Please see Natural Resources Overview here.

Jump to a topic:

• Air Quality

• Agriculture

• Bottle Bill Update

• Budgets/Revenue

• Climate

• Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

• Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)

• Endangered Species Act

• Forestry (ODF)

• Governance

• Land Use & Housing

• Taxes

• Transportation

• Water

• Wetlands

• Wildfire 

AIR QUALITY

SB 726 A requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR supports. The bill has been referred to the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment where a work session is scheduled for May 20. Related to this bill is HB 3794, a bill that would create a Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley. The Coffin Butte landfill in Benton County has asked for an expansion.  That local application has been recommended for disapproval by staff and the community has come out in force against the expansion in part related to methane issues, odor and other concerns. Counties in the Valley are concerned about where this waste should go if Coffin Butte is no longer available. 

AGRICULTURE

By Sandra U. Bishop

SB 1129 A Requires Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) to amend rules on urban reserves. The bill deals with prioritizing lands to be added to urban reserves. The bill passed the Senate, had a public hearing and work session in House Committee on Housing & Homelessness and is headed to the House floor.

HB 3560 A Expands the areas where childcare centers are allowed to be sited. The nexus with farm and forest land is a provision in the bill to allow a county to impose reasonable conditions on establishing a family child care home in areas zoned for exclusive farm use, forest use, or mixed farm and forest use. The proposal would also move statutes governing the siting of childcare facilities to the chapter of Oregon Revised Statutes relating to comprehensive land use planning. The bill has passed the House and the Senate Committee on Early Childhood & Behavioral Health passed the bill to the Senate floor.

BOTTLE BILL UPDATE

By Sandra Bishop

The omnibus bottle bill SB 992 A, a conglomeration of several bills introduced this session to address problems with beverage container redemption in the Portland area, had a hearing in the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment on May 8th and is scheduled for a work session on May 13.  The bill has already passed the Senate and, with the blessing of the Governor and a major push from the NW Grocery Retail Association and Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC), the bill is expected to pass once it reaches the House floor.  During the hearing, committee members raised the issue of drug use and overdose deaths in proximity of redemption centers and questioned whether such issues were being addressed in relation to the bill. Industry lobbyists testifying in support of the bill said they are aware of these types of problems in certain areas and that stakeholders will continue to review the operation of redemption centers. 

One of the goals of legislative changes in the bill is to move more beverage container redemption to the bag redemption system. Implementation of a faster-turnaround accounting system for redeemed containers will facilitate that. The bill also provides for a more transparent process with public notification before the siting of new redemption centers. The expectation is that stakeholders will be brought together every three years or so to make suggestions for improvements to the redemption system. Any future changes will likely also affect redemption centers in smaller cities around the state such as Medford.

BUDGETS/REVENUE

By Peggy Lynch

We are all waiting for the May 14th Revenue Forecast from our State Economist Carl Riccadonna at the Office of Economic Analysis to be presented to the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue at 8 a.m.  The documents will not be released until they open the meeting, so, if you are watching ahead of time, you may need to “refresh” your computer connection in order to see the meeting materials.  The Economist will provide a verbal presentation with slides as well as providing a more complete in-depth report on his view of the world, the U.S. and Oregon’s economic outlook for 2025-27.  He will need to try to accurately forecast the revenue the state will receive by June of 2027 within 2% of the actual amount or yet another "kicker" will be available to Oregonians.  

Remember that the “kicker” is really money already paid in taxes, but, because the guess two years before wasn’t accurate, some of that money is returned to taxpayers in the form of a credit on their next taxes.  (There is currently a forecasted “kicker” of about $1.6 million from this current 2023-25 biennium.  That amount, based on the taxes you paid, will be calculated by Nov. 2025 to be a credit on your 2025 tax return.) There is still time for the current “kicker” to be used in whole or in part by the current legislature.  But the political climate is such that any action is likely to fail.  On the other hand, if the forecasted revenue for 2025-27 is less than forecasted as the state receives future quarterly forecasts, expect to see the potential for special sessions in order for Oregon to continue to have a balanced budget.  That will mean cuts to programs that may, by the end of this session, be budgeted for, but adjusted to meet the reality of the revenue expected to be received.  

Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources:  

• Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Meeting Materials Of critical importance is their request for a new IT system—ONE ODA--one of the many IT bonding requests this session.

• Dept. of Agriculture Fees:  SB 5503 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26.

• Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 Info mtg. and public hearing March 13. A Work Session was held for SB 5508 and the bill was sent to the Full Ways and Means Committee.  LFO Recommendation The total reduction to the Commission is about $1 million. 

• Dept. of Environmental Quality:  SB 5520. Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet  Meeting Materials. info mtgs. April 7-9, public hearing April 16. League testimony 

• Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 info hearing 2/10, Meeting Materials, public hearing 2/11. April 28:  Natural Resources Subcommittee info hearing on Department of Energy - Grid Resilience. Meeting materials 

• Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 info hearing 2/10, public hearing 2/11

• Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife:  HB 5009, public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2; Meeting Materials, Apr. 3 ODFW Hatchery Assessment;  See also the April 15 informational meeting on the Private Forest Accord and Aquatic and Invasive Species. See also below under TAXES for a report on a proposed new tax to help fund conservation programs.  

• Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521. info hearing March 10 & 11. Public hearing March 12. Meeting Materials;  See the April 15 informational meeting on the Private Forest Accord. (See the Forestry and Wildfire sections for more information.) 

• Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI): HB 5010 Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials  LWVOR testimony Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases.  LWVOR points out that KPM #4, mine inspections has consistently NOT met the small 20% target so, if staffing is needed to meet that target AND fees increased to pay for them, we will continue to support. LWVOR supports  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. On March 25 the bill was moved to Senate Rules without recommendation. A performance audit was prepared.  The League will continue to be involved in SB 836 because we need DOGAMI staff to do more than 14% inspections of mining operations. On 4/23 League did outreach to the Senate Rules Committee members with a history of LWVOR engagement with DOGAMI and explanation of our support for SB 836. 

• 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.  Separately, Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee heard grant requests May 6.  The $306k mine waste grant application was approved by the committee.  The $330k geologic mapping grant application focusing on Baker County gold mines was approved by the committee. 

• Dept. of Land Conservation and Development:  SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation;  Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony   

• Land Use Board of Appeals:  SB 5529 Public hearing Feb. 27 LWVOR testimony. SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase.  It has passed the Senate and is headed for a vote in the House.  

• Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB): HB 5021Public hearing Feb. 17 Meeting Materials.  Work Session held for HB 5021 along with HB 2558 A modifies the definition of "charter guide" for purposes of outfitter and guide laws and HB 2982 A, a bill that increases boating permit costs estimated to increase revenue to OSMB by about $1 million for the 2025-27 biennium, most of which will be used to address Aquatic and Invasive Species management in partnership with the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.  Here is the Legislative Fiscal Office recommendation for each of the three bills. The bills as recommended by LFO were passed to Full Ways and Means.   

• Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.:  HB 5026  info hearings March 3-4, public hearing March 5. Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony in part to address comments by the Legislative Fiscal Office.  

• Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Info hearing March 17. public hearing March 19. Meeting Materials. LWVOR testimony in support.  LFO 2025-27 budget recommendation.  LFO budget recommendation  for SB 147.  Both bills were passed by Full Ways and Means and will go to the Senate and then House chambers for approval.     

• Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet  Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget.  Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here. Info Mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 18-20.  Meeting Materials. LWVOR testimony .  And the fee bills: support HB 2808 (Bill moved to Ways and Means)  and support HB 2803 (The - 3 amendment was adopted, reducing the fees significantly which will cause the department a revenue shortfall should the amendment stand the scrutiny of Ways and Means where it now lies.)

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039. Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-27 LWVOR  testimony.   Meeting Materials 

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-26 

• Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024  Info mtgs. 3/12, 13 & 17.  Public Hring 3/18. Additional informational meetings:  Held April 7 and April 22.

• Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517  info hearing 4/7&8. Public hearing 4/09; 

• Office of the Governor: SB 5523 LFO meeting materials. April 28 Public hearing

• Oregon State Fire Marshal:  SB 5538 info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20.  

• Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT):  SB 5541 info hearing 3/03-6, public hearing 3/11. Here is an article from Oregonlive reporting on the potential 2025 transportation package with proposed revenue sources. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding. The Joint Committee on Transportation may begin having public hearings on elements of the 2025 transportation package starting the week of May 19th.  See below for more information on conflicting plans to address ODOT’s revenue needs.  

• Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 info hearings 3/03-5, public hearing 3/06.  Meeting Materials  

• 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 Info hearings 4/29-30.  Public hearing May 1st.  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.   

