Get Involved

The connection between people and their government is strengthened when the public has ample opportunity to have their concerns heard by the legislature. Learn ways to engage with the legislative process or plan your visit (opens in a new tab) to the Capitol today.​​​

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​Visitor Information |​​​ Committee Information | Legislative Process | Legislator Contact Information

Visitor Information

Can I Visit The Capitol During Legislative Session?

Yes, the public may access the Capitol Monday through Friday whether it is in session or not. This is the "People's Building" and we welcome you. You can contact a Senator or Representative by phone, email, or U.S. mail and make an appointment with them before your visit if visiting with them is your intention. You can ​also track a bill, access committee and floor session livestreams, learn How to Testify, and more on our​ Legislative Website.​​​​

What Are My Food and Drink Options in the Capitol?

  • Hot Food -- The Capitol Cafe is open on the concourse level, M-F. 
  • Water Bottle Fill Ups: Either side of the Galleria, or each floor of the legislative wings (member offices.)
  • Break Room Vending Machines: House Wing Second Floor, Senate Wing Third Floor. ​​​​

How Do I Make A Capitol Store Purchase?​

The Capitol Store offers a large selection of made in Oregon merchandise, and specialty state seal or Capitol branded merchandise exclusive to us. The store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  You can shop online at www.oregoncapitolstore.com​. You can also call 503-986-1391 or email Capitol.Store@oregonlegislature.gov to connect with the store coordinator.​​

​​How Do I Reserve Space at the Capitol?

To inquire about reserving space at the Capitol call 503-984-1384 or email capitol.event@oregonlegislature.gov.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages the Capitol grounds. To reserve the Capitol Mall, Capitol Park, or Willson Park, call Oregon State Parks at 1-800-452-5687 or visit https://stateparks.oregon.gov.

​For additional questions, see the Capitol's Building Use Policy.​​

How Do I Attend A Public Tour?

The public is welcome to explore the building on their own using a walking tour brochure which you can pick up at the Information Desk, or using our virtual tour. Depending on staff availability, 30 minute building tours take place at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30 and 2:30. Tours are free and are non-reservable. Please check in at the Information Desk to learn more. ​

​How Do I Schedule A School Tour?​​​

To book a school tour visit our "School Tour"​ page on oregoncapitol.com. You can also call 503-986-1388, or email visitor.services@oregonlegislature.gov​. ​

​Students can participate in Legislative Session from the classroom by viewing live streams of floor sessions, committee meetings, and committee work sessions; tracking bills; and submitting testimony. Virtual lesson plans, a self-guided virtual tour for students and other educational resources are also on our website.  ​

How Do I Request Language Access, Including ASL Interpretation?​

To make arrangements for language interpretation and translation while you are at the Capitol or testifying remotely for a public committee hearing, including ASL, please contact the Language Services staff at 503-986-1538 or email languageaccess@oregonlegislature.gov​. Requests should be made ​three business ​days in advance. For more information, please click here​. ​

How Do I Request ADA Accommodations?​

​Capitol Hearing Rooms and House and Senate Chambers have universal access. Hearing assistance devices are available for all Hearing Rooms and Chambers. To requ​​est ADA accommodations, email employee.services@oregonlegislature.gov​ or call 503-986-1373. Requests for accommodation should be made at least 72 hours in advance. For more information, visit the Oregon State Legislature Universal Access Page.

​Is Parking Available At The Capitol?

Street parking around the Capitol is metered and managed by the City of Salem. If you have questions regarding the city meters, please contact: 503-588-6133 or visit​ the​ City of Salem Parking Services

There are limited EV charging stations available on State Street. ​

What Legislative Office Should I Contact?​

Learn about the Capitol’s Legislative Agencies h​​ere:​ Capitol Offices Home (oregonlegislature.gov)​​​ ​

How Long Will it Take Me to Go Through the Security Checkpoint?​

​Please allow five additional minutes to go through security. ​

Is Checkpoint Technology Safe?​

​​​Yes. Screening technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. ​

I Have Special Needs, What Happens If I Use A Walker or a Wheelchair?​

​You will not go through the walk‐through metal detector, you will be checked using secondary procedures such as a hand‐held metal detector.​​

I Have Concealed Carry; How Does Screening Affect Me?​

​People with concealed carry permits are NOT permitted to carry firearms in the Capitol, unless a valid exception described in ORS 166.370 (3) applies.  ​​

Committee Information, Agendas, and Schedules

​How Can I Submit Written Testimony Online?​

Select How to Subm​it C​​ommittee Testimony​.​​

How Do I Contact Committee Staff?​

The​ Committee H​ome Page has committee staff information. Select a committee from the Senate, House, Joint, or Task Force pull down menu under the Current Legislative Committees banner or select from the Committee Lists on the sidebar. After selecting a committee, you will find staff information listed below the Staff banner. 

If you have trouble finding information, contact the Legislative Policy and Research Office at 503-986-1813 or 800-332-2313 for assistance. ​​​

How Do I Find Committee Members For A Specific Legislative Committee?​

The Com​mittees tab on the Legislative Website has committee member information. Committee assignments are listed by​ Senator​, Representative ​or under the Committee Assignments heading on the sidebar. ​

If you have trouble finding information, contact the Legislative Policy and Research Office at 503-986-1813 or 800-332-2313 for assistance. ​

What Is The Difference Between A Committee Public Hearing And A Committee Work Session?​

A public hearing is held for the purpose of taking testimony from the public. A work session is held for the purpose of a committee conducting committee business and no public testimony is taken. The public may watch both types of meetings. ​

What Options Are Available To Testify?​

Select How to Testify​​ at the Oregon State Legislature​.​ ​​Legislative Policy and Research Office staff will also be available onsite in the Capitol to assist you with the process.​​

When Will The House and/or Senate Be In Floor Session?​

​​You can find the schedule on the​ Legislative​ Homepage. Times are posted on the calendar under the heading titled Todays Events at the Capitol. Select Floor Sessions to be directed to the live stream.

