Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ ) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI ) Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Forestry (ODF) Hanford Land Use & Housing Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. (OPRD ) Revenue Regional Solutions Smith River State Land Board Tips for the Public Transportation Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Impacts of Fefderal Actions on Oregon: The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee (Sept. 29 agenda and meeting materials ) had a great cost/loss general presentation as did the Oregon Dept. of Energy, the Dept. of Environmental Quality and the State Support Center. There are discussions on the Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.’s budget crisis that the Oregon Coast Alliance is leading. From bloomberglaw.com : Included in the budget request is a $2.46 billion cut for the EPA’s clean and drinking water state revolving loan funds. The program “has been heavily earmarked by the Congress for projects that are ultimately not repaid into the program and bypass states’ interest and planning,” according to the request. This could mean a 17 percent cut to the clean water programs and a 12 percent cut to DEQ funding. Cuts to NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) will affect Oregon coastal communities per this article in Columbia Insight. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 25-25 on Oct. 6 to accelerate the pace of renewable wind and solar project development in the state of Oregon before the clock runs out on critical federal clean energy tax credits. See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL ISSUES By Christine Moffitt Ocean Policy Advisory Council Meeting: The Territorial Sea Plan Offshore Wind Working Group will meet on October 15 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. Meeting Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/R1or3GLBTGCSXovWbiRYZQ Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov Ocean Policy Advisory Council Meeting: The OPAC will meet on October 29 for a virtual meeting of the Council. Meeting information will be made available via the Oregon Ocean Information website closer to the meeting date. Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov Ripple effects from Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve: New economic analysis reveals job and income generation. The League supports the marine reserve program so having a study showing the economic value of these reserves to both Oregon and the coastal area is great news: S upported an estimated total economic impact of approximately $982k and 20 jobs. A reminder related to the Port of Coos Bay bonds: HB 5006 included authorization to issue $100 million of general obligation bonds for the Coos Bay Channel Modification project. The accompanying SB 5505 outlined specific requirements to be met before bonds could be issued. Listed were completion of the environmental impact statement for the project and the issuance of the final record of decision through the National Environmental Policy Act. Additionally, it requires that the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, or a private entity engaged in a public private partnership with the port, has closed on a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan through the Build America Bureau within the United States Department of Transportation in the amount of at least $1 billion or has secured equivalent levels of alternative funding through other federal grants or loans. See this press release . There have been presentations on this project and the potential rail improvements needed. The Coos County League will hold another presentation on Nov. 19. Their Part 1 presentation was recorded. The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development has a website on offshore wind with public meetings continuing. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch In a Press Release from Sept. 19, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality submitted formal comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fiercely opposing its proposal to revoke the Endangerment Finding and weaken motor vehicle emission standards. LWVUS comments. The League was pleased to see the Environmental Quality Commission adopted rules to implement important legislation from the 2023 legislative session related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and sewer availability through Senate Bills 835 and 931 . The League supported SB 835 and participated in the rules advisory committee that developed these rules. The League will again serve on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) By Joan Fryxell The League continues to follow the Calico Resources proposed Grassy Mountain gold mine near Vale in Malheur County. The Trump Administration listed the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project as having a potential completion of federal action by the end of March 2026. But the state has permit authority, too. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for part of the permitting. Here is a link to the agency’s website . DEPT. OF STATE LANDS By Peggy Lynch The agency has a role in addressing abandoned and derelict vessels in Oregon’s waters. OPB has a great article on the issue. DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC) By Sandra U. Bishop The League has a standing seat on DWAC. Interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps for water system and source water protection have been improved. These maps are available to the public as well as water system operators and are maintained by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Drinking Water Protection group and may be accessed via the Drinking Water Services website . The next DWAC meeting will be in October 2025. FORESTRY By Josie Koehne Last year the Board of Forestry met for a special meeting to decide on criteria for a computer model to test run different forest management scenarios for timber management on state forest lands. ECO Northwest was hired to evaluate the model under these four different objectives. In July of this year, the final report of Economic Analysis of ODF Western Oregon Forest Management Plan Scenarios was published. The model projected outcomes over a 30-year period assuming that the approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is in place. The intent of modeling of various scenarios is to show examples of the trade-offs between resources and outcomes under different implementation approaches. The model provides a scientific basis for management decisions, and the chosen plan will be incorporated into the Western Oregon Forest Management Plan (FMP) which is due to be approved by the Board by the end of this year. Each of the four scenarios modeled projects the outcomes to be expected for harvest intensity, rotation age, and revenue optimization: 30-Year Volume Target: Maintains a steady harvest volume for the first 30 years, followed by a non-declining even flow. Long Rotations: Emphasizes longer tree rotations that supports a balanced distribution of age classes across managed acres by year 70. Maximize Volume: Prioritizes harvest volume to maximize productivity over the long term, with fluctuations over time. Maximize Net Present Value (NPV): Focuses on generating the highest economic return using a 4% discount rate. Each scenario results in different patterns of timber products, harvest costs, harvest volume, revenue distribution, employment, and ecosystem services over the analysis period. The analysis discusses socioeconomic outcomes for both the 70-year permit term of the HCP and the long-term implications over a 150-year modeling timeframe. The report summarizes Key Findings for each of the categories above, but the report did not include a summary of their conclusions nor recommendations. Policy decisions will be left to the Board of Forestry. The newest member to the Board of Forestry is Alexi Lovechio of Ashland who joined in March. She serves as Forests and Ecosystem Services Program Manager with Ecotrust. On July 16, The Board of Forestry met in a special meeting to review the status of the recruitment of a new State Forester. In the interim, Kate Skinner has served as Interim State Forester since January following the resignation of Cal Mukamoto. The responsibility for the selection of the State Forester changed from the Board of Forestry to the Governor’s office with the passage of SB 1051 at the close of the session on June 27th . The Governor’s selection process is headed up by Chandra Ferrari, Governor Kotek’s Natural Resources Advisor, who served previously on the Board. Senior Natural Resource Policy Advisor Geoff Huntington kicked off the discussion and outlined the proposed recruitment process. They have hired a recruitment firm to rank the 6-8 candidates who will be reviewed and interviewed by the Governor starting October 6-13. The planned date for the Senate to confirm the Governor’s choice for State Forester is November 17. The Board can provide input on the recruitment process and reach out directly to potential candidates. The selection criteria are outlined in SB 1051 : “The State Forester must have organizational management experience and either of the following: (A) Executive experience and expertise overseeing forest and wildfire management on western forestlands; or (B) Operational experience and expertise overseeing forest and wildfire management on western forestlands.” The Board of Forestry expressed concerns about their role and authority once the Governor’s office has appointed the State Forester. They expressed concerns over having responsibility without authority, including the purpose of Board-developed performance measures related to the State Forester performance measures if the Board does not have the same authority, and having to trust the Governor’s Office to follow through with addressing the Board’s interests and concerns. On a separate note, here is an OPB article explaining that the Secure Rural Schools federal funding continues to be missing from the federal budget, creating a funding crisis in our former timber counties. HANFORD The League is concerned about potential changes to the Hanford nuclear cleanup per this article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle. LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra U. Bishop/Peggy Lynch Oregon Housing Needs Analysis ( OHNA ) work: Draft rules were sent to the Sec of State Oct. 1 st . The last planned OHNA RAC is set for Oct. 29 th . Adoption of the rules should occur during the Dec.4-5 LCDC mtg. as they are statutorily due by Jan. 1, 2026. Public comments are due by November 7. press release . The League has been engaged in elements of this process since inception. We encourage individual League members to review the rules and provide personal comments. These rules are among the most significant changes in Goal 10, Housing, and Goal 14, Urbanization since the program’s inception. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) met Sept. 25-26. Here is the meeting agenda and meeting materials . The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has a YouTube Channel that provides videos of a variety of DLCD meetings and LCDC meetings. The DLCD Director announced a new interagency group (SHIP—State Housing Interagency Partnership) to work on housing and the agencies will be signing a Memorandum of Agreement in Oct. The Gov has instructed all agencies to cut back on travel (LCDC mtgs. will be back in Salem). DLCD will be using vacancy savings—rolling vacancies so they aren’t targeted by Ways and Means in the future--and slowing hiring. DLCD may comment to the federal government on the short timeline of only Oct. 6 th for local gov’ts. to comment on the Federal EIS on the Flood program. Public hearing on the 2025-27 Policy Agenda: There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone! The League has not provided comments because the items on the agenda reflect our legislative work, with the exception that we have supported the Farm and Forest Modernization work that had been approved back in March. Most of the public testimony reflected a request to continue that work which included changes to address agritourism and other commercial events, use of soils reports, replacement dwellings and non-farm dwellings. Contact Hilary Foote at hilary.foote@dlcd.oregon.gov with any questions about the project. Rulemaking Webpage One other issue was brought up during general public comment: Public Comment on items not on the agenda at LCDC meetings is now scheduled at the end of their meetings. There was a request that the public comment period be moved back to the beginning of the mtg. Sept. 5 th Community Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) meeting: There is a video from the CIAC where on Sept. 5th they were given a presentation on the Draft Policy Agenda: https://youtu.be/sLcdV3jLjQI . The video is about 3 hours long, but the Draft Policy Agenda presentation begins at 1:15 and ends about 1:51. Local Officials Advisory Committee met Sept. 15 and received the same presentation. Other parts of the meeting included: SB 504 (coastal 2025), HB 2001 (2023--OHNA), HB 2258 (site development plans 2025) and HB 2138 (middle housing--legislation LWVOR worked on prior to session 2025). Afterward, they even did a presentation on the proposed wetlands rulemaking (related to addressing wetlands in proposed UGBs). That, too, was interesting. LWVOR supported DSL getting additional staff and funding to work on this issue and DLCD got $500k. The Senate Housing and Development Committee met: agenda . There was a presentation on the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis and an Urban Reserves presentation . House Housing had a presentation on implementation of SB 1537 (2024) related to the one-time Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion portion of the bill. Three cities are considering it as of now: Bend (where the process is almost done!), Eagle Point and Bay City. Some presenters expressed concern with the narrow criteria. The League worked on this bill and supports the sideboards in the bill as this expansion opportunity was meant to sidestep larger acreage requests but was NOT meant to supersede the current UGB expansion process. However, some committee members expressed an interest in bringing legislation to the 2026 session that might sidestep the intent of SB 1537 so the League may need to engage. On July 1, the new Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO) officially opened to assist local governments and developers to meet housing production goals, per this press release . Their website . See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) By Melanie Moon ODFW SWAP adopted August 15- see news release : The Commission approved a revised State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) today, a plan that serves as a roadmap for protecting Oregon's at-risk species and their habitats. The Plan incorporates the latest available information on species and presents recommended conservation actions to inform and prioritize conservation work for community members, private landowners, organizations, and agencies alike. The revision adds pollution as a new Key Conservation Issue, completes integration of the Oregon Nearshore Strategy, enhances information provided in the Conservation Toolbox to make conservation accessible to all Oregonians, and adds information on species newly identified as being at-risk. The Plan is meant to be used by natural resource partners and will eventually be fully web-enabled and accessible online to ensure that content is navigable . The League provided comments on the SWAP. Significant underfunding has severely impacted Oregon's State Wildlife Action Plan leading to a scaled-back conservation initiative, reduced monitoring of at-risk species, and an over-reliance on declining revenue from hunting and fishing licenses. ODFW has acknowledged this funding gap even as it adopted a revised SWAP. The present administration in Washington DC is proposing more cuts. A new state transient lodging tax (TLT), HB 2977 , was introduced in 2025 to ensure regular and robust funding for wildlife conservation programs. The bill passed the House floor, but did not make it out of the Senate. The League expects the bill to return in 2026 where we will consider supporting. Here is more information on the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT): Current data . The Oregon Dept. of Revenue did a 2025 comprehensive report for the legislators. Currently, at least 65% of the tax must be spent on tourism. HB 2977 would have added a separate percentage to the TLT focused on conservation. OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD) By Peggy Lynch Director Lisa Sumption was recognized by the National Assn. of State Park Directors and her staff did a video congratulations. We are working with her and others to address OPRD’s revenue shortfall and maintenance needs. OPRD provided a budget one-pager and information on asset needs as we work to assure our Parks are open and maintained over time. 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. The League will engage with these budget issues before the 2027 legislative session. REGIONAL SOLUTIONS The Regional Solutions Program : Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. If you know anyone who may benefit from these publications, please direct them to this signup page . The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person. Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings. Public Comment is usually scheduled. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: Regional Solutions: Add latest mtgs. See July 2 nd LR for info) • Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) October 9, 1:30-3:30pm (Aug. 14 th mtg. was cancelled.) *Central (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties) October 10th from 2:00-4:00pm *Northeast (Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties) October 14th from 2:00-4:00pm *South Coast (Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties) December 3rd from 11:00am-1:00pm *North Coast (Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook Counties) December 10th from 3:00-5:00pm REVENUE By Peggy Lynch The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee (See Sept. 29 agenda and meeting materials ) had a great cost/loss general presentation as did the Oregon Dept. of Energy, the Dept. of Environmental Quality and the State Support Center. There are discussions on the Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.’s budget crisis that the Oregon Coast Alliance is leading. See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report for in depth information. We encourage you to read both sections. SMITH RIVER By Alyssa Babin The League again supported federal legislation to expand the Smith River Recreation Area. The North Fork of the Smith River has scenic, historic and recreational values. We have supported this effort in the past with approval from LWVUS. STATE LAND BOARD By Peggy Lynch The next State Land Board is Oct. 14 ( agenda ). The meeting will consider many topics the League follows: Elliott State Research Forest, Common School Fund Report, South Slough and Oregon Ocean Science Trust. They are hybrid meetings with physical location at the Dept. of State Lands in Salem. The League follows these meetings since the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer comprise the Board membership. TRANSPORTATION The Governor announced that a Special Session would happen starting August 29 and continuing Sept. 1 “ for lawmakers to take up legislation to pay for basic road maintenance and operations at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), as well as address funding needs for local governments and transit districts.” HB 3991 increases a number of transportation taxes and fees and applies audit requirements to ODOT. It expands the OReGO road usage charge program and repeals the Oregon Transportation Commission toll program. ODOT will receive 50% of the funding, counties will receive 30%, and cities 20%. There is an estimate that the cost to each Oregonian would be about $2/month. HB 3992 appropriates $800,000 General Fund, reduces the Emergency Fund by a corresponding amount, and increases Other Funds expenditure limitation by $204.9 million. Other funds for the Secretary of State’s office (SOS) are sourced from assessments charged to state agencies for services and from revenues generated through HB 3991 . Since HB 3991 would raise taxes, it takes 18 Senators and 36 House members to vote yes. The House passed the bills on Sept. 1, with one Democrat voting no and one Republican voting yes. Since Senate Republicans were opposed to the bill and Sen. Chris Gorsek had a health emergency, the final vote in the Senate didn’t happen until Sept. 29 when the session ended—after both bills passed. See ODOT bills pass Senate per this press release . The bills were meant to be a stop gap measure so the 2026 Session may again try to pass a more comprehensive transportation plan. ODOT had about 200 employees leave or retire during all the chaos, and they are months behind in hiring winter temporary workers. Once the Governor signs HB 3991, Sen. Starr and Rep. Diehl have said they want to gather signatures to place the bill on the ballot for Oregonians to consider. The League will follow this effort since it could stop the needed ODOT funding provided in HB 3991. It is unclear if this political action committee , “No Gas Hikes’, formed after the 2025 regular legislative session, will move forward and try to put the special session legislation (HB 3991) on the ballot. The League would hope that the slimmed down bill will be allowed to stand. LWVOR asks that you “Think before you Ink” when any volunteers ask for your signature to get an item on the ballot. “ Bills passed by Oregon lawmakers can be referred to voters if organizers collect enough valid signatures within 90 days of the Legislature adjourning. This year, a referendum would require at least 78,115 signatures, equal to 4% of the people who cast a ballot in the 2022 gubernatorial election.” 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 . 2025 Integrated Water Resources Strategy adopted ! Addressing Oregon’s water challenges is an all-hands endeavor – Oregonians are best served when agencies are working toward common goals. Those goals are articulated in the 2025 Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). Earlier this month, the Oregon Water Resources Commission adopted the 2025 IWRS, a roadmap for numerous agencies interacting with water to address these issues head-on through coordinated action. You can view the plan online at owrd.info/iwrs . The League again engaged in this Strategy and helped form the final document. Oregon State University continues to provide important information on water supply. Measuring mountain snowpack at strategically selected hotspots consistently outperforms broader basin-wide mapping in predicting water supply in the western United States, a new study found. Update: Look for a new version of SB 1153 to return in 2026 or 2027. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, had months of work group sessions among the various interests, but, in the end, the bill did not pass. From the July 9 th article of the Capital Press, Governor Kotek is looking to continue to work on this issue: Despite the failure of the bill getting done this session, we do need to stay on this topic. We have to manage our water differently. We have to identify ways to update our water rights transfer process,” she said during a recent roundtable interview. TIPS FOR THE PUBLIC League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Over 42% of Oregon is in moderate drought (D1) and over 6% is in severe drought (D2) with the rest of the state experiencing abnormally dry condition. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon and a long range climate prediction . We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs). “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. As the summer heats up, be aware of the signs of potentially deadly HABs to your pets as well as humans. WEATHER The National Weather Service issued a La Niña watch, raising hopes the coming winter will fight stubborn drought conditions in the Northwest. The weather service’s Climate Prediction Center reported Aug. 14 that the odds slightly favor a La Niña forming by November and sticking around for December and January. A La Niña increases expectations that snow will accumulate in the mountains and melt into rivers for the irrigation season. La Niñas sometimes fizzle. A La Niña formed last winter, but the Washington snowpack was disappointing. Still, it’s the main guide for seasonal forecasts. Read more in this HillsboroNewsTimes article. KLCC also covered this important weather story. OregonLive reports a weaker Polar Vortex and more extreme weather according to Extreme Weather Europe, a website that tracks weather patterns around the globe. A weaker polar vortex would mean more snowfall and cold winter days than with a stronger polar vortex. Here’s another long range climate prediction . WETLANDS On Jan. 1 st , the fees for removal/fill permits will increase so that, within 5 years, the new fees will cover 80% of the cost, relieving the Common School Fund from most of those costs. A League member participated in the rulemaking related to this decision. The current fees paid by developers, property owners, and other permit applicants cover just 21%. On average, it costs $2.8 million every year to cover the remaining removal-fill permitting costs. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers From the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee: The Oregon Dept. of Forestry reported an average number of wildfires and significantly fewer acres burned. (Current gross costs $127 million, but net--after reimbursements--of $54 million—if the federal government pays their costs.) Fire Marshal Chief Ruiz Temple emphasized how community wildfire preparedness, coupled with the rapid responses and landscape treatments, made all the difference in how they were able to have almost all the threatened structures in the Flat Fire saved from the fire. The Fire Marshal’s office was thrilled with that response. There have, to date, been no injuries to any ODF firefighters. The bill to establish mitigation protocols for utilities is going to come back in the short session. Several speakers expressed concerns about it being a “get out of jail free” card for utilities and that, if they get the certification, they won’t be held legally liable for damages. This legislation will be worked on to the point where it passes so utilities can standardize their practices. Fire season isn’t over. On Sept. 30, the Governor invoked yet another Emergency Conflagration—this time for the Moon Complex in Curry County. This marks the eighth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked by Governor Kotek in the 2025 wildfire season. The Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC) met July 18 and will meet again Oct. 17. This article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle shares potential changes in the U.S. Forest Service offices where the Portland-based office may close. Oregonians have concerns about both the relocation and potential staffing cuts. 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 Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Cybersecurity and Privacy Campaign Finance Redistricting Government Ethics By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team **Action Needed: Please contact your State Senator and Representative to encourage them to support these Bills ** Many have increased relevance in light of the DMV data breach, see our blog post. These bills have been referred out to Joint Ways & Means: HB 2049 B Rules were suspended to move this Cybersecurity Center of Excellence bill, passed the House floor 56 in favor, 1 excused, on June 13. League testimony i n support. HB 2052 B Rules suspended to move this AG Data Broker bill, passed the House floor 49/9/1 on June 7. League testimony in support. These bills await Senate readings and subsequent action: HB 2107 A : This OHA extension of automatic voter registration passed the House on a partisan vote of 34/25/1, so votes in Senate Rules need our support (sent from the Senate floor). HB 2490 This cyber omnibus bill awaits third Senate floor reading, June 20. The League urges for maximum protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Defending our critical infrastructures is at stake ( our testimony ). HB 3073 A awaiting first Senate reading, scheduled June 16, passed from the House floor, May 31, 55 to 1. See our Feb 16 testimony in support of candidate and incumbent home address privacy. SB 619 B This larger bill from the AG’s bill consumer data protection task force got carried over by unanimous consent on the Senate floor to June 20 . See our testimony . Cybersecurity and Privacy By Rebecca Gladstone The OR Senate walkout from May 3 finally ended on June 15, with a quorum present. 394 bill actions were scheduled including 40 from the House, which suspended rules to increase by 10. 144 bills have already been signed by the Governor ( Axios ). Stand by for advocacy support news, possibly on short notice from the League. The lack of transparency and access, not scheduling public hearings for bills and amendments progressing in committees, is a serious problem the League expects to address after this session. Please help us advocate for the bills listed above for Governance Action. These also relevant bills now awaiting Senate attention. Many are League priorities: HB 2806 A Relating to public meetings and cybersecurity, further re-scheduled for Senate reading June 20. See our testimony . This bill passed the House 58/0/2. HB 3127 A : We are following this “TikTok” bill, relating to the security of state assets. Currently further rescheduled for June 15 and 16, dates subject to change. SB 166 Enrolled : The Senate concurred with House amendments June 15, 22 to 0, for final passage of this Secretary of States’ omnibus bill to address privacy and harassment concerns among many other topics. There is a proposed cash “physical currency” limit to directly address dark money concerns, of $100 annually, for aggregated cash campaign contributions. See our March 14 testimony and previous extensive reports, predating amendments. SB 510 Enrolled : The Governor has signed this Public Records Advocate and Council funding, effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die. There has been no legislative action on SB 417 , the related policy bill, since the February 7 public hearing for which we attended weekly work group sessions from February to May. Campaign Finance It was announced in the June 8 House Rules Committee no CFR bill will be moved forward during this long session. The interim will be used to continue these discussions to hopefully bring back a bill in next year’s short session. 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. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2038 B : 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. 6/13: Passed House, 51-5; 6/14: Senate first reading and referred to Ways and Means. SB 168 Enrolled : 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. 6/15: Passed Senate 22 to 0.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Agriculture Air Quality Bottle Bill Update Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Governance Land Use & Housing Oregon Environmental Restoration Council (OERS) Transportation Water Wildfire AGRICULTURE By Sandra U. Bishop The first meeting of the Farm Stand Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) was held on May 16th. ( OAR 660-033-0130: Regarding farm stands in exclusive farm use (EFU) zones and agri-tourism) Staff introduced the topics and areas of endeavor that will be considered by the RAC. The online meeting was live-streamed and recorded and may be reviewed on the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) YouTube channel . The 20-member RAC is expected to meet 4 or 5 times. The public hearing will likely be in September. 2025. This is Phase 1 of the Farm Stand Rulemaking. After the conclusion of this rulemaking process, DLCD will recommend a work plan for phases of OAR changes to address agri-tourism and other commercial events, use of soils reports, replacement dwellings and non-farm dwellings. The public comment period for this rulemaking will close October 5, 2025. To submit public comment please email written comments to: farmforest.comment@dlcd.oregon.gov Comments must be in writing to be considered part of the rulemaking record. People may also make brief public comments at the RAC meetings. The next RAC meeting is Tuesday June 3rd. Rulemaking webpage AIR QUALITY SB 726 A would direct the Environmental Quality Commission 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 limits the bill's application to a landfill located in Benton County (e.g., Coffin Butte). May 29: The bill failed on the House floor; 29/22! However, Leader Bowman served notice of reconsideration. It will be up for another vote in the House on June 2nd. Related to this bill is HB 3794 , a bill that would create a Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley. HB 3794 is sitting in Ways and Means. BOTTLE BILL UPDATE By Sandra U. Bishop The omnibus bottle bill SB 992 A , a conglomeration of several bills introduced this session to address problems with beverage container redemption in the Portland area, is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources. After passage by the Full Ways and Means Committee, the bills go to each chamber for a final vote and then on to the Governor. These agency budgets are moving quickly now that the Co-Chairs know the revenue they have to spend: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Both bills passed Full Ways and Means and are now headed to the Senate and then House floors for a final vote. Five bills related to department’s various fee increases also passed Full Ways and Means. HB 2805 Relating to food establishment licenses ( Meeting Materials ), HB 2806 Relating to license fees for commercial instruments ( Meeting Materials ), HB 2809 Relating to pesticide registration fees ( Meeting Materials ), SB 1019 A Relating to brands ( Meeting Materials ), SB 832 A Relating to civil penalties for laws implemented by the State Department of Agriculture ( Meeting Materials ) Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 LFO Recommendation The bill passed Ways and Means and the Senate. Now to the House chamber for a final vote and on to the Governor for her signature. Dept. of Environmental Quality: SB 5520 League testimony . The budget bill had a work session on May 21. LFO Recommendation and Meeting Materials The bill passed Full Ways and Means after a contentious discussion and now heads to the Senate and then House floors for a final vote. Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 and Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 Meeting Materials . Bills passed Full Ways and Means and are now headed to the chamber floors for a vote. Among the good news is that the Oregon Climate Action Commission is being provided with one full time permanent staffer. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 . Conservationists, with HB 2977 (a -2 amendment has been filed), would add 1% (or 1.5%) for conservation programs. That additional money would go to a special Fund at the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. It had a hearing in House Revenue on May 8. Work Session on HB 5009 on May 28 ( LFO Recommendation ), along with HB 2342 A ( LFO Recommendation ) Relating to fees concerning wildlife, HB 2343 A ( LFO Recommendation ) Relating to the Columbia Basin endorsement and HB 2345 ( LFO Recommendation ) Relating to Oregon hatcheries. “The recommended investments support monitoring and fish screening efforts in the Klamath Basin, fish and wildlife passage projects, monitoring and prevention of harmful algal blooms and aquatic invasive species, chronic wasting disease surveillance, climate solutions policy and projects, administration operation efficiencies, and the Private Forest Accord grant program.” Additionally, POP 125 of HB 5009 “establishes one permanent full-time Natural Resource Specialist 4 position (0.88 FTE) as a climate policy lead for the agency to integrate climate science into planning, research and implementation of programs in the Habitat Division .” POP 101 “ provides $100,000 General Fund, one-time, to support increased legal costs associated with instream water rights disputes. The Department received $100,000 General Fund, one-time, in SB 5506 (2023) to help reduce the backlog of instream water right applications under protest. Approximately 16 disputes are expected to be resolved during the 2023-25 biennium bringing the current backlog to 166. ” POP 801 provides $10 million in General Funds for implementation of the Private Forest Accord. It “ was adopted by the Oregon Legislature in 2022 to implement a negotiated agreement between the timber industry and conservation groups concerning private forestland practices and the protection of natural resources. The Oregon Forest Practices Act (SB 1501, 2022) established the Private Forest Accord Mitigation subaccount within the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund to support projects that mitigate the impacts of forest practices. This package provides $10 million General Fund for deposit into the Private Forest Accord Mitigation subaccount, which is continuously appropriated to the Department for the PFA Grant Program” 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.) Work Session was set for May 27 and then cancelled. LFO Recommendation as posted but may change when the bill is reposted for a Work Session. The budget recommended that payroll be transferred to the Dept. of Administrative Services. POP 801 provides funding for the Private Forest Accord and Habitat Conservation Plan work. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI): HB 5010 Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials LWVOR testimony Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases. 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. A public hearing was held on May 19 and the League provided verbal testimony on the proposed amendment (not posted). A Work Session was held May 28 where the -4 amendment was adopted. Sen. Golden had hoped to see an indexing of these fees so they would increase with costs over time. Sen. Manning mentioned a proposed budget note that would allow the industry more influence in these fees. The League will be paying attention to the budget note language to be sure it meets standards. The fiscal impact statement indicates a substantial increase that will allow the agency to hire more staff and maybe even do more inspections. The bill now goes to Ways and Means. 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 . The bill passed Full Ways and Means and is awaiting votes in the Senate and House. SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase. Governor signed SB 817. Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB): HB 5021 and HB 2558 A modifies the definition of "charter guide" for purposes of outfitter and guide laws and HB 2982 A , a bill that increases boating permit costs estimated to increase revenue to OSMB by about $1 million for the 2025-27 biennium, most of which will be used to address Aquatic and Invasive Species (AIS) management in partnership with the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife were considered together. Here is the Legislative Fiscal Office recommendation for each of the three bills. HB 5021, HB 2558 and HB 2982 all passed the House chamber and moved to the Senate. Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 LWVOR testimony in support. LFO 2025-27 budget recommendation . LFO budget recommendation for SB 147. Both bills passed the Senate and now go to the House chamber for approval. 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. Work Session June 2. 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 . Work Session June 2. 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. Work Session June 2. Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Info mtgs. 3/12, 13 & 17. Public Hearing 3/18. Additional informational meetings: Held April 7 and April 22. A work session is set for June 3. Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 info hearing 4/7&8. Public hearing 4/09; Work Session May 21. LFO Recommendation . Also worked were SB 234 (LFO Recommendation) and SB 826 (LFO Recommendation) SB 826 transfers duties, functions, and powers from the State Chief Information Officer regarding the Oregon Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (OSCIP) to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM). Part of the decision on this agency budget is to create a new finance division (but removing that responsibility to the DAS budget—below.) Office of the Governor: SB 5523 LFO meeting materials . April 28 Public hearing. Work Session was held May 28 where the bill was passed to Full Ways and Means. LFO Recommendation Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20. Work Session scheduled for June 4. Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT): SB 5541 info hearing 3/03-6, public hearing 3/11. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding. The Joint Committee on Transportation ended its work on May 23rd but a new committee ( Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment ) has taken over in hopes of coming to agreement on a comprehensive package before the end of session. See below for more information on the latest plans to address ODOT’s revenue needs. Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS): HB 5002 info hearings 3/03-5, public hearing 3/06. Meeting Materials Work Session May 29 and the bill was sent to Full Ways and Means. 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. Public hearing May 1st. Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing May 9 and May 16 @ 1p. The League supported two of the requests: $160 million for preservation of rental housing and $25 million to preserve manufactured housing and $100 million Housing Infrastructure Fund in Section 14. There are over $2 billion in requests for a variety of projects around Oregon! 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, was 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.) Public hearing held May 2. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL ISSUES After researching marine reserves as part of our Coastal Study , and supporting them with new League positions, it is good to see Oregonians support them. “Researchers from Oregon State University (OSU) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) have been collecting data on local residents’ attitudes toward the state’s marine reserves for more than a decade. Their work showed these Oregonians viewed the marine reserves in an increasingly positive light over time. Residents who live near the reserves and residents of densely populated metropolitan areas had the most favorable views overall. Their new research paper presents a fresh analysis of these attitudes and how they have changed over time.” The League supports HB 3580 eelgrass stabilization LWVOR signed letter of support and HB 3587A Protection of Rocky Habitat LWVOR signed letter of support ( fiscal impact statement ). To help these bills get funded, consider LWVOR’s Action Alert . The League signed on to a letter of support for HB 3963 , a bill that extends the timeline for the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development to provide a report on offshore wind conversations from 2025 to 2027. A public hearing was held May 19. The League signed on to testimony in support. A work session was held May 29 where the bill passed committee in a partisan vote and is headed to the House floor. The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) is currently developing its 2026-2030 Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy. Draft Strategy The OCMP has selected to focus on wetlands, coastal hazards, and ocean resources in this 2026-2030 planning horizon. See the Draft Assessment and Strategy and provide feedback during the comment period of May 12 - June 12, 2025. The draft 2026-2030 Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy can be found on their Public Comment webpage . Please provide comments on or before June 12. Send comments: E-mail Comments: coastal.policy@dlcd.oregon.gov Written Comments: OCMP-DLCD, 635 Capitol St. NE, Suite 150, Salem, OR 97301-2540. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League supports SB 830 , a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. May 28: Governor signed! Now we hope that Ways and Means will pass HB 2168 to fund this program. LWVOR testimony in support. SB 1154 was filed by the Governor to address the groundwater/nitrate issue in Morrow and Umatilla counties per this OPB article . See also in the Water section for a presentation of interest. The bill is sitting in Senate Rules while negotiations continue. DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) By Joan Fryxell The Central Oregon Geoscience Society’s presentation earlier this week, on Carbon Sequestration, by Richard Walker of DOGAMI was very interesting ( https://www.cogeosoc.org/event-5991444 ). The two things he made clear were: 1. They are definitely looking at the already fractured (and therefore permeable) zones at the flow tops and bottoms, to avoid needing to do any fracking. 2. The proposed project that is in front of the legislature this session is to drill cores and evaluate both the cores and the down-hole characteristics of the rock, and not to inject any CO2-charged fluids. They are proposing to do the background research first,so they have a very good idea of what the rocks are like before they do anything further. See above in “Budgets” information on the DOGAMI fee bill, SB 836. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) Habitat Conservation Plan adopted for the ESRF per this press release . “ The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced approval of the habitat conservation plan for the Elliott State Research Forest and issuance of an Endangered Species Act permit for implementing the plan over the next 80 years. “ FORESTRY The Board of Forestry meets June 4 and 5 per this press release . GOVERNANCE HB 3569 , a bill that would require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee for legislation they had a hand in passing, passed the House and now goes to Senate Rules. The League provided testimony with our concerns and opposition to the bill for the public hearing that was scheduled for May 28. The hearing was postponed to June 4 and a work session set for June 5. 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. The League joined others in sharing concerns about this bill to members of House Rules. It was pulled from the scheduled work session on May 28th. 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 ( SB 437 , SB 1006 , SB 370 , SB 483 ) and SB 411 , SB 895 also in Senate Rules. HB 2454 passed House Rules with the -1 amendment and sent to Ways and Means. The bill creates a new Audits Officer (with possible additional staff). The Jt. Audits Committee would hire the Officer. It is unclear, if funded, what the relationship will be with the Secretary of State’s Audit Division and the work of the Legislative Fiscal Office staff. We are 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. A work session was held May 28 where the -2 amendment was adopted todelay the web work and the bill sent to Ways and Means. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies: This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process is set for June with an invitation to the League to continue to participate. See also the Governance section of this Legislative Report. LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra U. Bishop/Peggy Lynch HB 2647 passed the House floor and was assigned to the Senate Housing and Development Committee where it passed the committee with the A 5 amendment and now goes to the Senate floor. HB 3921 is a bill that will allow by law land swaps for City of Roseburg/Douglas County per this preliminary staff analysis . The Governor has signed. 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 where a public hearing was held on May 15 and a work session was held May 27. The A6 amendment was adopted and the bill sent to Ways and Means. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION COUNCIL (OERC) A new Council has been created by the Governor to administer the settlement funds from the Monsanto legal settlement: “ The Oregon Environmental Restoration Fund (OERF or Fund) was established in 2024 by Senate Bill 1561 to invest the proceeds of a historic, nearly $700 million settlement against Monsanto for long-term harm caused by the company’s polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) chemicals to Oregon’s land, water, fish and wildlife. The proceeds of the settlement will go to projects and purposes that benefit Oregon’s environment and its communities. “ “ The Fund has been set up to function similarly to an endowment. The settlement dollars will earn investment and interest income, and, on a biennial basis, the Council will authorize the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) to distribute that income to three sub-funds: The Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund will distribute 25% of the disbursement to federally recognized sovereign tribal nations (Tribes) in the state of Oregon. These payments will be made in equal amounts to each of the nine federally recognized Tribes who may use funds to invest in their stewardship of natural resources. The State Agency Program Fund will receive 50% of the disbursement to support the work of state agencies whose mission has a nexus with the settlement terms. The Disproportionately Impacted Community Fund will receive 25% of the disbursement. A grant program will support projects and programs that directly benefit impacted communities. “ TRANSPORTATION A report by an independent firm finds issues at ODOT per this article by OPB. “ The Oregon Department of Transportation is beset by high staff turnover, decades-old financial software, cost overruns and delays that have eroded trust with elected leaders .” WATER By Peggy Lynch HB 3806 , a bill that authorizes the Oregon Water Resources Commission to approve a Deschutes River water bank pilot program if the charter is approved by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs and adheres to all requirements. It sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2034, had a work session in Jt. Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources on May 29th. It was noted that funding for this pilot will be provided by the Deschutes River Conservancy. The bill passed and was sent to Full Ways and Means. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. A work session was held April 8 where the bill was sent to Senate Rules. SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office had a work session April 8 where the bill was sent to Senate Rules. After weeks of negotiations, a public hearing is set for June 3 with a work session set for June 5 on SB 1153. A -3 amendment is being proposed. Water Right Process Improvements ( HB 3342 ). A - 4 amendment was adopted and the bill passed the House. Amended by the A 8 amendment, it passed the Senate. On May 29th the House concurred with the Senate amendment and it passed the House floor. 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 had a public hearing April 30. A work session scheduled for May 12 has been cancelled. A number of amendments have been offered. The controversy seems to be around timelines for testing—how often—and what exactly gets tested. The League hopes to see this bill move forward, even if there are constraints. It would be a beginning and a recognition that water needs to be safe for everyone-homeowners and renters. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. An Abnormally Dry designation has increased in NE and NW Oregon and now we also see our first level of Drought (Moderate) in some of those areas. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs). “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. 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. As a result of concern around HABs along the coast, the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife budget includes “one permanent full-time Natural Resource Specialist 2 position (0.88 FTE) and two permanent 12-month seasonal Biological Science Assistant positions (1.00 FTE) to monitor and respond to harmful algal blooms along the coast. The revenue source is recreational shellfish license fee revenue. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers Along with the transportation package, wildfire funding has been a challenge for the legislature. The Governor has weighed in on the concept of taking at least a part of the “kicker” to fund wildfire: lawmakers have an option if they can agree on a better use for the kicker money. With two-thirds supermajority vote in each chamber, they can opt to suspend the refund. That’s happened once since the policy was enacted in the late 70s. A 2/3rds supermajority vote means at least two Senate Republicans and four House Republicans would need to approve along with all legislative Democrats. Because our Rural Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) are seeing a huge increase in their fire fees, Rep. Owens has offered the following: I introduced HB 3349 and HB 3350 to ensure our RFPAs have access to the tools they need. These bills propose establishing a dedicated funding stream to help RFPAs obtain gear from the Oregon Department of Forestry and better access federal resources. Importantly, this support does not change their volunteer status but simply gives them the resources to be more effective and safe while serving our communities. Then the House Leadership decided to move SB 83 , which would repeal the State Wildfire Hazard Map and accompanying statues related to it, to House Rules at a Work Session on May 20. It seems that the bill is now being used as trade bait to find funding for wildfire according to a news release from Sen. David Brock Smith. SB 75 A , removes the wildfire hazard map as a guide for allowing ADUs and requiring higher building codes in rural areas. The bill was moved to House Rules on May 22nd by the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment where it is likely to stay while negotiations continue on wildfire funding. The Oregon Capital Insider provides information on the Dept. of Forestry’s budget and what’s happening at the federal level. Here is a short report on the status of the bills mentioned last week: SB 860A The bill would allow the State Fire Marshal and an agency to take actions for fire protection and makes changes related to the Governor's Fire Service Policy Council. The Governor’s signed. SB 861 , a measure which would include grant funds, reimbursements, and moneys received from judgements and settlements as funds in the State Fire Marshal Mobilization Fund has been signed by the Governor. It requires that the Department of the State Fire Marshal submit a report to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on the amounts in the fund and expenditures from the fund on or before March 31 of each odd numbered year. SB 85A directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program to help communities collectively reduce their wildfire risk. May 28: Governor signed! The Omnibus wildfire funding bill, HB 3940A , had a robust Public Hearing before the House Committee on Revenue on May 1. Legislative Revenue staff provided a table to help understand the various elements of the bill. Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office have stated the minimum annual need for wildfire funding to address the growing wildfire crisis is around $280 million. SB 1177 is still before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. It had a public hearing on April 7. 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. (The Governor has expressed interest in using only the amount of kicker that would go to large income earners for wildfire costs.) SJR 11 also remains before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue after its April 7 public hearing. 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 and had a work session on May 20 in the House Committee on Judiciary where the A 10 amendment was adopted. The Speaker sent the bill to Ways and Means. HB 3666 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. 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. 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 2/6 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Clean Energy Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… State, Regional, National, and Global CE News Local League Climate Updates National Governments Volunteers Needed Note: Members of the public are invited to join an upcoming workshop series hosted by the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). “DLCD is pleased to announce six workshops in western Oregon where the public will be invited to share how climate change is affecting their quality of life.” Events happening throughout March. Register online . Climate Emergency Priorities The League has identified six priority CE policy and budget topics. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each priority. Following are updates on those six topics: 1. Natural and Working Lands : Establishes Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities…: Natural Climate Solutions SB 530 . Public Hearing is Scheduled 2/15/23 in SEN E&E . Josie Koehne is the CE team member leading this effort. Please see recent 2/6 LWVOR Action NWL Alert . 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report . It’s likely these will be posted to OLIS in mid Feb. by Senator Lieber and Rep Marsh. The League is an active RB coalition partner. BR campaign guiding principles . Oregon RB in the news , here. and here . A big welcome to Arlene Sherrett, a new League and new CE team member; she will focus on REB, and Transportation portfolios. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ): 2023 Leg bills are still being posted, which address (support or oppose) new or on-going EJ topics. Find DEQ EJ work: Performance Partnership Agreement : Oregon Department of Environmental Qualityand U.S. EPA Region 10 Performance Partnership Agreement . In the news: ‘Farmworker advocate legislative priorities include language access’ | Statesman Journal. The League is following this topic and likely will support. A conversation with Robert Bullard, ‘ father of environmental justice’ » Yale Climate Connections 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , will change "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to "Oregon Climate Action Commission" and modify membership and duties of commission and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets/goals. Find more about this Bill in Clean Energy LR below. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/ reductions and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and DOT Dept of Transportation policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. ‘Kotek proposes spending $765M from reserves on homeless , other crises’| Statesman Journal. It’s unclear at this point if the estimated >$100M in CE related state agency POPs and new Legislative funding (* budget items will come from over 22 state agencies including 14 NR agencies, OHA, DAS, ODOT, ODOE, etc.) is reflected in Governor Kotek’s new 1/31 Budget. More specifics next week. It is expected some portion of the agency funding requests are specifically related to addressing multiple federal grant opportunities . (see Congressional major new funding since 2020: IIJA, IRA, Chips and what’s left in the ARPA and Dec 2022 Omnibus compromise) Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith The League may support or just follow these bills. (This is a preliminary list; a number of bills are not yet posted to OLIS.) Natural Working Lands: See Rep Pham’s urban forestry bill, HB 3016 , Rep Holvey’s severance tax bill, HB 3025 to replace the harvest tax, and ODF’s Regular Harvest tax bill, HB 2087 . SB 88 climate smart Ag increases net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands. Requested: Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery. See Keep Oregon Cool, Natural Working Lands. Fossil Fuel (FF) Divestment: HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with Fossil Fuel energy investments. Chief Sponsors: Rep Pham K, Senator Golden, Rep Gamba. Green Infrastructure: HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Public & Green Banking: SB501 Bank of the state of Oregon Sen Golden. HB 2763 Create a State public bank Task Force, Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters. Interstate 5 Bridge Legislation: Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP) factsheet ODOT and WDOT . 12 Things the Oregon Legislature Should Know About IBRP - Just Crossing Alliance. It is likely policy and or just funding bills will be heard and likely moved by this IBRP Legislative Joint Committee . The goal: ‘Replacing the aging Interstate Bridge with a modern, earthquake resilient, multimodal structure is a high priority for Oregon and Washington…. ‘. We welcome Liz Steward (LWVPDX) who has agreed to be a League Observer on the topic. Clean Energy By Kathy Moyd Activity Last Week and Next Week. We did not provide testimony for any bills. HB 2530 Renewable Hydrogen The House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee (HCEE) held a public hearing February 6 on HB 2530, which as introduced would require the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) to convene a work group to "examine, evaluate and develop statewide strategies to accelerate the development of a state renewable hydrogen industry and related infrastructure, technologies and end uses." Testimony focused on a -1 amendment that would replace the entire original bill with just the proposed definitions of "renewable" and "green electrolytic" hydrogen for purposes of future legislation. The definitions are based on existing statutory language in CA and WA to promote regional consistency. The League opted not to provide testimony because the amendment had not been posted. The reason given for eliminating the rest of the bill was that generation and use of hydrogen should be included in the bill in development dealing with the energy use in the state, not stand-alone. We will start working on testimony for that bill as soon as text is available. No testimony is planned for next week. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The next Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast is scheduled for Feb 22. It is unclear how the congressional debt ceiling issue, security market volatility, inflation – Fed/banking issues and other global risks will develop. The last State of Oregon quarterly forecast assumed a likely mild recession in 2023. Oregon Bond rating continues to be above average. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has never conformed to what is now recommended in the SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. SEC Plans to Finalize See supportive LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury / Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $20B Federal IRA funds which are contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. ‘'Green Banks,' Poised for Billions in Climate Funds , Draw States' Attention | The Pew Charitable Trusts. Related, The start of America’s infrastructure decade: How macroeconomic factors may shape local strategies | Brookings. Additionally, the SEC new Climate risk guidelines will affect investing and reporting decisions. Perhaps a temporary reprieve, ‘Pushback On The SEC’s Proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Rules Is A Good Sign ‘ | Forbes. Corporate Boards Are Ramping Up These Sustainability Priorities | Bloomberg. SEC’s Gensler weighs scaling back climate rule as lawsuits loom - POLITICO It's concerning to the League how these major issues will affect Oregon’s economy. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (Feb 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 60 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. News: How the Supreme Court could finally force Big Oil to face trial | Grist State, Regional, National, and Global CE News By Claudia Keith The Real Obstacle to Nuclear Power - The Atlantic. Eugene becomes first Oregon city to ban natural gas hookups | Energy News Network. A Portland high school student has Oregon governor’s ear on environmental justice - oregonlive.com The Oregon Lab Where Scientists Are Riding the Waves to a Brighter Future - Atlas Obscura. Farmers, gardeners collaborate on dry farming in Oregon – OPB. Oregon could give consumers right to repair phones, computers | Statesman Journal. Fighting climate change was costly. Now it’s profitable . - The Atlantic. Opinion | Greta Thunberg: ‘ The World Is Getting More Grim by the Day ’ - The New York Times. How the EPA values human lives lost to climate change | NPR. Vice President Kamala Harris talks about climate change at Georgia Tech – UPI. Renewables are on track to satiate the world's appetite for electricity - The Washington Post. Biden takes victory lap on climate bill in State of the Union | The Hill and E&E. Busting three myths about materials and renewable energy | MIT Technology Review Local League Climate Updates By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Each city and county in Oregon should have a Climate and or Resiliency Plan. Only these Oregon 14 cities have CAPs. Over 2300 countries, cities, counties have pledged ‘ Climate emergency declarations ’ in 2,318 jurisdictions and local governments cover 1 billion citizens - Climate Emergency Declaration…. National Governments 18 national governments and the EU have declared a climate emergency. The EU is counted as one jurisdiction in the ‘jurisdictions total’ but has not been included in the country count.’ Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/13 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley/Sharron Noone • Education: Jean Pierce • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Gun Safety Housing Gun Safety By Marge Easley Two firearm bills have appeared on committee agendas, marking a possible turning point in a relatively calm session. HB 2005 defines undetectable firearms (“ghost guns”) and sets penalties for possessions, selling, and transferring firearms without a serial number. The bill is scheduled for a hearing on March 22 and a work session on March 28 in House Judiciary. SB 527 allows gun dealers or others transferring firearms to set a minimum age of 21 for purchases, repairs, or services. The hearing is on March 27 and the work session on March 30 in Senate Judiciary. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Governor Kotek’s $200 million Funding Package “Unprecedented” is frequently quoted if the Legislature passes Governor Kotek’s comprehensive $200 million funding request. Last week the Joint W&Ms passed HB 2001 B and its companion bill HB 5019 A , with strong bipartisan support. On March 15, the House overwhelmingly passed both bills, now headed to the Senate. They are on a fast-track to be signed by the Governor before the end of the month. If signed into law these bills would substantially increase funding for programs to keep Oregonians experiencing housing instability in their homes, move unsheltered people into safe shelter and stable housing and get on a path towards increasing affordable housing production. HB 2001 B addresses the policy side of the package. It will help keep people housed and sheltered, streamline the process of building new homes and housing units, set goals for new housing in cities around the state, provide accountability for the funds, address youth homelessness, and inadequate housing for agricultural workers. It also establishes the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS). The Department of Land Conservation and Development and OHCS will assist the Department of Administrative Services in carrying out the requirements. Details on the many aspects of this bill can be found here. HB 5019 A spells out the funding aspects of the appropriation to support the state’s response to the homelessness to provide services to the balance of state in the 2023-25 biennium; to address youth homelessness; and to repurpose $30.6 million in funds from the Housing and Community Services Department 2021-23 budget towards these efforts. Details on these expenditures are here. The League provided testimony on HB 5019. Housing Accountability and Production Office HB 3414 would direct the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Department of Consumer and Business Services to jointly establish and administer the Housing Accountability and Production Office. The new office would assist local governments in complying with laws related to housing development and reduce barriers to housing production. The office would also serve as a resource for housing developers experiencing barriers to development. The bill also limits conditions under which local governments may deny variance for housing developments within the jurisdiction’s urban growth boundary.

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/17 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley/Sharron Noone • Education: Jean Pierce • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan 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 Healthcare Housing Reproductive Health After School and Summer By Katie Riley During the week of March 10 the Joint Committee on Ways & Means on Education heard testimony from the Department of Education regarding their budget requests. The reports included another review of the results of the 2024 HB 4082 summer funding and proposed 2025 funding of $78.5 million (includes funding for 7 ODE positions to collect and analyze data). On March 13th HB 2007 was filed to amend the summer learning grant program to provide specific requirements to increase accountability regarding academic learning. The bill does not differentiate between summer school and after school hours' activities. On March 12 the Senate Committee on Education heard testimony on SB 141 to study methods to increase accountability in education. This bill seems more aspirational in terms of designing accountability for the future. Possibly, there may be some meshing of requirements. It is hoped that separate funding of afterschool and summer after school hours funding can be provided through SB 876 and HB3162. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller HB 2059 directs the Oregon Health Authority to create a unit dedicated to building sufficient adult behavioral health facilities in the state. The bill will have a public hearing before the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care on March 25. HB 3129 establishes the Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund. The bill had a public hearing in front of the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on February 25. LWVOR submitted testimony for that hearing. Another public hearing and work session has been scheduled for March 18. SB 527 had a public hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health on March 13. The bill directs OHA to distribute grants to local workforce development boards. The local workforce boards would partner with other entities to conduct behavioral health education and training for high school students. Senator Patterson testified that SB 527 is the only bill this session focused on training workers for entry-level jobs in behavioral health. It is based on a successful pilot program in Marion County. Education By Jean Pierce Recent Advocacy – Removing Cap on Special Education funding HB 2953-A LWVOR submitted testimony supporting HB2953-A, which would remove the percentage cap on the amount of money distributed from the State School Fund to districts for special education students. Eighty-eight percent of school districts throughout Oregon have exceeded the cap, but the waiver which is available to those districts has covered only 30% of the amount of funding which they received for students under the cap. Since public schools are required to accommodate these students’ needs, they must make cuts in other programs. Education Budget Request Reports The Joint Subcommittee on Education is currently hearing from agencies describing how they have used funding and their plans for the future. Resources for the discussion include the powerpoint for this week’s presentations which address provisions of SB5515 . This gives a valuable overview of Department of Education agencies. Presentations are scheduled to continue at least until March 25th. Impact of Federal Actions on Oregon During the past week, the workforce at the U.S. Department of Education was slashed in half. Although shutting down the Department altogether would require a vote from Congress, slashing the staff would achieve a similar result. Just last month, hundreds of millions in research grants funded by USED were cut . According to OPB. ”public records provided by OSU and Portland State University, the grant-funded work that’s been directed to stop varies widely from wildfire research to cybersecurity training to behavioral healthcare studies. The orders originate from a dozen different federal agencies. Among others, PSU has received orders to pause studies funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Energy. OSU received similar directions from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Interior Department.” The University of Oregon is frequently updating this webpage announcing federal executive orders and research activities. Thousands of hearings on discrimination in the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) were cancelled when half of the OCR offices were closed around the country. Oregonians are referred to the Seattle branch of OCR, which remains open. More than 300 employees in the Federal Student Aid office were terminated, as well, slashing more than a quarter of the division in charge of student loans and college tuition grants. Nevertheless, the DOE claims that it will "continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency's purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking. Unfortunately, no plan has been suggested for how that might happen. The Education Law Center has a helpful tool showing how much federal funding for K-12 education each state is receiving for FY 2025. The total for Oregon is more than $433 Million. This includes close to $200 million for Title 1 (funding for educating low income students) and more than $170 million for IDEA (funding education of students with special needs). While chaos in the Department of Education is capturing the headlines, Congress is also poised to consider S 292, The Educational Choice for Children Act, a $10 billion dollar annual national private school voucher program. Donors would receive tax credits for up to 10% of their adjusted gross income. In Oregon, this could mean initiatives like school vouchers, tax credits, or education savings accounts (ESAs) that would allow parents to use public funds for their child's education at a school of their choice, including private and homeschooling. Many of these private schools are religious. Equally concerning is that the bill prohibits measures of accountability – donors would simply need to claim that the expenses have some connection to education. It is possible that this measure, which is proposing a change in the tax code, will be folded into a large budget reconciliation bill. The bill represents the federal government’s plans to phase out funding of public education. The loss of roughly 10% (or more for some districts) of total funding that comes from the federal government would be devastating to students and schools in public schools in Oregon. Gun Policy By Marge Easley On March 13, the House and Senate Judiciary Committees held a joint informational hearing on gun policy with invited testimony from a wide range of gun violence prevention groups, including the Alliance for a Safe Oregon, OHSU Gun Violence Prevention Research Center, Johns Hopkins University Center for Gun Violence Solutions, Portland Police Bureau, Brady United, Giffords Law Center, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Multnomah County Public Health Department. The purpose was to underscore the need for additional gun safety laws and to set the stage for upcoming hearings. HB 3075 , the first gun bill of the session, contains the nuts-and-bolts implementation details for Measure 114 and will be heard in House Judiciary on March 17. Measure 114, strongly supported by the League and passed by voters in 2022, requires a permit to purchase a firearm and bans high-capacity magazines. Since that time it has been held up in the courts on constitutional grounds, but on March 12 a long-awaited verdict from the Oregon Court of Appeals declared it constitutional. A likely appeal will take the case to the Oregon Supreme Court, but passage of HB 3075, along with the -1 amendment , will help to ensure a smooth roll-out of the measure. HB 3076 , which d irects the Department of Justice to study the establishment of a state gun dealer licensing program, has a March 20 hearing date. The aim is to prevent the flow of illegal guns to our communities by way of gun shop thefts and straw purchases. The League will be submitting supportive testimony. Healthcare By Christa Danielson HB 2010 A will continue critical state funding for the Oregon Health Plan by continuing the assessments on health plans, hospitals and the Oregon reinsurance program. The bill has passed through the House and Revenue Committees and will be having the final reading in the Senate on Monday March 17th. The League submitted testimony. HB 2040 would establish a complaint process for providers to submit complaints against health insurers to the Department of Consumer and Business Services or Oregon Health Authority, Still in committee, no hearing as yet. SB 296 would study 1) ways to expedite eligibility for Medicaid for patients leaving the hospital, 2) needed changes to regulations around adult foster homes and residential care facilities and 3) how to expand medical respite programs.This bill was formed from a work group to study discharges from the hospital to relieve bottlenecking and long stays in the hospital. Has passed the Senate. Referred to Ways and Means. HB 3225 stipulates that to have controlling interest in a practice of medicine the physicians must be licensed in this state, be actively involved in managing patient’s care and reside within the state. Public hearing scheduled 3/25. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona LWVOR submitted a letter in support of HB 2968 -- Delayed schedule fee payment, Municipal Development Protection Fund . This bill, if passed, will reduce development costs for new housing projects and at the same time ensure that local jurisdictions receive the System Development Charge (SDC) payments they need to build the infrastructure needed to support the growth that comes along with new housing. HB 2968 allows local governments to defer SDC payments owed by developers until 180 days after the certificate of occupancy has been issued. Affordable housing developers would have up to one year to pay their fees. Oregon Housing and Community Services would create a Municipal Development Protection Fund to cover the cost of unpaid fees. The Fund would be responsible for collecting unpaid fees from the developers. This program will reduce costs for all housing developers by reducing the need to take on debt in order to cover their fees but will benefit low-income housing developers to an even greater extent. SB 722 is scheduled for a public hearing on March 19 before the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. The bill would prohibit residential landlords from using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to artificially set rents or occupancy rates. The bill would amend the Landlord-Tenant Act to prohibit the use of price-fixing AI software. This practice is the subject of national attention and concern, and Oregon has joined a federal lawsuit in opposition of this practice. Many local jurisdictions are trying to curtail the use of this tool to protect renters from such rent spikes. It also shortens the new construction exemption for rent stabilization from 15 years to 7 years, protecting Oregonians in newer units from unlimited rent hikes while still promoting development and preventing gentrification-driven displacement. HB 2964 is scheduled for a public hearing by the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on March 19. This bill would require Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to fund predevelopment costs to develop affordable housing for low-income households to rent or own. The Department will also provide technical assistance to nonprofits who receive grants or loans. The bill would establish an Affordable Housing Predevelopment Loan Fund. Money from the General Fund will be allocated to the department to award grants and loans for predevelopment costs of developing housing subject to affordability restrictions to make the properties affordable to low-income households. Reproductive Health By Patricia Garner SB 548, that requires an individual to be age 18 in order to marry passed the Senate with only one Nay vote. It has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. At this time there is no organized opposition against the bill. The League submitted testimony for it. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Other Governance Bills Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance During the 2/29 public hearing on the -3 amendment to this placeholder bill, HB 4024 , good government groups severely criticized the amendment for leaving huge loopholes for special interest organizations to still make 6-figure campaign contributions. See the League’s written testimony . After a week of private negotiations, a new -5 amendment was posted just minutes before a deadline before an 8 am Monday 3/4 hearing and possible work session. The good government groups have not yet had a chance to analyze this 48-page amendment. Stay tuned! Other Governance Bills HB 4021 , which requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy, had a public hearing and a work session is awaiting action on the House floor. HB 4026 , which was a placeholder bill related to elections, was amended in House Rules to retroactively prohibit the use of a referendum on any urban growth boundary expansion. This would block a referendum in the City of North Plains in Washington County. The LWVOR submitted written testimony opposing the amendment, saying the bill is likely unconstitutional and may invite a lawsuit. The bill passed the House 49 to 5 and is now awaiting Senate action. HB 4031 was amended in House Revenue to protect taxpayer information from disclosure. It now awaits House floor action. HB 4032 , which removes the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court, had a public hearing but no further action yet in House Rules. HB 4117 , which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which is a correction to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed the House immediately and unanimously. The bill then had a hearing and work session in Senate Rules and now awaits Senate floor action. SB 1502 requires public schools and college boards to live stream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. The bill passed the Senate 29 to 1. The bill had a hearing and work session in House Education, which recommended “Do Pass” for the House floor. SB 1538 A , an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes, was passed by the Senate as amended on a 20 to 10 vote. The House Rules held a hearing and a work session, which recommended a “Do Pass” House floor action. Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Rebecca Gladstone Late breaking: the Oregonian invited submission for this March 3rd Op-Ed: Opinion: Oregonians should not fall for Legislature’s fake campaign finance reform . A public hearing for HB 4024 -5, the bill mentioned in the Op-Ed was set after going to press, for 8am Monday March 4 in House Rules. An Action Alert is being prepared. Our Legislature went into Sine Die, 1-hour notice for bill hearings, on Feb 27, becoming both a sprint and a marathon. Rumor predicts that the last day will be Friday, 3/8. AI, synthetic media in campaign SB 1571 A : This was presented in House Rules after passing unanimously in the Senate. We updated and presented supportive verbal testimony, see video , first bill on the agenda. We expect a work session and passage in the final days. The Senate Memorial Commemoration for Alice Bartelt, SCR 203 , was heard and passed unanimously from the Senate floor on Feb. 28. See the video , at 20 minutes for the presentation and vote. Our thanks to Senators Deb Patterson, Lew Frederick, and Rob Wagner for supportive comments, especially for Alice’s daughters, unable to attend, and for the League (look in the gallery). LWVOR researched and wrote this resolution at sponsor Senate President Sen. Rob Wagner’s request. See League testimony . It was heard in House Rules, and we expect a work session and passage in the final days. Increase Voters’ Pamphlet languages SB 1533 : This bill to increase the number of languages other than English for State Voters’ Pamphlets passed unanimously on the House floor and has been sent to the Senate, with supportive League testimony . We expect a work session and passage in the final days. Automatic Voter Registration for students SB 1577 -3 . This bill to expand automatic voter registration for higher ed students, through the Dept of Revenue, was amended to require the Legislative Policy and Research Director to study its viability, benefits and challenges. After passing from Senate Veterans on a 3 to 2 partisan vote, it still awaits action in Joint W&Ms.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Highlights Senate Energy and Environment Climate Litigation News Volunteers Needed The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. Bills in most committees must be scheduled for a work session by Feb. 12 and acted on by Feb. 19 th in the first chamber. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . Climate Emergency Highlights Planned League Testimony - Support SB 1559 GHG Emission Modernization - Senator Dembrow: SE&E Public Hearing is scheduled for Tues Feb 13 . One of the issues being discussed is using the word goal or aspiration goal . The most powerful legal term would be specific mandated reduction targets in 2030 or 2035 and 2040 with zero net emissions before 2050. Budget Omnibus Bill - End of Session JW&M committee: Support funding for: Healthy Homes, EV Rebate and Climate-Friendly Micro-mobility transport Programs totaling $50 million. Other Climate Emergency Bills League testimony posted, or we are following and may have testimony: Off-Shore Wind: League HB 4080 Testimony , Find discussion in NR Coastal Issues Leg Report. Clean Tech Leadership Bill HB 4112 public hearing is 2/12 and planned work session 2/14. Right to Repair: HB 1596 Find discussion in NR Leg Report, League Testimony HB 4155 Infrastructure funding study - Rep Gamba in HEMGGV committee, Public Hearing was 2/8 and new 2/13 HB 4083 Coal Act Requires Oregon Investment Council and Treasury to divest from Thermal Coal investments. Work Session HEMGGV 2/13 Environmental Justice: Budget Omnibus Bill– End of Session: Continue Oregon Worker Relief Funding Senate Energy and Environment By Claudia Keith Feb 8 th meeting was taken up solely with the public hearing on Right to Repair ( SB 1596 ). The committee was scheduled to hear testimony on SB 1581 (requiring PGE and PP to report to the legislature on their participation in a regional energy market) but carried that hearing over to Monday 2/12. SB 1596: Chair Sollman defended her bill as a hard-won compromise that addresses the main concerns raised against SB 542 last year: data security, intellectual property, safety, and liability. OSPIRG strongly supports the bill with the -12 amendment. Google also supports the bill as do dozens of small businesses including Free Geek. OBI is neutral, citing significant improvements: stronger protections for intellectual property and trade secrets and the removal of the right of private action (consumer lawsuits). Apple remains the heavyweight opponent, demanding the removal of the prohibition on parts pairing. Repair Done Right Coalition also opposes and the Consumer Technology Association has critical concerns about unintended consequences. SB 1581: Appears non-controversial. PGE is neutral since the -1 amendment would simply require the utilities to deliver an oral presentation before the appropriate legislative committee, rather than a formal written report, by January 15 each year. Other Budget Senator Dembrow‘s recent newsletter details his understanding of the status of current budget priorities. Climate Litigation DOJ Files Petition for Wit of Mandamus to end Juliana Climate Litigation - The Justice Department is wasting no time seeking to put this zombie litigation out of its misery, and the plaintiffs are not happy about it. Reason. COM. Our Children’s Trust Response . It is unclear at this time how the League’s (LWVUS and LWVOR) will oppose this new filing. News This Is Oregon Scientists’ Plan to Save the World – Portland Monthly The radical proposal of Oregon State University researchers aims to avoid climate change via greater biodiversity and more forestlands—and a no-growth economy. January 20 2024. Scientists outline a bold solution to climate change, biodiversity loss, social injustice’ PHYS .org . Senator Merkley: Take Climate Impacts into Consideration when Reviewing New Fossil Gas Infrastructure Projects - Merkley . Merkley, Colleagues: Allocate Dedicated Inflation Reduction Act Funding for Independent Methane Monitoring - Merkley https://phys.org/news/2024-01-scientists-outline-bold-solution-climate.html Climate Emergency Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: • Natural Climate Solutions, specifically Oregon Dept of Agriculture (ODA) • Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust • Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) • Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team)

 • State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services)

 • CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets • Climate Migration 

 • Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment 

 We collaborate with LWVOR Natural Resource Action Committee members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: Training for Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley/Sharron Noone • Education: Jean Pierce • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Housing Public Safety Reports Summer Learning Housing By Nancy Donovan, Beth Jacobi, Debbie Aiona Homelessness State of Emergency: Governor Kotek declared a homelessness state of emergency a year ago and set targets for local jurisdictions. Based on preliminary data, the state and local partners have exceeded those targets. They created 1,032 low-barrier shelter beds, exceeding the original goal by 432; rehoused 1,293 unsheltered households, exceeding the goal by 93; and prevented 8,886 households from experiencing homelessness, exceeding the goal by 136. LWVOR supported funding this effort. To meet these goals, the Legislature allocated $155 million early in the 2023 session for homelessness prevention, rehousing, and shelter capacity expansion. They went on to budget $316 million for the same purpose in the 2023-25 biennium. The 2023 Point in Time annual count showed that as of last January an estimated 20,100 people were experiencing homelessness. About 62% were unsheltered. In recognition of the fact that Oregon has a long way to go before it can claim success, Governor Kotek issued Executive Order 24-02 on January 9. 2024, to extend the 2023 Executive Order and continue the state’s focus on addressing the homelessness crisis. In 2024, Governor Kotek is proposing $65 million for homeless shelter operations. The funds will be used primarily to prevent closure of state and locally funded shelters and invest in re-housing focused services at shelters to improve exits into permanent housing. Rent Assistance: The Governor’s legislative budget is also requesting $33 million for rent assistance to help keep Oregonians from losing their homes. Affordable Housing : Our League of Women Voters of Oregon actively partnered with a number of other organizations to inform legislators prior to the session on What we need to build more affordable housing . Oregon is in short supply of approximately 140,000 homes for people with low- and moderate-incomes. Housing Production : Also, with League support, the Housing Alliance sent a letter on January 4, encouraging state leaders to introduce housing production bills in the 2024 session in line with principles outlined in the letter. Housing Alliance Membership Meeting : On Tuesday, January 23, the League will participate in the Housing Alliance’s Membership Meeting to vote on bill endorsements, via Zoom. Monday, January 29 is the voting deadline for bill endorsements, via an online form. House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness held an informational meeting on 1/11. H ousing and homeless representatives made presentations on the topics below. Note that Legislative Concepts (LCs) are being assigned to certain bills. When available, LC drafts will be posted on committee OLIS pages. · Financing affordable/moderate income housing · Committee Legislative Concepts Technical fix omnibus, LC 40 · Member Housing-Related Legislative Concepts Individual Development Account Funding , LC 151 · Oregon Housing and Community Services Legislation Implementation Updates , Shelter Operations Funding · Modular Housing The Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development held an informational meeting on 1/10/2024. These housing topics were discussed. · Committee Budget Bill ( LC 158): Shelter Operation Needs · Recovery Housing · Affordable Housing Land Acquisition Revolving Loan Program · Emergency Rental Assistance Program · Public Safety Reports – 1-11-24 Public Safety Reports The Joint Addiction Committee discussed the Secretary of State Audit of the Ballot Measure 110 process at the January 10 hearing. The grants totaled $209.3 million awarded to Behavioral Health Networks to provide access to services. The reports listed harm reduction as the highest service followed by peer support and mentors. Other services were low barrier treatment, screening, needs assessments, supported housing and supported employment. Problems were reported: hiring staff for behavioral health services, providing housing costs and documenting poor usage of the hotline. Funding Medicaid services was the highest priority. The committee heard presentations on youth substance abuse and prevention plans through the Oregon Social Learning Center in Eugene. Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission leaders talked about prevention efforts in the counties and tribal areas. Treatment access with mobile units, sobering centers and residential programs were needed. Specialty Courts are operational within the Oregon Judicial System with the Lincoln County Court spot lighted as an example. The Criminal Justice Commission provides program funding and supervision. The Public Safety Subcommittee of Ways and Means discussed one of the primary needs for defense attorneys: for those in custody prior to hearings to determine release conditions and future hearings. Lack of defenders has delayed many cases and clogged court processes. The most urgent Oregon Public Defense Commission need was to provide funds for unrepresented cases (132 in custody). They cited 4,289 unrepresented cases of which 2,324 were pretrial, 268 parole or probation violations not in custody, and 1,365 on warrants. The Committee considered extending a Temporary Hourly Increase Program for six months through the end of June. This program was created to ensure that persons in custody have representation by public defenders in a timely fashion. In the meantime, it is anticipated that sufficient contract providers will be found so that people charged with crimes do not need to wait an inordinate period of time. Summer Learning By Katie Riley Different groups are working on a proposal for funding summer learning to be submitted by Rep. Susan McLain. The Governor’s office is working with the Department of Education. Another group with ODE representatives is working with a group of afterschool and summer providers called EASE. EASE has subgroups including data gathering and measurement, logistics, and professional development. These groups will provide input to the final bill. A key action to be required for the bill to succeed is for parents to come forward to testify about why care is needed for them to be able to work.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/9 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: Passed Bills Other Bills News Oregon Treasury Climate Lawsuits Sine die was early on Friday March 6. As expected, in this very short /difficult session with risks of walkouts very few CE/Energy bills passed, however many other League policy and budget priorities did pass. (see other LR’s) Looking to the future, please note for next session: Legislative Environmental Caucus : recent email: “… And while other priorities didn't make it through this busy short session, they'll likely be coming back in the 2027 long session. “ The League will be very active in 2027 on Climate Emergency: mitigation, adaptation and climate migration / Human Rights related advocacy. Passed HB 4025 governor signed (allows a public utility other than a power or gas company (read: a water utility) to raise residential rates in winter, when usage is lowest. Electric and gas utilities remain prohibited from raising residential rates from Nov. 1 through March 31. HB 4031 A : governor signed. Exempts a renewable energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the facility qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits a nd construction is scheduled to begin on or before December 31, 2028. 
 
 
 HB 4029 A governor signed (requires a solar energy contractor or installer to have an appropriate license for the scope of work performed; requires certain disclosures in purchase, lease, and power purchase agreements related to solar energy systems; and prohibits deceptive statements related to installation contracts. Any warranty provided by a contractor or installer must transfer automatically to a new residential property owner and remain valid for the full warranty term. Priority Bills Died in Committee: SB 1541 A - Make Polluters Pay - Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program. , LWVOR submitted testimony . Creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to assess financial impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and recover costs from responsible entities. Multiple state agencies are involved including, DLCD, DEQ, Oregon Health Authority, OHA, and. LCDC, the oversight body is Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). The League did join the Make Polluters Pay Campaign . NOTE; This climate legislation is a national effort covered today by the New York Times , reporting that a number of other states are in the process of passing and/or implementing similar legislation. SB 1526 A - FORGE: Fund for Oregon Resilience, Growth, and Energy - League testimony . Creates financing tools, including a revolving loan fund, to provide more affordable, accessible long-term financing for clean energy and resilience infrastructure projects in Oregon. NOTE; This is modeled on a number of other states’ legislation , some as "green" banking nonprofits. 
 Other Bills died in Committee: HB 4046A Nuclear Study Bill, directs the Oregon Department of Energy, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. 
 
 
 SB 1597 A died in House Rules. Makes a power provider disclose the costs to store the waste made from making any electric power. SB 1582 , Community-Based Power: Distributed Power Plants, News Oregon Climate Action Commission to Meet Virtually on March 13, 2026 — Energy Info Key climate, energy bills fail to advance in legislative session - Oregonlive.com Oregon Legislature approves one-year moratorium on key data center tax break - oregonlive.com (HB 4084 passed - see NR LR) How Oregon is building back smarter after wildfire • Oregon Capital Chronicle The building legal case for global climate justice | MIT Technology Review Oregon legislators require fuel terminals to prove they can pay for disaster cleanup - oregonlive.com Oregon pushes new homes to install heat pumps over ACs • Oregon Capital Chronicle ODOE January 2026 Newsletter — Energy Info (New Reports Highlight Importance of Oregon Lands and Workforce Needs for Climate Solutions) Oregon Climate Action Commission to Meet Virtually on March 13, 2026 The Oregon Climate Action Commission will meet on March 13, 2026. The public meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. online. ODOE Mar 3, 2026 February 2026 Newsletter In this month's newsletter, ODOE announces 24 Community Renewable Energy Grant awardees, … ODOE Awards $834,000 Top Oregon Climate Change Risks : Precipitation, Heat, Fire / ClimateCheck Corvallis researchers say climate change could trigger 'hothouse trajectory' | KLCC Technical Report | Projected climate change impacts on water demand and supply for the City of Corvallis | ID: 6108vk252 | ScholarsArchive@OSU Oregon Climate Change Research Institute // ScholarsArchive@OSU Oregon Treasury & Oregon Divest Now more opportunities for Oregon to invest in Clean Energy see latest performance results: Newsroom - Oregon State Treasury 3/5/26 : ‘Renewable energy stocks outperformed oil and gas’, Goldman Sachs tells Oregon’s $101bn public pension fund | Netzeroinvestor Zero Emissions - Part 1 (Divest Oregon ORG) New 2025 Treasury : Climate-Positive Investing : Invested for Oregon Report Tracking Net zero climate positive investment strategies. Oregon pension shows climate progress , private markets drive emissions | Private Equity Stakeholder Project.org Climate Lawsuits and Our Children’s Trust Columbia Law - Sabin Climate Center Blog –2026 updates There are a number of active federal lawsuits. Columbia University Law ( CUL) Climate Litigation Jan 30 Updates . Another source: CLU - Sabin Climate DB lists 97 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. Our Children’s Trust - In the News: March 5, 2026: California Youth Urge Ninth Circuit to Reinstate Constitutional Climate Case Against EPA March 4, 2026: Alaska Youth Urge State Supreme Court to Revive Constitutional Climate Case Challenging Alaska LNG Project Climate Rights Corps — Our Children's Trust VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture Transportation and ODOT state agency Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Environmental Justice GHG emissions: Mitigation and Clean Energy Policy Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Pr ocurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 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 Transportation Other Climate Priorities with League Testimony or public Endorsement and Still Alive Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Climate Bills Additional Environmental Justice Bills Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Oregon Treasury While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/outcomes. Federal May 2, 2025: EPA Budget Would See Deep Cuts Under Trump’s Spending Plan | Bloomberg Law May 6, 2025: Trump Is Picking New Climate Fights With States . Here’s Why. | The New York Times Science policy this week : May 5, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) May 7, 2025: Moment of truth nears on green credits, climate cuts | EE News May 5, 2025: Trump proposes slashing DOE budget by $19.3B | Utility Dive Oregon May 5, 2025 Oregon Legislature’s Environmental Caucus Session Update/ Newsletter | Oregon.gov May Update: 2025 Legislative Session | Sierra Club May Update: 2025 Legislative Session | COIN ICOIN Oregon - CEE Legislation You can track effects of federal cuts in Oregon through the Impact Project. See their interactive map . Many of the cuts listed affect climate and environmental concerns. This past week the League joined a number of organizations signing on to a Letter from Members of the ACT (Advanced Clean Trucks) Rulemaking Advisory Committee as a Stakeholder or advocate. The letter was addressed to: Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (Oeqc) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Staff ( Deq) Re: Support for strong and timely implementation of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule, and enhancing the draft rules. Transportation “The transportation bills are now postponed to the week of May 19th--tentatively. It will be a SMALL Package with maybe little or nothing related to the areas we support. And there's a possibility they may create a new Joint Trans Committee. It seems as if the current one may go away as of May 23rd....but this is unclear…”. Via NR Leg Report, P. Lynch Other Climate Priorities with League Testimony or public Endorsement and Still Alive By Claudia Keith Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summary (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS .fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fiscal >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 
 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon received a C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is unclear if 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. Climate Treasury Investment Bills By Claudia Keith SB 681 : May be still active: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, in Sen F&R, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. 
 HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. (still in H EMGGV, still awaiting transfer to desk) 
 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force , Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans . 
 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. Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 Other Climate Bills HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, 4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . House Cm Educ, WS 5/19 , League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $974K fiscal , moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 
 SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 first reading. referred to H CEE 3/10, PH 4/22, work session 5/13. 
 HB 3546A , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , PH 4/30, 5/5, P WS 5/14,. 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. 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. 
 Additional Enviornmental Justice Bills 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. Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes House CE&E had posted work sessions on the following OCN/OLCV Hot List bills: 5/15: SB 685 A – Requires a natural gas utility to notify all customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen that the utility blends with natural gas. 5/20: 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. Senate E&E had posted possible work sessions on: 5/14: HB 3336 , Grid Enhancing Technologies (public hearing scheduled 5/12). 5/14: HB 3546 A , the POWER Act, directing the PUC to create a service classification for large energy use facilities -- a Priority bill on the Hot List. The following Hot List bills were still alive in other committees: HB 2945 – ZEV school buses (in Joint Transp) HB 2961 – Expands EV charging requirements for new MF buildings (in Rules) HB 3081 – One-Stop Shop (in Joint W&M) HB 3170 – Resilience hubs and networks (in Joint W&M) SB 88 – Get the Junk Out of utility rates (in Rules--public hearing held 5/5) SB 688 – Performance-based regulation of electric utilities (in Joint W&M) In floor action: By a unanimous vote, the House repassed HB 2567 as amended by the Senate. The bill modifies the Heat Pump Deployment Program by revising eligibility criteria, funding distribution, and rebate structures. It changes “EJ” community to “disadvantaged” community; removes the 15% cap on administrative and marketing expenses and allows ODOE to set the cap by rule; allows ODOE to provide an additional incentive amount of up to $1,000 for contractors who install rental heat pumps in rural or frontier communities (incentives limited to no more than 5% of available funds); and extends the sunset date to 2032. It provides no additional funding for the rebate program 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 2nd Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 86 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. There are no recent press releases from Our Children’s Trust. Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates 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 2025 Climate Risk Review: No Place to Hide - May 2025 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 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 National Science Policy Oregon Legislative Environmental Caucus Update Other Caucus Priority Bills Advanced Clean Trucks Testimony Environmental Justice Bills Other Climate Priorities with League Testimony or public Endorsement and Still Alive Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Climate Bills Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the national level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy related Trump admin policy and budget executive orders and congressional caucus requests if implemented would drastically affect : global efforts , UN COP efforts and all fifty states including Oregon’s (climate related legislation, state agencies and community climate action plans / state statutes / outcomes. Federal May 2, 2025 : What Trump's budget cuts could mean for the environment and climate change | AP News May 2, 2025: Trump budget proposes slashes to renewable energy, farms, EPA | Reuters May 2, 2025: 38 Republicans call for ‘full repeal’ of Democrats ’ energy tax credits | TheHill Apr 29, 2025: US dismisses all authors of N ational Climate Assessment , | Reuters May 2, 2025: Trump, GOP confront state climate plans on two fronts | Axios May 1, 2025 Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan, Vermont and New York over state climate actions - OPB Trump administration, NOAA minimized climate findings of record CO2 growth - CNN At Bonneville, DOGE cuts are having a ‘compounding effect’ on staffing the grid - Latitude Media National Science Policy A number of federal government science policy and budget decisions are and will continue to affect Oregon’s Climate / Carbon Policy Programs. See this resource for UpToDate changes: National Science policy this week : April 28, 2025 - American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG (FYI / Newsletter is an authoritative source for science policy news and analysis trusted by policymakers and scientists nationwide.) Oregon Apr 29 2025: “Oregon Climate Action Commission (was OGWC) , press release: Environmental Quality Commission approves delay to Clean Fuels Program CPP deadlines . Related Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Climate Protection Program extensions, The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ODEQ has confirmed that the 2024 annual report deadline for the state's Clean Fuels Program will be delayed until May 30 due to a cyberattack which resulted in an extended outage of the Oregon Fuels Reporting System.” May 1, 2025; Climate advocates push for passage of Energy Affordability and Resilience legislative package – OPB “A coalition of more than 50 climate, environmental and energy affordability groups (including LWVOR) is asking Oregon legislators to pass a handful of bills that aim to lower energy costs and continue funding state programs that provide affordable access to energy efficient heating and cooling systems. “The Energy Affordability and Resilience legislative package is a compilation of seven bills that seeks to increase accountability, affordability and transparency from utilities. The bills seek to create more transparency about how rate payer’s funds are spent, revamp when rate increases take effect and prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funding for certain activities like marketing or political activity. They’ve met with a mix of pushback and support from utility companies. “The package also focuses on keeping afloat energy efficiency state programs that have run out of state funding due to their popularity. ‘The goal is twofold — lower energy bills in the short term while increasing energy efficiency in homes in the long term,’ nonprofit advocacy group Climate Solutions’ Oregon Buildings Policy Manager Claire Prihoda said. “ ‘It’s an opportunity for the state to take seriously the concerns that Oregonians are raising about cost of living, the cost of energy and the real need, as we’re facing climate disasters, climate change impacts in our communities, to help folks in their homes and in their communities be resilient to climate harms,’ she said. “Over the past five years, most Oregonians have seen their energy bills climb by more than 50%. According to Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, a utility watchdog group, in 2024 nearly 70,000 households were disconnected by for-profit utilities for nonpayment. This year, NW Natural is asking for a 7% increase . Since 2021, its customers’ rate has increased 40%. “‘Folks are struggling under the weight of these rising costs, especially when they’re added to other rising costs across our economy,’ Prihoda said.’They’re also struggling to adjust to harsh extremes in weather and disasters that are being driven by climate change.’ “The bills in the Energy Affordability and Resilience legislative package are: House Bill 3179, the FAIR Energy Act, which moves when rates are increased until after winter, require more disclosure about how ratepayer money is spent, and would require state regulators and utilities to consider how customers are affected when raising rates. Senate Bill 688, Performances Based Ratemaking, updates how rates are set, and tells state regulators to create incentives for utilities to focus on energy efficiency and reliability. House Bill 3546, the POWER Act , would create a new customer category for large industrial users like data centers, so they can be charged for the amount of power they use. Senate Bill 88, Get the Junk Out of Rates , would require utilities to justify their spending, and prohibit them from using ratepayer money for marketing, political and other purposes. Instead, those expenses would have to be paid from the share of rates that companies can otherwise use for profits. House Bill 3081, One Stop Shop 2.0, would expand efforts to create a streamlined page or direct assistance program to help Oregonians know what energy efficiency incentives they qualify for. House Bill 3792, Oregon Energy Assistance Program, would double the amount ratepayers are charged to help low-income customers avoid losing power for nonpayment, a cost of an additional 60 cents per month. House Bill 3170, Community Resilience Hub, would allocate $10 million to the Oregon Department of Human Services to provide grants to create safe spaces for residents during an extreme weather event. The coalition backing this legislation is also asking for additional funding for two state programs*.” | OPB. (* Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in two program Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m, and Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m) Legislative Environmental Caucus Update (It is unclear to the League if any of the OCN suggested Climate friendly Transportation topics will be included. Legislature leadership may be considering a minimized stripped-down version as a negotiated compromise with the minority party. ) Environmental Caucus Transportation Package Proposal This year, the Oregon Legislature will be considering a transportation package that will provide ongoing funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation. (ODOT). Emissions from transportation make up over one-third of Oregon's total emissions . This session provides an opportunity for the Legislature to increase access to multi-modal transportation and expand options for all Oregonians to get around without a car. The Environmental Caucus is championing a package that prioritizes transit, safety, and climate accountability. Transit services are facing potential service cuts without increased funding. Nearly one third of Oregonians don’t drive , and a majority of Oregonians said they would take transit if it were added or improved in the area where they live. Increased transit improves our transportation system for everyone. It allows for more independence for older Oregonians, reduces road congestion for all users, and improves public health outcomes. The Environmental Caucus is requesting an increase in funding for public transit that will maintain current services levels and increase access to transit statewide. Funding for safety programs like Safe Routes to School, Great Streets, the jurisdictional transfer program, and Community Paths regularly face demand up to 2-5 times more than the funds that are available. These programs improve safety on Oregon's roads for all types of users, but especially for pedestrians, bikes, micro-mobility, and public transit users. The Environmental Caucus is requesting at least $400 million dedicated to these existing safety programs. Climate accountability for ODOT projects must be a consideration for any new projects ODOT undertakes. Similar to what states like Colorado and Minnesota have done, the Environmental Caucus is supporting a policy that requires ODOT to model expected changes to greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled for each new project. Any project that increases either of those must mitigate them with alternative transportation or other buildouts. This policy benefits Oregonians by curbing spending on needless expansions and providing the public with information on project impacts. Other Caucus Priority Bills SB 726 requires landfill operators to use advanced monitoring of methane and report their results to DEQ. (refer to NR LR) Advanced Clean Trucks Testimony The Department of Environmental Quality is holding another public hearing on the state's adoption of Advanced Clean Trucks rules. Written comment will be accepted through Wednesday, May 7. For some background on the proposed policy, check out this OPB article from earlier this month. Additional Environmental Justice Bills 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 referred to House Rules. It is unclear why this bill is inactive. Other Climate Priorities with League Testimony or public Endorsement and Still Alive By Claudia Keith Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summary (SMS). $1M+ fiscal HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS .fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fiscal >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is unclear if 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. Climate Treasury Investment Bills SB 681 : May be still active: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, in Sen F&R, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. (still in H EMGGV, still awaiting transfer to desk) HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force , Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans . 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. Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . Other Climate Bills HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, 4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $974K fiscal , moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 first reading. referred to H CEE 3/10, PH 4/22 , work session 5/1. HB 3546A , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , House vote was 4/21. 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 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, House vote 51 - 9. 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. Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes Senate E&E moves wind facility siting bill. The committee voted unanimously to move HB 3874-1 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. It would increase the threshold for siting and approval of a wind energy facility at the county level from 50 MW to 100 MW of average electric generating capacity, before the facility must obtain a site certificate from EFSC. Either the county or the developer could elect to defer regulatory authority to EFSC. The committee amendment would state that a county seeking to issue a permit for a facility of the specified size must require the applicant to provide a decommissioning plan to restore the site to a useful, nonhazardous condition. The plan would have to include bonding or other security as financial assurance. By a vote of 26-2 (Linthicum, Robinson), the Senate passed HB 2567 B , modifying the Heat Pump Deployment Program's eligibility criteria, funding distribution, and rebate structures. It would change “EJ” community to “disadvantaged” community; remove the 15% cap on administrative and marketing expenses and allow ODOE to set the cap by rule; provide for an additional incentive of up to $1,000 for contractors who install rental heat pumps in rural or frontier communities, limited to 5% of available funds; and extend the sunset date to 2032. It would provide no additional funds for the rebate program. The Senate amendment to the House engrossed bill (passed unanimously in March) states that if additional funds become available, ODOE may award additional grant moneys to an eligible entity using an existing performance agreement. PUC would have to require investor-owned utilities to enter into a 10-year contract with those users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the term of the contract, which could include a charge for excess demand. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them, including for transmission, distribution, and capacity. IOUs would have to mitigate the risks to other customer classes of paying for the utility’s increased load requirements. The bill would apply only to large users that apply for service on or after the effective date of the act, or to existing users that make significant investments or incur costs after the effective date that could result in increased costs or risks to the IOU's other retail electricity consumers. April 22 Senate By a vote of 20-9, the Senate passed SB 685 A , a bill of support on the OCN hot list. It would require a natural gas utility to provide notice to affected customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen that is blended with natural gas so that the ratio of H2 to natural gas exceeds 2.5%. At least 60 days before beginning to blend H2, the utility would have to notify each affected customer and file notice with PUC explaining the reason for the increased amount of H2. The utility would have to maintain information about the blending program on its website and enable customers to communicate with the utility about it. The Senate engrossed bill is scaled back from the introduced bill, which would have prohibited a utility from developing or carrying out a project involving H2 production or use without first obtaining PUC approval. 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 Updates (April 10, 2025) Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. There are no recent press releases from Our Children’s Trust . Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates 2025 Climate Risk Review: No Place to Hide - May 2025 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 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/20 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Cybersecurity and Public Records By Rebecca Gladstone Numerous promising bills mentioned in hearings will probably pop up for first public hearings shortly. Watch the legislative calendar for bill processing deadlines . Reporting will continue for bills with our filed testimony. I’ll add other bills and also testify to amendments as they warrant further attention. Some 28 bills referred here for relevant League testimony will probably fail to move this session. HB 2049 : The League supports this cybersecurity omnibus committee bill, returning from last session. Governments seeking help, the private sector offering it, and academia, K-20 to work, are together here. This bill can modernize our IT, boost our current and long-term workforce, and improve public awareness. A fourth informational hearing was held for invited speakers, adding time for public testimony. This bill’s concept passed unanimously out of committee last session and no testimony in opposition has been filed yet this session. See our testimony and the collaborative support letter LWVOR endorsed . SB 417 : Senate Judiciary Chair, Sen. Lieber, agreed to our request for a Task Force to work on this public records fee bill. It has been held for input and we will meet on Feb. 27 to work on it. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley The bill that gives adults in custody the right to vote appears to be on the move. A work session on SB 579 has been scheduled for March 2 in Senate Judiciary. We will keep you updated on its progress. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Budgets 2025 Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Hanford Land Use and Housing Natural Resource Agencies Northwest Energy Coalition Reduce/Recycle Transportation Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed Agriculture A League member met with the new Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Director Hanson and others to discuss work on their strategic plan and 2025 budget development as well as providing an update on the Eastern Oregon groundwater issue (Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area—LUBGMA) where the League expressed frustration at the lack of very real action to address the needs of Oregonians who are still dealing with contaminated drinking water. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch A Revenue Forecast was presented to the House and Senate Revenue Committees on May 29. The bottom line: Revenue was up BUT........we now temporarily have a $582 million personal kicker forecasted for 2026 because the new forecasted revenue is 2.5% over the May 2023 forecast. However, there are a number of forecasts before this becomes reality. The forecasters are saying interest rates won't drop until December so we are still in a "will we have a soft landing or a recession?" situation. While leadership will want to provide as many services as possible, the minority will be focusing on the potential negative and want to reduce spending. For the natural resource agencies, many need fee increases in order to try to maintain current services...and those may be difficult to get approved in 2025. Budgets 2025 By Peggy Lynch The Governor had asked agencies to present her with agency budget proposals by April 30. Since revenue may only cover the Current Service Levels (amount of money needed to fund current programs while also addressing expected increases in costs–CSL) of state agencies plus 1-2%, agencies are now discussing with the Governor’s office on why a particular program should exceed that amount. We should see Agency Request Budgets (ARBs) in July or August. The Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB) is due to the legislature by Dec. 1st. The State Debt Policy Advisory Commission will provide bonding guidance in January of 2025. Among the challenges, the Private Forest Accord cost is $36 million General Funds and was not in the CSL. 49% of the Oregon Dept. of Energy’s 2023-24 budget was one-time money. The League is engaged in potential fee increases at the Water Resources Dept., the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and others. Expect a separate budget package for housing that will include monies in a number of different budgets to implement the Governor’s requests. Here is a good video on property taxes in Oregon. Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible that there will be conversations on property tax reform in 2025. The Oregonian provides some insight into that future conversation. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report . There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch The issue of offshore wind energy is dominating conversations at the coast. Here is an Oregonian article and an OPB article to help explain the issue. The League supports the concept of renewable energy but also supports our coastal estuaries. We hope that ongoing discussions will help guide decisions on whether or not offshore wind energy is right for Oregon’s south coast. Here is the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development’s Coastal Division offshore wind website . A new group, the Oregon Ocean Alliance, has been formed to advocate for ocean funding in multiple agencies in 2025. See the website for Oregon’s marine reserves. The League signed a letter in support of HB 4132 which passed and provides money for these special places. June 8 was World Oceans Day . Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch An article covering the Secretary of State audit notes that, in order for the agency to accomplish its mission for Oregonians, DEQ needs staff. The League’s budget letters every session reflect that need. However, the revenue forecast may hamper important investments. DEQ’s biennial report summarizing surface water pollution across the state will include a recognition of the impact of trash on water quality per this OPB article . Over 5,700 septic systems near the La Pine area need an upgrade—causing increases in nitrates in their well water and seeping into the Deschutes River basin system per this article in the Bend Bulletin. The DEQ Director reported to the Environmental Quality Commission: 1) The Clean Fuels program renewable diesel usage is 2 years ahead of expectations and the City of Portland calculates its population will see $90 million LESS in health care costs in part due to TriMet’s use of renewable diesel 2) They have received monies for a Community Air Action Program from the Environmental Protection Agency for 4 communities and have received interest from over 100 interested parties 3) the Materials Management Division has released grants for $1 million each of the next 2 years 4) Expect rules on Toxics at their Sept. meeting 5) The 2024 Integrated Report is available 6) There will be increased beach water monitoring this year Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The agency will begin rulemaking to consider increasing fees for removal/fill projects. The League will participate. We are also engaged in support of an increased budget for the wetlands division. Additionally, the Governor’s office is going to ask for staffing and program dollars to help with the siting of new housing projects. We hope to see that request before the June 11th State Land Board meeting. DSL is responsible for managing state lands. School lands have supported public education in Oregon since statehood, when Congress provided sections 16 and 36 of every township “for use of schools.” Today, the Oregon Department of State Lands manages Oregon's 681,000 acres of school lands to generate revenue for the Common School Fund See Elliott State Research Forest below for the agency’s role in that issue. Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) By Sandra Bishop The League’s member was reappointed to this committee . Their next meeting is July 17. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The interim Advisory Group met on May 30th and received an update on the proposed 2025-27 budget and federal conversations. Fire costs are up 13%. With the monies allocated in 2024, hiring for a minimal management staff and the signing of contracts are occurring at DSL. There are continuing conversations with five of Oregon’s tribes and may include official consultations at their request. The State Land Board will meet on June 11 to appoint the new ESRF Board and address the transition related to the new Board’s obligations. The Forest Management Plan should be ready for public comment soon with Land Board consideration at their October meeting. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . Forestry ODF’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program received $26.6 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through the United States Forest Service (USFS). Out of this, $10 million will be awarded to the nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, and $12.5 million will be available for all eligible entities in Oregon. This opportunity promotes equal access to the benefits of trees and aims to get more people involved in tree planting and comprehensive urban forest management. ODF's UCF Program officially issued the call for proposals for all eligible entities on May 31. The application portal and resources related to this funding opportunity can be found on the UCF subaward program webpage. See also the Wildfire section of this report below. Hanford The State of Washington and federal agencies agree on the future of Tank Waste Cleanup at the Hanford Site. The Hanford Board met on May 21st. LWVOR no longer has a member on the Board and there is a vacancy for “member of the public.” The application is here . Please contact Peggy Lynch at peggylynchor@gmail.com if you would like to follow Oregon’s Hanford Cleanup Board. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch The Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development’s May 30th agenda focused on housing preservation while the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness agenda included a presentation by Matthew Tschabold, the Governor’s Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director. Here is the Governor’s Homeless Response Framework and here is the DRAFT Housing Production Framework. The League has been engaged with Mr. Tschabold and will continue during the interim. The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development will continue to have a major role in helping local jurisdictions to meet the Governor’s housing goals and their 2025 budget will reflect that role. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage . And watch their meetings on the department’s YouTube channel. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Natural Resource Agencies The Emergency Board approved funding and submission of many federal grants at its May 31st meeting, many of them related to natural resource agencies. The Senate approved a number of executive appointments , including a new Water Resources Dept. Director (Ivan Gall, who most recently served as the interim deputy director of water management) and Sara O’Brien, who most recently served as Executive Director of Willamette Partnership, to lead the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). Debbie Colbert was chosen by the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Commission to be the new Director of ODFW. During the 2024 legislative session, a massive grants program was approved using monies from a settlement with Monsanto to fund significant natural resource restoration in Oregon for at least the next 50 years. Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) By Robin Tokmakian The NWEC had its spring conference in Idaho. Here is a summary of the meeting. Reduce/Recycle Look for a battery recycling bill in 2025—where battery manufacturers will need to pay for a recycling program in Oregon. DEQ is conducting rulemaking to clarify and implement HB 3220 (2023) , which updates and makes necessary changes to the statewide electronics recycling program, Oregon E-Cycles. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, please visit the Oregon E-Cycles rulemaking web page . Recycling Modernization Act of 2021 ( SB 582 ), which the League supported , has a rulemaking advisory committee with July 27 meetings posted on the Recycling 2024 website. See the website to submit comments on the proposed rules by July 5. Transportation Thanks to Rep. Gomberg, here is a 5-minute video on ODOT’s funding challenge. And here’s an online interactive map that shows projects and their details throughout the state. In early February, the Joint Committee on Transportation (JCT) released a 2024-25 Beginning Conversation Draft Action Plan for the development of the expected 2025 State Transportation Funding Package. Open Houses still happening: Wednesday, June 12: Burns or Ontario (Malheur County Commission Chambers) Thursday, June 13: Baker City or Pendleton (Baker City Armory, Blue Mountain C.C.) Friday, June 28: Eugene (University of Oregon) Tuesday, July 16: Medford or Grants Pass (Medford City Hall, Medford Public Library) Thursday, July 25: Bend or Redmond (Bend Senior Center, OSU Cascades, Fair & Expo Center) Thursday, August 15: Beaverton or Hillsboro (Washington County Commission) Other possible cities to visit as alternative / additions include: The Dalles / Hood River, Roseburg Look for a 2025 conversation on how to fund multiple Oregon transportation needs. This effort was last addressed in 2017. Water By Peggy Lynch Four leading water law experts on Oregon water law presented a letter to the Governor, “An appeal for gubernatorial leadership to modernize Oregon’s water laws,” and shared it with the Senate Interim Natural Resources and the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committees. This Oregon Capital Chronicle article explains the conversations. We now expect a “water package” in the 2025 session. As a part of this work, the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) has been put on pause while new agency leadership is installed. (For more information about the IWRS, visit the IWRS page .) With the appointment of Ivan Gall, it’s time for work to be completed on the IWRS, the OWRD Strategic Plan and other items that have been on hold at the agency. The League provided testimony in support of the Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) draft proposed groundwater rules . Our Deschutes League has been engaged in water issues in their region and also supports these proposed rules. According to a recent article in the Bend Bulletin , hydrologists and community leaders in Central Oregon are sounding the alarm over the decline and loss of groundwater, with the discharge at the headwaters of the Metolius River down 55 percent over the past six years, while water pumped from underground aquifers "is far outpacing what nature can replace through precipitation." Last year, OWRD said more than 130 people in Central Oregon were seeking financial assistance to repair wells, mainly due to the dropping aquifer, including 114 homeowners in Deschutes County. The cost to repair a well varies depending on several factors but can range from $9,000 to $55,000, said Alyssa Rash, a spokesperson for the department. That is an expense many can’t afford. The League was pleased that a $1 million General Fund was added to the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund in 2024. The League was engaged in helping create this fund in 2021. The Environmental Protection Agency is revising standards related to tribal water rights. The Umatilla/Morrow County Groundwater (LUBGWMA) issue is still not resolved. The League has brought up this issue with WRD, DEQ and ODA quarterly meetings. The League continues to work to save Oregon’s wetlands and here’s why . We expect to engage with the Governor’s Office regarding housing needs while protecting wetlands. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. Jefferson County has asked for a drought emergency declaration, but that request has not yet been approved. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms and practice “when in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. DEQ received funding for a six-month seasonal monitoring specialist position in the 23-25 Legislatively Adopted Budget which allowed the lab to expand the 2023 pilot scale recreational HAB network from 10 water bodies to 40 lakes and reservoirs this year. The lab will sample these 40 water bodies four times each from May 2024 through October 2024 in six regional circuits across the state. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The League monitored several informational meetings during the recent Interim Legislative Session. The House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans met on May 29, and heard an update on the upcoming wildfire season from the Department of Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple. While the early part of the season shows lower than normal risk for a large part of the State, she strongly emphasized that all indications point to above average risk during the latter part of the season. This, in the face of challenges such as reduced capacity across the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, reduced rural capacity among volunteer fire service, and continued record drought conditions in vulnerable parts of the state. She also outlined her department’s effort in the area of wildfire mitigation, including providing defensible space assessments to homeowners and community wildfire risk reduction grants. On May 30, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held an informational meeting, devoted primarily to wildfire. All the meeting materials may be found here . First was an update from the Department of Business and Consumer Services on the state of the Homeowners’ Insurance market in Oregon, specific to cancellations and non-renewals, which have decreased slightly. The market appears to have stabilized, at least temporarily, perhaps due to the relatively less costly wildfire events of 2021 and 2022 as compared with 2020. Next was a discussion of the Wildfire Funding Workgroup, which was established by HB 5701, budget note 5. Kyle Williams of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Chief Ruiz-Temple of OFSM were the main presenters. There was a sense of urgency expressed throughout the presentations, with the general message being how “desperate” the involved parties are for a fix to the funding system. After several attempts to address the wildfire programs funding crisis failed during the 2024 short session, the mood can best be described as grave concerned “alarm” that there is less overall funding currently than in recent years to fight or prevent this season’s fires, with no solution in sight. It was emphasized repeatedly that this was not a time to “re-litigate policy,” but to figure out funding. Doug Grafe also spoke and pointed out that the most effective tool in the wildfire mitigation toolbox, community resilience, received the biggest decrease in funding for this year, close to a 90% drop. Chief Ruiz-Temple expressed concern about competition for scarce resources among regional agencies in the face of unusually high risk developing in western Washington State, and how that could impact out-of-state assistance as well as risk in NW Oregon. Senator Golden closed that portion of the meeting by urging the work group to focus on getting to what can actually be done, and not let the discussion be dominated for too long by “ideas”. The work group’s first meeting was June 3. Finally, the committee received an update from the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC). Doug Grafe, the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Director, and Dave Hunnicutt, Chair, and Mary Kyle McCurdy, Vice-Chair, gave an overview of their work in the coming months. First, Doug mentioned the schedule for the community information sessions that ODF and other agencies will be holding to help communities get answers to their questions about the new wildfire hazard map and other wildfire related issues. They will be touring in the areas of highest wildfire hazard. This was followed by brief descriptions of the work the WPAC will be doing this summer, mainly focusing on prescribed fire, community risk reduction, and the wildfire funding workgroup. There have been other items of interest recently. On May 15, Governor Kotek and members of various agencies held a press conference to discuss the 2024 wildfire season. This press release describes what was covered. Lastly, sadly the “good news” that SB 1520 passed during the short session, to ensure that recipients of settlements or judgment from wildfire losses-related lawsuits would avoid being excessively taxed in Oregon on those proceeds, is now tempered by the bad news that a similar federal tax law is “stuck”. This Oregon Live Article describes the difficulty this legislation faces in Congress. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Climate Priorities Senate Committee on Energy and Environment News Oregon Treasury Climate Lawsuits/Our Children's Trust Many Climate Emergency priority policy and or funding bills the league supports are expected to move to JWM or the floor. The deadline for posting work sessions for most first chamber policy committees was Monday Feb 16, find details below. (note: bills in any joint, rules or revenue committees have no deadlines) Climate Priority Bills The League may have testimony and/or join coalition letters. SB 1541 A Make Polluters Pay (MPP), new SMS , Senate Energy and Environment , PH 2/5 and work session 2/10 , - 2 amendment , moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) . LWVOR submitted testimony . Creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to assess financial impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and recover costs from responsible entities. Multiple state agencies are involved including, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Health Authority, and Land Conservation and Developmet Commission. The oversight body is Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). The League has joined the Make Polluters Pay Campaign . This climate legislation is a national effort covered today by the New York Times , reporting that a number of other states are in the process of passing and/or implementing. SB 1526 A, new SMS , Fund for Oregon Resilience, Growth, and Energy, work session was 2/9, Senate Energy and Environment (SEE) moved the bill to JWM, League testimony . Creates financing tools, including a revolving loan fund, to provide more affordable, accessible long-term financing for clean energy and resilience infrastructure projects in Oregon. This is modeled on a number of other states’ legislation , some as "green" banking nonprofits. SB 1582 , Community-Based Power: Distributed Power Plants, SEE possible work session 2/16. Distributed power plants (DPPs) bring together customer resources like rooftop solar, battery systems, and smart thermostats to help maximize grid efficiency by using energy sources already connected to the grid to balance grid loads. This bill requires each investor-owned utility to develop a DPP program and file it with the PUC, which would adopt annual procurement targets for DPP grid services, along with annual performance incentives for the utilities to achieve those targets. HB 4046-2 , Nuclear Study Bill, House Climate, Energy, and Environment (HCEE), work session 2/12, moved to JWM unanimously as amended. New SMS , directs the Oregon Department of Energy, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. The -2 amendment, a substantial rewrite of the original bill negotiated with opponents, seemed to satisfy committee members that the study could be unbiased as to nuclear energy issues. HB 4031 A : new SMS , first reading in Senate 2/16, House passed on 2/12. Exempts a renewable energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the facility qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits and construction is scheduled to begin on or before December 31, 2028. HB 1597 SEE PH 2/4 , possible WKS 2/16. A number of amendments will be considered. Makes a power provider disclose the costs to store the waste made from making any electric power. SMS Senate Energy and Environment 2/11 The meeting started 15 minutes late with Sen. Sollman announcing that the scheduled work sessions for SB 1582 (Virtual Power Plant programs), SB 1588 (Upgrade and Save) and SB 1597 (nuclear waste storage costs) were carried over to Mon. 2/16, the final day for 1st chamber passage. Instead, attendees were treated to an informational meeting on the nuclear energy study bill HB 4046. Other bills we are following: Work sessions: • HB 4029 - Requires a solar energy contractor or person that installs a solar energy system to have a license appropriate for the scope of work the solar energy contractor or person will perform. (Carried over from 2/5) • HB 4144 - Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries. • HB 4080 - Allows a retail electricity consumer to install and use portable solar photovoltaic energy devices with up to a total maximum generating capacity of 1,200 watts. • HJM 201 - Urges Congress to pass legislation to permanently extend federal tax cuts for wildfire victims. Public hearings: • HB 4077 - Authorizes a public utility, upon approval by PUC, to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the public utility associated with a self-insurance or captive insurance program. (Carried over from 2/5) • HB 4046 - Directs ODOE, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. News Other states follow Oregon’s lead in targeting data centers ’ energy costs | OregonLive Oregon Treasury & Oregon Divest New 2025 Treasury : Climate-Positive Investing : Invested for Oregon Report Tracking Net zero climate positive investment strategies . Oregon pension shows climate progress , private markets drive emissions | Private Equity Stakeholder Project.org Oregon State Treasury should engage or divest from companies fueling a new era of resource conflicts. (Divest Oregon . ORG) Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust There are a number of active federal lawsuits. Columbia University Law ( CUL) Climate Litigation Jan 30 Updates . Another source: CLU - Sabin Climate DB lists 97 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. 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. · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture · Transportation and ODOT state agency · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s TrustDA · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Pr ocurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 3/27 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Air Quality Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Land Use/Housing Recycling Toxics Water Wildfire Natural Resources By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team April 4 looms large. Many bills have significant amendments, including totally changing their original filing—often called being “gutted and stuffed”. Bills will either move forward or “die” on April 4. A few will move to Revenue, Rules or a Joint Committee to try to keep them alive. Many legislators will take a short breath as surviving bills move to the next chamber or head to Ways and Means for budgeting consideration after the May 17 Revenue Forecast. Air Quality By Peggy Lynch HB 3229-1 had a Work Session March 29 where the bill was moved to Ways and Means without recommendation as to passage. Under the Clean Air Act, funding for Title V (large pollution emitters) must be by fees paid by permittees for this program. Per DEQ’s own testimony , without this funding, a critical part of their Air Quality program is in jeopardy. Because DEQ was delegated this permitting authority, the EPA could decertify the program and take it over, which would cost Oregon businesses a great deal more. The DEQ Budget ( HB 5018 ) was heard and support for POP 110 of their budget would be helpful. As part of ongoing efforts to improve air quality and public health, on March 28, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced $13.3 million in funding for 14 projects helping to establish a network of new and leading-edge zero-emission charging stations. Funds from the Oregon Zero-Emission Fueling Grant program will bring more charging infrastructure to the growing medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle sector, which includes trucks, buses, delivery vans, and more. The Oregon Legislature established the pilot program in 2022 through HB 5202 and HB 4139 . It is one of the first large-scale ventures into medium- and heavy-duty charging in the state. Here is the full news release . Budgets/Revenue The Ways and Means Co-Chairs Budget Framework was provided to guide Subcommittees as they consider all agency budgets. The Framework provides the amount of money each Subcommittee should expect to spend for their assigned budgets and any policy bills that might be assigned to them. “This is a very uncertain time for Oregon’s economy. Oregonians deserve to know their tax dollars are funding the state’s highest priorities,” said Senator Elizabeth Steiner (D-Portland), Co-Chair of Joint Ways and Means. “Our framework budget focuses on maintaining critical services for Oregonians while also protecting our reserves in case of economic downturn. The last few years have been good for Oregon, but rain clouds could still be on the horizon.” The May 17 Revenue Forecast will provide the final guide. A series of public meetings will provide Oregonians with an opportunity to share their priorities for the state budget and HB 5006 , Emergency Board funding and other funding for 2023-25. A virtual public meeting session has been added for Friday, May 5, 5-7 p.m. All oral and written testimony will become part of the legislative record and be made publicly available on the Oregon State Legislature website. Plan on no more than 2 minutes each! JW&Ms Capital Construction met on March 24 to hear a report from the Treasurer’s Office on the state’s bonding capacity : General Fund debt capacity results in $1.94 billion issuance for each biennium, or $969 million annually ($320 million greater than 2021-23). Lottery bonds: The State’s Lottery Revenue debt issuance capacity is $506.4 million in each biennium or $253.2 million annually over the forecast period ($9 million decline from 2021-23). Governor Kotek’s office provided their 2023-25 bond proposal list . The Subcommittee began public hearings on bond requests starting March 31. Here is the agenda that asks for testimony on HB 5005 . Besides the items listed, expect other “asks'' to be heard during these meetings. Look for additional meetings with different topics for each meeting. Dept. of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) ( HB 5018 ) budget was heard March 27- 29 with public testimony on March 30. Here’s the DEQ one-pager . Note that POP 110 relates to an increase in fees for the Air Quality Title V program. HB 3229 , the policy bill for these fees, has been sent to W&Ms without recommendation. The Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) budget ( HB 5043 ) will be heard April 4-6, with public testimony on the 6th. Here is their one-pager . The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) budget ( SB 5539 & SB 5540 ) is tentatively scheduled the week of April 10. Legislators will need to assure that General Fund monies allocated in 2021-2022 drought and wildfire packages and awarded will be available for reimbursement if the projects go into 2023-25. That funding continuation was not included in the Governor’s budget for OWEB. The League is following HB 3349 , scheduled for a public hearing March 30. Although amendments are expected that would replace the bill, as of this writing they are not posted on OLIS. Neither the original bill that would have created another Council and Committee related to Regional Solutions, nor the expected amendment that would instead provide $300,000 each to eight different entities to create “navigators” to help access federal funding is a concept we can support. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch HB 3382 , to provide certain Ports with an exception from our land use planning program to allow dredging and other activities around these Ports without the current public process and federal consistency requirement,s had a public hearing in J Transportation on March 14. State agencies that administer permits that could be affected by the legislation provided information on their processes and the implications of the proposed legislation on certain state permits. The League provided testimony in opposition. This bill is a serious threat to our coastal planning and could reduce or remove the opportunity for coastal NOAA grants in the future. LWVOR is working with partners to explain the harm this bill would cause. Underlying this bill is a potential development proposal at the Port of Coos Bay where an “intermodal” container ship facility would be built with transport of those containers to and from the Port by rail. The first 140 miles of that railroad would need $1.8 billion in investment. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) is considering the adoption of amendments to Part Three of the Oregon Territorial Sea Plan (TSP), the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy. A draft of the proposed rules is available on DLCD’s website. LCDC is scheduled to consider adoption of the new amendments during their April 20-21 meeting. Please contact Casaria Taylor, Casaria.taylor@dlcd.oregon.gov , for further information. Address written comments to the Chair LCDC, care of Casaria Taylor via email. If you have questions, contact Andy Lanier at 503-206-2291, or email: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov . The agenda for LCDC’s April 20 meeting will be available on DLCD’s website . LWVOR has supported this work and may provide testimony before LCDC in April. The Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) has scheduled its next meeting for April 5 in-person only but open to the public at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Library Seminar Room – Guin Library, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport. The meeting will focus exclusively on Strategic Planning. See Oregon Ocean Science Trust/Oregon Department of State Lands and Oregon Ocean Science Trust . Two years ago, the Oregon Legislature made a $1.9 million investment to fund research to help understand our changing ocean. You can hear research progress and findings funded by House Bill 3114 at a free event in Newport on Friday, April 14. The first Oregon Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH) Symposium runs 8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at the Hatfield Marine Science Center auditorium, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr. Space is limited and registration is required . ODFW's Jenny Koester says scientists and researchers will report on shellfish and estuary habitat surveys and mapping, and OAH monitoring in Oregon's Marine Reserves and in Yaquina Bay. Attendees also will learn about best management practices and outreach and education funded by the bill. Oregon is an epicenter for OAH and was one of the first places in the world to observe direct impacts of ocean change when oyster hatchery production collapsed in 2007 from ocean acidification. OAH are two forms of ocean climate change that Oregon continues to experience. The passage of HB 3114 was an historic Oregon first in the fight against OAH and showed Oregon leaders' awareness of the importance of healthy oceans. LWVOR supported HB 3114 (2021) answer have requested that monies not yet spent this biennium be rolled over for 2023-25. Dept. of Environmental Quality By Peggy Lynch Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) ( HB 5018 ) budget was heard March 27- 29 with public testimony on March 30. Here’s the DEQ one-pager . Note that POP 110 relates to an increase in fees for the Air Quality Title V program. Also HB 3229 , the policy bill for these fees, has been sent to W&Ms without recommendation. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The ESRF website notes a next prospective Board meeting on April 10. Land Use/Housing By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony in opposition to SB 1051 with the -2 amendment , to allow a property owner to request an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion of up to 200 acres outside of the current UGB process. We are hoping that the bill, which does have a Work Session scheduled for April 3, will die in committee. Governor Kotek is serious about increasing housing so look for a number of bills this session that change the land use program currently in your jurisdiction. We will all have to wait until the end of session to understand the wide variety of proposed changes and ones which actually pass and are signed by the Governor. While we all look for success in addressing homelessness and new housing, especially for middle income Oregonians, we are concerned by the increasing lack of local input in the development of our communities. HB 3414 with the -1 amendment would create a new Housing Accountability and Production Office in DLCD and also include a Section 2 that says that local governments may not deny a variance under certain circumstances. Variances are used to address exceptions to a code’s “clear and objective standards”. It is unclear how this provision will change a community’s control over residential development. A Work Session is scheduled for April 4. SB 70 had a public hearing on Feb. 8 where the League provided testimony in opposition. A possible Work Session was scheduled for April 3 where a -1 amendment has been posted. LWVOR still opposes it. There are a number of bills related to siting solar in Oregon. An Oregon Siting Table was formed to have conversations around potential conflicts among solar developers, the agricultural and environmental communities. HB 3180 and HB 3179 each had an informational hearing on March 16, a public hearing on March 28 with a Work Session scheduled for April 3. Rep. Rep Marsh also filed bills on this issue. HB 3181 had a public hearing on March 28 and a Work Session scheduled for April 3. We are uncertain which, if any, will move this session: The League provided testimony in opposition to HB 3442 , to require local governments to allow development of certain affordable housing on certain lands within 100-year floodplain or subject to property development constraints under land use regulations related to natural disasters and hazards. The -2 amendment was adopted and addressed most of our concerns. HB 2001 was signed by the Governor on March 29. DLCD provided a press release that might be helpful in understanding the land use nexus. See the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report also. Parks Is Smith Rock State Park a favorite destination? Read about potential changes . Reduce/Recycle By Kathy Moyd SB 545 A has passed the Senate and will have its first public hearing in House Climate, Energy and Environment on April 5. The League provided testimony in support when it was heard in the Senate. DEQ will hold the fifth Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee meeting from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 11. DEQ will present the draft local government and producer responsibility organization obligation rules, the draft fiscal and racial equity statements, and will provide follow-up information regarding the topics presented during the previous meeting. To attend the meeting, please register via Zoom . To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, view the rulemaking web page at: Recycling Updates 2023 . Toxics By Paula Grisafi Great news— HB 3043 (toxic free kids modernization) passed out of the full House, 42-14. SB 546 (toxic free cosmetics) passed out of committee unanimously after adoption of the -7 amendment . SB 426 (toxic free schools) had a Work Session scheduled March 30. Water By Peggy Lynch The League has been a voice for the safety of domestic wells and provided testimony in support of HB 3207 ,to require reporting the results of well water tests during a real estate transaction to DEQ. A public hearing was held March 30 with a Work Session April 3. HB 3124 A major water bill, had a Work Session March 30. The bill is a $250 million Drought Relief and Water Scarcity pkg. and includes some of the other bills we’ve seen this session. View the committee presentation here and Drought Relief and Water Security Slides and comprehensive explanations: Bipartisan Drought Relief and Water Security Package (BiDRAWS) . The League may engage when the bill and its various elements move to W&Ms. HB 3100 with a -3 amendment has moved to W&Ms. LWVOR testified on the original bill. Most of the amendment content addressed our original comments. HB 3163 had a Work Session scheduled for March 30. LWVOR supports the Fund. The -1 amendment was recently posted to OLIS. HB 2238 , to authorize the Dept. of State Lands to adopt rules regarding removal/fill fees, after a robust rulemaking, has a Work Session March 30. LWVOR supports . EPA threatens action in Umatilla and Morrow counties related to nitrates in groundwater per March 22 OPB article . The Oregon Health Authority has set up a testing program, but it seems cumbersome for these low-income and often non-English speaking residents per this article in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle. In honor of World Water Day, please take literally two minutes and watch this video starring the tiny but mighty hummingbird. Then consider what you can do. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. On March 24, Governor Tina Kotek declared a drought in Grant and Deschutes counties through Executive Order 23-08, and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. Both counties have portions of extreme drought (D3) and are experiencing well below average water year precipitation. Streamflow has also been well below average in both counties over the water year, with Deschutes at 78% and Grant at 44% of its average streamflow. Likewise, streamflow at their respective basins have been below average, with Deschutes at 71% and John Day at 39%. We have an on-going drought throughout Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. California is looking better, but Oregon continues to have concerns. Governor Kotek has also signed drought declarations for the counties of Crook and Jefferson. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers A number of Work Sessions and Public Hearings were held during the Senate Natural Resources March 27 meeting. The first Work Session, on SB 928-3 , instructs the State Forester, or forest protective association or agency that is under contract or agreement with State Board of Forestry for protection of forestland against fire, and whose protection area is or may be affected by fire on nearby federal lands, to take certain actions to address fire, such as coordinating off-season mitigation efforts. It was adopted with a do-pass recommendation and sent to W&Ms. Next up was SB 839 , directing the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to establish a pilot grant program to help manage wildfire risk by promoting the use of air curtains by persons who make biochar, and appropriate $1 million from the General Fund to ODF for grant program implementation. It was also adopted with a do-pass recommendation and sent to W&Ms. SB 1012 had a work Session, to provide for homesteads rebuilt by the same owner on the same lot to replace their homestead destroyed by the September 2020 wildfires, to temporarily have frozen assessed value equal to the destroyed homestead’s assessed value for 2020-2021 property tax year. This was deferred to the 3/29 meeting of the Committee, at which it was adopted with the -2 amendment , and moved to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. A Public Hearing was held on SB 502-2 , to require ODF to study establishing a permanent trust fund for wildfire programs. The intent of this bill is to provide an alternate funding mechanism for wildfire-programs implementation. It was adopted and referred to Senate Finance and Revenue. A Public Hearing on SB 80-2 , to outline in greater detail, corrections to and improvements on the original State Wildfire Risk Map described in last week’s Legislative Report, including recommendations it be renamed Wildfire Hazard Map, and reduce the number of risk zones to 4 from 5. It also places a much needed, greater emphasis on public input in the process. There was opposition to the prospect of using 4 zones, rather than the 3 recommended by the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council’s Dave Hunnicutt, who otherwise strongly supports it. This and other items were ironed out at the 4/3 Work Session. Other items included in the -2 Amendment are detailed in this Staff Measure Summary . LWVOR provided testimony in support of SB 80 with these -2 amendments. Senate Natural Resources held a public hearing March 20 on SB 872 . The bill’s purposeis to enable better cooperation between Federal agencies and the Oregon Department of Forestry with regard to wildfire mitigation efforts during the non-wildfire months. The proposed -1 amendment expands the number of State entities with which those agencies will be compelled to collaborate. The bill was scheduled for a possible work session on April 3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The 2023 legislative session is almost halfway over. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - September Interim Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance and Redistricting Elections, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Public Records Election Methods By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance and Redistricting The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. We urge you to download, print, sign and return petitions by mail from Honest Elections for IP 9 and People Not Politicians for IP 14. Both initiative petitions are due to be filed by July 5, 2024 with the Secretary of State. Elections, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Public Records By Rebecca Gladstone Joint Info Management & Technology, Cyber Advice Another ransomware attack, in Curry County, expects $3 million in recovery costs. They didn’t trust attackers to protect and return their data, not to escalate, and didn’t pay ransom. They are calling for legislation to develop, supply and fund rapid cyber response teams. Cyber Insurance is not an easy out. You can’t get cyber insurance without using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other safety precautions. Insurance policies are less available, more expensive, with increasingly higher deductibles. Cyber firms can review your exposure, help you to improve your safety, and help to set up emergency plans. You can be prepared if you receive a note, as Curry County did on a printer: You’ve been attacked, are being held hostage. Cyber Advice: Check URLs before clicking on links. Prevent exposure, don’t let malware in. Even if messages look okay, they may be “spoofing” to get your ID, credit card number, etc. Never give out personal information if they call or email you. Don’t use their links or phone numbers. Call your bank back using a known phone number. Log on to your trusted website links, not in messages that may not be legit. Regularly back up your files and use a security scan. Curry County had NO backups. Use MFA, add a security step to be safer. Use MFA, by confirming with a code to your cell or email, using a code generator app. This can prevent most problems. Have a security protocol. Curry County now prohibits plugging in outside devices, like thumb drives, into their hardware. Make sure your group (our Leagues’ leaders, for example) know about the plans, and we all step up to not being weak links that let malware in the back door. House Rules Committee Meeting 9/28/23 We look forward to working on extensive meeting materials from the Secretary of State. Others spoke to the condition of Oregon’s local journalism, of deep concern to us, with “Free Press and the Survival of Democracy” as our LWVOR 2023 state convention theme. Electronic Portal Advisory Board ( EPAB ) The board oversees state websites, currently analyzing public survey results, overseeing agency project updates, increasing other languages access, improving cybersecurity awareness, and increasing lateral connections between agency sites, for easier navigation. The Board meets quarterly, with Governor-appointed members, including a UO Computer Science grad student just added and League member Becky Gladstone as the public member since 2018. We welcome comments, for example, from Sen Jeff Golden’s news, wanting easier navigation. “I’m retired,” he said, “and have time and ability to find information about this program online. But I can’t find what I need to know about requirements, about where and how I can have my say on proposed rules, on what incentives there could be to do the work on my land. There are too many programs and agencies to keep track of!” Action since our Sine Die report: HB 2107 effective Jan 1, 2024, to extend automatic voter registration to certain Oregon Health Authority clients. Our testimony in support , filed late in the session, glad that early support for a pilot program at Powder River Women’s correctional facility was reinstated. HB 2049 Enrolled took effect July 31, 2023, to transfer OR Cyber Ad council from EIS to OR Cyber Center of Excellence. Ceremonial signing Sept 27, LWVOR invited. HB 2052 Enrolled data broker registry, effective July 27, 2023, first in the nation. HB 2490 Enrolled effective Jan 1, 2024 for cybersecurity defense plan protection. HB 3073 Enrolled took effect Sept 24, to protect candidate home address disclosure, on request. SB 619 Enrolled effective Jan 1, 2024, for consumers’ personal data rights. Republican Aug 8 PR on unexcused Senate absences administrative rule (OAR). CFR, Campaign Finance Reform, from SoS: Clear Initiative The CLEAR initiative is a new project aiming to increase compliance with Oregon’s campaign finance laws through greater transparency and education. Everyone wins when campaigns play by the rules. This summer, the Elections Division announced three initial steps for an ongoing project: increase visibility for online campaign finance information a new database of campaign finance violations and associated penalties more training and educational materials to help campaigns comply with the rules Learn more on the Elections Division’s website . Election Methods By Barbara Klein There were no bills taken up during this interim legislative session that relate to election systems. There were rumors of some efforts to oppose Ranked Choice Voting via legislation or the ballot, but as of yet, it is unclear whether this will materialize. Due to the decision of the legislature in June 2023, Ranked Choice Voting will be on the 2024 general ballot (for implementation in 2028).

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Recycling Regional Solutions Transportation Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire AGRICULTURE Sandra U. Bishop HB 4153 : Relating to farm stores. This bill would allow large stores in permanent structures on Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zoned land and would allow for major expansion of agri-tourism. Two public hearings were held. A Work Session was held 2/17 in House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. The bill was moved out of committee (8-3) with a Do Pass with -3 amendments and referred to Ways and Means Committee. The – 3 amendments do not adequately address concerns brought up in League testimony . The League continues to oppose the bill. On Feb. 27, the Ways and Means Capital Construction Subcommittee held a Work Session and moved the bill to the Full Committee where we expect it to be considered on March 2. LFO Recommendation Staff Measure Summary Please see the League’s Action Alert. HB 4130 : Relating to farm use . As introduced this measure would clarify the meaning of preparing farm products and by-products. Public hearing Feb. 2. Surprise Work Session Mar. 2. Will look for possible amendments to be posted since the “relating to” clause is very broad! BUDGETS/REVENUE Peggy Lynch See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report for in depth information. We encourage you to read ALL sections. CLIMATE Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL ISSUES Christine Moffitt SB 1525 would establish the Blue Economy Task Force to study and report on economic development plans or strategies for the “blue” (coastal) economy and opportunities for the state to nurture sustainable blue economy businesses while preserving and protecting Oregon’s coastal ecosystems. It would authorize the Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) to create a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity to advance the trust’s mission. The League has been a continual supporter of the OOST. Public hearing set for Feb. 4. -3 amendment Work Session Feb. 16. Heard in Ways and Means Capital Construction Subcommittee on Feb. 27 where it passed to Full Ways and Means. We expect it to be on March 2 nd Full Committee agenda. HB 4097 would simply authorize creation of the tax-exempt entity. It has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. SB 5701 : Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority. The bill was described as simply a correction/allocation issue. League members will follow up. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the issue wasn’t raised. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT News Release : Draft Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Available. The public may comment from February 17 – April 3, 2026. Public meetings are also scheduled for our south coast communities starting Feb. 25 th . The League provided Comments on HB 4080 in 2024. Note that the schedule and meeting locations may have changed. website . Public Access Rulemaking has begun to clarify how local governments will address protection of public access to Oregon beaches. The next meeting is May 13. Undersea Infrastructure and Easements in Oregon’s Territorial Sea Rulemaking . The next meeting is March 11. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) HB 4102 : Modifies the authority of the Department of Environmental Quality to enter into agreements with regulated entities to expedite or enhance a regulatory process. It would allow DEQ to hire third-party contractors to expedite environmental permitting, as a response to DEQ’s sizable permitting backlog. Tech organizations and other advocates said the bill would speed up permitting for large projects and give businesses the certainty they need to grow jobs in Oregon. LWVOR opposed the bill in written testimony , expressing great concern about the use of outside contractors to perform important permitting work, especially if those contractors are paid by the regulated businesses. Bill passed the House. We appreciated Rep. Gamba’s statement on the House floor regarding …”the potential influence on a permitting process without further sideboards.” The bill was assigned to Senate Energy and Environment with a Public Hearing Feb. 16 . An amendment has been posted that may address our concerns but goes well beyond our request as others also opposed the bill and the amendment may well also address their concerns as well. Senate E&E heard testimony on the proposed amendment, which essentially would replace the House-passed bill in an effort to ward off environmental opposition and win support from labor. Much of the discussion was technical, centering on whether the bill's new language duplicates that of DEQ's existing contractual rules. Of interest, an Intel representative stated on the record that Oregon does “underfund our permitting agencies.” Work Session Feb. 25. Passed the committee (3/1/1) without amendments. On to the Senate floor. FORESTRY (ODF) Josie Koehne The Board of Forestry is meeting March 4. News Release . Kacey KC, the new Oregon State Forester and Director of the Oregon Department of Forestry, starts work March 1. The following is a list of bills we are watching: HB 4004 : Provides that additional taxes otherwise imposed upon disqualification of land from certain forestland special assessment programs may not be collected if the disqualification is due to the suspension of reforestation requirements as a result of insects or disease. Work Session Feb. 11. The bill passed the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water after adoption of -11 amendments , -13 amendments and -14 amendments and sent to House Revenue where the – A 17 amendment was adopted and was sent to the House floor. It passed the House and will now have a Public Hearing and Work Session in Senate Finance and Revenue on Mar. 2. HB 4105 : Directs the State Forester to determine the available state forestland, establish sustainable harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and manage available state forestland. Allows certain persons to seek a court order if the State Forester fails to establish sustainable harvest levels or manage available state forestland. The bill has a subsequent referral to Ways and Means. LWVOR opposed a version of this bill in 2025. Public Hearing Feb. 11. LWVOR testimony in opposition. Work Session Feb. 16. Bill passed the Committee (10/1) and was sent to Ways and Means. Please see the League’s Action Alert. SB 1590 A : Prohibits public bodies from assisting the federal government with privatization of certain federally owned lands. Public Hearing Feb. 3. Work Session Feb. 13. Bill was amended and moved to the Senate floor on a 3 to2 party line vote. Bill passed the Senate 17/11/2 on Feb. 19 and was sent to the House Ag et al committee where there was a Public Hearing on Feb. 23 and Work Session Feb. 25. The bill passed the committee and is set to be voted on in the House chamber GOVERNANCE Peggy Lynch The Natural Resources Team often follows bills related to permitting and rulemaking processes. Among the bills we are following: HB 4073 : Modifies provisions relating to administrative law. As with HB 2692 (2025), this bill creates burdensome and inefficient Administrative Rules Processes. LWVOR 2025 testimony . Public Hearing Feb. 10. The League signed on to a letter in opposition to the bill. HB 4019 : Requires certain agencies to base approval or denial of an application for a new permit on the rules and standards that are applicable at the time that the agency determines the application is complete. HB 4020 : Requires certain agencies to specify the authority justifying the denial of a permit application and provide the applicant a guide on how to contest the denial. Public hearing 2/03 -1 amendment was discussed and staff summary provided. LWVOR provided Comments . Work Session Feb. 12. Bill passed the Committee but was sent to Ways and Means due to potential fiscal concerns. The League appreciates recognition of agency costs to implement the bill. The -1 amendment was adopted. Work Session in Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee on Feb. 25. -A2 amendment LFO Recommendation . On Feb. 27 it passed the Full Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Reschke wondered about the bill and why there was only ONE testimony on the bill (ours!). Rep. Bowman explained that he had conversations with interested parties and the bill simply provides a roadmap and better information regarding permits. Good news: our letter was obviously read! The bill now goes to the House floor for a vote. HB 4021 : Requires certain agencies to make adoption, amendment or repeal of administrative rules effective only on January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1. Public Hearing Feb. 10. -2 amendment Work Session Feb. 17. The League’s concern is related to the need for rules to be adopted and implemented in a timely manner. If this bill passes, we will monitor that issue. The bill passed the Committee with the amendment, passed the House floor Feb. 20 and moved to the Senate Rules Committee. Public Hearing Feb. 25. Work Session Feb. 26. - A3 amendment was adopted and the bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. HB 4084 A : Establishes the Joint Permitting Council. The bill creates a fast-track permitting process for major projects, expands economic “enterprise zones,” and would have invested $40 million in industrial land site readiness to promote manufacturing. The Governor’s testimony on the bill at the Feb. 4 th Public Hearing. A -1 amendment was adopted. The bill passed the House Committee On Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade . Staff Measure Summary . The bill moved to House Revenue. Public Hearing Feb. 16. Both Wilsonville and Eugene provided testimony in support of such an allocation in the Feb. 13 hearing on SB 5702 . Work Session Feb. 19. -A 14 amendment was adopted and the bill moved to Ways and Means. A Work Session was scheduled on Feb. 26, but the bill was pulled due to these conversations around data centers and the tax breaks given. Staff Measure Summary provided that would substitute the $40 million with a lesser amount. LFO Recommendation . We await learning when the bill will go to the Capital Construction Subcommittee, perhaps as soon as Monday, Mar. 2. The League has been involved in conversations around these important policy and tax issues. Governor Kotek Data Center Advisory Committee has been convened. The Oregonian provides insights into the effects of tax breaks on data centers in HB 4084: Oregon data center operators will save nearly a half-billion dollars in local property taxes this year through three different incentive programs. Kotek’s legislation, House Bill 4084 , would expand the fastest growing of those three programs. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. This Oregonlive article provides a great review of the bill. The League OPPOSES . Public Hearing Feb. 16. -4 amendment was posted on Feb. 16. Public Hearing Feb. 18. Another Public Hearing Feb. 23. See the meeting materials posted in the Analysis section of the bill’s Overview for more information. We continue to expect further amendments . -7 amendment was posted Saturday morning (9:27a) from Sen. Sollman. It seems to be a replacement of the bill. LWVOR provided testimony opposing the amendment on Feb. 23. Currently the bill remains in Senate Finance and Revenue with no Work Session scheduled. Please see the League’s Action Alert. LAND USE & HOUSING Peggy Lynch Bills we are watching: HB 4035 : Expands eligibility for cities and Metro to amend their urban growth boundaries under a Temporary program. Authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to issue grants to implement the commission’s duties. Public Hearing Feb. 5. Work Session Feb. 12. -3 amendment was adopted and the bill passed the committee to the House floor where it passed on Feb. 18 and is headed to the Senate Housing and Development. Public Hearing and Work Session Feb. 24 where the -A 4 amendment was adopted. The bill passed and now goes to the Senate floor. HB 4082 : Adds to a temporary UGB addition program an option for each city or Metro to also add to its urban growth boundary a site for manufactured dwelling parks, or for housing for older persons, that is affordable for households with incomes not more than 120 percent of area median income. Public Hearing Feb. 3. Work Session Feb. 10 where -2 amendment was adopted. This Oregonlive article explains the conversation around this bill. Feb. 17: Bill passed the House. Headed to the Senate Housing and Development where there was a Public Hearing Feb. 24. Work Session Feb. 26 where the - A 4 was adopted and the bill now moves to the Senate floor. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Revenue Legislative Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. Oregonlive article provides a great review of the bill. The League submitted strong testimony in opposition. Public Hearing Feb. 16. -4 amendment was posted on Feb. 16. Public Hearing Feb. 18. Another Public Hearing Feb. 23. See the meeting materials posted in the Analysis section of the bill’s Overview for more information and look for possible additional amendments. -7 amendment was posted Saturday morning (9:27a) from Sen. Sollman. It seems to be a replacement of the bill. LWVOR provided testimony opposing the amendment on Feb. 23. Currently the bill remains in Senate Finance and Revenue with no Work Session scheduled. Please see the League’s Action Alert. HB 4108 : Requires a city to annex noncontiguous land upon receipt of a petition from all owners of the land that satisfies four eligibility criteria. Public Hearing held Feb. 3. Work Session Feb. 12. The League supports the concept of this bill as good planning with the -1 amendment . A -2 amendment was adopted limiting this policy as a “pilot project” for the City of Eugene. We are disappointed that the bill was narrowed, but glad to see some movement on this important land use issue. The bill passed the House on Feb. 18 and headed to the Senate Housing and Development for a Public Hearing and Work Session on Feb. 26 where a -A 4 amendment was adopted and the bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. The 2025-27 Policy Agenda 2025-27 Policy Agenda was approved by LCDC on Oct. 24. There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone, including: Housing Rulemaking for HB 2138 and HB 2258 (2025) and Rulemaking to clarify and allow housing and other needed development outside of wetlands. The rulemaking would create an optional, alternative compliance pathway for wetlands resources when a city is preparing bill annex lands from the urban growth boundary (UGB) to accommodate needed housing and economic development. LCDC had a presentation on Feb. 27 th ( DSL presentation on wetlands at LCDC on YouTube Feb. 27 at the 3-4:15p Meeting time.) See their Rulemaking page for more info on all the rules work being done by this agency. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) Melanie Moon HB 4134 is a bipartisan bill that would increase the state tax from 1.5% to 2.75% for transient visitors to Oregon including camping, hotels and vacation rentals. The money would be used for wildlife habitat and a myriad of other programs. LWVOR signed on to a letter in support . High Country News provides an article on this bill. Public Hearing Feb. 4 . The Oregon Capital Chronicle also covered this bill. Work Session Feb. 16 in House Revenue. -1 amendment adopted. Feb. 24: House passed the bill (36/22/2). On to the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee with a Public Hearing Feb. 26 and another Public Hearing & Work Session Feb. 27 where it passed the committee 3/0/2. Then we hope it passes to the Senate floor where it needs 20 votes to pass. Please see the League’s Action Alert. RECYCLING HB 4144 A : Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries has a Work Session in Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee Feb. 23. Passed Full Ways and Means Feb. 25. On to the House where it passed (42/0/17/1). To the Senate chamber. REGIONAL SOLUTIONS The Regional Solutions Program : Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. To receive their reports, use this signup page . The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person. Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings. Public Comment is usually scheduled. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: Regional Solutions Greater Eastern (Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler Counties) March 10th from 2:00-4:00pm Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) March 12th from 1:30-3:30pm Northeast (Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties) March 13th from 2:00-4:00pm South Central (Klamath and Lake Counties) March 17th from 10:00am-12:00pm Southern (Jackson and Josephine Counties) March 25th from 12:00-2:00pm South Valley/Mid-Coast (Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties) March 26th from 1:00-3:00pm TRANSPORTATION (ODOT) The Oregon Capital Chronicle provides some daylight on the ODOT budget discussions for 2026: Kotek told reporters Tuesday that lawmakers had reached a compromise on which transportation programs to cut, but offered few specifics on the depth of those changes. The details of such a compromise have not yet been made publicly available, allowing lawmakers to avoid any pushback from transportation workers or union leaders who hold significant political sway in Salem. But the governor maintained that the plan focuses on savings from job vacancies, avoiding layoffs, and taking funding from infrastructure improvement projects that have yet to begin. “Tough choices were made to get to our compromise,” she said. “And no one loves the proposal, but it will make sure that the agency can function through the end of the biennium and past the end of the biennium to provide basic services: Plowing roads, operating DMVs, things like that.” See last week’s report on the variety of funding pots that are being considered. The League will be sad to see loss of Safe Routes to School funding, and we hope for a solution that considers the need for transit statewide. We are also concerned with the loss of trained ODOT staff. It will be important for legislative leaders to begin work on a long term funding solution for 2027. Bills we are watching: SB 1599 : Moves the election date for the parts of chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2025 (special session), referred to the people by Referendum Petition 2026-302 , to the primary election held on May 19, 2026. Bill was assigned to the new Joint Special Committee On Referendum Petition 2026-302 . Public Hearing Feb. 9. Work Session Feb. 12. -2 amendment adopted and bill passed the committee on a party line vote. Headed to the Senate floor where it passed Feb. 23 (17/13). It is now tentatively scheduled for the House chamber vote on Mar. 2. HB 4126 : Get the Data for a Better Road User Charge (RUC): Require ODOT to report the total biennial cost of maintenance and preservation for the state’s road system, and to report the total mileage driven. This data could later be used to calculate the RUC. Public Hearing and Work Session set for Feb. 16. -2 amendment was adopted and the Committee moved the bill to Ways and Means. Fiscal Impact Statement HB 4008 : Transit Funding Task Force To determine the level of funding needed to maintain adequate transit service statewide and explore funding mechanisms to achieve that funding. (House Transportation Committee) The League supports. Public Hearing and Work Session Feb. 16 -5 amendment adopted 5/2 and bill was sent to Ways and Means. Fiscal Impact Statement : if the work required by this task force, or if the cumulative enactment of other legislation with interim committees and task forces exceeds Legislative Fiscal Office expenditure levels beyond those assumed in the 2025-27 budget, additional General Fund resources may be required. From ODOT press release : Learn more about our capital improvement plan for state and federally funded projects by visiting the draft 2027-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, also known as the STIP, online open house . The online open house will be available through March 20. We may use your comments to make adjustments as we begin designing projects in the STIP. All comments will be included in the public comment record. This record will go to the Oregon Transportation Commission before they approve the final STIP in June. WATER Peggy Lynch Bill of concern: HB 4049 : Directs the Water Resources Commission to encourage and approve voluntary agreements between ground water users in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern to achieve reasonably stable ground water levels. -3 amendments posted. Public Hearing Feb. 4. Work Session Feb. 16. The League understands that Rep. Owens and the Governor’s Office are in negotiations. It is unclear if this bill is really needed to address the representative’s concerns. The -3 amendments were adopted and the bill was moved to Ways and Means. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has declared a drought in eight counties ( map ) . Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms ( HABs) . “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. WEATHER The best guess of the various forecasters is that sometime between June and September the world will enter an El Niño cycle. When that happens, prepare for bedlam. Each El Niño event in recent decades has gotten steadily worse, because each one drives the temperature to a new record. WETLANDS Peggy Lynch The Dept of State Lands and Dept. of Land Conservation and Development attended the Feb. 27 th Land Conservation and Development Commission meeting where they did presentations on wetlands. You can watch on YouTube Feb. 27 at the 3-4:15p meeting time. Materials Presentation 1 Presentation 2 The next meeting of the Wetlands Rulemaking RAC, originally planned for February 23, 2026) will be postponed until later in the spring. Please stay tuned for a new meeting date after the close of the 2026 legislative session. DLCD’s rulemaking webpage. WILDFIRE Carolyn Mayers It’s been a fairly uneventful week in wildfire legislation. Here is what’s happening: SB 1540 A which endeavors to align insurance company wildfire risk assessment with homeowner and community level mitigation efforts in an attempt to help address the rising cost of homeowners insurance, is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Senate Rules Committee Monday, March 2. There is growing pessimism around this bill’s chances. SB 1541 remains in Ways and Means. This is Senator Golden’s Climate Superfund bill would provide, among other things, funding toward wildfire mitigation and disaster recovery. (See Also Climate Emergency Legislative Report) SB 1551 A would invalidate deed restrictions and planned community governing documents prohibiting the removal of non-fire-hardened building materials or installation of fire-hardened building materials on residential properties. This bill had a Public Hearing and Work Session before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on February 26, and was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation and passed. It is currently awaiting a vote on the House floor. HJM 201 , which urges Congress to pass legislation to permanently extend federal tax cuts for wildfire victims, has passed the House and the Senate. In other news, there was a meeting of the Local Officials Advisory Committee (LOAC) on February 24. One item of interest was a Lane County petition for wildfire sheltering timeframe revisions. After the Labor Day fires in 2020, emergency measures were passed to allow for 5 years of temporary sheltering in different locations, such as campgrounds, for people who lost their homes to wildfire. At that time, it was thought 5 years would be an adequate amount of time. As it turns out, there are still many people who have not yet been able to rebuild. This petition requests the time frame be extended another 5 years, to give people the opportunity to remain where they are sheltering until such time as their homes are rebuilt. The request will go to the Land Conservation and Development Commission at their next meeting. Meeting material, which have all the details, may be found on this page. Finally, as reported in this article from KPTV, loss of funding may result in 30 early wildfire detection cameras being shut down across the State. This is technology that has proven to be instrumental in authorities being able to respond quickly to wildfires, keeping them contained, and the loss of the the use of them would be potentially catastrophic in the face of increasing wildfire risk in Oregon. OPB also covered this story: Almost half of the University of Oregon’s network of cameras to monitor wildfires is at risk of being discontinued, according to an administrator. The Oregon Hazards Lab’s network of cameras operates 24-7 and covers some of the most remote, rugged, and inaccessible areas of the state. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning • Air Quality (Dept. of Environmental Quality) • Columbia River Gorge Commission • Hanford Cleanup • Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife • Parks and Recreation Dept. • Recycling/Materials Management (Dept. of Environmental Quality) • Toxic Control Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.