Many Oregon lawmakers hang metaphorical stockings in hopes of getting gavels for Christmas, and the list of committee chairmanships for the 2025 Oregon Legislature was released Monday, Dec. 23.
Some of those chairmanships are coming to Portland lawmakers.
The 2025 session begins Tuesday, Jan. 21, and will run for 160 days.
Portland’s newest senator, Lisa Reynolds, will chair a brand new committee, Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.
A more seasoned member of the upper chamber, Sen. Lew Frederick of North Portland, will chair the Senate Education Committee. That gavel had been held by Portland Sen. Michael Dembrow, who has retired as of 2024.
Sen. Khanh Pham of North Portland will chair the Housing and Development committee. For the past two sessions, housing has been a top priority for both Gov. Tina Kotek and the Legislature.
Portland Sen. Kathleen Taylor will lead the Labor and Business Committee.
Sen. Kayse Jama chairs the Rules Committee.
The Legislature features several joint committees, which includes members of both the Senate and the House.