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Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. (OPRD) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Recycling Regional Solutions State Land Board Transportation Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire Intro It’s time! Information on the 2026 session is live ! Bills are posted and committee agendas are beginning to be posted. We encourage you to e-Subscribe to the bills you want to follow and the committees of interest. That means you will receive email notices of the bills you select and the committees you choose to follow. In a short session, it’s critical to know when the issues about which you want to follow are going to be heard/acted upon. Below you will find bills that our volunteers found of interest. You will need to look on OLIS to find the Committee to which the bills have been assigned—to be assigned on opening day Feb. 2. We will review all bills for a linkage to League positions to determine if we will provide testimony for or against. Of course, we also await the Feb. 4 th Revenue Forecast. The Full Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing from 5-8p on Feb. 3 rd . Individual League members are encouraged to participate, but remember that only our League President can speak on behalf of the League. See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report and sections of other Legislative Reports. AGRICULTURE By Sandra U. Bishop HB 4130 : Relating to farm use. As introduced, this bill relates to prepared farm products. This measure would seem to allow a greatly expanded variety of products to be produced and sold on farmland under the guise of clarifying the meaning of preparing farm products and by-products. Proposed changes would tie preparation of farm products or by-products to a newly defined farm unit (all parcels used for farming whether owned or leased) and to where a majority of the preparation occurs. Preparing products or by-products is defined as “… means but is not limited to cleaning, treating, cutting, sorting and packaging.” There is also a proposed language change regarding biofuel processing that would seem to open farmland for increased biofuel production. The League has concerns linked to our positions on the importance of agricultural lands for agriculture. HB 4153 : Relating to farm stores. This bill as introduced would eliminate farm stands and allow up to 10,000 square foot farm stores in permanent buildings selling products created in an enlarged region including areas of adjacent states. This would include undefined retail items allowed to take up to 25% of store space, and beverages and processed food for immediate consumption. Proposed definitions of agri-tourism range from specific allowables such as crop mazes and play structures to vague descriptors such as “… other seasonal or holiday events.” The language would seem to grant permission for any type of event. As written the proposed changes would put a burden on counties to determine any additional standards for siting farm stores. The permissive language “…may adopt sitting standards for farm stores…” is likely to leadto insufficient regulation or public accountability especially in counties that are severely underfunded and cannot afford to spend excessive staff time determining standards in individual cases of proposed farm store developments. The League has concerns linked to our positions on the importance of agricultural lands for agriculture. Public Hearing Feb. 4. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) accepted public comments on proposed rules for the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area ( LUBGWMA) . In an article by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, it was noted: In comments shared with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Board of Agriculture shortly before the new year, farm groups opposed to the rules told regulators they go too far, while others contended they don’t go far enough. The Oregon Health Authority since 2024 found that at least 634 domestic drinking water wells in the area contain unsafe levels of nitrate, some with nearly 10 times the federal limit for safe drinking water, and more than 420 show elevated levels that could lead to long-term health problems. Update: Here’s the 2025 Annual Report on the LUBGWMA. The plan outlines the state’s key strategies to reduce groundwater nitrate concentrations to less than 7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in the area and protect public health in the immediate term. The report shares progress but also notes that it will take decades to reverse the damage done to the area’s groundwater supplies. BUDGETS/REVENUE Peggy Lynch As we await the Feb. 4 th Revenue Forecast, agencies were directed to reduce their spending as well as providing a list of potential cuts of up to 5% per agency per revenue source ( General Fund, Lottery Fund, Other Funds) and to provide a list of any new programs that were approved since 2021—all due to reduced revenue forecasts, federal legislation and actions. Here are the meeting materials submitted to LFO by the 14 natural resource agencies. League members have been meeting with legislators to advocate for important programs. We can support vacancy savings (not hiring for some authorized staffing or delaying hiring), but we want to maintain the position authority for this biennium. We also recognize that losing trained staff is costly in the long term since many staff need 6-12 months to be fully trained, especially for processing permits. Working in the natural resource world which is less than 3% of the state’s budget, each cut reduces the ability for Oregon to protect our air, land and water. See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report for in depth information. We encourage you to read ALL sections. CLIMATE Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL ISSUES Christine Moffitt SB 1525 will establish the Blue Economy Task Force to study and report on Oregon’s blue economy sectors, existing economic development plans and strategies, and opportunities to support the growth of sustainable blue economy businesses while maintaining the health of Oregon’s coastal ecosystems. The measure also authorizes the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create and maintain a nonprofit organization. HB 4097 : Authorizes the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create and maintain a nonprofit organization. LWVOR can support this bill. Public Hearing is Feb. 2 nd . Work Session set for Feb. 4. Public Access Rulemaking has begun to clarify how local governments will address protection of public access to Oregon beaches. @ dlcd.oregon.gov with questions. More information is available at OregonOcean.Info/RockyHabitats . DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) The federal government approves Grassy Mt. Gold Mine according to OPB. The Grassy Mountain gold mine still needs multiple state permits before moving ahead. It would occupy nearly 470 acres of public land for the next decade, and then the site would undergo a four-year restoration period and 20 years of monitoring. If this project is approved, the City of Vale will see a temporary transformation as they seek housing and other services for workers. The latest on the Grassy Mt. Gold Mine Project per the Dept. of Environmental Quality’s Director's Report : Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project: DEQ prepared four draft permits for the Grassy Mountain project, a proposed gold mine located in Malheur County approximately 22 miles south-southwest of Vale. Mining will be sub-surface, and gold will be extracted from the ore using a cyanide extraction process. DEQ permits regulate potential releases of contaminants to air, land, and water. DEQ has been working closely with the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and other state agencies to develop draft permits, following a consolidated permitting process that is unique to chemical process mining. DEQ is currently working with DOGAMI on draft permit conditions related to the protection of groundwater resources and solid waste management in response to preliminary comments from the applicant. DOGAMI is accepting public comments through February 6, 2026, as outlined in the public notice , including related documents. The League has followed this project—the first chemical processing gold mine proposed for Oregon. A new streamlined permitting process has been used for this application. OPB provided an article . OPB also covered exploration of a lithium mine in Southeast Oregon. Here’s an article about the effects on sage grouse of these mining operations. DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC) Sandra U. Bishop The League has a standing seat on DWAC. Interactive GIS Maps for water system and source water protection have been improved. These maps are available to the public as well as water system operators and are maintained by the Oregon DEQ’s Drinking Water Protection group and may be accessed via the DWS website . FORESTRY (ODF) Josie Koehne “Governor Kotek’s second executive order ( EO 25-26 ) directs state agencies to coordinate and integrate climate-resilient strategies into existing state programs that work with the state’s natural and working lands,and waters. Those lands include state-owned forests, grasslands, rangelands, farmlands, wetlands and urban parts, and open outdoor spaces.” See the OEC Nov 25 2025 article : “What Governor Kotek’s Executive Order Rollout Means for Oregon”. The executive order did not provide funding however, which will be exceptionally limited this session due to Oregon’s revenue shortfall resulting from the federal HR 1 with major funding cuts, and caused by Oregon’s rolling connection to federal tax law. The new State Forester, recently appointed by the Governor, is Kacey KC from Nevada , who will begin in her new position on March 1st. More info from a s tory in Oregonlive. The following is a list of bills we will be watching and possibly commenting on: HB 4004 : Provides that additional taxes otherwise imposed upon disqualification of land from certain forestland special assessment programs may not be collected if the disqualification is due to the suspension of reforestation requirements as a result of insects or disease. HB 4105 : Directs the State Forester to determine the available state forestland, establish sustainable harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and manage available state forestland. Allows certain persons to seek a court order if the State Forester fails to establish sustainable harvest levels or manage available state forestland. LWVOR opposed a version of this bill in 2025 and will do so in 2026. HB 4056 : Appropriates moneys to the State Forestry Department to offset landowners’ costs of fire protection provided by the department. For the biennium ending June 30, 2027, out of the General Fund, the amount of $9,000,000, for the purpose of offsetting potential increases in landowner forest patrol assessments. SB 1590 : Prohibits public bodies from assisting the federal government with privatization of certain federally owned lands. GOVERNANCE By Peggy Lynch The Natural Resources Team often follows bills related to permitting processes. Among the bills we are following: HB 4019 : Requires certain agencies to base approval or denial of an application for a new permit on the rules and standards that are applicable at the time that the agency determines the application is complete. HB 4020 : Requires certain agencies to specify the authority justifying the denial of a permit application and provide the applicant a guide on how to contest the denial. HB 4084 : Establishes the Joint Permitting Council. (Governor’s bill) SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. LAND USE & HOUSING Peggy Lynch Bills we are watching: t HB 4113 : Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development to study housing development opportunities conditioned upon land conservation. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to land use no later than September 15, 2027. HB 4035 : Expands eligibility for cities and Metro to amend their urban growth boundaries under temporary program. Authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to issue grants to implement the commission’s duties. HB 4082 : Adds to a temporary UGB addition program an option for each city or Metro to also add to its urban growth boundary a site for manufactured dwelling parks, or for housing for older persons, that is affordable for households with incomes not more than 120 percent of area median income. Public Hearing Feb. 3. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Revenue Legislative Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. The 2025-27 Policy Agenda was approved by LCDC on Oct. 24. There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone, including: Housing Rulemaking for HB 2138 and HB 2258 (2025) and Rulemaking to clarify and allow housing and other needed development outside of wetlands. The rulemaking would create an optional, alternative compliance pathway for wetlands resources when a city is preparing to annex lands from the urban growth boundary (UGB) to accommodate needed housing and economic development. See their Rulemaking page for more info on all the rules work being done by this agency. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) Melanie Moon HB 4134 is a bipartisan bill that would increase the state tax from 1.5% to 2.75% for transient visitors to Oregon including camping, hotels and vacation rentals. This 1.25% increase has the potential to raise tens of millions of dollars urgently needed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect hundreds of imperiled species and the habitat that supports them. As an added benefit, this investment in wildlife and habitat would help protect clean drinking water and provide protection from drought and wildfires. LWVOR signed on to a letter in support . High Country News provides an article on this bill. Hearing Feb. 4. OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD) Peggy Lynch The League is working with others to address the fiscal crisis at OPRD. Oregonlive provides an article on ways they are nibbling around the edges. But OPRD is responsible not only for our wonderful state parks, but also historical sites. Many need infrastructure repairs. There is a conversation around getting some amount of bonding to help with this maintenance, but also setting up a Task Force to study new long term operational funding options. The League studied Oregon Parks in 1998: Oregon State Parks, Part 1 (PDF, 7 pgs) Oregon State Parks, Part 2 (PDF, 9 pgs) . OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) The Oregon Environmental Restoration Council (OERC) held a virtual meeting on January 22. The agenda and meeting materials are available on OERC’s website. The Interim Ways and Means Committee approved an Other Funds expenditure limitation increase of $35 million to be included in the 2026 budget reconciliation bill. RECYCLING HB 4144 : Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries. Public Hearing Feb. 2. REGIONAL SOLUTIONS The Regional Solutions Program : Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. If you know anyone who may benefit from these publications, please direct them to this signup page . The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person. Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings. Public Comment is usually scheduled. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: Regional Solutions: South Central (Klamath and Lake Counties) February 17th from 9:00am-11:00am Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) March 12th from 1:30-3:30pm Southern (Jackson and Josephine Counties) March 25th from 12:00-2:00pm South Valley/Mid-Coast (Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties) March 26th from 1:00-3:00pm STATE LAND BOARD Peggy Lynch The State Land Board will meet Feb. 10. The agenda and meeting materials will be available soon. The League follows these meetings since the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer comprise the Board membership. TRANSPORTATION (ODOT) Update Jan. 21: Referral vote on funding parts of HB 3991 (2025) may be held May 19 instead of November per this press release from Legislative Leadership. But a bill needs to be passed and signed by the Governor by Feb. 25 per the Oregon Secretary of State’s office per the Salem Reporter . See details in the January 26 Legislative Report. One critic’s funding answer . The Statesman Journal reported : The Oregon Department of Transportation faces a budget gap of $242 million for the 2025-2027 budget cycle, ODOT leaders told staff Dec. 23. "It’s a smaller gap, and while that’s good news, it’s still big enough to require service level cuts and future layoffs if we have to manage this on our own with existing revenue and within existing spending restrictions," ODOT director Kris Strickler and incoming interim director Lisa Sumption wrote in an email to staff . A press release from ODOT on Jan. 14 reports: Impacts of Funding Gap Isn’t Addressed. In the upcoming short session, legislators will be looking at a $297 million funding target to support ODOT’s operations beyond June 30, 2027. Without new resources for the current budget cycle, the agency estimates it would need to reduce its workforce by more than 1,000 positions, including eliminating570 vacant positions and laying off approximately 470 current employees. The House Transportation Committee shared their Committee LCs and the Senate Transportation Committee did the same for the 2026 session. KATU reminded Oregonians of the need for road maintenance. WATER Peggy Lynch Bills of concern: HB 4006 : Authorizes holders of certain Columbia River water rights to change the point of diversion or use the water right on land to which the right is not appurtenant, provided certain conditions are met. HB 4049 : Directs the Water Resources Commission to encourage and approve voluntary agreements between ground water users in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern to achieve reasonably stable ground water levels League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has declared a drought in eight counties ( map ) . Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms ( HABs) . “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. WEATHER Snow pack on Mt. Hood per this Jan. 22 nd Oregonlive article : As of Wednesday, the snow water equivalent at Mount Hood stood at 10 inches, which represents the third-lowest total for this point in a water year since 1980. Here is a statewide map as of Jan. 25 th from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. KOIN provides concerns about next week’s rain in this Jan. 27 th article. WETLANDS Peggy Lynch SB 1584 : Directs the Department of State Lands, in consultation with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, to develop a salmon credit pilot program to encourage the voluntary restoration of salmonid habitat in the Coquille and Coos watershed basins. Establishes the Salmon Credit Trust Fund. Directs the Department of State Lands and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to consult with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to seek federal approval for a bank instrument and authorization of activities that occur in navigable waters of the United States. Becomes operative on the date that the federal authorization and bank instrument are approved. Provides that the Department of State Lands may not approve a salmon credit project on or after January 1 of the sixth year following federal approval. The League has opposed similar bills in the past, including SB 511 (2025). We will again oppose. Public Hearing Feb. 3. The League was pleased to learn that LWVUS provided comments on the proposed changes to the Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) rules “Waters of the United States.” LWVUS believes that the changes would significantly impair water quality protections around the country and filed a comment letter . We shared these comments with the Oregon state agency directors who provided comments to the EPA and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers on the proposed changes to the Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) rules. They were appreciative. WILDFIRE Carolyn Mayers Bills we are watching: SB 1540 : Requires an insurer that uses a catastrophe model or wildfire risk model to provide the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services a description of each model, along with related information, and an explanation of how the insurer uses the model in underwriting decisions. Specifies elements that an insurer must include in each model and requires the insurer to give a premium discount or adjustment, or other incentive, to a policy holder that demonstrates having undertaken a property-specific mitigation action or that a community-level mitigation action occurred in proximity to the policy holder’s property. SB 1551 : Invalidates deed restrictions and planned community governing documents prohibiting the removal of non-fire-hardened building materials or installation of fire-hardened building materials on residential properties. Public Hearing Feb. 3. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Sine Die 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: 2 023 Highlights C limate Budget Package E nergy Budget Package Clean Energy and Resilient Buildings Environmental Justice O ther Climate Emergency News Climate Emergency By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator and team 2023 Highlights Hottest July ever signals ‘era of global boiling has arrived’ says UN chief | UN News The League worked independently and as a partner with multiple coalitions, contributing to a very productive historical 2023 Legislative session. This session’s historical dynamics included a Republican walkout, an increase of ~$2B in available funding and high federal funding opportunities. (see revenue LR). The session ended a few days early, with all six Climate and Energy priority policy and related funding bills passing in June, bills signed or vetoed by Governor Kotek . “ Climate Resilience Package Investment ( HB 3409 , HB 3630 ): Invests $90 million in community-focused and forward-looking solutions to increase our energy efficiency, keep Oregonians safe from extreme weather, maximizing federal funding opportunities, and build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable energy system.” The League supported and in some cases provided testimony on many of the following bills. From Rep. Tawna Sanchez’s 6/26/23 newsletter: “Finally, I voted to pass HB 3409 and HB 3630, which together invest $100 million to bring in over $1 billion in federal matching funds to address the rapidly worsening impacts of climate change in Oregon.” “$90 million Climate Budget Framework Invests in Sustainable, Resilient Future for Oregon . Investments to lower utility costs, reduce building emissions, empower landowners to participate in the green economy, incentivize carbon sequestration, and improve disaster resilience.” HB 3409 A Climate Budget Package By Claudia Keith Passed along party lines $61.7M Fiscal . Resilient, Efficient Buildings Policy Package ( SB 868 , 869 , 870 , 871 ) - Leverages federal funding to improve efficiency of homes and buildings; supports healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. League Testimony , sign-on coalition letter and action alert . Community Resilience Hubs ( HB 2990 ) - Funds community resilience hubs and networks across the state to coordinate and provide access to resources and services for vulnerable populations during disasters. Natural Climate Solutions ( SB 530) - Supports cost-sharing to leverage tens of millions in federal investments for Oregon forestland owners, farmers, and ranchers to implement climate-smart land management practices, increasing carbon sequestration and improving the resilience of Oregon communities and natural resource economies . League Testimony , Action Alert , and coalition letter . Oregon Climate Council Modernization ( SB 522 ) - Provides long-overdue staffing and representation on the Oregon Global Warming Commission. League Testimony . Medium and Heavy Duty Electric Vehicle Rebate Program ( HB 2714 ) - Creates a DEQ program that can compete for $1 billion in federal IRA funding for medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle rebates. Trees Restoring Economic and Environmental Stability Act ( HB 3016 ) - Creates a Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program at DLCD to fund communities to develop projects that increase tree canopy, improve livability, and support water quality and Conservation. Siting Renewable Energy ( HB 3181 ) - Directs DLCD in coordination with ODOE to find opportunities and minimize conflicts on siting of solar projects in Oregon through engaging stakeholders in a rulemaking advisory committee process. Climate Protection Program Fee Bill ( HB 3196 ) - Supports DEQ oversight and accountability of Oregon’s cornerstone Climate Protection Program to ensure the Community Climate Investment program achieves its intended climate pollution reduction goals and benefits for communities of color, rural, low-income, Tribal, and other communities across the state. League Testimony . Harmful Algal Blooms ( HB 2647 ) - Protects Oregonians from harmful algal blooms in drinking water, which are likely to occur more often due to shifting precipitation patterns from climate change. (see Natural Resources LR) Woody Biomass for Low-Carbon Fuels ( HB 3590 ) - Directs College of Forestry at Oregon State University to research development of fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. HB 3630 A Energy Budget Package By Claudia Keith State Energy Strategy ( HB 2534 ) - Directs ODOE to develop a comprehensive state energy strategy that identifies optimized pathways to achieving the state’s energy policies. County Energy Resilience Planning ( HB 3378 ) - Supports counties’ development of energy resilience planning and integration into wildfire mitigation plans. Resilient, Efficient Buildings - ODOE One-Stop-Shop ( HB 3166 ) - Leverages federal funding to improve efficiency of homes and buildings; supports healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. Environmental Justice and Tribal Navigator ( SB 852 ) - Establishes a program within ODOE to provide information about state and federal funding opportunities and other technical assistance to rural, Tribal, and other environmental justice communities as they work to develop energy projects or build energy-related capacity. Solar + Storage Rebate Program Extension ( HB 3418 ) - Extends sunset on solar and storage project rebates for residential customers and low-income service providers, extending the program through January 2029, enabling the program to potentially receive and distribute tens of millions in federal funding from EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. These rebates facilitate low- and moderate-income Oregonians to save on electric bills and retain power during outages. Residential Heat Pump Program Extension ( HB 3056) - Supports implementation of ODOE’s Residential and Community Heat Pump Deployment Programs established by the 2021 legislature to bring much-needed heat relief to Oregon communities. Community Renewable Energy Grant Program - Provides funding for ODOE’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, established by the legislature in 2021, to support planning and developing community renewable energy and energy resilience projects. CE insights from Senator Dembrow recent newsletter: -The benefit of these package bills was that we could pass sections of the package that we would not have been able to as a stand alone bill. Although they were done related to the walkout, this may become part of future legislation. -He's planning on bringing back the GHG targets that didn't pass in 2023--in 2024. -He expects the state public bank to return in 2024. With conversation w/Gov about, if not Biz OR, what agency should run the Task Force. -2025 will be the year of transportation...another BIG package. Including gas tax replacement, final on I-5 Bridge, multimodal projects/funding. Look at HB 2017 (2017) for guidance. The League is disappointed. At this time Oregon will not be added to this EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) list of U.S. states that have meaningful binding economy-wide climate target statutes . We are hopeful the Governor, the new Climate Action Commission, and legislative leadership will address this issue in 2024. Clean Energy and Resilient Buildings By Arlene Sherrett and Greg Martin HB 3409 and HB 3630 , climate and energy omnibus bills supported by the League, won final passage at the last minute after a hard-fought effort to get absent legislators executing an orchestrated walkout, back to the Senate floor. Each bill aggregated climate bills waiting in committee for the walkout to end. See highlights of some bills of the two omnibus bills. Resilient, Efficient Buildings Policy Package —( SB 868 , 869 , 870 , 871 ) - These bills leverage federal funding to improve energy efficiency of homes and buildings and support healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. The bills reduce emissions by reducing energy consumption, thus making the most of energy efficiency. SB 868 , Healthy Heating and Cooling for All, paves the way for state and federal funding to provide heat pumps to Oregonians. SB 869 , Build Smart from the Start, aligns building codes with state climate targets. SB 870 , Building Performance Standards, formulates a program to transition buildings off fossil fuels. SB 871 , Smart State Buildings, clears the way for all state buildings, whether owned or leased, to be retrofitted for energy efficiency. Oregon Climate Council Modernization ( SB 522 ) provides long-overdue staffing and representation on the Oregon Global Warming Commission, changing the name to Oregon Climate Action Commission. However, the omnibus package removed a provision updating Oregon’s GHG emissions reduction targets. HB 3056 extends the residential heat pump fund created by SB 1536 (2022), part of a cooling package in response to the Oregon 2021 heat dome event. League Testimony . HB 3166 establishes the whole-home energy savings program (HOMES) and the high-efficiency electric home rebate program (HEEHR.) Both are based on federal energy residential buildings efficiency programs. A widely celebrated bill feature is a one-stop information and technical assistance center for those wanting to make their home more energy efficient. League Testimony . Environmental Justice By Claudia Keith The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition Follow-Up . SB 907 ‘Right to refuse dangerous work’ Testimony . Other CE Bills we worked on By Claudia Keith, Arlene Sherrett and Greg Martin HB 2763 Enrolled passed in June and moved to the governor; creates a State Public Bank Task Force, League Testimony . Like the 2022 session RB task force, a 19-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than September 