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Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 4/10 Education By Anne Nesse The Governor’s Literacy Initiative, HB 3198 -3 held a public hearing on 4/3 and a work session that passed this Bill unanimously to the floor. See LWVOR testimony in support. Rep. Reynolds was in House Education to voice her support for the Bill amendments that provide new support for early childhood education, age 0-5. She stated ‘that the US spends far less on early learning than any other developed nation, and that this Initiative will only begin to address the problem in Oregon.’ The Initiative is proposed to start this summer and the entire program will begin with a $120 M budget. OSBA stated that utilizing grants should incentivize school districts. COSA and the ESD representatives stated they might work together to provide support for smaller districts. Additional funding for teacher training might be required. It was noted that what is happening at school must happen at home as well, if this is to be entirely successful. Senate Education had difficulty passing to the floor the equally important Governor’s Bill SB 1045 , relating to improvements in student academic performance as a result of improvements in educational quality governance with state oversight; and declaring an emergency. It was admitted that this was submitted late in the session, with less time to work. The Bill did pass, but is headed to Rules for further study. Sen. Frederick stated Federal and State Law should permit consequences of failure to comply for school districts. Sen. Dembrow reminded us that only a few districts seem to have this problem of non-compliance to law, maintaining excellence in educational policy, and maintaining studies of equity in education; while the majority of school districts are in compliance. Senate Education sent a large number of bills to the floor 4/4: Of note are the following two library Bills, attempting to restore losses in school librarians and greater broadband service to rural libraries: SB 885 , appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the State Library for the purpose of hiring a consultant to assist libraries to apply for federal monies for the purpose of providing improved broadband access. A prior public hearing noted this significant problem. SB 1075 , directs DOE to establish school media program standards and provide technical assistance related to those standards. SB 262 -2 , HECC continuation of Oregon Promise Grants for Community College, to students of low income, improving the focus of the funds for those who need this. SB 473 , directs school district boards to adopt prevention curriculum that addresses child sex trafficking. A question was asked why this could be done before 2026, unlike other curriculum bills? SB 269 , directs the Department of Corrections HECC to enter into understanding regarding the correctional education system. SB 270 -1 , authorizes an adult in custody to enroll in academic program at any community college in state, any distance learning academic program or any other higher education academic program that adult in custody applies for and is accepted into, provided that enrollment in academic program is consistent with administrative rules and regulations adopted by Department of Corrections. SB 278 , requires separate calculation of virtual public charter school ADMw if the school district that sponsors virtual public charter school had decreased in ADMw as compared to previous school year, to avoid over or under payments. SB 283 -4 , DOE and workforce study committee Omnibus Bill to determine how to address workforce shortage in education. All requests are not yet printed. SB 517 -1 , prohibits licensing board, commission or agency from denying, suspending or revoking occupational or professional license solely for the reason that applicant or licensee was convicted of crime or subject to qualifying juvenile adjudication that does not substantially relate to specific duties and responsibilities for which license is required. SB 549 -2 , directs Oregon Health Authority to modify amounts of grants for school-based health centers for inflation. SB 575 -2 , directs DOE to develop and implement a statewide education plan for students who are eligible for special education and who have experienced disproportionate results in education due to historical practices. SB 596 , requires school districts to submit specified information to ODE related to talented and gifted children. SB 600 , appropriates moneys to HECC for distribution to Oregon Office for Community Dispute Resolution at University of Oregon. SB 658 -1 , establishes pilot program to provide funding to school districts for purposes of increasing access to schools by homeless students and improving academic achievement of homeless students. SB 768 -2 , requires DOE to conduct study to determine feasibility of collecting student course grade history in grades 6 through 12. SB 923 -1 , requires school districts to designate a person's school or program of enrollment, so that all students are a part of some database of responsibility. SB 922 -1 , differentiates certificate of attendance in school, versus credits earned for diploma. SB 1050 , aligns implementation date of academic content standards for Holocaust and genocide studies with implementation date of academic content standards for ethnic studies, and allows for funding for teacher training. SB 1082 , requires HECC to establish a project connecting adults in custody and former adults in custody to community colleges, public universities and apprenticeship programs. SB 489 , eliminates restrictions on payment of unemployment insurance benefits to certain nonprofessional educational workers within the state educational system. SB 523 -1 , requires HECC plan regarding Registered Nurse to Bachelors Degree Nurse Programs throughout our state. The House Education Committee sent the following Bills to the floor 4/3: HB 2739 -4 , creates an Advisory Committee of experts to assist with the State School Fund budget. HB 2767 -2, establishes requirements for approving recovery schools. HB 3199 -2 , requires DOE to convene an advisory group to review physical education requirements for certain students in grades six through eight. HB 3288 -1 , directs Oregon Health Authority to adopt uniform standards related to collection of specified data for DOE, i.e. disabilities, languages spoken, etc. HB 3348 -1 , directs DOE to study impact, cost and feasibility of implementing Salem-Keizer Threat Assessment System in school districts statewide to help prevent school threats. HB 3595 -2 , establishes factors to be considered when Superintendent of Public Instruction enters into contract with ESD or school district to provide educational services to youths in Youth Corrections Education Program or Juvenile Detention Education Program.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Bottle Bill Update Budgets/Revenue Climate Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of State Lands (DSL) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Services Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Solid Waste Water Wetlands Wildfire AIR QUALITY SB 726 A requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR supports. The amended bill passed the Senate 17 to 10 with 3 excused and now heads to the House. Per the fiscal impact statement, the advanced technology specified in the bill would cost local governments operating certain large landfills approximately $5,000 per monitoring event, or $20,000 annually per landfill, but the bill doesn’t cost the state so it continues as a policy bill. AGRICULTURE By Sandra Bishop By Sandra Bishop HB 2647 passed out of committee with the -3 amendment to allow the city of Monmouth a land swap to remove and replace land to its UGB. It now heads to the House floor for a vote. HB 3921 is a similar bill in that it would allow by law land swaps for City of Roseburg/Douglas County per this preliminary staff analysis . The bill passed out of committee and heads to the House floor for a vote. HB 3928 would allow counties to supersede all statewide land use planning laws to site housing on rural lands. This bill died in committee. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) meeting on March 20th included a public hearing on rulemaking for solar siting in eastern Oregon. The rules are required to implement HB 3409 (2023 session), specifically to reduce conflicts in siting solar projects. The rules will be considered for adoption by July 1st, 2025. The public comment period has been extended to April 30. Proposed rule amendments to the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 660 divisions 4, 6, 23, and 33, pertaining to Goal Exceptions, Forest Lands, Goal 5, and Agricultural Lands. Submit comments to: denise.johnson@dlcd.oregon.gov gordon.howard@dlcd.oregon.gov jon.jinings@dlcd.oregon.gov adam.tate@dlcd.oregon.gov SB 78 – Replacement dwelling bill did not get a work session and has died in committee. LWVOR testified in support of SB 78 . Oregonlive had an article noting the lack of success in many of the “protect ag land” bills. SB 1129 requires the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) to amend rules on urban reserves, clarifying which lands should be given a lower priority. The -1 amendment was adopted and the bill is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. BOTTLE BILL UPDATE By Sandra Bishop SB 992 is the omnibus bottle bill. The -3 amendment replaced the original bill, was adopted and the bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. HB 3940 , the omnibus wildfire funding bill, passed out of committee after adopting the -1 amendment without recommendation as to passage and was referred to House Revenue by prior reference. The increased bottle bill fee, although contested, has stayed in the bill. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch The Co-Chairs of Ways and Means provided their framework for the 2025-27 state budget. Note on the last page the potential effect of federal budget cuts. This Oregonlive article suggests some of the most painful cuts. Each day we learn of more and more federal funding that were assumed to be. Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Meeting Materials Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 Info mtg. and public hearing March 13 Dept. of Environmental Quality: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet Meeting Materials . info mtgs. April 7-9, public hearing April 16. The League will provide testimony. Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 info hearing 2/10, Meeting Materials , public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 info hearing 2/10, public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 , public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2; Meeting Materials , Apr. 3 ODFW Hatchery Assessment; Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . info hearing March 10 & 11. Public hearing March 12. Meeting Materials (See Wildfire section for more information.) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: HB 5010 Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials LWVOR testimony Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases. LWVOR points out that KPM #4 , mine inspections has consistently NOT met the small 20% target so, if staffing is needed to meet that target AND fees increased to pay for them, we will continue to support. LWVOR supports SB 836 , a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities. See the agency’s presentation to understand the reasons for these increases. On March 25 the bill was moved to Senate Rules without recommendation. A performance audit was prepared. The League awaits the results. The League will continue to be involved in SB 836 because we need DOGAMI staff to do more than 14% inspections of mining operations. Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Public hearing Feb. 27 LWVOR testimony . SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase. It has passed the Senate. A public hearing is set on April 16 in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 Public hearing Feb. 17 Meeting Materials Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 info hearings March 3-4, public hearing March 5. Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony in part to address comments by the Legislative Fiscal Office. OPRD will need additional revenue sources for the 2027-29 biennium. Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Info hearing March 17. public hearing March 19. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony in support. Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Info Mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony . And the fee bills: support HB 2808 (Bill moved to Ways and Means) and support HB 2803 (The - 3 amendment was adopted, reducing the fees significantly which will cause the department a revenue shortfall should the amendment stand the scrutiny of Ways and Means where it now lies.) Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Info mtg. & P ublic hearing Feb. 25-27 LWVOR testimony . Meeting Materials Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Info mtg. & P ublic hearing Feb. 25-26 Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Info mtgs. 3/12, 13 & 17. Public Hearing 3/18 Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 info hearing 4/7&8. Public hearing 4/09; Office of the Governor: SB 5523 Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20. Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 info hearing 3/03-6, public hearing 3/11. Here is an article from oregonlive reporting on the potential 2025 transportation package with proposed revenue sources. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding. Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 info hearings 3/03-5, public hearing 3/06. Meeting Materials Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing in April. Emergency Board: HB 5006 This bill will be a vehicle to accept testimony from the public during six community meetings around the state from March 22 ending April 25 on the public’s priorities for the 2025-27 budget. General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Public hearing in April. Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League supports SB 830 , a bill that m odifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. The bill p assed the full Senate unanimously. A public hearing is set for April 17 in the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment . Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member served on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. On Feb. 26 the advisory committee approved the Fiscal Impact Statement. A public comment period is expected in May. You are welcome to Sign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League again served on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. A meeting was held on Feb. 25th where the committee agreed to forward their recommendation for the allowed annual 3% fee increase to the DEQ Director. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee you can view the rulemaking web page at: Water Quality Fees 2025 . DEPT. OF STATE LANDS (DSL) DSL is seeking comments on a proposed sale of state-owned land located on the south shore of the western side of Hayden Island in Multnomah County. The 45-day comment period is open from March 5 – April 19. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) SB 147 clarifies the management of the ESRF into the hands of the Dept. of State Lands and sets up a separate fund account for monies received to manage the forest. The - 3 amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources will have an informational meeting on the ESRF on April 17. EMERGENCY SERVICES By Rebecca Gladstone The League spoke and filed testimony on HB 2581 in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. The bill has passed the House and is on the Senate floor, awaiting third reading. FORESTRY (ODF) By Josie Koehne The League will continue to follow SB 1051 , assigned to the Senate Rules Committee and which transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor. A public hearing was held March 24. Because the bill is in Senate Rules, there is no current deadline for action on the bill. See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. GOVERNANCE The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking. After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws. That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies : This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. The League will continue to be engaged with potential meetings in May and June. We continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures . LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra Bishop/Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony in support of HB 3939 , a bill that provides a list of infrastructure projects to fund for smaller Oregon cities so they can build more housing. We have also supported HB 3031 A (already sitting in Ways and Means) but know there might be limited dollars this session so called out that link in our letter. The -1 amendment to HB 3939 was adopted and the bill moved to Ways and Means. Other bills we are following: HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands, filed at the request of the Governor. The -6 amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. These lands are currently a variety of state-owned lands scattered around the state. The -4 amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to Revenue with a subsequent referral to Ways and Means. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. The bill died in committee. HB 3757 is having an “informational meeting” on April 21st in the House Committee On Housing and Homelessness . The bill is, we believe, dead, but there must have been some interest by the committee to learn more about the proposal to allow four additional housing units on rural lands. This could be a precursor for a bill to be considered in the 2026 session. See also the Agriculture section above and the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. SOLID WASTE HB 3794 : Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley was sent to Ways and Means . The Gazette Times covered the back story . WATER By Peggy Lynch The League has been engaged for many years around the issue of exempt wells—their allowed water use and lack of measurement of that water. In particular we are concerned about those domestic wells that are allowed to use up to 5,000 gallons of water for personal use and can be used by three dwellings, so the usage can be up to 15,000 gallons. HB 3372 was amended by -5 amendment and passed out of committee on a 6 to3 vote. The League provided testimony in support of the original bill to study this issue. The amendment significantly changed the bill to allow 3,000 gallons of water to be used for commercial gardens. We asked that our testimony be removed from OLIS since it did not reflect the original bill. Bills we are following in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water : Deschutes Basin Water Bank Authority ( HB 3806 ). A - 5 amendment was adopted and the bill sent to Ways and Means. Water Right Process Improvements ( HB 3342 ) . A - 4 amendment was adopted and the bill now goes to the House floor for a vote. Contested Case Process Improvements ( HB 3544 ). A - 5 amendment was adopted and the bill moves to Ways and Means. Place-Based Water Planning ( HB 3116 ) A - 6 amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. League supports the original bill but has not engaged in the current proposed amendment. Harney Basin Groundwater Management ( HB 3800 ). A work session was held and the bill was sent to House Rules without recommendation as to passage. Water Right, Dam Safety, and Well Related Fees ( HB 2803 League support . The - 3 amendment was adopted, reducing the fees significantly which will cause the department a revenue shortfall should the amendment stand the scrutiny of Ways and Means where it now lies. HB 2808 League support (Bill moved to Ways and Means) Water Rights and Public Interest ( HB 3501 ) A work session was held and the bill was referred to House Rules without recommendation as to passage on a 6 to 3 vote. Other water bills we are following: HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted testimony in support. The -6 amendment was adopted and the bill was moved to House Rules without recommendation for further discussion. HB 3526 would require well water test reporting in property sales. The League supported this concept in past sessions and did again this session , but the bill died in committee . HB 3364 makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept. The - 4 amendment was adopted and the bill sent to the House floor for a vote. HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. The -5 amendment was adopted and the bill sent to Ways and Means. The fiscal impact statement was incomplete but will be needed before it is considered for final passage. Many of these water bills were sent with “fiscal light” statements. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. Possible work session scheduled for April 8 . SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, may have more of a chance of passage. It had a public hearing on March 25 with a work session April 8. These bills were moved to Senate Rules without recommendation as to passage to allow for further conversation. HB 3106 is the Oregon Water Data Portal funding bill for which the League provided testimony in support. The -5 amendment was adopted, and the bill was moved to Ways and Means without a complete fiscal impact statement that will be needed before the bill can be voted on. The League is VERY supportive of the portal and agencies working together. However, we are concerned about the cost of this expansion of the program. SB 1154 was amended by the -1 amendment and sent to Senate Rules without recommendation as to passage in a 4 to 1 vote. An article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle explains the bill and its controversy: The updated Groundwater Quality Protection Act would establish thresholds for contaminants that automatically qualify them as critical groundwater management areas. It would also create a new designation for “groundwater areas of concern,” where contaminants are detected but a threshold for declaring the area in critical condition hasn’t quite been met. The Oregon Health Authority would be in charge of informing the public and helping with testing and providing safe drinking water; the Oregon Water Resources Department would be in charge of regulating water flows and rights; the Oregon Department of Agriculture would take on agricultural polluters and mitigating farm pollution; the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality would take on any changes needed to protect groundwater through industrial water permitting; and other agencies would be involved as needed, according to Ferrari. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. The good news is currently Oregon is NOT in drought! We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body WETLANDS A new Rulemaking Advisory Committee has been formed related to Permitting and Mitigation in Oregon's Wetlands and Waters. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers A fast-moving week in wildfire legislation began April 7 with a Public Hearing on SB 1177 before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. This bill would establish the Oregon Wildfire Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and redirect the “kicker” to it, one- time, for financing wildfire related expenses, by using the interest earned. A 5% return would yield approximately $170-180 million per year, about half of what is expected to be the average ongoing cost per year of funding wildfire. Tax Fairness Oregon testified in favor of the bill. Next, this same committee heard SJR 11 , which would dedicate a fixed, to-be-determined percentage of net proceeds of the State Lottery to a wildfire fund created by the Legislature. Its passage would mean an amendment to the Oregon Constitution, which would have to go to the voters for approval. HB 3666 had a Work Session before the House Committee on Judiciary, also on April 7. This bill would establish wildfire mitigation actions and an accompanying certification for electric utilities in an attempt to standardize their approach. It was referred to the Rules Committee. April 8, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held a Work Session on SB 83 , which would, once again, repeal the State Wildfire Hazard map. This would result in the many changes to current statutes, since references to the map would have to be removed, and would have far reaching consequences including establishing standards for building codes and defensible space which can be adopted by municipalities, changing the definition and mapping of the wildland urban interface, and many other areas. The -9 Amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. This article from The Statesman Journal offers further insights. At the same meeting, the -2 Amendment to SB 85 , was adopted, and the bill was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. This bill directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program to help communities collectively reduce their wildfire risk. The League supports this bill as an extension of the work done in previous sessions. HB 3940 , the omnibus wildfire funding bill, passed out of committee after adopting the -1 amendment without recommendation as to passage and was referred to House Revenue by prior reference. HB 3947 : Increases the amount of the estimate of revenues that will be received from General Fund revenue sources other than corporate income and excise taxes for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023. The bill died in committee. SB 75 A , which defines “high wildfire hazard area for purposes of developing an accessory dwelling unit on lands zoned rural residential, or a replacement building on lands zoned for resource uses, was passed unanimously by the Senate and moves to the House. There are two harvest tax bills being heard in House Revenue on April 17: HB 2072 Extends certain taxes on the privilege of harvesting merchantable forest products on forestlands. HB 3489 Imposes a severance tax on owners of timber harvested from public or private forestland. The Legislative Revenue Office will begin the hearing by providing a staff report on the legislation. The League has supported a severance tax in past sessions. Bills we are watching: Senate Bill 1051 , Governor Kotek is seeking the authority to choose the next State Forester. The Board of Forestry will begin the recruitment process at its April 23rd Board meeting. SB 926 would prohibit the recovery of certain costs and expenses from customers that an electric company incurs as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting from the negligence or fault on the part of the electric company. The -3 amendment was adopted and the bill in a 4-2 vote was passed to the Senate floor. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/20 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona The Legislature is introducing bold and innovative bills to address critical issues facing our state, including homelessness, evictions, social inequities, and a severe affordable housing shortage. Both chambers are working responsively to advance bills that address the Governor’s housing emergency in order to provide for Oregonians most in need. SB 702 - Appraiser Certification - Passed! This bill proposes new educational requirements for appraisers and appraiser assistants, to comply with state and federal fair housing laws and implicit bias, including racial bias. National studies have identified race-based disparities in appraisals. In Oregon, appraisers are covered by Oregon’s fair housing statutes and the federal Fair Housing Act (1968), however, current appraiser education requirements do not specifically cover racial bias or appraiser responsibilities under state or federal fair housing laws. In 2022, the legislature appointed a Joint Task Force on Addressing Racial Disparities in Home Ownership. The Task Force proposed amending ORS 674.310 to insert language to include these new appraiser education requirements. Senate Housing and Development passed the measure on 2/20 with 24 voting yes, and 6 voting no. SB 799 - Eviction Reform and Reduction This bill would prevent a landlord from delivering a notice to terminate a tenant for nonpayment of rent for 60 days, while a rental assistance application is pending. Landlords would be required to deliver a notice specifying the tenant’s rights and available resources. It would extend the 72-hour timeline for issuance of notice of nonpayment and intention to terminate a rental agreement to 10 days and extend the 144-hour timeline to 13 days. Senate bill 799 has been incorporated into HB 2001-1 , Oregon Housing and Community Services Governor’s spending package. HB 2456 - Support for At-Risk or Homeless Youth This bill would allow the Housing and Community Services Department to award grants to organizations that provide evidence-based services for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Under the bill, the agency’s housing assistance programs would provide services and assistance to school-aged children experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It also modifies eligibility requirements for applicants for grants from homeless youth services enhancement program and host home project program. This bill has been incorporated into HB 2001-1 , Oregon Housing and Community Services Governor’s spending package. A public hearing was held on 2/23. SB 599-A - Child Care in Rental Homes - Passed! Senate Housing and Development passed this bill on 2/15, with 27 voting yes and 3 voting no. It requires landlords to allow tenants to use their units for childcare if the home is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care, the tenant has notified the landlord, and the home does not violate zoning regulations or an association’s governing documents. Lack of access to childcare is a significant barrier for all parents, but particularly to women’s participation in the workforce. Criminal Justice By Karen Nibler The House Judiciary heard HB 2405 on fitness to proceed evaluations this week. The bill stipulates that those committed to the Oregon State Hospital for an Aid and Assist evaluation be returned to the committing county for court disposition on these cases. The Marion County Commissioners and the Association of Oregon Counties supported this bill since these patients are frequently released in the Salem community. The Criminal Defense Attorney Association supported this request to return patients to the county of commitment where their legal cases can be resolved. Disability Rights Oregon was opposed and requested return back to their home county where services may be available for discharged patients. The home county may not be the county where criminal charges and commitment were ordered. The criminal charges may not be dismissed until the defendant is returned to the county of jurisdiction, and or the criminal charges are prosecuted if found able to aid and assist. The Public Safety Ways and Means Subcommittee reviewed the Oregon Youth Authority Budget SB 5541 over 3 days this week. The agency director reported that fewer youth were committed in the past 4 years. Residential facilities also closed, losing 70 beds for youth residents. The Governor’s Budget for the agency was decreased for the lower numbers of residents. The Juvenile Justice Information System, operated by the Oregon Youth Authority and used by the County Juvenile Departments, was built in 1997 and is due for modernization. This project is estimated to cost $3.4 million.

