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LWVOR follows governance-related policy in the state legislature. Governance Overview The League of Women Voters of Oregon is actively working toward a more accessible government, better educational resources, statewide privacy protections and more. Read More Governance Reports Jun 29, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 6/29 Legislative Days hearings included many issues relevant to Governance. Attending hearings in person, in the renovated Capitol building, helped restore our in-person networking! Read More Mar 9, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 3/9 Though the session has concluded, our work continues as bills that succeeded or failed influence upcoming policy and budget considerations. Read More Mar 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 League governance work is intensifying and focusing on campaign finance, with legislative drama also around the gas tax referendum. Only one week remains in this short session. Read More Feb 23, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 The editorial board of the Oregonian featured the League opposition to HB 4018 8, which revokes campaign finance reforms, “Editorial: A complete betrayal on campaign finance”, Feb 22, 2026. Read More Feb 16, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 We have filed testimony on more than half of the governance bills we’re following. Informational hearings in Joint Committee Information Management Technology are well worth watching, this week for protecting local journalism and data breach policy. Read More Feb 9, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 We worked on an assortment of bills this week including elections, artificial intelligence, law enforcement, privacy rights, and funding. League testimony was filed for 6 of the 20 we tagged for Governance that were heard in committees Read More Feb 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Catch up on interim news and highlights of some of the 40 governance bills we've identified, out of 700 bills so far this session. We’re preparing testimony for seven of them in the session’s first two days so expect more individual reports next week. Read More Jan 26, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 The Joint Committee for Information Management and Technology (JCIMT) will focus for the 2026 session on a comprehensive strategy to strengthen digital transparency and public infrastructure against evolving technological threats, by modernizing state AI and data security policies. Read More Dec 1, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 LWVOR has a hand in LWV litigation, and Governance is observing. Read More Oct 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Federal pressure on Oregon resonated throughout legislative hearings and made news for national guard activation against small peaceful ICE protests. Read More Aug 11, 2025 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of 8/11 This sine die report summarizes the Governance portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More Jun 30, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 In the last few days of the legislative session, we saw extraordinary machinations on campaign finance reform. Read More Jun 23, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 HB 3954 was revived last week after a League letter called for action on the bill, for the Adjutant General to not allow the Oregon National Guard to be called to active service, except for certain reasons. This bill became more relevant with the California National Guard being called to action by the President in Los Angeles, overriding the Mayor and California Governor. Read More Jun 16, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 HB 3954 tells the Oregon Adjutant General not to allow the Oregon National Guard to be called to active service, except for certain reasons, timelier now with the California National Guard in the news. HB 3954 had a May 5 public hearing, but no subsequent work session. We wrote a commenting letter and sent it to the Governor's staff, the Attorney General, Chair and House Rules Committee members, and bill sponsors, to urge action on this bill, considering amending if it is needed. Read More Jun 9, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 HB3936 A bans the use of AI on state assets if the AI is developed or owned by a covered (foreign) vendor. It has already passed the House 52 to 0. It is now scheduled for a final debate and vote on the Senate floor on June 9. Read More Jun 2, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 The Elections Division of the Secretary of State is asking the public for feedback on draft administrative rules that would implement HB 4025 (2024). It has also appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to work on these new administrative rules. Read More May 26, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 The Elections Division of the Secretary of State is asking the public for feedback on draft administrative rules that would implement HB 4025 (2024). It has also appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to work on these new administrative rules. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 HB 3766 had a second public hearing in the Senate Judiciary after passing unanimously from the House Floor. League testimony supported the bill as written to allow civil action against an adult who, unbidden, digitally sends intimate images (cyber-flashing) with the intent to harass, degrade or humiliate. Updated League testimony was filed and presented to address amendments quantifying defendant age and limiting damages to $10,000. We recommended reading Criminalising Cyberflashing. Read More May 12, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 We are following numerous bills relating to campaign finance, privacy/consumer protection, elections, and artificial intelligence. Read More May 5, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 HB 3392 is said to be the vehicle for a gut and stuff of the technical fixes for HB 4024 (2024). This bill is currently a study of campaign finance by the Secretary of State. Amendments are under discussion but not yet posted on OLIS. Read More Apr 28, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 Bills with League testimony are progressing, reported here, and several not addressed in the first chamber will be considered for testimony in the second chamber. Read More Apr 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 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. Read More Apr 14, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 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. Read More Apr 7, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 We are following numerous bills relating to initiatives, rulemaking, and elections. Read More Mar 31, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 We are following numerous bills relating to initiatives, broadband/vote-by-mail privacy, and elections. Read More Mar 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 We are following numerous bills relating to redistricting, broadband/vote-by-mail privacy, elections, government ethics, and rulemaking. Read More Mar 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/17 We are following numerous bills relating to redistricting, broadband/vote-by-mail privacy, and elections. Read More Mar 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 We are following numerous bills relating to campaign finance and elections, courts and privacy, and government ethics. Read More Mar 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 We are following numerous bills relating to campaign finance and elections, courts and privacy, government ethics, and revenue. Read More Feb 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 We are following numerous bills relating to campaign finance reform, federal concerns and privacy, and government ethics. Read More Feb 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 We are following numerous bills relating to campaign finance reform, immigration, bias and hate crimes, and government ethics. Read More Feb 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 We are watching for AI and further cybersecurity and privacy bills, welcoming two new volunteers who will have AI bill reports soon. Read More Feb 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 We are following numerous bills relating to immigration, discrimination, bias and hate crimes, including as they relate to privacy. Read More Jan 20, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/20 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. Read More Dec 20, 2024 Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. Read More Oct 1, 2024 Legislative Report - September Legislative Days The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. Senate Rules met Sept. 24 to consider various executive appointments. Read More Jun 10, 2024 Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. House Rules met May 31 to hear from representatives of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy. Senate Rules met May 20 to consider various appointments. Read More Apr 22, 2024 Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 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. Read More Mar 4, 2024 Legislative Report - 3/4 An amazingly historic thing happened with campaign finance reform as explained here in the Capital Chronicle. Read More Feb 26, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 During the 2/29 public hearing on the -3 amendment to this placeholder bill, HB 4024, good government groups severely criticized the amendment for leaving huge loopholes for special interest organizations to still make 6-figure campaign contributions. Read More Feb 19, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/19 A placeholder bill, HB 4024, is being pressed into service from unusual partners, labor (which is otherwise promoting IP 42 against IP 9), and business. Read More Feb 12, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/12 SB 1538 is an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes, was amended in several details and passed out of the Senate Rules Committee on 2/15. Read More Feb 5, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 For the first week of session, this news includes committee bills we’re working on / watching and news from the quarterly EPAB Meeting. Read More Jan 15, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 The Interim Senate Rules and Executive Appointments Committee met 1/10/24 and introduced three legislative concepts (LCs) for the Public Records Advisory Council (PRAC) to study public records requests fees charged (LC 196); make youth sporting events grants available (LC 195); and to make many changes in an election law clean-up bill (LC 194). Read More Nov 13, 2023 Legislative Report - November Interim The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. Read More Oct 2, 2023 Legislative Report - September Interim The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. We urge you to download, print, sign and return petitions by mail from Honest Elections for IP 9 and People Not Politicians for IP 14. Read More Aug 18, 2023 Legislative Report - Sine Die In the final days of the legislative session only one bill, SB 166, the SoS’s omnibus elections bill, passed that included any campaign finance provisions. Read More Jun 26, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 In the final days of the Legislative session, only one bill, SB 166 Enrolled, passed that included many subjects. Read More Jun 12, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 The OR Senate walkout from May 3 finally ended on June 15, with a quorum present. 394 bill actions were scheduled including 40 from the House, which suspended rules to increase by 10. 144 bills have already been signed by the Governor. Read More Jun 5, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/5 The June 8 House Rules Committee finally saw some CFR action, starting at ~1:20 in the video. Speaker Rayfield’s staff explained some history, concepts, and complications of crafting a CFR bill. Read More

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - November Interim 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 and Redistricting County Elections challenges, EPAB-Broadband Equity, SCR, and Capitol update Election Methods Election Signs for Sale By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance and Redistricting By Norman Turill The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. Petitions can be downloaded, printed*, signed and returned by mail from the Honest Elections website for IP 9 and the People Not Politicians website for IP 14. Both initiative petition filings are due to the Secretary of State by July 5, 2024. *Be sure to print both sides! County Elections challenges, EPAB-Broadband Equity, SCR, and Capitol update By Rebecca Gladstone Legislative efforts reported here tend to be large projects better addressed in long sessions, so short sessions are often for urgent needs or to adjust and implement the Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) into Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR). Elections manuals are up for review and multiple election rulemaking hearings are set for December. Recent interim news includes: Oregon’s county elections staffing study Recommendations to House Rules included improving support with direct communications between the Elections Division, the Oregon Association of County Clerks (OACC) and the clerks themselves. As law enforcement i nvestigated elections office threats around the country, including in Lane County, House Rules heard a county elections staffing study presentation that found county elections working intensely for at least 8 months in even years, with inadequate and uneven funding to address more complex rules, technology, and safety efforts. Unusually heavy public records requests accompanied abuse, threats, and harassment. Retirements and unusually high resignation rates make understaffing worse. Pay is low for the stress and public scrutiny in the antagonistic political environment, “…the In-N-Out Burger across the street can out-pay me”. LWVOR has called for local Leagues to reach out in appreciation to their county election offices and is inquiring to LWVUS advocacy, as they discuss pushing the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee to increase support to protect elections workers . This LWVOR testimony includes lists of earlier support: SB 166 , ( testimony ) to protect elections workers SB 167 , ( testimony ) elections procedural updates HB 3073 , ( testimony ) home address privacy HB 3111 , ( testimony ) personal information privacy HB 4144 , ( testimony ) home address privacy HB 3047 , ( testimony ) doxing, harassment and injury SB 293 , ( testimony ) elevate state government privacy, confidentiality and data security The House Rules meeting materials included experts we consulted for our LWVOR Elections Methods studies. See the updates in 2023 , 2016 , and the 2008 in our archives. Oregon Data Literacy Framework Work Group update From the Dept of Administrative Services (DAS), the data literacy framework and final report is open to accept comments until January 31, 2024. The Chief Data Officer and Oregon Data Literacy Work Group and Chair will review comments to inform future implementation, expansion, and/or adjustments to the overall framework. SCR, Senate Commemorative Resolution for Alice Bartelt Senate President Rob Wagner requested League support in compiling and processing a resolution commemorating Alice Bartelt, our recently deceased LWVOR President. The draft was submitted to Legislative Counsel and will be presented during the 2024 session. The Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance, and Safety (CAMS) Project An update was presented to the Joint Legislative Administration