Oregon: Firearm Ownership Privacy Bill Heard in House Committee – CHL Confidentiality Bill Headed to House Floor

Please contact your state Representative TODAY

Yesterday, the Oregon House Health Care Committee heard House Bill 4054, which was introduced by state Representative Jim Thompson (R-23).  Adding much-appreciated testimony in support of this bill were state Senators Ted Ferrioli (R-30), the Senate Minority Leader, and Betsey Johnson (D-16), who serves as the Senate designee on the Public Employees’ Benefit Board, a non-voting, but influential position.  It was through the efforts of these Senators that this issue was highlighted at the outset.

Several House committee members recommended that HB 4054 move forward toward statutory passage to ensure that firearm ownership privacy is maintained beyond what has been promised by Kaiser Permanente and the Public Employees' Benefit Board (PEBB).  Although both Kaiser and the PEBB have committed to removing the offending firearm questions from their surveys, codifying the language of HB 4054 into the Oregon Revised Statutes would ensure that this practice will not continue under different leadership.

Due to the shortness of this legislative session, HB 4054 will most likely not be scheduled for a work session.  However, we will keep you posted on any future developments.

NRA-supported House Bill 4045, a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) confidentiality measure, sponsored by state Representative Kim Thatcher (R-25), could come up for a vote on the House floor in the next few days.  On February 8, HB 4045 passed in the House Judiciary Committee work session by a 7 to 3 vote. 

House Judiciary Committee members who voted in support of HB 4045 were state Representatives Wally Hicks (R-3), Andy Olson (R-15), Mike Schaufler (D-48), Matt Wand (R-49), Gene Whisnant (R-53), Jeff Barker (D-28) and Wayne Krieger (R-1).  Voting against HB 4045 were Chris Garrett (D-38), Mary Nolan (D-36) and Carolyn Tomei (D-41).

Please contact your state Representative and ask him or her to support HB 4045.  To determine who you state Representative is and to get contact information, please click here.