Please see Natural Resources Overview here.

Jump to a topic:

• Agriculture

• Budgets/Revenue

• Climate

• Coastal Issues

• Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)

• Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC)

• Forestry (ODF)

• Governance

• Land Use & Housing

• Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)

• Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. (OPRD)

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)

• Recycling

• Regional Solutions

• State Land Board

• Transportation

• Water

• Weather

• Wetlands

• Wildfire 

Intro 

It’s time! Information on the 2026 session is live!  Bills are posted and committee agendas are beginning to be posted. We encourage you to e-Subscribe to the bills you want to follow and the committees of interest.  That means you will receive email notices of the bills you select and the committees you choose to follow.  In a short session, it’s critical to know when the issues about which you want to follow are going to be heard/acted upon.  Below you will find bills that our volunteers found of interest. You will need to look on OLIS to find the Committee to which the bills have been assigned—to be assigned on opening day Feb. 2. We will review all bills for a linkage to League positions to determine if we will provide testimony for or against. 

Of course, we also await the Feb. 4^th Revenue Forecast.  The Full Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing from 5-8p on Feb. 3^rd.  Individual League members are encouraged to participate, but remember that only our League President can speak on behalf of the League.   

See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report and sections of other Legislative Reports.

AGRICULTURE

By Sandra U. Bishop

HB 4130: Relating to farm use. As introduced, this bill relates to prepared farm products. This measure would seem to allow a greatly expanded variety of products to be produced and sold on farmland under the guise of clarifying the meaning of preparing farm products and by-products. Proposed changes would tie preparation of farm products or by-products to a newly defined farm unit (all parcels used for farming whether owned or leased) and to where a majority of the preparation occurs. Preparing products or by-products is defined as “… means but is not limited to cleaning, treating, cutting, sorting and packaging.” There is also a proposed language change regarding biofuel processing that would seem to open farmland for increased biofuel production. The League has concerns linked to our positions on the importance of agricultural lands for agriculture.

HB 4153: Relating to farm stores. This bill as introduced would eliminate farm stands and allow up to 10,000 square foot farm stores in permanent buildings selling products created in an enlarged region including areas of adjacent states. This would include undefined retail items allowed to take up to 25% of store space, and beverages and processed food for immediate consumption. Proposed definitions of agri-tourism range from specific allowables such as crop mazes and play structures to vague descriptors such as “… other seasonal or holiday events.” The language would seem to grant permission for any type of event. As written the proposed changes would put a burden on counties to determine any additional standards for siting farm stores. The permissive language “…may adopt sitting standards for farm stores…” is likely to leadto insufficient regulation or public accountability especially in counties that are severely underfunded and cannot afford to spend excessive staff time determining standards in individual cases of proposed farm store developments.  The League has concerns linked to our positions on the importance of agricultural lands for agriculture.  Public Hearing Feb. 4.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) accepted public comments on proposed rules for the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA). In an article  by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, it was noted: In comments shared with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Board of Agriculture shortly before the new year, farm groups opposed to the rules told regulators they go too far, while others contended they don’t go far enough. 

The Oregon Health Authority since 2024 found that at least 634 domestic drinking water wells in the area contain unsafe levels of nitrate, some with nearly 10 times the federal limit for safe drinking water, and more than 420 show elevated levels that could lead to long-term health problems.

Update: Here’s the 2025 Annual Report on the LUBGWMA. The plan outlines the state’s key strategies to reduce groundwater nitrate concentrations to less than 7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in the area and protect public health in the immediate term. The report shares progress but also notes that it will take decades to reverse the damage done to the area’s groundwater supplies.  

BUDGETS/REVENUE

Peggy Lynch

As we await the Feb. 4^th Revenue Forecast, agencies were directed to reduce their spending as well as providing a list of potential cuts of up to 5% per agency per revenue source (General Fund, Lottery Fund, Other Funds) and to provide a list of any new programs that were approved since 2021—all due to reduced revenue forecasts, federal legislation and actions. Here are the meeting materials submitted to LFO by the 14 natural resource agencies. League members have been meeting with legislators to advocate for important programs.  We can support vacancy savings (not hiring for some authorized staffing or delaying hiring), but we want to maintain the position authority for this biennium.  We also recognize that losing trained staff is costly in the long term since many staff need 6-12 months to be fully trained, especially for processing permits. Working in the natural resource world which is less than 3% of the state’s budget, each cut reduces the ability for Oregon to protect our air, land and water. 

