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Childcare In Oregon LWVOR's recently published study, Childcare In Oregon, is meant to inform our advocacy at the state and local levels. At Convention 2021, LWV of Washington County proposed a restudy of LWVOR's 1985 Childcare Position . The current pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated childcare issues and inequities. The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on January 23rd, 2023. Child care concerns have changed dramatically since our 1988 - Childcare In Oregon publication. Our advocacy position has not changed. You can find a downloadable version of the restudy here. For more information, contact Kathleen Hersh .

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 1/23 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 Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance Reform Redistricting Election Methods Elections Rights of Incarcerated People Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Transparency Volunteers Needed Campaign Finance Reform There have been no new bills filed and no activity for CFR. Redistricting By Chris Cobey and Norman Turrill The People Not Politicians coalition, in which the LWV of Oregon is a leader, has now decided to circulate only IP 14 (only legislative redistricting) and to begin collecting petition signatures probably in February. Four bills related to redistricting have been filed in the Legislature, detailed in the last LR. Election Methods By Barbara Klein Another Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill ( HB 3107 ) is on tap. It is a committee bill sponsored by House Rules and filed at the request of Rep. Julie Fahey, also a sponsor of HB 2004 . It is at the Speaker’s desk, awaiting referral. The description says the bill would establish RCV as the voting method for selecting the winner both for the primary nomination and final election to nonpartisan state offices and county and city offices except where home rule charter applies. It also establishes RCV for primary and general elections for federal and state partisan offices. Important note : This includes state senators and representatives (Sections 2 - 2.d and 3.d). Other than that, it is quite similar to HB 2004 , which is currently in House Rules. Chief sponsors are Rep. Rayfield, Fahey, Reynolds, Marsh, and Sen. Sollman; and regular sponsors are Rep. Pham K, Sen. Dembrow, and Golden. Elections By Tom Messenger SB 499 moves the Presidential Primary to Super Tuesday and eliminates the precinct committee person (PCP) positions (internal political party positions) from the ballot. Status: The bill has been introduced, and Tom Messenger is working on getting a hearing for SB 499 in Senate Rules. This week the LWVOR Action Committee approved bill support. For the bill to have a chance at success, many voices have to be heard supporting the bill. If you would like to be one of those voices, please contact Tom Messenger ( tom_messenger@hotmail.com ) for more information to craft a support letter or make a supporting phone call. If the bill gets a hearing, you can testify in favor of the bill. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley SB 579 , which restores voting rights to incarcerated citizens, appears again this session at the behest of the Oregon Justice Resource Center. The League testified in support at a January 26 hearing in Senate Judiciary. We base our support on the League principle that voting is a fundamental right of citizenship. It is also a recognition that the disenfranchisement of incarcerated individuals is a relic of the Civil War era–a way to withhold power from black citizens. We believe it is time to correct this historic injustice and allow Oregon to join Maine, Vermont, Puerto, and Washington, D.C. in giving incarcerated citizens the right to vote. Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Transparency By Becky Gladstone Overall LWVOR advocacy is already intense with testimony and logo-sharing for numerous bills and collaborations. Read here for the confluence of Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, and Public Records across portfolios. We will watch for public hearings, working on testimony in advance. Data Privacy HB 2052 : We testified in support of an Oregon Data Broker Registry, a priority this session. SB 619 : This detailed consumer data bill, now in Senate Judiciary, addresses many issues we raised in our Privacy and Cybersecurity work , including consumer access to rectify personal data inaccuracies. Sen. Prozanski and Rep. Holvey are sponsors. Senate Judiciary now meets Monday-Thursday, sure to raise other relevant topics. Cybersecurity HB 2049 : This committee cyber omnibus calls for a Cybersecurity Advisory Council, is currently in the Joint Information Management and Technology (JCLIMT) committee. HB 2490 : Exempts cybersecurity plans, devices and systems, etc., from disclosure, in the House Emergency Management, General Governance, and Veterans, sponsors Reps. Nathanson and Neron. Campaign Finance Transparency These campaign finance transparency studies are single paragraph bills, may be placeholders: HB 2106 : From the SoS, in House Rules, to focus on contribution reporting. HB 3104 : From Speaker Fahey, in House Rules, requires the SoS to study how to improve this reporting. SB 170 From the SoS, how to improve the campaign finance system. 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 to connect with us.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of December 1 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop 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.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 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: Access Campaign Finance Redistricting Other Governance Bills Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt Access By Paula Krane Since this was a short session things seemed to move quickly. In the beginning there seemed to be adequate notice on hearings and bills to be heard, changing as the session progressed. This was a more civil session. Members worked together, the public was involved with the process and welcomed to participate. League members had access to their Legislators as well as other Legislators. Because of Covid and the building being closed for updates, virtual access has been expanded; it has become very easy to observe and be part of the Legislative process remotely. There were very few access concerns this session: some members had problems with the pertaining clauses not telling them what the subject of the bill was (misinformation). In the past we put a lot of time and effort into making sure we all have access to the legislative political process and we continue to benefit from those efforts. Campaign Finance An amazingly historic thing happened with campaign finance reform as explained here in the Capital Chronicle. The League initially opposed HB 4024 ; see the League’s written testimony . After over a week of private negotiations, a new -5 amendment and then an -8 amendment were posted for the Wednesday 3/6 House Rules work session . The good government groups were able to negotiate some 20 major changes to the proposed bill, enough to make the bill acceptable and to avoid a huge ballot measure fight at the November election. The bill has something to please and displease everyone, reflected in the final floor discourse and votes. The bill represents decades of grassroots work. The agreement included IP 9 (Honest Elections, including a LWVOR chief petitioner) and IP 42 (unions) being withdrawn and HB 4024 not being referred to the ballot. The bill quickly passed the House floor, a Senate Rules hearing and work session, and the Senate floor on the last day of the session after a suspension of Senate rules. Gov. Kotek signed the bill March 20. We should be clear: Campaign finance reform is not finished in Oregon. The next E-board will be asked to allocate funding for the Secretary of State to draft administrative rules for the bill’s 2027 effective date. There will undoubtedly be adjustments attempted in the 2025 long legislative session. Rep. Fahey is forming a work group to consider changes. The contributions limits in HB 2024 are way too high, and the disclosure of donors and dark money that pay for advertising, needs more work. And we still need public funding of campaigns as in other states. Redistricting People Not Politicians announced that it is pausing the initiative signature campaign for IP 14 and will refile an initiative for the 2028 general election. The campaign did not have enough money to be successful by the July 5 deadline. However, the Oregon Court of Appeals decided March 27 in favor of PNP that IP 14 does not include two subjects; this will be important for future versions of the initiative; the case may yet be appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court. Other Governance Bills HB 4026 Enrolled, was passed to retroactively prohibit the use of a referendum on any urban growth boundary expansion. This was intended to block a referendum in the City of North Plains in Washington County. The LWVOR submitted written testimony opposing the bill and saying it is likely unconstitutional and may invite a lawsuit. However, a Washington County judge granted a temporary restraining order that allows the North Plains referendum, Measure 34-327, to remain on the ballot this May. Whether the referendum is defeated or not, then the whole matter will end up the courts again. HB 4031 Enrolled was amended in House Revenue to protect any local government tax payer information from disclosure. HB 4117 Enrolled, which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which is a correction to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed both legislative chambers immediately and unanimously. SB 1502 Enrolled requires public schools and college boards to live stream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. SB 1538 Enrolled is an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes. SB 1577 A , automatic voter registration for higher ed students through the Dept of Revenue, was amended to require the Legislative Policy and Research Director to study its viability, benefits and challenges. It was still in Joint W&Ms as the session ended. Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt SB 1571 Enrolled The Senate concurred with House amendments passing the bill on partisan lines. We look forward to pressing for attention to protect our elections and for other cybersecurity and privacy concerns. SB 1533 Enrolled increases the number of languages into which the secretary must translate voters' pamphlets. The Senate Memorial Commemoration for Alice Bartelt, SCR 203 Enrolled , passed unanimously in both houses and has been filed with the Secretary of State. RIP, Alice.

HAI NGUYEN (he/him) HAI NGUYEN (he/him) Youth Events Co-Chair We warmly welcome Hai Nguyen, currently a student at Clackamas High School with plans to continue in Global Studies or Political Science at University of Oregon and ultimately Law School. Hai is involved mainly in Speech and Debate (Policy Debate) and different youth advocacy groups such as Oregon School-Based Health Alliance and Communicare. Hai feels a definite stake in the rights and participation of Asian-Americans and serves on the Youth Council and Voting teams to increase polical participation of the minorities communities across our state and work with local Leagues to encourage youth civic engagement. Email him at youtheventschair@lwvor.org or message Youth Council Instagram at @lwvoryouthcouncil youtheventschair@lwvor.org

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop 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 Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. (OPRD) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Recycling Regional Solutions State Land Board Transportation Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire Intro It’s time! Information on the 2026 session is live ! Bills are posted and committee agendas are beginning to be posted. We encourage you to e-Subscribe to the bills you want to follow and the committees of interest. That means you will receive email notices of the bills you select and the committees you choose to follow. In a short session, it’s critical to know when the issues about which you want to follow are going to be heard/acted upon. Below you will find bills that our volunteers found of interest. You will need to look on OLIS to find the Committee to which the bills have been assigned—to be assigned on opening day Feb. 2. We will review all bills for a linkage to League positions to determine if we will provide testimony for or against. Of course, we also await the Feb. 4 th Revenue Forecast. The Full Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing from 5-8p on Feb. 3 rd . Individual League members are encouraged to participate, but remember that only our League President can speak on behalf of the League. See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report and sections of other Legislative Reports. AGRICULTURE By Sandra U. Bishop HB 4130 : Relating to farm use. As introduced, this bill relates to prepared farm products. This measure would seem to allow a greatly expanded variety of products to be produced and sold on farmland under the guise of clarifying the meaning of preparing farm products and by-products. Proposed changes would tie preparation of farm products or by-products to a newly defined farm unit (all parcels used for farming whether owned or leased) and to where a majority of the preparation occurs. Preparing products or by-products is defined as “… means but is not limited to cleaning, treating, cutting, sorting and packaging.” There is also a proposed language change regarding biofuel processing that would seem to open farmland for increased biofuel production. The League has concerns linked to our positions on the importance of agricultural lands for agriculture. HB 4153 : Relating to farm stores. This bill as introduced would eliminate farm stands and allow up to 10,000 square foot farm stores in permanent buildings selling products created in an enlarged region including areas of adjacent states. This would include undefined retail items allowed to take up to 25% of store space, and beverages and processed food for immediate consumption. Proposed definitions of agri-tourism range from specific allowables such as crop mazes and play structures to vague descriptors such as “… other seasonal or holiday events.” The language would seem to grant permission for any type of event. As written the proposed changes would put a burden on counties to determine any additional standards for siting farm stores. The permissive language “…may adopt sitting standards for farm stores…” is likely to leadto insufficient regulation or public accountability especially in counties that are severely underfunded and cannot afford to spend excessive staff time determining standards in individual cases of proposed farm store developments. The League has concerns linked to our positions on the importance of agricultural lands for agriculture. Public Hearing Feb. 4. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) accepted public comments on proposed rules for the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area ( LUBGWMA) . In an article by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, it was noted: In comments shared with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Board of Agriculture shortly before the new year, farm groups opposed to the rules told regulators they go too far, while others contended they don’t go far enough. The Oregon Health Authority since 2024 found that at least 634 domestic drinking water wells in the area contain unsafe levels of nitrate, some with nearly 10 times the federal limit for safe drinking water, and more than 420 show elevated levels that could lead to long-term health problems. Update: Here’s the 2025 Annual Report on the LUBGWMA. The plan outlines the state’s key strategies to reduce groundwater nitrate concentrations to less than 7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in the area and protect public health in the immediate term. The report shares progress but also notes that it will take decades to reverse the damage done to the area’s groundwater supplies. BUDGETS/REVENUE Peggy Lynch As we await the Feb. 4 th Revenue Forecast, agencies were directed to reduce their spending as well as providing a list of potential cuts 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. Here are the meeting materials submitted to LFO by the 14 natural resource agencies. League members have been meeting with legislators to advocate for important programs. We can support vacancy savings (not hiring for some authorized staffing or delaying hiring), but we want to maintain the position authority for this biennium. We also recognize that losing trained staff is costly in the long term since many staff need 6-12 months to be fully trained, especially for processing permits. Working in the natural resource world which is less than 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 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 SB 1525 will establish the Blue Economy Task Force to study and report on Oregon’s blue economy sectors, existing economic development plans and strategies, and opportunities to support the growth of sustainable blue economy businesses while maintaining the health of Oregon’s coastal ecosystems. The measure also authorizes the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create and maintain a nonprofit organization. HB 4097 : Authorizes the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create and maintain a nonprofit organization. LWVOR can support this bill. Public Hearing is Feb. 2 nd . Work Session set for Feb. 4. Public Access Rulemaking has begun to clarify how local governments will address protection of public access to Oregon beaches. @ dlcd.oregon.gov with questions. More information is available at OregonOcean.Info/RockyHabitats . DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) The federal government approves Grassy Mt. Gold Mine according to OPB. The Grassy Mountain gold mine still needs multiple state permits before moving ahead. It would occupy nearly 470 acres of public land for the next decade, and then the site would undergo a four-year restoration period and 20 years of monitoring. If this project is approved, the City of Vale will see a temporary transformation as they seek housing and other services for workers. The latest on the Grassy Mt. Gold Mine Project per the Dept. of Environmental Quality’s Director's Report : Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project: DEQ prepared four draft permits for the Grassy Mountain project, a proposed gold mine located in Malheur County approximately 22 miles south-southwest of Vale. Mining will be sub-surface, and gold will be extracted from the ore using a cyanide extraction process. DEQ permits regulate potential releases of contaminants to air, land, and water. DEQ has been working closely with the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and other state agencies to develop draft permits, following a consolidated permitting process that is unique to chemical process mining. DEQ is currently working with DOGAMI on draft permit conditions related to the protection of groundwater resources and solid waste management in response to preliminary comments from the applicant. DOGAMI is accepting public comments through February 6, 2026, as outlined in the public notice , including related documents. The League has followed this project—the first chemical processing gold mine proposed for Oregon. A new streamlined permitting process has been used for this application. OPB provided an article . OPB also covered exploration of a lithium mine in Southeast Oregon. Here’s an article about the effects on sage grouse of these mining operations. DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC) Sandra U. Bishop The League has a standing seat on DWAC. Interactive GIS 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 DEQ’s Drinking Water Protection group and may be accessed via the DWS website . FORESTRY (ODF) Josie Koehne “Governor Kotek’s second executive order ( EO 25-26 ) directs state agencies to coordinate and integrate climate-resilient strategies into existing state programs that work with the state’s natural and working lands,and waters. Those lands include state-owned forests, grasslands, rangelands, farmlands, wetlands and urban parts, and open outdoor spaces.” See the OEC Nov 25 2025 article : “What Governor Kotek’s Executive Order Rollout Means for Oregon”. The executive order did not provide funding however, which will be exceptionally limited this session due to Oregon’s revenue shortfall resulting from the federal HR 1 with major funding cuts, and caused by Oregon’s rolling connection to federal tax law. The new State Forester, recently appointed by the Governor, is Kacey KC from Nevada , who will begin in her new position on March 1st. More info from a s tory in Oregonlive. The following is a list of bills we will be watching and possibly commenting on: HB 4004 : Provides that additional taxes otherwise imposed upon disqualification of land from certain forestland special assessment programs may not be collected if the disqualification is due to the suspension of reforestation requirements as a result of insects or disease. HB 4105 : Directs the State Forester to determine the available state forestland, establish sustainable harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and manage available state forestland. Allows certain persons to seek a court order if the State Forester fails to establish sustainable harvest levels or manage available state forestland. LWVOR opposed a version of this bill in 2025 and will do so in 2026. HB 4056 : Appropriates moneys to the State Forestry Department to offset landowners’ costs of fire protection provided by the department. For the biennium ending June 30, 2027, out of the General Fund, the amount of $9,000,000, for the purpose of offsetting potential increases in landowner forest patrol assessments. SB 1590 : Prohibits public bodies from assisting the federal government with privatization of certain federally owned lands. GOVERNANCE By Peggy Lynch The Natural Resources Team often follows bills related to permitting processes. Among the bills we are following: HB 4019 : Requires certain agencies to base approval or denial of an application for a new permit on the rules and standards that are applicable at the time that the agency determines the application is complete. HB 4020 : Requires certain agencies to specify the authority justifying the denial of a permit application and provide the applicant a guide on how to contest the denial. HB 4084 : Establishes the Joint Permitting Council. (Governor’s bill) SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. LAND USE & HOUSING Peggy Lynch Bills we are watching: t HB 4113 : Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development to study housing development opportunities conditioned upon land conservation. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to land use no later than September 15, 2027. HB 4035 : Expands eligibility for cities and Metro to amend their urban growth boundaries under temporary program. Authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to issue grants to implement the commission’s duties. HB 4082 : Adds to a temporary UGB addition program an option for each city or Metro to also add to its urban growth boundary a site for manufactured dwelling parks, or for housing for older persons, that is affordable for households with incomes not more than 120 percent of area median income. Public Hearing Feb. 3. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Revenue Legislative Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. The 2025-27 Policy Agenda was approved by LCDC on Oct. 24. There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone, including: Housing Rulemaking for HB 2138 and HB 2258 (2025) and 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. See their Rulemaking page for more info on all the rules work being done by this agency. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) Melanie Moon HB 4134 is a bipartisan bill that would increase the state tax from 1.5% to 2.75% for transient visitors to Oregon including camping, hotels and vacation rentals. This 1.25% increase has the potential to raise tens of millions of dollars urgently needed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect hundreds of imperiled species and the habitat that supports them. As an added benefit, this investment in wildlife and habitat would help protect clean drinking water and provide protection from drought and wildfires. LWVOR signed on to a letter in support . High Country News provides an article on this bill. Hearing Feb. 4. OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD) Peggy Lynch The League is working with others to address the fiscal crisis at OPRD. Oregonlive provides an article on ways they are nibbling around the edges. But OPRD is responsible not only for our wonderful state parks, but also historical sites. Many need infrastructure repairs. There is a conversation around getting some amount of bonding to help with this maintenance, but also setting up a Task Force to study new long term operational funding options. The League studied Oregon Parks in 1998: Oregon State Parks, Part 1 (PDF, 7 pgs) Oregon State Parks, Part 2 (PDF, 9 pgs) . OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) The Oregon Environmental Restoration Council (OERC) held a virtual meeting on January 22. The agenda and meeting materials are available on OERC’s website. The Interim Ways and Means Committee approved an Other Funds expenditure limitation increase of $35 million to be included in the 2026 budget reconciliation bill. RECYCLING HB 4144 : Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries. Public Hearing Feb. 2. 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: South Central (Klamath and Lake Counties) February 17th from 9:00am-11:00am Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) March 12th from 1:30-3:30pm Southern (Jackson and Josephine Counties) March 25th from 12:00-2:00pm South Valley/Mid-Coast (Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties) March 26th from 1:00-3:00pm STATE LAND BOARD Peggy Lynch The State Land Board will meet Feb. 10. The agenda and meeting materials will be available soon. The League follows these meetings since the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer comprise the Board membership. TRANSPORTATION (ODOT) Update Jan. 21: Referral vote on funding parts of HB 3991 (2025) may be held May 19 instead of November per this press release from Legislative Leadership. But a bill needs to be passed and signed by the Governor by Feb. 25 per the Oregon Secretary of State’s office per the Salem Reporter . See details in the January 26 Legislative Report. One critic’s funding answer . The Statesman Journal reported : The Oregon Department of Transportation faces a budget gap of $242 million for the 2025-2027 budget cycle, ODOT leaders told staff Dec. 23. "It’s a smaller gap, and while that’s good news, it’s still big enough to require service level cuts and future layoffs if we have to manage this on our own with existing revenue and within existing spending restrictions," ODOT director Kris Strickler and incoming interim director Lisa Sumption wrote in an email to staff . A press release from ODOT on Jan. 14 reports: Impacts of Funding Gap Isn’t Addressed. In the upcoming short session, legislators will be looking at a $297 million funding target to support ODOT’s operations beyond June 30, 2027. Without new resources for the current budget cycle, the agency estimates it would need to reduce its workforce by more than 1,000 positions, including eliminating570 vacant positions and laying off approximately 470 current employees. The House Transportation Committee shared their Committee LCs and the Senate Transportation Committee did the same for the 2026 session. KATU reminded Oregonians of the need for road maintenance. WATER Peggy Lynch Bills of concern: HB 4006 : Authorizes holders of certain Columbia River water rights to change the point of diversion or use the water right on land to which the right is not appurtenant, provided certain conditions are met. HB 4049 : Directs the Water Resources Commission to encourage and approve voluntary agreements between ground water users in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern to achieve reasonably stable ground water levels 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 Snow pack on Mt. Hood per this Jan. 22 nd Oregonlive article : As of Wednesday, the snow water equivalent at Mount Hood stood at 10 inches, which represents the third-lowest total for this point in a water year since 1980. Here is a statewide map as of Jan. 25 th from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. KOIN provides concerns about next week’s rain in this Jan. 27 th article. WETLANDS Peggy Lynch SB 1584 : Directs the Department of State Lands, in consultation with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, to develop a salmon credit pilot program to encourage the voluntary restoration of salmonid habitat in the Coquille and Coos watershed basins. Establishes the Salmon Credit Trust Fund. Directs the Department of State Lands and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to consult with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to seek federal approval for a bank instrument and authorization of activities that occur in navigable waters of the United States. Becomes operative on the date that the federal authorization and bank instrument are approved. Provides that the Department of State Lands may not approve a salmon credit project on or after January 1 of the sixth year following federal approval. The League has opposed similar bills in the past, including SB 511 (2025). We will again oppose. Public Hearing Feb. 3. The League was pleased to learn that LWVUS provided comments on the proposed changes to the Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) rules “Waters of the United States.” LWVUS believes that the changes would significantly impair water quality protections around the country and filed a comment letter . We shared these comments with the Oregon state agency directors who provided comments to the EPA and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers on the proposed changes to the Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) rules. They were appreciative. WILDFIRE Carolyn Mayers Bills we are watching: SB 1540 : Requires an insurer that uses a catastrophe model or wildfire risk model to provide the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services a description of each model, along with related information, and an explanation of how the insurer uses the model in underwriting decisions. Specifies elements that an insurer must include in each model and requires the insurer to give a premium discount or adjustment, or other incentive, to a policy holder that demonstrates having undertaken a property-specific mitigation action or that a community-level mitigation action occurred in proximity to the policy holder’s property. SB 1551 : Invalidates deed restrictions and planned community governing documents prohibiting the removal of non-fire-hardened building materials or installation of fire-hardened building materials on residential properties. Public Hearing Feb. 3. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop 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 Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. of Geology And Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Dept. Of State Lands (DSL) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Services Forestry (ODF) Land Use & Housing Natural Resources Pesticides Water Wetlands Wildfire Air Quality Bills we are watching: SB 726 Requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR to support. HB 3244 : Replaces the requirement that an owner or operator of a municipal solid waste incinerator conduct continuous monitoring or sampling of specified air contaminants with a requirement that the monitoring or sampling be conducted annually. LWVOR would oppose. The bill relates to the Reworld facility out of Keiser and League members have testified of their concerns in past years. Agriculture By Sandra Bishop Chair Jeff Golden announced four specific Senate bills that will be considered by the committee: SB 78 – Replacement dwelling bill; SB 77 – home occupation reform bill; SB 73 – Spot zoning reform; and SB 79 – prohibits certain dwellings on resource lands. LWVOR will watch and may support with our strong positions on protection of Oregon’s valuable agricultural lands. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 DEQ: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet Public hearing tentative set for mid-March Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 info hearing 2/10, Meeting Materials , public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 info hearing 2/10, public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: HB 5010 Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials LWVOR testimony Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases. LWVOR points out that KPM #4 , mine inspections has consistently NOT met the small 20% target so, if staffing is needed to meet that target AND fees increased to pay for them, we will continue to support. Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 Public hearing tentative set for March 8 Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Tentative public hearing Feb. 23-24 Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 Office of the Governor: SB 5523 Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20. Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium Emergency Board: HB 5006 General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of Deadline for federal budget to be passed again; expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) The next Revenue Forecast will be Feb. 26th. The legislature will use that forecast to do a final rebalance of the 2023-25 budget. Then the May 14th forecast will be the basis for the legislature to determine the 2025-27 state budget. Oregon receives substantial funding from the federal government, so the legislature is watching closely as the March 14th deadline for a federal budget to be passed again looms. Congress also needs to address raising the federal debt limit to authorize paying for bills we’ve already incurred. The federal budget is annual and runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30. Currently there is only a federal budget until end of day March 14. 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 A bill League is following is SB 504. League members might want to read the testimony related to shoreline stabilization. We are awaiting bill numbers for kelp and eel grass conservation and protection of Rocky Habitat—both bills the League will support. We asked for funding for a staffer in the Dept. of Land Development and Conservation budget to continue to address rocky habitat, an element of the Territorial Sea Plan which the League has supported. See the announcement on Offshore Wind Energy Roundtable Feb. 20-21 in Lincoln City or you can watch on zoom. Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League supports SB 830 , a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member is serving on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. There are two additional meetings set for Feb. 13 and 26. You are welcome to Sign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League will again serve on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. Dept. of Geology And Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) By Joan Fryxell The League provided testimony on the DOGAMI budget, including support for the Geologic Carbon Sequestration Pilot. On Jan. 28th, the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment received a presentation on the proposed pilot project on Geologic Carbon Sequestration Potential in Oregon. Follow up materials were provided. Governance Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we often comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We will provide testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and cumbersome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. See the Governance Section of the Legislative Report for further information. Dept. Of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The Director of DSL published a proposed increase in permit fees for Removal/Fill program: “Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law helps protect wetlands and waters by requiring permits to remove or add materials in wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes, and other waters of the state.” A League member served on the rulemaking advisory committee . “The statutory Common School Fund heavily subsidizes Oregon’s removal-fill permitting process .” “Visit the DSL website to see a draft of the proposed rules and program fees, all related materials from the rulemaking process, and the online comment form: www.oregon.gov/dsl/Pages/rulemaking.aspx . The comment deadline is February 17th at 5:00 p.m.” The next State Land Board meeting is Feb. 11. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) You can read the latest about the Elliott State Research Forest in their latest press release. Included is that the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is seeking comments on administrative rules for the Elliott State Research Forest. The comment period is open from February 3 - March 5, 2025 (closes at 5 p.m. Pacific). The ESRF Board met Feb. 5th. Here is the agenda, meeting materials and a zoom link. Emergency Services By Rebecca Gladstone HB 2581 : The League spoke and filed testimony in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. A work session was held on Feb 6 in H Comm On Emergency Mngmt, Gen Gov, and Veterans where the bill passed unanimously. Forestry (ODF) By Josie Koehne The League provided comments on HB 2072 , the biennial forest products harvest tax bill with concerns that the bill raises no revenue for counties where the timber is harvested and provides limited revenue needed to pay for the Dept. of Forestry costs. The League has continued to support alternative taxation such as a severance tax that would provide additional revenue. SB 404 directs the State Board of Forestry to convey certain state forest lands to a county that determines that the county would secure the greatest permanent value of the lands to the county and requests conveyance. LWVOR will oppose. See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch On Feb. 10th in the House Committee on Housing there are a number of bills the League will oppose: HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. These lands are currently a variety of state-owned lands scattered around the state. HB 2400 Allows the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site an additional dwelling on the property for occupancy by a relative of the owner. HB 2422 Requires that lands zoned to allow density of one or fewer dwellings per acre to be considered a rural use. The bills allow housing outside of cities and some could violate Goals 3 and 4 of our land use system. We are pleased to learn that Business Oregon’s Infrastructure Bill will be filed soon (HB 3031) with an amendment to clarity the criteria to be used to access the proposed $100 million fund. The amendment to the bill will be filed shortly. Other bills we are following: HB 3013 : Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. LWVOR supports with -1 amendment. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. LWVOR may support. HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands. LWVOR may have comments. Some provisions we support; others not so much. We expect a -1 and then a -2 amendment. Will wait to read them before making a decision on the bill. HB 3145 : Allows the Housing and Community Services Department to use Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program Fund moneys for factory-built housing. LWVOR should support. Not sure if in our Housing portfolio or Land Use. HB 2347 : Authorizes the Department of Land Conservation and Development to provide planning assistance for housing production to federally recognized Indian tribes and makes other technical changes to laws relating to land use planning. A -1 amendment will be considered at a public hearing on Feb. 5th in House Housing. HB 2950 A bill to update Goal One and Public Participation is being sponsored by Oregon’s American Planning Association. The League is interested in the bill, but has some concerns. We understand there will be an amendment proffered. SB 462 : Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to establish an education course for land use planners for local governments, special districts and state agencies. LWVOR supports educational efforts but there are other training opportunities so this proposal might be redundant. SB 525 : Amends expedited land division criteria and processes. LWVOR has concerns. May need to oppose. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Natural Resources HB 3173 – Establishing OregonFlora in Statute had a public hearing on Feb. 5th. OregonFlora provides comprehensive information about ~4,700 vascular plants in Oregon to the public; state and federal agencies; educational institutions; businesses; consumers; and scientists, providing significant economic, social, and educational benefits. HB 3173 info sheet . The bill has widespread support statewide and the League hopes to see this program that supports many natural resource areas funded this session. Pesticides HB 2679 directs the State Department of Agriculture to classify certain pesticides containing neonicotinoids as restricted-use. The League has supported a similar bill in past sessions. Water By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony on HB 2168 at the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee. The bill requests $5 million for the on-site septic loan program, another $5 million for the Well Water Repair and Replacement Fund and monies to help the Oregon State Extension Service reach out to potential recipients. The bill was unanimously sent to Ways and Means on Feb. 3rd. Water bills we are following: HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. HB 3108 : Requires the Water Resources Department to implement additional rules and requirements for the review of limited license applications for an aquifer storage and recovery permit HB 2803 : Increases certain fees related to water. LWVOR will support. Expect amendments. Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. Oregon Water Data Portal debuted Jan. 31s t. A multi-agency effort to release a beta version of the pilot portal for the Oregon Water Data Portal project debuted on January 31. The pilot portal is accessible at https://www.oregonwaterdata.org/ . Users can provide feedback about the beta version of the pilot portal by completing a survey or emailing OWDP@deq.oregon.gov . The objective of a water data portal is to bring together Oregon’s water data and information into a single point of access so that water decision makers and others can find the data, and to improve data access and integration for better water-related decision-making. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” 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. Wetlands The League testified in opposition to SB 511 , a perennial salmon tax credit bill filed by Sen. David Brock Smith that would create a new program to allow private property owners get a tax credit for salmon habitat on their property if allowed to be used by a developer to destroy wetlands in another area of Coos and Curry County. This session’s version of the bill narrows the use of the credit from statewide to the two coastal counties. But the concept is complicated and this area of the coast is critical salmon habitat. A bill of concern to the League related to our removal/fill program has been filed: SB 400 . As proposed, the League will oppose. Another wetlands-related bill we will be watching: HB 2054 . Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers Following up on the League’s coverage of the homeowners insurance issues facing Oregon due to increased natural disaster claims last week, here is a brief Oregon Public Broadcasting article from February 6, which offers further perspective on the issue. The cost of homeowners insurance is a real and growing problem which affects the entire market, and one which will continue to deteriorate, at least in the short term. While Oregon is not immune to these effects, it is important to note that the situation is much worse elsewhere, especially in California, Florida and Texas where natural disaster claims are the highest. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire met on February 4 and heard Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple give brief overviews of 4 bills relating to various items relating to finances and other housekeeping tasks the agency hopes to undertake. Descriptions of the bills, SB 860, SB, 861, SB 862 and SB 863 may be found here . The League notes that SB 863 specifically authorizes OSFM to recover costs from a person who starts a fire. It would further authorize the Attorney General to assist in investigating liability, issue subpoenas and prosecute cases to recover costs, and gives OSFM broad authority to undertake actions to collect any monies due to the actual costs of such wildfires. These judgements and settlements would, be permitted to be added to the State Fire Marshal Mobilization Fund, with the passage of SB 861. Also on February 4, the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans held an informational meeting which featured Brigadier General Alan R. Gronewald, the Adjutant General for the Oregon National guard. He gave a report which included details of support provided by the National Guard during the 2024 wildfire season, and how 270 Guard members were deployed to support wild land firefighting operations. That was followed by a Public Hearing on HB 3150 , another version of a handful of bills this session which aim to establish a $1,000 income tax credit for volunteer firefighters. Finally, OSFM recently released their Biannual Report which reports on programs the agency has successfully implemented, and recaps some of the positive outcomes of investments in equipment and community wildfire mitigation programs. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Learn more about the Oregon Student Mock Election and Youth Council programs. / Youth / Youth Civics Civics Education Program Oregon Student Mock Election Our classroom ready materials help students gain the knowledge they need to participate in our democracy. Read More Youth Engagement and Activities Youth Council Build power for yourself and your community on the LWVOR Youth Council. Read More Girl Scouts Collaboration Voter Girl Local Leagues can build relationships with Girl Scout troops to earn Citizen and Democracy badges. Read More

