Please see Natural Resources Overview here.

Jump to a topic:

• Air Quality

• Agriculture

• Bottle Bill Update

• Budgets/Revenue

• Climate

• Coastal

• Columbia River Gorge

• Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

• Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)

• Forestry (ODF)

• Governance

• Land Use & Housing

• Transportation

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)

• 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 it had a public hearing on May 1 and a second hearing on May 6 for those who signed up but were unable to testify on May 1st.

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 April 28th in House Committee on Housing & Homelessness and now has a work session set for May 5th. 

 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, had a public hearing May 1st in Senate Committee on Early Childhood & Behavioral Health and now a work session set for May 6th.

BOTTLE BILL UPDATE

By Sandra Bishop

SB 992 is the omnibus bottle bill. The -3 amendment  replaced the original bill, was adopted, and the bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment where it is scheduled for a public hearing on May 8. This bill is Portland-centric and contains various changes to the bottle redemption centers in Portland to address problems and make it easier for those who return and redeem beverage containers on a daily or near daily basis. It also contains a provision that would allow a winery to refuse to redeem containers of a type or brand they do not sell. The League has not taken a position on the specific changes proposed in SB 992, but has always supported the bottle bill and continues to support the most appropriate, effective, and environmentally sound recycling and recovery of beverage container materials. 

BUDGETS/REVENUE

By Peggy Lynch

The  Co-Chairs of Ways and Means provided their framework for the 2025-27 state budget.  Note on the last page the potential effect of federal budget cuts. On Friday President Trump published a general outline of his proposed budget for the federal government (Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026).  The document assumes much of the funding for this fiscal year that he has held back will continue and a 22% additional cut in “discretionary spending”.  We now need to see what our May 14th state revenue forecast will be.  Then our legislators need to decide how much, if any of those federal cuts will be backfilled by state monies.  

This Oregonlive article suggests some of the most painful cuts.  Each day we learn of more and more federal funding that was assumed to have been awarded and now may be cancelled. In some cases, these funds were reimbursements, meaning that the state or other entities have spent money and expected the federal government to pay them for all or a portion of that expense.  

Depending on the May 14th forecast and federal actions, many policy bills with costs will be left to die due to lack of available state revenue. League has been informed that, with the exception of three budgets, the other 11 natural resource agency budgets will be considered after May 14.  

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. Washington Legislature passed a slimmed down budget (27% cut).  We expect Gov Ferguson to sign. A Work Session has been set in Oregon for SB 5508 on May 8.  

• 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.

• 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 is to hear grant requests May 6. 

• 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.  A public hearing was held on April 23 in  the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.  Work session set for May 5. 

• Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB): HB 5021Public hearing Feb. 17 Meeting Materials See also the April 15 informational meeting on Aquatic and Invasive Species. Work Session set for May 7 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 are the Legislative Fiscal Office recommendation for each of the three bills.    

• 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.  The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources will have an informational meeting on the Elliott State Research Forest on April 22. Meeting materials. Work Session set for April 30 for SB 5539 and for SB 147A, Elliott State Research Forest policy and funding bill.  LFO 2025-27 budget recommendation.  The League was pleased that many of our testimony requests were funded, but disappointed that POPs 500 and 502, both General Funds requests to help communities prepare land for housing and assistance with wetlands permit issues were not included. However there was increased staffing provided for the removal/fill program.  LFO budget recommendation  for SB 147.  Both bills were moved out of committee and to Full Ways and Means.   

• 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 Scheduled 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 May 12th.  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 full time 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. 

• 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, will be 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 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

Ocean Policy Advisory Council Meeting, May 7.  OPAC will meet virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Meeting information will be made available via the Oregon Ocean Information website. Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov 

DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) 

By Peggy Lynch

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 was postponed.

DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI)

The Trump Administration listed the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project on its Permitting Dashboard.  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 and have been working thru a consolidated permitting process the past few years.  The League has been following this project and the permitting process. 

FORESTRY (ODF)

By Josie Koehne

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 supported also 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.   

The Board of Forestry April 23rd mtg. agenda is focused on a process for selecting a new State Forester. The Board wants to address their current role as appointee.  However, they are aware of the Governor’s bill in the legislature.  Here is the latest article from OPB on the recruitment. The League will continue to follow SB 1051, assigned to the Senate Rules Committee, 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.

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

GOVERNANCE

On Thursday afternoon the League learned that 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, will have a Work Session Monday, May 5.  We have been following bills related to changing processes around rules advisory committees and were surprised that this bill is getting a Work Session.  Our partners, equally concerned that these implementing groups would relitigate the policies passed by the entire legislature,  have reached out to the sponsors and to the Chair of the House Rules Committee to explain our concerns.  Stay tuned.

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 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 continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255, HB 2303, HB 2402 and HB 2427.  We are also 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.  We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership.  

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.  We will provide a link to the webinar in next week’s Legislative Report.  

HB 2647 passed the House floor and was assigned to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire.   On April 29 it had a work session “solely for the purpose of moving it to another committee”.  On May 2nd it was assigned to the Senate Housing and Development Committee—without recommendation as to passage. 

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 and had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development on April 30 and a work session set for May 7. 

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 with 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.

TRANSPORTATION

On April 30, Oregon House Republicans released their plan to provide funding for the Oregon Dept. of Transportation by reducing many programs.  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. 

OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB)

By Lucie La Bonte

Funding possibly zeroed out of President Trump’s Budget Proposal – FY 25 Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF) could delay FY25 Award Process.  Good news – PCSRF is often not in the President’s Budget and may be restored in Congress.  OWEB is still working through the 21-24 awards, and they were big. Even without new FY 25 PCSRF funding available, OWEB would not likely see impacts for at least a year.  The OR, WA, ID, CA and AK delegation is well aware of the funds, importance and working closely with other vulnerable Pacific State enterprises to advocate and plan.

In the Legislature - OWEB is tracking bills with impacts and are down to two bills outside of OWEB budget bills:  HB 3131 – 17.3 million Oregon Cultural Heritage and HB 3341 – 5 million Drinking  Water Protection. These are being considered by Ways and Means and OWEB has no position on them because they were not in the Governor’s budget.  There is no change in OWEB’s Budget Bills. They are still above permanent funds as presented in February. A work session on these bills has not yet been scheduled.

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 7, 2025. 

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 is set for a possible work session on May 6.   

• 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 has a public hearing set for April 30 consider the A10 amendment  that will extend the timeline for testing to 2027 in groundwater management areas  The League has worked on the intent of this bill.  Although narrowed, we are pleased to see this bill possibly move forward.  A work session scheduled for May 1st was cancelled but rescheduled for May 7. 

• HB 3364  makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept.  The bill passed the House floor, had a public hearing on April 24 in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire where a work session was held and the bill passed the committee so will now go to the Senate floor for a vote.  

• LWV Deschutes County submitted a  letter in support of SB 427, a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. A work session was held 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. The good news is currently Oregon is NOT in drought!  However, the latest long-term forecast is for a hot (90 deg) May and a hot (100 deg) June!

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 rulemaking on Removal-Fill Program Fees earlier this year.  After review by the Dept. of Justice and comments are received, adjustments to the proposed rules will be 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

Many wildfire related bills saw some movement this week, though the future of, perhaps, the majority of them remains far from certain.

SB 83, which would repeal the State Wildfire Hazard Map and accompanying statues related to it, was passed unanimously by the Senate on April 24, and referred to the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment. A public hearing has been scheduled for May 6. Also headed to that Committee, and scheduled for Work Sessions on May 6 are SB 75 A, that, as amended, simply removes the wildfire hazard map as a guide for allowing ADUs and requiring higher building codes in rural areas; and SB 85A, which directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program to help communities collectively reduce their wildfire risk. The League supports this bill as an extension of the work done in previous sessions. 

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 have stated the minimum annual amount needed 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, which 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.

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 on April 23 and referred to 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.

Finally, while the effects of Federal cuts on staffing and other areas of wildfire mitigation and suppression generally remain uncertain, it was announced recently by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) that Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants funding has been ceased by FEMA. The BRIC grant program provided money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. This act will result in a loss of wildfire mitigation funding, along with many other needed preparedness actions. In addition, some funds already allocated will be withdrawn. OEM outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 BRIC grant program has on Oregon in this April 24 announcement. This development adds to the urgency of finding viable and substantial wildfire funding solutions this session.

Bills we are watching:

Senate Bill 1051, Governor Kotek is seeking the authority to choose the next State Forester. The Board of Forestry has begun the recruitment process. 

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.