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Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch It’s here! The long-awaited Revenue Forecast that will guide the spending for the 2026 legislative session, was delivered at the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee meeting on Feb. 4th. Carl Ricidonna, Oregon’s State Economist, provided his report, along with Michael Kennedy, Senior Economist. See pages 17 and 20 for the important numbers. And the Legislative Revenue Office’s Forecast Summary : Projected 2025-27 Net General Fund Resources are up $252.7 million (0.7%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. Projected 2025-27 Lottery resources are up $33.8 million (1.8%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. Projected 2025-27 Combined net General Fund and Lottery Resources are up $286.5 million (0.7%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. This Revenue forecast is better than the last forecast, and it appears there is just a 20% chance of a recession. Oregon’s revenue outlook is doing better than predicted due the highest corporate earners doing especially well last year with higher productivity. 5% of corporations are paying 90% of the tax. Lottery revenues are also up. However, the personal income tax revenues were only modestly up, and lower income earners are again hardest hit by a nearly 3% inflation rate with few new jobs. Unemployment is also up but not at an alarming rate. In all this will reduce slightly the revenue hole caused by HR 1 and our state income tax connection to it. Because of the importance of this presentation here is a list of news articles covering the forecast: Oregon Capital Chronicle on Feb. 4 . OregonLive . OPB In the last legislative report, we shared the various budget gaps that legislators are facing, from Medicaid and SNAP to education and addressing transportation funding. Although this forecast was helpful, it is still $450 to $1 billion less than needed. So, cuts will happen. However, there are some actions the legislature is considering to decrease the effects of funding loss for services Oregonians value. One is SB 1507 shared below: At the Senate Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 4, the version of SB 1507 which was initially introduced sought to reduce a number of taxes equal to/conditioned on a statewide retail sales tax with proceeds to be directed to specifically defined purposes. The legislation is largely intended to ameliorate some of the impacts of federal H.R.1 . At the outset of the hearing Chair Anthony Broadman indicated that there were likely additional amendments in the pipeline besides those posted online. Committee members are, for example, working through the jobs credit provision which is currently set at a $12.5 million cap per year. The -3 amendment is fairly straightforward. It entirely replaces the initial version of SB 1507 and updates Oregon’s connection with the federal Internal Tax Code by replacing effective dates of “2023” with “2025.” The -4 amendment also seeks to replace the initial version of SB 1507 and is no longer in consideration. It closes certain federal tax loopholes for purposes of Oregon taxation, which will result in increased taxpayer payments and state revenue. They include (1) deductions for car loan interest, (2) gain from the exchange or sale of small business stock deducted on personal income tax returns, (3) certain machinery and equipment tax deductions. Subject to an annual total amount of tax credits of $12.5 million, taxpayers can also claim $1,000 personal and corporate income tax credit for every new job they create in Oregon, which credit can be carried forward for 3 years. Oregon’s earned income tax credit is also increased from 9% to 14% of a taxpayer’s federal earned income tax credit, and for taxpayers with a dependent under 3 the credit is increased from 12% to 17%. The -5 amendment reiterates - 4 but also adds clarifying language. For example, when seeking the new job tax credit, Dash 5 provides that new jobs are to be determined by comparing the average annual employees of a taxpayer in a 12-month period ending on June 30th of the current tax year as compared to the same 12-month period in the previous tax year. Here is the Legislative Revenue Office summary of the -5. The tax credits are capped at an annual total amount of tax credits of $12.5 million. The latest amendment is the -6 which includes the following: 1. Removes the vehicle loan interest deduction 2. Increases Oregon’s EITC from 9% to 14% of federal EITC amount, or from 12% to 17% for taxpayers with a dependent under the age of 3 at close of tax year. This is a great help to low-income earners. 3. Disconnects from personal income tax exclusion for gain from the exchange or sale of qualified small business stock. 4. Disconnects from bonus depreciation provision. This item was hotly contested in the Feb 4 hearing which allows a business to take 100% depreciation in the first year. 5. Credit for taxpayers creating jobs allows $1,000 × number of jobs created in the year, capped at 10 new jobs per year. Wages paid must be at 150% of the local minimum wage. These credits are capped at $12.5 million per year and end in 2031. All these credits apply to tax years starting in 2026. On Feb. 5 th , a -6 amendment was posted. Here is the Staff Measure Summary of the -3 and -6 amendments that replace the measure and we expect to be voted on in Committee Monday. Public Hearing Feb. 4. Work Session Feb. 9. The League supports the bill with amendments as it has the potential to bring in over $300 million but had wished for additional disconnect items to help with Oregon’s revenue needs. The Oregon Capital Chronicle provides this article . Here are Oregonlive and Salem Reporter articles on HB 1507. Then the Full Ways and Means Committee met for hours Feb. 3 rd to hear from Oregonians as shared in this Oregon Capital Chronicle article. On Feb. 5 th , hundreds of Oregonians rallied in Salem in support of a disconnect ( KDRV article). The Full Ways and Means Committee met Feb. 6 th and introduced 6 budget bills for the session. The LCs (Legislative Concepts) will be assigned bill numbers after their introduction AND the League expects amendments by the end of session: LC 319 : Amends an incorrect internal reference in a law relating judicial compensation. Program Change Senate bill. LC 321 : Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority Senate Bill. LC 322 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state agencies for capital construction. Capital Construction 6-year limitation Senate Bill LC 323 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder for agency allocation changes Senate Bill. LC 324 : Approves certain new or increased fees adopted by state agencies. The bill includes the Dept. of State Lands Wetlands processing fees set forth during rulemaking for which the League engaged. Fee Ratification House Bill. LC 325 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder House Bill. LC 326 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder House Bill. LC 327 : Modifies certain biennial appropriations made from the General Fund to specified state agencies and the Emergency Board. Establishes and modifies limitations on expenditures for certain biennial expenses for specified state agencies. The items populated in this bill as introduced reflect tentative decisions made by Ways and Means during the January Legislative Days. Omnibus Budget House Bill. Though LWVOR does not have a position regarding the conclusion shared by the author of this article , the information about future PERS costs is important. The two increases mean that by 2029, PERS contributions will have increased almost 80% over the 2023-2025 biennium, from $5.26 billion to $9.35 billion, over 25% of payroll. The Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) is reviewing state building usage and leases to find efficiencies and reduce state costs per this presentation in the W&M General Government Subcommittee on Feb. 2 nd . Here is the material from the Oregon State Debt Policy Advisory Commission . Tentatively the General Obligation bond capacity for the 2026 session is $513 million and $86 million lottery bond capacity. Bills we may be following: SB 1562 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. HB 4148 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent , respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. The LOCAL Act, adjusts the post-2003 lodging tax distribution so that local governments may adjust the percentages, with up to 60% used for critical local services and infrastructure, such as first responders, and at least 40% dedicated to tourism promotion and facilities. The LOCAL Act is a bipartisan collaborative bill that updates outdated restrictions so communities can better balance supporting tourism with maintaining residents' quality of life. Public hearing Feb. 9. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Applies to estimates prepared on or after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the difference in surplus revenue calculations using stated methodologies, and transfer an amount equal to the difference for use for various purposes. Establishes the One-Time Emergencies and Finance Fund. Public hearing Feb. 2. HB 4136 : Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, a mortgage interest deduction for a residence other than the taxpayer’s principal residence, unless the taxpayer sells the residence or actively markets the residence for sale. Establishes the Oregon Homeownership Opportunity Account. Transfers an amount equal to the estimated increase in revenue attributable to restrictions on the deduction of mortgage interest to the account, for the purpose of making down payment assistance payments. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. SB 1510 : Updates the terminology used to describe certain income earned by multinational corporations to reflect a change in the term used in federal law. Aligns sunset dates for earned income tax credit provisions with the underlying sunset date for the credit. Expands the tax credit for certified film production development contributions to allow the use of contributions for the production of commercials. Applies to fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Provides an exception from the annual filing requirement for the property tax exemption for property burdened by an affordable housing covenant used for owner-occupied housing. Applies to property tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027. Public Hearing Feb. 11. SB 1511 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the estate tax. Directs the Legislative Revenue Officer to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to revenue not later than December 1, 2027. Public Hearing Feb. 11. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Land Use section of the Natural Resources Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. Oregonlive provided this comprehensive assessment of the bill. SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges and wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. OPB covered a story about the bill . NO public hearing has been scheduled at this time. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Public Hearing Feb. 2. See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall.

