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Sen. Floyd Prozanski speaks against approving House Bill 4002, arguing that Oregon was rushing out a law that is not ready — a mistake they said mirrored Oregon’s flawed implementation of Measure 110. Prozanski was one of eight members who opposed the bill, which was passed on a 21-8 vote on Friday. Credot: Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
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The voter-approved Measure 110 is nearing its end as the Legislature sends a bill unwinding Oregon’s drug decriminalization to Gov. Tina Kotek.
Oregon’s pioneering drug decriminalization experiment is dead. At least if state lawmakers get their way.
The Oregon Senate on Friday passed House Bill 4002 on a 21-8 vote, with support from both Democrats and Republicans. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Tina Kotek, who has declined to say whether she supports the bill, but has signaled she is open to reintroducing penalties for drug possession.
HB 4002 would upend a voter-approved decriminalization policy that has been in place for three years. Under the bill anyone caught with small amounts of illicit drugs like meth or fentanyl could face up to six months in jail. The bill offers people options to pursue drug treatment rather than receiving criminal penalties, and allows people convicted of possession to have their record automatically expunged.
Despite those “off ramps,” the bill has been harshly criticized by advocates for drug decriminalization, who accuse lawmakers of retreating to a war on drugs that had particularly negative outcomes for people of color.
Among its many provisions, HB 4002 also expands access to medications used to treat opioid withdrawal, creates new addiction services facilities, and makes it easier for prosecutors to seek steep penalties for drug dealers.
“With this bill, we are doubling down on our commitment to make sure Oregonians have access to the treatment and care that they need,” said Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, D-Portland, who co-wrote the bill. Lieber argued HB 4002 will “be the start of real and transformative change for our justice system.”
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