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Legislative Committee

Our Role

The Legislative Committee works with our OTAO Lobbyist, Nikki Terzieff, to review legislative issues affecting OTs and OT services. This committee is your link to the Board, your Lobbyist, and a platform to raise any concerns about therapy services. 

Description: Picture of Oregon's capital building in Salem. White building with gold statue on top surrounded by pink cherry blossoms.

Updates

as of 3/5/25


On February 18th, from 3 pm-6:30 pm, we attended a hearing on the Licensure Compact! 


Summary of meeting:

  • We were able to collect over 300 signatures on the petition to support the Compact Act
  • Kaite O'Day and others were able to testify in-person
  • No further actions were taken at the meeting but our lobbyist recommended a sunset provision to give time for OTLB to respond after the compact goes into effect. 
  • We continue to collect letters in support. Please personalize this sample letter we drafted have drafted for you. Your input is especially valuable if you live in the district of one of the legislators on the committee. 

Committee Legislators : 

  • Chair Representative: Rob Nosse | District 42 - NE and SE Portland

  • Vice-Chair: Representative Cyrus Javadi | District 32 - North Coast

  • Vice-Chair: Representative Travis Nelson | District 44 - North and NE Portland

  • Representative Ed Diehl | District 17- Turner, Aumsville, Detroit, Lyons, Sublimity, Mill City, and East Salem

  • Representative Darin Harbick | District 12 - Eastern Lane County

  • Representative Shannon Isadore | District 33 - Downtown Portland, NW Portland, Linton and Cathedral Park

  • Representative Emily McIntire | District 56 - Klamath Falls, Fort Klamath, Chiloquin, Wood River Valley, Rocky Port, Altamont, Midland, Keno, Lake of the Woods, N Medford, White City, Central Point, Eagle Point, Lake Creek, Shady Cove, Trail, Union Creek, Butte Falls, Prospect  

  • Representative Lesly Muñoz | District 22 - Woodburn, Gervais, N Salem

  • Representative Hai Pham | District 36 - S Hillsboro & W Beaverton


What's Planned for 2025 - 2026

Conversations on a number of hot topics continue, and have been developing as we begin the new year. Topics include:

  • Caseloads vs Workload in the school setting 
  • Loan Forgiveness for rural OTs
  • OT Licensure Compact Initiative
  • OT and Mental Health
  • Working with the OT's/SLP's on eliminating pre-authorizations

If there are conversations you would like to begin having, be sure to reach out to the Legislative Committee at otaolegislative@gmail.com


Interested in Volunteering?

The Legislative Committee invites you to help with: 

  • Creating and carrying out action plans to defend or assist OT practice in Oregon
  • Collaborating with the Oregon Occupational Therapy Licensing Board for both legislative and licensing issues
  • Collaborating with AOTA on both state and federal legislative issues that affect OT practice in Oregon
  • Planning and carrying out one occupational therapy legislative day in Salem each year
  • Submitting articles to newsletters and/or emails outlining current state and federal legislation that affects OT practice when in session.

Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon

PO Box 86231, 5010 SE Foster Road, Portland, OR 97286 | 971.266.4328 | otaoinfo@gmail.com

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