SALEM -- Anti-abortion groups took a break from bringing bills to the Oregon Legislature in recent years when Democrats held supermajority control. Now that the House is split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats, abortion-related bills are back.



Only one, House Bill 3512, has been scheduled for committee action. It would make abortions illegal in Oregon after 20 weeks of pregnancy, except in medical emergencies.



The bill is scheduled for a work session Monday in the House Rules Committee. But that's only to move it to the House Judiciary Committee.



Rep. Andy Olson, a Republican from Albany and one of the bill's 25 cosponsors, says the move is necessary under new rules governing the split House that require both the Republican and Democratic co-chairs to approve a hearing.



The Judiciary Committee co-chairs have promised a hearing on March 23. But at this point, Olson says, "I don't see the bill moving out of committee."



Traditionally, abortion-related legislation has generated a lot of heat but not a lot of action in Salem. It's too soon, some say, to know whether this session will be any different.



"The House has more pro-lifers in it than before, so we're optimistic enough to have a bill introduced and to see where it goes," says Gayle Atteberry, executive director for Oregon Right to Life.



In the Senate, Right to Life is supporting Senate Bill 901, which calls for more state regulation of clinics that provide abortions. Similar measures have been introduced before but not advanced.



Right to Life does have a new lobbyist: former House Speaker Karen Minnis.



On the other side, Planned Parenthood is supporting legislation aimed at crisis pregnancy centers often operated by anti-abortion groups.



House Bill 3425 would require centers to post notice on the front door and in the waiting room informing women about whether or not they provide abortions, contraception, or prenatal care. The notices and advertisements would also have to say whether there is a licensed medical provider on staff.



"We're not trying to shut them down, we just want them to be more transparent about what they do or don't do," says Roey Thorpe, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon.



So far, Thorpe says, their bill hasn't had a hearing scheduled.



"If we can get our bill out of the House committee, there's no question that it will pass," she says. "We believe that the Oregon Legislature still reflects that Oregon is a strongly pro-choice state."



--Michelle Cole