Committee, describing completed work, what should be done in time for the 2025 session, and work continuing on after the 2025 session. For the 2024 session: Both chambers will be in use and accessible from the wings as during the 2023 session. Hearing Rooms A-F, 170 & 174 will be in use for committees. All three entrances on State Street and both garage entrances will be available. EPAB, Oregon Digital Equity Plan The Oregon Electronic Portal Advisory Board ( EPAB ) November quarterly meeting included a broadband equity report. The Oregon Broadband Office (OBO) has issued a Oregon Digital Equity Plan Report , with Strategy 1–Put People First, to identify Oregonian’s digital government needs and to continue updating the Oregon.gov platform. OBO welcomes all to submit comments on the draft via the OBO Public Comment Portal by 5pm PST, December 16, 2023. The draft Oregon Digital Equity plan: Addresses Oregon’s digital equity challenges. Will be submitted for implementation funding to the National Telecommunication & Information Administration (NTIA), with multiple E-Government Program and EPAB references. Describes the program services scope. Includes statewide Accessibility Guidance for Oregon.gov websites. Is an Enterprise accessibility testing/quality assurance tool for websites. Is a collaboration with PSU Hatfield School of Government to study online needs for Oregonians (2022) and the state’s communities of color (2023). BACKGROUND: OBO maintains an online, interactive map of Oregon broadband availability , created in 2009 with a new version launched in 2019. Data layers include service providers, broadband technologies, service speeds, service availability reported by providers to the FCC, population density, and anchor institutions. Oregon has funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and with OSU partnership, the map will be upgraded to include an application portal, dig once map, and data submission portal. The map has several information layers to enable OBO to support Oregon’s Digital Equity Plan. New upgrade layers include a map of maximum available download speed, locations lacking service, and separate layers for each of the following community anchor institution categories: community support (government and non-government), library, hospital, fire station, law enforcement, school (K-12), higher education, inclusive of a covered population layer. EPAB advises the State Chief Information Officer about Oregon’s web services, websites and e‑commerce. Rebecca Gladstone is the appointed public member. The Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance, and Safety (CAMS) Project An update was presented to Joint Legislative Administration, describing completed work, what should be done in time for the 2025 session, and work continuing on after the 2025 session. For the 2024 session: Both chambers will be in use and accessible from the wings as during the 2023 session. Hearing Rooms A-F, 170 & 174 will be in use for committees. All three entrances on State Street and both garage entrances will be available. Election Methods By Barbara Klein No bills were taken up during this interim legislative session that relate to election systems. There were rumors of some efforts to oppose Ranked Choice Voting via legislation or the ballot, but as of yet, it is unclear whether this will materialize. Due to the decision of the legislature in June 2023, Ranked Choice Voting will be on the 2024 general ballot (for implementation in 2028). Election Signs for Sale The LWV of Umpqua Valley has 3 different kinds of signs. They are double-sided, printed on sturdy paper, coated to make them rain-proof, and 18 inches by 12 inches (not self-standing). See LWV Umpqua Valley for more information and photos of the signs: 1) End Gerrymandering Now and on the back #Fair Maps 2) Vote411 and on the back Register to Vote 3) Voting is People Power and it’s blank on the backside The signs are $5 each plus UPS shipping. Contact them at info@lwvuv.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 4/17 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: Elections, Public Records, Police Body Cams Rights of Incarcerated People Government Ethics Election Methods Campaign Finance Redistricting Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Elections, Public Records, Police Body Cams By Rebecca Gladstone The SoS elections bil (SB 167) l pushed for overdue software updates. We continue to catch bills we missed in the first chamber and can use volunteer help. SB 167 : This major 17-point elections omnibus bill from the SoS is pitching to replace candidate filing software (top of our list), add numerous efficiency improvements, address some privacy and cybersecurity issues, and tweak elsewhere for efficiency. The public hearing was rescheduled for Sen. Rules, April 20. See League testimony in support. The League was alone in speaking to the bill, as with HB 5035 last week. HB 2107 : The House Rules work session was rescheduled to April 20. We hope to see further movement and to address in the second chamber committee, to extend automatic voter registration via the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). We were sorry to see the Powder River facility pilot project cut from the bill. SB 510 : This bill passed from the Senate on April 17, 28 in favor, 2 excused. It is the companion funding for SB 417, below, to improve efficiency, cost estimates and budgeting, and sustainable funding for the Public Records Advocate Commission (PRAC). See our testimony in support . SB 417 : The Task Force, meeting since Feb 7, anticipates one more week for policy discussion, another week for final edits to propose an amendment. Current discussion includes “reasonableness”, “balancing test”, “totality of circumstances”. We support this detailed PRAC bill to increase efficiency in processing public records requests, consider fee waivers, defining “media”, waiving records request fees when made in the public interest, and considering malicious intent in placing requests; see our testimony . SB 619 : Recommendation issued, Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. (Printed A-Eng.) LWVOR strongly supports this AG’s consumer privacy bill, now with a - 1 amendment . (See our testimony .) It passed from Sen. Judiciary on April 3 with a Do Pass recommendation to W&Ms. Upcoming: SB 614 , police body cam use, personal data retention and disclosure. We will look into the bill and amendments. Since our Privacy and Cybersecurity study and the NYT 2016 article, “ Should we see Everything a Cop Sees? ”, police body cam issues have evolved. There are competing challenges of data retention and management, public records transparency and individual privacy, amid a litany of incidents that could benefit from on-site perspective, many with racial and hate aspects. The LWVOR is a member of the Oregon Coalition against Hate Crimes. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley After passing the Senate 23 to 4, the work session in House Judiciary for SB 529 , originally scheduled for April 12, has been delayed until April 24. The bill modifies legislative findings concerning alternative incarceration programs related to substance abuse. It requires that intensive addiction programs for incarcerated individuals address addiction as a chronic disease and include a range of treatment services. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2422 : Directs Legislative Administrator to pay the costs of reasonable accommodation of a member of the Legislative Assembly who is afforded rights and protections as a person with disabilities under specified federal and state law. Directs Legislative Administration Committee to adopt an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations entitled to payment. Appropriates moneys to the Legislative Administration Committee to fund payments. Work session was scheduled April 20 in H Rules. HB 5021 A : Limits biennial expenditures from fees, moneys or other revenues, including miscellaneous receipts and reimbursements from federal service agreements, but excluding lottery funds and other federal funds, collected or received by Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Passed House April 14 without dissenting vote; referred to Ways and Means. SB 168 A : Expressly prohibits public employees, while on job during working hours or while otherwise working in official capacity, from promoting or opposing appointment, nomination or election of public officials. April 10: passed Senate 17-10; April 13: to H Rules. SB 207 : Authorizes Oregon Government Ethics Commission to proceed on its own motion to review and investigate, if the commission has reason to believe that the public body conducted meetings in executive session that were not in compliance with laws authorizing executive sessions. April 20: H Rules work session. SB 292 B : Narrows, on temporary basis, applicability of requirement that members of district school board must file verified statements of economic interest to only those members of districts with specified number of students, or districts that are sponsors of virtual public charter schools. Expands applicability of requirement to all members of district school boards in 2026. Directs Oregon Government Ethics Commission to provide training on filing of verified statements of economic interest to members of district school boards. April 17: from Senate Rules with unanimous do-pass recommendation as amended; April 19: Passed Senate 26 to 0. SB 661 A : Prohibits any lobbyist from serving as chairperson of interim committees, certain legislative work groups, or legislative task forces. Provides exceptions. April 6: passed Senate, 24-2; April 13: in H Rules. Election Methods By Barbara Klein No further developments this week. Campaign Finance No bills on campaign finance have yet been scheduled for a hearing. Redistricting There has been no movement on redistricting in the legislature. People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 petitions downloadable from its website. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 3/13 By Anne Nesse, Education Portfolio Senate Education held hearings on an educational plan to begin curriculum design for climate change study, within all subjects, grades K-12, available for the entire state. Justice and saving lives was also in the forefront. This curriculum for climate education Bill, SB 854 , was well represented on 3/9 by Co-Sponsors Sen. Patterson, and Sen. Manning. The purpose of this Bill was quite clearly stated: this is about our species survival on a healthy planet, and it represents an important vote. Several members of the Oregon Educators for Climate Education (OECE) were also interviewed that day on the front page of the Oregonian. LWV submitted written testimony in support here . A recording of the hearing includes the introduction of the Bill here by Senators, and OECE members included with student testimony here . There were well over 100 written testimonies in support of this Bill. Senate Education also heard Sen. Campos introduce SB 600 , a $4.8 M Bill to resolve legal problems, like eviction, and domestic violence for low income clients, utilizing mediation. Law students, advisory attorneys, and low income clients testified to the life saving justice this can provide. SB 551 , was introduced on 3/7 in Senate Education, by Sen. Sollman, a bill that hopes to bring some additional education to parents and students on safer gun and medication storage. This information would be placed on the school district’s website, and social media sites, and take effect throughout the state. LWVOR wrote testimony by Marge Easley, here , and I added some virtual testimony, on Oregon statistics from 2022, showing a significantly higher rate of youth suicides, compared to national statistics. Oregon has unusually higher statistics on this kind of data, year after year. The average rate for youth suicide deaths nationally in 2022 was 14.2 youth per 100,000, while Oregon’s youth suicide death rate was much larger at 18.5 youth per 100,000, sourced from americahealthrankings.org , therefore increasing the need for this kind of education on websites, throughout our state. SB 238 was introduced by Sen. Gorsek, asking the Oregon Health Authority, and State Board of Education and Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to collaborate on developing curricula supplements related to synthetic opioids dangers, including fentanyl or any substituted derivative of fentanyl, and counterfeit, and fake drugs. This hearing was very emotional, as it began with a family who had lost a son to one dose of fentanyl, hidden within what he thought was a medication that might help his chronic anxiety symptoms. listen here to the overwhelming support this Bill had. Senate Education also heard SB 48 -2, on 3/7, sponsored by Sen. Findley and Rep. Mannix. This Bill will develop a successful process for dealing with chronic truancy in our public schools, now reaching an unfortunate 36.1%. It was agreed by many on the committee that actually enforcing consequences helped the student and the family deal with this problem, as was proven in the past, when a better Oregon law was in place. Also presented by Rep. Mannix was SB 49 , a study Bill to explore funding means throughout the state for competition-size swimming pools at every high school. It was stated that Oregon ranked the 13th highest in the nation for drownings. And testimony was given that we simply were not investing statewide in early swimming education for Oregon children. On 3/6 House Education heard HB 3031 , (identical to SB 414), to assess and study all state school ventilation systems, as well as CO2 monitors, to determine if they meet health standards. It was testified by experts in the state that the end result of this Bill would likely have little fiscal impact, and possibly even a net increase in revenue. The Bill would likely provide career opportunities for installation of HVAC systems, federal funding, look towards reduction of operating costs of schools, decrease energy costs, and eventually have an effect on increasing attendance in schools. Rural contractors can do this, and it is required that workers hired for this purpose will make a living wage. A companion bill, HB 2638 , requires goals for air conditioning, heating, and cooling requirements, with HVAC in all schools statewide, by 2029. Class size in negotiation of contracts with teachers in all districts, statewide HB 2703 , was also discussed in House Education. Currently it was agreed by law that only the Title 1 schools were given special consideration because this was where the highest degree of need was. Morgan Allen, COSA Director, and OSBA Director were opposed, based on making sure the greatest need schools were served first. They both stated, it is always possible for other school districts to include class size as a part of contract negotiation. A number of teachers and OEA supported the Bill. House Education heard several Bills on 3/8. HB 3288 -1 on requiring ODE and school districts to collect data on race, ethnicity, languages, sexual preferences, and disabilities, in standardized manner throughout the state, so that legislative decision making can be improved. HB 3068 allows a student, with parental approval, and has received a certificate for passage of the General Educational Development (GED) exam, who is 16 yrs. old and in grades 11 or 12, to receive a high school diploma. The testimony for this Bill was presented by Tom Holt. It will serve students who know what they want to study in post-secondary education or career goals, allowing them to move out of high school towards their goals. HB 3204 -1 attempts to change the timelines for when a student can receive approval to enroll in a virtual public charter school, not sponsored by the local school district, (and subject to the 3% cap), from several weeks to a shorter timeline. Morgan Allen, from COSA, testified that the deadline of 5 business days, as stated in the law, would be difficult to meet.