• Lottery Bonds: SB 5531: an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing May 9 @ 1p.  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. 

• Emergency Board: HB 5006 This bill will be populated with an amount for the Emergency Board to spend at will and amounts in Special Purpose Appropriations if needed when the legislature is not in session.  

• General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505: an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Public hearing held April 18.  Second public hearing, this time on university and community college requests, was held May 2.  

• Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) Public hearing held May 2.

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.

DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) 

By Peggy Lynch

SB 1154 was filed by the Governor to address the groundwater/nitrate issue in Morrow and Umatilla counties per this OPB article.  See also in the Water section for a presentation of interest.  The bill is sitting in Senate Rules while negotiations continue.

The League supports SB 830, a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. A public hearing was held April 17 in the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment. The League then shared with each committee member our testimony in support of HB 2168, a bill that would fund this grant and loan program. A work session on SB 830 is scheduled for May 13.

DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI)

DOGAMI requested permission to apply for a couple of federal grants and were given permission. One would look at old mines in Oregon and recognize that mine waste often has useful and extractable minerals that were not of interest at the time of the original mining (and much of the environmental impact has already occurred). See next week’s report for details. 

The Trump Administration has listed the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for part of the permitting and a “permitting timetable will be published for this project on or before May 16, 2025.”  The state has permits that need to be addressed as well. They have been working thru a consolidated permitting process the past few years.The League has been following this project and the permitting process.

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is threatening a critical underpinning of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) by proposing to remove the regulatory definition of "harm," an important term that is central to prohibiting activity that could impair the habitat of protected species under the ESA.

Since the ESA was signed into law on Dec. 28, 1973, ninety-nine percent of all species listed have been saved from extinction, including the humpback whale, grizzly bear, and perhaps most famously, the bald eagle. Species like the marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl famously altered the course of conservation in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, while near-threatened species like the snowy plover still struggle to survive in Oregon along the shores of saline Lake Abert, and on open areas of coastal shoreline in which vegetation is absent or sparse, like the Oregon Dunes.

Removing the "harm" definition from the ESA would drastically undermine the law's habitat conservation reach — and could lead to devastating effects for fish and wildlife.

The League of Women Voters of the U.S. "believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems.  Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability".  Members may wish to make Comments which are due May 19th.

FORESTRY (ODF)

By Josie Koehne

The Board of Forestry will hold a special meeting May 12 to discuss State Forester recruitment and selection of a recruitment search firm.  The League will continue to follow SB 1051, assigned to the Senate Rules Committee and which transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor. A public hearing was held March 24.  Because the bill is in Senate Rules, there is no current deadline for action on the bill.

The League provided testimony in support of HB 3489, a timber severance tax bill that would help fund ODF, provide funding for wildfires and monies that would go to counties where timber is harvested. A public hearing was held on April 24 where the League provided testimony for the -1 amendment proposed by the sponsor. The Legislative Revenue Office provided explanations of a variety of taxes on timber harvest before the hearing on HB 3489.   

See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section.

GOVERNANCE

On May 5th, HB 3569 , a bill that would require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee for legislation they had a hand in passing, had a Work Session.  Although the bill passed the Committee, League partners are filing a floor letter to encourage a No vote on the House floor.  The League may engage if the bill goes to the Senate.  

The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking.  After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws.  That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation.  But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies or facilitate an agency’s mission.  

Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies: This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review.   There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process is set for June with an invitation to the League to continue to participate.

We are concerned with HB 3382, since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials, would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites.  

Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules.  We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692, a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures.  

LAND USE & HOUSING

By Sandra U. Bishop/Peggy Lynch

Regional Solutions provided a webinar on April 30th around housing.  RSAC Housing Production Webinar Recording: Virtual Link Password: 6YJ+W8T! A slide show is also available.

The new Housing Affordability and Production Office (HAPO) has a website  with their proposed policies and procedures to be used when the office becomes live July 1. Interested parties are encouraged to provide feedback by email to  dlcd.hapo@dlcd.oregon.gov before the end of the business day on May 30. 

HB 2647 passed the House floor and was assigned to the Senate Housing and Development Committee where it had a public hearing on May 7 and is scheduled for a work session on May 14. 

HB 3921 is a similar bill in that it would allow by law land swaps for City of Roseburg/Douglas County per this preliminary staff analysis.  The bill passed the House, passed the Senate Committee on Housing and Development and is set to move to the Senate floor. 

