or political boundaries."
• Districts should not "divide communities of common interest."
• Districts should "be connected by transportation links."
• Districts "must not be drawn for the purpose of favoring a political party, incumbent or other person."

2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Oregon after the 2020 census

Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed new state legislative maps into law on September 27, 2021. The maps were approved by the Oregon House of Representatives, 31-18, and approved in the Oregon State Senate 18-11.^[16] These maps took effect for Oregon’s 2022 legislative elections.

District map before and after 2020 redistricting[edit]

Below are the maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Oregon after the 2010 census

Oregon's population increased by 12 percent from 2000-2010, exceeding the national average of 9.7 percent. Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) signed the state's redistricting plan into law on June 13, 2011, six days after its original proposal. This was the first time Oregon enacted a redistricting plan without the involvement of the Secretary of State in 100 years.

Sessions[edit]

Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Oregon State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Oregon by year[edit]

2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 21, 2025, and adjourn on June 27, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024[edit] See also: 2024 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 5, 2024, and adjourn on March 7, 2024. 2023[edit] See also: 2023 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 17, 2023, and adjourn on June 25, 2023. 2022[edit] See also: 2022 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 1, 2022, and adjourn on March 4, 2022. 2021[edit] See also: 2021 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 21, 2021, and adjourn on June 26, 2021. 2020[edit] See also: 2020 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 3, 2020, and adjourn on March 5, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit] See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. No modifications to state legislative activity in Oregon were made. 2019[edit] See also: 2019 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 22, 2019, through June 30, 2019. 2018[edit] See also: 2018 Oregon legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from February 5, 2018, through March 3, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from February 1, 2017, through July 7, 2017. 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from February 1 through March 3. 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from February 2 through July 6. Major issues in 2015[edit] Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included raising the minimum wage, a transportation package to fix roads and bridges, environmental legislation on the state's low-carbon fuel standard, and funding education.[17] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from February 3 through March 10. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included marijuana, gun control, liquor in grocery stores, the environment, health, the budget, Oregon Lottery reform, and the Columbia River Crossing project.[18] 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from February 4 to July 9. Major issues in 2013[edit] Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included in-state tuition, driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, and background checks for guns.[19][20] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from February 1 through March 6. 2011[edit] See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from February 1 through June 30.[21] 2010[edit] See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the Legislature did not hold a regular session. However, the Legislature was in special session from February 1st to February 25th.[22]

About legislative sessions in Oregon[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[23] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article IV of the Oregon Constitution establishes when the Oregon State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to meet. Section 10 of Article IV states that the Legislature will meet in regular session once every two years. The section goes on to establish starting dates for these sessions, but these dates have been changed by law (as the section allows).

Section 10 of Article IV also requires the presiding officers of both legislative houses to convene an emergency session of the Legislature when a majority of the members of each house request an emergency session.

Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Oregon are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 40 of the 60 members in the Oregon House of Representatives and 20 of the 30 members in the Oregon State Senate. Oregon is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Vetoes can be overridden in a special session or when the next regular session convenes.[24][25] A majority of members in both chambers must agree to call for a special session.[26]

Authority: Article V, Section 15b of the Oregon Constitution.

"(1) Every bill which shall have passed the Legislative Assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor; if the Governor approve, the Governor shall sign it; but if not, the Governor shall return it with written objections to that house in which it shall have originated, which house shall enter the objections at large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider it. (2) If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members present shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and, if approved by two-thirds of the members present, it shall become a law."

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Oregon state budget and finances

Oregon on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[27]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in March.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in September.
3. Agency hearings are held between September and November.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature by December 1. For new governors, the deadline is the first day the legislature convenes.
5. The legislature adopts a budget between February and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins July 1.

Oregon is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[27][28]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.^[27]

Unexcused absences[edit]

See also: Oregon Measure 113, Exclusion from Re-election for Legislative Absenteeism Initiative (2022)

If a legislator is absent from 10 legislative floor sessions without permission or excuse, they are disqualified from holding office for the term following the election after their current term is completed.

Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Oregon state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Oregon State Senate has 13 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Oregon Constitution can be amended:

See also: Section 1, Article IV, and Article XII of the Oregon Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Oregon

The Oregon Constitution lays out four different paths, in two different articles, for how to go about changing the state's constitution.

• The constitutional revision process is established in Section 2 of Article XVII.

• Section 1, Article IV, says that the people of the state can use an initiated constitutional amendment to put an amendment before voters.

• An initiated amendment must be proposed "by a petition signed by a number of qualified voters equal to eight percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the election at which a Governor was elected for a term of four years next preceding the filing of the petition."
• The petition must include the full text of the proposed amendment.
• The signatures must be filed "not less than four months before the election at which the proposed...amendment to the Constitution is to be voted upon."
• Article IV contains several restrictions on the initiative process such as Section 1b, which prohibits pay-per-signature.

• Section 1 of Article XVIII creates the procedures by which the Oregon State Legislature can use a legislatively referred constitutional amendment to put an amendment before voters.

• Amendments can be proposed in either house of the state legislature.
• To earn a spot on the ballot, a "majority of all the members elected to each of the two houses" must vote in favor of a proposed amendment.
• The Legislature can put any such referred amendments on a special election ballot.
• If more than one amendment is proposed by the legislature, they must be voted on separately.

• Section 1 of Article XVIII also states that a constitutional convention can only be held if "the law providing for such convention shall first be approved by the people on a referendum vote at a regular general election."

• The constitution does not define how such a referendum is to be put before voters.
• Possible ways might include a citizen-initiated question or a vote of the legislature.

See also[edit]

Elections	Oregon State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Oregon State Senate elections, 2024 Oregon State Senate elections, 2022 Oregon State Senate elections, 2020 Oregon State Senate elections, 2018	Oregon State Legislature Oregon House of Representatives Governor of Oregon Oregon Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links[edit]

• Oregon State Senate

Footnotes[edit]

v • e State legislatures Legislatures Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S) 2025 State legislative elections (2025) • State legislative special elections (2025) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2025 Session Dates 2024 State legislative elections (2024) • State legislative special elections (2024) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2024 Session Dates 2023 State legislative elections (2023) • State legislative special elections (2023) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2023 Session Dates Historical elections 2022 •  2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000 Features of state legislatures How vacancies are filled in state legislatures • States with a full-time legislature • State legislatures with term limits • Comparison of state legislative salaries • When state legislators assume office after a general election • Population represented by state legislators • State constitutional articles governing state legislatures • State legislative sessions • Resign-to-run law • State legislature candidate requirements by state • Official names of state legislatures • State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts • Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections State senates Length of terms of state senators • State senators • Partisan composition of state senates • State senators sorted by year first elected State houses Length of terms of state representatives • State representatives • Partisan composition of state houses • State representatives sorted by year first elected Leadership positions President of the Senate • President Pro Tempore • Senate Majority Leader • Senate Minority Leader • House Majority Leader • House Minority Leader • State Speaker of the House

	v • e State of Oregon Salem (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy