Kermit graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in Economics, and from Harvard Business School with an MBA. He has over 35 years of business experience including senior marketing leadership at technology companies Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix, and chief executive leadership at startups Pi Systems, iMove and Massini Group. Kermit retired from full-time employment in 2009 but continued to be active as a consultant for small businesses with Altus Alliance, as an adjunct professor teaching in the MBA program at Portland State University, and as an investor in early-stage start-ups with the Oregon Entrepreneurial Network and Angel Oregon. Kermit and Diane moved to Bend full-time in 2012 where Kermit became involved in volunteer organizations including as a coach / board member / Treasurer for an age group swimming team, a facilitator with Opportunity Knocks (small business mentoring) and board member / Treasurer for Oregon Masters Swimming. Kermit became involved with Common Cause and the League of Women of Oregon in 2020, serving as the Budget Chair for the LWVOR in 2021 and 2022, and for the LWVDC in 2022. Kermit Yensen Treasurer Kermit graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in Economics, and from Harvard Business School with an MBA. He has over 35 years of business experience including senior marketing leadership at technology companies Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix, and chief executive leadership at startups Pi Systems, iMove and Massini Group. Kermit retired from full-time employment in 2009 but continued to be active as a consultant for small businesses with Altus Alliance, as an adjunct professor teaching in the MBA program at Portland State University, and as an investor in early-stage start-ups with the Oregon Entrepreneurial Network and Angel Oregon. Kermit and Diane moved to Bend full-time in 2012 where Kermit became involved in volunteer organizations including as a coach / board member / Treasurer for an age group swimming team, a facilitator with Opportunity Knocks (small business mentoring) and board member / Treasurer for Oregon Masters Swimming. Kermit became involved with Common Cause and the League of Women of Oregon in 2020, serving as the Budget Chair for the LWVOR in 2021 and 2022, and for the LWVDC in 2022.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 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: After School and Child Care Behavioral Health Education Healthcare Housing Reproductive Rights DEIJ After School and Child Care By Katie Riley The final report for the 2024's session report on HB 4082 includes a request of $50 million per year for the biennium ($100 million total). It is not clear how that fits with the Governor's budget proposal of $78.5 million for 2025 summer learning (summer school). The summer funding includes partnerships with community partners for care after summer school scheduled periods. No funding was recommended by the HB 4082 task force or the Governor for afterschool programs. SB 896 has been introduced to provide grants for afterschool and summer programs. It will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Monday, February 3. It does not have a proposed budget amount attached to the bill. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller SB 538 will have a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Health Care on February 4. The bill would require the Oregon Department of Human Services to pay parents for attendant care services for minor children with developmental disabilities who have high behavioral health or medical needs. HB 2596 , the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact bill, will have a public hearing before the House Committee on Education on February 3. Proponents of the bill believe it would increase access to school psychological services by streamlining the licensure process for school psychologists coming from other states. Education By Jean Pierce Over 65% of the education budget comes from general funds. It represents 17% of the state’s total fund budget and 40% of their general fund/lottery fund budget. Approximately $2M for the biennium comes from federal funding. This includes block grants (e.g. for childcare development), title funds, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Every Student Succeeds Act funding, and specialty grants. The budget breakdown is as follows: 51% - State school fund 25% - Department of Education (includes student nutrition, special education, STEM programming, Career and Technical Education, etc.) 17% - Higher Education 7% - Department of Early Learning and Care Less than 1% - Teacher Standards and Practices Commission Pre-K – 12 Education LWVOR submitted testimony in support of HB2811 , which would provide funding for the Imagination Library of Oregon. The premise is that children from ages 0 to 5 receive an age- appropriate book each month at absolutely no cost to their parents. This program is made possible through the largesse of the Dolly Parton Foundation, which provides 50% of the funding. Higher Education The House higher education committee heard testimony that the number one concern of faculty and staff is the need for stable, dedicated public funding for higher education. Oregon ranks 44th in the nation in per Full Time Equivalency funding for four-year public institutions. Because of the low level of state funding for higher education, in-state tuition and fees for four-year institutions in Oregon are the 12th highest in the nation, and for 2-year institutions Oregon ranks 5th in the nation. Related to the high cost of tuition and fees, is the fact that students need help meeting basic needs of food, housing, transportation, and child care. A 2023 survey of Portland Community College students revealed that 43% were facing food insecurity and 56% were dealing with housing insecurity. (See also the Housing Legislative Report) In addition, a single textbook can cost up to $600, so a 2018 survey of 21,000 students revealed that over 64% of them had not purchased at least one textbook because of the costs. LWVOR has submitted testimony for HB2550 which would make Oregon Promise Grants available to a broader range of community college students. Another concern is that Oregon is the only west coast state where public records laws do not apply to public university foundations. Finally, serious concerns were expressed that approximately 70% of all higher education classes in Oregon are taught by temporary and part-time faculty. LWVOR has plans to submit testimony for · HB3182 , which would provide funding for grants to programs meeting students’ basic needs for housing (Hearing Feb. 13) · HB3183 , which would provide funding to the Open Education Resources program, which makes textbooks affordable. (Hearing Feb. 13) Healthcare By Christa Danielson LWVOR is tracking HB 3225 -This bill is the culmination of multiple work groups and work done within Representative Bowman’s office to ensure that decisions about patients’ medical care are not decided by corporations. The new bill specifies the qualifications for the MD who is among the majority of shareholders or directors of a professional corporation organized for the purpose of practicing medicine. The MD needs to live in Oregon, be actively involved in the corporation and licensed to practice medicine in the state of Oregon. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona The PSU Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative presented information to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development in January. They reported that the estimated number of people experiencing homelessness, including sheltered, unsheltered, and doubled-up, was 43,670 in 2022. People of color often experience disproportionately higher rates of homelessness than their percentage in the general population. In 2023–24, 22,072 students across Oregon experienced some form of homelessness (unsheltered, sheltered, or doubled-up). At four percent of the student population, it is the highest recorded rate in Oregon to date. Of those, 2,980 were unsheltered and 2,438 were sheltered. (See also the Higher Education Legislative Report) The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness heard an agency overview from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Homelessness in 2023 is the worst it has been since the Great Depression. Eviction filings in 2023 are at the highest level since 2011. The OHCS plans for preservation of existing affordable housing include financing the purchase of publicly-supported housing with expiring affordability contracts and acquisition and rehab of manufactured home parks that will be owned by non-profits and resident-owned cooperatives. Between Jan. 1, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2024, OHCS funding rehoused 3,257 households, prevented 17,569 households from becoming homeless, and funded 6,147 beds across 136 shelters. LWVOR is a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance that includes nearly 100 organizations across the state. We take action to shape policy, submit testimony for upcoming hearings on bills that promote affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and expand homeownership opportunities for all Oregonians. The Housing Alliance, with member input, recently issued its priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Here are the highlights: Build and preserve affordable housing · New production of affordable rental homes: LIFT program plus permanent supportive housing, $685M in general obligation bonds · Preservation and operations support for existing affordable rental housing: $260M in lottery-backed and/or general obligation bonds · Manufactured housing park preservation: $25M in lottery-backed bonds · Permanent supportive housing operations and resident services: $11M in general funds · Governor’s housing infrastructure program: $100M in lottery bonds Homelessness prevention and response · Emergency rent assistance: $109M in general funds · Homelessness prevention services: $63.5M in general funds · Shelter operations and housing navigation: $217M in general funds · Strengthen notice requirements and supports for residents of expiring affordable housing · SB 722 : Reduce the new-construction exemption from rent stabilization from 15 years to 7 years; prohibit landlords’ use of price-fixing algorithms to set rents Expand access to affordable homeownership · Improve access to fair-market mortgages for immigrant Oregonians Unlocking Homeownership Agenda · Build new homes for homeownership (LIFT program): $100M in general obligation bonds · Homeownership Development Incubator Program: $50M in general funds · Down payment assistance: $45M in general funds · Individual Development Accounts (IDAs): $20M Reproductive Rights By Trish Garner Abortion-related bills which are being proposed this term in the legislature reflect a change in approach from straight-out abortion bans to more complex models. There are nearly identical House and Senate “Born-Alive Infants Protection Act” bills ( HB 2372 , SB 384 ) which essentially require practitioners to exercise the same degree of care to any child born of the same gestational age and if this standard is not met, a health care practitioner present at the time of the birth or a health clinic employee shall “immediately” report it to law enforcement. There are a number of additional provisions which contain some rather nuanced differences between the bills, including, for example, different provisions regarding civil liability. The Senate bill says a violation of the act can't be charged against a person whose pregnancy was terminated, but the House bill does not provide this protection . HB 2381 doesn’t technically ban or limit abortions but rather requires OHA to set up a Pregnancy Launch Program and accompanying staffed hotline that will encourage “healthy” childbirth, support childbirth as an alternative to abortion, promote family formation, and more. All persons seeking abortion services will be automatically connected to services provided through the Pregnancy Launch Program. HB 3249 and SB 66 are identical and are directly aimed at abortions. At the same time they also adopt a different approach than in times past and impose a duty on health care providers to determine gestational age. Unless it’s a medical emergency, abortion is prohibited unless the provider determines the unborn child is less than 15 weeks, the pregnant person presents a medical emergency or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. Interestingly, providers must supply OHA with detailed data regarding an abortion procedure, and if they fail to do so can be sued by the pregnant person or the person responsible for fertilization. HB 3330 not only deals with abortion but also gender-affirming treatment. It prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who object to abortion, fetal transplants, gender-affirming treatment or assisted suicide. In a related vein- SB 918 provides that school curricula would be required to include information about human development from conception to birth. DEIJ HB 2439 seeks to remove the word “gender identity” from statutes.

/ Member Handbook / Member Handbook This resource will acquaint new and existing members with League principles and processes so you can take full advantage of the opportunities of membership. Contents are linked below. MISSION STATEMENT HISTORY NONPARTISANSHIP VOTING MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS CONVENTIONS AND COUNCILS FINANCE VOTER EDUCATION ACTION COMMUNITY INFORMATION PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS LEAGUE LANGUAGE INDEX Membership Organization Principles and Action Program Finance MISSION STATEMENT The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. HISTO RY Carrie Chapman Catt and others organized the League of Women Voters of the United States in 1920. The League of Women Voters of Oregon was also founded in 1920. The League’s first goal was to teach women how to exercise their new right to vote; the scope was soon enlarged to include service to all citizens. Political action based on knowledge gained from study became the cornerstone of the League’s diverse agenda. NONPARTISANSHIP The League never supports or opposes any political party or candidate for elective office. Because of scrupulous adherence to this nonpartisan political policy, the League takes action only in the public interest and only on issues on which members have reached agreement after conducting studies. However, as individuals, League members are encouraged to join fully in the political process. VOTING MEMBERSHIP Membership in the League of Women Voters is open to people of all genders, age 16 and up. The League of Women Voters works on local, state and national levels. At all levels, members have a voice in what will be studied, what action will be taken, how League money will be spent, and who League leaders will be. The League is a grassroots organization, and members are dedicated to local Leagues as the foundation for local, state and national impact. The League of Women Voters Education Fund, created to strengthen League activities in education and voter service, functions under the auspices of the League of Women Voters, but legally exists as a discrete organization. Contributions to the Education Fund can be considered tax‐deductible. The Education Fund never advocates and never lobbies. MEETINGS Each local League determines its own schedule and meets typically nine times a year. A meeting for all members is usually called a General Meeting. The membership may divide into smaller groups, called units, which meet for discussion. Units are effective for different interest groups or when members are scattered over a large geographic area. Members meet to study and to discuss issues such as voting rights, land use, taxes, water resources, human needs, international trade and issues of local concern. All League meetings are open to the public. Each local League holds an Annual Meeting to elect officers, set local dues, and adopt local programs, bylaws and budget. All members can and should attend the Annual Meeting. CONVENTIONS AND COUNCILS The national Convention—for the League of Women Voters of the United States—is held biennially in even‐numbered years, with Washington D.C. the location every other national Convention. Delegates are elected by local Leagues in numbers proportionate to their membership. Any voting member of the League is eligible to serve as a Convention delegate. Observers and guests may attend but not vote. Delegates debate and vote on program, budget, financial support, and bylaws. They elect officers for the next biennium. The national Council is held in odd‐numbered years. Voting members include two delegates from each state plus the national Board of Directors. The League of Women Voters of Oregon holds its Convention in odd‐numbered years and Council in even‐numbered years, using similar rules. FINANCE League is a nonprofit organization that must have adequate financing to operate and to achieve its goals. Local Leagues adopt budgets to support local, state and national activities. Financial support comes from members, non‐members and the community at large. Dues are a major income factor in local League budgets. Each local League decides the amount of dues and the method for collecting them. Dues can be paid on the membership anniversary or at the beginning of the fiscal year. A large portion of the dues, called Per Member Payment or PMP, supports state and national League mission. The League conducts fundraising campaigns at every level to augment income from dues. Dues are only tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law for League nonprofit status determined by the IRS. VOTER EDUCATION The League of Women Voters of Oregon qualifies as a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code and may accept tax‐deductible contributions. In part, these funds are used for Voter Service activities and balanced, impartial information on governmental issues, study guides, surveys, research projects and litigation in the public interest. The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States. The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government. The League of Women Voters believes government should be responsive to the will of the people in the following ways. Government should: ● maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation; ● promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest; ● share in the solution of economic and social problems which affect the general welfare; ● promote a sound economy; ● adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems. The League encourages citizens to register, vote, and take part in government and politics. League members register voters, sponsor candidates and issue forums or debates, and provide information about voting. The LWVOR Voters’ Guide is an important resource for state elections. It provides objective, balanced election information and does not state League positions. The Voters’ Guide is available in many formats including easy‐to‐read, Spanish, Internet, large‐print and audio. We also coordinate a statewide mock election for K‐ 12 schools to help students learn the importance of participating in democracy. Rights of US Residents The League of Women Voters believes that: ● every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; ● every person should have access to free public education which provides equal opportunity for all; ● no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination. The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of the proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. World Citizenship The League of Women Voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems, and that the development of international organizations and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace. ACTION After reaching an agreement and announcing a position, local, state, or national Leagues take action by: ● working with other organizations (coalitions); ● speaking out through letter‐writing and e‐mail campaigns and through visits to legislators and public officials (based on our positions, we support or oppose legislation, ballot measures, etc.); ● testifying at legislative and administrative hearings; ● monitoring elections and other government activities; ● litigating to help clarify laws in the public interest. The League sends observers to meetings of local, regional, state and national government bodies. Observers do not speak for the League but attend meetings to listen, to learn, and to make factual reports. COMMUNITY INFORMATION Educating Oregonians about government and relevant state and local issues is a major League activity. Through community handbooks, political directories, and factual studies of issues, the League provides unbiased information necessary for an informed electorate. Community organizations often call upon the League for speakers on selected topics about government. PROGRAM Annual Program Planning League program at every level consists of those issues members choose for concentrated study and action. At each year’s program planning meeting, members discuss ideas for local and state or national program topics or studies. Deciding What to Study Proposals are submitted to the appropriate Board of Directors. The Board then considers the proposals, formulates a recommended program, and presents it to the membership at the Annual Meeting of the local League or to the delegates at the state or national Convention. Not‐recommended items can also be considered at each level. Such issues must fall within League principles and must be ones on which government action can be taken. Final decisions on state and national programs are made by a vote of the delegates to the respective Convention. The Study Process Once a study has been adopted, the Board appoints a chairperson of the “resource” or study committee and other members are solicited to serve on the committee. The resource committee gathers information on the study item, analyzes information, clarifies issues, and identifies problems. The committee presents all sides of the issue to members. The study may include tours, guest speakers, interviews and other activities. When the study has been completed, a report is published. Formulating a League Position Before the League can act, members must agree in broad terms on various aspects of the issue. To formulate a position, or statement of action, the League takes consensus. Consensus, or agreement, is reached through group discussion. Mem‐ bers come to an overall “sense of the group” as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions. It is from this agreement that the League formulates a position statement for action. League positions can also be reached through concurrence, or agreeing with a proposed statement. League members or Boards can concur with recommendations or a statement from a task force, a resource committee, a unit group, or any League Board. PUBLICATIONS League publications are important tools for carrying out our purpose. They are researched, written and distributed by members at every level. The League provides its materials free of charge to members, and in most cases, to the public. Aside from program study reports and Voters’ Guides mentioned earlier, other publications include member newsletters published locally, nationally, and at the state level (usually titled The Voter, although some local Leagues have their own titles), the Legislative Report (a statewide e‐ newsletter published during legislative sessions), and the National League’s email member newsletters. Other publications include annual reports, study report summaries, presentations, websites, and more. In order to accommodate a diversity of needs, items are published in multiple formats, including audio, and online. LEAGUE LANGUAGE INDEX Arranged alphabetically by topic Membership Voting Members US citizens at least 16 years old who have paid dues or who are Life Members. Members At State Members who do not reside within the geographic area of a local League, and choose to pay League dues for membership at the state level. Household Membership Two or more members at the same address; one person pays full dues and each additional person pays half the amount. Life Members Those who have belonged to League for 50 or more years and no longer pay dues. Associate Members Members under 16 or non-citizens who have paid dues. Organization Board Administrative body consisting of officers plus elected and appointed directors. Education Fund A separate organization established by the League to accept tax-deductible contributions, the funds of which can be used only for educational or Voter Service activities, such as a League study or Voters’ Guide. Nonpartisan Describes the League’s policy of not supporting or opposing political parties or candidates. Portfolio The specific program or administrative responsibility of a Board member, such as international relations, land use or public relations. Many League Boards are moving away from the portfolio system, with Board members assuming responsibilities as necessary. Units Small discussion groups. Not all Leagues use units. They work well in larger Leagues or those spread over a large geographic area. Principles and Action Governance One of the four areas in which the League studies and acts. Governance refers to the workings of the three branches of government, especially state legislatures and Congress, where laws are made. It includes taxation and other financial matters of the state or nation. International Relations The relationship of our country to other nations in trade, peacekeeping, the United Nations, etc. This is the second major area of League concern. Local Item A topic of concern and possible action in the city or county of a local League. Natural Resources A third major area of League interest. It includes air and water quality, land use, energy, transportation, and waste disposal. Social Policy The fourth area of concern to League members. Social policy covers education, health, housing, corrections, issues affecting women and children, human rights and civil liberties. Program Concurrence General agreement of League members to a statement of position written by the Board or other group at any level of League. Concurrence is often used to update an existing position. Consensus General agreement of League members following thorough study and discussion. League positions are based on member consensus. Observers League members who attend and monitor meetings of government councils, boards and commissions. Position A statement of beliefs of League members on a particular issue, reached by consensus or concurrence of members after thorough study and discussion. The position is adopted by the appropriate board, according to the level at which the study was done (local, state, or national). Action, pro or con, is carried out on the basis of positions from any level of League. Study The process of researching and analyzing an issue from all sides. Finance PMP Per Member Payment—monetary support for the state and national Leagues as decided by Convention delegates. mission history nonpartisan votingmembers meetings conventioncouncil finance votereducation action communityinfo program publications leaguelingo memberhip organization action program finance2