​Where Do I Find Information About A Bill or Voting Information?​

​Bill and voting information is available on the​ Find a Bill​ or Vote page under the Citizen Engagement tab. Find a bill by entering the bill number or a key word into the search bar.​​​​

Legislative Process

​​

How Do I Access Legislative Meetings On Site?​

During legislative session, the Capitol is open to the public Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. or until the 15 minutes after the adjournment of the last public meeting, whichever is later. When the legislature is not in session, building hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. 

Agendas are posted in front of each of the hearing rooms, and also available to view at digital kiosks on the first floor House Lobby and second floor Senate Lobby. The House and Senate Chambers are open during floor sessions, and gallery seating is limited. ​

Is It Possible To Watch Meetings Remotely?​

Yes. All committee hearings, committee work sessions and chamber proceedings can be viewed online. Meetings are streamed live, and recordings are available after the meeting ends.

Meetings are listed under the Today's Events at the Capitol banner on the Oregon State Legislatur​e homepage. Select the event name at its scheduled meeting time to view the meeting live.

Daily meetings are also listed under Today's Meetings from the Committees tab.​​

For a list of video recordings, please see the Legislative Video page. From there, you can watch a live meeting or event by selecting the video link under the Live Event banner, or search for a past recording by keyword under the Recent Archives section. ​​

How Do I Follow A Bill During A Legislative Session?​

There are many ways to search for a bill. Use the Find a Bill or Vote page to search by keyword or bill number. You can also find bills using the ​Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS). From OLIS, click the corresponding icon at the top right hand corner of the page to search for a bill by its number, committee, or session year. 

To receive email updates on the status of bills and committee agendas, sign up for the Capitol e-subscribe service​​.​​​

How Do I Follow The Legislature While It Is In Session?​

Find resources on how to track bills, stream meetings, an​d submit testimony on the Oregon State L​egislature​ website.

​What Number Do I Call If I Have A Question Regarding A Committee Schedule Or The Status Of A Bill?​

For questions about committees and the status of bills, contact the Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO) at 503-986-1813 or 800-332-2313 for assistance.​ A member of LPRO will also be available on site to assist you.​

Where Do I Find Committee Hearing And Work Session Schedules?​

Select the ​Committees tab on the Legislative Website. Selecting a committee will take you to the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS). Schedules are under the Regular Meeting Schedule banner.​​​​

Where Do I Find Meeting Agendas?​

Select ​Agend​as Online under the Committees tab on the Legislative website.​

What Options Are Available to Testify?​

​Select How to Testify​​ at t​he Oregon State Legislature​.​ ​​Legislative Policy and Research Office staff will also be available onsite in the Capitol to assist you with the process.​

To submit written testimony, click How to S​ubm​it C​​ommittee Testimony​.​​​​

Legislator Contact Information

How Do I Contact The Legislators That Represent Me?

The Legislative website lists ​al​l Sena​tors and all Rep​​resentatives and their contact information.  If you do not know who represents you, use the Find Your District Legislator Tool.​​

​How Do I Find My Legislators And Their Contact Information?​

Enter your address using the​ ​​Find Your Distri​​​ct Leg​​islator Tool. When the information is displayed, click on the Senate and House tabs to see who represents you in the Oregon State Legislature. The tool also identifies your U.S. Congressperson.​​​

What District Do I Live In?​

In order to find your district, use ​Find Your District L​egislator Tool and enter your address.

 
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expand Expand to View : 01 Can I Visit The Capitol During Legislative Session? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 01.2 What Are My Food and Drink Options in the Capitol? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 02 Can the Public Access the Building During Construction? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 03 How Do I Make A Capitol Store Purchase? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 04 How Do I Reserve Space at the Capitol? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 05 How Do I Attend A Public Tour? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 06 How Do I Schedule A School Tour? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 07 How Do I Request Language Access, Including ASL Interpretation? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 08 How Do I Request ADA Accommodations? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 09 Is Parking Available At The Capitol? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 10 What Legislative Office Should I Contact? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 11 How Long Will it Take Me to Go Through the Security Checkpoint? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 12 Is Checkpoint Technology Safe? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 13 I Have Special Needs, What Happens If I Use A Walker or a Wheelchair? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 14 I Have Concealed Carry; How Does Screening Affect Me? ‎(1)
Details
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expand Expand to View : 01 How Can I Submit Written Testimony Online? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 02 How Do I Contact Committee Staff? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 03 How Do I Find Committee Members For A Specific Legislative Committee? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 04 What Is The Difference Between A Committee Public Hearing And A Committee Work Session? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 05 What Options Are Available To Testify? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 06 When Will The House and/or Senate Be In Floor Session? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 07 Where Do I Find Information About A Bill or Voting Information? ‎(1)
Details
Edit
expand Expand to View : 01 How Do I Access Legislative Meetings On Site? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 02 Is It Possible To Watch Meetings Remotely? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 03 How Do I Follow A Bill During A Legislative Session? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 04 How Do I Follow The Legislature While It Is In Session? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 05 What Number Do I Call If I Have A Question Regarding A Committee Schedule Or The Status Of A Bill? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 06 Where Do I Find Committee Hearing And Work Session Schedules? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 07 Where Do I Find Meeting Agendas? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 08 What Options Are Available to Testify? ‎(1)
Details
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expand Expand to View : 01 How Do I Contact The Legislators That Represent Me? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 02 How Do I Find My Legislators And Their Contact Information? ‎(1)
expand Expand to View : 03 What District Do I Live In? ‎(1)
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