[2] Hass was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on December 10, 1956, and moved to Oregon with his parents as a young boy.

In 2011, as a member of the Higher Education Workgroup, Hass led the legislative efforts to pass SB 242, which provided greater autonomy for Oregon's seven public universities.

[citation needed] That same year, Hass was the chief sponsor of a bill that established the Accelerated Learning Committee, an institution promoting access to dual credit programs in Oregon high schools.

Long a critic of Oregon's inadequate K-12 education system, Hass spearheaded the passage of the Student Success Act.

The bill makes new investments in Oregon's education system by prioritizing early childhood development, mental healthcare in schools, and increasing graduation rates.

[11] Outside of the legislature, Hass works as an account manager for Cappelli Miles, an advertising and brand identity firm with offices in Portland and Eugene.