The Voting Record of Sen. David Brock Smith (R) of District One
How many socialist, progressive and communist bills from your Republican legislator is too many? One? Two? More?
Sen. David Brock Smith is the Chairman of the Southern Oregon China Connection, a Board Member of the Oregon China Council and has participated in numerous trade missions to China supported by the World Economic Forum.
Sen. David Brock Smith has voted with Democrats more than a third of the time in Oregon’s Legislature. But it’s worse than that. He created and passed some of the most consequential bills that threaten our way of life as we know it. Yet, strangely, he didn’t need to. He’s the Senator of Oregon’s First District which is 80% Republican. David Brock Smith has no Democrats to appease in order to hold his seat… Or does he?
First, you must know Senator Brock Smith’s most egregious violations of your trust. Then, we ask that you read each bill’s summary and RUCPAC’s counter position, so that you can learn exactly how often David Brock Smith has betrayed us as the most powerful Republican Senator in Oregon.
The Worst of the Worst
The most egregious violations of your trust including: Climate Crisis, Indoctrination in Schools, DEI, Socialization of Housing & Private Industry, Civil Rights infringements and further enshrouding of election security. All of the bills below have been sponsored or co-sponsored by progressive Portland Democrats.
Chief Sponsor of HB 3375 - Installation of a 3 gigawatts offshore wind energy complex off the coast of Coos Bay. Co-Sponsors include Campos (D), Dexter (D), Grayber (D) and more.
2021 - House
This bill paves the way for an estimated 250 square mile wind energy industrial complex that will create an environmental nightmare killing hundreds of thousands of birds, fish and whales each year, and threatens sustainability of Oregon’s fishing industry that generates hundreds of millions of dollars providing thousands of family-wage jobs. RUCPAC believes in climate change, but sees no evidence in an impending climate crisis, opposes expensive “clean energy” installations that diminish food production capabilities, opposes the enrichment of foreign Chinese Communists, opposes government cronyism in private industry, opposes socialized energy sources that increase consumer costs and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 3294 - Requires all Oregon schools (public, private, and charter) to provide menstrual products in all bathrooms, including boys bathrooms to more than 552K K-12 students, 85K community college students and 96K public university students statewide. Sponsored by Ruiz (D), Neron (D), Salinas (D) and more.
2021 - House
RUCPAC opposes government indoctrination of left wing politics in schools, opposes Gender Theory which states that gender is “chosen” rather than biological, believes that every American (including children) have the right NOT to be indoctrinated under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, opposes forcing taxpayers to pay for the menstrual products of others and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on SB 762 - Requires Oregon Department of Forestry to develop a statewide map classifying properties with wildfire risk levels. The risk classifications are used to restrict land use, and are an egregious violation of property rights. As a result of the wildfire mapping, insurance rates on rural homeowners skyrocketed, leaving rural homeowners unable to pay for bank required property insurance and preventing banks from financing rural property throughout Oregon. Furthermore, the bill distributes more than $220M to nine different bureaucracies involved in the implementation of new codes, regulations and zoning restrictions. Sponsored at the Request of Kate Brown.
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC opposes government violations of property rights in all forms, opposes infringement on individual liberties, opposes government manipulation of private markets, opposes the notion that there currently exists a “climate crisis,” opposes government violations of Fifth Amendment Rights under the U.S. Constitution, opposes taxpayer funded increases to needless regulators and opposes this bill.
Chief Sponsor of SB 1546 - Creates Elliot State Research Forest Authority and provides that authority be governed by board of directors appointed by the State Land Board. Control of the Elliot State Forest was essentially transferred to climate change activists (namely the Chair, who is also the CEO at Oregon State University) who immediately ceased timber harvesting. The transfer of ownership is expected to cost taxpayers more than $250M. Co-Sponsored by Ken Helm (D), Travis Nelson (D) and more.
2022 - Senate
RUCPAC opposes the transfer control (ownership) of state forest assets to left wing special interest groups at the cost of taxpayers, jobs and economic development that would otherwise benefit the public at large; opposes environmental regulations that prevent responsible and sustainable harvesting of natural resources and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 2001 - This bill expands the homeless industrial complex throughout the state’s metro areas by requiring all cities, outside of Metro, to plan for housing needs based on “equity” indicators, and centralized state control over municipal housing policies. It additionally imposes regulations on private landlords, paving the way for massive spending and socialized housing in Oregon. The bill’s Chief Sponsor is Republican House Minority Leader, Jeff Helfrich along with Maxine Dexter (D), Jama (D) and Co sponsored by 24 Democrats including Ben Bowman and Travis Nelson.