Tutorials as seen in Canva's Design School for Nonprofits. / Canva Tutorials / Canva Tutorials Canva's Design School Canva Pro for Nonprofits Canva helps you create beautiful designs and create change in the world. If you’re a registered nonprofit you can unlock the power of ‘Canva Pro for Nonprofits’ for your team at no cost at all. Find out how to apply and get started in Canva. See the Course Getting started with Canva A quick overview of where to start in Canva. See the Tutorials Highlights for Leagues Getting Started Canva is a free and easy-to use graphic design platform. Organizations that are 501c3s can access premium features for free , but anyone can create an account at the basic level regardless of nonprofit status . We recommend these tutorials if you are new to Canva: Start Designing Brand Kit Set Up Easy Editing Canva Templates for League Use Here are a few templates produced by LWVUS and LWVOR that Leagues are free to use! Click "Use Template" near the bottom of the design. This will save the template to your account so you can safely edit your own version. 📌First, check out LWVUS guidance on using Canva Templates . LWVUS Templates LWV Education Fund: Grantee Data Graphic Templates VOTE411 Card Design VOTE411 Event Template LWVOR Templates LWVOR Event Graphic Printable Grad Flyer LWVOR Event Graphic Join League Template Printable 18th Bday Flyer

LWVOR's Immigration Policy positions and updates. / Immigration / Immigration Know Your Rights When Dealing with Police and Immigration Everyone in Oregon has rights when stopped by police, regardless of immigration status, and state "sanctuary" laws prohibit local law enforcement from asking about or reporting immigration status to federal authorities. For more about Oregon's "sanctuary" laws and tools to find more information and legal help, go here. Why It Matters All people should receive fair treatment under the law, and Oregon must ensure that new citizens are supported in participating fully in our democracy. Immigrants strengthen the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our state. What We're Doing Advocacy We support federal immigration laws that provide efficient, equitable systems for immigrants to enter and thrive in the United States. Congress must take immediate action to pass common-sense immigration policies that address border management humanely, protect families from separation, and establish a fair path to citizenship. Locally, we advocate for Oregon to continue as a welcoming state that supports immigrant communities and resists discriminatory policies. Supporting a Path to Citizenship Diverse voices enrich our democracy, and Oregon benefits from its vibrant immigrant populations. The League believes a pathway to citizenship or provisions for unauthorized immigrants already living in the U.S. to earn legal status will strengthen both our state and our nation. We have lobbied Congress for a fair path to citizenship and supported the DREAM Act, which is critical for enabling immigrant youth to become fully contributing members of society. In Oregon, these efforts ensure thousands of Dreamers can access education and career opportunities, benefiting our communities and economy. Helping New Americans Become Active Participants in Our Democracy Voter education and registration are cornerstones of the League’s work, and we focus on empowering new Oregonians to engage in civic life. The strongest democracy is one in which every voice is heard. The League is committed to helping new citizens in Oregon become active in political life by providing civic education and registering voters at naturalization ceremonies across the state. We partner with local organizations to ensure all Oregonians, regardless of background, have a voice in shaping our future. Immigration Resolution Adopted at the 2020 LWVUS Convention: Be it resolved the League of Women Voters reaffirms our commitment to Immigration reform: laws that provide efficient, expeditious systems for immigrants to enter the United States. The League stands in solidarity with immigrants and our partners in the immigrant rights community. Congress must take immediate action to pass common sense, fair immigration policies that end the crisis at our borders, end the separation of families, ensure their health and safety, and provide a clear path to citizenship which includes the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) young people. Resources for Immigrants, Refugees, and Allies Providing food, clothing, etc. Catholic Charities Oregon Lutheran Community Services Northwest Greeting refugees at the airport Offering English language instruction Helping with resettlement (finding employment, enrolling children in school, etc.) United Services for Counseling Mental Health Resources for Undocumented People Offering legal services Oregon Immigration Legal Services Directory Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR) Immigration Legal Services Networking with Partners Rural Organizing Project Human Dignity Groups Portland: Immigration Counseling Service Innovation Law Lab Accompanying immigrants at court hearings Love Resists Through Radical Presence: ICE & Court Accompaniment Programs Getting started with accompaniment networks and hosting asylum-seeking families and individuals Community Accompaniment Program with Asylum Seekers Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice Training for volunteers to walk side-by-side with individuals during their immigration process. Advocating for fair immigration policies Interfaith Immigration Coalition Educating the community about immigrant biases, immigration law, and policies DoJ: The Sanctuary Promise in Oregon Community Toolkit covers details in the law and people’s rights. Do your county’s policies violate the Sanctuary Promise Act? And how you can get involved. National Immigration Law Center Know Your Rights Resources for Farmworker Justice Latest from the League Action Alert: End the Shutdown/Protect Healthcare and SNAP ACTION ALERT: Oppose HB 3392 - Don't Delay Campaign Finance Reform Action Alert: Support Our Coastal Habitats

How to navigate the LWVOR website. / Website Tutorials / Website Tutorials Navigating the LWVOR Website Website Member's Section Webinar This webinar takes you step-by-step through the process of signing up, logging in, and accessing the resources in the password protected area of our website. Watch the Webinar

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Sine Die 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 Criminal Justice Gun Safety Rights of Incarcerated People Immigration and Basic Rights Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona In 2023, it became clear that the housing crisis is now a statewide issue. In communities throughout Oregon people are living on the street and many of those who are housed are at risk of losing their homes because they can’t afford to pay their rent. Before the start of the legislative session, Governor Kotek made clear that addressing the unmet need was one of her top priorities. The Governor signed HB 2001 into law on March 29, a hopeful start to the session. Early in the session, the Governor assembled a package of bills under HB 2001 that addresses some of the state’s critical housing needs. The bill supports Oregon Housing Needs Analysis and associated housing production targets and reporting requirements. Funding of $25 million will help combat homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. The bill modifies the emergency housing assistance and state homeless assistance programs to provide services and assistance to school-aged children experiencing, or at risk of homelessness. $20 million will provide loans and grants for modular housing development with priority given to housing people displaced by natural disasters, and for the construction of low- and middle-income housing. $613,925 will fund moderate-income housing predevelopment loans; and $5 million is targeted for agricultural workforce housing. Renter notification requirements are extended when rental agreements will be terminated for non-payment, and eviction records can be sealed in certain circumstances. Emergency procurement authority was granted to Oregon Housing and Community Services to address homelessness and provide services within the OR-505 Balance of State Continuum of Care. $3 million will help nonprofits access low-cost financing by issuing bonds for affordable housing including financing to local governments or housing developers for predevelopment costs, including infrastructure, site acquisition, planning, reports, surveys, and consultants. $5 million in grants will be used to improve agriculture workforce housing. Homelessness Response and Prevention The growing humanitarian crisis of homelessness caught the attention of people around the state and prompted passage of legislation aimed at assisting people living on the street or preventing people who are experiencing housing instability from losing their homes. The 2023 – 25 FY state homeless budget includes the following: $96 million for housing and long-term rent assistance for unhoused Oregonians, $81 million for emergency rent assistance to prevent evictions and homelessness, including a 30 percent set-aside to be deployed by culturally specific organizations, and $72.2 million for shelter operations, homeless services navigation centers, and Project Turnkey transitional housing. HB 5019 is an appropriation bill of $128.2 million to provide funding to address the homeless emergency in the OR 505 Oregon Balance of State Continuum of Care. The funds will support services to homeless youth. The League provided testimony in support. Another key legislation is SB 611 that modifies the maximum annual rent increase percentage for the following calendar year as the lesser of 10%, or 7% plus the September annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index. It also limits rent increases to no more than once a year. Affordable Housing Preservation and Development Oregon does not have enough housing affordable for its residents and, until the shortfall is eliminated, there will be Oregonians paying more for rent than they can afford or who are unable to find stable and suitable housing. The Legislature allocated the following resources for development of new, and preservation of existing low-income housing: · $604 million in bonding for new affordable housing development · $50 million in bonding to preserve existing regulated affordable rental housing, and mobile home parks HB 3042 provides protections for households renting publicly subsidized units in buildings with expiring affordability restrictions. Rent increases and terminations will be limited for a three-year period to give tenants time to find alternative housing. Also, legislation was signed into law that would facilitate development of additional affordable units. HB 2761 expands OHCS' ability to finance a portion of certain housing developments that are affordable to households earning at or below 120 percent of area median income. Additional Legislation HB 3215 authorizes OHCS to support replacement, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of residential units damaged or destroyed by disaster. It establishes a Disaster Housing Recovery Fund. In addition, passage of HB 3462 will make individuals affected by disasters eligible for housing assistance regardless of their immigration status. SB 599 allows tenants to operate home-based childcare by requiring a landlord to allow a renter to use a dwelling unit for a family childcare if it is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care. The landlord can require a tenant to pay for improvements necessary for certification and carry some form of liability coverage. HB 3151 limits improvements that landlords of manufactured dwelling parks may require of tenants. It expands affordable housing that is developable on nonresidential lands. It also expands the manufactured dwelling park preservation loan program to allow loaned funds to be used to develop new parks. HB 2680 requires residential landlords to refund applicants for screening charges within 30 days, subject to certain conditions. The measure requires landlords to promptly notify an applicant once the screening has taken place, their right to a refund of the screening charge, and recovery of damages if the landlord fails to provide the refund within 30 days. Homeownership SB 702 allows the Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board to require real estate appraiser training on implicit bias and state and federal fair housing laws. The League submitted a t estimony letter in support. Representative Ricki Ruiz sent a note thanking the League for its support. Unfortunately, HB 3487, which could have addressed racial disparities in homeownership did not pass. It would have required a biannual report to the Legislature on changes to racial disparity, require OHCS to partner with culturally responsive or culturally specific organizations to convene peer training programs for housing counselors, and require OHCS to develop culturally specific and multilingual financial literacy materials for distribution by mortgage brokers and bankers. Fair Housing HB 3309 directs OHCS to study and incentivize accessible units in OHCS-funded affordable housing units by providing financial support and increasing the quantity and quality of accessible units. In another loss, funding for fair housing investigation, enforcement, and education did not pass. Fortunately, however, SB 702 did pass as described above. Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform Unfortunately, the Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform bill did not advance. According to a 2022 Oregon Secretary of State a udit , this tax expenditure primarily benefits higher income households living in urban counties. The League and a number of organizations have been working for several sessions to reform the tax credit so that savings can be used to assist moderate- and low-income homebuyers and address homelessness. SB 976 , the Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform bill, has received a lot of interest because, if passed, the state’s largest housing subsidy would see some of the savings redirected away from higher earning homeowners to instead benefit low- and moderate-income home purchasers. In addition, resources resulting from reducing the subsidy would be used for homelessness prevention. The League submitted testimony in support of the reform. Oregon Housing and Community Services Budget SB 5511 is the Oregon Housing and Community Services budget bill. The total funds budget is $2,558,608,558 and 441 positions. This is a 28.5% increase from the 2023-25 current service level. OHCS’ budget from the General Fund includes the following: · $111.2 million to continue shelter and rehousing services that were funded in HB 5019 in response to the Governor’s emergency declaration on homelessness. · $24.1 million to provide operating support to existing shelters. · $55 million for rental assistance. · $6 million for services to tenants. · $10 million in down payment assistance. · $2.5 million for the decommissioning and replacement of manufactured housing. · $9.7 million to capitalize a predevelopment loan program within OHCS, and expenditure limitation and position authority were added to revamp the process the Department will use to approve affordable housing finance applications from developers, which are intended to shorten the time between project approval and construction, while helping smaller developers and projects. · $136.8 million is included in this budget in federal funds related to wildfire recovery efforts and supported by a $422 million federal grant. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley Despite the Senate shutdown, some significant pieces of criminal justice legislation were able to make it through the session. The League focused this advocacy primarily on bills related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and juvenile justice. We submitted testimony on 13 bills and reported on the progress of many, many others. Bills related to gun safety and the rights of incarcerated people are discussed under separate headings in this report. In the area of domestic violence and sexual assault, we were pleased to support the passage of bills to extend the length of restraining orders from one year to two years ( SB 816 ); create the crime of sexual abuse by fraudulent representation, spurred by the case of the West Linn doctor who abused scores of young women in his examining room ( SB 974 ); increase the statute of limitations from 12 years to 20 years for sex abuse offenses in the first degree ( HB 3632 ); expand the crime of subjecting another person to involuntary servitude ( SB 1052 ); expand the list of harassment offenses that require sex offender treatment ( SB 339 ); and allocate $10 million from the General Fund to assist victims of domestic violence or sexual assault ( SB 5506 ). The League also supported the following legislation to improve Oregon’s juvenile justice system: expand the automatic expungement of records for youth under the jurisdiction of juvenile court ( SB 519 ), require confidentiality between Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) employees and peer support team members ( SB 212 ); require county juvenile departments to conduct sex trafficking screening ( SB 745 ); allow those over 20 years of age to remain under the jurisdiction of OYA during the appellate process ( SB 902 ); regularly review demographic data to ensure OYA programs are culturally appropriate ( SB 903 ); and establish a Juvenile Justice Policy Commission to provide data-driven policy recommendations ( HB 2320 ). Gun Safety By Marge Easley Only one firearm bill made it through the gauntlet this session, due to last minute compromises to lure Senate Republicans back to the floor. HB 2500 originally contained three separate regulations, but after both an age restriction of 21 and an expansion of gun free zones were dropped from the bill, a ban on unserialized firearms (ghost guns) was the only part of the bill to successfully pass. Oregon is now one of 11 states to regulate ghost guns. Another disappointment was the failure of SB 348 to pass this session. The bill would have provided details for the implementation of Measure 114 (2022), which requires a permit to purchase a firearm and places a ban on high-capacity magazines. Meanwhile, given changes in federal firearm law as a result of the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, Measure 114 is in the midst of constitutional challenges by firearm advocates. It passed one hurdle on July 14 when U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut ruled that the provisions of Measure 114 are in keeping with “the nation’s history and tradition of regulating uniquely dangerous features of weapons and firearms to protect public safety.” A state court trial will be held in Harney County in mid-September. Appeals are expected, and gun safety advocates across the country are closely watching the progress of this precedent-setting case. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley The League’s interest in the rights of incarcerated people continued this session as we provided support for the passage of several bills to improve the lives and recidivism rates of those housed in Oregon’s correctional facilities. These bills facilitate the provision of a wide array of drug treatment programs in correctional facilities ( SB 529 ); require publicly accessible data on the use of segregated housing ( HB 2345 ); and authorize the Department of Correction to enter into agreements to offer higher education academic programs to adults in custody ( SB 270 ). The League was disappointed that SB 579 , allowing incarcerated people in Oregon to vote, did not advance this session. We will continue to advocate for passage in future sessions. Immigration and Basic Rights By Claudia Keith HB 2905 : Approved: Expands the 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. House Speaker and Senate President signed this bill June 24. Passed unanimously. The governor signed 7/18. SMS: Adds requirement that academic content standards for history, geography, economics, and civics include instruction on individuals who are of Jewish descent. Requires adopted textbooks and instructional materials to adequately address the contributions of men and women of Jewish descent. SB 610 A : Did not move from JW&Ms. It would have Established Food for All Oregonians (regardless of documentation status) Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal, Staff Measure Summary. The fiscal may show up in the end-of-session budget balancing bill. Recent News: ‘ Dozens of advocacy groups disappointed food assistance bill fails’ – Oregon Capital Chronicle HB5045 Budget reBalancing measure. “Legislature approves $7.5 million for Oregon Food Bank with COVID food benefits gone | Jefferson Public Radio” and governor signed 4/6/23 SB 216 A 5/8 governor signed . Related to data collected by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), request of Governor Kate Brown. OHA 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). Other Topics Oregon announces it will stockpile abortion drug – 4/20/23 - Oregon Capital Chronicle. The Washington legislature passed a bill related to this topic Governor Inslee administration submitted the request and drugs were purchased in March. Lawmakers briefed on WA plan to distribute abortion pill | The Seattle Times. Washington state purchases three-year suppl y of abortion pill | 4/4/23 - Reuters. LWVOR corresponded with Oregon Planned Parenthood on Apr 11 concerning this topic. LWVWA supported SB5768 . The Washington bill was posted 4/5 and signed by the governor 4/27. End of Session Full JWM Budget Reconciliation Bill HB5506 A tentative list of Immigration/Refugee + related line items: - $2M OHA Healthcare Interpreter - universal representative fund / Oregon worker relief $8.6M DAS. Section 264 and 265 - Universal rep (legal) and legal services…. $4.8M section 85 & 86 - Language interpretation services $.5M section 76 - Latino Comm Ctr Pdx/Gresh. $4.1M - Immigration legal Services Oregon State Bar $800K - Migrant Bilingual educ team $2.2M - Afghan Refugee $2.5M League of Women Voters of the US on social media - June 23, 2023: “This SCOTUS decision rightly leaves in place guidelines that do not target undocumented immigrants for arrest & deportation if they don’t threaten public safety. LWV stands with immigrants and partners to support polices to provide a path to citizenship.” Where is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program Now? | League of Women Voters By State-Funded Health Coverage for Immigrants as of July 2023 | KFF Court to Weigh Effect of Justices’ Enforcement Ruling on DACA | Bloomberg Law Supreme Court immigration ruling allows Biden's deportation policy | Washington Post, Biden asylum restrictions at Mexico border can stay in place for now , appeals court says | Reuters HB 2957 A in JW&Ms, -4 Staff Measure Summary . Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Fiscal. League Testimony .

Climate Emergency reports from the LWVOR Action Committee. Climate Emergency Overview The League believes that climate change is a serious threat facing our nation and our planet. Read More Climate Emergency Reports 3/9/26 Legislative Report - Week of 3/9 The League will be very active in 2027 on Climate Emergency: mitigation, adaptation and climate migration / Human Rights related advocacy. Read More 3/2/26 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 A number of Climate bills with fiscals are in JWM or Rules, the League is not clear if any of these bills will move. Read More 2/23/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 Please contact your legislators, asking them to support SB 1541 A and SB 1526A. Leadership and JWM committee must move these bills to the floor for a vote this session. Oregon has an opportunity to join other states, modeling critical climate fiscal legislation. Read More 2/16/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Many Climate Emergency priority policy and or funding bills the league supports are expected to move to JWM or the floor Read More 2/9/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 Many Climate Emergency priority bills the league supports are likely to move from the first chamber by Feb 16 deadline, find details below Read More 2/2/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 A League SB 1541 Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program Alert is planned for Feb 3. There are a number of other Climate Emergency bills during 2026 short session. Read More 1/26/26 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 This is a short 5-week Legislative session, most bills must have work sessions scheduled in the first chamber by mid Feb to stay active. There are now many Legislative Concepts waiting for Bill numbers for Environment / Climate Legislative soon to be posted to OLIS by no later than 28th of January. Read More 12/1/25 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 The primary climate/carbon issues during the 2026 short session will be related to budget issues primarily caused by Federal funding and policy decisions. Read More 10/13/25 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Several energy-related bills from the 2025 session became effective in late September 2025 (91 days after the session's conclusion on June 27). Read More 8/11/25 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of August 11 This sine die report summarizes the Climate Emergency portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More 6/30/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 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. Read More 6/23/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 There are less than 7 days until the end of session and a number of bills and state agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing agency climate programs in the reconciliation bill. Read More 6/16/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 There are less than 17 days until the end of session and a number of bills and agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing state agency Climate related programs will be in the end of session reconciliation bill. Read More 6/9/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 Early in the 2025 legislative session, the Oregon League testified in support of what are now HB 2949 A and HB 2152 A. Each bill focused on the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub. Recently both bills passed out of the House Emergency Management, General Management and Veterans Committee, chaired by Representative Tran. HB 2949 passed with unanimous approval. Read More 6/2/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 The League joined many other organizations this past week to oppose the Transportation Budget Cap and Trade proposal. The League is open to the idea that a west coast cap and trade solution may be viable in the future; however, the details related to this idea and how it affects CPP Climate Protection Plan, still need a robust public process. Read More 5/26/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 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. Read More 5/19/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 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. Read More 5/12/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/outcomes. Read More 5/5/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 This year, the Oregon Legislature will be considering a transportation package that will provide ongoing funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation. (ODOT). Emissions from transportation make up over one-third of Oregon's total emissions. This session provides an opportunity for the Legislature to increase access to multi-modal transportation and expand options for all Oregonians to get around without a car. The Environmental Caucus is championing a package that prioritizes transit, safety, and climate accountability. Read More 4/28/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 A few federal court rulings have favorably affected Biden admin IRA funding despite the current administration’s attempt to freeze the minutes. ‘The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act‘, provides an expanded overview of funding in Oregon. Read More 4/21/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Read More 4/14/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Read More 4/7/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Read More 3/31/25 Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 Over 26 states have or are in the process of having green/environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. Read More

