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Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Peggy Lynch The legislature received the Aug. 27th Revenue Forecast by the Office of Economic Analysis and a Revenue Summary from the Legislative Revenue Office. Bottom line: The revenue forecasted in May is now down due to many factors, including federal actions. It is expected to continue to decrease unless federal actions around tariffs and budgets change. The personal kicker has also reduced to $1,410.4 million—to show as a credit on your 2025 Oregon taxes. Final calculations on the kicker will be done by November. Federal actions may mean that Oregon will likely bring in fewer tax dollars, spend more money on administrative tasks and receive billions less in federal funding. Per an Oct. 7 Town Hall by Rep. Owens, as of now, legislators will need to address what is a $915 million shortfall. Agencies are being asked to provide a 5% cut to their budgets. These budgets will go before each Ways and Means Subcommittee during the short session. This means people need to be engaging to help agencies when choosing their cuts list. Rep. Gomberg provided some concerning information about the potential loss of federal funding here in Oregon: Thrown into uncertainty was the Oregon Health Plan. State figures show 33.5% of Oregonians are on the state’s Medicaid program. About 14% of Oregon’s annual education budget comes from the federal government, amounting to more than $1 billion each year. And 17,500 preschool children are enrolled in Head Start . A March 28 th press release from Senate President Wagner shared more data on federal losses. Planning for 2026: The co-chairs left unspent about 22% of general obligation bond capacity and 15% of lottery revenue bonds, which theoretically leaves some flexibility for lawmakers to make investments in next year’s short session. However, any reduction in General Fund and/or Lottery Funds will mean this capacity will need to be adjusted down. During Interim Legislative Days, many legislative committees provided information on both the revenue and costs side of H.R.1., also known as “The Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress. Both Revenue Committees heard the revenue impacts to Oregon because of our rolling connection to the federal tax code. A tax disconnect bill passed the Oregon House but not the Senate in 2025. Currently, Oregon tax code mirrors the federal code, so if something is tax exempt at the federal level, it is at the state level as well. Expect a conversation around the loss of revenue and the additional costs Oregon might incur due to changes in federal programs. It IS possible to target disconnect provisions, and that may be politically easier than a full disconnect. It MAY be the topic for another Special Session before the 2026 session. Because any bill that “raises revenue” cannot have an Emergency Clause, it would not take effect for 90 days after passage to allow for a public referral/referendum so a Special Session on this matter is not likely. The Legislature COULD delay the April 15 filing date should they decide to address the disconnect in the 2026 session. They have taken that action in the past. The next Revenue Forecast is Nov. 19. We know that both the Legislative Revenue Office and Legislative Fiscal Office are having discussions with legislators in anticipation of further revenue reductions. Pay attention to both General Funds and Lottery Funds since natural resource agencies also rely heavily on Lottery Funds. Oregon is better suited to address a significant downturn in the economy than the last major downturn because of Oregon’s Rainy Day and Education Stability Funds. But there are criteria that must be addressed in order to access those funds. On top of all that, Congress was unable to agree on funding the federal government for the Oct. 2025-Sept. 2026 fiscal year. Jefferson Public Radio did a good job of covering potential consequences to Oregon. As of Oct. 7 th , the shutdown continues. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

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

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 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 .

Campaign Finance In Oregon An Oregon History of Campaign Finance Reform and the League of Women Voters Recent Campaign Finance History In 2020, the League supported the Legislature’s referred constitutional amendment Measure 107 to voters to allow campaign finance limits. Voters passed it overwhelmingly by over 78%. However, three Legislative sessions passed without implementing a Measure 107 statute. Legislators could not agree on anything that limited their own campaigns; they all are experts on financing their own campaigns and all have a huge conflict of interest. In 2022, the Honest Elections group , including the LWVOR, Common Cause and other good government groups, participated in intense negotiations with unions and Our Oregon, lasting for many months. An agreement was reached on an initiative text; however, the unions backed out of the deal at the last minute. Honest Elections redrafted the proposal together with national experts from the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause and the League. They then filed initiative petition (IP) 9 in July, 2022, after a long drafting process where IP 8 (a constitutional amendment to stop campaign finance laws impairment), IP 23 (including Democracy Vouchers) and IP 24 (including public matching of small donations) were also filed. Honest Elections settled on IP 9 as the proposal most likely to make the ballot and be adopted by voters. After an eight month ballot title certification process all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court, while Our Oregon did its best to delay the process, the Secretary of State finally approved IP 9 for circulation in May, 2023. The campaign quickly hired petitioners, organized volunteers including the League, and eventually collected some 100,000 signatures. LWVOR policy says that the League only supports ballot measures after ballot qualification, unless it was involved in measure drafting and organizing. Then Our Oregon, sensing IP 9’s potential success, redrafted the originally agreed Honest Elections initiative text (with huge loopholes for unions and other organizations). Our Oregon filed IP 42 , got a ballot title in less than 5 months, hired circulators, and began collecting signatures in January, 2024. At this point, it was clear to some legislators entering the short legislative session, that an expensive ballot battle was brewing between IP 9 and IP 42. Very quickly and historically , some union and business lobbyists got together and drafted a legislative bill. Dexter Johnson, lead Legislative Counsel, quickly drafted an LC bill. The House Rules Committee, Chaired by Rep. Julie Fahey and Vice Chair Rep. Jeffrey Helfrich, stuffed the LC bill as an amendment into HB 4024 , an unused placeholder bill. Two hearings and a work session were quickly held within a few days. The League initially opposed the bill in its -3 amendment form. Intense negotiations ensued behind the scenes between Honest Elections, some legislators, and business and union lobbyists, with the League being supportive but not directly involved. Some 40 changes were made to the 49-page bill before Honest Elections agreed that it was “ good enough ”. Part of the agreement was withdrawal of both IP 9 and IP 42. HB 4024 initially included a referral to November ballots, also removed from the final bill. The House Rules Committee quickly passed HB 4024 to the House floor, rules were suspended, and it passed 52 to 5. The very next day, the Senate Rules Committee quickly and concurrently held a hearing and work session, passing HB 4024 to the Senate floor. The Senate suspended rules, passed the bill 22 to 6, all on the last day of session . The Governor said she would sign it. It is clear that much more work needs to be done to implement HB 4024. Funding must be allocated to the Secretary of State and administrative rules must be written and adopted before the January 2027 effective date. ORESTAR must be reprogrammed for a “dashboard”,advertising disclosure, and “drill down” to see original campaign contribution funding sources. The 2025 long legislative session will undoubtedly want to consider amendments, both good and bad. This work could continue for years, if not decades. Stay tuned! Earlier Campaign Finance History Campaign contribution limits were adopted in 1908 by initiative . Those limits remained in effect until the 1970s when the Legislature repealed them in favor of campaign spending limits, a fad at the time. In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down campaign spending limits in the famous Buckley v. Valeo court case because they violated the First Amendment. However, the SCOTUS justified contribution limits because of the state’s interest in preventing “corruption and the appearance of corruption spawned by the real or imagined coercive influence of large financial contributions on candidates' positions and on their actions if elected to office." In 1994 Oregon voters again adopted campaign contribution limits by initiative with Measure 9 . They were only in effect for the 1996 election until the Oregon Supreme Court struck them down in 1997 on the basis of free speech in the Oregon Constitution, VanNatta v. Keisling . In 1998, voters approved Measure 62 , a constitutional amendment requiring campaign finance and ad financing disclosures, and allowing the Legislature to regulate signature gathering. The Legislature later prohibited paying petition circulators per signature, among other regulations. In 2000, the League helped draft initiative Measure 6 and supported it with a Voters’ Pamphlet statement., t, to provide public funding to candidates who limited campaign spending and private contributions. It failed on the ballot. Oregon voters again passed contribution limits with initiative Measure 47 in 2006. The companion initiative, constitutional amendment Measure 46 , however, did not pass, so the Measure 47 limits never went into effect. The League did not help draft these measures and later opposed them because Measure 46 required a three-fourths (3/4) legislative vote to amend previously enacted campaign finance laws, or to pass new laws. Measure 47 also required low contributions limits, perhaps unconstitutionally. Later in 2020, when the Oregon Supreme Court rescinded its repeal of campaign contribution limits, the Oregon Attorney General and Secretary of State refused without explanation to allow Measure 47 to go into effect, even though it was still in Oregon Revised Statute. In the early 2020s, the Honest Elections group , including the LWVOR, Common Cause and several other good government groups, succeeded in getting contribution limits adopted for Portland and Multnomah County, with public funding for Portland candidates, with a small donor matching fund.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 1/23 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 Access Health Care Housing Criminal Justice Access Change in the Rules By Paula Krane The Oregon Senate Republicans will now require all legislation in the Senate to be read in full before a final vote. This is a move that will allow the R’s to slow down the D’s agenda This means that not as much work can be accomplished this session. As of now it is the only parliamentary tactic the R’s think they have to encourage the D’s to work with them. Is this right and will it work only time will tell. Health Care By Christa Danielson SB 420 —Brain Injury Navigation Bill This bill had its first hearing in Sen Human Services with testimony from Senators Patterson and Manning and others from the traumatic brain injury community. Overall, the bill is well received and has many endorsements; LWVOR was mentioned as one. The bill will now go to W&Ms. SB 704 and HB 2558 This bill establishes a Governance Board for Universal Health Care and continues the work of the bipartisan Task force on Universal Health care. It directs the Governing Board to create a comprehensive plan to implement Universal Health Care by 2027. HB 2347 , 2881 , 2882 , 2883 , 2884 , 2885 —Opiate Reduction Package These bills expand the use of Narcan and other opioid blockers to reduce death in acute opioid overdose. These medications are usually used under a physician’s supervision, but this bill will allow these life-saving medications to be managed and used in many other settings such as schools and publicly owned buildings such as libraries, etc. These bills have had their first readings in House Behavioral Health and Health Care. HB 2458 This bill makes conversion therapy Illegal by mental health care professionals for those under 18 years of age by licensed mental health professionals. This bill is in House Behavioral Health and is brought forward by sponsors Nosse and Patterson. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Governor’s Executive Orders Action is converging around Governor Kotek’s priority to address the state’s housing emergency. The Governor signed three Executive Orders Governor’s website related to housing production and homelessness. In addition to setting a statewide housing production goal of 36,000 units per year, she established a Housing Production Advisory Council. Staff from the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), Department of Land Conservation and Development, (DLCD) the Higher Education Coordinating Committee, and the Building Code Division, are providing support to the Council to recommend an action plan to meet the state’s annual housing production target. Regarding Executive Order 23-02, which declares a homelessness emergency in parts of the state, Benton County adopted a resolution asking the Governor to add Benton County to the list of counties in the executive order. This option is now available to all other counties that were not included in the original Executive Order. Oregon Housing Alliance Oregon Housing Alliance, of which LWVOR is a member, voted to endorse two proposed bills backed by the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH) that focus on preserving existing affordable housing and protecting tenants who live in them. Over the next 10 years, use restrictions on more than 7,500 units will end, with some becoming market rate rental housing, which will impose significant hardship on low-income tenants living in them. The LWVOR Action Committee approved adding its logo to NOAH’s informational handouts shared with legislators on bills: HB 3042 and HB 2653 . Oregon Housing and Community Services OHCS and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are partnering to support youth experiencing homelessness. OHCS recently completed a $9 million interagency funds transfer to one of ODHS’s Self-Sufficiency Programs --Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program. The program will coordinate statewide planning for delivery of services to youth experiencing homelessness and support local programs. It will also support newer initiatives by investing in activities such as crisis prevention and long-term interventions. Department of Land Conservation and Development Throughout the 2023 legislative session, DLCD will review dozens of bills related to housing production and affordability under consideration by lawmakers. Perhaps the most consequential is HB 2889 , which would implement the agency recommendations published in conjunction with OHCS in December 2022 to comprehensively reform the state’s Goal 10 planning process. HB 4006 (2018) requires OHCS to annually provide cities with populations greater than 10,000 data showing the percentage of renter households that are severely rent burdened. It also requires submittal of “Permitted and Produced” surveys to DLCD by February 1 for the previous year. Last week, DLCD published datasets summarizing this information from 2018-2021. Data from 2022 is expected to be published in Spring 2023. Past downloads of “Permitted and Produced” Reports and other required housing reporting can be found on DLCD’s website . Criminal Justice By Marge Easley Data collection and dissemination have become critically important tools for the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) and the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC), according to presentations given to the members of the Joint Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee on January 24 and 25 . OJD began a concerted effort for better data collection in 2016 with the rollout of the E-Court program. Data dashboards represent the latest step forward. They graphically show data for criminal filings and caseloads for felony and misdemeanor crimes, aid and assist, expungements, and post-conviction relief. Data is critical to further CJC’s mission “to improve the legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of state and local criminal justice systems.” Data is collected from police stops, arrest and corrections information, circuit court cases, specialty court cases, and grant program reports. CJC also uses dashboards to provide real-time data in a user-friendly way. For example, one dashboard illustrated: In 2020 and 2021, Covid-19 led to a significant decrease in police stops and property crimes but a surge in violent crime, particularly murder and aggravated assault. The onset of Covid led to a 50% decrease in Non-Possession of Controlled Substances arrests and to a 90% decrease in Possession of Controlled Substances arrests. The implementation of BM 110 led to further reductions.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - September Interim 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: Action Alerts Oregon Global Warming Commission (OGWC) Climate County, State, Federal, and Global Lawsuits Climate Lawsuit News Our Children’s Trust Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator and team Please consider joining the CE team; we have several critical openings. Contact us through our “Get In Touch” website form for further information about volunteer opportunities. We expect transportation to be a major policy topic during the 2025 long legislative session. Energy Policy: Arlene Sherrett and Greg Martin Environmental Justice: Nancy Rosenberger Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Forestry: Josie Koehne Efficient & Resilient Buildings: Arlene Sherrett Transportation: Vacant NWL Agriculture: Vacant Public Health: Vacant Fossil Fuel (FF) Infrastructure: Vacant Our Children’s Trust and other Climate Lawsuits: Claudia Keith Climate Change Budget/Funding, OEA/Risk disclosure, ESG/FF divestment Treasury: Claudia Keith Action Alerts LWVOR ALERT to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) Climate Protection Program Rulemaking staff and the Environmental Quality Commission . Their Deadline is Oct 13, 2023. The League continues to advocate for strong ODEQ Climate Protection Program (CPP) rules. We have been participating in the CPP rulemaking since its inception in 2021. We cite our own LWVOR public comments from the Oct 5, 2023, CPP rulemaking. The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) strongly supports the CPP’s primary goals as identified by ODEQ from the beginning of its original rulemaking: Emissions: Achieve significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions Equity: Promote benefits and alleviate burdens for environmental justice communities and impacted communities Costs: Contain costs for businesses and consumers LWVOR & LWV ALERT : Urge Congress to Address the Climate Crisis & Protect Our Youth ! “Do not let future generations inherit the climate crisis. Urge your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Children’s Fundamental Rights and Recovery Resolution to address climate change and protect our youth’s rights and future!”. Learn more by reading: Markey Joins Merkley, Colleagues in Introducing Resolution for Climate Recovery Planning to Stand Up for Children’s Fundamental Right to a Healthy, Livable Planet ’ Oregon Global Warming Commission (OGWC) August 2023 Meeting Notes By Greg Martin Introduction The Oregon Global Warming Commission, created by the 2007 Oregon Legislature through House Bill 3543, is charged with tracking trends in greenhouse gas emissions and recommending ways to coordinate state and local efforts to reduce emissions in Oregon. Opening remarks and commissioner updates. Chair Macdonald introduced new commissioner Rep. Bobby Levy. Megan Decker, OPUC (Oregon Public Utility Commission). HB 2021 requires Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power (PP) to plan to achieve aggressive GHG (greenhouse gas) reductions by 2050 as part of the CPP, Climate Protection Program. The CPP sets a declining cap on GHG emissions from fossil fuels with the goal to dramatically reduce these emissions over the next 30 years. OPUC oversight can guide the utilities toward that goal but regulatory enforcement has its limitations. OPUC requires comprehensive forward planning every two years and is now in the middle of reviewing the utilities’ first plans addressing HB 2021. The next two-year planning phase will begin in 2024 and public engagement is important. The utility websites detail opportunities for engagement. Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment (ORESA) ODOE Facility Siting Division staff presented an overview of the ORESA project . ORESA was funded by a $1.1 million U.S. DOD grant. A key goal is compatibility of renewable energy siting with military facilities. The online mapping/reporting tool, Oregon Explorer , provides layers of comprehensive GIS data for energy development and other purposes, including data on “community [EJ] considerations.” The ORESA project report , a key deliverable for the grant, found that Oregon has enough renewable energy potential to meet its energy and climate goals, though tradeoffs will be needed and challenges related to transmission infrastructure will have to be met. ODOE’s 2022 Biennial Energy Report: Charting a Course for Oregon’s Energy Future ODOE’s Amy Schlusser presented a policy brief overview. Oregon’s electricity demand is projected to increase by 50 to 100% by 2050. We will need to replace existing fossil resources with tens of gigawatts of new renewable resources – a substantial effort under any scenario – while increasing energy efficiency to offset demand growth as much as possible. High costs and land use impacts will be significant challenges. We need to identify optimal pathways to achieve the needed buildout, including determining the future role of natural gas (NG). The demand for NG is projected to drop dramatically, mainly in building and industrial sectors, but some reserve capacity will be needed to ensure grid reliability. The policy brief recommended the state undertake a robust stakeholder process to develop a comprehensive state energy strategy. HB 3630 enacted in 2023 directs ODOE to take on this task and ODOE is in the early stages of planning and contracting. Key questions include costs vs. benefits, how much clean energy we need and how fast can we develop it, how we will protect vulnerable communities, and balance farm and forest land protection against the need for new transmission, etc. Legislative Update from ODOE Christy Splitt presented an overview of ODOE’s 2023 Legislative Report , an excellent summary of background and key provisions of climate-related bills enacted this session (including budget bills), as well as some bills not passed. Helpfully, it breaks out the many disparate topics of the two major Climate Package bills with reference to the bills of origin. The GOP walkout and the large number of new members helped shape the session outcomes, but the main factor that made a difference in climate legislation was the higher-than-expected state budget – e.g., making additional dollars available for energy incentive programs. Major themes:the Resilient Efficient Buildings Task Force Pre-session work paid off, as the highest-profile measures passed as part of the Climate Package. The Building Performance Standard program in HB 3409 was the largest of many tasks added to ODOE’s plate. Resilient communities (resilience hubs and plans, grid resilience, more incentive dollars) were another important focus of response to the 2020 wildfires and 2021 heat dome. Sen. Dembrow called it a “surprisingly positive” session in that we moved forward on issues we’ve been talking about for some time. He plans to bring back the GHG reduction targets (deleted from the Climate Package) in the next session with the goal of setting the targets in statute. Draft OGWC Work Plan presentation and discussion The commission’s draft work plan through 2024 was available for public and agency comment through Friday, September 1. Commission discussion focused on how to rationalize the plan for performing all of the new tasks assigned to ODOE. The next meeting was set for late Sept. or early Oct., topics including the Institute for Natural Resources report on Natural and Working Lands work undertaken during the past year. ----- OGWC Oct 9 Meeting Agenda and Meeting Materials OEA & Security Exchange Commission (SEC): The League Responds to SEC Proposal to Require Climate Risk Disclosure | League of Women Voters.(The June 2022 LWVUS testimony was proposed by LWVOR Action Committee). Related, The League is monitoring the OEA Oregon quarterly economic / revenue forecasts to the Legislature. These reports continue to ignore climate risk disclosure. Related NEWS: Oct 2023, Recent ESG developments point to progress despite polarized US political climate - Thomson Reuters Institute. Oct 2023, What CPAs Need to Know About the SEC Climate-Related Risk Proposal - The CPA Journal. Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Expansion – “Notably absent from the agenda Thursday morning was the proposed GTN Xpress project, which would increase the flow of natural gas through an existing pipeline system in parts of Idaho, Washington state and Oregon.“ “ Yesterday, Oregon Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden urged FERC to deny the project , arguing that it was incompatible with Oregon and Washington’s climate goals. EE Wire : “Oregon senators: Gas pipeline 'not in the public interest'. Note, In 2015 LWV Portland and LWVOR provided public testimonies opposing any major Oregon Fossil Fuel infrastructure expansion. Portland Oil Storage: Newly obtained records show Portland officials’ private interactions with Zenith Energy - Zenith Energy’s fossil fuel storage and transport facility faces criticism for potential environmental dangers, particularly in the event of an earthquake.| Street Roots. State Treasury: Counter to ESG / Climate Risk analysis recommendations the July 2023, Treasury has increased the Fossil Fuel investment portfolio. Multnomah County chose to sue Big Oil and McKinsey for climate damage … and the Oregon Treasury chose to invest in Big Oil and hire McKinsey . The OIC (Oregon Investment Council ) Sept 2023 meeting agenda and report . Oregon Attorney General DOJ Climate work: OFFICE OF THE AG, Spotlight: Warming Climate (list of a number of DOJ actions related to Climate issues) Climate County, State, Federal and Global Lawsuits Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Gas, oil companies argue against Oregon’s emission deadlines during Court of Appeals hearing -- Several dozen people gathered afterwards to support those rules, which require a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. -– Oregon Capital Chronicle. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are several active state federal lawsuits , (Sept 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, that 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 67 lawsuits , mentioning OREGON. Youth vs Europe: 'Unprecedented' climate trial unfolds at rights court | Reuters. Climate Change in Court: New Trends and Legal Grounds - Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA | CGEP. (GUEST Michael B. Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice, Director, Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School) Climate Lawsuit News Montana appeals climate change ruling for youth plaintiffs - Los Angeles Times. Hawaii youth-led climate lawsuit advances in the background of Maui wildfires - As residents of Hawaii work to help their neighbors on Maui recover from the worst fire in the state’s history, young people are demanding more accountability from local leaders. - A group of youth, including many indigenous to Hawaii, are suing the state’s Department of Transportation over climate change. | Wbur : Here & Now Our Children’s Trust October 4, 2023 Human Rights Organizations, Children’s Rights Advocates, Legal Scholars File Amicus Briefs in Support of Utah Youth Climate Case September 20, 2023 Attorneys for Youth Plaintiffs in Natalie R. v. State of Utah Make Case for Constitutional Climate Case to Be Heard in Court September 19, 2023 Announcing “Overturning 1.5°C: Calling for the Science Turn in Rights-Based Climate Litigation” I-5 Portland/Vancouver Bridge: I-5 Bridge Bipartisan group of Washington lawmakers tours I-5 Bridge - Program administrator: It’s important for people to see project urgency, Sept 2023, The Columbian. Recommended Newsletters: Senator Dembrow Senator Golden Rep Pam Marsh Volunteers Needed 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 critical policy science/technology, finance, and law areas. We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch The latest word is we are $650 million in the hole related to revenue needs vs. expenses. But this number doesn’t reflect all the legislation being considered this session. One positive action taken this last week is the Senate Committee On Finance and Revenue ’s passage (along party lines 3-2) of SB 1507 A that “disconnects” a few sections of the federal tax code from our state tax system. We understand that the bill was the result of both chambers’ Revenue Chairs and others as they sought to balance the needs for tax reform with the need to help fill the revenue hole brought on by the federal H.R.1 . The Legislative Revenue Office provided this chart to help explain the revenue impact. Here is the Staff Measure Summary, the Fiscal Impact Statement and the Revenue Impact Statement . The measure provides for an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit that the League has long supported. If this bill passes, it will reduce that revenue hole by about $300 million. Our partners at the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) have provided a video that might help explain this complicated tax policy. The Oregonian provides another explanation of the committee’s work. The League provided testimony in support of the amended bill. There was a Minority Report filed ( Staff Report ) and that report’s Revenue and Fiscal Impact Statements are available in the bill’s meeting materials. SB 1507 A is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote. If it passes, it will then be sent to the House for consideration. Another bill we are watching is 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 a bill . The bill, with amendments, would provide an opportunity to explore additional tax policy for consideration in the 2027 session. Public Hearing Feb. 11. Work Session Feb. 16. Although the League was disappointed that this policy was not included in SB 1507 A, we can support a continued conversation around corporate tax policy. We are also watching for potential changes in the estate tax, SB 1511 . A -3 amendment is posted for a Feb. 18 Work Session. The staff has provided this analysis that indicates no expected revenue loss for this biennium but $35 million by 2029-31. Public Hearing Feb. 11. OCPP provides an analysis of this tax. Work Session Feb. 18 -3 amendment is posted. SB 1586 : 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. Oregonlive provided this comprehensive assessment of the bill. This Oregonlive article indicates that the bill’s chief sponsor is listening to concerns: “ The enterprise zone part is being removed from the bill .” But there’s still a chance that the tax breaks will expand this session. Gov. Tina Kotek has similar language in an economic development bill she is promoting . Public Hearing Feb. 16. The League will provide testimony in opposition to this bill. As we watch the U.S. and Oregon’s economy, we note the Oregon Capital Chronicle Jobs Report article , of special concern as Oregon is an income tax state. The Full Ways and Means Committee met Feb. 6 th and introduced 6 budget bills for the session. Here are the bill numbers. Expect amendments by the end of session: SB 1601: Amends an incorrect internal reference in a law relating judicial compensation. Program Change. SB 5701: Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the Housing Alliance requested funds for preserving existing housing that will no longer be regulated as “affordable”. SB 5702 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state agencies for capital construction. Capital Construction 6-year limitation. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the committee heard 3.5 hours of 2-minute requests from across the state—from infrastructure to housing to resilience hubs to a variety of economic development projects. Legislators were allowed only two requests each but even that meant up to 180 requests! SB 5703: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder for agency allocation changes. HB 5203: Approves certain new or increased fees adopted by state agencies. The bill includes the Dept. of State Lands Wetlands processing fees set forth during rulemaking for which the League engaged. Fee Ratification. HB 5201: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder. HB 5202: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder. HB 5204: Modifies certain biennial appropriations made from the General Fund to specified state agencies and the Emergency Board. Establishes and modifies limitations on expenditures for certain biennial expenses for specified state agencies. The items populated in this bill as introduced reflect tentative decisions made by Ways and Means during the January Legislative Days. Omnibus Budget. 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 and $86 million lottery bond capacity. Revenue Committees and Ways and Means don’t need to follow the session deadlines. They work until close to the end of session. Other 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. Public hearing Feb. 9. 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. Public hearing Feb. 2. 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. Public Hearing Feb. 16. 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 and 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 . Public Hearing Feb. 18. The League has long supported kicker reform but we also note that, with our new state economist, another kicker is not expected in the near term. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. Another Public Hearing Feb. 11. -1 amendment 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. 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 Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 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 2026 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Education Gun Safety Healthcare Housing Behavioral Health Trish Garner HB 4028 was heard in the House Behavioral Health Committee. It relates to how insurers, the Oregon Health Authority and coordinated care organizations can conduct audits of behavioral health care providers. The bill delves into the details of the auditing process. It seeks to ensure these audits are conducted fairly and that everyone knows and follows the same rules. There are time limits for the completion of audits and health care professionals must review them. Providers cannot be charged for conducting the audit. A 5-year lookback period is prescribed. As might be anticipated, most of the providers testified in favor of this legislation; the auditing entities largely opposed them. Amendments may be forthcoming. HB 4069 and HB 4069-1 The House Behavioral Health Committee held a public hearing on this bill which mandates that residential treatment facilities, detoxification and sobering centers and mobile crisis intervention teams develop and implement written safety plans for workers and the built environment which will be filed with the Oregon Health Authority. If the facility uses individuals who work in a situations or locations without a colleague nearby or close supervision, it must include protections for them as well. HB 4083 and the HB 4083-1 . A public hearing was held in the House Behavioral Health Committee on this bill which arose out of Governor Tina Kotek’s Behavioral Health Talent Council, chaired by First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, a former social worker. It is designed to “cut the red tape” for behavioral health worker licensure and to ease a bottleneck that has formed due to a lack of qualified clinical supervisors. It requires the Oregon Health Authority to create a uniform credentialing process for behavioral health providers, along with an accompanying internet portal. Coordinated care organizations are barred from adding any additional requirements. Another portion of the bill expands the types of behavioral health professionals that can provide supervision to social workers and licensed professional counselors. For example, social workers could now be supervised by psychologists, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors, and vice versa. Finally, the State Board of Licensed Social Workers is placed under the supervision of the State Mental Health Regulatory Agency, joining the Board of Psychology and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. Most behavioral health care workers oppose the mutual supervisory provisions, arguing that the current process is working well and oversight should be conducted by the professionals familiar with their area of expertise. The number of people sending in testimony opposing the bill far exceeds its supporters. HB 4127 was heard in the House Committee on Health Care. A Work Session has been scheduled for next week (February 10 th ). It seeks to ensure that nonprofit reproductive health care providers who are not eligible to receive federal Medicaid funds or who are not enrolled in the Oregon medical assistance program will be reimbursed for covered services using state funds. Two providers meet the criteria here: Planned Parenthood affiliates of the Columbia Willamette and of Southern Oregon. HB 4127 represents an effort to stem the tide of anti-abortion efforts which coalesced in the passage of federal House Resolution 1, signed into law on July 4, 2025, and its one-year prohibition on Medicaid reimbursement for these providers. On July 29, 2025, several states, including Oregon, filed a complaint in federal court seeking an injunction against the prohibition on federal reimbursement to these prohibited entities. As of November 21, 2025, the prohibition remained in effect as the matter remained pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. SB 1532 was heard by the Senate Committee on Human Services and a Work Session on it is scheduled for next week (February 10 th ) . It modifies the authority of the Oregon Department of Human Services regarding residential and long-term care facilities, developmental disabilities services and children in care. Using specified criteria, ODHS is required to impose a license condition based on a preliminary or substantiated finding of “immediate jeopardy.” Immediate jeopardy takes place when a residential or long-term care facility fails to comply with an ODHS rule that has or is likely to cause serious injury, serious harm, serious impairment or death of a resident. A preliminary finding means one that is objective and based on the evidence available at the time the ODHS conducts its investigation. SB 1532 -1 and -2 require ODHS to pay providers of attendant care to clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities at different rates depending on whether they also reside with their clients . It also changes out of state placement requirements if the child is Indian or has an eating disorder. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Sharron Noone The Senate and House Judiciary Committees got off to a quick start by scheduling hearings on several important bills during the first few days. The League submitted testimony on SB 1515 , which establishes a new post-conviction process for wrongful conviction cases to correct flaws in the current system. The Oregon Attorney General must review a wrongful conviction petition within 180 days, and applicants may petition to have their cases reopened if convictions were based on discredited forensic science, including hair comparison, bite mark analysis, and comparative bullet lead analysis. Two bills related to the recent actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were on the agenda on February 3 in House Judiciary. Passionate public testimony made it clear that the lives of immigrant and non-immigrant communities throughout Oregon have been greatly impacted by the overzealous and often violent actions of ICE agents. League testimony on HB 4114 included this excerpt from a LWVUS statement issued on January 26: “The League of Women Voters condemns the escalating actions by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that put people at risk, deny individuals their constitutional rights, and undermine the democratic values meant to protect us all.” A -1 amendment narrowed the bill considerably by eliminating a requirement for ICE agents to give 48 hours’ notice to the Oregon Department of Justice before any actions within the state. The bill as amended relates only to 4 th Amendment rights by allowing an individual whose privacy and civil rights are violated by the warrantless actions of a federal or out-of-state law enforcement agent to file a civil suit against that agent. The League also submitted testimony on HB 4138 , which establishes identification requirements and places prohibitions on facial coverings for federal law enforcement officers. A -3 amendment changed the bill by requiring federal law enforcement agencies that operate in the state to maintain and post written policies regarding identification on uniforms and the wearing of facial coverings. These policies should affirm “the agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.” Education By Jean Pierce This week LWVOR submitted testimony supporting three education bills: SB 1538 prohibits discrimination in education related to immigration or citizenship. Currently, access to a public education is protected by a Supreme Court ruling from 1982. However, Oregon needs to ensure that right is guaranteed. In 2023, Oregon’s immigrants paid $2.1 billion in state and local taxes which help fund public education. LWVOR wrote testimony in suport. HB 4079 requires public schools to inform parents, students, and community members when ICE is present on the campus. This would assure immigrants that they have accurate information to base decisions protecting their children. LWVOR submitted testimony in support. HB 4149 directs school districts to enroll and provide services for homeless students. Currently, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act assures unhoused students of their right to a free, appropriate, public education, but that act is managed by the U.S. Department of Education, which has experienced severe staffing cuts recently. LWVOR submitted testimony in support. Gun Safety By Marge Easley HB 4145 , which makes modifications to Measure 114 (2022), was heard in House Judiciary on the first day of the session. Despite the short notice, supporters of the Second Amendment showed up in force to oppose it. This significant gun bill sets out in detail how the firearm permitting portion of Measure 114 will be implemented, dependent on a positive ruling by the Oregon Supreme Court on its constitutionality. The League delivered testimony in support of the bill, which we believe will make the permitting process work more efficiently and effectively. The bill does the following: Specifies where to apply for permits for those who live in both incorporated and unincorporated areas Defines permit eligibility requirements Provides that all records related to the permitting process are exempt from disclosure Extends the time limit from 30 to 60 days for a permit agent to either issue or deny a permit Sets limits on the fees charged by the permit agent and the Oregon State Police Establishes alternatives for the required firearm safety training course Provides civil and criminal liability exemptions where applicable Provides an exception to the permit requirement for current and retired law enforcement officers Requires that state court actions challenging the legality of the Act be filed in Marion County Circuit Court Healthcare By Christa Danielson Bills for which LWVOR submitted testimony: HB4054 bill addresses the area of AI downcoding. During a visit to a health care facility a billing code is generated by the healthcare provider. Sometimes AI technology is used by an insurance company to automatically change the billing code to a lower code with less reimbursement without informing the provider. This bill would require reporting of downcoding events by AI to the physician or other healthcare provider for transparency LWVOR submitted testimony supporting the bill. SB1527-1 bill would provide access to screening with colposcopy when there is an abnormal pap. The National Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA: Health Resources and Services Administration has agreed that further testing with colposcopy would be considered screening with an indeterminate or low-grade pap but that screening recommendation will not be in place until 2027. The Oregon Capital Chronicle published an article describing the bill . LWVOR filed testimony in support. The Senate Health committee is recommending DO PASS as amended. SB 1570-1 provides safety for healthcare providers and patients. It would require consistent established guidelines from administrative areas in healthcare about how to interface with Federal Immigration Services. LWVOR wrote testimony . Bills we are tracking: HB4040 This is a large bill attempting to fix many technical areas. It is generally well perceived. We will continue to track this bill as it does cover some aspects of getting people onto Medicaid faster while they're in the hospital. HB 4147 would require reporting by employers who have greater than 50 employees as to how many of their employees are on the Oregon Health plan. We are currently tracking this bill. Housing Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Now that the 2026 session is officially underway, the Senate and House Committees are meeting to review housing proposals during this short session. Committee agendas and bills are posted to meet the 35-day deadline. Information on the 2026 session is live ! The Housing Alliance, of which we are a member developed lists of priority bills selected by its membership. We are tracking housing bills and reporting on their status during the weekly sessions. House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness HB 4036 would preserve low-cost housing at risk of being lost due to expiring contracts or physical deterioration. Investing to maintain these properties is more efficient and cost-effective than building new units. During the next ten years 87 properties with nearly 3,000 units are at risk due to expiring federal project-based rental assistance. An investment of bond funds will protect tenants from losing their homes. A public hearing was held on Feb. 3 with a possible work session on Feb. 10. HB 4123 would add clear provisions to Oregon’s Landlord Tenant law regarding the disclosure of confidential information on certain personally identifying, financially sensitive and other private information. Landlord–tenant confidentiality laws establish rules governing how landlords and property managers collect, use, store, and disclose information about tenants and rental applicants. Under this proposal, private information may not be disclosed without the tenant’s written consent unless in response to a court order. A public hearing was held on Feb. 5 with a possible work session on Feb. 10. Senate Committee on Housing and Development SB 1576 would require the Department of Consumer and Business Services to adopt rules to conform to the state building code so that it aligns with federal fair housing accessibility requirements and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. A key requirement is that in new, large multi-unit residential buildings at least 10% of units must be wheelchair-accessible. OHCS would not be authorized to fund new government-subsidized rental developments unless they meet the accessibility requirements. A Public Hearing was held on Feb. 5 and a work session is scheduled on Feb. 10. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning Public Safety Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Initiatives Courts and Privacy Government Ethics Initiatives HJR 3 (require signatures in every county) and HJR 11 (greatly increase the number of signatures required) were both heard in House Rules 3/10. Either of these constitutional amendments would have to be voted on in a general election. However, either would destroy the initiative process as we know it by making it much, much more difficult to get an initiative on the ballot. The legislature would, in effect, be insulating itself from being second-guessed by the voters. However, the whole purpose of the initiative process is for voters to have a say in issues that the legislature has failed to deal with. The League strongly opposes both these bills. Courts and Privacy By Becky Gladstone This week’s Joint Legislative Council Public Records committee hearing had more background for panelists, noting that cybersecurity and IT support are like plumbing, you don‘t think about them unless they don’t work. Tuesday’s Future of FEMA: Perspectives from the Emergency Management Community , hearing video highlighted an additional 800 in staffing cuts projected on top of 300 already cut. Anticipate urging to protect FEMA. HB 3012 calls for 16 and 17 year olds who are registered to vote, being able to cast ballots soley for their school districts. The League lacks a position for a specific optimal voting age. We have Strongly supported learning to vote, both with repeated legislative advocacy and for decades with our Mock Elections and Civics Education curriculum. See League COMMENTS filed , including in the hearing video , at time stamp: 1:14:49 to 1:15:58. Verbal testimony was limited to one minute. HB 2581 to coordinate expanded resiliency services with the State Resiliency Officer (SRO), is scheduled for a Senate side work session after passing a House floor vote last week, League testimony . HB 2341 , to add veterans’ email addresses to shared information, has a Senate side public hearing scheduled, after passing a House floor vote with 58 in favor, two excused, League testimony . SB 470 is scheduled for a work session, League testimony filed and presented in support. This bill to protect lodgers’ privacy from illicitly taken videos, seemed likely to generate amendments from discussion in the public hearing but none have been recorded. Upcoming SB 414 is an AI bill, making disclosing fake intimate images a crime. It was slated for a public hearing, removed and rescheduling is anticipated, with League support. HB 5537 We anticipate speaking to this SoS budget bill, during the week of April 7. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey SB 983 to be heard 3/17 in the Senate Education committee, would allow a local public official to discuss, debate and vote on a local budget that includes compensation for the public official or their relative after announcing an actual conflict of interests. This would be a major change in ethics laws . Small local jurisdictions are where most of the conflicts of interest arise. HB 2330 would create a task force to come up with ideas to address fraudulent schemes that target the elderly. The bill passed out of House Commerce and Consumer Protection to the House floor with a 10 to 0 vote. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 4/3 Education By Anne Nesse SB 1050 was introduced to Senate Education on 3/30 by Melissa Goff, advisor to Governor Kotek. Those testifying pointed out how important knowledge and understanding of other ethnicities, native American cultures, and religious persecution during the holocaust was to understanding the human condition. Even though curriculum legislation passed in 2017 on these subjects, teachers were still in need of funding for professional development opportunities, to succeed in teaching these concepts. Sen. Lew Frederick reminded us that this knowledge should be apparent throughout the curriculum in grades K-12. In House Education on 3/29, Rep. Neron announced that Congress recently made Federal funding available to allow all Oregon students to eat free and healthy breakfasts and lunches, without any type of discrimination, because all students will be eligible. More news on this coming soon, she stated. These House Education bills are moving to the floor this week: HB 2656 A , requires school districts to make informational surveys on healthy environment of their school available to students statewide and to provide parents and guardians with notice and opportunity to review the survey before it is administered. HB 3068 A , provides that high school students 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. HB 3584 , directs schools to provide electronic communication to parents and guardians of students attending, at which safety threat action occurred. HB 3135 , preserves additional funding for small school districts that merge with one or more school districts if certain conditions are met. HB 2690 -1 , requires school districts to pay classified school employees not less than 10% more than minimum wage that applies to all employees who work in this state and not less than 15% more than minimum wage if classified school employees provide support to students with individualized education programs or who are enrolled in special education. HB 3014 -5 , directs ODE to adopt rules that allow for reimbursement of school district expenses incurred in lieu of transporting students, such as walking or biking patrols. HB 2281 -3, requires school districts and public charter schools to designate civil rights coordinator. HB 3178 A , expands criteria for awarding scholarships to diverse teacher candidates. HB 3236 A , authorizes expenditures from Statewide Education Initiatives Account for funding of regional career and technical education programs. HB 3204 A , shortens timelines and requirements for when a school district makes determination to give approval for students to enroll in virtual public charter school not sponsored by school district, above 3% cap. HB 2895 , removes cap on amounts distributed from State School Fund to school districts for students eligible for special education as children with disabilities. These bills in Senate Education are moving to the floor this week: SB 409 -6 , prescribes information related to courses of study offered by school districts that the district school board must ensure is provided on the school district's website. SB 758 -3 , prescribes timelines and redacting requirements for records related to provision of special education. SB 275 -4 , requires ODE, TSPC, and Educator Advancement Council to conduct study to identify best means of improving alignment among state education agencies. SB 421 -1 , establishes a youth advisory council. SB 426 -2 , modifies requirements of Healthy and Safe Schools Plan related to integrated pest management. SB 3 -3 , requires students to complete one credit of future planning as a requirement for high school diploma. SB 218 , requires ODE and law enforcement agencies to make available to TSPC certain information received during investigation of suspected sexual conduct or child abuse. SB 416 , requires public universities and community colleges to pay part-time faculty at the same rate, on a per-hour basis, as public university or community college pays full-time faculty to prepare for and teach courses. SB 756 -1 , requires school district employees assigned to work with students with specialized needs to have access to specified records related to students and to be consulted when the education plan for students is reviewed or revised. SB 215 -2 , allows ODE to adjust amounts charged related to distribution of agricultural products received from the United States Department of Agriculture for school food programs. SB 596 , requires school districts to submit specified information to ODE related to talented and gifted children. SB 736 , requires ODE to conduct study to identify how to increase access to advanced instruction for the purpose of preparing students for college and career.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/6 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 Gun Safety Criminal Justice Housing Immigration/Refugees and Other Basic Rights Gun Safety By Marge Easley SB 551 , a bill that directs OHA to provide information on safe storage of firearms and prescription drugs to school districts for dissemination on their websites and social media, was heard in Senate Education on March 7. League testimony in support included data on child deaths related to access to harmful drugs and firearms and the alarming rise of suicide among children and teens. There is talk of combining several gun safety bills into an omnibus bill that will appear later in the session, but no bill number has been assigned yet. Concepts include the banning of “ghost guns,” allowing gun sellers to require purchasers to be at least 21 years of age, expanding the number of public areas where firearms can be banned, and establishing a state income tax credit for buying a gun safe or lock. Measure 114 Update: There have been three new case filings in the Harney County lawsuit against the State of Oregon that challenges the legality of Measure 114 (permit-to-purchase and ban on large capacity magazines). State attorneys are urging the courts to set May or June trial dates for both the state and federal cases in order to resolve the issue as promptly as possible so as not to create ongoing uncertainty for Oregonians. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler Two League-supported bills that will have a positive impact on incarcerated individuals at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility were scheduled to have a work session on March 9 in House Judiciary. HB 2535 establishes a doula program for pregnant and postpartum individuals, while HB 2731 provides continuing funding for the Family Preservation Project. Bills related to studies and data collection are plentiful this session. Heard in Senate Judiciary on March 8 were bills authorizing studies on organized retail theft ( SB 318 ) and recidivism rates of persons convicted of felony property crimes ( SB 340 ). That same day House Judiciary heard HB 2719 , authorizing a study on services to crime victims, and SB 234 , which allows the Chief Justice to make rules for gathering data on disparities and impacts in Oregon’s criminal justice system. Senate Republicans are behind a series of bills related to increased penalties for sex crimes and are ramping up efforts to get them heard soon in Senate Judiciary. SB 986 raises the statute of limitations on rape from 12 years to 20 years. SB 1022 makes changes to Oregon’s sex-offender risk level assessment process and methodology. SB 1023 clarifies the term ‘victim’ when the Oregon State Police is required to release sex offender information. In a similar vein, Senate Democrats are having better luck with SB 745 , which passed out of Senate Judiciary on March 8. It requires that youth taken into custody receive sex trafficking screenings. W&Ms Public Safety has been reviewing the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) Budget and related bills this week. SB 5512 , the budget bill for expenses for the Supreme Court, Tax Court, Court of Appeals, and 27 Judicial Districts, asks for an appropriation of $705 million. The budget covers the salaries of 197 judges and 1428 court staff, plus the court facilities in Salem and in the counties. The OJD did a county courthouse facilities assessment in 2016 and still uses that assessment in plans to repair or replace judicial facilities. Each biennium the OJD Budget process has included upgrades or new construction of courthouses. League testimony on the overall OJD budget is here . Separate bills: SB 230 reviews the Interstate Compact, SB 233 covers judicial compensation, SB 234 concerns data gathering, SB 235 asks for new judicial positions, and SB 1029 supports family law training. HB 2224 asks for increases in juror compensation. HB 2467 offers student loans for public defense training, and HB 2497 covers rural courthouse assessments. The agency budget carries many policy option packages for pretrial diversion, protective proceedings, expunction, self-representative assistance, data expansion, technology positions, and equipment replacements. One major concern was judicial compensation due to high turnover and a recommended 10% salary increase in 2023 and 2024. Additional judges were recommended in Clackamas, Jackson, and Washington County Courts. Specialty Court Coordinators were recommended to facilitate specialty court programs through the Criminal Justice Commission grants. Each session the budget includes Capital Improvement Projects and Replacements and the bonds to finance them. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Oregon lawmakers are closing in on two big housing priority bills of the 2023 session. Critically needed housing resources are being considered to support Oregonians who face a severe shortage of affordable housing and available shelter space. HB 5019 - Governor’s Emergency to Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness On Feb. 28, Gov. Tina Kotek testified before members of the Oregon House Committee on Housing and Homelessness at a hearing on HB 5019 to encourage lawmakers to pass a $200 million package to assist unsheltered Oregonians, build and preserve needed affordable housing, prevent evictions, and increase homeownership statewide. The funding includes $85.2 million to support local plans to address homelessness in emergency areas through expanding shelter capacity and rapid rehousing initiatives. A targeted $33.6 million for eviction prevention is anticipated to avoid homelessness for 8,750 households statewide. $26.1 million will address homelessness through increased shelter capacity, rapid rehousing initiatives, and sanitation services in communities within the Balance of State Continuum of Care. $200,000 will support the development and design of a statewide, long-term rent assistance program for individuals who are rehoused with state investments. The League provided testimony in support on HB 5019. A public hearing and work session was held on March 7 by the Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. The housing package awaited consideration by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means at a 9:30 am work session on March 10. HB 2001 A-14 - Oregon Housing Needs Analysis Also, as part of the funding package is a related bill HB 2001 A -14, which establishes the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA), within the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS). The needs analysis will extend the notification requirement for the termination of residential rental agreements for nonpayment; provide funding for modular housing development, agriculture workforce housing, and moderate-income housing pre-development loans. The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and OHCS will assist the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in carrying out the requirements. All three agencies will receive funding to carry out specific components of the OHNA. Also, DAS will conduct an annual statewide housing analysis to estimate the needed housing by region. The agency is to establish six-year housing production targets for cities with populations greater than 10,000 and unincorporated urbanized areas within Metro, and eight-year housing production targets for cities greater than 10,000 or unincorporated urbanized areas outside of Metro. DAS may adjust the allocation of needed housing to accommodate people experiencing homelessness and underproduction. The Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development held a work session on the housing package on March 7. The Joint W&Ms was slated to hold a work session on the bill at 9:30 am on March 10. Housing Production Advisory Council: Governor Kotek announced the members of her new Housing Production Advisory Council. The council is charged with developing an action plan to meet the production target of 36,000 additional housing units at all affordability levels per year as set in the governor’s executive order ( 23-04 ). Members include a range of housing leaders, local government representatives, bipartisan legislators, a Tribal member, and relevant state agency directors The Council held its first meeting on March 10, and is scheduled to provide a recommended framework for their action plan by April 1, 2023. More information is available on the website . Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Bill Summary HB 2957 : 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 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 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. 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 : 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 May partially replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. SB 856 Establishes COFA Food Assistance Program to provide nutrition assistance to COFA citizens who would qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits but for their immigration status and who have incomes at or below federal poverty guidelines. Legislative summary . Chief Sponsor: Senator Meek, Patterson, Hansell. Public Hearing 2/27 Immigration SB 185 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 603 : 2/27 Public Hearing with -1 amendment . Establishes People's Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program, administered by Dept Human Services, to provide 12 monthly payments of $1,000 to individuals who are experiencing homelessness, are at risk of homelessness, are severely rent burdened, or earn at or below 60% of area median income. (Includes immigrant, and refugee status.) Starts with a PSU $250K study. A potential $500M program. Rep Pham K and Senator Campos, Sen Cmt on Housing and Dev, then JW&M. SB 849 Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS 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 SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. SB 216 Passed out of SCHC 3/1 , on Senate Presidents Desk - Awaiting Disposition. 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 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 Committee with Unanimous Vote Floor Third Reading 3/13 SB 421 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 2/28 Staff Measure Summary HB 2458 : Prohibits conversion therapy. Public Hearing 2/24 . No League testimony.

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 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: Additional Climate/Energy End of Sessions News/Reports CE passed priority Funding & Policy Bills, including End of Session Reconciliation fiscal line items Priority Climate Emergency Bills that died in Committee Forestry Climate The session ended Jun 27 with mixed CE portfolio results; only about half policy and or funding priority bills passed or were fully/partially funded. The League is pleased that Oregon now joins a few other states addressing Climate related risk investments , referring to Treasurer Steiner supported, Oregon Investment Council HB 2081 . ‘Oregon Passes Bill to Manage Climate Change Risks ’. This bill encourages the Oregon State Treasury and the Oregon Investment Council to actively manage and report on climate-related financial risks to the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). This bill, introduced by State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner, aims to align PERS' investment strategies with the state's climate goals and requires the fund to be fully carbon neutral within the next 25 years. Be aware the current SEC has not i mplemented the League supported Climate Risk Disclosure law and this will likely negatively affect optimal investment performance outcomes. We are hopeful that Transportation Climate Friendly funding issues will be addressed in a likely September special session. Additionally, Critical Energy infrastructure, Natural Working Lands, and other Climate CE failed priorities could reappear in the 2026 short session. Note: The final Legislature- and Governor-approved outcomes will not be known until July 26; until then the Governor can choose to veto any policy and or budget bills. Additional Climate/Energy End of Sessions News/Reports What climate policies did – and didn’t – pass the Oregon Legislature – TOL OPB 2025 End of Legislative Session Wrap Up - 350PDX: Climate Justice Lawmakers consider slate of bills regulating private utilities , costs for Oregonians • Oregon Capital Chronicle CE passed priority Funding & Policy Bills, including End of Session Reconciliation fiscal line items HB 3546 Enrolled , POWER Act , new GIS . The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, The League is listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . HB2548 : Environmental Justice agriculture workforce labor standards PSU and OSU study, League Testimony .
 HB 3179 (FAIR Energy Act): This bill passed and aims to curb fast-rising utility rates. It requires more transparency from utilities regarding rate increases and prohibits price hikes during winter months. HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , SB 688 : Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, $974K fiscal , League testimony HB 3336 Enrolled Grid Enhancing Technologies will help existing electricity transmission lines become more efficient, more wildfire safe, and updated to existing technologies, which reduces the need to build new transmission lines. HB 3792 ‘Oregon lawmakers pass bill to strengthen the state’s energy assistance program ‘ – OPB. Increases from $20 million to $40 million the minimum amount to be collected from the customers of electric companies for low-income electric bill payment and crisis assistance. The End of Session Reconciliation HB5006 Includes: Detail descriptions EBA $150M Special Purpose Appropriation: natural disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. (Related to HB 3170 Resilience Hubs and Networks, League Testimony ) DAS $10M, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council: Central Oregon Ready, Responsive, Resilient (CORE3) emergency coordination DAS $3M Warm Springs Community Action Team: Warm Springs Commissary Project. $2 million for Farmworker Disaster Relief, Environmental Justice Bill (see HB 3193 A ) This funding allows farmworkers to take days off while still receiving pay when there is poor air quality from wildfire smoke or in cases of extreme weather. Other Climate Bills that Passed SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , Governor signed SB 685 : Hydrogen Oversight & Public Notice Act Ensures customer information and recourse regarding utility experiments with hydrogen blending. HB 3963 Offshore Wind: Offshore Wind Roadmap and its assessment of enforceable state policies related to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. 
 
 
 
 HB 3653 Enrolled : Gov signed 5/27 Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves.




 HB 2065 A and HB 2066 A : Microgrid Package budget HB 3336 A House repasses grid-enhancing technologies bill Funding for Heat pumps : HB 2567 , related to heat pump programs, passed and was signed into law, making changes to and extending the Oregon Rental Home Heat Pump Program and the Community Heat Pump Deployment Program. Key details about the heat pump programs in Oregon: Federal Funding: In 2024, Oregon was awarded $197 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funds through the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Heat Pump Purchase Program (HP3): The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will disburse this funding through HP3 in two rounds, one in 2025 and one in 2027. These rounds will offer incentives for heat pump installations in owner-occupied homes, rental properties, and new construction, up to $2,000 per residence. HB 2567: This bill, now law, extends the sunset of the rental home heat pump program from 2026 to 2032 and allows the ODOE to provide additional incentives for contractors installing heat pumps in rural or frontier communities. Community Heat Pump Deployment Program: This program provides grants through Tribes and community partners to help income-qualified households install heat pumps, prioritizing environmental justice communities. Existing Programs: There are also existing heat programs in Oregon, including those administered by the Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust of Oregon. In summary, the Oregon legislature did pass legislation in 2025 that affects heat pump programs, including extending existing programs and preparing to utilize federal funding for additional heat pump purchase incentives. AI Google Priority Climate Emergency Bills that died in Committee Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package : HB 2152 : Testimony ; , HB. 2949 : T estimony ; HB 3450 A Testimony , HB 3492 : Hazmat release study bill HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, F iscal: .94M League Testimony SJR 28 , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot , The League provided support with comments testimony . HB 2566 A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , At the request of Governor Tina Kotek, DOE presentation 


 
 
 
 
 Study of Nuclear Energy ( HB 2038 ) : This measure proposes that the Oregon Department of Energy study nuclear energy and waste disposal. 
 
 
 
 
 HB 3189 , Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB, CUB Presentation Here SB 1143A :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 Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. 
 
 
 HB 3609 : Makes each power company create a program for buying grid services. HB 3477 : Modifies state greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals Forestry Climate By Josie Koehne The LWVOR provided testimony in support of an additional $5 million in the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)'s budget bill HB 5039 to support the Natural Working Lands Fund. Unfortunately, this item was not included in the adopted bill with the -2 amendment by Ways and Means as was in the Governor’s requested budget. Money in the existing fund for ODF went to pay for a guidebook for forest land managers and professional advisors on Climate Smart Forestry that will be completed and published in December. The League has been attending and provided input on the guide which includes new forest management practices to increase resilience in the face of increasing temperatures due to climate change. These practices include longer forest rotations, planting mixed species and age classes within a stand and leaving more space and gaps between trees. Although the guide provides technical assistance geared to Washington County, it is intended as a model that can be adapted for use in other counties. This budget bill awaits the Governor’s signature. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 Education Update By Anne Nesse Budgets for Early Childhood Education, ‘Child Tax Credit Bill’, K-12 biennial budget, Birth to Grade 12 Educational Literacy Bill, make historical investments in 2023. The following paragraphs are explanations Bills the League has been interested in and supporting throughout the session, headed toward passage into law the week of June 20-25, now that a quorum exists in the Senate: A number of legislators from the Joint Ways and Means Committee that approved HB 3198-B ,the Literacy Bill for passage, June 20, stressed that continuous follow up by our legislative body was necessary for the effectiveness of any statewide program like this. ‘This Early Literacy for Success Bill is just the beginning of a hopefully successful effort to teach reading that is proven to be successful for all students, designed for working with all young peoples’ ages, abilities, and backgrounds.’ The League submitted written support for this Bill on April 3, in House Education. A Capitol Chronicle article here gives you examples of districts in our state that may be presently using unapproved methods of reading instruction. The large budget requested for this program ($140M), reflected the fact that any new statewide standards will have difficulties with implementation, if we do not have enough, or sufficiently trained staff. This Bill passed in the Senate on 6/25, funded with a lesser amount of $90M. The ‘Child Tax Credit Bill’, HB 3235-B , passed in the Senate on 6/25, will help somewhat to relieve childhood poverty in our state. The amount of the refundable tax credit and income limits were reduced from the original Bill. This Bill in its original form was supported by the League in written and oral testimony on February 27. The Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures unanimously passed the scaled down version of this Bill last Tuesday, June 20, establishing a $1,000 tax credit per year, for those children and families living in severe poverty, at an approximate cost of $37.5M. HB 2656-B sponsored by Rep. Nathanson, passed in the Senate 6/22, and was of interest to the League. The Bill allows an opt-out statewide survey of student answers to critical questions, that can help legislators and administrators make better decisions in the future, and allocate funds where needed.The survey will be administered yearly throughout the state, and is designed ‘to improve the health and well-being of all students in this state and to help them succeed.’ SB 283-B , passed in the Senate 6/23. It is an omnibus Bill, beginning to address the workforce shortages in public education, that are happening everywhere in the nation. The League was represented on one committee for this Bill. This Bill begins to establish a statewide data system on the educational workforce. It directs Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to develop a plan to establish and maintain a statewide portal for jobs in education. It includes bargaining agreements, for pay for planning time, and lunch periods. It requires each public education provider to encourage members of educational workforce to participate in surveys related to the educational workforce. It prescribes increased pay requirements, for additional percentage of wage to licensed educators and classified school employees who provide significant special education support. It directs DOE to establish and maintain Safe School Culture Grant program to develop network of instructors certified in nonviolent crisis intervention methods. It establishes just cause requirement for classified school employees related to dismissal, demotion and discipline. It establishes Task Force on Substitute Teachers. The total biennial State School Fund Budget was raised to an historic $10.2 Billion, as reported in our last newsletter. And paired with other revenues to a total of $15.3 Billion, an overall 12.3% increase. Oregon moved closer to giving free school breakfasts and lunches for all students, to help childhood hunger, increase learning, and avoid discrimination. This concept was something the League’s action team was supportive of during the session. The Oregon Food Bank was coordinating this effort, and this was announced in a recent press release here . SB 91-B , passed in the Senate on 6/23. It helps to pay families who care for highly disabled children at home, who cannot be educated at school, utilizing Federal matching funds. A Capitol Chronicle article explains the legislative support for this Bill here . SB 531-A , tried to establish a Summer and After-School Learning and Enrichment Grant Program, similar to what was designed to work during school closures during Covid. This directed DOE to administer a grant program. Money would come from the General Fund, but this Bill did not succeed in passage. We are not currently sure whether, or how, this grant program might be included into the total budget of this summer or the next school year, in relation to the Literacy Bill? Three Bills that the League testified on this session involving education, did not make it past their first hearing: SB 854 required a curriculum to be designed statewide, concerning climate change, adaptable to grades K-12, within all subject areas, with input from DOE, DEQ, OHA, and interested stakeholders within each school district. This received front page news in the Oregonian, as well as a large amount of positive testimony from students and teachers. However, because it was interpreted to be mandatory, this will have to wait until possibly several pilot projects, or a study Bill is designed? HB 2601 , required our State Treasurer to exit from certain carbon-intensive investments, subject to fiduciary duties. to develop a plan to protect state investments from risks related to climate change, and to issue periodic reports on actual and planned progress towards completion of the duties imposed under the Act. Divest Oregon was the Coalition that presented much of the testimony, as well as a thorough data report from Rep. Pham and Sen. Golden. The League’s testimony also emphasized the non-partisanship of this Bill. HB 2750 , prohibited charging of fees as a condition of participating in interscholastic activities (including requiring participation in fundraising activities). It authorized use of moneys in Statewide Education Initiatives Account for costs incurred by school districts and public charter schools as result of this prohibition. The League’s written and oral testimony emphasized this could allow for more types of interscholastic activities in public school, allowing for increased equity in education. Here is a summary of what Early Childhood Education received in the budget bill from the Joint Ways and Means Committee: $55 M for Facilities $23 M for Employment related Day Care $10 M for Birth to 5 Literacy Programs $18.6 M for Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Educatio Here is a summary of what was included in the final funding Bill SB 5506-1 the “Christmas Tree Bill” for education: Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC): $5 M for technical assistance $1.7 M for Imagination Library Program Oregon Department of Education: 42.4 M Lottery $600,000 to replace state IT system $5 M Black Studies Success Plan $1.5 M for migrant/multilingual instruction team $100 M School Capital Improvement Matching funds $15 M for connecting Oregon Schools broadband grants Higher Education Coordinating Commission: $20 M Oregon Conservation Corps OSU, $250,000 Climate Service After School Care By Katie Riley SB 531 - Summer and After School Care – This bill would have provided funding for school-age kids this summer. Last year a similar bill provided $50 million and served thousands of low-income kids. This year’s bill received a hearing and was referred to W&Ms, however, it did not get assigned to a W&Ms subcommittee. It never had a work session or a funding recommendation. Schools were given extra money for summer school and could spend some of that money for extended care, depending on the school district. SB 858 – Children’s Service Districts – The bill would have provided citizens with the ability to gather signatures to have local ballot measures to form children’s service districts. A public hearing was held in Senate Finance and Revenue, but a work session was never scheduled. The bill was opposed by the League of Oregon Cities (mayors) and the Association of Oregon Counties.

Born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, civic engagement runs deep for Evan. He was raised by a nurse and a teacher, whose guidance strongly shaped his life trajectory. His parents’ strong support for democracy and the rule of law was part of daily life during his upbringing. These values stuck with him, leading to involvement in multiple political movements in Grants Pass. After graduating from Grants Pass High School in 2022, Evan began studying Political Science and Legal Studies at the University of Oregon. He has been heavily involved in the University through the Young Democratic Socialists of America Club, Oregon Pit Crew, and Students for Justice in Palestine. In Spring 2023, Evan was selected to attend the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights at Oxford University, studying human rights from leading activists and scholars in the field. In his second year he began working as the Civic Engagement Program Assistant for the Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, where he develops and facilitates civic discussions, and registers students to vote. Evan began his involvement with the League of Women Voters of Oregon in 2023, where he was a co-founder of the League’s Youth Council, taking on the role of the Youth Voter Strategist, where he aided in the development of outreach strategies to keep youth civically engaged. In 2024, he was elected as the President of the Youth Council, and became a Board Director for the state League. Evan Tucker Youth Director Born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, civic engagement runs deep for Evan. He was raised by a nurse and a teacher, whose guidance strongly shaped his life trajectory. His parents’ strong support for democracy and the rule of law was part of daily life during his upbringing. These values stuck with him, leading to involvement in multiple political movements in Grants Pass. After graduating from Grants Pass High School in 2022, Evan began studying Political Science and Legal Studies at the University of Oregon. He has been heavily involved in the University through the Young Democratic Socialists of America Club, Oregon Pit Crew, and Students for Justice in Palestine. In Spring 2023, Evan was selected to attend the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights at Oxford University, studying human rights from leading activists and scholars in the field. In his second year he began working as the Civic Engagement Program Assistant for the Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, where he develops and facilitates civic discussions, and registers students to vote. Evan began his involvement with the League of Women Voters of Oregon in 2023, where he was a co-founder of the League’s Youth Council, taking on the role of the Youth Voter Strategist, where he aided in the development of outreach strategies to keep youth civically engaged. In 2024, he was elected as the President of the Youth Council, and became a Board Director for the state League.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of December 1 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: 2026 Legislative Short Session Potential 2026 Policy LC’s / Bills News Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust 2026 Legislative Short Session (Feb 2 to March 9) The primary climate/carbon issues during the 2026 short session will be related to budget issues primarily caused by Federal funding and policy decisions. All state agencies have been asked to provide 5% reduction options by program. The revenue / economic forecast due Feb 4 will likely reset budget reconciliation guidelines –> favorably or unfavorably. Additionally, this funding situation and Gov Kotek’s 2025/2026 executive orders including prioritizing implementation of clean energy projects and resilience coexist in a very challenging short session. Potential 2026 Policy LC’s/Bills A bipartisan group of lawmakers is actively working on creating a new carbon market cap and trade proposal . ‘ Can Oregon and Washington Price Carbon Pollution? ‘- The Climate Trust Published: September 30, 2025 by Gloria Gonzalez, Ecosystem Marketplace's Carbon Program Environmental and social justice groups, such as the Sierra Club and Oregon Rural Action, plan to continue advocating for environmental justice during the 2026 session, focusing on issues like clean truck rules, utility rate fairness, and addressing nitrate contamination in communities of color. Make Polluters Pay: Climate Resilience Superfund : The concept is the same as SB 1187 (2025) which was introduced by Sens Golden, Pham and 9 other legislators. The policy is based on similar legislation passed in New York and Vermont. Major greenhouse gas emitters who extract or refine fossil fuels would need to pay for the impacts to Oregon of their past emissions (from 1995 to 2024). Virtual Power Plant / Distributed Energy (“VPP”): Planned bill will promote “virtual power plants” (VPPs) or distributed power plant programs, built from distributed energy resources (DERs) such as home and business batteries, smart thermostats, EV chargers, and other controllable devices. Senator Neron Misslin Columbia Riverkeeper Data Center Nov 13 View recording of Webinar Unpacking the Impacts of Data Centers .” Kelly Campbell (Policy Director, Columbia Riverkeeper), Environmental Coordinator Kate Valdez with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and Equity Analyst & Advocate Sarah Wochele with Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB).. Much of the information in this webinar was adapted from Columbia Riverkeepers’ September 2025 background brief on data centers (DCs). Kelly Campbell, policy director: DCs require intensive cooling systems, consuming millions of gallons of water per day. Over a year, a 100-Mw DC will consume 100 million gallons of water, enough for 2,500 people’s domestic use. Unfortunately, DC systems that are more energy-efficient require more water for cooling. To improve our understanding of DCs’ water use and how it relates to energy consumption, we need accurate and timely reporting. If using power generated from natural gas, that 100-Mw DC will generate CO2 emissions equal to that of 60,000 cars. DC expansion is dramatically increasing electricity consumption, jeopardizing the clean energy transition. Utilities are turning to unspecified fossil power instead of renewable energy. Tech companies are pushing small modular nuclear reactors as a “clean” energy source, but it will take at least 15 years for these to become operational. In the meantime, the DCs will continue to use natural gas-fueled power. Policy strategies need to focus on transparency, accountability, and oversight. Very little information is available to the public on data center size, energy and water use, etc. DC development in Oregon has proceeded with virtually zero public input, with closed-door negotiations between elected officials and tech companies. Google and Amazon have consistently resisted transparency demands from citizens and lawmakers. The Washington governor’s work group is developing legislation to address this. Kate Valdez, tribal nations representative reported that increased peak loads are detrimental to salmon runs, which are already dangerously low. Fish operations are disrupted in “emergency” situations such as blackouts, when water flow over dams is cut off. Unsustainable growth of power demand threatens grid reliability that affects all Oregonians. DCs should pay the costs of the new infrastructure they are demanding. We need to ensure that DCs have sufficient energy and transmission availability before they begin operating, and we need closer scrutiny of tax revenue gains and losses before extending current tax incentives. Sarah Wochele, CUB, noted that Oregonians are unfairly subsidizing DCs through their monthly energy bills. Electricity