2023 - House
RUCPAC opposes government enrichment of preferred industries, opposes the expansion of the homeless industrial complex, opposes manipulation of private markets, opposes additional regulations on private landlords, opposes forcing taxpayers to pay for someone else’s housing and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 5019 - This massive homeless services spending bill appropriates $213,000,000 to the homeless industrial complex, including: $7.4M to the Eviction Prevention Rapid Response and Eviction Prevention Diversion Program, with an additional $26.2M every two years; $200K to develop a rent assistance program; $21M to increase shelter capacity; $64M to the Housing and Community Services Dept.; $5M every two years for members of federally recognized Indian Tribes; $1.2M every two years for homeless emergency areas; $1.1M for administration of homelessness prevention programs; $924K every two years for coordination of efforts; $723K every two years for emergency management; $26M every two years for Community Services; $1.2M every two years for administration of support; $5M for deposit into the Emergency Housing Account; and $201K every two years for provision of services. This bill is at the request of Oregon Department of Administrative Services.
2023 - House
RUCPAC opposes government enrichment of left wing political organizations who will ultimately receive large portions of this appropriation of taxpayer dollars, opposes taxpayer financing of the homeless industrial complex and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 2681 — Weakening Election Integrity by Limiting Updates to the State Voter Rolls and re-activating more than 500K previously deactivated voter registrations. Sponsored by Rayfield (D) and 19 additional Democrats.
2021 - House
RUCPAC supports maintaining and updating voter registration databases to prevent the disenfranchisement of eligible voters due to voter fraud and opposes this bill.
Support of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Including education, workplace and socialization of private industry.
Voted YES on SB 851 - Creating the Model Leftist Workplace, expands lawsuits against employers. Sponsored by Travis Nelson (D).
2023 - Senate
Directs Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to prepare a “model workplace” that employers may adopt. The bill was used to promote Leftist workplace principles and RUCPAC opposes the promotion of Leftist principles through government.
Voted YES HB 3178 - Increased Tuition Assistance for Favored Teachers based on “diverse teacher candidates.” Sponsored by Hudson (D), Grayber (D), Dexter (D), Fahey (D) and Valderrama (D).
2023 - House
Increases the amount of funds that may be apportioned to “culturally and linguistically” diverse teachers for their tuition payments. RUCPAC opposes forcing taxpayers to pay for other people’s tuition and opposes DEI in all forms.
Voted YES on SB 1545 - Government Largesse for Favored Groups. This bill is at the request of Kate Brown (D).
2022 - Senate
RUCPAC opposes grant programs that inappropriately privilege groups based on race and opposes State attempts to direct the course of industry.
Regular SPONSOR of HB 2007 - Imposing “Implicit Bias” Training Mandates on Mortgage Loan Originators. Sponsored by Ruiz (D), Meek (D) and Tim Knopp (R).
2021 - House
RUCPAC opposes excessive licensing requirements based on leftist re-education designed to enrich radical left consultants and restrict competition in the private sector.
Voted YES on HB 2001 - Protects Teachers of “Color” During Layoffs and prevents retention of top performing teachers. Sponsored by Tina Kotek (D).
2021 - House
RUCPAC opposes reducing educational outcomes for students based on insignificant factors, such as cultural experience or seniority. RUCPAC believes teacher retention should be based on merit and classroom performance, and not upon immutable qualities.
Voted YES on SB 79 - Provides Homeownership Assistance Grants to People of Color. Advances racial discrimination by providing grants to organizations for “Persons of Color” homeownership assistance. This bill was at the request of Kate Brown (D).
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC opposes socialization of housing and opposes the passing of socialized housing costs to taxpayers on the grounds of racial discrimination.
Voted YES on SB 70 - Enriching Leftist Activist Groups by Forcing Taxpayers to Fund “Culturally" Specific” Community Based Non-Profits Advancing “Health-Equity.” This bill was at the request of Kate Brown (D) on behalf of the Oregon Health Authority.
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC opposes all racial discrimination, including government based racial discrimination utilizing taxpayer funds to enrich organizations that promote leftist political initiatives.
Voted YES on SB 52 - Providing Unelected Bureaucrats Authority to Impose New Mandates on Local Schools and Dole Out Grants Pertaining to LGBTQ and Gender Identity. This bill was at the request of Kate Brown (D) on behalf of the Department of Education.
