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


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

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


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


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

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


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

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Afterschool and Summer School Criminal Justice Gun Safety Healthcare Educatio n Housing Legislation Afterschool and Summer School, Child Care By Katie Riley 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. Child Care: In response to the Governor’s request to outline potential budget cuts of 5% and 2.5 %, the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) recommended that no cuts be made to the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program and the Early Learning Parent Education program at the 2.5% level. Overall, recommendations showed potential cuts to administrative functions prior to programs. Programs with Reductions at 2.5% and 5.0% Scenarios 21.0M $2.4M $36.7M These are listed in prioritized order for reductions, and most are not targeted for a full 2.5% for the first scenario. Other Early Learning Grants Child Care Supports Early Learning Hubs Early Learning Professional Development Early Learning Program Supports Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten 5 Preschool Promise Health Families Oregon Relief Nurseries Early Childhood Equity Fund Programs Held Harmless for both 2.5% and 5% reductions Baby Promise Birth to Five Literacy Kindergarten Partnership Innovation Tribal Early Learning Plan & Fund (Early Learning Tribal Hub) Every Child Belongs (Mental Health & Behavior Supports) No decisions were made on reductions. Long-term effects, alternative funding sources, reserves, and income potential will all be considered. On the plus side, a report from Jessica LaBerge on 11-18-25 representing the Eastern Oregon Childcare Business Accelerator for the Southern Oregon Regional Solutions Exchange reported that the business accelerator has started its first cohort of 13 potential childcare providers across Eastern Oregon. This program will help provide childcare businesses with small business advising, childcare educational credits, curriculum support and ongoing assistance with the business side of childcare. The goal is for the participants to be fully licensed and opening their own childcare business to provide additional capacity for Eastern Oregon communities. She is hoping to find additional funding to start a Spanish speaking cohort and additional cohorts in the future. Afterschool Care New data on the demand and need for afterschool care was included in the report, America After 3 pm , published by the Afterschool Alliance, October 2025 Citing the most recent survey of over 30,000 parents nationwide, the Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant said “Families at all income levels want afterschool opportunities and those with resources invest heavily in afterschool programs and activities. But it’s concerning that, after adjusting for inflation, afterschool spending by families in the lowest income bracket has decreased since 2020, while spending by families in the highest income bracket has grown, exacerbating inequities. Afterschool programs give students a safe place to go after the school day ends, boost their academic achievement, help address the youth mental health and chronic absenteeism crises, provide alternatives to screen time, give working parents peace of mind that their children are safe and supervised, and more. Our country will be stronger and more successful when all children can take advantage of what afterschool programs offer – but, sadly, this study shows we’re nowhere near reaching that goal. We need greater support from federal, state, and local governments, businesses, and philanthropy. Every child deserves access to a quality afterschool program.” Oregon data shows that parents of 331,262 children want afterschool programs but 5 out of 6 children are not able to participate due to availability, access (location and transportation), and cost, the largest factor. “In Oregon, the demand for afterschool programs is incredibly high. Parents value the benefits afterschool programs provide for young people—keeping them safe, helping build life skills, and getting them excited about learning. They say that afterschool programs help them keep their jobs and provide peace of mind. Still, just a fraction of Oregon families who want afterschool programs have them…Overwhelmingly, Oregon parents are in favor of public funding for afterschool programs.” Recent surveys confirm this: 2025 89% 2020 90% 2014 83% 2009 79% Support for public funding is high across the political spectrum in Oregon Democrats 92% Independents 94% Republicans 81% However, currently, no public funding is available from the state specifically for afterschool care. Funds from the Student Success Act can be used for that purpose, but most school districts use that funding for teachers and counselors. Public funding is available for afterschool programs in some cities, e.g. Portland, Hillsboro. Summer care: The appropriation for summer school that was funded in the 2025 legislative session is probably not in danger of being cut because the appropriation was made into a special fund outside the general fund. Funding is still available for summer 2026 and 2027. These funds are designated to school districts for summer literacy and although there is a mandate to involve at least one community-based organization, the requirement does not include after school hours care. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The Senate Judiciary hearing on November 17 provided an update on wrongful conviction legislation, SB 1584 (2022), and the need to pass additional legislation to ensure a more effective and timely compensation process for those who have been wrongly convicted. The 2025 Oregon Justice for Exonerees Act (SB 1007) failed to make it out of session. The Innocence Project and the Forensic Justice Project will also push for fixing gaps in current law that have allowed convictions based on flawed and outdated forensic science, including hair comparisons, bite mark analysis, and comparative bullet lead analysis. Education By Jean Pierce In the coming session, school funding will be a major concern. On November 19, Legislators heard a report from LPRO and LFO staff outlining deficiencies of the Quality Education Model used to determine equitable funding. This is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed. In addition, education agencies were not immune from the request to identify potential spending cuts. Their proposals are outlined below. However. public school administrators are urging lawmakers to allocate money from the $1.2 billion education stability fund to meet the current budget emergency. K-12 Education The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) used the following guiding principles when they decided where to make cuts: Protect student-centered supports Maintain statutory compliance Preserve organizational stability Limit disruption to districts and classrooms Establish programs to hold harmless ODE is proposing partial reductions in General Funding to some programs, including Every Day Matters, which addresses barriers to attendance Career and technical Education grants and career pathways ·High School Success Further, ODE is proposing State School Fund cuts to 10 th Grade Assessment Educator Advancement Fund English Language Learners Health Schools Fund Local Option Equalization Menstrual Products Speech Pathologist Talented and Gifted Members of the Ways and Means subcommittee expressed concerns particularly about the potential loss of the Educator Advancement Fund (EAF). The EAF provides professional development, mentorship, and Grow Your Own programs for teachers. This would mean less support for teachers who are charged with implementing the recently-approved science of reading curriculum. The Grow Your Own program recruits teachers from local communities, particularly minorities. Higher Education Proposing cuts to higher education funding comes at a particularly challenging time for colleges and universities which are experiencing cuts to research and other programs from the federal government. When the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) shared their proposals for 2.5% cuts, they noted that the cuts would result in hundreds of eliminated positions, including full-time faculty and administrators. They reported using these criteria for cuts: There would be minimal impact on support for the most vulnerable students. Other programs could continue to support the affected populations. Targeted programs were new or had received a large funding increase in the past four years. Merging or consolidating programs could increase administrative efficiency. The proposal includes cuts to The HECC agency Workforce development grants Career pathways funding for community colleges Childcare grant for student parents would no longer support new students Oregon Promise would no longer support new students The proposed cuts to the HECC budget would cause universities to increase tuition by close to 7% and community colleges to increase tuition by 10%, making higher education unaffordable for a number of students. Gun Safety By Marge Easley Supporters of Measure 114, including the League, will be pushing for the passage of a bill in the upcoming session to provide implementation details and technical fixes for Measure 114, the 2022 measure that requires a permit to purchase a firearm and bans high-capacity magazines. It has been under court review since that time. The Oregon Supreme Court hearing on its constitutionality occurred on November 6, and it most likely will take several months for the ruling to come down. Last session SB 243 set the date of March 15, 2026, for implementation of Measure 114 with the condition that the Oregon Supreme Court decides in its favor. The Christmas Tree bill also allocated over $14 million to the Oregon State Police to help cover implementation costs. Healthcare By Christa Danielson Legislative meetings held last week focused on how we are going to continue to provide our current level of services for Medicaid and SNAP in light of HR.1. Speaker of the House Julie Fahey reported cuts in the Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) budgets of up to 15 billion in future years for Oregonians. In light of this, the legislators are looking at funding sources such as decoupling some taxes from the federal budget or using the reserve fund. There is also a task force convened by the governor to consider how to sustain Medicaid benefits. The system is already straining in light of new work requirements, eligibility checks and budgeting for a possible revenue shortfall from the state, i.e. the hospital tax. Enhanced premium tax credits are due to expire at the end of 2025. They were set up during Covid via the American Rescue Plan. Some families will have to pay double what they pay now for health insurance. Average premiums could increase by 12-25 %. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Interim committees are meeting to prepare for the upcoming legislative session. They are studying policy issues, learning from invited leaders, and considering recommendations for potential legislation. Recently, the Senate and House housing committees invited agency leaders to speak on a range of housing issues as reported below. Presentations to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development, November 17, 2025 Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Andrea Bell presented information on the impact of federal funding and policies on Oregon. The state received a little over $530 million from the federal government for housing production and services for people accessing housing and homeless programs. That amount represents about 15 percent of the state’s housing resources. Congress has not yet finalized the Housing and Urban Development budget. OHCS serves as a pass through for federal dollars to local jurisdictions and non-profit providers. Inclusionary Zoning Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) promotes mixed income housing developments by requiring developers to include affordable units in their housing projects. The policy was banned by the Legislature in 1999. They relegalized it in 2016 (SB 1533) and required developers to include a percentage of units affordable to households at 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). It does not apply to buildings with fewer than 20 units. LWVOR supported the 2016 legislation. Portland is the only city in Oregon that implemented IZ. It was fully funded for projects in the central city and underfunded for projects in surrounding neighborhoods. Underfunding led to developers creating projects with just under 20 units in order to avoid the IZ requirements. Portland recently revisited its policy and fully funded the IZ program throughout the city. It prioritized development of 60 percent AMI units in higher priced neighborhoods. In the first six months, 20 projects opted in to the program, fewer developers are proposing projects with fewer than 20 units. Regular check ins are essential. A Habitat for Humanity representative presented information on the potential for applying IZ to affordable homeownership in condominium projects. Presentations to the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness met on November 18 Andrea Bell, Executive Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), began by saying her agency is tracking the evolving federal landscape on housing and homeless service programs. During the shutdown a majority of federal funds awarded to OHCS were accessible and obligated during the shutdown. When the furlough affected federal staff, some projects were on pause, such as contracts and project certifications. FY 2025 funding levels were sustained for the agency. Oregon is working, although homeless numbers continue to grow. The importance of a full continuum of services is essential to keep the system viable. New homelessness is largely economically driven, a problem that is decades in the making and will take time and effort to remedy. Jimmy Jones, Executive Director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency in Salem, presented information to both the House and Senate committees. He explained that his agency focuses on reducing poverty, including housing assistance, child care and youth programs, and offers support for those experiencing homelessness. He commented on the history of federal homeless housing programs, and the importance of retaining the Continuum of Care program. He also highlighted “observables” in his presentation: 1) What we are doing in Oregon is working, 2) homeless numbers continue to grow, 3) observable 2 is not connected to observable 1, 4) a new wave of homelessness is largely driven by economics, 5) criminalization will fail, 6) we need full continuum of services and they are all interconnected, 7) the problem is decades in the making and will take time to solve. He is concerned about the July 2025 Executive Order issued by the White House on homelessness and related topics. It seeks to encourage civil commitment of individuals with mental illness who pose risks to themselves or the public or are living on the streets and cannot care for themselves in appropriate facilities for periods of time. In the past, homeless individuals were expected to work their way through a stair step into permanent housing. More recently policies have prioritized Housing First and harm reduction that do not require working through specific steps to qualify for housing, but instead place clients into housing and then provide services and support. The Trump administration will fund the older failed approach to addressing homelessness. It will focus on criminalizing homelessness, reducing funding for permanent supportive housing, incentivizing treatment first and transitional housing. It will shift funds to faith-based providers, require cooperation with immigration enforcement, and disallow racial and transgender preference policies. States will need to re-compete for federal funding grants. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning Criminal justice Hate and bias crimes Juvenile justice Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/27 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 Carbon Investments Clean Energy Carbon Investments By Anne Nesse Informative hearings were held concerning our State Treasury, and a proposed plan to decrease carbon-intensive investments in favor of a cleaner energy economy. 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. Clean Energy By Kathy Moyd HB 3196 -1 a uthorizes the Environmental Quality Commission to establish by rule a fee to be paid by community climate investment entities. The funds come from the purchase of Community Climate Investments by the covered fuel suppliers. It establishes a Community Climate Investment Oversight Account. The League provided written and verbal Testimony .

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 5/22 Education By Anne Nesse Leadership Announces Historic Budgets for State School Fund, Early Learning and Literacy Success On May 22, presiding Senate and House officers announced “an historic $10.2 billion investment into the State School Fund (SSF), $700 million above current service level and the most ever allocated to the fund. When paired with local property tax revenues, the total formula resources for K-12 schools reaches $15.3 billion, a 12.3% increase over current resources, which will ensure Oregon’s schools and educators will have the tools they need to prepare Oregon's students for the future.” Several Bills were voted to the floor from House and Senate Education Committees this week, on their way to passage into law. Some by narrow margins, ostensibly over discussions of inadequate potential funding. Even though the recent May economic forecast exceeded expectations, totaling approximately over $1.9 Billion dollars of what was anticipated. Thankfully leadership was able to make some prioritized decisions listed above in an historic $15.3 billion dollar education budget! More to come in next week's newsletter. • SB 489 Eliminates restrictions on payment of unemployment insurance benefits to certain nonprofessional educational workers. This gives these employees some extra income stability. It was noted by Susan Allen, OSEA, that most of these employees are working for comparatively low wages, and they would appreciate this protection. • SB 736 Requires DOE to conduct a study to identify how to increase access to advanced instruction for the purpose of preparing students for college and career, written for talented and gifted students. • SB 473 -1 , Directs school district board to adopt a prevention curriculum that addresses child sex trafficking. This was amended to be a study of possible curriculum by DOE, and Sen. Hansell, chief sponsor of the Bill, announced he now no longer supports this change. It was announced that the group “In Our Backyard” will be involved, if this passes. • SB 819 A-16 , Modifies abbreviated school day program requirements for students with disabilities. This Bill attempts to preserve some rights to parents and children with disabilities that are Federally mandated. This created a lot of discussion of the possibility of not enough staff, or money to cover these costs. • HB 3068 A , Provides that high school a student in grade 11 or 12 may be awarded a high school equivalency diploma if the student has received a certificate for passing approved high school equivalency test and meets other conditions. Within the bill is the study of the possibility of creating an entirely new type of high school diploma. HB 3199 A , Modifies calculation of required minutes of physical education for middle school students to be based on weekly calculation.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/17 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Climate Priorities with League Testimony Natural and Working Lands Other Priorities Advanced Clean Truck Rules What We're Reading This Week Transportation Priorities The Natural Climate Solutions Coalition Jordan Cove and Fracking Update Nuclear Waste Tech Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns This week we added a new Environmental Justice bill. HB2548 establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . We are considering joining a coalition that has recently formed to support a number of 2025 bills affecting many agricultural workers and other immigrants. There may be League alerts on this topic later this session. For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities , Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities . OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities with League Testimony HB 2966 -3 Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans , House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP) 
 League Testimony 
 
 HB 3170 , Community Resilience Hubs and networks: Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. 
 League testimony 
 The following four bills are part of a Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package which was the subject of public hearings February 27 and March 6 in the House Energy Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee: HB 215 1: Testimony ; 2152 : Testimony ; 2949 : T estimony ; 3450 : Testimony , See also CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis , HB 3450 CEI energy storage transition plan, HEMGGV, League Comments 
 HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . House Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE), Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor 
 Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package HB 3081 ( League testimony ) creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place . SB 88 ( League testimony ) limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. In addition to our testimony, LWVOR has signed on to letter support each of these bills. The Public Hearing was March 4th. Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 HB 3103-1 - Overweight Timber Harvest, H ALUNRW, League Oppose Testimony , 
 (see additional details NWL report below) Other Priorities HB 2566 : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects, Work Session 3/20, Governor Tina Kotek, Public Hearing (PH) held 2/11/2024, 2 amendments proposed (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 
 HB 3365 : climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, House Cm Educ, PH 3/12, League Testimony Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. 
 SJR 28 : Environmental Rights Constitutional – Referral, Senate Rules, Amendment Leg Referral - Senator Golden, Representatives Andersen, Gamba, Senators Manning Jr, Prozanski, Representative Tran . The League has tentative plans to write testimony (comments) on this bill later this month. 
 