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 3/9 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch The short session is over. The Governor still has to decide if she’s signing the legislation. And the work is not done. There was not enough revenue to fund the 2025-27 budget without cuts and new legislation as shared below. The Feb. 4 Revenue Forecast guided the spending for the 2026 legislative session. Carl Ricidonna, Oregon’s State Economist, provided his report, along with Michael Kennedy, Senior Economist. See pages 17 and 20 for the important numbers. And the Legislative Revenue Office’s Forecast Summary . LWVOR participated with several other volunteer and non-profit organizations in the unofficial Oregon Revenue Coalition that worked together to find ways to preserve Oregon revenue in the light of lost federal income from Congress’s passage of H.R.1 which would cut major sources of funding for Medicaid, SNAP and many other services. ( Signed on to letter in January.) We focused on a bill to limit the damage caused by Oregon’s rolling connection to federal income tax law, since legislation to disconnect from the federal law failed in the 2025 long session. This session SB 1507 A passed (Senate (17-13) on Feb. 16 and House (34/21/4/1) on Feb. 25 ) that disconnected from certain sections of the federal code that the Legislative Revenue Office (LRO) reported would save Oregon $311.6 million in revenue this biennium and $313.9 million in the 2027-29 biennium, while providing increased funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at a cost of $26.2 and $52.7 million per biennium respectively. The League has long supported an increase in the EITC. Summaries of the 44-page bill and its amendments can be found here . LWVOR testimony in support. At least one legislator is considering collecting signatures to place portions of the bill on the ballot per this Oregonlive article. Of concern is that the referral process allows petitioners to select parts of the bill. In this case, they could leave off the increase in the EITC while only asking voters to stop the disconnect—which, in part, is expected to pay for that EITC increase. HB 5204 is the final bill that balances the budget as required by state law. In the bill, the legislature made over $128 million in cuts , mostly in agency services and supplies and by not filling vacancies and shifting remaining funds around to fill in some gaps. This was fewer cuts than anticipated at the start of the session. But they also funded or rebalanced some agency programs and staff. The -2 amendment was adopted . See the 4 Analysis documents for the budget additions and reductions, Budget Notes and final LFO recommendation. Passed the House and Senate Mar. 6. Oregonlive article and the Oregon Capital Chronicle addressed the 2025-27 budget rebalance. The Oregonian did a final budget review . SB 1601 was the Program Change bill. The -3 amendment was adopted and includes rebalance of ODOT’s programs in Section 11-23 and clarifies the 1% of lottery monies for county fair upgrades and repairs. Passed the Senate and House Mar 6. SB 5701 amends the limits established during the 2025 legislative session for the maximum amount of bonds and other financing agreements that state agencies may issue. The proceeds from the issuance of bonds are included as revenues in agency budgets. The -2 amendment and the LFO Recommendation includes increases in general obligation and lottery revenue bonds authorized. Bond sales are not anticipated until the spring of 2027. Passed the Senate and House Mar. 6. SB 5702 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state for capital construction . Capital Construction 6-year limitation. -1 amendment LFO Recommendation Mar. 5 passed Senate. Mar. 6 passed House. SB 5703 : Modifies amounts allocated from the Administrative Services Economic Development Fund, Veterans' Services Fund, Criminal Fine Account, Oregon Marijuana Account and Fund for Student Success. Mar. 5 passed Senate. Mar. 6 passed House. 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. LFO Recommendation Mar. 6 Passed the House and Senate. 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. This omnibus bill, with amendments, would provide an opportunity to explore additional tax policy for consideration in the 2027 session. It is easier to understand the many provisions of SB 1510 by reviewing the summary provided by the Legislative Revenue Office of the bill and its -4 amendments . Feb. 24: Passed the Senate (28/1/1). Passed the House Mar. 4. HB 4014 : Establishes the Task Force on Taxation of International Income with the amendments. -2 amendment replaced the “study” bill. Staff Measure Summary . Due to this complicated tax policy, parties agreed to use the interim to consider impacts on this federal tax policy on Oregon revenue. Passed the House floor (32/26/2). On to the Senate floor at adjournment. Business interests want to have this conversation behind closed doors rather than an open public Task Force. The bill died but the conversation will continue. SB 1511 : A bill modifying the estate tax that would have increased the $1 million exemption to the estate tax to $2.5 million failed this session. The tax rates would have been greatly increased for the highest valued estates but fewer estates would pay an estate tax. For the first biennium, the revenue would have been about the same as our current estate tax SB 1511 . The revenue staff provided this analysis on the A -3 amendment that was approved by the Senate) with no expected revenue loss for this biennium, but $35 million by 2029-31. The bill did not pass out of House Revenue by end of session, but may be back in the long session. Two bills focused on increasing tax incentives for economic development faced intense debate and scrutiny, and one , SB 1586 , was withdrawn on March 3 due to much public outcry about tax breaks for data centers and the expansion of the Metro’s Urban Growth Boundary into land zoned as rural agricultural land, in violation of the 2014 Grand Bargain. OPB provided an article on this contentious bill. LWVOR testimony in opposition to the bill and additional testimony opposing the -7 amendment . The bill remained in Senate Finance and Revenue at the end of session, but is likely back in some form in 2027. The other economic development bill, HB 4084 A introduced by Governor Kotek, would fast track the permitting process for certain new business development t o be completed within 120 days, by means of a specially appointed Joint Permitting Council to oversee the each permitting agency’s permitting process. This section of the bill aligns with a federal program: Permitting Council’s FAST-41 Assistance for States. In addition, in the bill as introduced, all local property taxes abatements for Enterprise Zones were to be extended. This bill was also controversial because of these extensions since it would allow data centers which are hotly contested throughout the US, and which are the primary recipients of these tax credits, to not pay local property taxes for many years. After several amendments, three were incorporated into the final bill. LWVOR comments . The final bill included these provisions as summarized by LRO: Removes the $40 million General Fund appropriation to OBDD for deposit into the Industrial Site Loan Fund. (However, HB 5204 included $10 million for the Regional Infrastructure Fund, $5 million to support horse racing events at county fairgrounds, $5 million cash and $10 million bonds into the Industrial Site Loan Fund, and $10 million in lottery bond funds. The bonding bill provided targeted investments in sewer and water projects statewide to help with increased housing development demands.) Modifies SB 1507 (2026) to limit the tax credit for job creation to certain specified qualified industries. To qualify for the tax credit, a taxpayer must receive an attestation-based certification from Business Oregon, who will develop the tax credit application process, establish job creation determination methodology, and further define the term “qualified industry” through rulemaking. Excludes any qualified property of an authorized business in an enterprise zone with an operating data center from entering into a written agreement with the enterprise zone sponsor to 1) extend the period during which the qualified property is exempt from taxation beyond the allowable three years; 2) agree to flexible hiring timelines; and 3) approve alternative performance criteria. Prohibits data center properties from authorization as an eligible business firm prior to 90 days after the adjournment of the 2027 legislative session. An amendment was added at the end that puts this one-year moratorium on all new data center development certifications by Business Oregon, starting three months after the close of session. This allows the Governor’s Oregon Data Center Advisory Committee time to consider the various impacts of data center development on Oregon, and to report back to the Legislature with their recommendations. It also limits the existing Standard Enterprise (for urban areas) tax break to three years, but allows all other currently operating data centers, including those in rural areas of the state, to continue to receive tax breaks through the extended time periods as outlined in the bill. Oregonlive provided a great analysis of the impact of data centers. Oregonlive update on data centers in this legislation. Oregon data center operators will save nearly a half-billion dollars in local property taxes this year through three different incentive programs. Kotek’s legislation, House Bill 4084 , would expand the fastest growing of those three programs. 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. The -7 amendment adopted that changes the percentage to 50/50 and passed the House floor Feb. 25 (40/12/4/4). Mar. 5 Passed the Senate (23/6/1). SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposed 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. OPB covered a story about the bill . T he 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. The bill did not get a Work Session. 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. The bill had one public hearing on Feb. 16 and died in committee. The League is hopeful that a version of this bill will return in 2027. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process — potential kicker reform. Public Hearing Feb. 2. The bill died in Committee . On Feb. 20, the US Supreme Court declared that President Trump does not have authority to impose widespread tariffs under a specific federal statute. Oregon’s Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, led the coalition of states arguing that the President did not have this authority. HB 4061 B passed that provides monies to help Oregon businesses hurt by these tariffs. Budget Report . The bill passed the House on Mar. 3 and passed the Senate Mar. 6. On Thursday Mar. 5, Rayfield and officials from 23 other states filed a lawsuit against the new tariff at the U.S. Court of International Trade, with Oregon again leading the way. “Budget aftershocks from the Trump cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will keep hitting Oregon in future years,” said Senator Jama. “Oregon lawmakers must continue working together to make resources stretch and to help families thrive.” As we await the May 20th Revenue Forecast, we watch for data that may change the forecast. Oregonlive reports that Oregon exports are down. Then we now have a war with Iran that, so far, has increased gas and diesel prices. That increases costs to state agencies, local governments, Oregon businesses and individuals. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain — supply more than a third of the world’s urea, an important nitrogen fertilizer, and nearly a quarter of another one, ammonia. And they all use the Strait of Hormuz to export their products. So that means less food production and an increase in food prices. The February national jobs report was not good (loss of almost 100,000 jobs) and the national unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. (In Oregon, we’re at 5.2%.) 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. According to this Oregonlive article , Oregonians are working the fewest hours since 2010. Oregon workers are spending less time on the job, another indication that the state’s labor market continues to sag. The average Oregonian worked less than 33 hours a week in December, according to federal data. That’s the lowest number since 2010, when the state was still digging out from the Great Recession — even worse than the sharp decline that accompanied the pandemic. As we continue to be concerned about the economy, we note a study related to AI: Brookings Institution study on AI job losses and adaptability points out metros most at risk – Portland Business Journal Roughly 30% of workers displaced by artificial intelligence will struggle to find new jobs, according to a new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and Brookings Institution. While 70% of highly AI-exposed workers would likely be able to transition to another job, the rest may have trouble adapting “due to limited savings, advanced age, scarce local opportunities, and/or narrow skill sets. ”What’s more, of the displaced workers in low-adaptive jobs, 86% are women. The League will continue to work with the Oregon Revenue Coalition and others as we address the need for increased revenue to pay for the services Oregonians need. The Ways and Means Co-Chairs warn of increased demand and federal funding cuts for the 2027-29 and 2029-31 biennia. It's time to work with state agencies as they develop their 2027-29 budgets. Here’s some budget guidance that agencies have received: 2027-29 Budget Guidance: Governor's Letter and CFO 2027-29 Budget POP Guidance . Bottom line: The Governor has asked state agencies to provide a “neutral” budget. If they want to add a program or staff, they need to find a program or staff to remove from their budget request. You can contact the agency you want to engage with as they work to provide proposals to the Governor around June. See other sections of the Legislative Report for information about specific agencies or areas of concern.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 1/16 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 Housing Women's Issues Immigration/Refugees Gun Safety Criminal Justice Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona On January 11, Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan, along with other Housing Alliance members, voted on the Oregon Housing Alliance’s 2023 legislative agenda. On January 13, the Housing Alliance shared results of the member vote by announcing their 2023 legislative policy agenda , a slate of 8 priority bills and 20 endorsed bills. Priority bills are defined as ones for which the Housing Alliance should be active in coordinating and leading advocacy. If bills are endorsed, the Alliance intends to publicly support the proposals, and contribute to their advocacy, however, they will not serve as the lead organization. Listed below are the Housing Alliance priority bills that have received their first reading and been assigned to committees. The decision to have public hearings on bills rests with Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs and Legislative Leadership. The filing deadline is Feb. 21 for most bills. HB 3010 Reform the Mortgage Interest Deduction Disallows taxpayers from claiming a deduction on home mortgage interest for any residence other than their primary residence. Phases out the deduction on primary residences for households earning $250,000 or more. Increased revenue would be used, among other things, to assist first time homebuyers. SB 611 Reasonable Rent Limits annual rent increases to 3% plus consumer price index, or 8%, whichever is lower; provides these protections for all buildings more than 3 years-old (buildings up to 15 years-old are currently exempted); and increases relocation assistance in landlord-based (no-fault) evictions HB 2456 Emergency Housing Assistance for K-12 students Modifies the state’s emergency housing assistance (EHA) program and state homeless assistance program (SHAP) to provide funds to assist school-aged children experiencing or at risk of homelessness. SB 225 Private Activity Bonds for Affordable Housing Makes changes to the state's policy for private activity bonds to ensure coordination of affordable housing resources and a clear financing process For information on the endorsed bills, please see the link above on the Housing Alliance’s 2023 Legislative policy agenda. Women’s Issues By Trish Garner 2023 Bills Related to Abortion / Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health It is difficult to predict what will take place during the 2023 Legislative Session about issues related to reproductive rights in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health . On the one hand, the right to an abortion is protected in Oregon's constitution (Article I, Section 46; 2014) and related statutes (e.g. ORS 743B.001 which requires health benefit plans to cover abortion costs). It has also been the case that in past sessions, measures limiting abortion rights have more or less regularly been submitted for approval and haven't made it to a Committee hearing. On the other hand, we would be deaf if we did not hear countervailing drum beats. The 2023 Legislative Session is not without proposals to ban abortion outright: prohibition of abortion after the 37th week - HB 2810, after the 38th week - HB 2808 , after the 39th week - HB 2807 ; prohibition of late term or third trimester abortion except in a medical emergency or in the case of rape, incest - HB 2809 (Chief Sponsors are Reps Hieb and Diehl). Senate Bill 513 (Sen Thatcher and Rep Morgan) prohibits an abortion unless the health care provider first determines the probable gestational age of the unborn child, except in the case of a medical emergency. Attacking reproductive services from another direction is HB 2402 (Rep Diehl); it prohibits public funding for abortions. HB 2526 (Rep Breese-Iverson) adopts a different tack, although the result may be the same. HB 2526 requires the OHA to establish a toll free pregnancy resource hotline to provide information and assistance to pregnant persons seeking abortions in this state. So far, so good, but the bill then continues to provide that except for a medical emergency, an abortion cannot be performed unless the provider verifies that the pregnant person has consulted with this hotline at least 48 hours before the provision of abortion services. There are a few other proposals which may not seem to directly challenge the provision of abortions, but are nonetheless disconcerting and call for scrutiny. Under HB 2423 (Rep Breese-Iverson) the Oregon Health Authority ("OHA") is directed to establish and administer a Pregnancy Launch Program that among other things supports childbirth as an alternative to abortion and encourages healthy childbirth. This legislation also prohibits the OHA from contracting for providing services with an organization that "directly or indirectly provides, promotes, refers for or assists pregnant persons in obtaining abortions." HB 2424 (Rep Breese-Iverson) requires OHA to establish a program for the purpose of making grants to entities that provide services related to encouraging and assisting pregnant persons in carrying their pregnancies to term. Grant monies will not be used to encourage or assist pregnant persons in having abortions unless an abortion is necessary to avoid impairment of the person's "major bodily functions." Perhaps farther removed from but still related to the Dobbs decision, there are bills from both the House and Senate side that require school health education curricula to include information about human development from conception to birth ( SB 674 - Sen Knopp and Rep Smith; HB 2570 - Reps Smith and McIntire.) So, we shall see what traction any of these bills attain. Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith US Chamber calls for Congress to end gridlock , saying businesses are ‘fed up’ | The Hill. Senator Ron Wyden regards WOU town hall as education opportunity for him | News | polkio.com . New "Food for All Oregonians" legislation backed by over 75 community organizations - Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. 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 SB610 : Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to provide nutrition assistance to residents of this state who would qualify for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program but for immigration status. Requires Department of Human Services to convene an advisory group to recommend metrics to evaluate success of the department in treating all applicants for and recipients of public assistance in welcoming manner and with respect, courtesy, fairness, and dignity. Unclear what the funding ask may be. May replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. Immigration SB627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals (15M$) Sen Lieber. SB185 Requires Department of Justice to study immigration in this state; may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2024. Requested by Attorney General Rosenblum. HB2957 : Financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status recipients for specified purposes. (>7M$). Large portion of the Source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz SB603 : Establishes People's Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program, administered by Department of 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 percent 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 W&M. Other SB613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities HB2458 : Prohibits conversion therapy Gun Safety By Marge Easley Measure 114 Update: On January 13, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum petitioned the Oregon Supreme Court to either dismiss the Harney County judge’s ruling that put a halt on the measure’s implementation or direct the judge to explain his reasoning. We await the Supreme Court’s decision. In the meantime, we will urge legislators to make any needed technical fixes and provide adequate funding for full implementation. More complete information on court actions related to Measure 114 can be found in this recent Oregonian article . Criminal Justice By Marge Easley We can expect to see a number of bills this session that pertain to the current shortage of public defenders in Oregon, particularly in Washington and Multnomah Counties. On January 18, House Judiciary Committee members heard a presentation about the reasons for the shortage, including the extremely heavy workload, low pay, and high turnover due to burnout. Despite the allocation of $10 million to Public Defense Services in December, much more funding is urgently needed. In addition, legislators are also looking at a number of longer-term solutions to increase recruitment, including the streamlining of court processes, the forgiveness of law school loans in return for five years of public defense work, providing alternatives to taking the bar exam, and allowing non-attorney members of the Oregon State Bar to practice law in specific areas. Measure 110 Update On January 19, Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan released an audit of Measure 110, authorized by the 2021 Oregon Legislature. The measure was passed by Oregon voters in 2020 with the intent of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of controlled substances and directing cannabis tax revenue to addiction and recovery services. After a slow rollout, the Oregon Health Authority has thus far awarded $33 million in grant money, although scant data currently exists to show how the money was spent or whether it was used effectively to improve addiction services. Audit recommendations include improving the program’s governance structure, grant application process, and collaboration with public agencies. The effective implementation of Measure 110 is of critical importance when one considers the following statements from the audit’s introduction: “Oregon has the second highest rate of substance use disorder in the nation and ranked 50th for access to treatment. In Oregon, more than two people died each day from unintentional opioid overdoses in 2021.”

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

/ Youth / Youth Resources / Youth Resources Grants, Scholarships, and Internships Grants and Scholarships Youth Scholarships - Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) United States Senate Youth Program - State of Oregon Internships Youth Council Internship - League of Women Voters of Maine National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC) Other Resources The Flip Museum Oregon Kid Governor Oregon Civics Bee

Google workspace tutorials from the LWV of Oregon. Google Workspace Tutorials Here you'll find everything you need to start using Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, and Drive in the context of League work. Get Started 01 Google Workspace Learning Center The Google Workspace Learning Center offers tutorials and walkthroughs of all Google products and apps. Below you can find direct links to the top Google products used at the League: Google Doc Sharing Basics Excel and Google Sheets Best Practices Get Started With Goo gle Ca lendar Learn About Google Groups How to Reply to Google Reviews (Tips & Examples) 02 Zoom Tutorials and Meeting Recordings Links to Zoom tutorials. Learn how to get started on Zoom! Google Workspace Office Hours July 2024 03 Interactive Resources and Guides The State League (and local Leagues) use a resource called Scribe to produce play-by-play image tutorials of many League functions. We offer several Scribe tutorials on a variety of Google subjects below: Uploading a document to Google Drive Moving a document in Google Drive Google Workspace: Getting Started Set Up Your Google Calendar Navigating Google Drive Uploading Google Doc to a Drive Have a topic you want to see covered in a tutorial? Get in touch! Please send any requests for tutorial topics via this form. First Name Last Name Email Topic Request Send Thanks for submitting!

/ Join / Donating to LWVOR / Donating to LWVOR Your contributions to the League of Women Voters of Oregon, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. There are multiple ways you can donate to LWVOR: Donate via our secure online form . Set up a monthly checking account deduction. If you name LWVOR as a beneficiary of your IRA or 401(k), your distribution will not be taxed. Beneficiary forms are available from your account administrator. Leaving a bequest to the LWVOR in your Will or Trust may lower estate taxes, although we recommend consulting with an estate planning professional. Notifying the League of your plans will ensure that we follow through with your wishes. Designate a percentage of your life insurance policy to benefit the LWVOR. Donating stocks, bonds, or mutual funds to the LWVOR is tax deductible and may reduce your capital gains taxes. Giving our League an endowment is pivotal to the continuance of LWVOR’s 100+ years of influence on voting rights and voter education in Oregon. Your generous gifts can create a perpetual revenue stream for the League. Investing $25 can give the League $1 annually, based on 4% expected market gains. The Oregon Community Foundation manages close to 450 endowments for the benefit of communities throughout Oregon and is now celebrating its 50th year.

SHERIDAN SCHILLING (she/her) SHERIDAN SCHILLING (she/her) Youth Council Vice-President Sheridan is currently attending Winston Churchill High School, where she serves as an active member of student government in her elected position as Secretary. In Eugene, she volunteers at local charities and non-profit organizations and serves as the Student Representative for Churchill High School to the 4j School Board. Sheridan is a member of Youth Rotary Club, Book Club, and National Honor Society, and YMCA Youth and Government. She participates in local school district events and is actively involved in League activities. Additionally, Sheridan works closely with school administration to ensure student voice is heard. She is passionate about encouraging young people to participate in government. In the future, she intends to study political science before attending medical school. Outside of school, Sheridan enjoys traveling, reading, and playing golf. Through leading workshops, voter registration events and legislative advocacy, she hopes to welcome youth further into the democratic process. She is excited to advocate for voters across Oregon as a member of the LWVOR Youth Council. youthcrew@lwvor.org

NICOLE REKSOPURO (she/her) NICOLE REKSOPURO (she/her) Youth Council Policy Director Nicole Reksopuro attends Adrienne C. Nelson High School and has a passion for social justice. Nicole was chosen out of 1,060 students to be a part of her school district’s youth equity committee. She, along with many others from different schools, come together and discuss inequities within their schools with the school district board. Furthermore, Nicole is an active member of her speech and debate team and spends most of her time researching, preparing speeches, and competing at tournaments. Outside of her academic pursuits, Nicole continues her devoted commitments to equity by being a part of the leadership council at Girls Inc, where Nicole strives to help uplift underrepresented women's voices with advocacy, policy writing and more. Nicole is also a part of the 2024 Oregon Health Advocate Cohort, where she helps combat systematic obstacles that prevent students from receiving healthcare directly from their school. She has been selected as one of her school’s Student Ambassadors for the Asian American Youth Leadership Conference, to help foster a safe environment for those of Asian heritage to come together and bond over their rich culture. This is Nicole’s first year participating in LWVOR Youth Council, and she has her eye on making civic participation a smoother experience for everyone. Through leading workshops and registering young voters, she hopes to make her community (and the world) a better place. She is excited to advocate for voters across Oregon as a member of the LWVOR Youth Council and can be contacted at youthcrew@lwvor.org . youthcrew@lwvor.org