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC believes all learning environments should be productive and safe for children of every background to succeed. We oppose providing unaccountable bureaucrats carte-blanche authority to impose mandates on local school districts and dole out taxpayer funds to groups that may promote Leftist political initiatives and oppose this bill.
Voted YES on HB 4067 — Advancing Racial and Ethnic Discrimination Through Reduced Utility Rates to Select Groups of Individuals, establishing grant program “priority populations” based on race and ethnicity. At the request of the House Committee on Energy and Environment.
2020 - House
This bill advances racial and ethnic discrimination by authorizing the Public Utility Commission to provide reduced utility rates to select groups of individuals, which will inevitably drive-up utility costs for individuals not favored by government. The bill authorizes utility companies to provide reduced rates to “environmental justice communities” defined as communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and communities underrepresented including seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities. RUCPAC supports equal rights under the law and that the role of government is to enforce all laws equally. RUCPAC opposes government providing benefits to select individuals on the basis of race, sex, class, and age and this measure which shifts financial burdens to individuals not favored by government. and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on SB 859 — Socializing College Costs for Illegal Immigrants Pursuing Graduate Degrees. Sponsored by Dembrow (D), Rob Wagner (D).
2019 - Senate
This bill further socializes the higher education costs of individuals residing in the country illegally by forcing taxpayers to subsidize the tuition and fees of illegal immigrants pursuing graduate degrees. RUCPAC opposes reducing college opportunities for U.S. citizens by providing college enrollment slots to individuals residing in the country illegally while socializing the costs on the backs of state taxpayers.
Voted YES on SB 1516 — Providing Government Loans to Select Businesses and Individuals. Sponsored by Burdick (D), Jeff Helfrich (R).
2018 - Senate
This bill establishes a new bureaucracy known as the “Small Business Expansion Loan Fund” that provides businesses with 50 or fewer employees with loans of up to $2 million. The bill requires that up to 20 percent of the money within the fund be reserved for businesses that are minority, women, or veteran owned. RUCPAC opposes government competition in the private lending industry and does not believe taxpayer funds should be placed at risk to subsidize and provide select companies or individuals with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Advocating the Socialization of Housing, Private Industry, Energy & Healthcare
Including Homeless Industrial Complex, cost of living, DEI, Green New Deal, excessive regulation and Cronyism.
Voted YES on HB 2001 - This bill expands the homeless industrial complex throughout the state’s metro areas by requiring all cities outside of Metro to plan for housing needs based on “equity” indicators and centralized state control over municipal housing policies. It additionally imposes regulations on private landlords, paving the way for massive spending and socialized housing in Oregon. The bill’s Chief Sponsor is Republican House Minority Leader, Jeff Helfrich, Co sponsored by 24 Democrats including Ben Bowman and Travis Nelson.
2023 - House
RUCPAC opposes further government entanglement in the housing market. The bill expends $20,000,000 to help construct modular housing and apportions another $3,000,000 for predevelopment loans and expands regulations on private landlords. RUCPAC does not believe taxpayers should be forced to finance other people’s housing and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 2009 — Creating Tax Incentives for the Semiconductor Industry and Other Favored Sectors. Sponsored by Democrat Speaker of the House Dan Rayfield.
2023 - House
Establishes a refundable tax credit for semiconductor R&D research and extends the sunset dates on Oregon’s enterprise zones. RUCPAC opposes government attempts to direct the course of industry within its jurisdiction.
Voted YES on SB 1536 — Forcing Taxpayers to Subsidize Private Heating and Cooling Units via the Oregon Health Authority. Imposes new regulations on private landlords. Referred to the floor by the Senate Committee on Housing and Development by unanimous vote (Anderson (R), Girod (R), Golden (D), Jama (D), Patterson (D)).
2022 - Senate
This bill creates various programs to help provide cooling units to qualified individuals and to assist in the installation of heat pumps for similarly qualified individuals. RUCPAC does not believe that taxpayers should be forced to pay for other people’s heat pumps or cooling units and opposes this bill.
Chief SPONSOR of HB 2623 — Increasing Health Insurance Premiums Through a $75 Price Cap on Insulin Copayments. Co-sponsored by Meek (D), Campos (D), Pham (D) and 16 other Democrats.
