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Tutorials as seen in Canva's Design School for Nonprofits. / Canva Tutorials / Canva Tutorials Canva's Design School Canva Pro for Nonprofits Canva helps you create beautiful designs and create change in the world. If you’re a registered nonprofit you can unlock the power of ‘Canva Pro for Nonprofits’ for your team at no cost at all. Find out how to apply and get started in Canva. See the Course Getting started with Canva A quick overview of where to start in Canva. See the Tutorials Highlights for Leagues Getting Started Canva is a free and easy-to use graphic design platform. Organizations that are 501c3s can access premium features for free , but anyone can create an account at the basic level regardless of nonprofit status . We recommend these tutorials if you are new to Canva: Start Designing Brand Kit Set Up Easy Editing Canva Templates for League Use Here are a few templates produced by LWVUS and LWVOR that Leagues are free to use! Click "Use Template" near the bottom of the design. This will save the template to your account so you can safely edit your own version. 📌First, check out LWVUS guidance on using Canva Templates . LWVUS Templates LWV Education Fund: Grantee Data Graphic Templates VOTE411 Card Design VOTE411 Event Template LWVOR Templates LWVOR Event Graphic Printable Grad Flyer LWVOR Event Graphic Join League Template Printable 18th Bday Flyer

Contact the League of Women Voters of Oregon with questions or comments. Contact Get in Touch 1330 12th St SE Suite 200 Salem, OR 97302 lwvor@lwvor.org | 503-581-5722 First Name Last Name Email Subject Type Your Message Here Send Thanks for submitting! We Need Your Support Today! Donate

League 'plug and play' talking points. / Plug and Play Talking Points / Plug and Play Talking Points Jump to Talking Point Topics Plug and Play Talking Points LWVOR Communications Team has launched a new project we’ve nicknamed Plug & Play. Research shows people respond best to information from their own communities. With that in mind, Plug & Play was created as an optional tool to help you serve your communities more easily. We know League members are volunteers, often juggling many demands. Even when we want to do more for the League and our communities, time is limited. Every efficient shortcut helps. The Communications Team will periodically send ready-to-use content—talking points and social media posts —centered on one timely issue, developed with input from the Action Committee. These talking points can be submitted as Letters-to-the-Editor, or adapted for your local context, or even expanded into Op-Eds. Social media posts (with graphics) are also included for easy sharing. How it Works Our first set, on Executive Overreach and Orders, was sent only to leaders. We received several requests to share with all members. However, only League leaders may speak for the League. That’s how we maintain our strong, unified voice. The solution? Two versions: one set for leaders (referencing the League), and one focused purely on the issue for members. If you are not a designated spokesperson, please refrain from using the leaders’ materials. Remember: this project is optional. We hope it helps strengthen your outreach and makes your work more effective and convenient—while keeping us united in purpose and voice. View our topics list below. States' Rights, the 2nd Amendment, and Military Deployment to Cities Plug and Play Talking Points: Toolkit Including LTEs and Social Media Book Bans Plug and Play Talking Points: Book Bans and the Freedom to Read Social Media Toolkit: Book Bans and the Freedom to Read Medicaid Plug and Play Talking Points: Medicaid Social Media Toolkit: Medicaid Immigration and Due Process Plug and Play Talking Points: Immigration and Due Process Social Media Toolkit: Immigration and Due Process Our Plug and Play Talking Points are also linked in the Member Resources Knowledge Base.

Never sign a petition “just to get it on the ballot so people can vote on it.” / Voting / Think Before You Ink / Think Before You Ink YOUR SIGNATURE IS VALUABLE ONLY SIGN PETITIONS YOU SUPPORT! Never sign a petition “just to get it on the ballot so people can vote on it.” Just as voting in primaries has more impact than voting in general elections, signing petitions has more impact than ballot measure voting. HOW MANY SIGNATURES ARE NEEDED? The threshold number for statewide petitions to become ballot measures is defined by the number of votes in the last Governor’s race for a full term. “Certification” is randomly sampling petitions, comparing signatures in the Oregon Certified Voter Registration (OCVR) database. Invalid or duplicate signatures are not counted. WHAT ARE PETITIONS? Petitions can send decisions to ballots as ballot measures, if enough certified signatures are collected. INITIATIVE Registered voters can put issues on ballots to change laws, Oregon Revised Statutes, or to amend the Oregon State Constitution. REFERRAL The Legislature can refer an undecided issue or a bill they passed to voters for approval. Any bills that amend the Oregon Constitution must be referred to voters and do not require petition signatures. REFERENDUM Registered voters can try to reject (veto) bills passed by the Legislature by petitioning to put a referendum on the ballot. A referendum may only be filed once a bill has passed in both legislative chambers and has either been signed by the Governor or the Governor's veto deadline has elapsed. Note: A referendum petition allows voters to adopt or reject any nonemergency Act or part of a nonemergency Act. Think Before You Ink Campaign Toolkit Get It Here LOOK UP WHO IS BEHIND IT Chief Petitioners are listed on the Oregon Secretary of State Initiative, Referendum, and Referral Search page . Chief petitioners and funders of ballot measures are not required to be Oregonians. Search ORESTAR for ballot measure, candidate, and PAC (political action committee) official filing and financial information. Print or Request Think Before You Ink Brochures Print brochures in English or Spanish . Or request printed copies below. Email Us

Learn about the history of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. / About / Our History / Our History Our Mission We’re political but nonpartisan, with dedicated members in all 50 states and more than 700 communities. We advocate on behalf of the public interest instead of special interests. We arrive at our positions after in-depth study and every-member consensus. We have a well-earned 100-year-old reputation as a respected and influential participant in the political process. 1840-1870 Steps forward and back 1848 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton gathered 100 women’s rights advocates in Seneca Falls 1865 - 13thAmendment – Slavery abolished 1868 - 14thAmendment – Birthright citizenship 1869 - Susan B. Anthony founds the National American Women’s Suffrage Association 1870 - 15th Amendment –Right to vote ensured on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Support the Advocacy Fund of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. / Advocacy / Support the Advocacy Fund / Support the Advocacy Fund About the LWVOR Advocacy Fund The League of Women Voters of Oregon Advocacy Fund (LWVORAF) is a 501(c)(4) grassroots political organization that is run through the generosity of our donors and the hard work of volunteers. It allows us to support petitioning, ballot measures and other campaigns that are not allowed for the 501(c)(3) LWVOR organization. Donations made to the LWVORAF are not tax deductible. Donate

Event information about Convention 2023. This event is closed. LWVOR CONVENTION 2023 Registration for delegates and observers now open! Presidents, please register your delegates here . Observers can register independently. **NEW** Registrations are now open for non-League members to attend our speakers and workshops! Register here. FIRST CALL TO CONVENTION Is the biennial State Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Oregon, which is held on alternate years to the S tate Council. First Call is issued so that local Leagues can begin to plan and discuss matters that will be presented at the convention. TIME & PLACE The 2023 State Convention will be held Friday through Sunday, May 19-21, 2023 in Eugene, OR at The Graduate Hotel. HOSTS League of Women Voters of Lane County PURPOSE The convention shall consider changes to the Bylaws; shall consider and authorize for action a program; shall elect the president, first vice-president, secretary, three directors (two-year terms), and a chair and two members of the nominating committee; shall adopt a budget for the ensuing year; and shall transact such other business as may be presented. DELEGATES The convention shall consist of the Board of Directors of the LWVOR and delegates chosen by members through the local Leagues. Each local League shall be entitled to two delegates for the first 40 members or fewer. If possible, one delegate should be the President. An additional delegate is allowed for every 20 additional members or major fraction (10 or more) thereof belonging to the local League as of January 31, 2023. Each approved State Unit of members-at-large (MALs) shall be entitled to one delegate. For those MAL’s not in an approved unit, MAL representation at convention shall be one delegate for every 20 MALs or major fraction (10 or more) thereof. If there are fewer than 10 MALs, the interest of the MALs shall be represented by the LWVOR Membership Chair. OBSERVERS Any member of the LWVOR (in a local League, a State Unit, or as a general MAL) may attend as an observer. Observers may not vote, but may, upon recognition of the Chair, have the privilege of the floor. All League members are urged to exercise this privilege, and members are encouraged to register as observers. BASIC COSTS Registration payments can be made here. In-person delegate: $200/person for registration, all events, lunch Saturday, and dinner Saturday. Additional costs include parking and hotel room. Virtual delegate: $130/person for registration, all A/V events. In-person observer: $200/person for registration, all events, lunch Saturday, and dinner Saturday. Additional costs include parking and hotel room. Virtual observer: $130/person for registration, all A/V events. Guests for banquet: $65/person for dinner banquet attendance. (Optional, but please feel free to bring your partner!) We accept Paypal, credit cards, and debit cards for registration. Please enter your Delegate/Observer, In-Person/Virtual information in the "Designation" field. (Example: "Delegate Registration - In-Person.") Hotel reservations can be made online or by phone: Call 844-888-4723. Use BOOKING CODE: 0519WV. Use this booking link: League of Women Voters of Oregon – Guestrooms CAUCUSES Please register your caucus here . CONVENTION SCHEDULE Proposed Order of Business ***DRAFT *** Friday May 19, 2023 3:30 pm - Registration and Dine Around sign-up - 2nd floor Mezzanine 4:00-4:30 - LWVOR Board Meeting 4:30 - Shelton McMurphey Johnson House tour and wine tasting 6:00-8:00 - Dine Around 8:00 - Caucuses Saturday May 20, 2023 Attendees: Breakfast on your own 8:00am - Registration opens - 2nd floor Mezzanine 8:00am - Parliamentary Procedure Workshop (optional) - Studio A 9:00-10:15am - Opening and Business Session I - Vista Room Flag ceremony Greetings from Local Dignitary Introductions Roll Call of Local Leagues Reports of Credentials Committee Chair – Lisa Bentson Adoption of Convention Rules Adoption of Order of Business (Agenda) Committee Appointments (Credentials Committee, Minutes Committee, Elections Committee, Resolutions Review Committee, Timekeeper) Review of 2022 Council Minutes Summary – Rebecca Gladstone 10:15-10:30am - Break 10:45-11:45am - Business Session I continued - Vista Room President’s Report – Rebecca Gladstone Treasurer’s Annual Report – Kermit Jensen Presentation of Proposed 2023-2024 Budget – Kathleen Hersh Questions on Budget Presentation of Proposed Program – Anne Goldner Notice of intent to move not-recommended items by local Leagues Bylaws Committee Report – Alice Bartelt Nominating Committee Report – Libby Medley Action Committee Recognition Announcements End Business Session I 12: 00pm - Lunch Box - Vista Room Pickup 12: 30-12:45pm - Honoring Past Presidents & Board Members - Vista Room 1:00-2:00pm - Regina Lawrence, PhD; Agora Journalism Center, University of Oregon - “The Decline of Local News: What’s Happening to Local Journalism in Oregon and How It Matters” 2:00-2:15pm - Break 2:15-5:00pm - Workshops 2:15 - 3:35pm - Youth Engagement - Studio A 2:15 - 3:35pm - 1st Amendment Panel - Studio B 3:50 - 5:00pm - Nomination Taskforce - Studio A 3:50 - 5:00pm - Climate Change - LWVUS Activities - Studio B 5:00-6:00pm Break 6:00pm - No host Cocktail Party - 2nd floor Mezzanine; Vista Room 6:30-7:15pm - Plated Dinner Served - Vista Room 6:35pm - Announcements Entertainment - Professional Harpist David Helfand 7:00-8:00pm - Speaker: Lee Zaitz -Owner/Editor Malheur Enterprise and Salem Reporter 8:30pm - Presidents Reception 9:00pm - Caucuses Sunday May 21, 2023 Breakfast on your own 7:15pm - Local League President’s Breakfast (bring breakfast) - Vista Room 8:30-10:30pm - Business Session II - Vista Room Credentials Report Unfinished Business Proposed Bylaws Changes Proposed Program Proposed Budget 10:30-11:00pm - Break & Check out 11:30-12:30pm -Business Session II continued Vista Room Resolutions and Other Business Election of Officers and Directors Presentation of New Board Remarks of Incoming President Thank the outgoing Board Directions to Incoming Board Announcement of Silent Auction Winners Announcement - Host of 2024 Council Photo Op 12:30pm - Adjourn 12:45pm - LWVOR Board Meeting - Director’s Room

