Contact Geoff Sugerman

503-986-1904

House Democrats Pass Two Bills to Aid

Disaster Victims in Coastal Communities

SALEM -- Reacting swiftly to the crisis facing coastal residents from the flooding this fall, Oregon House Democrats led passage of two pieces of legislation designed to aid victims of the flood.

State Rep. Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie) chaired the committee which introduced HB 3605 and HB 3606.

“These bills will provide relief for coastal residents immediately and will help Oregon for future natural disasters,” said Rep. Witt. “There is one additional bill we are working on and hope to see passed by the Legislature before we end this session in February.”

State Rep. Deborah Boone (D-Cannon Beach) carried HB 3605 which gave the Governor authority to disallow insurance companies from cancelling insurance policies after a natural disaster.

“This bill prevent cancellation of policies which can be hugely detrimental to recovery efforts and places additional burdens on people who are just getting over the shock of a devastating life event,” said Rep. Boone. “This bill takes care of that situation by giving the Governor the authority to declare a moratorium on cancelling coverage after a disaster.”

State Rep. Arnie Boone (D-Coos Bay) led the House discussion on HB 3606. This bill allows the state to waive the one-week waiting period to provide unemployment benefits to people who lost their jobs due to natural disaster provided Oregon can receive a federal waiver.

“The ability to get that unemployment benefit check can make the difference in the ability of some families to provide for even the most essential items of food and shelter. Imagine losing your home, and knowing that you have no cushion in your savings to get you through the first couple of weeks following a disaster,” said Rep. Roblan.  “This bill gives us a fighting chance to be able to get some direct benefit to that family.”

Both bills passed the House of Representatives unanimously, 57-0, and will now move to the Senate for consideration.