2021 - House
RUCPAC recognizes that price controls on insurance and other mandates only drive-up premium costs, thereby harming the affordability of insurance for everyone. RUCPAC opposes price controls which lead to higher insurance costs for everyone.
Voted YES on HB 2508 — Increasing Health Insurance Costs Through Mandates on Telehealth Reimbursements. Sponsored by both Republican and Democrats.
2021 - House
While RUCPAC supports new, innovative technology such as telehealth, we oppose reimbursement mandates which reduce economic incentives to lower healthcare costs.
Voted YES on HB 2433 — Expanding Cronyism Through the Extension of Numerous Special Interest Tax Credits Including Movie, Affordable Housing and the EITC. Sponsored by Nathanson (D), Reschke (R).
2021 House
RUCPAC supports free markets and a broadly applied tax code with the lowest possible rates for all individuals and companies. RUCPAC opposes cronyism which provides competitive advantages to select companies and individuals while shifting tax burdens to other individuals and industries not favored by government.
CHIEF SPONSOR of HB 2180 — Raising Construction Costs by Mandating Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for Buildings including charging stations and parking regulations. Co-Sponsored by Evans (D).
2021 - House
RUCPAC believes the market is the best mechanism to determine electric vehicle infrastructure needs and which amenities builders should offer, and opposes this one-size fits all mandate that unnecessarily drives up construction costs and imposes unneeded regulations on private business.
Voted YES on SB 892 — Further Socializing Disaster Related Costs Within the Agricultural Industry onto Taxpayers. Sponsored by Courtney (D).
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC recognizes this $40 million in subsidies is on top of federal disaster assistance that was being finalized as well as countless other insurance and grant subsidies provided to the industry. RUCPAC recognizes all industries and businesses face challenges, risks, and losses, and opposes government interference that socializes these costs to benefit a select industry.
Voted YES on SB 800 — Further Socializing Healthcare Through the Establishment of the “Oregon Essential Workforce Health Care Program” within the Oregon Health Authority. Sponsored by Senate President Rob Wagner (D).
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC supports a free market in healthcare, opposes the existence and powers of the Oregon Health Authority, opposes the never-ending list of government schemes, such as Obamacare, which attempt to socialize healthcare but ultimately reduce the quality of care and drive-up costs for everyone, and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on SB 154 — Bolstering Cronyism by Extending a Special Property Tax Exemption for Solar Projects. This bill was requested by the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment.
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC supports a broadly applied tax code with the lowest possible rates for everyone and recognizes that this special interest carve-out results in higher property taxes on other individuals not favored by government. RUCPAC believes government should not support one source of energy over another, opposes this cronyism and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on SB 79 — Advancing Racial Discrimination by Providing Grants to Organizations for “Persons of Color” Homeownership Assistance. This bill was at the request of Kate Brown.
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC supports equal rights and opportunities under the law and believes the role of government is to apply all laws equally. RUCPAC opposes measures that socialize housing costs onto taxpayers – especially on the grounds of racial discrimination – and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 2842 — Socializing Home Repair Costs Through a New “Healthy Homes” Grant Program. Sponsored by Marsh (D), Pham (D), Campos (D), Neron (D) and numerous other Democrats.
2021 - House
RUCPAC opposes expanding cronyism and government dependency through this and other government schemes designed to socialize housing costs and force taxpayers to pay for other people’s repair costs.
Voted YES on SB 5721 — Unnecessarily driving up taxpayer costs for public university projects through minority hiring quotas and worker benefit mandates. Bill sponsored by Special Session Co-Chairs Courtney (D), Kotek (D)
2020 - Senate
This bill unnecessarily raises taxpayer costs on new public university projects by weakening the ability of contractors and subcontractors working on specific university projects to freely negotiate their own terms. Specifically, this bill mandates contractors and subcontractors working on specific university projects with contracts of $200,000 or more to employ apprentices to perform 15% of the work hours, as well as have at least 15% of the total work hours be performed by women, minority individuals, or veterans. Furthermore, contractors must provide health insurance and retirement benefits to the workers. RUCPAC recognizes these mandates drive up costs for contractors which are passed onto taxpayers through less competitive bidding on these projects. RUCPAC opposes enriching labor unions and unnecessarily driving up taxpayer costs and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on SB 1701 — Driving up hiring costs by increasing unemployment benefit eligibility. Sponsored by the Special Session Committee Co-Chaired by Kotek (D) and Courtney (D).
