By Terry Murry on Friday, January 13th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
ATHENA โ 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. Heโs ready for the 2023 session to begin on Jan. 17.
โWeโve got, Iโm going to guess, 50 bills that weโre either signing off as sponsors or weโre introducing,โ he said. โThat group is really eclectic.โ
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.
โWe are working on a bill for an early childhood development and early learning daycare facility in Pendleton,โ he said. โWe also have a sports complex that has recently received a lot of community support. Weโll be looking at being a part of that funding.โ
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.