League resources for the transition to the membership platform ChapterSpot. / ChapterSpot Resources / ChapterSpot Resources LWVOR is offering monthly office hours to discuss ChapterSpot and Stripe questions. Contact lwvor@lwvor.org for more information. ChapterSpot Updates for Leagues and Units Table of Contents ChapterSpot Member FAQs Membership Fees Structure New Membership Model - How it Will Affect Your League Individual Membership Change to Household and Student Membership Dues, Donations, and Tax-Deductible Percentages LWV Member Portal Administrator Guide ChapterSpot Member FAQs Not all members have received the invitation to join ChapterSpot yet. If this includes you, don’t worry! You will receive an invitation email soon. The email will come from transformation@lwv.org or kringkamp@lwv.org. Please check your spam or junk email folder as some members found theirs there. As we transition to the new portal, we want to address a few common concerns and provide clarity to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for all members. 1. Checks are always accepted Checks are always accepted with our new system and members who prefer to pay by check can absolutely do so. To pay by check: Step 1: Make check payable to LWVUS Step 2: Include a note with your name and the purpose of payment. Step 3: Mail or give to your local League (for units, the LWVOR office) 2. Personal questions are optional We understand concerns about privacy and we want to reassure everyone that answering personal questions when setting up your ChapterSpot account is completely optional. When you first log in, you may see questions about sex, pronouns, birthdate, etc. However, each of these fields has a “Prefer not to answer” option - you just need to click the field to see it. To skip these questions: Step 1: Click the box for any question you’re not comfortable answering. Step 2: Select “Prefer not to answer” from the dropdown menu. Step 3: Continue with the setup process. More FAQs will be added here in the coming days and weeks. Check back soon! LWVOR FAQs More Information Membership Fees Structure: In the new Chapterspot system, dues are set as follows: ‘Pay what you can’: Any individual may join the League for one year by paying any amount equal to or greater than $20. The suggested amount will be $75. Member Types are only Individual or Life: There is no longer a Household membership type - though multiple league members at the same address are welcome to join and renew pay-what-you-can There is no longer a Student membership type - though some Leagues may choose to subsidize members to pay below the $20 minimum to further remove barriers to joining Persons who have been league members for 50 years are Life Members and will continue to have their member dues waived Payment and Renewal Payment information is stored by Stripe, a trusted payment processor. Payment information is not visible to anyone at any level of LWV. Auto-Renew: League Members will have the option to sign up for automatic renewal Don’t use online credit card or ACH payments? No problem! Checks for dues and donations will always be welcome, though they will have to be written on two separate checks. Starting in February 2025, donations by check intended for your local or state league must be made out to your local or state league. However, renewal/joining dues checks must be made out to LWVUS and given/sent to your local League treasurer address or for state/unit members, mailed to LWVOR at 1330 12th St SE, Suite 200, Salem OR 97302. Your local league or LWVOR will mail your check with a deposit slip to LWVUS to process. New Membership Model - How it Will Affect Our League Individual Membership Most of our league members will not need to renew their annual memberships around the February 1, 2025 cutover date. Every current member of Oregon leagues/units who have an email address in our system will receive an email in early 2025 directing you to log in to the ChapterSpot portal for the first time to “claim your membership.” This just means that you will log in and be given the opportunity to fill out any membership information asked by your League and to verify and update your data if needed in the LWVUS National League member database (ChapterSpot), even though your membership may not yet be up for renewal. Watch for this email. The LWV contract with ChapterSpot affirms that all data is owned and exclusively safeguarded for LWV purposes only. ChapterSpot is not authorized to use it for anything other than fulfilling its service to our organization. For those league members who cannot access the internet to claim their Chapterspot account, all League Membership Coordinators can maintain/update their membership information in Chapterspot and continue to track years of league membership as they do now. Change to Household and Student Membership Although renewals will not happen all at once, the change of member status will happen in early 2025 to all Household and Student membership levels. With the new ChapterSpot system, Household and Student membership types will be discontinued and everyone not a Life Member will be changed to Individual. Then, when your annual membership expiration approaches, you will receive an email renewal notice. This is a change from current practice of household renewal emails sent to the individual (primary) member, which includes the household member. When the Individual (Primary) member in your household receives their renewal notice, the individual member will have the option to renew on behalf of another member in your household as well, though a unique email will be requested for your household member. They should be aware that the notices are coming and that they have the option to renew on their own. Your email address is your username for ChapterSpot, so it’s important that you include one, even if you’re only an occasional internet user. This is the way you will receive renewal reminders and forgotten password emails. Because your email is your username, you won’t be able to have the same one as someone else. Any member can unsubscribe from some types of messages, such as fundraising emails or optional newsletters. As a member of our organization, some messages, such as those about your membership, are not optional. Dues, Donations and Tax-Deductible Percentages Any portion of dues or donations going to a 501(c)(3) are tax-deductible. Members can still donate directly as desired via their local or state league website “Donate” button, or by check. If your local and/or state League dues are going to a 501(c)(3), that will be identified in your confirmation email, which can be used as a tax receipt. An increase to 20% of dues will go to the local League, an increase to 47% of dues will go to the state League, and a decrease not to exceed 33% will go to LWVUS, in order to increase support for local and state voter education and advocacy efforts. Mem Fees New Mem Model Change Student Dues Donations 🔗 LWV Member Portal Administrators’ Guide LWV Guide

Event page for the LWVOR Fall Workshop. Event is closed. Fall Workshop 2023 Thank you for attending LWVOR's Fall Workshop! Please let us know about your experience at the event. Submit your evaluation form here . Agenda 10:00 AM Welcome from Board and guest speakers, coffee and pastries 10:10 AM LWV Liaison for Oregon: Alexis Juday-Marshall 10:20 AM Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) Update 10:30 AM Voter Service Update: Peggy Bengry, Ballot Measure Chair 10:45 AM Outreach Circle presentation (virtual) 11:15 AM Lunch 11:30 AM Keynote Speaker (Elections Director Molly Woon) through Lunch (virtual) 12:30 PM Youth Council / Oregon Student Mock Election / Youth Outreach Workshop + Facilitated Q&A 1:45 PM Closing remarks Program Printable program available here , featuring speaker bios and full event agenda. Keynote and LWVUS Speaker Biographies Molly Woon (she/her) - Elections Director Molly is the Elections Director and is responsible for the administration of Oregon's vote by mail elections system by working closely with state agencies, 36 counties throughout Oregon, and the division’s dedicated staff. She oversees the state initiative, referendum and candidate processes, as well as campaign finance regulations and state voting resources. Born and raised in the Northwest, this is Molly’s second stint working in the Secretary of State's Office. In 2015 and 2016, she served as the Communications Director for Oregon Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins, overseeing communications for implementation of the Oregon’s first-in-the-nation system of automatic voter registration, Oregon Motor Voter. Read more. Alexis Juday-Marshall (she/her) - LWV Liaison to Oregon Alexis Juday-Marshall joined the League of Women Voters in late 2018. During her time in the Washington State League, Alexis was a member of the Observer Corps, which presented an opportunity to see government in action and to promote transparency and accountability in government processes. As a climate action guide and co-chair of the Environmental Committee of King County/Seattle, she collaborated with other members and local officials to increase public engagement on climate change matters. She also served as a Delegate for the LWVUS for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. Read more. Luana Chaires (she/her) - LWVUS Digital Relational Organizing Manager Luana Chaires is a digital relational organizing manager with the League of Women Voters where she is using her direct-service and advocacy experiences to increase equity in democracy by working closely with League affiliates. Additionally, Luana works directly with state and local Leagues to strengthen their digital organizing muscle and oversee the development and rollout of League In Action nationwide. You can learn more about Luana and her colleagues' work here . Luana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Edward’s University. Throughout her undergraduate career, Luana became committed to better understanding the principle of fair equal representation. As a Ronald McNair scholar, Luana focused her undergraduate research on evaluating the impact of independent redistricting commissions have on voter turnout and level of competition in congressional elections. Read more. Youth Council Speaker Biographies Celine Ioffe (she/her) - LWVOR Youth Council President Celine is a high school senior in Portland and LWV Washington County member who is passionate about reproductive justice and our legal system. She is actively involved in Columbia Willamette Teen Council, a peer education and leadership program where members learn medically accurate and inclusive sexual health information, lead classroom presentations and organize events in schools and their communities around sexual health awareness. Celine interned for a DUI and domestic violence law firm last summer, and plans to attend university and law school after graduating in summer of 2024. She will be leading a diverse team of Youth Council members to build effective power in their communities to achieve their goals. Read more. CHRIS WALKER (he/him) - LWVOR Off-Board Liaison and Youth Council Vice President Chris Walker is a Legislative Scholar advocating for more affordable higher education at the University of Oregon while majoring in Planning, Public Policy and Management, with a minor in Business Administration. Chris ran a nonprofit serving disadvantaged Oregon youth, has interned in Congress, and on Friday, February 10th, 2023 he was appointed to a ground-breaking role as a strong, influential voice as the League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Liaison. Chris feels a definite stake in the commitment of our state and local Leagues to encourage youth leadership, and is mentoring a new LWVOR Youth Council inviting youth across Oregon to get connected and involved by emailing him at youthcrew@lwvor.org or messaging on their Instagram at @lwvoryouthcouncil Read more. NIVEDITA GIANI (she/her) - LWVOR Youth Council Advocacy Chair Nivedita Giani is attending Sunset High School and is a member of the League of Women Voters of Portland. She is passionate about advocating for climate justice, reproductive rights, and workplace equity. She is currently the national delegate for Sunrise PDX, an organization committed to combating climate change. She is actively involved in a local campaign as well as a national campaign to help make public transportation more accessible and widespread. She is a staunch advocate for the Green New Deal due to the prospect of decarbonization and sustainable good paying union jobs for all. Read more. DEENIE BULYALERT (they/she) - LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ Co-Chair and Events Chair Deenie is the DEIJ co-chair and Planning and Events Chair of the League of Women Voters of Oregon Youth Council and they are excited to build effective civic engagement in Oregon communities. They are passionate about nonprofit work and advocacy for marginalized communities, specifically LGBTQ+, BIPOC and disabled youth. Deenie believes in the fight for improved mental health access for all and runs a coalition to support their efforts in these areas. Read more. MILANA SLOAN (she/her) - LWVOR Youth Council DEIJ Co-Chair and Youth Vote Committee Mila Sloan is attending University of Oregon majoring in Public Planning, Policy and Management and is a member of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. She is passionate about social justice for marginalized communities and has active volunteer and nonprofit experience with HIV Alliance in Eugene with formal training on Diversity, Equity, Harm Reduction, and Inclusive Language in relation to sexual orientation and health. Read more. DEIJ Toolkit A DEIJ Resource for League Members Learn more about DEIJ practices for your League and community. Get the Toolkit Youth Council Slides Learn more about Youth Council Book a Youth Council speaker! Youth Council Fall Workshop presentation slides Outreach Circle/League In Action Resources More about League In Action/OutreachCircle Thank you to our sponsors and supporters! Members of the League of Women Voters

