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Want to connect with your government officials? We can help. / Voting / Your Government / Your Government Get tips on effective advocacy. Learn how to communicate with your legislators. Find Your District Legislator Lookup See who represents your congressional district. Read More County Level Offices Contact your county elections office. Read More U.S. Senator Ron Wyden U.S. senators represent every Oregonian. Read More U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley U.S. senators represent every Oregonian. Read More Current Legislation Legislative Calendar View the current legislative calendar. Read More Video Coverage Video coverage of floor proceedings and committee hearings. Read More How to Testify Learn how to write and deliver your own testimony to make your voice heard. Read More How to Submit Testimony Learn how to submit testimony. Read More

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Natalie Briggs By Natalie Briggs HB 2321 Oregon House Bill 2321 seeks to study Oregon’s property tax system, with a focus on Ballot Measures 5 and 50. Ballot measure 5, passed in 1990, set limits on property taxes through a hybrid levy- and rate-based system originally intended to control rapidly increasing property tax costs. This was a departure from the previous property tax system, which relied on tax levies set by each district as a function of specific budget needs. Measure 50, passed in 1997, modified the system further by implementing permanent rates, reducing assessed value, and limiting annual property tax increases. Critics of measures 5 and 50 argue these changes to property tax policy in Oregon have resulted in inequitable taxation over time, with tax burdens shifting from high value to low value properties. Critics also argue these measures have imposed budget constraints on Oregon cities, requiring communities to rely on local levies instead. House bill 2321 and its amendments seek to generate a tax system review, with a focus on inequities and options to modernize Oregon’s tax system. Testimony provided during the June 5 work session on house bill 2321 was largely supportive. HB 3962 House Bill 3962 (introduced as HB 3962-14) changes local transient lodging tax regulations in Oregon by expanding how funds can be used. Since 2003, Oregon law has required 70% of new or increased transient lodging taxes to be spent on tourism, with 30% reserved for local discretionary spending. HB 3962 expands the use of restricted funds to allow spending on infrastructure and tourism-impacted services such as public safety services, and is widely supported by voters as a means to sustain city services. Amendment -14 adjusts revenue allocation, requiring that a minimum of 40% of net revenue from transient lodging taxes go toward funding tourism promotion or tourism-related facilities, with no more than 60% to be used on city or county services. HB 3962-14 will become operative on January 1, 2026. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

A list of past presidents of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. / Past Presidents / Past Presidents Past LWVOR Presidents, EF Chairs, and LWVUS Board Members 1973-75 President Betty Mack 1975-77 President Wanda Mays 1977-79 President Annabel Kitzhaber 1979-83 President Norma Jean Germond 1983-84 President Linda Dinus 1980-90 LWVUS Board Member Merilyn Reeves 1982-84 LWVUS Board Member Roberta Jaffe 1984-87 President Kris Hudson 1987-89 President Sharon Little 1991-93 President Kappy Eaton 1993-95 President Cheri Unger 1995-97 President Mary Krahn 2001-03 President Beth Burczak 1997-01 President Paula Krane 1995-97 President Mary Krahn 2001-03 President Beth Burczak 1997-01 President Paula Krane 2000-04 LWVUS Board Member Rosie Stephens 2003-07 President Margaret Noel 2007-09 EF Chair Janet Calvert 2007-11 President Marge Easley 2009-11 EF Chair Jane Gigler 2011-13 EF Chair Betsy Pratt 2008-14 LWVUS Board Member Norman Turrill 2011-15 President Robin Wisdom 2013-15 EF Chair Becky Gladstone 2015-19 President Norman Turrill 2019-2023 President Becky Gladstone 2023-2023 President Alice Bartelt 2023-present Co-Presidents Rebecca Gladstone Lisa Bentson

Learn more about Oregon's safe and secure Vote-By-Mail process. / Voting / Vote By Mail / Vote By Mail Best Practices In Oregon Oregonians love Vote By Mail! 💌 Oregon was the first full Vote by Mail (VBM) state. Of course, we can vote in-person at Elections offices. LWVOR encourages voters to save Oregon taxpayers the prepaid postage cost. Use the ballot dropboxes (Oregon Drop Box Locator ) 🗳️ when you can! The League posts this map on our site during election seasons. Put in your address to find your nearest ballot dropbox, and find your ballot information on Vote411.org . See Oregon’s Vote By Mail Procedures Manual . It is posted with other elections’ manuals and tutorials . We hope these videos and FAQs will help you! Please contact us if we can help, lwvor@lwvor.org . Watch Election Security With Vote by Mail This video is about Election Security with the Vote-by-Mail process in Oregon. Watch Now FAQs about voting in Oregon BIPOC Support & Voter Turnout Measuring Effectiveness Best Practices Counting Timelines Securing Ballots Public Messaging Who are key allies for supporting VBM? Do they include BIPOC groups, the disability community, etc.? The ACLU, Common Cause, and political parties are regulars, and they may not work directly with LWV. Disability Rights Oregon is very active but strictly advocates for their limited constituency, not to benefit voters overall. The State Library, TBABS, Talking Books and Braille Services, works directly for vision-related concerns. Keep in mind those advocating for current ballot measure issues, eg League of Conservation Voters, education communities, etc. What research or data can you share to show that voting by mail actually increased turnout, especially among underrepresented groups? See The SoS Election Statistics page for general, primary, special election turnout, and ballot return history since 2000. OR VBM statistics, a comprehensive history, from 1981 up to 2006. Watch The Path of a Ballot in Multnomah County Have you wondered what path your ballot takes from being produced, cast and counted? Here are some answers. Watch Now More Resources 🎥 Marion County Clerk Bill Burgess talks Voting Security 🎥 How Lane County Elections Processes Your Ballot 🎥 LWVM-P & Oregon's Elections Director on VBM

Frequently asked questions about donations to the League. / Donation FAQs / Donation FAQs Donate Online You can participate in smaller monthly giving programs to the League of Women Voters of Oregon by clicking on the appropriate button at the top right of this page. Mail If you wish to mail a check, please print this donation form, fill it out, and then mail to the LWVOR office. Checks should be made out to LWVOR. Planned Giving Planned Giving offers a variety of tools to provide supp ort for the League of Women Voters of Oregon: For more information please download our Planned Giving brochure pdf . Corporate LWVOR urges corporate leaders and small business owners to join with other civic-minded individuals and groups to help us empower Oregon citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic process. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and include acknowledgment in our publications. All gifts to the League are fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Contact LWVOR for more information on any of the above or ask about stock contribution donations. Donations to LWVOR are tax-deductible and support the following: Your Action Team – League members who follow the Capitol and Legislature carefully and take action when position and support allow. The Action Team also reports to membership through publication of Legislative Reports provided during the annual sessions. Legislative Report production and publication Promotion of good government practices through testimony and other methods. Good government practices include: Fiscal responsibility of state government Adequate funding of government services Citizen involvement in the legislative process Administration of services to local Leagues and League members Voters’ Guide production, printing and distribution Statewide studies & Comprehensive, unbiased reports Oregon Student Mock Election Unbiased, nonpartisan citizen information Litigation to help clarify laws in the public interest And more…

Learn more about starting a League Unit in your community. / Join / Start a League Unit / Start a League Unit No League in your community? Start one! You can use the LWV “Member-at-State” (MAS) Unit process to begin empowering voters and defending democracy in your community! With LWV MAS Units, administrative functions like financial management, by-laws, membership management and incorporating are initially handled by LWVOR, and you will have a mentor to help each step of the way. Individuals without a local League or Unit are welcome to join our State League. Learn more about join ing Getting Started as a Member: Easy as 1-2-3 Chat 1. We welcome you to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Edit 2. Sign up for free LWVOR communications and Legislative Reports (during session). Mail 3. Email membership@lwvor.org for questions and connection to mentors. Initial steps for becoming a state League Unit 1. The idea for forming a new League arises, either through citizen inquiry or board initiative. 2. A nucleus of interested citizens is recruited and become League members. 3. State mentors are appointed and confer (in person when possible, by phone and online) with the interested group. 4. An informational planning meeting is scheduled, and the decision to proceed is made to: connect with experienced League mentors to play a key role helping your group plan an organizational community meeting send an important signal about the League's commitment to reflecting concerns of all citizens give the group an opportunity to share leadership chart the League's future with diverse community members to bring about positive change 5. Preparations commence with mentoring and an organizational meeting is held. 6. League members complete requirements for recognition as a state League Unit with: ✔ Five or more current League members ✔ Leadership Team selected (Unit Coordinator or Co-Chairs, etc…) ✔ Geographic Area to be served is identified to incorporate into Unit name ✔ Nonpartisanship policy established - see Appendix I 7. The LWVOR Board organizes/recognizes the state League Unit. Starting Point for New League Units For more information review our new unit formation guidelines: Starting Point for New League Units

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

Event page for the LWVOR Fall Workshop. Event is closed. Fall Workshop 2023 Thank you for attending LWVOR's Fall Workshop! Please let us know about your experience at the event. Submit your evaluation form here . Agenda 10:00 AM Welcome from Board and guest speakers, coffee and pastries 10:10 AM LWV Liaison for Oregon: Alexis Juday-Marshall 10:20 AM Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) Update 10:30 AM Voter Service Update: Peggy Bengry, Ballot Measure Chair 10:45 AM Outreach Circle presentation (virtual) 11:15 AM Lunch 11:30 AM Keynote Speaker (Elections Director Molly Woon) through Lunch (virtual) 12:30 PM Youth Council / Oregon Student Mock Election / Youth Outreach Workshop + Facilitated Q&A 1:45 PM Closing remarks Program Printable program available here , featuring speaker bios and full event agenda. Keynote and LWVUS Speaker Biographies Molly Woon (she/her) - Elections Director Molly is the Elections Director and is responsible for the administration of Oregon's vote by mail elections system by working closely with state agencies, 36 counties throughout Oregon, and the division’s dedicated staff. She oversees the state initiative, referendum and candidate processes, as well as campaign finance regulations and state voting resources. Born and raised in the Northwest, this is Molly’s second stint working in the Secretary of State's Office. In 2015 and 2016, she served as the Communications Director for Oregon Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins, overseeing communications for implementation of the Oregon’s first-in-the-nation system of automatic voter registration, Oregon Motor Voter. Read more. Alexis Juday-Marshall (she/her) - LWV Liaison to Oregon Alexis Juday-Marshall joined the League of Women Voters in late 2018. During her time in the Washington State League, Alexis was a member of the Observer Corps, which presented an opportunity to see government in action and to promote transparency and accountability in government processes. As a climate action guide and co-chair of the Environmental Committee of King County/Seattle, she collaborated with other members and local officials to increase public engagement on climate change matters. She also served as a Delegate for the LWVUS for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. Read more. Luana Chaires (she/her) - LWVUS Digital Relational Organizing Manager Luana Chaires is a digital relational organizing manager with the League of Women Voters where she is using her direct-service and advocacy experiences to increase equity in democracy by working closely with League affiliates. Additionally, Luana works directly with state and local Leagues to strengthen their digital organizing muscle and oversee the development and rollout of League In Action nationwide. You can learn more about Luana and her colleagues' work here . Luana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Edward’s University. Throughout her undergraduate career, Luana became committed to better understanding the principle of fair equal representation. As a Ronald McNair scholar, Luana focused her undergraduate research on evaluating the impact of independent redistricting commissions have on voter turnout and level of competition in congressional elections. Read more. Youth Council Speaker Biographies Celine Ioffe (she/her) - LWVOR Youth Council President Celine is a high school senior in Portland and LWV Washington County member who is passionate about reproductive justice and our legal system. She is actively involved in Columbia Willamette Teen Council, a peer education and leadership program where members learn medically accurate and inclusive sexual health information, lead classroom presentations and organize events in schools and their communities around sexual health awareness. Celine interned for a DUI and domestic violence law firm last summer, and plans to attend university and law school after graduating in summer of 2024. She will be leading a diverse team of Youth Council members to build effective power in their communities to achieve their goals. Read more. CHRIS WALKER (he/him) - LWVOR Off-Board Liaison and Youth Council Vice President Chris Walker is a Legislative Scholar advocating for more affordable higher education at the University of Oregon while majoring in Planning, Public Policy and Management, with a minor in Business Administration. Chris ran a nonprofit serving disadvantaged Oregon youth, has interned in Congress, and on Friday, February 10th, 2023 he was appointed to a ground-breaking role as a strong, influential voice as the League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Liaison. Chris feels a definite stake in the commitment of our state and local Leagues to encourage youth leadership, and is mentoring a new LWVOR Youth Council inviting youth across Oregon to get connected and involved by emailing him at youthcrew@lwvor.org or messaging on their Instagram at @lwvoryouthcouncil Read more. NIVEDITA GIANI (she/her) - LWVOR Youth Council Advocacy Chair Nivedita Giani is attending Sunset High School and is a member of the League of Women Voters of Portland. She is passionate about advocating for climate justice, reproductive rights, and workplace equity. She is currently the national delegate for Sunrise PDX, an organization committed to combating climate change. She is actively involved in a local campaign as well as a national campaign to help make public transportation more accessible and widespread. She is a staunch advocate for the Green New Deal due to the prospect of decarbonization and sustainable good paying union jobs for all. Read more. DEENIE BULYALERT (they/she) - LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ Co-Chair and Events Chair Deenie is the DEIJ co-chair and Planning and Events Chair of the League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Council and they are excited to build effective civic engagement in Oregon communities. They are passionate about nonprofit work and advocacy for marginalized communities, specifically LGBTQ+, BIPOC and disabled youth. Deenie believes in the fight for improved mental health access for all and runs a coalition to support their efforts in these areas. Read more. MILANA SLOAN (she/her) - LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ Co-Chair and Youth Vote Committee Mila Sloan is attending University of Oregon majoring in Public Planning, Policy and Management and is a member of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. She is passionate about social justice for marginalized communities and has active volunteer and nonprofit experience with HIV Alliance in Eugene with formal training on Diversity, Equity, Harm Reduction, and Inclusive Language in relation to sexual orientation and health. Read more. DEIJ Toolkit A DEIJ Resource for League Members Learn more about DEIJ practices for your League and community. Get the Toolkit Youth Council Slides Learn more about Youth Council Book a Youth Council speaker! Youth Council Fall Workshop presentation slides Outreach Circle/League In Action Resources More about League In Action/OutreachCircle Thank you to our sponsors and supporters! Members of the League of Women Voters

