Maxine Dexter in OR legislative records

On Crime: Ban use of chokeholds by police with few exceptions

HB4301: Provides that peace officer or corrections officer may not use force that impedes normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure on throat or neck except in specified circumstances.

Oregon Public Broadcasting Summary: The bill further tightens the rules around chokeholds. Under the new bill, police are prohibited from using the holds except for instances when they are trying to defend themselves or another person. The bill also folded in new rules for when police can use physical force--which under Oregon law includes the use of pepper spray or a stun gun--or deadly physical force.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 55-2-3 on Aug/10/20; Maxine Dexter sponsored and voted YES; Passed Senate 22-5-3 on Aug/10/20; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on Sept/1/20

Source: OPB on Oregon State Legislature voting records SB582 Aug 10, 2020

On Civil Rights: Ban the LGBTQ Panic Defense for second degree murder

SB704: Provides that discovery of victim's actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation does not constitute reasonable explanation for extreme emotional disturbance for purposes of affirmative defense to murder in the second degree.

Basic Rights Oregon Summary: On May 13, the Oregon House passed Senate Bill 704, which will ban the use of the LGBTQ panic defense in Oregon! Then, on May 21, Governor Kate Brown signed it into law.

What does this mean for our community?

It means sending the message that violence against LGBTQ people is never acceptable.

It means showing up for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx transgender women who experience disproportionately high rates of violence.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 29-1-0 on Apr/14/21; Passed House 54-0-6 on May/13/21; State Rep. Maxine Dexter sponsored and voted YES; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/21/21.

Source: BasicRights.org on Oregon Legislature voting records SB704 May 13, 2021

On Gun Control: Voted YES on banning undetectable "ghost guns"

HB2005: Punishes manufacturing, importing, offering for sale or transferring undetectable firearms by maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both.

Oregon Capital Chronicle summary May 2, 2023: The state House passed a firearms bill that would ban untraceable guns, raise the minimum age from 18 to 21 to purchase powerful firearms like semiautomatic weapons and allow local agencies to ban firearms on government property. Democratic lawmakers and supporters of House Bill 2005 said the measure would help law enforcement and keep communities safe while respecting the rights of firearm owners.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-3-10 on Jun/15/23; passed House 34-14-12 on Jun/21/23; State Rep. Maxine Dexter sponsored and voted YES; Signed by Governor Tina Kotek on Jul/13/23.

Source: Oregon Capital Chronicle on Oregon voting record HB2005 Jun 21, 2023

The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Oregon House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for Oregon House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Maxine Dexter. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Sep 02, 2025