All eyes are focused on the first ever “supplemental” legislative session, which began on February 4. Legislative leaders have met for months trying to develop a consensus agenda hoping that a civil, expedient February gathering will serve as a springboard to annual legislative sessions.

Oregon’s constitution provides that the legislature can only call itself into special session for an emergency. And one state senator (who says he favors annual sessions) unsuccessfully sued the Senate president arguing that the February session violates the constitution because there is no emergency. To move forward with annual sessions will require voters to approve a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to meet every year.

So far the session has shown that writing new law is very complex and is difficult to accomplish in a short timeframe. Many bills thought to be “ready to go” have run into last minute difficulties requiring quick amendments.

All bills for the session were introduced on February 4. By February 12, all bills must have action taken in their house of origin and by February 19, must be scheduled for hearing in the second chamber. February 21 is that last day for committees to act.

There is very little room (or time) for error.

We know legislators will not be comfortable—at least during their business day. The capitol offices of the rank and file members are undergoing major renovation and are completely sealed. It’s really back to the good ol’ days when a legislator’s office was his/her desk on the chamber floor. Only this time it’s cubicles set up in various rooms around the capitol.

And come to think of it, legislators might even be uncomfortable after work hours because of the new ethics law that prohibits entertaining of any public official. Restaurants in Salem are already bracing for the slowdown.

On the issues side, we were expecting a bill to expand the list of professionals who must report suspected child abuse. An earlier discussion occurred about adding SLPs and audiologists to the list along with PTs and OTs. That bill is not being considered during this session.

On broader issues, the Oregon Health Fund Board, which has been meeting since October, must provide an update to the Legislature in February. And the House Health Policy Committee introduced a bill to make sure as many children as possible are signed up under the Children’s Health Insurance Plan. Their proposal is in response to the defeat of Ballot Measure 50 last November.

One potentially divisive issue could surface – a proposed constitutional amendment declaring that health care is a fundamental right of all Oregonians. While the concept might find support, many are concerned about implied or even explicit financial commitments of such a constitutional provision.

All in all, February should hold more that its share of drama for public policy nerds and other legislative observers.

John McCulley