The League provided testimony in support of HB 3939, a bill that provides a list of infrastructure projects to fund for smaller Oregon cities so they can build more housing. We have also supported  HB 3031 A (already sitting in Ways and Means) but know there might be limited dollars this session so called out that link in our letter.   The -1 amendment to HB 3939 was adopted and the bill moved to Ways and Means. 

HB 2316:  Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing.  HB 2316 -4 frees up approximately 3,500 acres of state land of which can now be used for housing production, all within the urban growth boundaries. It provides revenue to the state from the sale of the land, and it also provides revenue to our cities because the land becomes taxable for property taxes five years after purchase.  The bill was sent to Revenue where a public hearing is set for May 15.  If passed, it has a subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

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

TAXES

House Revenue held a public hearing on May 8th on a number of bills 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 allow local governments to use more of the income for infrastructure and public safety.  Conservationists, with HB 2977 (a -2 amendment has been filed), would add 1% (or 1.5%) for conservation programs.  That additional money would go to a special Fund at the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

TRANSPORTATION

The Oregon Transportation Commission met May 8.  Here is a PowerPoint of bills that ODOT is following. 

On April 30, Oregon House Republicans released their plan to provide funding for the Oregon Dept. of Transportation by reducing many programs. House Republicans note an error in their ODOT funding plan.  Legislators are awaiting a review of ODOT assigned to Republican Senator Bruce Starr.  Oregon Democratic Transportation Co-Chairs released their plan the first part of April, a plan that includes increased taxes and fees.  The Legislature has until the end of session to agree on a final plan that addresses the many varied transportation needs of Oregonians statewide.  The latest word is hearings on the transportation bills won’t start until the week of May 19th. 

WATER

By Peggy Lynch

Oregon's Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) provides a statewide inter-agency framework for better understanding and meeting Oregon's instream and out-of-stream water needs. Here is the IWRS website.  Oregon's Water Resources Commission adopted the first IWRS in 2012 and the second in 2017. A League member served on the Policy Advisory Group for each.  Oregon Revised Statute (536.220) was updated in 2023 to require that the IWRS is updated every 8 years.  Draft 2  is now available for Public Review and Comment. Please submit your written comments to WRD_DL_waterstrategy@water.oregon.gov on or before May 12, 2025. 

More concerns around federal funding 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 to the overall DEQ budget. 

The League has followed the issue in Morrow and Umatilla Counties related to contaminated drinking water wells.  On May 13, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire will receive a presentation on this important public health and safety issue. 

Bills we are following:  

• Water Right Process Improvements (HB 3342).  A - 4 amendment was adopted and the bill passed the House.  It has been assigned to the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire, had a public hearing on April 29 and a work session on May 6 where the A 8 amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to the Senate floor.   

• Harney Basin Groundwater Management (HB 3800). A work session was held and the bill was sent to House Rules without recommendation as to passage. 

Water Rights and Public Interest (HB 3501) A work session was held and the bill was referred to House Rules without recommendation as to passage on a 6 to 3 vote.

• HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing.  The League submitted  testimony in support. House Rules had a public hearing April 30.  A work session scheduled for May 12 has been cancelled.  A number of amendments have been offered.  The controversy seems to be around timelines for testing—how often—and what exactly gets tested.  The League hopes to see this bill move forward, even if there are constraints.  It would be a beginning and a recognition that water needs to be safe for everyone-homeowners and renters.

• HB 3364  makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept.  The bill passed both chambers and will be sent to the Governor to consider signing.

• LWV Deschutes County submitted a  letter in support of SB 427, a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. Possible work session was scheduled for April 8. SB 1153, an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office, may have more of a chance of passage.  It had a public hearing on March 25 with a work session April 8.  These bills were moved to Senate Rules without recommendation as to passage to allow for further conversation.

• SB 1154 was amended by the -1 amendment and sent to Senate Rules without recommendation as to passage in a 4 to 1 vote. An article in the Oregon Capital Chronicle explains the bill and its controversy.

League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor, a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. NW Oregon and down the Willamette Valley have slipped into “abnormally dry” category of drought and the latest long-term forecast is for a hot (90 deg) May and a hot (100 deg) June which may move more of Oregon into some drought category.  

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. As the weather gets warmer and more people and animals visit Oregon’s water bodies, it is important to watch for potentially deadly algal blooms.  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.

