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KARISHMA CHIDAMBARAM (she/her) KARISHMA CHIDAMBARAM (she/her) Youth Media Director youthmedia@lwvor.org

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

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

Climate Emergency Read Our 2025 Priorities Here 2026 Legislative Priorit y ADDRESS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY by supporting 2017-2025 Carbon/Climate Executive Orders, net zero greenhouse gas emissions before 2050 while ensuring environmental justice with a just transition for workers and impacted communities. Positions US League Climate Position: The League believes that climate change is a serious threat facing our nation and our planet. The League believes that an interrelated approach to combating climate change — including through energy conservation, air pollution controls, building resilience, and promotion of renewable resources — is necessary to protect public health and defend the overall integrity of the global ecosystem. The League supports climate goals and policies that are consistent with the best-available climate science and that will ensure a stable climate system for future generations. Individuals, communities, and governments must continue to address this issue, while considering the ramifications of their decision at all levels — local, state, regional, national, and global. See also Natural Resources Positions: Issues for Action (LWVOR): Air Quality Off Shore and Coastal Management Energy Conservation Nuclear Energy Forests Hard Rock Mining Land Use Parks Pesticides and Other Biocides Seismic Risks Water Policy – Quality and Quantity Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force Impact on Issues (US League) Resource Management page 107 Environmental Protection and Pollution Control – page 110 Transfer of Federal Public Lands – page 124 Climate Change - page 125 Public Participation – page 128 Federal Agriculture Policies – page 130 Previous Legislative Reports Next

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 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 - Mitigation and Adaptation Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution Oregon Climate Action Comission Budget Timelines Climate News Volunteers Needed HCR 206 was passed to set 2025 pre-session deadlines for members and committees to submit requests for drafts of measures to be pre-session filed to the Office of the Legislative Counsel, for Legislative Counsel to deliver drafts of measures to be pre-session filed and for requesters to submit those drafts for introduction to the Senate Desk or the House Desk. Unlike the short session, there are no limits on bills to be filed by legislators AND there will be new legislators able to file into the first part of the 2025 session. See the legislative calendar on the Oregon Legislature website . Climate Emergency - Mitigation and Adaptation This month Governor Kotek and Secretary of State are both focused on Climate related policy / priority issues. Gov. Tina Kotek talks climate change in sit-down interview | The Story | April 4, 2024 | kgw.com , Gov. Tina Kotek discusses offshore wind, timber harvest | April 5 | kgw.com , and Oregon DEQ under resourced to face enormity of climate change challenges, audit finds | Oregon Capital Chronicle. Oregon DEQ - Department of Environmental Quality- Ongoing Strategic Planning Can Help DEQ Address Obstacles to Achieving its Goals CE Budget and GHG Emission Targets The 2024 Leg session ended with a compromise as well as reasonable funding, especially in SB 1530 (>$21M) and end-of-session omnibus SB 5701 (>125M) . However, no update to Greenhouse Gas Emission targets approved in 2007 nor improvement to Climate Change coordination and accountability across agencies. SB 1559 GHG Emission update died in policy committee. League Testimony . The League continues to be disappointed that there is no commitment by Legislature leadership to update greenhouse gas emission targets or fund a coordinated /cohesive / accountable effort for climate action across all state-funded entities. This irresponsible politically-driven situation may change in the 2025 session. See OPB: Dead: Stronger greenhouse gas reduction goals. Potentially telling, Speaker Fahey announced her new committee chairs today. The Governor ‘s final 4/17 signing deadline decisions: Governor Kotek Announces Final Veto Decisions, Signing Letters Governor provides signing letters for policy and budget bills . See every 2024 session bill the Governor signed, including accompanying signing letters. Policy Bills Coal Act: HB 4083 Requires Oregon Investment Council and Treasury to divest from Thermal Coal investments. Passed,. League Testimony . Right to Repair: SB 1596 . See discussion in NR Leg Report, League Testimony , passed. HB 4080 Enrolled. Off-Shore Wind: HB 4080 , League Testimony, passed. See discussion in NR Leg Report. HB 4112 Clean Tech Leadership Bill. League Testimony . Funding is $20M. Died in J W&M. HB 4155 Infrastructure funding study bill- Rep Gamba and Sen Golden – in J W&Ms. Died in committee. HB 4102 Enrolled. Funding mechanism for Natural and Working Lands Fund (carbon sequestration) passed, No Fiscal. The bill related to EV rebates died in committee, but DEQ did recently announce funding effective April 2024 . Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution April 19, 2024: Feds cannot delay youth-led climate change case longer , Oregon judge rules - The judge denied the United States’ attempt to delay a 2015 climate change lawsuit while recommending that the Ninth Circuit also deny the feds’ arguments for dismissal . | Courthouse News. Juliana v Gov: 4/19 Court filing Judge Aiken issued an order denying the government‘s motion for a stay pending the outcome of the Ninth Circuit petition for mandamus. April 2024 Updates to the Climate Case Charts | Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Oregon Cases – 74 as of April 2024 Oregon Climate Action Commission Meeting By Claudia Keith Participants= ~50 at peak See the meeting presentation slides . Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Application Update Colin McConnaha: Oregon’s Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action (CERTA) grant application has gone to the U.S. EPA, competing for a portion of $4.5 billion in federal IRA funding that supplements existing state programs. DEQ worked with five state agencies and many local jurisdictions to identify “shovel-ready” measures (projects) in three target areas—waste and materials, transportation, and buildings. (See slide 8.) The request totals just under $200 million, targeting 6.5 million MTCO2E by 2050. EPA intends to notify applicants this summer about who will get what. Building Sector Climate Action Informational Update Rep. Marsh reviewed recent legislation. Climate action began to move during the 2021 session with enactment of HB 2021 (clean energy targets), HB 2475 (differential rates for low-income ratepayers), HB 2842 (Healthy Homes). At the same time, legislation to allow local “reach” codes to impose stronger standards than the state energy efficiency code failed. Energy efficiency is low-hanging fruit with the biggest potential impact on clean electricity outside of the hydro sector. SB 1518 in 2022 created the Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REBuild) to identify and evaluate policies related to building codes and decarbonization that will help the state meet its GHG emission reduction goals while maximizing energy efficiency, improving resilience against climate change, improving public health and air quality, reducing household energy burdens, and mitigating impacts from wildfires, heat waves, and other climate change events. The task force brought forward priorities that include strengthening energy-efficient building codes and incentivizing and subsidizing heating and cooling efficiency increases, heat pumps, and air purification systems. The 2023 climate resilience budget package (HB 3630/HB 3409), which Rep. Marsh called the “ODOE full employment package,” provided funding for the state heat pump program and an array of other initiatives related to the above. Moving forward, without giving up on climate change mitigation strategies, she said, “we have no choice but to look at adaptation strategies – how we will keep communities whole as conditions change.” Climate Protection Program (CPP) Rulemaking Informational Update Nicole Singh, DEQ: U.S. Court of Appeals invalidated the entire CPP because of a procedural error in the notification process. Petitioners addressed many other issues that the ruling did not reach. Regulated entities had worked for the past two years to determine how they would comply with the CPP requirements, and DEQ wants to see that continue. 2024 would have been the last year of the first 3-year compliance period. As for public input, DEQ had not seen as broad a representation of new voices in any previous rulemaking. In the 2024 rulemaking, DEQ is seeking to reestablish a program to set limits on fossil fuel emissions from significant sources in Oregon, with enforceable and declining limits on emissions beginning in 2025. Scope of the program should be comparable to that of the original CPP in 2021. DEQ staff don’t intend to propose a major program redesign, but are open to hearing new ideas for program design and implementation. Staff knows that some adjustments will be necessary for a 2025 program start. DEQ will also consider changes that would further strengthen the program by: increasing equitable outcomes further minimizing costs to business and the public maximizing federal funding opportunities realigning Oregon with new state and federal energy/climate policies Agency 2025-2027 Budget Process Timelines and Engagement Opportunities Amy Schlusser: Budget work began earlier than usual this year in an effort to improve agency coordination. Budget requests are due to CFO by Aug. 30, 2024. Slides 20–22 provide links to budget process documents for individual agencies. Agency representatives said they have been instructed to limit their requests to a 1% increase across the board for new programs and initiatives. Discussion: Agenda Priorities for 2024 and 2025 OCAC has canceled its May 21 meeting, retaining meetings scheduled June through November. Chair Macdonald asked agency directors and commissioners what agenda topics they would like. Resilience and equity are overlapping priorities voiced by OHA. Sen. Dembrow suggested a standing agenda item on grant proposals and grant receipt news. DLCD Director Bateman suggested system-wide or “landscape” strategies for integrating energy, water, housing, wildfire and other policies. Climate News Surge in electricity demand spells trouble for PNW, forecasts show | The Seattle Times ProPublica has the story: The Flooding Will Come “No Matter What” The complex, contradictory and heartbreaking process of American climate migration is underway. Reuters - US power forecast , Carbon Brief - EU Migration Climate migration amplifies demographic change and population aging Millions on the Move Climate Emergency - Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the Climate Emergency 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. Please contact lwvor@lwvor.org if you have any questions or wish to become involved with Climate Emergency issues.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 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 Other Priorities Senate Energy and Environment Committee Nuclear Energy Bills Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire OHA & Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Critical Energy Infrastructure CEI: Laura Roger & Nikki Mandell Transportation: Claudia Keith Ways & Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith At this point in the session, we have identified a few League policy and/or budget Climate Emergency priorities, and some of those now have League testimony. This year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities , CUB, Citizens Utility Board Priorities and or OCN, Oregon Conservation Network priorities; the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the building. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities HB 2966 : Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force (see 2023 HB2763, vetoed by the governor) Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans , House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP) League Testimony , public hearing was 1/28/25. The bill would establish a 14-member State Public Finance Task Force, comprised of four legislators and 10 Oregonians appointed by the Governor. The Task Force would study how public bodies invest their capital funds, look for cost savings by using public financing practices, explore governing and corporate structures for public financing entities, and explore different public finance models. HB 3170 , Community Resilience Hubs and networks: DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony , House Climate, Energy, and Environment (H CEE); public hearing was 2/4/25 Other Priorities HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. LC 1440. Bringing back SB 1559 (2024) moved to H CEE, Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor
 HB 2566 : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects – H Governor Tina Kotek
, Public Hearing held 2/11/2024, (H CEE), DOE presentation HB 3365 : climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, McDonald , House Education Committee Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. House Cm Educ. HB 2151 , 2152 , 2949 , 3450 : Critical Energy Infrastructure CEI Emergency Management Package, H EMGGV. CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis | Multnomah County, ‘ Public comment opportunity on DRAFT Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub Seismic Risk Analysis. Analysis aims to better characterize risk at the site.’. Zenith Energy positioning itself as region’s preeminent renewable fuels hub | Street Roots. This package of bills is tentatively scheduled for a 2/28 PH. SJR 28 : Environmental Rights Constitutional – Referral, Senate Rules, Amendment Leg Referral - Senator Golden, Representatives Andersen, Gamba, Senators Manning Jr, Prozanski, Representative Tran 
. The League has tentative plans to write testimony (comments) on this bill later this month. SB 679 : Climate Liability, (Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment SB 680 : Climate Science / Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Judiciary, no recommendation, (S J) PH 2/26 Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski, Taylor SB 681 : Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium
, Sen Golden, Senate Finance and Revenue SB 682 : Climate Super Fund, Sen. Golden, Rep. Andersen, Gamba, Sen. Campos, Pham , SEE SB 688 : Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SEE SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate, Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, 
moved to W&M Carbon sequestration/storage see DOGAMI , Agency Budget (see Natural Resources Legislative Report) – Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 Natural and Working Lands: ( OCAC NWL Report ) (see below)
 Data Center Energy Issue : ‘ It may be time to take a new look at electricity demand Oregon Capital Chronicle. “This year’s Oregon legislative session is likely to see measures intended to block these tech companies’ power demands from boosting at least residential rates even higher. Two placeholder bills on studying utilities have been filed, Senate Bill 128 and House Bill 3158 , and Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, is working on another one.“ (see SB 553 (LC 1547) mentioned below) Transportation package that prioritizes climate, equity, and wildlife This package would build on the historic gains of HB 2017 (which included investments in public transit, safe routes to School, and vehicle electrification), to shift the focus to multimodal, safety, and climate-forward investments. This promises to create a system that saves money over time and builds a more resilient, equitable, and healthy future for all Oregonians. (see OCN Press Rel ) Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package ( HB 3081 , SB 88 , LC 1547): Oregonians are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing utility bills in the face of ever-worsening climate impacts. HB 3081 would create an active navigator to help Oregonians access energy efficiency incentives all in one place. SB 88 limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. SB 553 LC 1547 ensures that large energy users (i.e. data centers) do not unfairly burden Oregon households. (*see OCN Press Rel ) Senate Energy and Environment Committee The committee moved three energy-related bills requested by the governor to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation: SB 825 : Requires ODOE to minimize reporting costs and duplication of reporting requirements for state agencies in the Building Energy Performance Standards program (ORS 469.275 to 469.291). Vote was unanimous. SB 827 : Expands the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program to offer rebates for an energy storage (battery) system that is installed to be paired with a previously installed solar electric system. No more than 25% of available rebate funds in a given year could be issued for such systems. The bill has no fiscal or revenue impact. The rebate program needs additional funding to move forward but the governor's budget does not request those funds. The committee voted 4-1 (Robinson) to move the bill to the floor, with subsequent referral to Joint W&M rescinded. SB 828 : Establishes the Grid Resilience Matching Fund to provide state matching funds to leverage federal grant funding for grid resilience projects. The bill has no fiscal impact, does not identify a revenue source and appropriates no funding. The committee voted 4-1 (Robinson) to move the bill with subsequent referral to Joint W&M. Nuclear Energy Bills The following bills have been posted for public hearing in House CE&E on Thurs. 2/27: NOTE: LWV and LWVOR have a Nuclear Waste Position which we may use to provide opposing testimony. HB 2038 : "Study" bill on nuclear advantages, feasibility, economic impact, safety, reliability, etc. HB 2410 : Allows siting of a small ( < 300 mW) modular reactor pilot project in Umatilla Co., subject to certain conditions including an up-or-down referendum in the county and establishes a fund in the treasury for that purpose. Before that, on Tues. 2/25, House CE&E has scheduled hearings on HJM 10 (seeking federal support for and leverage on BPA) and HB 3336 (declaring a state policy regarding the electric transmission system, including requiring an electric utility to develop strategic plans for using grid enhancing technologies). Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Highlights Senate Committees Other Topics - LWVOR and Local League Climate Emergency Highlights Claudia Keith This is a short 5-week Legislative session, most bills must have work sessions scheduled in the first chamber by mid Feb to stay active. There are now many Legislative Concepts’s waiting for Bill numbers for Environment / Climate Legislative soon to be posted to OLIS by no later than 28 th of January. At this point here are a few that have been identified as potential League policy and or budget Climate priorities: Senate Committees Energy and Environment LC 226, - The measure directs the Oregon Department of Energy to seek grant funding to convene a founding board and, upon securing sufficient funds, directs the board to establish a nonprofit entity to finance clean energy and resilience projects . Basically, A Public/Green Banking theme Natural Resources & Wildfire LC 0183, – Creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program t o assess financial impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and recover costs from responsible entities. Designates the Department of Land Conservation and Development to lead an interagency team, directs the Department of Environmental Quality to issue cost-recovery notices, and establishes a dedicated account to receive funds. House Committee Climate & Energy LC 283 , – Requires solar energy contractors and installers to hold licenses appropriate to the work they perform and sets mandatory disclosures and contract elements for solar purchase, lease, and power purchase agreements. Prohibits deceptive statements, with violations treated as unlawful practices under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. (see 2025) LC 286 , – Exempts an energy facility from needing an Energy Facility Siting Council site certificate if the energy facility produces power from a renewable energy source, construction begins on or before December 31, 2028, and it qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits. The League is a founding member of OCN network ~46 member organizations which includes Olcv Climate Solutions ' Defend and Deliver Moment', , OEC , Sierra Club and many others. Some of their priorities: Make Polluters Pay - Climate Superfund (see above LC 183) Defending Existing Climate / Energy related policies and funding Bills. Some may compliment Gov Kotek’s recent 25-29 Energy Executive Orders . Major themes Lower household energy costs Address financing gaps left by federal funding cuts (public/green banking structures?) Protect and grow local clean energy and construction jobs and address Data Center issues . Strengthen resilience, especially for rural and frontline communities Other Topics - LWVOR and Local League Nuclear , Natural Gas expansion in Lane County and PUC related Legislation ‘ A 9-gigawatt problem’ : Northwest’s soaring energy demand, supply constraints, could spark new power crisis - oregonlive.com CUB Endorses the Power to the People Act | News | Oregon CUB New labor coalition hopes to spur job growth to meet Oregon’s clean energy targets • Oregon Capital Chronicle The Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project Coos County North Bend council signals support for county on natural gas pipeline negotiations 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

/ Advocacy / Legislative Priorities / Legislative Priorities 2026 Legislative Priorities We continue to protect democracy and our representative government. Our priority emphasis is on education, housing, health, safety, community resilience, environmental protection, and safety net services for the most vulnerable. It is important that Oregon generate adequate revenue for essential services. ASSURE ADEQUATE REVENUE from all levels of government to provide essential services while promoting equitable and progressive tax policy. Address changes in federal taxation. Consider new revenue to fund services Oregonians need. PROTECT DEMOCRACY by protecting privacy and voting rights - including automatic registration. Fund and implement secure, efficient election software, supporting ranked choice voting. Protect against mis-, dis-, and mal-information, including from artificial intelligence. Ensure cybersecurity. Defend and support implementation of HB 4024 (2023) on campaign finance. SUPPORT HEALTHCARE/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. Protect accessibility to all healthcare services during federal support reduction. Preserve healthcare decision rights for patients and providers. Advocate for bills that ensure that every Oregonian has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right. SUPPORT HOUSING STRATEGIES that keep people housed by preventing evictions and displacement, providing affordable permanent housing and support services, preserving existing low-income housing and increasing the supply of new units. Maintain shelter beds where needed. Provide state support for infrastructure and pre-development expenses for affordable housing projects. SUPPORT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION. Provide adequate & equitable funding for early childhood, child care, K-12, after-school and summer care, as well as higher education. Advocate for coordination and transparency in funding. SUPPORT NATURAL RESOURCES agencies that address water, land use and wildfire, retaining important staff expertise and data collection. Support policies that protect and enhance Oregon's land, sea and air, especially from threats from new federal government actions. ADDRESS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY by supporting 2017-2025 Carbon/Climate Executive Orders, net zero greenhouse gas emissions before 2050 while ensuring environmental justice with a just transition for workers and impacted communities. PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY and a more equitable and effective criminal justice system through violence prevention/reduction programs, rehabilitation and reentry programs for adults and juveniles in custody, and common-sense gun laws. Find our 2026 Issues for Action here ! Jean Pierce, LWVOR Legislative Action Chair, along with our team of volunteers listed below, are available to provide clarifications on League positions. Contact us at lwvor@lwvor.org . Call our office at (503) 581-5722 or directly contact portfolio chairs in specific areas listed below. LWVOR Action team members are experienced, unpaid volunteers . Our advocates focus on the broad areas of Climate Emergency, Governance and Protecting Democracy, Human Services, Public Safety, Health Care, Housing, Natural Resources, Education, and Revenue. Advocacy Sub-Categories Find our 2026 Legislative Priorities here! Advocacy Leadership Our volunteers continue to monitor and work on all these issues. We mentor and add new volunteers with more issues, too. We encourage you to contact our office at 503-581-5722 or lwvor@lwvor.org and to reach out directly: Advocacy Chair & LWVOR 2nd Vice President: Jean Pierce Access Coordinator: Paula Krane Climate Emergency Coordinator: Claudia Keith Governance Coordinator: Norman Turrill Natural Resources Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Social Policy Coordinator: Jean Pierce Past President: Becky Gladstone Access Ensure the public have access so that they can participate in the process. Paula Krane Climate Emergency Using the best available climate science to ensure future generations’ stable climate systems (return to < 350 C02 PPM and < 1.5 Degree Celsius warming by 2100). LWVOR supports Our Children’s Trust/Crag Environmental Law Center federal lawsuits. We oppose fossil fuel infrastructure expansion. Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Community Resilience & Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: Claudia Keith Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Governance Support ethics, efficiency, public records law, and contemporary privacy and technology issues. Our focus on election policies includes laws and administrative rules, campaign finance, redistricting, and alternative voting methods. Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Natural Resources Improve air quality, combat climate change, and support coastal management, clean energy, proper disposal of hazardous materials and solid waste, conservation, land use, parks, clean and abundant water supply for all, wetlands protection and other resource preservation, and Oregon’s 14 natural resource agency budgets. Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone, Lily Yao Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Social Policy Support housing, adult corrections, judiciary, juvenile justice, public safety, gun safety, violence prevention, health care, mental health, immigration and refugees, foster care, social services, gender-related issues, age discrimination, and reproductive health. LWVOR actively lobbies for anti-poverty programs to help low income and those at-risk move toward financial stability. After-School Care and Children’s Service: Katie Riley; Behavioral Health: Karen Nibler, Stephany Aller Education: Jean Pierce Equal Rights for All: Jean Pierce, Kyra Aguon Gun Safety and Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith, Becky Gladstone Higher Education: Jean Pierce Immigration/Refugee/Asylum: Claudia Keith Health Care: Christa Danielsen, M110 Public Safety, Justice Issues: Karen Nibler School-Based Health Centers: Chloe Acosta, Anai Beng Housing: Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner

/ About / Biennial Reports / Biennial Reports Biennial Report 2021-2023

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 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 Priority Advocacy Groups Climate Priorities with League Testimony Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Priorities Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns Senate E&E Committee House CEE 3/20/25 This week we added another Environmental Justice bill: SB 54 : Work Session 3/31. The bill requires landlords provide cooling for residential units . The League endorsed and added our name to a OJTA Oregon Justice Transition Alliance, sign-on letter . HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session is 4/2. Climate Priority Advocacy Groups For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities , Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities . OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities with League Testimony with League Endorsement and Still Alive HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans , House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP) 
 League Testimony 
 
 
 HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package The following four bills are part of a package which was the subject of public hearings February 27 and March 6 in the House Energy Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee: HB 215 1: Testimony ; Work session 3/27 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session 3/27 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session 3/27 HB 3450 : Testimony , work session 3/27, see also CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis HB 3450 CEI energy storage transition plan, HEMGGV, League Comments 
 
 work session 3/27. Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package 
 HB 3081 ( League testimony ) work session 3/27, creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place SB 88 ( League testimony ) work session 3/24, limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. In addition to our testimony, LWVOR joined the Oregon Conservation Network, coordinated through the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, in sign-on letters supporting both HB 3081 and SB 88. PH 3 / 4 Climate Treasury Investment Bills SB 681 : Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, Senate Finance and Revenue, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. HB 2200 requested by Treasury Sec Tobias ESG investing, identified as the compromise bill. League – NO Comment, PH was 3/13 and work session 3/27. Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 
 HB 3103-1 – work session 3/31. Overweight Timber Harvest , H ALUNRW, League Oppose Testimony , -1 amendment . Other Priorities HB 2566 : w -3 Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay, Governor Tina Kotek, , (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 
 
 HB 3365 : work session 4/7, climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. 
 
 SJR 28 : PH 3/26 Environmental Rights Constitutional – Referral, Senate Rules , Senator Golden, Representatives,Andersen, Gamba, SenatorsManning Jr, Prozanski, Representative Tran . The League has tentative plans to write testimony (comments only) on this bill. SB 1187 new Climate cost recovery Liability interagency bill , PH 4/7, work session 4/9, Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment 
 
(Replaces SB 679 and SB 682 : SB 688 : Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session 3/24, League testimony , three proposed amendments , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SEE 
 
 SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate, SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 

 first reading. 
 referred to H CEE 3/10 HB 3546 , the POWER Act , work session 3/27, PR was 3/6, The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 
 
 Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV 
 
 Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 SB 1143 : NEW bill , PH was 3/19 and Work session 4/2, SEE , PUC established a pilot program that allows each NG 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. Climate Solutions : Thermal Energy Networks win win : Carbon sequestration/storage: See DOGAMI Agency Budget (see Natural Resources Legislative Report) – Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 
 
 Priority Bills that died in policy committee Some of these related to funding may appear in the end of session reconciliation (Xmas tree) bill. HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . House Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE), Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor 
 
 SB 680 : Climate Science/Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Judiciary , no recommendation, (SJ) PH was 2/26 Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski, Taylor 
 
 
 Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful climate, CPP and environmental justice programs may run out of funding: Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE) 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ) 
 Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ) 
 Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS) 
 Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS) 
 Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) 
 Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) (excerpt from OCEN network message) 
 Senate E&E Committee On 3/19, the committee heard testimony on SB 1143 , which would direct the PUC to establish a pilot program allowing natural gas utilities to develop pilot projects for a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) to provide heating and cooling services for customers. A TEN is a network of pipes and heat pumps using noncombustible fluids to distribute thermal energy among buildings connected to the network, potentially reducing or eliminating green house gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. Within 2 years of the act’s effective date, each utility would have to file a proposal, which the PUC would evaluate according to specified criteria, for developing and operating a TEN and measuring its effectiveness, or an explanation for not doing so. The PUC would have to allow the utilities to recover prudent costs and expenses of the pilot project from all ratepayers. The -1 amendment would require project contractors to ensure that journey workers comprise escalating percentages of workers employed on a project depending on the project initiation date, among other labor provisions. Washington and seven other states have passed similar legislation. Cascade NG and Northwest Natural support the bill, as do Climate Solutions and other environmental groups and labor union reps, with no opposing testimonies. CUB was silent on the record. House CEE 3/20/25 The committee moved two bills to the House floor with a do-pass recommendation and prior referral to Joint W&M: HB 2566-3 would make stand-alone energy resilience projects eligible for grants under ODOE’s Community Renewable Energy Grant program, renamed the Community Renewable and Resilient Energy Investment Fund. The -3 amendment would require ODOE to allocate 20% of program funds for resilience projects, vs. “20% or less” in the introduced bill, to win the support of consumer-owned and municipal utilities and co-ops. The set-aside would not require a resilience project to be based on renewables. Fiscal impact is $186,000 in Other Funds and 0.75 FTE for 2025-27. The fund has a current balance of $60 million, about half reserved for projects that have not yet been distributed. Rep. Gamba voted against moving the bill on the grounds that it would take money away from deserving renewable projects. HB 3172-2 would direct the Department of the State Fire Marshal (DSFM) and DCBS to establish and implement the Wildfire Prepared Structure Program, providing grants to retrofit existing dwellings and rebuild dwellings damaged by wildfires. It would provide an unspecified GF appropriation to DSFM for 2025-27. The committee also heard testimony on the following bills: HB 3823 would create a property tax break for personal property used by a business (other than a utility) to generate or store energy for consumption by the business on its premises. Personal property includes on-site generators and battery units, vs. real property such as rooftop solar panels. Rep. Gomberg said a coming amendment would allow local jurisdictions to opt in rather than making this a mandate and would specify that the exemption applies only to new investments rather than those made in the past. Gomberg is working with AOC on the amendment. He asked the committee to forward the bill to Revenue without recommendation. HB 3747 would create a refundable income tax credit for the purchase of battery energy and solar photovoltaic electric systems. The credit amounts would be $1,000 for a solar photovoltaic system, $2,500 for a battery storage system, $3,500 for a paired system. OSSIA supports, noting that the state's Solar and Storage Rebate Program has run out of funds and the outlook for federal tax credits is highly uncertain. The proposed tax credits would support local jobs in small to medium-sized businesses. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/12 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 Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priority Bills Other Climate Emergency Bills Senate Energy and Environment Climate Emergency News Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator, and Team Climate Emergency Priority Bills SB 1559 GHG Modernization Because of real or perceived opposition party threats Legislature Leadership has chosen not to move SB 1559 GHG Emission Modernization – to a vote, as discussed in 2/13 SE&E PH . League Testimony . The bill which would have updated Oregon’s 2007 GHGE targets to reflect current science is now dead. The League fines this unacceptable, and we are considering a letter to Leg Leadership and the Governor. Budget Omnibus Bill - End of Session JW&M committee: Support funding for: Healthy Homes, EV Rebate, Climate-Friendly Micro-mobility transport and Environmental Justice related Worker Relief funding Programs all totaling $59 million. There is currently $15M in SB1530 for Healthy Homes. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. 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 Natural Resources Legislative Report. Clean Tech Leadership Bill HB 4112 public hearing was 2/12 and 2/14 and planned work session 2/19. League Testimony . Funding is $20M. Right to Repair: HB 1596 Find discussion in NR Leg Report, League Testimony HB 4155 Infrastructure funding study - Rep Gamba and Sen Golden - was in HEMGGV committee, moved to JWM. Fiscal $250K. Testimony is planned. HB 4083 Coal Act: Requires Oregon Investment Council and Treasury to divest from Thermal Coal investments. Work Session HEMGGV 2/16 . House Chamber vote is scheduled for 2/19. Testimony is planned for Senate PH. HB 4102 Funding mechanism for Natural and Working Lands Fund. (carbon sequestration). Almost unanimous Affirmative House vote, now in the Senate, Zero Fiscal. Environmental Justice: Budget Omnibus Bill – End of Session: Continue Oregon Worker Relief Funding $9M. Senate Energy and Environment By Claudia Keith The committee moved SB 1581-2 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation (Hayden objecting). As amended, the bill simply requires PGE and Pacific Power to verbally report to the legislature by January 15 each year on "activities, including plans or preparations, that the investor-owned utility has taken or is taking toward participating in a regional energy market.” The amended bill has a sunset date of 1/2/2031. Supporters said the bill would ensure that the legislature stays informed on the emerging impacts of competing power markets even though the PUC regulates these activities. Department of Environmental Quality : Action on Climate Change Home: Action on Climate Change : State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: Climate Protection Program: State of Oregon. Climate Emergency News Recent publications: Oregon State University research makes key advance for capturing carbon from the air | Oregon State University, Oregon commission approves ‘carbon capture’ fund for state’s natural and working lands | OPB, A new map shows how much carbon dioxide is stored in Oregon’s Coos Bay estuary | OPB, Oregon could be on brink of decarbonizing state investments | OPB, More than two dozen Oregon lobbyists work for both sides on climate change, report finds | Oregon Capital Chronicle, Federal government finalizes floating offshore wind areas off the Oregon Coast – OPB, Buttigieg on why (fossil fuel) rail safety measures have stalled one year after East Palestine disaster | PBS NewsHour. Climate Emergency Team and 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 All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 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 Priorities Other Priorities Oregon Climate Action Commission Climate Lawsuits/Our Children's Trust Climate Emergency Team: Thanks to Laura Rogers and Nikki Mandell LWV Portland members for taking on the CEI portfolio. Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: Bill Glassmire OHA & Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger Environmental Rights Amendment: Claudia Keith Natural Climate Solution - Forestry: Josie Koehne Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Critical Energy Infrastructure CEI: Laura Roger & Nikki Mandell Transportation: Claudia Keith Ways & Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Taking Gov. Tina Kotek’s temperature on Oregon’s climate change response | OPB. “ Oregon Gov. Kotek calls herself a “climate champion,” a moniker her supporters also used during her campaign for governor....” Funding Issues: The League is very concerned with the new Trump administration freezing energy/climate funds related to the Biden admin IRA and infrastructure acts. ‘With Oregon’s 2 largest federal climate grants on hold—for now—state agencies are left at a standstill’ – OPB. There are also concerns with federal social policy related funding including education and healthcare funding. ‘Trump’s Funding Freeze Raises a New Question: Is the Government’s Word Good ? ‘| The New York Times.” As the Trump administration continues to withhold billions of dollars for climate and clean energy spending — despite two federal judges ordering the money released — concerns are growing that the United States government could skip out on its legal commitments...” Environmental Justice: In addition, Environmental Justice federal programs are at risk. ‘After Trump Administration Closes DOJ’s Office of Environmental Justice, Advocates Worry About Future Enforcement’| Inside Climate News, “Set up in 2022, the office teamed up with federal prosecutors to coordinate work in vulnerable communities. The Trump administration shut the office and placed its staff on leave earlier this month.” ‘Pam Bondi scraps Joe Biden-era environmental justice enforcement polic y ‘ | The Hill. At this point in the session, we have identified a few League policy and/or budget Climate Emergency priorities, and some of those now have League testimony. This year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities and or CUB Citizens Utility Board Priorities . Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities HB 2966 , Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force (see 2023 HB2763, vetoed by the governor) Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans , House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP), League Testimony , PH 1/28/25 HB 3170 , Community Resilience Hubs and networks: DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony House Climate, Energy, and Environment (H CEE) 2/4/25 Other Priorities HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. LC 1440. Bringing back SB 1559 (2024) moved to H CEE, Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor
 HB 2566 : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects – H Governor Tina Kotek
, Public Hearing held 2/11/2024, (H CEE), DOE presentation HB 3365 : climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, Representative Fragala, McDonald , House Education Committee HB 2151 , 2152 , 2949 , 3450 : Critical Energy Infrastructure CEI Emergency Management Package SJR 28 : Environmental Rights Constitutional – Referral, Senate Rules, Amendment Leg Referral - Senator Golden, Representatives Andersen, Gamba, Senators Manning Jr, Prozanski, Representative Tran 
 SB 679 : Climate Liability, Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment (SEE) SB 680 : Climate Science / Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning
, moved to Judiciary, no recommendation, Campos , Frederick, Gorsek , Patterson , Prozanski , Taylor SB 681 : Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium
, Sen Golden, Senate Finance and Revenue SB 682 : Climate Super Fund, Sen. Golden, Rep. Andersen, Gamba, Sen. Campos, Pham , SEE SB 688 : Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SEE SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate, Work session 2/27, Gov. Kotek & DOE, SEE
 Carbon sequestration/storage see DOGAMI , Agency Budget (see Natural Resources Legislative Report) – Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 Natural and Working Lands: ( OCAC NWL Report ) (see below)
 Data Center Energy Issue : ‘ It may be time to take a new look at electricity demand ‘ • Oregon Capital Chronicle. “This year’s Oregon legislative session is likely to see measures intended to block these tech companies’ power demands from boosting at least residential rates even higher. Two placeholder bills on studying utilities have been filed, Senate Bill 128 and House Bill 3158 , and Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, is working on another one.“ (see SB 553 (LC 1547) mentioned below) Transportation package that prioritizes climate, equity, and wildlife : This package would build on the historic gains of HB 2017 (which included investments in public transit, safe routes to School, and vehicle electrification), to shift the focus to multimodal, safety, and climate-forward investments. This promises to create a system that saves money over time and builds a more resilient, equitable, and healthy future for all Oregonians. (see OCN Press Rel ) Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package * ( HB 3081 , SB 88 , LC 1547): Oregonians are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing utility bills in the face of ever-worsening climate impacts. HB 3081 would create an active navigator to help Oregonians access energy efficiency incentives all in one place. SB 88 limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. SB 553 LC 1547 ensures that large energy users (i.e. data centers) do not unfairly burden Oregon households. (*see OCN Press Rel ) Oregon Climate Action Commission At 2/14 OCAC/ODOE meeting, staff presented a comprehensive (36-page) memo on the status of climate-related bills this session, headed by budget bills (with links to agency bill presentations to date). Does not include fiscals, you must link to agency budget presentations for funding details. Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust (OCT) Recent OCT Press Releases: Feb 2025 California Federal Court’s Dismissal of Youth Equal Protection Climate Case Represents Judicial Abdication in the Face of a Crisis Youth Plaintiffs Make Case for Constitutional Climate Lawsuit Before Virginia Supreme Court Here is one example of how to track DEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are several active federal lawsuits , Feb 2025 update) “FEATURED CASE: Federal Court Dismissed Preemption and Extraterritoriality Challenges to California Climate Disclosure Laws.” Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 83 lawsuits , mentioning Oregon.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 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: Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Environmental Justice Bills Climate Priorities with League Testimony , League Endorsement Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Climate Bills Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns Highlights of House and Senate Chamber Votes Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Oregon Treasurer: Oregon Divest A few federal court rulings have favorably affected Biden admin IRA funding despite the current administration’s attempt to freeze the minutes. ‘The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act ‘, provides an expanded overview of funding in Oregon. Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Transportation Package Priorities The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities: Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets , Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter this past week requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081 ): This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place. Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) Environmental Justice Bills 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. Climate Priorities with League Testimony with League Endorsement and Still Alive By Claudia Keith HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package 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 S ee CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis ( The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) CEI energy storage transition plan 
, 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. LWVUS has provided guidance since over 26 states have - or are in the process of voting on green / environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. These usually take the form of a legislative referral to the people. The New Mexico green amendment campaign focuses on racial justice. 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 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. 
. 
 Priority Bills that died in policy committee Some of these related to funding may appear in the end of session reconciliation (“Christmas tree”) bill. HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . SB 54 :. The bill required landlords to provide cooling for residential units . SB 1187 new Climate cost recovery Liability interagency bill , SB 680 : Climate Science/Greenwashing , Sen. Golden and Manning Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns By Claudia Keith This list may still be reflective of the current CE prioritized investments for environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful climate, CPP and environmental justice programs may run out of funding: Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ) 
 
 
 
 
 Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ) 
 
 
 
 
 Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS) 
 
 
 
 
 Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS) 
 
 
 
 
 Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) 
 
 
 (See Natural Resources Legislative Reports for budget league testimonies including climate topics in over 14 agencies.) Highlights of House and Senate Chamber Votes April 21: Senate E&E Held a work session on HB 2567 A , which passed the House unanimously in March. The bill would modify the Heat Pump Deployment Program's eligibility criteria, funding distribution, and rebate structures. It would change “Environmental Justice” community to “disadvantaged” community; remove the 15% cap on administrative and marketing expenses and allow ODOE to set the cap by rule; allow 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 extend the sunset date to 2032. It would provide no additional funding for the rebate program. Senate E&E adopted an -A3 amendment to the House engrossed bill, stating that if ODOE awards a grant to an eligible entity and additional funds become available for the program, ODOE may award additional grant moneys to the eligible entity using the existing performance agreement between the entity and ODOE. The committee voted unanimously to move the bill as amended to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. April 22: House Chamber House voted 41-16, to pass HB 3546 A , a priority bill on the OCN hot list that directs the PUC to provide for a classification of service for large energy use facilities such as data centers. 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. 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

NABILA KHAN (she/her) NABILA KHAN (she/her) Youth Advocacy Co Director youthadvocacy@lwvor.org

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

3 Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 1/16/23 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 Climate Emergency Bills Clean Energy Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Climate-Related Lawsuits State, Regional, National, and Global CE News Local League Climate Updates Volunteers Needed Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith The League has identified six priority CE policy and budget topics. Following are updates on those topics: 1. Resilient Buildings : Refer to the Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings Dec 13 Report . It’s unclear when the bill(s) will be posted to OLIS, or which Leg policy committee(s) will be affected. As of this week the League is an active coalition member. (Some of these building topics were included in this 2017 Executive Order 17-20: Accelerating Efficiency In Oregon’s BUILT ENVIRONMENT TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. This EO was posted a few days before Gov Brown attended COP 23 in Bonn, Germany). 2. Natural and Working Lands : (Establishes Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities…): Natural Climate Solutions SB530 . The legislation includes activity-based metrics and community impact metrics for net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands and establishes carbon sequestration and storage goals. Assigned to: Natural Resources Senate Committee, find Committee Bills HERE and Related, see interim NR committee SB88 ). The League continues to be an active NWL coalition member. 3. Environmental Justice: A number of 2023 Leg bills are expected to address new and ongoing related topics. A recent update EPA: ‘ EPA Releases Updated Legal Guidance on Identifying , Addressing Cumulative Impacts to Advance Environmental Justice, Equity | US EPA, clearly defines at the federal level this new foundational area. (Related to HB 4077 (2022). 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. This will direct state agencies to report to the commission on progress toward achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals (see SB 928 2019). Referred to the Senate E&E committee. 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. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget* is scheduled to be available in Feb. There is now expected > $70M 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.) Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith The League may support or just follow these bills. (This is a preliminary list; many 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. Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation : HB 2816 High Energy Use Facility - Required GHGE reduction, Chief Sponsors: Dembrow and Marsh. Fossil Fuel (FF) Divestment : HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with FF 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. HB2763 Create a State public bank Task Force, Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters Clean Energy By Kathy Moyd, Greg Martin Legislation for the 2023 Session A quick review of the almost hundred bills posted for H Climate, Energy, and Environment and Senate Energy Environment showed that most of the bills have some connection to climate change action both with respect to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or adaptation to extreme climate events already occurring. Some of these will be under the Natural Resources Portfolio. Since greenhouse gasses are frequently associated with air toxins, some air quality bills may be considered under both portfolios. Some of these bills have been submitted in both committees and some of them are obvious placeholders for which amendments may be submitted later in the session. Of course, not all will actually be passed or even given a public hearing. In addition, those requesting funding will have more difficulty this year and may not get out of the Ways and Means Committee. The League will be working over the next few weeks to determine which of these bills we should actively follow, including giving testimony. Oregon Global Warming Commission The Oregon Global Warming Commission (OGWC) and the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) have been working for a year to develop the Roadmap to 2035 through the Transformational Integrated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (TIGHGER) project , aiming to identify decarbonization actions that can reduce GHG emissions while continuing to grow Oregon’s economy and enhance equity and quality of life. The commission devoted all or part of nine meetings to TIGHGER-related topics during 2022. At the OGWC meeting on January 13, draft recommendations seemed to be nearly in place. The League will consider providing comments if there is a public review. At the beginning of the meeting, Sen. Dembrow referred to two related bills: SB 522 , updating the GHG reduction goals, restructuring and renaming the OGWC and clarifying its role in climate action; and SB 530 , natural climate solutions (N&WL). He said both will involve expenditures and thus will go to W&M late in the session. House Committee on Energy, Climate and Environment Jan 18, 3pm Meeting, Claudia Keith Find Meeting Highlights HERE and link to video HERE Meeting Agenda: Invited Speakers Only House Bill 2021 (2021) Implementation:Christy Splitt, Government Relations Coordinator, Oregon Department of EnergyMegan Decker, Chair, Public Utility CommissionThomas Burns, Vice President Resource Planning and Acquisitions, Pacific Power Kristen Sheeran, Director of Resource Planning and Sustainability, Portland General Electric (Kristen was Gov Browns Climate/Carbon policy advisor for 4+ years)Jennifer Hill-Hart, Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board Bob Jenks, Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board Energy Markets Overview: Adam Schultz, Lead, Electricity & Markets Policy Group, Oregon Department of Energy Scott Bolton, Senior Vice President Transmission and Market Development, Pacific PowerNicole Hughes, Executive Director, Renewable NW Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The next Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast is scheduled for mid-Feb. It is unclear how the very volatile security market and banking issues / risk will develop. The last State of Oregon quarterly forecast assumed a likely mild recession in 2023. Climate Emergency Financial Risk: The Fed wants climate risk analysis from 6 largest U.S. banks by July 31 2023 | Reuters 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 Two Dozen Rules in 2023 | Thomson Reuters. See supportive LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Related: ‘ESG Watch: Why this year could be a watershed moment for investors on nature-related risk | Reuters. The Status of Two Pending Rules That Would Require Disclosure of Climate Risks| Environmental Leader. Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read has changed his Fossil Fuel risk perspective. Oregon investments will be affected by ESG reporting. 5 banking trends to watch in 2023 | Banking Dive, “Harsher penalties, a fiercer fight over ESG philosophy and a more urgent push to regulate crypto appear poised to roil the finance sector this year.” Oregon Climate Related Lawsuits By Claudia Keith Be reminded there are numerous lawsuits 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 , (Jan 12, 2023 update) some 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. A national perspective: ‘Environmental cases to watch in 2023 | Reuters State, Regional, National, and Global CE News By Claudia Keith New report highlights opportunities to mitigate and adapt to climate change in Oregon – OPB. Central Oregon Community College: Aiming for a Carbon-Neutral Future | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon. Clean energy bill could spell trouble for Oregon datacenters . The Register. Environment Oregon's 2023 Legislative Agenda. 2023 Outlook: US power sector trends to watch | Utility Dive. What Does the War in Ukraine Mean for the Climate ? - The New York Times. Climate Goals Are Still Doable With More Renewables And Secure Financing| Forbes. Energy & Environment — Biden energy chief pushes back on GOP bill | The Hill. Why Europe Is Fuming Over America’s Green Subsidies - The Washington Post. Biden's climate agenda has a problem: Not enough workers | Reuters. European Executives Eye US Green Plan With Envy in Davos – Bloomberg. A Chart: China Dominates the Rare Earth Market | Statista. BlackRock’s Larry Fink Says ESG Narrative Has Become Ugly , Personal – Bloomberg. Federal Reserve Board – PR 1/17/2023: provides additional details on how its pilot climate scenario analysis exercise will be conducted and the information on risk management practices that will be gathered over the course of the exercise.... “ Climate scenario analysis is distinct and separate from bank stress tests . The Board's stress tests are designed to assess whether large banks have enough capital to continue lending to households and businesses during a severe recession. The pilot climate scenario analysis exercise, on the other hand, is exploratory in nature and does not have capital consequences….”. SEC aims to set climate risk , cybersecurity rules before May | CFO Dive. The EU’s pioneering carbon border tax | Financial Times. Why (Some) Central Banks Are Acting on Climate Change - The Washington Post. How Climate Catastrophe Could Be Averted If World Bank Helps Wall St – Bloomberg. Taiwan central bank to incorporate climate change risks into forecasting | Reuters. Global oil demand set to reach record high as China reopens, IEA says | Financial Times. Key sustainability trends that will drive decision-making in 2023 | S&P Global The Nature Conservancy: 10 Places to Watch in 2023 : PERSPECTIVES The world just signed a new deal for nature—now it's time to put it into action. Local League Climate Updates By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA ODOT Transportation & DLCD/LCD Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities Efficient Resilient Buildings Public Health Climate Adaptation 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 Climate and Environmental Justice. We all 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.

