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Back to Legislative Report Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/10 Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator The Oregon Global Warming Commission has released their 2023 Climate Change Report: “ 2023 BIENNIAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE Unlike previous biennial reports, the 2023 Report to the Legislature does not include recommendations. Instead, the Commission developed its Oregon Climate Action Roadmap to 2030 in parallel, which includes extensive recommendations to inform state climate action moving forward, some of which are highlighted in this 2023 Report to the Legislature . However, the report continues to provide key foundational information on state climate impacts, emission trends, and progress towards achieving Oregon’s GHG emission reduction goals. According to preliminary emissions data, despite an overall reduction in emissions in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon still missed its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal by 13 %. In 2021, emissions grew back closer to pre-pandemic levels, putting Oregon even further (19 %) off the 2020 goal. At the same time, recent actions taken to mitigate the state’s contributions to the climate crisis have better positioned Oregon to meet its goals moving forward and the Roadmap to 2030 provides extensive recommendations to ensure Oregon does not miss its next greenhouse gas goal.” OGWC RoadMap 2030 Report Oregon must cut emissions much faster to reach global climate goals, report states - oregonlive.com Priority Bills CE priority bills had no activity last week. All have moved to the floor, or to JW&Ms. Find in previous LR (report)s additional background on each CE priority. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: *** Mark your Calendars: The Resilient Buildings Coalition is having an in-person LOBBY Day at the Capital April 20. Pre-register for this Lobby Day. *** Work sessions were held on 4/4. All four bills moved with a partisan vote. Currently they are posted as: “Senate Presidents Desk - Awaiting Disposition”. 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 870A Staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 871A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 530A : Natural and Working Lands : On 4/4 the bill moved to 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 Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: 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 907A , League testimony . New on OLIS: 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 Sign-on Letter - LWVOR one of many organizations… On Wed 4/12 the bill was listed in the Senate as Third Reading. 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. 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. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote in both chambers to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will be adding climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony . In both cases, our testimony will request additional agency requests not included in the Governor’s Jan budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast, will likely provide new required budget balancing guidelines. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 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 Jan 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 updated with -2 amendment, community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session was 3/15 . Fiscal Moved to JW&Ms unanimously. Legislative -2 Staff Measure Summary . Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project By Arlene Sherrett Funding: Oregon’s $1 billion share to start the project was discussed at the Joint Transportation informational meeting Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 5:30 PM. A bill (but no bill number) from ODOT will be discussed at the meeting. Text for the bill was sent out from 1000 Friends of Oregon but a link to it is not available. Perhaps it will be on OLIS before or after the meeting. Estimated Overall cost $ 5 -7.5 Billion. Design: The bi-state program’s latest proposal for the bridge, the Modified Locally Preferred Alternative (Modified LPA) has been criticized by a coalition of local citizen groups called the Just Crossing Alliance (JCA), or Right Size Right Now campaign or a S.A.F.E.R. Bridge for Stronger Communities. Issues with bridge design are listed on the linked websites. It is unclear whether design issues will be discussed officially before the IBR program’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available, anticipated in 2023. A public comment period will open after that. JCA wants to “steer the public’s dollars into transportation solutions that will reduce – not expand – climate warming pollution. This includes safe and accessible public transportation, electrification, and safe streets for all users.” The Alliance held a Day of Action on Thursday, April 13, at the State Capitol. Some would like to see a resurrection of the CommonSense Alternative (CSA) to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC.) The estimated cost for the CSA ($1.8 Mil) was lower than the cost of the CRC by half when the analysis was made. Estimated costs today have not been compared to the current plan, the Modified LPA; the CSA also offers more alternatives for rail, local passenger and truck traffic. Putting yet another twist into the design discussion, Vancouver Mayor Pro Tem Ty Stober said “I am calling on the IBR team to do a fresh, complete study of a tunnel. The benefit would be to reconnect downtown Vancouver to Fort Vancouver and open the skyline.” Apparently the Modified LPA obstructs the view from the waterfront Vancouver has put so much money and time into. Sign up for email on IBR project website : IBR has several public groups formed to give input on the project. Find out about participation at public meetings here and here . Just Crossing Alliance highlighted issues and sign-up are linked here . Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. The Need For Climate Risk Disclosures : A Case Study Of Physical Risk Of Two REITS, EQR And ARE | Forbes. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the IRA $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. The Treasurer recently sent this letter to FTC: 4/11/2023, Letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Proposed Non-Compete Clause Rule. Oregon State Treasury Completes Nearly $1 Billion Bond Sale , Offers State Residents Opportunity to Invest In Oregon. Oregon bill to divest from coal, oil and gas peters out | National News | kpvi.com The Oregon Investment Council will meet April 19. The agenda and meeting materials as of 4/12 were not posted. The Council met March 8; see the meeting packet . ESG is mentioned on page 7. The formal meeting minutes still have not been posted. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First-Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard | OST. The monthly March and Feb ending Oregon PERS Financial Statement has yet to be posted. J an 2023 Pers Statement . Moody’s recent Oregon Bond rating rational: ‘Moody's assigns Aa1 to the State of Oregon's GO bonds; outlook stable’. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (April 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 with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Oregon, NW regional and National News Amazon strikes renewable power deal for Oregon data centers, won’t say how much it’s buying - oregonlive.com . NW Natural climate strategy takes a hit from Oregon PUC staff | Portland Business Journal. FERC Gets Advice, Criticism on Environmental Justice | RTO Insider Federal HHS : Climate Change & Health Equity and Environmental Justice - April 2023 Climate and Health Outlook "Northwest: Minor spring flooding potential is expected to be above normal for the Upper Snake River Basin in eastern Idaho. Drought is favored to persist in small portions of northeast Washington and northern Idaho. Drought improvement and removal is favored in much of Oregon and in parts of central Idaho. Normal significant wildland fire* potential is also expected.” Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to Legislative Report Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 1/16 Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Transparency By Rebecca Gladstone Two major bills that passed unanimously from committees in 2022 and failed to progress will now be moving in 2023. SB 2052 is the AG’s Oregon Data Broker Registry bill, heard in House Business and Labor. We called attention in our League testimony in support to data brokers influencing elections. We urge ongoing legislative attention to privacy, transparency, and cybersecurity issues because they evolve quickly. Other testimony spoke to biometrics revealing pregnancy since hips widen and gait recognition may perceive changes. Gait recognition may be a more reliable individual identifier than other biometric measurements. Data brokers can market geolocation information, also a privacy issue if they sell geolocation tracking information, for example to health clinics. Chair Holvey called our attention to the companion SB 619, not yet scheduled for public hearing. The Joint Committee for Information Management and Technology has three committee bills, none scheduled for hearings yet. The committee is introducing concepts and agency staff to new committee members. HB 2049 We will continue to support his cybersecurity omnibus committee bill. SB 625 We will be examining this IT procurement pilot program bill. SB 680 We may address this committee broadband development bill for the southern Oregon coast. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to Legislative Report Governance Internships Legislative Report - September Interim Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance and Redistricting Elections, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Public Records Election Methods By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance and Redistricting The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. We urge you to download, print, sign and return petitions by mail from Honest Elections for IP 9 and People Not Politicians for IP 14. Both initiative petitions are due to be filed by July 5, 2024 with the Secretary of State. Elections, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Public Records By Rebecca Gladstone Joint Info Management & Technology, Cyber Advice Another ransomware attack, in Curry County, expects $3 million in recovery costs. They didn’t trust attackers to protect and return their data, not to escalate, and didn’t pay ransom. They are calling for legislation to develop, supply and fund rapid cyber response teams. Cyber Insurance is not an easy out. You can’t get cyber insurance without using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other safety precautions. Insurance policies are less available, more expensive, with increasingly higher deductibles. Cyber firms can review your exposure, help you to improve your safety, and help to set up emergency plans. You can be prepared if you receive a note, as Curry County did on a printer: You’ve been attacked, are being held hostage. Cyber Advice: Check URLs before clicking on links. Prevent exposure, don’t let malware in. Even if messages look okay, they may be “spoofing” to get your ID, credit card number, etc. Never give out personal information if they call or email you. Don’t use their links or phone numbers. Call your bank back using a known phone number. Log on to your trusted website links, not in messages that may not be legit. Regularly back up your files and use a security scan. Curry County had NO backups. Use MFA, add a security step to be safer. Use MFA, by confirming with a code to your cell or email, using a code generator app. This can prevent most problems. Have a security protocol. Curry County now prohibits plugging in outside devices, like thumb drives, into their hardware. Make sure your group (our Leagues’ leaders, for example) know about the plans, and we all step up to not being weak links that let malware in the back door. House Rules Committee Meeting 9/28/23 We look forward to working on extensive meeting materials from the Secretary of State. Others spoke to the condition of Oregon’s local journalism, of deep concern to us, with “Free Press and the Survival of Democracy” as our LWVOR 2023 state convention theme. Electronic Portal Advisory Board ( EPAB ) The board oversees state websites, currently analyzing public survey results, overseeing agency project updates, increasing other languages access, improving cybersecurity awareness, and increasing lateral connections between agency sites, for easier navigation. The Board meets quarterly, with Governor-appointed members, including a UO Computer Science grad student just added and League member Becky Gladstone as the public member since 2018. We welcome comments, for example, from Sen Jeff Golden’s news, wanting easier navigation. “I’m retired,” he said, “and have time and ability to find information about this program online. But I can’t find what I need to know about requirements, about where and how I can have my say on proposed rules, on what incentives there could be to do the work on my land. There are too many programs and agencies to keep track of!” Action since our Sine Die report: HB 2107 effective Jan 1, 2024, to extend automatic voter registration to certain Oregon Health Authority clients. Our testimony in support , filed late in the session, glad that early support for a pilot program at Powder River Women’s correctional facility was reinstated. HB 2049 Enrolled took effect July 31, 2023, to transfer OR Cyber Ad council from EIS to OR Cyber Center of Excellence. Ceremonial signing Sept 27, LWVOR invited. HB 2052 Enrolled data broker registry, effective July 27, 2023, first in the nation. HB 2490 Enrolled effective Jan 1, 2024 for cybersecurity defense plan protection. HB 3073 Enrolled took effect Sept 24, to protect candidate home address disclosure, on request. SB 619 Enrolled effective Jan 1, 2024, for consumers’ personal data rights. Republican Aug 8 PR on unexcused Senate absences administrative rule (OAR). CFR, Campaign Finance Reform, from SoS: Clear Initiative The CLEAR initiative is a new project aiming to increase compliance with Oregon’s campaign finance laws through greater transparency and education. Everyone wins when campaigns play by the rules. This summer, the Elections Division announced three initial steps for an ongoing project: increase visibility for online campaign finance information a new database of campaign finance violations and associated penalties more training and educational materials to help campaigns comply with the rules Learn more on the Elections Division’s website . Election Methods By Barbara Klein There were no bills taken up during this interim legislative session that relate to election systems. There were rumors of some efforts to oppose Ranked Choice Voting via legislation or the ballot, but as of yet, it is unclear whether this will materialize. Due to the decision of the legislature in June 2023, Ranked Choice Voting will be on the 2024 general ballot (for implementation in 2028).

