Grassroots action for a stable climate

MARCH 26th is OCERA’s BIG DAY OF ACTION!

On Wednesday March 26, 2025 at 1:00pm SJR28, the Senate Joint Resolution on the right to a healthy environment, will have a public hearing in the Senate Rules Committee in Hearing Rm C.  SJR28 “proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to establish a fundamental right to a clean, safe and healthy environment. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election held throughout this state.” [This will put a Ballot Measure in the November 2026 general electon.]

Here’s the March 26 schedule and Map of the Capitol area. Come for all or any part of the day. Spread the word & invite every like-minded person you know!

Please note: due to construction all entry to the Capitol is on the South (State St.) side of the building.

—9:00-9:30 Meet Inside Capitol, 2nd floor Senate wing. Gather for brief orientaion and get material to drop off at legislators’ offices. 

–9:30-11:00  Lobby Legislators. Drop off information. Speak with staff, or legislators if they are available, and ask if they support SJR28.

–11:00-12:30 Gather on the concrete plaza directly across Court St. from the Capitol. Bring your lunch and help set up for the Rally. 

–12:30 Testimony Prep. If you are planning to testify at the  Hearing on SJR28, please meet outside Hearing Room C on the First Floor of the Capitol for instructions. Priority will be given to Youth, Expert Witnesses, Our Children’s Trust and OCERA supporters. 

To testify during the hearing in person or remotely, you must register in advance here on the Legislative Website (open the Register to Testify tab at top of the page). 

To Submit Written Testimony go here and open the Submit Testimony tab at the top of the page. You can attach a PDF or enter testimony directly. Written Testimony can be submitted from now until 48 hours after the Hearing (until 1:00 pm Friday 3/28). 

Testify however you can. Legislators need to our voices and understand our perspectives on the importance of environmental rights. *For ideas and sample testimony see the OCERA Testimony Tool Kit copied below.

–1:00-2:30 Public Hearing in Hearing Room C. Senate Rules Committee. Testimony will be presented. SJR28 is the only item on the agenda as of today so there will be time for many people to speak. (Others can observe if there’s space in Room C or stream here once the hearing begins.)

-3:00-4:30 Rally! On the concrete plaza directly across Court St. from the Capitol (north side opposite construction zone). This is twhen we need the largest turnout!  We will have TV, Radio and media attention, and we need to show by the size of the crowd how important this bill is to the people of Oregon! At the Rally, we will have a few speakers, updates on the day’s highlights, and where we go from here. 

*OCERA SJR 28 TESTIMONY TOOLKIT

Senate Rules Committee Hearing on the Right to a Healthy Environment (RTHE) Constitutional Amendment – March 26, 2025 at Salem Capitol Building

On March 26, 2025 the Right to a Healthy Environment Constitutional Amendment will be heard by the Senate Rules Committee and we need you with us!

Check out our Basic talking points to prepare your testimony SJR 28 Basic Talking Points. 

• Learn more about the full day’s events, and how to get engaged in our lobby day, public hearing, and rally and press conference March 26th | OCERA. 
  
• Basic info on how to testify to a Public Hearing can be found at Oregon State Legislature – How to Testify.

HOW TO Testify on SJR 28 in Person or Virtually at Salem Capitol on March 26, 2025

• Make sure you register to testify (in advance) to the Senate Rules Committee on SJR 28 here
• Arrive at Hearing Room C on the 1st floor of Capitol at 12:30pm (if testifying virtually follow instructions after you register above.
• We will brief you on speaking order and the Rules Committee format for testimony
• We are planning on putting some youth speakers and expert witness speakers up front which will likely fill the first 15 minutes of testimony time on our bill.  SJR 28 is the only bill on the Rules Committee agenda for March 26 so we expect to have 1.0 to 1.5 hours of public testimony.

• Sample testimony talking points on many topics can be found here.  But please bring your own message and your own voice!
• Oral testimony should be limited to 2 minutes or 250 – 300 words.  Practice reading it before you arrive!

HOW TO Submit Written Testimony on SJR 28

• Use the messages and sample testimony in this toolkit (and the Basic Talking Points above) as a starting point for your draft, but you can offer your own unique testimony.
• Submit your written testimony here where it says Submit Testimony in the menu 
• Important: Make sure you are submitting your testimony for SJR 28 and not another bill on the agenda. Please make sure to mark “support” as well.
  • Example Subject Line:  Testimony in SUPPORT of SJR 28

Note that your written and oral testimony will be publicly available, including your name and any other identifying information you include. DO NOT include any personal information that you do not want made available to the public, such as your address, phone number, or health history.

Looking ahead …

Dear friends, we are looking at a difficult and uncertain future in our country. So many people are in danger and so much that we cherish is at risk. At the same time, we see an outpouring of resolve to protect our Earth and everything we hold dear. We at 350 Salem OR are in this struggle for the long haul, continuing to act for climate justice and looking for opportunities to act in solidarity with others who hold fast to the hope for a healthy, just, inclusive and compassionate world. Join us!