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Education Healthcare Behavioral Health Trish Garner Senate Interim Committee on Human Services LC 68 is one of a number of proposals which appear to have caught the attention of Senator Sara Gelser Blouin, Governor Tina Kotek and Democratic leadership which relate to foster care. It began in 2021 with SB 710 proposed by Senators Gelser Blouin and James Manning, Jr. which placed a number of restrictions on the use of restraints and/or seclusions in foster care settings, described when and how abuse complaints could be brought against staff, and defined processes required for out-of-state foster care placements. A number of bills were introduced in 2025 which sought to modify the impact of that legislation. They included SB 3835 which authorized seclusions and/or restraints if the child’s behavior posed a reasonable risk of imminent “serious physical harm” as opposed to the SB 710 standard that required a threat of “severe bodily injury.” Proponents of SB 3835 argued that SB 710’s rules regarding investigating complaints against residential treatment staff for abuse were also so onerous that numerous licensed residential facilities had closed. SB 1113 was also filed by Senator Gelser Blouin in 2025. It essentially went in the opposite direction from HB 3835 and was never voted on by either the House or Senate. HB 3835 remained in the Ways and Means Committee upon adjournment. Senator Gelser Blouin also introduced SB 875 and SB 736 in 2025. Each passed in the legislature but Governor Kotek vetoed both. HB 875 would have modified the Oregon Foster Children’s Bill of Rights to cover children who are awaiting placement. Among other provisions, it defined a process to protect these children from abuse, outlined what constitutes an inappropriate use of restraint or seclusion, and mandated that children in foster care have access to personal belongings. SB 736 would have expanded the definition of a child in care to include any child in legal or physical custody of ODHS, including children living at home with their parents during in-home safety plans or trial reunifications. This would mean that the child abuse investigation framework would apply in these situations. Neither of these bills became law. Governor Kotek’s veto was sustained regarding SB 736. The Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto SB 875, but the motion was tabled in the House. Returning to the 2026 Session, LC 68 is an omnibus bill that seeks to re-introduce many of the legislative ideas introduced in the 2025 Session. For example, LC 68 follows SB 875’s (2025) effort which sought to expand the Oregon Foster Children’s Bill of Rights by providing that foster child “essential” rights include the rights to be protected from abuse, exploitation, neglect, intimidation or wrongful use of restraint or seclusion, and that children in foster care have access to personal belongings. One can recognize SB 736 (2025) in LC 68’s definition of “child in care” to include a person under 21 who is in the “physical or legal custody” of the state which would include children living with their parents but under ODHS custody. LC 280 is an omnibus measure that modifies provisions relating to out-of-state care of children. It also modifies requirements for DHS to impose license conditions on a residential or long-term care facility based on a preliminary finding. LC 281 is similar to HB 3835 (2025). It deals with duties of care to a child in residential facilities and foster homes. Senate Interim Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health An informational hearing presented LC 216 . It arose from Governor Kotek’s request to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) which is chaired by First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. It provides that the previously free-standing State Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW) will be placed under the regulatory and administrative jurisdiction of the Mental Health Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The BLSW joins the OR Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists and the Oregon Board of Psychology on the MHRA. LC 216 also seeks to streamline credentialing for behavioral health workers by requiring OHA to develop a centralized process for doing so. LC 216 requires OHA to work with providers in reducing paperwork and to report to the legislature and the Governor every 2 years about progress on this requirement. In seeking to address the lack of access to clinical supervision, LC 216 requires the MHRA and BLSW to develop rules allowing for master’s level licensees to be supervised by any fully qualified behavioral health supervisor rather than requiring that a clinical supervisor have the same license as the supervisee. [An informational hearing on this LC was also heard in the House Interim Committee on Behavioral Health.] LC 111 creates a new behavioral health provider called a Licensed Behavioral Health and Wellness Practitioner licensed by the Board of Psychology. LC 282 requires operators of artificial intelligence platforms to provide clear and concise notice to users that they are interacting with AI-generated output. Operators are required to develop and publish protocols for detecting output that consists of suicidal or self-harming ideation. There are additional requirements if the user is believed to be a minor. LC 289 relates to labeling of marijuana products. For example, marijuana items that contain industrial hemp-derived cannabinoids must bear a label describing the risks. House Interim Committee on Behavioral Health At first glance LC 202 (2026) looks like a simple technical fix bill, but it contains significant changes, particularly regarding the relationship between OHA and others in the public behavioral health care system. It arose from a work group that came from a wide variety of stakeholders – coordinated care organizations, providers, and payors. LC requires the Oregon Health Authority and coordinated care organizations to ensure that access to behavioral health treatment and documentation standards is no more burdensome than access to medical or surgical treatment. Changes to outdated language are also proposed in LC 202, such as replacing “emotional disturbance” with “health or substance use disorder.” Further modifications to LC 202 are anticipated in this Session, including the process of payment for civil commitment services. LC 229 requires employers to create safety plans, including improved training and safe staffing levels. These plans must include plans for workers working alone and structural safety plans must be specific to a work site. Employers must provide a copy of this information to new employees. LC 181 modifies the definition of “transition aged youth residential home” to clarify that it applies to young adults beginning at age17 rather than 17 and 1/2. House Interim Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services LC 266 provides that ODHS is required to investigate a report of child abuse if the alleged perpetrator is the child’s parent, caregiver, guardian, child care provider, educator or an adult who has similar access to a child. It modifies the definition of “child abuse” by requiring that a threat of harm to a child be an imminent rather than a substantial risk of harm. LC 266 also raises the standard to substantiate a finding of child abuse from a reasonable cause to a preponderance of the evidence. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Sharron Noone Several legislative concepts (LCs) introduced during recent interim House and Senate Judiciary Committee hearings are of interest to the League. LC 97 modifies the 2022 law ( SB 1584 ) related to compensation for wrongful convictions, which passed with support from the League. It creates a new post-conviction process for convictions based on expert testimony that was based on now-discredited forensic science. LC 64 makes changes to the death investigation process in cases of domestic violence or child abuse. LC 106 adds new provisions to the crime of “aggregated harassment” to include making serious threats to a public official or a member of the official’s family. LC 92 , a public safety omnibus, contains at least four unrelated provisions. We will monitor this catch-all bill and expect amendments during session. LC 238 expands the ability of the Department of Human Services to take action against child-caring agencies following certain findings. Besides ongoing litigation from the Oregon Department of Justice, the League will be monitoring a flurry of bills this session from Senate and House Democrats that prioritize “protecting democracy, our elections, and the civil rights of Oregonians from federal overreach.” We expect bills that restrict the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, expand Oregon’s sanctuary laws, protect immigrant rights, mandate parental notification of ICE activity on school campuses, and limit mask use and standardize identification for all law enforcement. Education K-12 Public school districts around the state are submitting preliminary recommendations for reducing spending . Portland’s proposal to cut $50 million would eliminate 180 positions in schools and 108 positions in the central office. Eugene’s district would cut $30 million, eliminating as many as 159 positions. Salem Keizer has plans to cut $25 million. The cuts are being attributed to decreasing enrollment, increasing costs of labor, special education, and retirement payments. The Senate and House Education Committees are both promoting legislative concepts directing schools to develop policies related to immigration enforcement. In addition, the House Education Committee heard Rep. Finger McDonald describe one of her legislative concepts, which would require schools to notify parents when ICE is present on school grounds. She noted that this would be more accurate than relying on social media. House Education Committee This committee heard several presentations relating to the time spent in school. Currently, the law states that at least 80% of the students at each school must receive at least 900 hours of instructional time in K-8, 990 hours in grades 9-11, and 966 hours in 12 th grade. Dr. Matthew Kraft, from Brown University, reported data from 2017-18, revealing that Oregon ranked 47 th among the 50 states in total hours of time in school during an academic year. Furthermore, more than 25% of the existing instructional time is lost due to external interruptions (e.g. intercom announcements) and to inefficient practices such as transitions between activities and teacher absences. The committee heard that increased time is related to higher test performance, but Kraft did note that increased time is most effective when steps are taken to maximize the use of the time. When a committee member noted the high rate of absenteeism in Oregon schools, Kraft observed that is related to graduation rates. In addition, teachers are less likely to introduce new material when a critical mass of students is absent. The Committee also heard a presentation from the Legislative Policy and Research Office, observing that different methods are currently used to measure student poverty. Previously, poverty rates were estimated based on the number of students receiving free and reduced lunches. But that is no longer an accurate measure since currently free lunches are provided for all students in schools with high poverty rates. Instead, Oregon calculates poverty in two different ways, depending on the use of the data: Students Experiencing Poverty includes families up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and is based on student characteristics such as eligibility for SNAP or TANF, students in foster care, those who are houseless, and students receiving migrant education services. The Oregon Department of Education considers this when it is important to address the needs of specific students or schools. Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates includes families up to 100% of the FPL, and is based on Census data, tax returns, Social Security, etc. This is used to determine education funding for low-income districts. Finally, a memo prepared by the Legislative Policy and Research Office reported that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) documented that in the 2023-24 school year, at least 4,439 incidents of restraint and/or seclusion occurred in Oregon, with the vast majority of incidents involving restraint. Both of these practices are controversial. Physical restraint is defined in Oregon statute as “the restriction of a student’s movement by one or more persons holding the student or providing physical pressure upon the student.” Students have also been restrained chemically or mechanically. Seclusion is “the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room from which the student is physically prevented from leaving.” Twelve percent of the restraint and seclusion incidents involved staff injuries, while 2% involved injuries to students. During the same time period, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) determined that 20 of the incidents, involving 16 program staff, were considered abusive. It was also concerning to hear that 7% of the incidents between 2019 and 2024 involved at least one untrained staff member. Joint Public Education Appropriation LC 43, being proposed by the Joint Committee on Public Education Appropriations, is an overhaul of school funding based on recommendations made by the American Institutes for Research. The legislative concept would replace the Quality Education Commission (QEC) funding model with a contracted body that meets with professional judgement panels statewide to make recommendations regarding funding needs. While there has been much discussion about replacing the QEC, there are other provisions of the LC that committee members questioned – notably plans for modifying the state’s quality goals for public education and creating a new definition of a standard school district. Committee chairs assured the members that approving the LC would simply enable them to have a conversation about the goals and standards. Higher Education In response to a request from legislators, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) created a public university spending efficiency report . The report noted that public universities in Oregon have taken steps to lower student costs while increasing graduation rates. However, the state has a history of disinvesting in higher education, and according to the State Higher Education Finance report Oregon spends $3000 less per full-time-equivalent student than the national average. This, combined with federal spending cutbacks and increasing personnel costs led to some challenging recommendations from HECC, including partnerships and mergers. The report also mentioned the highly controversial step of asking HECC to audit university degree programs periodically. Healthcare LC 300 This legislative concept would require health insurance companies to inform a health care provider of the service each time the service is automatically downcoded by AI. (The process of downcoding reviews, reduces, and reassigns medical billing codes to a lower level of complexity than originally submitted by a healthcare provider.) LC 300 also requires insurers to make the appeals process available to the provider. The League is committed to transparency in health care transactions. The bill would not eliminate AI downcoding or automatic denials of services, but would allow more tracking of AI used in this specific situation. Hopefully this is a first step and there will be more to follow. LC 241 This will be the omnibus bill put forward by the House Health Committee. It is meant to be measures that are easy to agree about, actionable and do not involve money from Ways and Means. It does cover 65 different sections, all the way from Anesthesia coding to Psilocybin facilitators. It covers dental choice of provider, health insurance mandate advisory committee and automatic primary care assignment repeal along with many other health related concepts. It is very ambitious, but it appears that the league will be able to support many of the provisions. LC 100 This legislative concept would allow colposcopy after initial abnormal PAP to be covered as a screening procedure. LC 100 requires health insurance carriers to fully cover cervical cancer screenings and follow-ups without deductibles, coinsurance, copayments or other out-of-pocket expenses. Many women are unable to proceed to further work-up of an abnormal pap because of cost. But the PAP smear does not adequately reflect what treatment protocol is reasonable. In these days of very high deductible health plans women frequently cannot pay for further screening from an in office procedure leading to an increase in worsened diseases. Recently the Health Resources and Services updated cervical cancer screening guidelines to include additional cervical testing. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning Juvenile justice Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch It’s here! The long-awaited Revenue Forecast that will guide the spending for the 2026 legislative session, was delivered at the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee meeting on Feb. 4th. Carl Ricidonna, Oregon’s State Economist, provided his report, along with Michael Kennedy, Senior Economist. See pages 17 and 20 for the important numbers. And the Legislative Revenue Office’s Forecast Summary : Projected 2025-27 Net General Fund Resources are up $252.7 million (0.7%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. Projected 2025-27 Lottery resources are up $33.8 million (1.8%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. Projected 2025-27 Combined net General Fund and Lottery Resources are up $286.5 million (0.7%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. This Revenue forecast is better than the last forecast, and it appears there is just a 20% chance of a recession. Oregon’s revenue outlook is doing better than predicted due the highest corporate earners doing especially well last year with higher productivity. 5% of corporations are paying 90% of the tax. Lottery revenues are also up. However, the personal income tax revenues were only modestly up, and lower income earners are again hardest hit by a nearly 3% inflation rate with few new jobs. Unemployment is also up but not at an alarming rate. In all this will reduce slightly the revenue hole caused by HR 1 and our state income tax connection to it. Because of the importance of this presentation here is a list of news articles covering the forecast: Oregon Capital Chronicle on Feb. 4 . OregonLive . OPB In the last legislative report, we shared the various budget gaps that legislators are facing, from Medicaid and SNAP to education and addressing transportation funding. Although this forecast was helpful, it is still $450 to $1 billion less than needed. So, cuts will happen. However, there are some actions the legislature is considering to decrease the effects of funding loss for services Oregonians value. One is SB 1507 shared below: At the Senate Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 4, the version of SB 1507 which was initially introduced sought to reduce a number of taxes equal to/conditioned on a statewide retail sales tax with proceeds to be directed to specifically defined purposes. The legislation is largely intended to ameliorate some of the impacts of federal H.R.1 . At the outset of the hearing Chair Anthony Broadman indicated that there were likely additional amendments in the pipeline besides those posted online. Committee members are, for example, working through the jobs credit provision which is currently set at a $12.5 million cap per year. The -3 amendment is fairly straightforward. It entirely replaces the initial version of SB 1507 and updates Oregon’s connection with the federal Internal Tax Code by replacing effective dates of “2023” with “2025.” The -4 amendment also seeks to replace the initial version of SB 1507 and is no longer in consideration. It closes certain federal tax loopholes for purposes of Oregon taxation, which will result in increased taxpayer payments and state revenue. They include (1) deductions for car loan interest, (2) gain from the exchange or sale of small business stock deducted on personal income tax returns, (3) certain machinery and equipment tax deductions. Subject to an annual total amount of tax credits of $12.5 million, taxpayers can also claim $1,000 personal and corporate income tax credit for every new job they create in Oregon, which credit can be carried forward for 3 years. Oregon’s earned income tax credit is also increased from 9% to 14% of a taxpayer’s federal earned income tax credit, and for taxpayers with a dependent under 3 the credit is increased from 12% to 17%. The -5 amendment reiterates - 4 but also adds clarifying language. For example, when seeking the new job tax credit, Dash 5 provides that new jobs are to be determined by comparing the average annual employees of a taxpayer in a 12-month period ending on June 30th of the current tax year as compared to the same 12-month period in the previous tax year. Here is the Legislative Revenue Office summary of the -5. The tax credits are capped at an annual total amount of tax credits of $12.5 million. The latest amendment is the -6 which includes the following: 1. Removes the vehicle loan interest deduction 2. Increases Oregon’s EITC from 9% to 14% of federal EITC amount, or from 12% to 17% for taxpayers with a dependent under the age of 3 at close of tax year. This is a great help to low-income earners. 3. Disconnects from personal income tax exclusion for gain from the exchange or sale of qualified small business stock. 4. Disconnects from bonus depreciation provision. This item was hotly contested in the Feb 4 hearing which allows a business to take 100% depreciation in the first year. 5. Credit for taxpayers creating jobs allows $1,000 × number of jobs created in the year, capped at 10 new jobs per year. Wages paid must be at 150% of the local minimum wage. These credits are capped at $12.5 million per year and end in 2031. All these credits apply to tax years starting in 2026. On Feb. 5 th , a -6 amendment was posted. Here is the Staff Measure Summary of the -3 and -6 amendments that replace the measure and we expect to be voted on in Committee Monday. Public Hearing Feb. 4. Work Session Feb. 9. The League supports the bill with amendments as it has the potential to bring in over $300 million but had wished for additional disconnect items to help with Oregon’s revenue needs. The Oregon Capital Chronicle provides this article . Here are Oregonlive and Salem Reporter articles on HB 1507. Then the Full Ways and Means Committee met for hours Feb. 3 rd to hear from Oregonians as shared in this Oregon Capital Chronicle article. On Feb. 5 th , hundreds of Oregonians rallied in Salem in support of a disconnect ( KDRV article). The Full Ways and Means Committee met Feb. 6 th and introduced 6 budget bills for the session. The LCs (Legislative Concepts) will be assigned bill numbers after their introduction AND the League expects amendments by the end of session: LC 319 : Amends an incorrect internal reference in a law relating judicial compensation. Program Change Senate bill. LC 321 : Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority Senate Bill. LC 322 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state agencies for capital construction. Capital Construction 6-year limitation Senate Bill LC 323 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder for agency allocation changes Senate Bill. LC 324 : Approves certain new or increased fees adopted by state agencies. The bill includes the Dept. of State Lands Wetlands processing fees set forth during rulemaking for which the League engaged. Fee Ratification House Bill. LC 325 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder House Bill. LC 326 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder House Bill. LC 327 : Modifies certain biennial appropriations made from the General Fund to specified state agencies and the Emergency Board. Establishes and modifies limitations on expenditures for certain biennial expenses for specified state agencies. The items populated in this bill as introduced reflect tentative decisions made by Ways and Means during the January Legislative Days. Omnibus Budget House Bill. Though LWVOR does not have a position regarding the conclusion shared by the author of this article , the information about future PERS costs is important. The two increases mean that by 2029, PERS contributions will have increased almost 80% over the 2023-2025 biennium, from $5.26 billion to $9.35 billion, over 25% of payroll. The Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) is reviewing state building usage and leases to find efficiencies and reduce state costs per this presentation in the W&M General Government Subcommittee on Feb. 2 nd . Here is the material from the Oregon State Debt Policy Advisory Commission . Tentatively the General Obligation bond capacity for the 2026 session is $513 million and $86 million lottery bond capacity. Bills we may be following: SB 1562 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. HB 4148 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent , respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. The LOCAL Act, adjusts the post-2003 lodging tax distribution so that local governments may adjust the percentages, with up to 60% used for critical local services and infrastructure, such as first responders, and at least 40% dedicated to tourism promotion and facilities. The LOCAL Act is a bipartisan collaborative bill that updates outdated restrictions so communities can better balance supporting tourism with maintaining residents' quality of life. Public hearing Feb. 9. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Applies to estimates prepared on or after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the difference in surplus revenue calculations using stated methodologies, and transfer an amount equal to the difference for use for various purposes. Establishes the One-Time Emergencies and Finance Fund. Public hearing Feb. 2. HB 4136 : Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, a mortgage interest deduction for a residence other than the taxpayer’s principal residence, unless the taxpayer sells the residence or actively markets the residence for sale. Establishes the Oregon Homeownership Opportunity Account. Transfers an amount equal to the estimated increase in revenue attributable to restrictions on the deduction of mortgage interest to the account, for the purpose of making down payment assistance payments. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. SB 1510 : Updates the terminology used to describe certain income earned by multinational corporations to reflect a change in the term used in federal law. Aligns sunset dates for earned income tax credit provisions with the underlying sunset date for the credit. Expands the tax credit for certified film production development contributions to allow the use of contributions for the production of commercials. Applies to fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Provides an exception from the annual filing requirement for the property tax exemption for property burdened by an affordable housing covenant used for owner-occupied housing. Applies to property tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027. Public Hearing Feb. 11. SB 1511 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the estate tax. Directs the Legislative Revenue Officer to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to revenue not later than December 1, 2027. Public Hearing Feb. 11. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Land Use section of the Natural Resources Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. Oregonlive provided this comprehensive assessment of the bill. SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges and wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. OPB covered a story about the bill . NO public hearing has been scheduled at this time. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Public Hearing Feb. 2. See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 4/10 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to a topic: Housing Criminal Justice Gun Safety Immigration Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Governor Kotek recently announced funding amounts to address the state’s homelessness state of emergency tied to HB 2001 A . The bill requires specific goals to rehouse more than 1,200 households and create over 600 new shelter beds in emergency areas to reduce unsheltered homelessness by January 10, 2024. Each region submitted local plans for the Governor's Office to review and how they will meet specific goals to reduce unsheltered homelessness in their local area. The state is expected to provide technical assistance and partner with them to help them succeed. Listed below are funding amounts the state will award to regions within designated areas of Oregon's homelessness state of emergency. She also announced outcome measures each region is expected to achieve with this funding. Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County: $18.2 million to rehouse 275 households and create 138 shelter beds Eugene/Springfield/Lane County: $15.5 million to rehouse 247 households and create 230 shelter beds Central Oregon: $13.9 million to rehouse 161 households and create 111 shelter beds Salem/Marion, Polk Counties: $10.4 million to rehouse 158 households and create 79 shelter beds Medford, Ashland/Jackson County: $8.8 million to rehouse 133 households and create 67 shelter beds Hillsboro/Beaverton/Washington County: $8.0 million to rehouse 121 households and create 61 shelter beds Clackamas County: $4.4 million to rehouse 130 households. It also was announced that the funds appropriated for this companion bill in HB 5019 will be appropriated as indicated below. A total of $85.2 million will be allocated for local homelessness emergency plans. OHCS will reserve $3 million to ensure the goals of the emergency order are achieved. An additional $3 million will be used for a statewide landlord incentive, available to landlords participating in local rehousing efforts. However, the requests from all regions within the emergency order total $98.8 million, which is not enough funding to provide each region its full funding request. In addition, the early funding package included $33.6 million to help prevent homelessness for an estimated 8,750 households. This funding will be distributed statewide through existing eviction prevention programs. Recognizing that unsheltered homelessness impacts communities in every part of Oregon, the legislature also approved $26 million to address homelessness in counties that do not meet the emergency order threshold. OHCS is sending each region an announcement of its funding amount and will include an updated timeline for finalizing grant agreements with the goal of funding being available to communities by April 28, 2023. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the state housing agency (OHCS) have supported establishment of Multi-Agency Coordinating (MAC) groups to oversee the money in each region and deliver emergency care. They are made up of a wide range of individuals, from people who are part of public housing authorities, local homelessness agencies, shelter developers, and landlords associations. The Governor, after several meetings with city of Portland and Multnomah County officials, said she has a lot of questions. Despite her concerns, she tentatively approved state funding to the city of Portland and Multnomah County and promised to provide state help to address some of her questions and concerns. However, the Governor wasn’t convinced that Clackamas County had the ability to increase shelter beds, so the funding was denied. SB 976 : Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform: There is a lot of interest in this bill because if passed; the state’s largest housing subsidy would see some of the savings redirected away from higher earning homeowners and would instead benefit low- and moderate-income home purchasers. In addition, resources resulting from reducing the subsidy would be used for homelessness prevention. The League submitted testimony in support of the reform. Senate Finance and Revenue held a hearing on this bill on April 12. HB 3151 : Manufactured home parks are one of the largest sources of unsubsidized housing in the country and make up 16% of the state’s affordable housing stock. HB 3151 would institute several provisions related to manufactured home parks. It would limit the types of improvements or repairs a landlord could require in a rental contract and extend the sunset for the Manufactured and Marina Communities Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee and legal assistance grants for low-income facility tenants addressing disputes to January 2, 2027. It would also allow manufactured home park loan funds to be used for development of new parks and require local governments to allow siting of those parks in certain non-residential zones. A HB 3151 hearing took place in Senate Housing and Development on April 12. SB 702 : Appraiser Certification and Licensure Training: This bill would require training to be adopted by the Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board for real estate appraisers and appraiser assistants to comply with state and federal fair housing laws. At the present time, appraiser education requirements do not include provisions specifically covering racial bias or appraiser responsibilities under state or federal fair housing laws. Appraisal training can be completed online or in person. National studies have identified race-based disparities in appraisals. In 2022, the Legislature appointed the Joint Task Force on Addressing Racial Disparities in Home Ownership and proposed to amend ORS 674.310 to add language including these topics in appraiser education requirements. A Public Hearing on SB 702 was held in House Housing and Homelessness on April 13. Immigration & Refugee By Claudia Keith Bills we are supporting or following: HB 2957 A the -4 amendment Work Session was held 3/29 . It passed out of committee unanimously to JW&Ms, -4 Staff Measure Summary . Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Fiscal. League Testimony . HB 3176 A - 3 : ‘Welcome and Reception’ program for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Work Session was 4/3 . Passed out to JW&Ms with 9/1 vote. Staff Measure Summary . Public Hearing was March 8 . Fiscal . Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: SB 627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals ($15M) Sen Lieber. Passed out of Sen Judiciary, DO Pass, Feb 7, sent to JW&Ms with partisan vote. The League has supported this policy/funding category in the past. Fiscal Analysis . Bills of Interest or possible League support: SB 849 A Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS -1 : Work session was 3/14. Now in JW&Ms. Fiscal $20M grant fund. Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals. Basic Needs SB 610 -5: Work Session 4/3 . Moved to JW&Ms. Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal , Staff Measure Summary . HB 2990A : Work session 3/27 . Moved to JW&Ms. Resilience Hubs. Directs Oregon Health Authority to develop and implement grant programs to support resilience hubs and networks in Oregon. Fiscal Statement Other Bills SB 216 Passed out of SCHC 3/1 , Now in House Behavioral Health and Health Care. PH 4/16 and WS 4/18 scheduled. Related to data collected by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), request of Governor Kate Brown. OHA set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). HB 2905 : Now in Senate Education, expands the list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. Passed House Committee by Unanimous Vote . Public Hearing SCE 4/25 SB 421 A Work session 3/30 moved to JW&Ms with 6/1 vote, establishes a youth advisory council. Prescribes youth standards advisory council membership and duties. ODE to establish a work group to establish member selection process. Staff Measure Summary , Fiscal SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. In Senate Rules. SB 612 Establishes Indigenous Language Justice Fund. Requires nonprofit organization in this state to serve as fiscal agent to receive disbursement of moneys for purposes related to supporting Indigenous languages interpretation in this state. In Senate RULES, WS 4/1 3 was cancelled. SB 911 Creates Commission for Original Peoples from South America, Central America and Mexico. In Senate Rules, WS was 3/28. Gun Safety By Marge Easley HB 2005 B , the omnibus bill that included a ban on undetectable firearms, an age restriction of 21 and over for purchase, and an expansion of public jurisdictions that can create gun-free zones, was scheduled for a House floor vote on April 12. However, the vote was postponed until May 2 and made a Special Order of Business, most likely to allow time for lengthy pro-con statements from members. Another firearms bill that has attracted attention is SB 393 A , which passed Senate Judiciary in a work session on April 4 and is headed to the Senate floor. A placeholder bill was amended to add clarity to the process by which a gun dealer completes a firearm transfer under the new permit-to-purchase regulations. After verifying that the purchaser has a valid permit, the gun dealer must receive a unique background check approval number from the Oregon State Police and allow 72 hours to elapse between receipt of the approval number and the transfer of the firearm. This amounts to a waiting period, which is strongly opposed by gun supporters. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley Senate criminal justice bills are now making their way to committee hearings in the House. The League is monitoring these bills that appear on upcoming agendas: SB 339 A had a public hearing on April 18. It adds harassment to the crimes that may require sex offender treatment and polygraph tests as a condition of probation, if recommended by the probation officer and if harassment involved touching of sexual or intimate parts of another person. On April 19, House Judiciary has a work session on SB 234 , which allows the Chief Justice to make rules for gathering non-identifying demographic information to evaluate disparities and impacts in the justice system. Also on the agenda is SB 306 A , which modifies statutes to allow for non-attorney associate members of the Oregon State Bar to practice law within a defined scope of practice. This is one of several bills this session to alleviate the shortage of public defenders in Oregon. On April 20, the following bills dealing with juvenile offenders will be heard: SB 902 permits those over 20 who are resentenced for a crime they committed when under 18 to continue temporary assignment to a youth correctional facility. SB 903 directs the Oregon Youth Authority to maintain demographic data, including race, ethnicity, and gender, of youth authority employees in order to evaluate how demographic disparities between youth and employees may affect the cultural appropriateness of programs. SB 904 A modifies the criteria for determining maximum allowable population levels for youth correction facilities.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 5/8 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to a topic: Housing Immigration, Refugee & other Basic Rights Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Despite the controversy over sensitive bills and the walkout by Senate Republicans since last May 3, legislators continue to hold committee meetings with the intention of meeting their constitutional obligation to adjourn after 160 days, which is Sunday, June 25 at midnight. This past week many important housing bills were passed by both the Senate and House. SB 702 Adopts training for real estate appraisers and assistants : This bill requires inclusion of information on state and federal fair housing laws and implicit and racial bias in training for real estate appraiser certification. The League submitted testimony in support. On May 8 the House, on third reading, passed this legislation. SB 611 B Modifies the maximum allowable residential rent increase for designated units: This bill will change from 7% plus the September annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to the lesser of either 10%, or 7% plus the CPI. This will limit rent increases on tenancies (other than week-to-week tenancies) to not more than once in any 12-month period. This also applies to the rent increase limit to units from which a tenant was evicted. A May 4 work session was held by Senate Rules with a do pass. SB 599 A Allows tenants to operate home-based childcare: requires a landlord to allow a renter to use a dwelling unit for a family childcare home if it is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care. The landlord can require a tenant to pay for improvements necessary for certification and carry some form of liability coverage. House Early Childhood and Human Services held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 3462 Emergency housing for all: This bill will extend access to emergency housing for all, regardless of immigration status, when the federal government declares a state of emergency in Oregon. Housing access would comply with the federal Fair Housing Act. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 3042 Protections for residents of housing with expiring affordability contracts: will prohibit landlords from terminating a tenancy in the three years after the housing has been withdrawn from an affordability contract. It also would limit rent increases to no more than annually, and those increases could be no greater than what is allowed by law. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 3151 Manufactured housing dispute resolution and tenant legal aid: prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to pay fees for improvements, pay system development charges, or cover the cost of repairs or improvements that cannot be removed when the tenant moves away. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session and made a do pass recommendation. HB 2680 A Screening fees changes for rental applications: requires a landlord to refund screening fees within 30 days if the landlord fills the unit before screening the applicant or if the application is withdrawn before the screening takes place. If the landlord fails to return the fee, damages the applicant may recover range from $150 to $250 under the new legislation. Senate Housing and Development held a May 8 work session with a do pass recommendation. Immigration, Refugee & other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Bills we are supporting or following: HB 2957 A in JW&Ms, -4 Staff Measure Summary . Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Fiscal. League Testimony . HB 3176 A : ‘Welcome and Reception’ program for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, In JW&Ms with 9/1 vote. Staff Measure Summary . Public Hearing was March 8 . Fiscal . Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: SB 627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals ($15M) Sen Lieber. In JW&Ms with a partisan vote. The League has supported this policy/funding category in the past. Fiscal Analysis . Bills of Interest or possible League support: SB 849 A Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS -1 :. Now in JW&Ms. Fiscal $20M grant fund. Requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals. Basic Needs SB 610 A : Now in JW&Ms. Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal , Staff Measure Summary . HB 2990 A : Now in JW&Ms. Resilience Hubs. Directs Oregon Health Authority to develop and implement grant programs to support resilience hubs and networks in Oregon. Fiscal Statement Other Bills SB 216 A 5/8 governor signed . Related to data collected by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), request of Governor Kate Brown. OHA set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). HB 2905 : 5/9. work session, vote 5,0,0,2. Expands the list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. In Senate Committee Awaiting transfer to the President’s Desk. SB 421 A Work session 3/30 moved to JW&Ms with 6/1 vote, establishes a youth advisory council. Prescribes youth standards advisory council membership and duties. ODE to establish a work group to establish member selection process. Staff Measure Summary , Fiscal SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. In Senate Rules. SB 612 A Establishes Indigenous Language Justice $ 2.5M Fund . Requires nonprofit organization in this state to serve as fiscal agent to receive disbursement of moneys for purposes related to supporting Indigenous languages interpretation in this state. In JW&M. SB 911 Creates Commission for Original Peoples from South America, Central America and Mexico. Still In Senate Rules, WS was 3/28. fiscal Other Topics Oregon announces it will stockpile abortion drug – 4/20/23 - Oregon Capital Chronicle. The Washington legislature passed a bill related to this topic Governor Inslee administration submitted the request and drugs were purchased in March. Lawmakers briefed on WA plan to distribute abortion pill | The Seattle Times. Washington state purchases three-year suppl y of abortion pill | 4/4/23 - Reuters. LWVOR corresponded with Oregon Planned Parenthood on Apr 11 concerning this topic. LWVWA supported SB5768 . The Washington bill was posted 4/5 and signed by the governor 4/27.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Federal National Science Policy Oregon Legislative Environmental Caucus Update Other Caucus Priority Bills Advanced Clean Trucks Testimony Environmental Justice Bills Other Climate Priorities with League Testimony or public Endorsement and Still Alive Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Climate Treasury Investment Bills Natural and Working Lands Other Climate Bills Priority Bills That Died In Policy Committee Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the national level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy related Trump admin policy and budget executive orders and congressional caucus requests if implemented would drastically affect : global efforts , UN COP efforts and all fifty states including Oregon’s (climate related legislation, state agencies and community climate action plans / state statutes / outcomes. Federal May 2, 2025 : What Trump's budget cuts could mean for the environment and climate change | AP News May 2, 2025: Trump budget proposes slashes to renewable energy, farms, EPA | Reuters May 2, 2025: 38 Republicans call for ‘full repeal’ of Democrats ’ energy tax credits | TheHill Apr 29, 2025: US dismisses all authors of N ational Climate Assessment , | Reuters May 2, 2025: Trump, GOP confront state climate plans on two fronts | Axios May 1, 2025 Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan, Vermont and New York over state climate actions - OPB Trump administration, NOAA minimized climate findings of record CO2 growth - CNN At Bonneville, DOGE cuts are having a ‘compounding effect’ on staffing the grid - Latitude Media National Science Policy A number of federal government science policy and budget decisions are and will continue to affect Oregon’s Climate / Carbon Policy Programs. See this resource for UpToDate changes: National Science policy this week : April 28, 2025 - American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG (FYI / Newsletter is an authoritative source for science policy news and analysis trusted by policymakers and scientists nationwide.) Oregon Apr 29 2025: “Oregon Climate Action Commission (was OGWC) , press release: Environmental Quality Commission approves delay to Clean Fuels Program CPP deadlines . Related Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Climate Protection Program extensions, The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ODEQ has confirmed that the 2024 annual report deadline for the state's Clean Fuels Program will be delayed until May 30 due to a cyberattack which resulted in an extended outage of the Oregon Fuels Reporting System.” May 1, 2025; Climate advocates push for passage of Energy Affordability and Resilience legislative package – OPB “A coalition of more than 50 climate, environmental and energy affordability groups (including LWVOR) is asking Oregon legislators to pass a handful of bills that aim to lower energy costs and continue funding state programs that provide affordable access to energy efficient heating and cooling systems. “The Energy Affordability and Resilience legislative package is a compilation of seven bills that seeks to increase accountability, affordability and transparency from utilities. The bills seek to create more transparency about how rate payer’s funds are spent, revamp when rate increases take effect and prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funding for certain activities like marketing or political activity. They’ve met with a mix of pushback and support from utility companies. “The package also focuses on keeping afloat energy efficiency state programs that have run out of state funding due to their popularity. ‘The goal is twofold — lower energy bills in the short term while increasing energy efficiency in homes in the long term,’ nonprofit advocacy group Climate Solutions’ Oregon Buildings Policy Manager Claire Prihoda said. “ ‘It’s an opportunity for the state to take seriously the concerns that Oregonians are raising about cost of living, the cost of energy and the real need, as we’re facing climate disasters, climate change impacts in our communities, to help folks in their homes and in their communities be resilient to climate harms,’ she said. “Over the past five years, most Oregonians have seen their energy bills climb by more than 50%. According to Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, a utility watchdog group, in 2024 nearly 70,000 households were disconnected by for-profit utilities for nonpayment. This year, NW Natural is asking for a 7% increase . Since 2021, its customers’ rate has increased 40%. “‘Folks are struggling under the weight of these rising costs, especially when they’re added to other rising costs across our economy,’ Prihoda said.’They’re also struggling to adjust to harsh extremes in weather and disasters that are being driven by climate change.’ “The bills in the Energy Affordability and Resilience legislative package are: House Bill 3179, the FAIR Energy Act, which moves when rates are increased until after winter, require more disclosure about how ratepayer money is spent, and would require state regulators and utilities to consider how customers are affected when raising rates. Senate Bill 688, Performances Based Ratemaking, updates how rates are set, and tells state regulators to create incentives for utilities to focus on energy efficiency and reliability. House Bill 3546, the POWER Act , would create a new customer category for large industrial users like data centers, so they can be charged for the amount of power they use. Senate Bill 88, Get the Junk Out of Rates , would require utilities to justify their spending, and prohibit them from using ratepayer money for marketing, political and other purposes. Instead, those expenses would have to be paid from the share of rates that companies can otherwise use for profits. House Bill 3081, One Stop Shop 2.0, would expand efforts to create a streamlined page or direct assistance program to help Oregonians know what energy efficiency incentives they qualify for. House Bill 3792, Oregon Energy Assistance Program, would double the amount ratepayers are charged to help low-income customers avoid losing power for nonpayment, a cost of an additional 60 cents per month. House Bill 3170, Community Resilience Hub, would allocate $10 million to the Oregon Department of Human Services to provide grants to create safe spaces for residents during an extreme weather event. The coalition backing this legislation is also asking for additional funding for two state programs*.” | OPB. (* Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in two program Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m, and Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m) Legislative Environmental Caucus Update (It is unclear to the League if any of the OCN suggested Climate friendly Transportation topics will be included. Legislature leadership may be considering a minimized stripped-down version as a negotiated compromise with the minority party. ) Environmental Caucus Transportation Package Proposal This year, the Oregon Legislature will be considering a transportation package that will provide ongoing funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation. (ODOT). Emissions from transportation make up over one-third of Oregon's total emissions . This session provides an opportunity for the Legislature to increase access to multi-modal transportation and expand options for all Oregonians to get around without a car. The Environmental Caucus is championing a package that prioritizes transit, safety, and climate accountability. Transit services are facing potential service cuts without increased funding. Nearly one third of Oregonians don’t drive , and a majority of Oregonians said they would take transit if it were added or improved in the area where they live. Increased transit improves our transportation system for everyone. It allows for more independence for older Oregonians, reduces road congestion for all users, and improves public health outcomes. The Environmental Caucus is requesting an increase in funding for public transit that will maintain current services levels and increase access to transit statewide. Funding for safety programs like Safe Routes to School, Great Streets, the jurisdictional transfer program, and Community Paths regularly face demand up to 2-5 times more than the funds that are available. These programs improve safety on Oregon's roads for all types of users, but especially for pedestrians, bikes, micro-mobility, and public transit users. The Environmental Caucus is requesting at least $400 million dedicated to these existing safety programs. Climate accountability for ODOT projects must be a consideration for any new projects ODOT undertakes. Similar to what states like Colorado and Minnesota have done, the Environmental Caucus is supporting a policy that requires ODOT to model expected changes to greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled for each new project. Any project that increases either of those must mitigate them with alternative transportation or other buildouts. This policy benefits Oregonians by curbing spending on needless expansions and providing the public with information on project impacts. Other Caucus Priority Bills SB 726 requires landfill operators to use advanced monitoring of methane and report their results to DEQ. (refer to NR LR) Advanced Clean Trucks Testimony The Department of Environmental Quality is holding another public hearing on the state's adoption of Advanced Clean Trucks rules. Written comment will be accepted through Wednesday, May 7. For some background on the proposed policy, check out this OPB article from earlier this month. Additional Environmental Justice Bills HB2548 : establishes an agriculture workforce labor standards board, League Testimony . Work Session was held 4/9 passed 4/3, with no amendments, no recommendation and referred to House Rules. It is unclear why this bill is inactive. Other Climate Priorities with League Testimony or public Endorsement and Still Alive By Claudia Keith Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summary (SMS). $1M+ fiscal HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS .fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fiscal >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is unclear if SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. Climate Treasury Investment Bills SB 681 : May be still active: Treasury: Fossil Fuel investment moratorium, in Sen F&R, PH 3/19. testimony. Sen Golden. HB 2200 -1 , work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment, could move to the floor, no JWM required. (still in H EMGGV, still awaiting transfer to desk) HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force , Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator,Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans . Historically, since 2009 Public banking policy topic has been included in many Leg sessions, (go here and then use Control F to search for ‘bank’. ) 22 bills mentioning Public and Bank have died in committee over the past 16 years. Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . Other Climate Bills HB 2566A : Stand-alone Energy resilience Projects , Work Session was 3/20, moved to JWM, Rep Gamba was the only nay. At the request of Governor Tina Kotek (H CEE), DOE presentation HB 3365 A: climate change instruction /curriculum in public schools, 4/21 moved to Sen Ed, 4/17 passed House 32/23, work session was 4/9, moved to floor with adopted amendment -4 . House Cm Educ, PH was 3/12, League Testimony , NO Fiscal noted , Chief Sponsors: Rep Fragala, Rep McDonald , SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $974K fiscal , moved to JWM , League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham, SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moves to House 3/4 first reading. referred to H CEE 3/10, PH 4/22 , work session 5/1. HB 3546A , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , House vote was 4/21. The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . HB 3189 Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills | KPTV , Citizens Utility Board CUB presentation here . SB 1143A : -3 , moved to JWM, with bipartisan vote, PH was 3/19, Work session was 4/7 SEE, PUC established a pilot program that allows each natural gas Co to develop a utility-scale thermal energy network (TEN) pilot project to provide heating and cooling services to customers. Senator Lieber, Sollman, Representative Levy B, Senator Smith DB, Representative Andersen, Marsh. Example: Introduction to the MIT Thermal Energy Networks (MITTEN) Plan for Rapid and Cost-Effective Campus Decarbonization. HB 3609 work session 4/8, moved to JWM. The measure requires electric companies to develop and file with the Oregon Public Utility Commission a distributed power plant program for the procurement of grid services from customers of the electric company who enroll in the program. H CEE, PH 3/11 HB 3653 in Sen E&E, PH 4/28, House vote 51 - 9. Allows authorized state agencies to enter into energy performance contracts without requiring a competitive procurement if the authorized state agency follows rules that the Attorney General adopts, negotiates a performance guarantee, and enters into the contract with a qualified energy service company that the ODOE prequalifies and approves. Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes Senate E&E moves wind facility siting bill. The committee voted unanimously to move HB 3874-1 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. It would increase the threshold for siting and approval of a wind energy facility at the county level from 50 MW to 100 MW of average electric generating capacity, before the facility must obtain a site certificate from EFSC. Either the county or the developer could elect to defer regulatory authority to EFSC. The committee amendment would state that a county seeking to issue a permit for a facility of the specified size must require the applicant to provide a decommissioning plan to restore the site to a useful, nonhazardous condition. The plan would have to include bonding or other security as financial assurance. By a vote of 26-2 (Linthicum, Robinson), the Senate passed HB 2567 B , modifying the Heat Pump Deployment Program's eligibility criteria, funding distribution, and rebate structures. It would change “EJ” community to “disadvantaged” community; remove the 15% cap on administrative and marketing expenses and allow ODOE to set the cap by rule; provide for an additional incentive of up to $1,000 for contractors who install rental heat pumps in rural or frontier communities, limited to 5% of available funds; and extend the sunset date to 2032. It would provide no additional funds for the rebate program. The Senate amendment to the House engrossed bill (passed unanimously in March) states that if additional funds become available, ODOE may award additional grant moneys to an eligible entity using an existing performance agreement. PUC would have to require investor-owned utilities to enter into a 10-year contract with those users to pay a minimum amount or percentage for the term of the contract, which could include a charge for excess demand. Rates for this customer class would have to be proportional to the costs of serving them, including for transmission, distribution, and capacity. IOUs would have to mitigate the risks to other customer classes of paying for the utility’s increased load requirements. The bill would apply only to large users that apply for service on or after the effective date of the act, or to existing users that make significant investments or incur costs after the effective date that could result in increased costs or risks to the IOU's other retail electricity consumers. April 22 Senate By a vote of 20-9, the Senate passed SB 685 A , a bill of support on the OCN hot list. It would require a natural gas utility to provide notice to affected customers and the PUC if the utility plans to increase the amount of hydrogen that is blended with natural gas so that the ratio of H2 to natural gas exceeds 2.5%. At least 60 days before beginning to blend H2, the utility would have to notify each affected customer and file notice with PUC explaining the reason for the increased amount of H2. The utility would have to maintain information about the blending program on its website and enable customers to communicate with the utility about it. The Senate engrossed bill is scaled back from the introduced bill, which would have prohibited a utility from developing or carrying out a project involving H2 production or use without first obtaining PUC approval. Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation Updates (April 10, 2025) Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. There are no recent press releases from Our Children’s Trust . Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates 2025 Climate Risk Review: No Place to Hide - May 2025 Published by Divest Oregon: Executive Summary and Praise for Report (see SB 681) Addressing the Risk of Climate Change: A Comparison of US Pension Funds' Net Zero Plans – Jan 2025 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Behavioral Health Education Gun Policy Housing Legislation Immigration Behavioral Health By Trish Garner HB 2005 - Dash 4, 5 Amendments In this Session the legislature has been working on significant changes about when and how mental health care is provided to those experiencing serious mental health issues. While the resulting bills certainly involve increased funding, there has also been a clear effort to bring a wide array of stakeholders together to examine the practicalities and details of treatment rather than just appropriating funds. There has also been a recognition that there is a need for comprehensive, rather than piecemeal, action to deal with Oregon’s interrelated mental health care systems. The infrastructure set out in this legislation seeks to help people get the help they need and to do so more quickly in order to avoid escalation to higher needs for care and use of resources. Much of this action likely reflects the pressure that US District Judge Adrienne Nelson has exerted on Oregon with her imposition of fines for noncompliance with her order that Oregon take “all reasonable steps” to admit criminal defendants to the state hospital within 7 days of being determined by a court to be unable to “aid and assist” in their defense due to mental incompetence. [ OPB article about court ruling ] These are the patients who currently represent over 95% of patients currently in the Oregon State Hospital. This bottleneck complicates the treatment of those who are or should be civilly, or involuntarily, committed. Judge Nelson set the fines at $500.00 per day per “aid and assist” individual. In a move that is likely related to this pressure from Judge Nelson’s order, two bills relating to mental health treatment were just combined and packaged into one 142-page omnibus bill ( HB 2005 - Dash 4 and 5 Amendments ). One of these bills is HB 2467 - Dash 3 Amendment which addresses civil commitment. HB 2481 - Dash 11 Amendment takes on the “aid and assist” process. HB 2005 also requires local governments to allow licensed residential treatment facilities within an urban growth boundary without requiring a zone change or conditional use permit for certain properties. HB 2005 – Dash 5 Amendment has passed the Joint Ways & Means Committee with a “do pass” recommendation. For more detail, HB 2005 incorporates HB 2467’s definitions of the specific factors that a court can consider when determining whether someone should be civilly committed., i.e. danger to self or others, or being unable to provide for basic personal needs. A person is dangerous to self if their mental disorder resulted or likely will result in “serous” physical harm to self in the “near future.” Dangerousness to others is similarly defined but there is no requirement for the harm to be “serious.” Importantly, “near future” clarifies the current legal standard that the harm be “imminent.” The bill also outlines court procedures for determining incapacity. HB 2481’s contribution to HB 2005 (beginning at p. 92) is an itemization of factors that courts may consider when determining whether defendants are mentally competent to proceed in their defense. These include, for example, prior evaluations, evidence of a prior diagnosis by a certified evaluator or qualified mental health practitioner, prior commitments, and/or the defendant’s conduct as observed in court. It also requires courts to appoint counsel for these defendants and if the defendant is unable to afford counsel, the court will appoint one at state expense. HB 2481 places specific limits of the amount of time a person can be involuntarily committed to a facility such as OSH depending on the nature of the crime and the interface with community treatment. The Judicial Department is also mandated to study the interactions between the state and tribal entities regarding behavioral health treatment and involuntary commitment procedures in these communities. The HB 200A-5 – Amendment appropriates $5,400,000 to the OR Health Authority for payments made to community mental health programs regarding civil commitments and $1,100,000 to the OR Public Defense Commission to provide public defense to financially eligible persons. This appropriation is part of the effort to make a make a greater impact on mental health treatment. Other bills, including HB 2015, 20224, 2059, described below, also add funds to this process. HB 2015A - Dash 4 Amendment seeks to modify current practices in residential treatment facilities such as those relating to early transition programs, nurse staffing and grouping patients who have similar needs for services in the same facilities and thereby optimize care. It passed the full Ways and Means Committee with a “do pass” recommendation and an appropriation of $2,250,000. With one negative vote (Senator Daniel Bonham) the full Ways & Means Committee passed HB 2024A - Dash 6 Amendment with a “do pass” recommendation. The bill establishes a grant program that supports the recruitment and retention of behavioral health workers at treatment facilities. The appropriation was initially set at $45,000,000 but the final bill provided for $7,000,000. The full Ways & Means Committee passed HB 2059A - Dash 4 Amendment with a “do pass” recommendation. It appropriates $65,000,000 to increase access residential health care services. OHA is directed to establish a unit that will develop plans and provide funding for the construction and staffing of these facilities in collaboration with regional partners and practitioners. At the time of this report (6-19-25) HB 3294 - Dash 3 Amendment was passed in the House with only one “nay” vote (Representative Jami Cate) and its First Reading has taken place in the Senate. It proposes changes to previous laws regarding hospital staffing plans and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. Education By Jean Pierce SB 1098 , the Freedom to Read bill, was signed into law by the Governor. LWVOR provided testimony in support. Senate Bill 5516 is headed to the Governor for a signature. The bill will increase the budget for Oregon’s State School Fund by more than 11% from the last biennium. Unfortunately, this increase is needed simply to keep funding at current service levels. According to the American Institute on Research (AIR), in order to provide adequate funding for education, Oregon would need a 30% increase, with more attention to equitable spending for the education of low income and high needs students. SB 5525 -3, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission budget, was approved by the Senate and received a Do Pass Recommendation from Ways and Means. For the most part, the proposed budget maintains the Current Service Level, (CSL). It is important to note that the Oregon Opportunity Grant and Benefits Navigators would at least be maintained at CSL, but legislators expressed concern that funding for the Outdoor School Program would be cut. The allocation is 6.2% below the last biennium, so this bill does nothing to address the fact that Oregon has been ranked 46th in the nation for state investment in higher education. They recognized that in future sessions, the thinking needs to shift from CSL to setting a higher target. How the Federal Reconciliation Bill May Affect Oregon K-12 School Vouchers: The Senate version of the Reconciliation bill retains the House provision that households earning at or below 300% of a given area's median gross income could receive a $5000 tax credit for private school tuition. The League of Women Voters opposes using public funds for private education. If this federal budget is passed, $20 billion will go to funding tuition credits for private schools and will not be available for public education. According to edtrust.org , the total 2025 Estimated Federal Education Budget for Oregon is over $1.8 Billion. Higher Education – Student Loans: Sameer Gadkaree, president of The Institute for College Access & Success, released the following warning about current provisions of the Reconciliation BIll : “The proposed overhaul of the student loan repayment system would take the unprecedented step of eliminating existing protections for borrowers. It would implement an overly complex plan that departs from decades of precedent by forcing the lowest-income borrowers to make unaffordable payments and extending the repayment term to 30 years. Taken together, this will likely drive many more borrowers into default, which comes with severe penalties, including the seizure of Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit refunds and wage garnishment.” According to the Student Borrower Protection Center , there are currently more than 530,000 Oregonians with federal student loan debt, owing more than $23 billion to the federal government. In January of this year, with a 15% borrower delinquency rate. According to the Attorney General’s office , “ The average Oregon student loan borrower owes over $36,091 by the time they graduate.” Gun Policy By Marge Easley SB 243 C was passed by the Joint Ways and Means Committee on June 20. This newly amended version of the bill will ban rapid-fire devices, allow cities and counties to ban firearms in public buildings, and stipulate March 15, 2026, as the implementation date for Measure 114 (2022). HB 3076 A , which creates an Oregon gun dealer licensing program, was passed out of the Joint Ways and Means Committee on June 20 with a A-5 Amendment. At least two of the votes were “Courtesy Yes-es,” to permit the bill to receive a hearing on the floor. The amendment states that licensing will be required of large-scale gun dealers starting July 1, 2027, and will be expanded to all dealers the following year. It also provides a sliding scale for the licensing fee based on the average annual firearm sales of the dealer during the previous three years. Passage of this bill has become increasingly important with the announcement that the number of federal gun dealer inspectors, under the auspices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, will soon be slashed by two-thirds. A recent Capital Chronicle article by Daniel Webster, a highly respected researcher at Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, provides strong justification for Oregon to have its own gun dealer licensing program. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Bond Funds for low-income housing preservation and development The Oregon Housing Alliance is urging the Legislature to dedicate General Obligation bonds in SB 5505 for the following: LIFT Affordable Rental Housing Program: $600 million LIFT Affordable Homeownership Program: $100 million Permanent Supportive Housing Program: $80 million Preservation of existing affordable homes: $100 million Significant effort is being devoted throughout Oregon to moving unsheltered individuals and families into housing. Meeting with success is particularly challenging because of the overwhelming shortage of housing affordable to extremely low-income households. These investments are key to making more permanent housing available to people most in need. Lottery Bonds -- SB 5531 Housing Infrastructure Fund: $100 million Stabilize affordable housing and manufactured home parks: $185 million Low-income housing developers identify the cost of building the infrastructure to support their developments as a barrier to producing more housing units. These lottery bonds would be deposited in the Housing Infrastructure Fund for the purpose of providing grants to support key community infrastructure investments including transportation, water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that will make feasible development of affordable housing for households with very low, low, or moderate incomes. Lottery bonds would also be used to provide financial assistance to aid in the acquisition, renovation, or maintenance of existing regulated low-income housing undergoing significant recapitalization, to publicly supported housing, or to preserve affordability of manufactured dwelling parks. Homelessness Prevention Funding A recent Oregonian article highlighted concerns about the impact of the significant cut to the Governor’s proposed budget for eviction prevention. According to the article, the cuts would reduce the number of people the program could assist with emergency rent assistance, legal aid, and other services from 27,713 over the last two years to 4,331 in the upcoming biennium --Source: Legislative Fiscal Office. Advocates and providers make the point that shelter beds are much more expensive than providing rent assistance. Maintaining a shelter bed for a year can cost up to $50,000. The article states that in Multnomah County, the average annual cost is more than $21,000. Prevention services, such as rent assistance, cost $11,000 per person served in Multnomah County in the last fiscal year. In addition to the cost, keeping people in their homes avoids trauma and disruption. Bills passed HB 2964 A Enrolled requires OHCS to award loans for the predevelopment costs of affordable housing and a grant to assist nonprofits receiving grants or loans. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 15. It was then referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. On June 13, the speaker signed the bill and the Senate president signed it on June 16. It is awaiting the Governor’s signature. LWVOR testimony supported passage of this bill. HB 3054 A Enrolled will limit rent increases and sales constraints by a landlord in a home park or marina, which can threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. It creates an exception for certain infrastructure upgrades approved by a vote of the tenants. It will fix at six percent maximum rent increases for rental spaces in larger facilities and will limit to 10 percent the maximum increase in rent paid by the purchaser of a dwelling or home in a facility. It will prohibit a landlord from requiring aesthetic improvements or internal inspections as conditions of sale. The bill passed the House, and the Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a work session on May 19 and recommended passage. On June 16, both the speaker and Senate president signed the bill. It is awaiting the Governor’s signature. LWVOR submitted a letter in support. HB 3521 is now headed to Gov. Kotek’s desk for her signature. It will allow Oregon renters who haven’t signed a lease agreement to have their deposits returned if the home has mold, unsafe electrical wiring, or other defects making it uninhabitable. With so few rentals available for prospective tenants, “hold deposits” can help renters secure a home. However, some landlords have taken advantage of the system to pressure renters to accept residences that do not meet health and safety standards. Landlords will have five days to return deposits or face a fee equivalent to the deposit they charged or more. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 17 in a 33-18 vote, and on June 12, it passed the Senate Committee on Housing and Development in a 20-8 vote. When enacted, the bill will apply to deposits received on or after Jan. 1, 2026. Bill Progressing The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a work session on SB 829 B on June 13 and recommended passage by a 21–0–2 vote with an -A3 amendment. It passed the Senate on June 18 by a 24–5 vote. The third House reading was scheduled for June 20. The bill would require the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish an Affordable Housing Premium Assistance Fund to help eligible entities with the costs of paying property insurance or liability insurance premiums for affordable housing, shelters and other facilities. It also requires the department to study the feasibility of creating and operating a state reinsurance program or devising another solution to support price stability in the market for insurance to cover affordable housing. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith The League is hopeful that it is likely some existing immigrant related agency social service programs will receive additional funding at the end of the session reconciliation bill. Highlights Refugees and Asylum Seekers - American Immigration Council A Trump Executive Order Could Affect Ukrainian Refugees in Iowa - The New York Times 5th asylum seeker detained after immigration hearing in Portland | kgw.com Legislative Bulletin —Wed June 18 , 2025 - National Immigration Forum Oregon Legislature BIPOC Caucus - Social Media Link Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement Click Scroll Bar on Bottom of Table to View All Columns Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 A Immigration (support services) JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama -3 amendment SB 599A Immig status: discrimination in RealEstate transactions Gov Signed Eff 5/28/2 5 N Sen Campos SB 611 A Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz amendment -1 SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. Study Bill, see -7 amend JWM moves 0.6 Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony Fiscal -7 Amendment HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Gov Signed RepHudson, SenCampos League Testi mony HB 2543 funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud dead 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund (Prev yr legal rep funds eliminated) JWM WS was 5/29, passed LFO d etails Amendment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 1/16 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Lucie La Bonte Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch AGRICULTURE AIR QUALITY BUDGETS/REVENUE CLIMATE COASTAL ISSUES DEQ DSL FORESTRY GOVERNANCE HANFORD LAND USE/HOUSING NWEC OWEB RECYCLING TRANSPORTATION WATER WILDFIRE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Overview Bills have been filed, “first read” and assigned to committees. But this does not guarantee they will receive public hearings. That decision first rests with the Committee Chairs in consultation with their Vice Chairs. Final determination is always with Legislative Leadership. Filing deadline is Feb. 21 for most bills. AGRICULTURE Bills being reviewed by the League: SB 47 : Directs Environmental Quality Commission and Department of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to allow the department to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over air quality laws, water quality laws and land quality laws that apply to agricultural lands, operations and equipment. HB 2121 : House version of SB 47. SB 399 : Would limit water use for confined animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs. HB 2667 : Would put a pause on all new CAFOs for the next several years. AIR QUALITY Our friends from Neighbors for Clean Air have set their 2023 agenda : Particulate Air Pollution. BUDGETS/REVENUE We are all awaiting Governor Kotek’s Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB)—due by Feb. 1. The next Revenue Forecast is Feb. 22. The House Revenue Committee provided an overview/audio of Revenue issues. The meeting is worth listening to. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See Climate Report in the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. HB 2236 : P rohibits governor and specific agencies from taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions unless authorized by Legislature. COASTAL ISSUES By Christine Moffitt Bills being reviewed by the League: HB 2190 (Relating to offshore wind). DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) On January 19, the Environmental Quality Commission announced two finalists for consideration to become the new Director of the Dept. of Environmental Quality: Current Interim Director Leah Feldon and Jamie McLeod-Skinner, regional emergency coordinator with the Oregon Department of Human Services and is also founding partner and attorney with MS Sage Consulting in Central Oregon. The Commission will hold a special meeting in February for the Commission, staff and the public to engage before the Commission makes its decision. Bills being reviewed by the League: SB 47 : Directs Environmental Quality Commission and Department of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to allow the department to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over air quality laws, water quality laws and land quality laws that apply to agricultural lands, operations and equipment. HB 2121 : House version of SB 47. DEPT. OF STATE LANDS (DSL) By Peggy Lynch Bill possibly supported by the League: HB 2238 : Fees related to removal or fill permit applications, wetland delineation reports and general authorizations. FORESTRY On February 7 from 1 – 4 p.m. there will be a virtual meeting open to the public to learn more about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Forest Management Plan (FMP) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). This meeting will provide an update on the FMP, the HCP, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. A proposed agenda and additional details will be provided closer to the meeting date. RSVP is requested; you can do so by clicking here. More information is available online at the Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan Website and the Western Oregon State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan Website . See “Wildfire” below for a report on the Oregon Wildfire Council. GOVERNANCE By Peggy Lynch Bills being reviewed by League members: HB 2480 : new or increased fees adopted by state agency do not become effective unless approved by three-fifths of each chamber of the Legislative Assembly. LWVOR opposes. SB 660 : No new/increase in agency fees unless approved by legislative assembly. LWVOR opposes. SB 43 : Requires agencies to post certain information about rulemaking on agency websites and a long list of other requirements. LWVOR opposes. HANFORD By Marylou Schnoes) The Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board will hold a virtual meeting on January 18. A full meeting agenda, including how to participate, and other meeting materials is available on their website . LAND USE/HOUSING By Peggy Lynch Bills being reviewed by League members: HB 2203 : Allows RVs used to provide security of farm use to be sited on lands zoned for EFU. Public Hearing 1/19. LWVOR has concerns around waste disposal, drinking water availability and other services. HB 2889 : Establishes Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within the Housing and Community Services Department. LWVOR supports. You can watch a presentation of this concept in the House Housing Committee on Jan. 17. SB 70 : A “correction” to SB 16 (2021 ), a bill that would have allowed 100 homes on farmland and which we opposed , but passed yet never implemented. At first glance, we will oppose SB 70 as well. HB 2211 : Redefines "historic home" to include dwellings built before 1974 for the purpose of serving as accessory dwelling unit to home newly constructed on rural residential lands. LWVOR opposes as we have in past sessions. HB 2749 : C hange the RR lot size for ADUs from 2 acres to 1 acre or 1/2 acre. LWVOR has concerns. HB 2758 : Change the RR lot size for ADUs from 2 acres to 1 acre or 1/2 acre. LWVOR has concerns SB 534 : Requires Oregon Facilities Authority to provide financing for infrastructure and predevelopment costs for moderate income housing. LWVOR may support. HB 2258 : Extends sunset of Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program. LWVOR has supported this data-driven program. HB 2027 : Requires Housing and Community Services Department to study housing —a potential “gut and stuff” bill. Expect major amendments. HB 2202 : Prohibits counties from allowing use of certain new dwellings on resource lands as vacation occupancies. SB 580 : Relating to climate rules for land use planning. HB 2207 : Limits standing in appeals of land use decisions. HB 2260 : Relating to system development charges impacting housing . HB 2210 : Relating to parcel sizes of resource lands. HB 2487 : Allows lands zoned for exclusive farm use to be used for weddings or events east of the summit of the Cascade Range. HB 2659 : Requires LCDC to update rules adopted in response to the Governor's executive order on climate to address specific issues. HB 2406 : Directs Energy Facility Siting Council to adopt standards for siting, construction, operation and retirement of energy facilities that generate electricity from renewable energy sources, addressing impacts of energy facility's equipment waste recycling and disposal needs over lifetime of energy facility. HB 2989 : Directs ODOE & DLCD to convene work groups to examine barriers, opportunities and other issues related to renewable energy and transmission project siting in Oregon. SB 673 : Requires Deschutes County to approve certain applications to develop manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle parks outside the urban growth boundary. LC 3914 is a redraft of HB 2701 (2021). It creates a pilot program under the bill and allocates $1.5 million into an Systems Development Charge fund. Pertains only to cities under 15,000 and small population counties. Allows a developer to build multi-family housing with a waiver of SDC’s provided the City agrees and the developer and subsequent owner enters into a covenant with the State whereby the rent cannot be increased above a statutory threshold for at least 10 years. With the agreement, the State reimburses the City or County for the full cost SDC’s. A bill ( HB 2659 ) for the City of Springfield regarding “Climate Friendly & Equitable Community” rules (not yet first read). The Citizen Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) is meeting Jan. 27. The agenda and meeting materials for a CIAC joint meeting with the Land Conservation and Development Commission are now available online. This is a hybrid, virtual and in-person meeting. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. NORTHWEST ENERGY COALITION (NWEC) By Robin Tokmakian 2023 Priorities for NWEC: RE-Building Task Force: The RE-Building Task Force was established during last year’s legislative session by SB 1518 . The task force has been hard at work to determine how to reduce emissions from new and existing buildings in the state. The task force released a draft report earlier in December. Bills will be developed from the concepts considered by the task force and will be introduced when the legislative session starts in January. Clean Lighting Bill: Appliance Standard Awareness Project (ASAP) has proposed a bill to phase out the use of linear fluorescent lamps due to their mercury content . The bill would also result in energy savings and emissions reductions, and follows similar legislation recently adopted in California . Other things to keep an eye on: Portland General Electric Securitization Bill : We expect Portland General Electric to propose a bill around securitization. A bill draft that was shared with NWEC seeks to allow a utility, with the approval of the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses associated with events subject to federal or state declaration of emergency (think fires or ice storms). PGE has been discussing the issue with many stakeholders and we expect the bill to come up early in the session. Oregon Siting Bill: As in Washington, there are many discussions in Oregon about clean energy siting. NW Energy Coalition has been, and will continue to, engage and assess any proposals that may arise from discussions. Oregon Budget : Congress’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide a massive amount of new funding to the state of Oregon. There will no doubt be many discussions about how to allocate those new federal funds. OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) OWEB will hold a virtual 2-day meeting, on January 24 and 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The agenda and staff reports for the meeting are now available. RECYCLING By Kathy Moyd New: Zero Waste Package aims to reduce Oregon’s waste and includes these five bills: Right to Repair ( SB 542 ): Will reduce electronic waste and save people hundreds of dollars a year by allowing them to repair their own electronics. Styrofoam Phase Out ( SB 543 ) : Phases out the use of styrofoam in food to-go containers, as well as bans the use of highly carcinogenic PFAS chemicals in food packaging. Reduction of Single-Use Packaging ( SB 544 ): A bill that will require a 25% Reduction of Single-Use Packaging in 10 Years. Reusable Containers ( SB 545 ) : Updating Oregon law to allow for reusable containers to be used in the bulk section of the supermarket and for eating out. No New Permits for Chemical Recycling Plants : While the name might sound nice, chemical recycling leads to localized air pollution and is not healthy for people or the environment. Bill not yet filed. TRANSPORTATION T here will soon be new sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, curb ramps and more to make walking and rolling to school safer, easier and more accessible for all. ODOT Commissioners 1/12 approved 26 Safe Routes to School projects totaling $32.4 million, with a focus on under-resourced neighborhoods: all awardees are Title 1 schools (schools where 40% or more of the student population is low-income). WATER By Peggy Lynch An update to the Morrow/Umatilla County nitrate contamination issue: Morrow and Umatilla counties have long faced nitrate pollution in some people’s drinking water. The federal funding aims to establish a long-term fix. A follow up article with resident frustrations. Bills being reviewed by League members: HB 2647 : Harmful Algal Blooms. SB 399 : Limiting water for livestock use. HB 2813 : Relating to sources of drinking water. SB 710 : Relating to groundwater use decisions affecting surface water sources SB 553 : Requires Department of Environmental Quality to study water reuse. HB 2023 : Salmon Credits . LWVOR had concerns with this bill in 2021. HB 2248 : Requires Water Resources Department and Department of Environmental Quality to study impacts of wildfire on water quality of streams and tributaries. HB 2929 : Authorizes WRD to seek injunctive relief if person has engaged, or is about to engage, in activity that is or will be in violation of certain water laws. HB 2590 : Requires DEQ to study both requirements related to subsurface and alternative sewage disposal systems that create barriers to siting and construction of accessory dwelling units in areas outside urban growth boundary and solutions to eliminate barriers. HB 2988 : Establishes Community Benefiting Water Infrastructure Investment Program. HB 3002 : Requires LPRO to study water service rates and rate schedules. LWVOR is interested in this bill. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. A news release explains the signs you should note. “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. We have an on-going drought throughout Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Oregonians need to celebrate the early snowfall and the rain these past weeks. But we must hope that the snow stays on until well into May or June. WILDFIRE The Wildfire Programs Advisory Council was scheduled to meet Jan. 20. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Above you can see the names of League volunteers who covered one or more issues. Volunteers are needed. What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. If not actually serving on a rules advisory committee (RAC), you could simply monitor and report back on their work. The 2023 legislative session is at hand with over 2,000 bills already filed. Help! Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Protecting privacy, consumers, and public officials State information portal & rulemaking update Elections Artificial Intelligence Rule Making Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill HB 3392 is said to be the vehicle for a gut and stuff of the technical fixes for HB 4024 (2024) . This bill is currently a study of campaign finance by the Secretary of State. Complex amendments are under discussion among Honest Elections, the Secretary of State’s Election Division, the Attorney General’s office, Oregon Business and Industries, Oregon unions and legislative staff. However, no amendments are yet posted on OLIS. The Elections Division of the Secretary of State is asking the public for feedback until August 22 on draft administrative rules that would implement HB 4025 (2024). It has also appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to work on these new administrative rules. Protecting privacy, consumers, and public officials By Becky Gladstone HB 3766 had a second public hearing in the Senate Judiciary after passing unanimously from the House Floor. League testimony supported the bill as written to allow civil action against an adult who, unbidden, digitally sends intimate images (cyber-flashing) with the intent to harass, degrade or humiliate. Updated League testimony was filed and presented to address amendments quantifying defendant age and limiting damages to $10,000. We recommended reading Criminalising Cyberflashing . SB 470 A : A work session on May 15 in House Judiciary passed 7 to 0 for this popularly supported bill, with unanimous support from Senate Judiciary and the Senate floor. League testimony supported the original bill to protect lodgers’ privacy from illicitly taken videos. SB 473 A has a work session scheduled in House Judiciary for May 19, to create a crime of threatening a public official, after passing unanimously on the Senate floor, League testimony, in support. SB 952 A has a public hearing set for May 19, followed by a work session on May 21, in House Rules, after passing on the Senate Floor, along nearly partisan lines, 26 to 13, to consider interim US Senator appointments, League testimony in support. HB 2008 B passed a May 13 work session unanimously in Senate Judiciary, after unanimous House Commerce and Consumer Protection support and then also on the House floor. This personal data bill is detailed, basically about protecting personal data for teenagers. League testimony in support. SB 430 A : Our League testimony in support was filed and comments abridged for hearing brevity, addressing the extensive amendments that broadly address business transparency for consumer protections. The bill is up for a second work session in House Commerce and Consumer Protection on May 20. The initial bill, for online transaction cost disclosure to improve transparency passed in Senate Labor and Business on partisan lines, similarly passing on partisan lines on the Senate Floor, 18 to 11. SB 1121 A creates a new crime of unlawful private data disclosure, punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both. Notably, this calls for criminal court action that can deliver punitive sentences, versus civil court actions, for plaintiff recompense and possible restraining orders. It passed a Senate floor vote unanimously with a House Judiciary May 20 work session. League testimony was filed and presented, supporting the amendment relating to data broker issues, specifically written to protect the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. HB 2930 had a second public hearing on May 14 in Senate Rules, for conflict of interest of public officials’ household members. The League supported this bill brought by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, with presented and written testimony . It passed unanimously from House Rules and from the House floor. State information portal & rulemaking update The second quarter EPAB meeting (Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board) is rescheduled for June. EPAB was one of the website oversight providers presented in the Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology informational meeting on May 16, as a follow up to the public hearing for HB 3931 , calling for a Task Force to study a coordinated state portal for licensing, applications, etc. See League testimony and our May 5 Legislative Report for the provider listing, mirrored in the May 16 hearing agenda. HB 3931 has no work session set, but a public hearing was held on May 2 to create a Task Force to consider a coordinated state portal for licensing, applications, etc. League testimony was updated verbally to include new information from the staff summary on the background of state websites (first in the video agenda, League at 26.30). HB 3382 is up for a May 28 work session in House Rules, directing the Secretary of State to maintain an online Rulemaking Information system. Sen. Sollman asked about this concept of a central state rulemaking site in the context of the HB 3931 follow up information presented on May 16, above. Elections By Barbara Klein SB 580 A-Eng. This Senate bill passed unanimously in that chamber and had a first reading in the House where it has been referred to the Rules Committee. The bill requires more and quicker transparency when candidates file information. Concessions were made to accommodate challenges between large/small, urban/rural counties. This bill would help the League’s voter service work. Without comment, SB 44 was passed over in the agenda on May 14th at which time it was to have a work session. While re-scheduled for May 19th, that work session was later removed from the committee agenda. An attempt to reach a committee member on this matter was unsuccessful. Related to elections, SB 44-4 (for which the League provided testimony ) changes statutes to account for vote recounts, tallying or write-in votes when using Ranked Choice Voting, which four Oregon jurisdictions currently do. Another amendment to the bill changes the language of voter registration “cards” to “applications”. HB 5017 relates to the financial management of the state library. There was a work session held on 5/15 by the Joint General Government Subcommittee . At that time the 2025-2027 budget, as recommended by the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) for HB 5017 and -1 and -2 amendments, was passed and sent to the full W&M committee. Not everything that had been requested for the library system was granted, but there were increases in the budget, representing levels of inflation only. LFO analysis can be viewed here . The League submitted testimony in February on the bill. In part, that testimony stated: “ The Oregon State Library lists partnerships with 39 organizations, the League of Women Voters being one of them. We have been partners for many years, supplying information about Oregon elections. The State Talking Books Library helps us provide voting information that is accessible to the Library’s registered clients.” Artificial Intelligence (AI) By Lindsey Washburn HB 3936 A regards acquisition of AI from other countries. Rep. Nathanson's office called for confirmation of the League's position on this bill based on our previous testimony. We support the bill passed with amendment to remove "country of origin." The bill passed the House and is now back to JLCIMT. HB 2299 Enrolled added deepfakes to the category of unlawfully disseminated intimate images. Passed and the President has signed. The League supported this bill but did not submit testimony. Rule Making By Peggy Lynch A number of bills related to agency rulemaking and the role of the legislature, many of which are listed below, are getting work sessions.The League and others have concerns about many of these bills. The legislature’s job is to set policy. The agencies are responsible for implementing that policy.That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies or facilitate an agency’s mission.Blurring those lines is problematic. HB 3569 , a bill that would require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee for legislation they had a hand in passing, passed the House and now goes to Senate Rules. The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking ( SB 437 , SB 1006 , SB 370 , SB 483 ) and SB 411 , SB 895 also in Senate Rules and HB 2454 in House Rules. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies: This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process is set for June with an invitation to the League to continue to participate. We are concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials, would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. Sadly, a work session is scheduled for May 28 in House Rules. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