Back to Legislative Report Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 6/5 Jump to topic: Housing Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York At the urging of newly-elected Governor Kotek, the Oregon Legislature invested more than $215 million in the Early Session Housing Package. It provided Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) with a down payment to tackle the state’s housing and homeless emergency. Now that the end of the session is near, Governor Kotek is calling on the Legislature to invest $1.3 billion in housing solutions through the End of Session Package. This investment will allow OHCS to achieve the goals in its 2023-25 budget request, SB 5511 . The challenge is to balance the needs of people experiencing homelessness and to address the state’s chronic housing supply shortages. The biennial budget represents the largest request any Oregon Governor has proposed. See the full 2023-25 Governor's Recommended Budget . The housing related budget descriptions can be found in these links. Snapshot of the End of Session Housing Package Improving Program Access: Language Access, Training, and Technical Assistance Bond Investments to Expand and Improve Housing Supply Pre-Development Investments​ Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Risk Mitigation Rehousing Oregonians Experiencing Homelessness Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Investments ​ The Oregon Housing and Community Services budget includes funding for a number of programs aimed at keeping people already housed in their homes, developing new affordable housing, preserving existing affordable housing, and serving people without a place to live. Highlights include: $118 million for preservation of existing publicly supported housing, $415.45 million for homelessness response and prevention, $616 million to develop new affordable rental homes through the Local Innovation Fast Track (LIFT) Rental program, and $130 million to develop permanent supportive homes. Housing Bill Updates SB 225 Enrolled will address a problem with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. The bill addresses this barrier and allows Oregon Housing and Community Services to move forward on affordable housing developments to avoid construction delays and cost increases. The Governor signed SB 225 on June 7. SB 599 A Enrolled would allow tenants to operate home-based childcare by requiring 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. The Governor signed SB 599 A on June 1. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Karen Nibler Despite the ongoing Senate shutdown, a few criminal justice bills continue to move on the House floor and in the Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee. The following bills passed out of the House from June 1 to June 7 and await a Senate vote: HB 5012 A appropriates money from the General Fund for district attorney expenses, HB 2320 B establishes the Juvenile Justice Policy Commission within the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, HB 2225 A increases fees for court transcripts, and HB 2316 A expands the offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants to include additional substances. SB 1052 Enrolled , establishes a training program for state agency employees concerning human trafficking and awareness, signed by the Governor June 12. The Public Safety Subcommittee passed the following bills on June 6 and returned them to the full Ways and Means Committee: · HB 2024 provides that district attorneys and deputy district attorneys qualify as police officers under the Public Employees Retirement System. · SB 321 A sets up a process whereby anyone convicted as a result of a nonunanimous jury can file a petition for post-conviction relief before December 30, 2024. · SB 5532 appropriates money from the General Fund for expenses related to the Oregon Public Defense Commission. · SB 337 B establishes the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) within the Oregon Judicial Department with an appointed director, 9 voting members, and 4 non-voting members who are not practicing judges, district attorneys, or law enforcement employees. OPDC will present its budget to the Legislature every two years but will reimburse the State Court Administrator for personnel costs and contract with the Department of Administrative Services for forecasts for eligible adults and juveniles and cost estimates. There will be a separate Treasury Account. The bill stipulates the transfer of duties, records, personnel, and fund balance on July 1, 2023, for the new biennium. The Chief Justice will transfer current board members or appoint members to the OPDC by November 1, 2023 and appoint an Executive Director by January 1, 2024. The Commission will officially transfer to the Executive Branch on January 1, 2025. Further directions were to establish an hourly rate payment for defense attorneys with no flat fee cases. The hourly rate is to be calculated by January 1, 2025, with an increasing number of attorneys employed by the Commission. Behavioral Health By Karen Nibler The last hearing of the House Behavioral Health Committee on June 7 featured the Oregon State Hospital staffing crisis. The State Employee Union, SEIU focused on staff overtime, which was mandatory due to state injuries. The injuries affected 1 out of 4 hospital staff and caused high turnover with 800 staff still at work at the hospital. As a result, HB 2701 A was passed, acknowledging the high risk of harm and the benefits in the state employee’s system. The bill was referred to Ways and Means, and the outcome is not yet known.

/ Lobbying vs. Advocacy / Lobbying vs. Advocacy For the purposes of reporting to the IRS, all 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporations (that have taken the section (h) election on IRS Form 5768) must limit direct lobbying to 20% and grassroots lobbying to 5% of total expenses (averaged over a four-year period if yearly expenses are less than $500,000). However, these corporations are unlimited in the amount they can spend on general advocacy and education. The distinction between “direct lobbying ” , “grassroots lobbying ” and “advocacy ” is important. The distinction between “advocacy” and “education” is not important for IRS purposes, and they may be considered interchangeable. ​ Link to the document in PDF format.

Back to Legislative Report Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 4/3 Jump to a topic: Housing Criminal Justice Gun Safety Human Services Immigration Housing By Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Governor Kotek recently signed into law the emergency $200 million Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package to address the state’s housing and homelessness crisis, and now the work begins. This week saw a flurry of activity as the Legislature worked to meet the first-chamber April 4 deadline. If a bill does not make it out of committee by then, it will not go forward in this session. Housing bills passed on April 3: Senate Housing and Development and House Housing and Homelessness. SB 861 will allocate $10 million from the General Fund to Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), in coordination with the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). The funds will be used to provide grants to promote the development of innovative and cost-effective housing types. The bill also requires establishment of a Volunteer Task Force on Innovative and Cost-Effective Housing to evaluate and develop, structure, and recommend housing finance programs to promote affordable, mixed, and middle-income housing construction; develop programs to maximize benefits of existing federal funds and programs, evaluate innovative housing finance programs in other jurisdictions; and identify best practices. The bill passed with referral to JW&Ms. SB 1069 allows the electronic delivery of landlord and tenant notices, including notice of disposal, sale, or storage of tenant’s personal property, and electronic refunds and returns of security deposits and rent. The bill passed with amendments and referral to W&Ms. SB 611 will limit residential rent increases to the lesser of 1% or 3%, plus the consumer price index one-year change. It further would increase the amount of rent owed to the tenant from one month to three months in certain eviction cases and reduce the exemption on rent increases allowed on new construction from 15 years to three. The bill passed with amendments. SB 918 directs OHCS to establish the Oregon Housing Justice Program to provide grants to culturally specific and responsive organizations. Funding from the General Fund will support homelessness and housing stability-related purposes and to extend current agreements when feasible including: $100,000 in grants to culturally specific and culturally responsive organizations; $14 million to Oregon Worker Relief; $10.5 million to the Urban League of Portland; $1.5 million to the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization; and $9.5 million to community action agencies. The bill passed with amendments and referral to W&Ms. Housing bills passed on April 4 by the by House Housing and Homelessness HB 2889 will establish the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within OHCS. It also will amend land use requirements for local governments related to urbanization, including requiring Metro to adopt a housing coordination strategy, as well allow cities outside of Metro to adopt rural reserves. The Land Conservation and Development Commission is to implement rules by January 1, 2026. The committee passed the bill with amendments and referral to W&Ms. HB 3488 A provides funding for: down payment assistance grants to culturally specific and tribal organizations, flexible loans for home purchasers, and for tribes serving low-income home buyers and homeowners. It also allocates funding to the Bureau of Labor and Industries, the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, and the Department of Justice to support fair housing education, investigations, and enforcement. These efforts are intended to address significant disparities in home ownership for communities of color. The bill passed with amendments, referred to W&Ms. HB 2680 strengthens and clarifies legislation passed in 2019 related to screening fees charged for rental applications. The bill requires the landlord to refund screening fees within 14 days if the apartment is filled 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 increases from $150 to $250. The bill passed with amendments. HB 3309 requires a minimum percentage of accessible units in multifamily housing developed by OHCS programs. It will require the department to include accessible units and accessibility considerations in the programs and plans. The bill passed with amendments. HB 3462 Department of Emergency Management, during certain emergencies, to prioritize immediate provision of housing to displaced individuals. The bill passed with amendments. HB 2980 directs OHCS to develop an affordable housing revolving loan program under which participating cities and counties may award grants to housing developers for certain eligible costs and repay loans from tax increment financing revenues, which are derived from housing property value increases. The bill passed with amendments with referral to W&Ms. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The Senate and House Judiciary Committees made their way through their backload of bills in work sessions on April 3 and 4. Here are several criminal justice bills of interest to the League that passed their respective committee. SB 337 A establishes the Public Defense Services Commission in the judicial branch of state government to oversee and correct the deficiencies in Oregon’s public defense system. Nine voting members and four non-voting members are to be appointed by the Chief Justice. After passage the bill was referred to W&Ms. HB 2365 is a related placeholder bill that directs the Public Defense Services Commission to study ways to improve the provision of public defense services within the state. The bill passed without recommendation, referred to House Rules. SB 554 A creates a process for filing post-conviction relief petitions due to currently available forensic evidence at any time after conviction. The bill passed in Senate Judiciary and was referred to W&Ms. SB 974 creates the crime of sexual assault by fraudulent representation. This bill was crafted to tighten Oregon criminal statutes after a West Linn doctor failed to be indicted for the sexual assault of over 120 patients in his office. The bill is headed to the Senate floor. Gun Safety By Marge Easley The League is happy to report that gun safety legislation is on the move this session! HB 2005 A , a combination of HB 2005, HB 2006, and HB 2007, now includes a ban on undetectable and unserialized firearms (“ghost guns”), an age restriction of 21 to purchase a firearm, and an expansion of the number of jurisdictions that can establish gun-free zones. The bill passed House Judiciary on March 30 and W&Ms Subcommittee on Public Safety on April 4. A work session is scheduled for April 7 in full W&Ms. SB 348 A , the implementation bill for Measure 114, passed Senate Judiciary on April 4 with a do-pass recommendation and a request for referral to W&Ms. The -3 amendment was adopted and contains some technical fixes, but the intent of the measure’s sponsors was kept largely intact: establishing a permit-to-purchase requirement and a ban on large-capacity magazines. Although Measure 114 is tied up in both state and federal courts, the bill enables agency process work to proceed. The federal district court case will be heard June 5-9, while the Harney County Court case is scheduled for September 18-22. SB 527 A , to give gun dealers the option of setting an age limit of 21 for gun purchases, passed Senate Judiciary on April 3. An amendment was adopted to require the Department of Education to develop and implement a firearm safety education curriculum for students in grades 7 to 9. Human Services By Karen Nibler HB 2327 A proposed that County Juvenile departments work with youth under 12 to prevent further harmful and illegal behaviors. Funding for this expansion of services will come through the Youth Development Division. This bill did not pass the House Judiciary Committee but the following bill did pass. HB 2372 A gives further direction to the Youth Development Division under the Department of Education on the distribution of funds for high - risk prevention plans including the tribes. HB 2371 which required the Oregon Youth Authority to study issues on juveniles was sent to Rules. HB 2365 which covered ways to improve Public Defense Services also was sent to Rules on April 4. Senate bills sent to Rules included SB 697 on Guilty Except for Insanity but SB 698 was sent back to the Senate Chair for reassignment to another committee. HB 1070 which asks for consideration of victims of domestic abuse or violence in sentencing was also sent to Rules. Behavioral Health bills that passed in the last few days were HB 2235 A which set up a workgroup to study barriers to behavioral health workforce recruitment; and HB 2513 A which allocated funds for first-year grants for services to be effective on July 1, 2026. Two more bills HB 2445 A authorized behavioral health certification for peer support specialists and HB 2455 A imposed audit requirements on claims for reimbursement by behavioral health treatment providers. Both bills will go to Human Services Ways and Means. Immigration & Refugee By Claudia Keith Bills we are supporting or following: HB 2957 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 - 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 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. SB 185 : 4/3 Public Hearing and WS cancelled. The bill is now dead: would have required the DoJ to study immigration in this state; may include legislation recommendations. Requested by Attorney General Rosenblum. 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 2990 -1 : 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). HB2905 : 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 . SB 421 -1 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 the youth advisory council member selection process. Staff Measure Summary , Fiscal SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. In Senate Rules.

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

/ Brand Guidelines / Brand Guidelines and Resources Brand Guidelines (LWVUS) League of Women Voters Brand Standards Includes logo best practices, color profiles, and more. Find logo files and branded merch here . Get the PDF Flickr Photo Archives (LWVOR and LWVUS) Photo Archives for Local Leagues to Use Use any of the photos you find here for your League branded material. LWVOR Archive LWVUS Archive