Frequently asked questions about donations to the League. / Donation FAQs / Donation FAQs Donate Online You can participate in smaller monthly giving programs to the League of Women Voters of Oregon by clicking on the appropriate button at the top right of this page. Mail If you wish to mail a check, please print this donation form, fill it out, and then mail to the LWVOR office. Checks should be made out to LWVOR. Planned Giving Planned Giving offers a variety of tools to provide supp ort for the League of Women Voters of Oregon: For more information please download our Planned Giving brochure pdf . Corporate LWVOR urges corporate leaders and small business owners to join with other civic-minded individuals and groups to help us empower Oregon citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic process. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and include acknowledgment in our publications. All gifts to the League are fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Contact LWVOR for more information on any of the above or ask about stock contribution donations. Donations to LWVOR are tax-deductible and support the following: Your Action Team – League members who follow the Capitol and Legislature carefully and take action when position and support allow. The Action Team also reports to membership through publication of Legislative Reports provided during the annual sessions. Legislative Report production and publication Promotion of good government practices through testimony and other methods. Good government practices include: Fiscal responsibility of state government Adequate funding of government services Citizen involvement in the legislative process Administration of services to local Leagues and League members Voters’ Guide production, printing and distribution Statewide studies & Comprehensive, unbiased reports Oregon Student Mock Election Unbiased, nonpartisan citizen information Litigation to help clarify laws in the public interest And more…

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Lucie La Bonte Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Jump to a topic: Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Budgets 2025 Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Dept. of State Lands (DSL) Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) Elliott State Research Forest Forestry Hanford Land Use and Housing Natural Resource Agencies Northwest Energy Coalition Reduce/Recycle Transportation Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed Agriculture A League member met with the new Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Director Hanson and others to discuss work on their strategic plan and 2025 budget development as well as providing an update on the Eastern Oregon groundwater issue (Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area—LUBGMA) where the League expressed frustration at the lack of very real action to address the needs of Oregonians who are still dealing with contaminated drinking water. Budgets/Revenue By Peggy Lynch A Revenue Forecast was presented to the House and Senate Revenue Committees on May 29. The bottom line: Revenue was up BUT........we now temporarily have a $582 million personal kicker forecasted for 2026 because the new forecasted revenue is 2.5% over the May 2023 forecast. However, there are a number of forecasts before this becomes reality. The forecasters are saying interest rates won't drop until December so we are still in a "will we have a soft landing or a recession?" situation. While leadership will want to provide as many services as possible, the minority will be focusing on the potential negative and want to reduce spending. For the natural resource agencies, many need fee increases in order to try to maintain current services...and those may be difficult to get approved in 2025. Budgets 2025 By Peggy Lynch The Governor had asked agencies to present her with agency budget proposals by April 30. Since revenue may only cover the Current Service Levels (amount of money needed to fund current programs while also addressing expected increases in costs–CSL) of state agencies plus 1-2%, agencies are now discussing with the Governor’s office on why a particular program should exceed that amount. We should see Agency Request Budgets (ARBs) in July or August. The Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB) is due to the legislature by Dec. 1st. The State Debt Policy Advisory Commission will provide bonding guidance in January of 2025. Among the challenges, the Private Forest Accord cost is $36 million General Funds and was not in the CSL. 49% of the Oregon Dept. of Energy’s 2023-24 budget was one-time money. The League is engaged in potential fee increases at the Water Resources Dept., the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and others. Expect a separate budget package for housing that will include monies in a number of different budgets to implement the Governor’s requests. Here is a good video on property taxes in Oregon. Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible that there will be conversations on property tax reform in 2025. The Oregonian provides some insight into that future conversation. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report . There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt/Peggy Lynch The issue of offshore wind energy is dominating conversations at the coast. Here is an Oregonian article and an OPB article to help explain the issue. The League supports the concept of renewable energy but also supports our coastal estuaries. We hope that ongoing discussions will help guide decisions on whether or not offshore wind energy is right for Oregon’s south coast. Here is the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development’s Coastal Division offshore wind website . A new group, the Oregon Ocean Alliance, has been formed to advocate for ocean funding in multiple agencies in 2025. See the website for Oregon’s marine reserves. The League signed a letter in support of HB 4132 which passed and provides money for these special places. June 8 was World Oceans Day . Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch An article covering the Secretary of State audit notes that, in order for the agency to accomplish its mission for Oregonians, DEQ needs staff. The League’s budget letters every session reflect that need. However, the revenue forecast may hamper important investments. DEQ’s biennial report summarizing surface water pollution across the state will include a recognition of the impact of trash on water quality per this OPB article . Over 5,700 septic systems near the La Pine area need an upgrade—causing increases in nitrates in their well water and seeping into the Deschutes River basin system per this article in the Bend Bulletin. The DEQ Director reported to the Environmental Quality Commission: 1) The Clean Fuels program renewable diesel usage is 2 years ahead of expectations and the City of Portland calculates its population will see $90 million LESS in health care costs in part due to TriMet’s use of renewable diesel 2) They have received monies for a Community Air Action Program from the Environmental Protection Agency for 4 communities and have received interest from over 100 interested parties 3) the Materials Management Division has released grants for $1 million each of the next 2 years 4) Expect rules on Toxics at their Sept. meeting 5) The 2024 Integrated Report is available 6) There will be increased beach water monitoring this year Dept. of State Lands (DSL) By Peggy Lynch The agency will begin rulemaking to consider increasing fees for removal/fill projects. The League will participate. We are also engaged in support of an increased budget for the wetlands division. Additionally, the Governor’s office is going to ask for staffing and program dollars to help with the siting of new housing projects. We hope to see that request before the June 11th State Land Board meeting. DSL is responsible for managing state lands. School lands have supported public education in Oregon since statehood, when Congress provided sections 16 and 36 of every township “for use of schools.” Today, the Oregon Department of State Lands manages Oregon's 681,000 acres of school lands to generate revenue for the Common School Fund See Elliott State Research Forest below for the agency’s role in that issue. Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) By Sandra Bishop The League’s member was reappointed to this committee . Their next meeting is July 17. Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) By Peggy Lynch The interim Advisory Group met on May 30th and received an update on the proposed 2025-27 budget and federal conversations. Fire costs are up 13%. With the monies allocated in 2024, hiring for a minimal management staff and the signing of contracts are occurring at DSL. There are continuing conversations with five of Oregon’s tribes and may include official consultations at their request. The State Land Board will meet on June 11 to appoint the new ESRF Board and address the transition related to the new Board’s obligations. The Forest Management Plan should be ready for public comment soon with Land Board consideration at their October meeting. Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more . Forestry ODF’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program received $26.6 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through the United States Forest Service (USFS). Out of this, $10 million will be awarded to the nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, and $12.5 million will be available for all eligible entities in Oregon. This opportunity promotes equal access to the benefits of trees and aims to get more people involved in tree planting and comprehensive urban forest management. ODF's UCF Program officially issued the call for proposals for all eligible entities on May 31. The application portal and resources related to this funding opportunity can be found on the UCF subaward program webpage. See also the Wildfire section of this report below. Hanford The State of Washington and federal agencies agree on the future of Tank Waste Cleanup at the Hanford Site. The Hanford Board met on May 21st. LWVOR no longer has a member on the Board and there is a vacancy for “member of the public.” The application is here . Please contact Peggy Lynch at peggylynchor@gmail.com if you would like to follow Oregon’s Hanford Cleanup Board. Land Use & Housing By Peggy Lynch The Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development’s May 30th agenda focused on housing preservation while the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness agenda included a presentation by Matthew Tschabold, the Governor’s Housing and Homelessness Initiative Director. Here is the Governor’s Homeless Response Framework and here is the DRAFT Housing Production Framework. The League has been engaged with Mr. Tschabold and will continue during the interim. The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development will continue to have a major role in helping local jurisdictions to meet the Governor’s housing goals and their 2025 budget will reflect that role. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage . And watch their meetings on the department’s YouTube channel. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Natural Resource Agencies The Emergency Board approved funding and submission of many federal grants at its May 31st meeting, many of them related to natural resource agencies. The Senate approved a number of executive appointments , including a new Water Resources Dept. Director (Ivan Gall, who most recently served as the interim deputy director of water management) and Sara O’Brien, who most recently served as Executive Director of Willamette Partnership, to lead the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). Debbie Colbert was chosen by the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Commission to be the new Director of ODFW. During the 2024 legislative session, a massive grants program was approved using monies from a settlement with Monsanto to fund significant natural resource restoration in Oregon for at least the next 50 years. Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) By Robin Tokmakian The NWEC had its spring conference in Idaho. Here is a summary of the meeting. Reduce/Recycle Look for a battery recycling bill in 2025—where battery manufacturers will need to pay for a recycling program in Oregon. DEQ is conducting rulemaking to clarify and implement HB 3220 (2023) , which updates and makes necessary changes to the statewide electronics recycling program, Oregon E-Cycles. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, please visit the Oregon E-Cycles rulemaking web page . Recycling Modernization Act of 2021 ( SB 582 ), which the League supported , has a rulemaking advisory committee with July 27 meetings posted on the Recycling 2024 website. See the website to submit comments on the proposed rules by July 5. Transportation Thanks to Rep. Gomberg, here is a 5-minute video on ODOT’s funding challenge. And here’s an online interactive map that shows projects and their details throughout the state. In early February, the Joint Committee on Transportation (JCT) released a 2024-25 Beginning Conversation Draft Action Plan for the development of the expected 2025 State Transportation Funding Package. Open Houses still happening: Wednesday, June 12: Burns or Ontario (Malheur County Commission Chambers) Thursday, June 13: Baker City or Pendleton (Baker City Armory, Blue Mountain C.C.) Friday, June 28: Eugene (University of Oregon) Tuesday, July 16: Medford or Grants Pass (Medford City Hall, Medford Public Library) Thursday, July 25: Bend or Redmond (Bend Senior Center, OSU Cascades, Fair & Expo Center) Thursday, August 15: Beaverton or Hillsboro (Washington County Commission) Other possible cities to visit as alternative / additions include: The Dalles / Hood River, Roseburg Look for a 2025 conversation on how to fund multiple Oregon transportation needs. This effort was last addressed in 2017. Water By Peggy Lynch Four leading water law experts on Oregon water law presented a letter to the Governor, “An appeal for gubernatorial leadership to modernize Oregon’s water laws,” and shared it with the Senate Interim Natural Resources and the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water Committees. This Oregon Capital Chronicle article explains the conversations. We now expect a “water package” in the 2025 session. As a part of this work, the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) has been put on pause while new agency leadership is installed. (For more information about the IWRS, visit the IWRS page .) With the appointment of Ivan Gall, it’s time for work to be completed on the IWRS, the OWRD Strategic Plan and other items that have been on hold at the agency. The League provided testimony in support of the Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) draft proposed groundwater rules . Our Deschutes League has been engaged in water issues in their region and also supports these proposed rules. According to a recent article in the Bend Bulletin , hydrologists and community leaders in Central Oregon are sounding the alarm over the decline and loss of groundwater, with the discharge at the headwaters of the Metolius River down 55 percent over the past six years, while water pumped from underground aquifers "is far outpacing what nature can replace through precipitation." Last year, OWRD said more than 130 people in Central Oregon were seeking financial assistance to repair wells, mainly due to the dropping aquifer, including 114 homeowners in Deschutes County. The cost to repair a well varies depending on several factors but can range from $9,000 to $55,000, said Alyssa Rash, a spokesperson for the department. That is an expense many can’t afford. The League was pleased that a $1 million General Fund was added to the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund in 2024. The League was engaged in helping create this fund in 2021. The Environmental Protection Agency is revising standards related to tribal water rights. The Umatilla/Morrow County Groundwater (LUBGWMA) issue is still not resolved. The League has brought up this issue with WRD, DEQ and ODA quarterly meetings. The League continues to work to save Oregon’s wetlands and here’s why . We expect to engage with the Governor’s Office regarding housing needs while protecting wetlands. 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. Jefferson County has asked for a drought emergency declaration, but that request has not yet been approved. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms and practice “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. DEQ received funding for a six-month seasonal monitoring specialist position in the 23-25 Legislatively Adopted Budget which allowed the lab to expand the 2023 pilot scale recreational HAB network from 10 water bodies to 40 lakes and reservoirs this year. The lab will sample these 40 water bodies four times each from May 2024 through October 2024 in six regional circuits across the state. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers The League monitored several informational meetings during the recent Interim Legislative Session. The House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans met on May 29, and heard an update on the upcoming wildfire season from the Department of Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple. While the early part of the season shows lower than normal risk for a large part of the State, she strongly emphasized that all indications point to above average risk during the latter part of the season. This, in the face of challenges such as reduced capacity across the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, reduced rural capacity among volunteer fire service, and continued record drought conditions in vulnerable parts of the state. She also outlined her department’s effort in the area of wildfire mitigation, including providing defensible space assessments to homeowners and community wildfire risk reduction grants. On May 30, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held an informational meeting, devoted primarily to wildfire. All the meeting materials may be found here . First was an update from the Department of Business and Consumer Services on the state of the Homeowners’ Insurance market in Oregon, specific to cancellations and non-renewals, which have decreased slightly. The market appears to have stabilized, at least temporarily, perhaps due to the relatively less costly wildfire events of 2021 and 2022 as compared with 2020. Next was a discussion of the Wildfire Funding Workgroup, which was established by HB 5701, budget note 5. Kyle Williams of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Chief Ruiz-Temple of OFSM were the main presenters. There was a sense of urgency expressed throughout the presentations, with the general message being how “desperate” the involved parties are for a fix to the funding system. After several attempts to address the wildfire programs funding crisis failed during the 2024 short session, the mood can best be described as grave concerned “alarm” that there is less overall funding currently than in recent years to fight or prevent this season’s fires, with no solution in sight. It was emphasized repeatedly that this was not a time to “re-litigate policy,” but to figure out funding. Doug Grafe also spoke and pointed out that the most effective tool in the wildfire mitigation toolbox, community resilience, received the biggest decrease in funding for this year, close to a 90% drop. Chief Ruiz-Temple expressed concern about competition for scarce resources among regional agencies in the face of unusually high risk developing in western Washington State, and how that could impact out-of-state assistance as well as risk in NW Oregon. Senator Golden closed that portion of the meeting by urging the work group to focus on getting to what can actually be done, and not let the discussion be dominated for too long by “ideas”. The work group’s first meeting was June 3. Finally, the committee received an update from the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC). Doug Grafe, the Governor’s Wildfire Programs Director, and Dave Hunnicutt, Chair, and Mary Kyle McCurdy, Vice-Chair, gave an overview of their work in the coming months. First, Doug mentioned the schedule for the community information sessions that ODF and other agencies will be holding to help communities get answers to their questions about the new wildfire hazard map and other wildfire related issues. They will be touring in the areas of highest wildfire hazard. This was followed by brief descriptions of the work the WPAC will be doing this summer, mainly focusing on prescribed fire, community risk reduction, and the wildfire funding workgroup. There have been other items of interest recently. On May 15, Governor Kotek and members of various agencies held a press conference to discuss the 2024 wildfire season. This press release describes what was covered. Lastly, sadly the “good news” that SB 1520 passed during the short session, to ensure that recipients of settlements or judgment from wildfire losses-related lawsuits would avoid being excessively taxed in Oregon on those proceeds, is now tempered by the bad news that a similar federal tax law is “stuck”. This Oregon Live Article describes the difficulty this legislation faces in Congress. 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.

Learn more about starting a League Unit in your community. / Join / Start a League Unit / Start a League Unit No League in your community? Start one! You can use the LWV “Member-at-State” (MAS) Unit process to begin empowering voters and defending democracy in your community! With LWV MAS Units, administrative functions like financial management, by-laws, membership management and incorporating are initially handled by LWVOR, and you will have a mentor to help each step of the way. Individuals without a local League or Unit are welcome to join our State League. Learn more about join ing Getting Started as a Member: Easy as 1-2-3 Chat 1. We welcome you to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Edit 2. Sign up for free LWVOR communications and Legislative Reports (during session). Mail 3. Email membership@lwvor.org for questions and connection to mentors. Initial steps for becoming a state League Unit 1. The idea for forming a new League arises, either through citizen inquiry or board initiative. 2. A nucleus of interested citizens is recruited and become League members. 3. State mentors are appointed and confer (in person when possible, by phone and online) with the interested group. 4. An informational planning meeting is scheduled, and the decision to proceed is made to: connect with experienced League mentors to play a key role helping your group plan an organizational community meeting send an important signal about the League's commitment to reflecting concerns of all citizens give the group an opportunity to share leadership chart the League's future with diverse community members to bring about positive change 5. Preparations commence with mentoring and an organizational meeting is held. 6. League members complete requirements for recognition as a state League Unit with: ✔ Five or more current League members ✔ Leadership Team selected (Unit Coordinator or Co-Chairs, etc…) ✔ Geographic Area to be served is identified to incorporate into Unit name ✔ Nonpartisanship policy established - see Appendix I 7. The LWVOR Board organizes/recognizes the state League Unit. Starting Point for New League Units For more information review our new unit formation guidelines: Starting Point for New League Units