Contact the League of Women Voters of Oregon with questions or comments. Contact Get in Touch 1330 12th St SE Suite 200 Salem, OR 97302 lwvor@lwvor.org | 503-581-5722 First Name Last Name Email Subject Type Your Message Here Send Thanks for submitting! We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes Government Ethics Election Systems Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes By Becky Gladstone We are following numerous bills relating to immigration, discrimination, bias and hate crimes, including as they relate to privacy. We are following national executive orders and memos that relate to our December action alert, anticipating developments. See the LWVOR alert and the LWVUS press release . HB 2341 : The League’s was the only testimony filed. We supported adding email address access for certain veterans and service member correspondence, based on “efficiency in government”. The bill passed unanimously in work session, from H Comm On Emergency Mngmt, Gen Gov, and Veterans . SJM 1 : We are preparing testimony on this bill, urging Congress to protect rights of armed forces and their families. It mentions bias and hate crimes. A work session is scheduled in Sen Comm On Vets, Emergency Management, Fed and World Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 1pm to return the bill to the Senate President for committee reassignment. SB 5535 : Time allowing, this DAS agency budget bill may be addressed, public hearing Wed, Feb. 5. New LWVOR Action Committee volunteers have joined to work on artificial intelligence and other cyber issues. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey The House Rules Committee heard five bills from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) on Jan. 27. The OGEC Director Meyers said that these bills are “simply efforts to clean up inconsistencies and eliminate confusion with respect to the application of the statutes.” HB 2923 specifies some business roles that must be included on a Statement of Economic Interest disclosure form. HB 2927 permits the OGEC to prolong an investigation into alleged ethics law or lobbying violations by no more than 60 days. The current 30 days allowed is ineffective since it would not extend to the next OGEC meeting. HB 2928 removes the prohibition on offering gifts in excess of $50 per calendar year to a public official, candidate, or to a relative or member of their household. This is the OGEC’s most controversial proposal since they justified it with a 2009 court case that overturned this statute. However, later written testimony said that a 2020 court case “abrogated” the 2009 decision. See Oregonian, Should special interests get to offer Oregon officials luxury gifts? Four people opposed this bill, and the League will also likely oppose it. HB 2930 applies conflict of interest laws to people who live in the same house as a public official. The only two witnesses (OGEC executive director and another OGEC employee) were in favor of the bill. Two public comments were received (one from Dan Meek on behalf of the OR Progressive Party), both in support of the bill. HB 2932 allows a public official to get paid for teaching at certain schools, even when related to their public office. Election Systems By Barbara Klein A bill related to Open Primaries ( HB 3166 ) on which LWVOR has been working, has not yet been amended. The anticipated amendments may change LWVOR support (or no support) status. It has been moved to the Rules committee. HB 2876 seeks to conform all county election structures statewide, making every county commission a nonpartisan board of five (5) commissioners (unless voters of the county choose not to do so). It is currently in Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/27 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Gun Safety Criminal Justice Human Services Housing Gun Safety By Marge Easley As implementation of Measure 114 (permit-to-purchase and high-capacity magazine ban) remains in limbo awaiting court decisions, a bill has just been introduced by several Republican legislators that would, in effect, allow counties to opt out of enforcing the measure. HB 3445 gives a county the authorization to adopt an ordinance to make Measure 114’s permit-to-purchase requirements optional for county sheriffs, police chiefs, gun dealers, and county residents. Although the bill will likely fail to progress and has not yet been referred to a committee, we will keep you informed of its progress. SB 993 , sponsored by Senator Brian Boquist and referred to the Senate Judiciary, is an interesting bill that we will be keeping an eye on. It creates the crimes of pointing a firearm at another person and unlawful carrying of a handgun, increases penalties for crimes of criminal trespass while in possession of a firearm, and directs the Oregon State Police to maintain a database of those convicted of crimes related to firearms. Meanwhile, gun sales continue to soar in Oregon. Here are some alarming facts from a recent article in 247wallst.com : “ The FBI conducted an estimated 55,581 background checks related to firearm sales in Oregon in January 2023, up 88.7% from the same period in 2022. Adjusting for population, this comes out to about 13.1 background checks for every 1,000 people, the most among states.” Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler The League submitted supportive testimony on two bills, both heard on February 27 in the House Judiciary, related to programs at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. HB 2535 establishes a doula program for pregnant and postpartum adults in custody that would provide an array of doula services overseen by an onsite pregnancy coordinator. The bill also prohibits shackling during labor, childbirth, or postpartum recovery. HB 2731 authorizes the long-term continuation of the Family Preservation Project under the auspices of the Oregon Justice Commission (OJC) and the Department of Corrections. This program, supported by the League in previous sessions, promotes family connections during incarceration and is a lifeline for inmates and their children. The League submitted testimony on HB 2327 , which was heard on March 2 in the House Judiciary Committee. The bill permits county juvenile departments to provide preventive services for children under 12 who engage in delinquent behavior. The League is pleased that another criminal justice bill we have supported is moving forward: SB 529 , relating to alternative incarceration programs for those suffering from addiction disorders, passed the Senate on January 22 and is now awaiting referral to a House committee. The Senate Judiciary scheduled SB 519 A for a hearing on March 2 on an amendment. The bill related to juvenile delinquency records and expunction will stipulate the process within the juvenile system. The amendment proposes requirements for the destruction of records and possible damages for confidentiality violations. The League did not testify on the legalities in this bill but supports expunction of juvenile records. SB 763 is a related bill that has opposition from the District Attorneys Association and has not moved forward. Human Services By Karen Nibler Senate Human Services took testimony on March 27 from many citizens on the need for food programs through the Department of Human Services . SB 609 , SB 610 and SB 856 covered higher education graduate students, immigrants from Asian countries and Pacific Islanders, who expressed the need for the food programs. The Human Services Ways and Means Subcommittee will consider the costs and the decisions in the Department of Human Services Budget process. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Significant strides are being made to address Governor Kotek’s executive order declaring housing and homelessness a state emergency. A bipartisan and bicameral process is in action, and bills are being passed on near unanimous votes. Legislators are meeting more frequently than originally scheduled. HB 2001-11 Oregon Housing and Community Services Governor’s Budget The Oregon Legislature is moving quickly to address urgent homeless and housing priorities. On 2/28, the House Committee on Housing and Homeless passed HB 2001-11. The estimated $200 million dollar package will fund the Governor’s Homeless State of Emergency, prevent more people from becoming unhoused, make affordable housing a top priority for the state, and much more. The bill is headed to Ways and Means, and lawmakers aim to pass the final package by mid-March in response to the current housing and homeless crisis facing Oregonians. A complete list with descriptions of the bill’s 11 amendments can be found at: HB 2001-11 Metro Regional Multi-Agency Coordination Group On Friday, February 24, Governor Kotek convened the first meeting of the Metro Regional Multi-Agency Coordination Group. This group includes representatives from local jurisdictions, public housing authorities, local homelessness agencies, rapid rehousing service providers, shelter developers and operators, landlord associations and behavioral health providers. Its formation came out of the governor’s declaration ( EO 23-02 ), of a homeless state of emergency. MAC groups also will be established in other regions: 1) Central Oregon, 2) Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County, 3) Medford, Ashland, and Jackson County, and 4) Salem, Marion, and Polk Counties. The MAC groups will provide planning, coordination, and operational leadership and be responsible for working with landlords and unsheltered people to move them into housing stability. They will work with Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Office of Emergency Management to meet the following goals by January 10, 2024: Prevent 8,750 households from becoming homeless statewide; Add 600 low-barrier shelter beds in emergency areas; and Rehouse at least 1,200 unsheltered households in emergency areas. This work depends on the Legislature passing the governor’s proposed funding package. SB 976 - Mortgage Interest Deduction Oregon’s largest housing subsidy, the Mortgage Interest Deduction, costs the state about $1 billion per biennium in reduced revenue. Benefits primarily go to wealthier homeowners who live in urban areas. SB 976 would place limits on the deduction by prohibiting its use for second homes and reducing the amount a household can deduct based on income. The resulting increase in state revenue would be placed in a newly created Oregon Housing Opportunity Account. Resources in the account would flow through Oregon Housing and Community Services to promote affordable homeownership and prevent homelessness. Write your senators and encourage them to schedule a hearing on this common sense proposal.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 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: Afterschool and Summer Behavioral Health Education Higher Education Gun Policy Healthcare Housing Public Safety Workplace Age Discrimination Social Policy By Jean Pierce, Social Policy Coordinator and Team Afterschool and Summer By Katie Riley The Governor’s budget includes $80 million for summer school but it is not clear whether that includes summer child care. The HB4082 task force that was formed from last session held a follow up meeting on November 20 from their August summit to gather more community input. Final recommendations have not come out yet and no reports from ODE were scheduled for Legislative Days for either the House or Senate Education Committees. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller The House Interim Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care met on 12/11/2024. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), presented an update on the findings of the Behavioral Health Workforce Workgroup created by HB 2235 (2023). The Workgroup is studying recruitment and retention issues facing behavioral health workers. According to the Workgroup, key problems include: Low reimbursement rates and pay Administrative burdens/paperwork Shortage of providers with advanced degrees, especially in rural areas Licensing barriers Lack of career pathways/workforce development Extra burdens facing cultural and linguistically specific providers Extra burdens for CMHP and COA organizations The Workgroup’s recommendations include more support for workers through paid professional development, loan repayment, zero cost training programs, paid internships, childcare, and housing support. They also recommended increased wellness and safety support. The Workgroup’s first report is due in January 2025 and a second report focusing on legislative actions is due in December 2025. Chair Rob Nosse noted that he believes bills about licensure compacts are coming and asked if the Workgroup discussed this topic. Although the Workgroup discussed compacts, there was no consensus. The Workgroup plans to address licensure, staffing ratios, and pay increases in the December 2025 report. Education By Anne Nesse House Education Summary of LC’s for the coming 2025 Session: 1) Bills to address the inadequacy of funding, especially for special education students. 2) Improvements in the transparency, and efficiency of the functioning of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), all summarized here. Senate Education Summary of LC’s for coming 2025 Session: 1) LC 776 moves the staffing responsibility for the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) into the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), while maintaining TSPC as an independent commission. 2) A number of placeholder, and other bills relating to higher education and K-12 education: including financial budgets, the State School Fund current service level, chronic absenteeism, substitute teachers, statewide collective bargaining, ESD contracting, and raising the cap on the percentage of children with disabilities to allow more equitable funding between districts. 3) LC 941 directs ODE to develop and implement a standardized method for electronic student data. Higher Education By Jean Pierce According to a report from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Oregon has the highest average resident tuition and fees in the region at our public four-year institutions and the second highest at two-year institutions. From the Senate Education Committee meeting : Oregon has a disproportionately high ratio of individuals with some college but no credential. In 2025, the legislature will be asked to consider participating in the Re-up program, which works to re-enroll former students so that they earn a credential. This program is currently being used in 31 other states. From the House Higher Education Committee Meeting: In 2025, there will be legislation which supports the Oregon Community Table on Postsecondary Education and Training (OCTPET) in providing financial aid to help meet basic needs (e.g. food, housing, childcare, transportation) of traditionally under-served students (e.g. rural communities, low-income, students with disabilities, undocumented, as well as racial and ethnic minorities). Through the Education Champions Program, OCTPET students receive civic education teaching them how to make their voices heard in government. Similarly, there will be legislation requesting additional funds for tribal student grants which offset the cost of attending higher education. Like the Oregon Opportunity Grant, this money can go to private, non-profit institutions. Gun Policy By Marge Easley Organizations working on gun policy legislation in Oregon have reconvened as a coalition under a new name, “Alliance for a Safe Oregon”. LWVOR has joined this alliance, and we endorse their priorities for 2025, including: Funding community violence intervention programs Banning rapid-fire devices (aka “bump stocks”) Strengthening protection orders that will ensure compliance when a court mandates weapon surrender Ensuring effective implementation of Measure 114 if the Oregon Court of Appeals issues a favorable ruling to allow the measure to go into effect State licensing of firearm dealers and instituting a dealer code of conduct Increasing use of Oregon’s Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law Raising the age from 18 to 21 for purchase of semi-automatic rifles Thus far OLIS lists two Legislative Concepts (LCs) related to firearms. LC 3066 directs the Department of State Police to study whether the process for conducting criminal background checks for firearm transfers can be made more efficient. LC 3062 directs the Judicial Department to study the number of extreme risk protection petitions that are filed and orders issued each year. Updates on previous legislation: Oregon’s 2023 law banning ghost guns went into effect on September 1, 2024. The first-time penalty for possessing firearms and firearm parts without serial numbers is a fine up to $1000, with repeat offenses resulting in higher fines or prison time. Measure 114 (2022), which requires a permit to purchase a firearm and bans high-capacity magazines, continues to wend its way through the appellate courts. The most recent hearing was before the Oregon Court of Appeals on October 29, with LWVOR joining an amicus brief on the case. We await the court’s ruling, which hopefully will allow the measure to go into effect during the appeals process. Healthcare By Christa Danielson The Senate and House healthcare committees heard reports from task forces that had been formed over the last several years - specifically HB 3610 which had studied alcohol addiction and prevention and HB 3396 which had studied hospital discharge. Based on their findings, we can expect bills that help fund alcohol rehabilitation from wine and beer, not just hard liquor, and up to eight recommendations for bills to help the discharge process from the hospital. Also discussed were improvements to eligibility verification for OHP patients as an audit from the Secretary of State found significant errors. As these errors accounted for up to $445 million (from 2019-2022) we can expect changes that support improved supervision in the eligibility process. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona State of the State’s Housing Report Oregon Housing and Community Services recently released its first State of the State’s Housing report. It paints a grim picture of the situation facing Oregonians in need of a safe and stable place to call home. Following is some of the key information from the report: Homelessness When adjusted for population size, Oregon ranks third in the nation for people experiencing homelessness, behind only New York
and Vermont. Oregon ranks first in the nation for unsheltered homelessness among families with children. The number of children experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Oregon is 14 times higher than the national average. Rental housing Cost burden for renters (spending more than 30 percent of income on housing costs) increased by 11 percent between 2019 and 2022. The increase predominantly affects households making between $45,000 and $75,000, whose representation among cost-burdened renters grew from just 18 percent in 2001 to 44 percent in 2022. More than 27 percent of
all renters are severely cost-burdened, meaning they spend 50 percent or more of their income on housing. The number of eviction cases filed in 2023 was the highest Oregon has seen since 2011. Homeownership For every dollar Oregonians earned in wage increases between 2013 and 2022, the median
sales price of a home increased by $7.10. BIPOC communities, which have historically been excluded from homeownership, continue to face significantly lower homeownership
rates (49 percent) compared to their white counterparts (66 percent). 
 2025 Legislative Session Housing Bills Legislative committees met recently to explore ideas for bills they may consider in the 2025 session. Possible proposals include: Imposing rent control on manufactured home parks and marinas at a rate no greater than inflation, Limiting landlords’ ability to pocket deposits from tenants applying to secure an apartment They would be required to refund the deposit if they failed to provide a lease for reasons such as overbooking a unit or trying to rent a unit that is not habitable. In buildings with 10 or more units, require landlords to provide cooling sufficient to keep bedroom temperatures 15 degrees below the outside temperature and no more than 80 degrees Reduce the number of years from 10 to six during which condo owners can file complaints against construction companies potentially responsible for defects Governor Kotek’s Budget On Dec. 2, Governor Kotek released the state’s 2025-27 budget proposing to invest $39.3 billion in homelessness, housing, behavioral health, and education. Budget amounts applicable to housing and homelessness: Homelessness: $700 million Maintain Oregon’s statewide system of shelters Maintain efforts to transition Oregonians out of homelessness and into housing Provide services to prevent people from becoming homeless Housing Supply: $1.4 billion New bond authority to build affordable rental housing and new homeownership units Establish a new housing infrastructure program Support for homebuyer assistance programs first-time homebuyers Oregon Housing Alliance The Oregon Housing Alliance workgroups met this fall to consider proposals to include in their legislative priorities. In January, members will meet and vote on the Housing Alliance agenda for the 2025 legislative session. LWVOR is a member of the Housing Alliance and participated in the workgroup meetings. Public Safety By Karen Nibler and Jean Pierce The Senate and House Judiciary Committees heard an update on SB337 (2023) from the Oregon Public Defense Commission. The bill charged the Commission with finding ways to address the fact that a public defender shortage left many in custody without representation. Between July and October of 2023, the in-custody population who are unrepresented went down significantly. However, the costs of the Temporary Hourly Increase Program (THIP) increased dramatically in that time period. THIP uses higher hourly rates as incentives for lawyers to serve as public defenders. Under that program, 395 attorneys have taken over 7200 cases serving close to 5000 clients. Most of the increase in costs has gone to attorney fees. The Commission asked the Emergency Board to extend THIP funding through June, 2025. In July, they anticipate replacing flat-fee contracting with a workload model. They are currently crafting policies and programs needed for this. The Emergency Board agreed to refer the request for $2.45million to the full committee. The Senate and House Judiciary Committees also heard about Oregon State Police Safe Kit DNA testing which requires highly trained analysts. The Department of Corrections presented its Substance Abuse Treatment Programs in prison facilities. The adults in custody are diagnosed when they enter DOC facilities and assigned to treatment programs including medication assistance for opioid abuse. The abuse rate is high in adults in custody but they can be trained as peer mentors in the prison and in future roles in the community. An important report was heard from a Task Force on Specialty Courts which are part of the state court system but require separate funding. The Task Force presented 14 recommendations including terminology, data systems, advisory committees, and case management systems. The recommendations will be considered during the upcoming regular session. Follow up to HB 4002 (2024) The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission reported to the Joint Committee on Addiction and Public Safety that between September 1st and December 4th, 442 people had been referred to deflection programs; 323 were actually eligible for a program; 263 enrolled; 10 have completed; and 216 are still In programs. Workplace Age Discrimination By Trish Garner The topic of workplace age discrimination was raised in an informational hearing held on December 10 in the House Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. Representative Sosa is the Chair of the Committee and the Chief Sponsor of the bill (LC 567 - which is still in the Legislative Counsel's Office awaiting final edits).

