Our policy team is a constant presence in Salem and local municipalities to pass bills that advance or defend civil liberties and civil rights, and to defeat those that do not. In addition to our mission to defend and advance civil liberties and civil rights, we are committed to:

  1. Making progress towards achieving a decolonized workspace and culture through a shift in language and centering indigenous sovereignty in internal and external work;
  2. Prioritizing and holding ourselves accountable to the organization’s values of anti-Black racism, equity, and racial justice education and reflection;
  3. Leading with race and centering those most directly impacted by racism and white supremacy in policy decisions, including but not limited to BIPOC/BIWOC communities, immigrants and refugees, people with varying abilities, LGBTQ communities, and people experiencing poverty or other socio-economic injustices.
Filter Legislation

Oregon Driver's License Law (SB 1080) (2008)

In December 2007, by Executive Order, the Governor greatly restricted who would be eligible for Oregon driver licenses and state-issued ID cards by requiring proof of lawful presence in the country

May 12, 2009

PRIVACY: Consumer Protection-Driver License Data Harvesting (HB 2371) (2009)

ACLU arranged for the introduction of HB 2371, which restricts businesses and government from swiping the barcode on the back of our Oregon driver licenses and state-issued identification cards. Electronic swiping of the barcode reveals almost all of the personal information contained on your license or ID card, including your name, address, date of birth, height, weight, gender, eye color, lens restrictions, donor status and license or ID card number.

May 12, 2009

PRIVACY: DNA-Creating DNA Retention Policy (SB 310) (2009)

SB 310 builds on Oregon’s DNA innocence law passed a few years ago allowing a person convicted of murder, a “person” felony or certain sex crimes to request testing of evidence for DNA that was obtained in the original criminal investigation. ACLU worked to pass what was a temporary law when it was first introduced in 2001 and led the effort in 2007 to make it a permanent part of Oregon law. That law establishes a procedure to request testing but does not address the question of retaining evidence so that it can be tested years later.

May 12, 2009

PRIVACY: Government Monitored Pharmacy Database (SB 355) (2009)

For the third time in as many sessions, the Board of Pharmacy introduced legislation, SB 355, to allow the state to create a statewide database to monitor the lawful prescriptions of controlled substance schedules II, III or IV issued to patients in Oregon. The database would cover all codeine-based products, most prescription pain medications and other prescription drugs such as Ambien, Ritalin and Xanax, prescribed to thousands of Oregonians, including children. Proponents expect the database will track more than five million Oregon prescriptions annually.

May 12, 2009

PRIVACY: Government Database-“NO” to Real ID (SB 536, SB 128) (2009)

ACLU arranged for the introduction of SB 536, with 27 bipartisan co-sponsors, including the chief sponsor, Sen. Rick Metsger (D-Mount Hood), Chair of the Senate Business and Transportation Committee. SB 536 prohibits Oregon from expending any additional funds to implement the federal Real ID Act until there are sufficient federal funds and adequate privacy protections are put in place.

May 12, 2009