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - November Interim Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance and Redistricting County Elections challenges, EPAB-Broadband Equity, SCR, and Capitol update Election Methods Election Signs for Sale By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance and Redistricting By Norman Turill The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. Petitions can be downloaded, printed*, signed and returned by mail from the Honest Elections website for IP 9 and the People Not Politicians website for IP 14. Both initiative petition filings are due to the Secretary of State by July 5, 2024. *Be sure to print both sides! County Elections challenges, EPAB-Broadband Equity, SCR, and Capitol update By Rebecca Gladstone Legislative efforts reported here tend to be large projects better addressed in long sessions, so short sessions are often for urgent needs or to adjust and implement the Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) into Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR). Elections manuals are up for review and multiple election rulemaking hearings are set for December. Recent interim news includes: Oregon’s county elections staffing study Recommendations to House Rules included improving support with direct communications between the Elections Division, the Oregon Association of County Clerks (OACC) and the clerks themselves. As law enforcement i nvestigated elections office threats around the country, including in Lane County, House Rules heard a county elections staffing study presentation that found county elections working intensely for at least 8 months in even years, with inadequate and uneven funding to address more complex rules, technology, and safety efforts. Unusually heavy public records requests accompanied abuse, threats, and harassment. Retirements and unusually high resignation rates make understaffing worse. Pay is low for the stress and public scrutiny in the antagonistic political environment, “…the In-N-Out Burger across the street can out-pay me”. LWVOR has called for local Leagues to reach out in appreciation to their county election offices and is inquiring to LWVUS advocacy, as they discuss pushing the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee to increase support to protect elections workers . This LWVOR testimony includes lists of earlier support: SB 166 , ( testimony ) to protect elections workers SB 167 , ( testimony ) elections procedural updates HB 3073 , ( testimony ) home address privacy HB 3111 , ( testimony ) personal information privacy HB 4144 , ( testimony ) home address privacy HB 3047 , ( testimony ) doxing, harassment and injury SB 293 , ( testimony ) elevate state government privacy, confidentiality and data security The House Rules meeting materials included experts we consulted for our LWVOR Elections Methods studies. See the updates in 2023 , 2016 , and the 2008 in our archives. Oregon Data Literacy Framework Work Group update From the Dept of Administrative Services (DAS), the data literacy framework and final report is open to accept comments until January 31, 2024. The Chief Data Officer and Oregon Data Literacy Work Group and Chair will review comments to inform future implementation, expansion, and/or adjustments to the overall framework. SCR, Senate Commemorative Resolution for Alice Bartelt Senate President Rob Wagner requested League support in compiling and processing a resolution commemorating Alice Bartelt, our recently deceased LWVOR President. The draft was submitted to Legislative Counsel and will be presented during the 2024 session. The Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance, and Safety (CAMS) Project An update was presented to the Joint Legislative Administration Committee, describing completed work, what should be done in time for the 2025 session, and work continuing on after the 2025 session. For the 2024 session: Both chambers will be in use and accessible from the wings as during the 2023 session. Hearing Rooms A-F, 170 & 174 will be in use for committees. All three entrances on State Street and both garage entrances will be available. EPAB, Oregon Digital Equity Plan The Oregon Electronic Portal Advisory Board ( EPAB ) November quarterly meeting included a broadband equity report. The Oregon Broadband Office (OBO) has issued a Oregon Digital Equity Plan Report , with Strategy 1–Put People First, to identify Oregonian’s digital government needs and to continue updating the Oregon.gov platform. OBO welcomes all to submit comments on the draft via the OBO Public Comment Portal by 5pm PST, December 16, 2023. The draft Oregon Digital Equity plan: Addresses Oregon’s digital equity challenges. Will be submitted for implementation funding to the National Telecommunication & Information Administration (NTIA), with multiple E-Government Program and EPAB references. Describes the program services scope. Includes statewide Accessibility Guidance for Oregon.gov websites. Is an Enterprise accessibility testing/quality assurance tool for websites. Is a collaboration with PSU Hatfield School of Government to study online needs for Oregonians (2022) and the state’s communities of color (2023). BACKGROUND: OBO maintains an online, interactive map of Oregon broadband availability , created in 2009 with a new version launched in 2019. Data layers include service providers, broadband technologies, service speeds, service availability reported by providers to the FCC, population density, and anchor institutions. Oregon has funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and with OSU partnership, the map will be upgraded to include an application portal, dig once map, and data submission portal. The map has several information layers to enable OBO to support Oregon’s Digital Equity Plan. New upgrade layers include a map of maximum available download speed, locations lacking service, and separate layers for each of the following community anchor institution categories: community support (government and non-government), library, hospital, fire station, law enforcement, school (K-12), higher education, inclusive of a covered population layer. EPAB advises the State Chief Information Officer about Oregon’s web services, websites and e‑commerce. Rebecca Gladstone is the appointed public member. The Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance, and Safety (CAMS) Project An update was presented to Joint Legislative Administration, describing completed work, what should be done in time for the 2025 session, and work continuing on after the 2025 session. For the 2024 session: Both chambers will be in use and accessible from the wings as during the 2023 session. Hearing Rooms A-F, 170 & 174 will be in use for committees. All three entrances on State Street and both garage entrances will be available. Election Methods By Barbara Klein No bills were taken up during this interim legislative session that relate to election systems. There were rumors of some efforts to oppose Ranked Choice Voting via legislation or the ballot, but as of yet, it is unclear whether this will materialize. Due to the decision of the legislature in June 2023, Ranked Choice Voting will be on the 2024 general ballot (for implementation in 2028). Election Signs for Sale The LWV of Umpqua Valley has 3 different kinds of signs. They are double-sided, printed on sturdy paper, coated to make them rain-proof, and 18 inches by 12 inches (not self-standing). See LWV Umpqua Valley for more information and photos of the signs: 1) End Gerrymandering Now and on the back #Fair Maps 2) Vote411 and on the back Register to Vote 3) Voting is People Power and it’s blank on the backside The signs are $5 each plus UPS shipping. Contact them at info@lwvuv.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week 1/30 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Lucie La Bonte Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Agriculture Air Quality Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Elliott State Research Forest Land Use/Housing Toxics Water Wildfire Volunteers Needed By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, and Team We have two new volunteers for Natural Resources: Paula Grisafi is providing testimony on Toxics bills. She worked on the Pesticides and Biocides Study and can now put the new positions to use. Carolyn Mayers is following Wildfire issues. She followed the Wildfire hearings at the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development and has concerns with residential buildings in the Wildland Urban Interface. Consider joining them covering issues of your concern. Agriculture The League has been invited to present information at the February Board of Agriculture meeting. We have provided a letter sharing our natural resource area priorities for 2023, along with the full League Action Committee Priorities . On Jan. 31 st , the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee heard a report from the Dept. of Agriculture on the Oregon Disaster Assistance Program (with slides ). While there was success in helping farmers and ranchers as they dealt with drought, floods, ice storms and excessive heat, there was discussion on a future focus of resiliency programs for agriculture. Look for another Drought package to be introduced this session. Learn more about dry land farming in Western Oregon here . Air Quality By Kathy Moyd SB 488 , the Medical Waste Incinerator Bill (Covanta), is scheduled for a hearing in early February. LWVOR and LWV Marion Polk have provided testimony with concerns about the Covanta facility in past sessions. You might j oin Beyond Toxics, 350 Salem, and Clean Air Now on Feb 6th at 7:00 pm for an overview of the bill (Medical Waste Incineration Act) and hear about upcoming action alerts and how you help reduce air toxics in Oregon! Register here. Budgets/Revenue Governor Kotek’s first biennial budget is here . For natural resource agency budgets, start on page 143 of the web document. The Ways and Means (W&Ms) Subcommittees will begin hearing agency budgets as soon as the bills are introduced. Look for the Parks budget Feb. 7 th . The Governor’s budget is “balanced” with the use of the ending fund balances of $765 million from 2021-23 that would have gone to the Rainy-Day Fund. Oregon’s reserves are at $2 billion and those funds are not expected to be used, nor is the kicker money expected to be returned to taxpayers. More information on potential kicker distribution amounts will be provided during the Feb. 22 nd Revenue Forecast. Kicker amounts won’t be finalized until the 2021-23 budget is closed in Sept. The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee held an informational hearing on Jan. 23 rd with experts who provided insight into the potential federal programs that Oregon might access from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. LWVOR continues to encourage the Governor and the Legislature to provide staffing to search for and write grants and assure we have staff to implement any programs funded by these federal dollars. The Governor’s budget seems to provide some staffing at the agency level for this work. Climate By Claudia Keith and Team See Climate Report in the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. Coastal Issues By Christine Moffitt Peggy Joyce, a “public” representative on the Ocean Policy Advisory Council shares a report from their January meeting: All six of the Rocky Habitat Management strategy proposals approved at the December meeting will now begin their journey toward implementation with a recommendation letter to the Land Conservation and Development Commission. The six proposed and approved Territorial Sea Plan Part Three Rocky Habitat Management Strategy programs are: Ecola Point as a Marine Conservation Area; Chapman Point as a Marine Education Area; Cape Lookout as a Marine Conservation Area ; Fogarty Creek as a Marine Conservation Area with an allowance of subtidal research and a preference for observational research; Cape Foulweather Complex as a Marine Conservation Area with no change to commercial invertebrate harvest and Blacklock Point as a Marine Conservation area. The Board also received an update on the Territorial Sea Plan Part Four Workgroup process on underseas cable placements along the Oregon coast that should be wrapped up after its next group meeting, Feb 1 st . A comprehensive update was presented to the Council by the Elakha Alliance’s efforts to re-introduce sea otters along the Oregon coast. A great deal of research and study along with the hiring of an Executive Director (Jane Bacchieri) last summer has boosted the confidence of the Alliance that they will be able to begin relocation efforts in 2024. Dept. Of Environmental Quality The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission will meet next February 9 and 10 , for a special meeting to interview the two finalists (Leah Feldon and Jamie McLeod-Skinner) for DEQ Director. The special meeting will be held by Zoom, with a toll-free telephone option for audio-only connection, and more information about the interviews and EQC process are available at the agenda webpage . League members engage in this agency’s multiple missions and will be interested in the Commission’s decision. Elliott State Research Forest By Peggy Lynch On Feb. 1 st , the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee heard a presentation from the Dept. of State Lands on the establishment of the Forest and the nexus with Oregon State University ( calendar links provided ). The League shared our December 2022 State Land Board testimony with committee members. The OSU Board of Trustees is expected to consider the terms of a potential agreement on the role of OSU in the Elliott at its April 14 meeting. If adopted, the resulting agreement would be voted on by a new Elliott State Research Forest Authority Board of Directors anticipated to be formed by the state on Jan. 1, 2024. An advisory Authority Board was appointed by the State Land Board at its December meeting to help shepherd this process. Emergency Services Governor Kotek’s Housing Executive Order 23-02 included a role for the newly formed separate agency: the Oregon Dept. of Emergency Services (ODEM). The agency has 90 staffers. Interim Director Matt Garrett shared in a committee hearing that they have been asked to “Create a construct to receive requests” and will work with OHCS. After rural counties expressed concern that they were not included in ExO 23-02, the counties were instructed to submit a letter to ODEM with information on the extent of and growth of homelessness in their counties from 2017 to 2022. The Governor has since requested $1.8 million to “support the emergency response being coordinated by…” ODEM as part of her urgent budget request on Jan. 26 th . Fish and Wildlife On Jan. 31 st , the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee heard a presentation from the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife on the success of funding projects related to drought and the effect on our aquatic creatures. Land Use/Housing By Peggy Lynch The League provided testimony on HB 2983 in support of manufactured housing and testimony on SB 534 in support of a pilot $3 million fund to provide financing for the development of infrastructure and other costs, usable only for housing to remain affordable to moderate income households for at least 30 years. HB 2487 allows weddings or other events east of the summit of the Cascades on EFU lands. LWVOR did not testify, but has real concerns that this law change will affect ranching in Eastern Oregon. These properties are also served by water wells, septic systems and rural farm-to-market roads. SB 70 will have a hearing Feb. 8 th in Senate Natural Resources . The bill amends the definition of high-value farmlands for residential rezoning of lands within the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region from SB 16 (2021). LWVOR opposed SB 16 due to conversion of EFU lands and the need for water and septic systems for rural housing; however, it did pass in 2021. Because Malheur County has concerns about implementing SB 16 EFU definitions, SB 70 has been filed this session. We continue to be concerned. More land requests being considered by the Semiconductor Committee: two each 500 acres, 4 each of 50 acres and 8 each of 15 acres. Unfortunately, much of this acreage would be at the loss of agricultural lands—the second most important and most stable economic engine in Oregon. HB 2889 : Establishes Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within Housing and Community Services Department. LWVOR supports. You can watch a presentation of this concept in the House Housing Committee on Jan. 17. This is a Priority housing bill for LWVOR this session. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. Radioactive Waste By Shirley Weathers The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) has provided to the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) a first draft of proposed rules for Division 050 Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) on radioactive waste and a matrix presentation of results of a member survey done last year. Members have until March 1, 2023 to submit informal comments to staff. The precise schedule of activities after that point, including a public comment period on the more advanced draft, has not yet been announced. Recycling By Kathy Moyd The Right to Repair bill, SB 542 , will have a hearing Feb. 9 th at 1p. We hear an amendment will be submitted. See the Senate Energy and Environment hearings on Feb. 14 th for bills related to polystyrene and plastics. Toxics By Paula Grisafi LWVOR will follow the Toxics Free Schools bill when it is filed. More to come. Water By Peggy Lynch LWVOR has a statutory seat on the OHA’s Drinking Water Advisory Committee and we need a volunteer! The Secretary of State (SOS) did an advisory report on water. The Oregon Capitol Chronicle provided a good article on the issue. LWVOR participated in a year-long process to consider water processes. A report was provided to the legislature with a series of recommendations. Of particular note is Section 1: Overarching Recommendations. OPB points to the issue of enforcement and decentralized water management. The 2017-2022 Integrated Water Resources Strategy Progress Report provides a list of funding requests. The SOS did a presentation to the House Agriculture, Land use, Natural Resources and Water Committee on Jan. 31 st . Crook County has declared a state of drought emergency for the fourth consecutive year. The measure was taken so that its residents can tap into state funds to alleviate the financial burden brought on by the exceptionally dry conditions. The Governor has to officially declare these drought emergencies. According to the US Drought Monitor, nearly 64% of Oregon is experiencing moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought conditions. Changes over recent weeks include a number of improvements and degradations. Reservoir storage contents in most U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (including Klamath) projects are measuring well below average, with many showing similarities to the past couple water years. The League is reviewing HB 3100 , a bill that updates requirements for the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). Section 1 of the bill has many positive additions but Section 2 requires yet another standing Advisory Committee. Committees take staff time and resources and the Water Resources Commission provides adequate oversight. We’ll listen to others as we consider testimony on this bill, but we wholeheartedly support the guidance of the IWRS as it links multiple water agencies towards “abundant clean water for all”. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” V isit 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. We have an on-going drought throughout Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Wildfire By Carolyn Mayers See hearings on Feb. 6 th in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources for bills related to wildfire. Volunteers Needed Above you can see the names of League volunteers who covered one or more issues. V olunteers are needed. What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. The 2023 legislative session is at hand with over 2,000 bills already filed. Help! Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly 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.