We are working to defend democracy from escalating cyber-attacks and disinformation. Policy debates are determining the future of our democracy, the internet, and privacy. Privacy and Cybersecurity 2020 About the Study We are working to defend democracy from escalating cyber-attacks and disinformation. Policy debates are determining the future of our democracy, the internet, and privacy. U.S. state and national policymakers have joined the global debate over digital protection of personal information, mined for multi-billion dollar advertising revenues. Experts now characterize media manipulation as ‘information disorder.' The impact of artificial intelligence on MDM, mis-, dis, and mal- information deserves intense scrutiny going forward. Read our 2020 study for an overview, analysis and comprehensive references to contemporary technology, global policy development, the history of privacy, and our key findings. LWVOR Privacy and Cybersecurity positions were adopted in January 2020, in LWVOR Issues for Action, on p. 16 . Privacy and Cybersecurity Position- Adopted: January 2021; Amended January 2021 Cybersecurity is the prevention of damage to, protection of, and restoration of computers, electronic communications systems, electronic communications services, wire communication, and electronic communication, including information contained therein, to ensure its availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation. This position statement addresses Elections, Information Security, Personal Information Protection, and Electronic Business and Social Media. Elections Security The election process is the foundation of our representative form of government. Election integrity, accuracy, transparency, and trustworthiness require vigilance to ensure security protections. Security requirements include and are not limited to: verifiable ballots; ballots that can be recounted and audited; up-to-date hardware and software, supported by vendors, tested, and secure; protected voter registration databases; election staff/volunteers with cybersecurity expertise; cyber-damage contingency plans; risk-limiting audits; attention to disinformation and misleading ads. Protect voters’ ability to exercise an informed opinion on electoral matters. Explore limiting the unfettered electronic circulation and amplification of election misinformation (e.g., targeted disinformation campaigns, manipulated media, anonymous disinformation, and algorithmic and robotic disinformation campaigns). Information Security Government, individuals, and organizations (including the private sector and critical infrastructure), all require strong cybersecurity protections and effective deterrents to assure national security, economic and social stability, and personal information integrity. Create consistent information privacy laws and regulations across all organizations (government, private, for-profit, and non-profit) that eliminate gaps, inconsistencies, and overlaps. Regulate all technology-enabled organizations (e.g., internet platforms, online intermediaries, business-to-consumer platforms), not shifting sectors, so that organizations are subject to a uniform set of laws and regulations. Regulate all categories of information in the same way, regardless of the type of organization or sector that collects that information. Apply a baseline set of regulations to all types of information, regardless of the type of organization or sector collecting that information. Apply regulatory requirements to organizations according to their size and complexity, the nature of data covered, and the risk posed by exposing private information. All information (including third-party data transfers) needs sufficiently flexible protections to address emerging technologies and scientific evidence while serving the common good by balancing the demands of stakeholders and vested interests. The ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICT) of today’s pervasive digital services, platforms, and marketplaces require a global governance perspective to address their societal and economic impacts: Harmonize laws and regulations across jurisdictions to protect individuals and assure the trustworthy flow of information across all boundaries—government, organizations, industry sectors, states, and countries. Aim to develop flexible regulatory structures that can quickly adapt to social and scientific realities and technical and economic policy challenges. Use forward-looking, collaborative mechanisms such as experimentation and learning, test-and-evolve, and post-doc effectiveness reviews. Incentivize specific outcomes that facilitate anticipating and adapting to rapid changes. State laws that become inconsistent with future comprehensive federal privacy standards may be preempted, while more stringent laws may remain. At a minimum, citizens' information protection rights should be comparable to those of citizens around the world—both current and future protections that may be established. Current European Council personal information protections include the ability to: be informed of what personal information is held and why access information held by an entity request updating or correcting of information request manual processing in lieu of automated or algorithmic processing request transfer of information to another entity withdraw prior consent to process data or object to specific situation consent request deleting personal information. Personal Information Protection Uniform privacy rights need to protect personal privacy and prevent known harm. Establish uniform information protections for personal and behavioral data that can be linked to an individual or devices. Prevent harmful uses of personal information by all information processors who collect, store, analyze, transfer, sell, etc. Expand the legal definition of “harm” to include physical, monetary, reputational, intangible, future, or other substantial injuries and to provide individuals the right to legal remedy. Assure that personal information collection, use, transfer, and disclosure for economic or societal purposes is consistent with the purpose for which individuals provide their data, and does not cause them harm. Shift the focus of information protection from individual self-management when submitting data (e.g., opt-in, obscure notice, and choice disclosures) to organizational stewardship in protecting individuals’ personal privacy. Expand personal information privacy definition to address rapidly changing information and communication technologies, accelerated networking between businesses, and automated collection and dissemination of data, which together subvert personally identifiable information, de-identification, re-identification, and data anonymization. Electronic Business and Social Media: Cybersecurity Responsibilities Organizations conducting electronic business and social media commercializing personal information both bear the responsibility for protecting information and must be liable for failure to protect individuals from harm. All organizations--including third-party receivers: Must protect individuals’ transferred information across multiple organizations to ensure end-use accountability. Have a duty to safely collect, use, and share personal, sensitive information. Should use comprehensive information risk assessments, take proactive measures to implement information security measures, and be held accountable for fulfilling these risk management obligations. Are held accountable for misuse of personal information by strengthening both state and federal laws, rule-making, and enforcement powers. We support the right of free speech for all. The digital tools of information and communication technology (such as algorithms and artificial intelligence) can selectively distort or amplify user-generated content. The resulting disinformation, digital manipulation, false claims, and/or privacy violations may endanger society or harm others. Compel private internet communication platforms (applications, social media, websites, etc.) to be responsible for moderating content. Define liability for damages and provide for enforcement for failure to moderate content. Privacy and Cybersecurity Today LWVOR Privacy & Cybersecurity Study , PDF, 61 pages Links Many bills passed in final 2023 legislative session days after the 43-day Senate walkout. See our Sine Die Legislative Report for links to our testimony, including references to our work over several sessions and future ongoing effort; all reflect privacy and cybersecurity. Elections SCR 1 : Condemning Election violence. SB 166 : Election Worker Protections. HB 3073 : Candidate and Incumbent Data Privacy Protection. HB 2107 : Automatic Voter Registration expansion. HB 2585 : Oppose ending “Motor Voter” voter registration. HB 5035 : Software, Risk-Limiting Audits and Election Security in the SoS’s Budget. Cybersecurity HB 2049 : Establish the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. HB 2490 : Defend our cybersecurity plans from Public Disclosure. HB 2806 : update cybersecurity and privacy statute for critical infrastructures, etc. Privacy SB 619 : Protect Consumers’ Personal Data. HB 2052 : Data Broker Registry, First in the Nation. SB 5512 : the Judicial Department budget, for Citizen Participation and Access. HB 3201 : Broadband Assistance. Public Records HB 3111 : State Employees, Volunteers, and Retirees Information Privacy SB 510 : Public Records Advisory Budget. HB 5032 : Public Records Advocate funding. Previous Next

Jean was introduced to the League in 2008 after she retired as a Professor of Educational Psychology at Northern Illinois University. Her first experience was serving on the national League’s study committee which developed the Federal Role in Public Education position. She headed the equity part of the study. After that experience, she joined the LWV of Illinois Issues and Advocacy Committee, which she chaired from 2014-2023. In 2023 she moved to Oregon, joining the Washington County Unit and the LWVOR Action Committee. Currently, Jean serves as Chair of the Action Committee for the state League. She is the Coordinator of Social Policy, with a focus on Education issues. Jean Pierce 2nd Vice President and Action Chair Jean was introduced to the League in 2008 after she retired as a Professor of Educational Psychology at Northern Illinois University. Her first experience was serving on the national League’s study committee which developed the Federal Role in Public Education position. She headed the equity part of the study. After that experience, she joined the LWV of Illinois Issues and Advocacy Committee, which she chaired from 2014-2023. In 2023 she moved to Oregon, joining the Washington County Unit and the LWVOR Action Committee. Currently, Jean serves as Chair of the Action Committee for the state League. She is the Coordinator of Social Policy, with a focus on Education issues.

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 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 Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Oregon Treasury Other Climate Bills Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust There are less than 7 days until the end of session and a number of bills and state agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing agency climate programs in the reconciliation bill. Transportation Legislation HB 2025 is a major topic these last 14 days. ‘2 Oregon Democrats balk at transportation bill as session nears its end’, | OPB. The nearly $2 B package needs a majority vote for it to advance out of committee and to the floor of the legislative chamber. To pass out of each chamber the bill requires a 60% majority. We expect new bill amendments to be posted on Monday that include negotiated inputs from both parties. Special Session? The League is aware of a possible special September session that could address a number of significant Federal Admin policy funding issues. Federal ‘Set up for failure’: Trump’s cuts bring climate and energy agencies to a standstill, workers say - POLITICO How Trump’s assault on science is blinding America to climate change - E&E News by POLITICO Federal agency cuts freeze climate research, stall disaster prep, and disrupt clean energy projects June 16, 2025 - Bloomberg Law | Youth Plaintiffs Urge Court to Block Energy Executive Orders June 16, 2025 - E&E News | 22 climate activists request emergency injunction to stop Trump EOs The Trump administration's workforce reductions and budget restrictions are hobbling key federal agencies, stalling climate research, disaster preparedness... | The Daily Climate Science policy this week : Jun 16, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) 
 How the Five Pillars of U.S. Climate Policy are Threatened – Environmental and Energy Law Program | Harvard Oregon Oregon Legislature sends clean-energy investment bill to governor | Pensions & Investments Carbon-neutral public retirement plan closer to becoming law in Oregon - oregonlive.com Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics By Claudia Keith Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter in April requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. The League supports full funding for the following 8 JWM priority budget topics: 1). Transportation ODOT Package HB 2025 The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities: Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit




 Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets, Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) 




 Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs 
 (Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation) 
 2. One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081A ): In JWM: This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place 3. Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): still in Senate Rules: Not likely to move . This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. 4. HB 3546: Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) Governor signed 6/16. This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. 5. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs. (It is likely these programs will get a portion of the original ask.) Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: 
 
 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m 
 
 
 
 
 Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m 
 
 
 
 
 Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) 
 
 
 
 
 6. Environmental Justice Bills. (disadvantaged communities) HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 . HB2548 : in JWM SC CC WS 6/20 . An agriculture workforce labor standards PSU and OSU study, HR PH was 5/29. New -9 amendment changing the bill to a study with $667K fiscal. League Testimony . 7. Natural and Working Lands: HB 5039 A financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; passed out of House 6/13 and Senate 6/19 , League testimony 


 
 
 
 
. Budget report and measure summary lists all budget details. See -2 amendment for 6/6 changes. These NWL bills appear not to be moving out of committee. HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 
 
 
 
 8. Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update, it is unlikely these bills will be moving this session. HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8, passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summar y (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS. Fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fisca l >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 . 2 bills are still viable. The fate of these bills is, first of all, dependent on what happens with the transportation package. It seems that there are two or three options on that front: (a) The Dems fail to get a transportation package that brings in revenues from new sources. In this case, they’ll need to fund ODOT from the general fund and there will be NO monies available for the many policy bills that were referred to Joint Ways & Means. The CEI Hub bills along with many others will not be funded. (b) The Dems succeed in passing a transportation package that brings in new revenues to fund ODOT. In this case, a select number of policy bills will be quickly considered and funded. Some weeks ago, leadership asked Committee Chairs to provide a prioritized list of bills. Those at the top of the priority lists are the most likely to be funded. Two CEI Hub bills are in this category, see below. (c ) third scenario, the Republicans walk out of one of the chambers now that there are less than 10 days to the constitutional end of session, June 29. Two CEI Hub bills are among the top priority bills: HB 2949 – Risk bond requirement. Rep. Tran ranked this as her committee’s top priority bill. She is in conversation with DEQ about ways to lower the cost of the bill (the bill passed through committee without a $ figure, but apparently DEQ has now provided Rep. Tran’s office with a $ figure). One cost-cutting change is to remove the requirement that DEQ report to the legislature. Not sure how this cuts costs, since any committee can call on an agency to report during a public hearing, but it apparently does. They are discussing other options for reducing the cost to the general fund. I was assured that none of these change the substance of the risk bond requirements. Notably, the WSPA/industry lobbyist has been in the building in recent weeks talking with legislative leadership in support of HB 2949. Apparently, they are most intent on preventing multiple jurisdictions setting multiple risk bond requirements. HB 2152 – geographical distribution of fuels for disaster response. This bill seems likely to be folded into a bill that Rep. Paul Evans ranked as his number one priority, thus elevating it to the top tier for consideration. This brings one substantive change: ODOE would be required to do this planning, but funding for the larger Evans bill kicks in in two years. Not ideal, but better than no bill; and having the policy mandate in place makes funding more likely. The changes described above and some still in the works won’t be filed as amendments until it’s clear whether and how leadership ultimately decides to assign bills to Ways & Means Capital Construction Subcommittee . So, they don’t appear in OLIS. Given the many uncertainties, I asked what we can do at this point to support these bills. In the meantime, staying tuned in to the fate of the transportation package is our best way of knowing whether these CEI Hub bills will be considered for funding this session. For latest developments, see today’s article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle, here . Bills that are unlikely to pass: HB 3492: Hazmat release study bill – as far as I know it wasn’t put forward as a top priority bill by any committee or committee chair. HB 3450: CEI Hub Transition Planning – the version that passed out of committee was so weak that we asked Rep. Tran to not push for enactment. Definitely dead: HB 2151: expand the possible uses of the Seismic Risk Mitigation Fund – this bill did not pass out of committee Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates By Claudia Keith HB 2081A : Passed House and Senate, speaker and president have signed on its way to the governor. Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Oregon Public Financing / BANK

 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Likely to die in committee. Work Session was 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: .94M League Testimony Other Climate Legislation Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Likely dead, at this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The OCERA coalition appears to be planning a ballot initiative campaign. ‘ Supporters of Oregon Green Amendment rally at the Oregon State Capitol ‘ | Salem Statesman Journal. Other Climate Bills - Active SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , Governor signed 5/28 HB 3546 Enrolled , POWER Act , House Speaker and Senate president signed 6/9. new GIS 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, The League is listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 
 HB 3963 Offshore Wind: in Senate, 2nd reading 6/20. Extends the deadline from Sept 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2027, for the DLCD to draft and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on the department's activities to develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. 
 
 
 HB 3653 Enrolled Gov signed 5/27 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.



 HB 2065 A and HB 2066 A : Microgrid Package, In House – third reading 
6/23, HB 2065 preliminary budget 6/17 and Preliminary HB 2066 Budget 6/17 HB 2566 A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. Fiscal $169K At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 


 
 
 
 The House concurred to Senate amendments and repassed HB 3336 A by a vote of 41-12. House repasses grid-enhancing technologies bill Inactive Bills: likely will end session in committee: Study of Nuclear Energy ( HB 2038 ) in JWM: This measure proposes that the Oregon Department of Energy study nuclear energy and waste disposal. 
 
 
 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session 3/24, updated $ 974K fiscal , moved to JWM, Sub Cmt Natural Resources. League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham 
 
 
 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. Senators 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. 
 
 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 June 13 Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. 2025 Congressional Resolution * — Our Children's Trust LWVOR has requested LWV to provide congressional advocacy and approval to LWVOR to lobby Oregon’s Congressional team concerning Congressional * Children's Fundamental Rights to Life and Stable Climate System resolution, supporting the principles underpinning Lighthiser v. Trump , the new case brought by 22 young Americans challenging the Trump administration’s pro-fossil fuel and anti-climate science Executive Orders. The resolution is sponsored by Representatives Schakowsky, Jayapal, and Raskin. They are also working with Senator Merkley’s office. Press releases from Our Children’s Trust June 14, 2025: Youth Plaintiffs Seek Emergency Court Order to Halt Trump’s Fossil Fuel Executive Orders 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 4/3 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 Priorities Other CE Bills Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator CE priority bills continue to move forward. All have moved to the floor or to JW&Ms. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each CE priority. 1. SB 530 -7: Natural and Working Lands : On 4/4 the bill moved to JW&Ms with Do pass with -7 amendment, a 3/2 partisan vote. The League continues to be an active coalition member. Fiscal . Staff Measure Summary . 2. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: Work sessions were held on 4/4. All four bills moved to JW&Ms, with a partisan vote. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . Recently posted to OLIS: SB 868 -3 staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 869 -2 staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 870 -4 Staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 871 -3 staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions *** Mark your Calendars: The Resilient Buildings Coalition is having an in-person LOBBY Day at the Capital April 20. More details via an Alert will be published later this month. Pre-register for this Lobby Day.*** 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13. SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907-6 , League testimony . New on OLIS: SB 907 amendment -6 staff measure summary. 4/4 work session, moved to the floor with do pass with amendments, a unanimous vote. SB907 Coalition Sign-on Letter - LWVOR one of many organizations… 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 -3 staff measure summary , fisca l, 4/4 Work Session moved, with 4/1 vote to JW&Ms. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 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 in both chambers to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will be adding climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony . In both cases, our testimony will request additional agency requests not included in the Governor’s Jan budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast, will likely provide new required budget balancing guidelines. Find in last week’s Social Policy LR a summary of the Governor’s recommended budget for the OHA Public Health Div. It includes Healthcare, Natural Resources, and Climate Emergency related topics. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 -1: League Testimony . Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like the RB task force, the 23-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than Jan 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This policy topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session -1 staff measure summary . Moved on 3/14 with recommendation to JW&Ms with - 1 amendment. Fiscal HB 3016 -2 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session was 3/15 . Fiscal Moved to JW&Ms unanimously. Legislative -2 Staff Measure Summary . House CE&E 4/5/23 By Greg Martin House CE&E heard favorable testimony on April 5 for SB 545 A from Sen. Sollman and environmental witnesses. The Senate engrossed bill greatly simplifies the original, removing the detailed prescription of what the OHA rules must contain. The amended bill simply requires OHA to "adopt rules allowing for a restaurant to allow a consumer to fill a consumer-owned container with food." It also gives OHA an additional 6 months to adopt the rules, by June 30, 2024. ODA was removed from the rulemaking mandate. Senate E&E Work Session 4/4/23 Update: In addition to SB 868-871, Senate E&E reported: SB 542-7 : Right to Repair bill, minimal expenditure impact so presumably sent to the floor. SB 522-3 : Renames OGWC as the Oregon Climate Action Commission; increases membership from 25 to 35 members (13 voting), including an EJ member, a “youth representative” and a member with “significant experience in the fishing industry”; declares Oregon’s “aspiration” to reduce GHG emissions in stages, to achieve 2050 levels that are at least 95% below 1990 levels, and net zero emissions by 2050; requires the commission to track progress toward those goals; and requires DEQ to study and report on opportunities to reduce consumption-based GHG emissions through materials management or other state programs. Fiscal note projects expenditure of $776K in 2023-25 and $632K in 2025-27 for two new full-time ODOE staff and contracting for the required emissions forecast. Presumably referred to Joint W&M. SB 803-6 : Original bill would have established a CI standard for diesel fuel sold in Oregon for use in on-road vehicles, beginning in 2026. Opposition from trucking, ag, construction, et al, pared it back to a “study” bill for DEQ. Fiscal note estimates the study cost at $90K, subsequent referral to JW&Ms. House C E & E 3/29 By Greg Martin HB 3459-5 : Adjustments to the low-income electric bill payment assistance program for PGE and PP customers. Moved to the JW&Ms (6-4 vote). Fiscal note explains: Under current law, HCSD receives $20 million/yr as a base amount for bill payment assistance. In 2021, an additional $10 million was authorized for collection and deposit through December 2023. This bill reduces the supplemental amount collected to $5 million and extends the sunset through December 2025. Projected to require an additional $2.5 million for bill payment assistance in both 23-25 and 25-27. HB 3590 : Requires study of developing fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. Moved to JW&Ms by unanimous vote. Includes $3 million GF appropriation for HECC in 23-25. HB 3004-3 : Tax credit for “non-emitting” electricity generation or storage facility placed in service post 2024. Moved w/out recommendation, with referral to Tax Exp., then to W&M. Fiscal impact is indeterminate, depending on how many facilities might be eligible. HB 2571-2 : Rebates for electric bicycle purchases. Moved to the floor with prior referral to W&M. It would appropriate $6 million (!) GF for the Electric Bicycle Incentive Fund; fiscal note estimates nearly a million more needed for DEQ program administration. HB 3464-3 , the beaver protection act, had a 4/3 work session, unanimous vote, moved to floor, with do pass. No fiscal impact, and apparently, we'll still be able to call beavers "rodents" even though we can't "take" one unless it "imminently threatens infrastructure." Ducks are still fair game in season. Senate E&E 3/30 SB 582-3 : training and certification requirements for installers of EV charging systems, creating a training grant program under BOLI. Moved to floor w/ do pass recommendation, w/ referral to W&M for further fiscal analysis. SB 123-2 , study of digital labeling to convey info about recyclability claims. Moved to floor as amended w/ do pass recommendation. No fiscal impact. All other bills on the agenda, including SB 488 , 522 , 542 , 803 and 868-871, were carried over to Tuesday 4/4 for one reason or another. House CE&E 4/3 The committee moved these bills among others to the floor with do-pass recommendation and referral to Joint W&M: HB 3378-2 : As amended, sets up a $2 million grant program under ODOE to cover counties’ cost of developing optional energy resilience plans to respond to major grid disruptions. Counties could receive grants of up to $50,000 and could pool their grant money. Fiscal impact statement of $2.1 million GF includes one full-time program analyst to design and oversee the grant program. HB 2714-4 : Establishes a $15 million fund under DEQ to support rebates for purchase or lease of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Marsh put on the record, saying she hopes it will become a budget note, that if $15m isn’t available, whatever state funds do come through should go to medium-duty rather than heavy-duty trucks. Fiscal impact statement of $15.3m includes hiring two permanent full-time program analysts. HB 2170-3 : Sen. Brock Smith bill requiring ODOE to study and report to legislature on feasibility of establishing a renewable hydrogen hub at Port of Coos Bay. Rep. Pham opposed the motion. Fiscal note estimates a study cost of $200K. The committee also voted to move HB 2614 w/out recommendation as to passage, for referral to Joint Transp. The introduced bill would require transportation network companies to meet or exceed specified targets for percentage of service miles provided by ZEVs. Chair Marsh moved to punt the bill since the committee had not discussed it or the amendments since the public hearing two months ago. The committee voted to do so though Rep. Osborne objected, saying if we don’t know enough about the topic, why not just kill it. Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart and Arlene Sherrett The League has identified the I-5 Bridge Replacement as a key project impacting Oregonians and anyone traveling the I-5 corridor. This extensive, multi-year, project is projected to cost between $5-7.5 billion and take until 2028 to complete. Washington and Oregon state transportation departments are jointly leading the project . • Accountability Dashboard has extensive information and resources on financial and community accomplishments in an easily digested format. • A monthly newsletter is available to track progress on the project. • The Executive Steering Group last met on March 21 and discussed funding in detail. The financial plan report was scheduled to be released at the end of March and updated around major program milestones. • Equity Advisory Group and the Community Advisory Group host regular meetings designed to educate and obtain input from the community on issues related to the IBR. • The Joint Committee on The Interstate 5 Bridge currently has no scheduled meetings. • Several bills related to tolling have been referred to Transportation and are moving forward during this session. • There are no new meetings scheduled on this project until the middle of the month. See the regular meeting calendar link (4th bullet above) for more information. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. The Need For Climate Risk Disclosures : A Case Study Of Physical Risk Of Two REITS, EQR And ARE | Forbes. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the IRA $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. Oregon State Treasury Completes Nearly $1 Billion Bond Sale , Offers State Residents Opportunity to Invest In Oregon. Oregon bill to divest from coal, oil and gas peters out | National News | kpvi.com The Oregon Investment Council will meet April 19. The Council met March 8; see the meeting packet . ESG is mentioned on page 7. The formal meeting minutes still have not been posted yet. The agenda included ESG Regulatory Update Sarah Bernstein 7 Managing Principal, Meketa and Steven Marlowe, Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First -Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard | OST. The Feb Pers Statement has yet to be posted. J an 2023 Pers Statement . Moody’s recent Oregon Bond rating rational: ‘Moody's assigns Aa1 to the State of Oregon's GO bonds; outlook stable’. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 64 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Oregon and NW regional News Offshore Wind Energy: Council wants current plans rescinded | News | currypilot.com . Amazon tried to kill emissions bill in Oregon despite climate pledge | The Washington Post. Oregon utility files IRP, inaugural clean energy plan | pv magazine USA. PacifiCorp wants more time to file first Oregon clean energy plan - Portland Business Journal. PGE Files for Largest Bill Increase in 20 Years | CUB Blog Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.