Oregonians criticize lawmakers for bill to legalize homeless camps.

Oregon Democrats Cancel Public Hearing on Controversial Homeless Camping Bill

Democratic lawmakers in Oregon have canceled a public hearing on a bill that would have allowed homeless people to camp in public places and sue if told to leave, following massive pushback. The proposed bill, known as the “Right to Rest Act,” would have decriminalized camping on public property and allowed homeless individuals to sue for up to $1,000 if they are “harassed” or told to relocate.

What the Bill Entailed

The bill, sponsored by Democratic state Reps. Farrah Chaichi and Khanh Pham, stated that “persons experiencing homelessness” will have “a privacy interest and a reasonable expectation of privacy in any property belonging to the person, regardless of whether the property is located in a public space.” It added that the homeless will “be permitted to use public spaces in the same manner as any other person without discrimination based on their housing status” and stated that they have a right to “move freely in public spaces without discrimination and time limitations that are based on housing status.”

According to House Majority Leader Julie Fahey, the bill missed key deadlines and would not have been able to advance this legislative session anyway, and Thursday’s now-canceled hearing would have been only for public input. Over 2,000 written statements in opposition were received through the legislature’s website. Fahey added that the bill had become a “significant distraction” from representatives’ work.

Homelessness in Oregon

Oregon’s homeless population spiked approximately 22.5 percent from 2020 to 2022, with Portland Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office reporting a 50 percent increase in homelessness from 2019 to 2022. According to census data, Portland lost 0.04 percent of its population after 30 years straight of growth; the general population has declined for three years in a row.

Residents have expressed concerns about the impact of homelessness on their communities. Portland resident Jacob Adams told Fox & Friends in February “I love Portland, and I love where I live,” discussing a homeless encampment next to his house, where there are regular fires and drug activity, even gunshots. Eugene, OR resident Laine Radcliffe told a local outlet last month, “No one is legally supposed to be camping here, no one is supposed to be giving fellatio in the corner, no one’s supposed to be shooting up heroin in plain sight, no one’s supposed to be trespassing on our property.”

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