 
 SB 679 : Climate Liability, Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment 
 SB 680 : Climate Science/Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Judiciary, no recommendation, (SJ) PH was 2/26 Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski, Taylor 
 
 SB 681 : Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, Senate Finance and Revenue, PH 3/19. The League plans on submitting testimony. Sen Golden, 
 
 
 SB 682 : Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program Sen. Golden, Rep. Andersen, Gamba, Sen. Campos, Pham , SEE 
 SB 688 : Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, League testimony , three proposed amendments , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SEE 
 SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate, SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate vote 21-7, moves to House 3/4 

 first reading. 
 referred to H CEE 3/10, HB 3546 , the POWER Act , PR was 3/6, The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 
 Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV 
 Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 Carbon sequestration/storage: See DOGAMI Agency Budget (see Natural Resources Legislative Report) – Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 
 Advanced Clean Truck Rules Oregon's complex and controversial Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rules , aimed at phasing in electric trucks to replace heavily polluting diesel trucks, are the focus of both ongoing legislation and administrative rulemaking. Even as DEQ works toward Environmental Quality Commission approval of a permanent rule delaying implementation of the current rules (adopted several years ago) by a year, HB 3119 , (bipartisan) seeks to delay implementation by an additional year. The trucking industry flooded a Jan. 30 hearing with supporting testimony and has mounted a high-pressure campaign to do away with the rules entirely. Environmental advocates are pushing back against any further delays, citing the threats to public health (particularly affecting Environmental Justice communities) and to Oregon's greenhouse gas emission targets. More than 500 written testimonies are posted on OLIS. Meanwhile, Gov. Kotek has intervened in the DEQ rulemaking, urging the agency to quickly develop a solution to the compliance challenges facing Class 7 and 8 trucks, the heaviest class, while maintaining the integrity of the ACT program for other classes. This could be accomplished through additional credit allocations for Class 7 and 8 trucks or through similar mechanisms. DEQ's Rulemaking Advisory Committee has met twice and will meet again next week to consider proposed solutions. Legislative Environmental Bipartisan Caucus A trio of pro-nuclear bills were heard in Senate E&E on 3/5 and 3/10. SB 215 would repeal the requirement that there be a licensed repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste before a site certificate for a nuclear power plant may be issued in Oregon. If the bill is enacted, the repeal would have to be submitted to a statewide referendum at the next regular general election. SB 216 would repeal the above requirement by legislation alone. Amendments to these bills would limit their application to small modular reactors. SB 635 would direct Oregon State University to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in Oregon, addressing advantages and disadvantages, maximizing jobs for Oregonians, and technical issues. House CE&E heard HB 3107 on 3/13, aimed at expediting DEQ permit proceedings by modifying the agency’s authority to engage in certain agreements with regulated entities. It would entitle a permit applicant or holder or a regulated entity to enter into an agreement with DEQ for the agency to hire additional staff or to contract with a qualified third party to expedite a permit proceeding, unless DEQ finds that it has sufficient resources or staff to complete the proceeding within six months, or that the agreement is not in the public interest. Some other bills coming up next week: House CE&E has scheduled a work session on HB 2332 for 3/18. It would prohibit DEQ from requiring a Title V operating permit for air curtain incinerators that burn only wood waste, clean lumber, or yard debris, unless otherwise mandated by EPA. As EPA has eliminated this requirement for a permit, this bill would align DEQ with federal policy. House CE&E public hearing on HB 2067, 3/18. This bill would direct ODOE to establish a rebate program for small landscaping contractors to buy battery-powered leaf blowers. House CE&E work session on HB 2566, 3/20. It would add stand-alone energy resilience projects to the categories of projects eligible for a grant under ODOE's Community Renewable Energy Grant program. Senate E&E public hearing on SB 634, 3/17. It would specify that an electric utility may use hydroelectricity to comply with a Renewable Portfolio Standard under PUC regulation. What We're Reading This Week Wildlife and Natural Resources Butterfly numbers have fallen by nearly a quarter since 2000 - OPB Competing proposals aim to keep neonics away from consumers - Capital Press Southern Oregon nonprofits grapple with loss of millions for wildfire mitigation - Bend Bulletin Trump's timber directives could sway Oregon forest policy, but market effects remain unclear - OPB Utilities and the Grid 'Get the Junk out of our Rates' bill could limit how Oregon utilities pay for lobbying, ads - OPB In light of the conversations around large power users and increased electricity demand in the region, this article ( Utilities may subsidize data center growth by shifting costs to other ratepayers: Harvard Law paper ), published this morning in Utility Dive, was especially timely. The Power Act ( HB 3546) aims to address this issue. Bonneville opts to join SPP's Markets+ day-ahead market over CAISO alternative - Utility Dive Transportation ODOT intends to buy portion of Hayden Island to offset impacts of I-5 bridge replacement - KOIN 6 Southwest Washington cities spar over light rail funding for I-5 bridge replacement - OPB The Oregon Legislature’s Environmental Caucus is composed of members who believe that our state requires bold environmental action and are dedicated to furthering policy that benefits the natural resources, wildlife, economy, and communities of Oregon. Current Bipartisan Members : Transportation Priorities Transportation package that prioritizes climate, equity, and wildlife According to OCN Press Rel ease: “This package would build on the historic gains of HB 2017 (which included investments in public transit, safe routes to school, and vehicle electrification), to shift the focus to multimodal, safety, and climate-forward investments. This promises to create a system that saves money over time and builds a more resilient, equitable, and healthy future for all Oregonians.” The Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) Coalition By Josie Joehne NCS coalition has been testifying in support of HB 5039 , the OWEB $5 million budget request bill for the Natural Working Lands Fund. Read the LWVOR testimony here . We are also participating with the Washington County group that is developing a guidebook defining Climate Smart Forestry practices and natural climate solutions in support of ODF's Climate Change and Carbon Plan (CCCP). The Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District is under contract with ODF to develop the guide for experienced Washington County woodland managers and forestry professionals to help them advise local forest owners and land managers about best practices for the changing climate. It will provide information on how to reduce climate impacts through forest management, and will include latest information on climate, forest research, and case studies. Jordan Cove and Fracking Update 3/11 News: Arizona man stumbles upon Jordan Cove LNG project , seeks to revive it | KLCC, “Kekkonen is asking FERC to waive the approximately $40,000 filing fee for the motion, stating he can’t afford to pay it. He’s also seeking a $1.25 billion loan guarantee from the U.S. Maritime Administration for his LNG tanker endeavors.” The League continues to be concerned about Fracking issues. The fracking moratorium in Oregon, expired on January 2, 2025. [ 1 , 2 ] Here's a more detailed explanation: [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Moratorium End Date: The temporary ban on fracking for oil and gas production and exploration in Oregon, established by House Bill 2623, was set to end on January 2, 2025. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] 
 Governor's Signature: Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed the legislation on June 17, 2019. [ 1 ] 
 Legislative Action: The Oregon Senate passed the bill on May 29, 2019, with a 17-11 vote. [ 3 , 4 ] 
 Exemptions: The bill included exemptions for natural gas storage wells, geothermal activities, and existing coalbed methane extraction wells. [ 3 ] 
 Current Status: The moratorium has expired, and fracking is no longer prohibited in Oregon. [ 1 , 2 ] 
 [1] https://aglaw.psu.edu/shale-law-in-the-spotlight/oregon-and-washington-enact-hydraulic-fracturing-bans/ [2] https://climate-xchange.org/2024/08/policy-explainer-drilling-down-on-state-efforts-to-ban-fracking/ [3] https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senatedemocrats/Documents/HB2623Fracking.pdf [4] https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2019/05/29/oregon-senate-passes-5-year-fracking-moratorium/1271400001/ Nuclear Energy Waste Tech The Climate Fix: Nuclear Waste Finds Its Forever Home | NYT “Finland may soon become the first country to develop a permanent way to store spent nuclear fuel by burying it in tunnels deep underground.” CBS News 3/7/25 Supreme Court steps into debate over where to store nuclear waste “Washington — The Supreme Court on Wednesday jumped into the decades-long dispute over what to do with thousands of metric tons of nuclear waste, as it considered a plan to store it above one of the world's most productive oil fields, the Permian Basin in Texas.” Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB 3/7/25 Umatilla County wants to expand nuclear energy in Eastern Oregon. Tribes are pushing back “Oregon lawmakers are considering softening a 45-year-old statewide ban to allow nuclear power in Umatilla County. The legislation has the backing of the county governmen t , while tribal leaders are opposed.” Utility Dive 3/10/25 Utilities may subsidize data center growth by shifting costs to other ratepayers: Harvard Law paper “The public faces significant risks that utilities will … profit from new data centers by making major investments and. then shifting costs to their captive ratepayers, the report’s authors said...” Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital climate and community protection programs. Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful programs may run out of funding: Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE) 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ) 
 Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ) 
 Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS) 
 Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS) 
 Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) 
 Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) (excerpt from OCEN network message) 
 Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

I have a Bachelors in Education from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters and PhD in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was a Professor at Illinois State University, where I taught Child Development and Family Relations, for about 20 years. I engaged in interdisciplinary, qualitative research with the same research team from the time I was a graduate student until I retired. In collaboration with Dr Brenda Krause Eheart, Founder of Hope Meadows/Generations of Hope, we studied the Generations of Hope Community, Hope Meadows, from its inception in 1994 until about 2014. A Generations of Hope Community is an intentionally created, intergenerational neighborhood, where some of the residents face a specific challenge around which the community organizes. Hope Meadows was developed to support families adopting children from the foster care system. Three problems (unused housing on a decommissioned Air Force base, adoptive families in need of support, and senior citizens looking for purpose) were united to form a unique solution — Hope Meadows. With substantial funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, we applied what we learned from Hope Meadows to the development of intentional, intergenerational communities across the nation. These communities were designed to support not only families adopting children from foster care, but various other groups of people facing social challenges. Bridge Meadows in Portland was one of the first programs modeled after Hope Meadows (https://bridgemeadows.org). We moved from central Illinois to Cove, Oregon in 2021 to be near our son and daughter-in-law. We live on 75 acres with our four hens, three cats, two dogs and three horses. When we’re not tending to way-too-much property, my husband of 52+ years, Chris, and I enjoy hiking, gardening, camping, reading, and riding our horses. We joined LWV when we moved to Cove, but didn’t participate until the summer of 2024 when I was asked to help with a voter registration drive at Eastern Oregon University. With support from the LWVOR, we held an informational meeting on November 1, 2024 to see if our neighbors in Union County were interested in establishing a local LWV Unit. In December 2024 the LWVOR Board recognized the Union County Unit. We are thrilled with the interest and enthusiasm and we currently have over 35 members. I am a co-leader and Unit Coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Union County Unit. Also, in the Fall of 2024 I was appointed to the Eastern Oregon University Head Start Advisory Council. My intentions are to help LWVOR by adding a voice from Eastern Oregon (an underserved part of the State), helping new Units to get started, promoting civil discourse in diverse communities, and collaborating with other nonpartisan organizations. Marty Power Director I have a Bachelors in Education from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters and PhD in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was a Professor at Illinois State University, where I taught Child Development and Family Relations, for about 20 years. I engaged in interdisciplinary, qualitative research with the same research team from the time I was a graduate student until I retired. In collaboration with Dr Brenda Krause Eheart, Founder of Hope Meadows/Generations of Hope, we studied the Generations of Hope Community, Hope Meadows, from its inception in 1994 until about 2014. A Generations of Hope Community is an intentionally created, intergenerational neighborhood, where some of the residents face a specific challenge around which the community organizes. Hope Meadows was developed to support families adopting children from the foster care system. Three problems (unused housing on a decommissioned Air Force base, adoptive families in need of support, and senior citizens looking for purpose) were united to form a unique solution — Hope Meadows. With substantial funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, we applied what we learned from Hope Meadows to the development of intentional, intergenerational communities across the nation. These communities were designed to support not only families adopting children from foster care, but various other groups of people facing social challenges. Bridge Meadows in Portland was one of the first programs modeled after Hope Meadows (https://bridgemeadows.org ). We moved from central Illinois to Cove, Oregon in 2021 to be near our son and daughter-in-law. We live on 75 acres with our four hens, three cats, two dogs and three horses. When we’re not tending to way-too-much property, my husband of 52+ years, Chris, and I enjoy hiking, gardening, camping, reading, and riding our horses. We joined LWV when we moved to Cove, but didn’t participate until the summer of 2024 when I was asked to help with a voter registration drive at Eastern Oregon University. With support from the LWVOR, we held an informational meeting on November 1, 2024 to see if our neighbors in Union County were interested in establishing a local LWV Unit. In December 2024 the LWVOR Board recognized the Union County Unit. We are thrilled with the interest and enthusiasm and we currently have over 35 members. I am a co-leader and Unit Coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Union County Unit. Also, in the Fall of 2024 I was appointed to the Eastern Oregon University Head Start Advisory Council. My intentions are to help LWVOR by adding a voice from Eastern Oregon (an underserved part of the State), helping new Units to get started, promoting civil discourse in diverse communities, and collaborating with other nonpartisan organizations.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Environmental Justice Bills Climate Priority Advocacy Groups Climate Priorities with League Testimony , League Endorsement Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Priorities Other Climate Bills: New Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Transportation Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns Senate EE and House CEE Policy Committee Notes (4/7 - 4/10) Example of recent Chamber votes News and Commission Meetings Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Oregon Climate Policy The Trump administration actions including project 2025 and other partisan issues are and will continue to effect Oregon financial stability including Climate / Energy policies and funding. April 10, 2025: ‘Trump targets climate laws with order that could derail Oregon’s efforts ‘ | OPB. “Meredith Connolly, Oregon-based director of policy and strategy at nonprofit advocacy group Climate Solutions, said the executive order could target almost all laws that focus on climate, renewable energy and environmental justice that any city or county in Oregon have passed “even if there isn’t a constitutional or legal basis for it.” Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is unclear if SJR 28 will move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. LWVUS has provided guidance since over 26 states have - or are in the process of voting on green / environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. These usually take the form of a legislative–referral to the people. The New Mexico green amendment campaign focuses on racial justice. Environmental Rights Amendment News: March 27, ‘ Oregonians ask Legislature to let voters decide on constitutional right to healthy climate - A hearing for Senate Joint Resolution 28 was packed with children and seniors asking legislators to refer to voters a constitutional amendment enshrining climate rights’| OCC Oregon Capital Chronicle. Find ERA coalition Q and A here. March 27, 2025: Oregonians Urge Senate Rules Committee to Refer SJR 28-1 to the Peopl e (Constitutional Environmental Rights Amendment) Environmental Justice Bills HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session was held 4/9 passed with no amendments, no recommendation and referred to House Rules. Climate Priority Advocacy Groups For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities , Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities . OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities with League Testimony with League Endorsement and Still Alive HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package The following four bills are part of a package which was the subject of public hearings February 27 and March 6 in the House Energy Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee: HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held, passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) with -1 and -2 amendments Staff Measure Summary (SMS) . HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held, passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS . HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . S ee CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis ( The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) CEI energy storage transition plan Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package HB 3081 ( League testimony ) work session held 4/8, adopted -1 amendment, awaiting transfer to desk, creates an active navigator to help access energy efficiency incentives all in one place 
 
 SB 88 ( League testimony ) work session was 3/24, limits the ability of utility companies to charge ratepayers for lobbying, litigation costs, fines, marketing, industry fees, and political spending. 
 Moved to Sen Rules on 3/28. In addition to our testimony, LWVOR joined the Oregon Conservation Network, coordinated through the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, in sign-on letters supporting both HB 3081 and SB 88. PH 3/4 3/4 Climate Treasury Investment Bills SB 681 : Dead: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, Senate Finance and Revenue, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. 
 
 HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League – NO Comment, moves to the floor, no JWM required. HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), League Testimony , Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB 3103A – work session 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 Other Priorities HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3365 A: work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. 
 
 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, $500K fiscal, moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 
 
 
 
 SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Environmental Justice Bills Climate Priorities with League Testimony , League Endorsement Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Climate Bills Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns Highlights of House and Senate Chamber Votes Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Oregon Treasurer: Oregon Divest A few federal court rulings have favorably affected Biden admin IRA funding despite the current administration’s attempt to freeze the minutes. ‘The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act ‘, provides an expanded overview of funding in Oregon. Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Transportation Package Priorities The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities: Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets , Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter this past week requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081 ): This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place. Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) Environmental Justice Bills HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session was held 4/9 passed 4/3, with no amendments, no recommendation and referred to House Rules. 
 
It is unclear why this bill is inactive. Climate Priorities with League Testimony with League Endorsement and Still Alive By Claudia Keith HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead 
 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summary (SMS) . $1M+ 
fiscal HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS . 
 fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . 
 fiscal >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 S ee CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis ( The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) CEI energy storage transition plan 
, The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852 ), Oregon C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is unclear if SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. LWVUS has provided guidance since over 26 states have - or are in the process of voting on green / environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. These usually take the form of a legislative referral to the people. The New Mexico green amendment campaign focuses on racial justice. Climate Treasury Investment Bills SB 681 : May be still active: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, in Sen F&R, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. 
 
 
 
 HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. 
 (still in H EMGGV, still awaiting transfer to desk) 
 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force , Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans 
. 
 Historically, since 2009 Public banking policy topic has been included in many Leg sessions, (go here and then use Control F to search for ‘bank’. ) 22 bills mentioning Public and Bank have died in committee over the past 16 years. Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 
 Other Climate Bills HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, 4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $974K fiscal , moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, 
 
 
 
 
 
 SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 

 first reading. 
 referred to H CEE 3/10 
 
, PH 4/22 
 
, work session 5/1. HB 3546A , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , House vote was 4/21. The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 
 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3189 Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 
 
 
 
 SB 1143A : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. 
 
 
 HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. H CEE, PH 3/11 
 
 HB 3653 in Sen E&E, PH 4/28, House vote 51 - 9. Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. 
. 
 Priority Bills that died in policy committee Some of these related to funding may appear in the end of session reconciliation (“Christmas tree”) bill. HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. League testimony . SB 54 :. The bill required landlords to provide cooling for residential units . SB 1187 new Climate cost recovery Liability interagency bill , SB 680 : Climate Science/Greenwashing , Sen. Golden and Manning Climate Emergency JWM Budget Concerns By Claudia Keith This list may still be reflective of the current CE prioritized investments for environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Without additional appropriations this session, the following existing successful climate, CPP and environmental justice programs may run out of funding: Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Community Heat Pump Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program/Charge Ahead (DEQ) 
 
 
 
 
 Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Rebates + Infrastructure Grants (DEQ) 
 
 
 
 
 Community Resilience Hubs and Networks (ODHS) 
 
 
 
 
 Climate Change Worker Relief Fund (DAS) 
 
 
 
 
 Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) 
 
 
 
 
 Natural & Working Lands Fund (OWEB) 
 
 
 (See Natural Resources Legislative Reports for budget league testimonies including climate topics in over 14 agencies.) Highlights of House and Senate Chamber Votes April 21: Senate E&E Held a work session on HB 2567 A , which passed the House unanimously in March. The bill would modify the Heat Pump Deployment Program's eligibility criteria, funding distribution, and rebate structures. It would change “Environmental Justice” community to “disadvantaged” community; remove the 15% cap on administrative and marketing expenses and allow ODOE to set the cap by rule; allow ODOE to provide an additional incentive amount of up to $1,000 for contractors who install rental heat pumps in rural or frontier communities (incentives limited to no more than 5% of available funds); and extend the sunset date to 2032. It would provide no additional funding for the rebate program. Senate E&E adopted an -A3 amendment to the House engrossed bill, stating that if ODOE awards a grant to an eligible entity and additional funds become available for the program, ODOE may award additional grant moneys to the eligible entity using the existing performance agreement between the entity and ODOE. The committee voted unanimously to move the bill as amended to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. April 22: House Chamber House voted 41-16, to pass HB 3546 A , a priority bill on the OCN hot list that directs the PUC to provide for a classification of service for large energy use facilities such as data centers. PUC would have to require investor-owned utilities to enter into a 10-year contract with those users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the term of the contract, which could include a charge for excess demand. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them, including for transmission, distribution, and capacity. IOUs would have to mitigate the risks to other customer classes of paying for the utility’s increased load requirements. The bill would apply only to large users that apply for service on or after the effective date of the act, or to existing users that make significant investments or incur costs after the effective date that could result in increased costs or risks to the IOU's other retail electricity consumers. April 22 Senate By a vote of 20-9, the Senate passed SB 685 A , a bill of support on the OCN hot list. It would require a natural gas utility to provide notice to affected customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen that is blended with natural gas so that the ratio of H2 to natural gas exceeds 2.5%. At least 60 days before beginning to blend H2, the utility would have to notify each affected customer and file notice with PUC explaining the reason for the increased amount of H2. The utility would have to maintain information about the blending program on its website and enable customers to communicate with the utility about it. The Senate engrossed bill is scaled back from the introduced bill, which would have prohibited a utility from developing or carrying out a project involving H2 production or use without first obtaining PUC approval. Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation Updates (April 10, 2025) Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates 2025 Climate Risk Review: No Place to Hide - May 2025 Published by Divest Oregon: Executive Summary and Praise for Report (see SB 681) Addressing the Risk of Climate Change: A Comparison of US Pension Funds' Net Zero Plans – Jan 2025 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 1/20 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Committee Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Management Forestry (ODF) Land Use and Housing Mining Oregon Watershed Enhancement Water Wildfire Agriculture By Sandra Bishop A League member attended virtually the Dec. 18-19 Board of Agriculture meeting. Peter Kenagy, Albany area farmer, announced the reactivation of the Ag for Oregon group who will be advocating for agricultural land use protections and address the expansion of agri-tourism. Samantha Bayer, Oregon Property Owners Association, and member of the panel on Agri-tourism and Land Use announced that next session they will push for changes in the farm stand state statute to increase agri-tourism uses. The League may need to consider any proposed legislation. We are strong advocates of Goal 3, Agriculture.The Board approved an edited Resolution 314: Permitted Uses on Lands Zoned Exclusive Farm Use and on High-Value Farmland. A phrase was deleted from the published, edited version. There may be a special board meeting called in January for the Board of Ag to agree on legislative priorities. Here are the new Dept. of Land Conservation and Development Farm & Forest Rules. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government until March 14 with $10 billion disaster aid for farmers. The bill also includes a one-year extension of the Farm Bill (until Sept. 2025). The Farm Bill includes money for nutrition programs like food stamps. It also includes $29 billion for conservation. Many of Oregon’s conservation programs rely on that federal funding. You can read more in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle . See in this legislative report under “Water” for the latest on nitrates in groundwater in the Umatilla Basin. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch 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. Now that the Governor’s budget (GRB) has been released, the state agencies, who work for the Governor, can only advocate for the GRB. Their agency request budgets (ARBs) were used as a basis for the Governor’s decisions, but it is the GRB that now governs. Look for bill numbers HB 50xx and SB 55xx for the agencies’ budgets you might want to follow. If you add them to your OLIS subscription, you will get a notice when they might be heard in one of the Ways and Means Subcommittees. After some orientation, look for budgets to be heard beginning the second week of session. The Governor proposes; the legislature disposes. And those of us who engage in the budget process now must focus on convincing legislators (especially the Ways and Means Committee and the Subcommittees) of the need to fund those programs and staffing, using the League’s Legislative Priorities | LWV of Oregon and our adopted positions as our guide. The State Debt Policy Advisory Commission will provide bonding guidance in January of 2025. Climate See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt and Peggy Lynch Among the issues the League is following are shoreline erosion , low ocean oxygen levels , and protection of eelgrass (watch for legislation). A report from the Oregon Kelp Alliance found that nearly two-thirds of the state’s kelp forests have died out over the last decade. A multitude of factors appear to be behind the decline, including rising ocean temperatures and booming populations of purple sea urchins, which eat the kelp. The report also outlines future research and conservation strategies that could help protect the state’s remaining kelp forests. “Kelp forests are a key marine ecosystem. They act as a home and nursery for a number of fish species important in Oregon’s commercial and recreational fisheries.” We have reported on the potential for offshore wind off Oregon’s southern coast. OPB explains what happened. The Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap meetings have continued. For more information, please visit the DLCD webpage here: Offshore Wind Roadmap . The West Coast Ocean Science Trust will establish a 10-year detailed suite of strategies , needed funding, and timeline to address existing, emerging, and complex West Coast ocean and coastal issues, convening and engaging key policymakers, agencies, Tribes, academic leaders, scientists, and potential funders. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member is serving on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. There are two additional meetings set for Feb. 13 and 26. You are welcome to sign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . Department of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch See Elliott State Research Forest below for the agency’s role in that issue. The next State Land Board meeting is Feb. 11. Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) By Sandra Bishop At the Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) meeting January 15th, it was announced that Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will adopt a new definition of Disadvantaged Community (DAC). The DAC definition is used to prioritize eligibility for public funds to improve public water systems. Oregon, like all states, has a priority ranking system to address first any problems with public water systems that have the most serious human health risks. The state is also required to have a definition of disadvantaged community that meets the state affordability criteria for customers served by a public water system. This is to help prioritize eligibility for use of Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF). The new Disadvantaged Community definition addresses other socioeconomic, environmental justice, and demographic considerations, beyond the one-income criteria in the current definition. The current DAC definition used to determine DAC status for funding water projects is: A public water system with a service area that has a Median Household Income (MHI) less than the state MHI. The new definition defines Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) as any public water system (PWS) with a Median Household Income (MHI) less than the state MHI, or If a PWS has an MHI higher than 100% of the state MHI but less than 120% of the state MHI, then the system must meet two (2) of four (4) criteria: Greater than the state poverty rate, Greater than the state unemployment rate, Greater than the state percentage of people with less than a high school education, Greater than the state housing cost burdened. The new definition was arrived at after public comment and cooperative work between OHA Drinking Water Services staff, Business Oregon, and an EPA State Revolving Fund contractor. Metrics for determining need were expanded and refined. The new broader definition of Disadvantaged Communities includes an additional 79 public water systems serving a total population of more than 2,500,000. The new definition will also include the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. Approximately 61% of the public water systems in the state and 69% of the population served by public water systems will be covered under the new DAC definition . There was also news about Small System Equipment Assistance (SSEA) forgivable loans. A pilot of this program was implemented in 2021 but was suspended as federal BIL (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) funding superseded the available staff capacity to manage the program. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) plans to re- launch this program. Application submission deadline will be August 15th, 2025 for small-scale additions or replacement of equipment and instrumentation needed by small water systems (serving less than 300 connections). Funding for projects will be up to $20K in 100% forgivable loans. Program materials and additional information are being prepared and will be available soon on OHA’s DWSRF webpage . Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The final environmental impact statement for the proposed Elliott State Research Forest Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is now available, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. Read the Service's press release here . The HCP balances forest research and management activities with the conservation of rare species and their habitat in the Elliott State Research Forest. The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is one of the last steps before federal agencies decide whether to issue incidental take permits to the Department of State Lands for federally protected species based on the HCP. View the final EIS and final HCP here on the Service’s Elliott State Research Forest HCP webpage. The Dept. of State Lands is asking for $10 million General Funds in 2025 as, hopefully, final bridge financing to continue to stand up the ESRF, hire staff and work toward self-funding in the future. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . Emergency Management By Lily Yao A League member will be attending this Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management meeting Feb. 11. Forestry (ODF) By Josie Koehne See the Wildfire section of this report below and the Forestry report in the Climate section of this Legislative Report. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch The League has again participated in a Land Use 101 webinar focusing on the statewide land use planning program with emphasis on Goals 3,4, 7, 10 and 14. One of the many 2025 session bills the League will be following and engaged in during its development is HB 2138 . As explained in this OregonLive article , the Governor looks to continue to increase middle housing opportunities. Because the bill had to be filed in Sept., expect a significant amendment to be posted before the first public hearing in the House Housing and Homelessness Committee. SB 1537 (2024) provisions went into effect Jan. 1st, including “adjustments” that can be made by cities rather than going through a variance process. Then the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis program will begin to be implemented “to facilitate housing production, affordability and choice to meet housing needs for Oregonians statewide. Three state agencies have vital roles in implementing the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA). Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) are undertaking various tasks outlined by House Bill 2001 (2023) .” In order to see significant new housing, the League has continued to advocate for funding for infrastructure. The League of Oregon Cities provided 2024 Survey results : ”If all infrastructure needs across all types are summed, we find a tremendous amount of funding is needed. In total, as can be seen in Table 21, the total infrastructure needs for cities across both water and transportation projects is $12.2 billion.” Starting at page 35, you can read the list of needed projects and the possibility of housing IF the funding is found. Here are the new Dept. of Land Conservation and Development Farm & Forest Rules (also posted under the Agriculture section of this report). Mining The League has continued to follow the application for the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine near Vale. The next meeting of the interdisciplinary team of agencies will be January 30th on the proposed chemical process gold mine in Malheur County. The public notice and related documents are available. This is the first project using a consolidated permitting process where all permitting agencies are meeting together to process the permit applications. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) By Lucie La Bonte We have a new League volunteer who will be following OWEB’s meetings and reporting on this important state agency. From its beginning as part of the Plan for Salmon and Watersheds with a portion of lottery funding, their success in funding grants has raised their stature. The legislature has added a number of other programs, including distribution of the Natural and Working Lands Funds and the Drinking Water Source Protection Fund (General Funds), both of which the League has supported. Water By Peggy Lynch The League will provide our first natural resources area testimony on HB 2168 on Wed. Jan. 22nd at the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee. The bill requests $5 million for the on-site septic loan program, another $5 million for the Well Water Repair and Replacement Fund, and monies to help the Oregon State Extension Service reach out to potential recipients. The League has been a perennial supporter of the two loan programs from their inception. Another bill, SB 830 , that the League will also support when posted, would allow for grants in the on-site septic program and extend the opportunities to low-income mobile home parks with failing septics. The Governor declared an emergency for the Port of Morrow “My office has heard directly from producers and farmers in the Lower Umatilla Basin that pausing operations even for a short time in February would be devastating to the local economy and potentially shut down some operations permanently,” Kotek said in the release. “I did not make this decision lightly. We must balance protecting thousands of jobs in the region, the national food supply, and domestic well users during this short period of time during an unusually wet winter.” The League is distressed that the low-income groundwater well users are again not addressed . The League is proud to have been a part of advocating for many of these 2021-2024 Oregon Water Resources Dept. investments . But there is more to do. The League has been invited to participate in discussions on a new Water Stewardship and Supply Initiative with its updated scope . LC 3542 has been filed, and this work will flesh out the proposed bill which “Directs the Water Resources Department to study the use of water resources in this state. Directs the department to report to committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to natural resources no later than September 15, 2026.” League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The devastating fires in the Los Angeles vicinity have dominated headlines recently, highlighting the oft-referenced sentiment among the wildfire community in Oregon and nationwide that we no longer have a wildfire season, but “wildfire years”. Many California wildfire personnel and agencies had assisted during Oregon’s record wildfire season last year, and our Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) have provided significant and timely resources in the form of equipment and firefighters to help suppress these recent fires and save lives. The League followed with great interest the first meeting of the year of the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC) on January 17. After the introduction of new members, the Council received an update on Oregon’s support of California agencies in the wake of the wildfires. Details of resources provided to California were given by Chief Ruiz Temple of OSFM. Her report is well summarized here . She noted that resources were deployed within 12 hours of the first conversation between the two States, and that Oregon firefighters were the first out-of-State team to arrive on the scene. She also stated it was the largest out of State deployment in the history of the agency. Chief Ruiz-Temple’s report was followed by details of the response sent to California by ODF, which was coordinated with CalFire, California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Deputy Kyle Williams spoke of how well the two agencies, OSFM and ODF, work together and that they are really more than the sum of their parts. You may read about the details of those ODF deployments here . It was noted that while containment of these fires is increasing, there are troubling signs of returning dangerous Santa Ana winds mid-week. Finally, the Chief stated that while normally a deployment lasts only 2 weeks, the need may well arise to extend that. The Council relayed the fact that availability of the off-season ODF personnel was the direct result of the Legislature following through on a recommendation from the WPAC to allow some of the seasonal personnel to stay on beyond the normal fire season. They were pulled from fuels reduction/mitigation work that they normally do this time of year. The Los Angeles fires have, once again revealed vulnerabilities in our current approach to wildfire, especially in urban areas. There have been a number of recent articles covering these vulnerabilities. Urban water supply and its reliability in the face of a large urban conflagration is one area that isn’t discussed enough, and this article details that issue. This one paints a clear picture of the importance of fuels reductions and defensible space around the home, and home hardening techniques, which was also a topic of discussion at this same meeting. New regulations for homeowners in the Wildland Urban Interface areas which also fall in areas rated High Hazard on the new map , will be forthcoming, following the appeals process and once details are worked out. Building Codes and Defensible Space Code will be available before the end of the year, though the timeline for finalization and enforcement varies from agency to agency. There has apparently been a sizable outcry, as with the release of the first map, so the appeals process will take time. Regulations around defensible space and home hardening hinge on the aforementioned State Wildfire Hazard map. A very thorough OBP article details the map, its history and next steps. Derrick Wheeler, Legislative Coordinator for ODF, and Andy McAvoy, Oregon State University Wildfire Risk Research Scientist, gave an overview of the mapping process and purpose, and the appeals process. Find more information on ODF’s wildfire hazard web page . Doug Graf, the Governor’s Wildfire and Military Advisor, told WPAC members that there are approximately 50 wildfire-related bills coming in the 2025 session, and that more details would be forthcoming. One bill was highlighted in Senator Jeff Golden’s most recent Newsletter , and would establish a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program within the Department of Environmental Quality. SB 682 looks to take advantage of a trend in getting “polluters to pay” for the effects of climate change, such as increased wildfire risk, flooding and more. Clearly, it is another angle on trying to find creative ways to fund the wildfire crisis, among other crises, being exacerbated by the effects of climate change. In other news, Cal Mukumoto turned in his resignation from ODF effective January 23, following a number of charges of not keeping the Legislature informed of the agency’s inability to pay vendors in a timely fashion for their help during the record 2024 wildfire season. That state of affairs led to the passage of an emergency wildfire funding bill, passed in Special Session, December 11, 2024. Finally, the Wildfire Funding Work Group, which was established by the Governor during the short session to find sustainable, adequate and fair funding for the wildfire crisis, will be presenting a report to the Legislature on February 18, 2025. A not-so-fun factoid from the New York Times: Between 1990 and 2020, the number of homes in fire-prone parts of California grew by 40 percent, according to research led by Volker Radeloff, a professor of forest ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. By contrast, the number of homes in less-flammable areas, like city centers, only grew by 23 percent. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/20 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator Good news, all CE priorities have Work Sessions scheduled or have already moved forward from their policy committee. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each CE priority. 1. Natural and Working Lands : SB 530 LWVOR Alert : Work Session 3/27. The fiscal has not been posted. An amendment may get posted to simplify multiple-agency policy implementation. The League continues to be an active coalition member. 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): LWVOR Alert . Work sessions are 3/28 and 3/30. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . The fiscals have not yet been posted. I understand that the HOMES part of the federal IRA hasn’t released guidance yet, this makes it difficult for the legislature to know what to count on and what matching might be needed. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 Leg bills: The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13 and SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907 , League testimony . Public Hearing (#2) and Work Session is 3/28 . There are issues with this bill that need to be addressed, in an expected amendment. 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , 3/23. -2 amendment was posted 3/22. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ), requesting additional agency requests that were not included in the Governor’s budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast will provide required budget balancing guidelines. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 : Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like RB task force the 23 member Task Force is required to recommend no later than Jan 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session. HB 3016 community green (tree canopy) infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session was 3/15 . Legislative Summary description . Fiscal is not clear for agency FTE adds, maybe ~$900K, nor source of grant funds. House Bill 2816 , Recent amendments posted “… scheduled for a committee (work session) vote on March 27, would require every (major) carbon emitter to follow the same rules as major utilities. (data centers) A 2021 law set ambitious timelines for utilities, including the state’s two biggest electrical providers, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, to lower their carbon emissions and switch to non-carbon-emitting power sources by 2040.” Oregon could tighten climate regulations for data centers , cryptocurrency farms | Oregon Capital Chronicle. No fiscal posted. Climate Solutions testimony . HB 2713 - 1 , PH 3/29 and work session 4/3. Local Regulation of Fossil Fuels: home rule cities and counties have constitutional authority to prohibit or limit use of fossil fuels in new buildings or installation of fossil fuel infrastructure. Permits cities and counties, whether home rule or not, to prohibit or limit use of fossil fuels in new buildings or installation of fossil fuel infrastructure. No fiscal posted. House CE&E Meeting By Greg Martin The committee moved HB 3418-1 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with referral to Joint Tax Expenditures. The bill would extend the sunset date of the Solar and Storage Rebate Program from 1/2/2024 to 1/2/2029. ODOE would have to waive the requirement that construction begin within 12 months of an award if construction was delayed because of supply chain or workforce disruptions or shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiscal impact is estimated at $547K for 2023-25, $703K for 2025-27. ODOE received a GF appropriation of $15 million in 2021-23 and anticipates that all funds will be obligated by the end of the biennium. If additional funding were provided to carry the program forward, ODOE would change three existing limited-duration administrative positions into permanent positions. Senate E&E By Greg Martin The committee sent these bills to the floor with a do-pass recommendation: SB 145 (w/ referral to Joint Tax Exp.), extends until 7/1/2032 the sunset date for the property tax exemption for the High Desert Biomass Coop, which burns "hog fuel" to produce hot water and steam for delivery in Burns. No fiscal impact (or comments, please). The committee also heard testimony for Sen. Hayden's SB 1015 , which would allow accelerated depreciation (over two years) of “carbon reducing upgrades” that could include replacement of older heavy-duty diesel trucks, manufacturing and building upgrades, adoption of clean vehicles for fleet use. Would apply to tax years beginning on or after 1/1/2020. No fiscal impact statement was available but committee members seemed favorable. Interstate 5 (I5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart Final design is undecided. Stakeholders have been identified and engaged. Draft Environmental Impact Statement to be released early this fall, with a 45-60 day comment period once released. Final environmental impact decision anticipated in 2024 Finance plan will be released in March and updated annually Section 106 impacts (historical, cultural, archeological): An online public open house is planned for April related to Section 106 impacts. The Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee (EMAC) has worked to help identify strategies to improve outcomes and access to travel choices for all demographics. Their most recent meeting, March 20, covered the design process. To find background on the project or get involved, sign up for email on IBR project website . Meetings & Events | I-5 Bridge Replacement Program Interstatebridge.org IBR has several public groups formed to give input on the project. Find out about participation at public meetings here and here . Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. The Need For Climate Risk Disclosures: A Case Study Of Physical Risk Of Two REITS, EQR And ARE | Forbes. Federal and state policies impacting ESG reporting could be issued in 2023 | U.S. Green Building Council. SEC Chair Responds to Questions on Potential Lawsuit on Climate Disclosure , Fast Paced Rulemaking | Reuters. Gensler says SEC climate disclosure rule will focus on consistency | Pensions & Investments. Key insights for asset owners developing investor climate action plans | Ceres. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First -Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard| OST. J an 2023 Pers Statement Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 62 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Oregon and PNW News Oregon’s $4 Billion Economic Opportunity From Ambitious Climate Policy | Forbes. Ashland youth push city to ban fossil fuel infrastructure in new buildings | Jefferson Public Radio. Oregon could tighten climate regulations for data centers, cryptocurrency farms – Oregon Capital Chronicle. Portland Inno - Tech industry, E. Oregon lawmakers warn of economic toll if data center emissions bill passes | BizJR. Energy Facility Siting Council to Meet March 24, 2023 — ODOE. National and Global News A ‘Rocking Chair Rebellion’: Seniors Call On Banks to Dump Big Oi l - The New York Times. Why India Walks a Tightrope Between US and Russia ( cheap oil…) - The Washington Post. Shaheen to admin: Get me the Black Sea strategy | Politico. The climate debate over the Willow oil project , explained - The Washington Post. States debate whether to restrict —or invite—crypto mining – GCN. FACT SHEET: One Year of Supporting Ukraine | The White House. Commentary: Biden weighs in on the battle for the soul of Wall Street. Here’s how the president’s first veto will shape the way Americans’ money is managed | Fortune. Modi’s Climate Change Goal at Risk as India Renewable Energy Push Hits Hurdles – Bloomberg. Russia Wants a Fossil Fuel Relationship . China Has Cold Feet | Time. Climate protesters call on banks to divest from fossil fuels : NPR. Weekly Planet | The Atlantic Journal Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Federal Oregon Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Environmental Justice Bills Natural and Working Lands Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Oregon Treasury Other Climate Bills Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes Just 22 days left until the end of session. Priority Climate Emergency legislation policy and related budgets are dependent on an end of session collaborative process. Related, the numerous federal budgeting issues (including timing issues) and active court cases, add to the challenges. ‘Legislature heading toward a bumpy ending ’ Oregon Capital Insider. Special Session? The League is aware of a possible special Sept session that could address some of these issues. Progress: On June 3 Senate passed the POWER Act, HB 3546 Enrolled , with amendments , June 5 House passed. Once House Speaker and Senate President sign, it will be on its way to the Governor. ‘Oregon Legislature passes ‘POWER Act,’ targeting industrial energy users like data centers’ – OPB Four of six Dept of Energy ODOE 2025 Legislative bills have passed , 5/29/25 Session Update . Federal While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. US Senate panel seeks to cut unspent US climate , clean energy funds | Reuters How Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ hits wind, solar and batteries | EEnews Science policy this week : Jun 2, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) 
 How the Five Pillars of U.S. Climate Policy are Threatened – Environmental and Energy Law Program | Harvard Oregon Oregon Got a Massive Federal Recovery Grant After 2020 Wildfires. Most of the Money Remains Unspent .| Willamette Week Progressive Democrats unveil plan for transportation funding driven by doubling of gas tax Oregon Capital Chronicle 6-4-25 Oregon Victory for Oregonians: We Passed the POWER Act!| Latest News | News | Oregon CUB Oregon Bills Would Advance Microgrids by Creating Resiliency Corridors and Boosting Community Powers . (With increasing numbers of outages due to wildfires and storms in Oregon and the Northwest, a coalition of stakeholders helped develop two bills now in the Oregon Legislature that aim to overcome regulatory and other barriers to microgrid development.) | Microgrid Knowledge May 2025. Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics The League supports full funding for all the following 5 JWM budget topics: 1). Transportation ODOT Package Priorities The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities: Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit
 