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Natalie Briggs HB2732 House bill 2732 proposes increasing the tax credit for farmers who donate crops to charitable organizations. The bill proposes raising the tax credit from 15% to 25% of the value of the quantity of the crop donated at the wholesale market price. The bill incentivizes farmers to donate surplus or unsold crops to charitable organizations, where the exemption would offset economic costs associated with harvesting, transporting, and donating crops. Increasing the tax credit to 25% is projected to increase the amount of donated produce from 7lb/dollar of tax credit to 10.75lb/dollar of tax credit. House revenue committee members inquired about the impact of recent cuts to federal funding for food banks and schools in Oregon. Oregon Food Bank has confirmed that 30 truck loads of food donation ordinarily supplied through federal funds have been canceled. This cancelation is expected to impact the Oregon Food Bank beginning in the 2025 spring/summer time frame. Cuts to Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreements will also take place in October 2025. HB3688 , HB3934 House bills 3688 and 3934 relate to proposed revisions to Oregon estate taxes. Proponents of the bills argue that current Oregon estate taxes do not allow for portability of estate tax exemptions from one spouse to another, upon the death of a spouse. While estate tax exemptions may be preserved upon the death of a spouse through the use of trust funds, this requires advanced estate planning and support from financial experts which may not be feasible or realistic for many Oregonians. The above bills would reform Oregon estate tax policy to allow for portability of estate tax exemptions. Proponents argue that such changes to estate tax policy would bring Oregon in line with changes made to federal estate tax exemption policy during the Obama administration. HB2362 House bill 2362 aims to implement tiered estate tax exemptions based on the size of the taxable estate. The exemption amount would vary based on the estate's value, and would phase out for larger estates. As a result, this bill would modernize Oregon’s estate tax exemption policy with respect to inflation and appreciation of assets over time. Opponents argue that the bill disproportionately benefits Oregonians with large estates, while providing no benefit to middle and working class families. Additionally, opponents argue that exemptions would reduce state revenue which is becoming even more critical due recent cuts to federal funding. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 5/22 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Redistricting Cybersecurity and Legislative Delays Rights of Incarcerated People Ethics Issues Election Methods By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance No bills on campaign finance have yet been scheduled for a hearing and are unlikely to be scheduled considering the walkout in the Senate. For campaign finance reform, the League wants true reform without loopholes for large special interest organizations. Redistricting People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 petitions downloadable from its website. Thousands of signatures have been collected, but more donations are needed. Cybersecurity and Legislative Delays By Rebecca Gladstone Sine die is technically imminent as the Speaker invoked House Rule 8.15(6) and the Senate President, Senate Rule 8.16 on May 23, a full month before the projected final session date, June 25. This reduces the 72-hour advance public hearing notice and 48 hours for all other meetings to 24-hours. It is hard to know what we can effectively influence with no news of the Senate walkout abating. We are standing by, watching carefully. Please contact your State Senator and Representative to encourage them to support these bills for cybersecurity and election software updates ( outdated software is a security risk) : HB 2490 : This cyber omnibus bill awaits second and third Senate floor readings, scheduled and subject to change. The League urges maximum protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Defending our critical infrastructures is at stake ( our testimony ). SB 167 includes election software updates. Outdated software is a cybersecurity risk. See our testimony in support, 2023 and 2019: “These aging computer programs are like the roof starting to leak. We see evidence of strain and do not want to wait further to begin remedial work from scratch in 2021” - League testimony , HB 2234 (2019). HB 2052 : This Attorney General’s Data Broker bill was assigned to W&Ms Transportation and Economic Development on May 22. League testimony in support was filed before the current -7 amendments. We are also concerned that these cybersecurity bills stopped for lack of a Senate quorum. HB 2107 A was re- rescheduled for Senate floor reading on May 30, after passing in the House, 34 to 25. See earlier reports for this Oregon Health Authority extension of automatic voter registration. HB 2806 , relating to public meetings and cybersecurity, was re- rescheduled to May 30 and 31, with dates subject to change. See our testimony . HB 2049 : is not yet assigned to a W&Ms subcommittee, referred March 3 Do-Pass with amendments, A-Engrossed. See our testimony in support. HB 3127 : We are following this “TikTok” bill, relating to the security of state assets. Was re- rescheduled for May 30 & 31, dates subject to change. SB 619 A : This Attorney General’s Data Broker bill had a May 24 work session in W&Ms Public Safety, no vote published. It passed Sen. Judiciary April 3, went to W&Ms April 12, with Do Pass with amendments by prior reference. See our testimony . SB 1073 A was referred to W&Ms April 10, to establish a state Chief Privacy Officer (CPO). See our supportive testimony including related bills and the hearing video , details in previous reports. Not yet assigned to a subcommittee. __________________ SB 510 Enrolled : The Senate President has signed this Public Records Advocate and Council funding bill, after passing from the House floor May 23, 45 ayes, 1 excused, and the Senate floor April 17, 28 ayes, 1 excused. HB 2112 Enrolled is an updated public records law, with League support, see our testimony . SB 216 Enrolled : We are pleased to see enrollment of this bill to protect personal data in health care business with public agencies. CURRENT CYBER NEWS: Curry CO computer system ‘starting from scratch’ after ransomware attack , OPB, May 15, 2023 Oregon’s Curry CO determined to move forward after ransomware attack , OPB, May 19, 2023 Vermont Cybersecurity Council to Extend Protection Beyond State Gov , GovTech.com , May 15, 2023 Cyberattacks on City and Municipal Governments , Cyber Defense Magazine, May 17, 2023 Utah cyber audit finds shortfalls across state , Statescoop.com , May 19, 2023 Organizations reporting cyber resilience are hardly resilient: Study , CSO Online, May 18, 2023 Oregon leads $2.5 million multi-state settlement with EyeMed over data breach affected millions nationwide . KTVZ.Com May 17, 2023 A different kind of ransomware demand: Donate to charity to get your data back , Cyberscoop.com , May 18, 2023 Dallas says it 'will likely take weeks to get back to full functionality' after ransomware attack , City of Dallas, TX, The Record, May 18, 2023 Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley Adults in custody will now be afforded more educational opportunities with the House passage of SB 270 Enrolled on May 23. The bill authorizes the Department of Corrections (DOC) to enter into agreements with any community college or post-secondary academic program to offer instruction to adults in custody, as long as enrollment is consistent with DOC administrative rules and federal Pell Grant regulations. Ethics Issues By Chris Cobey HB 2038 A : Requires statement of economic interest to include certain information about sources of income for business in which public official or candidate, or member of household of public official or candidate, is officer, holds directorship or does business under if source of income has legislative or administrative interest and 10 percent or more of total gross annual income of business comes from that source of income. Prohibits candidate or principal campaign committee of candidate from expending campaign moneys for professional services rendered by certain businesses required to be listed on candidate's statement of economic interest. Creates exceptions. 5/23: House Rules work session scheduled. SB 168 B : 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. 5/19: From House Rules work session 5/18; recommendation: Do Pass with amendments and be printed B-engrossed; 5/22: House second reading. SB 661 Enrolled : Prohibits any lobbyist from serving as chairperson of interim committees, or certain legislative work groups, or legislative task forces. Provides exceptions. 5/16: Passed House, 57-0-2-1; 5/18: Awaiting Governor’s signature.. Election Methods By Barbara Klein HB 2004 A (a Ranked Choice Voting bill) was scheduled for the 3 rd reading and voted on by the House members on May 23, 2023. The bill passed (35 yea, 25 nay), and was sent to the Senate. The details of the -2 amendment were summarized in the governance area of the previous LWVOR Legislative Report. The RCV coalition supporting HB 2004 A met with members and leadership of the Oregon Association of County Clerks on May 24. LWVOR took part in that meeting with praise for the clerks, and recognizing our shared interests in protecting the vote. LWVOR shared with the clerks our view that the RCV system protects the voice of voters in several ways. As Sine Die was declared imminent, and a walkout of Senate members continuing, it is unclear (but doubtful) if the bill will be voted on in this session. More input from the clerks was sought in consideration of a short-session bill early next year. Briefly discussed was the RCV initiative, IP 27 , which would expand the provisions and offices covered by the current bill above. Since our previous report, IP 26 (constitutional amendment by All Oregon Votes) received a certified title , “Amends Constitution: Changes election processes. All voters/candidates for certain partisan offices participate in same nomination procedure.” (This is similar to the certified ballot title for IP 16, which All Oregon Votes appealed to the Supreme Court, but which the Court approved without change. IP 16 is not yet listed as withdrawn. There is nothing further to report on two additional election reform ballot initiatives: IP 11 (measure on statewide STAR -Score Then Automatic Runoff voting) and IP 19 , from Oregon Election Reform Coalition (which is a Final Five Open Primary, using RCV or STAR in the general). LWVOR supports IP 19, now by way of a new League position on Open Primaries adopted by concurrence at our May 2023 convention. 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 .

