Strategy2025-01-24•8 min read
The Black Box of Democracy: The Jurisdiction Trap
How bills bypass expert committees through jurisdiction shopping, creating a bypass highway that privileges insiders who know the handshake over citizen advocates.
Learn About the Legislative Process
Educational resources to help you understand how bills become laws in Oregon, navigate the legislative process, and participate effectively in civic engagement.
Strategy2025-01-17•10 min read
The Black Box of Democracy: Speed, the Enemy of Transparency
How procedural speed limits public participation in the Oregon Legislature, with data showing 280 notice violations and amendments posted minutes before votes.
Strategy2025-01-10•8 min read
The Black Box of Democracy: The Information Avalanche
Why general-purpose AI tools fail during legislative sessions, and what advocates need instead to navigate the flood of bills, amendments, and testimony.
Legislative Process2025-01-03•12 min read
How Oregon Bills Become Laws
Understanding the legislative process — how bills actually move through the Oregon Legislature, the tactics insiders use, and why tracking thousands of bills manually is nearly impossible.
Ready to track bills more effectively?
Understanding the process is just the beginning. LobbySherpa helps you keep up with thousands of bills during Oregon's legislative session.