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

local leagues Local Leagues In Oregon We have members throughout the state of Oregon and 15 local Leagues or state Units. Members who don't reside near a local League can join at the state level as a Member-At-State (MAS)! Most Leagues offer free or discounted membership for students. Join the League in your area! LWV of Clackamas County PO Box 411 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Coos County PO Box 1571 Coos Bay, OR 97420 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Corvallis PO Box 1679 Corvallis, OR 97339 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Curry County PO Box 1859 Gold Beach, OR 97444 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Deschutes County PO Box 1783 Bend, OR 97709 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Klamath County PO Box 1226 Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Lane County 175 West B Street #2 | Island Professional Center Springfield, OR 97477 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Lincoln County PO Box 1648 Newport, OR 97365 Become a Member Go To Website Linn County Unit 1330 12th St SE Suite 200 Salem, OR 97302 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Marion/Polk Counties 1534 Scotch Ave SE Salem, OR 97306 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Portland PO Box 3491 Portland, OR 97208 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Rogue Valley PO Box 8555 Medford, OR 97501 Become a Member Go To Website LWV of Umpqua Valley PO Box 2434 Roseburg, OR 97470 Become a Member Go To Website Union County Unit 1330 12th St SE Suite 200 Salem, OR 97302 Become a Member Go To Website Washington County Unit 1330 12th St SE Suite 200 Salem, OR 97302 Become a Member Go To Website

AARNA SHAH (she/her) AARNA SHAH (she/her) Legislative Comms Co Director/Policy youthcommunications@lwvor.org

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 1/27 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Lucie La Bonte Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of State Lands (DSL) Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Land Use & Housing Pesticides Recycling Water Wildfire Air Quality Bills we are watching: SB 726 Requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR to support. HB 3244 : Replaces the requirement that an owner or operator of a municipal solid waste incinerator conduct continuous monitoring or sampling of specified air contaminants with a requirement that the monitoring or sampling be conducted annually. LWVOR would oppose. The bill relates to the Reworld facility out of Keiser and League members have testified of their concerns in past years. Agriculture By Sandra Bishop How to protect productive agricultural ground and forests by determining what uses should and shouldn’t be allowed on private agricultural and forest land in the state is top of mind as the 2025 session of the Oregon Legislature gets underway. Senator Jeff Golden, chair of the Senate Committtee on Natural Resources and Wildfire , was first out the gate leading the charge on addressing issues related to the loss of agricultural land and forest land in Oregon. The first meeting of the Committee this session on January 21st was an informational presentation on the history, challenges and the need for legislation to address problems with incompatible uses and continued threats to the viability of agricultural and forest land. Speakers at this informational presentation included land use experts Hilary Foote, Farm/Forest Specialist with Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and Jim Johnson, Working Lands Policy Director, 1000 Friends of Oregon. Foote gave a concise, yet comprehensive history of Oregon land use laws related to farm and forest land. While acknowledging the importance of the agricultural and timber economies she put the preservation of high value resource land in a broader context; the reality of a finite land base and the Oregon values of conserving and using it wisely. Foote’s presentation was dense with facts and figures and specifics to help orient the members of the committee to look at the multifaceted consequences of the use of ag and forest land in the state. Co-benefits such as air, water, habitat, and sequestration of carbon are some of the factors to recognize when considering the conversion of agricultural and forest lands. (The DLCD report was linked in our last legislative report.) Jim Johnson, who retired in Nov 2024 after more than twenty years with the Oregon Department of Agriculture where he served as Land Use and Water Planning Coordinator, is an expert in farmland preservation and protection. As the new 1000 Friends of Oregon Working Lands Director, Johnson gave a presentation to the committee members with a realistic assessment of Oregon’s standing in the nation as being top in protecting farmland, but showing signs of weakening in that regard. He stressed the diversity of high-value crops produced in the state and the danger of the cumulative impact on ag land of not only the actual loss of farmland but the shadow conversion effect of impinging uses that adversely affect the ability to operate. He gave details such as conversion or loss of land by county, which reveals that renewable energy projects such as solar are a significant factor in land conversion. The third speaker in the information panel was a representative from the Oregon Farm Bureau who indicated OFB will advocate for increased agri-tourism, value-added activities such as events and direct-to-consumer activities. The statement was made that there will be opposition to any non-voluntary forfeiture of farmland. Chair Jeff Golden announced four specific Senate bills that will be considered by the committee: SB 78 – Replacement dwelling bill; SB 77 – home occupation reform bill; SB 73 – Spot zoning reform; and SB 79 – prohibits certain dwellings on resource lands. LWVOR will watch and may support with our strong positions on protection of Oregon’s valuable agricultural lands. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch From the State Debt Policy Advisory Commission on Jan. 16: The State’s General Fund revenues are forecasted to provide for $8.9 billion of new General Fund debt capacity for the upcoming four biennia, with an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Lottery Revenue continues to be heavily dependent on video gaming, which is reliant on access to bars, restaurants and gaming facilities and showing signs of weakness vs expectations. Projected Lottery Revenue provides $2.25 billion of new Lottery Revenue debt capacity for the upcoming four Biennia, with an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium over the forecast period. The Advisory Committee discussed the need to sell bonds over the 2-year budget period instead of at the end of the 2 years, which has been the practice recently. But that has consequences because of the timing of debt service costs reducing monies for other purposes in the session. If you want to learn how the Ways and Means Subcommittees work, including their policies and procedures, each will hold orientation meetings this week to provide members with guidance before they begin hearing individual agency budgets the week after. Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 DEQ: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet Public hearing tentative set for mid-March Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: HB 5010 Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 Public hearing tentative set for March 8 Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Tentative public hearing Feb. 23-24 Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025. Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 Office of the Governor: SB 5523 Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium Emergency Board: HB 5006 General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction. The next Revenue Forecast will be Feb. 26th. The legislature will use that forecast to do a final rebalance of the 2023-25 budget. Then the May 14th forecast will be the basis for the legislature to determine the 2025-27 state budget. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch It was good to read in Rep. Gomberg’s newsletter his support for issues mentioned in last week’s legislative report: “I will have a bill to better protect rocky nearshore habitat and our eelgrass meadows. I’m working to ensure funds already allocated to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for Marine Reserves are not diverted for other purposes. And I’m continuing to support marine science and research with funding for the Oregon Ocean Science Trust.” President Trump signed an Executive Order on Jan. 21: “We aren’t going to do the wind thing,” Trump said Monday. Minutes later he signed a sweeping order that seeks not only to stop new offshore wind lease sales but also to potentially “terminate or amend” existing leases. Oregon is continuing meetings on Offshore Wind. For more information, please visit the DLCD webpage here: Offshore Wind Roadmap . Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment had a presentation on the many programs of the DEQ on Jan. 21st. There was also a presentation on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE). As we have concerns about the current federal administration related to our environment, the Oregon Capital Chronicle provided this reminder : “In 2019, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2250 , which requires that the Environmental Quality Department evaluate changes to federal environmental laws and determine whether the changes result in less protective measures than previously established federal standards. If new federal changes undermine established ones, the agency must inform the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission and recommend action to continue enforcing the previous standards.” Nitrates in the Lower Umatilla Basin worsened in the last 10 years as reported in an article by OPB. “Wednesday’s report documents tests at 33 wells monitored by DEQ across the large geographic area. The majority of those wells are for domestic use, though two are used for irrigation purposes and one is used for commercial business. Overall, the tests showed the nitrate problem has become notably worse in the past decade, even as Gov. Tina Kotek and other state officials in recent years have said they want to act on the problem .” Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member is serving on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. There are two additional meetings set for Feb. 13 and 26. You are welcome to Sign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League supports SB 830 , a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. The League will again serve on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. Department of Geoology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) By Peggy Lynch On Jan. 28th at 8a, the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment will receive a presentation on the proposed pilot project on Geologic Carbon Sequestration Potential in Oregon. Agenda. Department of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The Director of DSL published a proposed increase in permit fees for Removal/Fill program: “Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law helps protect wetlands and waters by requiring permits to remove or add materials in wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes, and other waters of the state.” A League member served on the rulemaking advisory committee . “The statutory Common School Fund heavily subsidizes Oregon’s removal-fill permitting process .” “Visit the DSL website to see a draft of the proposed rules and program fees, all related materials from the rulemaking process, and the online comment form: www.oregon.gov/dsl/Pages/rulemaking.aspx . The comment deadline is February 17th at 5:00 p.m.” The next State Land Board meeting is Feb. 11. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) By Josie Koehne SB 404 directs the State Board of Forestry to convey certain state forest lands to a county that determines that the county would secure the greatest permanent value of the lands to the county and requests conveyance. LWVOR will oppose See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch Both the House Housing and Senate Housing Committees have presentations on their agendas that members might find of interest on Jan. 27th. Unfortunately, both begin at 1p. However, it’s a good thing that the meetings are recorded and you can listen later! The following is a beginning list of land use (and housing-related) bills we are following: HB 3013 : Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. LWVOR may support. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. LWVOR may support. HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands. LWVOR may have comments. Some provisions we support; others not so much. HB 3145 : Allows the Housing and Community Services Department to use Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program Fund moneys for factory-built housing. LWVOR should support. Not sure if in our Housing portfolio or Land Use. HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. LWVOR will oppose. HB 2347 : Authorizes the Department of Land Conservation and Development to provide planning assistance for housing production to federally recognized Indian tribes and makes other technical changes to laws relating to land use planning. A -1 amendment will be considered at a public hearing on Feb. 5th in House Housing. SB 462 : Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to establish an education course for land use planners for local governments, special districts and state agencies. LWVOR supports educational efforts but there are other training opportunities so this proposal might be redundant. SB 525 : Amends expedited land division criteria and processes. LWVOR has concerns. May need to oppose. There is a bill to update Goal One and Public Participation being sponsored by Oregon’s American Planning Association that the League is interested in, but will need to review before taking a position. Awaiting a bill number. Pesticides HB 2679 directs the State Department of Agriculture to classify certain pesticides containing neonicotinoids as restricted-use. The League has supported a similar bill in past sessions. Recycling The Senate Energy and Environment Committee heard invited testimony on the extent and effects of microplastics in Oregon’s waterways and marine environment. Celeste Meiffren-Swango, state director of Environment Oregon, told the committee that her organization’s survey of 30 scenic rivers and lakes in Oregon found at least one form of microplastic in all 30. Microplastic fiber from textiles and clothing was the most prevalent form found in these waterways, some of which also contain large concentrations of tire particles. Microplastics can wind up in human hearts, livers, brains, and other body parts. We are only beginning to understand the health impacts. A slide presentation by Elise Granek , professor of environmental science and management at Portland State University, is a data-rich summary of PSU’s research on microplastic particles in the edible tissue of West Coast seafood species, including oysters, razor clams, pink shrimp, lamprey, Pacific herring, and other species. Salmon, lamprey, and razor clams in particular are culturally important to some Oregon tribes. Updates to Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act ( SB 582 , 2021) that LWVOR supported , effective later this year, will help to reduce plastic pollution by making recycling easier for the public to use, expanding access to recycling services, and upgrading the facilities that sort recyclables. Producers and manufacturers of packaged items, paper products and food service ware will pay for many of these improvements. Consumers can also make a difference by choosing alternative products that use less plastic. On Jan. 27th, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment will hear a report on Oregon’s Bottle Bill program. The League has been engaged in this program since its inception but we have no Recycling volunteer to follow this issue in 2025. Water By Peggy Lynch The League provided our first natural resources area testimony on HB 2168 on Wed. Jan. 22nd at the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee, joining a wide group of interests supporting the programs. The bill requests $5 million for the on-site septic loan program, another $5 million for the Well Water Repair and Replacement Fund and monies to help the Oregon State Extension Service reach out to potential recipients. On Jan. 23rd the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held a discussion on “Foundational Information on Groundwater and Water Right Transfers Policy” with staff from the Governor’s Office. On Jan. 24th, Reps. Helm and Owens held three briefings on 1) Water Use Measurement and Reporting, 2) OWRD Funding Program Improvements (LC 3240), and 3) Water Right Transaction Process Improvements attended by a broad group of water interests, including LWVOR (over 50 attendees), to present potential legislation. More to come when bills are officially filed. HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. HB 3108 : Requires the Water Resources Department to implement additional rules and requirements for the review of limited license applications for an aquifer storage and recovery permit HB 2803 : Increases certain fees related to water. LWVOR will support. Expect amendments. Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. Another bill, SB 830 , that the League will also support when posted, would allow for grants in the on-site septic program and extend the opportunities to low-income mobile home parks with failing septic systems. The League is proud to have been a part of advocating for many of these 2021-2024 Oregon Water Resources Dept. Investments . But there is more to do. The League has been invited to participate in discussions on a new Water Stewardship and Supply Initiative with its updated scope . LC 3542 has been filed, and this work will flesh out the proposed bill which “Directs the Water Resources Department to study the use of water resources in this state. Directs the department to report to committees or interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to natural resources no later than September 15, 2026.” League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The League is excited to see SB 85 , a bill that directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program. We look forward to testifying when it is scheduled for a public hearing. We also are pleased to see HB 3172 related to home hardening. It provides policy direction and funding to the Oregon State Fire Marshal to establish the Wildfire Prepared Structure Program to provide financial incentives to individuals rebuilding after a wildfire, and to assist existing homeowners in the wildland urban interface (WUI) to retrofit current dwellings. Upgrades will reduce the likelihood of structural destruction during wildfires and protect our low income, vulnerable households. Monday Jan. 27: Senate Energy and Environment work session on SB 334 (Brock Smith), requiring the Dept. of Consumer and Business Services to study the financial impacts of wildfires. The bill is simply being moved to another committee on Monday. There will possibly be a future public hearing in that new committee. Tuesday, Jan. 28: Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire will have a presentation on wildfire insurance risk. Wednesday Jan. 29: Senate Finance and Revenue SB 545 , establishes an income tax credit for volunteer firefighters. The bill will be subsequently referred to the Committee on Tax Expenditures. Lastly, OPB shares information about a youth program to help with wildfire mitigation. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.