2020 - Senate
This bill will drive up business and hiring costs by increasing the amount an individual may earn before losing unemployment from $132.50 to $300 a week. The increase runs through January 1, 2022 and is expected to have an estimated cost of more than $61 million to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Since the unemployment system is funded through a tax on employee wages, expansions of payments under the system may result in increased taxes. RUCPAC opposes the further expansion of unemployment benefits, which drive up business costs and reduces wage growth and employment opportunities for Oregonians.
CHIEF SPONSOR of HB 4073 — Driving Up Insurance Costs by Imposing Price Controls on Insulin Copayments. Co-Sponsored by Manning Jr. (D), Fahey (D), Neron (D) and a multitude of other Democrats.
2020 - House
This bill would threaten to increase the price of insurance premiums by imposing price controls on copayments for insulin drugs. Specifically, the bill would mandate that health insurers are prohibited from charging more than $75 for each 30-day supply of insulin, or more than $225 for each 90-day supply. RUCPAC recognizes that price controls on insurance effect the affordability of insurance for everyone rather than the intended outcome of reducing costs for insulin-dependent patients. RUCPAC further recognizes the rise of insulin costs is largely due to the enormous investments manufacturers have made in creating new and improved formulations. RUCPAC opposes price controls on premiums which lead to higher insurance costs for everyone and opposes this bill. The bill passed the House and failed in the Senate.
Voted YES on HB 4074 — Imposing Excessive New Licensing Mandates on Genetic Counselors. Sponsored by Meek (D), Neron (D) and other Democrats.
2020 - House
This bill places taxpayers on the hook for unnecessary expenses relating to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and “affordable” housing. The bill provides $3.8 million to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to install and maintain electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for public use. Additionally, the bill increases the capital construction funding for the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Housing by 33%, from $150 million to $200 million, forcing taxpayers to fund additional state-run affordable housing initiatives. RUCPAC opposes utilizing government to compete with the private sector and directing taxpayer resources to benefit select motorists. RUCPAC opposes this taxpayer-funded cronyism, and believes the state should instead eliminate excessive zoning and building regulations to solve the housing shortage.
Voted YES on HB 4401 — Taking Advantage of COVID-19 to Socialize the Costs of Housing. Extends moratorium on most evictions. Sponsored by Tina Kotek (D).
2020 - House
This bill further socializes the higher education costs of individuals residing in the country illegally by forcing taxpayers to subsidize the tuition and fees of illegal immigrants pursuing graduate degrees. RUCPAC opposes reducing college opportunities for U.S. citizens by providing college enrollment slots to individuals residing in the country illegally while socializing the costs on the backs of state taxpayers.
Voted YES on SB 5722 — Expanding Cronyism by Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Additional “Affordable” Housing Subsidies. Sponsored by Special Session Committee Co-Chairs Kotek (D), Courtney (D).
2020 - Senate
Preserves numerous provisions of Obamacare in the event it is repealed at the federal level. Some of the provisions include: prohibiting consideration of pre-existing conditions when offering coverage or assessing premiums, forcing coverage of mental health benefits for individual health plans and creating a state-level version of the federal risk adjustment program. Additionally, the bill permits the Department of Consumer and Business Services to assess fees on insurers who offer plans exempt from state coverage mandates. RUCPAC opposes Obamacare, which has sent health care costs skyrocketing, and its mandates, which prevent individuals from selecting the plan that best fits their needs and obtaining more affordable health care.
Voted YES on SB 859 — Socializing College Costs for Illegal Immigrants Pursuing Graduate Degrees. Sponsored by Dembrow (D). Co-Sponsored by Wagner (D), Bynum (D), Neron (D) and more.
2019 - House
This bill imposes an excessive licensing regime on individuals who serve as “genetic counselors”. First, the bill enriches a private entity (American Board of Genetic Counseling) by mandating certification that includes a fee of $900, plus continual renewal fees. Secondly, the bill imposes additional state fees, and provides the Health Licensing Office the ability to enact additional mandates. The bill contains other excessive provisions such as mandating genetic counselors provide services in a “manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the patient or the patient’s family”. RUCPAC opposes excessive licensing mandates that restrict competition and drive-up costs to enrich a private entity. The House passed the bill but it failed to pass the Senate.
Voted YES on SB 250 — Preserving Provisions of Obamacare Even if Repealed at the Federal Level. This bill was at the request of Kate Brown.
