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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.  HB 3794 is sitting in Ways and Means.

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 work session in the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment and is headed to the House Floor.  If passed, it will go to the Governor for her signature.

BUDGETS/REVENUE

By Peggy Lynch

With $756 million LESS General Fund revenue for state services in 2025-27 and $34 million LESS Lottery Fund revenue, our Natural Resource agencies will be hard hit unless the requested various fee increases in these agencies are approved.  

Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources.  We expect these agency budgets to move quickly now that the Co-Chairs know the revenue they have to spend:  

• 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 LFO Recommendation The bill passed Ways and Means and is headed to the Senate and then House chambers for a final vote and on to the Governor for her signature.

• 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.  The budget bill will have a work session on May 19.

• Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 info hearing 2/10, Meeting Materials, public hearing 2/11. Both SB 5518 and SB 5519 will have work sessions on May 20.  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. 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.  It had a hearing in House Revenue on May 8.

• 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. The League will continue to be involved in SB 836 because we need DOGAMI staff to do more than 14% inspections of mining operations. A public hearing is set for May 19 and the League will provide verbal testimony. We are looking to see a proposed amendment and are concerned that it will not fund the mine inspections we had hoped.

• The Dept. of State Lands budget (SB 5539) passed Full Ways and Means, the Senate chamber and now awaits a vote in the House chamber. Budget Report. LWVOR testimony in support.   

• 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. The bill had a work session and passed Full Ways and Means on May 16.  SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase. It has passed the legislature.  The budget assumed passage of the bill and included the income in the approved budget.  

• Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB): HB 5021 and 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 (AIS) management in partnership with the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife were considered together.  Here is the Legislative Fiscal Office recommendation for each of the three bills. The bills as recommended passed Full Ways and Means on May 16 and now go to the chamber floors. However, during the Ways and Means hearing, some members expressed concern with the increases in HB 2982 A and suggested that, if AIS is a statewide issue, it should be funded with General Funds and not “on the back of boaters, kayakers, etc.” LWVOR supported the original bill that created this AIS funding a number of years ago.  The funds are passed to the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to have boat check stations at major highways coming into Oregon and for enforcement by ODFW state police. Although there are a number of invasives, this work focuses on very damaging quagga and zebra muscles—that can clog irrigation canals and water distribution lines.   

• 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 LWVOR testimony in support.  LFO 2025-27 budget recommendation.  LFO budget recommendation  for SB 147.  Both bills passed the Senate and now go to the House chamber 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 Hearing 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. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding. The Joint Committee on Transportation will end its work on May 23rd but a new committee (Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment) will take over in hopes of coming to an agreement on a comprehensive package before the end of session. 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.  

• Lottery Bonds: SB 5531: an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing May 9 and May 16 @ 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. There are over $2 billion in requests for a variety of projects around Oregon! The new Revenue Forecast might reduce the lottery bonding amount available by $50 million.  

• 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.

COASTAL ISSUES

The League supports HB 3580 eelgrass stabilization LWVOR signed letter of support and HB 3587A Protection of Rocky Habitat LWVOR signed letter of support (fiscal impact statement).  To help these bills get funded, consider LWVOR’s Action Alert.

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 conversions from 2025 to 2027. The current federal administration is not supportive of offshore wind so there is less urgency to get policies right from Oregon’s perspective. And the bill provides more time for our coastal communities to discuss this important issue. 

The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) is currently developing its 2026-2030 Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy. Draft Strategy The OCMP has selected to focus on wetlands, coastal hazards, and ocean resources in this 2026-2030 planning horizon. See the Draft Assessment and Strategy and submit your feedback during the comment period of May 12 - June 12, 2025. The draft 2026-2030 Program Enhancement Assessment and Strategy can be found on our Public Comment webpage. Please provide comments on or before June 12. Send comments:  E-mail Comments: coastal.policy@dlcd.oregon.gov   Written Comments: OCMP-DLCD, 635 Capitol St. NE, Suite 150, Salem, OR 97301-2540.  

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. The bill is awaiting a vote on the House floor. Then on to the Governor.

DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI)

By Joan Fryxell

DOGAMI requested permission to apply for a couple of federal grants and was given permission. The proposal submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative Geologic Mapping program requests funds to generate detailed geologic maps for two 7.5 minute quadrangles, along with 200 geochemical analyses to be conducted at the USGS labs. This area is an established mining district, with a range of mostly metallic ores that have been mined, making it a suitable target for the detailed mapping and geochemistry proposed. The geologic maps produced will become part of the available mapping for the geologic community moving forward.  

The proposal submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements requests funds to 1. Inventory mine waste sites in the Blue Mountains in NE Oregon, and 2. Map and describe the mine waste in the Nickel Mountain area in SW Oregon. 

Mine waste generally is produced once the primary ore has been extracted, with little to no attention paid to what other economic minerals might be present.Thus, they represent a prime exploration and production target, as they are frequently enriched in a range of minerals that can be profitably extracted, some of which are considered critical minerals. In addition, these materials are already mined, ground up to a range of fine grain sizes, and are piled at the surface, which makes processing them cheaper and quicker than pursuing new ore bodies.  Bodies of mine waste are currently being re-processed to extract other minerals in many mining areas.

GOVERNANCE

A number of bills related to agency rulemaking and the role of the legislature, many of which are listed below, are getting work sessions.The League and others have concerns about many of these bills. The legislature’s job is to set policy.  The agencies are responsible for implementing that policy.That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies or facilitate an agency’s mission. Blurring those lines is problematic.

HB 3569, a bill that would require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee for legislation they had a hand in passing, passed the House and now goes to Senate Rules.  

The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking (SB 437, SB 1006, SB 370, SB 483) and SB 411, SB 895 also in Senate Rules and HB 2454 in House Rules.

Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies:

This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process is set for June with an invitation to the League to continue to participate.

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

Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules.  We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692, a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. Sadly, a work session is scheduled for May 28 in House Rules.

LAND USE & HOUSING

By Sandra U. Bishop/Peggy Lynch

HB 2647 passed the House floor and was assigned to the Senate Housing and Development Committee where it passed the committee with the A 5 amendment and now goes to the Senate floor. 

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 awaiting a vote on 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 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 eligible for property taxes five years after purchase. The bill was sent to Revenue where a public hearing was held on May 15.  If it passes Revenue, it has a subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

The new Housing Affordability and Production Office (HAPO) has a website listing their proposed policies and procedures to be used when the office becomes live on 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. 

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

TRANSPORTATION

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. We understand that there is a bipartisan group of legislators working to find a solution to fund needed transportation services. And a new Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment has been formed to bring the package home.

WATER

By Peggy Lynch

The Jt. Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education held a hearing on two items of interest related to water: The Oregon Dept. of Education has presented a grant application to address lead remediation in schools and childcare facilities. The Committee approved the request—to be sent to Full Ways and Means. Next, they heard a report on the Equitable Water Access Investment made in 2023. Their slide show shared the projects that received the $500,000 from the current General Funds.     

The League has followed the issue in Morrow and Umatilla Counties related to contaminating drinking water wells. On May 13, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire received a presentation on this important public health and safety issue. See the meeting materials posted for this meeting. And you can listen to the entire meeting here. SB 1154 was amended by the -1 amendment and sent to Senate Rules without recommendation as to passage in a 4 to 1 vote. The Governor and others are working to find a way to address the groundwater issue without setting back the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA) work.

Bills we are following:  

• Water Right Process Improvements (HB 3342).  A - 4 amendment was adopted and the bill passed the House.  Amended by the A -8 amendment, it awaits a vote on 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 Governor has signed.

• 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 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.

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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 as well as NE Oregon and the latest long-term forecast is for 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 was 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

Here is a short report on status of the bills mentioned last week:

• SB 860A  The bill would allow 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. Passed both chambers and awaiting the Governor’s signature.

• 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 passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. 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.

• SB 85A directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program to help communities collectively reduce their wildfire risk. It is headed to the House floor.

• SB 75 A, removes the wildfire hazard map as a guide for allowing ADUs and requiring higher building codes in rural areas. It has a work session scheduled for May 20.

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

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. The Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office have stated the minimum annual need for wildfire funding to address the growing wildfire crisis is around $280 million. 

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.

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 work session on 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.