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 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: Governance Campaign Finance (CFR) Oregon Open Primary Act Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. Senate Rules met Dec. 10 to consider various executive appointments and introduced three placeholder bills. House Rules met Dec. 12 to hear testimony about election integrity and to hear an update from the Legislative Oversight, Effectiveness, and Accountability Workgroup . They then introduced a bill to establish a Legislative Audit Officer (LAO) within the legislative branch. Campaign Finance (CFR) A CFR workgroup called by Rep. Fahey that began in June is still working to identify technical adjustments needed to ensure successful implementation of HB 4024 (2024) , to recommend legislative fixes for 2025, and to consider broader policy improvements for future sessions. The workgroup includes representatives from the legislature, business, labor and Honest Elections that negotiated on HB 4024. Since such a technical fix bill would likely be introduced by the House Rules committee, it could happen at any time during the coming legislative session. Oregon Open Primary Act By Barbara Klein Working with the same coalition we signed on with last year, LWVOR has helped OERC (Oregon Election Reform Coalition) produce the Oregon Open Primary Act LC #1109 . This proposal is for “open” primaries (one ballot for all voters), but the section adopting ranked choice voting for general elections was removed. Rep. Gamba (D/I/WFP) and Sen. Aaron Woods (Veterans Caucus, (D/WFP)) have agreed to introduce the bill, being joined by Co-Chief Sponsors Rep. Lively (D/I/WFP), Rep. Paul Evans (D/I/WFP) and Rep. Susan McLain (D/I/WFP). At this point, there are no Republican sponsors, although we have reached out to several. We look forward to a multi-partisan effort. One Republican, Rep. Wallan from southern Oregon, is interested in parties opening their own primaries to non-affiliated voters (NAVs), but not primaries using one ballot.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 3/9 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch The short session is over. The Governor still has to decide if she’s signing the legislation. And the work is not done. There was not enough revenue to fund the 2025-27 budget without cuts and new legislation as shared below. The Feb. 4 Revenue Forecast guided the spending for the 2026 legislative session. Carl Ricidonna, Oregon’s State Economist, provided his report, along with Michael Kennedy, Senior Economist. See pages 17 and 20 for the important numbers. And the Legislative Revenue Office’s Forecast Summary . LWVOR participated with several other volunteer and non-profit organizations in the unofficial Oregon Revenue Coalition that worked together to find ways to preserve Oregon revenue in the light of lost federal income from Congress’s passage of H.R.1 which would cut major sources of funding for Medicaid, SNAP and many other services. ( Signed on to letter in January.) We focused on a bill to limit the damage caused by Oregon’s rolling connection to federal income tax law, since legislation to disconnect from the federal law failed in the 2025 long session. This session SB 1507 A passed (Senate (17-13) on Feb. 16 and House (34/21/4/1) on Feb. 25 ) that disconnected from certain sections of the federal code that the Legislative Revenue Office (LRO) reported would save Oregon $311.6 million in revenue this biennium and $313.9 million in the 2027-29 biennium, while providing increased funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at a cost of $26.2 and $52.7 million per biennium respectively. The League has long supported an increase in the EITC. Summaries of the 44-page bill and its amendments can be found here . LWVOR testimony in support. At least one legislator is considering collecting signatures to place portions of the bill on the ballot per this Oregonlive article. Of concern is that the referral process allows petitioners to select parts of the bill. In this case, they could leave off the increase in the EITC while only asking voters to stop the disconnect—which, in part, is expected to pay for that EITC increase. HB 5204 is the final bill that balances the budget as required by state law. In the bill, the legislature made over $128 million in cuts , mostly in agency services and supplies and by not filling vacancies and shifting remaining funds around to fill in some gaps. This was fewer cuts than anticipated at the start of the session. But they also funded or rebalanced some agency programs and staff. The -2 amendment was adopted . See the 4 Analysis documents for the budget additions and reductions, Budget Notes and final LFO recommendation. Passed the House and Senate Mar. 6. Oregonlive article and the Oregon Capital Chronicle addressed the 2025-27 budget rebalance. The Oregonian did a final budget review . SB 1601 was the Program Change bill. The -3 amendment was adopted and includes rebalance of ODOT’s programs in Section 11-23 and clarifies the 1% of lottery monies for county fair upgrades and repairs. Passed the Senate and House Mar 6. SB 5701 amends the limits established during the 2025 legislative session for the maximum amount of bonds and other financing agreements that state agencies may issue. The proceeds from the issuance of bonds are included as revenues in agency budgets. The -2 amendment and the LFO Recommendation includes increases in general obligation and lottery revenue bonds authorized. Bond sales are not anticipated until the spring of 2027. Passed the Senate and House Mar. 6. SB 5702 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state for capital construction . Capital Construction 6-year limitation. -1 amendment LFO Recommendation Mar. 5 passed Senate. Mar. 6 passed House. SB 5703 : Modifies amounts allocated from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund, Veterans' Services Fund, Criminal Fine Account, Oregon Marijuana Account and Fund for Student Success. Mar. 5 passed Senate. Mar. 6 passed House. HB 5203 : Approves certain new or increased fees adopted by state agencies. The bill includes the Dept. of State Lands Wetlands processing fees set forth during rulemaking for which the League engaged. Fee Ratification. LFO Recommendation Mar. 6 Passed the House and Senate. SB 1510 : Updates the terminology used to describe certain income earned by multinational corporations to reflect a change in the term used in federal law a bill. This omnibus bill, with amendments, would provide an opportunity to explore additional tax policy for consideration in the 2027 session. It is easier to understand the many provisions of SB 1510 by reviewing the summary provided by the Legislative Revenue Office of the bill and its -4 amendments . Feb. 24: Passed the Senate (28/1/1). Passed the House Mar. 4. HB 4014 : Establishes the Task Force on Taxation of International Income with the amendments. -2 amendment replaced the “study” bill. Staff Measure Summary . Due to this complicated tax policy, parties agreed to use the interim to consider impacts on this federal tax policy on Oregon revenue. Passed the House floor (32/26/2). On to the Senate floor at adjournment. Business interests want to have this conversation behind closed doors rather than an open public Task Force. The bill died but the conversation will continue. SB 1511 : A bill modifying the estate tax that would have increased the $1 million exemption to the estate tax to $2.5 million failed this session. The tax rates would have been greatly increased for the highest valued estates but fewer estates would pay an estate tax. For the first biennium, the revenue would have been about the same as our current estate tax SB 1511 . The revenue staff provided this analysis on the A -3 amendment that was approved by the Senate) with no expected revenue loss for this biennium, but $35 million by 2029-31. The bill did not pass out of House Revenue by end of session, but may be back in the long session. Two bills focused on increasing tax incentives for economic development faced intense debate and scrutiny, and one , SB 1586 , was withdrawn on March 3 due to much public outcry about tax breaks for data centers and the expansion of the Metro’s Urban Growth Boundary into land zoned as rural agricultural land, in violation of the 2014 Grand Bargain. OPB provided an article on this contentious bill. LWVOR testimony in opposition to the bill and additional testimony opposing the -7 amendment . The bill remained in Senate Finance and Revenue at the end of session, but is likely back in some form in 2027. The other economic development bill, HB 4084 A introduced by Governor Kotek, would fast track the permitting process for certain new business development t o be completed within 120 days, by means of a specially appointed Joint Permitting Council to oversee the each permitting agency’s permitting process. This section of the bill aligns with a federal program: Permitting Council’s FAST-41 Assistance for States. In addition, in the bill as introduced, all local property taxes abatements for Enterprise Zones were to be extended. This bill was also controversial because of these extensions since it would allow data centers which are hotly contested throughout the US, and which are the primary recipients of these tax credits, to not pay local property taxes for many years. After several amendments, three were incorporated into the final bill. LWVOR comments . The final bill included these provisions as summarized by LRO: Removes the $40 million General Fund appropriation to OBDD for deposit into the Industrial Site Loan Fund. (However, HB 5204 included $10 million for the Regional Infrastructure Fund, $5 million to support horse racing events at county fairgrounds, $5 million cash and $10 million bonds into the Industrial Site Loan Fund, and $10 million in lottery bond funds. The bonding bill provided targeted investments in sewer and water projects statewide to help with increased housing development demands.) Modifies SB 1507 (2026) to limit the tax credit for job creation to certain specified qualified industries. To qualify for the tax credit, a taxpayer must receive an attestation-based certification from Business Oregon, who will develop the tax credit application process, establish job creation determination methodology, and further define the term “qualified industry” through rulemaking. Excludes any qualified property of an authorized business in an enterprise zone with an operating data center from entering into a written agreement with the enterprise zone sponsor to 1) extend the period during which the qualified property is exempt from taxation beyond the allowable three years; 2) agree to flexible hiring timelines; and 3) approve alternative performance criteria. Prohibits data center properties from authorization as an eligible business firm prior to 90 days after the adjournment of the 2027 legislative session. An amendment was added at the end that puts this one-year moratorium on all new data center development certifications by Business Oregon, starting three months after the close of session. This allows the Governor’s Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee time to consider the various impacts of data center development on Oregon, and to report back to the Legislature with their recommendations. It also limits the existing Standard Enterprise (for urban areas) tax break to three years, but allows all other currently operating data centers, including those in rural areas of the state, to continue to receive tax breaks through the extended time periods as outlined in the bill. Oregonlive provided a great analysis of the impact of data centers. Oregonlive update on data centers in this legislation. Oregon data center operators will save nearly a half-billion dollars in local property taxes this year through three different incentive programs. Kotek’s legislation, House Bill 4084 , would expand the fastest growing of those three programs. HB 4148 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. The -7 amendment adopted that changes the percentage to 50/50 and passed the House floor Feb. 25 (40/12/4/4). Mar. 5 Passed the Senate (23/6/1). SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposed an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges and wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. OPB covered a story about the bill . T he League has long supported kicker reform but we also note that, with our new state economist, another kicker is not expected in the near term. The bill did not get a Work Session. HB 4136 : Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, a mortgage interest deduction for a residence other than the taxpayer’s principal residence , unless the taxpayer sells the residence or actively markets the residence for sale. The bill had one public hearing on Feb. 16 and died in committee. The League is hopeful that a version of this bill will return in 2027. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process — potential kicker reform. Public Hearing Feb. 2. The bill died in Committee . On Feb. 20, the US Supreme Court declared that President Trump does not have authority to impose widespread tariffs under a specific federal statute. Oregon’s Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, led the coalition of states arguing that the President did not have this authority. HB 4061 B passed that provides monies to help Oregon businesses hurt by these tariffs. Budget Report . The bill passed the House on Mar. 3 and passed the Senate Mar. 6. On Thursday Mar. 5, Rayfield and officials from 23 other states filed a lawsuit against the new tariff at the U.S. Court of International Trade, with Oregon again leading the way. “Budget aftershocks from the Trump cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will keep hitting Oregon in future years,” said Senator Jama. “Oregon lawmakers must continue working together to make resources stretch and to help families thrive.” As we await the May 20th Revenue Forecast, we watch for data that may change the forecast. Oregonlive reports that Oregon exports are down. Then we now have a war with Iran that, so far, has increased gas and diesel prices. That increases costs to state agencies, local governments, Oregon businesses and individuals. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain — supply more than a third of the world’s urea, an important nitrogen fertilizer, and nearly a quarter of another one, ammonia. And they all use the Strait of Hormuz to export their products. So that means less food production and an increase in food prices. The February national jobs report was not good (loss of almost 100,000 jobs) and the national unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. (In Oregon, we’re at 5.2%.) As we watch the U.S. and Oregon’s economy, we note the Oregon Capital Chronicle Jobs Report article , of special concern as Oregon is an income tax state. According to this Oregonlive article , Oregonians are working the fewest hours since 2010. Oregon workers are spending less time on the job, another indication that the state’s labor market continues to sag. The average Oregonian worked less than 33 hours a week in December, according to federal data. That’s the lowest number since 2010, when the state was still digging out from the Great Recession — even worse than the sharp decline that accompanied the pandemic. As we continue to be concerned about the economy, we note a study related to AI: Brookings Institution study on AI job losses and adaptability points out metros most at risk – Portland Business Journal Roughly 30% of workers displaced by artificial intelligence will struggle to find new jobs, according to a new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and Brookings Institution. While 70% of highly AI-exposed workers would likely be able to transition to another job, the rest may have trouble adapting “due to limited savings, advanced age, scarce local opportunities, and/or narrow skill sets. ”What’s more, of the displaced workers in low-adaptive jobs, 86% are women. The League will continue to work with the Oregon Revenue Coalition and others as we address the need for increased revenue to pay for the services Oregonians need. The Ways and Means Co-Chairs warn of increased demand and federal funding cuts for the 2027-29 and 2029-31 biennia. It's time to work with state agencies 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. You can contact the agency you want to engage with as they work to provide proposals to the Governor around June. See other sections of the Legislative Report for information about specific agencies or areas of concern.