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




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


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

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 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: Federal Oregon Current Week CE Action Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Environmental Justice Bills Natural and Working Lands Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment Oregon Treasury Other Climate Bills Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee Chamber Votes The League joined many other organizations this past week to oppose the Transportation Budget Cap and Trade proposal. The League is open to the idea that a west coast cap and trade solution may be viable in the future; however, the details related to this idea and how it affects CPP Climate Protection Plan, still need a robust public process. Refer to last week's CE LR and the sign on letter for details. We understand that there will be further discussion about this topic after the session ends. It will likely come up during legislature interim days. See also Transportation in the Natural Resources Legislative Reports. Federal While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/ targeted outcomes. Federal Register: Withdrawal of National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change Supreme Court curbs scope of environmental reviews required by NEPA - The Washington Post Science policy this week : May 26, 2025 - AIP.ORG (American Institute of Physics AIP.ORG ) 
 How the Five Pillars of U.S. Climate Policy are Threatened – Environmental and Energy Law Program | Harvard On ‘Laudato Si’ anniversary, Trump policies threaten progress on climate change | America Magazine Oregon In May 2025, Oregon's climate policy is undergoing significant discussions and adjustments. Specifically, lawmakers are considering transitioning from the state's current Climate Protection Program (CPP) to a cap-and-trade system, potentially linking it with other West Coast states. There's also an ongoing debate about the Clean Truck Rules, with enforcement delays and potential federal interference. Additionally, the state is actively working on climate justice initiatives and addressing rising utility bills. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ] Here's a more detailed look at the key aspects of Oregon's climate policy in May 2025: 1. Transitioning to a Cap-and-Trade System: Lawmakers are exploring replacing the CPP, which currently funds projects reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a cap-and-trade system. [ 1 , 1 ] This new system would likely be linked with other states, potentially including Washington and California, according to Oregon Capital Chronicle. [ 2 ] The CPP, which sets a declining cap on emissions from fossil fuels, is designed to reduce emissions by 50% by 2035 and 90% by 2050. [ 7 , 7 ] The current CPP revenues are invested in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. [ 1 , 1 ] 2. Clean Truck Rules and Federal Interference: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently announced a two-year delay in enforcing its Advanced Clean Trucks Rules, which require manufacturers to increase sales of zero-emission vehicles. [ 3 , 4 ] This delay came after the Trump administration signed an executive order that could hinder state and local efforts to enforce climate laws. [ 8 ] Some Oregon lawmakers, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting, fear that federal Republicans could further derail these efforts, potentially axing the rules altogether. [ 4 ] 3. Climate Justice and Utility Bills: The state is actively working on climate justice initiatives, including addressing rising utility bills and supporting community resilience. [ 5 , 5 , 6 , 6 ] The Oregon Environmental Council, according to its website https://oeconline.org/our-work/policy/ , is pushing for policies that boost community resilience, speed up clean energy adoption, and enhance the state's economy. [ 9 , 10 ] There are also ongoing efforts to ensure utilities can't pass certain costs, like advertising or political spending, onto ratepayers, according to the Sierra Club. [ 11 , 11 ] 4. Other Notable Climate Policy Discussions: The Sierra Club reports on various bills related to energy efficiency, utility rates, and renewable energy. [ 11 ] The Oregon Environmental Council is advocating for stronger climate policies, including removing barriers to clean energy and expanding clean energy infrastructure. [ 9 ] The state is also working on a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, due in December 2025, to identify more opportunities to reduce climate pollution. [ 12 ] 5. Ongoing Challenges and Opportunities: Oregon's climate policy is facing challenges from federal actions and fossil fuel industry pressure. [ 4 , 13 ] Despite these challenges, the state is committed to continuing its climate action efforts and transitioning to a clean energy economy. [ 8 , 13 ] The state is also exploring ways to leverage federal funds to support climate initiatives but recognizes the need for ongoing state funding to ensure their sustainability. [ 5 , 9 ] [1] https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/22/oregon-lawmakers-cap-and-trade-salem-pollution-greenhouse-gas-emissions-bridge/ [2] https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/05/22/oregon-lawmakers-look-to-reshape-cap-and-trade-program-to-pay-for-transportation-needs/ [3] https://oregonbusinessindustry.com/may-19-2025-capitol-connect/ [4] https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/28/oregon-clean-truck-rules-environment-trump-republicans/ [5] https://www.climatesolutions.org/article/2025-01/climate-solutions-2025-oregon-legislative-agenda [6] https://www.olcv.org/tell-oregon-lawmakers-we-need-a-strong-climate-justice-budget-in-2025/ [7] https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx [8] https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/10/trump-oregon-climate-laws-executive-order/ [9] https://oeconline.org/our-work/policy/ [10] https://oeconline.org/our-work/policy/ [11] https://www.sierraclub.org/oregon/blog/2025/05/may-update-2025-legislative-session [12] https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/pages/climate-pollution-reduction-planning-grant.aspx [13] https://www.climatesolutions.org/article/2025-05/midpoint-momentum-climate-progress-update-oregons-2025-legislative-session Oregon Citizens Utility B oard : ‘ CUB Goes to Washington , D.C. | Latest News | News | Oregon CUB | posted 5/20/25 ‘Calling In: Tell Oregon lawmakers to invest in our transportation future TODAY!‘ | Climate Solutions | posted 5/30/25 COIN: Consolidated Oregon Indivisible - CEE Legislation 5/30 update Our energy grid needs help fast . Contact your legislator today! | Climate Solutions. 5/30/25 Current Week CE Action The League joined two sign-on letters this week: ( support) A Bipartisan microgrid package ( clean energy and community resilience) HB 2065 and HB 2066 . ( oppose) the Transportation Budget Cap and Trade Joint Ways and Means CE Funding Topics Transportation Package Priorities The League supports OCN and other statewide NGO budget priorities: Increase funding above 2017 levels for public transit
 
 Increase funding above 2017 levels for a safe, complete multimodal system (i.e. GreatStreets, Safe Routes to School, Oregon Community Paths, and bike/ped both on-street and trails, etc.) 
 
 Dedicated or increased revenue for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicle incentives, including for charging and purchasing of ZEVs (🡪 See NR LR for additional details) 
 
 News release: Report: Oregon Department of Transportation plagued by delays, staff turnover, cost overruns - OPB Please see Natural Resources Legislative Report on Transportation Energy Affordability and Utility Accountability The League joined a coalition sign-on letter in April requesting funding to support building resilience. The goal is to use affordable measures to protect people from extreme weather. One Stop Shop 2.0/Energy Efficiency Navigation ( HB 3081 ): This bill would create a navigation program at ODOE to help Oregonians access federal, state, local, and utility energy efficiency incentives all in one place Get the Junk Out of Rates ( SB 88 ): This bill would stop utilities from charging certain expenses like lobbying, advertising, association fees to customers. Protecting Oregonians with Energy Responsibility (POWER Act) ( HB 3546 ): This bill ensures Oregon households are not unfairly burdened by large energy users with grid and transmission costs. Full Funding for Climate Resilience programs Reinvesting the same amount as last biennium in three programs: 
 Rental Home Heat Pump Program (ODOE), $30m 
 
 Community Heat Pump Deployment Program (ODOE), $15m 
 
 Community Resilience Hubs (OREM), $10m ( House Bill 3170 ) 
 
 Environmental Justice Bills. (disadvantaged communities) HB 3170 : Community Resilience Hubs and networks : Fiscal $10M Work Session 3/4, passed to JWM, DHS, Sponsors, Rep. Marsh, Sen Pham and Rep Tan. League testimony 
 
 
 
 HB2548 : new 5/23 amendment and new SMS now. An agriculture workforce labor standards study,HR PH was 5/29. New -7 amendment changing the bill to a study with $616K fiscal. League Testimony . House LWS Work Session was held 4/9 , with no amendments, no recommendation . Natural and Working Lands HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax. House Committee on Revenue. League Testimony for original bill and for -1 Amendment . 
 
 
 
 HB 5039 financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; JWM NR SC, League testimony 


 
 HB 3103A – work session was 3/31. Moved to JWM, Overweight Timber Harvest , League Testimony , new adopted -5 amendment . 
 
 
 
 Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Emergency Management Package Update By Claudia Keith HB 215 1: Testimony ; appears dead 
 
 
 
 HB 2152 : Testimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed, moved to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) -2 amendments , Staff Measure Summar y (SMS). $1M+ fiscal 
 
 
 
 HB 2949 : T estimony ; work session held 4/8 , passed to JWM w -5 amendment new SMS. Fiscal is not available, will be completed if the bill gets a hearing in JWM NR SC. 
 
 
 
 HB 3450 A Testimony , work session held, 4/8 passed adopted amendment -1 . fisca l >1M$. referred to JWM 4/11 
 
 
 
 See CEI Hub Seismic Risk Analysis (The study, Impacts of Fuel Releases from the CEI Hub, is intended to characterize and quantify the anticipated damages from the CEI Hub in the event of the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.) See Climate Emergency April 28: CEI emergency management package update. The Bigger Picture: ASCE's ( American Society of Civil Engineers , founded in 1852), Oregon received a C- grade Infrastructure Report Card . Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment At this point in the session, it is doubtful SJR 28 has enough support to move out of Sen Rules. SJR 28 proposed -1 amendment , Environmental Rights Constitutional amendment (ERA) S enate Joint Resolution - with referral to the 2026 ballot, public hearing was 3/26 . The League provided support with comments testimony . The bill is in Senate Rules , so the Legislative first chamber deadlines are not applicable. A Work Session is not yet scheduled. The -1 a mendment is a partial rewrite and may address the League’s concerns. The OCERA coalition appears to be planning a ballot initiative campaign. ‘ Supporters of Oregon Green Amendment rally at the Oregon State Capitol ‘ | Salem Statesman Journal. Oregon Treasury: Oregon Divest/ Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates By Claudia Keith HB 2081A : Senate Finance and Revenue WS 6/2. Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to take certain actions to manage the risks of climate change to the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Passed House along party lines. WS Senate Finance & Rev is 5/28. At the request of; (no sponsor: at the request of House Interim Committee on Revenue for Representative Nancy Nathanson) 
 
 HB 2200 -1 , House work session was 4/8, bill was requested by previous Treasury Sec Tobias and supported by Treasurer Steiner, related to ESG investing , identified as the compromise bill. League chose not to comment. 

 Refer: Divest Oregon The Pause Act would enact a 5-year moratorium on new Public Employees Retirement Fund (PER investments in new private fossil fuel funds. 
 March 2025 Fund Performance - Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund and graphics 
 Published by Divest Oregon: 

 Executive Summary and Praise for Report 

 (see SB 681) Addressing the Risk of Climate Change: 

 A Comparison of US Pension Funds' Net Zero Plans – Jan 2025 
 Oregon Public Financing/BANK HB 2966 A: Establishes the State Public Financing / public bank Task Force, Work Session 3/6/2025 passed to Joint Ways and Means (JWM), fiscal: $1.3M , League Testimony , Rep Gamba, Senator, Golden, Frederick, Rep Andersen, Evans .

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


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


 SB 688 A: -5 , Public Utility Commission performance-based regulation of electric utilities, PH 3/12,& 3/19, work session was 3/24, updated $ 974K fiscal , moved to JWM , Sub Cmt Natural Resources. League testimony , Sen. Golden, Sen. Pham SB 827A : Solar and Storage Rebate , SEE Work session 2/17, Gov. Kotek & DOE, Senate voted 21-7, moved to House 3/4, House passed, 5/20. Governor signed 5/28 HB 3546AB , -3 the POWER Act , in Sen E&E , PH 4/30, 5/5, P WS was 5/14, moved with due pass. Sen 2nd reading, carried over. 6/2. The bill requires the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a new rate class for the largest energy users in the state. (data centers and other high-volume users). These regulations would only apply to customers in the for-profit utility's service areas of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. NO Fiscal, on its way to the floor. The League has approved being listed on a coalition sign on advocacy letter . 

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


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

 Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Here is one example of how to track ODEQ Climate Protection Program cases. Basically, there are a number of active federal lawsuits , Climate Litigation May 30 Updates Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 85 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. Our Children’s Trust. ‘ 22 Youth Sue Donald Trump Over Executive Orders That Escalate Climate Crisis ’ 5/29 Press Release Media Coverage: May 29, 2025 - E&E News Youth sue Trump admin over efforts to ‘unleash’ American fossil fuels May 29, 2025 - Montana Right Now Youth-led lawsuit challenges Trump's energy policies in new case May 29, 2025 - Bloomberg Law Youth Launch New Climate Lawsuit Against Trump’s Energy Orders May 29, 2025 - Barron’s Youths Sue Trump Over US Climate Orders May 29, 2025 - Common Dreams Youth Sue Over Trump Executive Orders That 'Escalate' Climate Crisis May 29, 2025 - Montana Public Radio Young people sue Trump administration over climate change May 29, 2025 - The New York Times Youth Climate Activists Sue Trump Administration Over Executive Orders May 29, 2025 - The Guardian Trump violating right to life with anti-environment orders, youth lawsuit says Highlights of House and Senate Policy Committee and Chamber Votes 5/28 Senate E&E Information Meeting The meeting focused on two topics, first Rep. Gamba’s HB 3609 , now in Joint W&M after being reported out favorably by House CE&E. It would require each investor-owned electric utility to develop a distributed power plant (DPP) program for procuring grid services from distributed energy resources—small-scale generation and storage systems located on the consumer’s side of the meter that connect to the electric grid, such as rooftop solar photovoltaic units, smart thermostats and water heaters, and battery storage. A utility customer could enroll in the utility’s DPP program directly or through a third party, and the utility could recover in rates any prudently incurred costs. The PUC would have to develop and adopt five-year procurement targets and performance incentives for utilities to meet the targets. The bill carries an estimated fiscal impact to PUC of $993,015 in Other Funds and 3 positions (2.63 FTE) in the 2025- 27 biennium, and $839,946 in Other Funds and 3 positions (3.00 FTE) in 2027-29. The measure may have an as yet undetermined fiscal impact on special districts. If LFO receives requested information, it will issue a revised fiscal impact statement. Gamba said the coming "load avalanche” will require us to develop multiple solutions before new transmission lines and power sources can be up and running. Rolling blackouts due to excessive peak loads could come as soon as this summer. This bill would aggregate many behind-the-meter sources that can “shave” those peak loads. An OSSIA rep said scaling up DPPs will let utilities use existing energy devices that customers have already invested in to address issues with the power grid. This is the cheapest energy on the market. The bill would not require massive new investment, but would require statutory directives and timelines for DPP deployment. Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) oppose the bill, saying their demand-response programs, compensating customers who adjust their usage patterns, have succeeded in shifting electricity usage away from peak hours, and they don't need a mandatory program directed by PUC. Second topic was a Climate Protection Program update. DEQ's Collin McConnaha and Nicole Singh covered the familiar background of the CPP since 2020, leading to the 2024 rulemaking in response to the program's temporary shutdown. The first 2 years of program experience saw significant reductions in GHG emissions from fossil fuel use, largely due to replacement by biofuels and electricity. DEQ's 2024 rulemaking drew more than 10,000 public comments and more input from industry through the RAC. Industry contributed greatly to the rulemaking and were responsible for many program changes, notably more flexible compliance options and protections for Emission-Intensive Trade-Exposed Industries, which will have no compliance obligations in the first 3 years. DEQ will also collaborate with PUC in tracking the impact of the CPP on natural gas rates. The Community Climate Investment (CCI) program has been retained as a cornerstone with improved accountability and transparency. During Q&A, Sens. Brock Smith and Robinson grilled DEQ on the meaning of "equitable" in the context of the CE transition, nuts and bolts of the CCI program, compliance instrument prices, and overall CPP cost projections. Robinson put his climate change denial on record again and expressed skepticism that the CPP's public health benefits could possibly balance the costs to consumers and industry as projected in DEQ's fiscal impact statement. The topic of the "cap and pave" mechanism being developed in Joint Transportation did not come up. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