 
 Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets, Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) 
 
 
 Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) 
 
 
 ( Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation) 2) Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter in April r equesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. 3). One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081A ): In JWM: This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place 4). Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): still in Senate Rules: This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. 5). Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: 
 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m 
 
 
 Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m 
 
 
 Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) 
 
 
 Environmental Justice Bills. (disadvantaged communities) HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB2548 : new 5/23 amendment and new SMS now. An agriculture workforce labor standards study, HR PH was 5/29. New -7 amendment changing the bill to a study with $616K fiscal. League Testimony . Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 
 
 
 
 HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 


 
 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update By Claudia Keith HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summar y (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 
 
 
 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS. Fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fisca l >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 
 
 
 
 
 Early in the 2025 legislative session, the Oregon League testified in support of what are now HB 2949 A and HB 2152 A . Each bill focused on the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub. Recently both bills passed out of the House Emergency Management, General Management and Veterans Committee, chaired by Representative Tran. HB 2949 passed with unanimous approval. On Wednesday, May 28, the League of Women Voters of Oregon, and the League of Women Voters of Portland, helped co-sponsor an online presentation titled: " T he Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub is a Ticking Time Bomb. Why is that a Statewide Danger? ". Our goal was to engage residents across the state. We were pleased that 68 people from 6 different counties and affiliated with 16 organizations attended. Nikki Mandell, a retired history professor, provided an overview of the CEI Hub, discussed potential statewide impacts in the event of an earthquake, then turned to a discussion of the bills. Now we are waiting for the bills to be assigned to a subcommittee of the Joint Ways and Means Committee. See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon received a C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. The OCERA coalition appears to be planning a ballot initiative campaign. ‘ Supporters of Oregon Green Amendment rally at the Oregon State Capitol ‘ | Salem Statesman Journal. Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates By Claudia Keith Oregon Divest / ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates HB 2081A : Senate vote will be 6/9. Senate Finance and Revenue WS was 6/2. Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Passed House along party lines. WS Senate Finance & Rev was 5/28. Oregon Public Financing / BANK 

 HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Work Session was 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: .94M League Testimony Other Climate Bills HB 3963 Offshore Wind: Senate vote June 9, House passed June 5. Extends the deadline from Sept 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2027, for the DLCD to draft and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly on the department's activities to develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. 
 HB 2566 A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation 


 
 HB 3365 B: Senate vote 6/9. climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald 


 
 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $ 974K fiscal , moved to JWM , Sub Cmt Natural Resources. League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham 
 SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moved to House 3/4, House passed, 5/20. Governor signed 5/28 
 HB 3546 Enrolled , POWER Act , Senate passed 6/3 House concurred 6/5. new GIS The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 

 
 HB 3189 in JWM . Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . 
 
 
 
 SB 1143A : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. HB 3653 Enrolled Gov signed 5/27 Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. 
 