The study archive features LWVOR studies and related resources. / Study Archive / Study Archive Older studies are available here: 2018 – Hard Rock Mining Hard Rock Mining in Oregon – Full Study (PDF, 40 pgs) Hard Rock Mining Study Summary (PDF) Hard Rock Mining Study Consensus Questions (WORD) Hard Rock Mining Study Outline (PPT) Hard Rock Mining Position Statement (PDF) 2016 – Postsecondary Education Study Update Postsecondary Education Study Update – Full Report (PDF, 54 pgs) Executive Summary (PDF, 4 pgs) Consensus Questions for Local Leagues (PDF, 7 pgs) 2016 - Election Methods Study Election Methods Study - Full Report (PDF, 71pgs) Positions from other Leagues (PDF) Executive Summary (PDF) 2015 – Children at Risk PDF available here: Children at Risk Study 2015 For Press: Children at Risk Press Release Media Supplement – Overview of Study Children at Risk Executive Summary 2012 – Coastal and Nearshore Oregon: Using and Protecting Our Natural Resources An overview of the complex, interconnected issues and challenges that must be addressed in making decisions to manage the natural resources of the coastline; reflects the economic, social, and cultural impacts of these management decisions with particular emphasis on marine reserves and ocean energy. C oastal and Nearshore Oregon (48 pgs; pdf) Executive Summary (5 pgs; pdf) Acronym List (2 pgs; pdf) Mapping the Dynamic Oregon Coast (pdf) Coastal Study Presentation (pdf) Links to additional Information (Word document) 2009 – Water in Oregon: Not a Drop to Waste Part 1 is a concise review of the current Oregon laws and regulations for water resources and water quality. Part 1: Regulating Water in Oregon (36 pgs; pdf) Water in Oregon Part 1 2009 Online Version (4 pgs; pdf)Part 1: Executive Summary (PowerPoint)Part 1: Slideshow Presentation Part 1: Printable Slideshow (pdf) Part 2 covers the current issues facing water quality and quantity from the perspectives of stakeholder groups throughout the state; 2010. Part 2: Issues and Perspectives (40 pgs; pdf) (html)Water in Oregon Part II 2010 Online Version (4 pgs; pdf)Part 2: Executive Summary (PowerPoint)Part 2: Slideshow Presentation Part 2: Printable Slideshow (pdf) 2008 – Election Methods: Review of Alternatives and Oregon Proposals Election Methods Full Study (PDF, 40 pgs) Study PowerPoint Presentation (PPS file) Board Count Elections (PDF, 2 pgs) Condorcet Elections (PDF, 2 pgs) Executive Summary (PDF, 3 pgs) Multiple Seat Methods - Detailed Discussion (PDF, 30 pgs) Oregon Vote Tally Equipment Summary (PDF, 1 pg) 2007 – Redistricting in Oregon Redistricting in Oregon Full Study (PDF, 32 pgs) Redistricting in Oregon Summary (PDF, 4 pgs) 2006 – Oregon’s Homeless Youth Oregon's Homeless Youth Full Study (PDF, 24 pgs) Bibliography, Oregon's Homeless Youth (PDF, 6 pgs) Interviews and other Contacts (PDF, 4 pgs) Oregon's Homeless Youth Audio Presentation (link to SoundCloud, 17 min 19 sec) 2005-2007 – The Oregon Judiciary: Challenges for the 21st Century Overview of Oregon Judiciary Part 1 (PDF, 14 pgs) Overview of Oregon Judiciary Part 2 (PDF, 40 pgs) Questionnaire for Presiding Judges (DOC, 3 pgs) Questionnaire for Trial Court Administrators (DOC, 3 pgs) 2005 – The Trial Jury in Oregon’s State Courts 2005 – Oregon Taxes: Myths and Facts Full Study (PDF, 1 pg) 2004 – Funding Oregon: The Ins and Outs of State Finance Full Study (PDF, 2 pgs) 2004 – Campaign Finance Reform 2003 – Understanding Oregon’s Electricity Issues 2002 – Land Use: Progress and Challenges 2001 – Oregon’s Initiative System 2001 – Mental Health in Oregon 2000 – Farmworkers in Oregon 2000 – Effects of Measure 11 on Juvenile Justice 1999 – Shift in Oregon Household and Business Tax Burdens 1999 – K through 12 School District Financing 1998 – A Study of Oregon State Parks Oregon State Parks, Part 1 (PDF, 7 pgs) Oregon State Parks, Part 2 (PDF, 9 pgs) 1996 – Election Laws Study 1988 – Childcare In Oregon

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 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 Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency - Mitigation and Adaptation Other Climate Emergency Bills Natural Climate Solutions House and Senate Climate Notes Climate Emergency News Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator, and Team Climate Emergency - Mitigation and Adaptation The League continues to be disappointed that there is no commitment by Legislature leadership to update greenhouse gas emission targets or fund a coordinated /cohesive / accountable effort for climate action across all state-funded entities. This irresponsible politically-driven situation may change next session. See OPB: DEAD : Stronger greenhouse gas reduction goals Budget end of session Omnibus Bill -The following funding is currently being considered by the JWM: Residential heat pumps, EV Rebates, residential a/c and air quality, community sheltering during extreme heat and or smoke events and Environmental Justice-related Worker Relief funding Programs, now all totaling under $30M. There is currently $15M in SB1530 for Healthy Homes. (Funding for Environmental Justice refers to Oregon Worker Relief Funding $9M, related to lost wages when there are extensive heat and or air quality/smoke issues for agriculture outdoor workers.) See also the Natural Resources and Social Policy sections in this Legislative Report. Other Climate Emergency Bills Off-Shore Wind: HB 4080 , League Testimony, See discussion in NR Leg Report. Clean Tech Leadership Bill HB 4112 Referred to J W&Ms. League Testimony . Funding is $20M. Likely will die in JWM. Right to Repair: SB 1596 See discussion in NR Leg Report, League Testimony . House vote Mar 4. HB 4155 Infrastructure funding study - Rep Gamba and Sen Golden – in J W&Ms. Fiscal $250K. League Testimony is being considered. HB 4083 Coal Act: Requires Oregon Investment Council and Treasury to divest from Thermal Coal investments. In Senate vote on 3/4, League Testimony . HB 4102 Funding mechanism for Natural and Working Lands Fund (carbon sequestration). Almost unanimous Affirmative House vote, Sen vote Mar 4, No Fiscal. Natural Climate Solutions At the request of the Oregon Climate Action Committee , OCAC (formerly the Global Warming commission), SB1525 House vote 3/4. This bill supports Oregon’s transition to clean energy. However, several of the dates in the 2023 legislations could not be met due to delayed funding and grant issues. The $10 million fund to carry out work promoting carbon sequestration on Oregon’s natural and working lands (OWEB, ODA, ODFW, ODF) needed to be moved out by a year. The OCAC overseeing implementation of the Natural and Working Lands bill felt more time was needed to complete three studies on Carbon Sequestration and Storage Inventory, Natural Climate Solutions Workforce, and its Carbon Sequestration Goal. House and Senate Climate Notes By Claudia Keith The HCEE committee held public hearings on the following two bills. Work sessions were held for both bills on Wednesday 2/26. SB 1525 A : This package of statutory fixes passed 28-2 on the Senate floor. (1) Aligns the deadline for ODOE's mandated Energy Security Plan (SB 1567, 2022) with the federal deadline of 9/30 (federal funding = about $1 million). (2) Extends deadline for ODOE/OCAC N&WL carbon sequestration and storage inventory update (HB 3409, 2023) by one year. (3) Allows partner organizations of Community Renewable Energy Grant program applicants to incur expenses of funded projects (e.g., solar). (4) Transfers unspent funds from the Heat Pump Deployment Fund to the Residential Heat Pump Fund to allow funding to flow to tribes that currently lack a regional administrator. SB 1581 A : This bill would require PGE and Pacific Power to report to the Legislature by January 15 each year to inform lawmakers about any plans or preparations the utilities have made toward participating in a regional energy market. Not opposed by the utilities. The SEE committee voted along party lines to move these bills to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. HB 4083-1 : The bill directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to try to eliminate certain investments in thermal coal companies. Sen. Hayden interrogated LC staff about separation of powers and whether the bill might apply to "downstream" business of coal companies. LC staff noted the bill defines "thermal coal company" in terms of production and reserves. Sen. Findley said the treasurer's duty is to earn the maximum return on investments and "If he's investing in something that people don't like, then don't reelect him." Sen. Golden said he had hoped the bill would say "Henceforth we won't buy any more coal investments," but called this a step in the right direction. Rep. Pham's -1 amendment changes the bill’s definition of “clean energy” to match that of “non emitting electricity” in ORS 469A.400: “electricity, including hydroelectricity, that is generated and may be stored in a manner that does not emit greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.” The introduced bill defined it as “energy produced through methods that do not release greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants in any stage of acquisition, production, transportation, storage or use.” She called this a conforming amendment, though GOP members had questioned the definition. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously. HB 4015 : GOP members opposed the bill on the grounds that it would remove local control over energy facility siting by allowing a battery energy storage system (BESS) developer to preempt the county in routing the siting decision to EFSC. Hayden’s -1 amendment was intended to remove the developer's ability to do so. Renewable NW and Hecate Energy, a BESS developer, opposed the amendment citing potential delays at the county level, saying the public would have no less opportunity to weigh in via EFSC hearings. This comment was challenged. Concern was also expressed about amendments which come up at the last minute in bills that have been discussed and vetted for months. The committee rejected the amendment 3-2, then voted 3-2 to move the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. Findley served notice with a minority report. DEQ CPP: Climate Protection Plan Update: LWVOR signed onto a letter with 41 other organizations asking the Department of Environmental Quality to consider some guiding principles as the State moves forward with a process to reinstate the Climate Protection Program, LWVUS Climate Updates Submitted Comments on First Phase of Environmental Justice Scorecard Jan 19 2024, “ The League submitted comments to the Council on Environmental Quality in response to its request for information on Phase One of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, an executive order-directed assessment of what the federal government is doing to advance environmental justice. The League advised on ways to improve the scorecard's assessments and accessibility to facilitate the public's ability to monitor federal progress and hold the government accountable on advancing environmental justice for all”. Climate Emergency News Trump wants to unravel Biden’s landmark climate law. Here is what’s most at risk. | MIT Technology Review, Biden Races to Lock in Energy, Climate Rules as Danger Zone Looms – Bloomberg, The environmental cost of AI | Financial Times, Artificial Intelligence Pushes Creation of New Data Center Designs | Costar news, AI Is Accelerating the Loss of Our Scarcest Natural Resource: Water| Forbes, AI Is Taking Water From the Desert - The Atlantic , Protecting climate refugees requires a legal definition | Climate Crisis | Opinion: Al Jazeera, Strengthening Global Cooperation Vital in Addressing Climate-Induced Migration : IOM | International Organization for Migration Portland clean energy committee: Keep money for what voters intended - oregonlive.com , BOEM holds first public meeting for wind energy project off Oregon coast | Video | kdrv.com , Oregon homeowners face rising premiums or limited property insurance options due to wildfire risk - oregonlive.com , Climate Litigation and Congressional Climate Resolution Juliana v Gov: Current Status : “… On February 29, 2024, the Ninth Circuit denied the DOJ’s motion to stay, permitting the case to proceed in the District Court. The Court of Appeals also asked the youth plaintiffs and Judge Ann Aiken to respond to the petition for Writ of Mandamus…” Ninth Circuit Denies DOJ Bid to Freeze Youth Climate Lawsuit | Bloomberg. February 2024 Updates to the Climate Case Charts | Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Oregon Cases – 73 as of Feb 2024 Congressional Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery Resolution: LWVUS’ Lobby Corps is currently having targeted Hill meetings on the Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery Resolution to continue bipartisan conversations about the climate crisis and resolution and maintain League visibility on this vital issue federally. LWVUS re-endorsed the resolution upon its reintroduction, and maintains a related Action Alert on the website, asking folks to contact their Members of Congress. Climate Emergency - Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the Climate Emergency portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: • Natural Climate Solutions, specifically Oregon Dept of Agriculture (ODA) • Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust • Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) • Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team • State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services • CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets • Climate Migration • Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with LWVOR Natural Resource Action Committee members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: Training for Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available. Please contact lwvor@lwvor.org if you have any questions, or wish to become involved with Climate Emergency issues.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - 1/10 - 1/17 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Climate Emergency Priorities Oregon Climate Action Commission Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Climate Related Lawsuit State, Regional and National News Local League Climate Updates Volunteers Needed Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith In preparing for the 2023 Legislative session, we identified six priority policy and budget topics: Resilient Buildings: (could include a change to Oregon’s building codes). Refer to the Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings Dec 13 Report . It’s unclear when the bill (s) will be posted to OLIS. The League plans to be an active coalition member. Natural and Working Lands : ( Establishes Natural and Working Lands Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities,…): Natural Climate Solutions SB530 . The legislation includes activity-based metrics and community impact metrics for net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands and establishes carbon sequestration and storage goals. (Related, see interim NR committee SB88 ). The League continues to be an active coalition member. Environmental Justice: A number of 2023 Leg bills are expected to address new and ongoing related topics. A recent update EPA: ‘EPA Releases Updated Legal Guidance on Identifying, Addressing Cumulative Impacts to Advance Environmental Justice, Equity | US EPA, clearly defines at the federal level this new foundational area. (Related to HB4077 (2022). Oregon Climate Action Commission By Claudia Keith Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission ) Roadmap , SB 522 , will change "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to " Oregon Climate Action Commission." and modify membership and duties of commission and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets/goals. This will direct state agencies to report to the commission on progress toward achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals (see SB 928 2019). 