is becoming “luxury priced,” threatening food security, housing affordability, etc. DC load growth is making it more difficult for Oregon to meet its clean energy targets on time and achieve a just energy transition. DCs are an unprecedented type of new utility customer. A single DC requires enough energy to power a city of 56,000 homes. The distribution system is changing, but ratepaying models are not. DCs are responsible for 94% of PGE’s recent load growth. Without their demand, PGE’s overall electric load would be declining. Investments in energy efficiency have largely been funded by residential households, while the benefits have flowed mostly to DCs. The 2025 POWER Act (HB 3546) took a step toward greater accountability by requiring the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a DC-specific rate class. PUC’s implementation effort has begun with its UM 2377 proceeding for Portland General Electric (PGE). Columbia Riverkeeper has intervened with a coalition of climate and energy advocates, represented by the Green Energy Institute. CUB finds PGE’s proposal seriously lacking, as it calls for residential customers to pay 42% of the investment costs of serving DCs. A complicating factor is that consumer-owned utilities not regulated by PUC serve 37% of Oregon’s electricity demand. Parties in UM 2377 will present testimony to PUC through early December. The docket is open for public comment on the importance of protecting our climate and water from DC proliferation. Columbia Riverkeeper is asking PUC to require water use reporting from DCs so we can begin to develop solutions to improve DC efficiency without harming the surrounding environment. House Interim Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment 11/17/2025 12:00 PM Video Recording Stakeholder Comments on the State Energy Strategy Jennifer Joly, Director, Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities AssociationTucker Billman, Director of Government Relations, Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative AssociationChloe Becker, State Legislative Affairs Manager, Portland General ElectricMary Moerlins, Director of Environmental Policy and Corporate Social Responsibility, NW NaturalNora Apter, Oregon Director, Climate Solutions Meeting materials Stakeholder Comments on the State Energy Strategy - Jennifer Joly (testimony) Jennifer Joly, Director, Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities Association Stakeholder Comments on the State Energy Strategy - Tucker Billman (testimony) Tucker Billman, Director of Government Relations, Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association State Energy Strategy - Janine Benner, Edith Bayer (presentation) Janine Benner, Director; Edith Bayer, Energy Policy Team Lead, Oregon Department of Energy News ODOE to Release Draft Land-Based Net Carbon Inventory Report with Webinar, Comment Period November 24, 2025 | DOE Energy Strategy Update November 2025 To meet growing energy demand, Oregon is ‘nuclear curious,’ mostly cautious • Oregon Capital Chronicle Editorial: Oregon has a roadmap to divorce from fossil fuels | The Bulletin Environmental Advocates Remind Portlanders: Clean Energy Fund Essential to Climate Justice; Rerouting Not an Option | Sierra Club Who’s Ready to Think About Blocking Out the Sun? - The Atlantic ( The idea of artificially lowering the planet’s temperature is gaining supporters and hitting political opposition.) DEPARTMENT OF THE FUTURE - The Strange and Totally Real Plan to Blot Out the Sun and Reverse Global Warming ( A 25-person startup is developing technology to block the sun and turn down the planet’s thermostat.) The stakes are huge — and the company and its critics say regulations need to catch up. - Politico Magazine Oregon Climate Action Commission - OCAC The Oregon Climate Action Commission will meet virtually online on Dec. 12, 2025. Log-in information and meeting materials will be added. Oregon Climate Action Commission Virtual Meeting Nov. 14, 2025 Meeting Materials: Agenda , Meeting Recording , Meeting Presentations , Governor’s Executive Order 25-26 on Resilience of Natural and Working Lands , Glossary for the Land-based Net Carbon Inventory , Public Comments on TIGHGER 2.0 , Response to Public Comments on TIGHGER 2.0 . OCAC Reports 2025 Special Meeting of Oregon Environmental Quality Commission This meeting was held by Zoom only . Monday, Nov. 24 Variances for Air Quality Programs to Address Fuel Availability (Action) 
DEQ proposed that the commission consider issuing variances from certain requirements as allowed by ORS 468A.075 to support continued fuel delivery through alternative methods in Oregon. Presentation Slides . Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust By Claudia Keith November 12, 2025 Our Children’s Trust Submits Friend of the Court Brief to Ecuadorian Constitutional Court Underscoring that Fossil Fuel Development on Indigenous Lands is an Internationally Wrongful Act | Nov 12 2025. A Federal Court Dismissed A Youth-Led Legal Challenge To Trump’s Fossil Fuel Orders. Now What? | Climate in the Courts Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are several active state federal lawsuits , (Nov 2025 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, that 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 91 lawsuits , mentioning OREGON . VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/13 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Clean Energy Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Volunteers Needed Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith The League has identified six priority CE policy and budget topics. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each priority. Following are updates on those six topics: 1. Natural and Working Lands : Establishes Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities…: Natural Climate Solutions SB 530 . Public Hearing was 2/15/23 in SEN E&E . Josie Koehne is leading this effort. The League provided supportive testimony . Sen Dembrow and OGWC Chair MacDonald testified . Here are the meeting materials . 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report . The League is an active RB coalition partner. BR campaign guiding principles . SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 were posted 2/9. They seem to be placeholders, watch for amendments. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ): 2023 Leg bills. The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13 and SB 593 is one of a number of bills the League will follow and likely support. The ‘Right to Refuse‘ dangerous work bill LC has not been posted yet. 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , will change "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to "Oregon Climate Action Commission" and modify membership and duties of commission and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets/goals. Find more about this Bill in Clean Energy LR below. SB 522 public hearing is Tuesday Feb 21 in Sen E&E . The League will provide supportive testimony. See OGWC Feb 3 Final Draft Roadmap Recommendations , the Roadmap Next Steps Commission Subcommittee’s final review of report is due February 21-24. The Roadmap is scheduled to be published and delivered to the Legislature by March 1. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/ reductions and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and DOT Dept of Transportation policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. ‘Kotek proposes spending $765M from reserves on homeless , other crises’| Statesman Journal. Other CE Bills - Supporting By Claudia Keith House Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans Feb 16 2023 Hearing includes these climate related bills with League testimony. HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment: The League provided supportive testimony for Fossil Fuel (FF) Divestment: … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with Fossil Fuel energy investments. Chief Sponsors: Rep Pham K, Senator Golden, Rep Gamba. HB 2763 Create a State public bank Task Force, Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters. The League provided testimony . Other CE Bills – May Support By Claudia Keith The League may support or just follow these bills. This is a preliminary list; a number of bills are not yet posted to OLIS. Natural Working Lands: See Rep Pham’s urban forestry bill, HB 3016 , Rep Holvey’s severance tax bill, HB 3025 to replace the harvest tax, and ODF’s Regular Harvest tax bill, HB 2087 . SB 88 climate smart Ag increases net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands. Requested: Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery. See Keep Oregon Cool, Natural Working Lands. Green Infrastructure: HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Public & Green Banking: SB501 Bank of the state of Oregon Sen Golden. Interstate 5 Bridge Legislation: Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP) factsheet ODOT and WDOT . 12 Things the Oregon Legislature Should Know About IBRP - Just Crossing Alliance. It is likely policy and or just funding bills will be heard and likely moved by this IBRP Legislative Joint Committee . The goal: ‘Replacing the aging Interstate Bridge with a modern, earthquake resilient, multimodal structure is a high priority for Oregon and Washington…. ‘. Clean Energy By Kathy Moyd Activity Last Week and Next Week. There were no Clean Energy bill Public Hearings during the period prior to 2/14.Two Clean Energy bills have public hearings between 2/14 and next week. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The next Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast is scheduled for Feb 22. It is unclear how the congressional debt ceiling issue, security market volatility, inflation – Fed/banking issues and other global risks will develop. The last State of Oregon quarterly forecast assumed a likely mild recession in 2023. Oregon Bond rating continues to be above average. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has never conformed to what is now recommended in the SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. SEC Plans to Finalize See supportive LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury / Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $27B Federal funds, which are contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. New York, California, and Connecticut Green Bank; some are a function of the State Treasury. EPA outlines $27B 'green bank' for clean energy projects | AP News. EPA giving out $27 billion in 'green bank' loans | Fortune. Related News: Why your company may soon be hiring an 'ESG controller' | Fortune. SEC weighs making 'adjustments' to controversial climate risk disclosure rule , Chairman Gensler says| CNBS. Investors should not expect much relief from volatility | Financial Times. Rescuing ESG from the Culture Wars | HBR. It's concerning to the League how these major issues will affect Oregon’s economy. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (Feb 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 60 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. A Lawsuit Against Big Oil Gets Personal - The New York Times Oregon and National News: Oregon city's gas ban continues spread across the West | Energy News Network. Possible oil pipeline expansion on the table in Oregon | KTVL. Rogue Valley residents call for more input on Northwest pipeline expansion – OPB. Why officials in the Pacific Northwest are only now deciding how to regulate crypto mining – OPB. Alert! Tougher Reporting Mandates Ahead for Data Centers | Data Center Knowledge | News and analysis for the data center industry. Oregon State University researcher to help lead $25 million nuclear forensics project | Oregon State University. Tolls are coming to Portland-area freeways , and even tolling fans worry they’ll stack up - oregonlive.com . Interstate Bridge Design Could Change to Single Level | WW. 3 Alarming Threats To The U.S. Energy Grid – Cyber, Physical, And Existential Events| Forbes. Utility Explores Converting Coal Plants into Nuclear Power - Scientific American. FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Standards and Major Progress for a Made-in-America National Network of Electric Vehicle Chargers - The White House 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.