As part of cost-savings measures approved in the 2009 session, legislative interim committees will all meet during the same three days in September, November and January, according to Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Dave Hunt. Committee assignments were released at the same time as the new schedule.

            All committees will meet over a three day stretch from September 29-October 1, then again from November 17-19, and a third time from January 12-14. The next revenue forecast is slated to be released on August 27 to the members of the Senate and House Revenue Committees. The Senate will also meet Oct. 1, 2009 to consider executive appointments.

The change comes as part of cuts amounting to approximately 15 percent of the Legislative Assembly budget approved by the 2009 Legislature. Because many members serve on multiple committees, this plan will allow the state to save on transportation costs and per diem expenses legislators receive when on official state business.

“This is simply a more efficient and cost-effective way to do our work,” said Speaker Hunt (D-Clackamas County). “This is one area we think will bring both immediate savings and better coordination among committees.”

“We’re being innovative and working to make tax dollars go further in these tough times without sacrificing the level of representation Oregonians have come to expect from their Legislature,” said President Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn).

Efficient committee work is even more essential with the Legislature scheduled to meet in a month-long session in February, 2010. While members will be allowed to introduce bills during the supplemental session, committee work is critical to hold public hearings and get legislation drafted prior to the start of the February session.

“February will be crucial to our continued success in weathering the current economic storm,” Courtney said. “That work really begins in September as committees prepare for the coming session.”

“We saw in the 2009 session how effective we were in developing consensus through better use of our committee system, where chairs and vice chairs from both parties worked closely to craft legislation that helped make 2009 one of the most productive, bi-partisan sessions in decades,” said Hunt, who served as Speaker for the first time in the ’09 session.

Hunt added that the number of House committees has been reduced from 16 to 14 for the interim, and that Rep. Bruce Hanna, House Republican Leader, has been added to the Rules Committee.

Click here for the interim committee schedule
Click here for the interim committee assignments