2019 - Senate
This bill infringes property rights by extending a moratorium on most evictions during COVID-19 and socializes the costs of housing by creating a landlord compensation fund. The bill extended the “Emergency Period” for which terminations, evictions and associated notices for nonpayment are prohibited until March 31, 2021, unless the tenant declares “financial hardship”, then the period is extended through June 30, 2021. This bill also establishes the landlord compensation fund, a $150M fund that will be administered through the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Landlords approved by the government are eligible to receive from the fund 80% of the rent they are owed, contingent on forgiving the remaining 20%. RUCPAC recognizes the Left’s “cancel rent” movement will further drive-up housing costs and reduce housing availability by starving landlords of revenue needed for mortgages and property upkeep. RUCPAC believes landlords, like all other industries, should not shoulder the costs of the government shutdowns, and opposes this measure which infringes property rights and is designed to advance the Left’s quest to socialize housing.
Voted YES on SB 164 — Threatening Employers with Investigations and Costly Fines for Opting Out of the State-Run OregonSaves Retirement Program. At the request of State Treasurer Tobias Read (D).
2019 - Senate
This bill permits the State Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to harass, investigate and fine employers who do not enroll in the state-run retirement system for private-sector employees, known as OregonSaves. Under a law enacted in 2015 (HB 2960), a plan was established to force every private employer in the state to enroll in OregonSaves, or offer retirement benefits to their employees through another provider. This bill permits the BOLI commissioner to impose significant costs on private employers through time-consuming compliance investigations and imposing fines of up to $5,000 on employers for alleged noncompliance. RUCPAC opposes the creation of OregonSaves, and recognizes that the state’s dismal management of the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) has led to over $27 billion in unfunded liabilities for the program. RUCPAC opposes this measure to harass and fine employers and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 2005 — Increasing Tax Burdens by Imposing a New Payroll Tax to Fund a State-Run Paid Leave Program. Sponsored by Knopp (R), Taylor (D), Meek (D), Neron (D), Rayfield (D) and more.
2019 - House
This bill places even greater tax burdens on both employers and employees by imposing a new payroll tax to fund a state-run paid leave program. Under the bill, the payroll tax is set at 1% of an employee’s earnings (likely to significantly increase in the future) and whose costs must be paid 60% by employees and 40% by employers. The bill provides leave for a wide variety of reasons for up to 12 weeks and at a rate of 65% and 100% of an employee’s weekly pay. Employers with 25 or fewer employees are exempt from paying the employer portion of the payroll tax and may receive grants of up to $3,000 to hire a temporary worker to replace an employee on leave. The bill’s leave is in addition to vacation and leave time already provided by an employer and may be combined with leave time provided under federal law. RUCPAC opposes forcing employees and employers to enroll in this program, recognizes the lucrative benefits will send usage skyrocketing and trigger corresponding increases in the tax rate which funds the program.
Voted YES on HB 4104 — Mandating Coverage of Hearing Devices by Health Insurance Policies. Sponsored by Hayden (R), Gelser (D), Rayfield (D).
2018 - House
This bill mandates that all health insurance policies in the state cover hearing assistance devices (known as bilateral cochlear implants), including all programming and repair costs. RUCPAC opposes nearly all government mandates, including this one, which drives up the cost of health insurance for everyone by forcing the non-hearing impaired to pay for the hearing impaired.
CO-SPONSORED HB 4005 — Forcing Drug Companies to Disclose Pricing and Other Confidential Information. Co-Sponsored by Nosse (D), Steiner (D).
2018 - House
This bill forces all drug manufacturers that sell prescription drugs with a wholesale price of over $100 (for a one month supply) to file an annual report with the state government that discloses numerous specified pieces of information. This information includes: marketing and research costs, the current and planned price increases of drugs, the availability of generics, and the sales and prices of the drugs in other countries. RUCPAC opposes this government interference in the marketplace that forces the disclosure of confidential and competitively sensitive information that, in the end, could increase the cost of consumer drugs.
HB 2503 — Creates new occupational licensing for "Lactation Consultants” who must be certified by the “International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners,” pay a fee and complete “cultural competency” training.
2017 - House
Under the bill, it is illegal for those not certified by the government to call themselves “lactation consultants.” RUCPAC opposes the proliferation of occupational license requirements that are primarily designed to reduce competition.
Infringements on Individual Liberties
Including speech, property, health and election integrity.