Back to Legislative Report Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/13 Election Methods Voter Registration Public Records Law By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Election Methods By Barbara Klein The Oregon Election Reform Coalition has filed an initiative by the same name (now IP 19). It’s an open primaries proposal using a ‘Final Five’ system similar to the Alaska model, as well as other reform features. The LWVOR action committee supported the idea of an identical bill, and LWVOR will review this as a ballot measure. See the full text . Members of the League were involved in developing this initiative. Work is still behind the scenes, and no hearings have yet been scheduled for the three Ranked Choice Voting bills ( SB 506 , HB 2004 and HB 3107 ) nor for the STAR (Score then Automatic Runoff) bill ( HB 3107 ). Voter Registration By Marge Easley The League delivered testimony on HB 2107 to House Rules on February 14. This bill extends automatic voter registration to the Oregon Health Authority when eligible individuals have provided pertinent information to the Oregon Health Plan. Current law only provides for the automatic process through the Department of Motor Vehicles, so this is a welcome expansion that will facilitate an opt-out voter registration process for more citizens, especially those who are low income, homeless, or disabled. HB 2107 originally included the establishment of a pilot program at Powder River Correctional Facility for automatic voter registration of incarcerated individuals upon release, but the Secretary of State asked that this provision be removed. Public Records Law By Rebecca Gladstone HB 2821 may relate to recent articles in the Malheur Enterprise, SPECIAL REPORT: Smith pledges scrutiny of Nyssa rail project budget, can’t produce one , and this follow up, Findley blocks access to records on his rail funding efforts, invoking immunity . Note, author Les Zaitz has agreed to be LWVOR Convention Keynote Speaker, May 19-21. We are watching, marked for public records, open meetings, and budget concerns. A hearing has not been scheduled. After Sen Rules Chair Lieber requested a Work Group, we assembled a roster and began outreach for bill collaboration networking. A meeting is set for Feb 20. See last week’s LR. Thanks to committee admins for help with managing testimony presentations since numerous bills came up during concurrent hearings this week. HB 2585 : We strongly oppose (our testimony ) this bill to repeal Motor Voter. HB 3073 : We support this bill ( our testimony ) to protect candidate and incumbent personal information, with comments, again urging for a more efficient coverage in statute, not just for some data, for some Oregonians. HB 2806 : We support this bill to update statute for open meetings, public safety and cybersecurity law. See our testimony . Next week, or soon after, we expect to speak to these bills: HB 2049 : We will support this cybersecurity omnibus bill, with a Feb 22 public hearing. HJR 4 : Testimony is ready for this same-day voter registration referral, follow up to HJR 11 (2021) and a companion to HJR 20 . We will post testimony when the hearing is scheduled. HB 3201 : We have supportive testimony for this broadband bill, awaiting hearing scheduling. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to Legislative Report Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/12 Jump to a topic: Senate and House Rules Committees House Rules Committee Senate Committee on Education Elections, Campaign Finance, and In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Senate Rules Committee SB 1538 is an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes, was amended in several details and passed out of the Senate Rules Committee on 2/15. The amendments concerned translating voters’ pamphlets; removing the redundant vote tally machine certification just before tallying begins; reducing the number of voter registration cards to 500 that could be obtained, issuing a certificate of ascertainment of presidential electors; increasing the upper limits for a candidate not to be required to file campaign finance reports; and allowing campaign contributions to be used to pay civil penalties for campaign violations. House Rules Committee HB 4021 , which requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy, had a public hearing. HB 4031 , which requires the Public Records Advisory Council to study public records, passed out of committee without recommendation and was sent to the Revenue Committee. HB 4032 , which removes the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court, had a public hearing. HB 4117 , which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which provides a technical fix to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed out of committee to 2 nd reading, the rules of the House were suspended, and the bill was passed immediately and unanimously. Senate Committee on Education SB 1502 requires public schools and college boards to livestream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. The bill passed out of committee and was referred to Ways and Means. Elections, Campaign Finance, and In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Rebecca Gladstone Three bills that received League testimony passed from committees this week. News swirls for others, and we are poised to act on them. These two bills were heard in Senate Rules and both passed, with League support: Increase Voters’ Pamphlet Languages SB 1533 : This bill would increase the number of languages other than English for State Voters’ Pamphlets, adjusted for predominating languages by county. We provided written testimony . As well as virtual League testimony starts at 1:25) . The bill passed unanimously, with one excused. Synthetic Media in Campaign Ads, aka Deep Fakes SB 1571 -1 : League testimony was quickly revised for the -1 amendment and our verbal testimony, (video starting at 50 minutes ), was targeted to issues raised during the public hearing. The -1 amendment replaced “artificial intelligence” with the applied term “synthetic media”. The bill passed unanimously, with four more amendments filed. See Oregon lawmakers consider regulating use of AI in campaign ads , OPB, 14 Feb, 2024. A third bill, from sponsor Sen. Manning, was heard in Senate Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs Committee: Automatic Voter Registration for students SB 1577 -3 : The original bill would have automatically registered students from their college applications via the Dept of Revenue. The amended bill would have Elections and County Elections departments study the feasibility of registering student citizen voters. The clear emphasis on eligible voters, with only citizens being eligible, was not clear to many who sent testimony. It passed from committee on partisan lines, with supportive League testimony (video starting at 1:19), and on the record . Campaign Finance: LWVOR supports IP 9 and is actively collecting signatures, as part of the Honest Elections Coalition . LWVOR and Common Cause are the good government groups mentioned in OPB this week: Democrats and Republicans often clash on the subject, but are hoping to avoid a messy ballot fight . A placeholder bill, HB 4024 , could be pressed into service from unusual partners, labor and business, who are otherwise promoting IP 42, against IP 9. This is presumably hoping to forestall the impending faceoff between the two competing campaign finance petitions. Campaign work for IP 9 is in high gear with discussions between Honest Elections, legislative members, top state leadership, and the press. Senate Commemorative Resolution, In Memoriam: Alice Bartelt, 1947-2023 , SCR 203: We understand from staff that the bill sponsor, Senate President Wagner, has moved the hearing date to Feb. 22, 3pm. It is not yet posted on OLIS. Staff requests that anyone wishing to testify please contact their office at carol.suzuki@oregonlegislature.gov , so that timing can be arranged.

Back to Legislative Report Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/6 Campaign Finance Reform Redistricting Elections Election Methods Rights of Incarcerated People Public Records Law By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance Reform There have been no new bills filed and no public activity for CFR. Redistricting By Chris Cobey and Norman Turrill Nothing new this week. See previous LRs. Elections By Tom Messenger Both SB 804 by Senator Manning and SB 499 by Senator Weber would move the Presidential Primary to Super Tuesday. Things are in the works now to merge these two bills into one. Election Methods By Barbara Klein Based on LWVOR positions, the League has decided to support the Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill HB 2004 sponsored by Rep Rayfield, Fahey, Reynolds, Marsh, Senator Sollman; and regular sponsors, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, and Golden, which is currently in House Rules. We will participate in coalition meetings and have approved use of the LWVOR logo for coalition efforts led by Coalition of Communities of Color and Oregon RCV. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley Prison work requirements and fair labor compensation remain topics of nationwide discussion. The ACLU published a study in June of 2022 entitled “Captive Workers: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers,” that states in the introduction: “Our nation incarcerates over 1.2 million people in state and federal prisons, and two out of three of these incarcerated people are also workers… Incarcerated workers are under the complete control of their employers, and they have been stripped of even the most minimal protections against labor exploitation and abuse.” In Oregon, the passage last year of Measure 112, which repealed language in the state constitution allowing slavery and involuntary servitude, was a step in the right direction. However, incarcerated workers in Oregon continue to receive no wages. Instead, compensation is paid via the Performance Recognition and Award system, through which workers may receive points that may be converted to a monthly monetary award, translating to $8 to $82 per month. Thus, it is noteworthy when a February 7 Oregonian article (“Proposed bill would pay incarcerated workers minimum wage in Washington”) reports that Washington state lawmaker Rep. Tarra Simmons, who spent time in prison and was paid 42 cents an hour for her labor, just introduced a bill in the Washington Legislature called the “Real Labor, Real Wages Act,” to pay incarcerated workers minimum wage for doing their jobs. Passage will most likely be an uphill battle. According to the article, Colorado is the only state to pay minimum wage for incarcerated labor, while similar legislation has failed to pass in seven other states. Public Records Law By Rebecca Gladstone We resurrected testimony this week, along with our standing advisory comments from 2017 bills, all enrolled, for the most public records law reform seen in Oregon in thirty years: HB 2101 , HB 481 , and SB 106 . This week, Senate Rules Chair Lieber agreed with our urging, and after a hearing, instructed the group of lobbyists addressing Public Records Advisory Council (PRAC) issues to work together to pass solid improvements this session. We recommend watching this hearing video . SB 417 Public Records Requests. We support this detailed PRAC bill to increase efficiency in processing public records requests, considering fee waivers, defining “media”, waiving records request fees when made in the public interest, and considering malicious intent in placing requests. See our testimony . SB 510 : This companion bill to SB 417 would improve efficiency and calls for estimating costs and budgeting, and for sustainable funding for the PRAC. See our testimony in support . SB 160 There was firm opposition to this bill suggesting fee waivers, reducing fees by percentage for public records requests. We urged for attributes addressed in other bills to be considered here, or for the other bills to consider possible benefits from SB 160. See our testimony comments , not supporting or opposing. HB 3111 : This privacy protection bill exempts some personal information for some Oregonians. As we advocated for SB 293 Enrolled (2021), we urge for less piece-meal privacy protection. See our HB 3111 testimony in support, repeating our previous calls for improvements. SCR 1 : This Joint Resolution expresses support for our County Clerks and local elections officials, condemning violence and threats of violence, lacking specific proposals. We reiterated from our HB 4144 92022) testimony , that voting is a fundamental right of citizenship, including protection from harassment and intimidation, for all involved in the process. See our SCR 1 testimony . Informational hearings continue with public hearings being set for bills we support. We are comparing bill lists and collaborating with others, signing group letters. We welcome volunteers who can bring their expertise to watch hearings and share summary observation, learn the ropes and join our Action Team. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to Legislative Report Governance Internships Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 Jump to a topic: Access Campaign Finance Redistricting Other Governance Bills Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt Access By Paula Krane Since this was a short session things seemed to move quickly. In the beginning there seemed to be adequate notice on hearings and bills to be heard, changing as the session progressed. This was a more civil session. Members worked together, the public was involved with the process and welcomed to participate. League members had access to their Legislators as well as other Legislators. Because of Covid and the building being closed for updates, virtual access has been expanded; it has become very easy to observe and be part of the Legislative process remotely. There were very few access concerns this session: some members had problems with the pertaining clauses not telling them what the subject of the bill was (misinformation). In the past we put a lot of time and effort into making sure we all have access to the legislative political process and we continue to benefit from those efforts. Campaign Finance An amazingly historic thing happened with campaign finance reform as explained here in the Capital Chronicle. The League initially opposed HB 4024 ; see the League’s written testimony . After over a week of private negotiations, a new -5 amendment and then an -8 amendment were posted for the Wednesday 3/6 House Rules work session . The good government groups were able to negotiate some 20 major changes to the proposed bill, enough to make the bill acceptable and to avoid a huge ballot measure fight at the November election. The bill has something to please and displease everyone, reflected in the final floor discourse and votes. The bill represents decades of grassroots work. The agreement included IP 9 (Honest Elections, including a LWVOR chief petitioner) and IP 42 (unions) being withdrawn and HB 4024 not being referred to the ballot. The bill quickly passed the House floor, a Senate Rules hearing and work session, and the Senate floor on the last day of the session after a suspension of Senate rules. Gov. Kotek signed the bill March 20. We should be clear: Campaign finance reform is not finished in Oregon. The next E-board will be asked to allocate funding for the Secretary of State to draft administrative rules for the bill’s 2027 effective date. There will undoubtedly be adjustments attempted in the 2025 long legislative session. Rep. Fahey is forming a work group to consider changes. The contributions limits in HB 2024 are way too high, and the disclosure of donors and dark money that pay for advertising, needs more work. And we still need public funding of campaigns as in other states. Redistricting People Not Politicians announced that it is pausing the initiative signature campaign for IP 14 and will refile an initiative for the 2028 general election. The campaign did not have enough money to be successful by the July 5 deadline. However, the Oregon Court of Appeals decided March 27 in favor of PNP that IP 14 does not include two subjects; this will be important for future versions of the initiative; the case may yet be appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court. Other Governance Bills HB 4026 Enrolled, was passed to retroactively prohibit the use of a referendum on any urban growth boundary expansion. This was intended to block a referendum in the City of North Plains in Washington County. The LWVOR submitted written testimony opposing the bill and saying it is likely unconstitutional and may invite a lawsuit. However, a Washington County judge granted a temporary restraining order that allows the North Plains referendum, Measure 34-327, to remain on the ballot this May. Whether the referendum is defeated or not, then the whole matter will end up the courts again. HB 4031 Enrolled was amended in House Revenue to protect any local government tax payer information from disclosure. HB 4117 Enrolled, which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which is a correction to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed both legislative chambers immediately and unanimously. SB 1502 Enrolled requires public schools and college boards to live stream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. SB 1538 Enrolled is an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes. SB 1577 A , automatic voter registration for higher ed students through the Dept of Revenue, was amended to require the Legislative Policy and Research Director to study its viability, benefits and challenges. It was still in Joint W&Ms as the session ended. Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt SB 1571 Enrolled The Senate concurred with House amendments passing the bill on partisan lines. We look forward to pressing for attention to protect our elections and for other cybersecurity and privacy concerns. SB 1533 Enrolled increases the number of languages into which the secretary must translate voters' pamphlets. The Senate Memorial Commemoration for Alice Bartelt, SCR 203 Enrolled , passed unanimously in both houses and has been filed with the Secretary of State. RIP, Alice.

Pesticides and Other Biocides 2021 About the Study The LWVOR Board adopted a completed restudy of the Pesticides and Other Biocides position on January 19th, 2023. Pesticides and Other Biocides Position - Study Completed 2021 - Position Adopted 2023 ​ The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms that pesticides and other biocides should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems, and their use should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health, and that agriculture policies should promote farm practices that are environmentally sound and sustainable. LWVOR Supports: ​ • Initial pesticide and biocide testing for registration has proven insufficient for preventing harm. We recommend increased testing by governmental agencies and third parties. We must identify and weigh benefits that balance safety versus toxicity, protecting food security while safeguarding public health and the environment. • Decisions for testing should be based upon a timeframe between 5 to10 years, or as new scientific data dictates. Varying weather conditions can greatly influence pesticide drift, impacting nearby bodies of water, schools, and communities including agricultural workers. The registrant of the Pesticide or Biocide currently bears the burden of proof for safety however the current regimen of tests is insufficient. • When approving the use of a Pesticide or Biocide we must consider: Risk to humans, animals, the environment, economic harm, cost to business, impact on food security, and the spread of invasive species and disease. • Pesticide labels should be improved to include: Regulations restricting use, hazards of use, best practices of use to minimize harm. Labels should be clearly written and easy to see and understand in multiple languages and use graphics to clarify explanations. • Federal and state agencies bear the responsibility for pesticide policy, based on research by pesticide manufacturers. These government agencies should also contribute to pesticide research with support from other groups. • We support using adaptive pesticide management, focusing on continual observation of current regulatory practice outcomes. As scientific advances reveal environmental and health impacts, as well as impacts on food security, the system should include the ability to rapidly react to new risk assessment data. Pesticides and Other Biocides Pesticides and Other Biocides Study (PDF opens in new window, 73 pgs) Links Read the whole study here (PDF opens in new window, 73 pgs) Downloadable copy of the Pesticides and Other Biocides position Previous Next

Back to Legislative Report Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/13 Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Clean Energy Resilient Building Equity and Environmental Justice Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator The League has identified six priority CE policy and budget topics. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each priority. All these priority bills were likely to have work sessions scheduled by 3/17, the session First Chamber Policy Committee Deadline. Following are updates on those six topics: 1. Natural and Working Lands : SB 530 LWVOR Alert : Establishes Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities…: Natural Climate Solutions SB 530 . Public Hearing was 2/15/23 in SEN E&E . The League provided supportive testimony . Read Oregon Chapter American Planning Association testimony . Sen Dembrow and OGWC Chair MacDonald testified . Here are the meeting materials . The fiscal has not been posted. 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): LWVOR Alert : The League is an active RB coalition partner. BR campaign guiding principles . Informational Hearing was 3/14 , PH is 3/16 . Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . The fiscals have not yet been posted. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ): 2023 Leg bills. The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13 and SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907 , PH 3/16 . SB 907 League Testimony. See below for more details. 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , will change "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to "Oregon Climate Action Commission" and modify membership and duties of commission and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets/goals. League Testimony . PH was 2/21, highlights: Sen Dembrow’s “ OGWC Modernization Presentation “ and American Planning Association testimony. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ), requesting additional agency requests that were not included in the Governor’s budget. Other CE Bills - Supporting By Claudia Keith HB 2763 Creates a State public bank Task Force, Chief sponsors: Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters. The League provided testimony . Work Session was scheduled for March 9 w -1 amendment . Partisan 4-3 vote moves the bill to JWM . HB 2087 . Forest Products Harvest Tax League Testimony . See Keep Oregon Cool, Natural Working Lands. Other CE Bills – Following - May Support By Claudia Keith HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session 3/15 Clean Energy By Kathy Moyd HB 2530 -1 Directs State Department of Energy to, where appropriate, seek and apply for federal funds, and support other applications for federal funds, to be used to support development and deployment of renewable hydrogen and green electrolytic hydrogen. Directs department to provide education and increase awareness regarding renewable hydrogen and green electrolytic hydrogen. Defines "renewable hydrogen" and "green electrolytic hydrogen." Passed the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee with a 6 -3 bipartisan vote. HB 3196 Authorizes the Environmental Quality Commission to establish by rule fee to be paid by community climate investment entities (part of the Climate Protection Program). Establishes Community Climate Investment Oversight Account. The League provided verbal and written Testimony . HB 2534 -1 Requires the State Department of Energy to develop a comprehensive state energy strategy that identifies optimized pathways to achieving state's energy policy objectives. Requires department to engage with state agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes and stakeholders in developing state energy strategy. Permits the department to convene an advisory work group. Requires department to periodically update state energy strategy. Directs the department to produce a report regarding state energy strategy and submit a report to the Governor and appropriate interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than November 1, 2025. Passed the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee with a unanimous vote. Resilient Buildings By Arlene Sherrett We’re in the process of gathering support for the Resilient Buildings legislation hearings. Amended text was rolled out for SB 868-1 , 869-1 , and 870-1 (SB 871-1 still lags behind the others) this week and an informational hearing was held March 14, 2023. Members of the task force that worked on the foundation of the bill appeared to testify for it and other members attended in support. Committee members had questions about costs; one answer was that it is still unknown exactly how much federal money will be coming, but it is lots. Generally, support was expressed for passing the bills with one notable exception: Northwest Natural expressed some ongoing concerns with the bills but did not elaborate on what they were at the hearing. At this point nearly all written testimony supports the bills. Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report for more background. Information from the Oregon Conservation Network on each bill is available at the Building Resilience website . Access to the task force mailing list is through Nora Apter at noraa@oeconline.org . HB 3166, a whole-home energy savings program offering rebates for installing various electric energy high-efficiency devices and establishing a one stop for much needed information on incentives and technical assistance, was heard and is now waiting for referral to W&Ms. This bill dovetails with SB 869-1 (above). The only amendment was language declaring an emergency. HB 3056-3 extending funding for the heat pump grant and rebate program, was adopted by the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee. The Fiscal Impact Statement shows a cost of $20.8M to be spent in the 2023-25 biennium. HB 3152 - 2 relates to residential gas utility ratepayers’ responsibility to pay or not pay for gas utility line extensions. The bill seeks to make sure that PUC regulations align with greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements, do not delay timely implementation of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and mitigate energy burden and risks of stranded assets for residential utility customers. A panel of speakers presented arguments for and against and over 50 pieces of written testimony came in, with approximately two thirds opposing. Two Public Hearings 3/1 and 3/13 . CE Equity and Environmental Justice By Arlene Sherrett SB 852 was up for a work session in the Senate Energy and Environment 3/7 and moved to JW&M. The bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a program especially for EJ communities to provide assistance with energy projects and activities. Fiscal $315K. HB 3196 PH 3/8 includes special provisions for Environmental Justice Communities but may not be exclusively targeted to the needs of those communities. How to navigate the online legislative website: Start here: Citizen Engagement Home (oregonlegislature.gov) Just about everything you need to know is on this page: attend a virtual committee meeting, attend a meeting at the capitol, look up a bill, follow updates on bill progress or receive email news from a Legislator. And much more, with more topics to click on down the left-hand sid. Interstate 5 (I5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart and Arlene Sherrett Still in the analytical stages of the project. Stakeholders have been identified and engaged in the process of understanding the need to replace the bridge and options for what could responsibly replace it, as well as financial, environmental, cultural and community costs and risks of the project to ensure we get the best solution possible in bridge replacement. Washington state has committed to $1 billion for the project. The first appropriation is expected by July 2023. The remaining allocations to take place in progress appropriate amounts every two years until bridge completion. Oregon congressional and senate stakeholders are being lobbied to obtain their firm commitment to $1 billion. Draft Environmental Impact Statement to be released early this fall. It will have a 45–60-day comment period once that is released. Final environmental impact decision anticipated in 2024. Finance plan will be released in March and updated annually. Section 106 impacts (historical, cultural, archeological) are in process of being identified and stakeholders engaged. An online public open house is planned for April. The project team has held meetings to discuss the cost estimate, including scope, funding, and economic impacts. They are working with local and national equity leaders to create a framework for development of the tolling projects that result in benefits for communities that have traditionally been disproportionately negatively impacted by transportation decisions. The Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee (EMAC) has worked to help identify strategies to improve outcomes and access to travel choices for all demographics. They continue to explore equitable strategies used in other parts of the country, including reduced or free transponders, cash payment options for unbanked individuals, rebates or discounts for different income levels, and integrating benefits between travel modes, such as transit passes that accumulate toll credits. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. Recent Bank Failures May Indicate Problems with Going Concern Standards, Liquidity Risk Disclosure Rules| Reuters. “… Focus on Traditional Financials: In addition, Baumann had some criticisms that the SEC may be too focused on non-traditional disclosures, such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. “The SEC is very interested in new climate disclosures, but fundamental things like risks in the financial statements of a bank, and understanding those financial statements, maybe some of the fundamentals, and blocking and tackling, some of those things may have been ignored,” he said. “I’m not opposed to ESG; I’m just saying maybe there is excessive focus on climate related disclosures versus issues like bank liquidity and asset liability duration risk. ESG isn’t going to take down our country, but inadequate disclosure of banking liquidity risks may.”.…” SEC Chair Responds to Questions on Potential Lawsuit on Climate Disclosure , Fast Paced Rulemaking | Reuters. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . Green Bank's Public-Private Partnership Secures Carbon Credits for EV Charging Systems. The Economic Tides Just Turned for States | RMI. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First -Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard| OST. HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment: The League provided supportive testimony for Fossil Fuel (FF) Divestment: … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with Fossil Fuel energy investments. Chief Sponsors: Rep Pham K, Senator Golden, Rep Gamba. Bill Calls for Oregon to Divest From Fossil Fuels | Chief Investment Officer CIO.​ ESG Battlegrounds: How the States Are Shaping the Regulatory Landscape in the U.S. | Harvard Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 62 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Hawaii Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Big Island's Hu Honua Power Project - Honolulu Civil Beat. Older Swiss women take government to court over climate | Climate News | Al Jazeera Our Children’s Trust: March 15, 2023: Judge Denies 18 Republican Attorneys’ General Request to Intervene in Constitutional Climate Case Juliana v. United States . Oregon and PNW News Oregon eyes mandate for climate change lessons in schools | AP News. Oregon’s uncertain electric future - oregonlive. NW Natural in existential fight as Oregon eyes electrification - oregonlive.. What Oregon lawmakers propose to make buildings more energy-efficient | Northwest | ncwlife. U.S. Senate panel probes how crypto mining increases energy consumption – Oregon Capital Chronicle National & Global Here are the most and least disaster-prone states | The Hill. Alaska's Willow oil project is controversial. Here's why . | AP. Climate bright spot: Building sector decarbonization is well underway | The Hill. Opinion : What if climate change meant not doom — but abundance? By Rebecca Solnit | WP. Larry Fink (BlackRock Chairman and CEO) finds way to dodge ESG crosshairs | Reuters. Biden Wants Climate Change, Approves Willow Oil Drilling Project – Rolling Stone. FACT SHEET: President Biden’s Budget Lowers Energy Costs, Combats the Climate Crisis, and Advances Environmental Justice | The White House Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to Legislative Report Education Legislative Report - Week of 4/24 Education By Anne Nesse Governor Kotek’s SB 1045-2 sets a significant legal precedent for education in our state. The -2 amendment names certain “vulnerabilities of students” in education, for which all school districts need to comply with state law. This principle of equity in education has long been supported by the League of Women Voters. All last week House Education held an important informational hearing on the large Omnibus Workforce Training Education Bill, SB 283 A . Sen. Dembrow introduced and explained the 31 Sections, in a simplified version below. This Bill was the result of a number of workgroups that gathered online to address the crisis of recruitment, retention, working conditions, and compensation for all groups of teaching and staff in our public education system. The League participated in one of the groups, as did many of the professionals involved in the educational process. Sen. Dembrow reminded us that this problem was happening before the Pandemic and is happening nationally. He listed just a few of the major issues such as the high new teacher dropout rate, the difficulty of the jobs teachers do (considering more money is offered in other professions), increasing costs of living, the lack of diversity in employment, and a high degree of rural area staffing issues. Sen. Dembrow stressed that we are working on short and long term strategies with these problems. The following is a summary of the Bill in Sections: Section 1 calls for the need for increased workforce data, not just anecdotal. TSPC and UO will be working on this. Section 2 directly addresses the knowledge of why teachers leave the profession, with better exit surveys and an annual report. Section 3 calls for up to a 20% pay increase differential for teachers and classified employees working in Special Education 75% of the time. This measure was polled and classroom teachers supported this, but we don’t yet know the full cost. Sections 4-5 clarify rules so classified staff will always be compensated above minimum wage. This is currently not occurring, due to limiting staff hours in Special Education classes. Sections 6-8 grant that Special Education staff will be given the protection of no firing without a just cause. It addresses the fact that this is a physically demanding job. Sections 9-13 address the problem of inadequate substitute teacher positions, by respecting them as school district employees, giving them some access to training and PERS in 2023-24. Sections 14-15 address the fact that minimum salary levels are different in different districts, and the need for applying some kind of standard so that we maintain excellence throughout the educational system, as Washington State has done. Sections 16-17 study teaching as an apprenticeship model, with recommendations to be finished by 9/15/2024, as well as paying student teachers for their work. Sections 18-19 bring together a task force to study statewide salary guidelines in preference to local control. This also includes an educated task force for calculating our biennial educational budget (CSL) and collecting data on extra individual school district spending above that level. Section 20 includes “grow your own” programs study (a type of apprenticeship), that includes mentorship grants that help local candidates become teachers who have roots in communities, using student for success act dollars. Sections 21-22 create investment in public relations campaigns to promote interest in education careers, ideally matched by local funds and philanthropy. Sections 23-25 smooth the process of licensure after retiring, for teachers and classified staff to become substitute or part-time teachers. Sections 26-29 allow teachers to work full time and still receive PERS at retirement. This also protects ESD Superintendents from firing without just cause, as last year's SB 1521 did for elected School District Superintendents. Sections 30-31 remove excess background checks for differing educational jobs that are actually similar. Section 32 is the Emergency Clause to enact this legislation.

