Hansell has bills galore

By Terry Murry on Friday, January 13th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

ATHENA – Ten years ago, Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) arrived in Salem with one bill passed on to him from retiring Sen. David Nelson and no idea exactly how the system worked. A decade later, the Republican from Athena is a seasoned veteran of the process. He’s ready for the 2023 session to begin on Jan. 17.

“We’ve got, I’m going to guess, 50 bills that we’re either signing off as sponsors or we’re introducing,” he said. “That group is really eclectic.”

Hansell said many of the pieces of legislation are related to natural resources. He is also hoping his membership on the Joint Ways and Means Committee which determines the state budget will help him get funding for some projects in his district.

“We are working on a bill for an early childhood development and early learning daycare facility in Pendleton,” he said. “We also have a sports complex that has recently received a lot of community support. We’ll be looking at being a part of that funding.”

Hansell said he is also supportive of efforts to build a new healthcare clinic in the city of Umatilla, and a number of other proposals from throughout his district. That includes help in improving the rodeo grounds in Ukiah.