See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report for in depth information.  We encourage you to read ALL sections. 

CLIMATE

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

Christine Moffitt

SB 1525 will establish the Blue Economy Task Force to study and report on Oregon’s blue economy sectors, existing economic development plans and strategies, and opportunities to support the growth of sustainable blue economy businesses while maintaining the health of Oregon’s coastal ecosystems. The measure also authorizes the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create and maintain a nonprofit organization. 

HB 4097: Authorizes the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create and maintain a nonprofit organization. LWVOR can support this bill. Public Hearing is Feb. 2^nd. Work Session set for Feb. 4.

Public Access Rulemaking has begun to clarify how local governments will address protection of public access to Oregon beaches.@dlcd.oregon.gov with questions. More information is available at OregonOcean.Info/RockyHabitats. 

DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI)

The federal government approves Grassy Mt. Gold Mine according to OPB. The Grassy Mountain gold mine still needs multiple state permits before moving ahead. It would occupy nearly 470 acres of public land for the next decade, and then the site would undergo a four-year restoration period and 20 years of monitoring. If this project is approved, the City of Vale will see a temporary transformation as they seek housing and other services for workers. 

The latest on the Grassy Mt. Gold Mine Project per the Dept. of Environmental Quality’s Director's Report: Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project:  DEQ prepared four draft permits for the Grassy Mountain project, a proposed gold mine located in Malheur County approximately 22 miles south-southwest of Vale. Mining will be sub-surface, and gold will be extracted from the ore using a cyanide extraction process. DEQ permits regulate potential releases of contaminants to air, land, and water. DEQ has been working closely with the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and other state agencies to develop draft permits, following a consolidated permitting process that is unique to chemical process mining. DEQ is currently working with DOGAMI on draft permit conditions related to the protection of groundwater resources and solid waste management in response to preliminary comments from the applicant. 

DOGAMI is accepting public comments through February 6, 2026, as outlined in the public notice, including related documents.  The League has followed this project—the first chemical processing gold mine proposed for Oregon. A new streamlined permitting process has been used for this application.  OPB provided an article.

OPB also covered exploration of a lithium mine in Southeast Oregon. Here’s an article about the effects on sage grouse of these mining operations.   

DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC)

Sandra U. Bishop

The League has a standing seat on DWAC. 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 and are maintained by the Oregon DEQ’s Drinking Water Protection group and may be accessed via the DWS website.  

FORESTRY (ODF)

Josie Koehne

“Governor Kotek’s second executive order (EO 25-26 ) directs state agencies to coordinate and integrate climate-resilient strategies into existing state programs that work with the state’s natural and working lands,and waters. Those lands include state-owned forests, grasslands, rangelands, farmlands, wetlands and urban parts, and open outdoor spaces.” See the OEC Nov 25 2025 article:  “What Governor Kotek’s Executive Order Rollout Means for Oregon”.  The executive order did not provide funding however, which will be exceptionally limited this session due to Oregon’s revenue shortfall resulting from the federal HR 1 with major funding cuts, and caused by Oregon’s rolling connection to federal tax law. 

The new State Forester, recently appointed by the Governor, is Kacey KC from Nevada, who will begin in her new position on March 1st. More info from a story in Oregonlive. 

The following is a list of bills we will be watching and possibly commenting on:

• HB 4004:  Provides that additional taxes otherwise imposed upon disqualification of land from certain forestland special assessment programs may not be collected if the disqualification is due to the suspension of reforestation requirements as a result of insects or disease.

• HB 4105:  Directs the State Forester to determine the available state forestland, establish sustainable harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and manage available state forestland. Allows certain persons to seek a court order if the State Forester fails to establish sustainable harvest levels or manage available state forestland. LWVOR opposed a version of this bill in 2025 and will do so in 2026. 

• HB 4056: Appropriates moneys to the State Forestry Department to offset landowners’ costs of fire protection provided by the department. For the biennium ending June 30, 2027, out of the General Fund, the amount of $9,000,000, for the purpose of offsetting potential increases in landowner forest patrol assessments.

• SB 1590: Prohibits public bodies from assisting the federal government with privatization of certain federally owned lands.  

  
  

GOVERNANCE

By Peggy Lynch

The Natural Resources Team often follows bills related to permitting processes.  Among the bills we are following:

• HB 4019: Requires certain agencies to base approval or denial of an application for a new permit on the rules and standards that are applicable at the time that the agency determines the application is complete.

• HB 4020: Requires certain agencies to specify the authority justifying the denial of a permit application and provide the applicant a guide on how to contest the denial.

• HB 4084: Establishes the Joint Permitting Council. (Governor’s bill)  

  
  

SB 1586: Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act.

LAND USE & HOUSING

Peggy Lynch

Bills we are watching: 

•  tHB 4113: Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development to study housing development opportunities conditioned upon land conservation. Directs the department to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to land use no later than September 15, 2027.

• HB 4035: Expands eligibility for cities and Metro to amend their urban growth boundaries under temporary program. Authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to issue grants to implement the commission’s duties.

• HB 4082: Adds to a temporary UGB addition program an option for each city or Metro to also add to its urban growth boundary a site for manufactured dwelling parks, or for housing for older persons, that is affordable for households with incomes not more than 120 percent of area median income. Public Hearing Feb. 3.

• SB 1586: Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Revenue Legislative Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. 

• The 2025-27 Policy Agenda was approved by LCDC on Oct. 24.  There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone, including: Housing Rulemaking for HB 2138 and HB 2258 (2025) and Rulemaking to clarify and allow housing and other needed development outside of wetlands. The rulemaking would create an optional, alternative compliance pathway for wetlands resources when a city is preparing to annex lands from the urban growth boundary (UGB) to accommodate needed housing and economic development.  See their Rulemaking page for more info on all the rules work being done by this agency.  

  
  

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

OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW)

Melanie Moon

HB 4134 is a bipartisan bill that would increase the state tax from 1.5% to 2.75% for transient visitors to Oregon including camping, hotels and vacation rentals. This 1.25% increase has the potential to raise tens of millions of dollars urgently needed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect hundreds of imperiled species and the habitat that supports them. As an added benefit, this investment in wildlife and habitat would help protect clean drinking water and provide protection from drought and wildfires. LWVOR signed on to a letter in support. High Country News provides an article on this bill. Hearing Feb. 4. 

OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD)

Peggy Lynch

The League is working with others to address the fiscal crisis at OPRD. Oregonlive provides an article on ways they are nibbling around the edges. But OPRD is responsible not only for our wonderful state parks, but also historical sites. Many need infrastructure repairs. There is a conversation around getting some amount of bonding to help with this maintenance, but also setting up a Task Force to study new long term operational funding options. The League studied Oregon Parks in 1998: Oregon State Parks, Part 1 (PDF, 7 pgs)  Oregon State Parks, Part 2 (PDF, 9 pgs).

OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB)

The Oregon Environmental Restoration Council (OERC) held a virtual meeting on January 22. The agenda and meeting materials are available on OERC’s website.  The Interim Ways and Means Committee approved an Other Funds expenditure limitation increase of $35 million to be included in the 2026 budget reconciliation bill.

RECYCLING

HB 4144: Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries. Public Hearing Feb. 2. 

REGIONAL SOLUTIONS

The Regional Solutions Program: Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. If you know anyone who may benefit from these publications, please direct them to this signup page.  The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person.  Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings.  Public Comment is usually scheduled.  Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: 

Regional Solutions:   

• South Central (Klamath and Lake Counties) February 17th from 9:00am-11:00am

• Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) March 12th from 1:30-3:30pm

• Southern (Jackson and Josephine Counties) March 25th from 12:00-2:00pm

• South Valley/Mid-Coast (Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties) March 26th from 1:00-3:00pm

STATE LAND BOARD

Peggy Lynch

The State Land Board will meet Feb. 10. The agenda and meeting materials will be available soon. The League follows these meetings since the Governor, Secretary of State and State Treasurer comprise the Board membership. 

TRANSPORTATION (ODOT)

Update Jan. 21:  Referral vote on funding parts of  HB 3991(2025)  may be held May 19 instead of November per this press release from Legislative Leadership.  But a bill needs to be passed and signed by the Governor by Feb. 25 per the Oregon Secretary of State’s office per the Salem Reporter.  See details in the January 26 Legislative Report. One critic’s funding answer. 

The Statesman Journal reported: The Oregon Department of Transportation faces a budget gap of $242 million for the 2025-2027 budget cycle, ODOT leaders told staff Dec. 23.  "It’s a smaller gap, and while that’s good news, it’s still big enough to require service level cuts and future layoffs if we have to manage this on our own with existing revenue and within existing spending restrictions," ODOT director Kris Strickler and incoming interim director Lisa Sumption wrote in an email to staff .

A press release from ODOT on Jan. 14 reports:  Impacts of Funding Gap Isn’t Addressed. In the upcoming short session, legislators will be looking at a $297 million funding target to support ODOT’s operations beyond June 30, 2027. Without new resources for the current budget cycle, the agency estimates it would need to reduce its workforce by more than 1,000 positions, including eliminating570 vacant positions and laying off approximately 470 current employees.  

The House Transportation Committee shared their Committee LCs and the Senate Transportation Committee did the same for the 2026 session.  KATU reminded Oregonians of the need for road maintenance.    

WATER

Peggy Lynch

Bills of concern: HB 4006: Authorizes holders of certain Columbia River water rights to change the point of diversion or use the water right on land to which the right is not appurtenant, provided certain conditions are met.

HB 4049: Directs the Water Resources Commission to encourage and approve voluntary agreements between ground water users in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern to achieve reasonably stable ground water levels

League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor, a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has declared a drought in eight counties (map).  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.

WEATHER

Snow pack on Mt. Hood per this Jan. 22^nd Oregonlive article: As of Wednesday, the snow water equivalent at Mount Hood stood at 10 inches, which represents the third-lowest total for this point in a water year since 1980. Here is a statewide map as of Jan. 25^th from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. KOIN provides concerns about next week’s rain in this Jan. 27^th article.   

WETLANDS

Peggy Lynch

SB 1584: Directs the Department of State Lands, in consultation with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, to develop a salmon credit pilot program to encourage the voluntary restoration of salmonid habitat in the Coquille and Coos watershed basins. Establishes the Salmon Credit Trust Fund. Directs the Department of State Lands and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to consult with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to seek federal approval for a bank instrument and authorization of activities that occur in navigable waters of the United States. Becomes operative on the date that the federal authorization and bank instrument are approved. Provides that the Department of State Lands may not approve a salmon credit project on or after January 1 of the sixth year following federal approval. The League has opposed similar bills in the past, including SB 511 (2025).  We will again oppose. Public Hearing Feb. 3.  

The League was pleased to learn that LWVUS provided comments on the proposed changes to the Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) rules “Waters of the United States.” LWVUS believes that the changes would significantly impair water quality protections around the country and filed a comment letter.

We shared these comments with the Oregon state agency directors who provided comments to the EPA and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers on the proposed changes to the Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) rules. They were appreciative. 

WILDFIRE

Carolyn Mayers

Bills we are watching:

• SB 1540: Requires an insurer that uses a catastrophe model or wildfire risk model to provide the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services a description of each model, along with related information, and an explanation of how the insurer uses the model in underwriting decisions. Specifies elements that an insurer must include in each model and requires the insurer to give a premium discount or adjustment, or other incentive, to a policy holder that demonstrates having undertaken a property-specific mitigation action or that a community-level mitigation action occurred in proximity to the policy holder’s property. 

• SB 1551: Invalidates deed restrictions and planned community governing documents prohibiting the removal of non-fire-hardened building materials or installation of fire-hardened building materials on residential properties. Public Hearing Feb. 3.

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