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/ About / Our History / Our History Our Mission We’re political but nonpartisan, with dedicated members in all 50 states and more than 700 communities. We advocate on behalf of the public interest instead of special interests. We arrive at our positions after in-depth study and every-member consensus. We have a well-earned 100-year-old reputation as a respected and influential participant in the political process. 1840-1870 Steps forward and back 1848 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton gathered 100 women’s rights advocates in Seneca Falls 1865 - 13thAmendment – Slavery abolished 1868 - 14thAmendment – Birthright citizenship 1869 - Susan B. Anthony founds the National American Women’s Suffrage Association 1870 - 15th Amendment –Right to vote ensured on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

/ Get Involved / Donate / Donate Support Our Work Your support goes directly to the League's work to protect and defend our democracy. Together we can ensure our elections are free, fair and accessible, we can reduce the influence of money in politics, and we can strive to protect the human rights of all members of our communities. Donate Today Let's Make A Change Here are some ways you can donate: By Mail The League of Women Voters of Oregon 1330 12th St SE Suite 200 Salem, OR 97302 Online Make a tax deductible donation‏. Click to Give Over the Phone It's easy to donate offline too. Tel: 503-581-5722

Back to Legislative Report Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Jump to a topic: Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Air Quality Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Board Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Land Use and Housing Reduce/Recycle Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. Bills in most committees must be scheduled for a work session by Feb. 12 and acted on by Feb. 19 th in the first chamber. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Lisa Charpolliz Hanson was confirmed by the Oregon Senate on Feb. 9 th as the permanent Dept. of Agriculture Director . Air Quality The 2022 Air Quality Monitoring Report is now available on Oregon DEQ’s website . Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch On Feb. 7 th , the House and Senate Revenue Committees heard the latest Revenue Forecast . The revenue from December was only up $76 million, but in closing the books for the 2021-23 session, an additional $446 million was returned to the General Fund unspent. There is about $1.656 billion total to be allocated. However, some legislators have shared that, because much of that money will need to be used for housing (the Governor asked for $600 million), Measure 110 costs (both behavior health and community safety), childcare ($78 million or more) and other priorities, there may be only $100 million for other legislator requests. Peter Wong of the Portland Tribune reports “Steiner said she wants to maintain the transfer of 1% of the budget’s ending balance to the state’s general reserve, known as the rainy-day fund, which is required by law. She also said an additional amount should be reserved for the full two-year cost of new programs started in this budget cycle.” “The economists have trimmed their outlook for revenue growth later this decade.” LC 305 was filed on Feb. 7 th as the beginning omnibus budget bill for 2024. (It will become a Senate Bill.) You will see items approved during the November and January Legislative Days in LC 305. Then there are state agency adjustments that have been requested. And monies to be saved in case of emergencies (such as our summer wildfire season) before the 2025 session and changing needs under the Oregon Health Authority and Dept. of Human Services. Currently there are concerns about revenue for that 2025-27 session so budget writers will want to keep money to cover those expected costs. Bonding capacity remains the same: $65.8 million in remaining general obligation bond capacity and $27.4 million in remaining lottery bond capacity for the 2023-25 biennium. See LC 308 and LC 309 that will be filled with bonding requests. These will be House bills and will show up in the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction at the end of session. Every policy bill that is sent to Ways and Means will be considered with the recognition of this limited revenue and if there will be “roll-up” costs for 2025-27 or are they one-time expenditures. Look for those bills to be considered in the Ways and Means Subcommittees ONLY when they have been approved by the Ways and Means Co-Chairs and Senate and House Leadership. As part of the 2025-27 costs, the average for PERS contributions is expected to go up from 18.6% to 19.7%, according to a Milliman projection at a PERS meeting on Feb. 2 nd . That is slightly better than the 1.7% increase estimated last fall when the cost to the 2025-27 budget was estimated at $13 billion additional employer contributions. The official rate will be announced Oct. 4 th . The agency budget process for 2025-27 is beginning. Look for presentations to agency Boards and Commissions soon. More quarterly revenue forecasts will be provided before the Governor presents her budget by Dec. 1 st . Personal income taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker?” calculator available on Revenue Online . To use the calculator, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023. Taxpayers may also hand-calculate the amount of their credit by multiplying their 2022 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2022 Form OR-40—by 44.28 percent. Your 2023 tax returns could be filed starting January 29. Here is a good video on property taxes in Oregon. Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible that there will be conversations on property tax reform 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. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch The League signed a letter in support of HB 4132 , Marine Reserves. The bill passed the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water on Feb. 8 th and was sent to Ways and Means. Currently there is a fiscal request of just under $900 million for this biennium. The League adopted our position on Marine Reserves after doing our Coastal study in 2012. This bill recognizes the first ten years of this program, creates more specific requirements on its management and on-going public engagement. Those who were concerned about this program have, for the most part, joined us in celebrating its success. Dr. Sarah Klain will be the Oregon Marine Reserves Program’s new human dimensions project leader. 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 any projects are approved. It is expected that the federal government may approve leasing parts of federal waters for offshore wind projects as early as this fall. A Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) letter provides more information. Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working with DSL to identify In Lieu lands (lands owed the State of Oregon on statehood that have not yet been allotted to Oregon). Click here to view the BLM Proposed Classification Decision , and a public notice that two forestland properties in Linn County that have been identified to meet the criteria for some of those In Lieu lands. Learn more and provide public comment through April 9, 2024. Drinking Water Advisory Committee By Sandra Bishop The Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) meeting was postponed to February 20 th . Agenda . Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch A Dept. of State Lands interim advisory group on the ESRF met on Jan. 18 and again on Feb. 7, Feb. meeting materials . 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 . The State Land Board will receive a report at their Feb. 13 th meeting . A recommendation with structural governance may be before the Land Board on April 9. If approved, look for appointments to the new ESRF Board at their June 11 th meeting. Forestry (ODF) The Oregon Dept. of Forestry is holding community conversations in February as they do strategic planning. The public is encouraged to participate. On Feb. 23 rd the Board of Forestry will have a special meeting on Post-Disturbance Harvest Rulemaking. Agenda . There are a number of bills this session around funding wildfire. For information on the various bills, see the Wildfire section of this report below. Land Use & Housing/Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) By Peggy Lynch The League has been engaged in discussions for months on the Governor’s land use/housing bill, SB 1537 . A -4 amendment has been filed that reflects many of the changes as a result of multiple work groups engaged in this important bill. This bill and others may see additional amendments and be worked in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development on Feb. 13. As part of the effort to provide infrastructure so housing can actually be built, the League supported HB 4134 with testimony . The bill that will have a Work Session on Feb. 13 th . The bill includes a list of infrastructure projects in small towns around Oregon to be funded with a promise of new housing, especially for middle income Oregonians. 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. The Department of Land Conservation and Development is recruiting committee members for rulemaking for Goal 9 and certain Economic Opportunities Analyses processes. Applications to serve on the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) must be submitted by midnight on February 13 th . See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. 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. There will be another public hearing on Feb. 13 in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment ONLY for those who had signed up last week and didn’t get to speak. Then a work session is also scheduled for that same day. There are a number of amendments listed on OLIS. We understand that the fiscal (cost) of administering the bill has been removed because the Dept. of Justice has an existing fund for enforcement that is adequately resourced to meet the need. Meeting materials for the fifth Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee have been posted on the Recycling 2024 website. The meeting will be held on Feb. 14 on Zoom. The next meetings are scheduled for March 14 th and April 3 rd . To attend please Register via Zoom . To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, view the rulemaking web page at: Recycling Updates 2024 . Water By Peggy Lynch The Oregon Water Resources Dept. is considering recommending changes to Oregon’s groundwater rules to the Water Resources Commission. This slide deck was presented at their last rules advisory committee meeting. A written public comment period will open from March 1 st through June 1 st . Regional meetings will be held April 4 th in Bend, April 18 in La Grande, May 16 in Central Point, and May 21 st in Salem, with the Salem meeting being available on the internet as well as in person. It is expected that the Oregon Water Resources Commission will consider and may adopt the new rules at their Sept. meeting. The League is watching this work closely as is LWV Deschutes County and looks forward to the Water Resources Commission's adoption of this first set of updated rules which can then lead to updated Critical Groundwater designations as the data determines is necessary. In the meantime, many Oregonians are experiencing dry household wells. Updates on the Lower Umatilla Groundwater Management Area (LUGWMA) and our fellow Oregonians who are suffering from dangerous nitrates in their domestic wells: OPB and the Oregon Capital Chronicle provided articles as we follow this serious public health issue. The Department of State Lands is creating a new statewide program (Abandoned and Derelict Vessels) to address hazardous vessels across Oregon. They want your feedback on the proposed program framework. Share your input by Friday, March 8th! See the proposed framework for the ADV program here (PDF). The League has supported the creation of this program and the funding needed to remove these hazardous vessels from Oregon’s waterways. OWRD anticipates releasing a draft of the updated Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) for public review and comment in March. An updated draft is then anticipated to be available for a second public comment opportunity in May. The Oregon Water Resources Commission will hear public testimony and consider the 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 hopes members will engage since we were actively engaged in the original legislation and in the first two IWRS documents. As a result of that work, our state water agencies have been funded to a greater degree than ever before. Quagga mussels, a serious invasive species that can raise havoc with water infrastructure, were discovered on a boat coming into Oregon from Lake Mead. Oregon needs to consider funding to address this invasive problem as Idaho is doing. Look for this issue to be addressed in 2025. It is a current license program at the Oregon State Marine Board with transfer of funds to the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife who use that money for an inspection program at Oregon’s borders that found those invasives. The League assisted in support of these programs. 