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Climate Emergency

Legislative Report - Week of 2/3

Climate Emergency Team

 

Coordinator: Claudia Keith​

  • Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire

  • OHA & Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger

  • Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith

  • Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne

  • Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone 

  • Transportation: Claudia Keith

  • Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith

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Now over 130 Environmental/Climate Legislative Bills are posted or are soon to be posted to OLIS in early Feb. Some of these bills are just placeholders. At this point here are a few that have been identified as potential League policy and/or budget Climate Emergency priorities:


Climate Priorities


League CE Testimony


HB 2966 Establishes the State Public financing Task Force (see 2023 HB2763 , vetoed by the governor) Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans, was Jan 28 1PM, HC CCP, 2025 Testimony

 

Emergency Management 


By Rebecca Gladstone


HB 3170  Community Resilience Hubs: We are in the process of preparing testimony in support, with input from numerous portfolios, to make changes to laws about networks that help people prepare for and respond to disasters. DHS,  Sponsors, Rep Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan.


Other Priorities


Update to Greenhouse gas Emission Reduction Goals. LC 1440. Bringing back SB 1559 (2024)


Natural and Working Lands (OCAC NWL Report) (see 1/27 Legislative Report )


Transportation package that prioritizes climate, equity, and wildlife: This package would build on the historic gains of HB 2017 (which included investments in public transit, Safe Routes to School, and vehicle electrification), to shift the focus to multimodal, safety, and climate-forward investments. This will create a system that saves money over time and builds a more resilient, equitable, and healthy future for all Oregonians. (see OCN Press Rel)


Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package*  (HB 3081, SB 88, LC 1547): Oregonians are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing utility bills in the face of ever-worsening climate impacts. HB 3081 would create an active navigator to help Oregonians access energy efficiency incentives all in one place. SB 88 limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. SB 553 LC 1547 ensures that large energy users (i.e. data centers) do not unfairly burden Oregon households. (*see OCN Press Rel)


Natural and Working Lands 


By Josie Koehne


House Climate Energy and Environment (CE&E)  Committee  Public Hearing Notes - 

House CE&E held a public hearing on HB 2370, which would increase the annual fee that PUC can assess on regulated utilities' gross operating revenues from 0.45% to a maximum 0.55%. PUC relies on this assessment to defray its operating costs. PUC staff said the scope and complexity of their mission has expanded dramatically, esp. w/ regard to oversight of utilities' wildfire mitigation planning and progress toward meeting HB 2021 clean energy targets. This request is projected to add 8 cents per month to NG customers' bills and 17 cents per month to electric bills. CUB spoke in support. Jacob Stevens, New Sun Energy (solar developer), broadly attacked the IOUs and PUC's regulation, said the status of competition in the Oregon power market is “abysmal” and PUC needs even more money to do its job properly.


The committee also heard testimony on HB 3119, which would pause implementation and enforcement of Oregon's Advanced Clean Truck rules until at least 2027. The hearing room was packed with potential witnesses, and more than 250 written testimonies have been submitted, including a letter from OCN/OLCV opposing the bill on behalf of LWVOR and other member organizations. Due to time constraints, Chair Lively limited oral testimony and did not allow the committee members to question the witnesses who spoke.

DEQ updated the status and technical aspects of the rules, emphasizing that they do not impose a 100% clean vehicle mandate, flexibilities are built in for manufacturers to comply, including a 3-year grace period -- and in fact because of early credits available since 2022, they will be in overall compliance this year without selling any zero-emission vehicles (ZEV’s)

 

Reps. Boshart Davis and Diehl, Jana Jarvis of OTA, and a Daimler spokesperson pled the case of truckers, farmers, and loggers that ZEVs are inadequate for heavy-duty work and the lack of charging stations is a severe constraint on range. New diesel engines are much cleaner than older models. The "business case" does not yet support the transition to more ZEVs -- this bill would allow more time for ZEV technology to catch up with marketplace needs. The overall tone of their comments was measured and technical until Rep. Mannix signed in to blame DEQ for yoking Oregon to the California approach.


Climate Solutions, Neighbors for Clean Air, plus Rivian and Tesla (ZEV truck manufacturers) opposed the bill on health and business grounds. Tesla said its ZEV semi trucks have shown good performance in tough conditions and they plan to expand production, HB 3119 is a "red herring" and proponents will come back in two years with another demand for delay.

Next steps: The bill will be referred on to Transportation but it was not clear whether House CE&E will hear more testimony next week. Chair Lively said potential witnesses have until Saturday morning to submit written testimony.


The committee carried over HB 2961, relating to EV charging requirements in certain newly constructed buildings, to next week.

 

House and Senate Energy and Environment 


House CE&E and Senate E&E will consider the following bills next week:


Monday 1/27: Senate E&E work session on SB 334 (Brock Smith), requiring DCBS to study the financial impacts of wildfires.