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. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget The governor’s budget* is scheduled to be available in Feb. There is expected > $50M in CE related state agency POPs and new Legislative funding. (* budget items will come from over 22 state agencies including 14 NR agencies, OHA, DAS, ODOT, ODOE, etc.) Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith (The League may support or just follow. A preliminary list, at this time only ~half of the total bills have been posted on OLIS.) Natural Working Lands: 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. GHG Emission Mitigation: * HB 2816 High Energy Use Facility - Required GHGE reduction, Chief Sponsors: Dembrow and Marsh. Fossil Fuel (FF ) Divestment: HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with FF energy investments. Chief Sponsors: Rep Pham K, Senator Golden, Rep Gamba. Green Infrastructure: HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba Public & Green Banking: SB501 Bank of the state of Oregon Sen Golden. HB2763 Create a State public bank Task Force, Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters OPUC Oregon Public Utility Commission - CE Team Volunteer By Claudia Keith OPUC held a special informational meeting Jan 10 to update commissioners on measures to ensure the resource adequacy (RA) of the regional electrical grid. This meeting served as a technical conference for OPUC commissioners on the status of resource adequacy (RA) in the western U.S. Major players made "inside baseball" presentations summarized in the attached notes. Pursuant to docket UM 2143 , OPUC staff recommended that the commission develop rules to establish a binding Oregon RA program for regulated utilities and electric service suppliers. Staff is targeting March 2023to begin rulemaking, following public comment. Western Electricity Coordinating Council ( WECC) forecast WECC presented its latest forecast of the regional grid reliability and security risks. Interconnection-wide, the risk is expected to grow in frequency and magnitude over the next 10 years, largely because resource variability will increase, except in the OR-WA-ID subregion where the resource mix will remain relatively stable. The rate of planned resource growth is comparable to historical resource growth, but challenges such as supply chain disruption, skilled labor shortages, and siting issues could increase risk. Reliance on imports will grow in many cases and could be put at risk by transmission capability. WECC emphasized the need for immediate action to address long-term RA risks. Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) forecast NWPCC’s annual RA assessment looks ahead 5 years aiming to provide early warning of resource shortfalls and to ensure that resource strategies will result in adequate future power supplies. The latest assessment found that the 2027 regional power supply would be greatly inadequate if the region relied solely on existing resources and reserve levels with no new energy efficiency measures. NWPCC’s strategy for increasing resources and reserves would ensure an adequate power supply if demand growth remains consistent. Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) update All Oregon-regulated investor-owned utilities and many electric service suppliers take part in the Western Power Pool’s WRAP, the first region-wide RA program. This overview described the WRAP participation agreement and delivery commitments. WRAP filed its initial tariff with FERC at the end of August 2022, received a deficiency letter from FERC in November, filed an amended tariff in December, and expects FERC’s response next month. UM 2143 investigation update and straw proposal for state RA standards OPUC staff recommends that the commission develop rules to establish a binding RA program for all Oregon entities. This presentation summarized key elements of the straw rules proposal released in September, with themes from public comments and the October 2022 stakeholder workshop. Next steps: Jan. 2023: Draft formal rule language and distribute to stakeholders in the UM 2143 docket Feb. 2023: Open comment period to react to staff’s rules; hold workshop(s) on draft rule language March 2023: Open another comment period for stakeholders after workshops and any updated proposed rule language; move to formal rulemaking Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The next Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast is scheduled for mid-Feb. It is unclear how the very volatile security markets (see global instability, inflation and FED) issues / risk will develop. Climate Emergency Financial Risk: The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has never conformed to what is now recommended in the SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. In 2022, the SEC (Federal Securities and Exchange Commission) recommended that all public and private entities that sell securities be required to use the ESG reporting tool . This proposed SEC rule may take effect in 2023. See supportive LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Related: ‘ESG Watch: Why this year could be a watershed moment for investors on nature-related risk | Reuters. The Status of Two Pending Rules That Would Require Disclosure of Climate Risks| Environmental Leader. Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read has changed his Fossil Fuel risk perspective. Oregon Treasurer Pledges to Decarbonize State Pension Fund By 2050. Tobias Read says he’ll have a comprehensive plan to meet Paris Agreement goals by early 2024. Oregon Climate Related Lawsuits By Claudia Keith Be reminded there are numerous lawsuits challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (Jan 2023) some which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. ‘ Climate Change Cases Set for Another ‘Exciting Year’ in Court’| Dec 27 2022 , Bloomberg Law. State, Regional and National News By Claudia Keith Merkley, Wyden Secure Funding For Critical Projects Across Oregon 12/22/22 , Merkley, Hyde-Smith Announce The Establishment Of The CDC Office Of Rural Health . Oregon faces sustained and novel risks and opportunities as climate changes, new assessment shows | Oregon State University, Legislature needs to follow energy-efficient building recommendations – Oregon Capital Chronicle. Biden officials lay out road map for net-zero transportation by 2050 | The Hill EPA Urges Groups to Apply for Record Environmental Equity Grants , EPA Creates New Environmental Justice Office | The Regulatory Review, Oregon State University scientist praises fusion breakthrough, calls it the 'holy grail of energy', KOIN. Oregon Bill Requires Data Centers, Crypto Miners to Match Energy Goals| Governing. Why transforming the grid is critical to Oregon’s clean-energy future – OPB. The ‘unprecedented’ risks facing our power grid this winter should be a wake-up call for government | Utility Dive. Financial Firms May Have to Reveal Their Climate Risk - Scientific American Global: Global energy crisis – the key news stories in January 2023 | World Economic Forum The US is to become the world’s top LNG exporter - and other stories about the global energy crisis this week. 6 things to know about international trade in January 2023 | World Economic Forum. Mass Climate Migration Is Coming | WIRED Local League Climate Updates By Claudia Keith The Corvallis League provided public testimony (Dec 19), on the City of Corvallis new NW Natural Gas Franchise Agreement , supporting reducing contract terms from 10 to 3 years. ‘NW Natural Gas has decided to sign off on a 3 year extension of its existing franchise agreement. ’ Corvallis is now similar to many Oregon cities (Eugene, Clackamas, and now Gresham ) that have let the agreement with NW Natural Gas expire/lapse or have a 3-year agreement that refers to no or limited NG expansion. In addition, Corvallis and other cities are working on implementing a mandatory HOME ENERGY Score required at time of sale. The League has recently been very clear about methane in particular . Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA ODOT Transportation & DLCD/LCD Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities Efficient Resilient Buildings Public Health Climate Adaptation Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Climate and Environmental Justice. We all collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session begins Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/8 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priority Bills Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priority Bills CE priority bills had minimal activity in the last few weeks. Most have already moved to JW&Ms and one to the House. Find in previous LR (report)s additional background on the six CE priorities. 1. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: Bills are now in JW&M. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . · SB 868 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 869 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 870 A Staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 871 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions 2. SB 530A : Natural and Working Lands is in JW&Ms with Do pass with- 7 amendment, a 3/2 partisan vote. The League continues to be an active coalition member. Fiscal . Staff Measure Summary 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: SB 907 A ‘Right to Refuse Dangerous work’ public hearing was on May 10 in House B&L. The committee work session is now scheduled for 5/17. Here is the May 9 LWVOR testimony . The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13. SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907 A , League testimony . SB 907 amendment -6 staff measure summary. 4/4 work session, moved to the floor with do pass with amendments, a unanimous vote. SB907 Coalition Letter - LWVOR one of many organizations… 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 A staff measure summary , fisca l, 4/4 Work Session moved, with 4/1 vote to JW&Ms. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills including state agency budget bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published January 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote in both chambers to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will add climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony . In both cases, our testimony will request additional agency requests not included in the Governor’s January budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast, will likely provide new required budget balancing guidelines that could limit funding for these critical CE policy bills. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 A updated with -1 amendment: League Testimony . Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like the RB task force, the 23-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than January 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This policy topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session -1 staff measure summary . Moved on 3/14 with recommendation to JW&Ms with - 1 amendment. Fiscal HB 3016 A , community green infrastructure, moved to JW&Ms unanimously. Legislative -2 Staff Measure Summary . Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project Meetings & Events | I-5 Bridge Replacement Program Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure proposed rule. Analysis: SEC.gov | Remarks at the 2023 SEC Municipal Securities Disclosure Conference , The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the IRA $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. Oregon Pers Performance : Returns for periods ending MAR-2023 Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund. The Oregon Investment Council will meet May 31 The agenda and meeting materials are not yet posted. The Council met April 19; see the meeting packet . The meeting 4/19 minutes still have not been posted. The April packet includes the March meeting minutes. ESG investing continues to be addressed. 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 a federal lawsuits , ( May 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 64 lawsuits , mentioning OREGON. Climate lawsuits: 'Grannies - but not in the traditional sense': Meet the Swiss women suing over climate change | CNN, Youth Climate Change Lawsuit Clears Pretrial Conference, Trial Set to Proceed - Flathead Beacon Montana, ‘Like a dam breaking’: experts hail decision to let US climate lawsuits advance | Climate crisis | The Guardian, Boulder’s blockbuster climate lawsuit against Suncor and Exxon Mobil has a path forward | Colorado Public Radio. Oregon, NW Regional, National and Global News Oregon’s AG Ellen Rosenblum joins in call for federal gas stove rules - oregonlive.com , Climate Change: Oregon to receive $4M to tackle climate pollution | News | currypilot.com , U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA OREGON - Independent Statistics and Analysis, Oregon's First Natural Gas Ban Ignites Industry Counterattack - Bloomberg. Biden to Create White House Office of Environmental Justice - The New York Times, World not ready yet to 'switch off' fossil fuels , COP28 host UAE says | Reuters, The ocean is hotter than ever: what happens next ? | Nature, Pulling Power From the Ocean Is the Final Frontier for Renewable Energy – CNET, The speed of this Greenland glacier’s melt could signal even worse sea level rise - The Washington Post, Chicago Eyes Billion-Dollar Water Deals to Spur Growth | Bloomberg, Energy Storage: sand battery technology made in Italy, the very first application - SEN Sustainability & Environment Network, Environmental Justice: Everything You Need to Know – EcoWatch, 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 · Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation and Renewable Energy · 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: CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.