League 'plug and play' talking points. / Plug and Play Talking Points / Plug and Play Talking Points Jump to Talking Point Topics Plug and Play Talking Points LWVOR Communications Team has launched a new project we’ve nicknamed Plug & Play. Research shows people respond best to information from their own communities. With that in mind, Plug & Play was created as an optional tool to help you serve your communities more easily. We know League members are volunteers, often juggling many demands. Even when we want to do more for the League and our communities, time is limited. Every efficient shortcut helps. The Communications Team will periodically send ready-to-use content—talking points and social media posts —centered on one timely issue, developed with input from the Action Committee. These talking points can be submitted as Letters-to-the-Editor, or adapted for your local context, or even expanded into Op-Eds. Social media posts (with graphics) are also included for easy sharing. How it Works Our first set, on Executive Overreach and Orders, was sent only to leaders. We received several requests to share with all members. However, only League leaders may speak for the League. That’s how we maintain our strong, unified voice. The solution? Two versions: one set for leaders (referencing the League), and one focused purely on the issue for members. If you are not a designated spokesperson, please refrain from using the leaders’ materials. Remember: this project is optional. We hope it helps strengthen your outreach and makes your work more effective and convenient—while keeping us united in purpose and voice. View our topics list below. States' Rights, the 2nd Amendment, and Military Deployment to Cities Plug and Play Talking Points: Toolkit Including LTEs and Social Media Book Bans Plug and Play Talking Points: Book Bans and the Freedom to Read Social Media Toolkit: Book Bans and the Freedom to Read Medicaid Plug and Play Talking Points: Medicaid Social Media Toolkit: Medicaid Immigration and Due Process Plug and Play Talking Points: Immigration and Due Process Social Media Toolkit: Immigration and Due Process Our Plug and Play Talking Points are also linked in the Member Resources Knowledge Base.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Air Quality 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.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Budgets 2025 Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Hanford Land Use and Housing Natural Resource Agencies Northwest Energy Coalition Reduce/Recycle Transportation Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed Agriculture A League member met with the new Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Director Hanson and others to discuss work on their strategic plan and 2025 budget development as well as providing an update on the Eastern Oregon groundwater issue (Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area—LUBGMA) where the League expressed frustration at the lack of very real action to address the needs of Oregonians who are still dealing with contaminated drinking water. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch A Revenue Forecast was presented to the House and Senate Revenue Committees on May 29. The bottom line: Revenue was up BUT........we now temporarily have a $582 million personal kicker forecasted for 2026 because the new forecasted revenue is 2.5% over the May 2023 forecast. However, there are a number of forecasts before this becomes reality. The forecasters are saying interest rates won't drop until December so we are still in a "will we have a soft landing or a recession?" situation. While leadership will want to provide as many services as possible, the minority will be focusing on the potential negative and want to reduce spending. For the natural resource agencies, many need fee increases in order to try to maintain current services...and those may be difficult to get approved in 2025. Budgets 2025 By Peggy Lynch The Governor had asked agencies to present her with agency budget proposals by April 30. Since revenue may only cover the Current Service Levels (amount of money needed to fund current programs while also addressing expected increases in costs–CSL) of state agencies plus 1-2%, agencies are now discussing with the Governor’s office on why a particular program should exceed that amount. We should see Agency Request Budgets (ARBs) in July or August. The Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB) is due to the legislature by Dec. 1st. The State Debt Policy Advisory Commission will provide bonding guidance in January of 2025. Among the challenges, the Private Forest Accord cost is $36 million General Funds and was not in the CSL. 49% of the Oregon Dept. of Energy’s 2023-24 budget was one-time money. The League is engaged in potential fee increases at the Water Resources Dept., the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and others. Expect a separate budget package for housing that will include monies in a number of different budgets to implement the Governor’s requests. Here is a good video on property taxes in Oregon. Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible that there will be conversations on property tax reform in 2025. The Oregonian provides some insight into that future conversation. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report . There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch The issue of offshore wind energy is dominating conversations at the coast. Here is an Oregonian article and an OPB article to help explain the issue. The League supports the concept of renewable energy but also supports our coastal estuaries. We hope that ongoing discussions will help guide decisions on whether or not offshore wind energy is right for Oregon’s south coast. Here is the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development’s Coastal Division offshore wind website . A new group, the Oregon Ocean Alliance, has been formed to advocate for ocean funding in multiple agencies in 2025. See the website for Oregon’s marine reserves. The League signed a letter in support of HB 4132 which passed and provides money for these special places. June 8 was World Oceans Day . Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch An article covering the Secretary of State audit notes that, in order for the agency to accomplish its mission for Oregonians, DEQ needs staff. The League’s budget letters every session reflect that need. However, the revenue forecast may hamper important investments. DEQ’s biennial report summarizing surface water pollution across the state will include a recognition of the impact of trash on water quality per this OPB article . Over 5,700 septic systems near the La Pine area need an upgrade—causing increases in nitrates in their well water and seeping into the Deschutes River basin system per this article in the Bend Bulletin. The DEQ Director reported to the Environmental Quality Commission: 1) The Clean Fuels program renewable diesel usage is 2 years ahead of expectations and the City of Portland calculates its population will see $90 million LESS in health care costs in part due to TriMet’s use of renewable diesel 2) They have received monies for a Community Air Action Program from the Environmental Protection Agency for 4 communities and have received interest from over 100 interested parties 3) the Materials Management Division has released grants for $1 million each of the next 2 years 4) Expect rules on Toxics at their Sept. meeting 5) The 2024 Integrated Report is available 6) There will be increased beach water monitoring this year Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The agency will begin rulemaking to consider increasing fees for removal/fill projects. The League will participate. We are also engaged in support of an increased budget for the wetlands division. Additionally, the Governor’s office is going to ask for staffing and program dollars to help with the siting of new housing projects. We hope to see that request before the June 11th State Land Board meeting. DSL is responsible for managing state lands. School lands have supported public education in Oregon since statehood, when Congress provided sections 16 and 36 of every township “for use of schools.” Today, the Oregon Department of State Lands manages Oregon's 681,000 acres of school lands to generate revenue for the Common School Fund See Elliott State Research Forest below for the agency’s role in that issue. Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) By Sandra Bishop The League’s member was reappointed to this committee . Their next meeting is July 17. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The interim Advisory Group met on May 30th and received an update on the proposed 2025-27 budget and federal conversations. Fire costs are up 13%. With the monies allocated in 2024, hiring for a minimal management staff and the signing of contracts are occurring at DSL. There are continuing conversations with five of Oregon’s tribes and may include official consultations at their request. The State Land Board will meet on June 11 to appoint the new ESRF Board and address the transition related to the new Board’s obligations. The Forest Management Plan should be ready for public comment soon with Land Board consideration at their October meeting. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . Forestry ODF’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program received $26.6 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through the United States Forest Service (USFS). Out of this, $10 million will be awarded to the nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, and $12.5 million will be available for all eligible entities in Oregon. This opportunity promotes equal access to the benefits of trees and aims to get more people involved in tree planting and comprehensive urban forest management. ODF's UCF Program officially issued the call for proposals for all eligible entities on May 31. The application portal and resources related to this funding opportunity can be found on the UCF subaward program webpage. See also the Wildfire section of this report below. Hanford The State of Washington and federal agencies agree on the future of Tank Waste Cleanup at the Hanford Site. The Hanford Board met on May 21st. LWVOR no longer has a member on the Board and there is a vacancy for “member of the public.” The application is here . Please contact Peggy Lynch at peggylynchor@gmail.com if you would like to follow Oregon’s Hanford Cleanup Board. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch The Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development’s May 30th agenda focused on housing preservation while the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness agenda included a presentation by Matthew Tschabold, the Governor’s Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director. Here is the Governor’s Homeless Response Framework and here is the DRAFT Housing Production Framework. The League has been engaged with Mr. Tschabold and will continue during the interim. The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development will continue to have a major role in helping local jurisdictions to meet the Governor’s housing goals and their 2025 budget will reflect that role. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage . And watch their meetings on the department’s YouTube channel. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Natural Resource Agencies The Emergency Board approved funding and submission of many federal grants at its May 31st meeting, many of them related to natural resource agencies. The Senate approved a number of executive appointments , including a new Water Resources Dept. Director (Ivan Gall, who most recently served as the interim deputy director of water management) and Sara O’Brien, who most recently served as Executive Director of Willamette Partnership, to lead the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). Debbie Colbert was chosen by the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Commission to be the new Director of ODFW. During the 2024 legislative session, a massive grants program was approved using monies from a settlement with Monsanto to fund significant natural resource restoration in Oregon for at least the next 50 years. Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) By Robin Tokmakian The NWEC had its spring conference in Idaho. Here is a summary of the meeting. Reduce/Recycle Look for a battery recycling bill in 2025—where battery manufacturers will need to pay for a recycling program in Oregon. DEQ is conducting rulemaking to clarify and implement HB 3220 (2023) , which updates and makes necessary changes to the statewide electronics recycling program, Oregon E-Cycles. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, please visit the Oregon E-Cycles rulemaking web page . Recycling Modernization Act of 2021 ( SB 582 ), which the League supported , has a rulemaking advisory committee with July 27 meetings posted on the Recycling 2024 website. See the website to submit comments on the proposed rules by July 5. Transportation Thanks to Rep. Gomberg, here is a 5-minute video on ODOT’s funding challenge. And here’s an online interactive map that shows projects and their details throughout the state. In early February, the Joint Committee on Transportation (JCT) released a 2024-25 Beginning Conversation Draft Action Plan for the development of the expected 2025 State Transportation Funding Package. Open Houses still happening: Wednesday, June 12: Burns or Ontario (Malheur County Commission Chambers) Thursday, June 13: Baker City or Pendleton (Baker City Armory, Blue Mountain C.C.) Friday, June 28: Eugene (University of Oregon) Tuesday, July 16: Medford or Grants Pass (Medford City Hall, Medford Public Library) Thursday, July 25: Bend or Redmond (Bend Senior Center, OSU Cascades, Fair & Expo Center) Thursday, August 15: Beaverton or Hillsboro (Washington County Commission) Other possible cities to visit as alternative / additions include: The Dalles / Hood River, Roseburg Look for a 2025 conversation on how to fund multiple Oregon transportation needs. This effort was last addressed in 2017. Water By Peggy Lynch Four leading water law experts on Oregon water law presented a letter to the Governor, “An appeal for gubernatorial leadership to modernize Oregon’s water laws,” and shared it with the Senate Interim Natural Resources and the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committees. This Oregon Capital Chronicle article explains the conversations. We now expect a “water package” in the 2025 session. As a part of this work, the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) has been put on pause while new agency leadership is installed. (For more information about the IWRS, visit the IWRS page .) With the appointment of Ivan Gall, it’s time for work to be completed on the IWRS, the OWRD Strategic Plan and other items that have been on hold at the agency. The League provided testimony in support of the Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) draft proposed groundwater rules . Our Deschutes League has been engaged in water issues in their region and also supports these proposed rules. According to a recent article in the Bend Bulletin , hydrologists and community leaders in Central Oregon are sounding the alarm over the decline and loss of groundwater, with the discharge at the headwaters of the Metolius River down 55 percent over the past six years, while water pumped from underground aquifers "is far outpacing what nature can replace through precipitation." Last year, OWRD said more than 130 people in Central Oregon were seeking financial assistance to repair wells, mainly due to the dropping aquifer, including 114 homeowners in Deschutes County. The cost to repair a well varies depending on several factors but can range from $9,000 to $55,000, said Alyssa Rash, a spokesperson for the department. That is an expense many can’t afford. The League was pleased that a $1 million General Fund was added to the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund in 2024. The League was engaged in helping create this fund in 2021. The Environmental Protection Agency is revising standards related to tribal water rights. The Umatilla/Morrow County Groundwater (LUBGWMA) issue is still not resolved. The League has brought up this issue with WRD, DEQ and ODA quarterly meetings. The League continues to work to save Oregon’s wetlands and here’s why . We expect to engage with the Governor’s Office regarding housing needs while protecting wetlands. 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. Jefferson County has asked for a drought emergency declaration, but that request has not yet been approved. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms and practice “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. DEQ received funding for a six-month seasonal monitoring specialist position in the 23-25 Legislatively Adopted Budget which allowed the lab to expand the 2023 pilot scale recreational HAB network from 10 water bodies to 40 lakes and reservoirs this year. The lab will sample these 40 water bodies four times each from May 2024 through October 2024 in six regional circuits across the state. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The League monitored several informational meetings during the recent Interim Legislative Session. The House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans met on May 29, and heard an update on the upcoming wildfire season from the Department of Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple. While the early part of the season shows lower than normal risk for a large part of the State, she strongly emphasized that all indications point to above average risk during the latter part of the season. This, in the face of challenges such as reduced capacity across the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, reduced rural capacity among volunteer fire service, and continued record drought conditions in vulnerable parts of the state. She also outlined her department’s effort in the area of wildfire mitigation, including providing defensible space assessments to homeowners and community wildfire risk reduction grants. On May 30, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held an informational meeting, devoted primarily to wildfire. All the meeting materials may be found here . First was an update from the Department of Business and Consumer Services on the state of the Homeowners’ Insurance market in Oregon, specific to cancellations and non-renewals, which have decreased slightly. The market appears to have stabilized, at least temporarily, perhaps due to the relatively less costly wildfire events of 2021 and 2022 as compared with 2020. Next was a discussion of the Wildfire Funding Workgroup, which was established by HB 5701, budget note 5. Kyle Williams of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Chief Ruiz-Temple of OFSM were the main presenters. There was a sense of urgency expressed throughout the presentations, with the general message being how “desperate” the involved parties are for a fix to the funding system. After several attempts to address the wildfire programs funding crisis failed during the 2024 short session, the mood can best be described as grave concerned “alarm” that there is less overall funding currently than in recent years to fight or prevent this season’s fires, with no solution in sight. It was emphasized repeatedly that this was not a time to “re-litigate policy,” but to figure out funding. Doug Grafe also spoke and pointed out that the most effective tool in the wildfire mitigation toolbox, community resilience, received the biggest decrease in funding for this year, close to a 90% drop. Chief Ruiz-Temple expressed concern about competition for scarce resources among regional agencies in the face of unusually high risk developing in western Washington State, and how that could impact out-of-state assistance as well as risk in NW Oregon. Senator Golden closed that portion of the meeting by urging the work group to focus on getting to what can actually be done, and not let the discussion be dominated for too long by “ideas”. The work group’s first meeting was June 3. Finally, the committee received an update from the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC). Doug Grafe, the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Director, and Dave Hunnicutt, Chair, and Mary Kyle McCurdy, Vice-Chair, gave an overview of their work in the coming months. First, Doug mentioned the schedule for the community information sessions that ODF and other agencies will be holding to help communities get answers to their questions about the new wildfire hazard map and other wildfire related issues. They will be touring in the areas of highest wildfire hazard. This was followed by brief descriptions of the work the WPAC will be doing this summer, mainly focusing on prescribed fire, community risk reduction, and the wildfire funding workgroup. There have been other items of interest recently. On May 15, Governor Kotek and members of various agencies held a press conference to discuss the 2024 wildfire season. This press release describes what was covered. Lastly, sadly the “good news” that SB 1520 passed during the short session, to ensure that recipients of settlements or judgment from wildfire losses-related lawsuits would avoid being excessively taxed in Oregon on those proceeds, is now tempered by the bad news that a similar federal tax law is “stuck”. This Oregon Live Article describes the difficulty this legislation faces in Congress. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 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: Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes Government Ethics Election Systems Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes By Becky Gladstone We are following numerous bills relating to immigration, discrimination, bias and hate crimes, including as they relate to privacy. We are following national executive orders and memos that relate to our December action alert, anticipating developments. See the LWVOR alert and the LWVUS press release . HB 2341 : The League’s was the only testimony filed. We supported adding email address access for certain veterans and service member correspondence, based on “efficiency in government”. The bill passed unanimously in work session, from H Comm On Emergency Mngmt, Gen Gov, and Veterans . SJM 1 : We are preparing testimony on this bill, urging Congress to protect rights of armed forces and their families. It mentions bias and hate crimes. A work session is scheduled in Sen Comm On Vets, Emergency Management, Fed and World Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 1pm to return the bill to the Senate President for committee reassignment. SB 5535 : Time allowing, this DAS agency budget bill may be addressed, public hearing Wed, Feb. 5. New LWVOR Action Committee volunteers have joined to work on artificial intelligence and other cyber issues. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey The House Rules Committee heard five bills from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) on Jan. 27. The OGEC Director Meyers said that these bills are “simply efforts to clean up inconsistencies and eliminate confusion with respect to the application of the statutes.” HB 2923 specifies some business roles that must be included on a Statement of Economic Interest disclosure form. HB 2927 permits the OGEC to prolong an investigation into alleged ethics law or lobbying violations by no more than 60 days. The current 30 days allowed is ineffective since it would not extend to the next OGEC meeting. HB 2928 removes the prohibition on offering gifts in excess of $50 per calendar year to a public official, candidate, or to a relative or member of their household. This is the OGEC’s most controversial proposal since they justified it with a 2009 court case that overturned this statute. However, later written testimony said that a 2020 court case “abrogated” the 2009 decision. See Oregonian, Should special interests get to offer Oregon officials luxury gifts? Four people opposed this bill, and the League will also likely oppose it. HB 2930 applies conflict of interest laws to people who live in the same house as a public official. The only two witnesses (OGEC executive director and another OGEC employee) were in favor of the bill. Two public comments were received (one from Dan Meek on behalf of the OR Progressive Party), both in support of the bill. HB 2932 allows a public official to get paid for teaching at certain schools, even when related to their public office. Election Systems By Barbara Klein A bill related to Open Primaries ( HB 3166 ) on which LWVOR has been working, has not yet been amended. The anticipated amendments may change LWVOR support (or no support) status. It has been moved to the Rules committee. HB 2876 seeks to conform all county election structures statewide, making every county commission a nonpartisan board of five (5) commissioners (unless voters of the county choose not to do so). It is currently in Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans.