 HB 2065 A and HB 2066 A : Microgrid Package in JWM – see League sign on letter. Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation May 30 Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. No new press releases from OCT. Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes June 3 By a vote of 18-12, the Senate passed HB 3546 B (the POWER Act), the top priority bill on this week's OCN Hot List. It orders the PUC to create a service classification for large energy use facilities, principally data centers and crypto mining facilities. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them. (Currently, such users are classified as industrial customers, which pay the lowest rate for electricity, followed by commercial and then residential customers.) The PUC would have to require electric utilities to enter into a long-term (at least 10 years) contract with such users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the contract term, which could include a charge for excess demand. The bill would apply only to large users that apply for service on or after the effective date of the act, or that make significant investments or incur costs after the effective date that could result in increased costs or risks to other retail customers. On June 5th, the House concurred with the Senate amendments and repassed the bill 37-17. June 4 By a vote of 32-22, the House passed SB 685 A , r equiring a natural gas utility to notify each customer and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen blended with natural gas and the ratio of the volume of hydrogen to the volume of natural gas will exceed 2.5% for the first time. A utility that has a program for blending hydrogen with natural gas must maintain information about the program on its website, including how a customer may communicate with the utility about the program. June 4: The Senate concurred with House amendments to SB 726 B and repassed the bill by 18-12. The House had narrowed the focus of municipal landfills' required methane emissions monitoring to Benton County, targeting Coffin Butte. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Jim joined the League of Women Voters of Oregon as Voter Newsletter Editor in 2023. Jim Buck Voter Newsletter Editor Jim joined the League of Women Voters of Oregon as Voter Newsletter Editor in 2023.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/20 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to a topic: Gun Safety Criminal Justice Housing Immigration/Refugees and Other Basic Rights Gun Safety By Marge Easley Three key gun safety bills were heard together in a combined informational and public testimony hearing in House Judiciary on March 22. The concepts of HB 2005 , HB 2006 , and HB 2007 will be incorporated into HB 2005 and make these changes to Oregon firearms laws: Ban undetectable, unserialized firearms (known as “ghost guns”). Sponsored by Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, this is the fourth attempt to pass this legislation. Limit ability to purchase or transfer a firearm to those 21 and older, with the exception of hunting rifles and shotguns. Expand the number of jurisdictions that have the authority to create gun-free zones to include cities, counties, districts, or any other entities that fall within the definition of “municipal corporations.” This is an add-on to SB 554 (2021) , in which guns were banned from the Oregon Capitol, PDX Airport, and those school districts, community colleges, and universities that chose to do so. A number of amendments will be introduced in the next few days to clarify the processes and exemptions detailed in the bill. A work session on SB 2005 is scheduled for March 28. Here is the League’s supportive testimony on HB 2005 , HB 2006 , and HB 2007 . Another bill placing a limitation on the age of gun owners is SB 527 , sponsored by Senator Michael Dembrow. It allows gun owners, if they so wish, to establish a minimum age of 21 for the purchase, repair, or service of a firearm. A public hearing is scheduled for March 27 in Senate Judiciary and a work session on March 30. We are awaiting the gutting and stuffing of SB 348 , which is the placeholder bill providing specifics on the implementation of Measure 114 (permit-to-purchase and ban on large-capacity magazines). I accompanied members of LEVO at the Capitol on March 21 as they lobbied legislators to honor the will of the voters and keep the provisions of the measure intact with no substantive changes. Another goal is to have the permitting process fully in place as soon as the hold is lifted by the courts. Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan The Senate passed Governor Kotek’s two major emergency housing and homeless bills as part of a $200 million funding package on March 21. These bills will substantially increase funding for programs to keep Oregonians experiencing housing instability in their homes, move unsheltered people into safe shelters and stable housing, and increase affordable housing production. The bills are HB 2001 B , the policy bill, and HB 5019 A , the budget bill. Details on these expenditures are here. The League provided testimony on HB 5019. We also added our logo to House and Senate floor letters along with a number of other supportive organizations. The bills are headed to the Governor’s office for consideration and signature. These measures are an initial step towards addressing the state’s homelessness crisis and housing shortage. At least 18,000 Oregonians are homeless, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and many more are struggling to make rent or mortgage payments. Oregon needs to build more than half a million homes in the next two decades to meet expected demand, according to an Oregon Housing Needs Analysis . Cities with more than 10,000 people would be required to set building targets for specific income levels. SB 611 would make adjustments to the 2019 legislation (SB 608) limiting rent increases. If passed, SB 611 would limit residential rent increases to the lesser of 8% or 3% plus the consumer price index one-year change. It would further increase the amount of rent owed to the tenant from one month to three months in certain eviction cases and reduce the exemption on rent increases allowed on new construction from 15 years to three. A public hearing is scheduled before Senate Housing and Development on March 27; a work session is scheduled for March 29. HB 3488 would appropriate $73 million in general fund money to support homeownership programs, particularly among communities of color. The money would be used for down payment assistance grants to culturally responsive, culturally specific, or tribal organizations; flexible home loans provided by the Home Ownership Assistance Account; support for low-income home purchasers through the nine federally recognized tribes; and grants to culturally responsive or specific organizations to expand homeownership services. The bill would further appropriate resources to the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to fund the Fair Housing Council of Oregon’s fair housing work, BOLI’s housing discrimination investigations, education, and outreach efforts. The Department of Justice would receive $500,000 to enforce fair housing laws. There is a work session scheduled before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on March 30. HB 3042 applies to publicly supported housing after the landlord withdraws the property from a government contract. It would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants from their homes for three years after the contract ends. Rent increases would be allowed no more than once a year during that period and would be limited by state limits on rent increases. A work session before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness took place on March 23. HB 2653 seeks to prevent the loss of affordable rental housing with expiring affordability restrictions by providing an income tax credit to the seller if the units will remain affordable to households earning up to 80 percent AMI for at least 30 more years. According to OHCS, approximately 7,500 units have affordability restrictions that will expire over the next 10 years. Given Oregon’s shortage of low-income housing, losing these units will compound the problem. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness held a work session on March 21. SB 1076 would require licensed hospitals to include in their discharge policy specific procedures for when they discharge homeless patients. Hospital staff would work with patients and supportive services to discharge patients safely, regardless of their housing status. Unfortunately, homeless patients have been discharged with no real destination and left with no resources outside on the street. A public hearing was held before the Senate Committee on Health Care on March 23, and a work session will be held on March 27. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler This is the critical time in the session when bills either die or must be scheduled for a hearing and subsequent work session in the originating chamber. Here are viable Criminal Justice bills that are supported by the League: Senate Judiciary Committee SB 1070 , sentence reduction for domestic abuse survivors, has a hearing March 28 and a work session April 4. Testimony not yet posted. SB 974 , creating crime of sexual assault by fraudulent representation, has a work session on March 27. League testimony . Senate Education Committee SB 551 , requiring school districts to post information on safe storage of firearms and drugs on websites and social media, has a work session on March 28. League testimony . House Judiciary Committee SB 529 , expansion of alternative incarceration addiction programs, has passed the Senate and has a House Judiciary hearing on March 27 and a work session on March 30. League testimony . HB 2327 , providing preventive services to high-risk juveniles under 12. League testimony . HB 2345-1 , limiting the length of time an incarcerated person can spend in segregated housing, has a work session on April 3. League testimony . HB 2535 , establishing a doula program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, has passed the House and is awaiting assignment in the Senate. League testimony . HB 2572 , expanding definition of civil disorder, has been referred to House Rules without recommendation. League testimony . HB 2731 , continuing the Family Preservation Project at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, passed the House and was referred to W&Ms League testimony . Other bills the League is monitoring: The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve the extension of the Justice Reinvestment Program through the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (OCJC) until July 1, 2033. The program was initiated in 2013 to reduce recidivism and prevent the costs for new prisons. OCJC distributes funding to the state Department of Corrections Community Programs for program coordinators and services for housing, substance abuse treatment and victim services. SB 344 -1 provides funding to continue these Oregon services to reduce recidivism and the need to construct additional prisons. The League testified its approval for the original HB 3194 (2013) which started this program. SB 339 -1 , also from OCJC, added conditions of probation on property offenses that required tests for substance abuse, evaluations and treatment. Property thefts often fund substance purchases. SB 519 on Juvenile records expunction passed after hearings on the current process initiated in County Juvenile Departments but required actions through Oregon Youth Authority and Oregon Judicial Department records. SB 1065 requested the expunction of adult records on possession of a controlled substance. Although there was objection from district attorneys, it is scheduled for a work session. Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Bills we are supporting or following: HB 2957 : Work Session 3/27 .Financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status recipients for specified purposes. (>7M$). A large portion of the source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz, House EC&HS Public Hearing was 2/22 , League Testimony supports. HB 3176 Work Session 4/3 . Requires Dept HS and Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, to award contracts to organizations to provide support services to immigrants and refugees. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund. Directs Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to convene representatives from state agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate policy recommendations. Representative Reynolds, Senator Jama, House ECHS then to JW&M. Public Hearing was 3/8 Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: SB 627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals (15M$) Sen Lieber. Passed out of Sen Judiciary, DO Pass, Feb 7, sent to JW&Ms. The League has supported this policy/funding category in the past. Fiscal Analysis Bills of Interest or possible League support: (Bills that have been posted to OLIS that may move forward via a committee public hearing. – an Incomplete list) Basic Needs SB 610 : Work Session 3/27 .Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (snap), unclear what the funding ask may be. Chief sponsors: Senator Campos, Representative Ruiz, Senator Manning Jr, Gorsek, Representative Bowman, Dexter, Gamba . Sen Human Services then to JW&M. Public Hearing was 2/27. Legislative Summary HB 2990 -1 . Work session 3/27 . Resilience Hubs. Directs Oregon Health Authority to develop and implement grant programs to support resilience hubs and networks in Oregon. May partially replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. Immigration SB 185 Work Session 4/3 : Requires the Department of Justice to study immigration in this state; may include legislation recommendations to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2024. Requested by Attorney General Rosenblum. In Sen Judiciary. Sunsets January 2, 2025. SB 849 Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS : Work session was 3/14. Now in JW&Ms. Fiscal $20M grant fund. Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals…. Sen Labor & Business. Senator Jama, Dembrow, Frederick, Campos, Manning Jr, Woods, Representative Chaichi, Nguyen H. Other Bills SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. In Senate Rules. SB 216 Passed out of SCHC 3/1 , Now in House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee. Related to data collected by OHA. (Request of Governor Kate Brown for OHA). The Oregon Health Authority set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). HB2905 : Now in Senate Education. Expands list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. Passed out of House Committee with Unanimous Vote . SB 421 Work session is 3/30 . establishes a youth advisory council. Prescribes membership and duties of youth advisory council. DOE to establish a work group to establish standards for the selection process of members of the youth advisory council. PH was 2/28 Staff Measure Summary HB 2458 : Died in Committee. Prohibits conversion therapy. Public Hearing was 2/24 . No League testimony.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/19 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Highlights House and Senate Climate Notes House Committee for Energy & Environment Climate Emergency News Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution Volunteers Needed Climate Emergency Highlights LWVOR is disappointed that SB 1559 is not advancing this session. It was designed to increase the target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions - setting a goal of 95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. See OPB: DEAD: Stronger greenhouse gas reduction goals Budget Omnibus Bill - The following issues are currently being considered by the Joint Ways and Means Committee (J W&Ms) : Healthy Homes, EV Rebate, Climate-Friendly Micro-mobility transport, and Environmental Justice-related Worker Relief funding Programs, all totaling $59 million. There is currently $7.5M in SB1530 for Healthy Homes. Funding for Environmental Justice refers to Oregon Worker Relief Funding $9M, related to lost wages when there are extensive heat and or air quality/smoke issues for agriculture outdoor workers. See also the Natural Resources and Social Policy sections in this Legislative Report. Other Climate Emergency Bills League testimony posted, or we are following and may have testimony: Off-Shore Wind: HB 4080 , League Testimony, See discussion in NR Leg Report. Clean Tech Leadership Bill HB 4112 Referred to J W&Ms. League Testimony . Funding is $20M. Right to Repair: SB 1596 See discussion in NR Leg Report, League Testimony HB 4155 Infrastructure funding study - Rep Gamba and Sen Golden – in J W&Ms. Fiscal $250K. League Testimony is being considered. HB 4083 Coal Act: Requires Oregon Investment Council and Treasury to divest from Thermal Coal investments. In Senate E&E with a 2/27 work session posted . We expect this bill to be voted in chamber, League Testimony . HB 4102 Funding mechanism for Natural and Working Lands Fund (carbon sequestration). Almost unanimous Affirmative House vote, now in the Sen NRW. Zero Fiscal. Natural Climate Solutions At the request of the Oregon Climate Action Committee , OCAC (formerly the Global Warming commission), SB1525 in HCEE, PH 2/26, work session 2/28. supports Oregon’s transition to clean energy. However, several of the dates in the 2023 legislations could not be met due to delayed funding and grant issues. The $10 million fund to carry out work promoting carbon sequestration on Oregon’s natural and working lands (OWEB, ODA, ODFW, ODF) needed to be moved out by a year. The OCAC overseeing implementation of the Natural and Working Lands bill felt more time was needed to complete three studies on Carbon Sequestration and Storage Inventory, Natural Climate Solutions Workforce, and its Carbon Sequestration Goal. House and Senate Climate Notes By Claudia Keith The House passed HB 4090 by a vote of 39-19. The bill would prohibit the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) from exercising jurisdiction over or requiring a site certificate for an energy facility that is a renewable energy facility or transmission line, which is sited wholly within federal lands and is subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act. Several Reps opposed the carve-out allowing the EFSC to retain jurisdiction over nuclear power plants, saying we can’t achieve our “green” energy goals without nuclear power. Bill Chief Sponsor Rep. Gamba responded that the carve-out does not take nuclear off the table, but says the EFSC (which was created to address concerns about nuclear energy siting) must still be involved in the approval of such a project. The Senate passed SB 1596 A (Right to Repair) by a margin of 25-5 (Bonham, Hayden, Knopp, Linthicum, Robinson), League testimony . The House Business and Labor public hearing is 2/26. House Committee for Energy & Environment By Claudia Keith The committee voted 7-3 to move HB 4112-4 to the House floor with prior reference to Joint W&M. The bill directs DAS to adopt rules to govern procurements from CE technology manufacturing companies that DAS conducts on behalf of state agencies; creates the Oregon Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing Opportunity Fund, from which OBDD is to develop a program to award grants and make low-interest loans to attract and support CE tech manufacturing companies and foster job creation; and directs the Governor to establish a 15-member Clean Energy Technology Leadership Advisory Council. Fiscal note calls for $20 million GF in 2023-25 to OBDD for deposit into the new Opportunity Fund plus two new full-time analysts; $107K Other Funds in 2023-25 to DAS for a permanent part-time analyst and expenses; and $179K to DAS in 2025-27. During discussion, Rep. Owens said he would vote yes because CE technology can be an economic driver, but he is concerned about preferences for employers that agree to provide benefits for disadvantaged workers and businesses and to enter into community benefit agreements (project labor agreements or PLAs). He hopes in the future we can have more discussion about how this sort of program affects rural communities. Rep. Osborne objected to PLAs in principle saying they counteract good practice. Oregon DOT: Climate Reduction Program Department of Environmental Quality: Action on Climate Change Home: Action on Climate Change : State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: Climate Protection Program: (CPP) State of Oregon. January Press Release . The League is considering joining a CPP coalition 2/27 sign on letter. Add hyperlink. Climate Emergency News Short-Term Energy Outlook - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) With limited resources, a small Oregon town plans for climate change – Oregon Capital Chronicle One of Oregon’s smallest utilities is suddenly among the state’s biggest polluters. Why? Amazon data centers - oregonlive.com Chicago sues oil companies for impacts of climate change| Scientific America,(Chicago has joined several other cities and states in suing oil companies. The effort seeks to hold fossil fuel producers financially accountable for the effects of climate change) How Kids Are Fighting Climate Change, One Lawsuit at a Time | Aspen Ideas Exclusive: US regulator drops some emissions disclosure requirements from draft climate rules | Reuters How Lawyers Hinder Climate-Related Risk Disclosure | The Regulatory Review Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution February 2024 Updates to the Climate Case Charts | Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Oregon Cases – 73 as of Feb 2024 Congressional Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery Resolution: LWVUS’ Lobby Corps is currently having targeted Hill meetings on the Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery Resolution to continue bipartisan conversations about the climate crisis and resolution and maintain League visibility on this vital issue federally. LWVUS re-endorsed the resolution upon its reintroduction, and maintains a related Action Alert on the website so that folks can contact their Members of Congress Climate Emergency Team and Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the Climate Emergency portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: • Natural Climate Solutions, specifically Oregon Dept of Agriculture (ODA) • Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust • Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) • Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team • State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services • CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets • Climate Migration • Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with LWVOR Natural Resource Action Committee members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: Training for Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Bottle Bill Update Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of State Lands (DSL) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Services Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Solid Waste State Land Board Water Wetlands Wildfire AIR QUALITY SB 726 requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR supports. The - 3 amendment was adopted and the bill now goes to the Senate chamber. AGRICULTURE By Sandra Bishop By Sandra Bishop HB 2647 originally would allow cities to bring land within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) for industrial use. If adopted, an amendment appears to narrow this bill to allow the city of Monmouth a land swap to remove and replace land to its UGB. A work session is scheduled 4/7 in House Housing & Homelessness Committee. HB 3921 is a similar bill in that it would allow by law land swaps for City of Roseburg/Douglas County per this preliminary staff analysis . A work session is scheduled 4/7 in House Housing & Homelessness Committee. HB 3928 would allow counties to supersede all statewide land use planning laws to site housing on rural lands. This bill is scheduled for a work session 4/07 in House Housing & Homelessness Committee and, interestingly has another public hearing set for 4/09. HB 3496 requires the Development of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to write guidelines for citing childcare facilities on county resource land to allow childcare as a home occupation. The bill passed out of the House Early Childhood and Human Service Committee to Ways and Means. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) meeting on March 20th included a public hearing on rulemaking for solar siting in eastern Oregon. The rules are required to implement HB 3409 (2023 session), specifically to reduce conflicts in siting solar projects. The rules will be considered for adoption by July 1st, 2025. The public comment period has been extended to April 30. Proposed rule amendments to the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 660 divisions 4, 6, 23, and 33, pertaining to Goal Exceptions, Forest Lands, Goal 5, and Agricultural Lands. Submit comments to: denise.johnson@dlcd.oregon.gov gordon.howard@dlcd.oregon.gov jon.jinings@dlcd.oregon.gov adam.tate@dlcd.oregon.gov SB 78 – Replacement dwelling bill did not get a work session and has died in committee. The bill was pulled from the April 8 agenda in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire . LWVOR testified in support of SB 78 . SB 1129 requires the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) to amend rules on urban reserves. This would make it easier to add agricultural and forest land to urban reserves. A work session is scheduled for April 7 in Senate Committee on Housing and Development. BOTTLE BILL UPDATE By Sandra Bishop SB 992 is the omnibus bottle bill. The -3 amendment will replace the original bill. The bill as amended is expected to pass out of Senate Energy & Environment Committee on Monday April 7th. The committee held a work session on April 2nd to hear an explanation of the -3 amendment from industry representatives. Included in -3 amendment : HB 2068 – Alternative Access Redemption Centers and convenience zones in Portland. SB 869 – Hours for redemption; 8am to 8pm (changed to 6pm). HB 3432 – A winery may refuse to accept and pay the refund for beverage containers of a brand and size they don’t sell and HB 2921 – Siting and approval of redemption centers on industrial land in Portland; OLCC may deny or revoke approval if negative impact on the livability of the surrounding area is determined. As amended, SB 992 contains detailed provisions for setting up Alternative Access Redemption Centers. If the People’s Depot (redemption center) in Portland finds a permanent location where it can expand operations, and if it is approved as an Alternative Access Redemption Center, there will be a convenience zone drawn around it. Large stores within that zone will be eligible to participate in a similar way as they participate in a full-service redemption center area now. Small stores within the zone will be able to reduce their redemption requirement down to 24 from 50 beverage containers per day per person. It is expected that hours for redemption will be 8am to 6pm in central Portland (within a convenience zone for an alternative access redemption center). A lot of careful consideration and work seems to have gone into crafting changes to the redemption system that will help to ease the burden for stores and dealers while making it easier for individuals in Portland who redeem beverage containers daily or on a near daily basis. The bill also contains provisions to incentivize people to use bag returns rather than in-store redemption. The League has not taken a position on the specific changes proposed in SB 992, but has always supported the bottle bill and continues to support the most appropriate, effective, and environmentally sound recycling and recovery of beverage container materials. HB 3940 , the omnibus wildfire funding bill, will have a work session April 8 . A -1 amendment (Rep. Lively’s amendment) and -2 amendment (removing the surcharge on bottle bill sections) have been posted on OLIS. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch The Co-Chairs of Ways and Means provided their framework for the 2025-27 state budget. Note on the last page the potential effect of federal budget cuts. This Oregonlive article suggests some of the most painful cuts. Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Meeting Materials Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 Info mtg. and public hearing March 13 Dept. of Environmental Quality: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet Meeting Materials . info mtgs. April 7-9, public hearing April 14 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 , public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2; Meeting Materials , Apr. 3 ODFW Hatchery Assessment; Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . info hearing March 10 & 11. Public hearing March 12. Meeting Materials (See Wildfire section for more information.) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: HB 5010 Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials LWVOR testimony Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases. LWVOR points out that KPM #4 , mine inspections has consistently NOT met the small 20% target so, if staffing is needed to meet that target AND fees increased to pay for them, we will continue to support. LWVOR supports SB 836 , a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities. See the agency’s presentation to understand the reasons for these increases. On March 25 the bill was moved to Senate Rules without recommendation. The League will continue to be involved in SB 836 because we need DOGAMI staff to do more than 14% inspections of mining operations. Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Public hearing Feb. 27 LWVOR testimony . SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase (Passed the Senate Mar. 11. Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. ) Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 Public hearing Feb. 17 Meeting Materials Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 info hearings March 3-4, public hearing March 5. Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony in part to address comments by the Legislative Fiscal Office. OPRD will need additional revenue sources for the 2027-29 biennium. Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Info hearing March 17. public hearing March 19. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony in support. Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Info Mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony . And the fee bills: support HB 2808 ( Work session April 7 ) and support HB 2803 ( Work session set for April 7) . Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Info mtg. & P ublic hearing Feb. 25-27 LWVOR testimony . Meeting Materials Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Info mtg. & P ublic hearing Feb. 25-26 Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Info mtgs. 3/12, 13 & 17. Public Hearing 3/18 Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 info hearing 4/7&8. Public hearing 4/09; 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 info hearing 3/03-6, public hearing 3/11. Here is an article from oregonlive reporting on the potential 2025 transportation package with proposed revenue sources. Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 info hearings 3/03-5, public hearing 3/06. Meeting Materials Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing in April. Emergency Board: HB 5006 This bill will be a vehicle to accept testimony from the public during six community meetings around the state from March 22 ending April 25 on the public’s priorities for the 2025-27 budget. General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Public hearing in April. Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL The Eelgrass Action Bill (HB 3580) , a bill for kelp and eel grass conservation, was sent to Ways and Means. The League signed on to a letter in support. of HB 3580 . The bill to protect Rocky Habitat ( HB 3587 ), another bill the League supports, was also sent to Ways and Means. HB 3786 is a bill that would provide new funding for the Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST). The League has supported the creation and funding for this important program in the past. The -1 amendment was adopted on March 31 and the bill was sent to Ways and Means with a do pass recommendation. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League supports SB 830 , a bill that m odifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. The bill p assed the full Senate March 6 and has been assigned to the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment . Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member served on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. On Feb. 26 the advisory committee approved the Fiscal Impact Statement. A public comment period is expected in May. You are welcome to Sign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League again served on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. A meeting was held on Feb. 25th where the committee agreed to forward their recommendation for the allowed annual 3% fee increase to the DEQ Director. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee you can view the rulemaking web page at: Water Quality Fees 2025 . DEPT. OF STATE LANDS (DSL) DSL is seeking comments on a proposed sale of state-owned land located on the south shore of the western side of Hayden Island in Multnomah County. The 45-day comment period is open from March 5 – April 19. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) SB 147 clarifies the management of the ESRF in the hands of the Dept. of State Lands and sets up a separate fund account for monies received to manage the forest. There are a number of amendments being considered: -1 amendment, -2 amendment and - 3 amendment . A work session is set for April 8 . The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources will have an informational meeting on the ESRF on April 17. The Dept. of State Lands 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 comment period has been extended to 5p on April 7. Here is a more complete notice of the plan with opportunities for virtual public meetings. EMERGENCY SERVICES By Rebecca Gladstone The League spoke and filed testimony on HB 2581 in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. The bill has passed the House and is on the Senate floor, awaiting third reading. FORESTRY (ODF) By Josie Koehne The League will continue to follow SB 1051 , assigned to the Senate Rules Committee. The bill transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor. A public hearing was held March 24. Because the bill is in Senate Rules, there is no current deadline for action on the bill. HB 3103 , a bill that would d irect the State Forester to establish “sustainable” harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and develop a timber inventory model to inform sustainable harvest levels while ignoring the court affirmed “greatest permanent value” was heard on March 3rd in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . The League OPPOSED . A work session was held March 31 where a -5 amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means with a do pass recommendation. OPB covered the story. See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. GOVERNANCE The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking. After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws. That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies : This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. The League will continue to be engaged with potential meetings in May and June. We continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures . LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra Bishop/Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony in support of HB 3939 , a bill that provides a list of infrastructure projects to fund for smaller Oregon cities so they can build more housing. We have also supported HB 3031 A but know there might be limited dollars this session so called out that link in our letter. Other bills we are following: HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands, filed at the request of the Governor. A -6 amendment may be considered from Rep. Marsh and a -4 amendment is being offered by Rep. Boshart Davis at a work session on April 7. HB 3145 : Allows the Housing and Community Services Department to use Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program Fund moneys for factory-built housing. A work session was held and the -2 amendment was adopted. The bill was sent to Ways and Means due to the fiscal impact statement . 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. A Work Session was held March 31st in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . The -4 amendment was adopted and the bill was moved to Ways and Means with a do pass recommendation. HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. These are currently a variety of state-owned lands scattered around the state. A work session is set for April 7th. There is a -3 amendment posted on OLIS that would likely lessen the impact on high value farm and forest lands. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. A work session is scheduled for April 8. A -3 amendment is posted on OLIS. See also the Agriculture section above and the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. SOLID WASTE HB 3794 : Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley, public hearing and possible work session April 8 in the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment . STATE LAND BOARD By Peggy Lynch The State Land Board will meet on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of State Lands building in Salem. Here is the agenda and meeting packet . WATER By Peggy Lynch The League has been engaged for many years around the issue of exempt wells—their allowed water use and lack of measurement of that water, in particular those domestic wells that are allowed to use up to 5,000 gallons of water for personal use and can be used by three dwellings, so the usage can be up to 15,000 gallons. HB 3372 has been filed and will have a public hearing on April 7th with a work session on April 9th. The League has provided testimony in support of this bill to study this issue. A -5 amendment was filed April fourth. Our testimony is in support of studying exempt water uses. From Rep. Helm’s Water Caucus newsletter : In 2021 the Legislature provided funding to conduct a Business Case for Investing in Water in Oregon . The results of the Business Case were presented at Water Day at the Capitol. Water is crucial to Oregon's economic vitality. In 2023, over 48% of the state's total economic output and nearly 44% of its employment were directly linked to water. Water's value extends across various sectors, including housing, infrastructure, health, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, recreation, and the food and beverage industries. The Best Practices in Community Engagement rules ( OAR 690-601 sections 0100-0500 and 0700 ) for the Water Resources Dept. went into effect April 1. LWVOR participated in the rules advisory committee. Other natural resource agencies engaged in water issues are expected to adopt similar rules in the near future. Bills we are following in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water : Deschutes Basin Water Bank Authority ( HB 3806 ). A -4 amendment has been posted on OLIS. Work Session scheduled for April 7. Water Right Process Improvements ( HB 3342 ) . A -1 amendment has been posted on OLIS. Work Session scheduled for April 7. Contested Case Process Improvements ( HB 3544 ). A - 3 amendment has been posted on OLIS and a work session is set for April 7. Place-Based Water Planning ( HB 3116 ) A - 2 amendment has been posted on OLIS. Work Session scheduled for April 7 . League supports the original bill but has not engaged in the current proposed amendment. Harney Basin Groundwater Management ( HB 3800 ) A work session is set for April 7. Water Right, Dam Safety, and Well Related Fees ( HB 2803 League support and HB 2808 League support . Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. Work Session for April 7 on both bills. Water Rights and Public Interest ( HB 3501 ) Work Session set for April 7. Other water bills we are following: HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted testimony in support. Work session set for April 7. HB 3526 would require well water test reporting in property sales. The League supported this concept in past sessions and did again this session. Work session set for April 7 . A -7 amendment has been posted on OLIS. The League can support the amendment. HB 3364 makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept. A - 4 amendment is posted on OLIS. Work session set for April 7. HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. A work session is scheduled for April 7. A -5 amendment has been posted on OLIS. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. Possible work session scheduled for April 8 . SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, may have more of a chance of passage. It had a public hearing on March 25 with a work session also set for April 8. We look for these bills to move to Senate Rules to allow for further conversation. HB 3106 is the Oregon Water Data Portal funding bill for which the League provided testimony in support. A work session is scheduled for April 7 in House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water where a -1 amendment was shared that would create an entire multi-agency system for gathering the water data needed for good decision making. The League has yet to determine if this new proposal is good for Oregon. See the following Oregon Data Water Portal presentation and Internet of Water Coalition presentation . The League has not weighed in on the amendment. A new -5 amendment has been posted on OLIS where the Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries would lead and coordinate water agencies in this work. It is important to the League that this data portal work continue no matter under which agency the coordination takes place. Staffing will be needed so we expect to see a substantial fiscal impact statement which means the bill would then move to Ways and Means. The Co-Chairs of the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water are working on a broad package of water-related bills, the 2025 Water Package . There is a Water Caucus raising the awareness of the need to address Oregon’s water needs. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. The good news is currently Oregon is NOT in drought! We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body WETLANDS A new Rulemaking Advisory Committee has been formed related to Permitting and Mitigation in Oregon's Wetlands and Waters. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers A busy week in wildfire legislation kicked off April 1 with a Public Hearing before the House Committee on Climate, Energy and the Environment on HB 3940 with the -1 amendment (Rep. Lively’s amendment) and -2 amendment (removing the surcharge on bottle bill sections) have been posted on OLIS. This omnibus wildfire funding bill, born of the work of the Wildfire Funding Workgroup, continues to evolve as lawmakers try to craft a durable solution for funding the wildfire crisis. It is scheduled for a Work Session before the same committee April 8. HB 3947 : Increases the amount of the estimate of revenues that will be received from General Fund revenue sources other than corporate income and excise taxes for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023. There is a work session scheduled for April 8 and a -1 amendment is posted. SJR 11 was referred to Finance and Revenue, then Rules and is another bill being considered to fund wildfires—this time using lottery monies. Next, a Public Hearing was held before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire on SB 83 , which would repeal the apparently ill-fated State Wildfire Hazard map. The passage of this bill, which would result in the removal of language referencing the map from statute, would have far reaching consequences for everything from defensible space standards, the definition and mapping of the wildland urban interface, to building codes, the Oregon Conservation Corps grant process and the areas covered by rural fire protection districts. So far nine amendments have been introduced, and a Work Session has been scheduled for April 8. A nearly identical bill, HB 3944 , will have a Public Hearing before House Climate, Energy and Environment on April 8. A Public Hearing was held next for SB 85 , and a Work Session scheduled for April 8. This bill relates to the Oregon Fire Marshal establishing a Neighborhood Protection Cooperative Grant Program, the return of a concept from the short session and a concept the League supports. HB 3666 is scheduled for a Work Session before House Judiciary on April 7. The -3 amendment further refines this bill which addresses wildfire safety certification for utilities, and attempts to lend consistency to the mitigation processes utilities current use. More details are available in this Oregon Capital Chronicle article , which also addresses HB 3917 , which would set up a catastrophic wildfire fund into which utilities would pay to fund property damage claims. That bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing and possible Work Session before House Judiciary on April 8. On April 3, a Work Session was held on SB 75-3 by Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire. The -3 Amendment was adopted and the bill, which defines “high wildfire hazard area for purposes of developing an accessory dwelling unit on lands zoned rural residential, or a replacement building on lands zoned for resource uses, was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Bills we are watching: Senate Bill 1051 , Governor Kotek is seeking the authority to choose the next State Forester. SB 926 would prohibit the recovery of certain costs and expenses from customers that an electric company incurs as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting from the negligence or fault on the part of the electric company. A work session is set for April 7. See also the Summary of Northwest Energy Coalition in the Climate Emergency Legislative Reports. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Josie Keohne, Patricia Garner, Peggy Lynch OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTION YOU have an opportunity to testify to the Ways and Means Committee on the budget cuts that were proposed during the November Legislative Days. The public hearing will be held at the Capitol in Salem from 5-8p on Feb. 3, but there will be a remote link as well. Individual League members are encouraged to participate, but remember that only our League President can speak on behalf of the League. LWVOR sent an Action Alert to members to share your concerns about these cuts and to attend a rally in Salem on Feb. 5 th from noon-2p. For more information see the For Our Future Oregon website and the Jan. 13 th press release . KOIN reported on tax issues. As did KPTV . State agencies provided the Ways and Means Subcommittees with proposed cuts of up to 5% from their currently-approved budgets during the November Interim Days. Here are the costs to OHA & DHS related to H.R. 1 recently calculated. Oregonlive provides an article to explain the need for staff and software: The Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority say they need $340 million more in state funding and 475 more workers between now and June 2027 to comply with new demands from Republicans’ far-reaching 2025 tax and budget-cutting bill . In addition, we are seeing all the cuts by local school districts as shared in this Oregonlive article and funding the Oregon Dept. of Transportation will need to be addressed, currently set at $242 million. In other reports, you can read about some of the cuts or cost replacements needed to provide Oregonians with the services they need. We look forward to the Feb. 4 th Revenue Forecast (8am in Senate Finance and Revenue Committee-- agenda ) so the legislature will know the expected revenue for the rest of this biennium so they can rebalance the state budget. The League has joined with others in a reconstituted Oregon Revenue Coalition, and signed on to this letter. Some Oregon counties get a pay bump from this article on Jefferson Public Radio. Bills we may be following SB 1562 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. HB 4148 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent , respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. The LOCAL Act, adjusts the post-2003 lodging tax distribution so that local governments may adjust the percentages, with up to 60% used for critical local services and infrastructure, such as first responders, and at least 40% dedicated to tourism promotion and facilities. The LOCAL Act is a bipartisan collaborative bill that updates outdated restrictions so communities can better balance supporting tourism with maintaining residents' quality of life. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Applies to estimates prepared on or after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the difference in surplus revenue calculations using stated methodologies, and transfer an amount equal to the difference for use for various purposes. Establishes the One-Time Emergencies and Finance Fund. HB 4136 : Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, a mortgage interest deduction for a residence other than the taxpayer’s principal residence, unless the taxpayer sells the residence or actively markets the residence for sale. Establishes the Oregon Homeownership Opportunity Account. Transfers an amount equal to the estimated increase in revenue attributable to restrictions on the deduction of mortgage interest to the account, for the purpose of making down payment assistance payments. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. SB 1507 : Reduces taxes imposed under various tax programs, operative conditioned upon imposition of a statewide retail sales tax dedicated to specified purposes. Directs the Department of Revenue to estimate the revenue lost to tax reductions and to direct an equal amount of revenue to various purposes. Public Hearing on Feb. 4. SB 1510 : Updates the terminology used to describe certain income earned by multinational corporations to reflect a change in the term used in federal law. Aligns sunset dates for earned income tax credit provisions with the underlying sunset date for the credit. Expands the tax credit for certified film production development contributions to allow the use of contributions for the production of commercials. Applies to fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Provides an exception from the annual filing requirement for the property tax exemption for property burdened by an affordable housing covenant used for owner-occupied housing. Applies to property tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027. SB 1511 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the estate tax. Directs the Legislative Revenue Officer to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to revenue not later than December 1, 2027. 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 Land Use section of the Natural Resources Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges as well as wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. OPB covered a story about the bill . NO public hearing has been scheduled at this time. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Public Hearing Feb. 2. The budget was balanced when the legislature adjourned last June. Then in early July Congress passed H.R.1 (see Summary), a collection of tax cuts and program cuts. Oregon’s income tax system automatically “connects” to the federal income tax system. Between the two actions, Oregon is expected to see a reduction in revenue . We are still suffering from income inequality as shared in this Oregon Center for Public Policy Podcast/You Tube . Here is the material from the Oregon State Debt Policy Advisory Commission . Tentatively the General Obligation bond capacity for the 2026 session is $513 million. See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/27 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Resilient Buildings Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator CE priority bills continue to move forward. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each CE priority. (Find additional more current details below.) 1. Natural and Working Lands : expect Amendments . New Work Sessions scheduled 3/29 and 4/3 . The -6 amendment fiscal has not been posted. -4 amendment fiscal . The League continues to be an active coalition member. 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): LWVOR Alert . Work sessions were held on 3/28 and 3/30 . The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . The fiscals have not yet been posted, expect them prior to work sessions. Recently posted to OLIS: SB 868 -3 staff measure summary SB 869 -2 staff measure summary SB 870 -3 Staff measure summary SB 871-2 staff measure summary 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13 and SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907 , League testimony . Public Hearing (#2) and Work Session was on 3/30 . New on OLIS: SB 907 staff measure summary. Given input from a number of industry reps, expect an amendment for the 3/30 work session. SB907 Coalition Sign-on Letter - LWVOR one of many … (Scroll down to page 2 for all the LOGOS.) 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , New Work Session 3/30. New -3 amendment . 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will be adding climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony. In both cases, our testimony will request additional agency requests that were not included in the Governor’s Jan budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast, will likely provide new required budget balancing guidelines. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 : League Testimony . Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like the RB task force, the 23-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than Jan 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session. Moved on 3/14 with recommendation to JWM with -1 amendment. HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session was 3/15 . Moved to JWM unanimously. Legislative Summary description . Fiscal is not clear for multiple-agency FTE adds, ~$900K, nor source of grant funds. “The Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) notes that the measure establishes a program for awarding grants for which the revenue source has yet to be identified… “ HB 2816 , -3 amendment ‘ Data Center / High Energy Use Facility. New Work Session 4/3 . 3/20 Staff Summary HB 2713 No longer active bill. The - 1 amendment, PH 3/29 and work session 4/3 OLIS postings were deleted. Local Regulation of Fossil Fuels: home rule cities and counties have constitutional authority to prohibit or limit use of fossil fuels in new buildings or installation of fossil fuel infrastructure. Permits cities and counties, whether home rule or not, to prohibit or limit use of fossil fuels in new buildings or installation of fossil fuel infrastructure. League testimony was posted to OLIS on 3/23 . Senate E&E 3/28 By Greg Martin The committee had a high old time today with the jokes and jibes flowing freely. In between the chuckles, they moved a couple of bills of interest: SB 1015 -- moved to the floor with prior reference to Joint Tax Exp. It would accelerate the depreciation of "carbon reducing upgrades" that demonstrably reduce emissions, e.g. from older heavy-duty trucks, manufacturing facilities, or building upgrades and remodels. DoR estimates the introduced bill would cost $116K GF and $29K Other Funds in 2023-25, and slightly more in the next biennium. SB 678 -- moved without recommendation back to the Senate president w/ request to refer to Rules. It would establish state policy on benefits and priorities of offshore wind development. No fiscal or revenue impacts identified at this time. Other work sessions: SB 542 , the Right to Repair bill -- the committee carried over the work session to Thursday to allow more discussion of amendments brought by Chair Sollman. Among other issues, she indicated her intent to remove the potential for class action suits. SBs 868 , 869 , 870 , and 871 : The committee spent 10 minutes or so discussing this suite of bills, all of which have amendments posted, before carrying the work session over to Thursday. House CE&E 3/20 By Greg Martin The committee moved HB 3418-1 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with referral to Joint Tax Expenditures. The bill would extend the sunset date of the Solar and Storage Rebate Program from 1/2/2024 to 1/2/2029. ODOE would have to waive the requirement that construction begin within 12 months of an award if construction were delayed because of supply chain or workforce disruptions or shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiscal impact is estimated at $547K for 2023-25, $703K for 2025-27. ODOE received a GF appropriation of $15 million in 2021-23 and anticipates that all funds will be obligated by the end of the biennium. If additional funding were provided to carry the program forward, ODOE would change three existing limited-duration administrative positions into permanent positions. Senate E&E Meeting By Greg Martin Senate E&E held a work session 3/23 on SB 522 , the OGWC bill, for the sole purpose of inviting Sen. Dembrow to explain the -2 amendment, posted on 3/22. First, Dembrow said he had heard several concerns not yet addressed by the proposed amendment: Legacy language from the 2007 enabling legislation requiring OGWC to "examine cap-and-trade systems" as a means of achieving the state's GHG emission goals. This language was flagged before submitting testimony in support of the introduced bill. Sen. Findley said he would like to see all references to cap and trade removed, and Dembrow said he had no problem with that. Potential overlap or redundancy with SB 530 in the requirement for OGWC to develop carbon sequestration goals for N&WL; Dembrow said he would be OK with removing that language from SB 522-2 if necessary. Sen. Brock Smith's concern that adding two new members to the commission might upset the balance of interests; Dembrow suggested adding someone with expertise in fisheries. A fiscal impact statement was not available yet but Dembrow said he understands that ODOE will need more staff to support the commission's expanded work. Concern arose during the work session about the elevated targets for GHG emission reduction (including net zero emissions by 2050) in Section 1. Dembrow inserted these new targets, which the OGWC recommended at the end of its TIGHGER study, to replace the outdated targets in the 2007 statute. Findley repeatedly asked for assurance that setting these new targets in statute would not "codify EO 20-04" and "move the goalposts" for businesses struggling to comply with the CPP. Dembrow repeatedly assured him that the targets will not affect the regulation of business sectors under the CPP but represent economy-wide aspirational goals based on the best available science. Sen. Lieber pressed the point: This will not trigger a new rulemaking? Dembrow said no, and Findley asked him to say so again for the record. Findley asked why we should put aspirational goals in statute and "scare the heck out of people" rather than express them in a joint resolution. Dembrow noted that we already have climate action goals in statute; like many other states, but ours are woefully outdated. In the end, Dembrow conceded that there will have to be at least one more amendment. Findley said he wants to see the word "aspirational" in there somewhere. Chair Sollman carried over the public hearing to take testimony on the amendments, in view of the potential for what she called "confusion and heightened emotions.” No date has been set yet. House CE&E 3/27 By Greg Martin House CE&E moved these "bills of support" on the OCN hot list to the House floor with prior reference to W&M: HB 2990-1 , the Healthy Soils Bill -- requires DHS, OHA, and ODOE to provide grants, support and technical assistance for Resilience Hubs and Networks. Committee vote was 9-1 (Wallan). Fiscal impact statement appears to call for about $512K for DHS and OHA staff support in 2023-25, excluding any amounts appropriated for grants. HB 3196-1 , CPP Oversight -- allows EQC to set fees to be paid by community climate investment entities to cover DEQ's costs of administering the related portions of the CPP and establishes an interest-bearing Community Climate Investment Oversight Account for that purpose.The League submitted testimony in support of the original bill. Committee vote was 6-4 (Levy B, Osborne, Owens, Wallan). Per the fiscal impact statement, fee revenue is indeterminate but will need to be sufficient to pay for four new positions and associated costs included in Policy Option Package 115 in the Governor’s Budget for DEQ. The package includes a request for $500,000 GF and $1 million in Other Funds expenditure limitation; the GF will pay for program operations until Other Funds are received from the authorized fee. DEQ anticipates setting the fee at a level sufficient to garner $2 million in Other Funds during 2023-25. Work sessions are scheduled on 8 or 9 bills on Wednesday, April 5. Senate E&E 3/21 Greg Martin The committee sent these bills to the floor with a do-pass recommendation: SB 145 (w/ referral to Joint Tax Exp.), extends until 7/1/2032 the sunset date for the property tax exemption for the High Desert Biomass Coop, which burns "hog fuel" to produce hot water and steam for delivery in Burns. No fiscal impact (or comments, please). SB 444 (w/ referral to Joint W&M), directs DEQ to establish a Recycling Innovators Grant Program and seeds the grant fund with a $20 million GF appropriation for 2023-25. The committee also heard testimony for Sen. Hayden's SB 1015 to allow accelerated depreciation (over two years) of “carbon reducing upgrades” that could include replacement of older heavy-duty diesel trucks, manufacturing and building upgrades, adoption of clean vehicles for fleet use. Would apply to tax years beginning on or after 1/1/2020. No fiscal impact statement was available but committee members seemed favorable. Resilient Buildings By Arlene Sherrett Additional amended text was posted on OLIS for SB 868-3 , Heating and Cooling for All, 869-2 , Build Smart from the Start, 870-3 , Building Performance Standard, and 871-2 , Smart State Buildings. A short work session was held to briefly go over the amendments intents/effects. A lot of work has been done on the bills in response to issues raised at the public hearing, but the principal goals are the same. The fiscal impacts of one bill, 870-3 the Building Performance Standard, were discussed; six or seven employees would be added to ODOE to handle compliance. A second work session was scheduled on 3/30/23. HB 3166-2 was adopted with a do pass recommendation and referred to W&Ms: this whole-home energy savings program should draw IRA ($57 Mil + 56.7 Mil) funds from the federal home energy efficiency program for rebates on electric high-efficiency devices. Costs are indeterminate ; an estimate of what would be needed from Oregon general funds is just over half a million for each of the next two biennia. However, funding remains unclear. This bill dovetails with SB 869-2 (above) in creating a one-stop shopping facility for energy efficiency information, technical support, and certified contractor information. HB 3056-4 A-Engrossed version was referred with a do pass recommendation to Ways and Means. The bill extends funding for the heat pump grant and rebate program to January 2, 2026. The Fiscal Impact Statement on this bill shows a cost of $20,845,967 to be spent in the 2023-25 biennium. HB 3152-2 was scheduled for more hearing time on 4/3/2023. There was some confusion over what the bill does in the last hearing. The bill would shorten the time for the PUC to establish any change in utility ratemaking around costs of line extensions. There will be a fiscal impact, but no statement has been issued yet. All these bills will compete for funding, with others. This session there is a very tight budget with the Governor’s priority being housing. Interstate 5 (I5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart and Arlene Sherrett The League has identified the I-5 Bridge Replacement as a key project impacting Oregonians and anyone traveling the I-5 corridor. This extensive, multi-year project is projected to cost between $5-7.5 billion and take until 2028 to complete. Washington and Oregon state transportation departments are jointly leading the project . Accountability Dashboard has extensive information and resources on financial and community accomplishments in an easily digestible format. A monthly newsletter is available to track project progress. The Executive Steering Group last met on March 21 and discussed funding in detail. The financial plan report will be released at the end of March and updated around major program milestones. Equity Advisory Group and the Community Advisory Group host regular meetings designed to educate and obtain community input on issues related to the IBR. The Joint Committee on The Interstate 5 Bridge currently has no scheduled meetings. Several bills related to tolling have been referred to Transportation and are moving forward during this session. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. The Need For Climate Risk Disclosures : A Case Study Of Physical Risk Of Two REITS, EQR And ARE | Forbes. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. The Oregon Investment Council met March 8; see the meeting packet . ESG is mentioned on page 7. The formal meeting minutes have not yet been posted. The agenda included ESG Regulatory Update Sarah Bernstein 7 Managing Principal, Meketa and Steven Marlowe, Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First -Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard | OST. J an 2023 Pers Statement . Moody’s recent Oregon Bond rating rational: ‘Moody's assigns Aa1 to the State of Oregon's GO bonds; outlook stable’. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 62 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here . Jump to a topic: Climate Priorities with League Testimony Natural and Working Lands Other Priorities Transportation Priorities House Climate Energy and Environment (CE&E) Public Hearing Notes Senate Energy and Environment 2/24, Landfill Gas Monitoring Bill Pro-Nuclear Bills At this point in the session, we have identified a number of League policy and/or budget Climate Emergency priorities, and some of those now have posted League testimony. This year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities , Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the building. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Climate Priorities with League Testimony HB 2966 : Establishes the State Public Financing Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 Representative Gamba, Senator Golden, Frederick, Representative Andersen, Evans , House Commerce and Consumer Protection (H CCP) 
 League Testimony , HB 3170 , Community Resilience Hubs and networks: Work Session 3/4, H CEE, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. 
 League testimony , House Climate, Energy, and Environment HB 2151 , League Testimony 2152 , Testimony 2949 , testimony 3450 : Testimony , Critical Energy Infrastructure CEI Emergency Management Package, PH 2/27, H EMGGV. CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis Natural and Working Lands HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM SC NR League testimony HB3103-1 - Overweight Timber Harvest, H ALUNRW, League Oppose Testimony is planned for 3/3 PH. Other Priorities HB 3477 : Update to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. LC 1440. Bringing back SB 1559 (2024) moved to H CEE, Sponsored by Rep GAMBA, Sen Frederick, Golden, Patterson, Pham K, Taylor
 
 HB 2566 : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects – H Governor Tina Kotek
, Public Hearing held 2/11/2024, 2 amendments proposed (H CEE), DOE presentation 
 HB 3365 : climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, McDonald , House Education Committee Rep Andersen, Gamba, Lively, Neron, Senator Patterson, Pham, Taylor. House Cm Educ. 
 SJR 28 : Environmental Rights Constitutional – Referral, Senate Rules, Amendment Leg Referral - Senator Golden, Representatives Andersen, Gamba, Senators Manning Jr, Prozanski, Representative Tran 
. The League has tentative plans to write testimony (comments) on this bill later this month. 
 SB 679 : Climate Liability, (Sen. Golden, Senate Energy and Environment 
 SB 680 : Climate Science / Greenwashing, Sen. Golden and Manning, moved to Judiciary, no recommendation, (S J) PH 2/26 Campos, Frederick, Gorsek, Patterson, Prozanski, Taylor 
 SB 681 : Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium
, Sen Golden, Senate Finance and Revenue 
 SB 682 : Climate Super Fund, Sen. Golden, Rep. Andersen, Gamba, Sen. Campos, Pham , SEE 
 SB 688 : Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SEE 
 SB 827 : Solar and Storage Rebate, SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate vote 21-7, moves to House 3/4 Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability Package 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. LWVOR has signed on to letter support each of these bills. HB 3 546 , the POWER Act, The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. ( data centers and other high volume users) . These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter ( please link to letter) . See the article here: Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV Carbon sequestration/storage: See DOGAMI Agency Budget (see Natural Resources Legislative Report) – Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map | U.S. Geological Survey ( usgs.gov ) .
 
 Transportation Priorities 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 ease) I n Extraordinary Hearing, ODOT Explains Billion-Dollar Budget Blunder “Monday night’s presentation from the Oregon Department of Transportation to the Joint Committee on Transportation, however, was anything but routine, leaving one lawmaker sputtering in frustration. About one hour and ten minutes into a hearing on the state highway fund, Travis Brouwer, ODOT’s assistant director and top finance official told lawmakers how the agency made a more than $1 billion error in its 2023-25 budget. To put the “error” in perspective, a January audit of ODOT pegged the actual damage as $1.1 billion out of a $5.9 billion biennial budget. In other words, the agency expected to have nearly 19% more revenue than it actually generated.” House Climate Energy and Environment (CE&E) Public Hearing Notes House CE&E heard testimony on two bills, both supported by Oregon Climate Equity Network (OCEN), focused on expanding Oregon's electric transmission grid capacity. HB 3628 would create the Oregon Electric Transmission Authority (OETA) to support the expansion of transmission capacity by financing, developing, building, upgrading, owning and operating transmission infrastructure. The OETA would establish transmission corridors with statewide significance and could finance transmission projects by issuing revenue bonds and collecting a charge from large industrial electricity customers. The bill would also establish a Tribal Advisory Council of members appointed by Oregon tribes. Sunset date would be January 2, 2032. Supporters noted that Oregon has one of the nation's longest backlogs of generation projects waiting to connect to the grid, with 182 gigawatts of renewable energy in the queue. Without doubling our transmission capacity, these projects will not be able to connect. OETA would develop a statewide strategy for transmission development. Seven other states have implemented ETAs successfully and others (including Washington) are considering creating them. OETA would not be a new state agency duplicating what others are doing, but an independent public corporation with an annual budget limited to $2 million. This low-risk investment by the state could deliver significant economic benefits over time. Amendments are likely coming to address labor language and other issues with the bill. Republicans on the committee raised concern that the new authority, if granted the power of eminent domain, could “bully” landowners into giving up their land for transmission right of way. The Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities, and The Oregon People’s Utility District Association opposed the bill, voicing a number of specific concerns. PGE did not oppose the bill but questioned how much the authority could accomplish with limited budget and staff in terms of resolving siting and permitting bottlenecks and stated that the authority should focus first on upgrading the capacity of existing transmission lines rather than building new lines. Supporters and opponents alike decried the new federal administration's threat to the funding and staffing of the Bonneville Power Administration, the backbone of the Northwest transmission system. HB 3336 would declare state policy that electric companies must: a. Meet the required clean energy targets in ORS 469A.410; b. Develop sufficient resources to meet load growth. c. Create efficiencies and resilience in the transmission system; and d. Maintain energy affordability. Electric utilities would have to file strategic plans with PUC to use cost-effective grid enhancing technologies (GETS, defined in the bill) and update the plans every two years. A utility would have to carry out its first filed strategic plan by January 1, 2030. Climate Solutions and other supporters said grid enhancement is a least-cost, least-risk alternative to development of new transmission lines. These new technologies are ramping up to deployment at scale, though they challenge the business model of utilities, which can’t monetize investments in GETS as they would with investments in capital projects. Wide-scale deployment should make a positive (downward) impact on utility rates. PGE expressed no opposition and noted that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is working at the federal level to encourage the use of GETs to improve the electrical grid. Senate Energy and Environment 2/24, Landfill Gas Monitoring Bill Senate E&E heard testimony on SB 726 , which would require the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to monitor surface emissions of methane gas and report the results to DEQ as specified in the bill, beginning July 1, 2026. To collect emissions data, the owner/operator would have to use advanced methane detection technology, defined as satellite monitoring, airflight monitoring, drones, or remote direct monitoring technology that yields emission volumes and point-source locations. The Environmental Quality Commission would have to establish monitoring and mitigation requirements by rule. Currently, the U.S. EPA requires large landfill operators to measure methane emissions using Method 21--basically walking the landfill surface with a handheld leak detection device--and report the data to the EPA. The EPA has approved only one alternative test method, using drone technology from a single vendor, Sniffer Robotics. Mounting concern about emissions from the Coffin Butte landfill in Benton County drove the introduction of this bill, and dozens of area residents submitted written and oral testimony in support, though the current version does not address Coffin Butte directly. Supporters called SB 726 a critical step for improving environmental protection and public health. Landfills are the third largest source of human-derived methane in the environment. The walking method misses methane that could be detected and captured -- a Lane County witness called it a "joke" providing opportunities to game the system to evade compliance requirements. Widely available advanced methods make it possible to cost-effectively monitor more of the landfill surface and gather the most accurate data possible. Most landfills in Oregon are privately operated and can afford to use advanced technology in addition to Method 21. The bill would not change enforcement or emission limits but does need some amendments to make sure we don’t require the use of technology that isn’t available yet. The landfill industry raised concerns about requiring the use of new technologies that may not be ready for use in regulatory compliance. Oregon Refuse and Recycling Assn. opposed the bill on grounds that it is overly broad and would impose a cost burden on smaller landfill operations of some counties. Sen. Golden noted that the required DEQ rulemaking through a RAC would likely be able to address those concerns. Pro-Nuclear Bills House CE&E heard testimony on two pro-nuclear bills: HB 2038 – Requires ODOE to study and report on nuclear energy advantages, construction feasibility, support for current energy systems, economic impacts, safety, reliability, waste disposal, etc. HB 2410 – Allows issuance of a site certificate for a small modular reactor (SMR) demonstration project in Umatilla County, subject to a referendum of county residents. Max Woods, ODOE's assistant director for nuclear safety and energy security, gave invited testimony on Measure 7 background, status of current U.S. nuclear facilities, waste disposal issues, and multibillion-dollar investments in SMRs especially by tech companies. HB 2038 sponsors touted the advantages of nuclear energy for driving down costs, reducing reliance on foreign sources, increasing localization of electricity generation, providing reliability and stability, economic growth, workforce development, etc. They acknowledged long lead times for project development and said Oregon's permitting processes need to be speeded up in order to bring SMRs online soon. They brought forward other witnesses to testify as to the industry's track record of safety and risk management. Reps. Marsh and Gamba asked whether the sponsors would entertain amendments aimed at making the bill's language more neutral rather than promotional, e.g. by requiring the study to address advantages "and disadvantages." Rep. Diehl said OK. Columbia Riverkeeper and Physicians for Social Responsibility strongly opposed the bill, saying ODOE should not spend time and money to promote nuclear power but should use any spare resources to study how to increase safe renewable energy. Another witness called the bill "absurd" drawing a reprimand from Rep. Osborne. HB 2410 sponsors said Oregon needs to explore this sustainable source of electric power in a responsible, forward-thinking manner. Rural communities especially need reliable power. The bill has sideboards including the required county referendum. Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran strongly supported the bill. Maureen McGee, an attorney for the county, stated that Measure 7 "did not place a constitutional prohibition on nuclear in Oregon, nor does such a prohibition exist. Instead, it created new provisions within the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) statute that produced insurmountable barriers to EFSC's ability to approve new siting of nuclear facilities, thus serving as a practical moratorium on development of nuclear energy." She acknowledged the need for amendments to HB 2410 aimed at technical fixes and ensuring tribal consultation. Opponents noted that nuclear projects around the world have taken much longer to build and cost much more than originally estimated by proponents, creating significant financial risk for investors and ratepayers. In Georgia, ratepayers were recently hit with a 23% rate hike to cover cost overruns of the state's new nuclear plant. Members of the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla presented emotional testimony bearing on their exclusion from decisions about use of their tribal land and insisted on the need for consultation re siting of nuclear facilities. Columbia Riverkeeper and Sierra Club joined in strong opposition. League of Oregon Cities supported the bill if limited to the SMR option. Senate E&E has scheduled public hearings next Thursday 3/5 on Sen. Brock Smith's bills SB 215 and SB 216 to repeal the statutory prohibition against issuing a site certificate for a nuclear power plant unless and until the federal government has established a licensed repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste; also a hearing on Sen. Bonham's SB 635 , directing OSU to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in Oregon. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Behavioral Health Child Care Education Gun Policy Healthcare Housing Legislation Immigration Behavioral Health By Trish Garner A Work Session was held regarding HB 2015- 4 in the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Public Safety which returned it to the full Ways & Means Committee with a “do pass” recommendation. A Ways & Means Committee Work Session resulted in a “do pass” recommendation. This bill generally directs the Oregon Health Authority to submit to the Legislature by September 15, 2026, a report with findings and recommendations about operating secure residential facilities in Oregon. The A - 4 amendment appropriates $1.3 million in General Fund and $977,888 in federal fund monies. On the surface this bill might look more like a revenue or a study bill but instead it directs OHA to undertake important actions designed to modify current practices taking place in residential treatment facilities. For example, the OHA must adopt rules to support such facilities in developing early transition programs for residents. It is mandated to identify alternatives to the current requirements on nurse staffing, which provide that a nurse be present at all times (on call nursing doesn’t count). This requirement is particularly challenging in non-urban settings. Another ongoing problem is a requirement that a patient must be physically present in the facility in order for the facility to be paid for its services. This is particularly complicated when a patient is moving to transition from the facility. HB 2015A – A4 also seeks to evaluate methods to group patients who have similar needs for services in the same facilities and thereby optimize care. In a Work Session the Ways & Means Joint Subcommittee on Human Services passed and referred HB 2024 -6 to the full Ways & Means Committee. This bill appropriates $45,000,000.00 to the Oregon Health Authority to establish a grant program that would support the recruitment and retention of behavioral health workers at eligible entities. These entities must provide behavioral health services to youth or adults where at least half of the clients are uninsured or enrolled in Medicare or the state medical assistance program. The services include, for example, office-based medication-assisted treatment, a suicide prevention hot line, and urban American Indian and tribal mental health health programs. The bill also directs OHA to implement an incentive payment program that would increase employee wages at these facilities at rates which are commensurate with entities that aren’t providing these services. The latter presumably refers to private behavioral health care facilities. HB 2059 – 4 was heard in the Ways & Means Joint Committee on Human Services Work Session and was returned to the full Ways & Means Committee. The bill directs that OHA establish a unit dedicated to developing facilities that provide adult behavioral health services across state trauma regions and that $90,000,000,00 be appropriated to OHA for this purpose. These facilities include inpatient psychiatric facilities, residential treatment homes, adult foster homes, residential substance use disorder treatment programs and crisis facilities. The unit is directed to develop plans and provide funding for the construction and staffing of these facilities in collaboration with regional partners and practitioners. HB 2467 - 4 and -6 modifies the criteria by which an individual with a mental illness can be civilly committed or be compelled to receive treatment. On June 10th, the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Public Safety passed the bill to the full Ways & Means Committee with a “do pass” recommendation. It was then scheduled for a hearing before the W&M Committee on June 13th, but it has since been pulled from that Committee agenda. HB 2467 defines factors a court can use to justify civil commitment, which include danger to self or others, being unable to provide for basic personal needs, or having a chronic mental disorder. Dangerousness to self requires that a person engage in or threaten to engage in behavior that is likely to result in serious physical harm in the near future. The “danger to others” standard uses similar language but omits the word “serious.” Notably, both standards eliminate the current legal requirement of an “imminent” danger. The A - 4 Amendment clarifies that “serious physical harm” means serious physical injury, pain or other physiological impairment that causes a risk of death, serious and irreversible deterioration of health of any bodily organ. The A - 6 Amendment provides $6.5 million to the Oregon Health Authority for payments to community mental health programs regarding civil commitments and for providing public defense to financially eligible persons who are civilly committed. During the Subcommittee hearing, an interesting and frequently asked question was raised: assuming that HB 2467’s proposed changes in civil commitment law will result in a greater number of people qualifying for civil commitment and given the current lack of residential space for individuals with behavioral health issues, where are they going to be treated? One response is that other bills are funding increased behavioral health capacity, i.e. HB 2059 (see above) and HB 5025 , the OHA budget. The other, more complicated point articulated by proponents is that HB 2467 represents a first step in a process to more efficiently and effectively organize the delivery of behavioral health care services in Oregon. There are two processes to compel treatment for people with severe mental health symptoms; one is civil commitment and the other is the criminal “aid and assist” process. “Aid and assist” refers to the process which takes place when an individual is charged with a crime but is unable to “aid and assist” in their defense. The latter individuals are sent to the Oregon State Hospital where currently 95% of all patients at OSH are “aid and assist” patients. This situation leaves individuals with serious mental health symptoms untreated and just waiting until their symptoms result in an arrest for a crime. HB 2467 seeks to at least clarify the civil commitment process. It is also anticipated that in future Sessions the legislature may consider outpatient, not inpatient, civil commitments as well as guardianships that would support continued medication management and treatment of individuals in their communities. A Public Hearing and a Work Session were held in the Rules Committee regarding HB 3294 – 3 which resulted in a unanimous “do pass” recommendation and, due to a minimal fiscal impact, the rescission of a subsequent referral to the Ways & Means Committee. This legislation proposes changes to previous laws regarding hospital staffing plans and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios [ HB 2697 (2023) and SB 469 (2015) ]. HB 3294-3 provides that hospitals must either comply with nurse-to-patient staffing ratios established by a nurse staffing committee or if one has not been established, the hospital must comply with nursing staffing ratios applicable to the hospital. In an effort to clarify the enforcement processes, OHA is also granted the authority to consolidate complaints that contain the same complaints and assess penalties on hospitals which have not adopted a hospital-wide nurse staffing plan. On a party line vote (4 Democrats to 3 Republicans) the House Committee on Rules passed HB 3835A - 13 and referred it to Ways & Means with a ”do pass” recommendation. The bill relates to the nature of restraint that can be used in foster care settings, when and how abuse complaints can be brought against staff, processes for out-of-state foster care placements and access to secure transportation services. Rules regarding these issues were legislatively adopted in 2021 by SB 719 sponsored by Senators Sarah Gelser-Blouin and James Manning, Jr. Since these rules were adopted, Oregon has seen a 41% reduction (2021-2024; from 90 to 53 facilities) in licensed residential facilities that can serve children and youth with behavioral or psychiatric treatment. Oregon has also lost more than half (from 31 to 14) of its programs that certify foster parents who provide specialized behavioral health treatment and support. The System of Care Advisory Council sought to address these issues and made recommendations that were largely adopted in HB 3835. At the Work Session Senator Gelser-Blouin expressed her strong objection to HB 3835 – Amendment 13 and advocated on behalf of Amendment 11 which she had filed. She contends that the new rules weaken protections for foster youth. She also expressed concerns about re-establishing the use of out-of-state placements for foster youth, citing the documented abuses which took place regarding such placements prior to the 2021 passage of SB 719. Child Care By Katie Riley Oregon legislators are proposing cuts to the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) budget ( SB 5514 ) due to projected reduced funding for the state from federal sources and the corporate tax. Cuts that are proposed include the Preschool Promise program that provides preschool for 3 and 4 year olds from families whose income is up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and Healthy Families, which provides long-term regular visits with high-need families. The cuts total about $45 million or approximately a 3% reduction from previous funding for the department. The Employment Related Day Care, which provides subsidized child care for low-income working families and has a long waitlist is not one of the programs proposed for cuts. The Oregonian article provides further details. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley HB 3582 A , which removes the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault claims, passed unanimously out of Senate Judiciary on June 11 with a do-pass recommendation and is now headed to the Senate floor. The League submitted supportive testimony for the public hearing on June 10. Education By Jean Pierce SB5516 A is awaiting third reading in the House. In recognition of the revenue forecast, this bill would provide for an adjusted current service level of almost $11.4 billion. The committee is anticipating that local revenues will total $5.6 billion in the next two years, so total formula resources are expected to be more than $16.7 billion for the 2025-27 biennium. This represents a 10.5% increase over the 2023-25 biennium. The funds would provide a welcome boost, though it still falls short of the 30% increase recommended by the American Institute of Research which recommended a 30% increase in funding, with more attention to equitable spending for the education of low income and high needs students. SB 5525 -3, the HECC budget is awaiting third reading in the Senate. For the most part, the proposed budget maintains the Current Service Level, (CSL). It is important to note that the Oregon Opportunity Grant and Benefits Navigators would at least be maintained at CSL, but legislators expressed concern that funding for the Outdoor School Program would be cut. The allocation is 6.2% below the last biennium, so this bill does nothing to address the fact that Oregon has been ranked 46th in the nation for state investment in higher education. They recognized that in future sessions, the thinking needs to shift from CSL to setting a higher target. Gun Policy By Marge Easley There was a last-minute surprise when SB 243 B was heard in House Judiciary on June 11—the appearance of a -13 amendment. If passed, the amended bill would still ban rapid-fire devices and give Oregon’s cities and counties the authority to regulate firearms in public buildings, and a new section of the bill would be added to provide an effective date of March 15, 2026, for the implementation of Measure 114, the “Reduction of Gun Violence Act.” The measure, which requires a permit to purchase a firearm and bans large-capacity magazines, has been held up in the courts since its passage in 2022 and currently awaits a ruling by the Oregon Supreme Court on its constitutionality. It was announced on June 12 that oral arguments are set for November 6. At the federal level, there was news on June 9 that sixteen states, including Oregon, filed suit against the Trump administration over its plan to allow the sale of forced-reset triggers and return to the owners those triggers that were previously seized. Last month the Justice Department made a deal with the manufacturer of the devices to allow them to be sold, despite a Biden administration determination that semiautomatic rifles equipped with the devices operate essentially as illegal machine guns. Healthcare By Christa Danielson SB 951 enrolled, signed by Governor Kotek. The bill would keep management service agencies away from patient care. It also Voids noncompetition agreements, nondisclosure agreements and nondisparagement agreements between certain business entities and medical professionals, with specified exceptions, This bill will strengthen the prohibition on the corporate practice of medicine. This bill will not allow a management service organization to set clinical policies, make diagnostic coding decisions or set prices for medical services. The League submitted testimony in support HB 2690 Insurance Mandate Review Board. In Ways and Means. This would support LPRO to study a specific number of proposed measures related to health This would cost approximately 600,000 per biennium. This is the third year for similar bills to be promoted and is designed to provide more in-depth analysis of proposed health insurance mandates. The Committee would not set policy but would examine proposed legislation for scientific proof of benefit, equality and accessibility along with cost to the health system. The bill is in Ways and Means but has strong support from the Legislators. HB 3212 Pharmacy Benefit Managers-attempts to save rural pharmacies by limiting the powers of Pharmacy Benefit managers who have been previously able to determine where someone should go for their medications, get deals that are not passed on to patients and/or attempt to get money from pharmacies after the point of sale without a possibility of appeal. The bill is in House Rules. SB 296 A This bill would authorize a study of discharges from the hospital to an appropriate level of care. This is to be done by the Department of Health and OHA. This bill is a continuation of a volunteer work group who came up with ten recommendations to help get patients out of the hospital who do not need hospital level of care. The bill contains many items but importantly the study would examine how to get patients on medicaid faster, but would also include money to cover 100 days of nursing home care for medicaid patients discharged from the hospital. Money is also included to study the regulatory environment for care settings, study options to increase adult foster home settings, and to study options to waive asset testing for Medicaid coverage of long term care. The fiscal amount asked for is around 8 million for the biennium, but would provide very important work to facilitate appropriate usage of hospital and help hospitals maintain services. This bill is assigned to the Joint Ways and Means subcommittee on Human Services. Hb 3134 Will require reporting by insurances of Prior Authorizations to DCBS make data available to the public. This date will include number of days it takes to make a PA determination, the number of appeals and the time spent. This bill would also prohibit insurers to require additional prior authorization during a surgical procedure if further surgeries are deemed necessary. This bill had broad support and passed the House and the Senate. LWVOR testified in support. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona HB 5011 Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Budget 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. The recommended budget includes the following General Fund investments: · $204.9 million General Fund to support homeless and emergency shelters. · $50.3 million General Fund rehousing services; HB 5011 – Work Session Recommendations. · $87.4 million in one-time General Fund support for long term (up to 24 months) rental assistance. · $33.6 million General Fund for eviction prevention services. · $10 million General Fund to support housing initiatives of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Native American tribes. · $8 million to fund an increase in the services subsidy rate for housing units in the agency’s permanent supportive housing portfolio. · $3.9 million for downpayment assistance. · $2 million for foreclosure avoidance services provided by certified housing counsellors. · $2 million for manufactured home repair and replacement. This budget, released on June 10, included a substantial reduction from the $130.2 million allocated in 2023-25 for emergency rent assistance and homelessness prevention to $33.6 million for the 2025-27 budget currently proposed by the Legislature. Housing advocates have expressed concern over the large reduction in what is a highly cost-effective approach to addressing homelessness. Keeping people in housing is much less expensive than funding a shelter bed. Moving people from shelters to housing is complex, costly, and has a lower success rate. Governor Kotek acknowledged the difficult choices facing the Legislature this session. In recognition of the importance of preventing homelessness, the Legislative Fiscal Office included a budget note in its June 10 letter to the Transportation and Economic Development Committee. It recommends that OHCS report back to the Joint Ways and Means Committee in February 2026 with a recommendation for maximizing direct assistance to households in need of eviction and homelessness prevention services. Bills passed HB 2964 A Enrolled requires OHCS to award loans for the predevelopment costs of affordable housing and a grant to assist nonprofits receiving grants or loans. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 15. It was then referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. The bill passed the Senate on June 12 with 24 Ayes; and 4 Nays. LWV testimony supported passage of this bill. HB 3054 A Enrolled will limit rent increases and sales constraints by a landlord in a home park or marina, which can threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. It creates an exception for certain infrastructure upgrades approved by a vote of the tenants. It will fix at six percent maximum rent increases for rental spaces in larger facilities and will limit to 10 percent the maximum increase in rent paid by the purchaser of a dwelling or home in a facility. It will prohibit a landlord from requiring aesthetic improvements or internal inspections as conditions of sale. The bill passed the House, and the Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a work session on May 19 and recommended passage. On June 12 the bill was passed by the Senate with 17 Ayes and 10 Nays. LWVOR submitted a letter in support. HB 3521 is now headed to Gov. Kotek’s desk for her signature. It will allow Oregon renters who haven’t signed a lease agreement to have their deposits returned if the home has mold, unsafe electrical wiring or other defects making it uninhabitable. With so few rentals available for prospective tenants,”hold deposits” can help renters secure a home. However, some landlords have taken advantage of the system to pressure renters to accept residences that do not meet health and safety standards. Landlords will have five days to return deposits or face a fee equivalent to the deposit they charged or more. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 17 in a 33-18 vote, and on June 12, it passed the Senate Committee on Housing and Development in a 20 - 8 vote. When enacted, the bill will apply to deposits received on or after Jan. 1, 2026. Bill Progressing The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development held work session this week on SB 829 A which would require the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish an Affordable Housing Premium Assistance Fund to help eligible entities with the costs of paying property insurance or liability insurance premiums for affordable housing, shelters and other facilities. It also requires the department to study the feasibility of creating and operating a state reinsurance program or devising another solution to support price stability in the market for insurance to cover affordable housing. The Joint Ways and Means Committee held a work session on June 13 and voted Do Pass with an -A3 Amendment. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Highlights - News League of W omen Voters Condemns Use of Federal Force on Peaceful Protestors | League of Women Voters (last updated June 8 2025) Protests grow across the U.S. as peopl e push against Trump’s mass deportation policies - OPB Trump Shifts Deportation Focus, Pausing Most Raids on Farms, Hotels and Eaterie s - The New York Times Trump administration tells immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela they have to leave - ABC News Immigration officers on fast track to deportation | Oregon / Northwest | centraloregondaily.com New Washington laws strengthen protections for immigrant communities amid federal attacks | Local News | Spokane | The Pacific Northwest Inlander | News President Trump Tells Citizens to ‘Fiercely Guard’ American Way of Life in New Naturalization Ceremony Message Friday, June 13 – Washington State House Democrats Legislative Bulletin — Friday, June13, 2025 - National Immigration Forum Oregon Legislature BIPOC Caucus - Social Media Link Click Scroll Bar on Bottom of Table to View All Columns Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 A Immigration (support services) JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama -3 amendment SB 599A Immig status: discrimination in RealEstate transactions Gov Signed Eff 5/28/2 5 N Sen Campos SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz amendment -1 SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. Study Bill, see -7 amend H Rules WS 6/16 possibly w néw amendments. -6 0.6 Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony Fiscal -7 Amendment HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Gov Signed RepHudson, SenCampos League Testi mony HB 2543 funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud dead 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund (Prev yr legal rep funds eliminated) JWM WS was 5/29, passed LFO d etails Amendment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 1/23 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Elliott State Research Forest Land Use/Housing Toxics Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed Natural Resources By Peggy Lynch Everyone is awaiting Governor Kotek’s first biennial budget. Ways and Means Subcommittees can’t begin hearing agency budgets since agencies have to follow the Governor’s requests. Her budget needs to be “balanced” with the revenues forecasted back on November 16 unless she proposes additional revenue. BUDGETS/REVENUE Want to know how the legislative budget process works? The Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) provided a document to help legislators and the public understand. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See Climate Report in 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 ISSUES By Christine Moffitt Coos County, City of Coos Bay, and City of North Bend have been working on updates to the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (CBEMP). The County file number assigned to this project is AM-22-005 . Here is a link to the LWV Coos Study and meeting s and a link to a memo by League member Moffitt. At this time, LWV Coos is asking stakeholder agencies to review the Draft Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (Parts 1 and 2) and the Coos Estuary Map Atlas for concurrence with the agency’s requirements and interests. Comments submitted by February 20, 2023 will be addressed as possible in the document draft submitted for the post-acknowledgement plan amendment process to DLCD on March 1. Comments outside of the current work scope, including comments associated with a Full Plan revision, are welcome. These comments will be included in the packet provided to staff as part of the final draft. Please send comments to: Amanda Ferguson, IPRE, (541) 409-2522, afergus4@uoregon.edu AND/OR Jill Rolfe, Coos County Community Development Director, jrolfe@co.coos.or.us The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) hosted a virtual meeting on January 27. Agenda . ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST By Peggy Lynch On Jan. 20, the Oregon State University (OSU) Board of Trustees received a presentation on the projectstatus and OSU’s work. The Board will need to formally approve OSU’s participation in the next few months. The Forest will become a separate public entity on July 1 with its own Board of Directors. LAND USE/HOUSING By Peggy Lynch On Jan. 23 Senate Housing and Development received a presentation on System Development Charges—used to pay for infrastructure needed for new development. LWVOR supports state help for these charges for low-income and even middle income (up to 80% AMI) developments. Duncan Wyse, Oregon Business Council, shared with the Joint Committee on Semiconductors that Oregon needs to set aside two parcels of land that are at least 500 acres and ready for development by a semiconductor manufacturer, as well as several smaller plots of land for similar purposes. A legislator pointed out the need for land for more housing if new manufacturing plants are built. KGW provided good meeting coverage . The League wants to remind legislators that Washington County’s prime agricultural land is also an industrial land usage and cannot be replaced! HB 2899 : Building on wetlands is cost prohibitive—and from the League’s view should not be allowed. This bill removes certain lands from definitions of buildable lands for purposes of urbanization, including floodways, wetlands, and special flood hazard areas. This ensures that the state has a more accurate calculation of buildable lands. The League will be watching this bill. We support the concept, but have concerns about implementation. HB 2203 : Allows RVs used to provide security of farm use to be sited on lands zoned for EFU. Public Hearing was held on 1/19. LWVOR has concerns around waste disposal, drinking water availability and other services. However, the testimony focused on the ability of forestry to use this provision in law so the agricultural industry should be able to do the same. HB 2889 : Establishes Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within the Housing and Community Services Department. LWVOR supports. You can watch a presentation of this concept in the Jan. 17 House Housing Committee. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. TOXICS By Paula Grisafi HB 3043 LWVOR joined others in support of the Toxic Free Kids Act Modernization bill. Thousands of chemicals lurk in products our kids use every day, and children are far more vulnerable to toxic chemicals than adults. And parents should not have to be expert chemists or have to shop in specialty stores in order to obtain safer products. Read LWVOR testimony . WATER By Peggy Lynch According to the US Drought Monitor, nearly 64% of Oregon is experiencing moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought conditions. Changes over recent weeks include a number of improvements and degradations. Reservoir storage contents in most U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (including Klamath) projects are measuring well below average, with many showing similarities to the past couple water years. The League is reviewing HB 3100 , a bill that updates requirements for the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). Section 1 of the bill has many positive additions, but Section 2 requires yet another standing Advisory Committee. Committees take staff time and resources and the Water Resources Commission provides adequate oversight. We’ll listen to others as we consider testimony on this bill, but we wholeheartedly support the guidance of the IWRS as it links multiple water agencies towards “abundant clean water for all”. 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, 877-290-6767, to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. We have an on-going drought throughout Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers The League monitored the Senate Committee on Natural Resources January 18th meeting with an update on SB 762 (2021). Meeting summary can be found here . Meeting materials, including detailed reports may be found here . “ We no longer have a fire season. We have a fire year.” Mark Bennett, Chair, Wildfire Programs Advisory Council. An update on the progress of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council was presented by Chair Bennett. Highlights included a summary of work completed in 2022, and a statement that future work will include increased emphasis on Community Wildfire Risk Reduction. Homeowners’ cultural traits should be considered when promoting wildfire mitigation efforts, OSU study finds: About one-third of housing in the lower 48 states of the U.S. now lies in the wildland-urban interface, where they are more susceptible to wildfires, prior research has found. A survey answers: Should Oregonians be allowed to build homes in areas of high and extreme risk? Jan. 25 th News Update on the Wildfire Exposure (Risk) Map—a postponement. HB 2898 : A wildfire recovery bill that continues the allowance that recreational vehicles may remain on a lot with a single-family dwelling that was damaged by natural disaster. It extends this allowance until December 30, 2030 for dwellings destroyed in 2020 wildfires. The League has concerns about wastewater and other services that are needed and that this bill might perpetuate these vehicles where long term housing should exist. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Above you can see the names of League volunteers who covered one or more issues. V olunteers are needed. What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Carolyn Mayers/Wildfire and Paula Grisafi/Toxics have joined the team. Thanks! The 2023 Legislative Session is at hand with over 2,000 bills already filed. Help! Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly 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.