Despite the cold outside, action inside the Oregon Capital was warming up.

Almost four weeks into the 2025 Legislature, routine bills were making it through the House and Senate. Controversial bills were starting to light up committee hearings with discussions of farm fuels, Oregon’s estate tax, environmental regulations and other issues.

Until Thursday, that is. Snow and ice shut down Salem. Lawmakers will be back at work Monday, even though it’s Presidents’ Day.

These are still the early days of the 160-day Legislature. Mid-May – after legislators learn how much revenue they can count on for 2025-27 – and June will bring the rush. House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, recently said such big issues as transportation and education funding won’t be settled until then.

But routine bills are rolling along. Democrats, who control the Legislature, like to point out that most bills – about 90% — pass with bipartisan backing.

Ah, it’s the other 10% of bills, the controversial ones, that gall minority Republicans.

A bipartisan example from this week: The Senate on Tuesday passed SB !66 on a 27-1 vote. The bill devotes about 40,000 words to changing state statutes governing the Oregon State Bar. 

Among other things, individuals permitted to practice law in Oregon would be referred to as “licensed” by the Bar instead of “members” of the Bar. Sen. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, a lawyer and former judge, carried the bill on the Senate floor.

Most bills will die. There are too many to handle, because Oregon’s legislators can introduce as many as they wish.

Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, said this week that he has encouraged committee chairs to give time to worthy ideas and to develop productive relationships with minority Republicans.

Republicans, however, contend a higher proportion of their bills never get a hearing, let alone become law. For example, Fahey told journalists last month, “I don’t think we’re going to have public hearings on any of the bills restricting access to abortion.”

Regardless of the topic, rarely does a legislator’s impassioned floor speech change a colleague’s mind. Votes usually are solidified before the House or Senate vote.

Can a constituent change minds? Sometimes – if the person’s testimony is compelling.

As the Legislature ramps up, here are a few tips:

–When a bill is scheduled for a public hearing, sign up to testify as soon as possible. People usually are called on in chronological order, although legislators, public officials and sometimes lobbyists get to go first.

–Practice what you want to say instead of being the boring person reading a script. Plan on having only a couple of minutes – maybe more, maybe less.

–If you testify in person, which often is more effective than video, allow an absurd amount of time to find parking. Although the situation has improved this year, parking near the Capitol is problematic, especially if you need an ADA parking space.

–Follow a bill throughout the legislative process. Too many interest groups put all their efforts into the first chamber hearing the bill, instead of working even harder in the second chamber. A bill’s passage in one chamber does not guarantee passage on the other side of the Capitol.

–Don’t delay. Instead of waiting for a public hearing down the road, get out front. Interact with legislators and their staffs. Remember that old-fashioned courtesy goes a long way, regardless of the issue.

Oregon is 166 years old, and we’re still figuring out our way.