HB 2261 — Advancing the State’s war on individual liberties by prohibiting the online sale of E-Cigarette and vaping products. Sponsored by Marsh (D), Taylor (D), Wagner (D), Drazan (R).
2021 House
RUCPAC believes the usage of tobacco and e-cigarettes is a personal liberty issue, believes government regulations on products are only appropriate when their usage substantially impacts others.
Voted YES on HB 2077 — Infringing Property Rights and Empowering Unaccountable Bureaucrats Through Draconian New Mandates on Lead-Based Paint Abatement. This Bill is at the request of Kate Brown on behalf of the Oregon Health Authority.
2021 - House
RUCPAC recognizes the potential hazards of lead-based paint but opposes extreme government overreach which infringes property rights and further empowers unaccountable government bureaucrats and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on SB 569 — Infringing Contracting Rights Through a Prohibition on Employers Requiring Requiring Valid Drivers Licenses as a Condition of Employment. Sponsored by Dan Rayfield (D), Neron (D).
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC supports the right of employers and employees to freely contract, opposes excessive government intrusion into private business policies and operations and opposes this bill.
Voted YES on HB 2681 — Weakening Election Integrity by Limiting Updates to the State Voter Rolls and re-activating more than 500K previously deactivated voter registrations. Sponsored by Dan Rayfied (D).
2021 - House
RUCPAC supports maintaining and updating voter registration databases to prevent the disenfranchisement of eligible voters due to voter fraud and opposed this bill.
Voted YES on SB 79 - Provides Homeownership Assistance Grants to People of Color. This bill is at the request of Kate Brown.
2021 - Senate
RUCPAC opposes all racial discrimination, including government based racial discrimination utilizing taxpayer funds to enrich organizations that promote leftist political initiatives.
Voted YES on HB 2509 — Advancing a Politicized Environmental Agenda by Imposing a Statewide Ban on Single-Use Checkout Bags and Establishing Price Controls on Alternatives. Sponsored by Dan Rayfield (D).
2019 - House
This bill advances a politicized environmental agenda and infringes consumer choice by mandating that no retail establishment or restaurant may offer single-use checkout bags to consumers and forcing businesses to assess at least a 5-cent fee on reusable bags. Under the bill, these businesses are strictly prohibited from offering single-use checkout bags of any composition to customers. If the alternative paper or fabric bags are deemed “reusable” by the government’s stringent standards (which include machine washable fabric or 40% post-consumer material and specified thickness), businesses are forced to collect a fee of at least 5 cents or face daily fines up to $250. RUCPAC believes that the government should not limit an individual’s choice in how they take their groceries home, opposes this intrusion into the private sector which needlessly drives up business costs in order to advance a politicized environmental agenda.
Voted YES on SB 543 — Hiking Property Taxes by Permitting the Creation of Additional Special Taxing Districts. Sponsored by Boquist (R), Rob Wagner (D).
2019 - Senate
This bill would place even greater tax burdens on property owners by expanding the already-vast list of “special taxing districts” that may be created by municipalities to include “children’s services districts.” Under the bill, these districts would be permitted to impose, assess and collect taxes on all taxable property within the district for the vaguely defined purpose of conducting programs for the “health and well-being of children” through programs provided outside of school hours. To form a district, the bill would require a mere 10% of electors to sign a petition. Furthermore, expanding the district to localities whose voters never approved the measure would be even easier—merely requiring approval from a variety of state and local bureaucrats. Finally, the bill declares that if any revenue generated from the special taxing district violates the state’s property tax cap for educational services that the revenue be utilized for other unspecified purposes. RUCPAC is working to protect property owners from losing their property due to excessive taxation. RUCPAC opposes creating additional new taxing bodies (in addition to existing property taxes) that burden taxpayers with paying for programs that benefit special interests and help very few working families. The House defeated the bill by a vote of 21-38, despite having the support of David Brock Smith.
HB 2623 — Infringing Property Rights and Raising Energy Costs by Banning Fracking. Sponsored by Fahey (D), Manning Jr. (D), Helm (D).
2019 - House
This bill infringes property rights by imposing a blanket prohibition on the use of hydraulic fracturing for oil or natural gas. Under the bill, the prohibition will supposedly expire in 2025. RUCPAC wants to ensure those with mineral rights can properly extract their property through the techniques of their choice. RUCPAC opposes this attack on property rights and the ban on safe and effective technologies to expand energy production and reduce consumer costs.
Voted YES on SB 90 — Advancing a Politicized Environmental Agenda by Banning Single-Use Plastic Straws. At the request of Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (Bentz (R), Dembrow (D)).
2019 - Senate
This bill advances a politicized environmental agenda and unnecessarily interferes in the marketplace by prohibiting any business which sells food and beverages from providing traditional single-use plastic straws unless specifically requested by the customer. Under the bill, no food or beverage providers may give straws to consumers unless requested by the consumer. RUCPAC opposes this government intrusion in the private sector which needlessly drives up business costs in order to advance a politicized environmental agenda and believes government should enforce existing anti-littering laws.
Voted YES on HB 2488 — Infringing the Freedom of Speech by Banning Political Contributions in the Form of Cryptocurrencies. Sponsored by Holvey (D).
2019 - House
This bill infringes freedom of speech protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by prohibiting individuals from supporting political campaigns by donating “cryptocurrencies” such as Bitcoin. The bill also contains a less-concerning provision which prevents the state from accepting payments in the form of cryptocurrencies unless authorized by the state treasurer. RUCPAC recognizes that the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 permits individuals to donate securities to campaigns and that the Federal Election Commission in its advisory opinion 2014-02 explicitly permitted cryptocurrencies to be contributed to political committees. RUCPAC supports the founders’ belief in the freedom of speech and association as protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, supports the free competition of currencies and opposes the Federal Reserve’s monopoly control over our mediums of exchange.
Voted YES on HB 2007 — Infringing Property Rights by Prohibiting the Operation of Trucks with Long-Serving Diesel Engines. Sponsored by Tina Kotek (D).
2019 - House
This bill is a direct attack on the property rights of people who own older diesel-powered trucks by imposing substantial regulatory burdens. Under the bill, owners of trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) above 14,000 pounds and that have diesel engines manufactured before 1997 will no longer be able to title or renew their registrations if they reside in certain counties of the state starting in 2023. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful starting in 2029 to drive a truck with a diesel engine made in 2009 or earlier. A certain exception is made if the older diesel engine is retrofitted to certain stringent government standards. The bill establishes a grant program to help fund service providers of the cost of these “retrofits,” but the bill—rather than distributing the aid to everyone equally, regardless of identity—prioritizes funds on the basis of sex and race by steering funding mainly to “minority- and women-owned businesses.” Furthermore, the bill drives up taxpayer construction costs by prohibiting contractors from working on public projects unless 80% of their fleet of trucks and diesel-powered equipment have engines made in 2010 or later. RUCPAC wants to protect the right of all motorists to operate their vehicles. RUCPAC opposes this bill’s direct attack on property rights through regulatory takings, opposes awarding taxpayer procurement projects on the basis of sex and race while driving up taxpayer costs.
Voted YES on HB 2716 — Encouraging Harassment and Infringing Free Speech through New Donor Disclosure Mandates for Political Advertisements While Protecting Anonymity of Unions. Sponsored by Dan Rayfield (D).
2019 - House
This bill encourages harassment and infringes free speech by imposing a new mandate that forces individuals and political committees which run political ads not produced by a candidate (i.e., independent expenditures) to disclose their contributors. Specifically, the bill forces the names of the top five individuals who made contributions of $10,000 or more to be disclosed but includes no provisions applying the same scrutiny for unions influencing elections. RUCPAC recognizes that the Federalist Papers that helped ratify the Constitution were written under a pseudonym because the authors feared political opponents would exploit the authors’ identities and exact violence against them. RUCPAC supports free speech guaranteed under the First Amendment which includes those who wish to speak anonymously, opposes this blatant partisan attack designed to harm the Republican Party while maintaining exclusions to help the Democrat Party.
Voted YES on SB 828 — Micromanaging Employees' Work Schedules. Sponsored by Janelle Bynum (D), Dan Rayfield (D).
2017 - Senate
This bill requires employers to provide worker schedules one week in advance, effective immediately, and two weeks in advance by 2020. The bill applies to retail, food service and hospitality businesses with over 500 workers worldwide. RUCPAC opposes government mandates that drive up the cost of business.
Voted YES on HB 2409 — Expanding the Use of Traffic Cameras. Sponsored by Steiner Hayward (D).
2017 - House
This bill allows the use of red light cameras to issue tickets for speeding and traffic violations. RUCPAC opposes the use of automated cameras for issuing tickets that are primarily designed to increase revenue rather than improve traffic safety and can be used to trace people’s movements.