How to navigate the LWVOR website. / Website Tutorials / Website Tutorials Navigating the LWVOR Website Website Member's Section Webinar This webinar takes you step-by-step through the process of signing up, logging in, and accessing the resources in the password protected area of our website. Watch the Webinar

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes Government Ethics Election Systems Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes By Becky Gladstone We are following numerous bills relating to immigration, discrimination, bias and hate crimes, including as they relate to privacy. We are following national executive orders and memos that relate to our December action alert, anticipating developments. See the LWVOR alert and the LWVUS press release . HB 2341 : The League’s was the only testimony filed. We supported adding email address access for certain veterans and service member correspondence, based on “efficiency in government”. The bill passed unanimously in work session, from H Comm On Emergency Mngmt, Gen Gov, and Veterans . SJM 1 : We are preparing testimony on this bill, urging Congress to protect rights of armed forces and their families. It mentions bias and hate crimes. A work session is scheduled in Sen Comm On Vets, Emergency Management, Fed and World Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 1pm to return the bill to the Senate President for committee reassignment. SB 5535 : Time allowing, this DAS agency budget bill may be addressed, public hearing Wed, Feb. 5. New LWVOR Action Committee volunteers have joined to work on artificial intelligence and other cyber issues. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey The House Rules Committee heard five bills from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) on Jan. 27. The OGEC Director Meyers said that these bills are “simply efforts to clean up inconsistencies and eliminate confusion with respect to the application of the statutes.” HB 2923 specifies some business roles that must be included on a Statement of Economic Interest disclosure form. HB 2927 permits the OGEC to prolong an investigation into alleged ethics law or lobbying violations by no more than 60 days. The current 30 days allowed is ineffective since it would not extend to the next OGEC meeting. HB 2928 removes the prohibition on offering gifts in excess of $50 per calendar year to a public official, candidate, or to a relative or member of their household. This is the OGEC’s most controversial proposal since they justified it with a 2009 court case that overturned this statute. However, later written testimony said that a 2020 court case “abrogated” the 2009 decision. See Oregonian, Should special interests get to offer Oregon officials luxury gifts? Four people opposed this bill, and the League will also likely oppose it. HB 2930 applies conflict of interest laws to people who live in the same house as a public official. The only two witnesses (OGEC executive director and another OGEC employee) were in favor of the bill. Two public comments were received (one from Dan Meek on behalf of the OR Progressive Party), both in support of the bill. HB 2932 allows a public official to get paid for teaching at certain schools, even when related to their public office. Election Systems By Barbara Klein A bill related to Open Primaries ( HB 3166 ) on which LWVOR has been working, has not yet been amended. The anticipated amendments may change LWVOR support (or no support) status. It has been moved to the Rules committee. HB 2876 seeks to conform all county election structures statewide, making every county commission a nonpartisan board of five (5) commissioners (unless voters of the county choose not to do so). It is currently in Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans.

Forums from the League of Women Voters of Oregon.. To see this working, head to your live site. Categories All Posts My Posts LWVOR Member Forum Welcome! Have a look around and join the discussions. Create New Post General Discussion Follow Views Posts 5 Share stories, ideas, pictures and more! Membership Chat Follow Views Posts 1 Post here if you have questions or news to share about membership! DEIJ Chat Follow Views Posts 1 Welcome! Have a look around and join the conversations. Voter Service Chat Follow Views Posts 7 Have tips to share, success stories from your League, or questions about voter service? You're in the right spot! Communications Chat Follow Views Posts 37 Welcome! Have a look around and join the conversations. Forum - Frameless

LWVOR's Immigration Policy positions and updates. / Immigration / Immigration Know Your Rights When Dealing with Police and Immigration Everyone in Oregon has rights when stopped by police, regardless of immigration status, and state "sanctuary" laws prohibit local law enforcement from asking about or reporting immigration status to federal authorities. For more about Oregon's "sanctuary" laws and tools to find more information and legal help, go here. Why It Matters All people should receive fair treatment under the law, and Oregon must ensure that new citizens are supported in participating fully in our democracy. Immigrants strengthen the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our state. What We're Doing Advocacy We support federal immigration laws that provide efficient, equitable systems for immigrants to enter and thrive in the United States. Congress must take immediate action to pass common-sense immigration policies that address border management humanely, protect families from separation, and establish a fair path to citizenship. Locally, we advocate for Oregon to continue as a welcoming state that supports immigrant communities and resists discriminatory policies. Supporting a Path to Citizenship Diverse voices enrich our democracy, and Oregon benefits from its vibrant immigrant populations. The League believes a pathway to citizenship or provisions for unauthorized immigrants already living in the U.S. to earn legal status will strengthen both our state and our nation. We have lobbied Congress for a fair path to citizenship and supported the DREAM Act, which is critical for enabling immigrant youth to become fully contributing members of society. In Oregon, these efforts ensure thousands of Dreamers can access education and career opportunities, benefiting our communities and economy. Helping New Americans Become Active Participants in Our Democracy Voter education and registration are cornerstones of the League’s work, and we focus on empowering new Oregonians to engage in civic life. The strongest democracy is one in which every voice is heard. The League is committed to helping new citizens in Oregon become active in political life by providing civic education and registering voters at naturalization ceremonies across the state. We partner with local organizations to ensure all Oregonians, regardless of background, have a voice in shaping our future. Immigration Resolution Adopted at the 2020 LWVUS Convention: Be it resolved the League of Women Voters reaffirms our commitment to Immigration reform: laws that provide efficient, expeditious systems for immigrants to enter the United States. The League stands in solidarity with immigrants and our partners in the immigrant rights community. Congress must take immediate action to pass common sense, fair immigration policies that end the crisis at our borders, end the separation of families, ensure their health and safety, and provide a clear path to citizenship which includes the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) young people. Resources for Immigrants, Refugees, and Allies Providing food, clothing, etc. Catholic Charities Oregon Lutheran Community Services Northwest Greeting refugees at the airport Offering English language instruction Helping with resettlement (finding employment, enrolling children in school, etc.) United Services for Counseling Mental Health Resources for Undocumented People Offering legal services Oregon Immigration Legal Services Directory Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR) Immigration Legal Services Networking with Partners Rural Organizing Project Human Dignity Groups Portland: Immigration Counseling Service Innovation Law Lab Accompanying immigrants at court hearings Love Resists Through Radical Presence: ICE & Court Accompaniment Programs Getting started with accompaniment networks and hosting asylum-seeking families and individuals Community Accompaniment Program with Asylum Seekers Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice Training for volunteers to walk side-by-side with individuals during their immigration process. Advocating for fair immigration policies Interfaith Immigration Coalition Educating the community about immigrant biases, immigration law, and policies DoJ: The Sanctuary Promise in Oregon Community Toolkit covers details in the law and people’s rights. Do your county’s policies violate the Sanctuary Promise Act? And how you can get involved. National Immigration Law Center Know Your Rights Resources for Farmworker Justice Latest from the League Action Alert: End the Shutdown/Protect Healthcare and SNAP ACTION ALERT: Oppose HB 3392 - Don't Delay Campaign Finance Reform Action Alert: Support Our Coastal Habitats