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - September Legislative Days 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 Legislative Report Interim Technology, Cybersecurity Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Rebecca Gladstone The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. Senate Rules met Sept. 24 to consider various executive appointments. House Rules met Sept. 25 to hear testimony about some 1259 errors made at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles in forwarding records for non-citizens to the Secretary of State for voter registrations. The good news was that only 9 of these people actually voted (out of more than 3 million registered voters), and none of them affected the results of any election. The mistakes were made by the DMV, not by the SoS, nor by the non-citizens. The DMV has stated that the errors have been corrected, will not impact the November election, and will not happen again. Campaign Finance A CFR workgroup called by Rep. Fahey began meeting via video conferencing June 3. The work group’s goals are to identify technical adjustments needed to ensure successful implementation of HB 4024 (2024) , to recommend legislative fixes for 2025, and to consider broader policy improvements for future sessions. The workgroup includes most of the groups from business, labor and Honest Elections that negotiated on HB 4024. The LWVOR is represented by Norman Turrill. Honest Elections representatives have been disappointed that the other workgroup members have so far been unresponsive to suggested changes to HB 4024. Legislative Report Interim Technology, Cybersecurity By Becky Gladstone This section addresses this volunteer’s current projects and a few interim topics from the Joint Committee on Information Management & Technology, JCIMT , for AI, linked to cyber and election security. Oregon GEOHub app exploration: Rep. Gomberg submitted a legislative concept at our request, to resemble our Vote411.org for incumbents, like our printed They Represent You. This could be more comprehensive than the LWV Find Your Elected Officials or the OLIS Find Your Legislator . Importantly, it could help facilitate data compatibility improvements between various stakeholders we’re working with in the DoR Tax Districts workgroup, for ORMAP Tools . OLIS video navigation buttons. The League is requesting the insertion of 10 or 15 second forward and back navigation buttons for OLIS video recordings, since we listen carefully, to cite deliberations accurately, and toggling the time bar is awkward. Staff will request these OLIS video player buttons from the 3rd-party vendor. They suggest we cite OLIS users' support for this improvement, from legislative staff to lobbyists to interested citizens. Watch for more information. A few Interim Technology topics: See the JCIMT agenda , materials , and video . This ambitious, well-run, compatible committee has excellent grounding from Co-Chairs with relevant professional experience, to a highly engaged, diverse membership. Sean McSpaden, Committee Admin, serves as Oregon’s representative to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Taskforce on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy , where states are collaborating to improve cyber defenses. They will be working on the following subjects heading into the 2025 session, including anticipating our bill on a GEOHub app to Find Your Legislators. An AI update, HB 4153 Enrolled (2024) : AI is expanding our abilities, to better present existing data, for example augmenting wildfire monitoring, with cameras up 99% of the time, supporting human observers. See the OSU Wildfire Map . We recommend subscribing to Watch Duty for fires and Shake Alert for quakes. AI is more of a discipline than a technology, note the 2024 OR Cyber Resilience Summit theme, Cybersecurity in an AI World . The vigorous Oregon Cyber Advisory Council has compiled 78 recommendations, aware of concerns that AI could replace humans and ensuring that humans be in these loops, more freed from tedium to improve public service access. Cyber attacks: AI might become helpful to protect against false information blasts, against elections work and media, and cyber attacks. Think “big data” sized attacks. The WA Employment Division breach was mentioned. Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment ( BEAD ) funding: Challenges include workforce and supply chain shortages and permitting complexities. A common state permitting app, across all Oregon governments, is a candidate’s hope. A cyber placeholder bill, expect another, no mention of data centers yet. Protective phone and tablet settings for minors, change to opt-out instead of opt-in settings.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/27 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop 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 Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Land Use/Housing Recycling Water The League is watching major housing bills as they move forward. We will be interested in the rebalance of the 2021-23 budget this week as well. Will there be funding for the Governor’s housing emergency and for semiconductor manufacturing? The next important session date is March 17 when policy bills will need to be scheduled for a Work Session or they are dead for the session. Budgets/Revenue The Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) was heard on Feb. 21-22. Here is the agency presentation . Public testimony was allowed on Mar. 2 due to snow closure on Feb. 23rd. The Oregon Marine Board budget ( SB 5521 ) agency presentation and public hearing was on Feb. 27. The League provided testimony in support. The Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF) budget ( HB 5020 ) was heard Feb. 28 & Mar. 1 & 2, with public testimony on March 2. Here is the ODF agency presentation . See the POPs on Page 72. The League will provide testimony requesting that the climate change budget requests that were not included in the Governor’s budget be added back to this budget. The Land Use Board of Appeals agency presentation and public testimony is Mar. 6. The Dept. of State Lands budget ( HB 5037 ) is Mar. 7-9 with public testimony on 9. DSL one-pager . The Columbia Gorge Commission budget will be heard March 13—both agency presentation and public testimony. The Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (ODA) budget ( HB 5002 and HB 5003 ) is tentatively scheduled for March 14-16. Oregon Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) budget ( SB 5509 ) week of March 20. Dept. of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) ( HB 5018 and HB 5019 ) week of March 27. Here’s the DEQ one-pager . Tentative date for the Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) budget ( HB 5043 ) is early April. Here is their one-pager . Have you heard of “the kicker”? Here’s an article for you. Kicker amounts won’t be finalized until the 2021-23 budget is closed in Sept. SB 5543 , Bond Authorization, SB 5544 , Capital Construction, SB 5545 , 2021-23 Allocations Bill and HB 5045 , 2021-23 Budget Rebalance were all heard in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction March 3. Look for a Full Ways and Means Committee meeting this week. At the writing of this report we don’t know if the rebalance bills will include early funding for housing/homeless needs ( HB 2001 with the -11 Amendment and HB 5019 ) and SB 4 semiconductor funding requests. Oregon’s reserves are at $2 billion and those funds are not expected to be used, nor is the $3.9 billion kicker money that is expected to be returned to taxpayers. 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 Coastal League members have raised the alarm about a new bill recently filed. HB 3382 would provide certain Ports with an exception from our land use planning system to allow dredging and other activities around these Ports without the current public process and federal consistency requirements. The League has shared our concerns with others. Columbia River Treaty By Phillip Thor The League recently received an update on the negotiations around the U.S. and Canada on the Columbia River Treaty. This included: From 2018 to 2023, the two countries held 15 rounds of negotiations, with the last round of negotiations held on January 25-26, 2023. 27 According to the State Department, the U.S. negotiating position is guided by the U.S. Entity’s Regional Recommendation and includes participation on the negotiating team by the Department of State, BPA, the Corps, the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The State Department and the Province of British Columbia have also convened town halls and community meetings to discuss the status of negotiations with the public. Dept. of Environmental Quality The League has followed the story of the water quality/nitrate concentrations that for years, have been affecting the health of residents in the Morrow and Umatilla Counties. Leaguers might want to listen to two residents of Boardman on OPB’s Think Out Loud program. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) By Peggy Lynch The League follows the work of this agency and provided testimony in support of SB 220 that would provide a fee to pay for implementation of a new e-permitting system for mining interests instead of using $2 million in General Funds. We also provided t estimony in support of SB 221 to provide ongoing funding for this new system and testimony on SB 222 to allow DOGAMI to accept credit cards and to add the credit card fee to the permittees if they choose to use a credit card. Land Use/Housing By Peggy Lynch We are dismayed by the fact that SB 4 includes “supersiting” authority by the Governor for many acres of farmland “just in case” the semiconductor industry might want to build a new facility in Oregon. There are a number of industrial sites in current urban growth boundaries that will be able to accommodate all but the largest facility. For instance, HP, in Corvallis, is looking at expanding—on its current land. While our housing volunteers follow housing policies, at natural resources, we follow the land use elements of any bills. HB 2001 with the -11 Amendment will include work by the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), including enforcement mechanisms for DLCD—to assure that cities are meeting the targets in the bill. It has been sent to Ways and Means. It is unclear if HB 2001 and HB 5019 will be part of the budget rebalance reported above in this report. A news release issued Feb. 22 announced that HB 5019 will be amended and will be the vehicle for funding the policies in HB 2001-11. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Recycling By Kathy Moyd A Work Session will be held March 7 in Senate Energy and Environment on SB 545 . A -1 Amendment has been posted for consideration. The bill directs the State Department of Agriculture and Oregon Health Authority to adopt rules allowing consumers to use their own containers for refilling with food at a food establishment. The League provided testimony on the base bill in Support. DEQ will be holding the fifth Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee meeting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 10. DEQ will be presenting rule concepts related to Confidentiality, Entry of New PROs, Covered Product Estimates, and will be providing a proposal for an implementation transition period. There will also be further discussion related to the practicability benchmark, the responsible end market definition, and specific materials on the materials acceptance list. To attend the meeting please register through this link . To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, view the rulemaking web page at: Recycling Updates 2023 . Water By Peggy Lynch The League has strong positions on water quality and the importance of wetlands. For a number of years, the League has supported an increase in removal/fill fees so it was easy for us to support HB 2238 . Place-based Planning is a concept that the League has supported since its inception in 2014. We participated in the HB 5006 Work Group where members suggested updating that planning program. HB 3163 would create a special Fund for these regional planning efforts. The League testified in support of the Fund. We are working with others on the specific criteria listed for qualifying for access to the Fund. The Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) is being updated . Go to the website for opportunities to participate. The League is engaged in discussions on HB 3100 related to the IWRS. We were excited to see that Oregon will receive $19 million to address PFAS chemicals in water systems in small and low-income communities. This OPB article helps explain the award. We have just learned that HB 3207 will be up for a public hearing on March 7 related to domestic well water testing and HB 3208 that would expand the Environmental Quality Commission’s authority to annually adjust additional water quality fees up to 3% per year. The League has participated in a rules advisory committee related to 3% fees for other water quality permits and has been invited to do so again this year. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. We have an on-going drought throughout Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Above you can see the names of League volunteers who covered one or more issues. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. 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 4/14 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: Initiatives Privacy Elections Rulemaking Initiatives By Chris Cobey SB 1180 : Requires the Secretary of State to submit to the Legislative Assembly, by November 1 of each odd-numbered year, a list of each prospective statewide initiative petition that has been filed for the next general election. Public hrg, Senate Rules Cmte April 16. League watching . Privacy, images, data disclosure, DNA By Becky Gladstone Several bills followed here had work sessions scheduled then delayed as agendas accommodated the April 9 first chamber bill deadline. HB 3766 to allow civil action against an adult who, unbidden, digitally sends intimate images (cyber-flashing) with the intent to harass, degrade or humiliate. League testimony in support; work session April 9, passed unanimously with 8 in support Watching SB 1121 creates a new crime of unlawful private data disclosure, punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both. Work sessions Senate Judiciary: Do pass as amended. HB 2299 , creates a new crime of disclosing fake nude images. amendment adopted more specifically defines image sources. HB 3093 , for taking DNA samples from crime suspects, -2 adopted. Elections By Barbara Klein On April 7th, the Senate Rules committee heard SB 1054 , introduced by Senator Daniel Bonham with co-sponsor Senator David Brock Smith . The bill requires “each county clerk in this state to provide a live video feed to be made available to the public through the Internet of rooms in which ballots are tallied and official ballot drop sites ” These feeds would have to be recorded and made available to the public through the Internet for at least two years following the election at which the live video feed was provided. LWVOR written testimony was a comment, neutral to the bill, describing our interest in transparency for voters but concern for costs, especially in smaller or rural counties. The hearing was cordial with productive communication. Proposed state artificial intelligence (AI) commission (Lindsey Washburn) Proposed testimony submitted in support of HB 3592 . The bill establishes the Oregon Commission on Artificial Intelligence to serve as a central resource to monitor the use of artificial intelligence technologies and systems in this state and report on long-term policy implications; directs the commission to provide an annual report to the Legislative Assembly; allows the commission to make recommendations for legislation, regulations or policies to the Legislative Assembly; and directs the State Chief Information Officer to hire a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to assist the commission in carrying out the commission's duties. 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. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. The League will continue to be engaged with potential meetings in May and June. 