Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 Education Update By Anne Nesse Budgets for Early Childhood Education, ‘Child Tax Credit Bill’, K-12 biennial budget, Birth to Grade 12 Educational Literacy Bill, make historical investments in 2023. The following paragraphs are explanations Bills the League has been interested in and supporting throughout the session, headed toward passage into law the week of June 20-25, now that a quorum exists in the Senate: A number of legislators from the Joint Ways and Means Committee that approved HB 3198-B ,the Literacy Bill for passage, June 20, stressed that continuous follow up by our legislative body was necessary for the effectiveness of any statewide program like this. ‘This Early Literacy for Success Bill is just the beginning of a hopefully successful effort to teach reading that is proven to be successful for all students, designed for working with all young peoples’ ages, abilities, and backgrounds.’ The League submitted written support for this Bill on April 3, in House Education. A Capitol Chronicle article here gives you examples of districts in our state that may be presently using unapproved methods of reading instruction. The large budget requested for this program ($140M), reflected the fact that any new statewide standards will have difficulties with implementation, if we do not have enough, or sufficiently trained staff. This Bill passed in the Senate on 6/25, funded with a lesser amount of $90M. The ‘Child Tax Credit Bill’, HB 3235-B , passed in the Senate on 6/25, will help somewhat to relieve childhood poverty in our state. The amount of the refundable tax credit and income limits were reduced from the original Bill. This Bill in its original form was supported by the League in written and oral testimony on February 27. The Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures unanimously passed the scaled down version of this Bill last Tuesday, June 20, establishing a $1,000 tax credit per year, for those children and families living in severe poverty, at an approximate cost of $37.5M. HB 2656-B sponsored by Rep. Nathanson, passed in the Senate 6/22, and was of interest to the League. The Bill allows an opt-out statewide survey of student answers to critical questions, that can help legislators and administrators make better decisions in the future, and allocate funds where needed.The survey will be administered yearly throughout the state, and is designed ‘to improve the health and well-being of all students in this state and to help them succeed.’ SB 283-B , passed in the Senate 6/23. It is an omnibus Bill, beginning to address the workforce shortages in public education, that are happening everywhere in the nation. The League was represented on one committee for this Bill. This Bill begins to establish a statewide data system on the educational workforce. It directs Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to develop a plan to establish and maintain a statewide portal for jobs in education. It includes bargaining agreements, for pay for planning time, and lunch periods. It requires each public education provider to encourage members of educational workforce to participate in surveys related to the educational workforce. It prescribes increased pay requirements, for additional percentage of wage to licensed educators and classified school employees who provide significant special education support. It directs DOE to establish and maintain Safe School Culture Grant program to develop network of instructors certified in nonviolent crisis intervention methods. It establishes just cause requirement for classified school employees related to dismissal, demotion and discipline. It establishes Task Force on Substitute Teachers. The total biennial State School Fund Budget was raised to an historic $10.2 Billion, as reported in our last newsletter. And paired with other revenues to a total of $15.3 Billion, an overall 12.3% increase. Oregon moved closer to giving free school breakfasts and lunches for all students, to help childhood hunger, increase learning, and avoid discrimination. This concept was something the League’s action team was supportive of during the session. The Oregon Food Bank was coordinating this effort, and this was announced in a recent press release here . SB 91-B , passed in the Senate on 6/23. It helps to pay families who care for highly disabled children at home, who cannot be educated at school, utilizing Federal matching funds. A Capitol Chronicle article explains the legislative support for this Bill here . SB 531-A , tried to establish a Summer and After-School Learning and Enrichment Grant Program, similar to what was designed to work during school closures during Covid. This directed DOE to administer a grant program. Money would come from the General Fund, but this Bill did not succeed in passage. We are not currently sure whether, or how, this grant program might be included into the total budget of this summer or the next school year, in relation to the Literacy Bill? Three Bills that the League testified on this session involving education, did not make it past their first hearing: SB 854 required a curriculum to be designed statewide, concerning climate change, adaptable to grades K-12, within all subject areas, with input from DOE, DEQ, OHA, and interested stakeholders within each school district. This received front page news in the Oregonian, as well as a large amount of positive testimony from students and teachers. However, because it was interpreted to be mandatory, this will have to wait until possibly several pilot projects, or a study Bill is designed? HB 2601 , required our State Treasurer to exit from certain carbon-intensive investments, subject to fiduciary duties. to develop a plan to protect state investments from risks related to climate change, and to issue periodic reports on actual and planned progress towards completion of the duties imposed under the Act. Divest Oregon was the Coalition that presented much of the testimony, as well as a thorough data report from Rep. Pham and Sen. Golden. The League’s testimony also emphasized the non-partisanship of this Bill. HB 2750 , prohibited charging of fees as a condition of participating in interscholastic activities (including requiring participation in fundraising activities). It authorized use of moneys in Statewide Education Initiatives Account for costs incurred by school districts and public charter schools as result of this prohibition. The League’s written and oral testimony emphasized this could allow for more types of interscholastic activities in public school, allowing for increased equity in education. Here is a summary of what Early Childhood Education received in the budget bill from the Joint Ways and Means Committee: $55 M for Facilities $23 M for Employment related Day Care $10 M for Birth to 5 Literacy Programs $18.6 M for Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Educatio Here is a summary of what was included in the final funding Bill SB 5506-1 the “Christmas Tree Bill” for education: Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC): $5 M for technical assistance $1.7 M for Imagination Library Program Oregon Department of Education: 42.4 M Lottery $600,000 to replace state IT system $5 M Black Studies Success Plan $1.5 M for migrant/multilingual instruction team $100 M School Capital Improvement Matching funds $15 M for connecting Oregon Schools broadband grants Higher Education Coordinating Commission: $20 M Oregon Conservation Corps OSU, $250,000 Climate Service After School Care By Katie Riley SB 531 - Summer and After School Care – This bill would have provided funding for school-age kids this summer. Last year a similar bill provided $50 million and served thousands of low-income kids. This year’s bill received a hearing and was referred to W&Ms, however, it did not get assigned to a W&Ms subcommittee. It never had a work session or a funding recommendation. Schools were given extra money for summer school and could spend some of that money for extended care, depending on the school district. SB 858 – Children’s Service Districts – The bill would have provided citizens with the ability to gather signatures to have local ballot measures to form children’s service districts. A public hearing was held in Senate Finance and Revenue, but a work session was never scheduled. The bill was opposed by the League of Oregon Cities (mayors) and the Association of Oregon Counties.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 6/29 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 Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: 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: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Department of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Elliott State Research Forest Forestry (ODF) Governance Hanford Land Use & Housing Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Regional Solutions State Land Board Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire Intro The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health. This April 5th opinion piece in the Oregonian points out how we can all work together to support the League’s vision. Timber wars. Salmon wars. Water wars. For decades, Oregon’s natural resources have been framed as a series of conflicts. They don’t have to be. In a state as geographically and politically diverse as Oregon, foundations, nonprofit organizations and communities can help us find our way out of conflict by working in the radical middle — the space where most Oregonians already agree. …90% of voters across political parties agree that we have a moral responsibility to protect natural areas and habitat for the plants, fish and wildlife. …77% agree that clean air, clean water and undeveloped open spaces are critical to keeping Oregon’s economy strong. The League can continue to be a voice for these voters—supporting the good work of various community groups AND our state agencies who help protect these values. Join us! Now is the time when these agencies develop their budgets and propose legislation for the 2027 session. Your voices are critical to helping realize the LWVUS vision. Oregonians appreciate the continuing work of LWVUS as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reverses a critical public policy: The Endangerment Finding: On February 12, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reversed its 2009 Endangerment Finding, which had allowed the agency to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is a devastating decision as GHG emissions are the leading cause of climate change. See the Governance section below, related to permitting processes and 4 agencies’ explanation of their processes for addressing permit applications. The Governor is focusing on resiliency and has a Plan for a Resilient Oregon. The League has engaged in these issues in the past and, with the multiple crises facing Oregon, a Plan is a great idea! See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report and sections of other Legislative Reports. AGRICULTURE The League continues to follow work on the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA). State agencies are increasing their monitoring and enforcement of state laws and rules. But a lot of work remains, according to the state’s first report on its progress. There are new nitrate monitoring rules per this March 19 OPB article . Here’s a March 31 st article from Your Oregon News (originally published by the Oregon Capital Chronicle) that “ Tech giant Amazon will pay $20.5 million to settle with northeast Oregonians living with contaminated groundwater in exchange for no admission of guilt in the polluting.” The June 17 Emergency Board approved expenditure limitation of $2 million to address groundwater data gaps in the LUBGWA area. The money comes from an EPA-awarded grant. BUDGETS/REVENUE Peggy Lynch Here are all 746 pages of the 2025-27 Legislative Adopted Budget. The document is searchable. The Natural Resources agencies section starts on page 494. The Emergency Board was allotted monies during the long session to deal with client changes and wildfire or other emergencies occurring between now and the 2027 session. They may also meet during the next Legislative Days. The League continues to work with state agencies and the Governor’s Office as they develop their 2027-29 budgets. Here’s some budget guidance that agencies have received: 2027-29 Budget Guidance: Governor's Letter and CFO 2027-29 Budget POP Guidance . Bottom line: The Governor has asked state agencies to provide a “neutral” budget. If they want to add a program or staff, they need to find a program or staff to remove from their budget request. The exception is if the request helps implement the Governor’s recent Executive Orders. You can contact the agency you want to engage with as they work to provide proposals to the Governor. Many agencies now have their draft budget documents on their websites. CLIMATE 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 The Department of Land Conservation and Development is asking LCDC to initiate a rulemaking process to develop new rules under Goal 16: Estuarine Resources, Goal 17: Coastal Shorelands, and Goal 18: Beaches and Dunes related to the use of coastal shoreline stabilization measures directed by Senate Bill (SB) 504 (2025). Agenda and materials for the Land Conservation and Development Commission Meetings June 25-26, 2026. Coastal shoreline stabilization rulemaking webpage . West Coast Offshore Wind needs better planning as reported in this article from Jefferson Radio. Update of the Territorial Sea Plan : The Department of Land Conservation and Development is asking the Land Conservation and Development Commission to initiate a rulemaking process to amend Parts One and Two of the Territorial Sea Plan.  The Territorial Sea Plan rulemaking webpage will host the information and materials in support of the LCDC rulemaking effort. Information will also be posted on the Oregon Ocean Information website as it pertains to OPAC meetings. Good news : The critical ocean monitoring system will continue after the federal government originally asked that the equipment be pulled and the system dismantled. The League of Women Voters of Coos County continues to follow the proposed Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project in Coos Bay. (See their public website .) DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) The Environmental Quality Commission will hold its next regular meeting on July 9-10, in Astoria and via Zoom. Materials for the meeting, including links to staff reports, will be available closer to meeting date on the meeting agenda webpage . DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) Joan Fryxell What is DOGAMI? Great 5 minute video . Will there be a “Big One”? The Cascadia Seismic Imaging Experiment cruise in 2021provided a report released in Science Advances in late 2025, “ This is the first time we have a clear picture of a subduction zone caught in the act of dying.” See March 10 Oregonlive article that suggests “… the plate is ripping apart piece by piece, creating smaller microplates and new boundaries,”. The League continues to monitor the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine project outside of Vale. We will also continue following DOGAMI’s carbon sequestration project in NE Oregon. Because of the high federal interest in rare earth minerals, we expect that this agency will be busy in processing permit applications, particularly in Eastern Oregon. According to a June 22 article in the Statesman Journal: A Canadian mining company has resurrected plans for a copper, gold and silver mine located just outside the Opal Creek Wilderness and about 10 miles northwest of Detroit,…. Ameriwest Critical Metals , based in British Columbia, purchased mining claims known as the Bornite Project in November 2025 and is working through early stages of what could become an underground mine producing 1,000 tons of copper per day. The mine would sit along Cedar Creek and any pollution could flow into the Little North Santiam and North Santiam River — the drinking water source for Salem, Stayton and other towns. Bornite is a sulfide mineral, so acid mine water will be an issue, Here is the link to the LWVOR Hard Rock Mining Study, done in 2018. DEPT. OF STATE LANDS At the June 9 th State Land Board meeting, the agency presented a draft of their 2027-29 budget and Policy Option Packages. See page 126 of the meeting packet . DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC) Sandra U. Bishop The League has a standing seat on DWAC. T he Environmental Protection Agency flags microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water per this OPB article . ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) The ESRF Board met May 13. Click here to download the meeting agenda and materials . Here is the YouTube recording of the meeting. OPB provided an article May 28 th about progress on the Habitat Conservation Plan: A long-running effort to turn a coastal Oregon forest into a living laboratory took a major step forward this week, as federal officials approved two key wildlife protection plans tied to the Elliott State Research Forest. The Elliott State Research Forest Board of Directors met virtually March 11. Click here to download the meeting agenda and materials . The Habitat Conservation Plan has been federally approved so the first timber sale (268 acres of thinning) was completed at the end of March. By thinning, this area will provide better habitat for endangered species and improve fire protection. The $1 million grant will move the Elliott toward a fiscally sustainable management system. FORESTRY (ODF) Josie Koehne Here is the proposed ODF 2027-29 Budget and POPS (Policy Option Packages) document. As of June 15, all Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are in fire season. SB 1590 A : Prohibits public bodies from assisting the federal government with privatization of certain federally owned lands. This was signed into law Nationwide, we are concerned about our public lands. This article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle shares what might happen under the Congressional Review Act. KPTV shared a story about potential increased logging in Oregon forests. Besides western Oregon lands, per KLCC , northeast Oregon federal forests are also a part of the discussion. Should timber sales go forward, there will be a need for federal staff and new capacity for Oregon mills to process the logs. GOVERNANCE Peggy Lynch LWVOR continues to follow permitting processes. On June 15 th , the House Rules Committee invited 4 agencies to share their permitting processes: Dept. of State Lands ; Dept. of Environmental Quality ; Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries . The League engages in these processes in our two-fold focus on public engagement and protecting the environment while supporting a positive economy. LWVOR provided Comments on HB 4020 (2026). HANFORD An article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle explains concerns around potential cuts to the Hanford Cleanup: Cuts that Republicans in the U.S. House are seeking to the nuclear cleanup at Washington’s Hanford site would go deeper than steep reductions the Trump administration proposed. Hanford’s fiscal 2026 budget is almost $3.3 billion. The Trump administration wants to chop that by roughly $400 million. The GOP-controlled House wants to subtract another $55 million. The Republican-dominated Senate has yet to unveil its proposal. The combined proposed cuts translate to a $2.77 billion Hanford budget for the 2027 federal fiscal year, which begins in October, according to the House Appropriations Committee’s proposed budget for the U.S. Department of Energy. Casey Sixkiller, director of Washington’s ecology department, said in a statement that the proposed cuts would “delay critical progress at our nation’s most complex nuclear cleanup site, threatening the Columbia River and communities across the region.” LAND USE & HOUSING Peggy Lynch On June 16, the House Interim Committee On Housing and Homelessness received an abbreviated report on the expanded ability of cities to swap Urban Growth Boundary lands that may have problems about development with lands more readily serviceable. The League warns of caution as cities consider this option. The Land Conservation and Development Commission will meet June 25-26 in Salem. agenda and meeting materials . Rulemaking, housing and data centers are on the agenda Here is a link to the data center Staff briefing . From the Capital Press March 10: A lawmaker is shelving a controversial proposal ( SB 1586 2026) to increase Oregon’s competitiveness in computer chip manufacturing by allowing the industrial conversion of farmland outside Hillsboro. Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, ..“decided not to advance the bill” during this year’s short legislative session, but said there’s still a need to boost employment in the state and will “look forward to continuing that work.” The League submitted strong testimony in opposition. Data Centers have become a major political issue in Oregon and around the U.S. Governor Kotek has established a Data Center Advisory Committee . League members are monitoring, not just how they are related to land use, but water and energy use and tax consequences. Look for legislation in 2027. Building homes near jobs, stores and transit saves public dollars, a paper by Pew Trust partners. This is a view that LWVOR continues to support and why Oregon’s land use planning program is so valuable. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) Melanie Moon On April 9, Oregon signed into law the historic HB 4134 , increasing Oregon’s statewide transient lodging tax by 1.25% (from 1.5% to 2.75%) to create a dedicated, long-term funding source for wildlife, conservation, and habitat programs. HB 4134 is projected to generate roughly $37 million to $38 million in revenue per year. Oregon Fish & Wildlife proposes in their 27-29 budget that the new revenue be directed towards a variety of environmental, recreational, and coexistence programs including: Recovering Oregon’s Wildlife Fund: Roughly $27.4 million goes directly toward implementing the state’s science-based State Wildlife Action Plan to conserve at-risk species and their habitats. Wildlife Coexistence Protection: Approximately $4.3 million is allocated to enforce anti-poaching laws, manage invasive species, fund wildlife rehabilitation centers, and compensate ranchers who experience livestock losses due to wolves. Community-Based Conservation: Nearly $5.8 million supports outdoor stewardship programs, wildfire risk reduction through the Oregon Conservation Corps, and the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Grants Fund. ODFW presents the budget to the Governor on June 26, 2026. Here is the ODFW Budget webpage . The Governor will consider the agency’s budget proposal before submitting her budget to the legislature. News from ODFW: The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) has been approved by the federal government. The League provided comments on the SWAP before it was adopted by ODFW. On June 18, ODFW learned of a sudden loss of funding for the Columbia River SAFE Program . OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD) Jim Buck The 2026 session provided funds to purchase Abiqua Falls : As the Oregon Legislature wrapped up its short session earlier this month, a bipartisan group of lawmakers celebrated a small win: securing the funds to buy Abiqua Falls . The 92-foot waterfall, found just outside Silverton, has for nearly a century been owned by the Mount Angel Abbey, a local Benedictine order that in February put the land on the market . But while the abbey has allowed public access for hikers, it hasn’t been maintaining the area. Both the road and the trail to the waterfall are notoriously treacherous. The cost to make this a safe state park will be a challenge, especially since our State Parks Dept. is facing funding challenges without this addition. The League is working with others to address the fiscal crisis at OPRD. Oregonlive provided an article on ways they are nibbling around the edges. The League studied Oregon Parks in 1998: Oregon State Parks, Part 1 (PDF, 7 pgs) Oregon State Parks, Part 2 (PDF, 9 pgs) . Partners are serving on a Work Group with the hope of some solutions in 2027. OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) As shared in the last legislative report,the Oregon Environmental Restoration Council (OERC)—a part of OWEB--has the OERC’s website. The state of Oregon has secured a historic $698 million dollar settlement against Monsanto for long term harm caused by the company’s polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) chemicals to Oregon’s land, water, fish and wildlife. The Ways and Means Committee approved an “Other Funds” expenditure limitation increase of $35 million which was included in HB 5204. Administrative Rules have been adopted. Here are the next meeting dates where the first round of allocations will be considered. Part of the guidance being used is implementation of the Governor’s Executive Order 25-26 . The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board website is hosting the natural resource agencies’ website . Towards the bottom of the page is a link to the background memo for workshops held in March. REGIONAL SOLUTIONS The Regional Solutions Program : Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. To receive their reports, use this signup page . The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person. Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings. Public Comment is usually scheduled. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: STATE LAND BOARD Peggy Lynch The State Land Board meets regularly. Their next meetings (tentative) are October 13, and December 8. Watch a livestream of the meeting or recordings of past meetings on their YouTube channel. Here’s the agenda from the April 14 th meeting where the Board adopted new rules related to Waterway Leases, etc. although the new pricing won’t go into effect until July 2027. They also received the annual report om the South Slough. League members are actively involved in this first national estuarine reserve and LWVOR has supported this facility since its inception. Here’s the agenda for the June 9 th meeting. Among the issues were approval of the sale of Hayden Island filled lands to ODOT and approval of the Department of Forestry budget request. The Department of State Lands (DSL) budget for 2027-29 was presented. The Land Board authorized the DSL Director to submit and certify an Agency Request Budget since the Governor also has a voice and vote on the DSL budget submission to the legislature in her Governor’s Budget. Also of note was approval to initiate Division 95 rulemaking between the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and DSL under the State Agency Coordination program. Most Agency Coordination agreements have not been renewed since the 1990s, and this is the first of many of these agreements to be considered between agencies and with the leadership of DLCD. WATER Drought 2026: 10 simple tips to save water at home this summer. On June 17, the Joint Emergency Board met and approved grant requests and reports per the list of Meeting Materials . Among the funding approvals was a request for $1 million for the Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund (WARRF). In 2025, the Department received an additional $1.18 million and re-opened the WARRF program in fall 2025. Between December 3, 2025, and May 11 , 2026, the Department received more than 50 applications, awarded over $640,000 to 21 homeowners, and is processing an additional 18 applications. The average WARRF cost is $28,500 per well. At the current pace, all funds are expected to be fully committed by the end of May 2026. LWVOR supported this Fund and was pleased to see the E-Board’s actions. The Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) needs to update some rules due to statute change but we are considering other improvements to Division 250 (water distribution), 260 (civil penalties in other than well construction) (exempt uses) and 300 (definitions—really the overlapping definitions with the other rules). We are interested in what suggestions you and others have in terms of how the rules could be improved for clarity and consistency in application. Website for this potential rulemaking . A Rules Advisory Committee may begin work this fall. You can contact OWRD if you are interested in serving. Here is a paper on the Waste of Water. And another with definitions of waste in other Western States. On June 15, the House Interim Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water received presentations from the Oregon Climatologist , OWRD , OWRD (2) and DEQ (reuse). Also on June 15, the Senate Interim Committee On Energy and Environment received two reports : (1) Addendum: (2) from Anders Carlson, President, Oregon Glaciers. The focus of the report from 2003-2023. Some of us have 50-year memories. The loss is extensive and very sad. This is the latest OWRD Water and Drought Report—June 15. They do a report every week. You can sign up to receive it. The Water Resources Commission met June 11-12. Here are the staff reports including a report on the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS), Drought, Geologic Carbon Sequestration issues and a 2027-29 budget and legislative update. Per an April 9 Oregonlive article : The state recorded its lowest amount of liquid water in snowpack ever measured on April 1, joining seven other Western states in a crisis that experts say will worsen throughout spring and summer. Need for water by data centers is a concern in many commu nities. Oregonlive on April 6 covers needs by Google in The Dalles. ***The Deschutes County League provided comments to OWRD on the Deschutes groundwater mitigation program and a proposed Legislative Concept for the 2027 session. Oregon Water Caucus : The Oregon Legislature's Water Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of state legislators and staff committed to fostering a secure and resilient water future for all. T o learn more about the Water Caucus and its work, please contact Harmony Burright at 541-846-8863 or Harmony.Burright@OregonLegislature.gov . You can also subscribe to receive email updates from the Water Caucus . The Caucus is holding in-person meetings in Salem before the 2027 session to develop an agenda for the 2027 session. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has declared a drought in seventeen counties and the Burns Paiute Tribe in 2026 ( map ) with Wasco and Josephine counties under consideration . Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) , as of 6/9, 84% of Oregon is in some form of drought, with 44% of the state in severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3). Current drought conditions on the USDM are being driven by above-normal temperatures, persistent short- and long-term precipitation deficits, below-normal streamflow conditions, and well-below-normal snowpack. The expansion and introduction of extreme drought in Oregon reflects severe long-term moisture deficits in Oregon. To date, 17 Oregon counties and the Burns Paiute Tribe have received state drought declarations under ORS 536. Josephine and Wasco counties have recently requested declarations. Per a notice from OWRD on June 3rd: The Oregon Water Resources Department contracted with Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to undertake a Drought Vulnerability Assessment that examines drought frequency, intensity, and impacts across the state, along with policy and water justice considerations. The Assessment consists of four reports authored by researchers from the three universities. You can access the Assessment on the OWRD website. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms ( HABs) . “When in doubt, stay out.” With the heat and drought, the danger is serious. 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. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. WEATHER Extreme heat events are defined as any period of two or more consecutive days with unusually hot weather that is far above the average for that time and place. Oregon’s Five-Year Averages: 2006–2010: 12 Days 2021–2025: 22 Days From an Our Oregon News article of May 20: The Pacific Northwest has the best chance among all U.S. regions of having a hotter-than-average summer, the National Weather Service said May 21. Oregonlive article of April 20: “Since last April, the state of Oregon is in its fifth driest 12-month period on record, going back to 1895,” O’Neill said. “So it’s not just the snowpack we have to worry about. It’s that these drought conditions have been building.” Oregonlive April 13 article : After a weak La Niña winter in Oregon, odds are up for an El Niño summer . There’s a 61% chance El Niño conditions will emerge in May through July, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center . In the Pacific Northwest, that typically means a warmer, drier season. It could also mean a low snowpack this coming winter. Oregon Capital Chronicle April 6 article : Forecasters predict, prepare for increased drought and wildfire risk after NOAA climate outlook :While the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades is known for its seemingly constant rain, much of Oregon is preparing for drought conditions and increased wildfire risk for the summer. Fish, wildfires, farmers and ranchers all are worried about the upcoming summer. Statesman Journal of March 9: This winter was tied for the warmest on record in Oregon, according to data released this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. December, January and February — meteorological winter — brought an average temperature of 38.7 degrees, which tied 1934 for the warmest season in records that date back to 1896. Oregon’s average winter temperature is 32.4 degrees. This season was barely warmer than 2015, which was 38.6 degrees. The record-warm temperatures help explain why there is historically little snow in the mountains. Currently, Oregon's snowpack is 29% of normal and essentially tied with 2015 for the worst snow season since 1981. Here’s a short video explaining El Nino. WETLANDS Pew research explains the value of coastal wetlands. WILDFIRE Carolyn Mayers Remember that 70% of wildfires are human caused. Be careful! On June 16, the Senate Interim Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire heard from the new State Forester KC Kacey and Chief Ruiz Temple, the State Fire Marshal, who presented the following information: 3/4 of Oregon is projected to be at an elevated risk of potentially significant wildfire for July. In addition, the entire northwest is also under the same scenario which means help from other states will be less predictable, available. Extreme El Niño possible. Expect earlier and longer fire season. Compared to both 2015 and 2018. The Oregon Water Resources Dept. provided a report on drought. Oregon Dept. of Forestry provided this report . As of June 15, all Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are in fire season. The Governor declared a state of emergency due to wildfire threats on June 16. Forecasters remain concerned that persistent dry conditions will lead to a peak Western wildfire season that starts early and stays busy despite recent precipitation. “Lack of snowpack and abnormal warmth over winter is a big concern because it could start us off early and rather quickly,” said Jim Wallmann, U.S. Forest Service wildfire meteorologist at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. “The positive, if I can say there is a positive, is that we are still early in the year and there is still potential for this spring to mitigate the worst of conditions where the summer could be closer to normal.” From the March 7 th Rogue Valley Times. The federal April report from The Alliance for Wildfire Resilience might be of interest. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning: Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Air Quality (Dept. of Environmental Quality) Columbia River Gorge Commission Hanford Cleanup Recycling/Materials Management (Dept. of Environmental Quality) Toxic Control (I don't know what this means? Pesticides and Biocides was the study.) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Oregon Environmental Restoration Council Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Natalie Briggs HB 3049 - Informational Meeting 4/17/25 House Bill 3049 (introduced) seeks to modify provisions for corporate excise tax exemptions for businesses operating in economically lagging areas. This bill was discussed during an informational session with the House Revenue Committee on 4/15/25 in response to a request for an interim report on the bill from LRO. Speakers from LRO reviewed the goals of proposed changes to bill 3049, citing that 14 counties currently qualify for the exemption, whereas changes to the bill would increase this number to 18. The bill also changes wage requirements for qualification, implementing a wage to wage comparison instead of a compensation to per capita income comparison as part of qualifying criteria. There is currently no public estimate of the impact of this policy on the general fund. This is due to low participation in the program, such that minimum requirements for disclosure laws have not been met. Moving forward, LRO seeks to estimate the cost of this policy through aggregated data available at the department of revenue. Members of the committee expressed concern that there is not sufficient information or transparency on the financial impact of this policy, and expressed a desire to ensure that this policy is worth continuing to pursue. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • 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: Afterschool and Summer School Behavioral Health Educatio n Housing Legislation Afterschool and Summer School By Katie Riley The Senate Interim Committee on Education heard a report from ODE about HB2007 ’s Summer Learning grants. A final report will not be available until February. The 139 grantees included 105 school districts, 13 charter schools, 15 ESDs, and 6 tribes, more than in 2024. The legislation mandated an emphasis on research-based literacy instruction but districts could include other academic activities. Enrichment activities could be provided if they were consistent with literacy instruction. Community-based organizations could only be funded through partnerships with school districts or tribes. No summer after-school programs were funded directly. Grant implementation had a short timeline for summer 2025, but the bill framework allows multi-year funding in the future. Currently, ODE is engaging in a rule-making process for future planning. A policy advisory committee will be formed. On the national level, funding has been cut for the 21st Century Learning Centers program, which paid for after-school and summer programs with academic enrichment, youth development, and family engagement opportunities for students in high-poverty schools. Behavioral Health By Trish Garner A workgroup formed by Democratic legislators has formed to consider whether and how funding can be allocated to Planned Parenthood. This funding had been eliminated earlier this year when H.R. 1 passed in Congress and was signed into law by President Trump. The legislators serving on this workgroup include House Majority Leader Ben Bowmen, Represenatatives Andrea Valderrama, April Dobson and Sue Smith, and Senators Deb Patterson and Wlnsvey Campos. Planned Parenthood provides not only abortions but a broad array of reproductive and other health care services. Education By Jean Pierce Oregon’s “School Medicaid” system has not been impacted yet by funding cuts in H.R. 1, but it is possible that impacts will be felt in the future. H.R. 1 increased the work requirement for some Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP ) recipients. People who live in rural areas where there are fewer jobs might lose benefits. Medicaid provides federal funding for medically-necessary health services required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If fewer families qualify for medicaid, Tenneal Wetherell, of the Oregon Department of Education, has speculated that there would be fewer IDEA funds available for students in the Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education system. Further, families could experience reduced services and longer wait times. Schools use SNAP numbers as well as Medicaid eligibility to calculate the need for free and reduced-price meals. If fewer people qualify for the program, there may continue to be the same needs but less support provided to schools, particularly after 2030. Currently, 757,000 Oregonians receive SNAP benefits. Jessie Amaya Hoffman, of the Oregon Department of Human Services, summarized research saying that children in families participating in SNAP have improved reading and mathematics skills, a greater chance of graduating from high school, and less likelihood of repeating a grade. Federal revenue for K-12 public schools will be decreased because of H.R. 1, which is providing tax credits supporting private schools. But it is not clear currently how much this will impact Oregon. Higher education One of the biggest impacts of H.R. 1 on higher education will affect graduate students, who will no longer be able to receive Grad PLUS loans. These provided funding to students needing to borrow more than $20,500 to pay for living expenses in addition to academic costs. Students who have depended on these loans will likely be forced to turn to private loans, with higher interest payments. It is anticipated that this will reduce the number of students pursuing graduate degrees. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported in July, “there are currently more than 530,000 people with federal student loan debt in Oregon who owe more than $23 billion to the federal government, according to the nonprofit Student Borrower Protection Center.” Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Due to declining state revenues, cuts were made by the 2025 Legislature across the board to agencies such as the Housing and Community Services Department, which received $2.6 billion, representing $1 billion less as compared to last year. Most concerning is the $44.6 million for emergency rental assistance and homeless prevention services, representing a 74% cut from the $173.2 million needed to maintain the current level of statewide services. Potentially drastic cuts to federal funding are expected to be finalized by Congress. These would further reduce the social safety net in Oregon. Despite these cuts progress is being made to allocate funds for affordable housing and services. Oregon Housing and Community Services is turning legislative intent into new homes for Oregonians, as shown below. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) OHCS announced in September, 2025 a commitment of $291 million in funding to help develop 1,171 new affordable housing, spanning rural, Tribal, and urban communities across Oregon. These homes are coupled with services such as culturally specific services, resident support, and community partnerships tailored to meet the needs of their families. The 12 housing projects listed below will assist older adults, veterans, families exiting homelessness, agricultural workers, and communities of color. The remarkable collaboration of more than 40 partners across Oregon, from culturally specific nonprofits and resident service providers to developers, local governments, and health organizations, will bring these homes to completion. 34 units at Quarterdeck Apartments in Dallas, sponsored by Polk Community Development Corporation 116 units at Allenwood Apartments in Grants Pass, sponsored by Oregon Human Development Corporation and NeighborWorks Umpqua 76 units at Chenowith Affordable Housing in The Dalles, sponsored by Northwest Housing Alternatives and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation 120 units at Compass Points in Salem, sponsored by Catholic Community Services 15 units at Cottages United in Salem, sponsored by United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley 60 units at Gussie Belle II in Salem, sponsored by Green Light Development, Seed of Faith Ministries, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency 183 units at Joseph Street Apartments in Salem, sponsored by Neighborly Communities LLC and Community Resource Trust 74 units at Bull Mountain Apartments in Tigard, sponsored by Home First Development 104 units at Meadowlark Place in Beaverton, sponsored by Community Partners for Affordable Housing 150 units at Barbur Apartments in Portland, sponsored by Innovative Housing, Inc. 96 units at Jamii Court in Portland, sponsored by Community Partners for Affordable Housing 143 units at Flatworks Building in Portland, sponsored by SDP-ODP Management LLC Impact of funding cuts in communities Lane County’s allocation from the state is not final, but officials expect it will be about $7.6 million for homeless shelters and outreach work, which started in July. In comparison, the county’s state funding last year was $15 million. This fiscal year, at least 1,700 fewer people will receive housing assistance from Multnomah County, as the county struggles to account for the loss of about half of the state ‘s homelessness and rent assistance funding. St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County is retooling its budgets, and is forced to look at cuts. The nonprofit provider serves 4,000 to 5,000 people annually, a figure that includes people who receive shelter and those who receive other services like support in finding housing and jobs. The potential reduction is approximately $1 million. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning Criminal justice Hate and bias crimes Juvenile justice Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 3/13 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey 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 Election Methods Cybersecurity and Public Records Rights of Incarcerated People Government Ethics By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Election Methods By Barbara Klein Another Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill was added to the March 16 House Rules hearing. This bill, HB 3509 , is sponsored by Rep Farrah Chaichi and appears to be an augmentation of bill HB 2004 below. The official summary of HB 3509 is that it “ Establishes ranked choice voting as voting method for selecting winner of nomination for an election to nonpartisan state offices and county and city offices except where home rule charter applies. Establishes [RCV] as a voting method for selecting winner of nomination by major political parties for federal and state partisan offices .” HB 3509 is listed as “may have fiscal impact.” The bill’s sponsor may be hoping to take advantage of the same monies noted by supporters of HB 2004. Namely, this is $2 million allocated by a previously passed bill (SB 5538 in 2021 regular session) to provide grants to counties to modernize their election offices, technology and equipment (including updating voting machines and purchasing new processing equipment). For any scenarios in which HB 3509 would eliminate the need for a runoff, it could save money. As of this writing, the League has not determined the need for weighing in on HB 3509. However, based on established positions LWVOR would have no reason to oppose this bill, and currently supports the HB 2004 RCV bill. Before the March 16 House Rules hearing, LWVOR provided testimony and encouraged members (as individuals) to write their legislators in support. Cybersecurity and Public Records By Rebecca Gladstone SB 166 We support with comments, our testimony . This three-part bill would codify that actual ballots votes are not revealed (never have been). Elections workers would be protected ( offending substances shall not be thrown at them ), and elections should have cybersecurity plans. We recommend further amending, with extensive references to our earlier relevant testimony for related bills, including current ones. Technical harassment definitions should be expanded, as we note, for example to doxing, with extensive privacy issues, and extended to protect all involved in elections, even voters, from harassment and intimidation, as reported last fall by OPB . We anticipate valuing having these protections in place before the 2024 elections. We link to our other testimony supporting elections as critical infrastructure, for cybersecurity, and for protecting our cyber defense plans, as mentioned in the bill below. HB3201 We have supportive testimony prepared for this federal funding broadband bill, public hearing scheduled for March 15. A diverse, inclusive work group has been negotiating for this since last summer, posting two amendments. A surprise amendment appeared March 14, negating the content of the earlier -1 and -2 amendments, without consulting the sponsors or advisory group, a concerning omission. Numerous updated amendments have followed it. We have signed a coalition letter in support of the original bill and have written to relevant legislators with process concerns. SCR 1 This bill calls for election worker support and applause, passed the Senate on partisan lines, scheduled for a March 14 work session in House Rules. It lacks any action in statute. We urge again, our 2023 testimony for expanding election privacy and harassment protection, citing our League 2022 testimony from HB 4144 Enrolled (2022) . HB 3111 Passed from the House with no opposition votes, and was scheduled for a public hearing March 16 in Sen Rules. This privacy protection bill exempts some personal information for some public employees, focusing on retirees. As we advocated for SB 293 Enrolled (2021), we urge for less piece-meal privacy protection. See our HB 3111 testimony in support, repeating our previous calls for improvements. HB 2112 A Passed from the House floor and Rules unanimously, and was scheduled for a March 14 work session in Sen Rules. This public records bill updates technical and inclusive terms, particularly for our tribes. The League supports ( our testimony ). HB 2490 This bill was scheduled for a work session on March 16 in House Emergency Management, General Governance, and Vets. It addresses Oregon’s growing cybersecurity vulnerability, by protecting our defense plans, devices, and systems from public disclosure, also echoing our call to balance public records disclosure transparency and privacy. The League urges for maximum protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Defending our critical infrastructures is at stake ( our testimony ). SB 417 The Task Force convening to review this public records request fee bill had a third meeting, including public records staff from the Attorney General. We hope to complete technical review with Legislative Counsel and propose an amendment in the next week. See League testimony in support. Watch for upcoming budgets and other bills and progress in W&Ms: SB 1073 to be heard in J Information and Technology, directs the State Chief Information Officer and state agencies to appoint Chief Privacy Officers. It directs the Secretary of State and Treasurer to adopt privacy requirement rules. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley A bill to reduce the time a person in custody can remain in “segregated housing” was heard on March 14 in House Judiciary. The League submitted supportive testimony on the -1 amendment to HB 2345 , which authorizes a reduction of time that adults in custody can be confined in “segregated housing” (solitary confinement) and sets a limitation of 14 days. It also appoints a committee to study the implementation of this new Department of Corrections (DOC) policy. The League strongly supports ongoing DOC efforts to humanize and change the culture of the prison environment, consistent with the 2015 United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey SB 207 : Authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to proceed on its own motion to review and investigate, if the commission has reason to believe that a public body conducted meetings in executive session that were not in compliance with laws authorizing executive sessions. The bill was reported out of Senate Rules with a "do pass" recommendation on a 4-0-1-0 vote. Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill No bills on campaign finance have yet been scheduled for a hearing. Redistricting By Norman Turrill There has been no movement on redistricting in the legislature. People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 19 petitions downloadable from its website. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 5/8 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 Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: 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 Recycling Toxics Water Wildfire By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team The League is scrambling to address good bills we want to pass and bad bills we hope will die. And some bills we want to amend to make them better or not worse! Deadlines are near—as is the end of session! We continue to wait for the May 17 Revenue Forecast. There are, of course, a slew of bills waiting for funding decisions in Ways and Means. 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. SB 488 A , relating to the Covanta medical waste incinerator, sits in Ways and Means. Budgets/Revenue On May 10, the Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) budget, SB 5510 , was moved to FullW&Ms. The LFO recommendation includes two Budget Notes on the new e-permitting system being funded. The League provided comments on the DOGAMI budget. The League also provided testimony on SB 220 , a bill that would have required permittees to pay for the e-permitting system. But the budget provides $2 million of General Funds for the system. Also moved to Full Ways and Means was SB 221 , to require permittees to pay for the on-going upkeep of the new e-permitting system, as was recommended by LFO. The League had provided testimony in support. Missing is SB 222 , a policy bill to allow use of a credit card to pay fees. The League provided testimony in support. For now, the bill sits on the Senate floor where Sen. Prozanski provided a no vote on April 5 to allow it to be reconsidered since the vote would have failed. A separate bill, SB 538 A , would allow DOGAMI and other agencies the same opportunity. It sits in House Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans with a Work Session held on May 11. Last week’s budgets were considered in Full Ways and Means on May 12. We await the May 17 Revenue Forecast that will guide for the final 2023-25 balanced budgets. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team The Climate Emergency section overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch We continue to await a new proposed amendment for HB 3382 . A possible Work Session was scheduled for May 11, but no new amendment was available so the Committee asked for an update from the state agencies working with proponents on the bill. If an amendment is available, look for a Work Session on May 16. We believe this bill is a serious threat to our coastal planning and could reduce or remove the opportunity for future coastal NOAA grants. If an amendment is provided, we expect that it will not “blow up” the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) within the land use program--just a minor new change related to a new narrow “exception” on deep port dredging to Goal 16, that NOAA must unofficially sign off on the idea and the other state agencies (DLCD, DSL & ODFW--and maybe DEQ) are accepting of the concept. We understand that the local tribe wants "no net loss of eelgrass". We need your voices to tell your legislators to Just Say NO if these factors are not part of any amendment. The local LWV Coos County has been doing an update and study of their local Port: The International Port of Coos Bay. You might want to watch a 44-minute video of a recent history of activities around the Port: Study of International Port of Coos Bay | MyLO (lwv.org) . HB 2903 A , funding continuing work on marine reserves, is in W&M. LWVOR supports . Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) The Environmental Quality Commission will meet May 18 and 19, meeting agenda . SB 835 A as amended would require DEQ to adopt rules to clarify when a single septic system can be used for both a primary residence and an ADU. It sits in W&Ms. LWVOR provided testimony with concerns addressed by the amendment. Dept. of State Lands HB 2238 , originally 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 cleanup of DSL-owned property after 30 days. A new amendment has been filed to bring back the bill’s original purpose. The League continues to support . A Work Session in Senate Natural Resources is scheduled for May 17. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch SB 161 was amended and passed out of the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committee. The amendment increased a deadline for work being done on the transfer of the Elliott to the new Authority to Dec. 31, 2023. The bill adjusts some timelines as provided by the Dept. of State Lands’ April 25 testimony . Land Use/Housing By Peggy Lynch A new land use “expand into farmland” bill, SB 1096 , has been referred to Senate Rules. The bill, similar to SB 1051 which the League vigorously opposed and has died, is a topic of discussion. We are concerned that it could be used as a bargaining chip in the conflict between the parties happening with the Senate Republican walkout. The bill continues the false narrative that simply adding land to urban growth boundaries will solve Oregon's housing crises. Many surveys and studies have shown we have enough land zoned for residential use inside our UGBs - including thousands of acres recently added to UGBs - that are sitting empty because they need infrastructure investment. The bill puts at risk urban reserve planning and wildlife protections, increases the potential for development in high wildfire risk areas, exacerbates climate change through creating more impervious surfaces and housing farther away from core areas, and more. HB 3620 is an equally concerning bill. It authorizes certain cities with a demonstrated need for housing to add land to their urban growth boundary upon certain conditions. It also amends principles that the Land Conservation and Development Commission must consider in adopting rules regulating urban reserves. The Speaker assigned it to House Housing where it died And another one: HB 3616 would allow the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site additional dwelling on property for occupancy by a relative of the owner. Just another way to add more housing outside of areas intended for housing and breaking our land use planning program. The Speaker assigned it to House Housing where it died. HB 3414 would create a new Housing Accountability and Production Office in DLCD and also includes a Section 2 related to processing of 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 had a public hearing in House Rules where the Governor advocated for the -6 amendment while a number of cities advocated for the -5 amendment , but it was clear that more negotiations will occur, so we should look for yet another amendment. The League has concerns about the burden being placed on cities under the -6 amendment. Local governments need to provide findings to explain why they might want to deny the variance instead of the applicant proving the need for the variance. Your Oregon News has a good article on the cities’ concerns. Of note was mention of a -7 amendment that would deal with land supply advocated by the Homebuilders Association and the Oregon Realtors. 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. The bill is in Senate Rules and could be scheduled for a Work Session at any time, but not as of May 10. 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”. A possible Work Session was scheduled for May 11. HB 3442 A , a bill to allow coastal communities to develop in hazard areas under certain conditions, passed to the Senate floor from Senate Housing and Development on May 10. The amended bill responded to League concerns on the original bill. SB 70 A 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 it. HB 2983 A , to help with manufactured housing and housing parks, is in W&Ms. LWVOR supports . See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. 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. Toxics By Paula Grisafi HB 3043 A was amended by the A3 amendment and passed out of Senate Energy and Environment to the Senate floor. The bill revises provisions relating to chemicals in children’s products. SB 546 A (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 clarity on the fiscal impact. The bill’s advocates are working to assure that the fiscal impact statement is not over inflated by agency staff. Water By Peggy Lynch It’s time to engage in the Integrated Water Resources Strategy 2023 update. See the survey link on the webpage and meetings around the state, including a new May 31 virtual meeting opportunity. 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 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 priority of the League is HB 3163A , to renew the Place-Based Planning program with a Fund to help groups participate in this program was sent to W&Ms. The League participated in a Work Group last year to help develop program sideboards and provided testimony in support. HB 3100 A , a bill addressing the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS), is in Ways and Means. The League provided testimony when the bill had its public hearing. Then we worked behind the scenes to provide guidance as the IWRS is updated and we support the bill. HB 3207 A , related to domestic well testing and data collection, is in W&Ms. LWVOR supports . HB 2813 A creates a grant program to protect drinking water sources, in W&Ms. LWVOR supports . HB 3125 would create a Ratepayer Assistance Fund to help low income people pay for sewer and water bills. It is in Ways and Means. LWVOR supports . 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. The League supports HB 2647 A to continue to address this public health issue. It sits in Ways and Means. Thanks to a substantial snowpack, our drought in many parts of Oregon has lessened. 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 and Harney counties. Lake County has now requested a drought 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 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 bill is in W&Ms. SB 80 A , the omnibus Wildfire Programs bill, is in Ways and Means as is SB 509 A , which aims to scale out neighborhood collaboratives in order to help whole neighborhoods reduce risk. LWVOR provided support for SB 509 A. 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 Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 3/27 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 Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Air Quality Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Land Use/Housing Recycling Toxics Water Wildfire Natural Resources By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team April 4 looms large. Many bills have significant amendments, including totally changing their original filing—often called being “gutted and stuffed”. Bills will either move forward or “die” on April 4. A few will move to Revenue, Rules or a Joint Committee to try to keep them alive. Many legislators will take a short breath as surviving bills move to the next chamber or head to Ways and Means for budgeting consideration after the May 17 Revenue Forecast. Air Quality By Peggy Lynch HB 3229-1 had a Work Session March 29 where the bill was moved to Ways and Means without recommendation as to passage. Under the Clean Air Act, funding for Title V (large pollution emitters) must be by fees paid by permittees for this program. Per DEQ’s own testimony , without this funding, a critical part of their Air Quality program is in jeopardy. Because DEQ was delegated this permitting authority, the EPA could decertify the program and take it over, which would cost Oregon businesses a great deal more. The DEQ Budget ( HB 5018 ) was heard and support for POP 110 of their budget would be helpful. As part of ongoing efforts to improve air quality and public health, on March 28, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced $13.3 million in funding for 14 projects helping to establish a network of new and leading-edge zero-emission charging stations. Funds from the Oregon Zero-Emission Fueling Grant program will bring more charging infrastructure to the growing medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle sector, which includes trucks, buses, delivery vans, and more. The Oregon Legislature established the pilot program in 2022 through HB 5202 and HB 4139 . It is one of the first large-scale ventures into medium- and heavy-duty charging in the state. Here is the full news release . Budgets/Revenue The Ways and Means Co-Chairs Budget Framework was provided to guide Subcommittees as they consider all 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. “This is a very uncertain time for Oregon’s economy. Oregonians deserve to know their tax dollars are funding the state’s highest priorities,” said Senator Elizabeth Steiner (D-Portland), Co-Chair of Joint Ways and Means. “Our framework budget focuses on maintaining critical services for Oregonians while also protecting our reserves in case of economic downturn. The last few years have been good for Oregon, but rain clouds could still be on the horizon.” The May 17 Revenue Forecast will provide the final guide. A series of public meetings will provide Oregonians with an opportunity to share their priorities for the state budget and HB 5006 , Emergency Board funding and other funding for 2023-25. A virtual public meeting session has been added for Friday, May 5, 5-7 p.m. All oral and written testimony will become part of the legislative record and be made publicly available on the Oregon State Legislature website. Plan on no more than 2 minutes each! JW&Ms Capital Construction met on March 24 to hear a report from the Treasurer’s Office 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). Lottery bonds: The State’s Lottery Revenue debt issuance capacity 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 provided their 2023-25 bond proposal list . The Subcommittee began public hearings on bond requests starting March 31. Here is the agenda that asks for testimony on HB 5005 . Besides the items listed, expect other “asks'' to be heard during these meetings. Look for additional meetings with different topics for each meeting. Dept. of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) ( HB 5018 ) budget was heard March 27- 29 with public testimony on March 30. Here’s the DEQ one-pager . Note that POP 110 relates to an increase in fees for the Air Quality Title V program. HB 3229 , the policy bill for these fees, has been sent to W&Ms without recommendation. The Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) budget ( HB 5043 ) will be heard April 4-6, with public testimony on the 6th. Here is their one-pager . The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) budget ( SB 5539 & SB 5540 ) is tentatively scheduled the week of April 10. Legislators will need to assure that General Fund monies allocated in 2021-2022 drought and wildfire packages and awarded will be available for reimbursement if the projects go into 2023-25. That funding continuation was not included in the Governor’s budget for OWEB. The League is following HB 3349 , scheduled for a public hearing March 30. Although amendments are expected that would replace the bill, as of this writing they are not posted on OLIS. Neither the original bill that would have created another Council and Committee related to Regional Solutions, nor the expected amendment that would instead provide $300,000 each to eight different entities to create “navigators” to help access federal funding is a concept we can support. 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 HB 3382 , to provide certain Ports with an exception from our land use planning program to allow dredging and other activities around these Ports without the current public process and federal consistency requirement,s had a public hearing in J Transportation on March 14. 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. The League provided testimony in opposition. This bill is a serious threat to our coastal planning and could reduce or remove the opportunity for coastal NOAA grants in the future. LWVOR is working with partners to explain the harm this bill would cause. Underlying this bill is a potential development proposal at the Port of Coos Bay where an “intermodal” container ship facility would be built with transport of those containers to and from the Port by rail. The first 140 miles of that railroad would need $1.8 billion in investment. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) is considering the adoption of amendments to Part Three of the Oregon Territorial Sea Plan (TSP), the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy. A draft of the proposed rules is available on DLCD’s website. LCDC is scheduled to consider adoption of the new amendments during their April 20-21 meeting. Please contact Casaria Taylor, Casaria.taylor@dlcd.oregon.gov , for further information. Address written comments to the Chair LCDC, care of Casaria Taylor via email. If you have questions, contact Andy Lanier at 503-206-2291, or email: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov . The agenda for LCDC’s April 20 meeting will be available on DLCD’s website . LWVOR has supported this work and may provide testimony before LCDC in April. The Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) has scheduled its next meeting for April 5 in-person only but open to the public at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Library Seminar Room – Guin Library, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport. The meeting will focus exclusively on Strategic Planning. See Oregon Ocean Science Trust/Oregon Department of State Lands and Oregon Ocean Science Trust . Two years ago, the Oregon Legislature made a $1.9 million investment to fund research to help understand our changing ocean. You can hear research progress and findings funded by House Bill 3114 at a free event in Newport on Friday, April 14. The first Oregon Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH) Symposium runs 8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at the Hatfield Marine Science Center auditorium, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr. Space is limited and registration is required . ODFW's Jenny Koester says scientists and researchers will report on shellfish and estuary habitat surveys and mapping, and OAH monitoring in Oregon's Marine Reserves and in Yaquina Bay. Attendees also will learn about best management practices and outreach and education funded by the bill. Oregon is an epicenter for OAH and was one of the first places in the world to observe direct impacts of ocean change when oyster hatchery production collapsed in 2007 from ocean acidification. OAH are two forms of ocean climate change that Oregon continues to experience. The passage of HB 3114 was an historic Oregon first in the fight against OAH and showed Oregon leaders' awareness of the importance of healthy oceans. LWVOR supported HB 3114 (2021) answer have requested that monies not yet spent this biennium be rolled over for 2023-25. Dept. of Environmental Quality By Peggy Lynch Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) ( HB 5018 ) budget was heard March 27- 29 with public testimony on March 30. Here’s the DEQ one-pager . Note that POP 110 relates to an increase in fees for the Air Quality Title V program. Also HB 3229 , the policy bill for these fees, has been sent to W&Ms without recommendation. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The ESRF website notes a next prospective Board meeting on April 10. Land Use/Housing By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony in opposition to SB 1051 with the -2 amendment , to allow a property owner to request an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion of up to 200 acres outside of the current UGB process. We are hoping that the bill, which does have a Work Session scheduled for April 3, will die in committee. Governor Kotek is serious about increasing housing so look for a number of bills this session that change the land use program currently in your jurisdiction. We will all have to wait until the end of session to understand the wide variety of proposed changes and ones which actually pass and are signed by the Governor. While we all look for success in addressing homelessness and new housing, especially for middle income Oregonians, we are concerned by the increasing lack of local input in the development of our communities. HB 3414 with the -1 amendment would create a new Housing Accountability and Production Office in DLCD and also include 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 will change a community’s control over residential development. A Work Session is scheduled for April 4. SB 70 had a public hearing on Feb. 8 where the League provided testimony in opposition. A possible Work Session was scheduled for April 3 where a -1 amendment has been posted. LWVOR still opposes it. There are a number of bills 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. HB 3180 and HB 3179 each had an informational hearing on March 16, a public hearing on March 28 with a Work Session scheduled for April 3. Rep. Rep Marsh also filed bills on this issue. HB 3181 had a public hearing on March 28 and a Work Session scheduled for April 3. We are uncertain which, if any, will move this session: The League provided testimony in opposition to HB 3442 , to require local governments to allow development of certain affordable housing on certain lands within 100-year floodplain or subject to property development constraints under land use regulations related to natural disasters and hazards. The -2 amendment was adopted and addressed most of our concerns. HB 2001 was signed by the Governor on March 29. DLCD provided a press release that might be helpful in understanding the land use nexus. See the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report also. Parks Is Smith Rock State Park a favorite destination? Read about potential changes . Reduce/Recycle By Kathy Moyd SB 545 A has passed the Senate and will have its first public hearing in House Climate, Energy and Environment on April 5. The League provided testimony in support when it was heard in the Senate. DEQ will hold the fifth Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee meeting from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 11. DEQ will present the draft local government and producer responsibility organization obligation rules, the draft fiscal and racial equity statements, and will provide follow-up information regarding the topics presented during the previous meeting. To attend the meeting, please register via Zoom . To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, view the rulemaking web page at: Recycling Updates 2023 . Toxics By Paula Grisafi Great news— HB 3043 (toxic free kids modernization) passed out of the full House, 42-14. SB 546 (toxic free cosmetics) passed out of committee unanimously after adoption of the -7 amendment . SB 426 (toxic free schools) had a Work Session scheduled March 30. Water By Peggy Lynch The League has been a voice for the safety of domestic wells and provided testimony in support of HB 3207 ,to require reporting the results of well water tests during a real estate transaction to DEQ. A public hearing was held March 30 with a Work Session April 3. HB 3124 A major water bill, had a Work Session March 30. The bill is a $250 million Drought Relief and Water Scarcity pkg. and includes some of the other bills we’ve seen this session. View the committee presentation here and Drought Relief and Water Security Slides and comprehensive explanations: Bipartisan Drought Relief and Water Security Package (BiDRAWS) . The League may engage when the bill and its various elements move to W&Ms. HB 3100 with a -3 amendment has moved to W&Ms. LWVOR testified on the original bill. Most of the amendment content addressed our original comments. HB 3163 had a Work Session scheduled for March 30. LWVOR supports the Fund. The -1 amendment was recently posted to OLIS. HB 2238 , to authorize the Dept. of State Lands to adopt rules regarding removal/fill fees, after a robust rulemaking, has a Work Session March 30. LWVOR supports . EPA threatens action in Umatilla and Morrow counties related to nitrates in groundwater per March 22 OPB article . The Oregon Health Authority has set up a testing program, but it seems cumbersome for these low-income and often non-English speaking residents per this article in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle. In honor of World Water Day, please take literally two minutes and watch this video starring the tiny but mighty hummingbird. Then consider what you can do. 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. On March 24, Governor Tina Kotek declared a drought in Grant and Deschutes counties through Executive Order 23-08, and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. Both counties have portions of extreme drought (D3) and are experiencing well below average water year precipitation. Streamflow has also been well below average in both counties over the water year, with Deschutes at 78% and Grant at 44% of its average streamflow. Likewise, streamflow at their respective basins have been below average, with Deschutes at 71% and John Day at 39%. 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. California is looking better, but Oregon continues to have concerns. Governor Kotek has also signed drought declarations for the counties of Crook and Jefferson. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers A number of Work Sessions and Public Hearings were held during the Senate Natural Resources March 27 meeting. The first Work Session, on SB 928-3 , instructs the State Forester, or forest protective association or agency that is under contract or agreement with State Board of Forestry for protection of forestland against fire, and whose protection area is or may be affected by fire on nearby federal lands, to take certain actions to address fire, such as coordinating off-season mitigation efforts. It was adopted with a do-pass recommendation and sent to W&Ms. Next up was SB 839 , directing the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to establish a pilot grant program to help manage wildfire risk by promoting the use of air curtains by persons who make biochar, and appropriate $1 million from the General Fund to ODF for grant program implementation. It was also adopted with a do-pass recommendation and sent to W&Ms. SB 1012 had a work Session, to provide for homesteads rebuilt by the same owner on the same lot to replace their homestead destroyed by the September 2020 wildfires, to temporarily have frozen assessed value equal to the destroyed homestead’s assessed value for 2020-2021 property tax year. This was deferred to the 3/29 meeting of the Committee, at which it was adopted with the -2 amendment , and moved to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. A Public Hearing was held on SB 502-2 , to require ODF to study establishing a permanent trust fund for wildfire programs. The intent of this bill is to provide an alternate funding mechanism for wildfire-programs implementation. It was adopted and referred to Senate Finance and Revenue. A Public Hearing on SB 80-2 , to outline in greater detail, corrections to and improvements on the original State Wildfire Risk Map described in last week’s Legislative Report, including recommendations it be renamed Wildfire Hazard Map, and reduce the number of risk zones to 4 from 5. It also places a much needed, greater emphasis on public input in the process. There was opposition to the prospect of using 4 zones, rather than the 3 recommended by the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council’s Dave Hunnicutt, who otherwise strongly supports it. This and other items were ironed out at the 4/3 Work Session. Other items included in the -2 Amendment are detailed in this Staff Measure Summary . LWVOR provided testimony in support of SB 80 with these -2 amendments. Senate Natural Resources held a public hearing March 20 on SB 872 . The bill’s purposeis to enable better cooperation between Federal agencies and the Oregon Department of Forestry with regard to wildfire mitigation efforts during the non-wildfire months. The proposed -1 amendment expands the number of State entities with which those agencies will be compelled to collaborate. The bill was scheduled for a possible work session on April 3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The 2023 legislative session is almost 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 Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/6 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey 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 Campaign Finance Reform Redistricting Elections Election Methods Rights of Incarcerated People Public Records Law By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance Reform There have been no new bills filed and no public activity for CFR. Redistricting By Chris Cobey and Norman Turrill Nothing new this week. See previous LRs. Elections By Tom Messenger Both SB 804 by Senator Manning and SB 499 by Senator Weber would move the Presidential Primary to Super Tuesday. Things are in the works now to merge these two bills into one. Election Methods By Barbara Klein Based on LWVOR positions, the League has decided to support the Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill HB 2004 sponsored by Rep Rayfield, Fahey, Reynolds, Marsh, Senator Sollman; and regular sponsors, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, and Golden, which is currently in House Rules. We will participate in coalition meetings and have approved use of the LWVOR logo for coalition efforts led by Coalition of Communities of Color and Oregon RCV. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley Prison work requirements and fair labor compensation remain topics of nationwide discussion. The ACLU published a study in June of 2022 entitled “Captive Workers: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers,” that states in the introduction: “Our nation incarcerates over 1.2 million people in state and federal prisons, and two out of three of these incarcerated people are also workers… Incarcerated workers are under the complete control of their employers, and they have been stripped of even the most minimal protections against labor exploitation and abuse.” In Oregon, the passage last year of Measure 112, which repealed language in the state constitution allowing slavery and involuntary servitude, was a step in the right direction. However, incarcerated workers in Oregon continue to receive no wages. Instead, compensation is paid via the Performance Recognition and Award system, through which workers may receive points that may be converted to a monthly monetary award, translating to $8 to $82 per month. Thus, it is noteworthy when a February 7 Oregonian article (“Proposed bill would pay incarcerated workers minimum wage in Washington”) reports that Washington state lawmaker Rep. Tarra Simmons, who spent time in prison and was paid 42 cents an hour for her labor, just introduced a bill in the Washington Legislature called the “Real Labor, Real Wages Act,” to pay incarcerated workers minimum wage for doing their jobs. Passage will most likely be an uphill battle. According to the article, Colorado is the only state to pay minimum wage for incarcerated labor, while similar legislation has failed to pass in seven other states. Public Records Law By Rebecca Gladstone We resurrected testimony this week, along with our standing advisory comments from 2017 bills, all enrolled, for the most public records law reform seen in Oregon in thirty years: HB 2101 , HB 481 , and SB 106 . This week, Senate Rules Chair Lieber agreed with our urging, and after a hearing, instructed the group of lobbyists addressing Public Records Advisory Council (PRAC) issues to work together to pass solid improvements this session. We recommend watching this hearing video . SB 417 Public Records Requests. We support this detailed PRAC bill to increase efficiency in processing public records requests, considering fee waivers, defining “media”, waiving records request fees when made in the public interest, and considering malicious intent in placing requests. See our testimony . SB 510 : This companion bill to SB 417 would improve efficiency and calls for estimating costs and budgeting, and for sustainable funding for the PRAC. See our testimony in support . SB 160 There was firm opposition to this bill suggesting fee waivers, reducing fees by percentage for public records requests. We urged for attributes addressed in other bills to be considered here, or for the other bills to consider possible benefits from SB 160. See our testimony comments , not supporting or opposing. HB 3111 : This privacy protection bill exempts some personal information for some Oregonians. As we advocated for SB 293 Enrolled (2021), we urge for less piece-meal privacy protection. See our HB 3111 testimony in support, repeating our previous calls for improvements. SCR 1 : This Joint Resolution expresses support for our County Clerks and local elections officials, condemning violence and threats of violence, lacking specific proposals. We reiterated from our HB 4144 92022) testimony , that voting is a fundamental right of citizenship, including protection from harassment and intimidation, for all involved in the process. See our SCR 1 testimony . Informational hearings continue with public hearings being set for bills we support. We are comparing bill lists and collaborating with others, signing group letters. We welcome volunteers who can bring their expertise to watch hearings and share summary observation, learn the ropes and join our Action Team. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 2/13 By Anne Nesse, Education Portfolio House Education held several public hearings on mental health related Bills significant to the Governor’s Budget goal, this last week. Rep. Nancy Nathanson and the Oregon Education Association presented a fundamental data gathering survey Bill HB 2656-2 , on mental health on 2/8. It was introduced to give the state crucial data for making decisions. If the Bill succeeds, students of appropriate grade levels will take a 20 min., private information survey, about the feelings they have about their education: ‘does the student feel safe at school?’, ‘are there people they can talk to and ask for help?’, ‘are there clubs they would like to be in at school?’, ‘do they have sufficient time to gather with their peers?’, is the student sometimes coming to school hungry?’. These are mental health and wellness questions that the legislature needs to know to determine which school districts and counties might need more legislative help with curriculum and funding. We presently lack his data. It was stated and answered at the end of the hearing that within Oregon Law, this can become an opt-out survey program (parents may opt out), increasing the data base of the present opt-in program, which gives us only 32% of needed data. An OEA representative, several teachers, and many others testified in support. See the hearing : we encourage you to listen to Rep. Nathanson’s presentation. HB 2643 was also heard in House public hearing this last week, a review and revision of current suicide prevention law, and HB 2646 , a program to train school employees in the observation of mental health issues, within a limited scope. A group of bipartisan Bills was introduced in public hearing 2/7 by Senate ED. These covered enforcement of Federal Law, involving the supervisory law needed for Oregon Department of Education, State and local superintendents, and school boards to assure disabled students of all kinds receive an appropriate education. Bills included were: SB 819 , SB 821 , SB 290 , SB 291 . SB 289 was introduced directing the Department of Education to determine if a school district or education service district is standard, and can function under current law. Several committee members determined this Bill needed more clarification. Work sessions were held on several Bills in Senate Education 2/9, several to go to W&Ms, but all voted with “Do Pass recommendations to the floor” with overall agreement. A public hearing was held on SB 129 , to extend sunset for credit for certified Opportunity Grant contributions, with a recommendation from the Legislative Council to add one amendment. A number of college students testified on how important these Opportunity Fund Grants were to their higher education, based on corporate and individual tax incentives for contributions to the fund.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 6/29 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Revenue Senate and House Committee Meetings Revenue Josie Koehne 2026 Revenue Forecast Although the June forecast presented on May 21st showed a slight increase of $345 million over the previous forecast in February, state chief economist Carl Riccadonna pointed out that this figure reflected the impact of kicker and federal income tax refunds and a transfer of emergency funds. The economy is actually weaker than projected because of the rise in energy prices. Oil/gas prices have increased from $60 a barrel in January to $110 in May, and gas from $2.85 to $4.50 due to the Iran war. Energy swings have been far worse in the past however. Oil prices have a vital impact on all businesses and households. Uncertainty with the swing in tariffs has also taken a toll, as has the 4.4% inflation rate as a result of increased energy prices among other factors. The result is a decline in GPD from an anticipated increase of 2.4% to 1.6% in the May forecast. This shows a sluggish economy, but not a recession. Sustained over a long period, these factors could bring on a recession but there are no warning signs as yet. Because Oregon’s GDP is highly dependent on exports for its largely agricultural products, Oregon GDPgrowth lags the US average by 1.1%. In terms of the job situation, real income growth has fallen slightly, although unemployment has remained fairly low and steady at 4.3% over the year. But the real picture shows that business income has risen dramatically due to the booming stock market, while personal income has remained flat and the consumer price index has jumped off the charts, especially in Oregon. This shows that lower income earners and small businesses are suffering greatly while the corporations are doing exceptionally well, and the wealth gap is steadily worsening (K- shaped economy). Should the stock market crash as it did in 2001-2002, Oregon's expected revenue could tank. Adding to this story, wealthy investors are investing extremely heavily in data centers and AI, which news reporting suggests may be a bubble, especially as AI and data center build-out seems to be facing a headwind of negative public opinion. Senate and House Committee Meetings Nili Essaides Interim Session: House and Senate Revenue Committees On June 15 and 16, 2026, the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee and the House Revenue Committee, respectively, met for informational sessions on progress made on some revenue collection items and legislative issues. The first item for both committees was the progress made on collecting the new tax on oral nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches. Oral Nicotine Tax Oregon’s Department of Revenue (DOR) provided the Senate and House Committees with an update on the administration of Oral Nicotine Tax. In the first quarter of 2026, the State collected $6.4 million in revenue (twice the expected amount), of which $6.1 were distributed to the Oregon Fire Marshall and the Forestry Department. The state will distribute proceeds monthly going forward. On the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee , there were three additional items: 1. VITA Dee Anne Everson, from the United Way of Jackson County, appealed to the committee to extend the funding for the administration of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) in the 2027 legislative session. VITA, which provides free tax-filing help to certain communities, has helped 10,000 consumers receive $18 million in tax credits. Its full impact will be available next year, after the filing season. 2. SB 1507 In its update on the implementation of SB 1507, the Legislative Revenue Office (LRO) noted that it is too early to report on the bill’s full revenue impact. SB 1507 disconnected Oregon’s taxes from some parts of the Federal tax code. The full impact will not be available until after the filing season. 3. Tax Expenditure Report In its presentation, DOR discussed the voluminous report’s lack of distinction between what is a tax expenditure vs. a spending item. The House Revenue Committee discussed the following items: 1. Revenue System Interdependencies In its presentation, The Legislative Revenue Office (LRO) explained the intricate and often unexpected interdependencies created by taxes from different revenue collection entities, such as cross deductibility. The discussion focused on the resulting policy implications ahead of the next legislative session. 2. New Taxing District The Oregon Legislative Office (LRO), in a joint presentation with the Lane County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector, explained how a local entity can apply for a special taxing district. The LRO’s presentation and the Lane County Tax Assessor outlined how to secure a new taxing district as well as a case study example. However, the bulk of the conversation focused on the restrictions and implications related to Oregon outdated property tax infrastructure, as determined by Measure 5 and Measure 50, both dating back 35 years. The Revenue Committee has established a task force to study the system and make reform recommendations. 3. Other Items Not on the agenda was a list from the LRO of bills to be discussed during the next session, including the sunsetting of the tax exemptions for medical marijuana and estate taxes, as well as tax credit extensions and employment requirements for providing investment tax incentives. Both Committees will meet again on the September 10-12 legislative days.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey 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 Please see Governance Overview here. Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Reform AI, Cybersecurity, and Privacy Governance volunteers will be watching for these possible bills. If you don’t see your issues covered, please contact us to help; we provide training, lwvor@lwvor.org . For elections, systems, audits, and open primaries, redistricting, campaign finance reform and updating voting software, voting rights for the incarcerated Emergency management, including critical infrastructure threats around Oregon. We need volunteers to help, training is provided. Cybersecurity, Privacy, and AI. Immigration, DEIJ, hate and bias crimes Please see LWVOR Legislative Reports and subscribe to our weekly email LR summaries , starting again in February 2026. Campaign Finance Reform Norman Turrill HB 4024 was dramatically passed during the last hour of the 2024 legislative session. It is a complex set of campaign contribution limits and other reforms that Oregon has never had before, and Oregon is one of the last states to adopt. In the nearly two years since, the previous and current Secretaries of State have accomplished little to implement the bill’s provisions. ORESTAR needs an upgrade, since it uses decades-old technology. However, the contribution limits in HB 4024 do not require changes to ORESTAR. The SoS is still trying to include the costs of replacing ORESTAR as part of the computer system needed to implement HB 4024. An RFP (request for proposal, from vendors) is said to be issued for this computer development work in January. The deadline for implementation for the contribution limits in the bill is January 1, 2027; the remainder of the bill must be implemented by January 1, 2028. So, because of the delays, time is very short. Therefore, there is talk in the legislature about (further) delaying the implementation. Also, a “placeholder” bill has been submitted by the Interim Senate Rules committee for technical fixes that may be necessary for the bill. The SoS is also asking for more money for implementation without any good estimate of what will be needed. The Joint General Government committee has deferred a $25 million request until the short session. In spite of the delays, SoS Read maintains that he is committed to implementing HB 4024. AI, cybersecurity, and Privacy JCIMT Summary Stephanie Haycock and Rebecca Gladstone The Joint Committee for Information Management and Technology (JCIMT) will focus for the 2026 session on a comprehensive strategy to strengthen digital transparency and public infrastructure against evolving technological threats, by modernizing state AI and data security policies. The Oregon Cyber Security Center of Excellence (OCSCE) Biennial Report included successful workforce development. The presentation stressed critical election security funding is needed to protect from foreign interference, especially to rural counties. They note growing supply chain breach risks from third-party vendors . Nik Blosser, Oregon Chief Privacy Officer, outlined a roadmap to establish an enterprise-wide executive branch privacy program, to standardize how state agencies collect and protect personal information. The DoJ presented updated implementation and enforcement on the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, SB 619 Enrolled (2023, see League testimony ). It includes new citizens’ rights to track their data and opt out of its sale. The Department of Justice noted that the privacy violations "cure period" has ended, signaling a shift toward formal enforcement against non-compliant businesses. The Oregon Dept of Consumer and Business Services presented an implementation update on HB 2052 Enrolled (2023) for Oregon’s Data Broker Registry with rulemaking, hiring, and enforcement progress. See League testimony . This mandates that third-party data brokers register with the state and disclose how consumers can opt out of data collection. JCIMT legislative concepts were introduced: • LC 300 (Downcoding): Aims to regulate health insurers using AI to automatically reduce provider reimbursements by requiring notification and an appeals process. • LC 301 (Cyber Security): Requires local governments and special districts to report cyber incidents to the State CIO within 48 hours to improve real-time coordination. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 5/8 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey 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: Campaign Finance Redistricting Legislators’ Walkout Is Freezing Governance Rights of Incarcerated People Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team It appears to this reporter that the Oregon legislative session could effectively be over. Several Republican Senators will soon run out of their 9 allowed unexcused absences, but several others will alternate with them to deny a quorum in the Senate for a few more days or a week. Constitutional Sine Die is June 25, which is six and a half weeks away. However, the 25 Republican legislators in the House may now start denying a quorum in their chamber. The required House quorum is 40 members, so the absences of just 21 Republicans could stop all business in the House on a rotating basis for weeks. A deal between Democratic and Republican leaders could still allow some final budget and uncontroversial bills to be passed. We would also not rule out the Governor calling a special session. Campaign Finance No bills on campaign finance have yet been scheduled for a hearing. For campaign finance reform, the League wants true reform without loopholes for large special interest organizations. We hope that the negotiations that they’re working on now lead to real progress. Redistricting People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 petitions downloadable from its website. Thousands of signatures have been collected and more donations are needed. Legislators’ Walkout Is Freezing Governance By Rebecca Gladstone The ongoing Senate Republican walkout was in the ninth day as of this writing, with leadership agreeing not to hold Senate floor sessions for the remainder of this week, to allow weekend negotiations. That could avert invoking the 10-day walkout consequences that voters passed by a wide margin in November 2022. Meanwhile, bills continue to stack up, as the clock runs out pressing this now elapsing time. We hope negotiations will drop reading bills to regain that time. Most bills here are exempt from deadlines but are frozen by the walkout. We are especially concerned for responsible review and progress for bills that timed out in the 2022 session, for election security with new software in the SoS budget bill, the cybersecurity omnibus bill, the AG’s Data Broker bill, and the Chief Data Privacy Officer bill, all covered in earlier reports. Here's last week’s slim progress. HB 5032 A Enrolled : The governor signed this Public Records Advocate funding bill on May 8. ( our testimony ). HB 2490 : This cybersecurity vulnerability bill passed in a May 9 Senate committee work session, on a partisan vote for 3 in favor, 1 absent (excused for illness), and 2 absent, relating to the Republican walkout. The League urges for maximum protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Defending our critical infrastructures is at stake ( our testimony ). HB 2806 , for public safety and cybersecurity, awaits transfer to the Senate President’s desk and scheduling for a Senate floor reading, rescheduled to May 15 and 16, with dates subject to change. See our testimony . SB 11 : This got unanimous support in a May 9 House committee, awaiting transfer to the President’s desk for signature. This access and transparency bill, with strong bipartisan support, requires virtual public state meetings to record and promptly publicize recordings. We will look for data retention rules. SB 417 : For this public records bill, we’ve attended weekly Task Force meetings since March 7, and it is forwarding findings with amendment recommendations. Intense legal discussions over careful wording distinctions had input on behalf of District Attorneys, the Society of Professional Journalists, Public Records Advocates, and others, including the League. See our testimony , predating this work. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley SB 529 , which enables the expansion and revamping of drug treatment programs within Oregon’s correctional system, passed the House on May 8 with a vote of 48 to 12. The bill affirms that addiction is a chronic disease, modifies program acceptance procedures, removes the old requirement that program participants engage in physical work and exercise, and includes a range of structured treatment services. SB 529 is a complementary bill to HB 2890 A , which directs a Corrections Ombudsman to support continuous quality improvement efforts and report back to the Governor and the Legislature within six months of appointment. The Ombudsman’s task is to “ensure all persons confined in Department of Corrections institutions have access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services during the entire period of incarceration, including access to evidence-based medication-assisted treatment options. The bill, championed by Rep. Maxine Dexter, passed House Judiciary on April 11 and was sent to W&Ms by prior reference. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • 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 2026 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Criminal Justice Education Gun Policy Housing Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Sharron Noone Given the time constraints of a short session, it is striking to see the number of bills that relate to current federal government actions on immigration. The list below reflects legislators’ deep concern and sense of urgency on this issue: HB 4001 authorizes a study to address unlawful immigration enforcement. The vagueness of the bill title, “relating to immigration” may signify this is a “placeholder” for an omnibus bill. We will closely monitor any amendments. HB 4091 specifies when the Oregon National Guard may be deployed. (See also the Governance Legislative Report) HB 4114 allows a civil suit against a federal or out-of-state law enforcement body and requires notice for a planned operation in Oregon. HB 4138 requires enactment of policies on identification requirement for law enforcement uniforms and enacts a prohibition on facial coverings. SB 1594 authorizes the Office of Immigration and Refugee Advancement to establish policies, standards and procedures related to enforcement of federal immigration laws. SJR 203 amends the Oregon Constitution to include provisions on law enforcement masking and ID requirements. Here are other criminal justice bills that the League will be monitoring: SB 1515 modifies the 2022 law (SB 1584) related to compensation for wrongful convictions, which passed with support from the League. It creates a new post-conviction process for convictions based on expert testimony or now-discredited forensic science. SB 1550 makes changes to the death investigation process in cases of domestic violence or child abuse. SB 1516 and SB 1530 are similar bills adding new provisions to the crime of “aggregated harassment” to include making serious threats to a public official or a member of the official’s family. HB 4045 requires a communications provider to comply with a search warrant within 72 hours when the warrant relates to stalking or a domestic violence situation. SB 1583 moves responsibility for behavioral/mental health and deflection services to the Criminal Justice Commission. Education By Jean Pierce According to an article in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle , Oregon saw a high school graduation rate of 83% this year, up slightly from pre-pandemic rate in 2020. But the rate is still less than the 87% national rate reported in 2022 by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Bills being considered in the legislature this session SB 1555 would eliminate the Quality Education Commission and make other changes related to how public education is funded.. LWVOR believes that funding is needed to provide an equal and adequate education. There is no question that the current system of determining this level of funding is flawed in Oregon. The Quality Education Commission has not used evidence-based practices in its model calculating school funding needs. While SB1555 raises a number of issues that the legislature should address, it is unlikely that these issues will be resolved in the short session. For instance, there needs to be ample time for discussions around: Is it necessary to replace the QEC, or could its model be improved? If it is replaced, what is a better system? Should the bill tie funding to a requirement that districts follow state and federal laws? What are appropriate quality goals to be used for adequate funding of public education? We know that there are vast differences among school districts, but how should standard schools be defined in order to determine adequate funding? Two proposed bills are consistent with the League position that the government has the responsibility to provide equality of opportunity for education. SB 1538 would prohibit discrimination in education related to immigration or citizenship status and requires districts to base these policies on models prepared by the Attorney General. This bill adds “immigration or citizenship status” to a list of demographic characteristics of students protected from discrimination in our schools. Currently, that list includes race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age or disability. The League is submitting testimony in support. HB 4149 would require districts to adopt policies for enrollment, placement, and providing services to homeless students and directs the Department of Education to designate a state coordinator to oversee the education of homeless students. Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Gun Policy By Marge Easley Thus far only two bills related to gun policy have been submitted. HB 4145 , sponsored by Rep. Kropf, makes important modifications to Measure 114, which voters passed into law in 2022 but has not yet been implemented, pending an imminent Oregon Supreme Court ruling on its constitutionality. The bill adds details to the gun permit and transfer process and to the large capacity magazine prohibition, with the intent of providing clarification and guidance to those most impacted by the measure, including gun owners, the Oregon State Police, local permit agents, and gun dealers. HB 4096 , sponsored by Rep. Ruiz at the request of Multnomah District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, creates the crime of aggravated felon in possession of a firearm when a person who has been convicted of a felony possesses three or more firearms or has certain prior convictions. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona LWVOR is a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance. It was established in 2004 and includes over 100 members from local governments, affordable housing developers and operators, housing industry allies, public housing authorities, community action agencies, and the non-profit sector. The Alliance has a process through which work groups propose legislation to the full membership for approval. The Housing Alliance’s 2026 Legislative agenda related to housing is detailed below. 2026 Legislative priorities Preservation of affordable rental homes and manufactured housing parks : This proposal ( HB 4036 ) would allocate bond funds for the purpose of preserving existing low-income housing at risk due to expiring affordability restrictions, threat of foreclosure, and the sale of affordable manufactured home housing parks. Over 10,000 homes are at risk of being lost over the next five years. Preserving existing affordable homes is much more cost effective than developing new units. Restore funding for eviction prevention and emergency rent assistance: The 2025-27 budget includes only $44.6 million for emergency rent assistance, legal aid for households facing eviction, and tenant outreach and education. This is a 74 percent cut from the $173.2 million that was needed to maintain the established level of services. Over 20,000 fewer households will receive help as compared to the previous biennium. Funding restoration would prevent more families and individuals from becoming homeless. Tenant information and privacy protections: Currently the private information tenants provide to landlords and property managers is not protected. This proposal would require written consent from tenants before this information could be disclosed unless it was in response to a court order. End tax break for vacation properties and support first-time homebuyers: Vacation home owners receive a mortgage interest deduction on their taxes in addition to the deduction they can claim for the primary residence. The bill would end the deduction on vacation homes and redirect the savings to downpayment grants for low-income first-time homebuyers. Build new home for homeownership through the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) program: The LIFT program is funded through bond sales and can be used for rental housing development or homeownership programs. This proposal would dedicate bonds from the LIFT program for development of homes for homeownership. Housing Accessibility Act: With insufficient housing stock to meet the needs of people with disabilities, the bill would require the Consumer and Business Services to adopt rules to conform with state building code accessibility requirements under the Fair Housing Act. This proposed bill would prohibit the Housing and Community Services Department from funding new subsidized rental housing developments unless the housing meets the specified accessibility standards. Remove electronic barriers to tenancies: Digital and technology can be barriers for residents accessing common areas of their buildings. This bill would allow a tenant or applicant for housing to opt out of using a tenant portal or to pay by card or by electronic means. Landlords would be required to provide an alternative to access the common areas of the premises. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning Juvenile justice Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - November Interim 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 Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Highlights Natural and Working Lands/Natural Climate Solutions LWVUS Climate Advocacy Oregon Public Utility Update Oregon Global Warming Commission November Leg Day Policy Committee Meeting Review Environmental Justice Council Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Volunteers Needed Climate Emergency Highlights Senator Michael Dembrow is expected to sponsor a bill (follow-up to SB 3409, 2023) during the 2024 Legislative Short Session (Feb 5 to March 10) to update Greenhouse Gas Emission targets to net-zero by 2050, into statute in 2024. It’s been 15 years since targets were set. There may be a divestment in the dirty coal bill specific to PERS funds. It’s unclear at this point if any follow-up on 2023 HB 2763 State Public Bank ( vetoed / unsigned by Gov Kotek ) will be filed. There will likely be an opportunity for LWVOR (with many other Climate coalition members), to oppose any natural gas legislation which weakens current DEQ and or DOE GHGE reduction goals. (See DEQ CPP rulemaking status). It is expected the following policy/budget topics will be moved to the 2025 long session: Water, Transportation, Air, Fracking moratorium update, DOE climate curriculum, and likely the data center (and crypto mining facilities) GHG emission reduction goals. Natural and Working Lands/Natural Climate Solutions The NCS coalition met recently and discussed collecting comments on the Institute for Natural Resources (INR) Report published in September. The Institute for Natural Resources (ORS 352.808) “works to deliver management-relevant information that informs discussions and decisions about the long-term stewardship of Oregon’s natural resources, and works to advance centralized, science-based natural resource information for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.” This is part of the climate package that included the Natural Working Lands bill, HB 530 (2023 LWVOR testimony ) about meeting Oregon’s carbon sequestration and storage goals. There were discussions about the new Advisory Council additions that were part of the bill. There were questions about the process and approvals needed for allocations of the initial $10 million NWL Fund to be used for increasing agency budgets for grants and for increased capacity within the agencies to address climate change. Additional NCS resources: HERE . Budget: Given the Nov 15 favorable Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast, Climate related Budget / funding state agency and environmental justice items will likely be added to the end of session budget bill. Note most of the new federal climate funds (IRA,..) require state matching funds. LWVUS Climate Advocacy Sept 2023: The Climate Crisis and the Urgent Need for Government Action | League of Women Voters Take Action: URGE CONGRESS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE In Aug 2023 LWVUS Urges Congress to Support the Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery Resolution ; “which recognizes the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on the health, economic opportunities, and fundamental rights of children and the need for a national, science-based climate recovery plan to meet necessary emissions reduction targets and stabilize the climate system.” As in previous years, LWV UN will send observers to UNFCCC COP28 (Nov 30-Dec 12.) Robin tokmakian, LWV Portland and NWEC Advocate for LWVOR will be the designated LWV UN Observer for Climate. LWV is also an active NGO-approved UN IPCC observer . Global and Federal Climate report: ‘Uncharted territory’ imperils life on Earth | Oregon State University, Climate Scientists Fear the “Uncharted Territory” Earth Has Entered | Atmos.earth , US climate assessment lays out growing threats, opportunities as temperatures rise | Reuters, U .S. and China Agree to Displace Fossil Fuels by Ramping Up Renewables |The New York Times, Companies need to integrate climate reporting across functions to comply with California’s new law | Reuters, In California and Europe, a new dawn for corporate climate disclosure | The Hill, New Report Provides Comprehensive Plan to Meet U.S. Net-Zero Goals and Ensure Fair and Equitable Energy Transition | National Academies SEM. State and Region EQC action: The Environmental Quality Commission adopted these rules at its meeting on Nov. 16, 2023 . Item D: Climate 2023 Rulemaking (Action) Item D Presentation Slides Attachment A Attachment B Addendum A Opinion: Transition to clean energy in Oregon homes will prevail, despite fossil fuel industry’s tactics – Oregon Capital Chronicle, Federal regulators approve natural gas pipeline expansion through Oregon, Washington – Oregon Capital Chronicle, Sept: New analysis shows that, in a decisive decade for climate action, Oregon must aim higher | EDF, Portland approves 5-year, $750 million climate action plan | OPB. June 2023: After the longest walkout in Oregon’s history, the state’s climate progress hangs in the balance |EDF; “…One bill that currently hangs in the balance is HB 3409, a Climate Resilience Package that would set some of the most ambitious climate targets in the nation, aligned with what the latest climate science tells us is necessary to reach a safer, more stable climate. The update is long overdue, as it would be the first time Oregon has adjusted its climate targets in over 15 years.” States with net-zero carbon emissions targets - CSG ERC Oregon Global Warming Commission Meeting November 17, 2023, 9am – 1pm Online Meeting “Meetings of the Oregon Global Warming Commission are open to the public. Public comment is welcome. Agenda items are expected to be addressed in the order listed during the meeting. However, the Chair may elect to reorder agenda items during the meeting or to delay action on an item until the next meeting to accommodate the priorities of the Commission…” Oregon Public Utility Update By Greg Martin HB 2021 requires Oregon’s large investor-owned utilities and electricity service suppliers to decarbonize their retail electricity sales to maximize direct benefits to local communities. The utilities’ Clean Energy Plans (CEPs), overseen by OPUC, are the key regulatory mechanism for implementing the emissions reduction targets prior to 2030. OPUC undertook this investigation to identify key implementation issues that are within the commission’s authority to address. Administrative Law Judge John Mellgren presided over the hearing. Parties and intervenors included PacifiCorp, PGE, Oregon CUB, Green Energy Institute, Rogue Climate, NW Energy Coalition, Oregon Solar and Storage Industries Assn., NewSun Energy, Climate Solutions, and the Sierra Club. Discussion revolved around this memorandum’s four major issues. OPUC made no determination on these issues but sought input on its legal authority to require utilities to address certain factors arising from HB 2021 -- for example, the force of policy statements in the statute as distinct from concrete requirements. Not surprisingly, environmental groups argued that OPUC should have broad latitude in applying the law's language in utility proceedings. An interesting comment toward the end of the hearing: Regarding OPUC's approach to ensuring that utilities demonstrate “continual progress” toward meeting the clean energy targets, NewSun's counsel asserted that Oregon utilities don't fear the consequences of failing to show continual progress, whereas utilities in Washington are "scared" about it. Oregon Global Warming Commission By Josie Koehne The OGWC started off with Debbie Colbert, Deputy Director of the Oregon Department Fish & Wildlife stating that the $10 million approved by the Legislature available Natural & Working Lands Fund won’t be available for distribution to agencies for carbon sequestration incentives and technical assistance until April, 2024. The NWL Fund will be distributed to four agencies, ODFW, AG, ODF and OWEB, which ODOE will be distributing at the recommendation of the Global Warming Commission. ODOE is building capacity within its agency for this climate work. Catherine Mac Donald, OGWC Chair, gave an overview of the Natural and working Lands Proposal (approved Aug 4, 2021) and its proposed implementation strategies as outlined in bundled climate bill, HB 3409, passed in 2023. She went over requirements of the bill sections related to Natural and Working Lands, Sections 53-67 (originally HB 530). NWL requirements in the legislation: Establishes a 15-member Advisory Committee for implementing the NWL bill Identifies the Institute of Natural Resource of OSU (Lisa Gaines in charge) to build a baseline inventory of carbon for blue, brown and green carbon (wetlands, agriculture, grasslands, rangeland, and forestlands. The methodology for doing this inventory were Basic (EPA guidelines with additional modifications) and Advanced, which is more robust and collects more data points. The four OGWC subcommittee members (Apter, Ford, MacDonald and Rietmann) recommended using the Advanced methodology. The INR report included recommendations that are open to public comment to be collected through December, with the approval vote on this revised INR Report scheduled for January. So far over 1000 comments have been submitted. Includes Tribal consultation and process To be advised by both a Technical Team and the Advisory Committee Requires a Workforce Study and Report in consultation with the four agencies Defines a framework with metrics for Community Input (Pages 28-31 in the INR report) Includes Workforce Training and Assessment Includes activity-based metrics for carbon sequestration A discussion followed of the advisory committee member selection process, for their expertise, and expansion of representation on the advisory as an option in the bill. Note: LWVOR supports the comments of Lauren Anderson of Oregon Wild during this meeting on the lack of specificity in the forestry recommendations for activity-based metrics. In addition, our LWVOR comments: The term "better managed forests” as used in OSU’s INR report often carries the unstated assumptions of using the private industrial practices of fertilizing and herbicide use (which harms natural microbial action), and “thinning to reduce ladder fuels” with burning slash piles “to reduce wildfire risk.