Climate Emergency reports from the LWVOR Action Committee. Climate Emergency Overview The League believes that climate change is a serious threat facing our nation and our planet. Read More Climate Emergency Reports 6/29/26 Legislative Report - Week of 6/29 The 2026 short legislative session (Feb. 2–Mar. 6) adjourned Sine Die having navigated a ~$750M budget shortfall driven by federal funding cuts from the Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill. Read More 3/9/26 Legislative Report - Week of 3/9 The League will be very active in 2027 on Climate Emergency: mitigation, adaptation and climate migration / Human Rights related advocacy. Read More 3/2/26 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 A number of Climate bills with fiscals are in JWM or Rules, the League is not clear if any of these bills will move. Read More 2/23/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 Please contact your legislators, asking them to support SB 1541 A and SB 1526A. Leadership and JWM committee must move these bills to the floor for a vote this session. Oregon has an opportunity to join other states, modeling critical climate fiscal legislation. Read More 2/16/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Many Climate Emergency priority policy and or funding bills the league supports are expected to move to JWM or the floor Read More 2/9/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 Many Climate Emergency priority bills the league supports are likely to move from the first chamber by Feb 16 deadline, find details below Read More 2/2/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 A League SB 1541 Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program Alert is planned for Feb 3. There are a number of other Climate Emergency bills during 2026 short session. Read More 1/26/26 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 This is a short 5-week Legislative session, most bills must have work sessions scheduled in the first chamber by mid Feb to stay active. There are now many Legislative Concepts waiting for Bill numbers for Environment / Climate Legislative soon to be posted to OLIS by no later than 28th of January. Read More 12/1/25 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 The primary climate/carbon issues during the 2026 short session will be related to budget issues primarily caused by Federal funding and policy decisions. Read More 10/13/25 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Several energy-related bills from the 2025 session became effective in late September 2025 (91 days after the session's conclusion on June 27). Read More 8/11/25 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of August 11 This sine die report summarizes the Climate Emergency portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More 6/30/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 The League is pleased that Oregon now joins a few other states addressing Climate related risk investments, referring to Treasurer Steiner supported, Oregon Investment Council HB 2081. Read More 6/23/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 There are less than 7 days until the end of session and a number of bills and state agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing agency climate programs in the reconciliation bill. Read More 6/16/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 There are less than 17 days until the end of session and a number of bills and agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing state agency Climate related programs will be in the end of session reconciliation bill. Read More 6/9/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 Early in the 2025 legislative session, the Oregon League testified in support of what are now HB 2949 A and HB 2152 A. Each bill focused on the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub. Recently both bills passed out of the House Emergency Management, General Management and Veterans Committee, chaired by Representative Tran. HB 2949 passed with unanimous approval. Read More 6/2/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 The League joined many other organizations this past week to oppose the Transportation Budget Cap and Trade proposal. The League is open to the idea that a west coast cap and trade solution may be viable in the future; however, the details related to this idea and how it affects CPP Climate Protection Plan, still need a robust public process. Read More 5/26/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 The League is very concerned about the recent announcement from Legislative leadership. The Transportation Cap and Trade idea has not had any public review including a comprehensive OCN perspective. Read More 5/19/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/ targeted outcomes. Read More 5/12/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/outcomes. Read More 5/5/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 This year, the Oregon Legislature will be considering a transportation package that will provide ongoing funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation. (ODOT). Emissions from transportation make up over one-third of Oregon's total emissions. This session provides an opportunity for the Legislature to increase access to multi-modal transportation and expand options for all Oregonians to get around without a car. The Environmental Caucus is championing a package that prioritizes transit, safety, and climate accountability. Read More 4/28/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 A few federal court rulings have favorably affected Biden admin IRA funding despite the current administration’s attempt to freeze the minutes. ‘The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act‘, provides an expanded overview of funding in Oregon. Read More 4/21/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Read More 4/14/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Read More 4/7/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Read More

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron 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 Child Care Criminal Justice Education Housing Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum Public Safety Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller On February 10, the House Committee on Education held a work session on HB 2596 (Interstate Licensure Compact for School Psychologists). The Committee voted to move the bill to the floor with a “Do Pass” recommendation. Rep. Neron will be the carrier of the bill on the floor. On February 11, the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care held public hearings on HB 2013 and HB 2041 . HB 2013 would amend ORS 743A.168 to include outpatient treatment clinics that employ certified alcohol and drug counselors (CADCs) as providers for purposes of mental health insurance coverage. Phil Broyles of Teras Intervention and Counseling testified that most private insurers will not reimburse CADCs for doing the same care as other providers. This has limited access to care because CADCs are a significant part of the workforce for substance use disorder treatment. HB 2041 would require insurers to reimburse mental health providers at the same rate as physicians and other medical providers when performing the same services. Representatives from insurance companies testified in opposition to the bill stating that it would drive up costs. The representative from the Oregon Psychological Association (OPA) testified that OPA was neutral on the bill but stated that the problem of low reimbursement rates is the major factor limiting access to care. Due to the low reimbursement rates, behavioral health providers opt out of participating in the insurance networks. HB 3185 was scheduled for a hearing on February 13, but the hearing was cancelled due to the weather. The bill involves a pilot program for students from Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University. The students receive a tuition reduction and placement at a non-profit . HB 3185 would prioritize those students whose studies focus on underserved fields such as behavioral health, housing insecurity, and K-12. On February 11, the Senate Committee on Health Care began a public hearing on SB 140 . At the hearing, behavioral health executives from hospitals testified about their reimbursement rate problems and discussed ways to better coordinate care and streamline processes in the system. The hearing was carried over to February 13, but that was cancelled due to the weather. Child care By Katie Riley The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education held an informational meeting on Monday, February 10 to review the Oregon Department of Education's (ODE) three reports on the results of the 2024 Legislative session on HB4082 which provided $30 million for 2024 summer learning and set up a task force to plan for the future of summer and after school. They include a Final Report on the task force as well as a report on the process of implementing funding and a participant survey . The ODE review in the legislative committee was glowing about the results of summer school activities; however, the Oregonian reported concerns about inadequate and uneven tracking of goal outcomes. In addition, there was no split between summer school outcomes and after hours care spending and outcomes. Reporting on the use of community-based organizations did not differentiate between care and enrichment organizations, and there was no attempt to look at their effectiveness. Funding is key to providing adequate care during non-school hours. SB896 was heard the previous week. It would allocate funds for after-school care. HB3039 which provides for summer funding has not been heard yet. Neither bill has a funding amount attached at this time although the Governor has proposed $78.5 million for summer funding. ODE’s HB4082 final report included $50 million per year for the next two years. League Testimony supported HB3011 which Establishes the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Fund and appropriates moneys in the fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide funding to community colleges and public universities in this state that offer early childhood education degrees and certificates. No funding was attached to the bill. Potentially, these funds could also support afterschool staff. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The League submitted supportive testimony on February 13 for HB 2233 , which continues funding for a legal services program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. The Re*Membering program, established by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, provides legal assistance to adults in custody or those newly released for civil matters that are barriers to successful reentry into the community, such as child custody, divorce, domestic abuse, debt, housing, employment, or property. Education By Jean Pierce Testimony was prepared for two bills which were scheduled for a Public Hearing in the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on February 13. But since all committee meetings were cancelled due to inclement weather, the testimonies will be filed at a later date. HB3182 directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide affordable housing support to low-income students. A 2023 survey of Portland Community College students revealed that 56% were dealing with housing insecurity. HB3183 would appropriate money to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the Open Educational Resources Program which provides no-cost, low-cost textbooks and course materials for higher ed students. A single textbook can cost as much as $600, so a 2022 survey of students at Oregon State University revealed that 61% had not purchased textbooks due to the cost. Open Oregon Educational Resources data collected over six years from Community College students in the state have revealed that “the average materials cost for the two-year Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree in 2021 was $1,143.62, a 47% drop since the study began in 2015”. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Public hearings have been held on several housing-related bills to address our state’s low homeownership rate. According to Census data, Oregon’s homeownership rate is approximately 64%, ranking Oregon 43rd in the nation [ American Census Survey Homeownership Data ]. In addition, of the 74% of Oregonians who rent, 48% consider achieving homeownership a top priority. These numbers are even higher among younger generations, Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X (81-88%), and Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, and People of Color (96%). Oregon Realtors Statewide Housing Survey . Listed below are housing priorities of the statewide Housing Alliance, of which our League is a member. HB 2090 currently in the House Committee on Revenue is proposing to extend the manufactured dwelling park closure tax credit for displaced residents. The bill would mitigate the cost to manufactured dwelling park households who are forced to move due to market forces, development, or landlord closure. The tax credit sunset would be extended from 2026 to 2032 and allow for a refundable income tax credit of $5,000 for residents of manufactured dwellings who rent space and are displaced when a park closes. HB 3236 is a housing tax credit for lending for affordable homeownership. It expands the Affordable Housing Lender Fund to provide funds for origination and servicing of mortgage loans and related costs for eligible homebuyers. The state Department of Revenue is to allow a tax credit against taxes to a lending institution that makes a qualified loan to the Lender Fund to assist eligible home buyers. HB 3235 The state Housing and Community Services Department would award grants to organizations to support first-time home buyers to purchase residential property to build equity ownership in the residential property through below market interest rates and accelerated loan terms. This program would provide a new resource for homebuyers by blending private bank capital with state funding. HB 2698 sets a goal of attaining a statewide homeownership rate as determined by the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau. It requires the Housing and Community Services Department to track goal progress as part of the Housing Needs Analysis. It is required to update a publicly available statewide housing production dashboard of progress toward the homeownership goal based on the homeownership rate and in the aggregate, and by race and ethnicity. Immigration By Becky Gladstone We are researching this immigration-related bill, not yet scheduled for a hearing. SB 703 directs DHS to give service providers grants to help noncitizens change their immigration status. Public Safety By Karen Nibler The House Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee scheduled a hearing for HB 3079 , which would require the Department of Human Services and the Housing and Community Services Department to study options for allocating 30 percent of their respective budgets in the 2027-2029 biennium toward reducing the number of youth aging into adult homelessness. Due to cold weather, the February 13 hearing will be rescheduled. The newly-emancipated youth at 18 can rarely afford to pay current rents without family or agency assistance. Those without family support require highly-paid jobs to afford current rent prices. Those in college programs can apply for rental assistance, but those without resources are not able to pay current rents. The Joint Addictions Subcommittee heard testimony on SB 782 on February 12, 2025. This bill is a follow-up on HB 4002 (2024) which provided funds for deflection programs within county mental health programs. However, those who testified reported that the initial funds through the Criminal Justice Commission grants were not sufficient to operate county-wide programs for housing, jail space and behavior health treatment programs. These programs are needed for those charged with alcohol and drug offenses and subsequently supervised by county probation staff and state parolee staff.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/6 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Clean Energy Clean Building Equity and Environmental Justice Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Priorities By Claudia Keith The League has identified six priority CE policy and budget topics. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each priority. Following are updates on those six topics: 1. Natural and Working Lands : Establishes Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities…: Natural Climate Solutions SB 530 . Public Hearing was 2/15/23 in SEN E&E . The League provided supportive testimony . Read Oregon Chapter American Planning Association testimony . Sen Dembrow and OGWC Chair MacDonald testified . Here are the meeting materials . Climate Change Solutions | Newsletter | EESI: “ It's farm bill season on Capitol Hill”. 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report . The League is an active RB coalition partner. BR campaign guiding principles . SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 were posted 2/9. Find additional LR by Arlene Sherrett below. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ): 2023 Leg bills. The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13 and SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB907 was posted 2/15. 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , will change "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to "Oregon Climate Action Commission" and modify membership and duties of commission and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets/goals. League Testimony . PH was 2/21, highlights: Sen Dembrow’s “ OGWC Modernization Presentation “ and American Planning Association testimony. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ), requesting additional agency requests that were not included in the Governor’s budget. Other CE Bills - Supporting By Claudia Keith HB 2763 Creates a State public bank Task Force with Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters. The League provided testimony . Work Session was scheduled for March 9 w -1 amendment . Other CE Bills – May Support By Claudia Keith The League may support or just follow these bills. This is a preliminary list. Natural Working Lands: See Rep Pham’s urban forestry bill, HB 3016 , Rep Holvey’s severance tax bill, HB 3025 to replace the harvest tax, and ODF’s Regular Harvest tax bill, HB 2087 . SB 88 climate smart Ag increases net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands. Requested: Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery. See Keep Oregon Cool, Natural Working Lands. Green Infrastructure: HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Public & Green Banking: SB501 Bank of the state of Oregon Sen Golden. Clean Energy By Greg Martin Senate E&E moves SB 852 The committee unanimously moved SB 852 to the Senate floor with subsequent referral to Joint W&M. The 11-line bill requiring ODOE to "establish a program to provide assistance related to energy projects and activities to environmental justice communities" carries a fiscal impact estimate of $390,315 for hiring one permanent, full-time Operations and Policy Analyst 3 as a "community navigator" who would reach out to connect local and tribal governments and community-based organizations with EJ communities and the technical and financial energy resources they need. Clean Buildings By Arlene Sherrett The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee will hold work sessions this week on both HB 3166 and HB 3056. HB 3166 a whole-home energy savings program will offer rebates for installing various electric energy high-efficiency devices and will establish a one stop for much needed information on incentives and technical assistance. HB 3056 extends funding for the heat pump grant and rebate program. Resilient Buildings (RB) is a priority for the League and this week we saw draft text for SB 868 , 869 , 870 sent out on Feb 27, 2023. All the bills follow closely with the intent in the one-pagers sent out from Senator Lieber’s office the first part of February. Unfortunately, there is no place online to access the draft bills but information on the background of each bill is available at the Building Resilience website . Access to the task force mailing list is available through Nora Apter at noraa@oeconline.org and you can email me at arlenesherrett3019@gmail.com . I will be glad to forward them to you. SB 871 the State Building energy efficiency bill will come soon. The RBC coordinator estimates that the Senate Energy and Environment hearing will be in mid-March. Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report for background. Equity and Environmental Justice By Arlene Sherrett SB 852 will be up for a work session in Senate Energy and Environment this week. The bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a program especially for EJ communities to provide assistance with energy projects and activities. The bill had afirst public hearing Feb 21. The following bills include special provisions for Environmental Justice Communities but may not be exclusively targeted to the needs of those communities. HB 3196 HB 2990 Interstate 5 (I5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge project is estimated to cost approximately $6 billion and will be funded using federal and state funds from both Oregon and Washington, as well as tolling. To date, the final design has not been agreed upon. Information on the project and an FAQ can be found at Frequently Asked Questions | I-5 Bridge Replacement Program. The Executive Steering Group has no scheduled meetings at this time. The Community Advisory Group meets every 2nd Thursday of the month from 4-6 pm. The next meeting is April 13. The Equity Advisory Group meets the 3rd Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 pm. The next meeting is the March 20. The community engagement calendar can be found here . There was a Public Hearing scheduled for February 28 at 5 p.m. on bills related to rail transportation in Oregon, and a Joint Committee meeting on transportation funding in Oregon on March 2 that may likely touch on the topic of the I-5 bridge as well. The Interstate Bridge Replacement Project is in its second round of assessment after the first plans received criticism from several sources . The latest proposal for the bridge is called the Modified Locally Preferred Alternative . Right now, the project is waiting on an environmental review and this LWVOR report will be updated as soon as anything comes out. Next steps from Program Administrator Gregory Johnson: 1. The program’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available for public review and comment during a formal public comment period anticipated in 2023. 2. The program will refine and update the cost estimate and financial plan to reflect the key elements identified in the endorsed Modified LPA. 3. An updated financial plan is anticipated in early 2023. Sign up for email on IBR project website to find background on the project or get involved: IBR has several public groups formed to give input on the project. Find out about participation at public meetings here and here . Criticisms on the first proposal: Money: $ 5 -7.5 Billion Some legislators feel the work could be done in phases so costs could be spread out over time. Design: 4% slope is very steep for bikers, walkers and rollers. Height of passage under the bridge doesn’t meet what the coast guard sees as needed. Will light rail be included? Although IBR project leaders seem to agree on including light rail, other public figures have weighed in in dissent . Clark County residents did vote to exclude Light rail during the failed Columbia River Crossing Project a decade ago. Increasing GHG Emissions: More lanes, more GHGs. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. SEC Chair Responds to Questions on Potential Lawsuit on Climate Disclosure , Fast Paced Rulemaking | ThomasReuters. Legislators urge SEC chair to finalize climate disclosure rule | Financial Regulation News. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury / Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities - The NonProfit Times, Colorado’s green bank mobilizes $118 mil lion in clean energy projects and infrastructure statewide | EIN News HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment: The League provided supportive testimony for Fossil Fuel (FF) Divestment: … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with Fossil Fuel energy investments. Chief Sponsors: Rep Pham K, Senator Golden, Rep Gamba. Bill Calls for Oregon to Divest From Fossil Fuels | Chief Investment Officer CIO. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 62 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: How dangerous are they for businesses? |TBS. Oregon and PNW News Oregon State University researching method to trap carbon dioxide in building materials | News | kezi.com . Oregon Delegation Announces an Additional $6 Million for Major Energy Efficiency Upgrades at PDX | U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon National & Global The Scientific Breakthrough That Could Make Batteries Last Longer – WSJ. Senator Whitehouse Puts Climate Change on Budget Committee’s Agenda - The New York Times. Yellen warns climate change may trigger losses in US | The Hill. The Climate Gap and the Color Line — Racial Health Inequities and Climate Change | NEJM. Short-distance migration critical for climate change adaptation – ScienceDaily. A climate education bill , spearheaded by teachers and students, gets a spotlight in Salem - oregonlive.com . Climate change: New idea for sucking up CO2 from air shows promise - BBC News Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

League members serve on several legislative workgroups and committees. LWVOR also partners with coalition organizations on policy issues that align with our mission. / Advocacy / Committees and Coalitions / Committees and Coalitions League Representatives LWVOR Advocacy Team members serve on legislative workgroups and committees. Contact: lwvor [at] lwvor.org Coalition Against Hate Crime : Claudia Keith, Becky Gladstone, rhyen enger Coalition for Climate and Economic Justice: Claudia Keith and Arlene Sherett Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board (EPAB): Rebecca Gladstone Equal Rights 4 All Coalition: Jean Pierce Human Services Coalition of Oregon: Jean Pierce Legislative Gun Tragedy Prevention Coalition: Marge Easley North West Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Conservation Network: Peggy Lynch and Claudia Keith Oregon Housing Alliance: Nancy Donovan, Debbie Aiona Our Coalition Partners The League of Women Voters of Oregon is a member of several advocacy coalitions that align with our organizational mission and advocacy priorities. Human Services Coalition Housing Alliance NW Energy Coalition Coalition Against Hate Crimes Oregon Conservation Network Coalition for Climate and Economic Justice

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here . Jump to a topic: Climate Priorities with League Testimony Natural and Working Lands Other Priorities Energy Issues Transportation Priorities Fracking CE Budget Concerns At this point in the session, we have submitted a number of policy Climate Emergency testimonies For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities , Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities . OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the building. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities with League Testimony HB 2966 -3 Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to JWM, Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans , House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP) 
 League Testimony 
 HB 3170 , Community Resilience Hubs and networks: Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. 
 League testimony The following bills are part of a critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package which was the subject of public hearings February 27 and March 6 in the House Energy Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee : HB 215 1: Testimony ; 2152 : Testimony ; 2949 : T estimony ; 3450 : Testimony , See also CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis , HB 3450 CEI energy storage transition plan, HEMGGV, League Comments Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package HB 3081 ( League testimony ) creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place . SB 88 ( League testimony ) limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. In addition to our testimony, LWVOR has signed on to letter support each of these bills. The Public Hearing was March 4th. Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, PH 2/26, League testimony 
 HB 3103-1 - Overweight Timber Harvest, H ALUNRW, League Oppose Testimony , 3/3 PH. 
 Other Priorities HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals, PH 3/11, League testimony will be posted 3/10. Bringing back SB 1559 (2024) moved to H CEE, Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor HB 2566 : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects – H Governor Tina Kotek
, Public Hearing held 2/11/2024, 2 amendments proposed (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 HB 3365 : climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, McDonald , House Education Committee Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. House Cm Educ SJR 28 : Environmental Rights Constitutional – Referral, Senate Rules, Amendment Leg Referral - Senator Golden, Representatives Andersen, Gamba, Senators Manning Jr, Prozanski, Representative Tran 
. The League has tentative plans to write testimony (comments) on this bill later this month. 
 
 SB 679 : Climate Liability, (Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment 
 
 SB 680 : Climate Science / Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Judiciary, no recommendation, (S J) PH was 2/26 Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski, Taylor 
 
 SB 681 : Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium
, Sen Golden, Senate Finance and Revenue 
 
 SB 682 : Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program Sen. Golden, Rep. Andersen, Gamba, Sen. Campos, Pham , SEE SB 688 : Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12, we are planning League testimony, Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SEE 
 SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate, SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate vote 21-7, moves to House 3/4 

 first reading. HB 3546 , the POWER Act , PR was 3/6, The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV : Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . See the discussion below under House CE&E 3/6 Public Hearing Carbon sequestration/storage: See DOGAMI Agency Budget (see Natural Resources Legislative Report) – Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 
 Energy Issues House CE&E 3/6 Public Hearing on HB 3546 The committee heard testimony on HB 3546 , which would direct the PUC to create a separate classification of service for large energy user facilities (data centers and potentially crypto mining facilities) that draw >20 MW of electricity. PUC would require utilities to enter a 10-year contract obligating such users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the term of the contract, which could include an excess demand charge. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them, including for transmission, distribution, and capacity. Utilities would have to mitigate the risks to other customer classes of paying for the utility’s increased load requirements. The bill would apply only to large users that submit an application for service on or after the effective date of the act. Rep. Marsh and Sen. Sollman spoke for the bill, noting that growth in energy demand used to be balanced across all users, but data center growth has upset that. Without intervention, the high costs of growing demand will be borne by residential customers rather than large users. The bill is not asking large users to subsidize other users, nor challenging their tax benefits, but requiring them to pay their fair share of the infrastructure needed to serve them. Ten-year contracts would prevent stranded assets from being shifted to other ratepayers. Data centers have a specific massive impact on the grid that is not true of other large energy users. Small businesses as well as residential users are at risk. Bob Jenks of CUB also testified in support, saying we need a rate class for data centers because they put a unique and significant cost on the system. Over the past 10 years, PGE’s load would have actually shrunk if not for this new large load—unprecedented for a single customer class. AI data centers that are coming will draw more load than the city of Eugene. We already have rate classes based on specific usage – irrigation, street lighting, etc. PGE charges residential customers more than twice as much per kWh as it charges data centers. Assigning rates for the data centers will not be unilateral—they can make their case in specific rate cases before PUC. Rep. Osborne objected that Oregon needs more business, and these large users provide a lot of construction jobs, so we don’t want to overburden them or discourage other businesses from locating here. Marsh pointed to generous tax credits that are available to encourage this form of economic development. Green Energy Institute noted that data center owners are among the largest, richest corporations in the world and should not be subsidized by residential users. Google spokespeople took a neutral stance, saying they can support many elements of the bill but want to work with the committee to "improve" it by bringing other large energy users under its requirements. They said load growth reflects economic opportunities as well as challenges, and recent growth points to the need to reverse our underinvestment in critical infrastructure. In other states, Google has been able to strike agreement with multiple constituencies to come up with a framework that can work elsewhere. Key pillars: (1) Require all new large loads to sign long-term contracts so the new load is committed. (2) Commit the large users to pay minimum infrastructure charges to “de-risk” investments. (3) New large loads need to back up their load requests with "significant collateral"—e.g., multiple years of minimum payments have to be posted as a letter of credit so the utility can pay for these investments if the large user leaves the system. They would like to see a similar model adopted in Oregon. Senate E&E heard testimony 3/5 on Sen. Brock Smith's three nuclear bills SB 215 – Repeals the requirement that there be a licensed repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste before a site certificate for a nuclear-fueled thermal power plant may be issued in Oregon. If the bill is enacted, the repeal would have to be submitted to a referendum of Oregonians at the next regular general election. SB 216 – Repeals the above requirement by legislation alone. SB 635 – Directs OSU to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in Oregon—advantages and disadvantages, maximizing jobs for Oregonians, technical issues. The meeting began with invited testimony from ODOE's Max Woods, mainly on nuclear safety and storage methods; an upbeat sales pitch by Kati Augsten, Nuclear Energy Institute, for nuclear plants in general and small nuclear reactors in particular; and a more sober assessment by Chris Hansen, Institute for Western Energy, who despite being a self-proclaimed nuclear enthusiast, poured some cold water on the previous presentation. According to Hansen, we are not seeing cost reductions in the marketplace for nuclear as we've seen for renewables. Unless we can lower the cost by more than a third, "nuclear power will have only a marginal role in the U.S. energy portfolio going forward." Clean options such as geothermal and hydro provide stiff competition for new nuclear units in the West. Grid enhancing technologies and grid expansions are likely to be more cost-effective in the near- to mid-term. Brock Smith and Rep. Diehl spoke for the bills, saying Oregonians need to have another vote on this (SB 215) as a lot has changed in the past 45 years. According to them, without nuclear, we won't have the baseload capacity to achieve all the electrification we need in order to decarbonize. Brock Smith said amendments are coming, some conforming and others to authorize our agencies to start looking at regulatory changes. Sen. Frederick spoke in opposition, saying he is skeptical of glorifying and overhyping nuclear power, as we were told 50 years ago that the waste issue would be solved by now. He noted that the outlook from Washington (DC) is unsettling, as the Project 2025 team has decided we can live with a larger amount of radiation, and they have fired some federal employees with nuclear expertise. Testimony followed from Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper and some pro-nuclear advocates with predictable claims and counterclaims. Chair Sollman carried over the hearings until next Monday 3/10 so more people can testify House CE&E reported out the following bills with do-pass recommendations CE&E reported out the following bills with do-pass recendations: HB 2567-1 would adjust the rules and reporting requirements of the Heat Pump Deployment Program . ODOE could establish an allowable percentage by rule for administrative expenses and marketing costs for eligible entities, removing the existing statutory cap of 15%. The -1 amendment would allow ODOE to provide an additional incentive of up to $1,000 for contractors to install residential heat pumps in rural and frontier communities. The bill would replace the phrase “environmental justice community” with the phrase “disadvantaged community” throughout the statute, defined as “a community that has a socioeconomic burden and an environmental, climate or other burden.” It would extend the program’s sunset date from 2026 to 2032. The bill has minimal fiscal impact as it provides no additional funding for the program. Moved as amended to the House floor, rescinding subsequent referral to Joint W&M. HB 3170 would modify the grant requirements for Resilience Hubs and Resilience Networks and appropriate an additional $10.2M from the General Fund and $227K from federal funds to DHS for the grant program in 2025-27. It would clarify that the purpose of the grants is to pay for equipment, technical assistance, contracted services, and any other type of support needed to create or sustain a Resilience Hub or Network. DHS received more than 700 applications with $176M in grant requests during the first award cycle, and expects similar interest in the coming biennium. Referred to Joint W&M by prior reference. The committee also heard testimony on HB 3081 (One-Stop Shop 2.0), which would require ODOE to create a statewide clearinghouse for household energy efficiency incentive programs. It would create an active navigator to provide Oregonians with easier access to the hundreds of different incentives and cash rebates available for upgrades like heat pumps, weatherization, and sturdier doors and windows. HB 3081 would build on the One Stop Shop 1.0 search tool by offering live phone support to help Oregonians navigate their options and connect with trusted contractors. It would also require the information and assistance to be provided in the five most prevalent non-English languages spoken in Oregon. Oral testimony in support came from Climate Solutions, OLCV, Earth Advantage, Home Performance Guild of Oregon, and others. OMEU and ORECA posted written testimony in opposition, noting that consumer-owned utilities and coops already provide expert advice to their customers on BPA-funded and utility-specific rebates, and already invest heavily in developing their own rebate websites and marketing strategies, making HB 3081 a duplicative effort. Senate E&E 3/3 and 3/6 Hearings on SB88 Senate E&E heard testimony on SB 88 on 3/3 and 3/6. The bill would prohibit an electric or gas company from recovering from ratepayers’ expenses associated with advertising, political influence activity, litigation, penalties or fines and certain compensation. PUC would have to limit by rule the amount that a utility could recover from ratepayers to defend such expenses in a contested rate case. Each utility would have to file an annual report with PUC identifying such expenses. PUC would have to establish a fine for noncompliance and could order a utility to refund any amounts recovered for violating the act. Chair Sollman opened by saying this bill won’t save ratepayers a lot of money – it’s first and foremost about transparency – what business expenses should be considered the responsibility of utility customers. CUB, Climate Solutions, Rogue Climate, OSSIA and other organizations testified in support, as did LWVOR in written testimony . They said utilities have the upper hand in rate proceedings and SB 88 is a step toward balancing the scales. Customers should pay for infrastructure improvements and investments in reliability, but not for the utilities’ public image building, lobbying, executive bonuses, etc. Utilities shouldn’t be allowed to "throw items at the wall to see if they’ll stick." The bill would authorize penalties, beyond standard disallowances, for utilities who try to get away with that. Other states have adopted similar legislation. Cascade Natural Gas, NW Natural, and NW Gas Association opposed the bill, saying utilities already have to justify all their costs before the PUC and they ultimately have the burden of proof. NW Natural denied that it seeks to recover expenses for lobbying, public relations, etc. The current PUC process is transparent and fair. Reporting requirements in the bill are onerous and could wind up costing customers more. Legislative Council has suggested that the bill could violate the 1st, 5th, and 14th amendments with regard to free speech and equal protection. PGE and PacifiCorp offered no testimony. Following the hearing, PUC furnished a helpful table showing their interpretation of what SB 88 would change with regard to recoverable utility expenses. Transportation Priorities Transportation package that prioritizes climate, equity, and wildlife According to OCN Press Rel ease, “This package would build on the historic gains of HB 2017 (which included investments in public transit, safe routes to School, and vehicle electrification), to shift the focus to multimodal, safety, and climate-forward investments. This promises to create a system that saves money over time and builds a more resilient, equitable, and healthy future for all Oregonians.” Fracking The League continues to be concerned about Fracking issues. The fracking moratorium in Oregon, expired on January 2, 2025. [ 1 , 2 ] Here's a more detailed explanation: [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Moratorium End Date: The temporary ban on fracking for oil and gas production and exploration in Oregon, established by House Bill 2623, was set to end on January 2, 2025. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Governor's Signature: Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed the legislation on June 17, 2019. [ 1 ] Legislative Action: The Oregon Senate passed the bill on May 29, 2019, with a 17-11 vote. [ 3 , 4 ] Exemptions: The bill included exemptions for natural gas storage wells, geothermal activities, and existing coalbed methane extraction wells. [ 3 ] Current Status: The moratorium has expired, and fracking is no longer prohibited in Oregon. [ 1 , 2 ] [1] https://aglaw.psu.edu/shale-law-in-the-spotlight/oregon-and-washington-enact-hydraulic-fracturing-bans/ [2] https://climate-xchange.org/2024/08/policy-explainer-drilling-down-on-state-efforts-to-ban-fracking/ [3] https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senatedemocrats/Documents/HB2623Fracking.pdf [4] https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2019/05/29/oregon-senate-passes-5-year-fracking-moratorium/1271400001/ CE Budget Concerns In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital climate and community protection programs. Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful programs may run out of funding: Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE) Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE) Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE) Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ) Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ) Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS) Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS) Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) (excerpt from OCEN network message) Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Youth Civic Engagement Summit Thank you for attending LWVOR's Youth Civic Engagement Summit! Learn more about Youth Council and our mission to educate young and soon-to-be voters! View or print the event program here. Please let us know about your experience at the event. Submit your event feedback form here . Agenda 10:00-10:20 Welcome/Intros/Setting Expectations/Group Norms 10:20-10:50 Workshop #1: Advocacy in Digital Spaces and How to Combat Misinformation and Disinformation 11:00-11:20 Networking/Community Building and/or Break 11:20-12:20 Workshop #2: Advocacy & Protest Safety w/ interactive zine-making session 12:20-12:30 Transition to lunch 12:30-1:15 Lunch 1:15-2:00 Workshop #3: Leap Into the Legislature (Includes interactive build your own elevator pitch session) 2:00-2:45 Roundtable/Q&A 2:45-3:00 Commitments/Closing/Thank yous Program and Other Resources Roundtable Q&A Submission Form Printable program available here , featuring Youth Council member bios and full event agenda See full Youth Council member bios DEIJ Toolkit (link available soon) Thank you to our sponsors and supporters! This program is made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 5/1 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Air Quality Budget/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Elliott State Research Forest Hanford Cleanup Land Use/Housing Recycling Toxics Water Wildfire By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team The House voted out two of the session’s contentious bills: HB 2002 related to health care and HB 2005 related to gun safety. They now head to the Senate where a walkout on May 3 has delayed voting on these bills. Agency budgets are moving to chambers for a vote. Policy bills had a May 5 Work Session scheduling deadline (but the bills have until May 19 to be “worked”). Now we wait for the May 17 Revenue Forecast. There are, of course, a slew of bills awaiting funding decisions in Ways and Means. Air Quality LWVOR joined with others in support of HB 3229 . The bill would modify federal air quality (Title V) operating permit program fees. The bill sits in Ways and Means without recommendation. SB 488 A , relating to the Covanta medical waste incinerator, sits in Ways and Means. Budgets/Revenue HB 5008 , the budget bill for the Columbia River Gorge Commission, was worked on May 3. Here is the LFO recommendation. A climate change position that would help implement the Climate Plan adopted by the Commission has been funded by the State of Washington but not Oregon—yet. Another reason to hope for a good Revenue Forecast! The Oregon Dept. of Energy budget, HB 5016 , with its LFO recommendation, was also worked. Then on May 4, the Dept. of State Lands budget, HB 5037 , provided one of the better natural resource agency recommendation s . All three budgets should be seen in Full W&Ms next week. Last week’s budgets were considered in Full Ways and Means on May 5. Later that day, HB 5030 , the Lottery Bonds projects budget bill had a public hearing in the Capital Construction Subcommittee. Like the General Obligation Bond bill, expect additions to the current list in this bill. A reminder: in March we learned of the state’s bonding capacity : General Fund debt capacity results in $1.94 billion issuance for each biennium, or $969 million annually ($320 million greater than 2021-23). Lottery bonds: The State’s Lottery Revenue debt issuance capacity is $506.4 million in each biennium or $253.2 million annually over the forecast period ($9 million decline from 2021-23). We await the May 17 Revenue Forecast that will be the guide for the final 2023-25 balanced budgets. From former State Senator Rick Metzger on the upcoming Revenue Forecast: “The decision is critical. It can lead to important programs unnecessarily being placed on the chopping block, or funding new initiatives that will not prove sustainable. The figure has significant consequences.” Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency Report for overlaps. We encourage you to read both. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch We continue to await a new proposed amendment for HB 3382 . We truly believe this bill is a serious threat to our coastal planning and could reduce or remove the opportunity for future coastal NOAA grants. If an amendment is provided, we expect that it will not “blow up” the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), is within the land use program--just a minor new change related to Goal 16, that NOAA must unofficially sign off on the idea and the other state agencies (DLCD, DSL & ODFW--and maybe DEQ) are accepting of the concept. We understand that the local tribe wants "no net loss of eel grass". We need your voices to tell your legislators to Just Say NO if these factors are not part of any amendment. The local LWV Coos County has been doing an update and study of their local Port: The International Port of Coos Bay. You might want to watch a 44-minute video of a recent history of activities around the Port: Study of International Port of Coos Bay | MyLO (lwv.org) . On April 20, the Land Conservation and Development Commission unanimously adopted an amendment to the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy , Part Three of the Oregon Territorial Sea Plan (TSP). The decision added six new management areas that reflect needs of the communities that proposed them. Rocky Habitat Management Areas focus on balancing use and conservation through the enhancement of visitor experiences with education and interpretation to limit wildlife disturbance and habitat degradation. HB 2903 A , funding continuing work on marine reserves, is in W&Ms. LWVOR supports . Columbia River Treaty Here is an update on the April 19 Listening Session about the Columbia River Treaty, including a recording . U.S. Government representatives' written remarks are at the top of the meeting: https://www.state.gov/columbia-river-treaty/ . Send comments or questions: ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov . Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) SB 835 A , as amended, would require DEQ to adopt rules to clarify when a single septic system can be used for both a primary residence and an ADU. It sits in Ways and Means. LWVOR provided testimony with concerns addressed by the amendment. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries The League provided testimony on HB 220 and testimony on SB 221 , two bills addressing a new e-permitting system and how the new system should be funded. Both are in W&Ms. Dept. of State Lands HB 2238 , originally 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 was 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 was held May 2 (the agenda ). Members struggled with how to respond to feedback from federal agencies that more protection is needed for the marbled murrelet in the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan, which would reduce the areas where logging was going to be allowed. That reduction causes an increasing gap between projected revenue and expenses as projected by OSU. The League has consistently raised this budget imbalance issue, since the OSU proposal was considered. Oregonians don’t expect the Elliott to be over logged since they helped create this new ESRF. In another wrinkle, a local tribe has suggested that the entire mapping of the forest be scrapped and instead manage the entire forest in a manner once done by the tribes. Environmental groups would find this approach disconcerting since they have worked hard with all parties to balance the uses of the forest for competing interests and felt an agreement had been reached. The Board will meet again in June. 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 this issue. We will continue to monitor these Prospective Board meetings. Separately, the Shutter Creek former Oregon Dept. of Corrections facility is being transferred by the federal government to the Dept. of State Lands in anticipation of the property being the home of the ESRF. There is also discussion around a tribal role for the property. SB 161 will have a Work Session May 9 in the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committee with a new proposed amendment, increasing a deadline for work being done on the transfer of the Elliott to the new Authority to Dec. 31, 2023. The bill adjusts some timelines as provided by the Dept. of State Lands’ April 25 testimony . Hanford Cleanup Board The Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board will hold a virtual meeting on May 9, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding after the public comment periodnat approximately 2:15 that afternoon. Public participation is welcomed and encouraged. See a full meeting agenda , which includes information on how to participate, with other meeting materials. Land Use/Housing By Peggy Lynch A new land use “expand into farmland” bill, SB 1096 , has been filed by Senators Meek and Anderson and referred to Senate Rules. The bill, similar to SB 1051 which the League vigorously opposed and we hoped had died, is now a topic of discussion. It continues the false narrative that simply adding land to urban growth boundaries will solve Oregon's housing crises. Many surveys and studies have shown we have enough land zoned for residential use inside our UGBs - including thousands of acres recently added to UGBs - that are sitting empty because they need infrastructure investment. The bill puts at risk urban reserve planning and wildlife protections, increases the potential for development in high wildfire risk areas, exacerbates climate change through creating more impervious surfaces and housing farther away from core areas, and more. HB 3620 is an equally concerning bill. It authorizes certain cities with a demonstrated need for housing to add land to their urban growth boundary upon meeting certain conditions. It also amends principles that the Land Conservation and Development Commission must consider in adopting rules regulating urban reserves. And another: HB 3616 would allow owners of property outside an urban growth boundary to site additional dwelling on property for occupancy by an owner’s relative. Just another way to add more housing outside areas intended for housing and breaking our land use planning program. No new news on SB 1087 , filed on behalf of a farm in Lane County where they want to add a “café” (with seating for 250-300 people) on their Exclusive Farm Use (EFU)-zoned property. The League opposes this overreach of our land use program. The bill is in Senate Rules and could be scheduled for a Work Session at any time; not as of May 3. 