Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - September Interim Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Columbia River Treaty Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Emergency Services Hanford Cleanup Board Land Use Radioactive Waste Reduce/Recycle Regional Solutions Toxics Water Wildfire By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team We hope you read the October 1 st LWVOR All-Member Newsletter with the list of volunteers needed for the League’s Natural Resources Team. The League depends on YOU to help advocate—using our adopted positions. Our voice is respected because of our studies and nonpartisan volunteer voices. A fun survey—Please take the 2023 Oregon Values and Beliefs Center Typology survey to help strengthen Oregon’s civic culture. Your voice can steer public policy. HCR 38 (2023) sets the process for the February 2024 short session that runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . There were three days of legislative meetings Sept. 27-29 and more interim days in November and January. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch On August 30 th , a new quarterly Revenue Forecast was provided to the legislature. The total available resources for the current 2023-25 biennium was increased by $437 million after accounting for a bigger beginning balance which was the result of a larger ending balance in the previous 2021-23 biennium after it closed this summer. There will be another forecast Nov. 15 and one on February 7 th which will determine potential revenue that can be spent during the 2024 session. During these Sept. interim meetings, we understand that Tax Measures 5 & 50 which capped yearly property tax increases at 3% were discussed. Mayors from around Oregon testified in support of increasing the cap to improve local services funding. The League has often supported a review and possible changes to our property tax system, in particular because of these constraints on our local governments. The League is hopeful there will be additional bonding capacity available as we advocate for spending on infrastructure for needed housing. The Legislative Fiscal Office shares that the State Debt Policy Advisory Commission (SDPAC) issues an annual report, so there will be a 2024 report that includes the most current revenue and interest rate projections. However, typically any additional debt capacity resulting from an increase in forecasted revenues is attributed to future biennia. Based on the 2023 SDPAC report and bonding authorizations approved in the 2023 session, there is $65.8 million in remaining general obligation bond capacity and $27.4 million in remaining lottery bond capacity for the 2023-25 biennium. The final “kicker” amount of about $5.6 billion will be returned to taxpayers as a credit on their 2024 tax returns. The 1979 Oregon Legislature passed the "Two percent kicker" law, which requires the state to refund excess revenue to taxpayers when actual General Fund revenues exceed the previous odd-year May revenue forecast amount by more than two percent. The Legislative Fiscal Office has published its 2023-25 Budget Highlights which provides summary information on the legislatively adopted budget from the 2023 session. You can look for the Natural Resource Program Area for specifics on the monies provided to our 14 state agencies. The Emergency Board met right after Sine Die to adopt rules for their work during the interim. They were provided $50 million in the 2023 end-of-session bill, SB 5506 , to spend on emergencies until the next session, as well as a number of “special purpose appropriations” for expected expenses such as additional wildfire funding and salary increases. Otherwise, agency budgets are only changed by an act of the entire legislature. At the time of this report, the League understands that the Emergency Board does not plan to meet before the 2024 session. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report which overlaps with Natural Resources. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch LWVOR continues to advocate for protection of wetlands and estuaries. Here is a PEW Research article on Oregon’s work to leverage coastal wetlands to help address climate change. The Coos County League is preparing testimony on the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (CBEMP). The County file for this project is AM-22-005 . The Coos League continues to watch with concern for a potential federal grant to help dredging deeper and wider the Port of Coos Bay. It is unclear if there is an official proposal to create a container ship proposal moving forward. The Coos League is having trouble getting information from the Port on these issues. (See the LWVOR 2023 Sine Die issue for more information.) The Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is listening to comments related to proposed ocean energy sites offshore from Brookings and Coos Bay. Information is available on the BOEM Oregon state activities page . To comment on the draft WEAs please go to regulations.gov and search for docket number BOEM-2023-0033. BOEM will accept comments through 11:59 pm ET on October 16, 2023. The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) has approved revisions to the Territorial Sea Plan Part 4 . This plan now goes to the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) for adoption. OPAC was “disappointed” the Governor’s representative did not attend the meeting. OPAC sent a letter expressing concern that the Governor does not seem to understand the impact of our coastal industry, communities, its ecological value and the important role of OPAC as a voice for those communities. We do note that the Governor has added temporarily a staffer from the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to her natural resources advisors and perhaps that will help with the myriad of natural resource issues on the Governor’s plate. See the League’s 2012 Coastal Study to learn more about wave energy. Columbia River Treaty By Philip Thor On August 14, 2023, a ”Media Note” was released by the “Office of the Spokesperson,” presumably, from the United States Department of State, which announced that “The United States and Canada conducted the 18th round of Columbia River Treaty regime negotiations on August 10-11 in Seattle, Washington.” The note went on to state “As committed by President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau at the conclusion of the President’s March visit to Canada, the U.S. negotiation team has further accelerated negotiation efforts towards an agreement that meets the needs of the Columbia Basin with greater certainty and improved results.” To that end, the United States recently put forward a range of options for Canada to consider that the U.S. believes provides both countries with increased certainty in managing flood risks, planning for Treaty hydropower operations, integrating Canada’s desire for greater flexibility, establishing mechanisms for incorporating tribal and indigenous input, and taking advantage of opportunities to strengthen Treaty ecosystem provisions and collaborate on ongoing salmon reintroduction studies. During the session negotiation teams exchanged views on this set of proposals. The United States is focused on ensuring that resource planners, operators, and others have time to make plans to implement a modernized Treaty regime or rely on the current Treaty regime as it exists today. And, finally, the note said that the U.S. government would hold a virtual listening session on August 22, 2023 “to engage the public about treaty regime modernization…” Below is some of what various representatives had to say about Treaty renegotiations in this session: U.S. Government negotiators opened the meeting with statements (State Department, Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration). Many of the next speakers were from PNW Public Utility Districts (PUDs), Cooperatives (Co-Ops), and power-related associations. It appeared that they had prepared in advance since their key messages were very similar. Namely: Flood control should be paid by taxpayers, as elsewhere in the US. The Canadian Entitlement is unbalanced – Canada gets more hydropower returned to them which they then sell back to the U.S. at great profit. Wildfires are occurring in both countries and Canada has a right to choose how they release water. Climate change is affecting us. “We share the fires, we share the floods, so we should share the water.” The marketing of power (i.e., the imbalance) impacts many smaller communities, which are vulnerable. Electricity rates are increasing, as is overall electrical demand – both effects are especially hard on rural folks, served by the smaller PUDs and Co-Ops. Renegotiation is taking too long – Canada is delaying the new treaty so they can continue to get more than their fair share of benefits. Many other speakers commented that the renegotiations needed to speed up. Most of the remaining speakers were from environmental groups, Native American Tribes and other like organizations. Their statements were like what had been presented before, namely: Inclusion of Ecosystem Function is critical and should become the third leg of the CRT purposes. The U.S. Entity should be expanded to include representatives from PNW Native American Tribes. They should be given a manager role in the CRT, not as a consultant. Ecosystem Function should include: A Spring freshet Flow augmentation A dry-year strategy Salmon reintroduction is another critical piece of Ecosystem Function. Temperature has been higher than 70 degrees since mid-July at main stem dams, considered lethal to salmon. BPA and COE have failed in managing the river as the U.S. Entity. Adding Ecosystem Function would improve this. So, given what I have heard now and before this, and with my background, I would offer the following conclusions: There appears to be some interest to resolve negotiations, largely so that flood operations in 2024 can be managed, and to avoid “pay for flood control regime” then. But, the perceived imbalance of hydroelectric power sharing between the two countries is (in my opinion) a monumental hurdle that may not be easily overcome. This could stall negotiations for a long time. Both countries currently think they are not getting their fair share of the power benefits. This may be a negotiation tactic. Adding Ecosystem Function as an important component of a new Treaty is likely to occur, but the “devil is in the details.” What is included in Ecosystem Function and how will it be provided? This listening session was the first one that identified what some of the specifics are, namely – reintroduction of salmon into Canada (a rather tough objective since Grand Coulee Dam is very high and Lake Roosevelt is quite long), a spring freshet (already largely have increased flows in the spring now), flow augmentation (more water will not likely cool the river much, if at all), and a dry-year strategy (useful concept but defining it is a challenge; also its implementation could impact other river users, such as recreation – deeper drawdowns in storage reservoirs during the summer period causing lower reservoir refill probabilities in subsequent years, particularly if another dry-year occurs). The other important note is that the negotiators are being very closed lipped about details, which is fully understandable. So, there is no telling when an agreement will come together since the public has no method for judging how close the talks may be. We will continue to stand by and watch for announcements. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) By Peggy Lynch The League continues to follow the Grassy Mountain Gold Project in Malheur County, using a streamlined permitting process. Here is the latest on this project. Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch As part of the discussions on housing, the Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Council (HPAC), shared a proposal to significantly change our wetlands protections laws and rules. The League provided testimony in opposition with comments explaining our prior actions to support more assets for wetlands permitting and data. The Governor has recently said this HPAC proposal will not be part of her housing proposals for 2024, but we may well see a bill from an individual legislator. If you want to receive notices of HPAC meetings, click here . HB 2238 passed in 2023 and allows for rulemaking to increase fees related to removal or fill permit applications, wetland delineation reports and general authorizations. We will work with the agency to increase processes for clearly identifying wetlands in urban growth boundaries to be sure lands that should be developed can be and those that can’t should be are removed from the buildable lands inventory. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The League continues to engage in the ESRF, including attending their prospective Board meetings. The prospective ESRF Board met September 22 ( agenda ). Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . They plan to meet again October 16, Noon to 4 p.m. in Corvallis and December 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meeting videos are posted to the Department of State Lands YouTube channel and meeting notes are posted to DSL's Elliott website . Work is continuing on eventual adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan and a Forest Management Plan for the forest. Of concern to the League is how their plan can be financially viable without excessive timber harvest. See also the OSU College of Forestry website here as they work on the proposed Forest Management Plan. The Shutter Creek facility has been transferred to the Dept. of State Lands and federal monies awarded to upgrade the facility to be used as the headquarters for the ESRF as well as potential opportunities for local tribes. Here is an OPB article with the latest on the Elliott. We may see an ask for additional General Funds to pay for starting up this new agency in 2024 since any timber harvest will not occur for a few years. They were allocated $4.1 million in 2023 but will need to hire an Executive Director and limited staff while working on all future plans for research, for recreation and for limited harvest in the forest. The OSU Board of Trustees will receive an update at their Oct. 20 meeting. There will be a special OSU Board meeting in December when the OSU Board will consider final approval of OSU’s engagement with the ESRF. The State Land Board will meet Dec. 12 to provide a final decision on the ESRF going forward. Forestry Oregonians can help shape the future of Oregon’s forests: Oregon’s Kitchen Table posted a survey, available through October 9. Oregon’s forests provide a variety of social, economic, and ecological benefits to Oregonians. The Oregon Board of Forestry and ODF are responsible for developing and implementing policies and strategies that promote forest health and resilience to preserve those benefits for future generations. They are in the process of updating their shared strategic plan that will guide the policy and operational work for the next several years. They’ve partnered with Oregon Kitchen Table—a program of Portland State University—to hear from as many Oregonians as possible to ensure the plan covers what matters most to people when it comes to our forests. As the Board of Forestry makes decisions on our state forests, including potential adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan, future harvest plans, and their strategic plan, we remind you that Oregon’s forests are managed for the greatest permanent value : “healthy, productive, and sustainable forest ecosystems that over time and across the landscape provide a full range of social, economic, and environmental benefits to the people of Oregon.” The state has received more than $58 million in federal funds aimed at increasing tree canopy in community spaces and neighborhoods that most need to reduce impacts of extreme heat. Emergency Services Register for The Great Oregon ShakeOut , a self-led earthquake drill, at 10:19 a.m. on Oct. 19 th . Also consider signing up for the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system for earthquakes in the area with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater. This can provide critical seconds of advance warning to seek cover from falling objects and brace ourselves. ShakeAlert uses science and technology to detect significant earthquakes quickly, to send an alert to people on cell phones. Hanford Cleanup Board By Marylou Schnoes The Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board will hold a meeting on October 10, both online and in person in Richland, WA. The meeting will begin at 2:00 pm and conclude after the public comment period that will take place at approximately 5:00 pm. Public participation is welcomed and encouraged. A full meeting agenda, information on how to participate, and other meeting materials are available online . Learn more about Hanford and Oregon’s role . New public Board members are needed. We are grateful for the time Marylou has spent serving on this Board. Land Use/Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) & Housing By Peggy Lynch The League has been feverishly engaged with the Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Council as it now meets bi-weekly and has five less-than-public work groups making recommendations to the Governor. Some ideas have merit but many attack our environmental protections and our public involvement opportunities at local levels. The League has always supported our statewide land use planning program with local implementation. We are seeing local elements eroded by some of the recommendations. See the League’s website where the plethora of our testimony is posted. If you want to receive notices of HPAC meetings, click here . We are working with partners, with the Governor’s Office and legislators, as we expect bills in the 2024 session that we may want to support or oppose. This is the latest article on challenges. Look for additional articles AND look for the League’s voice as we work to support affordable housing for ALL while also protecting other Oregon values. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Oregon Marine Board The League has supported Oregon’s boat inspection program. We are alarmed that Quagga mussels have been spotted in the Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. We support the boat permits under the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Dept. with monies transferred to the Marine Board to enforce protections. Radioactive Waste By Shirley Weathers The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) continues its work to protect Oregon from the acceptance, accumulation, and storage of hazardous levels of radioactive waste. Since the 2023 Sine Die issue of the Legislative Report (see for background, scroll down to Radioactive Waste), LWVOR and other members of the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) submitted informal input on the third draft of revised rules for OAR 345-050. Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) Staff presented a final proposed draft to the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) on September 22, 2023. After some discussion, the Council voted to put the draft out for public comment. There are several issues of concern, most pertaining to the League’s priority for rules that will best safeguard the public health and safety over short and long terms. On some elements of the rules, tension exists between that and costs of detection/identification and management to Oregon entities that generate and otherwise manage wastes containing radioactivity would incur. There has been an unfortunate shortage of participation in RAC activities by those sharing the League’s focus, but we are working to inform and bring in others for public comment. The deadline for comment is Friday, October 27 at 5 p.m. Materials can be found on the ODOE website (scroll down to Radioactive Waste Materials). Reduce/Recycle The League supported the 2023 Right to Repair bill, SB 542 , that required the original equipment manufacturer to make repair information available to owners of consumer electronic equipment or independent repair providers. The bill did not pass, but we expect a version to return in 2024 or 2025. Sen. Sollman’s staff attended the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. The Right to Repair movement was in full swing at this year's event which featured a Repair booth helping attendees with free phone screen replacements on their cell phones. One of NCSL's live-streamed seminars, titled "Will You Let Me Fix This Thing?", also focused on Right to Repair and how states across the country are leaning into this policy. The panel included Representative Lew Jones from Montana who spoke about challenges for his constituents in repairing agricultural equipment and also Representative Scott Nishimoto from Hawaii with information on his right to repair bill that he has been working on since 2018. Included on the panel were Gay Gordon-Byrne from the Repair Association and Walter Alcorn, representing Consumer Technology Association. You can watch the panel discussion here . Look for a new version of this bill in 2024 or 2025. Regional Solutions The Regional Solutions Team is working hard across the state. See the latest report on their work. Toxics By Paula Grisafi The League engaged in three bills in 2023. Here is an updated report from our volunteer: SB 546 (Toxics Free Cosmetics Bill) is a first step to protect both children and adults from the adverse effects of chemicals listed in the bill. The chemical compounds included in the bill like formaldehyde and phthalates are known to have cumulative toxic effects through exposures from multiple sources. While some of these chemicals are used ubiquitously in many industries, beginning to free ourselves and the environment of them by their removal from products that are applied directly to our bodies seems the most intelligent place to start. This bill was passed in the 2023 legislative session. HB 3043 (Toxics Free Kids Bill) is important because it allows more than 5 chemicals to be added to the list of high priority chemicals concerning known impacts to children’s health per year. It also requires consideration of chemical classes instead of individual chemicals, so that small chemical changes that may not improve safety are not sheltered from addition to the list. The bill passed in the 2023 legislative session. SB 426 (Toxics Free Schools Bill) provides a much-needed update to the original Toxic Free Schools legislation that includes structured plans to help implement the bill’s intent. It included systems that will improve expert and stakeholder oversight over the use of pesticides on school grounds, standardize the use of Integrated Pest Management at Oregon schools, develop even-handed school funding for managing pesticide use, and increase transparency of IPM in schools throughout the state. This bill did not pass in the 2023. Water By Peggy Lynch The Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) presented an update on new groundwater rules being considered by the Water Resources Commission. As with all water issues, this is a contentious proposed policy as explained in this OPB article . If we don’t do a better job of regulating groundwater, more and more people and farms will be in water crisis. The League has been watching but not engaging directly in this rulemaking. We learned that the legislature has created a Joint Water Caucus with members from both the House and Senate, with both major parties as leaders. These caucuses can often be powerful voices for the issues they support. Here’s the latest Integrated Water Resources Strategy 2023 public engagement . The League is very concerned by the report that quagga mussels were detected on Sept. 18 in the Snake River at Twin Falls, Idaho. That is approximately 60 miles from the Oregon border. Quagga mussels can seriously damage lakes, streams, irrigation, and water delivery systems. This is why the League supports boat permits and a robust boat inspection system at our borders. EPA Statement on Waters of the U.S. rule: “EPA and Army statement regarding intent to amend WOTUS rule in wake of U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision – On June 26, EPA and Army released the following statement regarding next steps for the agencies’ WOTUS rule: “The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army (agencies) are in receipt of the U.S. Supreme Court's May 25, 2023, decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. In light of this decision, the agencies are interpreting the phrase “waters of the United States” consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett.” Oregon has our own wetlands rules and laws, so wetlands in the jurisdiction of Oregon will continue to be protected unless the legislature changes those laws. (See Land Use above.) We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. . League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has signed drought declarations under ORS 536 for these counties of Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Deschutes, Wasco, Harney, Sherman, Lake and Jackson counties. On Sept. 6, the Governor declared a drought in Gilliam, Douglas and Lincoln Counties through Executive Order 23-20 and Executive Order 23-22 , This is concerning since the forecast El Nino weather pattern may well mean a reduced snowpack this winter. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers Senate Interim Natural Resources and Wildfire met on September 27. Senator Elizabeth Steiner, Co-Chair of Full W&Ms and candidate for State Treasurer, and Doug Grafe, Governor Kotek’s Wildfire and Military Advisor, gave an update on the work of the Wildfire and Forestry Workgroup. Senator Steiner, who serves as “convener”, listed the group’s stakeholder groups and described the complexities of various funding mechanisms, which the group seeks to “decomplexify”, and then outlined the group’s “Guiding Principles”. See details of her presentation . Senator Girod raised concerns about the role of federal lands in wildfires on the Oregon landscape. Senator Golden expressed his concern that the severity of cuts to funding as a result of the last legislative session will dramatically impact Fire Adapted Communities’ efforts, geared at community level wildfire mitigation plans and actions. He also felt that monies from the General Fund would likely never be adequate. Senator Steiner proposed that it may be helpful to try and persuade legislators that investments in mitigation, prevention and suppression would, by reducing the need for expenditures as the RESULT of wildfires, actually end up saving enough money to enable the General Fund to cover the cost of these programs. She urged a focus on how spending more on these activities and programs would end up, ultimately, costing the State less. Later in the meeting, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) reviewed their Final Report on the Landscape Resiliency Program and 20-Year Strategy (LRP). The LRP was established through SB 762 (2021) to improve forest restoration and resiliency. It appropriated $20 million General Fund to be spent by the end of the 2021—2023 biennium by ODF. This program was set up to fund landscape-scale projects that reduce wildfire risk on public and private forestlands, rangelands, in communities near homes, and around critical infrastructure through restoration of landscape resiliency and reduction of hazardous fuels. On September 28, Senate Interim Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs met and received an update on the 2023 wildfire season so far. Mike Shaw, ODF Chief of Fire Protection, gave an update, highlighting how well ODF and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OFSM) new department have worked together, extremely well to “catch” and quickly suppress several wildfires around the state. He highlighted the wildfire events in the northwestern part of the state, calling it “unusual timing”, as those events most often do not happen before September. He also pointed out that the dry lightning event with over 1,000 strikes, igniting hundreds of wildfires in western Oregon on August 24 and 25, was extremely unusual. He stated that the “effectiveness of the lightning was very high, and not in a good way”, and that he was proud of their response, in partnership with OSFM. Prepositioning OSFM assets and Regional Mobilization, programs begun with funding from SB 762, also played a large role in keeping fires small. Under the Emergency Mutual Aid System, as relayed by Travis Medema, Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal, OFSM assets were deployed to assist in structure protection efforts. In these cases, as highlighted by Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple of OFSM, not a single structure was lost. Find more information here. Also in her report, Chief Ruiz-Temple pointed out the alarming trend of declining interest in firefighting, both as a career and for volunteer firefighters. She said: “The pipeline is not keeping up.” Underlining the potential problem, she shared that in the past decade there has been a 246% increase in structures lost to wildfire. Finally, she serves on the Federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. In closing she shared the Commission’s report, aptly titled On Fire , published the day before, September 27. It described how.“The face of wildfire is changing.” While there have been many successes in Oregon this wildfire season, there was a distinct air of caution, if not outright pessimism, about the future we face both as a state and as a nation. SB 80 was one of the important wildfire bills passed in 2023. The Dept. of Forestry has been meeting with counties as ODF and OSU work on developing a new Wildfire Hazard Map. Watch for upcoming public meetings to consider the new map when a new draft is proposed. OFSM has launched a Defensible Space website , which provides a multitude of resources to help Oregonians make their home more resilient in the face of increasing wildfire risk, including the ability to schedule a home assessment based on entering your home address. Here is a review of the 2020 wildfires and the status of our friends who suffered from tragic loss. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. The short 2024 legislative session is Feb. 5-March 10. There are interim committee meetings in November and January. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources interests you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training is offered.

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 3/20 Education By Anne Nesse Governor Kotek leads a detailed informational hearing on the Early Literacy Success Initiative, a combination of HB 3198 and HB 3454 , with the goal of reaching 95% literacy in reading and writing in Oregon. The Governor spoke this week in the House Education Committee on 3/13, followed by Rep. Kropf, whom the Governor had collaborated with. This initiative includes reading and writing in grades K-5. This is a bipartisan Bill, because reading and writing are so fundamental to individual decision making, career learning, and a healthy democracy. Currently 1/2 of Oregon’s kids are not reading at grade level, and we know from research that 95% of these students could be at grade level, because they have the ability. Summer and parent programs are part of the initiative, with plans for this summer. “We know what works, but it will take some time.” You can listen to Gov. Kotek’s speech here . Rep. Kropf spoke of the unfortunate circumstances that occur when students cannot read or write well. He spoke of the high percentage of these students being victims of the criminal justice system, or otherwise having difficulties with employment. Experts in reading and writing education spoke from Stand for Children, Sarah Pope and Johnna Tinnes, with an informative slideshow here on the science of what we want to accomplish with this Bill. The biggest differences among students were shown to be the lack of instructional support during the summer months. This lack of support, compounded the differences among students over the years, who lacked support for developing their literacy in reading and writing. And all of this limits students’ ability to thrive. On 3/13 HB 3101 A , a Bill requiring panic alarms in all public schools was sent to the floor, and W & M for funding, a recognition of the times we are living in. Senate Education 3/14 heard public hearings on Sen. Gelser Blouin’s Bills to help create strategies for educating and improving outcomes for students with disabilities. SB 575 , SB 923 , SB 758 , SB 572 , and SB 992 . This is a complex area, in that not all educational disabilities are alike. Both COSA, and OSBA representatives testified that the way the current Bills were written were difficult to interpret legally by their experts, as to how the goal of improving education for students with disabilities would be improved. And whether the timelines listed in the Bills could be met in every case. I encourage you to study this area more closely, if you are interested, and listen to this entire hearing. SB 854, requiring each school district to develop a written plan for climate change instruction in grades k-12, within all subject areas, no later than 2026, is now scheduled for a work session on 3/30 in Senate Education. See www.DrawDown.org for ideas you can share that are positive with your legislators. Here is a video on trees and climate change: https://blog.ecosia.org/why-are-trees-so-important/

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Board Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Land Use and Housing Northwest Energy Coalition Reduce/Recycle Transportation Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team Volunteers are still needed to cover important issues like Air Quality, Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, Recycling and Toxics. LWVOR needs your voices! Training provided. The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . Bills will be posted soon on OLIS . Committee bills were introduced during the January 10-12 Legislative Days. Agriculture LWVOR has been asked to give a presentation to the Board of Agriculture on Jan. 17 th along with others who will be engaged in the short session. We shared our 2024 Priorities , our Housing Coalition one-pager with verbal testimony on the need for infrastructure funds and our support for natural and working lands. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch On Nov. 15, the House and Senate Revenue Committees heard the latest Revenue Forecast. The net General Fund and Lottery resources are up $790.3 million (2.3%) from the 2023 Close of Session estimate. The next revenue forecast is Feb. 7th and that will be the number used for 2024 budgeting. A new Oregon bonding capacity report was due January 18 th from the State Debt Policy Advisory Commission (SDPAC); their agenda . From the Legislative Fiscal Office in October: Based on the 2023 SDPAC report and bonding authorizations approved in the 2023 session, there is $65.8 million in remaining general obligation bond capacity and $27.4 million in remaining lottery bond capacity for the 2023-25 biennium. The Full Ways and Means Committee dealt with 3 pages of requests on Jan. 12 th . Some requests will appear in the 2024 omnibus budget reconciliation bill at the beginning of session. Some will have another hearing before being considered to be added to the bill. Of specific interest to Natural Resources are the items from that Subcommittee. For instance, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. (OPRD) asked for more lottery money for their land acquisition fund. But legislators want to see how many OPRD lottery funds will be available—to be learned at the February 7 th Revenue Forecast. Personal income taxpayers can determine their kicker amount using a “What’s My Kicker?” calculator available on Revenue Online . To use the calculator, taxpayers need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and 2022 and 2023 filing status. Taxpayers may also hand-calculate their credit amount by multiplying their 2022 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2022 Form OR-40—by 44.28%. 2023 tax returns can be filed starting January 29. See a good video on Oregon property taxes. Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible there will be property tax reform conversations in 2025. See The Oregonian for some insight into that future conversation. State agencies and others will need to plan for a rise of 1.7% of payroll costs for PERS contributions as they calculate their 2025 budget needs. That could mean an extra $13 billion in contributions from employers for 2025-27. The agency budget process is beginning. Look for beginning presentations to agency Boards and Commissions soon. More quarterly revenue forecasts will be provided before the Governor presents her budget by Dec. 1 st . Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. for overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch The Coos County League has been concerned with the container ship terminal proposal for the Port of Coos Bay. The federal government denied the Port of Coos Bay grant for this proposal again. Sen. Anderson recently met with a group from the League of Women Voters/Coos Bay concerning the Port of Coos Bay’s proposed container terminal. The Ways and Means General Government Subcommittee heard grant requests on Jan. 10, including one for estuary resilience. The Full Ways and Means Committee approved the request. Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working with DSL to identify In Lieu lands (lands owed the State of Oregon on statehood that have not yet been allotted to Oregon). See the BLM Proposed Classification Decision , and a public notice that two forestland properties in Linn County that have been identified to meet the criteria for some of those In Lieu lands. Learn more on State Land Sales and provide public comment from January 12, 2024 through April 9, 2024: The Ways and Means (W&Ms) General Government Subcommittee heard grant requests on Jan. 10, including continuing work on DSL’s GIS Wetlands Inventory and improvements at the South Slough Visitors Center. The requests were approved. Drinking Water Advisory Committee By Sandra Bishop The Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) will meet (have met) January 17. See the agenda . Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch On Nov. 13, the State Land Board received a letter from Oregon State University’s President Jayathi Murthy, indicating that OSU was bowing out of participation in the ESRF management. In December, the State Land Board affirmed its continued desire to create the Elliott State Research Forest – a public forest that will contribute to conservation, recreation, education, Indigenous culture, local economies, and more as a working research forest. Watch the December 12, 2023 State Land Board meeting . Here are the slides . During the meeting, the Land Board also discussed and supported the pathway framework presented by DSL The framework outlines actions, steps, and considerations for continuing work to establish the ESRF. Read an overview of the pathway framework . DSL Director Vicki Walker has appointed an interim advisory group to guide work until the Land Board appoints an ESRF Board of Directors. The group is comprised of members of the prospective board appointed by Land Board in December 2022. Visit DSL’s Elliott website to learn more. The next meeting was Jan. 18 and another Feb. 7 th . Meeting videos are posted to the DSL YouTube channel and meeting notes are posted to DSL's Elliott website here . The monies allocated in 2023 to support the forest may be allocated directly to DSL as the clear responsible party. Work is continuing on eventual adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan and a Forest Management Plan for the forest. Forestry (ODF) By Josie Koehne LWVOR sent a letter in support of Alternatives 2 & 3 of the Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan. See a good Oregon Capital Chronicle article on the controversial proposal. For more information on forestry, see the Wildfire section of this report below. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch The Governor has filed a 69-page Legislative Concept, LC 19, now SB 1557, for the 2024 session. Based on HB 3414 B (2023) but with substantial changes, the Governor has shared the LC draft with groups who have been working with her on this bill with a request to provide comments to her by Jan. 24. She is planning to provide an amendment that incorporates technical edits and corrections and perhaps those comments. LWVOR has been working with the Governor’s staff and others for months on this concept. Natural Resources will be working with our Housing team on a number of bills. While Natural Resources works on the land use side where infrastructure is needed to provide buildable lots, our Housing Team will be working on funding and housing policies for those Oregonians. See the Senate Housing and Development Committee Legislative Concepts- -the first one is the loan fund, LC 155. See the House Housing and Homelessness Committee Legislative Concepts —their loan is LC 197. Reps. Gomberg and McIntire shared that they are submitting an infrastructure funding bill for about 20 projects around rural Oregon. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has filed a draft Biological Opinion (BiOp) related to eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The State of Oregon provided Scoping Comments and a request for a time extension with concerns from many agencies. Of particular importance is how local jurisdictions will assure on-going access to the NFIP while also not violating the Endangered Species Act. Listen to a hearing from the Jan. 11th House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committee meeting. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage . Watch meetings on their YouTube channel. Some cities objected to the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) adopted rules. DLCD has convened a number of meetings. Here is the latest memo addressing concerns. The Housing Production Advisory Council , composed of housing experts from across the state, detailed 59 potential solutions to meet Kotek’s ambitious goal in a draft proposal completed in December. The Council will submit its final proposal to Kotek on Jan. 17. LWVOR has followed their work and provided comments on some ideas, especially with concerns around the wetlands recommendations. The Department of Land Conservation and Development is recruiting committee members for rulemaking for Goal 9 and certain Economic Opportunities Analyses processes. Applications to serve on the RAC must be submitted by midnight on February 13 th . See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) By Sandra Bishop/Robin Tokmakian The NW Energy Coalition (NWEC) held a conference in Portland on December 6 th, 2023. Organizations from four western states and British Columbia discussed equity in energy planning and services. Among a total of 24 speakers, 14 were people of color: 6 men and 17 women. Oregon legislator Senator Lieber stressed that energy efficiency must be foremost when building 36,000 new homes in Oregon, saying “Bake efficiency into the DNA of everything we do in the state”. She noted that buildings are the second largest carbon producers, so $90 million was passed in the climate package last session with a goal for 500,000 new heat pumps to be installed in Oregon by 2030. In coming sessions, we will see legislation to address inequities in energy provision and ensure supportive regulation and incentives for reducing carbon-intensive energy uses and sources while protecting the vulnerable. A second keynote speaker was Rich Glick, former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chair. He spoke about problems and challenges in the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) system, particularly the need to expand and strengthen the grid and to integrate next-era BPA power products with carbon-free energy products. Strategies such as more local grid management, local resiliency, and working with community benefits advocates are seen as necessary. The Western Regional Adequacy Program (WRAP) is one instrument for holding BPA more accountable and ensuring more transparency and equity in providing energy services. One panel concentrated on a model used in Oregon called the Community Cohort Roundtable. Community benefit impact assessment is required by legislation. There is a need for the public to be heard before programs are formed and implemented. Community Cohort mentors people to take part in utility and community energy planning and regulatory processes such as the Public Utility Commission (PUC) rate hearings. Acronyms and complicated technical language can make engaging with energy issues very difficult. The Community Cohort model gives disadvantaged community members a chance to bring issues forward to be addressed by policymakers and regulators. Some barriers to meeting new climate goals through energy efficiency projects are contractor shortages; challenges in upgrading older homes, and problems with providing and applying for funding. Energy navigators or ambassadors are often needed to assist community-based nonprofits and individuals in getting funding for energy programs and projects. There is also a need for better metrics utilities can use to determine benefits and resource needs. There is a push to identify cost parameters that consider some of the human costs not adequately addressed in energy planning in the past. The social cost of greenhouse gas emissions (SCGHG) was one of the metrics the presenters endorsed. Energy programs, projects, and planning must be equitable, affordable, and accessible to all. Whether implementing energy efficiency retrofits on a private home or planning large-scale energy resource projects, the importance of building trust first was emphasized – move at the speed of trust. A representative from the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) noted that what was sufficient in energy planning and implementation in the past may no longer be. There is a need for more open policy and equitable rates. “Energy burden” bubbled to the top of many conference discussions. In Oregon, 25% of households are energy burdened (spending 6% or more on energy); 40% or more in some rural areas. Reduce/Recycle The dates for the next three Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee meetings and Zoom registration links have been posted to the Recycling 2024 webpage . Meeting dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and March 14. LWVOR needs a volunteer interested in following this issue. The Senate Energy and Environment Committee heard potential bills at their January legislative meeting. Transportation Look for a 2025 conversation on how to fund Oregon transportation needs. The Oregon Capital Chronicle article provided some of the challenges facing legislators. Water/Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) By Peggy Lynch OWRD is considering recommending changes to Oregon’s groundwater rules to the Water Resources Commission. Listen to a legislative hearing at the Nov. 7th House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water meeting, providing a number of different points of view. LWVOR is watching this work closely as is LWV Deschutes County and looks forward to the Water Resources Commission adoption of this first set of updated rules which can then lead to updated Critical Groundwater designations as the data determines is necessary. In the meantime, many Oregonians are experiencing dry household wells. OWRD provided an update on Oregon’s Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund . LWVOR supported creation of this program in 2021. The League again asked Congress to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area. We were pleased to see Reps. Val Hoyle (Oregon) and Huffman (California) introduce a bill to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area into Southwest Oregon ( track progress ). A Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area update was provided Jan 11 in the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committee. The League continues to be concerned about our fellow Morrow and Umatilla county Oregonians, where well water may be unsafe for drinking. KGW’s "The Story" did a series on this important public health issue the week of Nov. 13. OWRD anticipates releasing a draft of the updated Integrated Water Resources Strategy for public review and comment in March. For more information about this process, please visit the IWRS page . LWVOR will look forward to learning more about the historic deal on Columbia River, salmon and the tribes shared in NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams . We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has signed drought declarations under ORS 536 for the counties of Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Deschutes, Wasco, Harney, Sherman, Lake, Jackson, Gilliam, Douglas, Lincoln and Morrow counties. The forecasted El Nino weather pattern may mean a reduced snowpack this winter in the north while we may see a greater snowpack in southern Oregon. Update: So we all know that we got a week or so of snow in January, but of concern is that rain will reduce that snowpack soon. Here is the Jan. 16 th Oregon Water Conditions Report. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers LWVOR has monitored a number of meetings over the past month, including of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC), and informational meetings at the Legislature. The primary focus has been finding the best way to ensure long-term, reliable and sustainable funding for wildfire prevention, protection and response. There was repeated emphasis on the importance of restoring funding for community risk reduction programs, which saw an approximate 90% reduction in the 2023 session. There is increasing sentiment that focusing the vast majority of funding on suppression, without meaningfully addressing mitigation, will simply not get the job done. Their next quarterly meeting is Jan. 19. The WPAC meeting agenda is on their website: Wildfire Programs Advisory Council . The first WPAC meeting, on December 18, saw Senator Elizabeth Steiner, District 17, and the Governor’s Wildfire Advisor, Doug Grafe, present a proposal , the main component being a $10 “Statewide Wildfire Protection Fee” on every individual property in Oregon, as well as reductions in fees timber companies pay toward wildfire costs. This proposal was developed by a workgroup led by Steiner, while Grafe provided technical support. There was pushback from several members about a new fee/tax, and concerns were expressed about it potentially being regressive. Originally convened to primarily address relief for Eastern Oregon rangeland and small timberland owners in Eastern Oregon, the work group's final proposal is much broader than that original charge. Senator Golden, District 3, expressed reservations about the proposal, including disappointment at the small amount that would be directed to a community risk reduction fund, and its attempt to shift financial responsibility for wildfires away from the timber industry and onto the public. The Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire met on January 10 and heard 3 different wildfire funding proposals. First, Senator Steiner and Doug Grafe presented a modified version of their funding proposal . Representative Paul Evans, District 20, proposed funding a solution . His Legislative Concept, LC 22, would establish, by referral to voters, an Oregon Public Safety Authority, with taxing authority, capped at a maximum of $.25/$1,000 rate, to help fund wildfire programs across the State, as implemented by LC 23, the proposal’s second component. Finally, Senator Golden presented his funding concept, a referral to voters of what amounts to a renewal of the timber severance tax on larger timber companies (over 500 acres) to help fund wildfire programs. This would include funding for LC 81 , to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program via the Department of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), to promote community wildfire resilience, among other things. Later that day, Senator Steiner and Doug Grafe presented their proposal again, to the House Interim Committee on Climate, Energy and the Environment. Late breaking: After providing her wildfire funding proposal, according to Oregon Capital Chronicle , Sen. Steiner will drop the $10 property fee. Details are not yet available. January 11 the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources heard a brief overview of the 2023 Wildfire Season, and funding request, by Oregon Department of Forestry. Finally, later in the day, the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety received an overview of the 2023 wildfire season, and considered a funding request from OSFM. This request was met with several comments from committee members on the urgency to find long-term, reliable funding solutions for the growing wildfire problem in our State. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The short 2024 legislative session is Feb. 5-March 10. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Air Quality Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Board Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Land Use and Housing Reduce/Recycle Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. Bills in most committees must be scheduled for a work session by Feb. 12 and acted on by Feb. 19 th in the first chamber. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Lisa Charpolliz Hanson was confirmed by the Oregon Senate on Feb. 9 th as the permanent Dept. of Agriculture Director . Air Quality The 2022 Air Quality Monitoring Report is now available on Oregon DEQ’s website . Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch On Feb. 7 th , the House and Senate Revenue Committees heard the latest Revenue Forecast . The revenue from December was only up $76 million, but in closing the books for the 2021-23 session, an additional $446 million was returned to the General Fund unspent. There is about $1.656 billion total to be allocated. However, some legislators have shared that, because much of that money will need to be used for housing (the Governor asked for $600 million), Measure 110 costs (both behavior health and community safety), childcare ($78 million or more) and other priorities, there may be only $100 million for other legislator requests. Peter Wong of the Portland Tribune reports “Steiner said she wants to maintain the transfer of 1% of the budget’s ending balance to the state’s general reserve, known as the rainy-day fund, which is required by law. She also said an additional amount should be reserved for the full two-year cost of new programs started in this budget cycle.” “The economists have trimmed their outlook for revenue growth later this decade.” LC 305 was filed on Feb. 7 th as the beginning omnibus budget bill for 2024. (It will become a Senate Bill.) You will see items approved during the November and January Legislative Days in LC 305. Then there are state agency adjustments that have been requested. And monies to be saved in case of emergencies (such as our summer wildfire season) before the 2025 session and changing needs under the Oregon Health Authority and Dept. of Human Services. Currently there are concerns about revenue for that 2025-27 session so budget writers will want to keep money to cover those expected costs. Bonding capacity remains the same: $65.8 million in remaining general obligation bond capacity and $27.4 million in remaining lottery bond capacity for the 2023-25 biennium. See LC 308 and LC 309 that will be filled with bonding requests. These will be House bills and will show up in the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction at the end of session. Every policy bill that is sent to Ways and Means will be considered with the recognition of this limited revenue and if there will be “roll-up” costs for 2025-27 or are they one-time expenditures. Look for those bills to be considered in the Ways and Means Subcommittees ONLY when they have been approved by the Ways and Means Co-Chairs and Senate and House Leadership. As part of the 2025-27 costs, the average for PERS contributions is expected to go up from 18.6% to 19.7%, according to a Milliman projection at a PERS meeting on Feb. 2 nd . That is slightly better than the 1.7% increase estimated last fall when the cost to the 2025-27 budget was estimated at $13 billion additional employer contributions. The official rate will be announced Oct. 4 th . The agency budget process for 2025-27 is beginning. Look for presentations to agency Boards and Commissions soon. More quarterly revenue forecasts will be provided before the Governor presents her budget by Dec. 1 st . Personal income taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker?” calculator available on Revenue Online . To use the calculator, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023. Taxpayers may also hand-calculate the amount of their credit by multiplying their 2022 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2022 Form OR-40—by 44.28 percent. Your 2023 tax returns could be filed starting January 29. Here is a good video on property taxes in Oregon. Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible that there will be conversations on property tax reform in 2025. The Oregonian provides some insight into that future conversation. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch The League signed a letter in support of HB 4132 , Marine Reserves. The bill passed the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water on Feb. 8 th and was sent to Ways and Means. Currently there is a fiscal request of just under $900 million for this biennium. The League adopted our position on Marine Reserves after doing our Coastal study in 2012. This bill recognizes the first ten years of this program, creates more specific requirements on its management and on-going public engagement. Those who were concerned about this program have, for the most part, joined us in celebrating its success. Dr. Sarah Klain will be the Oregon Marine Reserves Program’s new human dimensions project leader. The League provided comments on HB 4080-1 that would both address union labor IF offshore wind projects happen on our South Coast and create a robust public engagement process before any projects are approved. It is expected that the federal government may approve leasing parts of federal waters for offshore wind projects as early as this fall. A Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) letter provides more information. Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working with DSL to identify In Lieu lands (lands owed the State of Oregon on statehood that have not yet been allotted to Oregon). Click here to view the BLM Proposed Classification Decision , and a public notice that two forestland properties in Linn County that have been identified to meet the criteria for some of those In Lieu lands. Learn more and provide public comment through April 9, 2024. Drinking Water Advisory Committee By Sandra Bishop The Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) meeting was postponed to February 20 th . Agenda . Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch A Dept. of State Lands interim advisory group on the ESRF met on Jan. 18 and again on Feb. 7, Feb. meeting materials . Work is continuing on eventual adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan and a Forest Management Plan for the forest. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . The State Land Board will receive a report at their Feb. 13 th meeting . A recommendation with structural governance may be before the Land Board on April 9. If approved, look for appointments to the new ESRF Board at their June 11 th meeting. Forestry (ODF) The Oregon Dept. of Forestry is holding community conversations in February as they do strategic planning. The public is encouraged to participate. On Feb. 23 rd the Board of Forestry will have a special meeting on Post-Disturbance Harvest Rulemaking. Agenda . There are a number of bills this session around funding wildfire. For information on the various bills, see the Wildfire section of this report below. Land Use & Housing/Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) By Peggy Lynch The League has been engaged in discussions for months on the Governor’s land use/housing bill, SB 1537 . A -4 amendment has been filed that reflects many of the changes as a result of multiple work groups engaged in this important bill. This bill and others may see additional amendments and be worked in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development on Feb. 13. As part of the effort to provide infrastructure so housing can actually be built, the League supported HB 4134 with testimony . The bill that will have a Work Session on Feb. 13 th . The bill includes a list of infrastructure projects in small towns around Oregon to be funded with a promise of new housing, especially for middle income Oregonians. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage . And watch their meetings on the department’s YouTube channel. The Department of Land Conservation and Development is recruiting committee members for rulemaking for Goal 9 and certain Economic Opportunities Analyses processes. Applications to serve on the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) must be submitted by midnight on February 13 th . See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Reduce/Recycle By Camille Freitag The League weighed in again this year on a Right to Repair bill, SB 1596 . We also joined others in support of the bill. There will be another public hearing on Feb. 13 in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment ONLY for those who had signed up last week and didn’t get to speak. Then a work session is also scheduled for that same day. There are a number of amendments listed on OLIS. We understand that the fiscal (cost) of administering the bill has been removed because the Dept. of Justice has an existing fund for enforcement that is adequately resourced to meet the need. Meeting materials for the fifth Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee have been posted on the Recycling 2024 website. The meeting will be held on Feb. 14 on Zoom. The next meetings are scheduled for March 14 th and April 3 rd . To attend please Register via Zoom . To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, view the rulemaking web page at: Recycling Updates 2024 . Water By Peggy Lynch The Oregon Water Resources Dept. is considering recommending changes to Oregon’s groundwater rules to the Water Resources Commission. This slide deck was presented at their last rules advisory committee meeting. A written public comment period will open from March 1 st through June 1 st . Regional meetings will be held April 4 th in Bend, April 18 in La Grande, May 16 in Central Point, and May 21 st in Salem, with the Salem meeting being available on the internet as well as in person. It is expected that the Oregon Water Resources Commission will consider and may adopt the new rules at their Sept. meeting. The League is watching this work closely as is LWV Deschutes County and looks forward to the Water Resources Commission's adoption of this first set of updated rules which can then lead to updated Critical Groundwater designations as the data determines is necessary. In the meantime, many Oregonians are experiencing dry household wells. Updates on the Lower Umatilla Groundwater Management Area (LUGWMA) and our fellow Oregonians who are suffering from dangerous nitrates in their domestic wells: OPB and the Oregon Capital Chronicle provided articles as we follow this serious public health issue. The Department of State Lands is creating a new statewide program (Abandoned and Derelict Vessels) to address hazardous vessels across Oregon. They want your feedback on the proposed program framework. Share your input by Friday, March 8th! See the proposed framework for the ADV program here (PDF). The League has supported the creation of this program and the funding needed to remove these hazardous vessels from Oregon’s waterways. OWRD anticipates releasing a draft of the updated Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) for public review and comment in March. An updated draft is then anticipated to be available for a second public comment opportunity in May. The Oregon Water Resources Commission will hear public testimony and consider the adoption of the 2024 IWRS at their September meeting. For more information about this process, please visit the IWRS page on their website. The League hopes members will engage since we were actively engaged in the original legislation and in the first two IWRS documents. As a result of that work, our state water agencies have been funded to a greater degree than ever before. Quagga mussels, a serious invasive species that can raise havoc with water infrastructure, were discovered on a boat coming into Oregon from Lake Mead. Oregon needs to consider funding to address this invasive problem as Idaho is doing. Look for this issue to be addressed in 2025. It is a current license program at the Oregon State Marine Board with transfer of funds to the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife who use that money for an inspection program at Oregon’s borders that found those invasives. The League assisted in support of these programs. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has signed drought declarations under ORS 536 for the counties of Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Deschutes, Wasco, Harney, Sherman, Lake, Jackson, Gilliam, Douglas, Lincoln, and Morrow counties. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The short session is underway, and things in the wildfire arena are, pardon me for this, heating up! Leading up to the short session was a meeting of the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC) on Jan. 19. Doug Grafe, the Governor’s Wildfire Director, started things off with an overview of the bills the Council will be tracking and working on with legislators. Much time was spent on two upcoming bills from Senator Golden. The first, SB 1511 , would create a Neighborhood Protection Cooperatives Grant Program, administered through the Dept. of the State Fire Marshal. It would also direct the Dept. of Business and Consumer Services to work with insurance companies to explore the possibility of “rewarding” communities that participate in these standardized risk reduction programs with more favorable rates for homeowners’ insurance. The League testified in support of this bill at a public hearing on Feb. 8 before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire. The second bill discussed at the WPAC meeting was Senator Golden’s funding bill, SB 1593 , which would repeal the current forest products harvest tax regime and impose a new version of the timber severance tax, which was repealed in the 1990s with devastating consequences for wildfire program funding. The new tax would apply to private lands with larger than 500 acres of timber and would provide funding to counties and to programs to protect homes, neighborhoods and water supplies from wildfire damage. This bill would be a referral to the voters. Two other funding bills were presented, and details of those can be found later in this report. There was also discussion of HB 4016 , which provides some technical fixes and tweaks to a prescribed fire liability program and establishes funds related to responding to wildfire smoke and home hardening. The League also monitored a public hearing on this bill on Feb. 5 before the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment. Closing out the WPAC meeting there was a presentation from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on “The 20-Year Strategy – The Future of Landscape Resiliency in Oregon” and highlights of past and ongoing work to address fuels on the landscape, especially around communities. There appears to be a growing focus on the needed strengthening of the partnership and coordination between federal and state agencies with regard to our wildfire crisis. This is evidenced by these same organizations giving similar, expanded presentations to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire on Feb. 6 th which was followed by the League. As previously mentioned, the League is following two other wildfire funding bills that have been introduced this session. The first, HB 4133 , chiefly sponsored by Reps. Marsh and Owens and Sens. Steiner and Findley, makes changes related to the forest products harvest tax, establishes a State Forestry Dept. Large Wildfire Fund, and makes changes related to forest protection districts. That bill’s original iteration had a $10 tax on each property in Oregon, but that provision has since been dropped. Finally, Rep. Paul Evans has introduced HJR 201 and HB 4075 . HB 4075 would set up a task force to develop a plan for the legislature to establish a statewide public safety funding authority in Oregon. The Authority would have taxing power of up to $0.25/$1,000 property tax value. The establishment of this body requires a constitutional amendment which would have to be referred to the voters in the next general election in Nov. 2024. HB 4075 only takes effect if HJR 201 is approved by the voters. This article outlines some of the pros and cons of each bill. Update: The League will be signing on to a budget request for additional monies to the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Dept. of Forestry to address Community Wildfire Protection and Landscape Resiliency. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley/Sharron Noone • Education: Jean Pierce • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: After School and Summer Behavioral Health Civil Commitment Education Gun Policy Healthcare Housing Legislation Immigration Revenue After School and Summer By Katie Riley There are several bills that are dealing with afterschool and summer care. On Monday, March 17th, the League visited legislators to ask that HB 3039 and HB 2007 which both concern summer learning, include a differentiation of care during non-school time from summer school for both funding and data reporting purposes. The offices that were visited included those for Senators Lieber, Sollman, and Bonham and Representatives Ruiz and Sanchez. Those visits were selected due to their leadership positions on party caucuses and/or committees that determine budget allocations. We also talked to legislative sponsoring offices for SB 876 (Sen. Dick Anderson) and HB 3162 (Rep. Jami Cate), both of whom propose funding for after school care. SB 876 has passed out of committee and will need to be voted on by the Senate before it can be sent to the House for consideration. HB 3162 has not received a committee hearing so it may not progress further. The House Committee on Education was scheduled to have a hearing on Wednesday, March 19th on HB 3039 and HB 2007 but only HB 2007 had a hearing. Both bills have had amendments submitted which help to improve the focus on expanded learning to include the possibility of after school care during the summer. Senator Sollman and Representative Ruiz who authored HB 2007 with Representative Fahey testified. Time was limited so only a few community members were able to testify and most supported the bill with the new amendment submitted by Representative Susan McLain. LWVOR submitted written testimony for both bills encouraging further amendment to differentiate care during after school hours from summer school. Without separate data, it will be impossible to determine the impact of each component. It is expected that the HB 3039 and HB 2007 may be combined. Since HB 3039 is one of the Governor's priority bills, legislators are working hard to address problems before the bill is passed out of committee. A work session is scheduled in the committee for Monday, March 24th. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller The House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee held a public hearing and work session on HB3129 (Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund.) LWVOR submitted testimony earlier in support of this bill. The committee adopted an amendment to the bill which includes a minimum service requirement of at least two years for student recipients. It also increased the amount appropriated for the bill from $17,900,000 to $25,700,000. The bill passed the committee on March 18 and was referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Civil Commitment By Patricia Garner SB 171 / HB 2467 : A significant amendment to these bills is anticipated to be filed by the Forensic Behavioral Health Work Group chaired by Representative Jason Kropf. The primary proponent of the legislation is the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Oregon (NAMI). Current law provides that a person can be civilly committed if that person is dangerous to self or others, but importantly, dangerousness to self or others is not defined. This ambiguity has created significant barriers to civil commitment. This LC attempts to remedy this ambiguity. It provides that dangerousness to self / others takes place when a person is engaged in or is threatening to engage in behavior that resulted in or was likely to result in physical harm to self /another, and it is reasonably foreseeable that due to their mental disorder, they will engage in behavior that presents a risk of harm to self/others in the near future. Importantly, “near future” is specifically defined as a period of time that is reasonably foreseeable, but no more than 14 days. “Physical harm” is also clarified as physical contact that results in injury to another, and serious physical harm places a person at a “non-speculative” risk of death, impairment of health or bodily organs, including impairment or deterioration of brain function due to untreated psychiatric conditions. In deciding whether someone should be committed, the court is also specifically authorized to consider whether that person has insight into their mental illness and their ability to follow a treatment plan. This latter factor relates to anosognosia, a neurological condition where a person is unable to recognize her or his own illness, which is common in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. (See Judiciary Committee Hearing at 54:15 minutes). The prevalence of anosognosia in mental illness means that many people are not just avoiding treatment, but rather they do not apprehend they even have a mental illness. The LC also specifies several factors that can be used when a person is subject to commitment because of danger to self. Some of these factors include recent overt acts attempting to cause serious physical harm to self, recent threats to inflict this harm, the context of such acts or threats, and any past behavior resulting from a mental disorder that caused physical harm to self and past patterns of deterioration that contributed to prior involuntary hospitalizations. Dangerousness to others generally follows this format, but also recent destructive acts against property that were reasonably likely to place others at risk of injury HB 2015 – Oregon Residential Services Legislation This bill is currently a placeholder but should shortly be amended to require the Oregon Health Authority to study and make recommendations (9-25 and 9-26) to the Legislature about a range of issues related to residential treatment facilities and homes. The areas for review are detailed. For example, they include considerations that staffing costs for a facility should not change when the acuity of an individual changes, the workforce needs to be paid a professional wage, whether and how to support discharge from residential levels of placement, and how to create one license and set of rules for Transition Aged Youth Residential Treatment Homes that serve people 17.5 to 24 years of age. Education By Jean Pierce Recently, the Trump administration sent a “ Dear Colleague ” letter pressuring educational administrators not to “embrace pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences”. This was accompanied by a FAQ sheet. In addition, there is an Executive Order threatening cuts to essential programs if schools honor standards of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). So on March 13th Oregon’s Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, joined 14 other state attorneys general to provide guidance regarding what public schools can do to honor the law. They note that “nothing in the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter or FAQ changes existing law and well-established legal principles that encourage—and even require—schools to promote educational opportunity for students of all backgrounds.” This week the administration issued an Executive Order closing the Department of Education. While the administration insists that it will continue funding student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking, still no plan has been suggested for how that might happen. The Education Law Center has a helpful tool showing how much federal funding for K-12 education each state is receiving for FY 2025. The total for Oregon is more than $433 Million. This includes close to $200 million for Title 1 (funding for educating low income students) and more than $170 million for IDEA (funding education of students with special needs). Legislation which advanced this week SB 1098 , which prohibits discrimination when selecting or retaining school library materials, textbooks or instructional materials or when developing and implementing a curriculum was passed unamended with a partisan vote, by the Senate Education Committee. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. HB2997 , which directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to establish a grant program to expand access to populations which are under-represented in colleges and universities, was passed with a partisan vote by the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development with an amendment to appropriate $5 million. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. HB 3182 , which directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award grants to nonprofit organizations providing affordable housing support to low-income students. was passed 6 to 1 with minor amendments by the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. HB 3183 , which would appropriate money to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide no-cost, low-cost textbooks and course materials across Oregon’s colleges and universities, was passed 6 to 1 by the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development with an amendment lowering the amount appropriated from $4.5 million to $2 million. LWVOR submitted testimony for the bill. Gun Policy By Marge Easley Six gun policy bills are now making their way through the legislative process. HB 3075 , heard on March 17 in House Judiciary, contains details for implementing the firearm permitting requirement in Measure 114 (2022). The committee received over 1000 pieces of testimony on the bill, including testimony from the League, and emotions ran high during oral testimony in the packed hearing room. A work session is scheduled for April 2. HB 3076 , heard on March 20 in House Judiciary, establishes a gun dealer licensing program in Oregon. League testimony stated that a state system is needed to curtail illegal guns that are used in crimes, often obtained through straw purchases and gun shop thefts. Oversight is currently under the direction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), but the agency is woefully underfunded, and inspections are a rarity. A work session on the bill is scheduled for April 2. The League is also following four additional gun policy bills that are scheduled for an omnibus hearing and possible work sessions in the Senate Judiciary on April 7. SB 696 bans rapid-fire devices that convert semi-automatic weapons to the nearly full-automatic. SB 697 raises the age to purchase military-style weapons like AR-15s from age 18 to 21. SB 698 expands the types of public buildings that are authorized to ban firearms, even for holders of concealed handgun licenses (CHLs). SB 429 creates a 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of a firearm. Healthcare By Christa Danielson HB 2010-A : The League submitted testimon y for this bill, which extends the funding for the state portion of Medicaid. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the President of the Senate as well as the Speaker of the House. It will be heading to the Governor’s desk for consideration of signature. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona The Senate Committee on Housing and Development will hold another public hearing on SB 722 on March 26. The bill would prohibit residential landlords from software and occupancy control, and would apply rent caps for younger properties. This bill would help prevent displacement by prohibiting landlords of multifamily housing from using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to inflate rents or occupancy rates. This unethical practice is the subject of national attention . Attorneys General in eight states, including Oregon, have joined the Justice Department in an antitrust suit to disallow this method of sharing and aligning non-public information to drive up rents. The bill also would reduce the current 15-year exemption for new construction from our statewide rent stabilization statute down to 7 years. This change would provide reasonable rent stabilization protection for an additional 40,000 housing units and between 80,000 to 100,000 Oregonians. Oregon renters are the 6th most cost burdened in the nation, and our eviction crisis is growing with more than 27,000 cases filed last year. Eighty-eight percent of evictions are because tenants cannot afford Oregon’s high rents. Studies show that rent stabilization policies help keep tenants stably housed and reduce evictions. The League provided testimony in support of SB 722 . The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness will hold a public hearing on HB 2964 on March 26. It would direct Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to provide grants and loans for predevelopment costs for new affordable housing. OHCS would have the responsibility to administer a grant and loan program for predevelopment costs for new affordable housing for low-income households to rent or own. OHCS would integrate this program into its existing Predevelopment Loan Fund with monies from the General Fund. Properties would be developed with affordability restrictions to ensure that they remain affordable. Oregon's population growth has outpaced housing construction leading to a severe shortage of affordable properties. This bill will give our state’s lower income households an opportunity to live in stable, new and affordable housing. The League provided testimony in support o f HB 2964 . Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Bill # Description Policy Committee Status $* Chief Sponsors + Comments SB 149 Immigration Study SCJ PH & WS 4/2 Y Sen Jama DHS SB 599A Immigration status: Discrimination in Real Estate transactions Floor Floor vote 3/24 Sen Campos Carry over SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented SC HS - JWM PH 3/25, Work Sess 4/1 Y Sen Campos Rep Ruiz SB 703 A bipartisan immigration status update funding bill SCJ PH 3/19 WS 3/26 6 Sen Reynolds, Reps Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony SB 1119 To prohibit employers from engaging in unfair immigration-related practices. SCLAB PH 3/27, Work Sess 4/1 Sen. Taylor SB 1140 Prohibits requirements that employees speak only English in workplace unless business necessity SCLAB PH 3/27, Work Sess 4/1 Sen. Taylor HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. HC LWPS PH 3/12 WS 4/2 Reps Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 Funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. HC ECHS wk Ses 3/25 Rep Hartman HB2788 Funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status/legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Reps Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 Nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Sen Ed 3/12 Reps Hudson, Sen Campos House vote 36 v 18 HB 2543 Funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud ? 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Reps Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193 Farm Worker Relief Fund HC LWPS Wk Ses 3/24 10 Rep Marsh, Sen Pham, Rep Valderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund JCWM-GG ? 7 Das We are considering joining a coalition that has recently formed to support a number of 2025 bills affecting many agricultural workers and other immigrants. There may be League alerts on this topic later this session. (refer to Immigration LR) Revenue By Peggy Lynch The Co-Chairs of Ways and Means provided their framework for the 2025-27 state budget. Note on the last page the potential effect of federal budget cuts. This Oregonlive article suggests some of the most painful cuts. The Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Capital Construction met on March 21st and received a report from the State Treasurer, including the 2025 bonding capacity: “$2.22 Billion Issuance For Each Biennium, Or $1.11 Billion Annually” . We note that this capacity is based on the Sept. 2024 Revenue Forecast. Also, there is a recommendation that bond sales be scattered throughout the biennium instead of waiting until the last quarter of the biennium. However, that means that the cost of debt service will have to be calculated into the 2025-27 budget. But scattering the sales can also provide the legislature with a pullback of those sales should the economy not support the ability of the state to back those bonds. The Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) on behalf of the Governor reported on the Governor’s bond requests in her 2025-27 budget. A complete list is available here . Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Revenue Team Coordinator: Josie Koehne Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Peggy Lynch The legislature received the Aug. 27th Revenue Forecast by the Office of Economic Analysis and a Revenue Summary from the Legislative Revenue Office. Bottom line: The revenue forecasted in May is now down due to many factors, including federal actions. It is expected to continue to decrease unless federal actions around tariffs and budgets change. The personal kicker has also reduced to $1,410.4 million—to show as a credit on your 2025 Oregon taxes. Final calculations on the kicker will be done by November. Federal actions may mean that Oregon will likely bring in fewer tax dollars, spend more money on administrative tasks and receive billions less in federal funding. Per an Oct. 7 Town Hall by Rep. Owens, as of now, legislators will need to address what is a $915 million shortfall. Agencies are being asked to provide a 5% cut to their budgets. These budgets will go before each Ways and Means Subcommittee during the short session. This means people need to be engaging to help agencies when choosing their cuts list. Rep. Gomberg provided some concerning information about the potential loss of federal funding here in Oregon: Thrown into uncertainty was the Oregon Health Plan. State figures show 33.5% of Oregonians are on the state’s Medicaid program. About 14% of Oregon’s annual education budget comes from the federal government, amounting to more than $1 billion each year. And 17,500 preschool children are enrolled in Head Start . A March 28 th press release from Senate President Wagner shared more data on federal losses. Planning for 2026: The co-chairs left unspent about 22% of general obligation bond capacity and 15% of lottery revenue bonds, which theoretically leaves some flexibility for lawmakers to make investments in next year’s short session. However, any reduction in General Fund and/or Lottery Funds will mean this capacity will need to be adjusted down. During Interim Legislative Days, many legislative committees provided information on both the revenue and costs side of H.R.1., also known as “The Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress. Both Revenue Committees heard the revenue impacts to Oregon because of our rolling connection to the federal tax code. A tax disconnect bill passed the Oregon House but not the Senate in 2025. Currently, Oregon tax code mirrors the federal code, so if something is tax exempt at the federal level, it is at the state level as well. Expect a conversation around the loss of revenue and the additional costs Oregon might incur due to changes in federal programs. It IS possible to target disconnect provisions, and that may be politically easier than a full disconnect. It MAY be the topic for another Special Session before the 2026 session. Because any bill that “raises revenue” cannot have an Emergency Clause, it would not take effect for 90 days after passage to allow for a public referral/referendum so a Special Session on this matter is not likely. The Legislature COULD delay the April 15 filing date should they decide to address the disconnect in the 2026 session. They have taken that action in the past. The next Revenue Forecast is Nov. 19. We know that both the Legislative Revenue Office and Legislative Fiscal Office are having discussions with legislators in anticipation of further revenue reductions. Pay attention to both General Funds and Lottery Funds since natural resource agencies also rely heavily on Lottery Funds. Oregon is better suited to address a significant downturn in the economy than the last major downturn because of Oregon’s Rainy Day and Education Stability Funds. But there are criteria that must be addressed in order to access those funds. On top of all that, Congress was unable to agree on funding the federal government for the Oct. 2025-Sept. 2026 fiscal year. Jefferson Public Radio did a good job of covering potential consequences to Oregon. As of Oct. 7 th , the shutdown continues. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Revenue Team Coordinator: Josie Koehne REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch The latest word is we are $650 million in the hole related to revenue needs vs. expenses. But this number doesn’t reflect all the legislation being considered this session. One positive action taken this last week is the Senate Committee On Finance and Revenue ’s passage (along party lines 3-2) of SB 1507 A that “disconnects” a few sections of the federal tax code from our state tax system. We understand that the bill was the result of both chambers’ Revenue Chairs and others as they sought to balance the needs for tax reform with the need to help fill the revenue hole brought on by the federal H.R.1 . The Legislative Revenue Office provided this chart to help explain the revenue impact. Here is the Staff Measure Summary, the Fiscal Impact Statement and the Revenue Impact Statement . The measure provides for an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit that the League has long supported. If this bill passes, it will reduce that revenue hole by about $300 million. Our partners at the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) have provided a video that might help explain this complicated tax policy. The Oregonian provides another explanation of the committee’s work. The League provided testimony in support of the amended bill. There was a Minority Report filed ( Staff Report ) and that report’s Revenue and Fiscal Impact Statements are available in the bill’s meeting materials. SB 1507 A is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote. If it passes, it will then be sent to the House for consideration. Another bill we are watching is SB 1510 : Updates the terminology used to describe certain income earned by multinational corporations to reflect a change in the term used in federal law a bill . The bill, with amendments, would provide an opportunity to explore additional tax policy for consideration in the 2027 session. Public Hearing Feb. 11. Work Session Feb. 16. Although the League was disappointed that this policy was not included in SB 1507 A, we can support a continued conversation around corporate tax policy. We are also watching for potential changes in the estate tax, SB 1511 . A -3 amendment is posted for a Feb. 18 Work Session. The staff has provided this analysis that indicates no expected revenue loss for this biennium but $35 million by 2029-31. Public Hearing Feb. 11. OCPP provides an analysis of this tax. Work Session Feb. 18 -3 amendment is posted. SB 1586 : the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Land Use section of the Natural Resources Report. Oregonlive provided this comprehensive assessment of the bill. This Oregonlive article indicates that the bill’s chief sponsor is listening to concerns: “ The enterprise zone part is being removed from the bill .” But there’s still a chance that the tax breaks will expand this session. Gov. Tina Kotek has similar language in an economic development bill she is promoting . Public Hearing Feb. 16. The League will provide testimony in opposition to this bill. As we watch the U.S. and Oregon’s economy, we note the Oregon Capital Chronicle Jobs Report article , of special concern as Oregon is an income tax state. The Full Ways and Means Committee met Feb. 6 th and introduced 6 budget bills for the session. Here are the bill numbers. Expect amendments by the end of session: SB 1601: Amends an incorrect internal reference in a law relating judicial compensation. Program Change. SB 5701: Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the Housing Alliance requested funds for preserving existing housing that will no longer be regulated as “affordable”. SB 5702 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state agencies for capital construction. Capital Construction 6-year limitation. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the committee heard 3.5 hours of 2-minute requests from across the state—from infrastructure to housing to resilience hubs to a variety of economic development projects. Legislators were allowed only two requests each but even that meant up to 180 requests! SB 5703: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder for agency allocation changes. HB 5203: Approves certain new or increased fees adopted by state agencies. The bill includes the Dept. of State Lands Wetlands processing fees set forth during rulemaking for which the League engaged. Fee Ratification. HB 5201: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder. HB 5202: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder. HB 5204: Modifies certain biennial appropriations made from the General Fund to specified state agencies and the Emergency Board. Establishes and modifies limitations on expenditures for certain biennial expenses for specified state agencies. The items populated in this bill as introduced reflect tentative decisions made by Ways and Means during the January Legislative Days. Omnibus Budget. Here is the material from the Oregon State Debt Policy Advisory Commission . Tentatively the General Obligation bond capacity for the 2026 session is $513 million and $86 million lottery bond capacity. Revenue Committees and Ways and Means don’t need to follow the session deadlines. They work until close to the end of session. Other bills we may be following: SB 1562 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. HB 4148 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent , respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. The LOCAL Act, adjusts the post-2003 lodging tax distribution so that local governments may adjust the percentages, with up to 60% used for critical local services and infrastructure, such as first responders, and at least 40% dedicated to tourism promotion and facilities. The LOCAL Act is a bipartisan collaborative bill that updates outdated restrictions so communities can better balance supporting tourism with maintaining residents' quality of life. Public hearing Feb. 9. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Applies to estimates prepared on or after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the difference in surplus revenue calculations using stated methodologies, and transfer an amount equal to the difference for use for various purposes. Establishes the One-Time Emergencies and Finance Fund. Public hearing Feb. 2. HB 4136 : Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, a mortgage interest deduction for a residence other than the taxpayer’s principal residence, unless the taxpayer sells the residence or actively markets the residence for sale. Establishes the Oregon Homeownership Opportunity Account. Transfers an amount equal to the estimated increase in revenue attributable to restrictions on the deduction of mortgage interest to the account, for the purpose of making down payment assistance payments. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Public Hearing Feb. 16. SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges and wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. OPB covered a story about the bill . Public Hearing Feb. 18. The League has long supported kicker reform but we also note that, with our new state economist, another kicker is not expected in the near term. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. Another Public Hearing Feb. 11. -1 amendment HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Public Hearing Feb. 2. See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall.