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Senate and House Rules Committees Campaign Finance and Redistricting AI and Elections, EPAB (Electronic Portal Advisory Board) The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. Bills in most committees must be scheduled for a work session by Feb. 12 and acted on by Feb. 19 th in the first chamber. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Senate and House Rules Committee Senate Rule Committee SB 1540 requests the Public Records Advisory Council to study fees charged for public records requests. SB 1538 is an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes. House Rules Committee HB 4021 requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy. HB 4027 requires the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to study Oregon’s government ethics laws. (Placeholder relating to government ethics.) HB 4030 requires the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to study public meetings. (Placeholder relating to public meetings.) HB 4031 requires the Public Records Advisory Council to study public records. (Placeholder relating to public records.) HB 4032 removes the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court. HB 4117 authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law. Correction to a bill passed in 2023 session. Senate Committee on Education SB 1502 requires public schools and college boards to livestream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. Allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. Campaign Finance and Redistricting The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. Petitions can be downloaded, printed, signed and returned by mail from the Honest Elections website for IP 9 and the People Not Politicians website for IP 14. Both initiative petitions are due to be filed by July 5, 2024 with the Secretary of State. Elections, Cybersecurity, Synthetic Media (aka AI), and EPAB By Rebecca Gladstone For the first week of session this news includes committee bills we’re working on / watching and news from the quarterly EPAB Meeting. Artificial Intelligence “synthetic media” bills Several bills will address this hot issue. SB 1571 altering campaign ads with artificial intelligence , provides definitions, compliance requirements, enforcement provisions, and penalties for. We are revising testimony for the -1 amendment, which replaces “artificial intelligence” with “synthetic media”. Thanks to Sen. Woods for inviting LWVOR to work on this campaign ad bill. The public hearing is posted for Feb. 13, moved from Joint Information Management to Senate Rules. LWVOR will support, with testimony to be shared on submission. SB 1546 3 rd party Exec Dept IT study, lineup is underway for which offices should not be subject to this study, addressing constitutional definitions of the Executive Department. HB 4153 artificial intelligence glossary Task Force, (this is another AI TF**) this one for studying, collecting, and defining terms and definitions, for use in legislation and statute. Professional organizations were well prepared in the public hearing, sharing thanks to bill sponsors for inclusion in early collaboration. Increasing understanding is a laudable goal and we expect to support it, if need be. **Governor Kotek’s Oregon State Government AI Advisory Council is contacting members now. Cybersecurity HB 4152 EIS cyber assets security study. Enterprise Information Services to study just how secure our cyber assets are. This hasn’t come up for a hearing yet, but watch Wednesday’s hearing video , 50.00 minutes in, which highlights a learning opportunity from the Joint Information Management and Technology committee. “Estonia’s Digital Journey”, shows how Estonia is avoiding hacking and ransomware cyber-attacks while increasing government efficiency. This committee has been reporting on these problems, refreshing here to see solutions at work. This calls for further study and could fit right into this bill. Elections bills HB 4019 US President and VP electors , set scheduling and process. No surprises are expected, but since LWV has a longstanding position to abolish the electoral college, we will be watching this. HB 4024 campaign finance placeholder bill . LWVOR is actively working on IP 9, for campaign contribution limits and transparency, watching this bill. See Oregon power players in business, labor are negotiating a campaign finance package , OPB, Feb 9, 2024. LWVOR is actively working on IP 9 with Honest Elections . HB 4026 : We are watching this call for the SoS to study how to improve voter access in Oregon, in the shortest concept ever seen in this portfolio, no details on specific purpose, impetus, or funding. SB 1538 : We’ll be researching content, prospects and support for this bill to increase Voters’ Pamphlet languages from 5 to 10. A public hearing is set for Feb 13, then slated for Joint Ways and Means. SB 1577 : We will comment on this Automatic Voter Registration for students applying to Oregon public higher ED schools. We laud the concept of winnowing down to reach the last 7% or so of Oregon’s unregistered voters. This bill needs more work, though. Public Records HB 4078 , to “develop and implement a standardized way… to electronically create, collect, use, maintain, disclose, transfer and access student data”, may help further work for SB 1577. See the Education LR. SB 1574 Abuse of a corpse would not usually catch attention here, but it could be relevant to handling personal data in other legislation. EPAB The mission is to eliminate obstacles to accessing Oregon’s online resources, aligning with the EIS framework. This state group meets quarterly to oversee state websites’ administration. Rebecca Gladstone, appointed as a public member, attends listing LWVOR affiliation. A new public member has joined, representing business perspective, as an owner. There were significant links to the week’s bills. See HB 4152 calling for a study of how secure our cyber assets are. The EPAB shifted the biennial benchmark survey from 2 to every 4 years, since user sentiment is not expected to alter much to warrant more frequency, and since this could enable study sooner for historically underserved groups. E-commerce “Prompt Pay” integrations proceed. Compare our HB 4152, in cybersecurity, to “Estonia’s Digital Journey", hearing video , 50.00 minutes in. Estonia’s digital technology is far ahead of Oregon, unified after serious nationwide cyber attacks unified their resolve to improve. A Newsroom 2.0 website template release is set for March 2026, for customized use by state agencies. See the current Oregon.gov Newsroom Index . 2024 investment areas include multilingual support. SB 1538 above calls for increasing Voters’ Pamphlet access from 5-10 foreign languages.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Reform Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes Government Ethics Campaign Finance Reform The Portland City Auditor wants to ask the Legislature to nullify (preempt) the campaign finance reform Charter Amendment approved by 87.4% of Portland voters in 2018. This would undermine the express desires of Portland voters and open the doors to a deluge of big money flowing into Portland elections. It is unclear if the Auditor will convince city representatives to lobby for this idea in the Legislature. Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes By Becky Gladstone Numerous bills followed here have not been scheduled for hearings. Their committees are still introducing members to their issues. Weather cancellations included Joint Information Management and Technology IT modernization planning. Here are recent bill updates: HB 2341 , ( League testimony in support), passed unanimously in a work session. The bill would add veterans’ email addresses to shared information in providing services. HB 5017 ; League testimony was presented and heard in support of this Oregon State Library budget bill. HB 2570 is scheduled for a work session 19 Feb. League testimony was submitted and presented in support of this privacy bill to make new [non]disclosure law to keep PII (personally identifiable information) confidential for employees working with OSHA investigations or inspections. SB 473 creates a new crime of threatening a public official. League testimony in support was written and presented. Sen Prozanski, Sen Judiciary Chair, suggested forming a work group for this complex issue. We are researching these: HB 2710 , to put victims of child abduction onto the list of those able to join the Address. Confidentiality Program. A public hearing was cancelled due to weather. HB 3012 , relates to 16 or 17 year-olds voting in school district elections, and it has not been scheduled for a hearing. HB 3384 , a County Clerks’ bill to alter the election calendar to allow not processing petitions during election season, has not moved since a Feb 3 public hearing. We are watching for amendments and intend to support it. SB 18 would increase penalties for election law violations. A public hearing was almost scheduled, but was withdrawn for this complex bill, with amendments already underway. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2727 further limits what lobbying a legislator can do after leaving office. It was heard in House Rules Feb. 10. The League supported this bill with testimony . HB 3130 would allow unpaid school district board members to not file statements of economic interest (SEIs) with the Government Ethics Commission. It was heard in House Rules Feb. 10. The League opposed this bill with testimony , since conflicts of interest do not depend on the size of a school district or if a public official is paid or not.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ ) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI ) Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Forestry (ODF) Hanford Land Use & Housing Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. (OPRD ) Revenue Regional Solutions Smith River State Land Board Tips for the Public Transportation Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Impacts of Fefderal Actions on Oregon: The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee (Sept. 29 agenda and meeting materials ) had a great cost/loss general presentation as did the Oregon Dept. of Energy, the Dept. of Environmental Quality and the State Support Center. There are discussions on the Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.’s budget crisis that the Oregon Coast Alliance is leading. From bloomberglaw.com : Included in the budget request is a $2.46 billion cut for the EPA’s clean and drinking water state revolving loan funds. The program “has been heavily earmarked by the Congress for projects that are ultimately not repaid into the program and bypass states’ interest and planning,” according to the request. This could mean a 17 percent cut to the clean water programs and a 12 percent cut to DEQ funding. Cuts to NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) will affect Oregon coastal communities per this article in Columbia Insight. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 25-25 on Oct. 6 to accelerate the pace of renewable wind and solar project development in the state of Oregon before the clock runs out on critical federal clean energy tax credits. See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL ISSUES By Christine Moffitt Ocean Policy Advisory Council Meeting: The Territorial Sea Plan Offshore Wind Working Group will meet on October 15 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. Meeting Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/R1or3GLBTGCSXovWbiRYZQ Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov Ocean Policy Advisory Council Meeting: The OPAC will meet on October 29 for a virtual meeting of the Council. Meeting information will be made available via the Oregon Ocean Information website closer to the meeting date. Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov Ripple effects from Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve: New economic analysis reveals job and income generation. The League supports the marine reserve program so having a study showing the economic value of these reserves to both Oregon and the coastal area is great news: S upported an estimated total economic impact of approximately $982k and 20 jobs. A reminder related to the Port of Coos Bay bonds: HB 5006 included authorization to issue $100 million of general obligation bonds for the Coos Bay Channel Modification project. The accompanying SB 5505 outlined specific requirements to be met before bonds could be issued. Listed were completion of the environmental impact statement for the project and the issuance of the final record of decision through the National Environmental Policy Act. Additionally, it requires that the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, or a private entity engaged in a public private partnership with the port, has closed on a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan through the Build America Bureau within the United States Department of Transportation in the amount of at least $1 billion or has secured equivalent levels of alternative funding through other federal grants or loans. See this press release . There have been presentations on this project and the potential rail improvements needed. The Coos County League will hold another presentation on Nov. 19. Their Part 1 presentation was recorded. The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development has a website on offshore wind with public meetings continuing. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch In a Press Release from Sept. 19, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality submitted formal comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fiercely opposing its proposal to revoke the Endangerment Finding and weaken motor vehicle emission standards. LWVUS comments. The League was pleased to see the Environmental Quality Commission adopted rules to implement important legislation from the 2023 legislative session related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and sewer availability through Senate Bills 835 and 931 . The League supported SB 835 and participated in the rules advisory committee that developed these rules. The League will again serve on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) By Joan Fryxell The League continues to follow the Calico Resources proposed Grassy Mountain gold mine near Vale in Malheur County. The Trump Administration listed the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project as having a potential completion of federal action by the end of March 2026. But the state has permit authority, too. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for part of the permitting. Here is a link to the agency’s website . DEPT. OF STATE LANDS By Peggy Lynch The agency has a role in addressing abandoned and derelict vessels in Oregon’s waters. OPB has a great article on the issue. DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC) By Sandra U. Bishop The League has a standing seat on DWAC. Interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps for water system and source water protection have been improved. These maps are available to the public as well as water system operators and are maintained by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Drinking Water Protection group and may be accessed via the Drinking Water Services website . The next DWAC meeting will be in October 2025. FORESTRY By Josie Koehne Last year the Board of Forestry met for a special meeting to decide on criteria for a computer model to test run different forest management scenarios for timber management on state forest lands. ECO Northwest was hired to evaluate the model under these four different objectives. In July of this year, the final report of Economic Analysis of ODF Western Oregon Forest Management Plan Scenarios was published. The model projected outcomes over a 30-year period assuming that the approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is in place. The intent of modeling of various scenarios is to show examples of the trade-offs between resources and outcomes under different implementation approaches. The model provides a scientific basis for management decisions, and the chosen plan will be incorporated into the Western Oregon Forest Management Plan (FMP) which is due to be approved by the Board by the end of this year. Each of the four scenarios modeled projects the outcomes to be expected for harvest intensity, rotation age, and revenue optimization: 30-Year Volume Target: Maintains a steady harvest volume for the first 30 years, followed by a non-declining even flow. Long Rotations: Emphasizes longer tree rotations that supports a balanced distribution of age classes across managed acres by year 70. Maximize Volume: Prioritizes harvest volume to maximize productivity over the long term, with fluctuations over time. Maximize Net Present Value (NPV): Focuses on generating the highest economic return using a 4% discount rate. Each scenario results in different patterns of timber products, harvest costs, harvest volume, revenue distribution, employment, and ecosystem services over the analysis period. The analysis discusses socioeconomic outcomes for both the 70-year permit term of the HCP and the long-term implications over a 150-year modeling timeframe. The report summarizes Key Findings for each of the categories above, but the report did not include a summary of their conclusions nor recommendations. Policy decisions will be left to the Board of Forestry. The newest member to the Board of Forestry is Alexi Lovechio of Ashland who joined in March. She serves as Forests and Ecosystem Services Program Manager with Ecotrust. On July 16, The Board of Forestry met in a special meeting to review the status of the recruitment of a new State Forester. In the interim, Kate Skinner has served as Interim State Forester since January following the resignation of Cal Mukamoto. The responsibility for the selection of the State Forester changed from the Board of Forestry to the Governor’s office with the passage of SB 1051 at the close of the session on June 27th . The Governor’s selection process is headed up by Chandra Ferrari, Governor Kotek’s Natural Resources Advisor, who served previously on the Board. Senior Natural Resource Policy Advisor Geoff Huntington kicked off the discussion and outlined the proposed recruitment process. They have hired a recruitment firm to rank the 6-8 candidates who will be reviewed and interviewed by the Governor starting October 6-13. The planned date for the Senate to confirm the Governor’s choice for State Forester is November 17. The Board can provide input on the recruitment process and reach out directly to potential candidates. The selection criteria are outlined in SB 1051 : “The State Forester must have organizational management experience and either of the following: (A) Executive experience and expertise overseeing forest and wildfire management on western forestlands; or (B) Operational experience and expertise overseeing forest and wildfire management on western forestlands.” The Board of Forestry expressed concerns about their role and authority once the Governor’s office has appointed the State Forester. They expressed concerns over having responsibility without authority, including the purpose of Board-developed performance measures related to the State Forester performance measures if the Board does not have the same authority, and having to trust the Governor’s Office to follow through with addressing the Board’s interests and concerns. On a separate note, here is an OPB article explaining that the Secure Rural Schools federal funding continues to be missing from the federal budget, creating a funding crisis in our former timber counties. HANFORD The League is concerned about potential changes to the Hanford nuclear cleanup per this article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle. LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra U. Bishop/Peggy Lynch Oregon Housing Needs Analysis ( OHNA ) work: Draft rules were sent to the Sec of State Oct. 1 st . The last planned OHNA RAC is set for Oct. 29 th . Adoption of the rules should occur during the Dec.4-5 LCDC mtg. as they are statutorily due by Jan. 1, 2026. Public comments are due by November 7. press release . The League has been engaged in elements of this process since inception. We encourage individual League members to review the rules and provide personal comments. These rules are among the most significant changes in Goal 10, Housing, and Goal 14, Urbanization since the program’s inception. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) met Sept. 25-26. Here is the meeting agenda and meeting materials . The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has a YouTube Channel that provides videos of a variety of DLCD meetings and LCDC meetings. The DLCD Director announced a new interagency group (SHIP—State Housing Interagency Partnership) to work on housing and the agencies will be signing a Memorandum of Agreement in Oct. The Gov has instructed all agencies to cut back on travel (LCDC mtgs. will be back in Salem). DLCD will be using vacancy savings—rolling vacancies so they aren’t targeted by Ways and Means in the future--and slowing hiring. DLCD may comment to the federal government on the short timeline of only Oct. 6 th for local gov’ts. to comment on the Federal EIS on the Flood program. Public hearing on the 2025-27 Policy Agenda: There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone! The League has not provided comments because the items on the agenda reflect our legislative work, with the exception that we have supported the Farm and Forest Modernization work that had been approved back in March. Most of the public testimony reflected a request to continue that work which included changes to address agritourism and other commercial events, use of soils reports, replacement dwellings and non-farm dwellings. Contact Hilary Foote at hilary.foote@dlcd.oregon.gov with any questions about the project. Rulemaking Webpage One other issue was brought up during general public comment: Public Comment on items not on the agenda at LCDC meetings is now scheduled at the end of their meetings. There was a request that the public comment period be moved back to the beginning of the mtg. Sept. 5 th Community Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) meeting: There is a video from the CIAC where on Sept. 5th they were given a presentation on the Draft Policy Agenda: https://youtu.be/sLcdV3jLjQI . The video is about 3 hours long, but the Draft Policy Agenda presentation begins at 1:15 and ends about 1:51. Local Officials Advisory Committee met Sept. 15 and received the same presentation. Other parts of the meeting included: SB 504 (coastal 2025), HB 2001 (2023--OHNA), HB 2258 (site development plans 2025) and HB 2138 (middle housing--legislation LWVOR worked on prior to session 2025). Afterward, they even did a presentation on the proposed wetlands rulemaking (related to addressing wetlands in proposed UGBs). That, too, was interesting. LWVOR supported DSL getting additional staff and funding to work on this issue and DLCD got $500k. The Senate Housing and Development Committee met: agenda . There was a presentation on the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis and an Urban Reserves presentation . House Housing had a presentation on implementation of SB 1537 (2024) related to the one-time Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion portion of the bill. Three cities are considering it as of now: Bend (where the process is almost done!), Eagle Point and Bay City. Some presenters expressed concern with the narrow criteria. The League worked on this bill and supports the sideboards in the bill as this expansion opportunity was meant to sidestep larger acreage requests but was NOT meant to supersede the current UGB expansion process. However, some committee members expressed an interest in bringing legislation to the 2026 session that might sidestep the intent of SB 1537 so the League may need to engage. On July 1, the new Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO) officially opened to assist local governments and developers to meet housing production goals, per this press release . Their website . See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) By Melanie Moon ODFW SWAP adopted August 15- see news release : The Commission approved a revised State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) today, a plan that serves as a roadmap for protecting Oregon's at-risk species and their habitats. The Plan incorporates the latest available information on species and presents recommended conservation actions to inform and prioritize conservation work for community members, private landowners, organizations, and agencies alike. The revision adds pollution as a new Key Conservation Issue, completes integration of the Oregon Nearshore Strategy, enhances information provided in the Conservation Toolbox to make conservation accessible to all Oregonians, and adds information on species newly identified as being at-risk. The Plan is meant to be used by natural resource partners and will eventually be fully web-enabled and accessible online to ensure that content is navigable . The League provided comments on the SWAP. Significant underfunding has severely impacted Oregon's State Wildlife Action Plan leading to a scaled-back conservation initiative, reduced monitoring of at-risk species, and an over-reliance on declining revenue from hunting and fishing licenses. ODFW has acknowledged this funding gap even as it adopted a revised SWAP. The present administration in Washington DC is proposing more cuts. A new state transient lodging tax (TLT), HB 2977 , was introduced in 2025 to ensure regular and robust funding for wildlife conservation programs. The bill passed the House floor, but did not make it out of the Senate. The League expects the bill to return in 2026 where we will consider supporting. Here is more information on the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT): Current data . The Oregon Dept. of Revenue did a 2025 comprehensive report for the legislators. Currently, at least 65% of the tax must be spent on tourism. HB 2977 would have added a separate percentage to the TLT focused on conservation. OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD) By Peggy Lynch Director Lisa Sumption was recognized by the National Assn. of State Park Directors and her staff did a video congratulations. We are working with her and others to address OPRD’s revenue shortfall and maintenance needs. OPRD provided a budget one-pager and information on asset needs as we work to assure our Parks are open and maintained over time. The Legislative Fiscal Office notes : During the November 2024 meeting of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department provided an update outlining concerns for the long-term sustainability of OPRD’s operational funding. The Department asserted that the largest known challenge for the 2025-27 biennium is addressing the gap between projected operational revenues and anticipated expenditures. Throughout this biennium as well as the next, OPRD’s operational budget is dependent on an existing beginning balance. This means the current level of expenditures, given projected revenues, is unsustainable for the long-term. While the dedicated programs remain sustainable, operational expenditures are outpacing Lottery Funds and non-dedicated Other Funds revenues used to support agency. The League will engage with these budget issues before the 2027 legislative session. REGIONAL SOLUTIONS The Regional Solutions Program : Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. If you know anyone who may benefit from these publications, please direct them to this signup page . The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person. Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings. Public Comment is usually scheduled. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: Regional Solutions: Add latest mtgs. See July 2 nd LR for info) • Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) October 9, 1:30-3:30pm (Aug. 14 th mtg. was cancelled.) *Central (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties) October 10th from 2:00-4:00pm *Northeast (Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties) October 14th from 2:00-4:00pm *South Coast (Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties) December 3rd from 11:00am-1:00pm *North Coast (Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook Counties) December 10th from 3:00-5:00pm REVENUE By Peggy Lynch The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee (See Sept. 29 agenda and meeting materials ) had a great cost/loss general presentation as did the Oregon Dept. of Energy, the Dept. of Environmental Quality and the State Support Center. There are discussions on the Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.’s budget crisis that the Oregon Coast Alliance is leading. See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report for in depth information. We encourage you to read both sections. SMITH RIVER By Alyssa Babin The League again supported federal legislation to expand the Smith River Recreation Area. The North Fork of the Smith River has scenic, historic and recreational values. We have supported this effort in the past with approval from LWVUS. STATE LAND BOARD By Peggy Lynch The next State Land Board is Oct. 14 ( agenda ). The meeting will consider many topics the League follows: Elliott State Research Forest, Common School Fund Report, South Slough and Oregon Ocean Science Trust. They are hybrid meetings with physical location at the Dept. of State Lands in Salem. The League follows these meetings since the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer comprise the Board membership. TRANSPORTATION The Governor announced that a Special Session would happen starting August 29 and continuing Sept. 1 “ for lawmakers to take up legislation to pay for basic road maintenance and operations at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), as well as address funding needs for local governments and transit districts.” HB 3991 increases a number of transportation taxes and fees and applies audit requirements to ODOT. It expands the OReGO road usage charge program and repeals the Oregon Transportation Commission toll program. ODOT will receive 50% of the funding, counties will receive 30%, and cities 20%. There is an estimate that the cost to each Oregonian would be about $2/month. HB 3992 appropriates $800,000 General Fund, reduces the Emergency Fund by a corresponding amount, and increases Other Funds expenditure limitation by $204.9 million. Other funds for the Secretary of State’s office (SOS) are sourced from assessments charged to state agencies for services and from revenues generated through HB 3991 . Since HB 3991 would raise taxes, it takes 18 Senators and 36 House members to vote yes. The House passed the bills on Sept. 1, with one Democrat voting no and one Republican voting yes. Since Senate Republicans were opposed to the bill and Sen. Chris Gorsek had a health emergency, the final vote in the Senate didn’t happen until Sept. 29 when the session ended—after both bills passed. See ODOT bills pass Senate per this press release . The bills were meant to be a stop gap measure so the 2026 Session may again try to pass a more comprehensive transportation plan. ODOT had about 200 employees leave or retire during all the chaos, and they are months behind in hiring winter temporary workers. Once the Governor signs HB 3991, Sen. Starr and Rep. Diehl have said they want to gather signatures to place the bill on the ballot for Oregonians to consider. The League will follow this effort since it could stop the needed ODOT funding provided in HB 3991. It is unclear if this political action committee , “No Gas Hikes’, formed after the 2025 regular legislative session, will move forward and try to put the special session legislation (HB 3991) on the ballot. The League would hope that the slimmed down bill will be allowed to stand. LWVOR asks that you “Think before you Ink” when any volunteers ask for your signature to get an item on the ballot. “ Bills passed by Oregon lawmakers can be referred to voters if organizers collect enough valid signatures within 90 days of the Legislature adjourning. This year, a referendum would require at least 78,115 signatures, equal to 4% of the people who cast a ballot in the 2022 gubernatorial election.” WATER By Peggy Lynch Oregon's Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) provides a statewide inter-agency framework for better understanding and meeting Oregon's instream and out-of-stream water needs. Here is the IWRS website . 2025 Integrated Water Resources Strategy adopted ! Addressing Oregon’s water challenges is an all-hands endeavor – Oregonians are best served when agencies are working toward common goals. Those goals are articulated in the 2025 Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). Earlier this month, the Oregon Water Resources Commission adopted the 2025 IWRS, a roadmap for numerous agencies interacting with water to address these issues head-on through coordinated action. You can view the plan online at owrd.info/iwrs . The League again engaged in this Strategy and helped form the final document. Oregon State University continues to provide important information on water supply. Measuring mountain snowpack at strategically selected hotspots consistently outperforms broader basin-wide mapping in predicting water supply in the western United States, a new study found. Update: Look for a new version of SB 1153 to return in 2026 or 2027. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, had months of work group sessions among the various interests, but, in the end, the bill did not pass. From the July 9 th article of the Capital Press, Governor Kotek is looking to continue to work on this issue: Despite the failure of the bill getting done this session, we do need to stay on this topic. We have to manage our water differently. We have to identify ways to update our water rights transfer process,” she said during a recent roundtable interview. TIPS FOR THE PUBLIC League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Over 42% of Oregon is in moderate drought (D1) and over 6% is in severe drought (D2) with the rest of the state experiencing abnormally dry condition. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon and a long range climate prediction . We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs). “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. As the summer heats up, be aware of the signs of potentially deadly HABs to your pets as well as humans. WEATHER The National Weather Service issued a La Niña watch, raising hopes the coming winter will fight stubborn drought conditions in the Northwest. The weather service’s Climate Prediction Center reported Aug. 14 that the odds slightly favor a La Niña forming by November and sticking around for December and January. A La Niña increases expectations that snow will accumulate in the mountains and melt into rivers for the irrigation season. La Niñas sometimes fizzle. A La Niña formed last winter, but the Washington snowpack was disappointing. Still, it’s the main guide for seasonal forecasts. Read more in this HillsboroNewsTimes article. KLCC also covered this important weather story. OregonLive reports a weaker Polar Vortex and more extreme weather according to Extreme Weather Europe, a website that tracks weather patterns around the globe. A weaker polar vortex would mean more snowfall and cold winter days than with a stronger polar vortex. Here’s another long range climate prediction . WETLANDS On Jan. 1 st , the fees for removal/fill permits will increase so that, within 5 years, the new fees will cover 80% of the cost, relieving the Common School Fund from most of those costs. A League member participated in the rulemaking related to this decision. The current fees paid by developers, property owners, and other permit applicants cover just 21%. On average, it costs $2.8 million every year to cover the remaining removal-fill permitting costs. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers From the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee: The Oregon Dept. of Forestry reported an average number of wildfires and significantly fewer acres burned. (Current gross costs $127 million, but net--after reimbursements--of $54 million—if the federal government pays their costs.) Fire Marshal Chief Ruiz Temple emphasized how community wildfire preparedness, coupled with the rapid responses and landscape treatments, made all the difference in how they were able to have almost all the threatened structures in the Flat Fire saved from the fire. The Fire Marshal’s office was thrilled with that response. There have, to date, been no injuries to any ODF firefighters. The bill to establish mitigation protocols for utilities is going to come back in the short session. Several speakers expressed concerns about it being a “get out of jail free” card for utilities and that, if they get the certification, they won’t be held legally liable for damages. This legislation will be worked on to the point where it passes so utilities can standardize their practices. Fire season isn’t over. On Sept. 30, the Governor invoked yet another Emergency Conflagration—this time for the Moon Complex in Curry County. This marks the eighth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked by Governor Kotek in the 2025 wildfire season. The Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC) met July 18 and will meet again Oct. 17. This article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle shares potential changes in the U.S. Forest Service offices where the Portland-based office may close. Oregonians have concerns about both the relocation and potential staffing cuts. 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 , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Climate Priorities Senate Committee on Energy and Environment News Oregon Treasury Climate Lawsuits/Our Children's Trust Many Climate Emergency priority policy and or funding bills the league supports are expected to move to JWM or the floor. The deadline for posting work sessions for most first chamber policy committees was Monday Feb 16, find details below. (note: bills in any joint, rules or revenue committees have no deadlines) Climate Priority Bills The League may have testimony and/or join coalition letters. SB 1541 A Make Polluters Pay (MPP), new SMS , Senate Energy and Environment , PH 2/5 and work session 2/10 , - 2 amendment , moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) . LWVOR submitted testimony . Creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to assess financial impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and recover costs from responsible entities. Multiple state agencies are involved including, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Health Authority, and Land Conservation and Developmet Commission. The oversight body is Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). The League has joined the Make Polluters Pay Campaign . This climate legislation is a national effort covered today by the New York Times , reporting that a number of other states are in the process of passing and/or implementing. SB 1526 A, new SMS , Fund for Oregon Resilience, Growth, and Energy, work session was 2/9, Senate Energy and Environment (SEE) moved the bill to JWM, League testimony . Creates financing tools, including a revolving loan fund, to provide more affordable, accessible long-term financing for clean energy and resilience infrastructure projects in Oregon. This is modeled on a number of other states’ legislation , some as "green" banking nonprofits. SB 1582 , Community-Based Power: Distributed Power Plants, SEE possible work session 2/16. Distributed power plants (DPPs) bring together customer resources like rooftop solar, battery systems, and smart thermostats to help maximize grid efficiency by using energy sources already connected to the grid to balance grid loads. This bill requires each investor-owned utility to develop a DPP program and file it with the PUC, which would adopt annual procurement targets for DPP grid services, along with annual performance incentives for the utilities to achieve those targets. HB 4046-2 , Nuclear Study Bill, House Climate, Energy, and Environment (HCEE), work session 2/12, moved to JWM unanimously as amended. New SMS , directs the Oregon Department of Energy, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. The -2 amendment, a substantial rewrite of the original bill negotiated with opponents, seemed to satisfy committee members that the study could be unbiased as to nuclear energy issues. HB 4031 A : new SMS , first reading in Senate 2/16, House passed on 2/12. Exempts a renewable energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the facility qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits and construction is scheduled to begin on or before December 31, 2028. HB 1597 SEE PH 2/4 , possible WKS 2/16. A number of amendments will be considered. Makes a power provider disclose the costs to store the waste made from making any electric power. SMS Senate Energy and Environment 2/11 The meeting started 15 minutes late with Sen. Sollman announcing that the scheduled work sessions for SB 1582 (Virtual Power Plant programs), SB 1588 (Upgrade and Save) and SB 1597 (nuclear waste storage costs) were carried over to Mon. 2/16, the final day for 1st chamber passage. Instead, attendees were treated to an informational meeting on the nuclear energy study bill HB 4046. Other bills we are following: Work sessions: • HB 4029 - Requires a solar energy contractor or person that installs a solar energy system to have a license appropriate for the scope of work the solar energy contractor or person will perform. (Carried over from 2/5) • HB 4144 - Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries. • HB 4080 - Allows a retail electricity consumer to install and use portable solar photovoltaic energy devices with up to a total maximum generating capacity of 1,200 watts. • HJM 201 - Urges Congress to pass legislation to permanently extend federal tax cuts for wildfire victims. Public hearings: • HB 4077 - Authorizes a public utility, upon approval by PUC, to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the public utility associated with a self-insurance or captive insurance program. (Carried over from 2/5) • HB 4046 - Directs ODOE, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. News Other states follow Oregon’s lead in targeting data centers ’ energy costs | OregonLive Oregon Treasury & Oregon Divest New 2025 Treasury : Climate-Positive Investing : Invested for Oregon Report Tracking Net zero climate positive investment strategies . Oregon pension shows climate progress , private markets drive emissions | Private Equity Stakeholder Project.org Oregon State Treasury should engage or divest from companies fueling a new era of resource conflicts. (Divest Oregon . ORG) Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust There are a number of active federal lawsuits. Columbia University Law ( CUL) Climate Litigation Jan 30 Updates . Another source: CLU - Sabin Climate DB lists 97 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture · Transportation and ODOT state agency · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s TrustDA · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Pr ocurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Priority Bills Other Bills Senate Energy and Environment News Oregon Treasury Climate Lawsuits Sine die is 3/8 -now just around the corner. Very few policy only bills passed this session. The deadline for 2nd chamber for most policy bills was 2/26. A number of Climate bills with fiscals are in JWM or Rules, the League is not clear if any of these bills will move. (please see last week’s LR for how to advocate for those bills) and refer to the League's recent ALERT . Priority Bills SB 1541 A - Make Polluters Pay - Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program. New SMS , Senate Energy and Environment , PH 2/5 and work session 2/10 , - 2 amendment , moved 2/12 to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) . LWVOR submitted testimony . Creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to assess financial impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and recover costs from responsible entities. Multiple state agencies are involved including, Department of Land Conservation and Development, DLCD, Department of Environmental Quality, DEQ, Oregon Health Authority, OHA, and Land Conservation and Development Commission. LCDC, the oversight body is Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). The League has joined the Make Polluters Pay Campaign . This climate legislation is a national effort covered today by the New York Times , reporting that a number of other states are in the process of passing and/or implementing similar legislation. Please see the League’s Action Alert. SB 1526 A - FORGE: Fund for Oregon Resilience, Growth, and Energy - New SMS , work session was 2/9, Senate Energy and Environment (SEE) moved the bill to JWM, League testimony . Creates financing tools, including a revolving loan fund, to provide more affordable, accessible long-term financing for clean energy and resilience infrastructure projects in Oregon. This is modeled on a number of other states’ legislation , some as "green" banking nonprofits.
 Please see the Action Alert. Other Bills the League is following: HB 4046A Nuclear Study Bill, work session was 2/12, moved to JWM 2/17, unanimously as amended. New SMS , directs the Oregon Department of Energy, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. The -2 amendment, a substantial rewrite of the original bill negotiated with opponents, seemed to satisfy committee members that the study could be unbiased as to nuclear energy issues. 
 
 HB 4031 A : new SMS , 2/27 on its way to the governor . Exempts a renewable energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the facility qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits a nd construction is scheduled to begin on or before December 31, 2028. 
 
 SB 1597 A in H Rules PH 2/27. Sen chamber vote 2/23 17,12. Makes a power provider disclose the costs to store the waste made from making any electric power. New SMS 
 
 Bill that died in Policy Committee SB 1582 , Community-Based Power: Distributed Power Plants, SEE Senate E&E Committee PH Notes Senate Energy and Environment 2/23/26 The committee held public hearings and work sessions on the following bills, and voted to move all three to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. HB 4031 A (expedited site review for renewable energy projects) -- 5-0 HB 4025 (winter rate increases for non-gas, non-electric public utilities) -- 5.0 HB 4029 A (consumer protection for solar installation customers) -- 4-1 (Robinson, concerned about restraint of competition) Chair Sollman postponed the WS for HB 4102 (third-party contracting for environmental permitting) to Wednesday 2/25. With a vote of 17-12 2/25/26 The committee voted 3-1-1 (Pham nay, Brock Smith excused) to move HB 4102 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. Sen. Golden: This bill has been more of a "voyage" than he imagined it would be. Senate E&E has focused mainly on Sen. Pham's proposed -2 amendment dealing with labor rights and good governance. He would have preferred to move the bill with the one-sentence -3 amendment requested by Rep. Dobson: “Before contracting with a third party to provide services pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the third party’s potential or actual conflicts of interest with the applicant, permittee or regulated entity.” However, time limitations of the short session make amending the bill at this point problematic. "Very likely we will be privatizing some of the permit process and other processes going forward" -- we would prefer that staff working for the taxpayers would do this work but we recognize that we have delays that we need to address. He wants to state on the record "triple underscored" the committee's intent that when DEQ hires a third party for permit processing, they will commit to be very vigilant in their research about conflicts of interest. Sen. Robinson: Supports the bill as a "bandaid" measure to expedite permitting whereas the larger need is to "reform DEQ." Sen. Pham: Regretful "no" as she believes the bill as introduced lacks adequate guardrails vs. conflicts of interest and fails to address important labor issues. Chair Sollman: House passed the original bill unanimously and she doesn't want to take the chance of killing the measure by sending it back amended. News Regulators to Hold Public Hearing on Large Increase for Cascade Home Gas Bills and What to Expect at Cascade Gas’s Public Hearing | Latest News | News | Oregon CUB - Citizens Utility Board Eugene groups propose climate tax to mirror Portland’s - OPB How Oregon is building back smarter after wildfire • Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon Adopts New Building Codes to Reduce Energy Costs and Increase Energy Efficiency in Newly Constructed Homes – CleanTechnica Oregon’s New Building Codes Are a Win for Home Energy Resilience - Oregon Environmental Council Oregon lawmakers seek to shine a light on balcony solar, but safety issues linger - OPB Oregon DOE Feb Press Releases – a number of updates… Oregon State Treasurer Steiner Joins 15 Other State Fiscal Officers in Warning That Immigration Enforcement Operations Threaten Economic Stability and State Revenues February 5, 2026Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner MD joined fifteen other state fiscal officers in a joint letter to President Donald Trump expressing … Oregon Treasury & Oregon Divest Building on Oregon Treasury’s 2025 Progress toward Net Zero Emissions - Part 1 (Divest Oregon ORG) New 2025 Treasury : Climate-Positive Investing : Invested for Oregon Report Tracking Net zero climate positive investment strategies. Oregon pension shows climate progress , private markets drive emissions | Private Equity Stakeholder Project.org Climate Lawsuits and Our Children’s Trust Columbia Law - Sabin Climate Center Blog – Feb 2026 updates There are a number of active federal lawsuits. Columbia University Law ( CUL) Climate Litigation Jan 30 Updates . Another source: CLU - Sabin Climate DB lists 97 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. Our Children’s Trust - In the News: February 19, 2026 - E&E News Enviros, health groups are first to sue over Trump’s big climate rollback February 18, 2026 - The Guardian Environmental groups sue Trump’s EPA over repeal of landmark climate finding February 18, 2026 - The New York Times E.P.A Faces First Lawsuit Over Its Killing of Major Climate Rule February 18, 2026 - Climate in the Courts Environment and Public Health Groups, and Youth, Sue Over Trump Administration’s Elimination of Climate Protections February 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News Healthcare Professionals, Scientists and Children Sue the EPA for Backtracking on Greenhouse Gas Regulation February 18, 2026 - Bloomberg Law Endangerment Finding Rollback Draws First Legal Challenges (1) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture · Transportation and ODOT state agency · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s TrustDA · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Pr ocurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 2/6 By Anne Nesse, Education Portfolio House Education Meeting 2/6/23 3PM, takes an important look at locally elected school board responsibilities and the non-discriminatory rights of all students. We submitted written and virtual testimony on SB 2750 , which prohibits charging fees or requiring participation in fundraising activities as a condition of participating in interscholastic activities. The law also includes authorization to use moneys in Statewide Education Initiatives, Account for costs incurred by school districts, and public charter schools as result of this law. The law does not prohibit communities from raising such monies needed to fund the law. Our testimony made clear that the LWV, since its founding, has believed in the fundamental right of equal rights by law, to a non-discriminatory public education, without asking families to pay additional fees for education or recreational services. There was only positive testimony on this Bill, with some concern about the high potential cost. A number of school districts have already begun, and are succeeding in eliminating “pay to play” fees. Here is a link to the live recording of this hearing, with LWV testimony in the last few minutes. I was able to add my personal experience of coaching after school interscholastic activities, in two areas: team critical thinking and problem solving competitions in Odyssey of the Mind, and instructing after school string orchestra. Here is the recording of public hearing of this Bill , held first on the agenda. A public hearing was held on HB 2751 , to establish a Task Force to study and collect data on school starting times. Much convincing long term medical, health, and educational data was presented, as to why High School and Middle School students should not start school before 8:30AM, while younger grade levels can usually adapt. A public hearing was held on HB 2753 , allowing a district school board to choose to provide directors with a monthly stipend, and requires the board to provide reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses if board does not provide stipend. There was little data presented about the difficulty of filling school board vacancies. The amount of work required to be a school board member was considered significant enough to warrant a modest salary of some kind. Details and potential consequences of this Bill have yet to be worked out. A public hearing was held on HB 2669 , declaring children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind have the same rights and potential as children who are not. Requires school districts to provide children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind with hearing and vision screenings and assessments, communication and language support and access to relevant services and programs at the earliest possible age and throughout education experience. Our next news in education will cover 2/7-2/13, as we are changing our sequence of reporting.