“ These practices would add CO2 to the atmosphere and reduce carbon sequestration while compacting the soils and interfering with beneficial microbial action that captures CO2 in the soil. As observers on the ground in federal and state public forests ((Paula Hood's group of PNWCA forestry team) have reported, “thinning” often equates to clear-cutting, so this term must be carefully defined and monitored. What is appropriate for industrial forestry is inappropriate for public lands with its requirements to serve many public purposes beside timber products production. Since fire resistant mature and old growth trees store far more quantities of carbon than young growing trees, their protection and promotion on both public and private forests should be included as a major carbon sequestration strategy. In addition, our limited NWL carbon sequestration funds should not be used for wildfire mitigation, which will soon get ample sources of federal and state funding. November Leg Day Policy Committee Meeting Review By Arlene Sherrett On November 13, 2023, the Oregon Department of Energy (DOE) hosted a webinar about the implementation of the State Energy Strategy authorized by HB 3630 . The webinar introduced the process for creating the Energy Strategy but did not go into the strategy itself. Brief presentations were given by each State of Oregon department that will have a role in formulating the strategy and implementing laws concerning climate change in Oregon. Oregon PUC, DOE, DEQ, DLCD, DOT and Business Oregon were represented, each giving their perspective on the strategy and the energy landscape in Oregon. Stakeholder engagement for the project was explained and public comment opportunities were highlighted. The process will culminate in delivery of a final report to the Governor and the Legislature on November 1, 2025. Learn more and sign up for email updates at the State Energy Strategy webpage . Senate Interim Committee on Energy and Environment – November 8, 2023 The Committee met for informational panels on four topics. Denmark's GreenLab and Circular Energy Infrastructure Development Christopher Sorensen, CEO, GreenLab, a Danish private/public collaboration, presented how the GreenLab concept works and how it helps with the transition to clean energy. By transforming any waste power, heat or fuel, in a usable form, storing that energy and preserving it for use to provide something someone else in the complex needs, all the businesses work together in a symbiotic fashion. Mr. Sorensen stated that an agreement had been reached between the Danish Foreign Ministry, the USDA, and GreenLab to share these concepts and to scout sites in the US that might be suitable for building similar facilities. Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Vicki Walker and Christopher Castelli from the Department of State Lands presented the development of a program to provide for proper disposal of abandoned vessels. The Department has the responsibility to clean up abandoned vessels and protect our waterways and ecosystems from toxic chemicals often found onboard. Since the Department also has the responsibility to provide funding for Oregon schools, expenses from vessel clean-up deplete school funding coffers. The Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADV) program will be designed to focus on prevention to avoid these high costs wherever possible. Of the vessels cleaned up and dismantled so far, one cost $1M and another cost $7M. The Legislature had given State Lands $18.8 M initially from the Monsanto settlement to do this work. Residential Solar in Oregon Christy Splitt, Government Relations Coordinator and Rob Del Mar, Senior Policy Analyst, both with the Oregon Department of Energy, presented on Oregon’s existing solar and storage incentives program. Mr. Del Mar reported that the Department has applied for a Federal Grant program called Solar for All, which would cover more people. Pacific Northwest Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Janine Benner, Director of the Oregon Department of Energy, gave an overview of the Pacific Northwest Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub which has gained initial acceptance from the US Department of Energy, to try for one of the grants it is offering. Kate Hopkins, Chief Development Officer for NovoHydrogen, introduced the concept for a hydrogen node planned for Baker, Oregon, to manufacture and supply fuel for heavy trucking. House Interim Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment The Committee hosted three informational panels at their 11/6/2023 meeting Transmission 101- Local electricity and high-voltage transmission professionals appeared before the committee for an informational update on issues with Oregon’s current electricity transmission system. With no established planning and controlling authority in place for the Northwest, panel members discussed how local transmission planning entities (the BPA, OPUC, and individual investor-owned utilities with individual IRP processes) can cooperate on a least cost, inclusive plan to adequately address the complexities of a highly interconnected system, design transmission capacity additions that serve everyone, and provide for the expanding electricity needs of the population between now and 2050, while at the same time, finding equitable cost-sharing solutions. Climate-smart agriculture Dr. Jeffrey Steiner, OSU, Greg Harris, Threemile Canyon Farm, and Shelby Leighton, Nez Perce Tribe Enterprises, appeared before the Committee to share the climate-smart agriculture project they have been working on. For this five-year, $50 billion USDA grant project, the group will grow potatoes (yes, they do taste different when grown using smart practices) using climate-smart techniques, such as use of cover crops, crop rotation, soil compaction, and regenerative ag. Across the US, USDA grants are being invested in similar research projects with regionally specific crops. Scientist Dr. Jeffrey Steiner is researching if climate-smart practices work and if they can increase CO2 sequestration in soils. Wildfire Funding Workgroup update A workgroup was convened by Senator Steiner to examine problems with wildfire funding. Dr. Steiner has been working with Doug Grafe, Wildfire and Military Advisor from the Office of the Governor, and has put together a group of experts to work on this critical problem until resolution is found. The workgroup has already identified one way to simplify funding by addressing the complexity in funding pathways, possibly through legislative action. Action probably will not be taken until the 2025 session. See Agenda and Meeting materials. Climate and environment bills for next session Rep. Mark Gamba gave a presentation to climate group Engineers for a Sustainable Future on November 14, 2023. He spoke informally about the difficulties of getting bills through the Legislature, including the number of bills to consider and the short time to consider them in, and the lack of organization around climate issues. Rep Gamba will be initiating the need for electrical transmission lines in the region. He wants to see a regional transmission organization (RTO) created by 2030, putting planning coordination into the hands of an appropriate entity. He would also like to create an organized climate caucus with funding in the state budget. A caucus would provide a way for climate bills to be considered together and be handled more effectively. Environmental Justice Council By Claudia Keith The new Oregon Environmental Justice Council has met a number of times and now includes an EJ Mapping subcommittee. EJ Mapping Subcommittee - November 13, 2023: 2pm - 3:30pm - ZOOM Council Meeting - December 5, 2023: 9am - 1pm Location: 700 NE Multnomah St, Portland, Oregon 97232 (Lloyd 700 Building 3rd Floor L700 Conference Room) October 17, 2023 Agenda Item 3: EJ Mapping Tool , Item 5: EJC Charter Draft Item 7: Zenith ADCP Letter , Item 7: DEQ Zenith Response Letter Watch the recorded meeting Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust By Claudia Keith The HILL: OPINION > ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ‘ Big Oil’s day in court is coming — and it’s long overdue’ by Dana Zartner , JD, Ph.D., is a professor of international and comparative law with a focus on environmental justice at the University of San Francisco. Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Gas, oil companies argue against Oregon’s emission deadlines during Court of Appeals hearing -- Several dozen people gathered afterwards to support those rules, which require a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. -– Oregon Capital Chronicle. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are several active state federal lawsuits , (Nov 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets, and other lawsuits, that challenge the current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 69 lawsuits , mentioning OREGON. Climate Emergency Team and Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Transportation and ODOT state agency Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 6/5 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • 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 topic: Housing Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York At the urging of newly-elected Governor Kotek, the Oregon Legislature invested more than $215 million in the Early Session Housing Package. It provided Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) with a down payment to tackle the state’s housing and homeless emergency. Now that the end of the session is near, Governor Kotek is calling on the Legislature to invest $1.3 billion in housing solutions through the End of Session Package. This investment will allow OHCS to achieve the goals in its 2023-25 budget request, SB 5511 . The challenge is to balance the needs of people experiencing homelessness and to address the state’s chronic housing supply shortages. The biennial budget represents the largest request any Oregon Governor has proposed. See the full 2023-25 Governor's Recommended Budget . The housing related budget descriptions can be found in these links. Snapshot of the End of Session Housing Package Improving Program Access: Language Access, Training, and Technical Assistance Bond Investments to Expand and Improve Housing Supply Pre-Development Investments Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Risk Mitigation Rehousing Oregonians Experiencing Homelessness Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Investments The Oregon Housing and Community Services budget includes funding for a number of programs aimed at keeping people already housed in their homes, developing new affordable housing, preserving existing affordable housing, and serving people without a place to live. Highlights include: $118 million for preservation of existing publicly supported housing, $415.45 million for homelessness response and prevention, $616 million to develop new affordable rental homes through the Local Innovation Fast Track (LIFT) Rental program, and $130 million to develop permanent supportive homes. Housing Bill Updates SB 225 Enrolled will address a problem with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. The bill addresses this barrier and allows Oregon Housing and Community Services to move forward on affordable housing developments to avoid construction delays and cost increases. The Governor signed SB 225 on June 7. SB 599 A Enrolled would allow 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 Governor signed SB 599 A on June 1. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Karen Nibler Despite the ongoing Senate shutdown, a few criminal justice bills continue to move on the House floor and in the Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee. The following bills passed out of the House from June 1 to June 7 and await a Senate vote: HB 5012 A appropriates money from the General Fund for district attorney expenses, HB 2320 B establishes the Juvenile Justice Policy Commission within the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, HB 2225 A increases fees for court transcripts, and HB 2316 A expands the offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants to include additional substances. SB 1052 Enrolled , establishes a training program for state agency employees concerning human trafficking and awareness, signed by the Governor June 12. The Public Safety Subcommittee passed the following bills on June 6 and returned them to the full Ways and Means Committee: · HB 2024 provides that district attorneys and deputy district attorneys qualify as police officers under the Public Employees Retirement System. · SB 321 A sets up a process whereby anyone convicted as a result of a nonunanimous jury can file a petition for post-conviction relief before December 30, 2024. · SB 5532 appropriates money from the General Fund for expenses related to the Oregon Public Defense Commission. · SB 337 B establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) within the Oregon Judicial Department with an appointed director, 9 voting members, and 4 non-voting members who are not practicing judges, district attorneys, or law enforcement employees. OPDC will present its budget to the Legislature every two years but will reimburse the State Court Administrator for personnel costs and contract with the Department of Administrative Services for forecasts for eligible adults and juveniles and cost estimates. There will be a separate Treasury Account. The bill stipulates the transfer of duties, records, personnel, and fund balance on July 1, 2023, for the new biennium. The Chief Justice will transfer current board members or appoint members to the OPDC by November 1, 2023 and appoint an Executive Director by January 1, 2024. The Commission will officially transfer to the Executive Branch on January 1, 2025. Further directions were to establish an hourly rate payment for defense attorneys with no flat fee cases. The hourly rate is to be calculated by January 1, 2025, with an increasing number of attorneys employed by the Commission. Behavioral Health By Karen Nibler The last hearing of the House Behavioral Health Committee on June 7 featured the Oregon State Hospital staffing crisis. The State Employee Union, SEIU focused on staff overtime, which was mandatory due to state injuries. The injuries affected 1 out of 4 hospital staff and caused high turnover with 800 staff still at work at the hospital. As a result, HB 2701 A was passed, acknowledging the high risk of harm and the benefits in the state employee’s system. The bill was referred to Ways and Means, and the outcome is not yet known.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 1/16 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • 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 Housing Women's Issues Immigration/Refugees Gun Safety Criminal Justice Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona On January 11, Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan, along with other Housing Alliance members, voted on the Oregon Housing Alliance’s 2023 legislative agenda. On January 13, the Housing Alliance shared results of the member vote by announcing their 2023 legislative policy agenda , a slate of 8 priority bills and 20 endorsed bills. Priority bills are defined as ones for which the Housing Alliance should be active in coordinating and leading advocacy. If bills are endorsed, the Alliance intends to publicly support the proposals, and contribute to their advocacy, however, they will not serve as the lead organization. Listed below are the Housing Alliance priority bills that have received their first reading and been assigned to committees. The decision to have public hearings on bills rests with Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs and Legislative Leadership. The filing deadline is Feb. 21 for most bills. HB 3010 Reform the Mortgage Interest Deduction Disallows taxpayers from claiming a deduction on home mortgage interest for any residence other than their primary residence. Phases out the deduction on primary residences for households earning $250,000 or more. Increased revenue would be used, among other things, to assist first time homebuyers. SB 611 Reasonable Rent Limits annual rent increases to 3% plus consumer price index, or 8%, whichever is lower; provides these protections for all buildings more than 3 years-old (buildings up to 15 years-old are currently exempted); and increases relocation assistance in landlord-based (no-fault) evictions HB 2456 Emergency Housing Assistance for K-12 students Modifies the state’s emergency housing assistance (EHA) program and state homeless assistance program (SHAP) to provide funds to assist school-aged children experiencing or at risk of homelessness. SB 225 Private Activity Bonds for Affordable Housing Makes changes to the state's policy for private activity bonds to ensure coordination of affordable housing resources and a clear financing process For information on the endorsed bills, please see the link above on the Housing Alliance’s 2023 Legislative policy agenda. Women’s Issues By Trish Garner 2023 Bills Related to Abortion / Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health It is difficult to predict what will take place during the 2023 Legislative Session about issues related to reproductive rights in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health . On the one hand, the right to an abortion is protected in Oregon's constitution (Article I, Section 46; 2014) and related statutes (e.g. ORS 743B.001 which requires health benefit plans to cover abortion costs). It has also been the case that in past sessions, measures limiting abortion rights have more or less regularly been submitted for approval and haven't made it to a Committee hearing. On the other hand, we would be deaf if we did not hear countervailing drum beats. The 2023 Legislative Session is not without proposals to ban abortion outright: prohibition of abortion after the 37th week - HB 2810, after the 38th week - HB 2808 , after the 39th week - HB 2807 ; prohibition of late term or third trimester abortion except in a medical emergency or in the case of rape, incest - HB 2809 (Chief Sponsors are Reps Hieb and Diehl). Senate Bill 513 (Sen Thatcher and Rep Morgan) prohibits an abortion unless the health care provider first determines the probable gestational age of the unborn child, except in the case of a medical emergency. Attacking reproductive services from another direction is HB 2402 (Rep Diehl); it prohibits public funding for abortions. HB 2526 (Rep Breese-Iverson) adopts a different tack, although the result may be the same. HB 2526 requires the OHA to establish a toll free pregnancy resource hotline to provide information and assistance to pregnant persons seeking abortions in this state. So far, so good, but the bill then continues to provide that except for a medical emergency, an abortion cannot be performed unless the provider verifies that the pregnant person has consulted with this hotline at least 48 hours before the provision of abortion services. There are a few other proposals which may not seem to directly challenge the provision of abortions, but are nonetheless disconcerting and call for scrutiny. Under HB 2423 (Rep Breese-Iverson) the Oregon Health Authority ("OHA") is directed to establish and administer a Pregnancy Launch Program that among other things supports childbirth as an alternative to abortion and encourages healthy childbirth. This legislation also prohibits the OHA from contracting for providing services with an organization that "directly or indirectly provides, promotes, refers for or assists pregnant persons in obtaining abortions." HB 2424 (Rep Breese-Iverson) requires OHA to establish a program for the purpose of making grants to entities that provide services related to encouraging and assisting pregnant persons in carrying their pregnancies to term. Grant monies will not be used to encourage or assist pregnant persons in having abortions unless an abortion is necessary to avoid impairment of the person's "major bodily functions." Perhaps farther removed from but still related to the Dobbs decision, there are bills from both the House and Senate side that require school health education curricula to include information about human development from conception to birth ( SB 674 - Sen Knopp and Rep Smith; HB 2570 - Reps Smith and McIntire.) So, we shall see what traction any of these bills attain. Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith US Chamber calls for Congress to end gridlock , saying businesses are ‘fed up’ | The Hill. Senator Ron Wyden regards WOU town hall as education opportunity for him | News | polkio.com . New "Food for All Oregonians" legislation backed by over 75 community organizations - Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. 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) Basic Needs SB610 : Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to provide nutrition assistance to residents of this state who would qualify for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program but for immigration status. Requires Department of Human Services to convene an advisory group to recommend metrics to evaluate success of the department in treating all applicants for and recipients of public assistance in welcoming manner and with respect, courtesy, fairness, and dignity. Unclear what the funding ask may be. May replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. Immigration SB627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals (15M$) Sen Lieber. SB185 Requires Department of Justice to study immigration in this state; may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2024. Requested by Attorney General Rosenblum. HB2957 : Financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status recipients for specified purposes. (>7M$). Large portion of the Source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz SB603 : Establishes People's Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program, administered by Department of Human Services, to provide 12 monthly payments of $1,000 to individuals who are experiencing homelessness, are at risk of homelessness, are severely rent burdened or earn at or below 60 percent of area median income. (Includes immigrant, and refugee status.) Starts with a PSU $250K study. A potential $500M program. Rep Pham K and Senator Campos, Sen Cmt on Housing and Dev, then W&M. Other SB613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities HB2458 : Prohibits conversion therapy Gun Safety By Marge Easley Measure 114 Update: On January 13, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum petitioned the Oregon Supreme Court to either dismiss the Harney County judge’s ruling that put a halt on the measure’s implementation or direct the judge to explain his reasoning. We await the Supreme Court’s decision. In the meantime, we will urge legislators to make any needed technical fixes and provide adequate funding for full implementation. More complete information on court actions related to Measure 114 can be found in this recent Oregonian article . Criminal Justice By Marge Easley We can expect to see a number of bills this session that pertain to the current shortage of public defenders in Oregon, particularly in Washington and Multnomah Counties. On January 18, House Judiciary Committee members heard a presentation about the reasons for the shortage, including the extremely heavy workload, low pay, and high turnover due to burnout. Despite the allocation of $10 million to Public Defense Services in December, much more funding is urgently needed. In addition, legislators are also looking at a number of longer-term solutions to increase recruitment, including the streamlining of court processes, the forgiveness of law school loans in return for five years of public defense work, providing alternatives to taking the bar exam, and allowing non-attorney members of the Oregon State Bar to practice law in specific areas. Measure 110 Update On January 19, Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan released an audit of Measure 110, authorized by the 2021 Oregon Legislature. The measure was passed by Oregon voters in 2020 with the intent of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of controlled substances and directing cannabis tax revenue to addiction and recovery services. After a slow rollout, the Oregon Health Authority has thus far awarded $33 million in grant money, although scant data currently exists to show how the money was spent or whether it was used effectively to improve addiction services. Audit recommendations include improving the program’s governance structure, grant application process, and collaboration with public agencies. The effective implementation of Measure 110 is of critical importance when one considers the following statements from the audit’s introduction: “Oregon has the second highest rate of substance use disorder in the nation and ranked 50th for access to treatment. In Oregon, more than two people died each day from unintentional opioid overdoses in 2021.”