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 1/23 Education By Anne Nesse House ED Chair Neron is the chief sponsor of HB2739 written to form a Committee on more stable and sustainable educational funding…providing more accurate calculation of the biennial budget. The hearing was held 1/25. This bill attempts to solve many years of past problems associated with calculating fiscal expenditures needed for the Current Service Level (CSL) for educational costs all over our state. As Chair Neron pointed out, ‘post-secondary and private schools may raise their tuitions when costs go up, but the state needs to calculate the public schools budget without error, knowing all the facts and figures, as well as improvements we need to make. It is a complex math problem. And the differences of calculation have frequently been politicized, as Chair Neron points out, whereas this bill will attempt to create a knowledgeable committee that can make our educational budgets more accurate, and equitable, throughout the state, for all of our children. There was much support for this in the public hearing, including, COSA (Coalition of Oregon School Administrators), OEA (Oregon Education Association), Oregon School Board Association, and several others. HB2281 House ED held a public hearing on 1/23. Colt Gill reported there has been an increase in discrimination complaints (up 450%), requiring the need for some civil rights coordination within the Dept. of Education. The investigation itself will be done separately by qualified individuals. HB2280 was also presented, a modification of “consent” language in sexual assault cases. HB2275 , a better coordination of all grants that ODE manages, which are many, especially since the Corporate Activities Tax for education took effect. Senate ED met 1/24 and 1/26. SB531 was introduced by Sen. Dembrow and Sen. Gelser Blouin, to provide more stable funding for summer and after school learning programs, especially designed for students who would not normally receive such benefits, although many who testified recognized that more early planning in January has to occur for increased success. Several legislators have noted that we need to plan for increasing offerings for students with special needs. These programs were community based, and by data often benefitted low income families. All who testified for this bill spoke of the joy Oregon students experience when they are offered more hands-on learning. It was important to note how many non-profit organizations, like Boys and Girls Clubs to name just one, testified on the abilities of communities to help our students thrive in education. Senate education finished the week 1/26, with information on the Task Force studying underrepresented students in higher education. Senators Dembrow, Frederick, and Wagner spoke on the many difficulties students have working their way through school, without much assistance. At this point no bills are written to address these problems, yet we still hope that we can make some difference at the legislative level.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Federal Oregon Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Oregon Treasury Natural and Working Lands Other Climate Bills Environmental Justice Bills Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust The current administration continues to dismantle/desecrate ~ five decades of climate, energy, environmental justice and sustainability policies and related budgeting. See project 2025 for many of these preplanned executive branch and congressional politically focused directives/decisions. A very Unfavorable Revenue Economic Forecast was released 5/14 which could limit funding for climate emergency related bills and potentially existing climate/ Environmental Justice programs. Please refer to the Revenue and NR LR for details. While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/ targeted outcomes. Federal US House targets big climate, clean energy rollbacks in budget proposal | Reuters Energy Star program is on the chopping block, sources say | CNN Science policy this week : May 12, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) How the Trump Administration Bakes Climate Denial into U.S. Policy | NRDC Can states and cities lead on climate under Trump? » Yale Climate Connections Oregon How the Pacific Northwest’s Dream of Green Energy Fell Apart — ProPublica. 5/12/25 EPA chief Zeldin faces bipartisan anger in Senate over funding freeze, grant cancellations – OPB 5/14/25 You can track effects of federal cuts in Oregon through the Impact Project. See their interactive map . Many of the cuts listed affect climate and environmental concerns. Closed-door negotiations create hard feelings as the Oregon Capitol awaits a transportation bill – OPB DEQ announces enforcement discretion for Oregon ACT for model years 2025 and 2026 - Grace period available for 2025 and 2026 model years (5/15/25) “Today, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Feldon issued a memo directing the agency to use its enforcement discretion for the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule. Effective immediately, DEQ will not pursue enforcement or issue penalties to manufacturers failing to meet zero-emissions vehicle sales targets for all Model Year 2025 and 2026 Class 2b-8 vehicles. This update does not affect Oregon’s Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus Rule ….” Current Week CE Action: This past week the League joined a number of organizations signing on to a Letter to support OSW Offshore wind Energy Roadmap, DLCD led study group. HB 3963. Transportation Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Transportation Package Priorities (The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities:) Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets , Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter this past week requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081 ): This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place. Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) Disadvantaged Communities (aka Environmental Justice) Bills HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session was held 4/9 passed 4/3, with no amendments, no recommendation and in House Rules. It is unclear why this bill is inactive. Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update By Claudia Keith HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead 
 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summary (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS .fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fiscal >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 
 
 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon received a C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates By Claudia Keith SB 681 : May be still active: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, in Sen F&R, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. 
 
 HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. (still in H EMGGV, still awaiting transfer to desk) 
 
 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force , Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans . 
 
 HB 2081A Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Passed House along party lines. WS Senate Finance & Rev is 5/21. ( see HB 2200 ) PH is 5/19. At the request of: (no sponsor: at the request of House Interim Committee on Revenue for Representative Nancy Nathanson) Historically, since 2009 Public banking policy topic has been included in many Leg sessions, (go here and then use Control F to search for ‘bank’. ) 22 bills mentioning Public and Bank have died in committee over the past 16 years. Divest Oregon The Pause Act would enact a 5-year moratorium on new Public Employees Retirement Fund (PER investments in new private fossil fuel funds. March 2025 Fund Performance - Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund and graphics Published by Divest Oregon: Executive Summary and Praise for Report (see SB 681) Addressing the Risk of Climate Change: A Comparison of US Pension Funds' Net Zero Plans – Jan 2025 Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 
 HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 Other Climate Bills New HB 3963 posted to OLIS 4/15, Rep Gomberg, House Rules. PH 5/19. Extends the deadline from Sept 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2027, for the DLCD to draft and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on the department's activities to develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. Existing HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, 4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . House Cm Educ, WS 5/19 , League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , 
 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $974K fiscal , moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 
 
 SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 first reading. 5/15 House 2nd reading HB 3546A , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , PH 4/30, 5/5, P WS was 5/14, moved with due pass. The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 
 HB 3189 in JWM. Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 SB 1143A : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. 
 
 HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. H CEE, PH 3/11 
 
 HB 3653 in Sen E&E, PH 4/28, WS was 5/5, 6-0 vote. House vote was 51 - 9. Senate 5/15 vote passed, 26 ,1-3. Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. 
 
 Environmental Justice Bills HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes By a 29-1, the Senate passed HB 3874 A , increasing the threshold for siting and approval of a wind energy facility at the county level from 50 MW to 100 MW of average electric generating capacity, before the facility must obtain a site certificate from EFSC. Either the county or the developer could elect to defer regulatory authority to EFSC. Under the bill as amended by the Senate, a county seeking to issue a permit for a facility of the specified size would have to require the applicant to provide a bonded decommissioning plan to restore the site to a useful, nonhazardous condition. HB 3336 , requiring IOUs to file strategic plans with the PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETs), was scheduled for a possible Work Session in Senate E&E but the WS was postponed until Monday 5/19. Process notes: The base bill passed the House by a comfortable margin in April. Testimony in House CE&E had been overwhelmingly supportive; PGE was neutral. Shortly before the Senate E&E public hearing 2 days ago, Rep. Gamba posted a -2 amendment that he said was intended to "streamline" the siting of GETs for the IOUs. This stoked opposition from cities and counties that complained of not having had enough time to study the amendment to ensure that it did not encroach on their local siting authority. OMEU (consumer-owned utilities) also criticized the lack of prior consultation and said they were afraid the amendment could make the GETs siting provisions apply to them too. Sen. Brock Smith chewed out Gamba on their behalf. Rather than drop the -2 amendment, Gamba promised to bring the parties together to spin out a -3 amendment that would meet all concerns, as soon as LC could get around to it. As of 5/14 LC had not gotten around to it. Senate E&E voted 3-2 to move HB 3546 A-7 , the POWER Act, to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. This bill was the top priority on the OCN Hot List this week. It would direct the PUC to provide for a separate classification of service for data centers and crypto mining facilities. PUC would have to require IOUs to enter into a 10-year contract with these large energy users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the term of the contract, which could include a charge for excess demand. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them. (Currently, these users are classified as industrial customers, which pay the lowest rates for electricity.) The bill would apply only to large users that apply for service on or after the effective date of the act, or that make significant investments or incur costs after the effective date that could result in increased costs or risks to other retail customers. Rep. Marsh described the -A7 amendment as technical to ensure against double-charging direct access customers that contract independently with an electric service provider, and to clarify that the large energy users can pursue alternative pathways to compliance through green power or renewable energy tariffs. The committee declined to adopt Sen. Brock Smith's -A6 amendment that would have defined "large energy user" by excluding a long list of specific industries other than data centers and crypto operations. He and Sen. Robinson, in explaining their "nay" votes, said they don’t oppose making large users pay their proportionate share of costs, but "singling out" data centers and crypto centers in statute could have adverse economic consequences. SB 685 A , requiring a natural gas utility to notify all customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen blended with natural gas, was scheduled for a Possible Work Session in House CE&E 5/12. House CEE Chair Lively carried over the PWS until Tuesday 5/20. This is a Bill of Support on the OCN Hot List. Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation May 15 Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. There are no recent press releases or media from Our Children’s Trust. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

I moved to Ashland at age six, spent my idyllic childhood in Lithia Park, building dams in the creek, watching OSF rehearsals - long before paid actors - with Angus Bowmer (our neighbor) directing. When I was thirteen, we moved to California where I lived until returning to Southern Oregon when I retired. The in-between years held all the usual events: school, work, marriage, children (two incredible sons), volunteering, finishing college (graduating from UC Davis at age 49), career (library adult literacy coordinator in various California counties), and finally retiring, more or less. League history: I have been a member (inactive now and then) of LWV since I was 27 and felt it has influenced and directed my adult life in more ways than I can list here. League has been one of the first things I look for when moving to a new community, and in the case of Crescent City, when I found there was no League, we tried to start one, partnering for a while with Curry County. Since returning to Oregon, I have been a member of two leagues: Rogue Valley and Coos County. As a member of the state board, I have broadened my understanding and appreciation of League. LWV is a unique and valuable organization that has so much to contribute and I have been hooked from my very first meeting, all those years ago. As a member of the State Board this last year, I have broadened my understanding and appreciation of League. I have been hooked from the first meeting, all those years ago. Jackie Clary Development Chair I moved to Ashland at age six, spent my idyllic childhood in Lithia Park, building dams in the creek, watching OSF rehearsals - long before paid actors - with Angus Bowmer (our neighbor) directing. When I was thirteen, we moved to California where I lived until returning to Southern Oregon when I retired. The in-between years held all the usual events: school, work, marriage, children (two incredible sons), volunteering, finishing college (graduating from UC Davis at age 49), career (library adult literacy coordinator in various California counties), and finally retiring, more or less. League history: I have been a member (inactive now and then) of LWV since I was 27 and felt it has influenced and directed my adult life in more ways than I can list here. League has been one of the first things I look for when moving to a new community, and in the case of Crescent City, when I found there was no League, we tried to start one, partnering for a while with Curry County. Since returning to Oregon, I have been a member of two leagues: Rogue Valley and Coos County. As a member of the state board, I have broadened my understanding and appreciation of League. LWV is a unique and valuable organization that has so much to contribute and I have been hooked from my very first meeting, all those years ago. As a member of the State Board this last year, I have broadened my understanding and appreciation of League. I have been hooked from the first meeting, all those years ago.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 4/24 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Air Quality Budget/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Elliott State Research Forest Land Use/Housing Northwest Energy Coalition Radioactive Waste Recycling Toxics Water Wildfire Natural Resources By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team Unless policy bills have headed to Ways and Means, we are watching them move to the second chamber. A few will see additional amendments, but most will simply have quick hearings, work sessions, and then will go to the second chamber for a vote. However, the Senate is still reading all bills and some Senators are using a number of delay tactics so the passage of bills out of the Senate chamber is very slow. The next policy bill deadline is May 5 to schedule a Work Session and May 19 for the bill to move out of committee to the second chamber. Air Quality LWVOR joined with others in support of HB 3229 . The bill would modify federal air quality (Title V) operating permit program fees. The bill sits in Ways and Means without recommendation. Budgets/Revenue The budget for the Land Use Board of Appeals ( HB 5028 ) was approved by W&Ms Natural Resources and moved to Full W&Ms. The League provided testimony in support on March 6. The Office of the Governor’s Budget ( HB 5022 ) was heard on April 24. The Governor’s Chief of Staff presented the Governor’s requests and vision for the Office. She is asking for 2 more staff and is committed to considering putting into her 2025 budget the “loaned” staff from other agencies now in her office. A surprise was that, instead of 9 total Regional Solutions staff, she said they were looking at 5. The current Regional Solutions Program is divided into 11 regions. Although there will continue to be 11 regions, Coordinators will need to share regions. The Chief of Staff also provided a reorganization chart (See pages 12 and 13 of the Governor’s presentation . The Governor is going to focus on her three priorities: Housing, Behavioral Health and Education. She meets regularly with the 15 largest state agency Directors. Her Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Warner is responsible for the various policy experts. A federal grant request from DEQ on climate for $3 million—a non-competitive grant meant to begin work to gain access to other federal funds in 2024—was approved by the Subcommittee. Rep. Levy noted how important it would be for the agency to have robust, inclusive public involvement in this program. The Oregon State Marine Board Subcommittee approved budget ( SB 5521 ) moved to Full W&Ms. The League provided testimony in support on Feb. 27 and was pleased to see a focus on abandoned and derelict vessels. We are hopeful to see that same focus continue when the Dept. of State Lands budget is approved. On April 27 they considered the budget for the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development. ( HB 5027 ). The League provided comments on Feb. 14. Although we support funding for this agency, there were significant missing elements in the Governor’s budget that we advocated for inclusion. The LFO recommendation has been posted. Only the Governor’s budget (with expectation of additional staff housed in other legislation), but none of the Agency Request POPs were approved. We will report next week on the Subcommittee decision. The League provided testimony again on HB 5025 , the omnibus higher education budget, this time in support of the Oregon Consensus/Oregon Solutions programs at Portland State University. The Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) provided a letter to Legislative and W&Ms Leadership to express the budget wishes of the 42 OCN organizations. The League was a part of that effort. There was no Full Ways and Means meeting in the Capitol on April 28. And we learned that the W&Ms Natural Resources Subcommittee will not meet on May 1 and 2. The last of the Ways and Means roadshows will be held Wed. May 3, 5-7 p.m. You can sign up to provide testimony virtually or attend in Salem. Plan on no more than 2 minutes each! We await the May 17 Revenue Forecast, the guide for the final balanced budgets for 2023-25. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section for overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch The Joint Transportation Committee saw a change in leadership. Due to a serious health event, Sen. Gorsek was replaced by Sen. Frederick as the Senate Co-Chair and Senate President Rob Wagner assigned himself to the committee. We are awaiting a new proposed amendment for HB 3382 but are hopeful that time will run out without one. We truly believe that this bill is a serious threat to our coastal planning and could reduce or remove the opportunity for coastal NOAA grants in the future. We need your voices to tell your legislators to Just Say NO! DLCD and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians were awarded $2.1 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding for Coastal Resilience. This is an example of the link between our land use planning program, the Coastal Zone Management Act and federal grant funding. A DLCD Coastal Grants webpage highlights the new Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding program being administered by OCMP/DLCD. The next solicitation for projects will be in May 2023. (It is grant funding like this that could be at risk if HB 3382 passes as written!) Dept. of State Lands HB 2238 , a bill that originally was filed to provide permission for robust rulemaking to increase fees for the removal/fill program is back! The bill was amended in the House to remove the fee increase and instead allows the Dept. of State Lands to get rid of personal property collected during clean up of DSL-owned property after 30 days. A new amendment has been filed to bring back the original purpose of the bill. The League continues to support . Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch Another Prospective Board meeting is scheduled for May 2 via Zoom from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Join the meeting online . Here is the agenda . Their website provides information. The League continues to remind the Board of our continuing concern related to financial viability and hopes the Board can resolve that issue. We will continue to monitor these Prospective Board meetings. The Prospective ESRF Authority Board met in a retreat on April 17 and 18 to try to resolve a number of challenging issues. The retreat agenda indicates they had substantial conversations around how to respond to the Habitat Conservation Plan work and how to fund the research forest if they cannot harvest as much timber as originally considered. They are seeking more funding from the federal government as they also discover ways to use the former Shutter Creek Correctional facility as part of their ESRF work. SB 161 had a public hearing on April 25 in the House with a new proposed amendment, increasing a deadline to Dec. 31, 2023. The bill adjusts some other timelines as provided by the Dept. of State Lands’ April 25 testimony . Land Use/Housing By Peggy Lynch On April 20, Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) adopted temporary rule amendments for the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) program. The temporary rules are available on the rulemaking web page and would take effect in May, to stay in effect for 180 days. The commission also initiated a rulemaking process to integrate the temporary rule changes, along with other clarifications and corrections, into permanent rules developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the land use and transportation sector and increase equitable outcomes. These rules apply to eight metropolitan areas in Oregon - Albany, Bend, Corvallis, Eugene/Springfield, Grants Pass, Medford/Ashland, Portland Metro, Salem/Keizer. The commission and department staff are making these changes to aid local implementation. Local governments and community members can find a list of the temporary rule changes on the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities program page . No new news on SB 1087 , filed on behalf of a farm in Lane County where they want to add a “café” (with seating for 250-300 people) on their Exclusive Farm Use (EFU)-zoned property. The League opposes this overreach of our land use program. A public hearing was held in House Housing and Homelessness on SB 1013 . The League has worked with the sponsor and Sen. Hayden to assure that, should a recreational vehicle be allowed on a rural property, issues of sewage and clean drinking water would be addressed by the counties. A -2 amendment is being offered to change that counties “may” adopt this law vs. “shall”. HB 3442 A , a bill that will allow coastal communities to develop in hazard areas under certain conditions, was heard in Senate Housing and Development on April 24. The amended bill responded to the League concerns in the original bill. We noticed an interesting bill, HB 3416 A , that lists a number of projects around rural Oregon to be funded by Business Oregon. The bill awaits a verdict in Ways and Means. HB 3414 with the -4 amendment would create a new Housing Accountability and Production Office in DLCD and also includes a Section 2 related to processing variances under certain circumstances. Variances are used to address exceptions to a code’s “clear and objective standards”. It is unclear how this provision will change a community’s control over residential development. The bill was moved without recommendation as to passage, referred to House Rules. SB 70A would allow housing on acreage in Malheur County. The League provided testimony in opposition on Feb. 8. On April 3, the bill was moved without recommendation as to passage to Senate Rules. LWVOR still opposes. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Northwest Energy Coalition By Robin Tokmakian Our League representative worked on a resolution regarding gas utility decarbonization. LWVOR signed on to support the resolution. Radioactive Waste By Shirley Weathers The April 24, 2023 meeting of the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) on Radioactive Waste generated a lot of discussion and set the stage for two-part procedural consideration of recommended rules for OAR 345-050 designed to implement SB 246 (2021) with which the RAC is charged. After several RAC meetings, ODOE staff had provided draft rules for RAC members’ input. Within the draft, there were two Parts. Prior to the comment deadline, the member representing Waste Management Corporation requested the April 24 meeting to present a proposal for a significantly different approach to Part II of the draft rules. Waste Management and other members participating in the development of the alternate proposal—Oregon Business and Industry was one named—have stated their hope for RAC consensus for their approach. During the meeting, members and ODOE staff raised a number of questions about the proposal, making it clear that much more discussion is needed. Some issues will require legal analysis. It was tentatively decided that the two Parts will proceed on separate tracks. Part I: Staff will incorporate member input received thus far into another draft for RAC member input. That segment will then be finalized by mid- June in time to be presented as a recommendation to the July Energy Facilities Siting Committee meeting. A public comment period will follow. Part II: Discussions and other activities related to the Waste Management proposal will proceed and likely will include more meetings. The League will seek more information about the nature of the legal analysis and participate in subsequent meetings. The meeting recording and PDF of the WMI presentation will be posted on the ODOE Rulemaking page for this RAC. Reduce/Recycle By Kathy Moyd/Greg Martin On April 25, the Senate voted 26-3 to refer SB 542 A (Right to Repair) to the Rules Committee. There it will sit until more amendments are made or until there are enough votes to pass it in the full Senate. The League provided testimony in support on Feb. 14. On April 26, the House passed SB 543 A by 40-18, and passed SB 545 A by 38-18, sending both bills to the Governor. SB 543 A, an OCN priority bill, prohibits a food vendor from using polystyrene foam containers in sales of prepared food, and prohibits the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam containers, packaging peanuts, and food ware containers with intentionally added polyfluoroalkyl substances. LWVOR provided supporting testimony in the Senate committee hearing. SB 545 A directs OHA to adopt rules allowing restaurants to allow consumers to fill their own containers with food. LWVOR also testified in favor of this bill in committee. Toxics By Paula Grisafi HB 3043 A was expected to have a public hearing this week in Senate Energy and Environment, but it has been unscheduled. SB 546A (toxic free cosmetics) was sent to W&Ms although there was NO fiscal for the 2023-25 session because, although the measure takes effect January 1, 2024, all substantive portions of the bill are not operative until January 1, 2027. SB 426 A (toxic free schools) was sent to W&Ms without fiscal impact clarity. The bill’s advocates are working to assure that the fiscal impact statement is not over inflated by agency staff. Water By Peggy Lynch A major water bill, HB 3124 , was moved to House Rules without recommendation as to passage. The bill is a $250 million Drought Relief and Water Scarcity package and includes some of the other bills we’ve seen this session. The League provided comments on the bill, including a list of our priorities, using our participation in the HB 5006 Work Group as our guide. A League priority is HB 3163A , a bill that renews the Place-Based Planning program with a Fund to help groups participate in this program. It was sent to W&Mw. The League participated in a Work Group last year to help develop sideboards on the program, with testimony in support. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. We have an on-going drought in many parts of Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Oregon’s climatologist and a variety of other Oregon scientific sources provide input into the drought map. Governor Kotek has signed drought declarations under ORS 536 for the counties of Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Deschutes, Wasco and Harney counties. In addition, many counties in eastern and southern Oregon have received Secretarial Disaster Designations from the US Department of Agriculture due to drought conditions. Wildfire State Forester Cal Mukumoto has decided not to renew the state’s wildfire insurance policy for 2023-24. The state would have to incur costs over $78 million before accessing the $25 million policy. Oregon has had the policy for 51 years—the only state to have such a policy. And, over time, it has been worthwhile. But the price of the policy vs. the threshold to access the payout no longer makes good business sense. LWVOR hopes that the investment in wildfire preparedness will help reduce wildfire costs over time. The League provided testimony in support of funding for the Oregon Conservation Corps in HB 5025 , the omnibus Higher Education Coordinating Commission budget bill. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard HB 2522 A on April 26. The bill would create a committee to review and make recommendations related to rural fire districts and areas in Oregon where communities exist without structural fire protection. With so many of our rural areas dependent on volunteer firefighters and new small enclaves of housing in remote areas, this bill seems a good first step to seeking resolution of these issues. SB 80 A , the omnibus Wildfire Programs bill, is in Ways and Means as is SB 509A , which aims to scale out neighborhood collaboratives in order to help whole neighborhoods reduce risk VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The 2023 legislative session is halfway over. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 4/17 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley/Sharron Noone • Education: Jean Pierce • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to a topic: Housing Healthcare Criminal Justice Social Policy Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan April is Fair Housing Month. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the passage of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Fair housing includes the rights of all people to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination based on "protected class status.” Three of the bills below focus on issues related to equality of opportunity. Regardless of race, sex, national origin, religion, family situation, or level of ability, everyone has the right to a safe and stable place to call home. SB 702 : This bill would require training to be adopted by the Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board for real estate appraisers and appraiser assistants to comply with state and federal fair housing laws. At the present time, appraiser education requirements do not include provisions specifically covering racial bias or appraiser responsibilities under state or federal fair housing laws. Appraisal training can be completed online or in person. The League submitted testimony in support of the bill. A Public Hearing was held by the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 18. SB 893 A : In 2021, the Legislature passed HB 2021 that directed Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to form a Task Force on Homelessness and Racial Disparities. There are significant disparities in the homeless population in Oregon. The share of homeless Native Oregonians in 2020 was four times higher than their share of the general population. The rate of homelessness among Black Oregonians is three times higher than their share of the population at-large. In its January 2022 report, task force recommendations included identifying needs of housing-insecure individuals, understanding agency capacity issues, adjusting funding structures, and modifying contracting processes. SB 893 A requires OHCS to modify the state’s homeless programs and funding structure so that they are more culturally responsive. It allows OHCS to create committees to work on rules and a policy framework that accomplishes that goal. The bill passed out of the Senate on April 11 and there will be a public hearing on April 20 in House Housing and Homelessness. HB 3443 : Prohibits any landlord from terminating lease or taking other specified actions due to the status of a tenant as a victim of a bias crime. The bill would make changes to the bias crime laws and aspects of the Oregon Department of Justice's (DOJ) Bias Response Hotline. The measure expands the confidentiality of reports. It would make victims of bias crimes and incidents eligible for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Address Confidentiality Program, which would allow victims to break a lease without penalty and have protected leave from work. The measure mandates automatic issuance of a no contact order against the defendant at the time of booking, release officer decision, or arraignment to a defendant accused of a bias crime. A work session is scheduled on April 24 in Senate Housing and Development. SB 976 : Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform bill has received a lot of interest because, if passed, the state’s largest housing subsidy would see some of the savings redirected away from higher earning homeowners and would instead benefit low- and moderate-income home purchasers. In addition, resources resulting from reducing the subsidy would be used for homelessness prevention. The League submitted testimony in support of the reform. Senate Finance and Revenue will hold a work session, April 19 at 3:00 PM. HB 3151 would institute several provisions related to manufactured home parks. It would limit the types of improvements or repairs a landlord could require in a rental contract. It also would allow manufactured home park loan funds to be used for development of new parks and require local governments to allow siting those parks in certain non-residential zones. Senate Housing and Development will hold a work session, April 26. Health Care By Christa Danielson SB 420 : Directs Department of Human Services to provide resource management services to Brain injury individuals and to Convene Brain Injury Advisory Committee. Testimony submitted in favor on 1/23/2023. Referred to W&Ms HB 2395 A Allows wider distribution, education and administering of short acting opioid antagonists. Passed through the house on 3/6/2023. Referred to Senate Health Care. Testimony submitted in favor for public hearing on 4/24/2023. SB 1089 Establishes a Universal Health Plan Governance Board. This is a path forward for Oregon Measure 111-right to healthcare amendment. Testimony submitted in favor to Senate Rules for 4/20/2023. HB 3012 Requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers to annually report costs and rebates of prescription drugs to enrollees to the Department of Consumer and Business Services. No hearing set as yet. Referred to Rules. HB 3157 Establishes Health Insurance Mandate Review Board. Passed the house, referred to W&Ms. No hearing set as yet. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The slowdown on the movement of bills has necessitated hard decisions as to which ones are priorities for passage this year and which can be put off until a future session. Here are some criminal justice bills that were scheduled for public hearings or work sessions in House Judiciary on April 19 and 20: SB 234 authorizes the Chief Justice to establish rules for gathering data to identify disparities and impacts in the justice system. SB 306 A allows non-attorney associate members of the Oregon State Bar to practice law within a certain scope of practice. Four bills relate to the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA): SB 212 A assures confidentiality of communications during peer support check-in sessions. SB 902 allows those 20 or older who are resentenced to continue temporary assignment to youth corrections. SB 903 allows collection of OYA demographic data in order to see disparities between youths and employees. SB 904 A modifies criteria for the maximum allowable population of youth correctional facilities.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Sine Die Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Agriculture Air Quality Budgets Climate Coastal Issues State Agencies Elliott State Research Forest Fish and Wildlife Parks and Recreation Radioactive Waste Northwest Energy Coalition Land Use/Housing Recycling Toxics Water Wildfire Natural Resources By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team The League’s Natural Resources Team added volunteers Paula Grisafi (Toxics) and Carolyn Mayers (Wildfire) and sadly lost a member, Kathy Moyd, who worked on both Climate and Natural Resource issues and was a valuable former NASA engineer with a variety of expertise and willingness to attend meetings virtually, provide written and verbal League testimony using League positions and personal expertise. You will see others’ names listed below under the issues they covered. The League is a member of many coalitions. One of the most critical for Natural Resources is the Oregon Conservation Network , a group of now over 40 conservation and environmental organizations who declare "Priorities for a Healthy Oregon" each legislative session. They also provide an opportunity for the groups to share support or opposition for other legislation to legislators. Legislators saw LWVOR’s name on bills listed in the weekly Hotlist as we advocated for or against bills. This session, the Oregon Legislature introduced an impressive 2,970 measures — more than any other session in the last decade. After months of hard work, 653 of them passed— about 22% of the measures that were introduced. (From Rep. Gomberg’s newsletter) The Legislative Policy and Research Office provided this report on Natural Resource issues and this report on Energy and Environment. The League was engaged in some of the bills listed in these reports. The Governor provided letters with some of the final decisions she made to sign or veto bills. The following bills were accompanied by signing letters: HB 2010, HB 2426, HB 2772, HB 3561, HB 5026, SB 80, SB 283, SB 488, SB 1089, SB 1095 (explanation of line-item veto for emergency clause). Additionally, HB 3440 and SB 5535 will become law without the Governor’s signature. HCR 38 passed and sets the process for the February 2024 short session that runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . There will be interim legislative days in Sept., Nov., and January. Agriculture Much of the work under this section was done by the Climate Team. However, we provided a letter to the Oregon Board of Agriculture sharing our natural resource area priorities for 2023. And we provided a letter on HB 5002 , the Dept. of Agriculture’s budget. SB 530 , the Natural Climate Solutions bill, was included in HB 3409 , the omnibus climate bill, Sections 53-63. Air Quality By Kathy Moyd & Peggy Lynch LWVOR joined with others in support of HB 3229 . Under the Clean Air Act, funding must be from fees on permittees for this program. Per DEQ’s own testimony , without this funding, a critical part of their Air Quality program was in jeopardy. The bill was amended by the -2 amendment, passed the legislature and was signed by the Governor. It increases fees for polluters who require Title V permits 43% in 2023 and another 40% in 2024. Fees had not been increased for 13 years. DEQ is to review its permitting methodology and how it charges fees due to complexity instead of the amount of pollution emitted and report to the legislature by Dec. 2023. T he DEQ Budget ( HB 5018 ) includes POP 110 and authorized the 11 staff for the Title V program. HB 3229 was effective as of July 13. The Governor plans additional work on this issue in 2024. Although we did not provide written testimony on SB 488 , the Medical Waste Incinerator Bill (Covanta facility in Marion County), League members did engage. The bill was amended many times and was signed by the Governor, although she is concerned about sections of the bill related to limiting medical waste disposal. Budgets By Peggy Lynch Each long session the Governor provides a statewide budget with individual agency budget requests. Governor Kotek’s first biennial budget is here . For natural resource agency budgets, start on page 143 of the web document. The Governor’s budget was based on the December 2022 forecast when there was still a great deal of concern around a potential recession. The Governor proposes; the Legislature disposes. The League follows the Ways and Means Committee and Subcommittees. The Legislative Fiscal Office website provides a great deal of information on this process, the legislature’s involvement, research and reports on the state’s expenditures. They also coordinate fiscal impact statements on individual pieces of legislation as it moves through the legislature. The Ways and Means Committee always does a “rebalance” of the current (2021-23) budget after the March forecast and that was done again this year. T he Office of Economic Analysis also provided sobering data on Oregon’s population. Without an increase in young people—with in-migration--our need for a variety of long-term care services will explode without the incoming revenue to pay for those services! In late March, the Ways and Means Co-Chairs Budget Framework was provided to guide Subcommittees considering all the agency budgets. The Framework provides the amount of money each Subcommittee should expect to spend for their assigned budgets and any policy bills that might be assigned to them. A series of meetings around the state provided the public with opportunities to share their priorities with legislators. The Treasurer’s Office reported to the legislature in March on the state’s bonding capacity : General Fund debt capacity results in $1.94 billion issuance for each biennium, or $969 million annually ($320 million greater than 2021-23). The State’s Lottery Revenue debt issuance capacity for Lottery Bonds is $506.4 million in each biennium or $253.2 million annually over the forecast period ($9 million decline from 2021-23). Governor Kotek’s office then provided their 2023-25 bond proposal list . HB 5005 , the General Fund bonding bill, passed and was signed by the Governor. HB 5030 is the Lottery Bonds projects budget bill. HB 5046 is the Continuing Resolution bill that allows agencies to continue expending funds on July 1 based on their 2021-23 budgets until their new budgets for 2023-25 are signed by the Governor passed or until Sept. 15 th . The bill passed and was signed by the Governor. All agency budgets were signed by the Governor by the August 4 deadline, but some agencies needed to take advantage of HB 5046 until those budgets were signed. The League followed HB 3349 , with an amendment that would have provided $300,000 each to eight different entities to create “navigators” to help access federal funding. The League was disappointed that HB 3349 , with the 3 amendment , was passed to Ways and Means. We believe there are better uses for the $2.4 million in the Higher Education budget although we supported staffing in state agencies to facilitate federal funding. The bill did not pass. The May forecast declared an additional $1.96 billion available for the 2023-25 session that were used to balance the 2023-25 budget. Here are the Governor’s new spending requests . A new process around budget requests was used this session: Packages of policy bills were created to reduce the need for individual bill votes when they were sent to Ways and Means for funding. That practice also allowed controversial policies to be packaged with more benign policies to gain support and passage. (That practice may occur in the future.) Senate Republicans decided not to provide a quorum in the Senate chamber for a number of weeks so, in case they returned, it would be easier to move these packaged bills. See below under the water bills-- HB 2010 , HB 3409 under Climate, and HB 3395 for Housing . HB 3410-2 , another “package” bill, includes a variety of economic development funds/grant programs, mostly for rural Oregon. Sen. Dembrow provided climate and drought package spreadsheets. Expect a final 2023 session reconciliation by the end of August and the August 30 Revenue Forecast where the final “kicker” amount will be announced. ( T axpayers can use the credit on their 2024 tax returns—2023 taxes) Look for about $5.5 billion to be returned. (The 1979 Oregon Legislature passed the "Two percent kicker" law, which requires the state to refund excess revenue to taxpayers when actual General Fund revenues exceed the previous odd-year May forecast amount by more than two percent.) The League’s Natural Resource Team not only provided testimony on many of the 14 natural resource agency budgets, but encouraged the Governor and legislature to provide staffing, create new programs and provide matching funds for the many substantial federal programs made available by federal budgets, by the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. By August 4 the natural resource budgets had all been signed by the Governor. To learn more about their content, look for the LFO Recommendation posted for each budget. More info is listed below under each agency. The end-of-session bill had over $1.4 billion in funding items. Here is the 33-page list , called “ornaments'' as the bill, SB 5506 , is also called the Christmas Tree bill. The Oregon Capital Chronicle provided a summary . The Emergency Board met right after Sine Die to adopt rules for their work during the interim. They were provided $50 million to spend on emergencies until the next session, as well as a number of “special purpose appropriations” for expected expenses such as additional wildfire funding and salary increases. Otherwise, agency budgets are only changed by an act of the entire legislature. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team One bill included in HB 3409 (Sections 82 and 83 of the climate package) and followed by Natural Resources was HB 2647 A , which the League supported to continue to address harmful algal blooms, a public health issue. SB 530 , the Natural Climate Solutions bill, was included in HB 3409 , the omnibus climate bill, Sections 53-63. We encourage you to read both of the overlapping Climate Emergency Natural Resources sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch HB 3382 B was amended to create a new exception to Goal 16 to allow deeper and wider Coos Bay channel dredging. It passed and was signed by the Governor. The League provided testimony in opposition. A number of sideboards were placed in the bill should any dredging take place. Only the Port of Coos Bay or recognized Oregon tribes can request the exception. The League is disappointed the bill passed, but worked hard to assure as many requirements as we could get would be in the bill. We encourage you to read the two-page bill . Of note is $20 million bonding for the Coos Bay Channel Modification project; it was included in a bonding bill and an additional $20 million is authorized for the project in the 2025-27 biennium. Coastal League members originally raised alarm about the bill. HB 3382 would have provided certain Ports with an exception from our land use planning system to allow dredging and other activities around these Ports without the current public process and federal consistency requirements. The League has shared our concerns with others. State agencies that administer permits that could be affected by the legislation provided information on their processes and the implications of the proposed legislation on certain state permits. See LWV Coos and LWVOR testimonies: March 14 , second , third . Coalition testimony , and LWVOR testimony . On May 14, LWVOR issued an Action Alert to oppose the bill. As a result of ours and others who did the same, many opposition testimonies were filed and a second public hearing was allowed on May 16 where more League members and others testified in opposition. The -7 amendment was negotiated on May 17 and posted by noon on May 18 for the night’s work session in the Joint Committee on Transportation. League members from across the state submitted opposition testimony. It made a difference. We took the opportunity to share our 2012 Coastal Study that explains the CZMA and other coastal issues with some legislators and staff. Informative, well researched League studies are a hallmark of League expertise. After many meetings and conversations, the League agreed to not oppose the -7 amendment to HB 3382 that limits the bill to ONLY the International Port of Coos Bay, places requirements around proof of financial viability and reporting on the number of jobs to be created, to be submitted with any actual project application. Only the Port and tribes would be qualified to submit an application. We don’t support the bill, but the votes seemed to be there so we worked to make it as narrow as we could. Any project application would be for a new Goal 16 exception and would go through the usual local land use processes for any Goal exception. Also, all the other federal and state agency permits would be required for any process. The bill was amended to clarify that no fossil fuel projects would be allowed approval. (Remember Jordan Cove?) The -7s “save” the Yaquina and Astoria estuaries, but could damage the Coos Bay estuary, even though the amendment requires no net loss of important environmental values. A major expansion of the navigation channel cannot help but do damage. To listen to the sausage making, go to the 1 hour mark here. Rumor has it that the Port of Coos Bay, on behalf of a container ship development, has again applied for federal funding. They were not approved for federal funding in 2022. Additionally, the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (CBEMP) is continuing to be updated. The County file for this project is AM-22-005 . SB 5524 is the Oregon Business Development Dept. budget: LFO Recommendation includes $10 million for distribution to the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay to support the continuation and final completion of the engineering and design work related to the deepening and widening of the Federal Navigation Channel at Coos Bay to support existing businesses and promote new business opportunities. The original appropriation of $15 million was provided to the agency in the 2022 legislative session. The League provided testimony in support of HB 2903 , to require Fish and Wildlife and State Lands to provide communications staff to help continue to implement and support Oregon’s marine reserves and new management areas. The bill did not pass nor were the requested staffing positions funded. League and partners will be back in 2024 or 2025. According to ODFW, “ a new survey shows that coastal Oregon’s recreational industry joins more conventional, store-front businesses in believing the state’s Marine Reserves do not negatively impact their bottom lines, continuing a vast shift in what businesses feared just before the first reserves were established more than a decade ago. ” Good news! OSU’s wave energy testing facility is ready to be tested off the coast of Newport per Oregon Capital Insider . The ocean test site will be on a sandy-bottomed stretch of the Pacific Ocean away from popular commercial and recreational fishing reefs about seven miles off the coast of Newport. The site will have four test berths, which combined can accommodate up to 20 wave energy devices at any one time, per Rep. Gomberg. See the League’s 2012 Coastal Study to learn more about wave energy. Columbia River Gorge Commission The League provided testimony in support of the Columbia River Gorge Commission budget ( HB 5008 ). Columbia River Treaty By Phillip Thor The League continues to follow the potential Treaty resolution/update. You can find a written copy of U.S. Government representatives' remarks at the top of the meeting by accessing this website: https://www.state.gov/columbia-river-treaty/ . Y ou can reach the team with comments or questions by emailing ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov . The 18 th round of negotiations is scheduled for August. Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) The League provided testimony with comments on the Dept. of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) budget ( HB 5018 ). The Environmental Quality Commission received this legislative update on July 20. SB 1013 would have required counties to allow RVs to be sited on certain rural properties. League engaged with the sponsor and Sen. Hayden and was assured that appropriate sewer and water connections would be required for these special cases so we did not provide written testimony. The bill was amended to “allow” and not “require” counties to provide this use. The bill passed and signed by the Governor. Also, DEQ received monies to help assure that the sewer issue was addressed. The bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. The League provided testimony with concerns about SB 835 , a bill that would have required that a single septic system be used for both the main home and an accessory dwelling unit placed on a lot where a septic system is used. The bill was amended addressing our concerns, was passed and signed by the Governor, also effective Jan. 1, 2024. SB 931 allows DEQ to issue a permit to repair or replace a subsurface sewage disposal system or alternative sewage disposal system without regard to the availability of a community or areawide sewerage system under certain circumstances. Although the League did not engage, we are concerned that this bill perpetuates the use of septic systems that fail and pollute the groundwater when a sewer system is nearby. DEQ was provided funding for .88 FTE to do rulemaking for this and SB 835. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor. A League member participated in the 2023 Water Quality Fee Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) as in past years to provide a “public” voice to the RAC. Here is the WQ Fee RAC Meeting Summary link - May 5, 2023 . The EQC delegated authority to approve this rulemaking for 2023 to DEQ Director Feldon on May 19. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony on the Dept. of Geology and Mineral Services budget ( SB 5510 ). The LFO recommendation i ncludes two Budget Notes on the new e-permitting system being funded. The League provided testimony in support of SB 220 that would have provided a fee to pay for implementation of a new e-permitting system for mining interests instead of using $2 million in General Funds. However, the legislature chose to provide the $2 million in GF. We also provided testimony in support of SB 221 to provide ongoing funding for this new system and testimony on SB 222 to allow DOGAMI to accept credit cards and to add the credit card fee to the permittees choosing to use a credit card. SB 222 failed in the Senate. Another bill, SB 538 A , would have provided general authorization to agencies. That bill also died in committee. SB 221 passed and was signed by the Governor. The League continues to follow the Grassy Mountain Gold Project in Malheur County, using a streamlined permitting process. Dept. of the State Fire Marshal HB 5036 is the budget bill funding and spending authority for the recently established Department of the State Fire Marshal, taking the place of the Office of the State Fire Marshal that was part of the Oregon State Police. Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch HB 2238 allows for rulemaking to increase fees related to removal or fill permit applications, wetland delineation reports and general authorizations. We will work with the agency to increase processes for clearly identifying wetlands in urban growth boundaries to be sure lands that should be developed can be and those that can’t should be are removed from the buildable lands inventory. We support the bill which passed and was signed by the Governor with an effective date of Sept. 24, 2023. In August the League discovered that the issue of wetlands was being discussed in the Land Availability Work Group of the Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Council (HPAC). We expressed concern that no wetlands expertise had been consulted during the initial round of meetings. The League will monitor this Work Group as it considers providing unvetted proposals to the Governor. If you want to receive notices of HPAC meetings, click here . HB 2914 establishes the Oregon Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Program in DSL LFO Recommendation The League has consistently supported funding for this program outside of the Common School Fund. Funding for this program was included in the end-of-session bill, SB 5506 : $18,763,236 from the Monsanto Settlement Agreement per the Governor’s recommendation. The League provided testimony in support of the DSL budget ( HB 5037 ) , as did League member Christine Moffitt on behalf of the Friends of South Slough. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The League continues to engage in the ESRF, including attending their prospective Board meetings. The prospective ESRF Board met July 24th. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . Additional meetings are set for August 16 (9a-5p in-person in Winchester Bay) and Sept. 22 nd 10 a.m. to 4 p.m on Zoom. They WEplan to meet again October 16, Noon to 4 p.m. and December 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meeting locations TBD. Meeting videos are posted to the Department of State Lands YouTube channel and meeting notes are posted to DSL's Elliott website here . Work is continuing on eventual adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan and a Forest Management Plan for the forest. Of concern to the League is how their plan can be financially viable without excessive timber harvest. SB 161 passed to change a date included in SB 1546 (2022) related to requirements in establishing the ESRF to December of 2023. The Governor signed with the bill’s effective date June 30, 2023. HB 5048 with the -2 amendment funds, starting Jan. 1, 2024, the new Elliott State Forest Research Authority Board staffing and expenses. LFO Recommendation . It is expected that the 2024 session will enhance this new agency’s budget and fiscal needs, but the 2023 funding provides for an Executive Director and two other positions. Public listening sessions on the HCP and Forest Management Plan (FMP) is scheduled for September 21: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Zoom links to join the listening sessions and more information about the forest management planning process can be found on the OSU College of Forestry website here . On June 2 OSU Board of Trustees met and received a Report and a Presentation as they considered approving their engagement on the ESRF, with a decision in October or December by the OSU Board on whether or not to accept a role in the ESRF. They will receive an update at their Aug. 25 and Oct. 19-20 meetings before a special OSU Board meeting in December. The State Land Board will meet Dec. 12 to provide a final decision on the ESRF going forward. The Shutter Creek former Oregon Dept. of Corrections facility was transferred by the federal government to the Dept. of State Lands in anticipation of the property being the home of the ESRF staff and research team. There is also discussion around a tribal role for the property. The property currently pays a significant fee for sewer to the City of Lakeside. Conversations with the city are on-going since that infrastructure is critical to keeping effluent out of Tenmile Lake where a significant number of failing septic systems also exist. Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) The League had no volunteer to follow the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife so we did not comment on their budget ( SB 5509 ) except to work with partners to assure staff for in-stream flows and water management would become permanent, in keeping with our support for water management across water agencies. Are you a fisherperson? High mercury levels detected in Oregon waters: Health advisories issued for summer fishing season addresses higher than healthy mercury and information on fish consumption in these waters. Forestry (ODF) We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Forestry budget ( HB 5020 ), expressing concern that staffing for climate change issues around forest management and urban forestry weren’t included in the Governor’s budget. Those positions were not included in the final budget. However, HB 3409 includes a provision that directs ODF to acquire and maintain an urban tree canopy assessment tool and to develop and implement program related to loss of tree canopy. DLCD was given over $7 million and 5 staff to create and award grants under a new Community Green Infrastructure Fund. State Forester Cal Mukumoto has decided not to renew the state’s wildfire insurance policy for 2023-24. The state would have to incur over $75 million before accessing the $25 million policy. As the Board of Forestry makes decisions on our state forests, including potential adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan and future harvest plans, we remind you that Oregon’s forests are managed for the greatest permanent value : “ healthy, productive, and sustainable forest ecosystems that over time and across the landscape provide a full range of social, economic, and environmental benefits to the people of Oregon.” LWVOR provided comments on the biennial Harvest Tax bill, HB 2087 , expressing concerns but supporting if this bill is all that is available for helping to fund forestry programs. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor on July 31. Governance By Peggy Lynch SB 42 would have required agencies to add even more factors related to business when calculating the costs of rulemaking and their consequences. The League provided testimony in opposition. SB 38 would have required certain agencies to process permits even if state or federal laws or rules changed during the permit processing. The League provided testimony in opposition. Neither bill passed this session. Hanford Cleanup Board By Marylou Schnoes The Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board meeting materials are available on their website . Per OPB , we are a long way from being safe as the cleanup continues. Rep. Mark Gamba has been appointed by the Speaker to join the Board. Oregon Department of Energy Assistant Director for Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness Maxwell Woods and Hanford Hydrogeologist Tom Sicilia weigh in on the Dept of Energy blog, HISTORIC HANFORD CONTAMINATION IS WORSE THAN EXPECTED: OREGON EXPERTS WEIGH IN . Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) By Peggy Lynch Another League volunteer followed education this session but there were two areas under Natural Resources that we provided testimony. The League provided testimony on HB 5025 , the omnibus higher education budget, in support of the Oregon Consensus/Oregon Solutions programs at Portland State University. It is unclear if this funding was provided but the program will continue. The League provided testimony in support of funding for the Oregon Conservation Corps in HB 5025 , the omnibus Higher Education Coordinating Commission budget bill. $10 million was provided in the end-of-session bill, SB 5506 . Land Use/Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) & Housing By Peggy Lynch Land use and housing were front and center this session. The Governor came out early with a Housing Executive Order 23-02 . The l egislature followed up quickly with HB 2001 and HB 5019. A Budget Report was provided for HB 2001 that clarifies that some monies are coming from 2021-23 with most from the 2023-25 biennium. The same is true in th e Budget Report for HB 5019 . Also, there is a Budget Note on pages 3-4 of the LFO Recommendation. DLCD provided a helpful press release in understanding the land use nexus. The League provided testimony on SB 534 in support of a pilot $3 million fund to provide financing for the development of infrastructure and other costs, usable only for housing to remain affordable to moderate income households for at least 30 years. SB 534 was incorporated into HB 2001 , Section 51, and was passed and signed by the Governor on March 29. With the increase in staff of seven permanent positions at DLCD, they have created a new Housing Division under Senior Planner/Manager Ethan Stuckmayer. The League provided testimony on HB 5027 , the DLCD budget, and were disappointed that only the Housing Policy Option Packages were approved. Missing were positions for wildfire and climate planning. However, the agency received a number of positions related to housing and one surprise bill related to green infrastructure and another on solar siting: While HB 2727, Early Childhood Facilities, came with funds for DLCD to convene a Work Group to examine strategies for expanding early learning and care facilities in Oregon, the bill did not include any funding for positions. SB 5506 , Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities Program (CFEC), granted DLCD one permanent position and $2.7 million in one-time grant funds. SB 5506, Green Infrastructure and Solar Siting (TREES), provided five limited duration positions and $6.5 million in Green Infrastructure grant funds. Four of these positions are associated with the TREES program. One is assigned work to identify ways to reduce conflicts for solar facilities in Eastern Oregon. HB 3395 was the housing package and included sections on the Residential Use of Commercial Lands, new Approval Procedures around residential structures in Urban Growth Boundaries, Emergency Shelter Siting, and Subdividing Affordable Housing Developments as changes to our land use system. HB 2889 : Establishes Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within the Housing and Community Services Department. The League provided testimony in support. The Governor signed on July 18. The League provided testimony on HB 2983 in support of manufactured dwellings and dwellings parks. Although HB 2983 did not pass, t here is money in the Oregon Housing and Community Services budget or other housing bills that should help with this housing issue. SB 70 amends the definition of high-value farmlands for residential rezoning of lands within the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region from SB 16 (2021). LWVOR provided testimony in opposition, continuing to focus on water quality and quantity; however, the bill passed and has been signed by the Governor. SB 1013 , a bill that would allow a recreational vehicle to be sited on a rural property, was amended by the -4 amendment and was signed by the Governor with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2024. The League worked behind the scenes to be sure that water and sewer would be safely provided since the RV would likely be sharing the main residence's facilities. The League provided testimony in opposition to HB 3442 , a bill that would have required local governments to allow development of affordable housing on certain lands within a 100-year floodplain or subject to property development constraints under land use regulations related to natural disasters and hazards. The bill was amended to clarify those public safety concerns and passed. The Governor has signed. The League provided testimony with concerns on SB 835 , a bill that required that a single septic system be used for both the main home and an accessory dwelling unit placed on a lot where a septic system is used. The bill was amended addressing our concerns, was passed and signed by the Governor. The League was alerted to SB 1087 , a bill to allow restaurants, 25-car parking lots, and 5,000-square-foot seating areas for 250-300 people on land designated for exclusive farm use (EFU land). It set standards for the establishment of farm cafes on lands in Lane County zoned for exclusive farm use. It required the Oregon Health Authority to review the land use compatibility statement before licensing a farm cafe. The bill also authorized OHA to revoke, deny or suspend licenses upon certain violations of land use conditions. The League is concerned with the precedent that would be set by allowing this activity in Lane County as other counties could ask for the same use on their EFU lands in the future. The League did not provide testimony, but would have provided opposition testimony had the bill received a Work Session. The bill died in the Senate Rules Committee but could well return in 2024 or 2025. SB 4 , known as the CHIPS Act, includes $200 million in grants and loans with a commitment to provide a certain number of permanent full-time jobs to help semiconductor industries and would allow the Governor to “supersite” lands for this industry many acres of farmland “just in case” the semiconductor industry might want to build a new facility in Oregon. We provided testimony in opposition only to Section 10 of the bill. The bill passed and was signed by the Governor, but many sideboards were placed around the “supersiting” provision. With tax credits and other legislation, a total of $500 million was committed to this industry. On Aug. 1, the Governor approved $90 million to a proposed expansion of Intel at current facilities in Washington County. At this time, it doesn’t seem to include any “supersiting”. A total of 15 companies have applied for Oregon’s CHIPS Act funding. The League provided testimony in opposition to SB 1051 with the -2 amendment , a bill that would allow a property owner to request an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion of up to 200 acres outside of the current UGB process, but inside an urban reserve. The bill died in committee, but elements of the bill appeared in HB 3414 (see below) as did SB 1096 , HB 3620 and HB 3616 . HB 3414 with the -1 amendment would have created a new Housing Accountability and Production Office in DLCD and also included a Section 2 that says that local governments may not deny a variance under certain circumstances. Variances are used to address exceptions to a code’s “clear and objective standards”. It is unclear how this provision would have changed a community’s control over residential development. The insistence by the Governor to include a section in the bill that would have allowed private property owners to ask a city to add their lands (lands adjacent to current UGBs) for development was a non-starter for LWVOR and other land use advocates. Metro also had concerns that their role in the management of Metro’s UGB would be usurped by the Metro cities. The League provided verbal testimony based on our Nov. 2022 LCDC testimony , pointing out that it’s not more raw land we need; it’s funding for infrastructure and planning staff. The UGB section relates to SB 1096 , a bill that would “expand development into farmland” and was similar to SB 1051 which the League vigorously opposed and has since died. Although there are sideboards around what lands can be considered, the bill continued the false narrative that simply adding land to urban growth boundaries will solve Oregon's housing crises. HB 3414 B became the last drama of the 2023 session. OPB had a good article as did Willamette Week . Although it passed the House, it did not pass the Senate—by one vote. LWVOR appreciates that Senate members rejected the bill, but are also sad that the good portions of the bill were lost by the insistence that the UGB expansion sections be included. We look forward to a quick passage of a slimmed down version in 2024, although the Governor has indicated we will see the same bill. There were a number of bills filed ( HB 3180 , HB 3181 , HB 3179 and HB 2989 related to siting solar in Oregon. An Oregon Siting Table was formed to have conversations around potential conflicts among solar developers, the agricultural and environmental communities. The League engaged in meetings of the Oregon Siting Table, but did not provide testimony on any of these bills. HB 3179 was amended, passed and signed by the Governor. The bill doubles the maximum allowable acreage for solar photovoltaic power generation facility siting in the context of county land-use planning, allowing counties to approve more and larger solar projects while preserving existing protections for land use and wildlife. The amended bill now requires an applicant for a land use permit for a renewable energy facility to provide a decommissioning plan to restore the site to "a useful, nonhazardous condition," assured by bonding or other security. The Siting Table will continue and there may have been monies to continue conversations among the parties in other bills. As HB 2003 (2019) ( helpful DLCD website ) is implemented by cities, you might want to read pages 3 and 4 of Monmouth’s DRAFT Housing Production Strategy . (The cities of Milwaukie and Grants Pass have also completed a DRAFT—all of which can be commented on.) As cities are required to review their Housing every 6 (Metro) or 8 years, they are required to consider how to address their housing needs. You don’t have to wait until your city is required to do this exercise. You can begin the conversation now to help address your housing shortage. As part of the information on cost of housing, in January a presentation on Systems Development Charges (SDCs) was provided. The League supports state help with SDC costs and other infrastructure costs, especially for low-income housing, but also help for cities to provide infrastructure to create buildable lots within cities and to make urban growth boundary lands buildable. The Legislative Policy and Research Office provided this report on housing and land use. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) By Peggy Lynch The League provided support for the Land Use Board of Appeals budget ( HB 5028 ). Northwest Energy Coalition By Robin Tokmakian Our League representative worked on a resolution regarding gas utility decarbonization. LWVOR signed on to support the resolution . Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) The League provided testimony in support of the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ). Oregon Marine Board The League provided testimony in support of the Oregon Marine Board budget ( SB 5521 ). The League was pleased that the budget includes a focus on abandoned and derelict vessels. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) The League did not provide written testimony on the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) budget ( SB 5539 & SB 5540 ), but engaged during budget development and behind the scenes with legislators. Here is the July Director's Report on their budget and strategic plan. OWEB worked with others to review their 20 years of providing Operating Capacity Grants to Soil and Water Conservation Districts and others. Parks and Recreation The League provided comments on SB 5527 , the budget bill for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. Radioactive Waste By Shirley Weathers The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) continues its work to protect Oregon from acceptance, accumulation, and storage of hazardous levels of radioactive waste. For a quick recap, the current effort now going on three years was triggered in 2020 by discovery that almost 1,300 tons of such waste generated through fracking for oil and gas out-of-state had been illegally accepted by Chemical Waste Management (CWM) at their Arlington OR landfill between 2016 and 2019. That triggered the understanding that decades-old rules and statutes needed updating. During the interim after the 2020 Session, ODOE and the first Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) worked on aspects of OAR 435.029 (Notice of Violation, Civil Penalties, Revocation or Suspension) that didn’t require statutory changes. The resultant final rules provide significantly better prevention of illegal out-of-state dumping and provide the state with enforcement authority if and when it occurs. After successful passage in the 2021 Session of SB 246 , Radioactive Waste Disposal Definitions and Enforcement, another RAC embarked on changes to ORS 469.300 (Definitions) and 469.525 (Radioactive Waste Facilities Prohibited). The bill retains in full force Oregon’s commitment to stringent restriction of radioactive waste storage and emphasis on protecting the health and safety of the public. It called for review and necessary revision of technical provisions to reflect current-day science and federal standards where there were deviations, as well as rule changes pertaining to the classification, handling, and disposal of radioactive waste generated within the state, commonly as a byproduct of other operations. Medical and manufacturing waste figure importantly in discussions, but there are a number of other sources. Many of the technical issues arising from SB 246 are therefore beyond the expertise of many RAC members, including the League. Some member organizations have hired consultants to act on their behalf to interact on draft rules with ODOE staff. However, there are other important issues that can and need to be addressed by laypersons. In fact, a stark division in approach that surfaced with the first draft led staff and RAC members to agree to divide pertinent subsections into two parts (more below). Part I issues have resulted in three drafts, but RAC members will provide input by August 30 and likely the Energy Facility Siting Commission (EFSC) will consider a final draft in its September meeting. If accepted, a 30-day public comment period will be opened. It is hoped that more individuals and organizations with concerns about public health and safety and environmental issues will become involved. The Part II controversy stems from the cost of transporting out-of-state materials produced here but prohibited from disposal in Oregon. Charging that this is cost-prohibitive, some RAC members rejected the staff draft and instead collaborated with Chemical Waste Management on a proposal that would have allowed retention of bona fide radioactive waste in-state under certain conditions. However, the League was not surprised when the Oregon DOJ ruled that the proposal would violate ORS 426.525. That subsection has been shelved for now and further steps are unknown at this time. LWVOR has supported new legislation and held a seat on the two RACs involved to date and will continue to participate. Reduce/Recycle By Kathy Moyd/Greg Martin There were three “Zero Waste” bills related to polystyrene and plastics: SB 543 , prohibits food vendors from using polystyrene foam containers in sales of prepared food. LWVOR provided Testimony . The Governor has signed the bill which takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. SB 544 , directs the Environmental Quality Commission to establish a program for source reduction of single-use plastic food ware and single-use packaging and achieve 25 percent source reductions compared to 2023 levels by 2030. LWVOR provided Testimony ; however, the bill did not pass. SB 545 , directs the State Department of Agriculture and Oregon Health Authority to adopt rules allowing consumers to use their own containers for refilling with food at food establishments. The League provided testimony in support. The bill passed, was signed by the Governor on May 8 and is immediately effective. The Right to Repair bill, SB 542 , required original equipment manufacturers to make available repair information to owners of consumer electronic equipment or independent repair providers. The League provided testimony supporting the bill, but pointed out two areas where changes should be made: one dealing with clarifying what was included under the bill and the other dealing with the enforcement method. Preferred versions were included in the New York law. The bill did not pass this session but we expect a version to return in 2024 or 2025. DEQ is proposing rules to clarify and implement the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act of 2021. More information on this rulemaking, including the draft rules, can be found on the Recycling Updates 2023 Rulemaking Page . DEQ continues to hold Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee meetings. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, view the rulemaking web page at: Recycling Updates 2024 . Toxics By Paula Grisafi HB 3043 , a bill that revises provisions relating to chemicals in children’s products, was signed by the Governor and is effective as of Sept. 24, 2023. As a member of the Oregon Conservation Network, we were pleased to see the OCN Letter in support of HB 3043 , the Toxic Free Kids Act Modernization. LWVOR has engaged in this bill in past sessions. SB 546 requires the Oregon Health Authority to adopt and maintain a list of designated high priority chemicals of concern used in cosmetic products and to periodically review and revise the list. The bill was amended and passed. LWVOR provided testimony in support of SB 426 , the Toxics Free Schools bill, but again it did not pass the legislature. Water By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony in support with comments on the Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) budget ( HB 5043 ). The budget includes a permanent staffer to follow the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). The League has participated in the past two IWRS documents. That document is set to be updated again and OWRD is partnering with Oregon’s Kitchen Table (OKT) to provide outreach and engagement for the 2023 update to the IWRS. Here’s the latest Integrated Water Resources Strategy 2023 public engagement . Here's the agency’s full budget summary for 2023. A major water bill, HB 3124 , a $250 million Drought Relief and Water Scarcity pkg., was introduced and included some of the other bills we’ve seen this session . The League provided comments on the bill, including a list of our priorities, using our participation in the HB 5006 Work Group as our guide. The W&M Natural Resources Subcommittee used HB 2010 for the water package instead of HB 3124 , t he bill to which LWVOR provided comments . The -6 amendment was adopted and includes elements of: -Place-based Planning, a concept that the League has supported since its inception in 2014. We participated in the HB 5006 Work Group where members suggested updating that planning program. HB 3163 would have created a special Fund for these regional planning efforts. The League testified in support of the Fund. T he good news that the Place-Based Water Planning Fund, as described in HB 3163 , will become permanent with an initial $2,000,000 appropriation. See Sections 15, 16, 44, 57, 58,59, 60 & 61 of HB 2010 . - HB 3100 , a bill that updates requirements for the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) was included. See Sections 10 and 11 of HB 2010 . LWVOR testified on the original bill. -The League provided testimony in support of HB 2813 , the Safe Drinking Water bill that directed OWEB to provide grants to protect drinking water sources. See Sections 1-4 of HB 2010 . Here is the Drought Package Press Release . LFO Recommendation and the Budget Report that shares the many programs and agencies that will benefit from this bill. You might also note the amount of cross-agency cooperation and collaboration expected from this package. Sen. Dembrow provided spreadsheets for the climate and drought packages here. The League also provided testimony in support of HB 3125 to create a new Ratepayer Fund to help low income people pay for sewer and water bills. A study of this issue was funded in the Christmas Tree bill. The League has been a voice for the safety of domestic wells and provided testimony in support of HB 3207 , a bill that would have required reporting to DEQ the results of well water tests during a real estate transaction. The bill did not pass out of Ways and Means. HB 3208 that expands the Environmental Quality Commission’s authority to annually adjust additional water quality fees up to 3% per year passed. The League has participated in a rules advisory committee related to 3% fees for other water quality permits and has been invited to do so again this year. In 2021, the legislature provided funds for a contractor to provide a report on the Business Case for Oregon Water Investments. Here is the Executive Summary . There was also a requirement to engage the nine tribes. Here is the Tribal Water Task Force Summary Report. Statement from the EPA on Waters of the U.S. rule: “EPA and Army statement regarding intent to amend WOTUS rule in wake of U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision – On June 26, EPA and Army released the following statement regarding next steps for the agencies’ WOTUS rule: “The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army (agencies) are in receipt of the U.S. Supreme Court's May 25, 2023, decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. In light of this decision, the agencies are interpreting the phrase “waters of the United States” consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett.” Oregon is reviewing the effect of this decision on our own wetlands rules and laws. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. HB 3409 (Sections 82 and 83 of the climate package) included HB 2647 A . The League supported HB 2647 A to continue to address harmful algal blooms., a public health issue. “When in doubt, stay out.” V isit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has signed drought declarations under ORS 536 for the counties of Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Deschutes, Wasco, Harney, Sherman and Lake counties . On June 27, the Governor declared a drought emergency in Jackson County through Executive Order 23-15 , and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. Gilliam County has also submitted a request for a state declaration. In addition, many counties in eastern and southern Oregon have received Secretarial Disaster Designations from the US Department of Agriculture due to continuing drought conditions. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers SB 80 , one of the important wildfire bills passed this session, is detailed in this press release and this OPB article . LWVOR provided testimony in support of SB 80 with the -2 amendments. Senator Golden spoke at length in support of this overall bill, at one point calling it a refinement of certain aspects of SB 762 , the Omnibus Wildfire Legislation of 2021. Regarding the map, which, in part, this bill improved and refined, he said “ Senate Bill 80 simplifies the structure of the map and makes some changes to the way that reflects NOT the way that single homeowners maintain their property for fire readiness, but rather the hazard that wildfire presents to the wider landscape .” The League is hopeful that the new, required county collaboration on the map-making process will give Oregonians a better understanding that the map is to point out areas of fire HAZARD so that we all might help be better prepared for wildfires. “ We no longer have a fire season. We have a fire year .” - Mark Bennett, Chair, Wildfire Programs Advisory Council. Throughout the session, the League followed closely the work of the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council , which makes recommendations regarding wildfire legislation to the Governor and the Legislature. Among the most consequential recommendations they made was to change the name of the Statewide Wildfire RISK Map to Hazard Map (the importance of which is mentioned in the previous paragraph) as is the practice in California, and to reduce the number of Hazard Zones from the previous 5, to 3, namely High, Moderate and Low. Their year-round, ongoing work is and will continue to be pivotal in the mission to inform future wildfire preparedness and mitigation legislation for the State and its residents. The League provided testimony in support of funding for the Oregon Conservation Corps in HB 5025 , the omnibus Higher Education Coordinating Commission budget bill. $10 million was included in SB 5506 , the end-of-session bill. The League monitored SB 82 , which enhances insurance carriers’ obligation to consider property owner’s efforts to reduce wildfire risk in rate-setting and policy coverage decisions and increases information available to policy-holders. It passed the Senate per this press release . State Forester Cal Mukumoto has decided not to renew the state’s wildfire insurance policy for 2023-24. The state would have to incur over $75 million before accessing the $25 million policy. This policy was for the state to help pay for the cost of fighting wildfires, not for personal fire insurance. Oregon has been the ONLY state to have this policy (Lloyds of London). The deductible of $75 million made it less useful to help the state pay for state fire fighting expenses. We also followed SB 509 , which would have required the Oregon Department of Forestry to study community-based programs for reducing wildfire risk, among other things, and would declare an emergency upon passage so that grant fundings and other program items would have begun immediately. LWVOR provided support for SB 509 A, which did not pass. However, there was some funding provided in the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s budget at the end of session. SB 872 , a bill to enable better cooperation between Federal agencies and Oregon Department of Forestry with regard to wildfire mitigation efforts during the non-wildfire months passed with the -4 amendment . It directs the Oregon Department of Forestry to endeavor toward further shared stewardship of federal forests through partnership with federal agencies to expand certain Good Neighbor Authority activities, and to request that the federal agencies fund these activities. In addition, a number of bills passed which dealt with housekeeping elements of the change of status of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, under the Oregon State Police, to an independent Department of the State Fire Marshal, a move that gives the State Fire Marshal’s office significantly more responsibility and autonomy, especially in the area of wildfire. The department will still be referred to as OSFM, for Oregon State Fire Marshal, as opposed to “Office of” the State Fire Marshal previously. Unfortunately, the funding requested for this new office fell well short of expectations and there remains much work to be done. Nevertheless, OFSM has launched a Defensible Space website , which provides a multitude of resources to help Oregonians make their home more resilient in the face of increasing wildfire risk, including the ability to schedule a home assessment based on entering your home address. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The 2023 legislative session is over, but 2024 is just around the corner. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 5/15 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley/Sharron Noone • Education: Jean Pierce • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to a topic: Housing Criminal Justice Social Policy Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York Republican walkouts have prevented the full Senate from considering key housing bills that passed out of Senate Housing and Development and are ready for floor votes. In better news, the full House adopted SB 702, which will require racial justice and implicit bias training for home appraisers. It is now ready for the Governor’s signature. Other key bills are also expected to pass the House and go on to the Governor for her signature. SB 702 : As mentioned in the introduction, this bill is awaiting signature by the Governor. It will require home appraisers to receive bias training to receive certification. Representative Ricki Ruiz sent a thank you note thanking the League for its testimony letter. SB 225 : This bill will address a problematic issue with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. In addition to other provisions, it will eliminate the current “blackout period” that begins with the start of the new biennium and ends when the Governor signs the bond authorization bill. During that time, Oregon Housing and Community Services cannot move forward on affordable housing developments. Eliminating this period will prevent construction delays and the resulting cost increases. House Revenue held a work session on May 16 and recommended passage. SB 599 A : Allows tenants to operate home-based childcare by requiring a landlord to allow a renter to use a dwelling unit for a family childcare home if it is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care. The landlord can require a tenant to pay for improvements necessary for certification and carry some form of liability coverage. The House held a third reading on May 18. HB 2983 : LWVOR added its logo to an informational document on this bill to provide financial resources to Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Department of Land Conservation and Development for the purpose of developing new manufactured parks and drafting new model codes for them. Manufactured housing is a significant source of unsubsidized affordable housing in Oregon. SB 892 A amends housing statutes and laws of the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department and the Housing Stability Council. It will add federally recognized tribes as community development corporations to allow them to access and administer housing funds. The bill addresses the need to provide loans directly to individuals for down payment or closing costs assistance. It adds to the definition of residential loans for down payment or closing cost assistance to allow low- and moderate- income households to qualify for a primary mortgage loan. The Detailed in this bill are other corrections and conforming amendments. House Housing and Homelessness held a work session on May 18. Several housing bills of interest are awaiting a vote by the full Senate: HB 2680 would require more transparency when tenants submit applications for rental housing. HB 3151 would limit the improvements manufactured home park landlords could require of tenants. It would also extend the sunset date on a landlord/tenant dispute resolution program. HB 3462 would ensure that individuals covered by federal and state fair housing laws are eligible for emergency housing when an emergency declaration is made. This extends to people regardless of their immigration status. SB 611 is the updated version of caps on rent increases in Oregon. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The following bills passed unanimously out of House Judiciary on May 17 and await the Governor’s signature: SB 212 B maintains confidentiality of peer support check-in sessions for Oregon Youth Authority employees. SB 745 A directs county juvenile departments to conduct sex trafficking screening for adjudicated youth. SB 974 A creates the crime of sexual abuse by fraudulent representation. SB 1052 amends statutes on human trafficking and involuntary servitude to include more categories of forced behavior.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Land Use and Housing Reduce/Recycle Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch SB 5701 is the omnibus budget bill for 2024. It is currently populated with the items approved during the November and January Legislative Days. Budget requests are being considered by the Co-Chairs and Legislative Leadership now that the Housing and Measure 110 “fix” bills have been funded. The major housing bills were funded at $376 million and HB 5204 , the funding bill for HB 4002 includes about $211 million . The League has a number of requests that you can read about in various sections of this Legislative Report that we hope will “appear” in the final version of SB 5701. There are still opportunities for some policy bills to be considered in the Ways and Means Capital Construction Subcommittee and then on to Full Ways and Means. Capital Construction met on Feb. 28 and March 1 and passed all of the bills considered to the Full Ways and Means Committee which met Feb. 28 , March 1 and has a meeting scheduled on March 4 . HB 5201 and HB 5202 are the bonding bills. The public hearing on Feb. 16 in Ways and Means Capital Construction was instructive of the multiple requests to be considered. Like the budget bill, these bills will reflect changes and possible additions to the 2025 approved bonds. Bonding capacity remains the same: $65.8 million in remaining general obligation bond capacity and $27.4 million in remaining lottery bond capacity for the 2023-25 biennium. SB 5702 will be populated with new or increased fees adopted by state agencies since the 2025 session. HB 5203 may be the “program change bill” to address miscellaneous changes to agency programs. SB 1562 passed the Senate with unanimous support and will have a Public Hearing and Work Session on March 5 th in House Revenue. It raises the cap of money on Oregon’s Rainy Day Fund, allowing Oregon to better prepare for future economic uncertainty. However, this increase reduces the General Fund resources available until the new cap has been met. The Rainy Day Fund was created in the 2007 legislative session based on information from previous economic recessions. Since then, the General Fund revenue has tripled and the state has provided more services to Oregonians. The agency budget process for 2025-27 is beginning. Look for presentations to agency Boards and Commissions soon. Quarterly revenue forecasts will be provided on May 29 and August 28. Then the November 20 th forecast will be the basis of the Governor’s Recommended Budget to be presented on December 1 st Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch HB 4132 , Marine Reserves, passed Full Ways and Means with a General Fund allocation of just under $900 million. It is now scheduled to go to the House floor and then the Senate floor for final votes. The League signed on to a letter in support early in the session. HB 4080 A , providing for funding for the public engagement and staff at the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development and the Bureau of Labor and Industries related to the possibility of offshore wind energy projects off the Oregon South Coast passed Full Ways and Means and is scheduled for a vote first on the House and then Senate floors. T he League provided comments on HB 4080-1 and is pleased with the funding provided. Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch DSL has a new website: Oregon.gov/DSL The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working with DSL to identify In Lieu lands (part of the 1,400 acres of land still owed Oregon on statehood). Click here to view the BLM Proposed Classification Decision , and a public notice that two forestland properties in Linn County that have been identified for some of those In Lieu lands. Learn more . Provide public comment through April 9th . Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch Work is continuing on eventual adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan and a Forest Management Plan for ESRF. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . A recommendation with structural governance may be before the State Land Board on April 9. If approved, look for appointments to the new ESRF Board at their June 11 tth meeting. We hope to see the $4.1 million that had been allocated to the ESRF Authority will be transferred to DSL in the omnibus budget bill. Forestry (ODF) The Board of Forestry will meet March 6 and 7. State Forester Cal Mukumoto has recommended staying the course on the Habitat Conservation Plan per pages 116-118 of the Board packet . There are a number of bills this session around funding wildfire. For information on the various bills, s ee the Wildfire section of this report below. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch SB 1537 , the Governor’s housing bill, and SB 1530 , the Housing Chairs’ housing bill, were amended, passed Ways and Means and the Senate. They await a final vote in the House and then on to the Governor’s desk to be signed. A news release by the Senate President explains the elements of both bills. HB 4134 was amended, also passed Ways and Means and is awaiting a vote on the House floor and then will move to the Senate floor. The League supported HB 4134, and we worked for months with others on SB 1537 and SB 1530. As is usual, land use issues bring out interesting “one-off” bills or amendments. HB 4040 relates to economic development, but the “relating clause” (relating to economic development) provided Sen. David Brock Smith with an opportunity to recommend the A6 amendment to bypass the land use system to permit the expansion of Bandon Dunes golf course. The amendment, although heard, was not adopted. But it is another learning experience to be sure and review amendments filed on bills and watch for the use of a relating clause for items such as this “one off” proposal. We also provided testimony on HB 4026 with the -1 amendment “relating to elections”. The City of North Plains has approved a major Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion. Residents gathered signatures to force a vote on the expansion at the May election. The League is concerned that “ the amendment would take away voters’ rights to the referendum process. Furthermore, changing the constitutional referendum process and making the amendment retroactive are likely to be unconstitutional and invite a lawsuit. “ We understand that legislative Counsel determined that the matter was “administrative” and not subject to referendum. The amended bill has passed the House and awaits action in the Senate. The Citizen Involvement Advisory Committee is recruiting for a new member from Oregon’s Third Congressional District. Applications are due by March 18, 9 a.m. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage . And watch their meetings on the department’s YouTube channel. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Reduce/Recycle By Camille Freitag The League weighed in again this year on a Right to Repair bill, SB 1596 . We also joined others in support of the bill. The bill passed the Senate Chamber, the House Committee and is awaiting a vote in the House Chamber. DEQ is conducting rulemaking to clarify and implement HB 3220 (2023) , which updates and makes necessary changes to the statewide electronics recycling program, Oregon E-Cycles. DEQ is holding its first meeting for the Oregon E-Cycles Rulemaking Advisory Committee on March 7 at 9 a.m. – noon. To attend this virtual meeting, please pre-register via the Zoom online platform . To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee please visit the Oregon E-Cycles rulemaking web page . The meeting agenda and materials for the sixth Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee have been posted on the Recycling 2024 website. The meeting will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 14 on Zoom. To attend, please Register via Zoom . DEQ staff will be providing updates about previously presented rule concepts and will be introducing new topics about: defining limited sort facilities, commingled materials and reload facilities, outbound contamination rates and certification for out-of-state commingled recycling processing facilities. Water By Peggy Lynch Proposed new Groundwater Rules are being considered. The Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) is providing multiple opportunities to engage. OWRD will be hosting informational sessions before each public hearing where staff will review the proposed rules. Public comments will not be accepted at the information sessions but will be accepted at the public hearings following each session . For more context, please see the background information , informational flyer , and Frequently Asked Questions . Many items in the amended HB 4128 were folded into SB 1530, so the bill is dead. However, we are hopeful that the omnibus budget bill, SB 5701, will include an allocation of $3 million to be added to the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund . The League was engaged in helping create this fund in 2021 and supports this allocation. The League has continued to report on the Lower Umatilla groundwater issue where many domestic wells are contaminated with dangerous levels of nitrates. Some residents have filed a lawsuit to recover damages from some businesses and farms, a source of the nitrates. OWRD anticipates releasing a draft of the updated Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) for public review and comment starting March 5th. An updated draft is then anticipated to be available for a second public comment opportunity in May. The Oregon Water Resources Commission will hear public testimony and consider adoption of the 2024 IWRS at their September meeting. For more information about this process, please visit the IWRS page on their website. The League hopes members will participate since we were actively engaged in the original legislation and in the first two IWRS documents. We understand that this new draft takes an entirely new slant from the current IWRS. It will be important that the original documents not be invalidated but instead enhanced by this proposal. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” V isit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has signed drought declarations under ORS 536 for the counties of Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Deschutes, Wasco , Harney, Sherman, Lake, Jackson , Gilliam, Douglas, Lincoln and Morrow counties . Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers Movement continued on some of the wildfire bills the League is following this session, which is now beginning to enter the home stretch. Regarding the remaining funding bills, the House Committee on Revenue held a work session on Representative Marsh/Senator Steiner’s HB 4133-A , on February 26. After expressions of concern from Chair Nathanson and other members about the bill, the committee voted 4 - 2 to send it to Ways and Means. This bill would require a 3/5ths vote to pass because it deals with an increase in the Forest Products Harvest Tax. The Governor has weighed in on this bill, asking Leadership to support it as a first step in reducing wildfire funding complications. There is an expectation of a Budget Note on the bill directing the Dept of Forestry, Oregon State Fire Marshal, “… working in collaboration with the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council and broader stakeholder interests from local fire service entities and others…” to convene a Work Group to provide recommendations for the 2025 legislative session. On February 28, the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue held an Informational Meeting on HB 4133-A and then held a Public Hearing on Senator Golden’s funding bill , SB 1593, where the League provided testimony in support. No future meetings are scheduled for SB 1593. It is dead for the session. On February 26, the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue held a Work Session on HB 1545-A , which relates to property tax breaks on rebuilds of homes destroyed by the 2020 wildfires. The bill, with the -1 Amendment, passed the Senate on March 1. An Informational Meeting was held on February 27 before the House Committee on Revenue on HB 4007-2 where this bill and SB 1520 -2, and their nearly identical provisions, were discussed at length. This one-pager succinctly outlines the details of the most current versions of these bills and their Federal counterpart. SB 1520-2 has passed the Senate and is scheduled for a Public Hearing and Work Session in House Revenue on March 4. OPB provided an explanation of the relief this bill may provide to wildfire victims. At the same meeting, HB 4007-2 will have a Work Session where a number of amendments have been proposed. Discussions were ongoing between interested parties to determine the best path forward. There was a clear determination to get one of these bills passed, which would provide significant tax relief to victims of wildfires who wish to rebuild their homes using monies from a settlement or judgment. The posted amendments on HB 4007 may address different issues related to taxation on these wildfire victims. On February 27, a Public Hearing was held on Representative Marsh’s omnibus wildfire bill, HB 4016-A , before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire. At a subsequent Work Session on February 29, it was moved to the Floor with a do-pass recommendation. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) gave an update on progress made on the new draft of the State Wildfire Hazard Map to the House Committee on Climate, Energy and the Environment on February 28. Officials described the enhanced public involvement process required by SB 80 , the 2023 wildfire legislation, as well as a list of modifications to the map to be made based on public input, and a general overview of the science and future intended use of the map. An article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle discusses the soaring premiums and lack of property insurance options for Oregonians in Central, Southern and Eastern Oregon. Finally, in another blow to electric utilities and their liability relating to wildfire damages, this OBP article describes the prospect of possible lawsuits by the Federal Government and Oregon against PacifiCorp, the parent company of Pacific Power. Damages that may be sought include firefighting and cleanup costs, and structure losses, due to the power company’s negligence during the windstorm that led to the devastating Archie Creek and Susan Creek fires of Labor Day, 2020, which damaged thousands of homes. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Bottle Bills Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. Of State Lands (DSL) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Services Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Natural Resources Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Recycling State Land Board Water Wetlands Wildfire AIR QUALITY Bills we are watching: SB 726 requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR to support. The public hearing on this bill is set for Feb. 24 in the Senate Committee On Energy and Environment . Testimony is taken for up to 48 hours after the hearing. HB 3244 : Replaces the requirement that an owner or operator of a municipal solid waste incinerator conduct continuous monitoring or sampling of specified air contaminants with a requirement that the monitoring or sampling be conducted annually. LWVOR would oppose. The bill relates to the Reworld facility out of Keizer and League members have testified of their concerns in past years. AGRICULTURE By Sandra Bishop Chair Jeff Golden announced four specific Senate bills that will be considered by the committee: SB 78 : Replacement dwelling bill SB 77 : Home occupation reform bill SB 73 : Spot zoning reform SB 79 : Prohibits certain dwellings on resource lands. LWVOR will watch and may support with our strong positions on protection of Oregon’s valuable agricultural lands. Also, we are watching HB 3158 relating to photovoltaic solar power generation facilities on lands zoned for exclusive farm use. Allows certain photovoltaic solar power generation facilities on lands zoned for exclusive farm use to operate alongside farm or allowed nonfarm uses on a tract. LWVOR is watching this one before taking a position. The League is watching HB 2947 , a bill that would direct the Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to study the distribution and occurrence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in biosolids applied to agricultural fields that do not produce crops intended for human consumption . A New York Times article shared a story about Johnson County, TX as they address the issue of harmful “forever chemicals”. BOTTLE BILLS By Sandra Bishop SB 992 originally introduced as an Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission study of how to modernize the beverage container redemption system is now being shaped as an omnibus bottle bill. A 28-page amendment was introduced in a public hearing on Feb 17th in the Senate Energy & Environment committee. There is a request from industry representatives to incorporate provisions from several other bills. LWVOR will wait for a settled version of the bill to determine whether or not to support. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 , tentative 3rd week of March. Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 , tentative 3rd week of March. Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 . DEQ: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget; DEQ Fact Sheet ; Public hearing tentatively set for mid-March. Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 ; info hearing 2/10; Meeting Materials ; public hearing 2/11. Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 ; info hearing 2/10, public hearing 2/11. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 ; tentative public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2. Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . Tentative public hearings March 10-12. Department of Forestry / Department of the State Fire Marshal - Wildfire Funding Workgroup Work Session/report to be a part of the ODF budget presentation. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: HB 5010 Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials ; LWVOR testimony ; Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases. LWVOR points out that KPM #4 , mine inspections have consistently NOT met the small 20% target so, if staffing is needed to meet that target AND fees increased to pay for them, we will continue to support. LWVOR supports SB 836 . Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 ; Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet ; Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials ; LWVOR testimony . Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 ; Public hearing Feb. 27. Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 ; Public hearing Feb. 17; Meeting Materials Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 ; Public hearing tentative set for March 8. Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 . Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 ; Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet ; Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Info Mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony . And the fee bills: Support HB 2808 and HB 2803 . Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-26. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-26. Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 . Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 . Office of the Governor: SB 5523 . Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 ; info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20. See more in the Wildfire section of this report. Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 . Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 . Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 . Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : An average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Emergency Board: HB 500 . General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : An average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.). The next Revenue Forecast will be Feb. 26th at 8am in the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue ( agenda ). The legislature will use that forecast to do a final rebalance of the 2023-25 budget. Then the May 14th forecast will be the basis for the legislature to determine the 2025-27 state budget. Oregon receives substantial funding from the federal government, so the legislature is watching closely as the March 14th deadline for a federal budget to be passed again looms. Congress also needs to address raising the federal debt limit to authorize paying for bills we’ve already incurred. The federal budget is annual and runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30. Currently there is only a federal budget until end of day March 14. Additionally, the firing of federal employees who live in Oregon is beginning to affect both large and small communities in Oregon—not only the jobs they were hired to do, but economies with the loss of those employee wages to the communities. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL LWVOR is following SB 504 , related to shoreline stabilization. Our coastal partners have been working with the sponsor, and a -4 amendment has been filed that focuses on “non-structural nature-based solutions” instead of “bioengineering”. A work session is scheduled for Feb. 25 in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire . The League is pleased to see the bill numbers for kelp and eel grass conservation (HB 3580) and protection of Rocky Habitat (HB 3587). The League signed on to letters of support for both bills. We asked for funding for a staffer in the Dept. of Land Development and Conservation budget to continue to address rocky habitat, an element of the Territorial Sea Plan which the League has supported. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League has signed on to a letter in opposition to HB 2642 . HB 2642 is a bill that seeks to divest the authority to administer vehicle emission testing away from the Department of Environmental Quality, to the private sector. Emissions testing in Oregon began in the mid-1970s as a method of reducing air pollution from trucks and cars in order to ensure compliance with the landmark federal Clean Air Act of 1970. The League has been a voice in support of this program, not only because of the need to reduce pollution, but by reducing vehicle pollution, we can support industries who provide employment in these areas where the testing is required. We are asking legislators to vote no on HB 2642 and support DEQ’s authority to protect air quality by preserving their power to implement vehicle emission testing. The League supports SB 830 , a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. A work session is scheduled for Feb. 25 in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire . HB 2947 had a public hearing in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water on Feb. 10th related to treated sewage being used on farms. OPB provided great coverage of the concerns related to this usage. See also the New York Times article about this issue cited in the Agriculture section. Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member is serving on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. There is a meeting set for Feb. 26. You are welcome to s ign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League will again serve on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. A meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25th. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee you can view the rulemaking web page at: Water Quality Fees 2025 . DEPT. OF STATE LANDS (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The next State Land Board meeting is a special meeting in March (date still unknown), followed by a regular meeting April 8. See below for more information on the State Land Board. DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony in support of SB 836 , a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities. See the agency’s presentation to understand the reasons for these increases. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) You can read the latest about the Elliott State Research Forest in their latest press release. Included is that t he Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is seeking comments on administrative rules for the Elliott State Research Forest. The comment period is open from February 3 - March 5 (closes at 5 p.m. Pacific). Then DSL is seeking comments on the proposed Elliott State Research Forest Operations Plan. Click here to view or download the proposed plan, project overview map, and appendices. Click here to view only the proposed plan (PDF) The 45-day comment period is open until 5 p.m. on March 31. Here is a more complete notice of the plan with opportunities for virtual public meetings. EMERGENCY SERVICES By Rebecca Gladstone HB 2581 : The League delivered oral and written testimony in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. A work session was held on Feb 6 in the House Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans where the bill passed unanimously. It passed the House Floor (49/9/2) and has been sent to the Senate for consideration. FORESTRY (ODF) The Oregon Board of Forestry will hold a public meeting on March 5 at 8:30 a.m. The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage . See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. GOVERNANCE Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we often comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. On Feb. 19, the Governor provided expectations and guidance for state agencies related to rulemaking and customer service. LAND USE & HOUSING By Peggy Lynch We are pleased to learn that Business Oregon’s Infrastructure bill, HB 3031 with a -1 amendment to clarify the criteria to be used to access the proposed $100 million fund, will have a public hearing on Feb. 26 in the House Committee On Housing and Homelessness . Although there are a few issues yet to resolve, the League expects to support this important funding bill. Bills we are following: On Feb. 10th the House Committee on Housing heard testimony on the first three bills that the League believes would allow housing outside of cities. Some could violate Goals 3 and 4 of our land use system so we will follow these bills as the session progresses. HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. These lands are currently a variety of state-owned lands scattered around the state. HB 2400 : Allows the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site an additional dwelling on the property for occupancy by a relative of the owner. HB 2422 : Requires that lands zoned to allow density of one or fewer dwellings per acre to be considered a rural use. HB 3013 : Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain. acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. LWVOR supports with -1 amendment. A public hearing was held Feb. 3rd. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. A public hearing was held Feb. 20th. HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands. LWVOR may have comments. Some provisions we support; others not so much. Amendments to the bill have not yet been posted on OLIS. We will wait to read them before making a decision on the bill. HB 3145 : Allows the Housing and Community Services Department to use Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program Fund monies for factory-built housing. LWVOR should support. HB 2347 : Authorizes the Department of Land Conservation and Development to provide planning assistance for housing production to federally recognized Indian tribes and makes other technical changes to laws relating to land use planning. The bill passed unanimously on Feb. 19 with the -2 amendment. HB 2950 : A bill to update Goal One and Public Participation is being sponsored by Oregon’s American Planning Association. The League is interested in the bill, but has some concerns. We understand there will be an amendment proffered. A public hearing was held Feb. 12th in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . Because of the requirement to do rulemaking, the bill, if passing the Committee, will be sent to Ways and Means. SB 462 : Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to establish an education course for land use planners for local governments, special districts and state agencies. LWVOR supports educational efforts but there are other training opportunities, so this proposal might be redundant. A public hearing was held on Feb. 19 in the Senate Committee On Housing and Development . SB 525 : Amends expedited land division criteria and processes. LWVOR has concerns. May need to oppose. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. NATURAL RESOURCES HB 3173 : Establishing OregonFlora in statute. HB 3173 assed committee with a -3 amendment on Feb. 12th and was sent to Ways and Means. HB 3173 info sheet . The bill has widespread support statewide and the League hopes to see this program that supports many natural resource areas funded this session. OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) By Lucie La Bonte The Natural Resources Ways and Means Subcommittee will meet to discuss HB 5039 , the agency’s budget bill, and the 6-Year Limitation bill HB 5040 (limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) on Feb. 25th with a public hearing on Feb. 26th. RECYCLING On Feb. 21, the Dept. of Environmental Quality announced approval of the Producer Responsibility Organization program plan and advanced the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. The Act was supported by the League as it sees this as a major advancement to addressing plastic pollution in Oregon. STATE LAND BOARD (SLB) By Peggy Lynch The State Land Board will meet virtually on February 27 at 1 p.m . in a special 30-minute online meeting to discuss the Department of State Lands Director recruitment. Here is the meeting materials packet that includes information on how to provide testimony related to the job description. This agency and its director are extremely important to the League as the Board protects waters of the state and is responsible for the South Slough National Estuarine Reserve as well as the Elliott State Research Forest and Common School Fund lands. WATER By Peggy Lynch A major set of bills was heard on Feb. 19th in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . HB 3364 makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept. Testimony provided comments and concerns with agreement that all parties would continue to work on finding agreement on an amendment. HB 3419 is the major broad set of water policy changes described by the various amendments posted since this is really a “gut and stuff” bill! The committee Co-Chairs announced that more amendments are expected. But reading the currently-filed amendments would be helpful in understanding the various purposes of elements of the to-be-amended bill. On Feb. 17 in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water two bills of interest to the League had a public hearing: HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted testimony in support. HB 3526 would require well water test reporting in property sales. The League supported this concept in past sessions and did again this session. As we address drinking water well issues, a state report indicates concerns in Crook County per this OPB article . Other water bills we are following: HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. A public hearing was held Feb. 12th. HB 3108 : Requires the Water Resources Department to implement additional rules and requirements for the review of limited license applications for an aquifer storage and recovery permit HB 2803 : Increases certain fees related to water. LWVOR will support. Expect amendments. Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. HB 2808 : Increases fees related to wells. LWVOR will support. Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. HB 3106 : Oregon Water Data Portal funding. The Oregon Water Data Portal debuted Jan. 31st. The multi-agency effort to release a beta version of the pilot portal for the Oregon Water Data Portal project debuted on January 31. The pilot portal is accessible here . Users can provide feedback about the beta version of the pilot portal by completing a survey or emailing OWDP@deq.oregon.gov . We expect a hearing next week in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . The League supports. HB 3573 , a bill that addresses funding for a variety of water measurement strategies. We expect a hearing next week in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . The League supports. The Co-Chairs of the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water are working on a broad package of water-related bills, the 2025 Water Package . There is a Water Caucus raising awareness of the need to address Oregon’s water needs. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” V isit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. WETLANDS The League testified in opposition to SB 511 , a perennial salmon tax credit bill filed by Sen. David Brock Smith that would create a new program to allow private property owners get a tax credit for salmon habitat on their property if allowed to be used by a developer to destroy wetlands in another area of Coos and Curry County. A bill of concern to the League related to our removal/fill program has been filed: SB 400 . As proposed, the League will oppose. Another wetlands-related bill we will be watching: HB 2054 . WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers The League learned on February 14, from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), of the appointment of a new Fire Protection Division Chief, Michael Curran. He has been with the agency for 20 years, most recently in the West Oregon District. Kate Skinner, who was previously serving as Deputy Chief Forester, is now Interim Chief Forester, stepping in after the resignation of Cal Mukumoto following the devastating 2024 wildfire season. February 17, the Oregon Capital Chronicle wrote about how Governor Kotek and the Legislature are pausing any further action on appeals to the Wildfire Hazard Map in the face of, once again, significant public opposition. Readers of last week’s Legislative Report are likely not surprised by this news. This action casts doubt on the future of the map, which was to be used to help with prioritizing areas of the State for programs and funding for wildfire mitigation and more. And, it comes in the face of calls by some in the Legislature to withdraw the map altogether, again, or even completely “undo” SB 762 , the 2021 Wildfire Bill, which led to the creation of the map and other measures that broadly address the wildfire crisis. There was a Public Hearing on HB 3089 on February 18 before the House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection. This bill “opens a discussion” of an idea to try and address rising homeowners insurance rates by separating out wildfire insurance from regular homeowners fire coverage. The thought is this could be done much in the manner flood insurance is handled through a federal program. On February 19 and 20, the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety heard from Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple of the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal regarding their budget requests for the upcoming biennium. Her main presentation may be found here . There was much discussion around a reduction of the Governor’s proposed budget for fire season upstaffing grants. Chief Ruiz-Temple informed the Committee that the reduction would mean a reduction in firefighters by 288, and that this would negatively affect wildfire response for the upcoming season, on top of the layoff of 10% of the United States Forest Services personnel, including firefighters and others working on mitigation. You may read more about that development here . Look for information from the Wildfire Funding Group on their recommendations regarding wildfire funding officially in presentations on March 5 and 6. More next week. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 1/16 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch AGRICULTURE AIR QUALITY BUDGETS/REVENUE CLIMATE COASTAL ISSUES DEQ DSL FORESTRY GOVERNANCE HANFORD LAND USE/HOUSING NWEC OWEB RECYCLING TRANSPORTATION WATER WILDFIRE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Overview Bills have been filed, “first read” and assigned to committees. But this does not guarantee they will receive public hearings. That decision first rests with the Committee Chairs in consultation with their Vice Chairs. Final determination is always with Legislative Leadership. Filing deadline is Feb. 21 for most bills. AGRICULTURE Bills being reviewed by the League: SB 47 : Directs Environmental Quality Commission and Department of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to allow the department to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over air quality laws, water quality laws and land quality laws that apply to agricultural lands, operations and equipment. HB 2121 : House version of SB 47. SB 399 : Would limit water use for confined animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs. HB 2667 : Would put a pause on all new CAFOs for the next several years. AIR QUALITY Our friends from Neighbors for Clean Air have set their 2023 agenda : Particulate Air Pollution. BUDGETS/REVENUE We are all awaiting Governor Kotek’s Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB)—due by Feb. 1. The next Revenue Forecast is Feb. 22. The House Revenue Committee provided an overview/audio of Revenue issues. The meeting is worth listening to. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See Climate Report in the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. HB 2236 : P rohibits governor and specific agencies from taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions unless authorized by Legislature. COASTAL ISSUES By Christine Moffitt Bills being reviewed by the League: HB 2190 (Relating to offshore wind). DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) On January 19, the Environmental Quality Commission announced two finalists for consideration to become the new Director of the Dept. of Environmental Quality: Current Interim Director Leah Feldon and Jamie McLeod-Skinner, regional emergency coordinator with the Oregon Department of Human Services and is also founding partner and attorney with MS Sage Consulting in Central Oregon. The Commission will hold a special meeting in February for the Commission, staff and the public to engage before the Commission makes its decision. Bills being reviewed by the League: SB 47 : Directs Environmental Quality Commission and Department of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to allow the department to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over air quality laws, water quality laws and land quality laws that apply to agricultural lands, operations and equipment. HB 2121 : House version of SB 47. DEPT. OF STATE LANDS (DSL) By Peggy Lynch Bill possibly supported by the League: HB 2238 : Fees related to removal or fill permit applications, wetland delineation reports and general authorizations. FORESTRY On February 7 from 1 – 4 p.m. there will be a virtual meeting open to the public to learn more about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Forest Management Plan (FMP) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). This meeting will provide an update on the FMP, the HCP, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. A proposed agenda and additional details will be provided closer to the meeting date. RSVP is requested; you can do so by clicking here. More information is available online at the Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan Website and the Western Oregon State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan Website . See “Wildfire” below for a report on the Oregon Wildfire Council. GOVERNANCE By Peggy Lynch Bills being reviewed by League members: HB 2480 : new or increased fees adopted by state agency do not become effective unless approved by three-fifths of each chamber of the Legislative Assembly. LWVOR opposes. SB 660 : No new/increase in agency fees unless approved by legislative assembly. LWVOR opposes. SB 43 : Requires agencies to post certain information about rulemaking on agency websites and a long list of other requirements. LWVOR opposes. HANFORD By Marylou Schnoes) The Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board will hold a virtual meeting on January 18. A full meeting agenda, including how to participate, and other meeting materials is available on their website . LAND USE/HOUSING By Peggy Lynch Bills being reviewed by League members: HB 2203 : Allows RVs used to provide security of farm use to be sited on lands zoned for EFU. Public Hearing 1/19. LWVOR has concerns around waste disposal, drinking water availability and other services. HB 2889 : Establishes Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within the Housing and Community Services Department. LWVOR supports. You can watch a presentation of this concept in the House Housing Committee on Jan. 17. SB 70 : A “correction” to SB 16 (2021 ), a bill that would have allowed 100 homes on farmland and which we opposed , but passed yet never implemented. At first glance, we will oppose SB 70 as well. HB 2211 : Redefines "historic home" to include dwellings built before 1974 for the purpose of serving as accessory dwelling unit to home newly constructed on rural residential lands. LWVOR opposes as we have in past sessions. HB 2749 : C hange the RR lot size for ADUs from 2 acres to 1 acre or 1/2 acre. LWVOR has concerns. HB 2758 : Change the RR lot size for ADUs from 2 acres to 1 acre or 1/2 acre. LWVOR has concerns SB 534 : Requires Oregon Facilities Authority to provide financing for infrastructure and predevelopment costs for moderate income housing. LWVOR may support. HB 2258 : Extends sunset of Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program. LWVOR has supported this data-driven program. HB 2027 : Requires Housing and Community Services Department to study housing —a potential “gut and stuff” bill. Expect major amendments. HB 2202 : Prohibits counties from allowing use of certain new dwellings on resource lands as vacation occupancies. SB 580 : Relating to climate rules for land use planning. HB 2207 : Limits standing in appeals of land use decisions. HB 2260 : Relating to system development charges impacting housing . HB 2210 : Relating to parcel sizes of resource lands. HB 2487 : Allows lands zoned for exclusive farm use to be used for weddings or events east of the summit of the Cascade Range. HB 2659 : Requires LCDC to update rules adopted in response to the Governor's executive order on climate to address specific issues. HB 2406 : Directs Energy Facility Siting Council to adopt standards for siting, construction, operation and retirement of energy facilities that generate electricity from renewable energy sources, addressing impacts of energy facility's equipment waste recycling and disposal needs over lifetime of energy facility. HB 2989 : Directs ODOE & DLCD to convene work groups to examine barriers, opportunities and other issues related to renewable energy and transmission project siting in Oregon. SB 673 : Requires Deschutes County to approve certain applications to develop manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle parks outside the urban growth boundary. LC 3914 is a redraft of HB 2701 (2021). It creates a pilot program under the bill and allocates $1.5 million into an Systems Development Charge fund. Pertains only to cities under 15,000 and small population counties. Allows a developer to build multi-family housing with a waiver of SDC’s provided the City agrees and the developer and subsequent owner enters into a covenant with the State whereby the rent cannot be increased above a statutory threshold for at least 10 years. With the agreement, the State reimburses the City or County for the full cost SDC’s. A bill ( HB 2659 ) for the City of Springfield regarding “Climate Friendly & Equitable Community” rules (not yet first read). The Citizen Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) is meeting Jan. 27. The agenda and meeting materials for a CIAC joint meeting with the Land Conservation and Development Commission are now available online. This is a hybrid, virtual and in-person meeting. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. NORTHWEST ENERGY COALITION (NWEC) By Robin Tokmakian 2023 Priorities for NWEC: RE-Building Task Force: The RE-Building Task Force was established during last year’s legislative session by SB 1518 . The task force has been hard at work to determine how to reduce emissions from new and existing buildings in the state. The task force released a draft report earlier in December. Bills will be developed from the concepts considered by the task force and will be introduced when the legislative session starts in January. Clean Lighting Bill: Appliance Standard Awareness Project (ASAP) has proposed a bill to phase out the use of linear fluorescent lamps due to their mercury content . The bill would also result in energy savings and emissions reductions, and follows similar legislation recently adopted in California . Other things to keep an eye on: Portland General Electric Securitization Bill : We expect Portland General Electric to propose a bill around securitization. A bill draft that was shared with NWEC seeks to allow a utility, with the approval of the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses associated with events subject to federal or state declaration of emergency (think fires or ice storms). PGE has been discussing the issue with many stakeholders and we expect the bill to come up early in the session. Oregon Siting Bill: As in Washington, there are many discussions in Oregon about clean energy siting. NW Energy Coalition has been, and will continue to, engage and assess any proposals that may arise from discussions. Oregon Budget : Congress’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide a massive amount of new funding to the state of Oregon. There will no doubt be many discussions about how to allocate those new federal funds. OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) OWEB will hold a virtual 2-day meeting, on January 24 and 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The agenda and staff reports for the meeting are now available. RECYCLING By Kathy Moyd New: Zero Waste Package aims to reduce Oregon’s waste and includes these five bills: Right to Repair ( SB 542 ): Will reduce electronic waste and save people hundreds of dollars a year by allowing them to repair their own electronics. Styrofoam Phase Out ( SB 543 ) : Phases out the use of styrofoam in food to-go containers, as well as bans the use of highly carcinogenic PFAS chemicals in food packaging. Reduction of Single-Use Packaging ( SB 544 ): A bill that will require a 25% Reduction of Single-Use Packaging in 10 Years. Reusable Containers ( SB 545 ) : Updating Oregon law to allow for reusable containers to be used in the bulk section of the supermarket and for eating out. No New Permits for Chemical Recycling Plants : While the name might sound nice, chemical recycling leads to localized air pollution and is not healthy for people or the environment. Bill not yet filed. TRANSPORTATION T here will soon be new sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, curb ramps and more to make walking and rolling to school safer, easier and more accessible for all. ODOT Commissioners 1/12 approved 26 Safe Routes to School projects totaling $32.4 million, with a focus on under-resourced neighborhoods: all awardees are Title 1 schools (schools where 40% or more of the student population is low-income). WATER By Peggy Lynch An update to the Morrow/Umatilla County nitrate contamination issue: Morrow and Umatilla counties have long faced nitrate pollution in some people’s drinking water. The federal funding aims to establish a long-term fix. A follow up article with resident frustrations. Bills being reviewed by League members: HB 2647 : Harmful Algal Blooms. SB 399 : Limiting water for livestock use. HB 2813 : Relating to sources of drinking water. SB 710 : Relating to groundwater use decisions affecting surface water sources SB 553 : Requires Department of Environmental Quality to study water reuse. HB 2023 : Salmon Credits . LWVOR had concerns with this bill in 2021. HB 2248 : Requires Water Resources Department and Department of Environmental Quality to study impacts of wildfire on water quality of streams and tributaries. HB 2929 : Authorizes WRD to seek injunctive relief if person has engaged, or is about to engage, in activity that is or will be in violation of certain water laws. HB 2590 : Requires DEQ to study both requirements related to subsurface and alternative sewage disposal systems that create barriers to siting and construction of accessory dwelling units in areas outside urban growth boundary and solutions to eliminate barriers. HB 2988 : Establishes Community Benefiting Water Infrastructure Investment Program. HB 3002 : Requires LPRO to study water service rates and rate schedules. LWVOR is interested in this bill. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. A news release explains the signs you should note. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. We have an on-going drought throughout Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Oregonians need to celebrate the early snowfall and the rain these past weeks. But we must hope that the snow stays on until well into May or June. WILDFIRE The Wildfire Programs Advisory Council was scheduled to meet Jan. 20. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Above you can see the names of League volunteers who covered one or more issues. Volunteers are needed. What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. If not actually serving on a rules advisory committee (RAC), you could simply monitor and report back on their work. The 2023 legislative session is at hand with over 2,000 bills already filed. Help! Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/27 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley/Sharron Noone • Education: Jean Pierce • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to a topic: Housing Immigration Basic Needs Anti-discrimination in Employment Oregon Health Authority Budget Other Health Care Bills Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan It has been another busy week for the Legislature as it works to meet a first-chamber deadline of April 4, when bills must be sent out of committee, either to the floor for a vote or to another committee for further consideration. If the deadline is not met, a bill will not move forward. Governor Kotek’s major housing and homeless bill was adopted and other housing bills are moving ahead in the process. On Wednesday, March 29, the Governor signed the housing and homelessness bills into law. The $200 million funding package includes HB 2001 B , the policy bill, and HB 5019 A , the budget bill. Expenditure details are here. The League provided HB 5019 testimony . We added our logo to House and Senate floor letters along with many other supportive organizations. Housing bills moving forward HB 2680 : This bill strengthens and clarifies legislation passed in 2019 related to screening fees charged for rental applications. HB 2680 would require landlords to refund screening fees within 14 days if the apartment is filled before screening the applicant or if the application is withdrawn before the screening takes place. If the landlord fails to return the fee, damages the applicant may recover increase from $150 to $250 under the new legislation. A work session in the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness is scheduled on April 4. HB 3462 : If passed, people displaced by major disasters would be eligible for emergency housing benefits provided through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management regardless of their immigration status. Under federal law, these services are not available to undocumented immigrants. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness will hold a work session on April 4. SB 599 : This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 27 – 3 and was referred to House Early Childhood and Human Services. If enacted into law, the legislation would require landlords to allow tenants in rental housing to provide childcare services if the home is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care, the tenant has notified the landlord, and the home does not violate zoning, homeowner association’s governing documents, or Early Learning Council rules. Landlords may require liability insurance. This legislation is intended to increase the supply of much-needed childcare services in Oregon. HB 3042 A applies to publicly supported housing after the landlord withdraws the property from a government contract. It would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants from their homes for three years after the contract ends. Rent increases would be allowed no more than once a year during that period and would be limited by state limits on rent increases. A work session before House Housing and Homelessness was held on March 23, and the bill passed with amendments. It was scheduled for a second reading in the House on March 29 and a third reading on March 30. SB 1076 would require licensed hospitals to include in their discharge policy specific procedures for when they discharge homeless patients. Hospital staff would work with patients and supportive services to discharge patients safely, regardless of their housing status. Unfortunately, homeless patients have been discharged with no real destination and left with no resources, outside on the street. A public hearing was held before Senate Health Care on March 27, with a work session scheduled on April 3. HB 3151 A addresses policy updates affecting manufactured home parks, including clarification of the improvements that landlords may require of tenants; extension of the sunset for grants for legal assistance for low-income facility tenants and for Manufactured and Marina Communities Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee; amends the legal assistance grant program; expands affordable housing developed on nonresidential lands. The bill also expands the state manufactured dwelling park preservation loan program to allocate money to develop new parks. On March 22, the bill was carried in the third reading by Senate Housing and Development. Immigration By Claudia Keith Bills we are supporting or following: HB 2957 the -4 amendment Work Session was held on 3/29 . It passed out of committee to JW&Ms. New description: Financial assistance to non-citizens for specified purposes. (>7M$). A large portion of the source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz, House EC&HS Public Hearing was 2/22 . League Testimony supports. HB 3176 Work Session 4/3 . Requires Dept HS and Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, to award contracts to organizations to provide support services to immigrants and refugees. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund. Directs Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to convene representatives from state agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate policy recommendations. Representative Reynolds, Senator Jama, House ECHS then to JW&M. Public Hearing was March 8 . Fiscal is not yet posted. Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: SB 627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals ($15M) Sen Lieber. Passed out of Sen Judiciary, DO Pass, Feb 7, sent to JW&Ms. The League has supported this policy/funding category in the past. Fiscal Analysis . Bills of Interest or possible League support: (Bills that have been posted to OLIS that may move forward via a committee public hearing. – an Incomplete list) SB 849 Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS -1 : Work session was 3/14. Now in JW&Ms. Fiscal $20M grant fund. Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals…. Sen Labor & Business. Senator Jama, Dembrow, Frederick, Campos, Manning Jr, Woods, Representative Chaichi, Nguyen H. SB 185 Public Hearing and Work Session 4/3 : Requires the DoJ to study immigration in this state; may include legislation recommendations to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2024. Requested by Attorney General Rosenblum. In Sen Judiciary. Sunsets January 2, 2025. Basic Needs SB 610 : Work Session 4/3 . Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), unclear what the funding ask may be. Chief sponsors: Senator Campos, Representative Ruiz, Senator Manning Jr, Gorsek, Representative Bowman, Dexter, Gamba . Sen Human Services then to JW&M. Public Hearing was 2/27. Legislative Summary HB 2990 -1 : Work session 3/27 . Moved to JWM. Resilience Hubs. Directs Oregon Health Authority to develop and implement grant programs to support resilience hubs and networks in Oregon. Fiscal Statement May partially replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. Anti-discrimination in Employment By Trish Garner HB 2800 , clarifying what constitutes "because of age" for the purpose of workplace employment discrimination and prohibiting employers from requiring disclosure of age prior to an initial interview or conditional offer of employment, was initially scheduled for a Work Session on April 3, 2023, but it was removed from the calendar of House Business and Labor. It will not proceed in the 2023 Session. Other Bills SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. In Senate Rules. SB 216 Passed out of SCHC 3/1 , Now in House Behavioral Health and Health Care. Related to data collected by OHA. (Request of Governor Kate Brown for OHA). The Oregon Health Authority set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). HB2905 : Now in Senate Education. Expands list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. Passed House Committee by Unanimous Vote . SB 421 Work session is 3/30 establishes a youth advisory council. Prescribes youth standardsadvisory council membership and duties. DOE to establish a work group to establish for the selection process of members of the youth advisory council. PH was 2/28 Staff Measure Summary HB 2458 : Died in Committee. Prohibits conversion therapy. Public Hearing was 2/24 . No League testimony. Oregon Health Authority Budget - Governor’s Budget Summary By Claudia Keith SEE HB 5525 OHA Budget The following is specific to the Public Health Div which includes Healthcare. Natural Resources and Climate Emergency policy funding topics. Governor’s Budget Summary OHA - Public Health Division ”The Governor’s budget includes a total investment increase of $65 million, which includes $57.7 million General Fund, over CSL. Included in this is a modified reduction to CSL of $6.7 million Other Funds related to revenue shortfalls for both the Oregon Psilocybin Services program ($6.4 million) and the Health Licensing Office (HLO) of $0.4 million. Other significant investments include: Public Health Modernization: In 2013, HB 2348 initiated a series of legislation and funding to address the modernization of the public health system in Oregon. Oregon’s public health modernization effort is a top agency priority, with core objectives being to ensure the right public health protections are in place for everyone, the public health system is prepared and sufficiently resourced to address emerging health threats, and the system is structured to eliminate health disparities. In 2016, an assessment completed by state and local public health agencies identified significant gaps between Oregon’s public health system and a fully modernized system that provides core public health services to all Oregonians. $60 million General Fund has been invested to date: $5 million in HB 5026 (2017), $10 million in SB 5525 (2019), and $45 million in HB 5024 (2021). The Public Health Advisory Board is established by ORS 431.122 and reports to the Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB) and is accountable for governmental public health in Oregon, to include aligning public health priorities with available resources. The Governor’s budget includes a $50 million investment in this area. Universally Offered Home Visiting: Family Connects Oregon is a nurse home visiting model that helps families identify what they need and want from local resources, and then provides an individualized, non-stigmatizing entry into a community system of care. The system includes referrals to other, more intensive, home visiting programs and health and social supports around the state, such as obstetricians and primary care providers, pediatricians and family practice physicians, childcare options, mental health services, housing agencies and lactation support. The Governor’s budget approved the agency’s requested policy option package requesting an additional $5.9 million General Fund and five positions (3.75 FTE). LFO 2023-25 Budget Review (Steve Robbins) 22 February 12, 2023. Domestic Well Safety Program: The Domestic Well Safety Program (DWSP) uses data collected under the state Domestic Well Testing Act to inform people in Oregon about the importance of testing drinking water from wells and provides guidance about how to improve poor water quality - leading to improved health outcomes. The Governor’s budget includes $3 million General Fund and one position (0.75 FTE) to support this program and permanently add a dedicated DWSP position. Other Proposed Increases: Also included in the Governor’s budget are funds and a position for environmental justice mapping, an Other Funds position to support regional residential hospitals for disaster response, $1 million General Fund and two positions (1.50 FTE) to support personal protective equipment and medical supply management, $1.9 million and two positions (1.50 FTE) for the newborn bloodspot screening program (funded by fee ratification), Other Funds investment in Oregon’s environmental Lab Accreditation Program, and an investment in youth/adult suicide intervention and prevention plans.“ Other Health Care Bills By Karen Nibler The House Behavioral Health Committee has responded to the criticism of the BM 110 rollout process . The funds have been allocated to local providers of behavioral health services, so interventions are available. Oversight will come from the Oregon Health Authority under the Behavioral Health Director. HB 2513 directs accountability measures in the implementation process and requires reports on administrative expenses. The next audit will be in December of 2025. It is an evolving process according to a Lane County Commissioner. The Sunday Oregonian contains a comprehensive article on this bill and the work on the refinement of the services for Substance Abuse. HB 2538 asked for interpretation services for health care patients. HB 2539 A allocated funding for the Oregon Center for Children, Family and Community Health on the Trillium Portland campus. Ways and Means will hear the bill. HB 3126 A establishes acute care centers at regional hospitals, which was supported by NAMI and by the Association of County Mental Health Programs. The pilot programs will be through Providence to establish Regional Child Psychiatric Centers. The bill will be reviewed in the Human Services Subcommittee of Ways and Means for funding decisions .

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Federal Oregon Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Oregon Treasury Other Climate Bills Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes There are 13 days until the end of session and a number of bills and agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing state agency Climate related programs will be in the end of session reconciliation bill. Transportation Legislation HB 2025 is a major topic these last few days. ‘Oregon transportation bill gets panned by Republicans – even those who negotiated it ‘- Jefferson Public Radio. ‘ Tax hikes in proposed Oregon transportation packag e would eventually raise more than $2 billion per year, new report says’ - oregonlive.com Special Session? The League is aware of a possible special Sept session that could address a number of significant Federal Admin policy funding issues. Federal The Trump administration has shut down more than 100 climate studies | MIT Technology Review Study Says Clean Energy Rollbacks Will Cost Economy $1.1 Trillion by 2035 - Inside Climate News Department of Justice Gives Trump Go-Ahead to Eliminate National Monuments - Inside Climate News Transportation chief seeks to weaken fuel economy standards , calls Biden-era rule 'illegal' | Consumer | centraloregondaily.com EPA to propose rolling back climate rule for power plants Wednesday - POLITICO Science policy this week : Jun 9, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) 
 How the Five Pillars of U.S. Climate Policy are Threatened – Environmental and Energy Law Program | Harvard Oregon Power shutoffs banned during extreme summer heat in Oregon - oregonlive.com Oregon lawmakers weigh increased oversight of state's embattled transportation department • Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon transportation bill gets panned by Republicans – even those who negotiated it | Jefferson Public Radio Oregon lawmakers propose tax hikes and new taxes to fund 2025 transportation bill - Statesman Journal Oregon Democrats’ transportation funding bill could raise $2B per year, analysis shows - OPB Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics By Claudia Keith Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter in April requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. The League supports full funding for all the following 8 JWM budget topics: 1). Transportation ODOT Package HB 2025 is Priorities The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities: Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit
 
 
 
 Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets, Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) 
 
 
 
 Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation) 2. One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081A ): In JWM: This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place 3. Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): still in Senate Rules: Not likely to move . This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. 4. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): waiting for Governor’s signature. This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. 5. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: 
 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m 
 
 
 
 Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m 
 
 
 
 Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) 
 
 
 
 6. Environmental Justice Bills. (disadvantaged communities) HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB2548 : still in Rules, new 5/23 amendment and new SMS now. An agriculture workforce labor standards study, HR PH was 5/29. New -7 amendment changing the bill to a study with $616K fiscal. WS 6/16 possibly w néw amendments. League Testimony . 7 . Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 


 
 
 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 
 
 
 8. Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summar y (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS. Fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fisca l >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 
 
 
 
 
 
 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis [The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.] See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon received a C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates By Claudia Keith Oregon Divest / ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates HB 2081A : Senate vote moved to 6/16, Senate Finance and Revenue WS was 6/2. NO fiscal listed. Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Passed House along party lines. WS Senate Finance & Rev was 5/28. Oregon Public Financing / BANK 

 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Work Session was 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: .94M League Testimony Other Climate Legislation Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Likely dead, at this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The OCERA coalition appears to be planning a ballot initiative campaign. ‘ Supporters of Oregon Green Amendment rally at the Oregon State Capitol ‘ | Salem Statesman Journal. Other Climate Bills Study of Nuclear Energy ( HB 2038 ) in JWM: This measure proposes that the Oregon Department of Energy study nuclear energy and waste disposal. SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moved to House 3/4, House passed, 5/20. Governor signed 5/28 
 
 HB 3546 Enrolled , POWER Act , House Speaker and Senate president signed 6/9. passed 6/3 House concurred 6/5. new GIS The bill requires the Pub lic Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . HB 3963 Offshore Wind: in Senate Rules, 6/17 Public Hearing. House passed June 5. Extends the deadline from Sept 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2027, for the DLCD to draft and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on the department's activities to develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. 
 
 HB 2566 A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 


 
 
 HB 3365 B: Senate vote 6/12 passed, climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald 


 
 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $ 974K fiscal , moved to JWM , Sub Cmt Natural Resources. League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham 
 
 HB 3189 in JWM . Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 
 
 
 SB 1143A : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. 
 HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. 
 HB 3653 Enrolled Gov signed 5/27 Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. 
 
 
 HB 2065 A and HB 2066 A : Microgrid Package in JWM Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation June 13 Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. EENews: Alaska youth file appeal in bid to block LNG project They say it would triple the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and violate their right to a livable climate. Press releases from Our Children’s Trust June 14, 2025 Youth Plaintiffs Seek Emergency Court Order to Halt Trump’s Fossil Fuel Executive Orders June 12, 2025 Alaska Youth File Climate Appeal to State Supreme Court; Lawmakers and League of Women Voters Join in Support with Amicus Brief Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes Senate E&E Committee Meeting June 9, 2025 Informational Meeting: Overview of Washington Cap & Invest Program Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, Majority Leader, Washington State House of Representatives Joel Creswell, CCA program leader, Washington State Department of Ecology WA’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) passed in 2021 (all Democratic votes), took effect 1/1/2023 and has been a “great success” with functioning carbon markets, significant revenues from auctions, and reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The legislature has amended the statute each session since 2021 to address lessons learned. CCA program mechanics and emission reduction targets are similar to those of Oregon’s CPP. Regulated entities in WA buy emission allowances (called compliance instruments in OR) under a declining emissions cap. Some entities get free allowances, including utilities and energy-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) industries. Air quality protections are built in at the statutory level. The carbon market decides where emission reductions take place—i.e., not necessarily everywhere—but air quality monitoring expands to protect overburdened (EJ) communities from disproportionate impact – if air quality doesn’t improve as carbon emissions fall, remedial regulatory procedures kick in. The CCA covers 75% of the state’s total emissions, excluding small industrial facilities, agriculture, maritime, and aviation. WA holds quarterly auctions of emission allowances, in which prices fluctuate between the state-imposed price floor and ceiling. Average market prices have ranged between ~ $25 to $56 since 2023. To date, the auctions have brought in $2.9 billion. Revenues from sale of utilities’ free allowances are consigned to the utilities to offset rate impacts to customers. Linkage with CA and Quebec markets (formal agreement expected in 2026) is a key statutory requirement. Each jurisdiction will determine how many allowances it will sell but the auctions will be held jointly – there will no longer be state allowances but linked allowances. This is expected to reduce compliance costs, making the required GHG reductions achievable more cost-effectively, and to stabilize prices – as the joint market is six to seven times larger than WA’s market, individual bidders can’t affect the market disproportionally. Oregon’s participation would help all states by expanding the carbon market further. New York and Maryland appear likely to join the linked market, and possibly Colorado and New Mexico in the future Auction revenues go into three main accounts focused on decarbonizing transportation, air quality and health disparities improvement, and clean energy transition. Since 2023, CCA investments have totaled $3.2 billion, of which $1.2 billion for clean transportation and the remainder for building decarbonization, advancing EJ, agriculture sequestration, climate resilience and adaptation, clean energy. 10% of CCA investments must benefit tribes and up to 40% for EJ. Specific funded projects include: $429 million for public transit grants and projects – e.g., youth under age 18 can ride public transit anywhere in the state at no cost $159 million for energy vouchers for low- and moderate-income residential electricity customers $64 million to convert the state’s three largest ferries to hybrid electric $30 million for schools to replace old HVAC systems $15 million for landfill methane capture grants Q&A time: Sen. Golden – how do you deal with very sharp partisan differences about this program? And what about a state’s competitiveness vs. others who don’t have such a program? Rep. Fitzgibbon: We have had good collaboration on program implementation across the aisle. Traditional stakeholder groups have been divided internally on some program provisions. Regarding competitiveness – EITE industries (pulp and paper, steel and aluminum, etc.) get free allowances on a per-unit of production basis, so if they reduce their energy intensity, they can profit by selling their allowances. Sen. Brock Smith: We sequester more carbon in natural and working lands in this state than we produce. How do you define overburdened communities? Republicans didn’t want the CPP to begin with, but now they’re concerned about how their districts will benefit from investments. Has WA had bipartisan agreement on this? Fitzgibbon: More than 80% of CCA investments have been in transportation and capital spending budgets, which tend to be bipartisan. Offset protocols apply to projects in forestry, livestock methane capture, ozone-depleting substances (CFCs, etc.) that can show they sequester additional carbon. Offset credits are essentially equal to allowances but are limited to 8% of compliance obligation. Benefits must accrue only in WA, so for practical purposes, offset projects must be located within the state boundaries. Sen. Robinson: Puts his climate change denial on record again – no proof that carbon is affecting the climate. Was there a scientific discussion of the need for GHG reductions or was it just assumed? Fitzgibbon: We’ve known for 150 years that CO2 traps heat, you can detect this in the atmosphere and oceans. So we didn’t spend a lot of time discussing this. If you want conclusive science, look to EPA’s endangerment finding issued in the 2000s. Robinson challenges him to a “friendly” debate the next time he’s in Salem. Golden wants to watch with popcorn. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Senate and House Rules Committees Campaign Finance and Redistricting AI and Elections, EPAB (Electronic Portal Advisory Board) The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. Bills in most committees must be scheduled for a work session by Feb. 12 and acted on by Feb. 19 th in the first chamber. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Senate and House Rules Committee Senate Rule Committee SB 1540 requests the Public Records Advisory Council to study fees charged for public records requests. SB 1538 is an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes. House Rules Committee HB 4021 requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy. HB 4027 requires the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to study Oregon’s government ethics laws. (Placeholder relating to government ethics.) HB 4030 requires the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to study public meetings. (Placeholder relating to public meetings.) HB 4031 requires the Public Records Advisory Council to study public records. (Placeholder relating to public records.) HB 4032 removes the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court. HB 4117 authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law. Correction to a bill passed in 2023 session. Senate Committee on Education SB 1502 requires public schools and college boards to livestream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. Allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. Campaign Finance and Redistricting The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. Petitions can be downloaded, printed, signed and returned by mail from the Honest Elections website for IP 9 and the People Not Politicians website for IP 14. Both initiative petitions are due to be filed by July 5, 2024 with the Secretary of State. Elections, Cybersecurity, Synthetic Media (aka AI), and EPAB By Rebecca Gladstone For the first week of session this news includes committee bills we’re working on / watching and news from the quarterly EPAB Meeting. Artificial Intelligence “synthetic media” bills Several bills will address this hot issue. SB 1571 altering campaign ads with artificial intelligence , provides definitions, compliance requirements, enforcement provisions, and penalties for. We are revising testimony for the -1 amendment, which replaces “artificial intelligence” with “synthetic media”. Thanks to Sen. Woods for inviting LWVOR to work on this campaign ad bill. The public hearing is posted for Feb. 13, moved from Joint Information Management to Senate Rules. LWVOR will support, with testimony to be shared on submission. SB 1546 3 rd party Exec Dept IT study, lineup is underway for which offices should not be subject to this study, addressing constitutional definitions of the Executive Department. HB 4153 artificial intelligence glossary Task Force, (this is another AI TF**) this one for studying, collecting, and defining terms and definitions, for use in legislation and statute. Professional organizations were well prepared in the public hearing, sharing thanks to bill sponsors for inclusion in early collaboration. Increasing understanding is a laudable goal and we expect to support it, if need be. **Governor Kotek’s Oregon State Government AI Advisory Council is contacting members now. Cybersecurity HB 4152 EIS cyber assets security study. Enterprise Information Services to study just how secure our cyber assets are. This hasn’t come up for a hearing yet, but watch Wednesday’s hearing video , 50.00 minutes in, which highlights a learning opportunity from the Joint Information Management and Technology committee. “Estonia’s Digital Journey”, shows how Estonia is avoiding hacking and ransomware cyber-attacks while increasing government efficiency. This committee has been reporting on these problems, refreshing here to see solutions at work. This calls for further study and could fit right into this bill. Elections bills HB 4019 US President and VP electors , set scheduling and process. No surprises are expected, but since LWV has a longstanding position to abolish the electoral college, we will be watching this. HB 4024 campaign finance placeholder bill . LWVOR is actively working on IP 9, for campaign contribution limits and transparency, watching this bill. See Oregon power players in business, labor are negotiating a campaign finance package , OPB, Feb 9, 2024. LWVOR is actively working on IP 9 with Honest Elections . HB 4026 : We are watching this call for the SoS to study how to improve voter access in Oregon, in the shortest concept ever seen in this portfolio, no details on specific purpose, impetus, or funding. SB 1538 : We’ll be researching content, prospects and support for this bill to increase Voters’ Pamphlet languages from 5 to 10. A public hearing is set for Feb 13, then slated for Joint Ways and Means. SB 1577 : We will comment on this Automatic Voter Registration for students applying to Oregon public higher ED schools. We laud the concept of winnowing down to reach the last 7% or so of Oregon’s unregistered voters. This bill needs more work, though. Public Records HB 4078 , to “develop and implement a standardized way… to electronically create, collect, use, maintain, disclose, transfer and access student data”, may help further work for SB 1577. See the Education LR. SB 1574 Abuse of a corpse would not usually catch attention here, but it could be relevant to handling personal data in other legislation. EPAB The mission is to eliminate obstacles to accessing Oregon’s online resources, aligning with the EIS framework. This state group meets quarterly to oversee state websites’ administration. Rebecca Gladstone, appointed as a public member, attends listing LWVOR affiliation. A new public member has joined, representing business perspective, as an owner. There were significant links to the week’s bills. See HB 4152 calling for a study of how secure our cyber assets are. The EPAB shifted the biennial benchmark survey from 2 to every 4 years, since user sentiment is not expected to alter much to warrant more frequency, and since this could enable study sooner for historically underserved groups. E-commerce “Prompt Pay” integrations proceed. Compare our HB 4152, in cybersecurity, to “Estonia’s Digital Journey", hearing video , 50.00 minutes in. Estonia’s digital technology is far ahead of Oregon, unified after serious nationwide cyber attacks unified their resolve to improve. A Newsroom 2.0 website template release is set for March 2026, for customized use by state agencies. See the current Oregon.gov Newsroom Index . 2024 investment areas include multilingual support. SB 1538 above calls for increasing Voters’ Pamphlet access from 5-10 foreign languages.