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

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Lucie La Bonte Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Agriculture Air Quality Budgets/Revenue Budgets 2025 Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Land Use and Housing Pesticides Reduce/Recycle Transportation Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed Agriculture The League provided comments to the Board of Agriculture as the 2024 session began. Oregon agriculture is the second most important and most stable industry in Oregon because of the hundreds of “crops” grown here. The League will be following farm advocates to protect Oregon’s farmland and support opportunities to help these lands address climate change. Air Quality The Cleaner Air Oregon (CAO) program established a prioritization protocol for calling-in existing facilities to perform their Risk Assessments. DEQ created three Prioritization Groups – with groups one and two consisting of 20 facilities each and all the remaining (about 300+) facilities in group three. DEQ began calling-in Group 1 facilities in March of 2019 and completed the call-ins for this group in March 2022. CAO has updated its website with information about Group 2call-ins. DEQ is proposing to call-in two facilities every other month beginning in April 2024. See the Prioritization website for details regarding Group 2 facilities including the proposed month and year call-in order. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch SB 5701 , the 2024 omnibus budget bill was amended at the end of the session; scan for items of interest to you. Included in the amendments were eleven budget notes : instructions to agencies to collaborate on projects, to report back on how monies were spent and to study issues such as how to fund wildfire programs. HB 5201 and HB 5202 are the bonding bills, amended as well. F ees adopted by state agencies since the 2025 session were approved in SB 5702 . HB 5203 modifies lottery and other revenue allocations within the resources predicted in the March 2024 revenue forecast. SB 1501 was the “program change bill”, used to address miscellaneous changes to agency programs. SB 1562 with the -1 amendment passed. It increases the limit for making contributions into the Rainy Day Fund from 7.5% to 12.5% of General Fund revenue but leaves the contribution cap unchanged at 1% of General Fund appropriations. Budgets 2025 By Peggy Lynch The 2025-27 agency budget process is beginning. The latest word is that revenue may only cover state agency Current Service Levels, the amount of money needed to fund current programs while also addressing expected cost increases, plus 1%. Look for presentations to agency Boards and Commissions. Agencies are to turn in their lists of additional funding to the Governor by April 30. The Governor’s office will consider which should be in the Agency’s Recommended Budget (ARB) by June 30. The Governor’s recommended budget is due to the legislature by Dec. 1st. The State Debt Policy Advisory Commission will provide bonding guidance in January, 2025. Below are a few of the first round of agency budget requests (Policy Option Packages—POPs) of natural resource agencies available at the publication of this report: Dept. of Environmental Quality and March 22nd presentation slides Dept. of Land Conservation and Development Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and ODFW April 4th Presentation Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. Oregon Water Resources Dept. with a note: “… our official general fund target from DAS for new POPs for the Agency Request Budget and have been approved to request up to $1,022,150 General Fund ….” Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board See this good video on Oregon property taxes . Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible that there will be property tax reform conversations in 2025. The Oregonian provides some insight into that future conversation. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch/ Barbara Keirnes-Young Included in the end of session SB 5701 was $572,019 in grant funding to the Oregon Ocean Science Trust . A League member attended the Trust meeting on March 22. The Board designed the beginning of a mission statement, linked to strategic priorities and the ranked priorities of the summit. There were areas important to the League: The work of the trust as significant to coastal communities, the state, the country, the world. Informing the public (not educating) will be important for engaging advocates and securing funding. There are only two trusts of this kind in the world: Oregon and California. Working together may be a path to consider. The League is encouraged to engage with the Trust, including public outreach - advertising meetings, providing space, and inviting Trust members to League meetings. Intense competition for government grants will require advocacy and support so an informed public will be a critical part of the work. League advocacy at the legislature will further the quest for funding. The League has been an advocate from the formation of the Trust and continues with on-going funding support. A new group, the Oregon Ocean Alliance, has been formed to advocate for ocean funding in multiple agencies in 2025. The League signed a letter in support of HB 4132 , Marine Reserves. The bill passed. HB 5201 Enrolled increases the uses of the bond monies deposited in the Oregon Business Development Department Coos Bay Channel Fund in previous sessions not only to “deepen and widen the Coos Bay Federal Navigation Channel” but also “for the design, engineering, permitting and land acquisition efforts related to the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port project.“ The League provided comments on HB 4080-1 that would both address union labor IF offshore wind projects happen on our South Coast and create a robust public engagement process before project approval. The bill was amended and passed with monies to the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development to develop a “road map” with broad public engagement. The public process by the federal government Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has been lacking. Oregon Congressional members provided a letter requesting additional public comment time per this Oregon Capital Chronicle article. The Coastal Caucus and the Governor also sent letters of concern around the public process and asking for a delay. Oregon's Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Plan was disapproved in 2015 under the federal Coastal Zone Amendments and Reauthorization Act. Since then, Oregon has been revising its plan. DEQ staff provided an update on Oregon's work to revise its plan and to resubmit it to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the fall of 2024. Although the Dept. of Forestry has also taken some steps to gain approval, it is unclear if these actions will help return federal funding to DEQ and to DLCD’s Coastal Program. The Oregon Capital Chronicle covered concerns around the effect of climate change on our warming oceans. Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League participated in an annual rules advisory committee meeting to consider increasing water quality program fees by 3%. The recommendation was approved by the Environmental Quality Commission. Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch Oregon’s land department received public input on its 10-year plan for managing state lands. The plan would increase the development of renewable energy and wildfire resiliency on state school lands and focus on maintaining and improving lands, rather than selling off land providing lower revenues. The agency’s new program on addressing Abandoned and Derelict Vessels is completing program implementation rules. On April 9, the State Land Board received an update (starting on page 112) on the work. The League has been engaged in this effort for years and was pleased by the passage of HB 2914 (2023). See also Elliott State Research Forest below for DSL’s role in that project. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) From the Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation Spring Newsletter : DOGAMI continues to experience an unprecedented volume of applications, inquiries, complaints, and compliance actions that has resulted in an increase in processing and response times. Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) By Sandra Bishop The League has a member on this committee . Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The State Land Board approved the interim Advisory Group’s recommendation of a new structural governance on April 9. See the State Land Board’s packet starting on page 94. Appointments to the new ESRF Board are expected at their June 11tth meeting. The $4 million that had been allocated to the ESRF Authority was transferred to DSL in the omnibus budget bill, SB 5701 . Work is continuing on eventual adoption of a Habitat Conservation Plan and a Forest Management Plan for the forest. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . Environment Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) covered the Environmental legislation considered in 2024. Forestry (ODF) By Josie Koehne The Board of Forestry voted 4 to 3 to pass the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for State Forests. You can read more in this OPB article . Part of the challenge in making this decision is that certain western Oregon counties and local jurisdictions have relied on the timber harvest income and have not increased their local property taxes or found other economic development opportunities to address this income loss. There have been discussions at the legislature around how to increase that revenue ever since the severance tax was eliminated, leaving only the Forest Products Harvest Tax, greatly reducing harvest revenue. The Governor has expressed interest in this discussion in 2025. A number of bills this session were around funding ODF and fighting wildfire with some bills increasing timber harvest revenue without increasing the actual harvest. For information on the various bills, s ee the Wildfire section of this report below. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) provided a summary of 2024 legislation. The League was engaged in a number of these bills. One, SB 1537 , was the focus of an OPB Think Out Loud program . The bill was amended with input by the League (although we continued to oppose the urban growth boundary provision) and passed. T he League supported HB 4134 , providing infrastructure project monies for middle housing. SB 1530 included monies for specific infrastructure projects as well as a number of other programs supported by the League. The Governor was considering a veto of a few of the funded projects unless they will provide housing within five years. However, after a review of the housing projects and statements from the cities that housing will happen in a reasonable timeline, she provided a signing letter withdrawing her veto threat . A news release by the Senate President explains the elements of both bills. The League worked for months on housing policy and continues to do so for 2025. The League also provided testimony on HB 4099 , a bill that would have provided a fund to help with development fees. Although this bill did not pass, a Revolving Loan Fund was provided in Section 24 of SB 1537 that will help with these costs. On Feb. 22, Rep. Hartman presented a number of housing concepts to be considered in 2025, including some water related programs, many of which the League has advocated for in the past. The Governor provided a signing letter expressing some concerns although she signed the bill. The Governor appointed a Housing Production Advisory Council (HPAC) in 2023. Their final report was submitted to the Governor in February and she will be reviewing which of the 59 ideas should be considered for the 2025 session. Her office is engaging with a wide variety of interested parties, including the League. We provided a number of comments to HPAC as they were considering these proposals. DLCD is seeking members for an Advisory Committee on Community Green Infrastructure Investment. Apply by April 28th. HB 4026 passed. The bill determines that urban growth boundary (UGB) decisions cannot be voted on and are “administrative” in nature. The League provided testimony from a governance perspective. We are concerned that “ the amendment would take away voters’ rights to the referendum process. Furthermore, changing the constitutional referendum process and making the amendment retroactive are likely to be unconstitutional and invite a lawsuit. “. A judge is allowing the North Plains vote on their UGB expansion while the issue winds through the courts. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage . And watch their meetings on the department’s YouTube channel. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Pesticides OPB provided an article on how pesticides can rid your home of cockroaches or farm fields of unwanted insects, but they also can harm fish and potentially even people. Reduce/Recycle By Camille Freitag The League weighed in again this year on a Right to Repair bill, SB 1596 . We also joined others in support of the bill. The bill passed. Apple recently announced it will allow used parts in the repair of its products. DEQ is conducting rulemaking to clarify and implement HB 3220 (2023) , which updates and makes necessary changes to the statewide electronics recycling program, Oregon E-Cycles. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee please visit Oregon E-Cycles rulemaking . Recycling Modernization Act of 2021 ( SB 582 ) which the League supported has a new rulemaking advisory committee with meetings posted on the Recycling 2024 website. You can attend these meetings. Transportation Look for a 2025 conversation on how to fund multiple Oregon transportation needs. This effort was last addressed in 2017. The Oregon Capital Chronicle article provided some of the challenges facing legislators. Water By Peggy Lynch The League continues to follow the concerns of Morrow and Umatilla County residents affected by nitrates in their drinking water. OPB shares the latest . KGW’s "The Story" did a series on this important public health issue the week of Nov. 13. The Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) has announced revised groundwater allocation rules . The department is providing multiple opportunities to engage. The League has been following this process. Read more in OPB’s article . We have not yet officially weighed in but expect to support the rules that require the Water Resources Dept. to approve only those groundwater permit applications where there are data to assure that the groundwater is available and will replenish when drawn down. For more context, please see the background information , informational flyer , and Frequently Asked Questions . The Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) is being updated. There was a public comment on the first 2024 draft . A second draft will be available in May after incorporating comments from the April outreach. Columbia Insight did a great article about the project. The Oregon Water Resources Commission will hear public testimony and consider adoption of the 2024 IWRS at their September meeting. For more information about this process, please visit the IWRS page on their website. The League was actively involved in the first two IWRS documents and supported funding for the staffer to work on this project. The omnibus budget bill, SB 5701 , included an allocation of $1 million General Fund added to the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund . The League was engaged in helping create this fund in 2021 and supports this allocation. The legislature was provided with a report on HB 2145 (2021). The League continues to work to save Oregon’s wetlands and here’s why . We expect to engage with the Governor’s Office regarding housing needs while protecting wetlands. Quagga mussels continue to be a concern per an OPB article . The League agrees. As we continue to address water shortages, it is time for each of us to take personal action per EPA's Fix a Leak Week website. “Common water leaks around your home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking showerheads—all of which can be fixed with a little do-it-yourself effort,” said EPA Office of Wastewater Management Director Dr. Andrew Sawyers. “The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year—the amount of water needed to wash 300 loads of laundry—and could be adding as much as 10% to your water bill.” League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. The April 8th Water Report includes this information: The seasonal climate outlook indicates probabilities leaning towards below average precipitation for northwestern portions of the state and equal chances of above or below average precipitation for the rest of the state. The seasonal outlook also indicates probabilities favoring above average temperatures statewide. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers Amid welcome increased recognition this session among Legislators that the wildfire situation in Oregon is on an unsustainable trajectory in terms of funding across the board, that funding issue and the proposed solutions figured prominently, and are likely to continue to remain at the forefront in future sessions. Also, there were some notable shifts in messaging from the wildfire community. One shift was the acknowledgement that wildfires in the Western part of the State are increasing in frequency, as outlined in this KTVZ report on an OSU/U.S. Forest Service study released in February. Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal, throughout the session and even before it began, repeatedly stressed that Oregon is in uncharted waters with this development, calling it “alarming”, since these communities are not prepared. The other noticeable shift was more urgent language around the need for meaningful investments in funding of mitigation measures, with one expert stating, “We are not going to suppress our way out of this crisis.” Set against that background, the 2024 Short Session saw an unusually large number of wildfire related bills, including 3 very different bills, each with a different approach to addressing the lack of adequate, sustainable wildfire program funding. HB 4133 , which was supported by the Governor, SB 1593 , on which the League gave testimony in favor, and HJR 201 / HB 4075 ; however, all failed. In spite of the dire need, the right solution could not be found. This Capital Chronicle article provides a good accounting of each of the bills and their collective demise. In hindsight, perhaps a short session didn’t provide adequate time to refine any one of these very complex bills, all with good elements, to a point where any of them could garner the support needed to pass. One bit of good news is that this Budget Note was included in the SB5701 Budget Reconciliation bill, which directs the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Department of the State Fire Marshal to convene a facilitated workgroup to collaborate on finding sustainable wildfire funding solutions with stakeholders representing a broad swath of interests. As suggested in the opening paragraph above, this remains a high-priority, difficult problem with no simple solution. So, the work continues. Ironically, the one bill that could have directly addressed the community wildfire mitigation issue also failed. SB 1511 would have created a Neighborhood Protection Cooperatives Grant Program, administered through the Dept. of the State Fire Marshal. It also would have directed the Dept. of Business and Consumer Services to work with insurance companies to explore the possibility of “rewarding” communities that participate in standardized risk reduction programs with more favorable rates for homeowners’ insurance. The League testified in support of this bill. One bill that did pass, as is mentioned in the above referenced OPB article, was SB 1520 . This bill provided for an income tax subtraction for settlements or judgments received by wildfire damage victims, covering payments for damages incurred as far back as 2018. The impetus for this bill was that legal settlement and judgment proceeds were being taxed at 70%, with the remaining 30% also being taxable income, and legal fees not being deductible, leaving little left with which to rebuild. California already had passed similar legislation. The passion and motivation to get this bill passed was palpable, and it did so unanimously. And in another win for wildfire victims, SB 1545 also passed, which allows counties to offer a property tax break to wildfire victims who rebuild their homes. Another bill that passed, HB 4016, was an omnibus wildfire bill which provides some technical fixes and tweaks to a prescribed fire liability program, extends the deadline for home hardening grants to wildfire victims, and requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Oregon State Fire Marshal to report to natural resources-related committees of the Legislative Assembly by September 15, 2024 on a proposal for a proactive home hardening program. This would theoretically establish a program designed to support home hardening efforts in advance of wildfire events, as opposed to the current program which only applies to rebuilds of homes destroyed by wildfire. This is one of many mitigation measures homeowners could take advantage of to help mitigate wildfire damage. Speaking of the need to mitigate wildfire damage in communities, ODF recently announced that Oregon ranks the #2 state in the nation in the number of active Firewise USA sites. In 2023, Oregon added 39 new sites creating more fire-adapted communities. Jackson County with 75 sites and Deschutes County with 73 sites are 4th and 5th in the number of sites in a county. This type of neighborhood level cooperation is a key factor in limiting the catastrophic losses associated with the new reality of increasing size, number and severity of wildfire events. Finally, the reworked Wildfire Hazard map has been under development, with a draft map having been shared with Counties around the State to gather feedback. Rulemaking Advisory Committee meetings were held in March. These will be followed by more public outreach, and it is anticipated the new map should be ready for release by January, 2025, at the latest. The Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council continues to meet and will follow the mapping project as well as other wildfire policy issues. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered.