Please see Natural Resources Overview here.

Jump to a topic:

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There were 3,467 bills introduced with 704 passed, including agency budget bills.  The League had volunteers covering a variety of areas, but never as many as there are issues being discussed!  The League did provide testimony on 147 bills. The Governor had until Aug. 8th to sign passed legislation, let them take effect without signing or vetoing.  The Governor provided this news release with her final decisions.  She vetoed a couple of bills and provided “signing letters” for 17 bills. 

Your natural resources volunteers addressed issues around agriculture, wildfire and water, as well as agency budgets.  We worked with our coalition partners at the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) on both policy and budget bills.  OCN provides legislators with a “Hot List” of bills OCN groups are following—supporting, opposing or having concerns.  A new group, the Oregon Ocean Alliance, provided a coordinated voice for ocean and coastal issues.  We are a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance, where the natural resources volunteers follow land use, infrastructure and environmental policies while our Social Policy volunteers follow other housing issues. The League determines our Priorities at the beginning of the session.  

The Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO) provided a 20-page review of Natural Resource legislation for 2025. Below are summaries of the work our volunteers have done this session.  But the work continues between sessions as we follow natural resource boards and commissions and follow rulemaking to implement the policies passed during session. You can find their meetings schedules on each agency’s website.  

The nonpartisan Legislative Revenue Office did a preliminary analysis and determined that Oregon could lose out on roughly $972 million in the two-year budget period that began in July based on various federal tax changes that will flow down to the state. Oregonlive provided a good article of explanation.  We now await the Aug. 27th Revenue Forecast from the State Economist who will also need to consider the effects of tariffs, proposed federal budget cuts and other federal actions as well as state economic news to provide on-going guidance for the legislature.  Look for the possibility of more special sessions in the future to rebalance the state budget.

AGRICULTURE

A lot of proposals were under discussion this session to make changes to, or simply ignore provisions of Oregon’s land use law. More than two dozen bills were introduced with the potential to change what activities are allowed or restricted on farm land in Oregon. No legislation passed this session to change existing uses allowed on high value farm and forest lands in the state. Early in session the League gave testimony in support of two bills and opposed one measure proposing such changes. By mid-March it seemed clear that no other agricultural land-related bills were likely to move this session.

SB 788  – proposed to exempt some eastern Oregon counties from existing land use laws governing the use of farm and forest lands for weddings and other events. The League submitted testimony in opposition.

SB 77  – to clarify what home based businesses are allowed on farm and forest land. The League presented testimony  in support.

SB 78  – a comprehensive proposal to specify a maximum size for replacement of a farm dwelling. The League submitted testimony in support.

All three of these bills died in the Senate Natural Resources & Wildfire Committee upon adjournment.

One result of the plethora of bills proposing changes in use of farm and forest land was encouragement from the governor for interested parties and organizations to identify issues related to businesses and activities allowed on farm land in conjunction with agricultural operations. This led to the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) undertaking Farm Stand Rulemaking to clarify existing administrative rules and potentially surface recommendations for legislative changes to farm and forest land use laws if needed. 

OAR 660-033-0130: Regarding farm stands in exclusive farm use (EFU) zones and agri-tourism

On July 25th at the request of Governor Tina Kotek the rulemaking process to clarify allowable uses associated with farm stands and related uses on agricultural lands zoned EFU  was “paused”. The carefully tailored rules process coordinated by DLCD apparently is no match for a social media campaign that resulted in more than 2,000 emails and phone calls flooding the governor’s office. Erroneous facts including statements that the rules on farm stand uses would go into effect on Sept 1st contributed to the frenzy and flurry of protests. Regardless of the public uproar, the purpose of the rulemaking is to clarify what types of activities are allowed under a farm stand permit in Oregon; to protect farmers and agricultural operations by making it clear when and if a use is allowed, whether or not a permit is needed, and, if so, what type of permit. This rulemaking would only apply to new farm stands and would not affect agritourism and other activities already allowed on farmland.    

This rulemaking process was initiated in March 2025. DLCD appointed a 20-member Farm Stand Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC). The charge of the RAC was to explore five areas or topics identified by a legislative agritourism work group formed after HB 3133, expansion of allowable sales and uses related to farmstands on EFU land, failed to move in the 2025 session of the Oregon legislature. (See the 2025 Farm Stand Rulemaking Fact Sheet) Lively, informative, in-depth discussion from a wide variety of perspectives took place at the RAC meetings covering:

1.     Primary Use Test (percentage of income from farm products),

2.     Promotional activities outside and inside farm stand structures,

3.     Activities that promote the sale of farm products, the farm operation itself, or agriculture (such as on-farm education),

4.     Prepared foods with a direct tie to the farm operation or the local agricultural region, and

5.     Impact on neighboring farms.  

The first of five anticipated RAC meetings was held on May 16th. Four subsequent 3-hour RAC meetings were held in June and July. One final meeting of the RAC was anticipated in August or early September. The online meetings were live-streamed and recorded and may be viewed on the DLCD Youtube channel.  The official public hearing on proposed rules was expected to be held at the September 25-26 Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) meeting. The public comment period for this rulemaking originally set to close on October 5th was extended to Nov 5th 2025 with the expectation that final rule adoption would take place at the December 4-5, 2025 LCDC meeting. It is now unclear what the rulemaking schedule will be since rulemaking has been suspended. 

 DLCD staff described this process as Phase 1 of the Farm Stand Rulemaking. After the conclusion of this rulemaking at the end of 2025, it was expected that DLCD would recommend a work plan for additional phases of Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) changes to address agritourism and other commercial events, use of soils reports, replacement dwellings and non-farm dwellings.

Contact Hilary Foote at hilary.foote@dlcd.oregon.gov​​ with any questions about the RAC or the larger project.  Rulemaking Webpage 

AIR QUALITY

The League signed on to a letter in opposition to HB 2642, a bill that seeks to divest the authority to administer vehicle emission testing away from the Department of Environmental Quality, to the private sector. The bill did not pass.

Bottle Bill

By Sandra U. Bishop

SB 992, the omnibus bill making changes in Oregon’s beverage container deposit and redemption system passed into law and has been signed by the Governor. The new changes will allow modifications in the operation of redemption centers and adjustments to the responsibilities of small and large retail stores to redeem containers. Any changes are expected to make it easier for frequent redeemers (those individuals who redeem containers on a daily or near daily basis) and give some relief to retail stores, especially in the inner-city area of Portland, through the use of Alternative Redemption Centers and implementation of a faster-turnaround accounting system for redeemed containers. Although most changes are applicable only to Portland, some provisions will permeate the bottle bill system statewide. Retailers will be allowed to limit the hours required to redeem: from 8am to 6pm if the business is operating during those hours. A winery may refuse to redeem containers of a type or brand they do not sell. A proposal to include wine bottles in the deposit and redemption system failed. A bill to increase use of reusable beverage containers also failed.

Stakeholders are expected to be brought together every three years or so to continue to make suggestions for improvements to the redemption system. As early as next year stakeholders may again review the operation of redemption centers including issues such as drug use and overdose deaths in proximity of redemption centers, land use and public notification issues.

 The League has always supported the bottle bill and continues to support the most appropriate, effective, and environmentally sound recycling and recovery of beverage container materials.  

There was a flurry of activity around HB 3940, a bill to fund wildfire issues, because it originally included a proposal to increase the bottle deposit to provide for that funding.  That provision was quickly removed from the bill.  (See below under Wildfire for more info on the bill.) 

BUDGETS/REVENUE

By Peggy Lynch

Here is the 2025-27 Legislatively Adopted Budget 3-page summary. In between legislative sessions, the Emergency Board (E-Board) can meet when called to expend monies provided to them (See HB 5006.) The Co-Chairs of the E-Board (Senate President and Speaker of the House) are designated to be able to call a meeting. They will continue to review federal actions.  Oregon will likely bring in fewer tax dollars, spend more money on administrative tasks and receive billions less in federal funding. Rep. Gomberg provided some concerning information about the potential loss of federal funding here in Oregon: Thrown into uncertainty was the Oregon Health Plan. State figures show 33.5% of Oregonians are on the state’s Medicaid program. About 14% of Oregon’s annual education budget comes from the federal government, amounting to more than $1 billion each year. And 17,500 preschool children are enrolled in Head Start.  A March 28th press release from Senate President Wagner shared more data on federal losses. Then from bloomberglaw.com: Included in the budget request is a $2.46 billion cut for the EPA’s clean and drinking water state revolving loan funds. The program “has been heavily earmarked by the Congress for projects that are ultimately not repaid into the program and bypass states’ interest and planning,” according to the request. This could mean a 17 percent cut to the clean water programs and a 12 percent cut to DEQ funding. Cuts to NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) will affect Oregon coastal communities per this article in Columbia Insight.  

Attorney General Dan Rayfield has added a federal litigation tracker to the “Federal Oversight” tab of his website. Check it out here.

Each long session the Governor provides a statewide biennial budget (GRB) with individual agency budget requests. Her budget was due by Dec. 1, 2024. For natural resource agency budgets, start on page 141 of the web document. The Governor proposes; the Legislature disposes.  It wasn’t long into the new U. S. President’s term when monies from the federal government were being cancelled, making Oregon legislators nervous regarding providing Oregonians important state services. The State Debt Policy Advisory Commission meets annually to provide advice on bonding capacity:  The State’s General Fund revenues are forecasted to provide for $8.9 billion of new General Fund debt capacity for the upcoming four biennia, with an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium and Lottery bonds were recommended at an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. The SDPA Commission will meet again before the February 2026 session.

The February 2025 forecast reduced the December forecast by $500 million. The Joint Committee On Ways and Means took action on March 14 on five bills to rebalance the 2023-25 budget. Then Oregon’s Joint Ways and Means Co-Chairs introduced their 2025-2027 Biennium Budget Framework on March 19th. The federal “Big Beautiful Bill” (HR 1) will cut money from Medicaid and SNAP.  Oregon legislators began worrying about how Oregon was going to continue to help Oregonians with healthcare and food insufficiency. 

The May 14 Forecast Summary noted that available resources were down $755.7 million. The muted outlook also affects non-General Fund revenues such as the Corporate Activity Tax, Lottery and Marijuana Taxes. Corporate Activity Tax revenues in 2025-27 have declined $44.4 million from the previous forecast. Lottery earnings are revised downward by $36.7 million due mostly to weaker-than-expected Video Lottery sales. Marijuana tax revenues are also adjusted modestly, down $7.6 million from Q1.  The slide presentation.  A personal "kicker" of $1,639.1 million is projected for 2025. Corporate tax revenue of $915.9 million is projected to be dedicated to K-12 education.  The final calculation will be announced in November 2025.  

Planning for 2026:  The co-chairs left unspent about 22% of general obligation bond capacity and 15% of lottery revenue bonds, which theoretically leaves some flexibility for lawmakers to make investments in next year’s short session.

Agency Budgets

The League’s Natural Resource Team provided testimony on many of the 14 natural resource agency budgets.  To learn more about their content, look for the LFO Recommendation posted for each budget. More info is listed below under each agency.

Following are the budget bills we watched in Natural Resources. Go to each bill’s “Overview” and select “Analysis” to find the Budget Report:

• Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Dept. of Agriculture Fees:  SB 5503. At the end of session, the request for an information technology project, OneODA, to modernize IT agencywide and migrate from Apple to Microsoft was also funded. Highlights of DEQ’s Legislatively Approved Budget include:

  • Restoration of Water Quality positions that would have been eliminated due to shortfalls of federal funds. These positions will now be funded through the General Fund.

  • Protection against cuts to currently filled General Fund positions.

  • Authorization of essential fee increases in the Air Contaminant Discharge, Greenhouse Gas Reporting, and Water Quality programs.

  • Creation of new positions, using existing funds, in the Cleaner Air Oregon, Materials Management, Water Quality Grants, and Fuel Tank Seismic Stability programs.

  • Establishment of an additional Environmental Law Specialist position for the Office of Compliance and Enforcement.

  • Creation of three additional positions for the Climate Protection Program, focused on developing new regulations to prevent emissions leakage from energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries.

• Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 and Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 Meeting Materials.  The good news is that the Oregon Climate Action Commission is being provided with one fulltime permanent staffer.

• Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife:  HB 5009 (LFO Recommendation).   

• HB 2977 would have increased the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) that is collected at lodging establishments, from 1.5% to 2.75% total. (See TAXES below.) The bill passed the House floor, but did not make it out of the Senate. A 1.25% increase in the TLT: Revenue Impact Statement   Provides the list of uses for the income: Fiscal Impact Statement.  Of interest was the conversation around future legislator actions that might change or add to the use of this new revenue.  We expect this bill to return in 2026 or 2027.   

• Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521. The Governor signed the budget bill but also shared a signing letter to clarify the distribution of the monies allocated to the Private Forest Accord and the link to the pending Habitat Conservation Plan. LFO Recommendation.  HB 2072 , Harvest Tax LFO Recommendation. HB 3940 increased the Harvest Tax and provided additional resources to the agency.  

• Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI): HB 5010 LFO Recommendation. Meeting materials  LWVOR testimony 

• LWVOR supported  SB 836, a bill that significantly increases permit fees for mining related activities. Here is the LFO Recommendation for SB 836. 

• Dept. of Land Conservation and Development:  SB 5528 LWVOR testimony. LFO Recommendation 

• Land Use Board of Appeals:  SB 5529  LWVOR testimony, that included: We are pleased that the Governor included this work as POP 500 in the LUBA budget. This budget request was one of the recommendations of the Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Committee that received almost unanimous approval. We hope this Committee will also approve. The Governor signed, but also sent a signing letter to Legislative Leadership since the budget did NOT include the money for the IT modernization so needed by this agency.  

• Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.:  HB 5026  Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony in part to address comments by the Legislative Fiscal Office. LFO Recommendation . The Legislative Fiscal Office notes: During the November 2024 meeting of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department provided an update outlining concerns for the long-term sustainability of OPRD’s operational funding. The Department asserted that the largest known challenge for the 2025-27 biennium is addressing the gap between projected operational revenues and anticipated expenditures. Throughout this biennium as well as the next, OPRD’s operational budget is dependent on an existing beginning balance. This means the current level of expenditures, given projected revenues, is unsustainable for the long-term. While the dedicated programs remain sustainable, operational expenditures are outpacing Lottery Funds and non-dedicated Other Funds revenues used to support agency.  The League will engage with these budget issues before the 2027 legislative session.

• Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 LWVOR testimony in support.  The agency asked for $10 million General Funds as, hopefully, final bridge financing to continue to stand up the Elliott State Research Forest, hire staff and work toward self-funding in the future. Also, $10 million in Common School Funds (CSF) was authorized to be transferred to the Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries for a Carbon Sequestration pilot with the intent that such a project will reap financial rewards to the CSF as well as help Oregon address climate change. LFO Recommendation

• Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 LWVOR testimony .  And the fee bills: support HB 2808 and support HB 2803 OWRD Budget Summary.  Although the Governor signed these bills, she provided a signing letter for both SB 5543 and HB 2803:

• Recognizing the resource constraints, however, I am directing the agency to work with my staff to prioritize its efforts in a manner that is achievable and most likely to advance the State's water management goals to meet in-stream and out-of-stream needs.

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039. LWVOR  testimony.   LFO Recommendation  See page 8 of this recent Director's Report for a copy of the Legislatively Adopted Budget (LAB). 

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 LFO Recommendation  Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.

• Dept. of Transportation:  SB 5541 LFO Recommendation The budget assumes passage of a transportation funding bill that generates sufficient revenue to support restoration of a majority of the ODOT’s Operations and Maintenance positions that would otherwise be eliminated due to the State Highway Fund revenue shortfall. HB 2025, the comprehensive Transportation ReInvestment Package (TRIP) did not pass so 483 ODOT positions and some programs were announced as cuts on July 7—with last work date of July 31.  With the special session on Aug. 29, the Governor asked that the last date be extended to Sept. 15 in case new funding is agreed to.  The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding in HB 2025.

• Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 LFO Recommendation Legislators provided testimony on their need for increased staffing and support for the departments mentioned above. Staff provided testimony on their need for fulltime employment and a work/life balance.  A number of staff are only hired for the legislative sessions.  The workload for our “citizen legislature” has increased tremendously—not only dealing with bills during session, but constituent services year-round.   Among the changes funded are increased security due to full opening of the Capitol building in 2026, replacement/upgrades of the OLIS and 3 new legislative analysis and research positions to reflect increased workload. There is also money to contract for a review of salaries and number of staff needed by legislators. Sen. McLane supported an amendment to increase staff that did not pass.  There was a discussion and assumption that having more information by the February session will help in any staffing increase change decisions.  

• Lottery Bonds: SB 5531: Lottery Revenue continues to be heavily dependent on video gaming, which is reliant on access to bars, restaurants and gaming facilities and showing signs of weakness vs expectations. Projected Lottery Revenue provides $2.25 billion of new Lottery Revenue debt capacity for the upcoming four Biennia, with an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium over the forecast period. The Staff Measure Summary provides a complete list of projects.  The amendment provides clarity on how the bonds should be spent.  The League supported two of the requests:  $160 million for preservation of rental housing and $25 million to preserve manufactured housing and $100 million Housing Infrastructure Fund in Section 14. There were over $2 billion in requests for a variety of projects around Oregon with only $442.7 million of net lottery bond proceeds authorized to be spent on 45 projects. 

• General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505: an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium.  Budget Report  SB 5505, with the -2 amendment, allocated bonding authority to the list of projects to be funded by these bonds.

• Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 is a bill that limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction. Budget Report.

• Senate Bill 5530 is a revenue allocation bill which directs funding levels for specific purposes as outlined in Oregon statute. The budget report, with more detailed information, can be found here. 