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. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has signed drought declarations under ORS 536 for the counties of Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Deschutes, Wasco, Harney, Sherman, Lake, Jackson, Gilliam, Douglas, Lincoln, and Morrow counties. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The short session is underway, and things in the wildfire arena are, pardon me for this, heating up! Leading up to the short session was a meeting of the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC) on Jan. 19. Doug Grafe, the Governor’s Wildfire Director, started things off with an overview of the bills the Council will be tracking and working on with legislators. Much time was spent on two upcoming bills from Senator Golden. The first, SB 1511 , would create a Neighborhood Protection Cooperatives Grant Program, administered through the Dept. of the State Fire Marshal. It would also direct the Dept. of Business and Consumer Services to work with insurance companies to explore the possibility of “rewarding” communities that participate in these standardized risk reduction programs with more favorable rates for homeowners’ insurance. The League testified in support of this bill at a public hearing on Feb. 8 before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire. The second bill discussed at the WPAC meeting was Senator Golden’s funding bill, SB 1593 , which would repeal the current forest products harvest tax regime and impose a new version of the timber severance tax, which was repealed in the 1990s with devastating consequences for wildfire program funding. The new tax would apply to private lands with larger than 500 acres of timber and would provide funding to counties and to programs to protect homes, neighborhoods and water supplies from wildfire damage. This bill would be a referral to the voters. Two other funding bills were presented, and details of those can be found later in this report. There was also discussion of HB 4016 , which provides some technical fixes and tweaks to a prescribed fire liability program and establishes funds related to responding to wildfire smoke and home hardening. The League also monitored a public hearing on this bill on Feb. 5 before the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment. Closing out the WPAC meeting there was a presentation from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on “The 20-Year Strategy – The Future of Landscape Resiliency in Oregon” and highlights of past and ongoing work to address fuels on the landscape, especially around communities. There appears to be a growing focus on the needed strengthening of the partnership and coordination between federal and state agencies with regard to our wildfire crisis. This is evidenced by these same organizations giving similar, expanded presentations to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire on Feb. 6 th which was followed by the League. As previously mentioned, the League is following two other wildfire funding bills that have been introduced this session. The first, HB 4133 , chiefly sponsored by Reps. Marsh and Owens and Sens. Steiner and Findley, makes changes related to the forest products harvest tax, establishes a State Forestry Dept. Large Wildfire Fund, and makes changes related to forest protection districts. That bill’s original iteration had a $10 tax on each property in Oregon, but that provision has since been dropped. Finally, Rep. Paul Evans has introduced HJR 201 and HB 4075 . HB 4075 would set up a task force to develop a plan for the legislature to establish a statewide public safety funding authority in Oregon. The Authority would have taxing power of up to $0.25/$1,000 property tax value. The establishment of this body requires a constitutional amendment which would have to be referred to the voters in the next general election in Nov. 2024. HB 4075 only takes effect if HJR 201 is approved by the voters. This article outlines some of the pros and cons of each bill. Update: The League will be signing on to a budget request for additional monies to the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Dept. of Forestry to address Community Wildfire Protection and Landscape Resiliency. 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 Legislative Report Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 5/29 Jump to topic: Housing Criminal Justice Gun Safety Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan, Debbie Wallace, Penny York The continued Republican walkout has prevented 17 floor sessions from being held, with 150 bills waiting to be worked on by the Senate after significant effort and gaining bipartisan support. Unfortunately, due to the walkout, the Senate can recommend passage, but is unable to vote on key bills. It is unlikely that the bills will be voted on before the session ends. SB 892 A will amend housing statutes and laws of the Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Housing Stability Council to add federally recognized tribes as community development corporations to allow access, and to administer housing funds. The House held a third reading and the bill passed on May 25. SB 225 will address a problem with how private activity bond resources are used to fund low-income housing. The bill addresses a barrier, which would allow Oregon Housing and Community Services to move forward on affordable housing developments to avoid construction delays and cost increases. The House passed the bill on May 25. HB 2680 A would strengthen and clarify legislation passed in 2019 related to screening fees charged for rental applications. The bill requires the landlord to refund screening fees within 14 days if the apartment is filled before screening the applicant or if the application is withdrawn before the screening takes place. The Senate Committee on Housing and Development recommended a do pass on May 30. A second reading will be held May 31, and a third reading will be held on 6/1. HB 3151 would limit improvements landlords of manufactured home parks can require of tenants. It also will extend the sunset date on a landlord/tenant dispute resolution program. Senate Housing and Development recommended a do pass on May 30. A second reading will be held on May 31, and a third reading on 6/1. HB 3462 would ensure that individuals covered by federal, and state fair housing laws are eligible for emergency housing when an emergency declaration is made. This extends to people regardless of their immigration status. Senate Housing and Development recommended a do pass on May 30. A second reading will be held on May 31, and a third reading on 6/1. SB 611 B would modify the maximum annual residential rent increase for affected units to the lesser of 10%, or 7% plus the consumer price index one-year change. It applies the rent increase limit to units from which a tenant was evicted. The bill is awaiting a second reading by the Senate on 5/31 and a third reading on June 1. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Karen Nibler A May 31 press release issued by House and Senate Democrats announced a $4 Billion Public Safety and Accountability Budget Framework to emphasize strong support for Oregon’s crisis response network that includes the Oregon Department of Justice ($813 million), Oregon State Police ($611 million), Department of Corrections ($2.2 billion), Oregon Judicial Department ($750 million), Department of Public Safety and Safety Standards and Training ($83 million), and the State Fire Marshal ($73.9 million). Many of the framework’s details are contained in the following criminal justice bills passed by the J W&Ms in recent days. On May 26, W&Ms passed SB 344 to continue Justice Reinvestment programs, SB 1034 to allocate federal funding for at risk youth, HB 5012 to fund district attorney expenses, HB 5022 to fund the Governor’s Office administration, HB 5055 to fund the Criminal Justice Commission, SB 5513 relating to judicial conduct, SB 5514 on child support in the Department of Justice Budget, HB 5515 to fund the Bureau of Labor and Industries, HB 5535 to fund the Racing Commission, and HB 5541 to fund the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA). The latter bill drew the most comments and 3 nays by Sen. Hansell, Rep. Lewis, and Rep. Breese-Iverson. OYA has a high number of staff positions (990) and behavioral residential beds (328) funded. There was a reduction in the number of beds with a higher rate per bed noted. Most discussion focused on Behavioral Residential Services and mental health needs for youth. The agency has scheduled an upgrade of the Juvenile Justice Information System, which is used by County Juvenile staff and OYA staff. The Subcommittee on Public Safety approved several bills on May 30, which will soon be voted on in full W&Ms: HB 5017 funds the Department of Emergency Management, SB 900 A establishes the Organized Retail Theft Grant Program, HB 2320 A establishes the Juvenile Justice Policy Commission, and HB 2772 A defines terms related to domestic terrorism. On the May 31 docket for the full W&Ms are SB 5512 to fund the Judicial Department, HB 2225 to increase fees for court transcripts, HB 2316 A to expand the number of intoxicants included in the driving under the influence statute, and HB 2645 B to increase penalties for fentanyl possession. Gun Safety By Marge Easley The Republican walkout continues to stall the passage of gun safety bills HB 2005 and SB 348. However, we will be closely monitoring the five-day federal trial on Measure 114 that starts June 5 with U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut presiding. According to a May 30 th Oregonian article , The City of Portland recently submitted a court brief in support of the measure, particularly the ban on large capacity magazines, citing the city’s record number of 101 homicides and 1,306 shootings in 2022, on the heels of the 92 homicides and 1,315 shootings in 2021.