Childcare In Oregon LWVOR's recently published study, Childcare In Oregon, is meant to inform our advocacy at the state and local levels. At Convention 2021, LWV of Washington County proposed a restudy of LWVOR's 1985 Childcare Position . The current pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated childcare issues and inequities. The LWVOR Board adopted this completed restudy on January 23rd, 2023. Child care concerns have changed dramatically since our 1988 - Childcare In Oregon publication. Our advocacy position has not changed. You can find a downloadable version of the restudy here. For more information, contact Kathleen Hersh .

Positions of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. / Studies / LWVOR Positions / Position Index LWVOR Policy and Position Statements Governance Campaign Finance Re form LWVOR uses the LWVUS position on campaign finance reform as the basis for legislative and statewide action. Members adopted the position in 1973 following a study initiated by the 1972 Convention. The League supports measures to “improve methods of financing political campaigns in order to ensure the public’s right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and promote citizen participation in the political process.” Citizen Participation and Access “The League of Women Voters believes democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible.” LWVUS Principles “We must promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive.” LWVUS Representative Government position Citizen participation and access are also important parts of LWVOR positions on Land Use and the Judicial System, and LWVUS positions on Campaign Finance, Citizens Right to Know/ Citizen Participation, Environmental Protection and Pollution Control, Natural Resources Public Participation, United Nations, and International Relations Trade Policy. Because of these scattered positions, we collect here our combined history of advocacy for Citizen Participation and Access. Civil Discourse “Promote civil discourse through action and education for all government bodies, staff, and citizens for the purpose of improved public policy decisions and processes. Civil discourse means, at a minimum, mutually respectful, courteous, constructive, and orderly communication.” Constitutional Provisions - Adopted 1963; Revised 1980 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the Oregon Constitution should be a basic framework of state government, free of obsolete material and statutory detail. It should guarantee basic democratic rights to the people of the state by: Providing a bill of rights; Reserving initiative and referendum powers to the people. The Oregon Constitution should provide for a legislative assembly that is: Apportioned on a population basis, under a system that provides flexibility, adequate safeguards and enforcement procedures ensuring reapportionment after every federal census; Adequately salaried with the amount of salary specified by statute; Permitted to meet in annual sessions. The executive branch should be strengthened by provisions: Fixing authority and responsibility in the office of governor. The governor should be given the power to reorganize the administrative functions of the state government subject to legislative review and possible veto; Limiting the number of departments; Granting the power to appoint department heads to the governor with the consent of the Senate; For an item veto and an executive budget; Setting salaries by statute; Allowing no constitutional impairment of the state civil service system. Administrative – Post Audits (concurrence, 1980) Post audits of state and local governments should be conducted in an apolitical manner. The office performing post audit should function independently of the Legislature and the executive department. The office should be given appropriate enforcement tools. The Oregon Constitution should provide for a judicial system uniform in organization and administration with: Full time, legally trained judges paid by the state; Rule-making power vested in the Supreme Court; Mandatory retirement of judges; Judicial appointments that are made by the governor from a slate presented by a judicial nominating committee. The Oregon Constitution should provide for effective local government (1943, 1963) by: Allowing city and county home rule; Reserving to the Legislature authority to provide for local government flexibility to meet future needs. Revision of the constitution in the future should be permitted by use of the constitutional convention, initiative amendment, or legislative amendment. Statutes, constitutional amendments, and administrative decisions that implement these positions may be supported by the League. Individual Liberties The League’s Position: Statement of Position on Individual Liberties, as Announced by National Board, March 1982: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged. Privacy and Cybersecurity - Adopted: January 2021 ; Amended January 2021 Cybersecurity is the prevention of damage to, protection of, and restoration of computers, electronic communications systems, electronic communications services, wire communication, and electronic communication, including information contained therein, to ensure its availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation. This position statement addresses Elections, Information Security, Personal Information Protection, and Electronic Business and Social Media. Elections Security The election process is the foundation of our representative form of government. Election integrity, accuracy, transparency, and trustworthiness require vigilance to ensure security protections. Security requirements include and are not limited to: verifiable ballots; ballots that can be recounted and audited; up-to-date hardware and software, supported by vendors, tested, and secure; protected voter registration databases; election staff/volunteers with cybersecurity expertise; cyber-damage contingency plans; risk-limiting audits; attention to disinformation and misleading ads. Protect voters’ ability to exercise an informed opinion on electoral matters. Explore limiting the unfettered electronic circulation and amplification of election misinformation (e.g., targeted disinformation campaigns, manipulated media, anonymous disinformation, and algorithmic and robotic disinformation campaigns). Information Security Government, individuals, and organizations (including the private sector and critical infrastructure), all require strong cybersecurity protections and effective deterrents to assure national security, economic and social stability, and personal information integrity. Create consistent information privacy laws and regulations across all organizations (government, private, for-profit, and non-profit) that eliminate gaps, inconsistencies, and overlaps. Regulate all technology-enabled organizations (e.g., internet platforms, online intermediaries, business-to-consumer platforms), not shifting sectors, so that organizations are subject to a uniform set of laws and regulations. Regulate all categories of information in the same way, regardless of the type of organization or sector that collects that information. Apply a baseline set of regulations to all types of information, regardless of the type of organization or sector collecting that information. Apply regulatory requirements to organizations according to their size and complexity, the nature of data covered, and the risk posed by exposing private information. All information (including third-party data transfers) needs sufficiently flexible protections to address emerging technologies and scientific evidence while serving the common good by balancing the demands of stakeholders and vested interests. The ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICT) of today’s pervasive digital services, platforms, and marketplaces require a global governance perspective to address their societal and economic impacts: Harmonize laws and regulations across jurisdictions to protect individuals and assure the trustworthy flow of information across all boundaries—government, organizations, industry sectors, states, and countries. Aim to develop flexible regulatory structures that can quickly adapt to social and scientific realities and technical and economic policy challenges. Use forward-looking, collaborative mechanisms such as experimentation and learning, test-and-evolve, and post-doc effectiveness reviews. Incentivize specific outcomes that facilitate anticipating and adapting to rapid changes. State laws that become inconsistent with future comprehensive federal privacy standards may be preempted, while more stringent laws may remain. At a minimum, citizens' information protection rights should be comparable to those of citizens around the world—both current and future protections that may be established. Current European Council personal information protections include the ability to: be informed of what personal information is held and why access information held by an entity request updating or correcting of information request manual processing in lieu of automated or algorithmic processing request transfer of information to another entity withdraw prior consent to process data or object to specific situation consent request deleting personal information. Personal Information Protection Uniform privacy rights need to protect personal privacy and prevent known harm. Establish uniform information protections for personal and behavioral data that can be linked to an individual or devices. Prevent harmful uses of personal information by all information processors who collect, store, analyze, transfer, sell, etc. Expand the legal definition of “harm” to include physical, monetary, reputational, intangible, future, or other substantial injuries and to provide individuals the right to legal remedy. Assure that personal information collection, use, transfer, and disclosure for economic or societal purposes is consistent with the purpose for which individuals provide their data, and does not cause them harm. Shift the focus of information protection from individual self-management when submitting data (e.g., opt-in, obscure notice, and choice disclosures) to organizational stewardship in protecting individuals’ personal privacy. Expand personal information privacy definition to address rapidly changing information and communication technologies, accelerated networking between businesses, and automated collection and dissemination of data, which together subvert personally identifiable information, de-identification, re-identification, and data anonymization. Electronic Business and Social Media: Cybersecurity Responsibilities Organizations conducting electronic business and social media commercializing personal information both bear the responsibility for protecting information and must be liable for failure to protect individuals from harm. All organizations--including third-party receivers: Must protect individuals’ transferred information across multiple organizations to ensure end-use accountability. Have a duty to safely collect, use, and share personal, sensitive information. Should use comprehensive information risk assessments, take proactive measures to implement information security measures, and be held accountable for fulfilling these risk management obligations. Are held accountable for misuse of personal information by strengthening both state and federal laws, rule-making, and enforcement powers. We support the right of free speech for all. The digital tools of information and communication technology (such as algorithms and artificial intelligence) can selectively distort or amplify user-generated content. The resulting disinformation, digital manipulation, false claims, and/or privacy violations may endanger society or harm others. Compel private internet communication platforms (applications, social media, websites, etc.) to be responsible for moderating content. Define liability for damages and provide for enforcement for failure to moderate content. Economic Development Revenue Bonds - Adopted April 1983 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the authority to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds by the state, ports, and cities with more than 300,000 population. In issuing Economic Development Revenue Bonds, top priority should be given to those projects which diversify the economy and/or create jobs. However, consideration should also be given to assisting economically depressed areas and attracting industries to locate in Oregon. A possible unfair competition that might result from bond issuance should be examined at the local level. In addition to the Economic Development Revenue Bond program, the League of Women Voters of Oregon supports other state and local economic stimulants such as upgrading education at all levels and exploring various types of financing methods. Election Laws - Adopted 1987; Revised 1997 The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes that election procedures and voter information are critical elements to an informed and participating electorate. Registration Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes a variety of practices is necessary to provide the public with adequate information regarding where and how to register, under what circumstances and how to re-register, a notice of election dates, and the content of the ballot. The League supports: A registration process that is accessible, well-publicized and easily understood, as well as easy to implement and administer; Mail-in registration forms which are widely available; Oregon implementation of the National Voter Registration Act which includes registration process training for agency personnel and the designation of additional registration sites; Implementing a statewide centralized registration list; A registration cut-off requirement that does not disenfranchise otherwise qualified voters. Elections Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes elections should be conducted in a manner that encourages voter participation and supports: No more than four annual, regularly scheduled, election dates; A formula for cost-sharing between the state and the counties for the state portion of the primary and general elections; Evaluating the timing of the Oregon Primary; and Expediting the process for filling vacancies in federal offices. Voting Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes citizens are entitled to voting procedures that provide ease of ballot access and use and support: Use of vote-by-mail in all elections. Every effort should be made to preserve ballot secrecy to prevent fraud. Use of the permanent absentee ballot, provided methods and timelines for counting such ballots are improved, unless and until vote-by-mail in all elections is implemented; and Shortening the time between sending out mail ballots and their required return date. Voter Education Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the publication and distribution of a state Voters’ Pamphlet prior to statewide elections and believes that: The state has an obligation to provide voters with accurate information so that voters can make reasoned choices; All ballot measures must be included with official explanatory statements, an official advisory opinion on constitutionality, effects of a “yes” and “no ” vote, a fiscal impact statement, and summaries of the main arguments for and against the measures; The number of arguments for and against the measures to be included should be limited; The fees charged per page should more clearly reflect the actual costs; and Ballot titles and measures need to be stated in clear, concise language and should avoid confusing negatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a mandatory certification procedure for all county chief elections officials Election Methods Adopted 2017 The League of Women Voters of Oregon reco gnizes that election methods affect how voters participate in our democracy, who can run for office, and who can get elected. Therefore, the League supports election methods that: Encourage voter participation and voter engagement. Encourage those with minority opinions to participate. Are easy to use. Are verifiable and auditable. Promote access to voting. Promote competitive elections. Promote sincere voting over strategic voting. Discourage negative campaigning. Prevent political manipulation (e.g. Gerrymandering). Are compatible with vote-by-mail elections. The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not believe that plurality voting is the best method for promoting democratic choice in all circumstances. For single-winner systems, the League supports ranked-choice voting; we do not support range or approval voting. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports election systems that elect policy-making bodies–legislatures, councils, commissions, and boards–that proportionally reflect the people they represent. We support systems that promote stable government, but we do not support systems that protect the two-party system. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods. If an alternative election method is adopted, then funding for startup and voter education should be available. The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators. (Previous position) Adopted 2009 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that any election method should be evaluated on its ability to: Promote voter participation. Be simple and easy for voters to understand. Be verifiable and auditable. Promote access to voting. Promote competitive elections. Prevent political manipulation. Be compatible with vote-by-mail elections. The League supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods, e.g. instant runoff or fusion voting. If a local jurisdiction adopts an alternative election method, that jurisdiction should bear the costs of startup and voter education. Only after experience and evaluation at the local level should the state consider alternative election methods for statewide adoption. The League does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators. Emergency Board - Adopted 1982 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the use of t he appointed Emergency Board to provide fiscal adjustment between legislative sessions. The League endorses the practice of naming a majority of the members from the current Ways and Means Committee to the Emergency Board. However, balanced statewide representation should be required. The public should have the right to be heard by the Emergency Board. Its meetings should be publicized in advance and summary agendas should be readily available to the public. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that powers of the board should be reviewed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Areas to be reviewed should include: The definition of what constitutes an emergency; The discretionary ability of the board to make policy decisions in a forum where political accountability and public participation are limited. Since the position was adopted in 1982, opportunities for action have not arisen. Fiscal Policy – Tax System Adopted 1965-66, 1973; Revised 1971, 1973, 1979, 1984, 1992, 1993, 1999; Educational Update 1999* Evaluating Taxes . The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes any tax proposal should be evaluated with regard to its effect on the entire tax structure. The League supports the following criteria for evaluating taxes and tax systems. A tax system that is based on ability to pay, but that applies a benefits-received principle wherever reasonable and that recognizes the role of social expediency; A tax system that is equitable, adequate, stab le, easy to administer and as simple as possible; A tax system that takes into account the taxes levied by all levels of government covering the same tax base; A tax system that is flexible enough to adjust to social and economic changes (e.g., population shifts, development of new industry, demands for more services and changes in business cycles); A tax system that recognizes the individual’s responsibility for government services by providing for broad sharing of the tax burden. Fiscal Responsibility The League of Women Voters believes local government should have primary responsibility for financing non-school local government. Local services mandated by the state should have state funding. A tax limitation is justified if it provides safeguards in the regulation of state and local services and economy. A limitation is not desirable if it prevents provision of services, disrupts government functioning, inhibits progress or results in loss of local control. We believe economy should be achieved by efficiency and responsible administration. If cuts are necessary, preference should be given to cuts based on an established priority of services so that least essential services are reduced or eliminated first. Income Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the income tax as the most equitable means of providing state revenue. The income tax should be progressive, compatible with federal law and should apply to the broadest possible segment of Oregonians. Sales Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the adoption of a sales tax provided: The rate cannot be increased without approval of the voters; Regressivity is reduced through: a tax credit or rebate and exemptions for items such as food, rent and utilities. Property Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the use of the local property tax for partially financing local government and local services. Exemptions to the General Property Tax The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: Social values justify: exemptions to charitable, educational and benevolent organizations; exemptions to fraternal organizations only to the extent of actual charity performed; partial exemption of church property with fees to be paid for local government services directly benefiting the property, such as police and fire protection. Exemptions designed to create a favorable climate for attracting new industry should be competitive with those of other states. Economic values justify tax deferral and special assessment at less than real market value on farmlands and forest lands. Eligibility for an exemption should require: a verified statement of the taxpayer; proof of income from all individuals seeking an exemption on their homestead- if eligibility for the exemption is based on income. Exemption laws should be periodically reexamined to determine whether they are justified. Exemption of some classes of personal property is justified if a tax on them would be too difficult or costly to administer. School District Financing. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: The major portion of the cost of public schools should be borne by the state. The state should provide sufficient funds to give each child an equal, adequate education. All specifically state mandated programs should be financed by the state. Local districts should be allowed funding alternatives to provide educational programs. Apart from state mandates, local control of the educational programs should be maintained. A stable state system for financing public schools is crucial for long range planning. Emergency Clause. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports removing the emergency clause restriction on revenue measures. The importance of such measures warrants: Either more support than a simple majority; or More signatures than currently required on a petition to refer. Initiative and Referendum Position - Adopted 1988; Revised 1996; Educational Update 2001* Statute Initiatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the constitutional right of Oregon citizens to propose or revise statutes through the direct initiative process. The League supports the following: Requiring a number of valid signatures not less than six (6) percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election at which a governor was elected for a term of four years; Requiring more than 25 signatures to file the prospective petition with the Secretary of State; Prohibiting legislative changes to an initiative statute for at least two years from its effective date, except to clarify implementation and to correct errors in form and style; Requiring an advisory opinion as to the constitutionality of each proposed initiative after it has qualified for the ballot. Such opinion should be published in the Voters’ Pamphlet; Limiting the time frame for collecting signatures to one year; Optional use of the indirect initiative. Constitutional Initiatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon discourages amending the Oregon Constitution by the initiative process. If amendments by initiatives are allowed, the League supports the following restrictions: Requiring a number of valid signatures not less than ten (10) percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election at which a governor was elected for a term of four years; Requiring more than 25 signatures to file the prospective petition with the Secretary of State; Establishing a formula for a geographic distribution of signatures in order to reflect statewide interest in a measure; Requiring an advisory opinion as to the constitutionality of each proposed initiative after it has qualified for the ballot. Such opinion should be published in the Voters’ Pamphlet; Limiting the time frame for collecting signatures to one year; Requiring more than a simple majority of the total votes cast for the measure for passage; Exempting the Oregon Bill of Rights and revenue measures from the initiative process; and Using the indirect initiative process and scheduling discussion of a qualified initiative first on the agenda of the next legislative session. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the Oregon petition referendum process as provided in the Oregon Constitution. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that ballot titles should be stated in clear, concise language and should avoid confusing negatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes paying petition circulators by the signature. Paid petitioners must be required to identify themselves as such, personally and on the signature sheets. With reasonable restrictions, petitioners should be allowed to collect signatures in highly visible privately and publicly owned locations. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports publication and distribution of a state Voters’ Pamphlet prior to statewide elections and believes that: The state has an obligation to provide the voters with accurate information so that voters can make reasoned choices; All ballot measures must be included with official explanatory statements, an official advisory opinion on constitutionality, effects of a “yes” and “no” vote, and summaries of the main arguments for and against the measures; The number of arguments for and against the measures to be included should be limited; and The fees charged per page should more clearly reflect the actual costs. *Updated in 2001 for background information only – no position change. Recall Elections - Adopted February 2025 1. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that local and county elections operations must have adequate funding and staffing levels sufficient to meet public needs and provide for strong, ongoing voter education. 2. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes all elected officials should be subject to recall, but not during their first six months in office. 3. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that persons seeking the recall of a public official should state the reasons and specify grounds including malfeasance (acting unlawfully while performing duties), nonfeasance (failure to perform duties), serious crimes, lack of fitness, corruption, or incompetence. The grounds on which an elected official may be recalled should be described in Oregon statute. 4. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes an adequate recall election schedule should provide time for voter education and full participation in the election. The timeline should: a. Allow elections officials to provide ballots to overseas and uniformed-service members at least 45 days before an election. b. Allow new voters adequate time to be notified of their requirement to register before an election in which they wish to cast ballots. c. Allow time for elections officials, advocates, and civic organizations to engage prospective voters. d. Allow no more than 90 days to obtain signatures on a recall petition. 5. To ensure adequate time for elections officials and staff to oversee signature verification and prepare ballots, and to contain elections-related costs, the League of Women Voters of Oregon supports restricting recall elections to one of the four election dates identified in Oregon law. 6. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that recall petitions should provide detailed information about how seats vacated by a successful recall are to be filled after the election. This information should be provided by elections staff. Seats should be vacated for the shortest time practical, with a scheduled election allowing voters to choose their public official. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports filling vacated positions by interim appointment rather than through simultaneous election in which the proposed recall of a public official appears on the ballot alongside candidates competing simultaneously for that very office. 7. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that recall petition circulators should be required to be Oregon residents and that these circulators should wear visible identification indicating whether they are paid or volunteers. 8. The League of Women Voters supports disclosure of the sources and amounts of campaign-related funding for recall proponents and opponents, with such disclosure beginning early and occurring regularly and in a timely way, so that voters can learn about groups involved as petitions circulate. Oregon State Courts - Adopted 1979, 2007 The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms: The separation of powers provided in Article III, Section 1 of the Oregon Constitution; The treatment of the Oregon Judicial Department, the third branch of our state government, as a separate, independent, co-equal branch of state government. The League believes that: The State of Oregon should provide access to its courts that meets the diverse needs of all people who use the state courts. Judges must be free to decide cases based upon the facts of the particular case and the applicable law, independent of the influence of public opinion and political and partisan pressures. In order to improve the budget process and funding for the Oregon Judicial Department, the League supports: Adequate and stable funding to perform the Department’s core functions and critical services; Funding by the Legislature of mandated programs or procedures for the state courts; An independent compensation commission to set judicial compensation of state court judges. The state should ensure that counties are able to provide adequate court facilities, maintenance of those facilities, and security equipment and services. The League believes that the following criteria should be used in evaluating a system of selecting judges in Oregon. The system should: Be as free from political influence as possible; Encourage and attract the most competent and experienced people; Include a method of evaluating judges and judicial candidates. To preserve judicial impartiality and fairness and to protect the public’s perception of this impartiality and fairness, the League believes that efforts to obtain campaign finance reform in Oregon should include the financing of judicial campaigns. The League supports alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs (such as arbitration, mediation, and settlement conferences) as a way to resolve disputes in appropriate cases, recognizing that, in some cases, a trial will be necessary. In order to operate effective ADR programs, Oregon’s courts should, at a minimum, have: Adequate facilities in which to conduct mediation and arbitration processes; Availability of trained and qualified arbitrators and mediators; Financial assistance for those unable to afford access to ADR; Adequate and stable funding. The League encourages the development of specialty courts (such as commercial court) and problem-solving courts (such as drug and mental health courts) within the Oregon Judicial Department. In order to operate effective specialty and problem-solving courts, Oregon’s courts need: Adequate court staff; Facilities in which to hold hearings; Availability of service providers and outpatient and residential treatment; Adequate and stable funding. Open Primaries - Adopted June 2023 Adopted position is based on Concurrence with the LWV Maryland position LWVOR supports more open primary elections, either through: a. Party primary elections in which unaffiliated voters as well as party members would be permitted to vote in a primary election to choose the nominees of the parties; or b. Individual candidate-based primary elections in which all voters choose among all candidates from all parties on the same ballot with the candidates’ party affiliations listed. The subsequent general election ballot would include either i. predetermined number of candidates without regard to partisan affiliation; or ii. those candidates receiving a predetermined percentage of the total primary vote Redistricting - Adopted 2007 Congressional and legislative redistricting should advance the fundamental purposes of representative democracy and a republican form of government by affording the people a meaningful choic e in electing their representatives and holding the government accountable to the people. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the Oregon legislative and congressional redistricting system should be efficient, adequately funded, based on well-defined criteria, subject to a reasonable and effective timetable, and have an open and public process. Any redistricting plan should assure that voters are effectively able to hold their public officials accountable, responsible, and responsive, and be based on the following criteria: Adhere to all federal constitutional and legal requirements, such as that every district should have equal population, be contiguous, and meet the requirements of the Voting Rights Act; Promote competitiveness and partisan fairness; Consider other criteria, such as respect for political subdivisions, communities of interest, and geographic barriers. Any redistricting plan should be developed independently of the Legislature in a nonpartisan manner with substantial public input. The Legislature may be afforded an opportunity to review the plan and accept or reject it. The Oregon Supreme Court should promptly review and rule on any challenge to a redistricting plan and require adjustments if the criteria have not been met. Oregon should conduct redistricting only once during each decade follo wing the federal census. Natural Resources National Position The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health. Agriculture National Position: Statement of Position on Federal Agriculture Policy, as Announced by National Board, October 1988: The LWVUS believes that federal agriculture policies should promote adequate supplies of food and fiber at reasonable prices to consumers, farms that are economically viable, farm practices that are environmentally sound and increased reliance on the free market to determine prices. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE . Federal policy should encourage a system of sustainable, regenerative agricultural production that moves toward an environmentally sound agricultural sector. This includes promoting stewardship to preserve and protect the country’s human and natural agricultural resources. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT . Agricultural research, development and technical assistance should continue to be a major federal function. Resources should be targeted to developing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing the needs of mid-size farms. AGRICULTURAL PRICES . The LWV US supports an increasing reliance on the free market to determine the price of agricultural commodities and the production decisions of farmers, in preference to traditional price support mechanisms. AGRICULTURE AND TRADE . U.S. efforts should be directed toward expanding export markets for our agricultural products while minimizing negative effects on developing nations’ economies. Consistent with the League’s trade position, multilateral trade negotiations should be used to reduce other countries’ barriers and/or subsidies protecting their agricultural products. FARM CREDIT. Farmers should have access to credit with reasonable terms and conditions. Federally provided farm credit is essential to maintaining the viability of farm operations when the private sector is unable or unwilling to provide the credit farmers need. Of these policies, the League believes the most essential for the future of agriculture are: encouraging sustainable agriculture; providing research, information and technical assistance to agricultural producers; and increasing reliance on the free market to determine prices. Air Quality - Adopted May 1968 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that all segments of society (government, industry, agriculture and individual citizens) must share responsibility for improved air pollution abatement practices. In more specific terms, the League supports: Adequate standards for control of all sources of pollution and strict enforcement of established rules and regulations; A comprehensive, coordinated program for management of air as a natural resource; Adequate financing for air pollution abatement programs; More research to determine causes and effects of air pollution and methods of control, better coordination of research programs, and increased sharing of information. League agrees: Individuals, too, must recognize their responsibility in abatement programs and be willing to accept restrictions on their own activities, particularly with respect to automobiles and backyard burning. Effective public education programs are necessary if the public is to: recognize the seriousness of the problem; and appreciate the necessity to support improved pollution abatement. In general, industry must be prepared to pay the cost of abatement for its own pollution, but members recognize the usefulness of some form of financial incentives: to assist small or distressed industries; and to prevent undue delay in obtaining relief from pollution. The members prefer loans and direct grants over forms of tax relief. Polluters should bear the cost of pollution abatement in proportion to their contribution to the problem. (Actually everyone will pay, whether in taxes, in product cost, or in bearing the consequence of inadequate pollution abatement.) In considering Oregon’s relationship with other governmental units, League concludes: Because both the desirable air quality and the problems of pollution vary from one area to another: The state has a right to set higher standards for pollution than those set by the federal government. The state has a responsibility to set higher standards for pollution when local conditions demand it. Federal standards in all cases should be recognized as a minimum below which state standards cannot be set. As air pollution does not recognize state boundaries, participation in interstate compacts is desirable in order to control pollution on an airshed basis. Climate Change National Position On Climate Change : LWVUS supports a price on carbon emissions that will increase in stages, as part of an overall program to improve energy efficiency and to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, fast enough to avoid serious damage to the climate system. Revised June 5, 2016: LWVUS supports aggressive efforts to restore balance to the planet’s climate systems by reducing the atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million (ppm), the upper safe limit. The target set by scientists requires an immediate 8% global greenhouse gas emissions annually; in conjunction with carbon dioxide storage through mass reforestation, and soil management. Further, we support transitioning off of fossil fuels to alternative forms of energy: wind, hydroelectric, wave, tidal, geothermal, and solar; and prioritizing a just transition to all Americans. In 2016, LWVUS passed 3 resolutions: LWVUS consider signing onto an Amicus Brief with the 21 youth plaintiffs from Our Children’s Trust; LWVUS support the United States ratification of the UN COP 21 Paris Agreement; LWVUS should continue working for full implementation of the EPA Clean Power Plan, especially at the state level, as a first step, and should call on the White House to implement an updated science-based Climate Action Plan that stabilizes global warming by bringing CO2 levels down to no more than 350 ppm by 2100. Offshore and Coastal Management - Adopted May 1990, 2013 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes responsible and responsive government management of the public’s coastal and nearshore natural resources shall be based upon: A complete environmental assessment, cumulative impact analysis, and baseline data specific to Oregon. Recognition of coastal states and local government’s rights, jurisdictions, and responsibilities to preser ve and protect marine and coastal environment and economy. Federal government’s offshore activities must be consistent with Oregon’s approved Coastal Zone Management Plan. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports uniformity of regulations governing the coastal management zone, with opportunity for public input. Jurisdictions should have the ability to enhance regulations to better address local conditions. The League supports the development and maintenance of local comprehensive plans and development codes. Funding should be adequate for effective management and enforcement and should come from a variety of sources. The League opposes any revision, interpretation, or application of Oregon’s established marine policy that would diminish Land Conservation and Development Commission Goal 19’s strong environmental and natural resources conservation policy giving clear priority to long-term renewable resource uses. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes oil and gas exploration and development within the state’s territorial sea, and requests the state to oppose any federal lease sales within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. The ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of Oregon’s ocean water must be protected. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes exploration and development of marine minerals within the state’s territorial sea. The League supports academic research that would not adversely affect the ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a state policy that calls on the federal government to ban the exploration and development of marine minerals with the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. Should a ban not be effected, the following must be required: An unbiased, credible scientific E.I.S. should be completed prior to any offshore mineral exploration or recovery operation. Offshore mineral activities should be evaluated for degradation of the marine environment, risk to ocean fisheries, and coastal erosion problems. A complete socioeconomic impact statement of offshore developments effect on the states and coastal economy should be made. The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms the public’s right to be completely informed, actively involved and assured the opportunity to participate in decisions about offshore exploration and development, as well as onshore facilities that support offshore development. The League of Women Voters of Oregon endorses adequate industry-financed oil spill contingency funds, compensation funds, and company bonding for marine mineral mining activities to cover claims for damage caused by their operations, onshore support facilities, and transporting vessels. Governments and other claimants should be reimbursed for, but not limited to, the following: Oil spill clean-up costs. Loss of natural resources or loss of use of natural resources. Impairment of earning capacity. Damage to real or personal property and personal injury. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a policy which allows the state to terminate or modify a lease for environmental endangerment or for public safety within the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the creation and operation of marine reserves and protected areas on the Oregon Coast. Siting and management of reserves should reflect a variety of factors, including habitat, species diversity, fisheries and tourism, with sound science being the most critical. The reserves should have identified goals, and continuous funding should come from multiple sources. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports active research into ocean energy technologies. Research should incorporate evaluation of impacts on marine habitats and the coastal economy. Funding should be from multiple sources. Commercial deployment should be allowed only after adequate scientific research is completed and regulations have been adopted. Monitoring should be ongoing with necessary actions and modifications taken to protect the marine environment. Commercial operations should agree to bear the cost of remediating and restoring any environmental damage. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports actions to restore and preserve estuaries to assure they function effectively in the long term. Measures could include additional reserves, streamside protection, planting, removal of invasive species, scientific research, restoration, and response to climate change. Funding should be from multiple sources. Estuary restoration should encourage education and volunteer involvement. The League recognizes that dredging may be necessary to keep deep-water channels open for maritime commerce. Prior to activity, environmental assessments must be completed to ensure protection of habitat. Design and execution should minimize damage to natural habitats. Recognizing that mining affects water quantity, quality, and habitat, mining practices should be strictly regulated to minimize damage and require restoration. In some instances, where preserving water quality and habitat is vital, mining should be banned. Energy Conservation - Adopted May 1973; Educational Update 2003* The members of the League of Women Voters of Oregon support state p olicies which promote long range planning for conservation and wise development of energy sources. The League believes the public should have an opportunity to influence decisions on the development of particular sources and the citing of specific installations. League supports: A governmental agency to evaluate power needs estimates and plan source development. This agency should include representatives of: utility companies, the general public, and all levels of government. Governmental programs to provide public education and information to encourage information participation in all power decisions, both for production and conservation. The League believes that in any decision to build a power plant: The most important consideration is environmental quality; Of lesser importance, but to be taken into account are: size of electric bills and prices of goods, industrial development, cultural standards. The League supports the following conservation measures: Rate structures encouraging the wise use of energy. To this end League favors: a low base rate for essential use, above this, higher rates to discourage waste. Government funding of research and development efforts to discover new technologies: to provide efficient methods for energy production and use with minimal environmental damage, emphasis should be given to renewable resources. Governmental programs to provide public education and information. Building codes which will specify standards of design and insulation that minimize waste of energy used for heating, cooling, and lighting. The League believes that state or region should be allowed higher standards for nu-clear plants than those set by the federal government. *Updated in 2003 for background information only – no position change. Nuclear Energy - Adopted May 1980 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the nuclear power program must be managed to protect current and future generations and to maintain an environment beneficial to life. Technical uncertainties must be publicly recognized and planned for, Responsibility for establishing and maintaining a waste system must not be deferred to future generations, and Effective coordination among all levels of government – federal, state, local – and the private sector is imperative in planning and carrying out programs for transportation, waste storage, and safety, with responsibility and authority clearly designated. Forests - Adopted at Convention, May 2021 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: That all benefits of the forests—ecological, human and economic—are inextricably interconnected. Healthy forests are essential to habitat for a diversity of plant and animal life, to the hydrologic cycle, and to carbon storage to mitigate global warming. In addition, healthy forests are essential to a forest products industry with the jobs and goods they provide, and to the economic and aesthetic values of their recreational opportunities. Therefore, The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports: Laws and policies to ensure that forest management (for timber extraction, recreation or any other activity) is carried out in a manner that will sustain healthy forests, streams and habitats. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the following are essential elements of an adequate forest practices policy: The public must be informed and involved in the decision-making process in the development of regulations. There must be adequate public notice of forest practices permit applications, hearings, meetings and proposed actions. Public review and comment at each phase of policy and regulation development should be required. Citizens and stakeholders must be represented on the decision-making bodies; There must be authority and funding for enforcement of regulations. Existing land use and forest practices regulations must be monitored and enforced, and should be responsive to changing scientific knowledge. There must be coordination of regulations for public and private lands among governmental entities; Riparian zones are an integral part of the forest ecosystem and must be regulated adequately to protect the streams and the wildlife dependent upon the streams; (stet.) Education should be made available to timber owners on scientifically sound forest practices with the establishment of a small landowners’ agency for this purpose; Environmental values of the lands proposed for trade must be considered before the economic values; Trained appraisers, with public oversight, must be used. The right of appeal must be available to the public; Full accounting of all costs, including cumulative ecological impacts, of timber harvests and other forest uses must be considered in forest activity decisions; Forest management must be responsive to scientific research and knowledge and should include: mapping, classification and protection of all streams, more and better data—including total watershed analysis, evaluation of cumulative effects of various activities in the forest in the consideration of individual forest practice permits, and planning for sustainability of forest ecosystems. 