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, sewage and clean drinking water issues would be addressed by the counties. A -2 amendment is being offered to change that counties “may” adopt this law vs. “shall”. As of May 5, a possible May 11 Work Session is scheduled. It would die if not held. HB 3442 A will allow coastal communities to develop in hazard areas under certain conditions, with a May 15 Work Session in Senate Housing and Development. The amended bill responded to League concerns on the original bill. HB 3414 would create a new Housing Accountability and Production Office in DLCD and also includes a Section 2 related to processing of variances under certain circumstances. Variances are used to address exceptions to a code’s “clear and objective standards”. It is unclear how this provision will change a community’s control over residential development. The bill was moved without passage recommendation and referred to House Rules. The League understands that a new amendment may be offered to address at least some of our concerns with Section 2. 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 passage recommendation to Senate Rules. LWVOR still opposes it. HB 2983 A would help with manufactured housing and housing parks, in W&Ms. LWVOR supports . See the Housing Report in the Social Policy section. Reduce/Recycle By Kathy Moyd/Greg Martin On April 25, the Senate voted 26-3 to refer SB 542 A (Right to Repair) to House Rules. There it will sit until more amendments are made or until there are enough votes to pass in the full Senate. The League provided testimony in support on Feb. 14. Toxics By Paula Grisafi HB 3043 A had a public hearing May 4 in Senate Energy and Environment, The bill revises provisions relating to chemicals in children’s products. SB 546 A (toxic free cosmetics) was sent to W&Ms although there was NO fiscal for the 2023-25 session because, although the measure takes effect January 1, 2024, all substantive portions of the bill are not operative until January 1, 2027. SB 426 A (toxic free schools) was sent to W&Ms without clarity on the fiscal impact. The bill’s advocates are working to assure that the fiscal impact statement is not over inflated by agency staff. Water By Peggy Lynch A major water bill, HB 3124 , was moved to House Rules without passage recommendation. 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 , including a list of our priorities, using our participation in the HB 5006 Work Group as our guide. HB 3163 A is a League priority. It renews the Place-Based Planning program with a Fund to help groups participate in this program and was sent to W&Ms. The League participated in a Work Group last year to help develop program sideboards and provided testimony in support. HB 3100 A , a bill addressing the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS), is in Ways and Means. The League provided testimony when the bill had its public hearing. Then we worked behind the scenes to provide guidance as the IWRS is updated and we support the bill. HB 3207 A , related to domestic well testing and data collection, is in W&Ms. LWVOR supports . HB 2813 A creates a grant program to protect drinking water sources, is in W&Ms. LWVOR supports . HB 3125 would create a Ratepayer Assistance Fund to help low income people pay for sewer and water bills, is in Ways and Means. LWVOR supports . We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. The League supports HB 2647 A to continue to address this public health issue. It sits in Ways and Means. 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. Lake County has now requested a drought declaration. In addition, many counties in eastern and southern Oregon have received Secretarial Disaster Designations from the US Department of Agriculture due to drought conditions. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC) met on April 14. Doug Grafe, the Governor’s Wildfire and Emergency Response Advisor, shared presentations he and Mark Bennett, WPAC Chair, have been sharing with House and Senate Committees to educate and compel them to fund the needed activities for wildfire mitigation and response. This included an update to the Council on current status of various wildfire related bills in the legislature and their financial state as known so far. Director Grafe followed this with a report on two meetings held recently with National wildfire groups. The first, hosted by WPAC in Klamath Falls, was a meeting of the Wildland Fire Leadership Council . WPAC member John O’Keefe and Chief Ruiz-Temple of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office are members of this body, which includes a wide array of agencies including EPA, DEQ, and others. The second was a meeting of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission , which is part of the US Department of Agriculture. This is a 52-member body on which Chief Ruiz-Temple and John O’Keefe also serve. This group will be reporting to Congress and making recommendations. Director Grafe was clearly proud of the fact that Oregon is “on the map”, so to speak, in the wildfire programs space, and is looked to as a leader. (And rightfully so!) Mark Bennett led the Council through discussions on various topics: future engagement with the legislature regarding funding, particularly for Community Wildfire Risk Reduction programs, and the public process for getting more holistic and broad-based input into the current mapping process, especially meetings with county officials, a step which was neglected during the creation of the first map. It is a widely held belief that the first map, associated with SB 762 (2021), the original Wildfire Bill, was plagued by this lack of public input and there is a strong desire to “do it right” this time around. Finally, there was a discussion of the map risk categories which are currently Extreme, High, Moderate and Low. Lastly, May is Wildfire Awareness Month and is a great time for us all to refocus on what we can do to help keep ourselves and our neighbors safe. A couple of interesting articles have been published recently, a. public awareness campaign for the Wildfire Awareness Month activities and a second article discusses the passage of SB 82 in delta land what it means for homeowners insurance policies with regard to wildfire risk and related rate increases and cancellations. On May 3, Jim Wallmann, U.S. Forest Service meteorologist at the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) issued their first Western wildfire season forecast. The Western wildfire season could start late at middle and high elevations thanks to the unusually wet winter, but forecasters say the bigger concerns are rangeland at lower elevations. Fire season could be pushed back a bit, by a couple weeks at higher elevations. That would occur if the rest of spring brings conditions close to normal. Trees at middle and high elevations will hold moisture later into the season as a result of the above-normal winter snow and rain. The bigger concern is lower elevation--referring to the rangeland. Wet conditions and above-normal soil moisture “contribute to a lot more grass growth,” he said. That will result in “a higher and more continuous fuel bed in the lower elevations in grass and sage.” Fire risk at low elevations would jump when the fine fuels dry out in late June and early July. Senate Natural Resources passed HB 2522 A to the Senate floor on May 3, to create a committee to review and make recommendations related to rural fire districts and areas in Oregon where communities exist without structural fire protection. This bill seems a good first step to seeking resolution of these issues with so many of our rural areas dependent on volunteer firefighters and new small enclaves of housing in remote areas. The League provided testimony in support of funding for the Oregon Conservation Corps in HB 5025 , the omnibus Higher Education Coordinating Commission budget bill. The bill is in W&Ms. SB 80 A , the omnibus Wildfire Programs bill, is in W&Ms as is SB 509 A , which aims to scale out neighborhood collaboratives to help whole neighborhoods reduce risk. LWVOR provided support for SB 509 A. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The 2023 legislative session is halfway over. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection Elections Campaign Finance and Initiatives By Norman Turrill The Elections Division of the Secretary of State is asking the public for feedback on draft administrative rules that would implement HB 4025 (2024). It has also appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to work on these new administrative rules. General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection By Becky Gladstone This week included new testimony on two bills and updates on others. HB 2006 places limits on long session bill requests to legislative counsel. This contentious bill got a May 29 first public hearing, League supporting testimony written and presented. HB 3569 A to invite a sponsoring legislator, committee chair or designee onto the bill’s Rules Advisory Committee, as a non-voting member. This was bounced in Senate Rules, rescheduled twice. We oppose for myriad reasons, see our testimony, presented and filed. SB 430 B passed 35 to 15, 7 excused, from the House floor May 29, to the Senate for a concurrence vote. League testimony in support addressed extensive business transparency amendments for consumer protections. SB 470 A : passed on the House floor with 29 ayes, 7 excused, on May 29. This bipartisan-supported bill got unanimous House and Senate Judiciary and Senate floor support. League testimony supported the original bill to protect lodgers’ privacy from illicitly taken videos. SB 473 B received a Do Pass with Amendments, to be printed B-Engrossed, from a House Judiciary work session, to create a crime of threatening a public official, with amendments to include those elected, appointed, or filed to serve an established office, adding numerous judicial branch roles. See League testimony, in support. HB 5017 , the State Library budget bill, had a second work session on May 23 in Ways & Means, yielding a Do Pass with amendments, to be printed as A-Engrossed, with a vote of 21-0. League testimony is still the only one filed and is in support of our partnership for League Voter Service information. They share our Voters’ Guides in the Talking Books and Braille Library . SB 952 A got a Do Pass recommendation from House Rules, rules suspended to carry over for a third House floor reading, to consider interim US Senator appointments, League testimony in support. SB 1121 B got a Do Pass with amendments to be printed B-Engrossed from House Judiciary, almost unanimously, to create a new Class B misdemeanor crime of unlawful private data disclosure. League testimony was filed and presented, supporting the bill, including the amendment relating to data broker issues. This is from the dissenting Legislator, lightly edited: There is already a civil response not being used, already laws criminalizing harms described in statute. Law enforcement officers basically argued it's too hard as is and making bigger crimes is the solution. In my office, criminalizing actions like this is viewed with skepticism because it does not solve the problem and contributes to the unrepresented crisis. The bar is high for me to say yes in that scenario. The property destruction component was just the deciding factor. Find language relating to property damage in the adopted -5 amendments to the A-Engrossed SB 1121 which will now go back to the Senate for consideration. Thanks for your advocacy, Rep Chaichi. HB 3382 passed a May 28 work session in House Rules unanimously, after the February 12 public hearing, directing the Secretary of State to maintain an online Rulemaking Information system. We are watching HB 3382 based on Sen Sollman asking about a central state rulemaking site in the context of the HB 3931 coordinated state portal Task Force proposal presented here earlier, League testimony . Elections By Barbara Klein HB 3908 provoked interesting discussion in the House Rules hearing during a 5/29 work session. The bill, related to party membership and registration requirements, was filed by the Rules Committee at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO), and had a public hearing on 3/31. The bill increases the percentage of voters in the state required for a party to be a major political party from five percent to 10 percent. This would make the development of a new major party more difficult. The LWVOR did not address this bill. The thought-provoking part of the conversation at the work session was due to a -1-amendment introduced by Rep Drazen. She explained that she doesn’t support the concept of HB 3908 as believes the Independent Party should now (under current rules) be considered a major party. (A reminder that it is the IPO who wants to remain a minor party.) In her explanation, the dash -1 would encourage minor parties to want to be major parties, providing incentive. The amendment allows for cross-nominations only for major parties. She wants to stop “coattail” parties, as she called them. She thinks “fusion” doesn’t serve Oregonians and the amendment would allow “fusion” voting (or cross nominations) only from one major party candidate to another major candidate. Chair Bowman strongly opposed the -1 amendment. He sees value in fusion with a minor party endorsing a major party candidate. He believes it “tells voters more about candidates” and that fusion is one way to help avoid the spoiler effect. The -1 amendment failed. Rep Drazen added that she doesn’t believe that the legislature should support fewer major parties only to save the state money when running elections. She also believes the bill is simply a “political calculation.” The motion without the amendment passed. HB 5032 was at the request of the Oregon Dept of Administrative Services and relates to the financial administration of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). It was heard in a work session on 5 /23 in Ways & Means. The act creates an agency budget, appropriating monies from the General Fund for DPSST. Its limits were listed as “limits biennial expenditures from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by the department. It also limits biennial expenditures by the department from federal funds.” During the 5/23 hearing, most Legislators were complimentary of DPSST changes, improved training schedule and successes. The bill represents an increase of 1.7% from state general funds. DPSST provided much information under the testimony section of the bill. At the 5/23 hearing it passed with adopted -2 amendment sections which include details of purposes, funding sources and amounts for related DPSST needs. The amendment noted $7,967,812 established (for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025), as the maximum limit for payment of expenses from federal funds collected or received by DPSST. On 5/28, A-Engrossed (with amendments) was recommended with a do-pass. On 5/29 it had a second reading in the House. 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 3/20 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: Gun Safety Criminal Justice Housing Immigration/Refugees and Other Basic Rights Gun Safety By Marge Easley Three key gun safety bills were heard together in a combined informational and public testimony hearing in House Judiciary on March 22. The concepts of HB 2005 , HB 2006 , and HB 2007 will be incorporated into HB 2005 and make these changes to Oregon firearms laws: Ban undetectable, unserialized firearms (known as “ghost guns”). Sponsored by Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, this is the fourth attempt to pass this legislation. Limit ability to purchase or transfer a firearm to those 21 and older, with the exception of hunting rifles and shotguns. Expand the number of jurisdictions that have the authority to create gun-free zones to include cities, counties, districts, or any other entities that fall within the definition of “municipal corporations.” This is an add-on to SB 554 (2021) , in which guns were banned from the Oregon Capitol, PDX Airport, and those school districts, community colleges, and universities that chose to do so. A number of amendments will be introduced in the next few days to clarify the processes and exemptions detailed in the bill. A work session on SB 2005 is scheduled for March 28. Here is the League’s supportive testimony on HB 2005 , HB 2006 , and HB 2007 . Another bill placing a limitation on the age of gun owners is SB 527 , sponsored by Senator Michael Dembrow. It allows gun owners, if they so wish, to establish a minimum age of 21 for the purchase, repair, or service of a firearm. A public hearing is scheduled for March 27 in Senate Judiciary and a work session on March 30. We are awaiting the gutting and stuffing of SB 348 , which is the placeholder bill providing specifics on the implementation of Measure 114 (permit-to-purchase and ban on large-capacity magazines). I accompanied members of LEVO at the Capitol on March 21 as they lobbied legislators to honor the will of the voters and keep the provisions of the measure intact with no substantive changes. Another goal is to have the permitting process fully in place as soon as the hold is lifted by the courts. Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan The Senate passed Governor Kotek’s two major emergency housing and homeless bills as part of a $200 million funding package on March 21. These bills will substantially increase funding for programs to keep Oregonians experiencing housing instability in their homes, move unsheltered people into safe shelters and stable housing, and increase affordable housing production. The bills are HB 2001 B , the policy bill, and HB 5019 A , the budget bill. Details on these expenditures are here. The League provided testimony on HB 5019. We also added our logo to House and Senate floor letters along with a number of other supportive organizations. The bills are headed to the Governor’s office for consideration and signature. These measures are an initial step towards addressing the state’s homelessness crisis and housing shortage. At least 18,000 Oregonians are homeless, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and many more are struggling to make rent or mortgage payments. Oregon needs to build more than half a million homes in the next two decades to meet expected demand, according to an Oregon Housing Needs Analysis . Cities with more than 10,000 people would be required to set building targets for specific income levels. SB 611 would make adjustments to the 2019 legislation (SB 608) limiting rent increases. If passed, SB 611 would limit residential rent increases to the lesser of 8% or 3% plus the consumer price index one-year change. It would further increase the amount of rent owed to the tenant from one month to three months in certain eviction cases and reduce the exemption on rent increases allowed on new construction from 15 years to three. A public hearing is scheduled before Senate Housing and Development on March 27; a work session is scheduled for March 29. HB 3488 would appropriate $73 million in general fund money to support homeownership programs, particularly among communities of color. The money would be used for down payment assistance grants to culturally responsive, culturally specific, or tribal organizations; flexible home loans provided by the Home Ownership Assistance Account; support for low-income home purchasers through the nine federally recognized tribes; and grants to culturally responsive or specific organizations to expand homeownership services. The bill would further appropriate resources to the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to fund the Fair Housing Council of Oregon’s fair housing work, BOLI’s housing discrimination investigations, education, and outreach efforts. The Department of Justice would receive $500,000 to enforce fair housing laws. There is a work session scheduled before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on March 30. HB 3042 applies to publicly supported housing after the landlord withdraws the property from a government contract. It would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants from their homes for three years after the contract ends. Rent increases would be allowed no more than once a year during that period and would be limited by state limits on rent increases. A work session before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness took place on March 23. HB 2653 seeks to prevent the loss of affordable rental housing with expiring affordability restrictions by providing an income tax credit to the seller if the units will remain affordable to households earning up to 80 percent AMI for at least 30 more years. According to OHCS, approximately 7,500 units have affordability restrictions that will expire over the next 10 years. Given Oregon’s shortage of low-income housing, losing these units will compound the problem. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness held a work session on March 21. SB 1076 would require licensed hospitals to include in their discharge policy specific procedures for when they discharge homeless patients. Hospital staff would work with patients and supportive services to discharge patients safely, regardless of their housing status. Unfortunately, homeless patients have been discharged with no real destination and left with no resources outside on the street. A public hearing was held before the Senate Committee on Health Care on March 23, and a work session will be held on March 27. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler This is the critical time in the session when bills either die or must be scheduled for a hearing and subsequent work session in the originating chamber. Here are viable Criminal Justice bills that are supported by the League: Senate Judiciary Committee SB 1070 , sentence reduction for domestic abuse survivors, has a hearing March 28 and a work session April 4. Testimony not yet posted. SB 974 , creating crime of sexual assault by fraudulent representation, has a work session on March 27. League testimony . Senate Education Committee SB 551 , requiring school districts to post information on safe storage of firearms and drugs on websites and social media, has a work session on March 28. League testimony . House Judiciary Committee SB 529 , expansion of alternative incarceration addiction programs, has passed the Senate and has a House Judiciary hearing on March 27 and a work session on March 30. League testimony . HB 2327 , providing preventive services to high-risk juveniles under 12. League testimony . HB 2345-1 , limiting the length of time an incarcerated person can spend in segregated housing, has a work session on April 3. League testimony . HB 2535 , establishing a doula program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, has passed the House and is awaiting assignment in the Senate. League testimony . HB 2572 , expanding definition of civil disorder, has been referred to House Rules without recommendation. League testimony . HB 2731 , continuing the Family Preservation Project at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, passed the House and was referred to W&Ms League testimony . Other bills the League is monitoring: The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve the extension of the Justice Reinvestment Program through the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (OCJC) until July 1, 2033. The program was initiated in 2013 to reduce recidivism and prevent the costs for new prisons. OCJC distributes funding to the state Department of Corrections Community Programs for program coordinators and services for housing, substance abuse treatment and victim services. SB 344 -1 provides funding to continue these Oregon services to reduce recidivism and the need to construct additional prisons. The League testified its approval for the original HB 3194 (2013) which started this program. SB 339 -1 , also from OCJC, added conditions of probation on property offenses that required tests for substance abuse, evaluations and treatment. Property thefts often fund substance purchases. SB 519 on Juvenile records expunction passed after hearings on the current process initiated in County Juvenile Departments but required actions through Oregon Youth Authority and Oregon Judicial Department records. SB 1065 requested the expunction of adult records on possession of a controlled substance. Although there was objection from district attorneys, it is scheduled for a work session. Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Bills we are supporting or following: HB 2957 : Work Session 3/27 .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 Work Session 4/3 . Requires Dept HS and Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, to award contracts to organizations to provide support services to immigrants and refugees. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund. Directs Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to convene representatives from state agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate policy recommendations. Representative Reynolds, Senator Jama, House ECHS then to JW&M. Public Hearing was 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. Fiscal Analysis Bills of Interest or possible League support: (Bills that have been posted to OLIS that may move forward via a committee public hearing. – an Incomplete list) Basic Needs SB 610 : Work Session 3/27 .Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (snap), unclear what the funding ask may be. Chief sponsors: Senator Campos, Representative Ruiz, Senator Manning Jr, Gorsek, Representative Bowman, Dexter, Gamba . Sen Human Services then to JW&M. Public Hearing was 2/27. Legislative Summary HB 2990 -1 . Work session 3/27 . Resilience Hubs. Directs Oregon Health Authority to develop and implement grant programs to support resilience hubs and networks in Oregon. May partially replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. Immigration SB 185 Work Session 4/3 : 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 849 Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS : Work session was 3/14. Now in JW&Ms. Fiscal $20M grant fund. Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals…. Sen Labor & Business. Senator Jama, Dembrow, Frederick, Campos, Manning Jr, Woods, Representative Chaichi, Nguyen H. Other Bills SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. In Senate Rules. SB 216 Passed out of SCHC 3/1 , Now in House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee. Related to data collected by OHA. (Request of Governor Kate Brown for OHA). The Oregon Health Authority set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). HB2905 : Now in Senate Education. Expands list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. Passed out of House Committee with Unanimous Vote . SB 421 Work session is 3/30 . 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 was 2/28 Staff Measure Summary HB 2458 : Died in Committee. Prohibits conversion therapy. Public Hearing was 2/24 . No League testimony.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 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: Overview Elections Artificial Intelligence /Cybersecurity Campaign Finance Privacy and Protections Miscellaneous Overview, second week of session Rebecca Gladstone The session’s second week saw pressure coming to bear in governance. ORESTAR, the Oregon Elections System for Tracking and Reporting, was built in-house in 2007, apparently lacking update mechanisms (all this time!). Replacing ORESTAR from scratch, comparatively estimated at more than $25M, or perhaps patching it, seems inextricably tangled in the earlier session’s campaign finance reforms, requiring software updates. The reforms have not been implemented. We have filed testimony on more than half of the governance bills we’re following. Informational hearings in Joint Committee Information Management Technology are well worth watching, this week for protecting local journalism and data breach policy. We’re hoping to catch a few more immigration bills in the second chamber, expecting amendments. We’re conserving energy and stepping back when bills already have vigorous support, and, nearly daily, we’re discussing possibilities for action alerts. See our reports for details, thank you for reading, and watch your email etc. for likely action alerts, including for federal issues. Thanks are due to our volunteers for their long hours! Elections Barbara Klein SB 1509 ( Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act ), a committee sponsored bill to further protect Oregon’s voters from being disenfranchised by faithless presidential electors, had a hearing on February 9th in Senate Rules. The League submitted written and verbal testimony (minute 16:10) was given. A work session was held on February 11th during which time the bill passed out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation on sponsor-supported amendments and with a unanimous vote. The bill was described in more detail in past weeks -it would allow Oregon to join other states with strong laws. SB 1574 ( 1st Time Voters Act ) allows 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they will be 18 by time of the general election, it’s been referred to Senate Rules and is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday February 18 th (8:00 am). Four testimonies have been drafted and approved but not yet submitted from Members of the League Youth Council. These will be shared in our next legislative report. LWVOR is one of the 20 organizational sponsors of this bill, sponsored by Sen.ChrisGorsek@oregonlegislature.gov . HJR 201 , a house joint resolution, was heard in the House Committee on Rules on February 5, 2026. It proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require that primary elections are ‘open’ to all voters using the same ballot. The proposal is for a “Top Two” system that our League does not support, despite our strong endorsement of “Open Primaries.” The League has submitted Neutral testimony. Artificial Intelligence/ Cybersecurity Lindsey Washburn SB 1546 (Notice of Artificial Output): 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 -2 amendment was passed. Campaign Finance Norman Turrill The House Rules Committee, with the collusion of labor union lobbyists and business lobbyists, seems to be attempting to completely betray the deal made in 2024 for withdrawing Initiative Petition 9 on campaign finance reform (CFR) in exchange for passage of HB 4024 and agreeing to work on technical fixes without policy changes. In 2024, the deal was made after extensive 4-way negotiations between Honest Elections Oregon (HEO, with the Oregon League as a constituent organization), legislative leaders including Speaker Fahey, labor union lobbyists, and business lobbyists. The betrayal is in the form of a 92-page -8 amendment to a gut-and-stuff bill, HB 4018 , posted just hours before the committee hearing. The amendment includes many complex policy changes, essentially allowing big special interest organizations to continue dominating campaign finance in Oregon, contrary to voters’ will and interests, while still limiting individual contributors. The amendment also delays HB 4024 election law changes for 4 years and substantially erodes financial disclosure requirements . See League testimony and recommending Sen Golden’s video testimony . This is likely to be one of the most important bills during the current short Legislative session, so League members and voters should contact legislative leaders and their legislators ASAP to oppose the -8 amendment. The work session is 8am, Feb 17. Also last month, the state Elections Division issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to replace ORESTAR and implement HB 4024 (2024) provisions. The RFP appears to only allow large corporate bids for the project. HEO has asserted that HB 4024 does not require more than minor ORESTAR changes, but the Secretary of State continues to conflate the two projects, requesting $25 million without detailing how it would be used. Late addition: A video testimony from the Civic Software Foundation , stated that they could provide [ORESTAR replacement] software in compliance with HB 4024 for much, much less than $25 million, describing that they built Portland’s Small Donor Elections System software as open source, with scaling up to ORESTAR needs in mind. Privacy and Protections and more… Rebecca Gladstone HB 4091 this Oregon National Guard activation and authority bill passed with two against, not on partisan lines, no amendments, from House Emergency Management and Vets. It was referred to Sen Rules, without a recommendation. See supporting League testimony , and relating to last session, see League HB 3954 testimony . (See other immigration-related bills in Social Policy Legislative Report.) HB 4123 This landlord-tenant privacy bill passed from a House Housing and Homelessness committee work session by a unanimous vote, adopting a -1 amendment with fixes to allow sharing contact information to admit maintenance workers, for example. See League testimony, in support. (See also the Housing Section of the Social Policy Legislative Report.) SB 1530 would expand aggravated harassment to include threatening public officials , and increase penalties with the companion bill, SB 1516 . It was heard in Senate Judiciary, with a work session set for Feb 16. See League testimony in support. And following these: HB 4024 , which prevents event ticket resale unless the seller has or can get tickets. It passed from a work session in House Labor and Business, partially on partisan lines, then from a House floor vote with only two against, one excused. No amendments have been filed. A public hearing and work session have been scheduled for Feb 16 th and 18 th in Senate Labor and Business. All testimony is in support, and the League will file in support also, if need be. See League testimony , in support of Senator Prozanski’s SB 430 Enrolled (2025) consumer protections, foundational for HB 4024. HB 4055 , which we have been following for data breach policy development, was pulled by the JCIMT (committee) for more careful deliberation in a long session. HB 4143 addresses fund payments between federal and state accounts, with sponsor, Rep Chotzen echoing our characterization of using a “foundational financial tool” [the “right to offset”]. See our earlier LR and League testimony , urging to consider options and possibly amendments, given our revenue volatility. It passed on partisan lines from House Rules. The -1adds unemployment, medical leave, and overtime to payroll taxes as exclusions. It would sunset in 10 years, to evaluate if the tool is no longer needed. We could use your help, even with watching hearings from home and sharing thumbnail reports. Let us know, write to lwvor@lwvor.org . Miscellaneous Chris Cobey SJR 201 (kicker reform) Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges and wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. Public hrg to be held Feb. 18 in Sen Rev & Fin . HB 4017 (use of campaign funds for security): Provides that amounts received as contributions by a candidate, principal campaign committee of a candidate and principal campaign committee of a holder of public office may be used for specified security-related expenses. Work session held Feb. 12 in House Rules; do pass rec 7-0. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

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