WETLANDS

The League participated in a rulemaking on Removal-Fill Program Fees earlier this year.  After review by the Dept. of Justice and comments received, adjustments to the proposed rules were shared on May 1st.  The Dept. of State Lands will be hosting a second comment period from May 1 – 31, as well as two public hearings online.  Please find a PDF copy of the notice on the DSL website here.

A new Rulemaking Advisory Committee has been formed related to Permitting and Mitigation in Oregon's Wetlands and Waters.

WILDFIRE

By Carolyn Mayers

Another very difficult wildfire season looks to be on tap for 2025. It is expected, currently, that conditions will deteriorate to the point that all of Oregon will be at high risk for large wildfires by August 1, with the Eastside reaching that state by July 1. Coupled with a slowdown in getting staffing in place due to the current federal funding landscape, the season is likely to be extremely challenging not only for Oregon but the entire Northwestern United States. This, of course, affects how much assistance the State will receive during large conflagrations if all of our neighbors are struggling with the same challenges. Also, northwest Oregon appears to be at higher risk than usual this season and is generally less prepared than other regions. All this in the face of many stalled wildfire funding bills. This OPB article lays out some of the difficulties the region will face. This Oregon Capital Chronicle article reports the latest concerns by the Governor and others.

The House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans held a Work Session on May 6 and voted to send SB 860A  to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. This bill would allow the State Fire Marshal and an agency to take actions for fire protection and it  makes changes related to the Governor's Fire Service Policy Council. The committee also held a Work Session on SB 861, a measure which would include grant funds, reimbursements, and moneys received from judgements and settlements as funds in the State Fire Marshal Mobilization Fund. It requires that the Department of the State Fire Marshal submit a report to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on the amounts in the fund and expenditures from the fund on or before March 31 of each odd numbered year. It was also sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

A Work Session has been scheduled for SB 85A in the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment on May 15. This bill directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program to help communities collectively reduce their wildfire risk.  SB 75 A, as amended, simply removes the wildfire hazard map as a guide for allowing ADUs and requiring higher building codes in rural areas will also have a work session on May 15.

Also, SB 83, which would repeal the State Wildfire Hazard Map and accompanying statues related to it, is scheduled for a Work Session before the same Committee on May 20.

This article from the Oregon Capital Chronicle describes a potentially game changing agreement which has been reached between the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal and a non-profit to try and address rising insurance costs in the face of increasing wildfire risk by offering a defensible space certification process called Wildfire Prepared. 

The Omnibus wildfire funding bill, HB 3940A, had a robust Public Hearing before the House Committee on Revenue on May 1. Legislative Revenue staff provided a table to help understand the various elements of the bill.  All eyes were on this hearing as wildfire season approaches and funding is shrouded in uncertainty. Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office has   stated the minimum annual need for wildfire funding to address the growing wildfire crisis is around $280 million. It is quite unclear at present which of the several funding mechanisms in this bill, that were generated by the Wildfire Funding Workgroup, will move forward. Drawing the most attention in opposition was the provision to increase the bottle deposit.  The other main issue was the need for rural fire district associations to find relief from the assessments they are expected to pay, especially for those in Eastern Oregon.

Also in wildfire funding news, SB 1177 is still before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. It had a public hearing on April 7. This bill would establish 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 yield approximately $170-180 million per year, or just over half of the aforementioned projected ongoing costs to fund wildfire mitigation and suppression. SJR 11 also remains before the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue after its April 7 public hearing. It would dedicate a fixed, to-be-determined percentage of net proceeds of the State Lottery to a wildfire fund created by the Legislature. Its passage would mean an amendment to the Oregon Constitution, which would have to go to the voters for approval. Finally, HB 3489, which imposes a severance tax on owners of timber harvested from public or private forestland, had a Public Hearing April 24 before the House Committee on Revenue. The League has supported a severance tax in past sessions and provided testimony at the hearing.  

See Forestry, above.

The League is also still following other non-funding related bills, such as SB 926, which would prohibit the recovery of certain costs and expenses from customers that an electric company incurs as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting from the negligence or fault on the part of the electric company. It was passed by the Senate and is scheduled for a public hearing on May 12 with a possible work session also on May 12—or May 20 in the House Committee on Judiciary. SB 1051, which transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, remains in the Senate Rules Committee.  

HB 3666 remains in the Rules Committee. This bill would establish wildfire mitigation actions and an accompanying certification for electric utilities in an attempt to standardize their approach.

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.