Oregon State Legislature
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	None
Session start:	January 21, 2025
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	Rob Wagner (D)
House Speaker:	Julie Fahey (D)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Kayse Jama (D) House: TBD
Minority Leader:	Senate:Bruce Starr (R) House:Lucetta Elmer (R)
Structure
Members:	30 (Senate), 60 (House)
Length of term:	4 years (Senate),2 years (House)
Authority:	Art IV, Oregon Constitution
Salary:	$35,052/year + per diem
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant

TheOregon Legislative Assembly is thestate legislature for the state ofOregon. The Legislative Assembly is abicameral body, consisting of an upper house, theOregon State Senate, and a lower house, theOregon House of Representatives. There are noterm limits for either house in the Legislative Assembly.

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

See also:Oregon House of Representatives,Oregon State Senate,Oregon Governor

Senate

TheOregon State Senate is the upper house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state.

As of the 2020 Census, Oregon state senators represented an average of141,383 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented128,287 residents.

Each Senate district is composed of exactly two House districts: Senate District 1 contains House Districts 1 and 2, SD 2 contains HD 3 and HD 4, and so on.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Oregon State Senate in 2004. In2024, 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'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

House of Representatives

TheOregon House of Representatives is thelower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state.

As of the 2020 Census, Oregon state representatives represented an average of70,692 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented64,143 residents.

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Oregon House of Representatives in 2012. In2024, they won a 36-24 majority.

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

Elections

2026

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2026 andOregon House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theOregon State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.

Elections for theOregon House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.

2024

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2024 andOregon House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theOregon State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasMay 21, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 12, 2024.

Elections for theOregon House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasMay 21, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 12, 2024.

2022

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2022 andOregon House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theOregon 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.

Elections for theOregon House of Representatives 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.

2020

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2020 andOregon House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofOregon 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.

Elections for the office ofOregon House of Representatives 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.

2018

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2018 andOregon House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theOregon State Senate took place in 2018. Aclosed primary election took place on May 15, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 6, 2018.^[1]

Elections for theOregon House of Representatives 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 wasMarch 6, 2018.^[2]

2016

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2016 andOregon House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theOregon 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.

Elections for theOregon House of Representatives 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.

2014

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2014 andOregon House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for theOregon State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014.

Elections for theOregon House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014.

2012

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2012 andOregon House of Representatives 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 onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 6, 2012.

Elections for the office of Oregon House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 15, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 6, 2012.

2010

See also:Oregon State Senate elections, 2010 andOregon House of Representatives 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 onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010.

Elections for the office of Oregon House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010.

Sessions

Article IV of the Oregon Constitution establishes when the Legislature 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). Under current law, sessions convene on the second Monday in January of all odd years.^[3]

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.

2025

See also:2025 Oregon legislative session andDates 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 See also:2024 Oregon legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 5, 2024, and adjourn on March 7, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Oregon legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 17, 2023, and adjourn on June 25, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Oregon legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 1, 2022, and adjourn on March 4, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Oregon legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 21, 2021, and adjourn on June 26, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Oregon legislative session andDates 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 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 See also:2019 Oregon legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 22, 2019, through June 30, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Oregon legislative session andDates 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, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from February 1, 2017, through July 7, 2017. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from February 1 through March 3. 2015 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 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.[4] 2014 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 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.[5] 2013 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 Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included in-state tuition, driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, and background checks for guns.[6][7] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from February 1 through March 6. 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from February 1 through June 30.[8] 2010 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.[9]

Role in state budget

See also:Oregon state budget and finances

Oregonon

Check outBallotpedia 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:^[10]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inMarch.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor inSeptember.
3. Agency hearings are held betweenSeptember and November.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature byDecember 1. For new governors, the deadline is thefirst day the legislature convenes.
5. The legislature adopts a budget betweenFebruary and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium beginsJuly 1.

Oregon is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[10][11]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.^[10]

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Oregon

In Oregon, congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by thestate legislature. District lines are subject to veto by thegovernor.^[12]

If the legislature fails to establish a redistricting plan for state legislative districts, it falls to thesecretary of state to draw the boundaries.^[12]

State law requires that congressional and state legislative districts meet the following criteria:^[12]

• 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

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 theOregon House of Representatives, 31-18, and approved in theOregon State Senate 18-11.^[13] These maps took effect for Oregon’s 2022 legislative elections.

2010

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.

Legislators

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

When sworn in

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

Oregon assume office the second Monday in January following the election.^[15]

District maps

State Senate

State House

Veto overrides

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.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article V, Section 15b of theOregon Constitution.

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Oregon

Partisan breakdown of the Oregon legislature from 1992-2013

Oregon State Senate:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Oregon State Senate for 12 years while the Republicans were the majority for eight years. Oregon was under a Democratictrifecta the final year of the study.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Oregon State House of Representatives:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Oregon State House of Representatives for five years while the Republicans were the majority for 15 years. Oregon was under a Democratictrifecta for the final year of the study.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Oregon, theOregon State Senate and theOregon House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Oregon state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Oregon had Democratic trifectas from 2007-2010 and again in 2013. The state's lowest SQLI ranking, finishing 39th, occurred in 2005. Its highest ranking, finishing 18th, occurred in 2011. Both occurred when the government was divided.

Chart displaying the partisanship of the Oregon government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Joint Legislative Committees

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 Legislature has nine joint committees:

• Legislative Administration
• Legislative Audits
• Legislative Counsel
• Information Management and Technology
• Legislative Policy and Research
• Marijuana Regulation
• Tax Credits
• Transportation and Economic Development
• Ways and Means

Constitutional amendments

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

The methods in which the Oregon Constitution can be amended:

See also:Section 1, Article IV, andArticle XII of theOregon Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Oregon

Cover of the 1857 Oregon Constitution

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

• Theconstitutional revision process is established inSection 2 of Article XVII.

• Section 1, Article IV, says that the people of the state can use aninitiated 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 containsseveral restrictions on the initiative process such asSection 1b, which prohibitspay-per-signature.

• Section 1 of Article XVIII creates the procedures by which theOregon State Legislature can use alegislatively 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 aconstitutional 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 acitizen-initiated question or a vote of the legislature.

See also

Elections	Oregon State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Oregon elections, 2024 Oregon elections, 2022 Oregon elections, 2020 Oregon elections, 2018	Oregon State Senate 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

• Oregon State Legislature

Footnotes

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