9. The State should consider ecological protections the most important factor in deciding which activities to allow on state forest lands; 10. Motorized activities should be restricted and in separate areas from non-motorized activities Forest roads must be built, maintained and decommissioned to have the least impact on the forest ecosystems. Some areas on state lands should be roadless; 11. Educate consumers about the human and ecological values of our forests as well as the opportunities and benefits of more efficient use of forest products, recycling and the use of alternatives to wood; 12. Fund independent scientific research that would include improved forest practices and ecologically sound alternatives to the use of wood; 13. Tax benefits and compensation should be considered to encourage small landowners to manage their forests in an ecologically sustainable manner; 14. Oregon schools must be fully funded with less reliance on timber harvests; and Trust lands should remain in public ownership. Hard Rock Mining - Adoption of this position was ratified by the LWVOR Board May 2022. The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes society's need for key minerals, and also the potential harmful environmental, health, and human impacts that mining for these minerals can produce. Currently there is little hard rock mining in Oregon, and much of Oregon’s topography is not well-suited to mining. However, minerals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and uranium have been mined in the past, and these and new minerals such as lithium may be mined in the future in Ore gon. Hard rock mining in Oregon is governed by a complex and interconnected set of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permitting processes, which include provisions for environmental protection, economic evaluation, and reclamation of mining sites. The League supports an approach to the overall regulation and oversight of hard rock mining that will: Modify leasing and permitting decision criteria to eliminate the dominance of mineral rights over alternate public land uses, environmental protection, and of ecosystem services such as biodiversity and climate regulation. Improve leasing, permitting, and oversight processes to assure ample opportunities for public disclosure and stakeholder comment. Modernize standards for policy review to ensure adequate protection of health, safety, other industries, air, water, habitats, and ecosystem services, and require mining operations on public lands to comply with all environmental regulations. Establish procedures to protect specific areas of critical environmental concern, for example, by allowing states, political subdivisions, or stakeholder groups to petition to exclude mining in special areas, and/or provide for expedited review of areas that may be inappropriate for mining. Further, the League would support reforms to federal mining laws and practices that will: Effectively repeal the directive in the Hard Rock Mining Law of 1872 that hard rock mining take precedence over all other uses of public lands. Strengthen and enforce mining financial responsibility requirements, so that they (a) compensate taxpayers for industry resource extraction on public lands, by establishing a system of permitting, leasing and royalty fees for domestic and foreign mining exploration, extraction, and revenues; and (b)establish funding mechanisms and procedures to reclaim mining sites, restore ecosystems adversely affected by mining operations, remediate environmental degradation, and provide for long-term monitoring. Finally, the League supports changes in Oregon's laws and practices that will: Strengthen existing statutory provisions for mine operators' reclamation bonds or alternative security, particularly as they relate to long-term site care and monitoring needs and ensure that permits issued by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries include the costs of department oversight and review. Enhance opportunities for public input concerning mining on public lands, and adopt policies that support and encourage public participation in actions that may impact the State’s environmental resources and local economies. Promote and incentivize recycling programs that reduce consumption and support reuse and recycling of non-renewable virgin metal minerals, in order to reduce the mining and extraction of these materials and to protect and conserve other environmental and natural resources; adopt legislation that establishes metal recycling patterned after Oregon’s E-Cycles Program. Among the objectives of a metal recycling program would be: (a) developing consumer information and education on the economic and environmental value of reuse and recycling of metals; (b) providing free recycling at widely dispersed collection sites throughout the State; (c) promoting state and regional processing sites for refurbishment, recovery, and reuse of metal materials; and (d) funding DEQ administration and monitoring compliance at collection and processing sites. Hazardous Materials - No national position at this time Land Use - Adopted May 1995; Educational Update 2002* Citizen Participation Citizen participation, education, communication and ongoing reevaluation are essential elements in the comprehensive planning process. Recognizing the need for effective citizen participation, the League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the following factors should be considered in establishing citizen advisory groups in all jurisdictions within the state involved in land use planning: Representation on a broad socioeconomic , geographic and occupational basis. Appointment for a specific project with specified goals and terms, and provision for an adequate orientation to the purposes of the agency. Provision for communication among citizens, citizen advisory groups and planning agencies. The League of Women Vote rs of Oregon supports appointment of Citizen Involvement Committees (CICs), separate from planning commissions, to assist local governing bodies with their citizens’ involvement programs. Regional and Urban Growth The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a system of local government based upon constitutional home rule for metropolitan districts, counties and cities. The League recognizes certain principles of good local government. These are: Democratic representation and control. Basic simplicity with power to plan for future growth or change. Consideration of the interdependence of land use, transportation and environmental quality in all comprehensive plans. The League supports the establishment of a regional government in an area where planning and delivery of services can be more efficiently and economically provided by such a government. Statewide Planning The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) as the statewide planning agency. We also support the 19 statewide land use goals. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports policies that promote both conservation and development of land as a natural resource, in accordance with Oregon’s land use goals. Applying this principle, the League believes: The state should have the prime responsibility for establishing statewide planning goals and for supervising and coordinating comprehensive land use plans, with participation by citizens and by local and regional governments. The state, with citizen participation, should identify, regulate and enforce areas of critical statewide concern. Consideration of accurate information concerning water availability and quality should be a prime factor when making land use decisions. Taxation and assessment policies should support comprehensive land use plans. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports protection of private property rights commensurate with overall consideration of public health and environmental prot ection. *Updated in 2002 for background information only – no position change. Parks - Adopted January 1999 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that a parks system is an appropriate function of state government and should provide the following services: Acquire, protect and preserve natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and wildlife sites and other resources; Provide camping and a variety of other recreational opportunities, consistent with the natural environment; Offer interpretive and educational information and programs regarding the history, culture, and natural resources of the state and the features of specific parklands; Protect public ownership of beaches; Secure affordable and safe access to parks and ocean beaches. PROGRAM. The LWVOR believes that to be effective the Oregon parks system must have: Competent personnel in sufficient numbers; Clear assignment of responsibility; Adequate, stable funding; Coordination with different agencies and levels of government; Well-defined channels for citizen input and review; Consideration of local concerns when consistent with statewide public interest; Reasonable protection from crime and vandalism; Cooperation and coordination with the private sector when in the public interest; and Long-range planning. FUNDING . The LWVOR supports a balance and varied mixture of revenues for Oregon’s parks with the General Fund providing basic support for departmental operations. While the LWVOR believes user fees are sometimes appropriate, the League opposes them for non-intensive, brief visits. The sale of annual use permits is encouraged. Other appropriate revenue sources include but are not limited to recreational vehicle and automobile registration fees, lottery funds, and certain specific charges, such and bottle taxes. The Oregon parks system should actively seek donations of land, funds, facilities and services. SERVICE PROVISIONS . The LWVOR advocates the efficient provision of services in state parks under state supervision and control. In general, the League is opposed to the private management of parks but supports well-supervised contracts for services with a reasonable return for the Oregon parks system. Use of correction-system and volunteer labor is supported if it is well supervised. PLANNING. The LWVOR believes that the Oregon parks system requires a long-range strategic plan that includes periodic evaluation and is adequately funded. Such a plan should give high priority to: Preservation and maintenance of existing parks; Protection and expansion of public access to ocean beaches; Acquisition of additional park resources; Provision of campground facilities and day-use areas; and Protection of scenic waterways. Pesticides and Other Biocides - Study Completed 2021 - Position Adopted 2023 The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms that pesticides and other biocides should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems, and their use should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health, and that agriculture policies should promote farm practices that are environmentally sound and sustainable. LWVOR Supports: • Initial pesticide and biocide testing for registration has proven insufficient for preventing harm. We recommend increased testing by governmental agencies and third parties. We must identify and weigh benefits that balance safety versus toxicity, protecting food security while safeguarding public health and the environment. • Decisions for testing should be based upon a timeframe between 5 to10 years, or as new scientific data dictates. Varying weather conditions can greatly influence pesticide drift, impacting nearby bodies of water, schools, and communities including agricultural workers. The registrant of the Pesticide or Biocide currently bears the burden of proof for safety however the current regimen of tests is insufficient. • When approving the use of a Pesticide or Biocide we must consider: Risk to humans, animals, the environment, economic harm, cost to business, impact on food security, and the spread of invasive species and disease. • Pesticide labels should be improved to include: Regulations restricting use, hazards of use, best practices of use to minimize harm. Labels should be clearly written and easy to see and understand in multiple languages and use graphics to clarify explanations. • Federal and state agencies bear the responsibility for pesticide policy, based on research by pesticide manufacturers. These government agencies should also contribute to pesticide research with support from other groups. • We support using adaptive pesticide management, focusing on continual observation of current regulatory practice outcomes. As scientific advances reveal environmental and health impacts, as well as impacts on food security, the system should include the ability to rapidly react to new risk assessment data. 2019: The League supported SB 853 and HB 3058, which related to pesticides, including prohibiting chlorpyrifos and requiring licensing for neonicotinoids. They did not pass. Seismic Risks - Adopted March 1995 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that all levels of government share the responsibility of coordinating, implementing and funding an effective program to mitigate Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards. Priority must be given to mitigation that protects human life and safeguards critical life support systems. The League supports: Educating the public about the grave significance of Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami threat and encouraging preparedness. Improving the safety of transportation systems and establishing alternate routes around bridges and overpasses which are likely to be unsafe after an earthquake or tsunami. Establishing tsunami warning signals and evacuation routes. Evaluating dams that threaten population centers and taking remedial actions, such as reinforcing dams, and developing maps and downstream notification procedures. LWVOR supports as essential elements of an effective earthquake and tsunami program: Comprehensive education efforts: All school children should be taught to understand Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards and how to respond to various situations and conditions that may arise. Schools’ earthquake and tsunami plans, education and drills should be monitored and analyzed for adequacy. Improved preparedness: Federal, state, and local chain of command should be established and fully coordinated. The emergency communication system should be enhanced and regularly tested. Emergency Services should be accessible and housed in safe buildings. Citizens should be encouraged to develop emergency plans, including supply kits. When citing critical facilities, tsunami run up and inundation as well as seismic factors such as severe ground shaking, liquefaction, massive landslide potential, and subsidence should be considered. Geological reports identifying property at risk should be on file and accessible to the public. Property that poses extreme hazards should be designated as unbuildable. Solid Waste - No national position at this time. Water Policy – Quality and Quantity - Adopted April 2011; Replaced positions on Water Policy and Planning (adopted January 1977; revised March 1985) and Water Quality (adopted January 1969) The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that water is a resource that should be managed for the benefit of the public and as sustainable habitat for all life forms. The League supports Oregon state policies and statutes that promote comprehensive long-range planning for conservation and management of ground and surface water and the improvement of water quality. Regulating agencies that govern the protection and conservation of water should be transparent and provide the public easy access to information. The League supports management approaches that maximize interagency communication to include but are not limited to: Uniform definitions of “beneficial uses” and other terminology for both quality and quantity management, Coordination of activities including water allocation, measurement, monitoring/ testing, enforcement of water law and the promotion of water conservation, Well-defined statutory enforcement procedures and the funding to protect water resources held in common, and Recognition of the variability of local/basin/watershed quality and quantity needs. The League recognizes the application of historic prior appropriations of water but supports modifications in order to accomplish the following: Consider both in-stream and out-of-stream beneficial uses of water, Facilitate changes from one beneficial use of water to another, Provide incentives for water user conservation, Incorporate evolving scientific understanding of natural water systems in waste management, Develop priority uses for water in times of shortage, and Expand protection of in-stream beneficial uses such as minimum perennial stream flow. The League believes that the interdependence of land use planning and water planning must be recognized and required at all levels of government: Local comprehensive plans, watershed plans, basin plans, state and regional plans should be coordinated and complementary. Roles and responsibilities of all decision makers and agencies affecting water resource and quality issues should be clearly defined. The League believes that all planning for ground and surface water should include consideration for both the quality of the water and the availability of water to meet the beneficial uses. Planning at all levels should consider existing water rights and current and projected uses. The League acknowledges that this may be best accomplished at the watershed/basin level if adequate funding and professional staffing are available. Basin/ watershed water management should be efficient and economical, responsive to public need, flexible to allow for changes over time, and lead to conservation and allocation of the resource in the public interest. Transfers of water between basins should require coordination with planning and water use in both basins. The League recognizes that effective planning for water protection and use is most effective with a complete inventory of the water resource including all domestic wells and encourages moving toward this goal. Priority efforts should be directed to geographic areas with identified problems and vulnerabilities. The League opposes degradation of all of Oregon’s surface and ground water. The League supports policies and legislation that integrate water quality into resource management and include but are not limited to standards for: Potable water and drinking water treatment facilities, Placement and inspection of septic tanks and alternative individual treatment systems, In-stream surface water quality for recreational use, including primary contact sports, commercial and sport fishing, and habitat protection, Ground water quality for recognized beneficial uses, Agricultural, municipal, forestry and industrial wastewater discharge and runoff, Uniform water quality testing protocols– updated as scientific methodologies improve, Permitting and enforcement procedures with agency funding adequate to ensure timely compliance, Adequate, well maintained sewers and sewage treatment facilities and Control and treatment of runoff from non-pervious surfaces. The League recognizes that conservation strategies for surface and ground water, including but not limited to incentives, regulations and rationing in emergency situations, are needed to meet future demand. Individuals, agriculture, municipalities, forestry and industry should be encouraged to develop practices to reduce water usage and minimize pollution. Support should be provided for upgrading and maintaining the equipment necessary for water conservation. The League supports the need to build resiliency and innovation into water planning in order to address climate change impacts. Public involvement should be encouraged throughout the water management and planning processes. The processes should be transparent and include educational components. The League acknowledges that all water users must share in the cost of water management. Rate payers should have primary responsibility for infrastructure maintenance, delivery and conservation. The state should have primary responsibility for planning, research, data collection and public outreach. Permit fees should be a significant contributor to the development of infrastructure. Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force Adopted 1979 In order to meet the present and future water needs within the Columbia River Basin, the League of Women Voters believes comprehensive planning on a basin-wide basis for conservation, development, and management of the water is essential to the optimum utilization of our water resources. Machinery is needed which will: Provide coordinated planning and administration among federal, state, and other agencies; Establish a process for resolving conflicts among uses; Establish procedures which provide information and an opportunity for citizen participation in policy decisions affecting the directions which water resources development will take. The federal government has a necessary role in financing water resources development, but state and local governments and private users should share such costs, as far as possible, based on benefits received and the ability to pay. The League of Women Voters believes that wise planning for the use of water in the Columbia River Basin requires an inventory of the water resource within the Basin. This inventory should include all water-related information including: ground and surface water sources, viable water rights, current use, and projected future needs. The inventory should be readily available to concerned agencies and the general public. The League also believes that minimum stream flows should be established as a public right and maintained on all streams in the Columbia River Basin. Social Policy Adult Corrections Adopted August 1983 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that a full range of correctional programs should exist for adult offenders. The League strongly favors increased use of alternatives to incarceration where possible. The League supports alternatives at all stages of the criminal justice process, including but not limited to: pre-trial diversions, employment and educational programs, restitution, treatment centers for mental illness and substance abuse. The League strongly supports community-based programs such as those offered through the Community Corrections Act, especially those which allow inmates to be partially or wholly self-supporting. If more facilities are needed, the League favors: Minimum security regional treatment and/or program focused facilities. Adequate staffing and program must be part of any facility within the corrections system. Prison programs should provide each inmate with: educational and vocational training, opportunities for meaningful work, and adequate medical and mental health care. Maximum security prisons are needed for violent criminals judged dangerous to society. The League believes that comprehensive transitional programs are essential for successful completion of rehabilitation for each inmate released or paroled from a correctional facility. The League supports the adoption of sentencing guidelines that set parameters for judges throughout the state in order to reduce disparity in sentencing. Judges should be responsible for determining the length of sentences. The League supports continuation of the Parole Board. Child Care: Adopted March 1989; Updated Position 2025 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that child care is a social and economic issue that reaches beyond the family into the community. Quality child care needs to be available, accessible and affordable to all families for children of all ages and with differing needs. The League of Women Voters supports a diverse child care system to accommodate different parental choices and needs. Such a system may include day care centers, group homes, and family day care homes. The State of Oregon should establish appropriate standards to ensure that high quality care exists in all settings. For centers and group homes: these standards should address facilities, staff qualifications, and number of children served. Program, parent/care giver communication, administration and transportation should be included for centers and may also be considered for group homes. There should be flexible guidelines for family day care homes because of the unique character of these facilities. The State of Oregon should enforce mandatory regulations by funding a sufficient number of inspectors. The State of Oregon should set requirements for adequate training for care givers and ensure those training opportunities are available. This could include state provision of training and/or state incentives for others to provide training. City and county governments should participate in enforcing health and fire standards. Affordable child care should be available and accessible for children with differing needs and in various age groups. While parents have the primary responsibility for choosing child care, a coordinated effort between parents and government, together with providers, employers, and private groups is necessary to deliver quality child care at an affordable price. The State of Oregon should: Provide financial assistance for child care expenses to low- and middle-income families based on need. Such assistance could include tax credits for parents with a ceiling based on income. Support resource and referral programs. Encourage employer involvement in the child care system. Encourage development of school-age child care programs. Parents in job training, in school, with special-needs children and/or needing respite care services should be eligible for financial assistance for child care based on demonstrated need. Child caregivers should be awarded recognition commensurate with their responsibilities. The State of Oregon should take a leadership role in elevating the professional status of child caregivers and ensuring adequate compensation. National Position (adopted in 1988): “Support programs, services, and policies at all levels of government to expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it, in order to increase access to employment and to prevent and reduce poverty.” Updated Position Adopted February 2025 Administration and Organization: Oregon should have a coordinating organization to provide overall planning for care and enrichment for children and youth from birth through high school during non-school time. Oregon must periodically conduct an in-depth cost/benefit analysis of K-12 childcare programs that includes economic benefits to the economy vs. cost to taxpayers for the public and for the Legislature. Oregon should provide subsidized and stable funding for afterschool and summer programs that include education, enrichment, and experiential learning. Oregon should provide startup funds for childcare, after school, and summer programs. Reimbursements should be timely, consistent, and clearly defined. Evaluation results of programs (not individual children) should be made public. Licensing: Oregon should provide licensing and oversight for care programs involving children and youth 0-18 yrs. Oregon should provide a clear, comprehensive licensing process. Facility requirements should be clearly defined to help providers understand and meet regulations. Coaching and technical assistance regarding licensing should be made available to providers. The licensing of providers should be handled by one state agency. Curriculum: There should be oversight to ensure age-appropriate curricular goals are met. Equity, respect, and the needs of diverse cultures should be incorporated into curriculum planning to benefit all children. Older youth should be involved in curricular planning to help them develop independence and responsibility. Care programs should have curricular input from parents and guardians. When the latest research on curriculum and procedures is available, it should be disseminated to providers. Staffing: The certification of provider staff should be in one state agency. Background checks should be conducted by one state agency with an emphasis on efficient and prompt responses. Provider staff should be compensated for the training time required. The training required for provider staff should be free or subsidized. Training for provider staff should be offered at a variety of times at accessible locations or online and be available in a variety of languages. The State of Oregon should provide forgivable education loans for people who work in childcare, afterschool, and summer care in underserved or high poverty areas. Children at Risk - Adopted January 1995 ; Updated Position 2015 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports comprehensive statewide, locally-based programs and services for teen pregnancy prevention and for teenage parents. Such programs and services should include elements of the following: family planning services, school-based health centers, parenting skills’ education, cooperation/coordination among agencies providing services, evaluation and accountability measurements, easy and appropriate access to information and services, mentoring and counseling for teenagers and their parents, including peer counseling, community involvement and support groups, abuse prevention, male responsibility in teen pregnancy prevention, broad public education, and 12. substance abuse prevention. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the state should have the primary responsibility for funding programs addressing teenage pregnancy prevention and teen parenting. Elements to be included, but not limited to, are: equitable funding of programs for young women and young men, adequate funding for state agencies with responsibilities to children, cooperative efforts with the private sector, funds earmarked for community programs, urban and rural, which provide after school and weekend activities for teens, and shared funding responsibility, when appropriate, among state, local and private sources. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports development of required curriculum for all school districts relative to teen pregnancy and parenting, accompanied by implementation requirements, which covers, but is not limited to, the following areas: comprehensive, age-appropriate family life sexuality education K-12, parenting skills education, specialized education programs for pregnant teens and teenage parents, and teacher training at the baccalaureate level and as continuing education. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports programs directed to assist pregnant teens and teen parents. These programs include the following: job training and adequate wages, involvement and financial support requirements for fathers, counseling to break the cycles of abuse, poverty, and teen pregnancy, health care, including prenatal care, accessible, affordable housing, child care, transportation access, completion of secondary education, and self-esteem enhancement, career opportunities, and transition to self-sufficiency. Updated Position 2015 In the Spring of 2015, League members throughout Oregon studied early childhood education, discussed consensus questions posed by the LWVOR study committee, and submitted their views to the state League. Those views were combined to formulate the following position, which can now be used for advocacy by local Leagues as well as the LWVOR Action Team. LWVOR Children at Risk Position Statement: The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the early years of a child’s life are crucial in building the foundation for educational attainment and greatly impact success or failure in later life. Early intervention and prevention measures are effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies, programs, and funding at all levels of the community and government that promote the well-being, encourage the full development, and ensure the safety of all children. These include: Nutrition and food access for vulnerable children and families Access to affordable, safe, and stable housing Early screening (physical, dental, mental, and behavioral) for all children; early prenatal care and ongoing health care for children (physical, mental, dental) Access to affordable, quality child care (see LWVOR Child Care position) Access to early literacy and pre-school programs, including but not limited to Early Head Start and Head Start Programs for mental health and addictions treatment for parents Family support, including but not limited to home visiting, parenting classes, and family relief nurseries Comprehensive services for children with developmental and cognitive disabilities Use of evidence-based practices in child welfare and foster care Programs to reduce poverty by providing parents with assistance in job training and education Policies and legislation to reduce racial or ethnic minority status inequities The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that governments, at all levels, have a responsibility to oversee and coordinate a comprehensive network of services to maximize children’s readiness to be successful in school while optimizing available resources. National Position, adopted 1994: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that early intervention and prevention measures are effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies and programs at all levels of the community and government that promote the wellbeing, encourage the full development and ensure the safety of all children. These include: child abuse/neglect prevention; teen pregnancy prevention; quality health care, including nutrition and prenatal care; early childhood education; developmental services, emphasizing children ages 0-3; family support services; violence prevention. Public Postsecondary Education - Adopted January 1985, updated June 2018 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the primary goal of Oregon’s public postsecondary education should be to provide a broad spectrum of higher education for professional, vocational, and personal enrichment. Individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to have rewarding careers, earn higher wages, and make positive contributions to their community. Through sustaining equitable access and a seamless path from preK to postsecondary education, more Oregon students will prosper. Postsecondary Education System Oregon needs a strong, high-quality system of higher education: Oregon’s postsecondary institutions have distinct missions and goals and should be evaluated based upon how each institution’s goals are met. The State General Fund should give high priority to financial aid for students and general operating funds. Capital construction should come from other sources, including bonding, rather than the General Fund. In order to attract and retain quality faculty, salaries and research opportunities should be appropriately competitive. It is imperative in our institutions that we have good fiscal management and accountability for the funding provided. For the most effective use of state educational resources, state public institutions should cooperate and coordinate programs resulting in: Consistent statewide standards, and Easy transfer of credit between schools. If state funding necessitates limiting access, such limitation should consider equity as well as academic achievement and financial need. Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) HECC should place priority on: Providing one strategic vision for higher education in Oregon; Developing biennial budget recommendations for public postsecondary education in Oregon and making funding allocations to Oregon’s public community colleges and public universities; and Developing standards for programs such as dual credit, transfer, and credit for prior learning. HECC’s role should be to facilitate system high priorities while allowing as much autonomy as possible within each institution. Community Colleges The primary role of community colleges should be in the areas of: Workforce and vocational-technical training; Developmental education (e.g. high school equivalency, English language learning); Lower division college courses that prepare students for an associate’s degree or transfer to university; and Hobby and recreation courses have a secondary role and must be self-supporting, as defined by statute. If state funding necessitates limiting access, such limitation should consider equity as well as financial need. Independent Governing Boards Cooperation and coordination should be emphasized by all Oregon public postsecondary education institutions and governing boards. The performance of independent boards at each institution should be monitored to ensure that they are responsive to the institution’s needs and the needs of the state as a whole. Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) For the most effective use of state educational resources, OSSHE institutions should cooperate and coordinate programs resulting in: Consistent statewide standards. Easy transfer of credit between schools. If state funding for OSSHE institutions necessitates limiting access, such limitation should be: Academic, e.g. entrance requirements. Financial limitation is the least desirable. Oregon needs a strong, high-quality system of higher education. State funding must reflect this need, and high priority should be given to providing sufficient funds to improve the general excellence of the state system. In order to attract and retain quality faculty, salaries and research opportunities should be appropriately competitive. Adequate funding should also be provided to ensure complete, up-to-date libraries and to maintain or upgrade the physical plants at all of our colleges and universities. It is imperative that in our institutions we have good fiscal management accountability for the funding provided. League members feel that the roles and interrelationships of the present regional colleges, specialized institutions, and research universities are properly balanced. Oregon State University and the University of Oregon should remain comprehensive research universities. Portland State University should be allowed to expand gradually. Community Colleges The primary role of community colleges should be in the areas of: Vocational-technical training; Developmental education (e.g. high school equivalency, English as a second language); Lower division college courses. Community adult education (hobby and recreation courses) should have a secondary role and must be self-supporting as defined by statute. Community colleges should maintain an open door policy. If funding necessitates limiting access: Such limitation should be geographic, i.e. higher tuition for out-of-district students; Academic or financial limitations are the least desirable. State funding for community colleges should be according to the formulas set by the 1961 legislation. Local control must be maintained because it affords the community colleges the necessary flexibility to respond to local needs. Boards and Commissions Cooperation and coordination should be emphasized by all Oregon public postsecondary education institutions and governing boards. The current boards dealing with education, the Board of Education, and the Board of Higher Education need no structural change. The League does not favor the creation of a new education governing body Editor’s note: for K-12 education, see Fiscal Policy Position, School District Financing. Farmworker Issues - Adopted January 2001 T he League of Women Voters of Oregon believes all citizens benefit from the agricultural bounty produced by Oregon’s farmers and farmworkers, and that the state has a role in supporting the sound and fair relationship between farmers and the agricultural workforce, with the goal of economic and social justice for both parties. LWVOR believes the state must work for the humane and respectful treatment of workers as well as the viability of Oregon farms. Currently laws that regulate the working environment for agricultural workers are different from laws regulating the working conditions in other industries. The LWVOR believes the differences between agriculture and other industries justify some variance; but where farm work is similar to other labor, regulatory differences should be narrowed. All farmworkers should be fairly compensated, earning at least minimum wage. With the possible exception of piece-rate work, some farm labor should be eligible for overtime pay. Unemployment insurance should cover permanent, year-round farmworkers. Hourly-paid farmworkers should receive paid rest breaks; all farmworkers should be provided adequate time away from work for meals. The state should continue to improve the safety of agricultural workplaces for farmworkers. Rules for child labor and for the use of farm and forestry labor contractors should maintain high standards of worker protections. State laws and programs, including non-governmental efforts, should address farmworkers’ needs for a broad range of services, such as child care, safe and decent housing, sanitary working and living conditions, and access to education and health care. Education programs that are bilingual and culturally appropriate should be offered to assure that workers understand safe work practices, workplace rules, and grievance procedures. LWVOR supports the right of Oregon farmworkers to collectively bargain. Farmworkers should have the right to hold union elections. Employer retaliation for collective activity should be prohibited. Legislation establishing fair rules for unionization by farmworkers should be developed through a dialogue between workers and employers. Monitoring of union elections and contracts by either a private commission or a state entity should be fair and under terms agreeable to both workers and employers. Mediation programs should be encouraged. LWVOR believes consistent and adequate enforcement of state regulations is a key to better conditions for farmworkers. Currently, we find enforcement to be inadequate and inconsistent. LWVOR supports increasing enforcement staff, increasing fines and penalties for serious violations, and collection of civil penalties for infractions of laws. LWVOR supports programs to help farmers understand and comply with worker protection rules. LWVOR believes that safe, decent, and affordable housing should be available to all farmworkers. Oregon currently has an acute shortage of such housing for its agricultural workforce. LWVOR supports increased state funding for farmworker housing, including support, with other funds, for planning, development costs, rural infrastructure, startup costs, operating subsidies, emergency housing, and training and assistance for sponsoring organizations. The state has an important role in ensuring the safety of farmworker housing provided on farms. Such housing that has not been registered with the state should be located and brought into compliance with state standards. Public funding should emphasize best practices, such as community-based housing, and should encourage new models that are decent and safe housing alternatives for seasonal and for permanent, year round workers; these two groups may require different types of housing. Gun Safety - National Position Statement of Position on Gun Control, as Adopted by 1990 Convention and amended by the 1994 and 1998 Conventions: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. The League supports licensing procedures for gun ownership by private citizens to include a waiting period for background checks, personal identity verification, gun safety education and annual license renewal. The license fee should be adequate to bear the cost of education and verification. The League supports a ban on “Saturday night specials,” enforcement of strict penalties for the improper possession of and crimes committed with handguns and assault weapons, and allocation of resources to better regulate and monitor gun dealers. Health Policy Adult Mental Health in Oregon - Adopted January 1987; Educational Update 2001*; language update 2008** The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a comprehensive and integrated adult mental health services delivery system in Oregon which: Includes both community and state programs and facilities; Provides for coordination of local and state mental health planning based on regular needs assessments; Provides funding by a coordinated mix of federal, state, local, and private sector dollars; and Includes state budget allocations that reflect service priorities jointly determined by Community Mental Health Programs and the state Addictions and Mental Health Division. The League supports the concept of care, treatment, and support in the least restrictive environment possible which: Ensures continuity of care and humaneness; and Balances the rights and safety of individuals with mental disorders, other interested parties, and society in general. The League believes that the mental health delivery system should include: Adults with: Mental and emotional illness; and Alcohol and drug addiction. Services that focus on recovery of the individual through use of evidence-based crisis intervention and ongoing support. These services could include alternatives to hospitalization, early intervention, residential services, supportive housing, and services delivered by peers in sufficient mix and quantity to afford an acceptable quality of life for consumers and their families. Mental health service providers, administrators, advocates, consumers, their families, and lay citizens as participants in: Service delivery planning; The evaluation of services; and The provision of community education. 4. The League supports an adult mental health civil commitment process which: Ensures statewide consistency in the application of commitment statutes; Provides for adequate and equitable investigation and examination; and Protects the rights and needs of all interested parties. *Updated 2001 for background information only—no position change. **Updated 2008 for language changes only in the position statement—no position change. Mental Health Services for Children and Youth - Adopted January 1975 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a coordinated plan for comprehensive mental health services for all levels of need to children and youth provided under the direction of a single state service agency responsible for basic state standards. We support the appropriation of consistent and sufficient funds to implement state-mandated programs. A well-coordinated comprehensive mental health service delivery plan should cover such concerns as: Community level services that are accessible, visible, and available to all income levels through a graduated fee schedule; Community level programs that provide early diagnostic and referral services, 24-hour emergency care, treatment services and facilities, aftercare, and follow-up care; The development of preventive programs; Coordination of all levels of government and all public and private agencies working with children; Standards of training for all personnel appropriate to job placement; Consistent state funds supplemented by all available resources, public and private; Utilization of all local resources; Basic state standards which encourage quality treatment and care while permitting alternative programs. The League of Women Voters further supports consistent and sufficient state funds for special education programs in the public school, including: Programs based upon the child’s individual needs; Special training for teachers working with disturbed children. Physical Health Care National Position: Promote a health care system for the United States that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs. Homeless Youth - Adopted 2007 Parents are legally responsible for their children. When parents are unable to fulfill that responsibility, the League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that communities and governments at all levels have a responsibility to provide programs and services to meet the needs of runaway and homeless youth. In order to help families stay together, prevent youth homelessness, and reduce the need for more expensive future services, the LWVOR supports providing services such as family crisis counseling, child care, parenting education, mental health and addiction treatment, low-cost housing, and health care. When youth are separated from their families, the LWVOR supports providing services to these youth, such as shelter, food, education, health care, mental health and addiction treatment, plus outreach to encourage youth to use services. Older youth need additional services, such as assistance with independent living skills and with finding employment and more permanent housing. These services may be provided by government or by private organizations that receive government and/or private funding. Coordination of these services is necessary to avoid duplication and service gaps. Youth should be served regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. All levels of government should have funding responsibility for preventive and supportive services to families and homeless youth. Private organizations are encouraged to provide funding and services. Government funds should be adequate and allocated according to demonstrated need. Agencies must show that their programs are effective. Housing National Position Criteria for Housing Supply: The following considerations can be applied to programs and policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family: The responsibility for achieving national housing goals rests primarily with the federal government, which should: Assure that our economic system is functioning to produce and maintain sufficient decent housing for citizens at all income levels; Compensate for any failure or inadequacy of the system by building, financing, renting and selling homes to those citizens whose housing needs are not being met; Give a variety of incentives to local jurisdictions to encourage them to provide within their boundaries an adequate supply of decent housing for low- and moderate-income groups; Withhold federal funds from communities that fail to encourage such housing. State and local governments should assist by establishing effective agencies to aid, promote, coordinate and supplement the housing programs of the federal government and the private sector. Government at all levels must make available sufficient funds for housing-assistance programs. When families or individuals cannot afford decent housing, government should provide assistance in the form of income and/or subsidized housing. Government programs providing subsidies to the building, financing and insuring industries for housing for lower-income families should be evaluated in terms of units produced rather than in terms of benefits accruing to these industries. Government at all levels should develop policies that will assure sufficient land at reasonable cost on which to develop housing and that will assure fulfillment of other goals such as access to employment, preservation of open space, environmental cleanliness and beauty, and other aspects of a suitable living environment. Regional and metropolitan planning should be promoted to prevent haphazard urban growth, and housing for low- and moderate-income families should be provided as apart of all planned neighborhoods or communities. Lower-income families should not be segregated in large developments or neighborhoods. As their economic status improves, lower-income families should be enabled to continue to live in the same units as private tenants or as homeowners, if they are so inclined. Housing should be designed to meet human needs and should be built with amenities that will encourage economic integration within apartment buildings as well as neighborhoods. Publicly assisted housing should be included in viable, balanced communities, with provision for quality public services and facilities, including schools, transportation, recreation, etc., that will encourage integration and stability. Zoning practices and procedures that will counteract racial and economic isolation should be promoted. State and local governments should adopt and enforce: Uniform building codes with standards based on performance; Housing codes to protect the health and safety of all citizens. State and local tax structures should be examined and revised to: Benefit communities that build housing for lower-income families; Encourage private owners to improve their homes; Reduce speculative land costs. Government, industry and labor should encourage innovative building techniques to reduce the cost of housing production. Rights of tenants to negotiate for proper maintenance, management of facilities and services should be protected. Housing programs should be administered by individuals trained for the jobs and sympathetic with the needs of their clientele. Citizen groups should participate in the development of publicly assisted housing programs by: Evaluating performance; Activating nonprofit sponsorships; Supporting legislation; Developing public awareness of housing discrimination and need. Juvenile Justice - Adopted March 1981; Educational Update 2000* The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes in coordinated planning and implementation of juvenile services. Prevention of juvenile crimes should be a priority in our society. Prevention programs should: Be available from early childhood to adulthood; Involve family, peers, schools, and the community; Make available early diagnosis and treatment for physical, mental, and educational problems; Make available opportunities for all youth to learn responsibility and positive self-images in their own communities; and Make available opportunities for learning parenting skills. Services for juvenile offenders should: Be responsive to the needs of the youth and his or her family; Make diversion programs available prior to entry as well as during involvement in the juvenile justice system; Emphasize community planned and operated programs, including youth restitution programs; Deal with youth offenders in the least restrictive environment; Provide treatment-oriented secure custody; Include appropriate evaluation, treatment, and placement for those already in the system. The League opposes holding juveniles in adult jails. If appropriate alternatives are not available, care must be taken to assure that juveniles are out of sight and sound of incarcerated adults. Status offenders should be diverted from the juvenile justice system whenever possible. The League opposes holding status offenders in jail under any conditions. Social services outside the juvenile justice system should be developed to meet their needs. The juvenile court may be needed to provide help and protection for some youth. Basic standards for juvenile services should rest with the state. Minimal federal standards are acceptable. Local governments should have flexibility for implementing programs consistent with these standards. Funding for Juvenile services should be consistent and dependable from all sources: Local, state, federal, and private; Include parental ability to pay; Any level of government mandating services should provide substantial funding for those services. There should be a uniform statewide data system that provides meaningful and retrievable information while complying with right-to-privacy laws. *Updated for background information only – no position change. Women’s Issues LWVOR uses several LWVUS positions relating to women in supporting and opposing specific legislative proposals, statewide initiatives and community activities. The positions include: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. The League supports “equal rights for all regardless of sex.” The League further believes that governments at all levels share the responsibility to provide equality of opportunity for education, employment and housing for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. The League supports programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families, including quality of health care, income assistance, housing and public transportation access.