Comittees and Appointments

Committee Assignments

Senator Bates currently holds positions on:

• The Committee on Ways and Means
• The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services
• The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means was created under ORS 171.555. It is the legislative entity charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the legislature during regular session on the budget.

Ways and Means is comprised of 6 subcommittees, including Human Services and Natural Resources, on which Senator Bates also holds positions. The members of the committee are appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

It is the Legislature’s constitutional requirement to adopt a balanced budget and the recommendations of the Ways and Means committee assist the Legislature in doing so. The structure of this process of fund appropriation is unique to Oregon and several other states, and it is an especially effective way to resolve budgetary differences.

“During two terms as representative, Alan Bates has demonstrated a keen understanding of the issues that confront the voters of Southern Oregon. He has proven to me that he possesses the tenacity to see a job through to the end and has gained the experience Southern Oregon will need to guide it through the challenging times ahead.”
— Phillip Mason, Medford, 4.14.04