Oregon Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) introduced a reform in lawmaking before the Senate Committee on Rules. Senate Bill 1006, a bipartisan effort led by Thatcher, upholds the separation of powers and reaffirms that only the Legislature has the authority to propose laws. The bill would prohibit state agencies, statewide elected officials, and other entities from directly introducing legislation, requiring all proposed laws to go through a legislator or legislative committee.

“The Oregon Constitution is clear: the Legislature is the only branch of government responsible for making laws,” said Senator Thatcher. “The executive and judicial branches play critical roles in enforcing and interpreting laws but writing them is not their job. Yet, for too long, they have been enabled to bypass the system, introducing legislation without any direct accountability to the people. This practice undermines the role of the Legislature and, ultimately, the voice of the people. SB 1006 is about restoring the proper balance of power and ensuring that Oregonians’ elected lawmakers determine the laws that govern our state.”

Oregon is one of seven states that allow non-legislative entities and unelected bureaucrats to draft Bill measures. Oregon is the only State that allows them to directly introduce bills without a Legislative member. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 40 states specifically prohibit it. In this legislative session alone, 266 bills have been introduced by the state’s executive and judicial branches—a number significantly higher than the bills introduced by most individual legislators. SB 1006 would strengthen accountability, transparency, and the fundamental principles of representative government.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Oregon legislature has drifted from the rule of law, and reels their authority onto citizens forgetting who they represent. Last session it came to a head that a constitutional law passed in 1979, which requires bill summaries must result in a score of at least 60 on the Flesch readability test, equivalent to an 8th-grade reading level, was being ignored. The Oregon Constitution further requires that every legislative act be plainly worded, avoiding technical terms as far as practicable. After weeks of refusing to comply, they have now come up with a “Digest” short statement that complies, but lacks the true nature of the bill, and the true summary remains unscored and out of compliance. By ignoring citizens in the legislative process signals a disrespect for the law and their oath of office.

The Oregon Constitution must be adhered to when drafting and passing legislation. This ensures that any new laws are consistent with the state's foundational legal framework. To pass a law and for the Governor to sign a law that has questionable compliance with the constitution is a disservice to citizens and obstruction of law. Oregon’s lax adherence to separation of powers has made the obstruction of law easier and more prevalent. It has cost citizens millions in lawsuits, when challenged.

The public may submit testimony by 1pm on March 21. Keep tracking this bill on Oregon Citizens Lobby.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-03-23 13:48:47

Last Update: 2025-03-23 15:41:40