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 3/9 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: Governance Sine Die Summary Artificial Intelligence Elections Campaign Finance Selected Elections Bills Privacy, Consumer Rights, Federal Response Emergency Preparedness Governance Sine Die summary, Overview, post session Rebecca Gladstone Passage of HB 4018, undoing campaign finance reform, has been a disappointment. See Norman Turrill’s report that HB 4018, passed against League opposition. A related question is the ethics of incumbents accepting campaign contributions during the legislative session, banned in the House but not in Senate Rules. It may have been disregarded in both chambers during this session. We have shared work for immigration and privacy issues, including federal overreach, with Social Policy. We started this hectic legislative session with a number of new governance volunteers but several were away during the session, so you’ll see mention of bills not addressed with League testimony. The problem of simply too much legislative work was discussed and observed, but not solved, for the League but also by legislators. We recommend again that this problem, shared by all, be addressed. Too many bills? Legislators protesting against bill limits said they feel unheard, partly a partisan climate challenge. Our 2025 long session had 3,400 proposals, unmanageable for our legislators, their staffs, and Legislative Counsel, Fiscal and Revenue Offices. HB 4002 , to limit bill proposals, failed again. This workload is not feasible in either short or long sessions and it needs policy attention. Legislative message traffic is getting heavier . Staff are pressed to even catalog input for bills and they are often too busy to answer phones directly. We are concerned for their juggling district and constituent needs with session work. Extend the short session? This is sometimes suggested but it pushes against the spirit of our “citizen legislature”, with most having other jobs to support themselves. Oregon is among the lowest for legislative pay and recent pay increase proposals have failed, falling prey to competing budget priorities and optics of them giving themselves a raise. Thank you to our volunteers, reporting and working bills here, also to our members and readers. Though the session has concluded, our work continues as bills that succeeded or failed influence upcoming policy and budget considerations. We welcome volunteers to help address all of our issues, especially for gaps like revenue. This is a better time for training, please let us know if you are interested, lwvor@lwvor.org . Artificial Intelligence/Cybersecurity Lindsey Washburn Notice of Artificial Output SB1546 requires AI companion and platform operators to disclose that users are interacting with artificial output, implement safety protocols to detect and prevent suicidal ideation, and provide special protections for minors. The Senate concurred with House amendments and repassed the bill. The bill has been signed by the President and Speaker and now awaits the Governor's signature. Elections Barbara Klein A-Engrossed SB 1509 ( Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act) awaits the Governor’s signature. This bi-partisan bill passed the House unanimously on Feb 20 th ; it passed the Senate on March 4 with two Democrats voting against the bill. The bill, similarly passed in other states , further protects Oregon's voters from being disenfranchised by faithless presidential electors and has strong League support. During the session we submitted both written and verbal testimony , (seen at minute 16:10) and it was part of our Action Alerts. We are hopeful that this will now become Oregon law. Campaign Finance HB 4018 Norman Turrill HB 4018 Enrolled on campaign finance (CFR) is now law, rammed through March 5 by the House 39-19 and the Senate 20-9. Honest Elections Oregon (HEO, a coalition including the League , Common Cause , the Campaign Legal Center , among others) opposed and characterized it as betraying the 2024 deal made to withdraw Initiative Petition 9 in exchange for passing HB 4024 , agreeing to work on technical fixes without policy changes. In 2024, an historic deal was made after extensive 4-way negotiations between HEO, legislative leaders including Speaker Fahey, labor union lobbyists, and business lobbyists. The HB 4018 proponents disregarded any input from good government groups, including suggested technical fixes . The proponents characterized the bill as some technical fixes. The bill replaces some 40% of the 2024 law and includes many complex policy changes that essentially allow huge campaign contributions from large business and labor unions, while still limiting individual contributors. The bill delays HB 4024 election (financial) disclosure changes for 3 years . See media coverage in the Oregonian , ( again ), the Statesman Journal , and OPB . Sen. Golden, who has announced his Senate retirement, was a champion opponent , characterizing this as a “hot mess.” Pressure came from labor union lobbyist(s) and legislative leaders but it fell short of purported threats to legislators if they did not vote for the bill. Members of HEO have asked the Governor to veto HB 4018. As HB 4018 becomes law, HEO has said it is likely to bring another related initiative, this time as an Oregon constitutional amendment. SB 1502 Enrolled was introduced on March 4 and quickly passed into law during the last day of session. It simply directs the Secretary of State to presession draft a 2027 bill with necessary campaign finance improvements from HB 4024 and HB 4018. Apparently, some legislators demanded SB 1502 in exchange for their votes in favor of HB 4018. Selected Elections bills Chris Cobey HB 4017 (use of campaign funds for security): Passed; on Governor’s desk as of March 9. HB 4177 A (modified definition of public meetings for open meetings purposes). Passed both houses as of March 9. HJR 201 (top two primaries). Neutral position . Had only a public hearing in the house of origin. Renewed proposal anticipated in 2027 session. Privacy, consumer rights, and federal response Rebecca Gladstone See our earlier LR for bills that Rep Chotzen grouped for federal response and /or immigration justice, many of them addressed by the League by either Governance or Social Policy, where many more of these actually passed. Please read that legislative report. HB 4123 Enrolled This landlord-tenant privacy bill, with immigration consequences, passed with a majority in both chambers, League testimony, in support. HB 4091 this Oregon National Guard activation and authority bill passed from the House to Senate Vets, on partisan lines, no amendments, but then stalled at the Senate President’s desk. See supporting League testimony . see League HB 3954 testimony (2025). HB 4143 A , to fund payments between federal and state accounts , passed from the House and then from Senate Judiciary on partisan lines, but it failed to progress from the Senate President’s desk. See our earlier LR and League testimony . SB 1530 was eclipsed by the related omnibus bill, SB 1516 Enrolled , which passed with 15 amendments. Both began by addressing threats to public officials . See League testimony in support of 1530, as introduced, which passed from the Senate on partisan lines. The 5 th amendment replaced the bill to require state and local to cooperate with federal law enforcement and then the bill, heard in House Rules, was not given a work session. We followed these bills, seeing promising progress, and all passed: HB 5204 Enrolled passed with biennial agency budget changes, including for some Secretary of State software needs. HB 4024 Enrolled , to prevent event ticket resale unless the seller has or can get tickets, passed without amendments. See League testimony , supporting Senator Prozanski’s SB 430 Enrolled (2025) consumer protections, foundational for HB 4024. SB 1587 Enrolled We are pleased to see this data broker, personal information protection pass, though on partisan lines. Emergency Preparedness HB 4044 A to create an Office of Resilience and Emergency Management within the Department of Human Services, passed unanimously from House Vets in mid February, bound for W&Ms, where it failed to progress. HB 4121 Enrolled awaits the Governor’s signature to create new systems and structures to improve emergency response in Oregon, see the -3 amendment analysis . Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 5/22 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 a topic: Housing Criminal Justice Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York Fortunately, many critical housing policy bills and funding passed earlier in the session, but some are still under consideration or awaiting Senate action. SB 599 A : Allows tenants to operate home-based childcare by requiring a landlord to allow a renter to use a dwelling unit for a family childcare home if it is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care. The landlord can require a tenant to pay for improvements necessary for certification and carry some form of liability coverage. This bill has passed both the House and Senate and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature. SB 225 : This bill will address a problematic issue with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. In addition to other provisions, it will eliminate the current “blackout period” that begins with the start of the new biennium and ends when the Governor signs the bond authorization bill. During that time, Oregon Housing and Community Services cannot move forward on affordable housing developments. Eliminating this period will prevent construction delays and resulting cost increases. This bill has passed the Senate and is scheduled for third reading in the House. SB 702 : The Governor signed this bill requiring home appraisers to receive bias training to receive certification. The League submitted a supportive testimony letter. Key housing bills awaiting a vote by the full Senate: HB 2680 would require more transparency when tenants submit applications for rental housing. The bill is awaiting a second reading in the Senate. HB 3151 would limit improvements manufactured home park landlords could require of tenants. It would also extend the sunset date on a landlord/tenant dispute resolution program. The Senate scheduled a second reading on May 25 and a third reading on May 26. HB 3462 would ensure that individuals covered by federal, and state fair housing laws are eligible for emergency housing when an emergency declaration is made. This extends to people regardless of their immigration status. The Senate rescheduled a second reading to May 30, and a third reading on May 31. SB 611 B modifies the maximum annual residential rent increase for affected units to the lesser of 10%, or 7% plus the consumer price index one-year change. It applies the rent increase limit to units from which a tenant was evicted. The bill is awaiting a second reading in the Senate. HB 3042 A This bill would require tenant notification in rental units with expiring affordability contracts and limit rent increases for three years. It offers protections to residents of housing with expiring affordability restrictions The bill is awaiting a Senate vote. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The results of final decisions on criminal justice bills include the passage of SB 519 A on County Juvenile records, which can be destroyed, but motor vehicle, game violations or municipal court cases will still exist. SB 745 A passed both chambers requiring sex trafficking screening after January 1, 2024, and training of staff by July 1, 2024. SB 1052 passed the Senate and was scheduled for a House floor vote on May 23 to require state employee training on human trafficking offenses. The House Behavioral Health Committee passed HB 3610 A on May 17 at its last meeting. The bill proposes additional taxes on alcohol and sets up a Task Force on Alcohol Pricing and Addiction Services. The Governor will appoint 16 members, and the Speaker of the House will appoint two members. The Task Force will consult with the Legislative Revenue Office. The bill was sent to Ways and Means due to costs for the Task Force. The Oregon Judicial Department Budget for the coming biennium scheduled a final hearing in Public Safety Ways and Means on May 25. The Oregon Public Defense Services Consortium Budget was considered in Ways and Means earlier on May 3. A workgroup had recommended that public defense services be transferred from the Oregon Judicial Department to the Department of Administrative Services. The Public Defense Commission will be abolished on January 1, 2024. The new Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) will be scheduled to transfer to the executive branch on January 1, 2025. Contract terms are still in consideration with hourly and flat fee pay issues still unresolved. SB 337 A recommended the administrative transfer on January 1, 2024, with payment formulas to be set by April 1, 2024. A work session scheduled for May 25 did not occur, which may mean further amendments are being considered. SB 1093 -5 stipulates Commission member and counsel regulations. The Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) Budget, SB 5505 , was increased 45% due to the continuation of the Justice Reinvestment Project recommended in SB 344 from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2033. The CJC has been progressive in the establishment of prison and parole programs to reduce recidivism.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - September Interim 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: Criminal Justice Housing Meeting Basic Human Needs Mental Health Services for Children and Youth Criminal Justice Karen Nibler and Jean Pierce Senate Judiciary discussed SB 337 on 9-27. The bill formed a new Public Defense Services Commission, to become effective 1-1-2024. The staff is recruiting new defense attorneys for unrepresented clients residing In jails. Currently, the average time is 16 days without representation. The W&Ms Joint Public Safety heard that the goal is a 10-day limit. Caseload size and salary levels are under consideration now and regional offices were proposed. The new agency will move to the Governor’s Office in 2025. The Department of Corrections appealed for increased funding for Community Corrections supervision for those on adult probation or released on parole. The closer supervision results in less recidivism and return to custody. Coffee Creek Correctional Facility for women has been under review based on complaints and has begun implementing gender-informed practices recommended in a Gender-Informed Practices Assessment Report. Police and sheriff representatives discussed Ballot Measure 110 impacts. They reported that only 1% of those cited for drug possession got assessments and there was no incentive to go for treatment. Emergency responders and Emergency Rooms were strained by overdose incidents and deaths increased. There is a need for accountability and detox facilities. The House Behavioral Health and Health Care committee heard that each quarter there has been a steady increase in the number of people being served by 110, with most of the services provided for housing and peer support. This committee was also told that the workforce shortage is one of the biggest challenges. W&Ms Public Safety reviewed agency status with demands on funding. The Oregon Judicial Departments submitted a Compensation Report with a 6.5% increase. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training reported on the operation of 60-person classes and new instructor positions. Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan The Senate Interim Housing and Development met September 27, 2023, as part of the Legislature’s quarterly Interim Legislative Days. The focus of this housing meeting was current challenges, such as ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness and produce affordable housing. Likely, these topics will be addressed in the February 2024 session, along with updates on implementing bills passed in the last session, and other issues needing more work. The following items were covered in the meeting. Emergency Homelessness Response Background: Oregon’s Housing Affordability challenge , a state economists’ report, shows homelessness is primarily a housing problem. Individuals make up 70% of the unhoused population . A majority of unhoused people do not have a substance use disorder. Among individuals, the rate is higher (national data: 25 – 40%) than among families. According to a 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report presented to the U.S. Congress, Oregon has the 4 th highest rate of unsheltered homelessness in the nation. There are an estimated 18,000 unsheltered people in Oregon and just under 5,200 year-round shelter beds (2022 data). In response, House Bill 5019 allocated General Fund dollars to addressing the crisis. LWVOR presented testimony in support of HB5019. Shelter and Rehousing Funds were allocated to the Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) groups covering larger cities and to rural local planning group areas separately to foster collaboration and communication. The MAC groups have received $85.2 million to create 600 new shelter beds by January 10, 2024. As of July 31, 2023, 40 households had been rehoused. Rural local planning groups received $26.135 million with the goal of creating 100 new shelter beds and rehousing 450 households by June 30, 2025. HB 5019 investments are increasing local shelter capacity by funding shelter rehab, acquisition, and operation. Shelter bed funding must be used to add new shelter bed capacity into a region. Prevention Keeping people in homes they already have is the most effective and humane way to prevent homelessness. HB 5019 allocated $33.6 million to support homelessness prevention through two existing programs: the Oregon Eviction Diversion and Prevention program and the Eviction Prevention Rapid Response program. These programs provide rent assistance and other prevention services, including legal services. The goal is to prevent 8,750 households from becoming homeless. Combined, these programs have already assisted 1,261 households through July 31, 2023. The rapid response program is available to renters on the verge of eviction and provides legal and other services. The goal is to prevent 1,750 evictions statewide. The program helped 45 households through July 31, 2023. Housing Production Advisory Council On January 10, 2023, Governor Kotek signed three executive orders to tackle Oregon’s housing and homelessness crisis. Executive Order 23-04 establishes a statewide housing production goal of 36,000 units per year and creates a Housing Production Advisory Council (HPAC) to develop comprehensive budget and policy recommendations to meet this goal. This annual housing production goal represents an 80% increase over current annual trends. The state will need to double its annual housing production to address the current shortage and to keep pace with annual housing needs. HPAC’s final report and recommendations are due by December 2023. The production plan must be equitable and affirmatively advance fair housing Infrastructure and Housing Infrastructure funding is critical to meeting Oregon’s housing production goals. The League of Oregon Cities described the progress made by the cities of Wilsonville, Newport, Salem, and Baker City. This involves coordinated investments in drinking water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation systems to address Oregon’s housing needs. Infrastructure strategies include utility fees, system development charges, special assessments, urban renewal, reimbursement districts and local improvement districts. Meeting Basic Human Needs By Jean Pierce Implementation of HB3235 (2023) created a refundable child tax credit for families earning $30,000 or less. LWVOR testimony supported this legislation. It is intended to reduce poverty through an equitable and progressive tax system. At this stage of the implementation, an FAQ sheet is being created The League has been asked to suggest questions likely to arise for the public, for instance: What do you want to know about our administering the credit? What information will help Oregonians determine their eligibility for the credit? What information will help eligible Oregonians better understand and claim the credit? League members are invited to send their recommended questions to SocialPolicy@lwvor.org . Mental Health Services for Children and Youth By Jean Pierce We anticipate legislation addressing barriers to mental health services for children. The Senate Interim Human Services heard from Chair, Senator Gelser Blouin, who described legislation plans that appear to be related to LWVOR positions. It calls for a well-coordinated comprehensive mental health service delivery plan with community-level services accessible to all income levels, demonstrating coordination of all levels of government. Senator Gelser Blouin’s “Psych Under 21” bill would improve access to the state Medicaid plan by: Defining categories of mental health needs covered Creating evidence-based assessment tools to determine eligibility Creating the infrastructure needed to access services Disregarding parental income – Medicaid would cover expenses after their private insurance runs out Providing targeted case management addressing multiple needs

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/19 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: Behavioral Health and Related Public Safety Issues Healthcare Housing Immigration/Refugee Violence Prevention and Gun Safety Education Volunteers Needed By Jean Pierce, Social Policy Coordinator, and Team Behavioral Health and Related Public Safety Issues By Karen Nibler and Jean Pierce On February 26, The Joint Committee on Addictions and Community Safety Response is holding a public hearing to consider two amendments to HB 4002 which deals with Oregon’s addiction crisis. The -10 amendment is proposed by Rep. Kevin Mannix while the - 24 amendment is being proposed by the Joint Committee. The -10 amendment creates an Office for Drug Prevention and Treatment with rograms for crisis intervention, stabilization, detox, treatment medications, and use of the Oregon State Hospital Dome building for hospital level treatment. This amendment also includes a provision for the Oregon Youth Authority to develop a juvenile residential services substance use disorder treatment and recovery plan. Amendment -10 states that the crime of unlawful possession of a controlled substance constitutes an Unclassified Misdemeanor. The supervisory authority shall determine where to transfer physical custody of defendants as follows: “(A) The defendant shall be transferred to a secure detoxification center whenever possible. This might be in another county. “(B) If a secure detoxification center is not available, the defendant may be incarcerated in a local correctional facility with a detoxification program. “(C) If neither a secure detoxification center or a local correctional facility with a detoxification program are available, the defendant may be incarcerated in a local correctional facility. The Court may assign a drug court referee to a case. That person will conduct a status review every 30 days to determine whether a defendant is receiving treatment. Both amendments have some provisions which are similar or identical. For instance, each calls on the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to study barriers to best practice, medical assisted treatment, and emergency room treatment. Each amendment creates a Joint Task Force on Regional Behavioral Health Accountability. Both eliminate Class E violations for drug possession . FInally, both propose an Opioid Use Disorder Medication Grant Program for treatment of people in jail custody. This resource will be appreciated by County Corrections officers managing jail programs. The -24 amendment covers payment for Substance Abuse Treatment, stating that insurers may not require prior authorization and shall reimburse legally-dispensed refill costs. Possession of a Controlled Substance is classified a “Drug Enforcement Misdemeanor” with 18 months of probation but no jail time. Probation violations get 30 days in jail or release to treatment programs. County Community Corrections agencies supervise these court orders. Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to refer people to a deflection program, which is collaboration between law enforcement agencies and behavioral health providers. This amendment also describes timely sealing of records for people who complete a treatment program. The Oregon Behavioral Health Deflection Program will manage proposed grants for Behavioral Health programs in county and tribal areas. LWVOR is drafting testimony supporting HB 4002-24, but also encouraging the committee to add some provisions from the -10 amendment, including an Office for Drug Prevention and Treatment which coordinates programs and a provision for the Oregon Youth Authority to develop a juvenile residential services substance-use disorder treatment and recovery plan. Healthcare By Christa Danielson HB-4149 -A Strengthens reporting from Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). These entities, such as Express Scripts and CVS, have taken over medication delivery to many health plans. These entities were there originally to save patients money. Unfortunately they are now traded on the stock market and are considered some of the largest Fortune 25 companies. This bill requires PBMs to report rebates they get from drug manufacturers, how much they spend on management, and how much they pass on to the insured population. This bill will also save rural pharmacies by not allowing “claw-backs” (charging the pharmacy for a drug after it has been given to a patient). It will allow pharmacies to participate in the delivery of medications instead of forcing patients to use a mail order or a specific pharmacy far from where they live, see League testimony submitted 2/7/2024. The bill passed through a work session on 2/19/2024 and was referred to W&Ms. There is a possibility this topic will be reviewed by a work force before the 2025 session since concern was expressed that amendments had diluted the original intent. HB-4130 -A Bans against Corporate Management of Health Care. The bill will strengthen previous bills that kept corporations from making patient’s healthcare decisions, see League estimony submitted 2/7/2024. The bill was passed by the House and a Senate public hearing was scheduled for 2/26/2024. HB 4136 -This bill is in response to a downtown Eugene hospital closing abruptly. This looks to be a very good bill as it gives money to fund one more Emergency unit but also works broadly to assess the need for EMS transport and employs innovation on the ground to avoid unnecessary transport. It is broadly supported in the community. It passed a work session with referral to W&Ms.. League testimony was not written as this is a local measure, but we are following it. HB 4088-A This bill makes assault against hospital workers a crime and includes mandated posting of such. It passed through the work session and wasreferred to Ways and Means. Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Beth Jacobi The Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package aims to fund homeless shelters, support renters, boost housing production and infrastructure, and grants qualifying cities a one-time expansion of Urban Growth Boundaries. The package consists of two bills, SB 1537 and SB 1530 A . They are scheduled for a Work Session in W&MsTransportation and Economic Development on 2/27, see League testimony . Homeownership: SB 1530 A : The League sent testimony to W&Ms urging legislators to allocate $15 million to build new affordable homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. Although this funding was included initially in SB 1530; it was excluded in amendments. This omission will have a devastating impact on critically needed housing production in Oregon. Insufficient funding in the amended bill will place a large majority of affordable homeownership production at risk, including shovel-ready projects ready to move forward in the next two years. Our state needs to build hundreds of new homes for low- and moderate-income buyers, who otherwise will be priced out of the housing market. Housing Preservation: One of the most effective and least costly methods of providing affordable homes to low-income Oregonians is through preservation of existing regulated units. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) estimates that it costs an average of $72,000 per unit to maintain affordability. This means it would take $200 million per biennium to maintain existing affordable units through preservation programs. The Legislature allocated $50 million in 2023 and housing advocates are urging an additional $30 million in lottery backed bond revenue this session. League testimony urges allocation of that amount through HB 5201 . Preservation measures include extending federal long-term rent assistance contracts, acquisition, and rehabilitation of privately-owned housing when affordability contracts expire, or acquisition of manufactured home parks by resident-owned cooperatives or affordable housing nonprofits. More information on preservation opportunities and their location is in this Oregon Housing Alliance information handout. Individual Development Accounts HB 4131 : League testimony to W&Ms urges support for $10 million in critically-needed funds for the state-wide Oregon Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program. The program has a 25-year history of successfully assisting lower-income participants in saving for investments that are most important to them, like home purchase and repair, small business start-up or expansion, post-secondary education, vehicle purchase, and emergency savings. Every IDA, regardless of the savings goal, is a tool for housing and economic stability. Without the $10 million funding for the 2023-2025 biennium, fewer families will have access to this vital resource. A $10 million general fund investment will ensure that 2,200 Oregonians can begin to save to meet their goals. Immigration / Refugee By Claudia Keith League Testimony HB 4085 A – Directs DHS to give grants for legal assistance to help noncitizens get lawful immigration. Fiscal $6.3M , adds 2 positions / 1.2 FTE. League testimon y, currently in J W&Ms. Feb 19 HB 4085 -1 Preliminary SMS SB 1578 A - Directs the OHA to set up a health care interpreter management system. In J W&Ms, no fiscal analysis statement until J W&Ms requests. The League may write testimony. Violence Prevention and Gun Policy By Marge Easley SB 1503 A , establishing a Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention, appears to be on a fast track for passage. The bill, sponsored by Senate President Rob Wagner, passed out of the Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee on February 22 and was returned to the full Ways and Means. Education By Anne Nesse HB 4161 This bill attempted to increase virtual charter school funding but failed in the House, 2/15. It attempted to increase school district student percentage enrollment limits in a virtual public charter school from 3% to 6%. Sponsors presented a complex argument to divert more funding to virtual schooling, including educational savings accounts ( hearing video ). Editor’s note: This issue may return in future sessions. LWVOR lacks a position on charter schools. The LWVOR K-12 task force will propose concurrence in 2025 with positions regarding virtual public charter schools and educational savings accounts, which are a form of vouchers. SB 1583A , attempted to strengthen the State’s ability to prohibit discrimination when selecting books and materials in school districts. It cleared the Senate Rules Committee on a close vote. We are following HB 4087-3 , directing creation of an Emergency High Acuity Youth Initiative program. The amended bill passed from House Early Childhood and Human Services and was referred to W&Ms. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Social Policies? You can help! Volunteers are needed, particularly for adult corrections, judiciary, juvenile justice, and mental health. The long legislative session begins in January 2025. Training will be offered. Please contact SocialPolicy@lwvor.org .