Tuesday 1/28: House CE&E public hearing on HB 3119 (Boshart Davis/Diehl), prohibiting DEQ from implementing or enforcing the Advanced Clean Trucks regulations before January 1, 2027.  This may refer specifically to the Heavy-Duty Low-NOx Omnibus Rule, though that is not in the introduced bill text. Note, EQC has already voted to postpone implementation until the 2026 model year;this bill may extend the pause another year. Environmental groups opposed the delay but truckers prevailed on EQC to pause the rules on the grounds that no non-diesel options are available now, so imposing the rules would damage truck operators without improving air quality.


Tuesday, 2/04 : House CE&E has public hearings scheduled:


HB 3170 (Marsh et al.), modifying the definitions of and grant requirements for Resilience Hubs and Resilience Networks.

 

HB 3171 (Marsh et al.), changing the requirements for a county resilience plan.


HB 2961 (Gamba), increasing the requirements for EV charging stations that must be installed in parking areas of new commercial, multifamily and mixed-use buildings.


Legislative Environmental Caucus Climate Priorities  


In 2025, the Environmental Caucus is supporting a robust package of bills that address issues on environmental health, wildlife, land use, and transportation. Members are committed to policies on the environment and climate that uplift communities, support Oregon’s economy, and invest in a future where all Oregonians have access to clean air, water, and land.


2025 Areas of Focus:


  • Utility Resilience, Reliability, and Affordability

  • Environmental Health and Safety

  • Preserving Flora, Fauna, and Habitat

  • Transportation


The grid and utilities package will increase grid capacity, resilience, and reliability, while also addressing cost equity and affordability. It includes:


  •  Performance Based Regulation for Utilities (SB 688)

  • Transmission package aiding the expedited buildout of the electrical grid and increase efficiencies in existing infrastructure

  • Enabling Changes to Electricity Rates of Large Power User

  • Microgrids (HB 2064, HB 2065, HB 2066)


These bills prioritize protecting Oregonians’ health and mitigating exposure to potential environmental harms.


  • PFAS in Biosolids Study (HB 2947)

  • Phasing out PFAS in Consumer Products (LC 1708, one-pager) – Hydrogen Oversight at the PUC (SB 685)

  • The following bills will protect Oregon’s valuable habitats, wildlife, and trees and plants.

  • Eelgrass Work Group (LC 3620)

  • Wildlife Stewardship Program (HB 2980)

  • Wildlife Corridors to Reduce Vehicle-Wildlife Collisions (HB 2978) – Establishing a Fund for People Living with Beavers (HB 3143)

  • Funding the OregonFlora Database through OSU (HB 3173)


The Caucus supports a transportation package that includes increased funding for public transit, Safe Routes to School, an emphasis on sustaining and expanding infrastructure for multimodal transportation, and policies that align with our climate action goals, along with creating a safer transportation network for people and wildlife. The package includes:


  • Protection of Prime Farm Land

  • Climate Friendly Schools

  • Wildfire Programs and Funding

  • Water Right Transfers

  • Climate Protections and Policies


The Caucus will support several bills that strategically conserve working lands, incentivize smart community growth, and mitigate housing construction impacts on prime agricultural land.


These policies make schools safer and more resilient by leveraging federal funds to improve infrastructure and environmental health.


  • Transitioning to Electric School Buses (HB 2945)

  • Positions at ODE to Support Climate Resilient Schools (HB 2941) – Getting Rid of Dangerous Additives in School Foods (HB 3015) – Updating School Integrated Pest Management Plans (HB 2684)


The Caucus will support policies and investments from the state for residents in high-hazard areas to create defensible space and home hardening (making homes more resistant to wildfires). The Caucus is also committed to finding a solution for long-term funding for wildfire mitigation and prevention programs.


Water right transfers reform is necessary to ensure the long-term health and availability of Oregon’s water. Any policies should consider the environmental impacts of water right transfers.


The climate package includes bills that have broad and long-ranging protections for Oregon’s environment and natural resources.


  • Making Polluters Pay (SB 682)

  • Updating Oregon’s Emissions Reductions Goals (LC 1440)

  • Environmental Rights Amendment (SJR 28)

  • Treasury Divestment from Fossil Fuels (SB 681)


Bipartisan Environmental Caucus Members:

  • Rep. Tom Andersen Rep. Farrah Chaichi Sen. Jeff Golden Rep. Ken Helm Rep. Pam Marsh Rep. Mark Owens Sen. Janeen Sollman

  • Rep. Ben Bowman Rep. Willy Chotzen Rep. David Gomberg Rep. Zach Hudson Rep. Travis Nelson Sen. Deb Patterson Sen. Kathleen Taylor

  • Sen. Anthony Broadman

  • Rep. Mark Gamba, Co-Chair Sen. Chris Gorsek

  • Rep. John Lively

  • Rep. Courtney Neron, Co-Vice Chair Sen. Khanh Pham, Co-Vice Chair Rep. Jules Walters


Climate News


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