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 1/10 - 1/17 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Lucie La Bonte Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch AGRICULTURE AIR QUALITY BUDGETS/REVENUE CLIMATE COASTAL ISSUES COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY ELLIOTT STATE FOREST FORESTRY LAND USE/HOUSING RECYCLING WATER WILDFIRE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED LWVOR NATURAL RESOURCES LEGISLATIVE REPORT Ready, set, go! Bill numbers are being assigned and bills assigned to committees. Governor Kotek is developing her Recommended Budget, due Feb. 1. Session officially begins January 17. AGRICULTURE Enjoy this article on water rights, soil health and indigenous farming in Central Oregon. The U.S. Senate confirmed President Biden's appointment of Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor as the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Lauren Henderson is currently serving as Interim Director; another opening for Governor Kotek to fill. AIR QUALITY The second Air Toxics Science Advisory Committee (ATSAC) meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar on January 20 1:00-4:00 PM Pacific Time. For More information on ATSAC and to access meeting documents and Zoom link, please visit the ATSAC website. BUDGETS/REVENUE We are all awaiting Governor Kotek’s Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB)—due by Feb. 1. The League has engaged with natural resource state agencies as they developed their Agency Request Budgets (ARBs), but it will be the GRB that agencies can then advocate for with the legislature. Hearings on those budgets will begin in the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources after the GRB is presented. Next will come a Feb. 22 Revenue Forecast with a rebalance of the 2021-23 legislative approved budget (LAB). The 2023-25 budget will be balanced after the May Revenue Forecast. CLIMATE by Claudia Keith and Team See Climate Report in the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report with overlaps to the Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL ISSUES By Christine Moffitt Coos County, City of Coos Bay, and City of North Bend have been working on updates to the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan (CBEMP). The County file number assigned to this project is AM-22-005 . Locally, our Coos County League (LWVCC) members attended two meetings regarding the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan An open house was held January 7 at the North Bend Community Center for the public to learn about the products and process going forward. There was a good turn out by the interested public from LWVCC, Rogue Climate, Oregon Shores and other interested public. They asked a lot of questions about the maps provided and how to engage. Convenors announced that the process that began in approximately 2012-3 was to provide information updates so that the CBEMP could be revised. They indicate that the project did not get to the revision due to Covid but the rest of the story is county push back due to the Jordan Cove project and pressure to not revise these zones and classifications. First stage funding is coming through DLCD, contracted with Michael Howard and Amanda Ferguson, University of Oregon, Institute for Policy Research and Engagement. This first phase is to bring the existing plan up to date with appropriate editing and make it digital for the first time as it was a typed document from the past. The contractors presented their project to Planning Commissioners on January 4. The City of Coos Bay and North Bend City Councilors and Board of Commissioners met directly following that meeting. An effort in the Yaquina led by Oregon Shores is moving and has spent years looking at a more watershed-based approach to this. The Coos County League is continuing with International Port of Coos Bay updates and are planning a zoom meeting for Saturday 21 Jan, to be recorded and posted as a YouTube. Please watch and share this latest video on understanding hypoxia and dead zones by Francis Chan and Jack Barth and produced by David Parker’s OSU Productions team with your networks. It is excellent and was produced by OSU. Atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater and is altering the oceans chemical makeup faster than ever in history. As a result, our ocean is now 30% more acidic than it was 200 years ago. The Oregon Ocean Science Trust website (OOST) has scheduled its next quarterly meeting ( Agenda) for January 25, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, on Zoom. W e will have Board approval of the Nearshore Projects selection. The Board will also review needs and priorities for Legislative funding requests in the 2023-2025 biennium. Senator Anderson and Rep Gomberg are non-voting Trustmembers. Worth reading: How Do Tidal Marshes Store Carbon? The Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (PMEP) just released a request for proposals for projects that will advance fish habitat conservation and restoration along the West Coast. Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (pacificfishhabitat.org) Their restoration synthesis report provides a comprehensive study of selected Pacific coast locations. ODFW's Marine Reserves Program has a new leader: Dr. Lindsay Aylesworth. She oversees the management and scientific monitoring of Oregon's five marine reserves and nine Marine Protected Areas and works on marine reserves policy. Her first major task was leading the roll out of the Marine Reserves Synthesis Report , an extensive overview of the first 10 years of marine reserves and an important check-in on development and execution of this relatively new nearshore conservation and monitoring program. It gives Oregonians a chance to reflect on the accomplishments, challenges, lessons learned, and contributions since the program's inception in 2012. LWVOR did a Coastal Study in 2012 and adopted updated positions that include supporting Marine Reserves. Here is a great OPB article on the new Marine Conservation Areas as a follow up on the Oregon Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) December 9 meeting. T hese recommendations now go to the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC ) for final, official designation. COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY By Phillip Thor “ The Columbia River Treaty (CRT or Treaty) is an international agreement between the United States and Canada for the cooperative development and operation of the water resources of the Columbia River Basin to provide for flood control and electric power. The Treaty was the result of more than 20 years of negotiations between the two countries and was ratified in 1961. Implementation began in 1964.” Our League volunteer reviewed the latest status update and provides this insight : Neither country has given notice of termination but both countries have indicated a desire to renegotiate with modifications, primarily to reflect new issues, namely water flows for anadromous fish, Tribal interests and sharing of hydropower benefits. A renegotiated Treaty would also specify continuation of flood control operations after 2024. The League of Women Voters of Oregon participated in these initial discussions and wrote letters expressing their interests. Other PNW Leagues were similarly engaged. The LWVOR was interested in pursuing Treaty Renegotiation, including adding “ecosystem function,” future flood control operations, and appropriate adjustments to hydropower benefits sharing. The League was also interested in furthering climate change provisions. “The United States hosted the 14th round of negotiations with the Government of Canada to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime in Spokane, Washington October 4-5, [2022]. As a result of our discussions, we have been able to find common ground on aspects of flood risk management, hydropower coordination, ecosystem cooperation, and increased Canadian operational flexibility. We will continue to work to address outstanding issues in these areas in the coming months.” Resolving flood control operations has a more pressing timeline, the so-called future approach for “called upon” flood control. In summary, there will likely be many more rounds of Treaty negotiations, with a variety of issues left to be resolved, before Congress will get the chance to ratify a “modernized” new Columbia River Treaty. ELLIOTT STATE FOREST By Peggy Lynch As reported in the last Report, the Dec. 13 State Land Board acted to officially create the Elliott State Research Forest. OPB provided a great article on how we have created North America’s largest research forest. A draft Forest Management Plan is ready for consideration. We still need to adopt a Draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), anticipated July 1, 2023. The Dept. of State Lands website provides information on the Elliott as does OSU . The OSU Board of Trustees will meet Jan. 20 from about 1-2p for a briefing on the link between OSU and the Forest. FORESTRY By Peggy Lynch The association between tree planting and mortality: A natural experiment and cost-benefit analysis. The results of the study were remarkable. The study shows the more trees planted, the lower the mortality rate of the census tract. Specifically, planting 11.7 trees in each neighborhood — the average annual number of trees planted in a tract — was associated with 15.6 fewer non-accidental deaths and five fewer cardiovascular deaths per year on average. Assigning the statistical value to an adult human life at $10.7 million — the value used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — researchers calculated that planting one tree in each of Portland's 140 census tracts amounts to an annual life-saving cost benefit of $14.2 million. The cost of maintaining those 140 trees, researchers estimate, is between about $3,000 and $13,000 annually. That amounts to a cost-benefit ratio of about 1,700-to-1, Donovan said. The Oregon Secretary of State’s Audit Division reviewed the Oregon Forest Practices Institute (OFRI) work and concluded: OFRI’s Statute Undermines its Public Benefit and the State Agency is Not Transparent About its Statutory Mandate to Support the Industry . Look for potential legislative action on OFRI again this session. See “Wildfire” below for a report on the Oregon Wildfire Council. LAND USE/HOUSING By Peggy Lynch The League participated in an hour-long Land Use 101 presentation , providing legislators with a primer on our land use planning program and potential legislative action in 2023. On Jan. 10, Governor Kotek signed 3 Executive Orders focused on homelessness and the need for more housing. The first two provide money and instructions to agencies addressing homelessness, while the third creates a new Housing Production Advisory Council to work toward a goal of 34,000 new housing units by the end of the year. The League has been involved in agency and legislative work on these issues and supports much contained in the Orders. We believe strongly that a major infrastructure investment in our current cities and Urban Growth Boundaries will provide “buildable lots” for such housing, as well as public investments to address the critical need for units priced at or below 80% of the Average Median Income (AMI). We were, however, comforted by Governor Kotek’s comment: “We don’t need to have a big conversation about land use right now, although we might in the future.” A quick update on bills this session: SB 70 is a “correction” to SB 16 (2019), a bill that would have allowed 100 homes on farmland and which we opposed , was passed but never implemented. At first glance, we will oppose SB 70 as well. We hope for more positive than negative land use bills in 2023. More to come… The League continues to be a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance and members attend regular meetings to discuss past and future legislation and programs. See the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report also. RECYCLING By Kathy Moyd DEQ held a Recycling Modernization Act Rulemaking Advisory Committee meeting on January 11, most of the agenda dealing with the administrative aspects of the changes. However, one area of general interest is the list of materials to be accepted ( current recommendations presented at the meeting). To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee, view the rulemaking web page: Recycling Updates 2023 . A fun factoid from Rep. Gomberg’s recent newsletter: Research indicates each American ingests about ten grams of micro-plastics each week. That’s about the volume of plastic found in a typical credit card. The City of Roses Disposal and Recycling, Inc. (Portland, Ore.) received an EPA Award to develop a real-time recycling inventory aggregation and management software for construction and demolition waste. WATER By Peggy Lynch The HB 5006 (2021) workgroup formed to consider regional water management opportunities that build on the 100-Year Water Vision and further the goals of the Integrated Water Resources Strategy. See their report to the legislature and public website . The League had a member on the work group. Recommendations include the need for adequate funding for all the water agencies, including the need for data, analysis and multi-agency coordination so Oregon can have good water management no matter what other programs might be implemented. Also being considered is a new, more expansive (with sideboards) version of place-based planning with much more rigorous public involvement. The League is also working with the Water Resources Dept. on legislation on this same issue. Both place-based planning proposals may be integrated into one bill for 2023 and a new Place-Based Planning program. The League is working with legislators and others to develop legislation around water quality, quantity and ecosystem services. We hope to support bills that improve water management and coordination among the agencies. Of major importance related to water is the Dec. 30 announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) that a final rule establishing a durable definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to reduce uncertainty from changing regulatory definitions, protect people’s health, and support economic opportunity may correct a previous administrative rule. The final rule restores essential water protections that were in place prior to 2015 under the Clean Water Act for traditional navigable waters, the territorial seas, interstate waters, as well as upstream water resources that significantly affect those waters. As a result, this action will strengthen fundamental protections for waters that are drinking water sources while supporting agriculture, local economies, and downstream communities. More information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice and fact sheets, is available at EPA’s “Waters of the United States” website . EPA and the Army are issuing a joint coordination memo to ensure the accuracy and consistency of jurisdictional determinations under this final rule. Second, the agencies are issuing a memo with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide clarity on the agencies’ programs under the Clean Water Act and Food Security Act. EPA’s rule website contains final rule language, fact sheets for various sectors, and summaries of consultations with states/territories and tribal governments. The rule will be effective 60 days after Federal Register publication. From the Statesman Journal : “ A plan that will reshape management of 13 dams and reservoirs in the Willamette River Basin is the subject of four meetings next week in Eugene, Springfield, Sweet Home and Stayton. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hosting the meetings after it released a 2,200 page blueprint for managing how it stores and releases over 500 trillion gallons of water used for drinking, irrigation and recreation in the Willamette Valley. A public comment period for people to weigh in on the seven alternatives the Corps are considering is underway until Feb. 23. While the meetings are good for information and to ask questions of the Corps, people still need to submit comments via email ( willamette.eis@usace.army.mil ) or mail to PO Box 2946, Portland, OR., 97208-2946. “What we’re doing now will be important for how we manage the system for the next 30 years,” Nicklas Knudson, acting project manager for the EIS revisions with the Corps, told the Statesman Journal in December. “This is the best chance to directly affect how we manage this system in the future. At this point, we can still make changes.” If your water comes from the Willamette River, this project is important to you. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. A news release explains the signs you should note. “When in doubt, stay out.” The League has followed the danger of harmful algal blooms and continues to provide a link for members to follow : 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. From the Oregon Lakes Assn. newsletter : The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has developed a website that downloads and displays satellite images of cyanobacteria for large lakes and reservoirs in Oregon. Released in the spring of 2022, the tool represents a significant improvement in how lake managers and the general public receive information about potentially harmful algal blooms across the state. DEQ developed the website as a cost-effective way to rapidly detect and examine cyanobacteria blooms in large waterbodies across Oregon. For each week from March through October, images from the Sentinel 3 satellites are downloaded and processed from NASA with methods consistent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s CyAN project. The Oregon-specific website displays the seven-day average daily maximum cell count for each waterbody and flags those that have counts >100,000 cells/mL according to World Health Organization guidelines. For flagged waterbodies, DEQ reaches out to regional managers to encourage collection of on-the-ground information as a basis for recommending additional water quality sampling. Time series data (from 2016 onward) of cyanobacteria cell counts for specific waterbodies are also available to view and download on the website. In Dec. 2020, t he EPA and the Indian Health Service (IHS) completed a formal agreement that provides more than $23 million to build a new water treatment plant at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. IHS obligated $13,601,000 toward the project and EPA provided $10,262,000. Nearly all the funding is the result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA awarded LeapFrog Design (Bend, Ore.) to develop a modular ecological water treatment system for onsite capture and non-potable reuse from single-family residences. We have an on-going drought throughout Oregon and League members may want to check the U.S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Oregonians need to celebrate the early snowfall and the rain these past weeks. But we must hope that the snow stays on until well into April or May next year. WILDFIRE By Peggy Lynch As Oregonians rebuild from the devastating wildfires, the Oregon Dept. of Energy will provide financial support to improve energy efficiency to make rebuilt homes and businesses more comfortable and provide long-term energy savings. Oregonians rebuilding site-built homes can receive $3,000 for rebuilding to current energy code or $6,000 for rebuilding to an above-code standard – those rebuilding who are also considered low- or moderate-income can receive higher rebates of $7,500 or $15,000. Some of the communities lost in the wildfires included manufactured home parks, so Oregonians replacing lost or damaged manufactured homes with energy efficient models can receive $12,500, plus an additional $5,000 for installing a qualifying heat pump system to improve heating and cooling. To date, ODOE has reserved or issued 336 incentives totaling $2,806,904. The League is supporting a renewal of funding related to SB 762 (2021) with some minor policy changes. See the Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery report . VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Above you can see the names of League volunteers who covered one or more issues. Volunteers are needed. What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. If not actually serving on a rules advisory committee (RAC), you could simply monitor and report back on their work. The 2023 legislative session is at hand with over 2,000 bills already filed. Help! Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly 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.