• Emergency Board: HB 5006, with the -1 amendment was populated with an amount for the Emergency Board to spend at will and amounts in Special Purpose Appropriations (SPAs) if needed when the legislature is not in session as well as a long list of other expenditures.  There were also a few Budget Notes directing agencies to report back to the legislature on the legislature’s directions related to spending and other actions directed by the legislature.  HB 5006 is the end-of-session (Christmas Tree) bill.  Budget Report 

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 LWV Coos County Volunteers & Peggy Lynch

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay received funds from several bills to support the proposed Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project. The project plans include deepening and widening the Federal navigation channel, construction of a container shipping terminal on the North Spit of Coos Bay, and the rehabilitation of the 130-mile class 3 rail line from Coos Bay to Eugene.

HB 5006, the end of session “Christmas tree” bill, included authorization to issue $100 million of general obligation bonds for the Coos Bay Channel Modification project. The accompanying SB 5505 outlined specific requirements to be met before bonds could be issued. Listed were completion of the environmental impact statement for the project and the issuance of the final record of decision through the National Environmental Policy Act. Additionally, it requires that the Port, or a private entity engaged in a public- private partnership with the port, to have received a US Department of Transportation Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan through the Build America Bureau for at least $1 billion, or to have secured equivalent levels of alternative funding through other federal grants or loans. HB 5006 also includes an additional $20 million in the Oregon Business Development Department budget for the port to support the federal navigation channel modification project. (This is the last of the funds that were authorized in 2007 to be deposited in the Coos Bay Channel Fund established by section 15, chapter 746, Oregon Laws 2007. Initially this money was for dredging but in 2024, HB 5201, revised language to the allowable use of lottery bond funds set in place by section 15, chapter 746, of Oregon Laws 2007. This change in language allows funds to be used for the design, engineering, permitting, and land acquisition efforts related to the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port.)

Finally, HB 5024  appropriated $5 million of general funds to the Oregon Business Development Department for the Coos Bay federal navigation modifications.

SB 5531 provided funds for port development and established a new Container Port

Improvement Fund for the purpose of providing grants for capital improvement projects to ensure that Oregon ports can continue to provide container service. $20 million of lottery bonds will be deposited in this fund for Portland’s Terminal 6 project and, potentially, other Ports along the Columbia River, with the stipulation that the Port of Portland has executed an agreement with an entity to operate the terminal. SB 5531 also authorizes the State Treasurer to issue lottery bonds, not to exceed $32.7 million, to fund Oregon’s share of the Columbia River channel deepening project. This includes a limit of $750,000 for the associated studies and ecosystem restoration projects.

Since the session, the electrical supply to the railroad swing bridge over the bay into North Bend was severed recently. When the bridge was inspected, the railroad inspector found significant other safety issues and has said it cannot reopen until it is upgraded to its “original operating condition. At the July port commission meeting the railroad supervisor estimated needing $5-10 million to make this happen. KVAL news story  The port has this on their web site. 

The port’s railroad operations are well over budget. They anticipated an average of 650 car loads/month for 2025 and are nowhere near that. The April 2025 year to date general fund shortfall for port operations is $452,000. The Port has $22 million in outstanding debt, with $1.4 million in debt payments anticipated for FY2025/26. The principal payment for the Terminal One property, (the old Georgia Pacific mill site in upper Coos Bay) is estimated at $530,000–$550,000 and has been deferred to FY 2026/27 per discussions with Business Oregon.

The port did not get funds in the past session for dredging the entrance to the Charleston boat basin which is in an unsafe state. SB 361 was slated to provide funds for many Oregon ports to use for dredging. It did not pass. The US Army Corps of Engineers will dredge their portion of the entrance channel (currently happening) but the port has requested a $350,000 loan from Business Oregon’s Port Revolving Fund to pay for dredging their portion of the channel. (The loan had not been finalized at the July port commission meeting).

The port is currently working on a new strategic business plan, required by the State. Business Oregon gave them $50,000 to do this. They contracted with a firm in Idaho, Points Consulting, who has been interviewing “key stake holders”. The fee for this work is $73,000. They are holding a noon “town hall” meeting on August 20. The Coos Bay League team requested a meeting and will meet with them on that morning. 

Neither HB 3580 eelgrass stabilization LWVOR signed letter of support nor HB 3587A Protection of Rocky Habitat LWVOR signed letter of support (fiscal impact statement) were funded this session. To help these bills get funded, LWVOR sent an Action Alert. 

The Governor has vetoed SB 1047, a bill that would have required Curry County and the Water Resources Department to expedite review of applications for use on specified lands. See veto letter here.

Oregon’s offshore wind energy areas are being pulled by the federal government per this article by OPB: “While the decision by BOEM to rescind the two Oregon Wind Energy Areas they identified last year takes the process for offshore wind development back a step, it does not preclude offshore wind indefinitely,” Although Wednesday’s action  (July 30) by the Trump administration means there are no federally designated areas where offshore wind development would be allowed, the roadmap is set to be completed by mid-2026.

The League signed on to a letter of support for HB 3963 , a bill that extends the timeline for the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development to provide a report on offshore wind conversations from 2025 to 2027. The League signed on to testimony  in support. DLCD has a website on this project. 

The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP), housed within the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), is hosting a series of virtual workshops  to engage communities in the development of management plans for eight newly designated rocky habitats. These plans, informed by coastal communities, will provide a framework to support activities within the designated sites. The sites are located near Cannon Beach, Tillamook, Depoe Bay, Bandon, and Port Orford. To learn more, go to the Rocky Habitat Meetings Page. In February at the Dept. of Land Development and Conservation budget hearing, we asked for funding for a staffer to continue to address rocky habitat, an element of the Territorial Sea Plan which the League has supported.

Ocean Policy Advisory Council Meeting, October 29: The OPAC will meet for a virtual meeting of the Council.  Meeting information will be made available via the Oregon Ocean Information website closer to the meeting date.  Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov

DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) 

By Peggy Lynch

SB 1154 was filed by the Governor to address potential groundwater/nitrate issues in Oregon.  This Oregon Capital Chronicle article helps explain the controversy. The bill does NOT deal with the Morrow/Umatilla Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWNA). This article shares the frustration with the weakness some see in the bill because of lack of clear enforcement mechanisms. The Governor announced signing of this bill and its importance to Oregonians, while also providing a signing letter to clarify the relationship between SB 1154 and the LUBGWMA. 

The League supported SB 830, a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. The bill has been signed by the Governor.

The League participated in rulemaking related to onsite septic issues.  Staff briefed the Environmental Quality Commission at their July 11 meeting: Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking.  Adoption is expected at their September meeting. See the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage for details.

The League served on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. The committee forwarded their recommendation for the allowed annual 3% fee increase to the DEQ Director, who approved the fee increase on July 22nd. You can view the rulemaking web page at: Water Quality Fees 2025. 

DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI)

By Joan Fryxell

The League provided testimony on the DOGAMI budget, including support for the Geologic Carbon Sequestration Pilot.  On Jan. 28th, the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment received a presentation on the proposed pilot project on Geologic Carbon Sequestration Potential in Oregon. Follow up materials were provided. The Dept. of State Lands budget (SB 5539) included up to $10 million to be transferred to DOGAMI to begin work on a project in NE Oregon on carbon sequestration.  The hope is that it will be on Common School Fund lands and will provide a return on investment over time.  

The League provided testimony in support of SB 836, a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities.  See the agency’s presentation to understand the reasons for these increases.   The Governor signed the bill into law.

The League continues to follow the Calico Resources proposed Grassy Mountain gold mine near Vale in Malheur County. The Trump Administration listed the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project.  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for part of the permitting.  Per an article by OPB: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Friday that the public can provide input on the project’s environmental impact statement on the agency’s website (click the green ‘Participate Now’ button) until Sept. 8.

DEPT. OF STATE LANDS

By Peggy Lynch

The Director of DSL published a proposed increase in permit fees for Removal/Fill program: “Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law helps protect wetlands and waters by requiring permits to remove or add materials in wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes, and other waters of the state.”  A League member served on the rulemaking advisory committee. The new fees may go into effect Jan. 1.

DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC)

By Sandra U. Bishop

The League has a standing seat on DWAC.  July 16 – Salem in-person & via Zoom; approx. 24 people attended.  New Member:  Craig Harper from the Network of Oregon Watershed Councils is now filling the Watershed Council position on the committee that has been vacant for some time.  He is from Medford and sits on the Rogue River Water Council.

Background:  Oregon Drinking Water Services (DWS) administers and enforces drinking water quality standards for public water systems in the state of Oregon. There are approximately 2,500 federally regulated Public Water Systems (PWS) in Oregon, and approximately 800 state regulated systems. PWSs in the state range in size from large municipal systems like Portland Water Bureau or Eugene Water & Electric Board to very small systems with 4 to 14 connections. The Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) is a statutory advisory committee of technical, industry and public interest members meeting quarterly with Oregon Health Authority DWS staff for reviews and updates on water quality and compliance issues, public access to timely information and other issues related to the safety of public water systems in Oregon.  

Points of discussion:  Changes at the federal level will result in less funding for water quality, including source water protection. State funding is expected to stay stable for the time being. Three to five years from now no one knows. Regulatory requirements are also changing. 

PFAS chemical monitoring is ongoing. Federal rules are expected to be finalized at the end of the year. It is expected that the 2027 date for initial monitoring of entry points to water distribution systems will be retained. PFAS detection is rare in Oregon water systems and is closely monitored.

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) are required to be sent to consumers in any PWS serving over 10,000 people. Changes need to be incorporated to adopt changes made to federal CCR requirements. A CCR is required to be sent to consumers twice a year for large systems. These are the reports on water quality and any violations or threats to drinking water that utilities send to customers.

Deep drawdowns of Lookout Point and Green Peter dams in 2023 and 2024 created water quality issues for PWSs. There are concerns with the extreme turbidity and potential disruption to PWS function. DWS staff reported that a process is underway to revise the halt criteria. DWS staff is making recommendations to the Corp. Deep drawdowns of reservoirs in the Willamette Valley hydro system are expected to continue for flood control and under court order since 2023 to improve fish passage of spring Chinook and winter steelhead. 

Interactive GIS Maps for water system and source water protection have been improved. These maps are available to the public as well as water system operators. One of the main purposes of the maps is to show Oregon Drinking Water Advisories (any advisory for risk to consumers). The interactive maps also show boundaries for Oregon Public Water Systems with automatic wildfire updates showing proximity of fire and evacuation areas. These exciting and useful new maps are maintained by the Oregon DEQ’s Drinking Water Protection group and may be accessed via the DWS website.

The next DWAC meeting will be in October 2025.

ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF)

SB 147 clarifies that the management of the ESRF is now in the hands of the Dept. of State Lands and sets up a separate fund account for monies received to manage the forest.  LFO budget recommendation  for SB 147. ESRF website 

On May 28, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a Record of Decision and the issuance of an Endangered Species Act incidental take permit for the HCP for the next 80 years.  

The Elliott State Research Forest Board of Directors met virtually July 9. Click here to download the meeting agenda and materials.  

EMERGENCY SERVICES

By Rebecca Gladstone

HB 2581: The League spoke and filed testimony in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer.  The bill has been signed by the Governor.

FORESTRY

By Josie Koehne

HB 3103 would have required the State Forester to manage and set harvest levels for cutting timber on state forestland at least every 10 years, after conducting a timber inventory. The State Forester would have required funding to carry out these duties. Testimony in opposition voiced concerns about anyone being able to sue ODF for failure to meet timber harvest levels and that timber harvest levels trumped all the other values state forests provide Oregonians. The bill died in Ways and Means.  The League provided testimony in opposition.  

Comments of Climate Change and Carbon Plan Implementation testimony on Jan.4, 2025

HB 2072 Harvest Tax Comments on Feb. 3 2025

HB 3489 Timber Severance Tax with Referral Request on April 21, 2025 

HB 3489-1 The timber tax bill we advocated for died in committee after a public hearing on April 24th, 2025

SB 1051 transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.

GOVERNANCE

HB 3569 , a bill that would require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee (RAC) for legislation they had a hand in passing was signed by the Governor; however she also issued a signing letter  that addressed some of the issues of concern to the League. The League provided testimony with our concerns and opposition to the bill.  

We provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692, a bill that would create complicated and cumbersome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures.  The bill did not pass.     

The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies.

See also the Governance section of this Legislative Report. 

LAND USE & HOUSING

By Peggy Lynch

On July 1, the new Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO) officially opened to assist local governments and developers to meet housing production goals, per this press release. “The office will bolster Oregon’s housing production by creating a more predictable regulatory environment for builders and supporting local governments in meeting their housing goals,” says Governor Kotek.  Their website.  

The Governor has announced signing of a number of housing bills, some of which are listed below: 

HB 2138, the Governor’s follow up on middle housing bill, has been signed by the Governor. LFO Recommendation  The League engaged on elements of this bill over the summer but chose to stay silent due to some of the provisions in the bill.  

HB 2258 is a bill that authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt rules requiring local governments to approve certain land use applications for residential developments using building plans preapproved by the Department of Consumer and Business Services.  LFO Recommendation 

HB 3013: Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. LWVOR supported  with -1 amendment. The bill did not pass.

Infrastructure

We also supported Business Oregon’s Infrastructure bill (Governor’s news release), HB 3031 A where we were hoping for  $100 million in the new Housing Infrastructure Project Fund. SB 5531 includes authorization for $10 million in lottery bond proceeds for deposit into the fund. HB 5006 includes $1.2 million Lottery Funds for program administration and $1 dollar in Other Funds expenditure limitation for expenditures from the fund, with a budget note directing the Oregon Business Development Dept. to report to the Ways and Means Committee during the February 2026 legislative session on program implementation and project recommendations.  

From Rep. Gomberg: In their annual infrastructure report, the American Society of Engineers (ASCE) details $10.1 billion in total drinking water needs, $8.2 billion in total wastewater needs, 28% of roads are in poor or fair condition, and 170 high-hazard dams.  (ASCE Report Card)

The League provided testimony in support of HB 3939, a bill that would have provided a list of infrastructure projects to fund for smaller Oregon cities so they can build more housing.

Although this bill did not pass, some of the projects listed were funded in HB 5006 or SB 5531. 

See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report.

OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW)

By Melanie Moon

The League provided comments to ODFW on their update of Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan.  

ODFW will incorporate public comments and submit a final draft SWAP to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for review and approval at their August 15 meeting in Salem.  These documents present updated information for all sections of Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan.  Website:  https://dfw.state.or.us/SWAP-Revision/ 

Although the Governor signed HB 3932, a bill that prohibits a person from taking a beaver on waters or watersheds that are classified in a certain manner or on public land that is within the watersheds or within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark of the waters. she provided a signing letter of concern related to the role of Oregon’s Boards and Commissions with a caution to the legislature about these disparate roles.  

OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT. (OPRD)

The League encourages you to participate in a survey  to provide input on the potential 2027 budget shortfall for this agency. The Central Oregon Daily provides this article. 

OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB) (Lucie La Bonte):  Director's Report for the July 22-23 OWEB meeting.  This information includes a report on the 2025-27 budget. 

RECYCLING

On Feb. 21, the Dept. of Environmental Quality announced approval of the Producer Responsibility Organization program plan and advanced the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act.  The Act was supported by the League which sees this as a major advancement to addressing plastic pollution in Oregon. Expanded options are coming July 1.

Here is a DEQ flyer to help consumers make recycling decisions 

Update:  The Act is being sued by wholesalers per this article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle. Look for additional information as the lawsuit moves forward.

REGIONAL SOLUTIONS

The Regional Solutions Program: Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. Regional Coordinators, who are embedded in their communities and represent the Governor in the field, work with Advisory Committees and Teams to ensure effective state government support to local partners and serve as a conduit between the Governor and local communities. If you know anyone who may benefit from these publications, please direct them to this signup page.  The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person.  Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings.  Public Comment is usually scheduled.  The League supported the 2014 legislation that formally adopted this program—first started as a Governor’s program many years before. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: 

• Central (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties) August 15, 12-2pm

• South-Valley/Mid-Coast (Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties) September 17, 1-3pm

• Southern (Jackson and Josephine Counties) September 17, 1-3pm

• South Coast (Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties) September 19, 1-3pm

• Northeast (Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties) September 23, 2-4pm

• Greater Eastern (Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler Counties)

September 25, 1-3pm

• Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) October 9, 1:30-3:30pm (Aug. 14th mtg. was cancelled.)

STATE LAND BOARD

By Peggy Lynch

The State Land Board appointed Kaitlin Lovell of Colton, Ore. as the Oregon Department of State Lands Director during a special 30-minute virtual meeting on  July 9th. Per this 

Oregon Capital Chronicle article: A scientist and lawyer, Lovell has led habitat protection and restoration efforts for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services since 2007. Her work includes oversight of environmental regulation, permitting, and land use. Recent focus has included developing a publicly owned and managed mitigation bank in Portland and establishing a financing strategy for critical environmental projects.

The Board will also consider appointing Deputy Director Bill Ryan as interim director and setting a bond amount for the position, as required by statute. Appointment confirmed by the Land Board.  The new Director is now traveling around the state to learn about issues for which the department has responsibility.  She traveled to Corvallis last week and will be at the coast next week. 

STATE LANDS/WATERWAYS

Comment Opportunity: Leases, Licenses, and Registrations on Oregon-owned Waterways: The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is seeking comments on proposed changes to administrative rules (OAR 141-082) to achieve sustainable operations in managing waterway authorizations for marinas, ports, docks, floating homes, and more, as well as implement best management practices to protect the health and safety of waterways. 

The comment period is open from July 1 - August 15, 2025 (closes at 5 p.m. Pacific).  Here is the  public notice with details of the changes.

TAXES

There were a number of bills considered related to the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT).  Current data. The Oregon Dept. of Revenue did a 2025 comprehensive report for the legislators.  Currently, at least 65% of the tax must be spent on tourism.  HB 3962 with the -2 amendment would have allowed (not required) local governments to use more of the income for infrastructure and public safety.  

Conservationists, with HB 2977 and amendments would add a % for conservation programs, anti-poaching efforts, the Wolf Compensation Fund and invasive species control.  That additional money would have gone to a special Fund at the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Neither bill passed but we expect to see them again in 2026 or 2027. 

TRANSPORTATION

The Governor has called a special session of the legislature to address funding shortfalls at the Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) and counties and cities (fund share is 50/30/20) Per this Oregonlive article. Because it raised taxes, HB 2025 needed a 3/5 majority to pass—18 of 30 Senators, 36 of 60 Representatives. Governor’s August 7 transportation funding proposal.

Two perspectives on ODOT funding from July 27 Oregonlive editorials: Rep. Christine Drazan and Rep. Susan McLain 

Since the proposed 2025 Transportation Plan did not pass, it is unclear if this political action committee “No Gas Hikes’ per this OPB article will also object to whatever might be passed in the special session. “Bills passed by Oregon lawmakers can be referred to voters if organizers collect enough valid signatures within 90 days of the Legislature adjourning. This year, a referendum would require at least 78,115 signatures, equal to 4% of the people who cast a ballot in the 2022 gubernatorial election.”

HB 2025 was the comprehensive Transportation ReInvestment Package (TRIP) assigned to the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding.  The Oregon Capital Chronicle provided a view of the fate of the bill.  The bill was sent back to committee where the A28 amendment was adopted.  The Statesman Journal provided an article.  The bill did not have the votes to pass so the Governor tried one last bill to at least try to provide money only to ODOT. (HB 2025 would have shared the revenue: 50% to ODOT, 30% to counties and 20% to cities for transportation expenses.)  It did not receive a favorable reception and the bill died.  The Governor then authorized a reduction of ODOT staff as of July 7, effective July 31. (ODOT currently has about 4,700 employees.)  To be clear, local governments may also be cutting transportation and transit staff due to the failure to pass a comprehensive bill. 

WATER

By Peggy Lynch

The League provided our first natural resources area testimony in support of HB 2168 on Jan. 22nd at the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee.  The bill requested $5 million for the on-site septic loan program, another $5 million for the Well Water Repair and Replacement Fund and monies to help the Oregon State Extension Service reach out to potential recipients. Although the bill died in Ways and Means, we did see $1 million added to the Well Fund in the end of session bill. SB 830, that the League also supported, allows for grants in the on-site septic program and extent the opportunities to low-income mobile home parks with failing septic systems. This bill has been signed by the Governor. 

HB 2803: Increases certain fees related to water. LWVOR supported.  The bill was amended and reduced the fee increase.  It was needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. (See the Governor’s signing letter on this and the WRD budget bill, SB 5543 above.)

LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427, a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. SB 1153, an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, had months of work group sessions among the various interests, but, in the end, the bill did not pass.  From the July 9th article  of the Capital Press, Governor Kotek is looking to continue to work on this issue:  Despite the failure of the bill getting done this session, we do need to stay on this topic. We have to manage our water differently. We have to identify ways to update our water rights transfer process,” she said during a recent roundtable interview.

HB 3106 is the Oregon Water Data Portal funding bill for which the League provided testimony in support. The pilot portal is accessible here. The bill did not pass, but the project continues. 

The League has been engaged for many years around the issue of exempt wells—their allowed water use and lack of measurement of that water, in particular those domestic wells that are allowed to use up to 5,000 gallons of water for personal use and can be used by three dwellings, so the usage can be up to 15,000 gallons! (The average city water user is under 100 gallons/day.)  The League provided testimony in support of HB 3372 to study this issue.  However, it turns out the bill was yet another of the water bills that were amended and was NOT a study bill. The amendment significantly changed the bill to allow 3,000 gallons of water to be used for commercial gardens. We asked that our testimony be removed from OLIS since it did not reflect the original bill.  We learned to wait until after a public hearing to understand the true purpose of water bills this session before providing testimony.  

HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted  testimony in support. The bill was amended multiple times and passed.  At least we have a beginning policy related to testing of domestic wells on rental properties.  The Senate Rules Committee adopted a B 11 amendment that addresses a conflict with SB 1154, a bill that updates Oregon groundwater regulations by strengthening and modernizing the state’s Groundwater Quality Protection Act .  The Governor announced signing of both these bills and their importance to Oregonians. 

HB 3526 would require well water test reporting in property sales. The League supported this concept in past sessions and did again this session but it did not pass.  

The Governor added “water” as her environmental priority this session as reported in this Oregon Capital Chronicle article.: “Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and her natural resources adviser Geoff Huntington consider water quality and availability a top priority this legislative session.” “Huntington said the governor’s office will back a package of bills that gives state agencies more statutory authority to manage water allocations and regulations in Oregon.

The Co-Chairs of the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water worked on a broad package of water-related bills.  There is a Water Caucus raising the awareness of the need to address Oregon’s water needs. 

Oregon's Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) provides a statewide inter-agency framework for better understanding and meeting Oregon's instream and out-of-stream water needs. Here is the IWRS website.

Groundwater issues continue to be a focus in Oregon as much of our surface water is already allocated.  This article by ProPublica shares the worldwide concerns regarding our over pumping of groundwater. 

As the federal government continues to “downsize”, we understand that EPA's Region 10 (located in Washington state, but also serving Oregon) staff is or will soon be down to 60 from 100 employees.

League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor, a map that is updated every Thursday. Over 56% of Oregon is in moderate drought (D1), nearly 23% is in severe drought (D2), a small portion of northeastern Oregon is in extreme drought (D3), and the rest of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.  Governor Kotek has declared a drought in Baker (Executive Order 25-12),  Lincoln (Executive Order 25-13) and Douglas, Morrow, and Union counties through Executive Order 25-18 (here).  Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon.

We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs). “When in doubt, stay out.”  Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab. The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. As the summer heats up, be aware of the signs of potentially deadly HABs to your pets as well as humans.

WEATHER

OregonLive reports  a weaker Polar Vortex and more extreme weather according to Extreme Weather Europe, a website that tracks weather patterns around the globe. A weaker polar vortex would mean more snowfall and cold winter days than with a stronger polar vortex. Here’s another long range climate prediction.  

WETLANDS

The League testified in opposition to SB 511,  a perennial salmon tax credit bill that would create a new program to allow private property owners to get a tax credit for salmon habitat on their property if allowed to be used by a developer to destroy wetlands in another area of Coos and Curry County. The bill did not pass.   

The League participated in a rulemaking on Removal-Fill Program Fees. Proposed rules may take effect Jan. 1, 2026.  

WILDFIRE

By Carolyn Mayers

The 2025 Long Session was like Groundhog Day for wildfire funding once again. In spite of much political wrangling and high hopes for meaningful progress, the session ended, yet again, with no long-term solution to the wildfire funding crisis. This, in spite of a Herculean effort by the Governor’s Wildfire Funding Workgroup, which offered 6 potential avenues to provide durable, equitable and feasible funding for this increasingly perilous situation. More about this Workgroup, which came to be known as the “Fire 35”, may be found here. In the face of what is predicted to be another extremely difficult wildfire season, it feels like a “Doomsday Clock” is ticking ever closer to midnight on our state when it comes to addressing wildfire.

HB 3940, the one wildfire funding bill that DID pass, ended up consisting of a tax on some oral nicotine products and using 20% of the interest on the Rainy Day Fund for wildfire mitigation, as well as other components per this article. This bill went through MANY iterations before Legislators landed on this idea. 

This article by OPB shares the limited funding from HB 3940:  there’s still no dedicated funding to fight large fires like the Cram Fire, which has burned nearly 100,000 acres in Central Oregon. 

For further details, see this report.   Additional funds were provided for various wildfire related assistance in the Christmas tree bill, HB 5006, including:  $24 million for ODF wildfire severity in a Special Purpose Appropriation (SPA) to be approved to spend by the Emergency Board on an as-needed basis. There was also $150 million in a SPA for natural disasters. Additionally, ODF received General Fund $20,019,831 as part of their agency budget (SB 5521).  The Oregon State Fire Marshal received General Fund $13,014 as part of their agency budget (SB 5538). 

Other bills passed:

• SB 1051, which transfers the power to appoint the State Forester to the Governor from the Board of Forestry. The introduction of this bill came after Cal Mukumoto, the former State Forester, resigned under mounting pressure at the beginning of the session.

• SB 85, another bright spot in the session, which directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program. Also, the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Department of the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the State Forestry Department and the insurance industry, will evaluate and develop recommendations for community-based wildfire risk mitigation to reduce wildfire risks and increase insurance affordability and availability.

• SB 83, which repeals the State Wildfire Hazard Map and accompanying statutes related to it. The back-and-forth saga of the ever-unpopular Wildfire Risk/Hazard map, is now over. It appears that immeasurable resources were wasted leading   toward this long, involved, failed effort that yielded exactly … seemingly nothing, except ill-will.

• SB 75, which removes the wildfire hazard map (since it was repealed) as a guide for allowing ADUs and requiring higher building codes in rural areas. 

• SB 454, which requires the Department of the State Fire Marshal to create an advisory committee to advise the department on funding options for rural fire protection districts (RFPDs), instructs the committee to develop funding recommendations based on the review and report to the Legislature by December 31, 2026. 

• HB 3349, which provides Rural Fire Protection Association and equipment funding.

• SB 494, which requires the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to study classification and compensation for forestry and wildland fire positions in state government. 

• SB 860, which allows the State Fire Marshal and an agency to take actions for fire protection and makes changes related to the Governor's Fire Service Policy Council.

• SB 861, which includes grant funds, reimbursements, and moneys received from judgements and settlements as funds in the State Fire Marshal Mobilization Fund. 

Did not pass:

HB 3984 A, regarding requiring certain public electric companies to pay any Federal taxes owed by recipients of settlements resulting from wildfires which were alleged to be caused by the utility. In addition, a study would be undertaken by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to determine what other steps could be taken by utilities to ensure the safety of customers. The -10 amendment was adopted, and the bill passed the House but did not have time to go through the Senate. HB 3666 would have required the PUC to establish standards for wildfire mitigation actions and an accompanying certification for electric utilities in an attempt to standardize their approach. It did not advance. 

As expected, with the movement of HB 3940 as mentioned above, the following bills did not advance:

• SB 1177 would have established the Oregon Wildfire Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and redirect the “kicker” to it, one- time, for financing wildfire related expenses, by using the interest earned. A 5% return would have yielded approximately $170-180 million per year, or just over half of the aforementioned projected ongoing costs to fund wildfire mitigation and suppression. (The Governor had expressed interest in using only the amount of kicker that would go to large income earners for wildfire costs.)  

• SJR 11 would have dedicated a fixed, to-be-determined percentage of net proceeds of the State Lottery to a wildfire fund created by the Legislature. Its passage would have meant an amendment to the Oregon Constitution, which would have to go to voters for approval. 

• HB 3489 would have imposed a severance tax on owners of timber harvested from public or private forestland, had a Public Hearing April 24 before House Revenue, where it remains. The League has supported a severance tax in past sessions and provided testimony at the hearing. 

An update on the devastation of the Rowena Fire in the Gorge near the Dalles: According to an early OSFM report, Wasco County lost 56 homes (mostly manufactured homes with some stick built), 91 outbuildings, 18 vehicles, and 11 RVs. There were further damaged structures. Wasco County Emergency Management estimates that up to 50 percent of lost homes were un/underinsured, citing difficulties in insuring manufactured  dwellings. At least two community water systems were impacted by the fire and at least one community septic system – in addition to many individual septic systems.

The Governor’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC) met July 18. 

This article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle shares potential changes in the U.S. Forest Service offices where the Portland-based office may close.  Oregonians have concerns about both the relocation and potential staffing cuts. 

Volunteers Needed 

What is your passion related to Natural Resources?  You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com. Training will be offered.

Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency, Revenue, Governance, and Social Policy report sections.