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” The Governor vetoed this bill; see the Governor's letter explaining her decision . Read our response . Senator Dembow expects legislation for the state public bank to return in 2024, with conversation w/Gov about, if not Biz OR, and what agency should run the Task Force. HB 3179 Enrolled , Renewable Energy Permitting Process, passed, Governor signed 7/18. On June 23 the House concurred with a Senate amendment to the A-Engrossed bill. To issue a land use permit for a larger solar power facility as authorized by the bill, the county must require the applicant to provide a decommissioning plan, bonded or otherwise secured, to restore the site to a "useful, nonhazardous condition." The Senate on June 23 passed HB 3550 by a vote of 18-6-6. The bill requires a state agency that buys or leases a light-duty vehicle on or after 1/1/2025 to buy only a ZEV unless the agency finds that a ZEV is not feasible for the specified use, in which case the vehicle bought or leased must be able to operate with an environmentally acceptable alternate fuel or as a low-emission vehicle. To the maximum extent economically feasible, DAS must use biofuels or biofuel-derived electricity instead of diesel for facilities or machinery the department acquires, designs, builds, completes, maintains, or operates as stationary or backup generation for heat and power systems. The bill was not amended, passed and signed by Gov Kotek 7/31. State Agency and other Budget Bills SB 5018 DEQ Budget Bill League testimony SB 5016 ODOE Budget Bill League Testimony End of Session Full JWM Budget Reconciliation (Xmas Tree ) Bill, SB 5506 A list of Climate related line items in SB 5506 : - Oregon Worker Relief Climate Change Fund $1M Section 309 - OSU Climate Services. $250K Section 64 HECC - DLCD Climate Friendly. & Equitable Community $3.0 M Section 148 and 149 - DOE Hydrogen Hub, cooling study, and energy development position $951.6K. sect: 176 - DOE Staff to support administration of new energy programs $513K sect: 177 - Renewable and Solar $60M (sections 172 - 175) - City of Milwaukee $375K solar project - Streetcar System - Salem. $250K (Cherriots -Study the feasibility of developing a rail streetcar system in the City of Salem) vetoed by the Governor on Aug 4 Climate related Education bills in the Education LR : SB 854 , stated that each of our 197 school districts could develop a plan for teaching climate change, across all subject areas, in grades K-12 by June 1, 2026; died in Senate ED. HB 2601 requires State Treasurer to exit from certain carbon-intensive investments, subject to fiduciary duties, develop a plan to protect state investments from risks related to climate, League Testimony . The bill ended the session in the Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans Committees. Other Related Climate News Americans’ views of climate change in 8 charts | Pew Research Center, Most Americans Disapprove of Biden’s Handling of Climate Change, Poll Shows - Inside Climate News, Climate politics has entered a new phase | Financial Times, Ocean currents vital for distributing heat could collapse by midcentury , study says | AP News, Clean energy can fuel the future — and make the world healthier | Nature, Industry Plaintiffs Drop Lawsuit Challenging Washington State’s Climate-Friendly Building Codes – Earthjustice, It’s time for buildings to stop using a third of U .S. Energy, Washington and Oregon say - The Columbian, Oregon Counties Take on Heat Mapping to Keep Residents Safe | Governing.com , Work on an OSU-led wave energy test facility will be visible from shore – OPB, Climate Change | Brookings Climate County, State and Federal Lawsuits Biden is campaigning as the most pro-climate president while his DOJ works to block a landmark climate trial | CNN Politics Aug 2023 Updates to the Climate Case Chart | Sabin Center for Climate Change Law Columbia University Hawaii's youth-led climate change lawsuit is going to trial next summer | Grist Why Multnomah County's lawsuit over heat dome is different | kgw.com Oregon Treasury, Office of Economic Analysis, ESG investing and SEC Climate Risk Disclosure Oregon Pension Fund Takes More Risk Than It Discloses, Financial Sleuth Tells New York Times| Willamette Week Private equity investments , climate change and fossil-free portfolios | IEEFA SEC.gov | Climate-Related Disclosures/ESG Investing July 2023 SEC.gov | Remarks before the Financial Stability Oversight Council: Climate Risk Disclosure 7/28/23 Oregon Revised Statutes (2017) Chapter 750, Section 163 authorizes the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA), with substantial assistance from the Department of Environmental Quality, to assess the availability of fossil and alternative fuels to Oregon. OEA 2023 Fuels Forecast (Clean and Dirty) , Sustainability: Energy is the fundamental systemic risk | top1000funds, Opportunity to follow policy topics or if you prefer just follow and testify on one bill. Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA · Transportation and ODOT state agency · 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: Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Event information about Convention 2023. This event is closed. LWVOR CONVENTION 2023 Registration for delegates and observers now open! Presidents, please register your delegates here . Observers can register independently. **NEW** Registrations are now open for non-League members to attend our speakers and workshops! Register here. FIRST CALL TO CONVENTION Is the biennial State Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Oregon, which is held on alternate years to the S tate Council. First Call is issued so that local Leagues can begin to plan and discuss matters that will be presented at the convention. TIME & PLACE The 2023 State Convention will be held Friday through Sunday, May 19-21, 2023 in Eugene, OR at The Graduate Hotel. HOSTS League of Women Voters of Lane County PURPOSE The convention shall consider changes to the Bylaws; shall consider and authorize for action a program; shall elect the president, first vice-president, secretary, three directors (two-year terms), and a chair and two members of the nominating committee; shall adopt a budget for the ensuing year; and shall transact such other business as may be presented. DELEGATES The convention shall consist of the Board of Directors of the LWVOR and delegates chosen by members through the local Leagues. Each local League shall be entitled to two delegates for the first 40 members or fewer. If possible, one delegate should be the President. An additional delegate is allowed for every 20 additional members or major fraction (10 or more) thereof belonging to the local League as of January 31, 2023. Each approved State Unit of members-at-large (MALs) shall be entitled to one delegate. For those MAL’s not in an approved unit, MAL representation at convention shall be one delegate for every 20 MALs or major fraction (10 or more) thereof. If there are fewer than 10 MALs, the interest of the MALs shall be represented by the LWVOR Membership Chair. OBSERVERS Any member of the LWVOR (in a local League, a State Unit, or as a general MAL) may attend as an observer. Observers may not vote, but may, upon recognition of the Chair, have the privilege of the floor. All League members are urged to exercise this privilege, and members are encouraged to register as observers. BASIC COSTS Registration payments can be made here. In-person delegate: $200/person for registration, all events, lunch Saturday, and dinner Saturday. Additional costs include parking and hotel room. Virtual delegate: $130/person for registration, all A/V events. In-person observer: $200/person for registration, all events, lunch Saturday, and dinner Saturday. Additional costs include parking and hotel room. Virtual observer: $130/person for registration, all A/V events. Guests for banquet: $65/person for dinner banquet attendance. (Optional, but please feel free to bring your partner!) We accept Paypal, credit cards, and debit cards for registration. Please enter your Delegate/Observer, In-Person/Virtual information in the "Designation" field. (Example: "Delegate Registration - In-Person.") Hotel reservations can be made online or by phone: Call 844-888-4723. Use BOOKING CODE: 0519WV. Use this booking link: League of Women Voters of Oregon – Guestrooms CAUCUSES Please register your caucus here . CONVENTION SCHEDULE Proposed Order of Business ***DRAFT *** Friday May 19, 2023 3:30 pm - Registration and Dine Around sign-up - 2nd floor Mezzanine 4:00-4:30 - LWVOR Board Meeting 4:30 - Shelton McMurphey Johnson House tour and wine tasting 6:00-8:00 - Dine Around 8:00 - Caucuses Saturday May 20, 2023 Attendees: Breakfast on your own 8:00am - Registration opens - 2nd floor Mezzanine 8:00am - Parliamentary Procedure Workshop (optional) - Studio A 9:00-10:15am - Opening and Business Session I - Vista Room Flag ceremony Greetings from Local Dignitary Introductions Roll Call of Local Leagues Reports of Credentials Committee Chair – Lisa Bentson Adoption of Convention Rules Adoption of Order of Business (Agenda) Committee Appointments (Credentials Committee, Minutes Committee, Elections Committee, Resolutions Review Committee, Timekeeper) Review of 2022 Council Minutes Summary – Rebecca Gladstone 10:15-10:30am - Break 10:45-11:45am - Business Session I continued - Vista Room President’s Report – Rebecca Gladstone Treasurer’s Annual Report – Kermit Jensen Presentation of Proposed 2023-2024 Budget – Kathleen Hersh Questions on Budget Presentation of Proposed Program – Anne Goldner Notice of intent to move not-recommended items by local Leagues Bylaws Committee Report – Alice Bartelt Nominating Committee Report – Libby Medley Action Committee Recognition Announcements End Business Session I 12: 00pm - Lunch Box - Vista Room Pickup 12: 30-12:45pm - Honoring Past Presidents & Board Members - Vista Room 1:00-2:00pm - Regina Lawrence, PhD; Agora Journalism Center, University of Oregon - “The Decline of Local News: What’s Happening to Local Journalism in Oregon and How It Matters” 2:00-2:15pm - Break 2:15-5:00pm - Workshops 2:15 - 3:35pm - Youth Engagement - Studio A 2:15 - 3:35pm - 1st Amendment Panel - Studio B 3:50 - 5:00pm - Nomination Taskforce - Studio A 3:50 - 5:00pm - Climate Change - LWVUS Activities - Studio B 5:00-6:00pm Break 6:00pm - No host Cocktail Party - 2nd floor Mezzanine; Vista Room 6:30-7:15pm - Plated Dinner Served - Vista Room 6:35pm - Announcements Entertainment - Professional Harpist David Helfand 7:00-8:00pm - Speaker: Lee Zaitz -Owner/Editor Malheur Enterprise and Salem Reporter 8:30pm - Presidents Reception 9:00pm - Caucuses Sunday May 21, 2023 Breakfast on your own 7:15pm - Local League President’s Breakfast (bring breakfast) - Vista Room 8:30-10:30pm - Business Session II - Vista Room Credentials Report Unfinished Business Proposed Bylaws Changes Proposed Program Proposed Budget 10:30-11:00pm - Break & Check out 11:30-12:30pm -Business Session II continued Vista Room Resolutions and Other Business Election of Officers and Directors Presentation of New Board Remarks of Incoming President Thank the outgoing Board Directions to Incoming Board Announcement of Silent Auction Winners Announcement - Host of 2024 Council Photo Op 12:30pm - Adjourn 12:45pm - LWVOR Board Meeting - Director’s Room

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 4/10 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Cybersecurity and Public Records Rights of Incarcerated People Redistricting Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Privacy, Transparency, Public Records, and Cybersecurity By Rebecca Gladstone Bills are appearing fresh here, including some we missed in the first chamber. These are complex issues meriting careful research, some with interestingly split votes: HB 2107 extends automatic voter registration via the OHA, Oregon Health Authority. We were sorry to see an amendment for a pending work session to cut the Powder River facility pilot project from the bill. HB 2129 : This communications transparency bill addresses executive session confidentiality, recording of confidential meetings, communications in the public interest and public records issues that relate to our SB 417 Task Force discussions. It passed from the House with broad support, public hearing rescheduled to Sen. Judiciary for April 20. SB 11 requires virtual public state meetings to record and promptly publicize recordings. This has strong bipartisan support for access and transparency. We will be looking for data retention cybersecurity guardrails. HB 2095 : This traffic-cams-in-cities bill passed from the House 35 to 20, awaiting Senate floor 2 nd reading. HB 3127 A : No hearing is set yet for this “TikTok bill”, referred to Sen. Vets, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs. It prohibits installing or downloading certain “covered products” onto state information technology assets. It passed 52 to 4 from the House floor, not on strictly partisan lines. (Reminder, this will not apply to other users.) HB 5035 : We noted 100 filed statements, most very brief, many openly responding to a request for Corporate Division funding support. The League, Common Cause, The Oregon Association of County Clerks, and the Attorney General submitted on other aspects of the bill. See Lobbying email from Oregon Secretary of State’s office raises eyebrows in Salem . We support this SoS budget bill ( our testimony ). SB 510 : This SB 417 funding bill was voted all ayes, with two excused from JW&Ms on April 7, with a Do Pass recommendation. It would improve efficiency, cost estimates and budgeting, and sustainable funding for the PRAC. See our testimony in support . SB 417 : The Task Force appointed at Sen. Rules’ Chair Lieber’s request after the Feb 7 public hearing, continues to meet weekly, hoping to conclude soon to propose an amendment. This phrase is an example from the bill: “(D) Whether waiving or substantially reducing fees would create an articulable and substantial burden on the public body in a manner that outweighs the public interest in disclosure….” We support this detailed PRAC bill to increase efficiency in processing public records requests, considering fee waivers, defining “media”, waiving records request fees when made in the public interest, and considering malicious intent in placing requests; see our testimony . SB 166 passed on a 2/3 not strictly partisan vote from the Senate Floor on April 6 and was referred to House Rules. This bill is not promising for the multiple concerns that we recommended be addressed in our testimony . This three-part bill would codify that actual voting on ballots is not revealed (never has been). It only addresses protecting elections workers, offending substances shall not be thrown at them, and elections should have cybersecurity plans. We recommend further amending, citing extensive references to our earlier relevant testimony. Technical harassment definitions should be expanded, as we note, for example to doxing, with extensive privacy issues, and extended to protect all involved in elections, even voters, from harassment and intimidation, as reported last fall, OPB . We anticipate the value of having these protections in place before the 2024 elections. We link to our other testimony support for elections as critical infrastructure, for cybersecurity, and for protecting our cyber defense plans. SB 1073 passed in a Senate Information Mgmt. and Tech. WS, April 5, was referred to W&Ms with a Do Pass recommendation, adopting the -3 amendment, which we support. Growing data management risks justify this bill to establish a state Chief Privacy Officer (CPO). This office in DAS would coordinate cybersecurity services with data governance and transparency / privacy concerns, would set rules, develop and share educational materials and forums. We again recommend reading our privacy and cybersecurity work. We support the networking for state agency CPOs and others around the state. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley After passing the Senate, SB 529 had a public hearing in House Judiciary on March 27 and was scheduled for a work session on April 12. The bill modifies legislative findings concerning alternative incarceration programs related to substance abuse. It requires that intensive addiction programs for incarcerated individuals address addiction as a chronic disease and include a range of treatment services. Redistricting There has been no movement on redistricting in the legislature. People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 petitions downloadable from its website. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 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 Jump to a topic: Climate Priorities Natural and Working Lands and Energy 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 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus 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 , was Jan 28 1PM, House Committee Commerce and Consumer Protection, League Testimony HB 3170 League testimony Community Resilience Hubs and networks: DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. Other Priorities HB 3477 Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. LC 1440. Bringing back SB 1559 (2024) moved to House Climate, Energy, and Environment committee 2/6 Sponsored by Representative GAMBA; Senators Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor SB 681 Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium HB 2566 Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects – Governor Tina Kotek SB583 Study/Task Force on public banking/financing ( 2024 HB 4155 ) SJR 28 Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Leg Referral - Senator Golden, Representatives Andersen, Gamba, Senators Manning Jr, Prozanski, Representative Tran SB 682 Climate Super Fund, Sen. Golden, Rep. Andersen, Gamba, Sen. Campos, Pham SB 679 Climate Liability, Sen. Golden SB 680 Climate Science / Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning SB 688 Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, (Senate Energy and Environment - SEE) SB 827 Solar and Storage Rebate, 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) 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 ) Natural and Working Lands and Energy By Josie Koehne On Feb 3, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment heard two Biennial report summaries, one from the Oregon Dept of Energy (ODOE) and the other from the Oregon Climate Action Commission (OCAC) on the Natural and Working Lands Fund, which only got a few minutes, so that presentation will reschedule in the future. The ODOE presentation on the highlights of the report was very informative, and the full 267 page detailed report can be found here . This graph summarizes our progress in various sectors since 1990 with the thin straight horizontal lines showing target goals by various dates: "Transportation is Oregon’s largest source of emissions by sector, just above that of the residential and commercial sector. While transportation emissions have fluctuated year over year, they have remained relatively constant over the last 30 years with 2022 emissions levels about the same as they were in 1990 (Table 1, Figure 2). Following a slight pandemic-related decline in 2020, Oregon’s transportation emissions have since rebounded to 20 million MTCO2e in 2022, contributing 34 percent of the state’s total 2022 emissions. Emissions from Oregon’s industrial sector have remained largely flat over the past decade, while emissions from the residential and commercial sectors declined by approximately 1 million MTCO2e over that period. Emissions from Oregon’s agriculture sector have declined by 2 million MTCO2e since 2012." Catherine MacDonald, Chair of the OCAC, outlined the charges of the committee for its 2024 OCAC Biennial Report in her OCAC presentation . She said the committee was charged with reporting on: • Impacts of climate change across Oregon’s economy and landscapes • Policies and programs being advanced in Oregon to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase sequestration in Natural and Working Lands • The state’s progress in reaching our GHG emissions reduction goals • Recommendations for actions necessary to ensure Oregon stays on track and accelerates progress in reducing emissions and increasing net sequestration In the Meeting Materials, she included the 2024 Natural and Working Lands Fund Biennial Report (discussed in our previous testimony ) that was established in 2023 by the omnibus bill HB 3409 but she did not have time to report on it, and she was invited to return to go over it. She requested that the funds be continued as the work has just begun to bear fruit. Legislative Environmental Caucus Climate Priorities and Members In 2025, the Environmental Caucus is supporting a robust package of bills that address issues on environmental health, wildlife, land use, and transportation. Members are committed to policies on the environment and climate that uplift communities, support Oregon’s economy, and invest in a future where all Oregonians have access to clean air, water, and land.

Tips for communicating with elected officials from LWVOR. / Communicating With Elected Officials / Tips For Communicating With Elected Officials Getting to Know Your Elected Officials Knowing your elected officials is relatively easy, and being acquainted is a big help when you need to communicate with them. Talking or writing to someone you know personally is almost always easier than dealing with a stranger, particularly a busy stranger. Whether or not you know the official with whom you want to communicate, some simple but important points should be kept in mind: be brief be clear be accurate be civil be persuasive be timely be persistent be grateful These points apply whether you are using the telephone, are testifying to a committee, or just writing a letter or an email. Some other tips: Don't promise rewards, offer deals, or make threats. Don't attack your opposition. Attacks on your opponents weaken your message. Meeting with Your Elected Officials Make an appointment by letter or phone. Briefly outline the issues you wish to discuss in your letter or in your call. If you've had prior discussions about these issues, mention them. Don't insist on setting up the appointment through the official; he or she has competent helpers. Be as courteous with staff as you are with your elected officials. Arrive on time. Limit the issues you discuss to not more than three. Organize your presentation. Be brief, friendly, and to the point. Plan on not more than 15 minutes. Prepare a brief summary of your comments to leave with him or her, and documentation that confirms your message. The written message should restate exactly what you're asking of your elected official. Offer to provide additional information and assistance. Bring a second person to help present the message, but don't bring a crowd. If you're asked a question you can't answer, say so and ask for a chance to do some checking and provide the answer later. Send a thank you letter, whether the official has been able to help you or not. When You Write Keep your letter to a single page. If you must exceed one page, make the second page an attachment that elaborates on your one-page summary. Be absolutely sure you spell the official's name correctly and have the right address. If you're writing to several officials on the same subject, individualize the letters. Use your own words, not form letters. Clearly identify the issue (or bill) you are writing about, and only discuss one issue or bill per letter. Give definite and concise reasons for your position. Be specific. A few facts and figures supporting your position will be more effective than just stating your opinion. Explain the impact of the legislation or issue on you and other constituents. What needs are being met or unmet? Provide facts. Suggest, don't demand, a course of action. Be constructive. If you have expert knowledge or wide experience on the subject of your letter, let the legislator know of your expertise. Don't be condescending – be forthright and helpful. Ask, tactfully, for a response, and provide a return address. Express your appreciation – say thanks. Appropriate forms of address and salutation US President President (full name) The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. President: US Senator The Honorable (full name) US Senator Washington DC address OR Oregon address (look up on the web through each Senator's page) (Use DC address when Congress is in session; otherwise use Oregon address) Dear Senator (last name): US Representative The Honorable (full name) US Representative Washington DC address OR Oregon address (look up on the web through each Representative's page) (Use DC address when Congress is in session; otherwise use Oregon address) Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (last name): Governor The Honorable (full name) Governor, State of Oregon 254 State Capitol Salem, OR 97310 Dear Governor (last name): State Senator The Honorable (full name) State Senator (if to President, use President of the Senate) Interim address(es) OR State Capitol address (Use State Capitol address when Legislature is in session; otherwise use interim address) Dear Senator (last name): State Representative The Honorable (full name) State Representative (if to Speaker, use Speaker of the House) Interim address OR State Capitol address (Use State Capitol address when Legislature is in session; otherwise use interim address) Dear Representative (last name): Superintendent of Public Instruction The Honorable (full name) Superintendent of Public Instruction Oregon Department of Education 255 Capitol Street NE Salem, OR 97310-0203 Dear Superintendent (last name): State Treasurer The Honorable (full name) State Treasurer 900 Court Se. NE, Rm 159 Salem OR 97301-4043 Dear Treasurer (last name): Commissioner of Labor and Industries The Honorable (full name) Commissioner of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St. #32 Portland, OR 97232 Dear Commissioner (last name): Attorney General The Honorable (full name) Attorney General Oregon Department of Justice 1162 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301-4096 Attorney General (last name): Secretary of State The Honorable (full name) Secretary of State 900 Court Street NE Capitol Room 136 Salem OR 97310-0722 Dear Secretary (last name): County Commissioner The Honorable (full name) County Commissioner Address City, State Zip Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (last name): Mayor The Honorable (full name) Mayor of (place name) Address City, State Zip Dear Mayor (last name): City Council Member Council Member (full name) (place name) City Council Address City, State Zip Dear Council Member (last name):

CHLOE ACOSTA (she/her) CHLOE ACOSTA (she/her) Youth Legislative Communications Director Chloe Acosta is the Legislative Communications Director for the League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Council. She is passionate about issues facing youth and health equity. Chloe has been working with the Oregon School-Based Health Alliance since 2021. She was previously a Student Health Advocate, Legislative Advocacy Intern, and an Events and Programming Intern. Chloe was recently unanimously voted into the Board of Directors and continues to advocate for school based healthcare. Chloe is also a part of Next Up Oregon’s Community Action Team where she focuses on voter education and community events. She is also a member of the Next Up Oregon’s Participatory Budgeting Committee and the Candidate Endorsement Committee. Chloe is honored to use her advocacy skills in her local community of rural Southern Oregon with the Jackson Youth Systems of Care Network. In this role, she collaborates with 80 local community professionals on accessible, effective, community-based services and supports for youth’s health and wellbeing. Chloe Acosta is a communications and political science major at Southern Oregon University. She plans to continue working in legislative advocacy and grassroots organizing after receiving her degree. Chloe is excited to be working with the League of Women Voters of Oregon to deepen advocacy skills, especially for young rural Oregonians. youthcommunications@lwvor.org

Natural Resources Read Our 2025 Priorities Here 2026 Legislative Priorities 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. In 2025, your natural resources volunteers addressed issues around agriculture, wildfire and water, as well as agency budgets. We worked with our coalition partners at the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) on both policy and budget bills. OCN provides legislators with a “Hot List” of bills OCN groups are following—supporting, opposing or having concerns. A new group, the Oregon Ocean Alliance , provided a coordinated voice for ocean and coastal issues. We are a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance , where the natural resources volunteers follow land use, infrastructure and environmental policies while our Social Policy volunteers follow other housing issues. The League determines our Priorities at the beginning of the session. The Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO) provided a 20-page review of Natural Resource legislation for 2025. Below are summaries of the work our volunteers have done this session. But the work continues between sessions as we follow natural resource boards and commissions and follow rulemaking to implement the policies passed during the session. You can find their meeting schedules on each agency’s website. LWVOR Advocacy Positions Air Quality— All segments of society (government, industry, agriculture and individual citizens) must share responsibility for improved air pollution abatement practices. Offshore and Coastal Management— Responsible and responsive government management of the public’s coastal and nearshore natural resources shall be based upon: A complete environmental assessment, cumulative impact analysis, and baseline data specific to Oregon. Recognition of coastal states and local government’s rights, jurisdictions, and responsibilities to preserve and protect marine and coastal environment and economy. Energy Conservation— LWVOR supports long-range planning for conservation and wise development of energy sources. The League believes the public should have an opportunity to influence decisions. Nuclear Energy— The nuclear power program must be managed to protect current and future generations and to maintain an environment beneficial to life. Forests— All benefits of the forests—ecological, human and economic—are inextricably interconnected Hard Rock Mining— LWVOR recognizes society's need for key minerals, and also the potential harmful environmental, health, and human impacts that mining for these minerals can produce. Land Use— Citizen participation, education, communication and ongoing reevaluation are essential elements in the comprehensive planning process. LWVOR supports a system of local government based upon constitutional home rule for metropolitan districts, counties, and cities. Statewide Planning —LWVOR supports policies that promote both conservation and development of land as a natural resource, in accordance with Oregon’s land use goals. Parks— A park’s system is an appropriate function of state government Pesticides and Other Biocides— Pesticides and other biocides should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems, and their use should be controlled. Seismic Risks— All levels of government share the responsibility of coordinating, implementing and funding an effective program to mitigate Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards. Priority must be given to mitigation that protects human life and safeguards critical life support systems. Water Policy – Quality and Quantity— Water is a resource that should be managed for the benefit of the public and as sustainable habitat for all life forms. The League supports comprehensive long-range planning for conservation and management of ground and surface water and the improvement of water quality. Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force— In order to meet the present and future water needs within the Columbia River Basin, comprehensive planning is essential. League Natural Resource Positions can be found here: 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 Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 Revenue Team Coordinator: Josie Koehne Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Natalie Briggs HB2732 House bill 2732 proposes increasing the tax credit for farmers who donate crops to charitable organizations. The bill proposes raising the tax credit from 15% to 25% of the value of the quantity of the crop donated at the wholesale market price. The bill incentivizes farmers to donate surplus or unsold crops to charitable organizations, where the exemption would offset economic costs associated with harvesting, transporting, and donating crops. Increasing the tax credit to 25% is projected to increase the amount of donated produce from 7lb/dollar of tax credit to 10.75lb/dollar of tax credit. House revenue committee members inquired about the impact of recent cuts to federal funding for food banks and schools in Oregon. Oregon Food Bank has confirmed that 30 truck loads of food donation ordinarily supplied through federal funds have been canceled. This cancelation is expected to impact the Oregon Food Bank beginning in the 2025 spring/summer time frame. Cuts to Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreements will also take place in October 2025. HB3688 , HB3934 House bills 3688 and 3934 relate to proposed revisions to Oregon estate taxes. Proponents of the bills argue that current Oregon estate taxes do not allow for portability of estate tax exemptions from one spouse to another, upon the death of a spouse. While estate tax exemptions may be preserved upon the death of a spouse through the use of trust funds, this requires advanced estate planning and support from financial experts which may not be feasible or realistic for many Oregonians. The above bills would reform Oregon estate tax policy to allow for portability of estate tax exemptions. Proponents argue that such changes to estate tax policy would bring Oregon in line with changes made to federal estate tax exemption policy during the Obama administration. HB2362 House bill 2362 aims to implement tiered estate tax exemptions based on the size of the taxable estate. The exemption amount would vary based on the estate's value, and would phase out for larger estates. As a result, this bill would modernize Oregon’s estate tax exemption policy with respect to inflation and appreciation of assets over time. Opponents argue that the bill disproportionately benefits Oregonians with large estates, while providing no benefit to middle and working class families. Additionally, opponents argue that exemptions would reduce state revenue which is becoming even more critical due recent cuts to federal funding. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

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

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 2/27 By Anne Nesse, Education Portfolio Informative hearings were held concerning our State Treasury, and a proposed plan to decrease carbon-intensive investments in favor of a cleaner energy economy. We also heard informative reports on statewide early childhood care. On Thursday, 2/16, LWVOR submitted written testimony on HB 2601 . I delayed posting this, as our virtual testimony was delayed, due to the number of persons testifying, and then delayed due to the winter storms. The committee chair has promised to hear all previously registered virtual testimony. A copy of our written testimony is linked here . Rep. Pham, a Chief Sponsor of the Bill, presented a convincing case for support, recorded here . Her testimony included graphs on the increased performance of non-fossil fuel related stocks, creating increased returns for our State Treasury, and increased PERS benefits. Rep. Pham ended with the statement that current fossil free investments are showing returns on investment 5X greater than more carbon intensive investments. Rep. Golden, and Rep. Gamba testified in support, as well as a coalition of representatives from the organizing group, Divest Oregon, which includes the OEA and 100 other state groups. Only a few testifiers were not in support, or suggested amendments. This bill also brought support from the former New York Controller, Tom Sazillo, testifying on how well New York State was proceeding in its transition towards a fossil free economy, within its investment portfolio. The House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services held an informational hearing on Home-Based Child Care throughout the state on 2/20. Joe Baessler, Ass. Director, Oregon AFSCME, presented a well documented report, along with others. It was obvious that home-based care is the most flexible type of child care for workers living with unusual work schedules, or who ride the bus. These home-based child care centers (10, or up to 16 children), are all licensed by the state. Workers are trained and complete CME to remain licensed. It was reported there are however major issues, with ERDC, Employment Related Daycare, including late or missing payments, and no health care or retirement benefits adequately reward workers. Not all our new providers even know about our ERDC Program. It was reported that, “Infant care is very difficult to find, every county is a child care desert, and 70% of counties are child care deserts for 3-5 yr. olds.” The greatest problem is finding, maintaining, and paying the workforce adequately Mr. Baessler stated. “Without a workforce, more facility space is useless.” Then 3 Bills were heard to help increase the workforce, through the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC): HB 2991 , HB 2504 , and HB 3029. It was unclear how these Bills would positively affect the childcare workforce to meet present needs. We are also reminded that near the start of this session SB 599-A , which was written last session to increase the renters’ ability to create child care centers in approved rental units, had passed on the floor of the Senate, 27-3. It will now move to the House. Some follow-up work was done in this Committee on 2/22, as well as a few other bills introduced. House Education also met on 2/20. There were a lot of kids with bike helmets supporting HB 3014 in a public hearing to amend the statute about the way we are allowed to fund transportation to school, or for after school activities. These amendments could fund free transit, and “walking, or bike riding school bus programs”, to allow safer transport of children to and from school. I understand this is to involve adults supervising students who walk or bicycle to school. These statutes have not been changed or evaluated since 1991. We may be able to apply for additional funding from the Dept. of Transportation. Amendments may be needed. House Education also held a public hearing on HB 2189 , the need for TSPC to ensure pathways to hire otherwise qualified individuals to teach Career and Technical Education (CTE) in some districts. In Senate Education 2/21, a work session was held on SB 819 , awaiting -3 or -5 amendments, on what is considered restricted access to a school day, especially important for teachers, students, and parents to have a voice in these decisions. This Committee also discussed SB 414, to establish ventilation system assessments throughout our state, in order to increase the circulation of air in classrooms, and bring them up to date for health standards. Lori Sattenspiel, from OSBA (Oregon School Board Association), reminds us of the millions of dollars this will require throughout our state, and that federal dollars may be necessary. Amendments may still be needed? Rep. Neron, on 2/21 in Senate Education, introduced SB 426 , a Bill requiring ODE to give technical assistance to school districts for integrated pest management plans. Both Morgan Allen from COSA (Coalition of Oregon School Administrators), and Lori Sattenspiel from OSBA recommended amendments. House Education 2/22, introduced HB 3037 , in public hearing, directing OSU Extension Service to collaborate and collect data along with ODE, relevant to the students who participate in outdoor school. Sen. Weber, Sen. Dembrow, and Rep. Wright, as well as many others, all testified as to how life changing Oregon Outdoor School has been for their own children, and grandchildren. It was generally stated that this schooling occurs at an opportune time for students during 5-6th grade, is based on “hands on science and exploration of the environment”, and creates lasting bonds for many students. This particular bill is for data collection, to make sure we are not leaving some students out of this important facet of their education. The remainder of the week canceled hearings due to inclement weather.

Vouchers are an internal resource for tracking expenses. / Reimbursement / Reimbursement Forms Instructions for Reimbursement Forms Please download the Excel Spreadsheet to fill out the voucher. Expense/Donation Voucher (Excel) After completing the form, it must be e-mailed or delivered to the person who is approving the expense. Please attach all receipts. If it is not possible to scan in receipts for e-mailed reimbursement forms, they may be mailed directly to the office with your name and date of reimbursement form printed on each. The person approving the expense has two options. If approving the expense by e-mail, attach thereimbursement form and scanned receipts, if any, to an e-mail with the following statement in the body of the e-mail: I, (your name) approve payment of the reimbursement form dated (date) for (payee’s name) in the amount of ($ to be paid). If approving the reimbursement form by paper delivery, sign in the approval signature box and include receipts. The reimbursement form may then be submitted with copies going to both the League office and to the treasurer. Reimbursement forms will not be paid without approval. It is very helpful to the treasurer if reimbursement forms are presented for payment in the month that they occur. It is imperative that all reimbursement forms be received before the annual closing of the books on June 30th. Please contact lwvor@lwvor.org with any questions.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - 3/4 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Other Governance Bills Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill An amazingly historic thing happened with campaign finance reform as explained here in the Capital Chronicle . The League initially opposed HB 4024 ; see the League’s written testimony . After over a week of private negotiations, a new -5 amendment and then a -8 amendment were posted for the Wednesday 3/6 House Rules work session . The good government groups were able to negotiate some 40 changes to the previously-proposed amendments, enough to make the bill acceptable and to avoid a huge ballot measure fight in the November election. The agreement included IP 9 and IP 42 being withdrawn and HB 4024 not being referred to the ballot. The bill then quickly passed the House floor 52 to 5, a Senate Rules hearing and work session, and the Senate floor 22 to 6 on the last day of the session. Only Gov. Kotek’s signature is now required. We should be clear: Campaign finance reform is not finished in Oregon. There will undoubtedly be adjustments attempted in the 2025 long legislative session. The contributions limits in HB 2024 are way too high, and the disclosure of donors and dark money that pay for advertising, needs more work. The Secretary of State will need funding to implement the bill by its 2027 effective date. And we still need public funding of campaigns as in other states. Other Governance Bills HB 4021 A , which requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy, passed the House floor 35 to 22. However, it stalled after a 3/5 hearing in Senate Rules and was still in committee on adjournment. HB 4026 Enrolled, was amended in House Rules to retroactively prohibit the use of a referendum on any urban growth boundary expansion. This blocks a referendum in the City of North Plains in Washington County. The LWVOR submitted written testimony opposing the amendment and saying the bill is likely unconstitutional and may invite a lawsuit. The bill passed the House 49 to 5 and then the Senate 25 to 3. See also the Land Use Section of the Natural Resources Legislative Report. HB 4031 Enrolled was amended in House Revenue to protect any local government tax payer information from disclosure. It passed the House 57 to 0 and then the Senate 26 to 3. HB 4032 , which would remove the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court, had a public hearing but no further action in House Rules. HB 4117 Enrolled, which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which is a correction to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed the House immediately and unanimously. The bill then passed the Senate 30 to 0. SB 1502 Enrolled requires public schools and college boards to live stream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. The bill passed the Senate 29 to 1. The bill then passed the House 55 to 1. SB 1538 A , an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes, was passed by the Senate as amended on 20 to 10 vote. House Rules then amended the bill to allow the Legislature to write the ballot title and explanatory statement for any constitutional amendment referred to the ballot during this session. The House then passed the bill 45 to 6, and the Senate quickly concurred with the House amendment 22 to 7. Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Rebecca Gladstone The 2024 short session adjourned congenially before the final deadline. These bills passed, supported with League testimony: Campaign Finance Reform, HB 4024 , see above. AI, to disclose synthetic media use in campaign SB 1571 A . The Senate concurred with House amendments passing the bill on partisan lines. We look forward to pressing for attention to protect our elections and for other cybersecurity and privacy concerns. The Senate Memorial Commemoration for Alice Bartelt, SCR 203 passed unanimously from the House floor, some excused, and it has been filed with the Secretary of State. RIP Alice. Increase Voters’ Pamphlet languages SB 1533 passed in the House with some excused. Not passing out of committee: Automatic Voter Registration for students SB 1577 -3 due to widely shared concerns for practical implementation, including from the League, despite generally supporting expanding automatic voter registration.

Voter Education forums from the League of Women Voters. / Voter Education Forums / Voter Education Forums Primary Election 2026 Planning for candidate and ballot measure forums is underway! New events are added here daily. Click on a tab below to view both upcoming events and recorded candidate interviews for your area. Clackamas Coos Co. Corvallis Curry Deschutes Co. Lane Co. Marion/Polk Co. Portland Rogue Valley Umpqua Valley Washington County More at https://my.lwv.org/oregon/coos-county Candidate and Ballot Measure forums More at https://lwvcurry.org/ October 7, 2024 7:00 pm. Port Orford Candidate Forum City Hall Council Chambers 555 West 20th Street, Port Orford October 8, 2024 7:00 pm. Gold Beach Candidate Forum Curry Public Library 94341 3rd St, Gold Beach October 9, 2024 7:00 pm. Brookings Candidate Forum Chetco Community Public Library 405 Alder St., Brookings More at https://leaguewomenvotersmarionpolk.org/ City of Keizer Mayor https://youtu.be/QRo9Wm18eJo Candidate Cathy Clark (NP) https://youtu.be/ueO-tF2_sC8 Candidate Lore Christopher (NP) Keizer City Council Position 1 https://youtu.be/U3QSGOe4d4M Candidate Marlene Parsons (NP) https://youtu.be/bbAamYD2YTg Candidate Tammy Kunz (NP) Marion County Sheriff https://youtu.be/G5mN_JfP1hg Candidate Stacy Rejaian Oregon House District 17 https://youtu.be/yWt70xEBH0k Candidate Ed Diehl (R) Oregon House District 18 https://youtu.be/RXqQeYUpauo Candidate Karyssa Dow (D) Oregon House District 19 https://youtu.be/OcgUNC1nx8s Candidate Tom Andersen (D, I) Oregon House District 20 https://youtu.be/EXvBhucJz8M Candidate Paul Evans (D, I) https://youtu.be/VUqnkFpxSz8 Candidate Kevin Chambers (R) Oregon House District 21 https://youtu.be/0w2lVL-11Uc Candidate Kevin Mannix (R) https://youtu.be/mUxVCrO_YbU Candidate Virginia Stapleton (D, I, WFP) Oregon House District 22 https://youtu.be/8ym9W7fP0oo Candidate Lesly Muñoz (D, WFP) Oregon Senate District 9 https://youtu.be/923ol6L_VC4 Candidate Mike Ashland (D) U.S. Congressional District 6 https://youtu.be/90AX_VycI8Y Candidate Andrea Salinas (D,I) https://youtu.be/TokvdL1rsus Candidate Mike Erickson (R) U.S. Congressional District 5 https://youtu.be/DzKWRFya4FU Candidate Brett Smith (I, WFP) 2024 General Election Oregon Ballot Measures Program https://youtu.be/v4U9v9RMWDo More at https://lwvpdx.org/ Find over 99 Portland area forum recordings on the LWVPDX Youtube Channel . More at: https://www.lwvdeschutes.org/ Watch Deschutes LWV YouTube channel Deschutes' Candidate Forum recordings More at: https://my.lwv.org/oregon/clackamas-county Clackamas County Candidates-Interviews and Forums More at https://lwvuv.org/events/ Roseburg City Council on Wed, Oct. 23 at the Roseburg Public Library Learn more at https://lwv-washco.org/ Video Voters' Guide More at https://lwvrv.org/ October 9, 12:00-2pm Voter registration Rogue Community College October 10, 6:00pm Candidate Forum Oct. 10 – Oregon Senate District 2 Noah Robinson of Cave Junction (incumbent) and Tracy Thompson, moderated by LWVRV Voter Services Chair Kathleen Donham Redwood Grange, #760 1830 Redwood Ave., Grants Pass October 13, 12:30pm Ranked Choice Voting presentation Mountain Avenue Theater, Ashland High School, 201 S Mountain Ave, Ashland, OR 97520 October 13, 2:00pm Ashland City Council Election Forum Mountain Avenue Theater, Ashland High School, 201 S Mountain Ave, Ashland, OR 97520 October 22, 7:00pm Medford Mayor and City Council Forum First Presbyterian Church, Medford More at https://lwvcorvallis.org/ Corvallis City Council Ward 3 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 7 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 9 Candidate Forum Benton County Commissioner Candidate Forum House District 16 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 1 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 2 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 6 Candidate Forum More at: https://lwvlc.org/voter-information/ Watch Candidate Videos and Ballot Measure Presentations

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - September Interim Jump to a topic: Higher Education Education Updates Higher Education By Jean Pierce With repayments of federal loans restarting this month, it is important for those who incurred student debt to access information addressing their questions and concerns. Borrowers need to be aware of different repayment plans as well as pathways to loan forgiveness, and recourse if they suspect fraud. LWVOR supported the implementation of SB 485 (2021) , which addresses licensing of ombuds helping graduates navigate student loans. This legislation is consistent with the Oregon League’s position that the State General Fund should give high priority to financial aid for students. Borrowers struggling with student loan debt are encouraged to contact the student loan ombuds at DFR.bankingproducthelp@dcbs.oregon.gov or 888-877-4894. We anticipate legislation addressing Oregon’s financial aid programs’ limitations could do more to promote equitable access to higher education. The House Interim Education heard testimony relating to the League’s position: “If state funding necessitates limiting access to community colleges, such limitation should consider equity as well as financial need.” The committee heard testimony describing the Oregon Promise Grant (OPG), which covers community college tuition costs for students entering those institutions directly from high school. Seventy percent of the awards granted have been to families which have been able to contribute only $2000 or less to the costs. League members can expect legislation addressing the following issues: OPGs are only available to students who enter community colleges immediately after graduating high school. This is a problem, since the average community college student age is 26-27. OPGs only cover winter and spring semesters if a student entered in the fall. This is a problem, since many students apply when they are laid off, which could be at any time during the year. Currently, because of university grants and the broader scope of state grants for university students, out-of-pocket costs are actually higher for students attending community colleges than for students attending other institutions which cost twice as much. Costs include housing, food, and transportation are not addressed by OPG. Education Updates By Anne Nesse “A few weeks ago the Census Bureau released the poverty figures. And nationally, child poverty more than doubled — the largest increase in more than 50 years”…from OCPP. Based on policy analysts at the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP), Oregon calculated the same increase in poverty of families using a more complete measure of poverty today, “the United Way’s ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Index . Unlike the poverty line, ALICE takes into account all essentials: housing, child care, food, transportation, and more. It reflects what it actually takes to live and work in the modern economy. According to the most recent ALICE data, more than two in every five Oregonians live below that threshold.” The Human Services Committee met on 9/27/23 and included testimony on meeting needs of lower-income families with childcare needs and the official launch of the Dept. of Early Learning and Care (DELC). Alyssa Chatterjee and the operating manager introduced the new website . They have successfully launched $370M in grants and are now processing applications in 4 weeks, 84% of the time. As of November 4th, there will be a waitlist for ERDC (Employment Related Day Care). They are currently attempting to serve 14,000 families of lower incomes, with 4,000 families on the waitlist and a 52% caseload increase. There are special groups, TANF/TA/DVS (domestic violence survivors), who do not have to be on the waitlist and are given priority. Rep. Reynolds asked about how we were anticipating dealing with the increased demand and Rep. Hieb asked about prolonged phone wait times. Ms. Chatterjee stated she had notified the Budget Committee and that DELC was on track to increase the budget and decrease wait times so that hopefully no family would be turned away. House Education met on 9/27/23, addressing equity in education, health and mental health care, summer programs, as well as increasing outdoor time for students with volunteer programs, see meeting video . First on the agenda was Medicaid funding for special education and other Medicaid billable areas that no longer have limitations. This established the lack of licensed nursing practitioners in schools and the need to improve billing systems methods, along with establishing a more consistent statewide IEP system so all the health and mental health needs of our students can be better met. Measure 98 implementation was next, designed to increase graduation rates along with providing career and technical education (CTE). It was noted that although graduation rates were up to 93% in CTE programs, Oregon was still below most states on expenditures in CTE and 10X lower than Washington State. Summer learning program losses were presented by Parasa Chanrany of COSA (Coalition of Oregon School Administrators). She quantified the losses to half in a number of areas critical to providing equity for children and parents living with fewer resources. Finally Rep. Gomberg introduced The Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative , which includes a volunteer group, encouraging more outdoor education, and is requesting funding for increased education about natural resources. The Joint Committee on Public Education Appropriations (JCPEA) met 9/8/23 and reviewed some issues the Dept. of Education faces concerning equity in education, within Oregon’s 197 school districts. See meeting materials and the meeting video . Find individual presentations by clicking on links inside the agenda, including the “Oregon School Budget 2024-25” and “what our goals in K-12 education are.” This meeting included Post-Secondary Education, as well as the Early Learning System. An Overview of the Quality Education Model, with Melissa Goff, Education Policy Advisor from the Office of the Governor, was presented. Let’s end this report with something positive in education, because some parents may soon be asking about their student’s lower test scores in reading and math. Local teachers may be questioning their profession by striking. There are current questions circulating at the Dept. of Education and the Legislature on what best represents the requirements that our students should meet for an Oregon High School Diploma. So take a moment and look back to 1969, when Mr. Rogers testified to a Federal Senate SubCommittee on Communications for increased funding. The poem he wrote with the kid’s help at the end is particularly endearing.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here. Jump to a topic: From Interim Relating to Federal Laws Elections Consumer and Other Protections Ethics Resilience Catch up on interim news and highlights of some of the 40 governance bills we've identified, out of 700 bills so far this session. We’re preparing testimony for seven of them in the session’s first two days so expect more individual reports next week. Many governance bills will be in committees not limited by 10-day advancement time constraints (e.g. Rules, Ways and Means). Either way, short session wrap is March 9 th . Consider signing up to help, lwvor@lwvor.org . Please see LWVOR Legislative Reports and subscribe to our weekly email LR summaries , starting again in February 2026. From Interim Oregon AG action AG Rayfield testified to Interim Senate Rules on many issues. See his response at 34.46 minutes in the hearing video for the next big hurdles for Oregon, and as a country, His highest concern is protecting the integrity of our elections , closely followed by trust in government and in our judicial system, for a strong democracy. Rayfield’s office filed 53 lawsuits in the last year, winning an overwhelming majority, safeguarding $4.6B for Oregon (not including a tariff case). Because FEMA funding suddenly stopped, a winning suit protected $128M funding for 29 BRIC (building resilient infrastructure and communities) projects, predominantly rural. Legal action cost less than $20K, a tremendous return on investment. Another win let $134M flow for the 1 in 6 Oregonians depending on SNAP benefits, costing $25K for litigation. Relating to federal laws and actions The federal judge dismissed the case heard in Eugene on Jan 14 on the 27th. LWVOR filed an amicus brief as a friend of the court. The plaintiffs held Oregon and our Secretary of State in contempt for protecting personal voting information. A sampling of upcoming governance legislation: Withhold OR payments ( HB 4143 ) to the US government if withheld federal funding defies a court order. Civil Actions for cause against federal and out-of-state law enforcement, HB 4114 OR National Guard HB 4091 has a hearing on Tuesday and we expect to testify (not yet prepared), expecting our testimony for HB 3954 A (2025) to be relevant. See the Interim OR National Guard report , including discussion of duty to follow “patently illegal” or “manifestly unlawful” orders, hearing video , ~26 minutes in. From the materials: The “Burden of proof rests with the service member” Orders are disobeyed at the peril of the service member. Does not apply to patently illegal orders. The dictates of a person’s conscience, religion, or personal philosophy cannot justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order. Elections SB 1508 and HB 4018 look like placeholders which the League may cover. HB 4024 Enrolled (2024), updates, a major campaign finance bill ( League Testimony ). SB 1509 allows for switching President and Vice President electors if they do not vote as they pledged. See “Faithless Elector Law”, testimony in defense , here , and states with robust laws . “Faithless electors” SB 1509 allows for “switch of electors of President and Vice President if they do not vote like they pledged”. We anticipate this to be addressed in another bill, too. See “Faithless Elector Law”, testimony in defense , and here , also a list of which states have robust laws . Consumer and Other Protections Consumer Protection , HB 4024 prevents event ticket resale unless a seller has or can get tickets, relates to Sen. Prozanski’s consumer protection SB 430 Enrolled (2025), which started with hidden event ticket fees, then developed into multi-faceted consumer protection, League testimony . Protect Public Officials HB 4017 permits a candidate to use campaign contributions for protection. SB 1530 expands the crime of aggravated harassment to include threats concerning public officials. The League has testified to many bills to protecting government services, especially elections, and those who provide them, expanding to cover more people. Immigration bills will be shared with Social Policy: SB 1594 relates to enforcing federal immigration laws, HB 4001 will study immigration enforcement, and HB 4111 addresses immigration status as not admissible for civil cases. Gun bills, depending on your perspective, address protection. HB 4096 and HB 4145 will both be heard on the first day of session. (See the Social Policy Legislative Report) Ethics By Lindsey Washburn SB1589 - Lobby Reform Requires lobbyists to notify the Oregon Government Ethics Commission regarding certain information about the lobbyist's: representing certain clients, compensation, and new or different position on legislative or administrative action.\ Resilience HB 4044 and HB 4121 emergency preparedness organization. See OEM Resilience Priorities & Report . Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Follow social policy related items with the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Social Policy Overview The League of Women Voters of Oregon is actively working toward a more accessible government, better educational resources, statewide privacy protections and more. Read More Social Policy Reports Sep 21, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 9/21 Both Senate and House Interim Health Care Committees were presented the same information. If one were to summarize what took place in these Committees, it would be that a lot of moving parts are heading into virtually uncharted territories. Read More Jun 29, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 6/29 On June 15 and 16, the Senate and House Interim Committees on Judiciary held informational hearings that touched on alternatives to incarceration and a focus on Community-Engaged Long-Term Corrections Planning, a concept that had its roots in 2013 as a way to move toward a more community-centered approach to public safety rather than building new prisons. Read More Mar 9, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 3/9 One of the biggest disappointments in the waning days of the session was the behind-the-scenes deal-making between the two parties that caused HB 4145 to be stripped of nearly all its provisions before its final passage on the Senate floor. Read More Mar 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Several key House bills related to Oregon’s pushback on federal law enforcement and immigration actions have successfully passed Senate Judiciary and await a vote on the Senate floor. Read More Feb 23, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 Bills stacked up in committee hearings this past week as legislators scrambled to meet the February 16th deadline. Read More Feb 16, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 The League is carefully monitoring the many bills in House and Senate Judiciary this session that seek to protect Oregonians from the actions of federal immigration officers. Read More Feb 9, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 The Senate and House Judiciary Committees got off to a quick start by scheduling hearings on several important bills during the first few days. Read More Feb 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Given the time constraints of a short session, it is striking to see the number of bills that relate to current federal government actions on immigration. Read More Jan 26, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Besides ongoing litigation from the Oregon Department of Justice, the League will be monitoring a flurry of bills this session from Senate and House Democrats that prioritize “protecting democracy, our elections, and the civil rights of Oregonians from federal overreach.” Read More Dec 1, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 During the November Legislative Days hearings, The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education held informational briefings on early learning as well as education regarding costs, performance considerations, and proposed cuts due to the pending loss of $880 million in federal funds. Read More Oct 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Oregon’s “School Medicaid” system has not been impacted yet by funding cuts in H.R. 1, but it is possible that impacts will be felt in the future. Read More Aug 11, 2025 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of August 11 This sine die report summarizes the Social Policy portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More Jun 30, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 After a flurry of activity by state legislators, the Governor’s office, housing advocates, the League of Women Voters of Oregon, and many others, on June 23, 2025, lawmakers released three major budget bills. Read More Jun 23, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 The League is hopeful that it is likely some existing immigrant related agency social service programs will receive additional funding at the end of the session reconciliation bill. Read More Jun 16, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 The Legislative Fiscal Office recommends a 2025-27 total funds budget for the Housing and Community Services Department of $2,667,240,094 and 478 positions (474.50 FTE). This is a 28.2% decrease from the 2023-25 legislatively approved budget, and 39.3% increase from the 2025-27 current service level. Read More Jun 9, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 SB 1098, the Freedom to Read bill, passed in the House essentially along party lines. LWVOR provided testimony in support. Read More Jun 2, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 SB 548 has been signed into law by Governor Kotek. This bill establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage. LWVOR testified in support. Read More May 26, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 LWVOR is following several budget bills relating to educational funding. In view of the revenue forecast, it is anticipated that amounts appropriated will be lowered. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 Steady progress has been made in addressing our state’s housing crisis by investing in affordable housing production and preservation. Now thousands of Oregonians have housing stability with affordable homes. Housing advocates are being encouraged to take action now by sending messages to members of the Oregon Legislature's Joint Subcommittee on Capital Construction, and top housing leaders in both the House and Senate, to invest in bond resources in the 2025-2027 state budget. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 This week the League of Women Voters of the United States joined a sign-on letter urging Congress to oppose cuts to Medicaid to help prevent medical debt. Oregon spent about $13 billion on its Medicaid program in 2024, picking up about 25% of the cost for the program covering 1.43 million Oregonians. Read More May 5, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 Recently, Head Start has been the subject of a tug of war over federal funding. In March, the Administration announced that it was closing 5 regional offices, including one in Seattle which oversees funding for programs in Oregon. Nevertheless, programs did receive delayed funding in early April. But the office remains closed, jeopardizing funding of $196M for over 8000 students in Oregon. The proposed budget would totally eliminate funding for Head Start and Early Head Start. Read More Apr 28, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 LWVOR continues to focus on housing challenges experienced by people with the lowest incomes. Affordable homes in Oregon are in short supply, making it important to strengthen resident protections, as proposed in HB 3054 A. The bill seeks to limit rent increases for homeowners in home parks and marinas that are experiencing escalating rents and curtail landlord practices that may threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. Read More Apr 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 SB 951A prohibits a management service organization from making decisions about patient care. The bill also prohibits non-compete, non-disparage employment clauses in medical work’s contracts. This will allow caregivers to speak out without fear of reprisal if they feel there is a safety issue at the workplace involving patient care. It was passed by the Senate and will be heard in House Behavioral Health and Health Care on May 1. Read More Apr 14, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 On April 8th the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee unanimously passed HB 2015 Amendment 3 with a “do pass” recommendation and a referral to Ways & Means. This wide-ranging bill addresses regulatory barriers in building and operating secure residential treatment facilities (SRTF’s), residential treatment facilities (RTF’s) and residential treatment homes (RTH’s) in Oregon. It directs the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to study nursing requirements in SRTF’s and to assess alternative methodologies for reimbursement. Read More Apr 7, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, behavioral health, education, gun policy, housing, immigration, gun policy, and age-related issues. Read More Mar 31, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, behavioral health, education, gun policy, housing, immigration, public safety, and revenue. Read More Mar 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, civil commitment, behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, housing, immigration, and revenue. Read More Mar 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/17 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, housing, and reproductive health. Read More Mar 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, child care, education, housing, and public safety. Read More Mar 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, and housing. Read More Feb 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 We are following numerous bills relating to age discrimination/reproductive health, behavioral health, child care, criminal justice, education, housing, immigration, and public safety. Read More Feb 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, child care, criminal justice, education, housing, immigration, and public safety. Read More Feb 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 On Feb. 3, the House Committee on Education held a public hearing for HB 2596 (Interstate Compact for School Psychologists). Read More Feb 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 The final report for the 2024 session report on HB 4082 includes a request of $50 million per year for the biennium ($100 million total). Read More Jan 27, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/27 Legislative Committees heard presentations describing the current state of funding, and foreshadowing requests for larger allocations. Read More Jan 20, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/20 The legislature will soon begin its 2025 session, and some bills related to afterschool and summer care will be introduced. Read More Dec 20, 2024 Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 The Governor’s budget includes $80 million for summer school but it is not clear whether that includes summer child care. Read More Oct 1, 2024 Legislative Report - September Legislative Days House Revenue, 9/24/24, 2:30 PM, held report and discussion about how parameters of distribution of dollars of equalization between our school districts is decided, based on poverty, special education, individual education plans (IEP’s), etc.. A report from Revenue Dept. was that any changes to this plan would create winners and losers among school districts. Read More Jun 10, 2024 Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 On May 29th the Senate interim Committee on Health Care met during legislative days. Of interest is the ongoing concern about the rising cost of health care. Read More Apr 22, 2024 Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 LWVOR wrote testimony supporting a bill which would have provided $50 million to support summer learning through ODE to school districts. Read More Mar 4, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 3/4 HB 4082 Summer Learning 2024 and Beyond was passed to allocate $30 million for summer learning in 2024 and implementation of a work group to plan for future funding and administration of summer learning and afterschool enrichment. Summer awards will be made to school districts by ODE. Read More Feb 26, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 HB 4082 Summer Learning 2024 and Beyond, was originally recommended for $50 million in funding. It was amended to include an additional $141,767 from Other funds (Student Success funding) for .50 FTE for ODE grant administration and $417,039 in general funds for ODE research and development of the Oregon 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative. Read More Feb 19, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/19 On February 26, The Joint Committee on Addictions and Community Safety Response is holding a public hearing to consider two amendments to HB 4002 which deals with Oregon’s addiction crisis. Read More Feb 12, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/12 HB 4082, Summer Learning for 2024 and Beyond, to provide $50 million for summer care in 2024 and establish a workgroup for planning to support after-school and summer learning opportunities and care in the future was approved unanimously in the House Committee on Education and referred to Ways and Means. Read More Feb 5, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Volunteers are needed who are interested in issues related to Children at Risk, Corrections, Farmworkers, Mental Health, and Physical Health. Please contact SocialPolicy@lwvor.org for more information about how you can make a difference with League advocacy. Read More Jan 15, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 Volunteers are needed who are interested in issues related to Children at Risk, Corrections, Farmworkers, Mental Health, and Physical Health. Please contact SocialPolicy@lwvor.org for more information about how you can make a difference with League advocacy. Read More Nov 13, 2023 Legislative Report - November Interim The Joint Interim Addiction and Community Response Committee held an in-depth discussion on the controlled substance crimes of unlawful possession, manufacture or delivery of illegal drugs during November interim legislative days. Read More Oct 2, 2023 Legislative Report - September Interim Senate Judiciary discussed SB 337 on 9-27. The bill formed a new Public Defense Services Commission, to become effective 1-1-2024. The staff is recruiting new defense attorneys for unrepresented clients residing In jails. Read More Aug 18, 2023 Legislative Report - Sine Die In 2023, it became clear that the housing crisis is now a statewide issue. In communities throughout Oregon people are living on the street and many of those who are housed are at risk of losing their homes because they can’t afford to pay their rent. Read More Jun 26, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 SB 1089 (changed from SB 704) Sets up a Governance board for Universal Health Care. The board would create a plan to finance and administer Universal Health Care for Oregonians. Read More

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Jim Buck Oregon Dept. of Transportation: Janice Thompson Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Bottle Bills Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. Of State Lands (DSL) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Services Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Natural Resources Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) State Land Board Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire AIR QUALITY Bills we are watching: SB 726 : Requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR to support. HB 3244 : Replaces the requirement that an owner or operator of a municipal solid waste incinerator conduct continuous monitoring or sampling of specified air contaminants with a requirement that the monitoring or sampling be conducted annually. LWVOR would oppose. The bill relates to the Reworld facility out of Keizer and League members have testified of their concerns in past years. AGRICULTURE By Sandra Bishop Chair Jeff Golden announced four specific Senate bills that will be considered by the committee: SB 78 – Replacement dwelling bill SB 77 – Home occupation reform bill SB 73 – Spot zoning reform SB 79 – Prohibits certain dwellings on resource lands LWVOR will watch and may support with our strong positions on protection of Oregon’s valuable agricultural lands. Also, we are watching HB 3158 relating to photovoltaic solar power generation facilities on lands zoned for exclusive farm use. Allows certain photovoltaic solar power generation facilities on lands zoned for exclusive farm use to operate alongside farm or allowed nonfarm uses on a tract. LWVOR is watching this one before taking a position. BOTTLE BILLS By Sandra Bishop So far this session six bills have been introduced that would make changes to the Oregon beverage container return system; the iconic Oregon bottle bill that was passed in 1971. The League has been a consistent supporter of this program. SB 992 calls for an Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) study on how to modernize the Oregon bottle bill system. A hearing is scheduled on Feb 17th in the Senate Committee On Energy and Environment . The emergence of this committee bill may be an indication that legislators do not expect to pass any major changes this session to the current system for collecting, accounting for, and recycling beverage containers in Oregon. Requiring a study that is not due to be reported to the Legislature until late in 2026 is kicking the can down the road (pun intended). There are major opportunities and challenges with the current bottle bill system and recycling in the state. Distributors, who benefit most from the current beverage container collection system, may be supporting such a study to ensure no substantive changes will be made to Oregon’s bottle bill for at least another three or four years. SB 963 would require beverage container redemption centers in cities with a population of more than 10,000. HB 2921 would change the criteria for location of redemption centers. SB 869 would allow restricting the hours during which retailers and other dealers are required to take back returned beverage containers. HB 3433 would add wine bottles to the deposit return system. SB 329 is intended to increase the use of reusable beverage containers. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 tentative 3rd week of March Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 tentative 3rd week of March Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 DEQ: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet Public hearing tentative set for mid-March Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 info hearing 2/10, Meeting Materials , public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 info hearing 2/10, public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 , tentative public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2 Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . Tentative public hearings March 10-12; Department of Forestry / Department of the State Fire Marshal - Wildfire Funding Workgroup Work Session/report to be a part of the ODF budget presentation Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: HB 5010 Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials ; LWVOR testimony ; Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases. LWVOR points out that KPM #4 , mine inspections, has consistently NOT met the small 20% target so, if staffing is needed to meet that target AND fees increased to pay for them, we will continue to support Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 ; Governor’s budget; DLCD Fact Sheet ; Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials ; LWVOR testimony Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 ; Public hearing Feb. 17 Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 ; Public hearing tentative set for March 8 Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Shee t ; Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Public hearing Feb. 18-20 Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Public hearing Feb. 25-26 Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Public hearing Feb. 25-26 Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 Office of the Governor: SB 5523 Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20 Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium Emergency Board: HB 5006 General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) The next Revenue Forecast will be Feb. 26th. The legislature will use that forecast to do a final rebalance of the 2023-25 budget. Then the May 14th forecast will be the basis for the legislature to determine the 2025-27 state budget. Oregon receives substantial funding from the federal government, so the legislature is watching closely as the March 14th deadline for a federal budget to be passed again looms. Congress also needs to address raising the federal debt limit to authorize paying for bills we’ve already incurred. The federal budget is annual and runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30. Currently there is only a federal budget until end of day March 14. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL A bill League is following is SB 504 related to shoreline stabilization. Our coastal partners have been working with the sponsor, and we are hoping for a positive amendment to talk about “non-structural nature-based solutions” instead of “bioengineering”. A work session is scheduled for Feb. 18 in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire . We now have bill numbers for kelp and eel grass conservation (HB 3580) and protection of Rocky Habitat (HB 3587) —both bills the League will support. We asked for funding for a staffer in the Dept. of Land Development and Conservation budget to continue to address rocky habitat, an element of the Territorial Sea Plan which the League has supported. The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) is currently developing its 2026-2030 Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy ( Link to draft 2026-2030 Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy ). A Draft Assessment and Strategy has been published, and the public was invited to provide feedback. The draft 2026-2030 Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy can be found on their Public Comment webpage . UPDATE : The program received updated guidance from its federal funders – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on February 10. As a result, OCMP needs to revise the draft developed between October 2024 and January 2025. See the announcement on Offshore Wind Energy Roundtable Feb. 20-21 in Lincoln City or you can watch on Zoom. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League supports SB 830 , a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. A work session is scheduled for Feb. 18 in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire . HB 2947 had a public hearing in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water on Feb. 10th related to treated sewage being used on farms. OP B provided great coverage of the concerns related to this usage. Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member is serving on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. There is a meeting set for Feb. 26. You are welcome to s ign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League will again serve on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. A meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25th. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee you can view the rulemaking web page at: Water Quality Fees 2025 . DEPT. OF STATE LANDS (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The next State Land Board meeting is a special meeting in March (date still unknown), followed by a regular meeting April 8. See below for more information on the State Land Board. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) You can read the latest about the Elliott State Research Forest in their latest press release. Included is that t he Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is seeking comments on administrative rules for the Elliott State Research Forest. The comment period is open from February 3 - March 5 (closes at 5 p.m. Pacific). Then DSL is seeking comments on the proposed Elliott State Research Forest Operations Plan. Click here to view or download the proposed plan, project overview map, and appendices. Click here to view only the proposed plan (PDF) The 45-day comment period is open until 5 p.m. on March 31. Here is a more complete notice of the plan with opportunities for virtual public meetings. At the State Land Board meeting on Feb. 11, Kaitlin Lovell was appointed to the Elliott State Research Forest Board to fill the vacancy created by the loss of Bob Sallinger. EMERGENCY SERVICES By Rebecca Gladstone HB 2581 : The League spoke and filed testimony in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. A work session was held on Feb 6 in H Comm On Emergency Management, Gen Gov, and Veterans where the bill passed unanimously. It now goes to the House Floor for a vote. FORESTRY (ODF) Curry County Commissioners are discussing the possibility of taking over management of federal lands in their jurisdiction See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. GOVERNANCE Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we frequently comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. We were pleased to see an attorney who has represented businesses also provided opposition testimony . The sponsor of the bill shared an instance where OHSA may have exceeded their authority when adopting rules related to farmworker housing. The League believes that agencies should adopt rules to implement legislation but should NOT exceed their authority by creating policies not passed by the legislature. LAND USE & HOUSING By Peggy Lynch On Feb. 10th the House Committee on Housing heard testimony on the following bills that the League believes would allow housing outside of cities and some could violate Goals 3 and 4 of our land use system so we will follow these bills and may provide testimony with our concerns: HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. These lands are currently a variety of state-owned lands scattered around the state. HB 2400 : Allows the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site an additional dwelling on the property for occupancy by a relative of the owner. HB 2422 : Requires that lands zoned to allow density of one or fewer dwellings per acre to be considered a rural use. We are pleased to learn that Business Oregon’s Infrastructure bill, HB 3031 , with an amendment to clarify the criteria to be used to access the proposed $100 million fund has been filed. The League looks forward to supporting this important bill. The amendment to the bill will be filed shortly. Other bills we are following: HB 3013 : Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain. acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. LWVOR supports with -1 amendment. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. LWVOR may support. HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands. LWVOR may have comments. Some provisions we support; others not so much. We expect a -1 and then a -2 amendment. Will wait to read them before making a decision on the bill. HB 3145 : Allows the Housing and Community Services Department to use Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program Fund monies for factory-built housing. LWVOR should support. HB 2347 : Authorizes the Department of Land Conservation and Development to provide planning assistance for housing production to federally-recognized Indian tribes and makes other technical changes to laws relating to land use planning. A public hearing was held on Feb. 5th in House Housing. A Work Session is scheduled on Feb. 19th where a -2 amendment may be considered. HB 2950 : A bill to update Goal One and Public Participation is being sponsored by Oregon’s American Planning Association. The League is interested in the bill, but has some concerns. We understand there will be an amendment proffered. A public hearing was held Feb. 12th in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . Because of the requirement to do rulemaking, the bill, if passing the Committee, will be sent to Ways and Means. SB 462 : Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to establish an education course for land use planners for local governments, special districts and state agencies. LWVOR supports educational efforts but there are other training opportunities so this proposal might be redundant. SB 525 : Amends expedited land division criteria and processes. LWVOR has concerns. May need to oppose. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. NATURAL RESOURCES HB 3173 – Establishing OregonFlora in statute passed committee with a -3 amendment on Feb. 12th and it was sent to Ways and Means. OregonFlora provides comprehensive information about ~4,700 vascular plants in Oregon to the public; state and federal agencies; educational institutions; businesses; consumers; and scientists, providing significant economic, social, and educational benefits. HB 3173 info sheet . The bill has widespread support statewide and the League hopes to see this program that supports many natural resource areas funded this session. OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) By Lucie La Bonte Our League volunteer interviewed an OWEB staffer related to OWEB’s funding for 2025: The staffer shared that the lottery funding is a stable source of funding for OWEB. In the Governor’s Budget recommendation there is adequate funding for the new programs OWEB has been tasked to take on. This includes enough funding for staffing the new programs. Some funding will be for a limited duration, and some is permanent funding. The Natural Resources Ways and Means Subcommittee will meet to discuss OWEB on February 25th and 26th . On the 25th there will be discussion with staff, on the 26th there will be public comment. OWEB has many partners and much support on both sides of the aisle. The outlook is positive. A recommendation will go to the full Ways and Means Committee after the revenue forecast in May. STATE LAND BOARD (SLB) By Peggy Lynch The Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer (SLB members) held a quarterly meeting on Feb. 11th that you can watch on their YouTube channel. Here . They shared a great report on their Real Property Program, sharing the lands owned by the state, their market potential and actions taken to increase revenue. The meeting materials packet is here . The Board adopted rules on Rocky Habitat Designations and approved initiating a potential land sale o f a portion of West Hayden Island to ODOT. The purpose of the proposed sale is to provide mitigation land for the proposed new I-5 bridge project. They appointed Kaitlin Lovell to the Elliott State Research Forest Board to fill the loss of Bob Sallinger to that Board. The Common School Fund passed its audit. The Director reported that the state may have completed negotiations for 80 acres of Bureau of Land Management land near La Pine (and Roslyn Elementary School) to be deeded to the state as part of its still-needed statehood-owed lands. Lastly, Director Walker has announced her retirement plans as of June so an open public recruitment process for a new Dept. of State Lands Director has begun with the intent for the SLB to select their choice at their June 10th meeting. For many this is an obscure agency, but the League believes this agency, with its mission to protect the waters of the state (including our wetlands), to assure stewardship of the Common School Fund, oversight of the South Slough National Estuarine Reserve and now the Elliott State Research Forest are all critical. LWVOR has positions related to support of each of these programs. WATER By Peggy Lynch On Feb. 17 in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water two bills of interest to the League will have a public hearing: HB 3525 related to tenants’ right to well water testing and HB 3526 that would require well water test reporting in property sales. The League has provided support in past sessions and may do so again this session. Water bills we are following: HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. A public hearing was held Feb. 12th. HB 3108 : Requires the Water Resources Department to implement additional rules and requirements for the review of limited license applications for an aquifer storage and recovery permit HB 2803 : Increases certain fees related to water. LWVOR will support. Expect amendments. Fees are needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. The Co-Chairs of the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water are working on a broad package of water-related bills. There is a Water Caucus raising the awareness of the urgency to address Oregon’s water needs. Oregon Water Data Portal debuted Jan. 31st. The multi-agency effort to release a beta version of the pilot portal for the Oregon Water Data Portal project debuted on January 31. The pilot portal is accessible here . Users can provide feedback about the beta version of the pilot portal by completing a survey or emailing OWDP@deq.oregon.gov . League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” V isit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. WEATHER Oregon’s state climatologist provides a view of Oregon’s January and our warm, cold and snowfall changes. As Americans depend on weather forecasts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Oregon has a NOAA facility in Newport, here is a concerning statement as reported by the New York Times Climate: NOAA staff members have been told to search their existing grants for terms that include “climate science,” “climate crisis,” “clean energy,” “environmental quality” and “pollution.” WETLANDS The League testified in opposition to SB 511 , a perennial salmon tax credit bill filed by Sen. David Brock Smith that would create a new program to allow private property owners to get a tax credit for salmon habitat on their property if allowed to be used by a developer to destroy wetlands in another area of Coos and Curry County. This session’s version of the bill narrows the use of the credit from statewide to the two coastal counties. But the concept is complicated and this area of the coast is a critical salmon habitat. A bill of concern to the League related to our removal/fill program has been filed: SB 400 . As proposed, the League will oppose. Another wetlands-related bill we will be watching: HB 2054 . WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers It was a slow week for wildfire legislation, but there has been press coverage of issues that the League feels are worth mentioning. This February 10th article from the Oregon Capital Chronicle, describes how Senator Golden, in response to negative feedback from constituents, is proposing revisiting how the recently- released second version of the Oregon Wildfire Hazard (previously “Risk”) Map has areas of hazard broken down. Where the previous map had assigned risk on a broader area scale, an approach that was determined to be a problem, the new map assigned risk at the parcel level. Now, it appears there is some question as to the wisdom of that decision in accomplishing the goals set out for the map. Time will tell if this idea gains momentum. There was news of another $50 million in settlements paid out by Pacificorp for the role of its subsidiary, Pacific Power, in the devastating 2020 wildfires. This February 7th piece from Oregon Public Broadcasting provides details. According to the article, “At least eight more trials are scheduled, and the company could be on the hook for billions in damages.” It also states that rates for Pacific Power customers are up 50% since 2021, a trend that will continue as our wildfire seasons worsen, and mitigation efforts by electric utilities increase their operating costs. Finally, the Wildfire Funding Workgroup established by the Governor at the end of the 2023 short session, to look for a solution to the wildfire funding problem, will be presenting its recommendations to the Legislature soon. No firm date is available as of this writing. This much- anticipated report, the culmination of months of effort by 35 individuals, will set the stage for the Legislature’s work to find a long term, durable and equitable solution to the growing wildfire funding shortfall. Stay tuned! Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.