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: After School and Summer Age Discrimination Education Healthcare Housing Legislation Immigration After School and Summer By Katie Riley The summer learning bill, HB 2007 and its funding companion, HB 5047 , which provides $35 million have now passed both the House and the Senate and are waiting for the Governor to sign, which she has promised to do. ODE held a webinar for interested school and community representatives on April 18th in which they noted the importance of the passage of HB 2007 in establishing a permanent recognition of summer learning by the legislature and the opportunity to prepare further ahead than a year-to-year last-minute scramble to plan and implement summer programs. In contrast with previous summer learning funding, the bill emphasizes literacy and the need to assess the amount of learning that occurs whether it be in reading or content areas for credit recovery. Participating districts need to partner with at least one community based organization; however, they cannot subcontract the entire grant to another organization-- a partnership needs to be established. The slides from the webinar provide additional information as well as links to a sample application form and resource materials. Further information, including eligibility of school districts, tribes, and ESD's will be available in the next two weeks after the bill has been signed. Priority will be given to participating sites where reading is below grade level. ODE representatives are available to answer questions. The Capitol Chronicle published a good article about the bill. The League provided testimony commenting on the bill. Age Discrimination HB 3187A passed the House. As amended, the bill prohibits an employer from requiring or requesting disclosure of an applicant’s’ date of birth or date of graduation unless a conditional offer of employment is made or age is a job qualification. The League provided testimony . Education By Jean Pierce Bills of interest which passed the House: HB 2251 which directs school districts to adopt a policy that prohibits the use of student personal electronic devices during the school day passed the House with bipartisan support. It would be up to districts how to implement the policy. HB 2682 Directs the Department of Education to establish an advisory committee to study and develop recommendations to modernize the adequate service levels for early intervention and early childhood special education in this state. (Currently the League has no position addressing Special Education. This is being proposed in the K-12 Study.) Impact of federal actions in Oregon K-12 The Oregon Department of Education is publishing information about how schools and districts are impacted by federal actions. The page includes a link to Guidance for schools upholding rights of immigrant students . The National Education Association has published a resource showing how federal dollars support students and educators in public schools in each state. The same page has links to the data for each Congressional District. Although the federal government has cut funding for the National History Day Competition , the event will proceed as planned in Oregon due to the generosity of private donors. Higher Education In March it was revealed that the University of Oregon is one of about 50 universities under investigation by the Trump administration for alleged racial discrimination , Recently, faculty at U of Oregon passed a statement regarding resisting pressure from the Trump administration. However, they have not yet joined with other Big !0 Universities which are forming a Nato-style Mutual Academic Defense Compact. The Compact states that “preservation of one institution’s integrity is the concern of all and an infringement against one member university of the Big Ten shall be considered an infringement against all”. Healthcare By Christa Danielson SB 951A prohibits a management service organization from making decisions about patient care. The bill also prohibits non-compete, non-disparage employment clauses in medical work’s contracts. This will allow caregivers to speak out without fear of reprisal if they feel there is a safety issue at the workplace involving patient care. It was passed by the Senate and will be heard in House Behavioral Health and Health Care on May 1. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona LWVOR has submitted testimony on a number of housing-related bills during the session. Following is a status report on the bills we supported: HB 2735 A : Increases cap on tax credits for donations made to the state-selected agency that administers Oregon’s Individual Development Account program. LWV testimony supports passage of the bill. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Revenue on April 8 and scheduled for a House Committee on Revenue public hearing on April 22. HB 2964 : Requires Oregon Housing and Community Development to award loans to non-profit affordable housing developers to cover pre-development costs of developing new housing. LWV testimony supports passage of the bill. The bill passed the House on April 15 and was referred to the Senate. SB 973 : Requires landlords of publicly supported housing to notify applicants when the affordability contract will expire. Also extends from 20 months to 30 months the minimum notice landlords must give tenants when affordability restrictions will expire. LWV testimony supports passage of this bill. The bill passed the Senate on April 2. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness will hold a public hearing on April 23. SB 814 A : Expands eligibility for Oregon Housing and Community Services long-term rent assistance program to youth under the age of 25 exiting Oregon Youth Authority or child care facility. League testimony supports passage of the bill. It passed the Senate 30 – 0 on March 6. Public hearing was held in the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 16. HB 2958 : Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit. Provides that the credit is available to all adults over the age of 18, including childless adults. LWV testimony supports passage of this bill. The House Revenue Committee held a hearing on February 25. SB 1155 : Directs Oregon Housing and Community Services to establish a pilot project to assist pregnant persons and their immediate family to attain stable housing. LWV testimony supports passage of the bill. Referred to Senate Housing and Development Committee on March 3 and then to Ways and Means. HB 3507 : Directs Oregon Housing and Community Services to expand eligibility for its homeownership downpayment assistance program to include moderate-income households and individuals, including first-generation homebuyers. Assistance would be offered by culturally-specific organizations. LWV testimony supported passage of this bill. This bill will not advance. SB 722 : Prohibits residential landlords from using certain software to set rents. Reduces from 15 years to seven the number of years new dwelling units would be exempt from caps on rent increases. LWV testimony supported passage of this bill. SB 722 will not advance. HB 2968 : Oregon Housing and Community Services would guarantee a housing developer’s payment of system development charges until 180 days after the certificate of occupancy has been issued. LWV testimony supported passage of this bill. HB 2968 was referred to Ways and Means on 3/28. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Many Latinos in Oregon are hesitant to draw attention to themselves. So some cities are cancelling Cinco de Mayo celebrations this year . Earlier in April, ICE authorities released a Venezuelan man who was being detained unlawfully in Oregon. This week the Supreme Court temporarily blocked deportations of Venezuelans held in northern Texas. Please refer to to Legislative BIPOC Caucus for additional INFO: Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 Immigration Study JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama SB 599A Immig status: discrimination in RealEstate transactions H Judiciary Sen Campos SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. H Rules PC: No recommen dation Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Sen Ed RepHudson, SenCampos HB 2543 Funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud ? 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund / JCWM-GG ? 7 Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/6 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 Gun Safety Criminal Justice Housing Immigration/Refugees and Other Basic Rights Gun Safety By Marge Easley SB 551 , a bill that directs OHA to provide information on safe storage of firearms and prescription drugs to school districts for dissemination on their websites and social media, was heard in Senate Education on March 7. League testimony in support included data on child deaths related to access to harmful drugs and firearms and the alarming rise of suicide among children and teens. There is talk of combining several gun safety bills into an omnibus bill that will appear later in the session, but no bill number has been assigned yet. Concepts include the banning of “ghost guns,” allowing gun sellers to require purchasers to be at least 21 years of age, expanding the number of public areas where firearms can be banned, and establishing a state income tax credit for buying a gun safe or lock. Measure 114 Update: There have been three new case filings in the Harney County lawsuit against the State of Oregon that challenges the legality of Measure 114 (permit-to-purchase and ban on large capacity magazines). State attorneys are urging the courts to set May or June trial dates for both the state and federal cases in order to resolve the issue as promptly as possible so as not to create ongoing uncertainty for Oregonians. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler Two League-supported bills that will have a positive impact on incarcerated individuals at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility were scheduled to have a work session on March 9 in House Judiciary. HB 2535 establishes a doula program for pregnant and postpartum individuals, while HB 2731 provides continuing funding for the Family Preservation Project. Bills related to studies and data collection are plentiful this session. Heard in Senate Judiciary on March 8 were bills authorizing studies on organized retail theft ( SB 318 ) and recidivism rates of persons convicted of felony property crimes ( SB 340 ). That same day House Judiciary heard HB 2719 , authorizing a study on services to crime victims, and SB 234 , which allows the Chief Justice to make rules for gathering data on disparities and impacts in Oregon’s criminal justice system. Senate Republicans are behind a series of bills related to increased penalties for sex crimes and are ramping up efforts to get them heard soon in Senate Judiciary. SB 986 raises the statute of limitations on rape from 12 years to 20 years. SB 1022 makes changes to Oregon’s sex-offender risk level assessment process and methodology. SB 1023 clarifies the term ‘victim’ when the Oregon State Police is required to release sex offender information. In a similar vein, Senate Democrats are having better luck with SB 745 , which passed out of Senate Judiciary on March 8. It requires that youth taken into custody receive sex trafficking screenings. W&Ms Public Safety has been reviewing the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) Budget and related bills this week. SB 5512 , the budget bill for expenses for the Supreme Court, Tax Court, Court of Appeals, and 27 Judicial Districts, asks for an appropriation of $705 million. The budget covers the salaries of 197 judges and 1428 court staff, plus the court facilities in Salem and in the counties. The OJD did a county courthouse facilities assessment in 2016 and still uses that assessment in plans to repair or replace judicial facilities. Each biennium the OJD Budget process has included upgrades or new construction of courthouses. League testimony on the overall OJD budget is here . Separate bills: SB 230 reviews the Interstate Compact, SB 233 covers judicial compensation, SB 234 concerns data gathering, SB 235 asks for new judicial positions, and SB 1029 supports family law training. HB 2224 asks for increases in juror compensation. HB 2467 offers student loans for public defense training, and HB 2497 covers rural courthouse assessments. The agency budget carries many policy option packages for pretrial diversion, protective proceedings, expunction, self-representative assistance, data expansion, technology positions, and equipment replacements. One major concern was judicial compensation due to high turnover and a recommended 10% salary increase in 2023 and 2024. Additional judges were recommended in Clackamas, Jackson, and Washington County Courts. Specialty Court Coordinators were recommended to facilitate specialty court programs through the Criminal Justice Commission grants. Each session the budget includes Capital Improvement Projects and Replacements and the bonds to finance them. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Oregon lawmakers are closing in on two big housing priority bills of the 2023 session. Critically needed housing resources are being considered to support Oregonians who face a severe shortage of affordable housing and available shelter space. HB 5019 - Governor’s Emergency to Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness On Feb. 28, Gov. Tina Kotek testified before members of the Oregon House Committee on Housing and Homelessness at a hearing on HB 5019 to encourage lawmakers to pass a $200 million package to assist unsheltered Oregonians, build and preserve needed affordable housing, prevent evictions, and increase homeownership statewide. The funding includes $85.2 million to support local plans to address homelessness in emergency areas through expanding shelter capacity and rapid rehousing initiatives. A targeted $33.6 million for eviction prevention is anticipated to avoid homelessness for 8,750 households statewide. $26.1 million will address homelessness through increased shelter capacity, rapid rehousing initiatives, and sanitation services in communities within the Balance of State Continuum of Care. $200,000 will support the development and design of a statewide, long-term rent assistance program for individuals who are rehoused with state investments. The League provided testimony in support on HB 5019. A public hearing and work session was held on March 7 by the Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. The housing package awaited consideration by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means at a 9:30 am work session on March 10. HB 2001 A-14 - Oregon Housing Needs Analysis Also, as part of the funding package is a related bill HB 2001 A -14, which establishes the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA), within the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS). The needs analysis will extend the notification requirement for the termination of residential rental agreements for nonpayment; provide funding for modular housing development, agriculture workforce housing, and moderate-income housing pre-development loans. The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and OHCS will assist the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in carrying out the requirements. All three agencies will receive funding to carry out specific components of the OHNA. Also, DAS will conduct an annual statewide housing analysis to estimate the needed housing by region. The agency is to establish six-year housing production targets for cities with populations greater than 10,000 and unincorporated urbanized areas within Metro, and eight-year housing production targets for cities greater than 10,000 or unincorporated urbanized areas outside of Metro. DAS may adjust the allocation of needed housing to accommodate people experiencing homelessness and underproduction. The Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development held a work session on the housing package on March 7. The Joint W&Ms was slated to hold a work session on the bill at 9:30 am on March 10. Housing Production Advisory Council: Governor Kotek announced the members of her new Housing Production Advisory Council. The council is charged with developing an action plan to meet the production target of 36,000 additional housing units at all affordability levels per year as set in the governor’s executive order ( 23-04 ). Members include a range of housing leaders, local government representatives, bipartisan legislators, a Tribal member, and relevant state agency directors The Council held its first meeting on March 10, and is scheduled to provide a recommended framework for their action plan by April 1, 2023. More information is available on the website . Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Bill Summary HB 2957 : Financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status recipients for specified purposes. (>7M$). A large portion of the source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz, House EC&HS Public Hearing was 2/22 , League Testimony supports. HB 3176 Requires Dept HS and Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, to award contracts to organizations to provide support services to immigrants and refugees. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund. Directs Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to convene representatives from state agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate policy recommendations. Representative Reynolds, Senator Jama, House ECHS then to JW&M. Public Hearing 3/8 Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: SB 627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals (15M$) Sen Lieber. Passed out of Sen Judiciary, DO Pass, Feb 7, sent to JW&Ms. The League has supported this policy/funding category in the past. 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 SB 610 : Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (snap), unclear what the funding ask may be. Chief sponsors: Senator Campos, Representative Ruiz, Senator Manning Jr, Gorsek, Representative Bowman, Dexter, Gamba . Sen Human Services then to JW&M. Public Hearing was 2/27. Legislative Summary May partially replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. SB 856 Establishes COFA Food Assistance Program to provide nutrition assistance to COFA citizens who would qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits but for their immigration status and who have incomes at or below federal poverty guidelines. Legislative summary . Chief Sponsor: Senator Meek, Patterson, Hansell. Public Hearing 2/27 Immigration SB 185 Requires the Department of Justice to study immigration in this state; may include legislation recommendations to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2024. Requested by Attorney General Rosenblum. In Sen Judiciary. Sunsets January 2, 2025. SB 603 : 2/27 Public Hearing with -1 amendment . Establishes People's Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program, administered by Dept 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% 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 JW&M. SB 849 Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS Fiscal $20M grant fund. Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals…. Sen Labor & Business. Senator Jama, Dembrow, Frederick, Campos, Manning Jr, Woods, Representative Chaichi, Nguyen H. Other SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. SB 216 Passed out of SCHC 3/1 , on Senate Presidents Desk - Awaiting Disposition. Related to data collected by OHA. (Request of Governor Kate Brown for OHA). The Oregon Health Authority set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI).. HB2905 Expands list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. Passed out Committee with Unanimous Vote Floor Third Reading 3/13 SB 421 establishes a youth advisory council. Prescribes membership and duties of youth advisory council. DOE to establish a work group to establish standards for the selection process of members of the youth advisory council. PH 2/28 Staff Measure Summary HB 2458 : Prohibits conversion therapy. Public Hearing 2/24 . No League testimony.