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Sine Die Education Updates By Anne Nesse It is clear from LWVOR work this session that we all must invest with renewed effort to support our public education system. This is imperative for the equity of all families, income levels, and especially important for working parents. We hope you can see beginnings of positive change in the laws and testimony we made this session to help all young Oregonians and their families thrive. These bills were signed into law this session with LWVOR testimony, relating to education and the well being of children: HB 3198 Enrolled includes significantly increased expenditures and grants, new curriculum development for teachers and staff, and increased summer programs. It is a significant step toward increasing literacy and by definition learning, within all our diverse Oregon populations. See LWVOR testimony in support, on how literacy is an integral component to a democracy. Rep. Kropf, one of the bill’s principal authors, noted that this is merely the beginning of increased funding towards a major emphasis in consistent quality K-12 education throughout our state. It includes a $90M price tag, in addition to an historic increase in the biennial school budget up to $10.2 Billion dollars, in addition to property tax revenue. HB 3235 Enrolled is a child tax credit designed to benefit low income workers supporting children. LWVOR testimony reflects the gravity of the problem, that poverty itself can cause harm to childhood development, and its unintended effect on education. This tax credit was greatly reduced from the original proposal. The League was involved in discussions with legislators and stakeholders for some components of SB 283 Enrolled . It was signed into law, directing the Department of Education to develop and implement a plan to establish and maintain a statewide data system on our educational workforce. This Law includes a long list of items to help recruit teachers and staff, and to help them continue to thrive in this necessary profession. It includes pay raises totaling $9M for teachers and aides who work with special needs students. We suggested that teachers have some bargaining ability for increased planning time during the school day, and this became part of the law. We testified to these bills but did not have the time to thoroughly study them during this session: SB 854 , stated that each of our 197 school districts could develop a plan for teaching climate change, across all subject areas, in grades K-12 by June 1, 2026. The LWVOR played a part in helping with the steering committee for this bill. Like other bills written to increase oversight of our statewide school system’s quality, this will need adaptation if it is proposed next session. Our testimony submitted on March 9 emphasized the importance of survival on our planet, excessive greenhouse gasses, and that curriculum choices were already available from many sources. At the March 9 public hearing, over 100 youth were heard or represented in the Capitol live or virtually. The Oregon Teachers Association and other organizations supported this bill. HB 2601 would have required the State Treasurer to exit from certain carbon-intensive investments, subject to fiduciary duties,to develop a plan to protect state investments from risks related to climate change, and to issue periodic public reports on actual and planned progress towards completion of duties imposed under this law. Rep. Pham and Sen. Golden presented a very strong case as to why this was essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and educating the public on facts of our decreased ability to gain profits in the fossil fuel industry. The League made the case in testimony that this was a nonpartisan issue and that we all have the right to be informed of our investments. It is LWVOR’s position that all of us should be educated concerning limiting greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. HB 2750 attempted to prohibit the statewide charging of fees or requiring participation in fundraising activities as a condition of participating in any interscholastic activities. League testimony was based on equity in education for all family income levels. The bill did not make it through passage, however, because of our work with Rep. Bowman on this bill and another like it, modifying physical education requirements, the League may be helping to design a more positive school day experience in health and learning for the next session. Here are more extensive lists and descriptions of education-related bills that were passed this session or were heard in public hearings but were not passed. Copy and paste into your browser for best results. Link 1: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lpro/Publications/SOL Education & Early Childhood_FINAL.pdf Link 2: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lpro/Publications/SOL Human Services_FINAL.pdf If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for any of the areas in this Sine Die Report you would be well appreciated! So just let us know? We could use assistance in early childhood and higher education, as well as human services, research, meeting with legislators, testimony, and newsletter writing. Much of our work is virtual, so transportation is not always an issue. After School Care and Children’s Services By Katie Riley Summer and After School Care, SB 531 would have provided funding for school age kids this summer. Last year a similar bill provided $50 million and served thousands of low-income kids. This year’s bill received a hearing and was referred to W&Ms but without assignment to a subcommittee, it never had a work session or a recommendation for funding. Schools were given extra money for summer school and could spend some of it for extended care, however, depending on the school district. Children’s Service Districts, SB 858 would have provided the ability to gather signatures for local ballot measures to form children’s service districts. A public hearing was held in Senate Finance and Revenue but a work session was never scheduled so the bill never had a committee or Senate floor vote. The bill was opposed by the League of Oregon Cities (mayors) and the Association of Oregon Counties.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey 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 Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Redistricting/Prison Gerrymandering Broadband, Vote-by-mail, Privacy Elections Government Ethics Rulemaking Redistricting/Prison Gerrymandering HB 2250 was heard in House Rules 3/19. The League submitted written testimony . The federal Census Bureau unfortunately counts prisoners where they are incarcerated rather than where they reside. This inflates the population counts where prisons are located and deflates the population counts for prisoners’ residence districts. Therefore, the representation of these districts and jurisdictions is skewed. HB 2250 corrects this injustice by requiring that the Department of Corrections determine prisoner residence addresses, as best that it can, and give the addresses to Portland State University Population Research Center. The Center will then correct the population counts that it receives from the Census Bureau and provide the corrected counts to the Legislature, the Secretary of State, or the various other jurisdictions that perform redistricting. Some Rules committee members asked about students residing at college or patients in care institutions. However, college students and patients can choose where they want to reside and be registered to vote; prisoners have no choice and don’t get any representation from public officials where they are incarcerated. Broadband, Vote-by-mail, Privacy By Becky Gladstone HB 3228 had a public hearing March 2, with League verbal and written testimony presented with committee permission by two League members together, Rebecca Gladstone in support of this bill’s cybersecurity insurance study and resilience fund, welcoming new League advocate Lindsay Washburn, who added significant AI modification comments. HB 2581 passed a Senate work session with one excused, on March 18, to coordinate expanded resiliency services with the State Resiliency Officer (SRO), League testimony in support. SB 473 , to create a crime of threatening a public official, will have a first work session on April 2, see verbal and written League testimony in support. HB 3148 has a work session scheduled for March 26, to extend broadband funding. We support equitable statewide broadband as a fundamental need, signing group letters for HB 3148 (2025) and HB 3201 Enrolled (2023). HB 2341 , had a Senate side work session, March 20, passing with one excused, to add veterans’ email addresses to shared information, League testimony in support. Watching SB 1121 : We will speak to this bill which c reates the crime of unlawful disclosure of private information, with a public hearing and possible concurrent work session vote on April 8. Elections By Barbara Klein The Open Primaries amended bill HB 3166-2 , which LWVOR strongly supported in its original form, had a hearing on March 19th in the House Rules Committee (video can be seen here around minute 19). LWVOR submitted testimony as a neutral comment , neither in support nor opposition. LWVOR strongly supports the idea of “unified” primaries, but the amended bill contains points we have historically not supported (specifically a top-two election system). There was much interest in the bill both in support (especially to encourage youth and independent voters) and in opposition (regarding protection of parties, although much of that was directed toward the original bill). Government Ethics By Chris Cobey SB 983 permits local public officials to participate, discuss, debate and vote on the adoption of a local budget that includes compensation for the public official or one of their relatives. This is a clear conflict of interest for a local official and should be avoided. However, we can understand that in small jurisdictions it can be awkward when some members cannot vote. The bill is supported by the Oregon School Boards Association and the League of Oregon Cities. HB 2330 A would establish a 21-member Task Force on Law Enforcement Interdiction Against Financial Scams on Older Oregonians. The bill passed out of the House Commerce and Consumer Protection committee 3/4 on a 10 to 0 vote and is now in the Ways and Means committee. Rulemaking By Peggy Lynch The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking. After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws. That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies : This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. The League will also attend a separate rules process discussion being led by the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development. See the Land Use section for more information on this issue. We continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly 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 . Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey 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 Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection Elections Artificial Intelligence Campaign Finance and Initiatives By Norman Turrill We are still waiting for urgently needed technical amendments to HB 4024 (2024) on campaign contribution limits, which are expected to be amended into HB 3392 . Since we are nearing the end of the session, we fear that this will not happen or will happen haphazardly. The last we heard, there may be no bill or only a minimal bill to delay the Secretary of State’s HB 4024 implementation deadlines. General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection By Becky Gladstone It is time for a bill status review, with two weeks or less remaining in the session. HB 3954 was revived last week after a League letter called for action on the bill, for the Adjutant General to not allow the Oregon National Guard to be called to active service, except for certain reasons. It passed from a first work session on partisan lines, and then from the House floor, and is scheduled for reading on the Senate floor. We wrote to the Governor’s staff, the Attorney General, Chairs and House Rules Committee members, and bill sponsors. This bill became more relevant with the California National Guard being called to action by the President in Los Angeles, overriding the Mayor and California Governor. LWVOR followed with an Action Alert to members. We anticipate revising the letter and submitting as testimony to Senate Rules, including comparisons of work done in other states, including Washington state’s “Defend the Guard” bill, HB 1321 , signed by Governor Ferguson in April. We are standing by as requested, for updates. See HB 3954 sponsor’s presser and Oregon House votes to protect Oregon National Guard from being deployed by Trump, future presidents , Oregon Capital Chronicle. SB 1191 Enrolled has been signed by the Governor. League testimony supports SB 1191 which excludes the act of informing another person of their civil or constitutional rights from statute defining “commits the crime of obstructing governmental or judicial administration”. This is relevant as League voter service activities and advocacy issues are newly vulnerable to Executive Order classification as domestic terrorism if not aligned with recently changed federal preferences. The League will continue to support legislation for DEI, climate change, immigration, access for voter registration and election process information, natural resources, and more. HB 2008 Enrolled has been signed by the Governor, relates to protecting consumer data for those under 16, to targeted ads, and to geolocation exposure. See League testimony in support. HB 2341 Enrolled , to add veterans’ email addresses to shared information, League testimony in support, was signed by the Governor. SB 1121 Enrolled to create a new Class B misdemeanor crime of unlawful private data disclosure, has been signed by the Governor. League testimony was filed and presented, supporting the bill, including the amendment relating to data broker issues. HB 2930 Enrolled has been signed by the Governor, for conflict of interest of public officials’ household members. League testimony supported this bill brought by the Oregon Ethics Commission. SB 224 Enrolled , is awaiting the Governor’s signature, to keep from posting campaign committee addresses on the SoS website, League testimony supports. HB 3569 Enrolled is awaiting the Governor’s signature, to invite a sponsoring legislator, committee chair or designee onto the bill’s Rules Advisory Committee, as a non-voting member. Our testimony opposes for myriad reasons. HB 5017 Enrolled , is awaiting the Governor’s signature, for the State Library budget. League testimony remained the only one filed and is in support of our partnership for League Voter Service information. They share our Voters’ Guides in the Talking Books and Braille Library . HB 5012 A : Ways and Means Committee members (bipartisan!) expressed a desire to see increased salaries for our judiciary and encouraged the Co-Chairs to consider additional funding in the end-of-session bill for the Oregon Judicial Department budget bill. League testimony in support was requested. HB 2570 , for PII (personally identifiable information) confidentiality when working with OSHA inspections, got League testimony support, was scheduled for a February 19 work session , but was apparently dropped, not reflected on the bill overview, probably a session casualty. Elections By Barbara Klein On 6/16 a public hearing was held for HB 3908 , the following day on 6/17 a work session was held. On 6/20, this House bill passed a vote on the Senate floor 19 to 9. Filed at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO), HB 3908 relates to party membership and registration requirements. The bill increases the percentage of state voters from 5 to 10 percent required for a party to obtain major political party status. Other minor parties wrote in support of HB 3908. Last week we mentioned that the opposition to this bill submitted a Minority Report Recommendation disallowing minor parties to cross nominate major parties; that recommendation did not pass. At the public hearing, IPO representatives explained that currently the IPO stands at 5.03% (only slightly over the 5% level) and that IPO bounces back & forth between major & minor party status (being a major party in 2016 and 2020). They described the struggles for their party since rules for candidates of major parties differ from those for minor parties, making it more difficult for them to recruit candidates. They also attested that the counties and state will have higher costs if IPO is considered a major party. HB 3390-2 : This bill was one of those often referred to as “gut and stuff,” differing from or expanding on the original title. This last-minute bill establishes a joint legislative committee and prescribes the method for creating a ballot title and explanatory statement for any amendment to the Oregon Constitution. Technically, it involves any bills that pass both houses of the Legislative Assembly during the 2025 regular session and are referred to the voters by either the Legislative Assembly or by referendum petition. The League submitted testimony opposing this bill, in part because it minimizes the minority party voice, and also gives more power to the legislature for ballot issues than to the people. We state “the normal process based in the offices of the Secretary of State and Attorney General has greater impartiality than this proposal grounded in the legislative branch. The latter (under HB 3390-2) could more likely jeopardize transparency and understanding for voters.” Despite our opposition, the third reading passed the House 31 to 19. The bill sunsets on January 2, 2027. SB 580 Enrolled provides more timely transparency to voters showing online declarations – or withdrawals – of candidates. On 6/13 it passed a House third reading 41 to 0. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature. There were concessions made previously for various counties, big and small, rural and urban. (It also exempted precinct committee persons.) The League submitted testimony on this bill based on the needs of our work producing League Voter Guides and Vote411 publications. Artificial Intelligence By Lindsey Washburn HB 3936 Enrolled prohibits any hardware, software or service that uses artificial intelligence from being installed or downloaded onto or used or accessed by state information technology assets if the artificial intelligence is developed or owned by a covered vendor. Awaiting Governor's signature. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of December 1 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 Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: 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: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Federal Lands Forestry (ODF) Hanford Land Use & Housing Natural Hazards Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. (OPRD) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Regional Solutions Smith River State Land Board Transportation Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire AGRICULTURE Proposed rules for the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area: The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is accepting public comments on proposed rules for the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area. Written comments are due by December 22, 2025 , and will be considered before final rules are adopted. Details on how to comment are provided below. December 15, 2025 - In Person and Virtual Options: 5:30-7:00 pm An informational hearing starts at 5:30pm and will be followed by a public comment hearing, both in person and virtually. In person: SAGE Center, 101 Olson Rd NE, Boardman, OR 97301 Hearing link, ID: 274 507 130 739 0, Passcode: wD7nb9dM Meeting call-in number: +1 503-446-4951,,167483367# December 16, 2025 - Virtual Only: 5:30-6:30 pm Hearing link , ID: 282 286 813 697 7, Passcode: cS6jM2Ga Meeting call-in number: +1 503-446-4951,,540814150# Mail: ODA, 635 Capitol Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301 Email: rulemaking@oda.oregon.gov , Subject line: LUBGWMA Rules Online: https://oda.direct/rulemaking BUDGETS/REVENUE Peggy Lynch Here’s the 2025-27 Budget Summary prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO). Even a summary is 139 pages long! It describes the budget process and the end-of-session budget numbers. There are also explanations on, what for laypersons, are the mysteries of budget terms. Among those terms is an explanation and statistics on Fiscal Impact Statements. The report notes that fiscal impacts are affected by the volume of bills considered: “ In total, there were 3,466 measures introduced during the 2025 session, which is 496 more than the 2023 session and 689 more than the average of the five previous long legislative sessions. There were 3,271 amendments drafted for those bills, which is 5.5% less than the average of the five previous long legislative sessions. Of the introduced measures, 702, or 20.3%, were voted out by the House and Senate”. The reader should note that, since the budgets were passed, the Governor and Legislative Leadership have asked agencies to cut back on spending, to provide potential cuts lists of up to 5% per agency per revenue source ( General Fund, Lottery Fund, Other Funds) and to provide a list of any new programs that were approved since 2021—all due to reduced revenue forecasts, federal legislation and actions. See the Revenue Section of the Legislative Report for details. Please note that again only 3% of the state resources are allocated to the 14 Natural Resource agencies. Although we expect to see some cuts in the 2026 session, unless the Feb. forecast continues down, we are hopeful that most of the cuts discussed will not be taken. LWVOR is working with the Oregon Conservation Network and others to advocate for these agencies’ work. They address public health and safety for all Oregonians. Here are the meeting materials submitted to LFO by the 14 natural resource agencies. House Speaker Fahey provided a comprehensive list of federal action/potential cuts to Oregon services. The Oregon Capital Chronicle followed up with their Budget Cuts article. Cuts discussed during Legislative Days included potential closure of a state prison, loss of up to 51 Oregon State Police, a 7% increase in university tuition, 10% increase in community college tuition, reduction in Medicaid recipients, etc. ALL state agencies were asked to provide these cuts lists. K-12 schools receive the most revenue in our state budget so the proposed cuts would mean $560 million to the State School Fund. (See other legislative reports for details.) Although many of the cuts may not be accepted due to a better-than-expected revenue forecast, the longer-term revenue expectations may mean greater cuts than we would all like. Working in the natural resource world which is just 3% of the state’s budget, each cut reduces the ability for Oregon to protect our air, land and water. See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report for in depth information. We encourage you to read ALL sections. CLIMATE Claudia Keith and Team Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 25-26 on Oct. 23 to prioritize and increase the pace and scale of adoption of climate resilient strategies into existing state programs to deliver benefits for communities and ecosystems. The League is excited to see the Governor instructing state natural and working lands agencies on the value of wetlands and other important ecosystems for which we have advocated over many years. FAQ OBP reports that Oregon again misses our greenhouse goals. Today (Nov. 19) , Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 25-29 to increase the pace and scale of Oregon’s response to reducing carbon pollution while strengthening grid reliability and energy affordability. The Executive Order targets transportation and building emissions, strengthens grid reliability and energy affordability. 