The League of Women Voters of Oregon conducts voter education and pro-democracy advocacy, and believes it is critical to understand the potential consequences of the recall process as part of our elections framework. Assessing the Recall Process In Oregon About the Study The League of Women Voters of Oregon conducts voter education and pro-democracy advocacy, and believes it is critical to understand the potential consequences of the recall process as part of our elections framework. What is recall? Oregon voters in 1908 amended the state Constitution to allow for recall of public officials. A recall election enables voters to remove an elected official from office before the official's term has ended. A total of 19 states now permit recall of state officials, while 39 states allow recall of public officials at the local level. Procedures differ greatly across the country. This study examines Oregon law and process, as well as practices in other states where recall is permitted. Voters and the courts have since modified Oregon’s recall process several times since 1908 to clarify who is subject to recall, the number of valid signatures required to qualify a recall petition, procedures for filling vacated seats, and the role and methods of elections officials overseeing the recall process. Article II, Section 18, of the Oregon Constitution establishes requirements. Assessing the Recall Process In Oregon Full study: Assessing the Recall Process In Oregon , PDF The Historical Development and Use of the Recall In Oregon , PDF Voters' Pamphlet 1984 , PDF Previous Next

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Services Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) State Land Board Water Wildfire AIR QUALITY 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 supports. The public hearing on this bill was held Feb. 24 in the Senate Committee On Energy and Environment . See the article in the Statesman Journal. See also the Climate Emergency Legislative Report this week. HB 3244 : Replaces the requirement that an owner or operator of a municipal solid waste incinerator conduct continuous monitoring or sampling of specified air contaminants with a requirement that the monitoring or sampling be conducted annually. LWVOR would oppose. The bill relates to the Reworld facility out of Keizer and League members have testified of their concerns in past years. AGRICULTURE By Sandra Bishop The following Senate bills will be considered in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire on March 6 : SB 78 – Replacement dwelling bill and 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. Also, we are watching HB 3158 relating to photovoltaic solar power generation facilities on lands zoned for exclusive farm use. Allows certain photovoltaic solar power generation facilities on lands zoned for exclusive farm use to operate alongside farm or allowed nonfarm uses on a tract. LWVOR is watching this one before taking a position. The League is watching HB 2947 , a bill that would direct the Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to study the distribution and occurrence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in biosolids applied to agricultural fields that do not produce crops intended for human consumption. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 tentative 3rd week of March; Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 tentative 3rd week of March; Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 DEQ: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet Public hearing 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 , tentative public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2; Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . Tentative public hearings March 10-12; Wildfire Funding Workgroup Work Session/report to be a part of the ODF budget presentation. The Workgroup will also present their report regarding potential wildfire funding solutions to the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Public Safety on March 5 and to the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Natural Resources on March 6. 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. LWVOR supports SB 836 . Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Public hearing Feb. 27 LWVOR testimony . SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase (Work Session Mar. 4 in Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire ) Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 . Public hearing Feb. 17; Meeting Materials **Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 info hearings March 3-4, public hearing March 5. Meeting Materials Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Info Mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony . And the fee bills: support HB 2808 and HB 2803 . Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Info mtg. & P ublic hearing Feb. 25-27 LWVOR testimony . Meeting Materials Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Info mtg. & P ublic hearing Feb. 25-26 Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 Office of the Governor: SB 5523 Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20. See more in the Wildfire section of this report. Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 info hearings 3/03-5, public hearing 3/06. Meeting Materials 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 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.) CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL LHas the Jordan Cove Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project reared its head again? League members may remember this proposed project that would have allowed a pipeline across land from southern Oregon to Coos Bay and then would have created an LNG export facility on unstable lands on the edge of the Bay. LWVOR supported local Leagues in objecting to the project, including engaging with state agency permit applications. The project eventually pulled out as they lost permit approvals. But we have been informed that a new filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been proposed and the applicant is stating that new federal support should supersede state permitting. We will share more as we learn more. A bill League is following is SB 504 related to shoreline stabilization. Our coastal partners have been working with the sponsor and a -4 amendment has been filed that focuses on “non-structural nature-based solutions” instead of “bioengineering”. A work session was held. The -4 amendment was adopted unanimously on Feb. 25 in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire and the bill has been sent to Ways and Means. The League is pleased to see the bill numbers for kelp and eel grass conservation ( HB 3580 ) Eelgrass Action Bill (HB 3580) and protection of Rocky Habitat ( HB 3587 ). Here is a one-pager : Rocky Habitat Stewardship Bill (HB 3587) . The League signed on to letters of support f or both HB 3580 and HB 3587. We asked for funding for a staffer in the Dept. of Land Development and Conservation budget to continue to address rocky habitat, an element of the Territorial Sea Plan which the League has supported. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League has signed on to a letter in opposition to HB 2642 .because we believe that the DEQ should retain the power to implement vehicle emission testing. Emissions testing in Oregon began in the mid-1970s as a method of reducing air pollution from trucks and cars in order to ensure compliance with the landmark federal Clean Air Act of 1970. A public hearing was held on Feb. 18 in the Joint Committee On Transportation . The League supports SB 830 , a bill that m odifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. A work session was held on Feb. 25 in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire where it passed unanimously and now heads to the full Senate for a vote . HB 2947 had a public hearing in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water on Feb. 10th related to treated sewage being used on farms. OPB provided great coverage of the concerns related to this usage. See also an article about this issue in this report under Agriculture. 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 served on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. On Feb. 26 the advisory committee approved the Fiscal Impact Statement. A public comment period is expected in May. You are welcome to Sign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League again served on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. A meeting was held on Feb. 25th where the committee agreed to forward their recommendation for the allowed annual 3% fee increase to the DEQ Director. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee you can view the rulemaking web page at: Water Quality Fees 2025 . DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) By Joan Fryxell On March 6th the Technical Review Team (TRT) will be meeting on the Calico Resources proposed Grassy Mountain gold mine near Vale in Malheur County. The TRT will discuss Best Available Practicable and Necessary Technology (BAPNT). Information will be available online . The League provided testimony in support of SB 836 , a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities. See the agency’s presentation to understand the reasons for these increases. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) You can read the latest about the Elliott State Research Forest in their latest press release. Included is that t he Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is seeking comments on administrative rules for the Elliott State Research Forest. The comment period is open from February 3 - March 5 (closes at 5 p.m. Pacific). Then DSL is seeking comments on the proposed Elliott State Research Forest Operations Plan. Click here to view or download the proposed plan, project overview map, and appendices. Click here to view only the proposed plan (PDF) The 45-day comment period is open until 5 p.m. on March 31. Here is a more complete notice of the plan with opportunities for virtual public meetings. EMERGENCY SERVICES By Rebecca Gladstone The League spoke and filed testimony on HB 2581 in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. The bill has passed the House. The Senate Committee On Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs will hold a public hearing on March 6th. FORESTRY (ODF) By Josie Koehne HB 3103 , a bill that would d irect the State Forester to establish “sustainable” harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and develop a timber inventory model to inform sustainable harvest levels while ignoring the court affirmed “greatest permanent value” will be heard on March 3rd in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . T he League will OPPOSE . Governor Kotek is proposing SB 1051 , sponsored by Sen. Kayse Jama, that would move the hiring authority for the State Forester from the Board of Forestry to the Governor with Senate confirmation. Requires the state forester or deputy to be a practical forester. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules where it’s not subject to the same deadlines as other bills and where it will likely be heavily debated. The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet for a public meeting on March 5 at 8:30 a.m. The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage . See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. GOVERNANCE Our partners in the Oregon Conservation Network alerted us to a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials, would be overwhelming to individual state agencies that provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures . On Feb. 19, the Governor provided expectations and guidance for state agencies related to rulemaking and customer service. Upon outreach to the Governor’s Office, the League has been invited to participate in a discussion of rulemaking processes and committee membership selection. LAND USE & HOUSING By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony in support of the Land Use Board of Appeals budget: SB 5529 . We will also follow SB 817 , a bill to request a minor fee increase (Work Session Mar. 4 in Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire ). The League attended a webinar on the proposed 2025 Natural Hazards Risk Assessment . You can watch the webinar on DLCD’s YouTube Channel . Among the items of interest was a proposed verbiage change from using “climate change” to “future considerations” so as to not trigger issues with the federal government since this document is used as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s grant process. Business Oregon’s Infrastructure bill, HB 3031 , with a -1 amendment to clarify the criteria to be used to access the proposed $100 million fund had a public hearing on Feb. 26 in the House Committee On Housing and Homelessness . Although there are a few issues yet to resolve, the League supports this important funding bill. LWVOR testimony . Governor’s news release . Bills we are following: HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. These lands are currently a variety of state-owned lands scattered around the state. HB 2400 Allows the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site an additional dwelling on the property for occupancy by a relative of the owner. HB 2422 Requires that lands zoned to allow density of one or fewer dwellings per acre to be considered a rural use. HB 3013 : Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. LWVOR supports with -1 amendment. A public hearing was held Feb. 3rd. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. A public hearing was held Feb. 20th. HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands, filed at the request of the Governor. A public hearing will be held on March 3rd in House Committee On Housing and Homelessness where a -1 amendment is posted as a “gut and stuff” for the bill. We expect to see additional amendments before the bill moves forward. At this time, the League is not planning to testify on this 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. The bill passed the House 49-7 and now moves to the Senate. HB 2950 A bill to update Goal One and Public Participation is being sponsored by Oregon’s American Planning Association. The League is interested in the bill, but has some concerns. We understand there will be an amendment proffered. A public hearing was held Feb. 12th in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . Because of the requirement to do rulemaking, the bill, if passing the Committee, will be sent to Ways and Means. SB 462 : Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to establish an education course for land use planners for local governments, special districts and state agencies. LWVOR supports educational efforts but there are other training opportunities so this proposal might be redundant. A public hearing was held on Feb. 19 in the Senate Committee On Housing and Development . SB 525 : Amends expedited land division criteria and processes. LWVOR has concerns. May need to oppose. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT (OPRD) The OPRD budget will be considered this week. The Legislative Fiscal Office notes : During the November 2024 meeting of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department provided an update outlining concerns for the long-term sustainability of OPRD’s operational funding. The Department asserted that the largest known challenge for the 2025-27 biennium is addressing the gap between projected operational revenues and anticipated expenditures. Throughout this biennium as well as the next, OPRD’s operational budget is dependent on an existing beginning balance. This means the current level of expenditures, given projected revenues, is unsustainable for the long-term. While the dedicated programs remain sustainable, operational expenditures are outpacing Lottery Funds and non-dedicated Other Funds revenues used to support agency operations. OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) By Lucie La Bonte On Feb. 25th, OWEB presented their budget ( HB 5039 ) to the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources. The presentation included information regarding the life cycle of grants and funding that OWEB receives and passes on to grantees through the reimbursement process. Turnaround time is within 2 weeks for reimbursements. Staffing continuity is important for local folks. They have an engaged Board of 18 that makes allocation decisions. There are multiple state and federal agencies, tribal and local representation. OWEB has made 900 grants this year. They have new programs: Protect over 12,000 acres of Agriculture Land, Working Lands Funds, and Water Source Protection.There were questions from the committee on weed control, invasive species and sustainability. 9%-10% of funding is used for staffing. There are no requests for new staffing in the budget, but there is one request to make a limited duration position permanent. A public hearing was held Feb. 26th. HB 5039 is the agency’s budget bill. HB 5040 Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025. STATE LAND BOARD (SLB) By Peggy Lynch The State Land Board met on Feb. 27th to begin the process of recruiting for a new DSL Director, with an appointment targeted for June 10. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 8. WATER By Peggy Lynch LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. HB 3106 is the Oregon Water Data Portal funding bill for which the League provided testimony in support. The multi-agency effort to release a beta version of the pilot portal for the Oregon Water Data Portal project debuted on January 31. The pilot portal is accessible 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 . A public hearing was held on Feb. 26th in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water where a -1 amendment was shared that would create an entire multi-agency system for gathering the water data needed for good decision making. The League has yet to determine if this new proposal is good for Oregon. See the following Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board presentation and the Internet of Water Coalition presentation . A work session will be held on Mar. 3rd on HB 3341 in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . It appropriates moneys to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for the Community Drinking Water Enhancement and Protection Fund. The League supported the establishment of this fund in past years. Other water bills we are following: HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted testimony in support. HB 3526 would require well water test reporting in property sales. The League supported this concept in past sessions and did again this session. HB 3364 makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept. Testimony provided comments and concerns with agreement that all parties would continue to work on finding agreement on an amendment. HB 3419 is the major broad set of water policy changes that is now described by the various amendments posted since this is really a “gut and stuff” bill! The committee Co-Chairs announced that more amendments are expected. Per Rep. Owens: the -2 and -3 amendments on HB 3419 will NOT move. HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. A public hearing was held Feb. 12th. HB 3108 : Requires the Water Resources Department to implement additional rules and requirements for the review of limited license applications for an aquifer storage and recovery permit HB 2803 : Increases certain fees related to water. LWVOR will support. Expect amendments. Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. HB 2808 : Increases fees related to wells. LWVOR will support. Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. HB 3573 , a bill that addresses funding for a variety of water measurement strategies. We expect a hearing next week in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . The League supports. The Co-Chairs of the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water are working on a broad package of water-related bills, the 2025 Water Package . There is a Water Caucus raising the awareness of the need to address Oregon’s water needs. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” V isit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers The Wildfire Funding Workgroup will present their report regarding potential wildfire funding solutions to the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Public Safety on March 5 and to the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Natural Resources on March 6. There are six concepts . Each will have its own bill number, submitted by Rep. Lively who was an ex officio member of the Workgroup. Sen. Jeff Golden released a plea for a comprehensive solution to our wildfire crisis. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: After School and Summer Behavioral Health Education Gun Policy Housing Legislation Immigration Public Safety After School and Summer By Katie Riley The two bills we have been following that most closely align with funding for afterschool and summer programs look like they may be combined and will be focused instead on summer school (emphasis added), literacy, and accountability for that instruction. HB 3039 would appropriate moneys from the General Fund to the Department of Education and Requires the Department of Education to study methods for increasing the availability of summer and after-school academic and enrichment programs. HB 2007 would modify requirements for the summer learning program. Both bills have received amendments and HB 2007 has received a hearing and a second amendment that deleted the possibility of funding for for-profit providers. Although HB 2007 refers to “expanded learning” and community-based organizations (CBO’s), any funding would be directed to school districts and through them to CBO’s and there is no specific allocation to CBO’s for summer care. CBO’s are upset about the major focus on summer school and literacy. They support literacy but believe that learning takes place during non-school time as well and includes social emotional learning. In addition, attendance in afterschool programs has been proven to decrease absenteeism and increase academic achievement. Further, the task force established by the 2024 legislative session for HB 4082 recommended funding for after school programs and there is no provision for that specific funding in either bill. HB 2007 is now scheduled for an informational hearing in the Senate Committee on Education on March 31st and a work session on April 1st in the Joint Subcommittee on Education. HB 5047 is proposing $35 million for summer learning in 2025 plus $47 million for 2026 and 27. It will be discussed in the work session. A new bill ( HB 3941 ) was introduced last week to allocate $4,990,000 for a grant program to establish up to 5 community schools at $170,000 per year in matching funds. Community schools coordinate and integrate educational, developmental, family, health and other comprehensive services through community-based organizations and public and private partnerships to students, families, and community members during and after school hours, on weekends, and during the summer. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for March 31st in the House Committee on Education and a work session is scheduled for April 2nd in the same committee. In an interesting twist, SB 1127 provides for grants to develop and provide educational activities during recess, lunch or after school for Title I elementary schools. It received a public hearing this past week. SB 896 which would provide funding for afterschool grant programs passed out of the Senate Committee on Education and has been sent to Ways and Means. Another bill ( HB 3162 ) to fund after school programs was introduced but never received a hearing so it is unlikely to be heard from again this session. On a positive note, the fact that more than one bill is concerned with after school care makes it more likely that the issue will receive attention from House and Senate leadership. Bills concerned with child care are also moving through the legislature. HB 2593 would direct the Department of Early Learning and Care to study the characteristics of the people who are on the ERDC waitlist (currently over 10,000) to determine the impact of being on the waitlist. The bill received a hearing this past week with no opposition. Other bills ( HB 3496 and HB 3560 ) concern establishing guidance to site child care facilities in local areas and expands areas where child care can be cited. Since these bills are focused on being able to provide child care in more rural areas that currently are zoned to prohibit this use, there are concerns about children being exposed to pesticides. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller and Patricia Garner A number of health care related bills have been heard in the Behavioral Health Committee which arose out of the Behavioral Health Transformation Workgroup convened by Senator Kate Lieber and Representative Bob Nosse. They have all been scheduled for Work Sessions and seek to address problems with services for high acuity patients, reduce administrative burdens and improve rates for behavioral health services. They are primarily appropriations bills but instead of appropriating a sum with limited requirements, they reach into the details or “nitty-gritty” of how treatment is provided. Support for the bills is nearly unanimous. They will be sent to the Joint Ways and Means Committee next. HB 2015 with -2 amendment addresses a number of regulatory barriers in building and operating secure residential treatment facilities (SRTF’s), residential treatment facilities (RTF’s) and residential treatment homes (RTH’s) in Oregon. The bill is detailed and far-reaching. On the surface it appears to be a bill setting up a study, but it directs OYA to find solutions for a number of these barriers. For example, Trillium Family Services is Oregon’s sole provider of a full continuum of mental health services for youth aged 5 – 24 and has a staff of 685 employees. According to current regulations such a facility must be licensed with and provide services and documentation as both a child caring agency and an adult residential treatment provider. This is time consuming and takes away from the provision of treatment. Another example relates to nurse staffing. These facilities are required to have one nurse on site at all times, and not just on-call, which is particularly challenging for non-urban settings. OYA also currently requires a facility to be fully licensed before it can accept patients rather than allowing admission after a certain point in the licensing process. Financial compensation for residential services is based on the acuity of an individual’s treatment, but when an individual has received an appropriate level of services, by definition the acuity decreases, and the facility is paid less. The bill seeks to group people in facilities by level of acuity. The House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care held a public hearing on HB 2059-2 (Behavioral Health Facilities). The League has submitted testimony in support of the bill. HB 2059- 2 would fund residential behavioral health facilities throughout the state by allocating $90 million from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium. This allocation was included in Governor Kotek’s recommended budget. Several witnesses, including OHA and NAMI, detailed the critical shortage of beds in these facilities. Oregon’s sole state psychiatric hospital is occupied almost exclusively by individuals whom courts have deemed mentally incapable of being able to “aid and assist” in their defense of criminal charges, and even when they are ready to be released, there is a lack of residential treatment or step-down facilities that can take them. Because the hospital is full of these individuals, those in need of civil commitment or a hospital level of care are not able to receive it. A number of witnesses also referred to Oregon Advocacy Center v. Mink , a federal case in which the judge has ruled the state psychiatric hospital must accept within 7 days people found not able to “aid and assist” in their defense. Because Oregon is out of compliance with this order, it could be held in contempt and face significant fines. (See KGW8’s report on the recent hearing in the case - KGW8 Mink case ). HB 2059-Dash 2 also requires OYA to develop guidelines for distributing these funds, which must at least include the ability to quickly put funding to use – including the availability of service providers, the bed-to-cost ratio with priority being given to shovel-ready projects, geographic equity across the state, and local community input on projects that will serve the highest need. A work session for HB 2059 has been scheduled for April 3. HB 2024- 3 provides funding to increase Oregon’s behavioral health workforce. Twenty million dollars is allocated to the OHA to award grants to several classes of behavioral health care providers, including for example: providers that offer office-based medication-assisted treatment, certain Indian health programs, programs that offer behavioral health care and substance abuse rehabilitation services, and programs that provide outpatient behavioral health care for adults or youth of which at least 50% are uninsured or receiving Medicaid or Medicare. The grants can be used for educational scholarships, loan forgiveness, housing assistance, sign-on and retention bonuses, childcare subsidies, tuition assistance, stipends for supervisors of interns or graduate students and more. An additional $20 million is directed to OHA to develop and implement incentive payments which are designed to increase the wages of residential, out-patient, outreach and medically assisted treatment providers so they are competitive with for-profit and hospital providers. Finally, $5 million is allocated to the OHA for the purpose of establishing a “United We Heal Health Medicaid Payment Program” which is designed to enhance training, education and apprenticeship opportunities, as well as provide increased wages, health care benefits and workplace safety standards for residential treatment providers. HB 2202-1 identifies certain redundancies, contradictions and outdated language regarding services provided by coordinated care organizations. For example, in attempting to deal with parity of mental and physical health treatment, the bill prescribes that the OHA must require CCO’s to report on their document standards or requirements used for providing behavioral health, substance abuse, as well as for medical and surgical treatment and services. The standard for provision of CCO services must also “support an individual’s progress towards clinical goals, as defined by the individual’s service plan,” instead of the prior standard which was defined as “leading to a meaningful improvement in individuals’ lives.” Abuse reports are also authorized to be made electronically instead of only by telephone. Instead of using the term “emotional disturbances,” HB 2202-1 substitutes the more commonly used phrase “health or substance use disorders.” HB 2056 -1 appropriates $64,800,00 for community mental health programs. It comes in response to the 2024 legislative mandate to analyze costs these programs incur when providing crisis services, services to the “aid and assist” population and adults who meet the criteria for civil commitment. The intent of the allocation is to support early intervention instead of resorting to criminal or other last resort systems of care. This funding is also considered to be crucial in meeting Oregon’s Constitutional obligations to provide treatment which is currently under review in federal court. It is argued that if this funding is not provided, Oregon may be fined. The State of Washington was fined $100 million for a similar failure to provide treatment. Education By Jean Pierce Federal Actions affecting Higher Education in Oregon This week, the federal government reinstated 3 Income Driven Repayment plans for student loans, which had been cut a month ago: Pay As You Earn Income Contingent Repayment Plan Income-Based Repayment Plan According to the Attorney General’s office , “Most students in Oregon rely on student loans to help pay for their education. The average Oregon student loan borrower owes over $36,091 by the time they graduate. Combined, Oregonians have more than $18.9 billion dollars in student loan debt. “ Two resources are available to help students find answers to their questions about the changing policies: Since 2022, the state has a student loan ombudsperson Representative Bonamici’s office has created a webpage covering the basic questions about returning to loan repayment . Legislation we are tracking In addition to the bills for which we submitted testimony, LWVOR is tracking a couple of bills which saw action this week in the House Education Committee: The committee held a public hearing on March 24 for HB3004 , which directs the Youth Development Division to establish a statewide community violence prevention program. A work session is scheduled on March 31 for HB3037 , which creates a program designed to reduce the administrative burden on small districts applying for and reporting on grants. Gun Policy By Marge Easley A busy week turned even busier when four bills related to firearms ( SB 696 , SB 697 , SB 698 , and SB 429 ), originally slated for an April 2nd omnibus hearing in the Senate Judiciary, were suddenly folded into a fifth bill, SB 243 . SB 243 was heard on March 27 with over 80 people signed up to testify, despite only 24 hours notice. A work session is scheduled for April 3. The bill would make the following changes to Oregon’s gun laws: Mandate a 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of a firearm Require the completion of a background check before the transfer of a firearm Ban rapid-fire devices, such as bump stocks, that allow semi automatic guns to function like machine guns Raise the age to purchase military-style rifles from age 18 to 21 Expand the number of public spaces that can be designated as “gun-free zones” The League, along with other members of the Alliance for a Safe Oregon , supports these provisions. However, the expected strong pushback from the gun rights community is now underway, as reported by OPB. Stay tuned for an upcoming action alert prior to the Senate floor vote. An April 2nd work session in the House Judiciary on two additional gun bills. HB 3075 provides implementation details for Measure 114, while HB 3076 establishes a gun dealer licensing program. An ambiguous third bill, HB 3074 , has a hearing and work session on April 8, so it’s possible it will be the catchall for last-minute changes. On March 26, a US Supreme Court ruling provided some very good news for gun safety supporters around the country. By a 7-2 vote, justices upheld a Biden-era rule regulating “ghost guns,” untraceable firearms without serial numbers that are assembled from components or kits that can be obtained online. Oregon’s prohibition on ghost guns has been in effect since September 1, 2024. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Predevelopment Loan Program: On March 19, the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness held a hearing on HB 2964 , which would give Oregon Housing and Community Services responsibility to administer a grant and loan program for predevelopment costs for new affordable housing for low-income households to rent or own. The department would also provide technical assistance to nonprofits who receive the funding. Eligible predevelopment costs include professional services; studies such as site feasibility; development fees, and community engagement. OHCS would integrate this program into its existing Predevelopment Loan Fund with monies from the General Fund. Properties would be developed with affordability restrictions to ensure that they remain affordable for people with lower incomes. Oregon's population growth has outpaced housing construction leading to a severe shortage of affordable properties. This bill will give our state’s lower income households an opportunity to live in stable, new and affordable housing. The League presented testimony in support of this bill. Individual Development Accounts: On March 26, the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness held a hearing on HB 2735-2 related to funding for Oregon’s Individual Development Account program. The program provides matching funds for lower income Oregonians saving to buy a home, further their education, start a small business, or engage in other efforts intended to meet their financial goals. The funds for the match come from a tax credit that has been capped at $7.5 million per year since 2009. The bill, if passed, would raise the cap to $16.5 million, avoiding the need to reduce the number of participants. The League submitted testimony in support. Rent Stabilization and Rent Setting Software: Also on March 26, the Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a public hearing on SB 722 to prohibit residential landlords from software and occupancy control, and would apply rent caps for younger properties. This proposal would help prevent displacement by prohibiting landlords of multifamily housing to use price-fixing AI software to inflate rents or occupancy rates. This unethical practice is the subject of national attention . Attorneys General in eight states, including Oregon, have joined the Justice Department in an antitrust suit to disallow this method of sharing and aligning non-public information to drive up rents. The bill also would reduce the current 15-year exemption for new construction from our statewide rent stabilization statute down to seven years. This change would provide reasonable rent stabilization protection for an additional 40,000 housing units and between 80,000 to 100,000 Oregonians. The League sent testimony in support. Affordable Housing Insurance Program: The Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a March 26 hearing on SB 829 , proposed by Governor Kotek to establish an Affordable Housing Insurance Program in the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). The program would provide financial assistance for eligible entities having difficulty covering the cost of their insurance premiums. DCBS would also study the feasibility of creating a state reinsurance program that would bring price stability to the multifamily housing insurance market. Of all the expenses multifamily housing providers pay, insurance premiums have increased at the highest rate during the 2010 to 2022 time frame as compared to other costs. This program seeks to address the challenges providers face maintaining financial stability as they work to meet the needs of the most vulnerable households. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith HB 1191 , Senate Judiciary heard the “know your rights protection bill”, work session slated for April 2. League testimony supports SB 1191 which excludes the act of informing another person of their civil or constitutional rights from statute defining “commits the crime of obstructing governmental or judicial administration”. This is relevant as League voter service activities and advocacy issues are newly vulnerable to Executive Order classification as domestic terrorism if not aligned with recently changed federal preferences. The League will continue to support legislation for DEI, climate change, immigration, access for voter registration and election process information, protecting our natural resources, and more. SB 703 passed 4-2 on partisan lines from Senate Rules, for Dept of Human Services grants to nonprofit service providers to help noncitizens change their immigration status. League testimony in support. Upcoming & Watching SB 999 : Changing farmworker camps definitions. An April 3 public hearing is scheduled in Senate Labor, with possible work session on April 5. SB 939 A : We will be watching for upcoming action, relating to providing nonprofit organization security, passed unanimously from Senate Judiciary, addressing bias crimes. SB 1119 : April 1work session, to prohibit employers from engaging in unfair immigration-related practices. SB 1140 : April 1 public hearing, April 3 work session in Senate Labor, prohibits English-only workplace rules, some exceptions. Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 Immigration Study SCJ WS 4/2 Y Sen Jama DHS SB 599A Immig status: discrimnation in RealEstate transactions H Judiciary Sen Campos SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented SC HS - JWM Work Sess 4/1 Y Sen Campos Rep Ruiz SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. HC LWPS WS 4/2 Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM JWM Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Sen Ed Sen Ed RepHudson, SenCampos HB 2543 fundsfor universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud ? 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund JCWM-GG ? 7 Das Public Safety By Karen Nibler The Public Defense Services Consortium has been in front of the Ways and Means Public Safety Committee recently. Since it has been reorganized, the presentations by the staff have been detailed with attorneys working under the new system giving their perspective. The new agency operates under the Executive Branch. The House Judiciary Committee listened to proposals for public defenders in County Circuit Court Districts. HB 3376 proposes an office of district defender in each county court. The Early Childhood and Human Services Committee heard testimony on HB 3835 which deals with restraint and seclusion practices within foster care placements and special education programs. The testimony was extensive and the bill will undoubtedly be amended. Look for new developments. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 5/15 Education By Anne Nesse On May 8 Senate President Rob Wagner spoke representing that the mission statement of public schooling ‘is to provide equity, diversity, and inclusion, based on each individual students needs, with written and informed consent by its parents,’ during the public hearing on SB 819A with -13 amendments, concerning abbreviated school days for children with disabilities. President Wagner supports this bill along with Senate leader Knopp, in a bipartisan effort. Parental rights were also discussed, and Rep. McIntire brought up the potential increased costs to our fiscal budget. Rep. Hudson assured there were some creative solutions school districts could use, and the enforcement of this law is already possible through TSPC, with a potential removal of the superintendent for non-compliant districts. Susan Allen from Oregon Classified Employees expressed some concerns over staffing shortages Kendall Mason of OEA, expressed the need for increased training and the need for the full funding of at least $10.3 Billion into our biennium school budget. May 16, the school budget was under analysis in J W&M Education, LFO recommendations. Another amendment was added on May 16 so that it could be voted out of Committee to JW&Ms. However the amount is still under funding requested initially by the Governor, and under what a number of advocates would like . Final decisions awaited the May 17 budget forecast. 5/9 in Senate Education, Sen. Dembrow pointed out there is state statute, that if a bill appears unreadable, this problem goes to a certain committee for solutions, not solved by a walk out, as some might have misunderstood. Several Bills you might be interested in were referred to the Senate floor for passage: HB 2753 A , providing rules for an optional stipend for school board members. HB 2280 clarifies terms of consent for school district sexual harassment. HB 2905 , Social studies curriculum extension to include Jewish descent, as well as already listed African, Asian, Pacific Island, Chicano, Latino, [or] Middle Eastern or Jewish descent; (iii) are women; (iv) have disabilities;(v) are immigrants or refugees; or (vi) are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. (C) involve teachers and other educators, parents of students and other citizens and shall provide ample opportunity for public comment. 5/11 Senate Education passed a number of Bills to the floor, of interest for passage: HB 3227 A , removing barriers to filling custodial services vacancies in education. HB 2618 A , determining workload requirements of speech pathologists as soon as possible for the institution during the next school year. HB 2281 A , appointing civil rights coordinator for school districts, to adequately deal with discrimination. HB 2504 A , removing barriers to enter Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) from international sources. HB 3178 A , modifies professional scholarships by HECC to include diverse teacher candidates that reflect our population.

< Back Revenue LWVOR Advocacy Positions Note: these are condensed versions. See the complete positions in Issues for Action . 2026 Legislative Priority ASSURE ADEQUATE REVENUE from all levels of government to provide essential services while promoting equitable and progressive tax policy. Address changes in federal taxation. Consider new revenue to fund services Oregonians need. Positions Governance Economic Development Revenue Bonds LWVOR supports the authority to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds by the state, ports, and cities with more than 300,000 population. 2. In addition to the Economic Development Revenue Bond program, LWVOR supports other state and local economic stimulants Fiscal Policy Evaluating Taxes —any tax proposal should be evaluated with regard to its effect on the entire tax structure. Fiscal Responsibility —local government should have primary responsibility for financing non-school local government. Local services mandated by the state should have state funding. Income Tax—i ncome tax is the most equitable means of providing state revenue. The income tax should be progressive, compatible with federal law and should apply to the broadest possible segment of Oregonians. Sales Tax— A sales tax should be used with certain restrictions Property Tax —local property taxes should partially finance local government and local services. Exemptions to the general property tax include: a. Charitable, educational and benevolent organizations, etc. b. School District Financing. The major portion of the cost of public schools should be borne by the state, which should use a stable system to provide sufficient funds to give each child an equal, adequate education. Previous Next

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Federal Oregon Current Week CE Action Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Environmental Justice Bills Natural and Working Lands Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Oregon Treasury Oregon Public Financing / BANK Other Climate Bills Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes 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. We understand Oregon’s environmental community was not consulted. See: ‘Oregon lawmakers are now considering a ‘cap-and-trade’ program to fund roads, wildfire prevention’. “… . Among the issues under discussion, according to the memo, is scrapping the state’s existing emissions reduction program (see CPP Climate Protection Plan) and replacing it with a cap-and-trade system now favored by some industry and utility players….” | OPB Oregon lawmakers are now considering a ‘cap-and-trade’ program to fund roads, wildfire prevention – OPB Controversial Cap and Trade Policy Reemerges in Salem - Willamette Week Oregon lawmakers look to reshape cap-and-trade program to pay for transportation needs • Oregon Capital Chronicle See also Transportation in the Natural Resources Legislative Reports. While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/ targeted outcomes. Federal “In May 2025, the Trump administration and Congress are engaged in a budget process that proposes significant changes to funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particularly concerning energy and climate-related programs. Key Proposals & Potential Impacts: DOE Budget Cuts: The administration proposed substantial cuts to the DOE budget, including rescinding billions allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and reducing funding for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). EPA Budget Cuts: The proposed budget also calls for deep cuts to the EPA, with a focus on eliminating climate change-related programs and regulations. Climate and Renewable Energy Impacts: These budget proposals would significantly reduce funding for climate research, renewable energy development, and energy efficiency programs. The administration's justification for the cuts is to prioritize "American energy dominance" by focusing on fossil fuel research and nuclear energy, according to Science | AAAS . Congressional Action: Congress is currently deliberating on the budget proposals, and the final outcome will depend on negotiations between the House and Senate. Notably, the House has introduced a reconciliation bill that aims to repeal or amend several provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes significant climate-related funding. Points of Contention and Uncertainty: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): The proposed reconciliation bill threatens to rescind unobligated funds from various IRA sections, potentially impacting climate programs implemented by the DOE, EPA, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), according to Columbia University . Energy Star Program: The EPA is planning to end the Energy Star program, which certifies the energy efficiency of appliances. Clean Energy Tax Credits: The House reconciliation bill aims to eliminate or vehicles, potentially slowing the adoption of clean energy technologies. curtail clean energy tax credits for electric vehicles and other alternative fuel Overall, the proposed budget and legislative actions in May 2025 indicate a significant shift in federal priorities regarding energy and climate change, with potential consequences for renewable energy development, environmental regulations, and scientific research. “ ref: AI: Google summary 5/24/25 Science policy this week : May 19, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) To understand Trump's environmental policy , read Project 2025 - Los Angeles Times House Votes to Undo Industrial Air Pollution Protections | EDF Oregon Oregon State University study finds more than 3,500 animal species threatened by climate change - OPB Rural Oregon’s clean energy investments at risk as Republicans pass Trump’s budget bill - oregonlive.com Oregon joins new electric vehicle coal ition after Congress revokes California’s stricter clean emission rules - oregonlive.com Current Week CE Action The League took no specific CE Actions this week. Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Transportation Package Priorities (The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities:) Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit
 Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets, Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) 
 Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) 
 News release: Oregon Department of Transportation needs structural changes to increase transparency, better manage projects, new report says - oregonlive.com Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter in April requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. * One Stop Shop 2.0 HB 3081, Resilience hubs HB 3170 And Doe budget : existing programs: Lowering utility bills and increasing comfort and safety– Reinvest in the Oregon Department of Energy’s Heat Pumps incentives- $30 million for Rental Home Heat Pump and $15 million for Community Heat Pump Deployment Programs . Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m 
 Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m 
 Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) 
 Environmental Justice Bills. (disadvantaged communities) HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session was held 4/9 passed 4/3, with no amendments, no recommendation and in House Rules. It is unclear why this bill is inactive. Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 
 
 HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 


 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update By Claudia Keith HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead 
 
 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summar y (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 
 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS. Fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 
 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fisca l >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 
 
 
 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon received a C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates By Claudia Keith HB 2081A Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Passed House along party lines. WS Senate Finance & Rev is 5/28. At the request of: (no sponsor: at the request of House Interim Committee on Revenue for Representative Nancy Nathanson) 
 HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. (still in H EMGGV, still awaiting transfer to desk) 
 
 
 Resources: Divest Oregon The Pause Act would enact a 5-year moratorium on new Public Employees Retirement Fund (PER investments in new private fossil fuel funds. March 2025 Fund Performance - Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund and graphics Published by Divest Oregon: Executive Summary and Praise for Report (see SB 681) Addressing the Risk of Climate Change: A Comparison of US Pension Funds' Net Zero Plans – Jan 2025 Oregon Public Financing / BANK HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator, Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans .

 
 Historically, since 2009 Public banking policy topic has been included in many Leg sessions, (go here and then use Control F to search for ‘bank’. ) 22 bills mentioning Public and Bank have died in committee over the past 16 years. Other Climate Bills HB 3963 posted to OLIS 4/15, Rep Gomberg, House Rules. PH was 5/19. WS 5/29. Extends the deadline from Sept 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2027, for the DLCD to draft and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on the department's activities to develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. HB 2566 A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 


 HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, PH 5/7, WS was 5/21 passed, awaiting transfer. League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald 


 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $ 974K fiscal , moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 , House passed, 5/20. HB 3546A , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , PH 4/30, 5/5, P WS was 5/14, moved with due pass. 2nd reading , 5/22 carried over. The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 

 HB 3189 in JWM . Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 
 SB 1143A : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. 
 
 
 HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. H CEE, PH 3/11 


 HB 3653 in Sen E&E, PH 4/28, WS was 5/5, 6-0 vote. House vote was 51 - 9. Senate 5/15 vote passed, waiting for Gov signature. Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. 
 
 

 Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation May 15 Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. There are no recent press releases or media from Our Children’s Trust. Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes On 5/19, Senate E&E canceled its meeting 5/19 at which a Possible Work Session on HB 3336 (requiring electric utility plans for cost-effective use of Grid Enhancing Technologies or GETs) had been scheduled. The PWS is rescheduled for Wed., 5/21. The -4 amendment up for consideration essentially replaces the base bill passed by the House in April. The most significant change seems to be a new section outlining the authority and conditions for a local government to rule on an application for an upgrade to a transmission line within the existing utility ROW that entails only the deployment, construction or installation of GETs, and does not expand the footprint of any part of the transmission lines "if sited within an area designated for a statewide land use planning goal related to natural resources, scenic and historic areas and open spaces or the Willamette River Greenway." A decision on such an application would not be a land use decision, as defined in ORS 197.015; could not be subject to a public hearing; and could not be appealed except by writ of review under ORS 34.010-34.100. On 5/20, The House CEE committee voted 9-1 (Osborne) to move an amended version of SB 726 A to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. The Senate engrossed version would direct the EQC to adopt rules requiring the use of advanced methane detection technology for surface emissions monitoring at municipal solid waste landfills, beginning 1/1/2027. The -A7 amendment, adopted with no discussion, would limit the bill's application to a landfill located in Benton County (e.g., Coffin Butte). The two Reps. Levy voted "courtesy yes" and said they will oppose the bill on the House floor. Per the fiscal note, the advanced technology specified in the bill would cost local governments about $5,000 per monitoring event, or $20,000 annually per landfill. "Counties report that there are five publicly owned landfills in Lane, Lake, Klamath, Crook, and Marion counties that are currently in DEQ’s highest tier of monitoring and would be subject to the expanded methane monitoring requirements. However, there are numerous publicly owned or municipal solid waste landfills across Oregon, and...those subject to the new standards may incur additional costs if required to conduct follow-up monitoring within 10 days of detecting an exceedance." Chair Lively carried over the Work Session on SB 685 A to Thurs., 5/22. The bill would require a natural gas utility to notify all customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen blended with natural gas. On 5/21, The Sen EE committee voted 4-1 (Robinson) to move its amended version of HB 3336 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. This is a Bill of Support on the OCN/OLCV Hot List. The base bill passed by the House in April would declare state policy that investor-owned utilities must: a. Meet the required clean energy targets in ORS 469A.410; b. Develop sufficient resources to meet load growth; c. Create efficiencies and resilience in the transmission system; and d. Maintain energy affordability. Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) would have to file strategic plans with the PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETs, defined in the bill) as part of their mandated Clean Energy Plans and Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), and to update those plans every two years. An IOU would have to carry out its first filed strategic plan by 2030. As explained by Rep. Gamba, the -4 amendment adopted by the committee serves as a "carrot" for IOUs to carry out the mandate of the base bill, and resolves some issues that had caused "heartburn" for local governments and consumer-owned utilities. It would add reducing wildfire risks as a major focus of transmission policy; clarify that nothing in the bill applies to COUs; and add a new section outlining the authority and conditions for a local government to decide on an application for an upgrade to a transmission line within an existing utility ROW that entails only the deployment, construction or installation of GETs. Rather than updating the strategic plan for GETs every two years, the IOU would update it concurrently with the development of, or update to, each IRP. The IOU’s first filed strategic plan would have to identify both short-term actions that could "reasonably be carried out" by 1/1 2030, and “longer-term” actions. Discussion was limited to Sen. Robinson's comment that he supported deployment of GETs but couldn't vote for any bill that promoted the clean energy targets. On 5/22, By a 6-4 vote (including two "courtesy" aye votes), the H CEE moved SB 685 A to the House floor with a do pass recommendation. This is a Bill of Support on the OCN/OLCV Hot List. It would require a natural gas utility to notify all customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen that it blends with natural gas and the ratio of the volume of hydrogen to the volume of natural gas will, for the first time, be greater than 2.5%. A utility that has a hydrogen blending program would have to maintain information on its website about the program and how customers could communicate with the utility about the program. Reps. Owens and B. Levy asserted that the bill gives the PUC too much additional authority over gas utilities, and that the real purpose is not about hydrogen notification but about beating up on natural gas. The original bill would have prohibited a utility from developing or carrying out a project involving the production or use of hydrogen without first obtaining PUC approval. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Peggy Lynch We are all waiting for the May 14th Revenue Forecast from our State Economist Carl Riccadonna at the Office of Economic Analysis to be presented to the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue at 8 a.m. The documents will not be released until they open the meeting, so, if you are watching ahead of time, you may need to “refresh” your computer connection in order to see the meeting materials. The Economist will provide a verbal presentation with slides as well as providing a more complete in-depth report on his view of the world, the U.S. and Oregon’s economic outlook for 2025-27. He will need to try to accurately forecast the revenue the state will receive by June of 2027 within 2% of the actual amount or yet another "kicker" will be available to Oregonians. Remember that the “kicker” is really money already paid in taxes, but, because the guess two years before wasn’t accurate, some of that money is returned to taxpayers in the form of a credit on their next taxes. (There is currently a forecasted “kicker” of about $1.6 million from this current 2023-25 biennium. That amount, based on the taxes you paid, will be calculated by Nov. 2025 to be a credit on your 2025 tax return.) There is still time for the current “kicker” to be used in whole or in part by the current legislature. But the political climate is such that any action is likely to fail. On the other hand, if the forecasted revenue for 2025-27 is less than forecasted as the state receives future quarterly forecasts, expect to see the potential for special sessions in order for Oregon to continue to have a balanced budget. That will mean cuts to programs that may, by the end of this session, be budgeted for, but adjusted to meet the reality of the revenue expected to be received. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Freedom to Vote < Back About the Issue League Supports Senate Voting Rights Bill, the Freedom to Vote Act The League of Women Voters supports the combined Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act , a bill that protects and expands the right to vote, decreases the influence of money in politics, and curbs partisan gerrymandering. The Freedom to Vote Act protects and expands ballot access for millions of Americans, especially those who are often targeted by anti-voter laws — voters of color, voters with disabilities, formerly incarcerated voters, women voters, young voters, and elderly voters.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/15 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priority Bills I-5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Natural Climate Solutions Bill Priority Bills The May 17 Revenue 23-25 forecast was very favorable. Oregon is forecasted to have $1.5-2.0 B in funds not previously reflected in the Feb forecast. Previously the Governor and Legislature majority leadership have given some direction in their commitment to a meaningful ‘Climate Package’. Related, given the new May forecast Oregon, is now in a better position to qualify for Federal matching Energy/Climate IPA funds. The CE priority bills had minimal activity in the last few weeks. Most have already moved to JW&Ms. Find additional background in previous LR (report)s on the six CE priorities. ** Action Needed: Please contact your State Senator and Representative to encourage them to support the following Climate and Environmental related Bills. ** 1. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: Bills are now in JW&M. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . · SB 868 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 869 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 870 A Staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 871 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions 2. SB 530A : Natural and Working Lands is in JW&Ms. The League continues to be an active coalition member. Fiscal . Staff Measure Summary 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: SB 907 A ‘Right to Refuse Dangerous work’ public hearing was on May 10 in House B&L. The work session was 5/17, bill moved to House Desk with 6,0,5,0 do pass vote. Here is the May 9 LWVOR testimony . The bill will go to the floor; it has Minimal Fiscal Impact. The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13. SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907 A , League testimony . SB 907 amendment -6 staff measure summary. 4/4 work session, moved to the floor with do pass with amendments, a unanimous vote. SB907 Coalition Letter - LWVOR one of many organizations. 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 A staff measure summary , fisca l, 4/4 Work Session moved, with 4/1 vote to JW&Ms. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills including state agency budget bills. (POPS and current service level spending). 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published January 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . On May 17 the Governor's budget / May forecast press release did not mention the Climate Package topic. There is still some discussion concerning using available funds versus issuing additional state bonds for capital construction projects. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will add climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony . In both cases, our testimony requested additional agency requests not included in the Governor’s January budget. Other CE Bills that are still alive: HB 2763 A updated with -1 amendment: League Testimony . Creates a State Public Bank Task Force. Like the 2022 session RB task force, the 23-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than January 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This policy topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session -1 staff measure summary . Moved on 3/14 with recommendation to JW&Ms with - 1 amendment. Fiscal HB 3016 A , community green infrastructure, moved to JW&Ms unanimously. Legislative -2 Staff Measure Summary . HB 3196A – Fees from Community Climate Investment funds -– Support HB 3166 A – Whole-home Retrofits and High-efficiency Electric Home Rebates–– Support HB 3056 A–– Extends Residential Heat Pump Fund until to January 2, 2026 –– Support HB3181 A -- Energy Siting process. Fiscal . Staff Summary Currently in JWM. HB2990A Resilience Community Hubs, Fiscal , Staff Summary Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project By Claudia Keith No schedule meetings yet for the Legislative Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge . Other related Meetings & Events | I-5 Bridge Replacement Program EXECUTIVE STEERING GROUP: ESG May 25, 2023, Meeting Thursday, May 25, 2023, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Join the meeting via Online Zoom webinar or on YouTube . This meeting will be live streamed on the IBR program YouTube channel ,with closed captioning and all past meetings available. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released May 17. (See CE LR above for details). The JW&M-recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure proposed rule. Analysis: SEC.gov | Remarks at the 2023 SEC Municipal Securities Disclosure Conference , The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the IRA $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. Oregon Pers Performance : Returns for periods ending MAR-2023 Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund. The Oregon Investment Council will meet May 31. The agenda and meeting materials are not yet posted. The Council met April 19; see meeting packet ; no 4/19 minutes posted yet. The April packet includes the March meeting minutes. ESG investing continues to be addressed. 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 a federal lawsuits , (May 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 64 lawsuits , mentioning OREGON. Youth lawsuit challenging Montana's pro-fossil fuel policies is heading to trial | AP News. The challenges and promises of climate lawsuits | KnowableMag.org . Supreme Court deals blow to oil companies by turning away climate cases | NBC News Natural Climate Solutions Bill By Josie Koehne SB 530 A , the Natural Climate Solutions Bill makes it state policy to "implement strategies to advance natural climate solutions to mitigate the future impacts of climate change," and to invest in research on the effects of natural climate solutions on natural and working lands. Working lands means agricultural, forest and marine lands that naturally sequester carbon. The bill will provide incentives via grants to owners/managers of these lands for voluntarily adopting strategies to increase carbon storage on their lands. The funding from state, federal and private sources is to prepare an "inventory, baseline, activity based metrics and community impact metrics for net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands and establish carbon sequestration and storage goals." SB 530 A passed out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee with a Do Pass recommendation, 3-2 along a party line vote. The -7 was adopted that modifies some definitions and changes the committee that is to receive and distribute the requested $20 million per biennium from the Department of Energy (DOE) to the Oregon Water Enhancement Board (OWEB), which already has the authority to write and distribute grants. The Oregon Global Warming Commission will advise OWEB and regularly report to the legislature on the uses of moneys from fund. The bill now sits in Joint Natural Resources W&Ms for possible funding, where it resided at least until the May 17 Forecast is published that helps the committee know how much money it has to spend this session. The LWVOR supports this bill and asks that you ask members of Joint NR W&Ms to fully fund this bill. The LWVOR was part of the coalition that wrote and signed this letter to J W&Ms. We hope you will contact them! 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 · Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation and Renewable Energy · 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: CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Housing Gun Safety Immigration, Refugee, and Other Basic Rights Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona On June 6, the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Joint W&Ms issued their recommended budget to the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee on SB 5511 , the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) budget: Legislative Fiscal Office's analysis . The Subcommittee recommends a total OHCS budget of $2,558,608,558 with the addition of 441 positions, a 28.5% increase from the 2023-25 current service level. The suggested budget includes: $111.2 million in General Funds to continue OHCS’s shelter and rehousing services that was funded in HB 5019 in response to the Governor’s emergency declaration on homelessness. $24.1 million in General Funds to provide operating support to existing shelters. $55 million for rental assistance, and $6 million for services to tenants. $10 million in General Funds for down payment homeownership assistance. $2.5 million for decommissioning and replacing manufactured housing. $9.7 million in General Funds to capitalize OHCS’s predevelopment loan program and revamp the process to approve affordable housing finance applications from developers to shorten the time between project approval and construction, while helping smaller developers and projects. $136.8 million in Federal Funds expenditure related to wildfire recovery efforts, supported by a $422 million federal grant. Housing advocates are concerned that this recommended budget bill does not fully support the Governor’s end-of-session investments of an estimated $1 billion in bonding for new affordable housing developments to move the state towards reaching the goal of producing 36,000 in new housing units per year. Their priorities include: New rental and homeownership: $770 million in Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) bonds to Oregonians transitioning out of homelessness, seeking to buy their first home, or just needing an affordable place to live. This is especially true in rural areas that lack housing affordable to workers who provide critical services like education, public safety, and firefighting. HB 5005 and HB 5006 Market Cost Offset Fund: to increase housing production in support of the Governor’s request of up to $40 million in LIFT bonding to recapitalize the Market Cost Offset Fund (MCOF) for projects that have faced cost overruns due to market volatility. Permanent Supportive Housing: $130 million to LIFT for new construction, rental assistance, and wrap-around service delivery designed to reduce chronic homelessness. HB 5005 and HB 5006 Preservation of expiring regulated housing: $100 million in Lottery Funds to save and reinvest in some 163 apartment projects with 7,735 units that are at risk of losing affordability due to the expiration of 30-year affordability restrictions. The people who live in these homes are seniors, people experiencing disabilities, and families just starting out. HB 5030 New homes for homeownership: $100 million in LIFT and the General Fund to affordable homeownership developers who need a combination of LIFT bonds and general fund resources to build homes in all parts of the state. General fund dollars paired with LIFT will ensure that mission-driven developers can build hundreds of homes for first-time buyers, directly addressing the persistent racial homeownership gap. Acquisition and rehab of manufactured housing parks: $35 million in Lottery funds. HB 2983 Gun Safety By Marge Easley As part of the compromise agreement for the Republican’s return to the Senate chamber, the three-part gun safety bill, HB 2005 B , was considerably altered at a Senate Rules work session on June 15. The -B12 amendment was adopted, which includes only the ban on unserialized firearms (“ghost guns”) and removes the provisions raising the minimum age of firearm purchase to 21 and the ability of cities to establish gun-free zones. The bill is now in the Senate for passage. The compromise agreement also included the stipulation that a workgroup will be established to study policy solutions to gun violence and suicide prevention and $10 million will be invested in the Community Violence Prevention program. Immigration, Refugee and Other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith SB 610 A : Now in JW&Ms. Establishes Food for All Oregonians ( regardless of documentation status) Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal , Staff Measure Summary . The fiscal may show up in the end of session budget balancing bill. Recent News: ‘Dozens of advocacy groups disappointed food assistance bill fails’ – Oregon Capital Chronicle HB 2905 : Expands the 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. At Senate Desk awaiting Third Reading.

Never sign a petition “just to get it on the ballot so people can vote on it.” / Voting / Think Before You Ink / Think Before You Ink YOUR SIGNATURE IS VALUABLE ONLY SIGN PETITIONS YOU SUPPORT! Never sign a petition “just to get it on the ballot so people can vote on it.” Just as voting in primaries has more impact than voting in general elections, signing petitions has more impact than ballot measure voting. HOW MANY SIGNATURES ARE NEEDED? The threshold number for statewide petitions to become ballot measures is defined by the number of votes in the last Governor’s race for a full term. “Certification” is randomly sampling petitions, comparing signatures in the Oregon Certified Voter Registration (OCVR) database. Invalid or duplicate signatures are not counted. WHAT ARE PETITIONS? Petitions can send decisions to ballots as ballot measures, if enough certified signatures are collected. INITIATIVE Registered voters can put issues on ballots to change laws, Oregon Revised Statutes, or to amend the Oregon State Constitution. REFERRAL The Legislature can refer an undecided issue or a bill they passed to voters for approval. Any bills that amend the Oregon Constitution must be referred to voters and do not require petition signatures. REFERENDUM Registered voters can try to reject (veto) bills passed by the Legislature by petitioning to put a referendum on the ballot. A referendum may only be filed once a bill has passed in both legislative chambers and has either been signed by the Governor or the Governor's veto deadline has elapsed. Note: A referendum petition allows voters to adopt or reject any nonemergency Act or part of a nonemergency Act. Think Before You Ink Campaign Toolkit Get It Here LOOK UP WHO IS BEHIND IT Chief Petitioners are listed on the Oregon Secretary of State Initiative, Referendum, and Referral Search page . Chief petitioners and funders of ballot measures are not required to be Oregonians. Search ORESTAR for ballot measure, candidate, and PAC (political action committee) official filing and financial information. Print or Request Think Before You Ink Brochures Print brochures in English or Spanish . Or request printed copies below. Email Us

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Redistricting/Prison Gerrymandering Broadband, Vote-by-mail, Privacy Elections Government Ethics Rulemaking Redistricting/Prison Gerrymandering HB 2250 was heard in House Rules 3/19. The League submitted written testimony . The federal Census Bureau unfortunately counts prisoners where they are incarcerated rather than where they reside. This inflates the population counts where prisons are located and deflates the population counts for prisoners’ residence districts. Therefore, the representation of these districts and jurisdictions is skewed. HB 2250 corrects this injustice by requiring that the Department of Corrections determine prisoner residence addresses, as best that it can, and give the addresses to Portland State University Population Research Center. The Center will then correct the population counts that it receives from the Census Bureau and provide the corrected counts to the Legislature, the Secretary of State, or the various other jurisdictions that perform redistricting. Some Rules committee members asked about students residing at college or patients in care institutions. However, college students and patients can choose where they want to reside and be registered to vote; prisoners have no choice and don’t get any representation from public officials where they are incarcerated. Broadband, Vote-by-mail, Privacy By Becky Gladstone HB 3228 had a public hearing March 2, with League verbal and written testimony presented with committee permission by two League members together, Rebecca Gladstone in support of this bill’s cybersecurity insurance study and resilience fund, welcoming new League advocate Lindsay Washburn, who added significant AI modification comments. HB 2581 passed a Senate work session with one excused, on March 18, to coordinate expanded resiliency services with the State Resiliency Officer (SRO), League testimony in support. SB 473 , to create a crime of threatening a public official, will have a first work session on April 2, see verbal and written League testimony in support. HB 3148 has a work session scheduled for March 26, to extend broadband funding. We support equitable statewide broadband as a fundamental need, signing group letters for HB 3148 (2025) and HB 3201 Enrolled (2023). HB 2341 , had a Senate side work session, March 20, passing with one excused, to add veterans’ email addresses to shared information, League testimony in support. Watching SB 1121 : We will speak to this bill which c reates the crime of unlawful disclosure of private information, with a public hearing and possible concurrent work session vote on April 8. Elections By Barbara Klein The Open Primaries amended bill HB 3166-2 , which LWVOR strongly supported in its original form, had a hearing on March 19th in the House Rules Committee (video can be seen here around minute 19). LWVOR submitted testimony as a neutral comment , neither in support nor opposition. LWVOR strongly supports the idea of “unified” primaries, but the amended bill contains points we have historically not supported (specifically a top-two election system). There was much interest in the bill both in support (especially to encourage youth and independent voters) and in opposition (regarding protection of parties, although much of that was directed toward the original bill). Government Ethics By Chris Cobey SB 983 permits local public officials to participate, discuss, debate and vote on the adoption of a local budget that includes compensation for the public official or one of their relatives. This is a clear conflict of interest for a local official and should be avoided. However, we can understand that in small jurisdictions it can be awkward when some members cannot vote. The bill is supported by the Oregon School Boards Association and the League of Oregon Cities. HB 2330 A would establish a 21-member Task Force on Law Enforcement Interdiction Against Financial Scams on Older Oregonians. The bill passed out of the House Commerce and Consumer Protection committee 3/4 on a 10 to 0 vote and is now in the Ways and Means committee. Rulemaking By Peggy Lynch The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking. After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws. That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies : This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. The League will also attend a separate rules process discussion being led by the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development. See the Land Use section for more information on this issue. We continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures . Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Bottle Bill Update Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Columbia River Gorge Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Oregon Parks and Rec. Dept. Water Wetlands Wildfire AIR QUALITY SB 726 A 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 supports. The bill has been referred to the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment where it will receive a public hearing on May 1st. AGRICULTURE By Sandra Bishop SB 1129 A Requires Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) to amend rules on urban reserves. The bill deals with prioritizing lands to be added to urban reserves. The bill passed the Senate and is scheduled for hearing April 28th in House Committee on Housing & Homelessness. HB 3560 A Expands the areas where childcare centers are allowed to be sited. The nexus with farm and forest land is a provision in the bill to allow a county to impose reasonable conditions on establishing a family child care home in areas zoned for exclusive farm use, forest use, or mixed farm and forest use. The proposal would also move statutes governing the siting of childcare facilities to the chapter of Oregon Revised Statutes relating to comprehensive land use planning. The bill has passed the House and is scheduled for hearing May 1st in Senate Committee on Early Childhood & Behavioral Health. BOTTLE BILL UPDATE By Sandra Bishop SB 992 is the omnibus bottle bill. The -3 amendment replaced the original bill, was adopted and the bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment . This bill is Portland-centric and contains various changes to the bottle redemption centers in Portland to address problems and make it easier for those who return and redeem beverage containers on a daily or near daily basis. It also contains a provision that would allow a winery to refuse to redeem containers of a type or brand they do not sell. The League has not taken a position on the specific changes proposed in SB 992, but has always supported the bottle bill and continues to support the most appropriate, effective, and environmentally sound recycling and recovery of beverage container materials. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 I nfo mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Meeting Materials Of critical importance is their request for a new IT system—ONE ODA--one of the many IT bonding requests this session. Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 Info mtg. and public hearing March 13. An KGW article explains a potential funding issue since both Oregon and Washington must provide equal funding for the Commission. April 27 is a critical decision date at the Washington legislature. A new OPB article updates the latest. Unlike Oregon, Washington state has a House and a Senate separate budget proposal. Hope is that Governor Ferguson will recognize the importance of this Commission’s work. Ferguson has until May 20 to approve the budget. Dept. of Environmental Quality: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet Meeting Materials . info mtgs. April 7-9, public hearing April 16. League testimony Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 info hearing 2/10, Meeting Materials , public hearing 2/11. April 28: Natural Resources Subcommittee info hearing on Department of Energy - Grid Resilience. Meeting materials Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 info hearing 2/10, public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 , public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2; Meeting Materials , Apr. 3 ODFW Hatchery Assessment; See also the April 15 informational meeting on the Private Forest Accord and Aquatic and Invasive Species. Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . info hearing March 10 & 11. Public hearing March 12. Meeting Materials ; See the April 15 informational meeting on the Private Forest Accord. (See the Forestry and Wildfire sections for more information.) 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. LWVOR supports SB 836 , a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities. See the agency’s presentation to understand the reasons for these increases. On March 25 the bill was moved to Senate Rules without recommendation. A performance audit was prepared. The League will continue to be involved in SB 836 because we need DOGAMI staff to do more than 14% inspections of mining operations. On 4/23 League did outreach to the Senate Rules Committee members with a history of LWVOR engagement with DOGAMI and explanation of our support for SB 836. Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Public hearing Feb. 27 LWVOR testimony . SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase. It has passed the Senate. A public hearing was held on April 23 in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 Public hearing Feb. 17 Meeting Materials See also the April 15 informational meeting on Aquatic and Invasive Species. Work Session set for May 7 along with HB 2558 A modifies the definition of "charter guide" for purposes of outfitter and guide laws. Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 info hearings March 3-4, public hearing March 5. Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony in part to address comments by the Legislative Fiscal Office. Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Info hearing March 17. public hearing March 19. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony in support. The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources will have an informational meeting on the Elliott State Research Forest on April 22 . Meeting materials . Work Session set for April 30 for SB 5539 and for SB 147A, Elliott State Research Forest policy and funding bill. Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Info Mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony . And the fee bills: support HB 2808 (Bill moved to Ways and Means) and support HB 2803 (The - 3 amendment was adopted, reducing the fees significantly which will cause the department a revenue shortfall should the amendment stand the scrutiny of Ways and Means where it now lies.) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-27 LWVOR testimony . Meeting Materials Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Info mtg. &Public hearing Feb. 25-26 Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Info mtgs. 3/12, 13 & 17. Public Hring 3/18. Additional informational meetings: Held April 7 and Scheduled April 22. Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 info hearing 4/7&8. Public hearing 4/09; Office of the Governor: SB 5523 LFO meeting materials . April 28 Public hearing Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 i nfo hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20. Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 info hearing 3/03-6, public hearing 3/11. Here is an article from oregonlive reporting on the potential 2025 transportation package with proposed revenue sources. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding . The Joint Committee on Transportation may begin having public hearings on elements of the 2025 transportation package starting May 12th. Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 info hearings 3/03-5, public hearing 3/06. Meeting Materials 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 Info hearings 4/29-30. Work Session 5/01 Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing May 2. Emergency Board: HB 5006 This bill will be populated with an amount for the Emergency Board to spend at will and amounts in Special Purpose Appropriations if needed when the legislature is not in session. General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Public hearing held April 18. Second public hearing, this time on university and community college requests, will be held May 2. Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL Ocean Policy Advisory Council Meeting, May 7. OPAC will meet virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meeting information will be made available via the Oregon Ocean Information website . Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE COMMISSION The League has been a supporter of the Commission since its inception. League members have served on the Commission. A shared responsibility between the states of Washington and Oregon, this year a Washington House of Representatives member is considering defunding the Commission. Funding must be equal between the two states. This KGW article explains the issue. April 27 is a critical decision date at the Washington legislature. LWVOR reached out to LWVWA and learned that they were unaware of this funding crisis. We understand that a conference committee is meeting to resolve the disagreement between the chambers. Not funding would be a violation of the Gorge Compact. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League supports SB 830 , a bill that m odifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. A public hearing was held April 17 in the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment . The League then shared with each committee member our testimony in support of HB 2168 , a bill that would fund this grant and loan program. A work session is set for May 1st. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) SB 147 clarifies the management of the ESRF into the hands of the Dept. of State Lands and sets up a separate fund account for monies received to manage the forest. The bill will have a work session in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on April 30. It had an informational meeting on April 22 . DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) The agency gave a presentation on the proposed pilot project for a Geologic Carbon Sequestration Test Well on April 23 in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. FORESTRY (ODF) By Josie Koehne The League provided testimony in support of HB 3489 , a timber severance tax bill that would help fund ODF, provide funding for wildfires and monies that would go to counties where timber is harvested. A public hearing was held on April 24 where the League testimony supported also the -1 amendment proposed by the sponsor. The Legislative Revenue Office provided explanations of a variety of taxes on timber harvest before the hearing on HB 3489. The Board of Forestry April 23rd mtg. agenda is focused on a process for selecting a new State Forester. The Board wants to address their current role as appointee. However, they are aware of the Governor’s bill in the legislature. The League will continue to follow SB 1051 , assigned to the Senate Rules Committee and which transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor. A public hearing was held March 24. Because the bill is in Senate Rules, there is no current deadline for action on the bill. See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. GOVERNANCE 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 or facilitate an agency’s mission. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies : This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process is set for June with an invitation to the League to continue to participate. We continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures . LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra Bishop/Peggy Lynch A presentation was provided to Senate Committee on Housing and Development on April 23rd by the Governor’s Office and others. This was an opportunity for Senate members to learn more about the House Chamber housing bills sent to Ways and Means. The Senate Committee will hold an informational presentation on Housing and Homelessness bills that have been sent to Ways and Means on April 30. HB 2647 passed the House floor and was assigned to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire. On April 29 it is set for a work session “solely for the purpose of moving it to another committee”. Usually that means to the Senate Rules Committee for further discussion, debate, to be moved to Senate floor or to die. HB 3921 is a similar bill in that it would allow by law land swaps for City of Roseburg/Douglas County per this preliminary staff analysis . The bill passed the House and will have a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development on April 30 and a work session set for May 7. The League provided testimony in support of HB 3939 , a bill that provides a list of infrastructure projects to fund for smaller Oregon cities so they can build more housing. We have also supported HB 3031 A (already sitting in Ways and Means) but know there might be limited dollars this session so called out that link in our letter. The -1 amendment to HB 3939 was adopted and the bill moved to Ways and Means. HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. HB 2316 -4 frees up approximately 3,500 acres of state land of which can now be used for housing production, all within the urban growth boundaries. It provides revenue to the state from the sale of the land, and it also provides revenue to our cities because the land becomes taxable for property taxes five years after purchase. The bill was sent to Revenue with a subsequent referral to Ways and Means. See also the Agriculture section above and the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. WATER By Peggy Lynch Oregon's Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) provides a statewide inter-agency framework for better understanding and meeting Oregon's instream and out-of-stream water needs. Here is the IWRS website . Oregon's Water Resources Commission adopted the first IWRS in 2012 and the second in 2017. A League member served on the Policy Advisory Group for each. Oregon Revised Statute (536.220) was updated in 2023 to requires that the IWRS is updated every 8 years.  Draft 2 is now available for Public Review and Comment. Please submit your written comments to WRD_DL_waterstrategy@water.oregon.gov on or before May 7, 2025 . Bills we are following: Water Right Process Improvements ( HB 3342 ) . A - 4 amendment was adopted and the bill passed the House. It has been assigned to the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire with a public hearing on April 29. Harney Basin Groundwater Management ( HB 3800 ). A work session was held and the bill was sent to House Rules without recommendation as to passage. Water Rights and Public Interest ( HB 3501 ) A work session was held and the bill was referred to House Rules without recommendation as to passage on a 6 to 3 vote. HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted testimony in support. House Rules has a public hearing set for April 30 consider the A8 amendment that will extend the timeline for testing to 2027. A work session is scheduled for May 1st. HB 3364 makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept. The bill passed the House floor, and had a public hearing on April 24 in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire where a work session is set for April 29. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. Possible work session scheduled for April 8. SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, may have more of a chance of passage. It had a public hearing on March 25 with a work session April 8. These bills were moved to Senate Rules without recommendation as to passage to allow for further conversation. SB 1154 was amended by the -1 amendment and sent to Senate Rules without recommendation as to passage in a 4 to 1 vote. An article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle explains the bill and its controversy. 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. The good news is currently Oregon is NOT in drought! However, the latest long-term forecast is for a hot (90 deg) May and a hot (100 deg) June! 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. As the weather gets warmer and more people and animals visit Oregon’s water bodies, it is important to watch for potentially deadly algal blooms. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. WETLANDS The League participated in rulemaking on Removal-Fill Program Fees earlier this year. After review by the Dept. of Justice and comments received, adjustments to the proposed rules will be shared on May 1st. At that time, the Dept. of State Lands will be hosting a second comment period from May 1 – 31, as well as two public hearings online. More to come next week. A new Rulemaking Advisory Committee has been formed related to Permitting and Mitigation in Oregon's Wetlands and Waters. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers Many wildfire-related bills saw some movement this week, though the future of, perhaps, the majority of them remains far from certain. SB 83 , which would repeal the State Wildfire Hazard Map and accompanying statues related to it, was passed unanimously by the Senate on April 24, and referred to the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment. As of this writing no hearing has been scheduled. Also headed to that Committee, and scheduled for Public Hearings on April 29 are SB 75 A , which defines “high wildfire hazard area for purposes of developing an accessory dwelling unit on lands zoned rural residential, or a replacement building on lands zoned for resource uses”; and SB 85A , which directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program to help communities collectively reduce their wildfire risk. The League supports this bill as an extension of the work done in previous sessions. The Omnibus wildfire funding bill, HB 3940A , is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Revenue on May 1. All eyes will be on this hearing as wildfire season approaches and funding is shrouded in uncertainty. Oregon Department of Forestry has stated the minimum annual need for wildfire funding to address the growing wildfire crisis is around $280 million. It is quite unclear at present which of the several funding mechanisms in this bill, which were generated by the Wildfire Funding Workgroup, will move forward. Also in wildfire funding news, SB 1177 is still before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. This bill would establish the Oregon Wildfire Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and redirect the “kicker” to it, one- time, for financing wildfire related expenses, by using the interest earned. A 5% return would yield approximately $170-180 million per year, or just over half of the aforementioned projected ongoing costs to fund wildfire mitigation and suppression. SJR 11 also remains before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. It would dedicate a fixed, to-be-determined percentage of net proceeds of the State Lottery to a wildfire fund created by the Legislature. Its passage would mean an amendment to the Oregon Constitution, which would have to go to the voters for approval. Finally, HB 3489 , which imposes a severance tax on owners of timber harvested from public or private forestland, had a Public Hearing April 24 before the House Committee on Revenue. The League has supported a severance tax in past sessions and provided testimony at the hearing. The League is also still following other non-funding related bills, such as SB 926 , which would prohibit the recovery of certain costs and expenses from customers that an electric company incurs as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting from the negligence or fault on the part of the electric company. It was passed by the Senate on April 23 and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. SB 1051 , which transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, remains in the Senate Rules Committee. HB 3666 has had no movement in the past week and remains in the Rules Committee. This bill would establish wildfire mitigation actions and an accompanying certification for electric utilities in an attempt to standardize their approach. Finally, while the effects of Federal cuts on staffing and other areas of wildfire mitigation and suppression generally remain uncertain, it was announced recently by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) that Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants funding has been ceased by FEMA. The BRIC grant program provided money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. This act will result in a loss of wildfire mitigation funding, along with many other needed preparedness actions. In addition, some funds already allocated will be withdrawn. OEM outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 BRIC grant program has on Oregon in this April 24 announcement . This development adds to the urgency of finding viable and substantial wildfire funding solutions this session. Bills we are watching: Senate Bill 1051 , Governor Kotek is seeking the authority to choose the next State Forester. The Board of Forestry has begun the recruitment process. SB 926 would prohibit the recovery of certain costs and expenses from customers that an electric company incurs as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting from the negligence or fault on the part of the electric company. The bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to House Judiciary. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 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: Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Environmental Justice Bills Climate Priority Advocacy Groups Climate Priorities with League Testimony , League Endorsement Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Priorities Other Climate Bills: New Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Transportation Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns Senate EE and House CEE Policy Committee Notes (4/7 - 4/10) Example of recent Chamber votes News and Commission Meetings Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Oregon Climate Policy The Trump administration actions including project 2025 and other partisan issues are and will continue to effect Oregon financial stability including Climate / Energy policies and funding. April 10, 2025: ‘Trump targets climate laws with order that could derail Oregon’s efforts ‘ | OPB. “Meredith Connolly, Oregon-based director of policy and strategy at nonprofit advocacy group Climate Solutions, said the executive order could target almost all laws that focus on climate, renewable energy and environmental justice that any city or county in Oregon have passed “even if there isn’t a constitutional or legal basis for it.” Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is unclear if SJR 28 will move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. LWVUS has provided guidance since over 26 states have - or are in the process of voting on green / environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. These usually take the form of a legislative–referral to the people. The New Mexico green amendment campaign focuses on racial justice. Environmental Rights Amendment News: March 27, ‘ Oregonians ask Legislature to let voters decide on constitutional right to healthy climate - A hearing for Senate Joint Resolution 28 was packed with children and seniors asking legislators to refer to voters a constitutional amendment enshrining climate rights’| OCC Oregon Capital Chronicle. Find ERA coalition Q and A here. March 27, 2025: Oregonians Urge Senate Rules Committee to Refer SJR 28-1 to the Peopl e (Constitutional Environmental Rights Amendment) Environmental Justice Bills HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session was held 4/9 passed with no amendments, no recommendation and referred to House Rules. Climate Priority Advocacy Groups 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. Climate Priorities with League Testimony with League Endorsement and Still Alive 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 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package The following four bills are part of a 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 ; appears dead 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held, passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) with -1 and -2 amendments Staff Measure Summary (SMS) . HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held, passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS . HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . S ee CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis ( The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) CEI energy storage transition plan Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package HB 3081 ( League testimony ) work session held 4/8, adopted -1 amendment, awaiting transfer to desk, creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place 
 
 SB 88 ( League testimony ) work session was 3/24, limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. 
 Moved to Sen Rules on 3/28. In addition to our testimony, LWVOR joined the Oregon Conservation Network, coordinated through the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, in sign-on letters supporting both HB 3081 and SB 88. PH 3/4 3/4 Climate Treasury Investment Bills SB 681 : Dead: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, Senate Finance and Revenue, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. 
 
 HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League – NO Comment, moves to the floor, no JWM required. HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), League Testimony , Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB 3103A – work session 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 Other Priorities HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3365 A: work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. 
 
 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, $500K fiscal, moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 
 
 
 
 SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 

 first reading. 
 referred to H CEE 3/10 
 
, PH 4/22 HB 3546 , -3 the POWER Act , work session was 4/8, bipartisan vote, moved , awaiting transfer to desk. PH 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. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. 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 . 
 
 
 
 SB 1143 : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. 
 Other Climate Bills: New HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. H CEE, PH 3/11 HB 3653 work session 4/8 passed unanimous awaiting transfer to desk. Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. Priority Bills that died in policy committee Some of these related to funding may appear in the end of session reconciliation (“Christmas tree”) bill. HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . House Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE), Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor 
 
 
 
 SB 54 : Work Session was cancelled. The bill required landlords provide cooling for residential units . The League endorsed and added our name to a OJTA Oregon Justice Transition Alliance, sign-on letter . 
 Energy Trust of Oregon neutral testimony includes a presentation slide deck posted to OLIS on March 19, 2025. “ Energy Trust of Oregon does not support or oppose SB 54, and this is in accordance with Energy Trust’s contract with the Oregon Public Utility Commission which prohibits Energy Trust from lobbying. We are a neutral party per agreement with PUC.” SB 1187 new Climate cost recovery Liability interagency bill , PH 4/7, Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment 
 
(Replaces SB 679 and SB 682 : 
 
 SB 680 : Climate Science/Greenwashing , Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Sen Judiciary , no recommendation, S NRWF PH was 2/26, sponsors: Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski, Taylor 
 
 
 
 Transportation This ODOT video gives a good overview of the history and current status /challenges with Transportation funding and management strategic issues. Oregon Democrats unveil $1.9 billion transportation funding plan The plan includes raising the state gas tax to 60 cents per gallon, higher DMV fees, higher bike taxes and more. | *Oregon Capital Chronicle (OCC). ODOT answers to budget presentation questions an 18-page document dated March 13. ODOT budget presentation package detail materials can be found Here. The League is concerned with federal guidelines: “McLain and Gorsek said they’re confident in Oregon’s ability to continue to receive federal transportation grants, despite directives from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that federal funding should go toward states with high marriage and birth rates, no vaccine or mask mandates and that are committed to working with the federal government to enforce Trump’s immigration policy — all areas that don’t apply to Oregon.” See OCC article . KGW NEWS: What it could cost you to rescue Oregon's transportation funding | The Story | April 4, 2025 Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful climate, CPP and environmental justice 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) 
 Senate EE and House CEE Policy Committee Notes (4/7 - 4/10) The committee reported out many energy- and environment-related bills at the deadline, sending the following bills to Joint W&M with "lite" fiscal notes: HB 3081-1 (on OCN hot list and supported by LWVOR with written testimony ) – One-Stop Shop 2.0, creating an online navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians obtain information on federal, state, local, and utility incentives in a single place. HB 2062-1 (on OCN hot list) – Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement it to collect and recycle batteries. The -1 amendment is a substantial replacement of the introduced bill. HB 3868 – Requires ODOE to study avoided costs paid to qualifying facilities under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) compared with the costs incurred by investor-owned utilities to acquire or maintain renewable energy generation facilities. HB 2038-3 – Requires ODOE et al. to study a broad range of nuclear energy topics, including legal pathways for the disposal of nuclear waste. The amended bill is less focused on drawing out positive aspects of nuclear energy. HB 2410-2 – Allows EFSC to issue a site certificate for a small modular reactor nuclear facility demonstration project in Umatilla County, subject to a referendum of county residents. The amendment adds requirements for consultation with tribes that have lands in the county and prohibits temporary storage of high-level radioactive waste on tribal lands without prior consultation. Republican members characterized the bill as an agreement to “start the conversation” with tribes in the county. Their votes in favor prevailed against the opposing Democratic votes. HB 3539 – Requires EQC to contract with a third party to study and determine a GHG reporting emissions factor for electricity purchased from unspecified sources. HB 2065 – Establishes a process for interconnecting microgrids and community microgrids with a public utility’s distribution or transmission system, including timelines and procedures for review and approval. Applicants could use either utility-conducted or third-party studies, and utilities would have to provide requested technical data. HB 2066-2 – Directs the PUC to investigate and establish a regulatory framework to allow ownership, deployment and use of microgrids and community microgrids. The amendment greatly expands the scope of the required investigation and gives the PUC 18 months from the effective date to establish the regulatory framework. Chair Lively noted that the PUC will need flexibility in the study timeline, as increasing demands on the commission to study policy issues will increase its workload significantly. HB 3609 – Requires each electric utility to develop a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services to be provided by distributed energy resources. The committee moved the following bills to the House floor with a do pass recommendation (minimum fiscal impact): HB 3546-3 (on OCN hot list) – Requires the PUC to provide for a classification of service for large energy use facilities rated at 20 MW or more (such as data centers). PUC would have to require utilities to enter into a 10-year contract with these users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the contract term, which could include a charge for excess demand. HB 2961-7 (on OCN hot list) – Increases the percentage of electrical service capacity for EV charging that must be installed in parking areas of new multifamily and mixed-use buildings with privately owned commercial space and 10 or more residential dwelling units. The amendment limits the bill’s application to the Portland metro area. The committee moved HB 3597-1 to Joint Transportation and W&M without recommendation. The amendment replaces the original “study” bill with policy changes to the EV rebate program, allowing DEQ to adjust Charge Ahead Program rebate amounts based on available funding and expanding rebate eligibility. It also requires the EQC to allocate at least $500,000 per biennium from the Zero-Emission Incentive Fund for outreach and education, but directs DEQ to suspend activities if the fund balance falls below $1 million. NOTE: The committee removed HB 3119 from the agenda -- this is the bill that would prohibit DEQ from implementing or enforcing the Advanced Clean Trucks regulations before January 1, 2027. By a 41-13 vote, the House passed HB 3336 (Gamba), which would declare state policy that electric companies must meet the required clean energy targets in ORS 469A.410; develop sufficient resources to meet load growth; create efficiencies and resilience in the transmission system; and maintain energy affordability. It would require electric companies selling more than 2 million MW annually to file strategic plans with the PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETs, defined in the bill) and update the plans every two years. An electric company would have to carry out its first filed strategic plan by January 1, 2030. By a 17-10 vote, the Senate passed SB 726 A (Gelser Blouin), directing the EQC to adopt rules requiring the use of advanced methane detection technology to monitor surface emissions at municipal solid waste landfills. Landfill operators would have to use approved technologies to monitor emissions across the landfill surface, report results in a standardized format to DEQ, retain monitoring records for at least 5 years, and conduct follow-up monitoring within 10 days of any exceedance. In case of an exceedance in an active landfill area, operators would have to submit a mitigation plan to DEQ. Per the fiscal impact statement, the advanced technology specified in the bill would cost local governments operating landfills approximately $5,000 per monitoring event, or $20,000 annually per landfill. Example of recent Chamber votes The originating chambers today passed two bills listed as OCN Bills of Support: By a 41-13 vote, the House passed HB 3336 (Gamba), which would declare state policy that electric companies must meet the required clean energy targets in ORS 469A.410; develop sufficient resources to meet load growth; create efficiencies and resilience in the transmission system; and maintain energy affordability. It would require electric companies selling more than 2 million MW annually to file strategic plans with the PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETs, defined in the bill) and update the plans every two years. An electric company would have to carry out its first filed strategic plan by January 1, 2030. By a 17-10 vote, the Senate passed SB 726 A (Gelser Blouin), directing the EQC to adopt rules requiring the use of advanced methane detection technology to monitor surface emissions at municipal solid waste landfills. Landfill operators would have to use approved technologies to monitor emissions across the landfill surface, report results in a standardized format to DEQ, retain monitoring records for at least 5 years, and conduct follow-up monitoring within 10 days of any exceedance. In case of an exceedance in an active landfill area, operators would have to submit a mitigation plan to DEQ. Per the fiscal impact statement, the advanced technology specified in the bill would cost local governments operating landfills approximately $5,000 per monitoring event, or $20,000 annually per landfill. News and Commission Meetings Oregon Climate Action Commission to Meet Virtually on April 11, 2025 — Agenda , includes 2025 Legislation update, Transmission Policy issues, 
Federal Funding Status, Energy Strategy, Closing remarks and next steps. Climate Solutions : Thermal Energy Networks win win : 
 
 Carbon sequestration/storage: See DOGAMI Agency Budget– Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 (see Natural Resources Legislative Report which covers both these topics and Geothermal Drilling. 
 pics and Geothermal Drilling. Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , March 2025 2 updates : March 27, 2025 Climate Litigation Updates (March 2025, Part 2) March 10, 2025: Climate Litigation Updates (March 2025, Part 1) Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. Our Children’s Trust : Recent Press Releases and News Coverage April 4, 2025: Youth Plaintiffs Ask Alaska Supreme Court to Intervene in Closed Door Transfer of Alaska LNG Project, Hear their Claims in Court March 24, 2025: Supreme Court Denies Cert in Juliana; Legacy of Youth-Led Climate Lawsuit Lives On April 2, 2025 – KLCC : Our Children's Trust: What now? April 2, 2025 - OPB - Think Out Loud ‘Founder of Our Children’s Trust on what the end of Juliana v. US means for youth and climate policy Founder of Our Children’s Trust on what the end of Juliana v. US means for youth and climate policy Oregon Climate Policy - Historical Abbreviated Outline: AI Opinion with footnotes: 4/9/25: Oregon aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with goals to achieve 50% reduction by 2035 and 90% by 2050 , through initiatives like the Climate Protection Program (CPP) and investments in carbon capture projects. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] Here's a more detailed look at Oregon's climate, energy, and carbon reduction efforts: Climate Action Goals: [ 4 , 4 , 5 , 5 ] 2035 Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% below 1990 levels. [ 4 , 4 , 5 , 5 ] 2050 Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% below 1990 levels. [ 4 , 4 , 5 , 5 ] Executive Order 20-04: Established the 2035 and 2050 goals. [ 5 , 5 , 6 ] Oregon Climate Action Commission: Tracks emissions, recommends strategies, and prepares communities for climate change impacts. [ 7 , 7 ] Climate Protection Program (CPP): Aims to reduce emissions from fossil fuels used in Oregon. [ 2 , 2 ] Natural and Working Lands: Oregon aims to increase carbon capture and storage in forests, grasslands, and other natural areas. [ 1 , 1 , 8 , 8 ] Energy and Carbon Reduction Strategies: [ 9 ] Clean Energy Targets: Require utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity sold in Oregon. [ 9 ] Oregon Clean Fuels Program: Reduces the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by encouraging cleaner alternatives. [ 10 , 11 ] Carbon Reduction Program: A federal grant program to fund transportation projects that reduce emissions. [ 12 ] Renewable Energy: Encourages the use of wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources. [ 13 ] Carbon Capture Projects: Investments in projects that capture and store carbon in forests, grasslands, and wetlands. [ 1 ] Decarbonization: Fossil fuel companies are expected to gradually decarbonize their energy supply. [ 13 ] Key Actions and Programs: [ 5 ] House Bill 3543: Established initial climate change goals in 2007. [ 5 ] Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC): Adopts rules and programs to reduce emissions. [ 2 , 4 ] Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Tracks greenhouse gas emissions and publishes reports. [ 14 , 15 ] Oregon Global Warming Commission: (Now Oregon Climate Action Commission) tracks trends in greenhouse gas emissions and recommends strategies. [ 7 , 14 ] TIGHGER Project: Analyzed the feasibility of achieving accelerated climate goals. [ 6 ] Oregon Climate Action Roadmap to 2030: Provides recommendations for state climate action. [ 6 ] Carbon Cap-and-Trade Program: A program that places a declining cap on emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion in the state. [ 16 ] Generative AI is experimental. [1] https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/29/oregon-climate-environment-action-commission-greenhouse-gas-investment-pollution/ [2] https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx [3] https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/geology/pages/carbon_seq.aspx [4] https://www.nrdc.org/bio/hilary-firestone/oregon-acts-carbon-cap-and-trade-administrative-rule [5] https://climate.oregon.gov/meeting-our-goals [6] https://climate.oregon.gov/reports [7] https://climate.oregon.gov/ [8] https://climate.oregon.gov/natural-working-lands [9] https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/pages/clean-energy-targets.aspx [10] https://oeconline.org/climate/ [11] https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cfp/pages/clean-fuel-pathways.aspx [12] https://www.oregon.gov/odot/climate/pages/carbonreductionprogram.aspx [13] https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/11/21/oregon-commission-approves-redo-of-landmark-climate-program-after-lawsuit-derailed-it/ [14] https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/pages/ghg-oregon-emissions.aspx [15] https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/pages/ghg-inventory.aspx [16] https://www.c2es.org/document/us-state-carbon-pricing-policies/ Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

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