Voter Education forums from the League of Women Voters. / Voter Education Forums / Voter Education Forums General Election 2024 Planning for candidate and ballot measure forums is underway! New events are added here daily. Click on a tab below to view both upcoming events and recorded candidate interviews for your area. Clackamas Coos Co. Corvallis Curry Deschutes Co. Lane Co. Marion/Polk Co. Portland Rogue Valley Umpqua Valley Washington County More at https://my.lwv.org/oregon/coos-county Candidate and Ballot Measure forums More at https://lwvcurry.org/ October 7, 2024 7:00 pm. Port Orford Candidate Forum City Hall Council Chambers 555 West 20th Street, Port Orford October 8, 2024 7:00 pm. Gold Beach Candidate Forum Curry Public Library 94341 3rd St, Gold Beach October 9, 2024 7:00 pm. Brookings Candidate Forum Chetco Community Public Library 405 Alder St., Brookings More at https://leaguewomenvotersmarionpolk.org/ City of Keizer Mayor https://youtu.be/QRo9Wm18eJo Candidate Cathy Clark (NP) https://youtu.be/ueO-tF2_sC8 Candidate Lore Christopher (NP) Keizer City Council Position 1 https://youtu.be/U3QSGOe4d4M Candidate Marlene Parsons (NP) https://youtu.be/bbAamYD2YTg Candidate Tammy Kunz (NP) Marion County Sheriff https://youtu.be/G5mN_JfP1hg Candidate Stacy Rejaian Oregon House District 17 https://youtu.be/yWt70xEBH0k Candidate Ed Diehl (R) Oregon House District 18 https://youtu.be/RXqQeYUpauo Candidate Karyssa Dow (D) Oregon House District 19 https://youtu.be/OcgUNC1nx8s Candidate Tom Andersen (D, I) Oregon House District 20 https://youtu.be/EXvBhucJz8M Candidate Paul Evans (D, I) https://youtu.be/VUqnkFpxSz8 Candidate Kevin Chambers (R) Oregon House District 21 https://youtu.be/0w2lVL-11Uc Candidate Kevin Mannix (R) https://youtu.be/mUxVCrO_YbU Candidate Virginia Stapleton (D, I, WFP) Oregon House District 22 https://youtu.be/8ym9W7fP0oo Candidate Lesly Muñoz (D, WFP) Oregon Senate District 9 https://youtu.be/923ol6L_VC4 Candidate Mike Ashland (D) U.S. Congressional District 6 https://youtu.be/90AX_VycI8Y Candidate Andrea Salinas (D,I) https://youtu.be/TokvdL1rsus Candidate Mike Erickson (R) U.S. Congressional District 5 https://youtu.be/DzKWRFya4FU Candidate Brett Smith (I, WFP) 2024 General Election Oregon Ballot Measures Program https://youtu.be/v4U9v9RMWDo More at https://lwvpdx.org/ Find over 99 Portland area forum recordings on the LWVPDX Youtube Channel . More at: https://www.lwvdeschutes.org/ Watch Deschutes LWV YouTube channel Deschutes' Candidate Forum recordings More at: https://my.lwv.org/oregon/clackamas-county Clackamas County Candidates-Interviews and Forums More at https://lwvuv.org/events/ Roseburg City Council on Wed, Oct. 23 at the Roseburg Public Library Learn more at https://lwv-washco.org/ Video Voters' Guide More at https://lwvrv.org/ October 9, 12:00-2pm Voter registration Rogue Community College October 10, 6:00pm Candidate Forum Oct. 10 – Oregon Senate District 2 Noah Robinson of Cave Junction (incumbent) and Tracy Thompson, moderated by LWVRV Voter Services Chair Kathleen Donham Redwood Grange, #760 1830 Redwood Ave., Grants Pass October 13, 12:30pm Ranked Choice Voting presentation Mountain Avenue Theater, Ashland High School, 201 S Mountain Ave, Ashland, OR 97520 October 13, 2:00pm Ashland City Council Election Forum Mountain Avenue Theater, Ashland High School, 201 S Mountain Ave, Ashland, OR 97520 October 22, 7:00pm Medford Mayor and City Council Forum First Presbyterian Church, Medford More at https://lwvcorvallis.org/ Corvallis City Council Ward 3 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 7 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 9 Candidate Forum Benton County Commissioner Candidate Forum House District 16 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 1 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 2 Candidate Forum Corvallis City Council Ward 6 Candidate Forum More at: https://lwvlc.org/voter-information/ Watch Candidate Videos and Ballot Measure Presentations