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 Christine Moffitt The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) heard a presentation on Rocky Habitat Management on Oct. 23 rd . Rocky Habitat makes up 40% of Oregon’s coast. The League has supported this work and has a comprehensive position on coastal issues. See p. 132, Issues for Action . The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) is opening a Public Access Rulemaking to clarify how local governments will address protection of public access to Oregon beaches. King Tides return at the Oregon Coast: December 4 to 6, and January 1 to 4, 2026. They are the highest high tides of the year. The Blob returns to the Pacific Ocean per a story by KLCC: A massive heat wave is hitting the Pacific Ocean from Kamchatka to California. Water temperatures several degrees above normal span thousands of miles, though they have mostly stopped short of the Pacific Northwest coast. Cool water welling up from the depths is thought to be keeping surface temperatures near the Oregon and Washington coasts closer to normal . So far, this year’s Blob has mostly spared the Pacific Northwest. “It certainly pales in comparison to the really intense event that we had in 2014 into 2016,” according to University of Washington Climatologist, Nick Bond. That long-lasting blob of warm water harmed salmon and shellfish, fueled toxic algae blooms, and killed seabirds by the millions from 2014 to 2016. On Oct. 14, the State Land Board heard a number of presentations on programs involving the Oregon coast. See page 45 of the meeting packet on the Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) , a program the League supported in both creation and funding. There continues to be a partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and OSU helping to keep the Sea Grant program going. California’s Ocean Science Trust received a $10 million endowment a number of years ago. Oregon is part of a West Coast Ocean Science Action Agenda. Our ocean acidification issue is almost twice that of the global rate. Treasurer Steiner requested more information on marine carbon at a subsequent meeting. The link with the Ocean Policy Advisory Council was shared—OOST focuses on science, OPAC does policy. See page 59 of the packet for the annual report on the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve . League members are active with Friends of the South Slough, and the League is a constant supporter of this first-in-the-nation estuarine reserve. The invasive green crabs have become so prevalent that OSU researchers and others are looking to find a market (such as chicken feed) in order to reduce them in the are a. T he Reserve is doing long time research (some 30 years old) so it is important to keep the Reserve solvent. See page 74 of the packet for a report on the Southern Resident Orca Endangered Species Management Plan . The Dept. of State Lands has an important role in assuring wetlands and streams are safe breeding grounds for chinook salmon, the main food source for these special orcas. Oregon Ocean Science Trust website . Contact: Linda.Safina-Massey@dsl.oregon.gov The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development has a website on offshore wind with public meetings continuing. DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC) Sandra U. Bishop The League has a standing seat on DWAC. Interactive Geographic Information System Maps for water system and source water protection have been improved. These maps are available to the public as well as water system operators and are maintained by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Drinking Water Protection group and may be accessed via the Drinking Water Services website . DWAC met October 15th. Lab sampling protocols were clarified. A question came up about lab sample reporting. It was clarified that Public Water System (PWS) operators know the purpose of a water sample when submitted and are to mark it correctly. There is a process for correcting mistakes in reporting if needed. The labs do not change sample type after testing; labs do not change Routine samples to Special samples. Mandatory reporting requirements do not apply to Special samples. No lead has been reported in Oregon public water systems. The Service Line Inventory mainly geared toward checking for lead in public water systems is wrapping up. So far 97.3% of systems have submitted an inventory. Deep drawdown operations are planned at Green Peter and Lookout Point. Much better communication is expected this year between Drinking Water Services staff and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In previous years drawdowns resulted in disruptively high turbidity at local Public Water Systems. To better assist the smallest drinking water systems in Oregon the responsibility for technical assistance, alerts and regulatory compliance help is being transferred from counties and given to the state. Extensive rulemaking is wrapping up . These are mainly technical changes and corrections. Written comments must be submitted by November 30. During December, comments will be reviewed. Once approved the rules will be effective January 1, 2026. Ideas for future meetings other than technical subjects include emergency response such as to wildfire and cyber-attacks, education on fraudulent backflow devices sold on Amazon, water system consolidation options, and possible funding sources for source water protection and very small water systems. The next DWAC meeting is January 21. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) The Board had a 3-day retreat on Nov. 12-14. FEDERAL LANDS Sen. Broadman’s proposed 2026 legislative concept meant to protect Oregon’s Public Lands: Oregon’s public lands are central to our economy, our outdoor recreation, and our way of life. This bill would prevent state agencies from taking part in any federal effort to sell or transfer national forests, parks, or recreation areas to private interests. The goal is to keep these lands accessible and protected for the communities that depend on them. FORESTRY (ODF) Josie Koehne ODF is reviewing obligations under the Governor’s Executive Order 25-26 related to climate resilience. Public comment period on the proposed rule-making for the Western Oregon Management Plan (FMP) opened on Nov. 1 and will close at midnight on Jan.31st. “The mission of the Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan (FMP) and Implementation Plans (IP) project is to implement the social, economic and environmental values required of state forests. The comment period will include written comments as well as comments collected from Rule-making hearings to be held on Jan. 13 (virtual), Jan.15 (Forest Grove), Jan. 20 (Tillamook), and Jan. 22 (Eugene) at 5:30 p.m. The proposed change to this rule will replace the three current FMPs (Northwest Oregon, Southwest Oregon, and Elliott) with a single FMP for these forest lands. The State Forests Division is pursuing an alternative method for compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act by applying for incidental take permits from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Fisheries. The incidental take permits will require the division to manage Oregon state forest lands in compliance with a habitat conservation plan. After careful review of the rule-making, the LWVOR will be providing comments. The State Forester recruitment was reopened Oct. 13 as the Governor would like a range of 8-10 candidates from which to choose. She hopes to have a selection for Senate confirmation during the February legislation session . The Oregon Dept. of Forestry will be asking for additional fire funding in 2026. Details TBD. HANFORD The Department of Energy appears to have enough money for four weeks of operations during the federal government shutdown, according to state officials at the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board’s virtual meeting Tuesday. Since little information about the shutdown specific to Hanford has been released to the public by the Department of Energy, officials at the meeting discussed what they had heard or surmised about the nuclear site. After the cleanup board meeting, DOE said in a statement that its “Hanford site is not currently experiencing a lapse in funding and continues to operate in a normal capacity, with staff reporting to work and carrying out the Hanford mission safely.” This according to an Oct. 8 th article in the Tri-City Herald News. LAND USE & HOUSING Peggy Lynch On Oct. 24, the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) approved Housing Rulemaking for HB 2138 and HB 2258 (2025): LCDC Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking staff report and presentation : Rules are expected to be adopted during the Dec.4-5 LCDC mtg. as they are statutorily due by Jan. 1, 2026, completing a multi-year effort to reset Oregon’s Goal 10, Housing, responsibilities and each local government’s role as well. These rules are among the most significant changes in Goal 10, Housing, and Goal 14, Urbanization since the program’s inception. LCDC Oct. 24: Approved Rulemaking to clarify and allow housing and other needed development outside of wetlands. The rulemaking would create an optional, alternative compliance pathway for wetlands resources when a city is preparing to annex lands from the urban growth boundary (UGB) to accommodate needed housing and economic development. The 2025-27 Policy Agenda 2025-27 Policy Agenda was approved by LCDC on Oct. 24. There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone! In response to public feedback, additional clarification on Farm and Forest Modernization Program work plan sequencing has been added to the 2025-2027 Policy Agenda. In response to staff feedback, the Community Green Infrastructure report has been added to the 2025-2027 Policy Agenda . See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. NATURAL HAZARDS The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD announce that the 2025-30 Oregon Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (NHMP) has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This plan supports ongoing efforts to reduce natural hazard risks across the state. The NHMP outlines strategies to reduce long-term risks from natural hazards such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods, drought, and landslides. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) Melanie Moon Why we don’t want quagga mussels in Oregon and why we support the Aquatic Invasives program per this OPB article . A new state transient lodging tax (TLT), HB 2977 , was introduced in 2025 to ensure regular and robust funding for wildlife conservation programs. The bill passed the House floor, but did not make it out of the Senate. The League expects the bill to return in 2026 where we will consider supporting it. OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD) Peggy Lynch OPRD fee increases to help w/$14 million shortfall: A public comment period will take place Dec. 1 to Jan. 15. OPRD is proposing a series of changes that could increase camping fees, change cancellation fees and allow for “dynamic pricing.” Collectively, they're known as the Division 15 Rates and Reservation Policy .T he changes would need approval from the OPRD Commission. If approved, these changes could be implemented as early as March of 2026. (per Statesman Journal) In 2024, the agency approved increased parking and camping fees for the first time in nearly a decade. That increase went into effect in 2025. It was intended to cover a previous shortfall of roughly $15 million, due largely to losing 13% of its Oregon Lottery funding, which was diverted to city, county and special park districts. OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB ) The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board held a board meeting on October 28-29. The meeting agenda and materials are available on OWEB’s website . REGIONAL SOLUTIONS The Regional Solutions Program : Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. If you know anyone who may benefit from these publications, please direct them to this signup page . The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person. Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings. Public Comment is usually scheduled. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: Regional Solutions: *Central (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties) December 2nd from 3:30-5:00pm *South Coast (Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties) December 3rd from 11:00am-1:00pm *North Central (Hood River, Sherman and Wasco Counties) December 3rd from 2:00-4:00pm SMITH RIVER Alyssa Babin The League again supported federal legislation to expand the Smith River Recreation Area. The North Fork of the Smith River has scenic, historic and recreational values. We have supported this effort in the past with approval from LWVUS. STATE LAND BOARD Peggy Lynch The next State Land Board is Dec. 3 rd ( agenda and meeting materials ). The League follows these meetings since the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer comprise the Board membership. TRANSPORTATION HB 3991 , passed on Sept. 29, increases a number of transportation taxes and fees and applies audit requirements to ODOT. It expands the OReGO road usage charge program and repeals the Oregon Transportation Commission toll program. ODOT would receive 50% of the funding, while counties would receive 30% and cities 20%. There is an estimate that the cost to Oregonians would be about $2/month. The Governor signed HB 3991 on Nov. 7. Sen. Starr and Rep. Diehl and others have since gathered signatures under NoTaxOR.com to place the bill on the ballot for Oregonians to consider. The League will follow this effort since it could stop the needed ODOT funding provided in HB 3991. LWVOR asks that you “Think before you Ink” when any volunteers ask for your signature to get an item on the ballot. “ Bills passed by Oregon lawmakers can be referred to voters if organizers collect enough valid signatures within 90 days of the Legislature adjourning. This year, a referendum would require at least 78,115 signatures, equal to 4% of the people who cast a ballot in the 2022 gubernatorial election.” The No Tax group says it has more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The Secretary of State shall review the signatures, but we expect to see the item on the November 2026 ballot. If approved for the ballot, the bill and the taxes to be collected will NOT be collected until the results of the election outcome. We could see an alternate ODOT funding discussion in the Feb. session. WATER Peggy Lynch The Willamette River is the life blood of much of western Oregon. Do you want to learn more and have an opportunity to provide input in its future? Willamette River Symposium Dec. 2-3 @ OSU. Sessions will touch upon several water-related topics, including the connection between land and water, urban and rural water challenges and opportunities, and the importance of water for people and biota. Check out this at-a-glance program overview for more information. Registration is currently open on the Conference Website . Cost $150 but it includes lunch. The Nov. 17 State water report : According to the US Drought Monitor, over 31% of Oregon is experiencing moderate drought (D1), just over 6% is experiencing severe drought (D2), and just under 1% is in extreme drought (D3). Over the last two weeks, D2, D3, and abnormally dry (D0) conditions have been reduced across the state. Snow water equivalent (SWE) in basins across the state is currently measuring well below the historical median (min = 9%; max = 32%). The near-term climate outlook indicates probabilities leaning towards below normal temperatures statewide. The outlook also indicates probabilities leaning towards above normal precipitation for most of the state with western Oregon receiving near normal precipitation. Look for a new version of SB 1153 to return in 2026 or 2027. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, had months of work group sessions among the various interests, but, in the end, the bill did not pass. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has declared a drought in eight counties ( map ) . Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms ( HABs) . “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. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. WEATHER A Nov. 28 OregonLive article provided the latest maps on Oregon’s winter weather. In a USA Today article published in the Oct.12 Salem Statesman Journal: “ La Niña has officially arrived, federal forecasters from the Climate Prediction Center announced Oct. 9. La Niña conditions emerged in September 2025, as indicated by the expansion of below-average sea-surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean,” the prediction center said in a statement. A typical La Niña winter in the United States brings cold and snow to the Northwest and unusually dry conditions to most of the southern states, according to the Climate Prediction Center.” In a KGW article : La Niña and 'The Blob' could boost Oregon winter storms "The Blob," a marine heat wave, and La Niña may affect Oregon's winter weather and snow, though long-range climate forecasting is tricky. I think the Northwest will have a stormy winter with above-average mountain snowpack, and a good chance of valley snow. Long-range climate forecasting is tricky stuff, but I can't outweigh the Godzilla-like force of La Niña with a blob of warm water oozing around my feet. ( Author: Matt Zaffino, KGW Weatherman) WETLANDS Peggy Lynch One of the most significant changes in federal rules being considered yet again relates to Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). On Nov. 18 th , the EPA announced new proposed rules for implementing the Waters of the U.S., reducing 55 million acres of currently assumed wetlands—that protect drinking water and provide flood protection as well as giving a home to a variety of flora and fauna. Key proposed revisions include: Defining key terms like “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface connection,” and “tributary” to appropriately delineate the scope of WOTUS consistent with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent; Establishing that jurisdictional tributaries must connect to traditional navigable waters either directly or through other features that provide predictable and consistent flow; Reaffirming that wetlands must be indistinguishable from jurisdictional waters through a continuous surface connection, which means that they must touch a jurisdictional water and hold surface water for a requisite duration year after year; Strengthening state and tribal decision-making authority by providing clear regulatory guidelines while recognizing their expertise in local land and water resources; Preserving and clarifying exclusions for certain ditches, prior converted cropland, and waste treatment systems; Adding a new exclusion for groundwater; and Incorporating locally familiar terminology, such as "wet season," to help determine whether a water body qualifies as WOTUS; In addition, the limitation to wetlands that have surface water at least during the wet season and abut a jurisdictional water will further limit the scope of permafrost wetlands that are considered to have a continuous surface connection under the proposed rule. These proposed changes are intended to provide clarity and consistency to the continuous surface connection definition. LCDC on Oct. 24: Approved Rulemaking to clarify and allow housing and other needed development outside of wetlands. The rulemaking would create an optional, alternative compliance pathway for wetlands resources when a city is preparing to annex lands from the urban growth boundary (UGB) to accommodate needed housing and economic development. As a result of the 2025 legislative session, the Dept. of State Lands received additional staffing as did the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development. The League supported these budget allocations. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers The League observed a marked decrease in coverage and discussion around wildfire-related issues at committee meetings during the recent 2025 Legislative Days’ committee meetings compared to 2024. This is likely the result of what many perceive to be a less devastating fire season after all indications had suggested the 2025 season would be very difficult. On Oct. 17, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry announced the end of fire season, reporting that statewide to date, regardless of jurisdiction, there had been 2,965 fires that have burned 338,740 acres. According to Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), “From a purely acres burned standpoint, it was significantly less bad than last year. From a community impact and primary residences lost standpoint, it’s actually significantly worse than last summer,” said Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). And humans caused most of this year’s fires.”(62%) Read more here in an article from the Oregon Capital Chronicle. Additionally, this Statesman Journal article also reports that while there were significantly less acreage burned (36% of the 10-year average), 64 homes and 141 other structures were lost to wildfires in Oregon during the 2025 season. It is notable that in spite of the fact that there were actually more fires in 2025 (118%) than 2024, ODF was able to keep 94% of the wildfires it responded to confined to 10 acres or less, a testament to a successful focus on “initial attack” and better coordination among agencies. Several issues dominated the discussion during November committee meetings. The House Interim Committee on Emergency Management and Veterans met November 17 and heard about those issues from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and ODF. Their complete report on the fire season may be found here . Among issues of concern were the very early start to the season, with the Rowena Fire taking off in early June. Close to 200 structures there were lost, including 56 residences. Travis Madema, the Chief Deputy Fire Marshal of the Department of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) referred to the fact that a wildfire so early in the season was able to take off and do so much damage was “very concerning” and confirms the trend toward longer and more difficult wildfire seasons. He also emphasized that this year’s season saw many more fires starting both farther west in the state, and many more near communities, which obviously means worse effects on populated areas. Finally, the increase in percent of human-caused fires, and trend toward more lightning-caused fires are also troubling trends. November 18 saw a meeting of the Senate Interim Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs that heard from OFSM and ODF. Following up on previous points about human- and lightning-caused fires, it was noted that there were 360 lightning-caused fires for a total of 4,796 acres burned, and 796 human-caused fires, with 19,992 acres burned. OSFM Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple relayed the concern that while early in her career, a normal season would involve 2 - 3 urban conflagrations (with local agencies calling in OSFM to assist communities with wildfires involving structures, currently it is trending close to 8 conflagrations per year. This article from Stateline highlights the dire state of homeowners’ insurance premiums in the state of California, and concerns about what that might mean for the future for Oregon in the face of increasing wildfire risks. The recommendations of the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council outlined in their 2025 Report to the Legislature includes approaches to take proactive measures to avoid the same fate. This report is worth a read for those interested in all things wildfire and what are seen as priorities for funding by the Legislature in future sessions. Finally, of note, as reported by Willamette Week , Pacificorp will pay $150 million to 1,434 people in settlements for losses in the 2020 Labor Day fires. What this will mean for customers’ utility rates, or the ability of Pacific Power to sustain operations in this environment remains to be seen. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.