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Kermit graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in Economics, and from Harvard Business School with an MBA. He has over 35 years of business experience including senior marketing leadership at technology companies Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix, and chief executive leadership at startups Pi Systems, iMove and Massini Group. Kermit retired from full-time employment in 2009 but continued to be active as a consultant for small businesses with Altus Alliance, as an adjunct professor teaching in the MBA program at Portland State University, and as an investor in early-stage start-ups with the Oregon Entrepreneurial Network and Angel Oregon. Kermit and Diane moved to Bend full-time in 2012 where Kermit became involved in volunteer organizations including as a coach / board member / Treasurer for an age group swimming team, a facilitator with Opportunity Knocks (small business mentoring) and board member / Treasurer for Oregon Masters Swimming. Kermit became involved with Common Cause and the League of Women of Oregon in 2020, serving as the Budget Chair for the LWVOR in 2021 and 2022, and for the LWVDC in 2022. Kermit Yensen Treasurer Kermit graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in Economics, and from Harvard Business School with an MBA. He has over 35 years of business experience including senior marketing leadership at technology companies Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix, and chief executive leadership at startups Pi Systems, iMove and Massini Group. Kermit retired from full-time employment in 2009 but continued to be active as a consultant for small businesses with Altus Alliance, as an adjunct professor teaching in the MBA program at Portland State University, and as an investor in early-stage start-ups with the Oregon Entrepreneurial Network and Angel Oregon. Kermit and Diane moved to Bend full-time in 2012 where Kermit became involved in volunteer organizations including as a coach / board member / Treasurer for an age group swimming team, a facilitator with Opportunity Knocks (small business mentoring) and board member / Treasurer for Oregon Masters Swimming. Kermit became involved with Common Cause and the League of Women of Oregon in 2020, serving as the Budget Chair for the LWVOR in 2021 and 2022, and for the LWVDC in 2022.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/29 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator Some good news from State Senator Michael Dembrow’s May 28th Update from SD 23 . Many LWVOR climate related priority and other bills are listed in the drafted Legislative Climate Funding Package, not yet posted to OLIS. Here’s an excerpt: “ Legislative Counsel is finishing up the drafting of the amendments to these placeholders, which will become the final bills. The amendments should all be posted on OLIS early this week. I expect that they will be assigned to Ways and Means subcommittees and passed to the full Ways and Means Committee by the end of the week. Funding Package #1 : Climate Action The first funding package that I worked on will be HB 3409, which brings together and funds a number of bills related to climate action. The package invests nearly $100 million in crucial climate action this session, though it has the potential to draw down many times that amount in federal funding that has become available. Here are the programs and policies that are included in this package. I’ll provide more explanation and the final funding levels in the future. Here are the bills included in the package: · REBuilding Bills (SB 868, 869, 870, 871, HB 3166) · State Energy Strategy and Resilience Planning (HB 2534 & 3378) · Community Resilience Hubs (HB 2990) · Community Green Infrastructure Act AKA TREES Act (HB 3016) · Woody Biomass for Low-Carbon Fuels (HB 3590) · Environmental Justice and Tribal Navigator (SB 852) · Medium and Heavy-Duty EV Incentives (HB 2714) · Renewable Energy Siting (HB 3181) · Natural Climate Solutions (SB 530) · Climate Action Modernization (SB 522) · Residential Solar Rebate Program Extension (HB 3418) · Residential Heat Pump Program Extension (HB 3056) · Climate Protection Program Fee Bill (HB 3196) · Harmful Algal Blooms (HB 2647) · Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (HB 2021, 2021) In addition, there are a number of Agency Policy Option Packages (POPs) and new climate-related programs included in the Climate Package. Again, though, the future of this package, like all the others, remains up in the air.”

Join the LWVOR Youth Council to advocate for issues you care about! Register voters, work in the legislature, learn how nonprofit organizations operate and more! Support Youth Council Show Your League Pride! Show your support for the LWVOR Youth Council by making a donation today. For each donation of $20 or more you will receive an exclusive League Pride button! Your contribution empowers our young leaders by helping to send at least two Youth Council members to LWVUS Convention 2026. Donate Now! Here's How It Works Make a donation with our secure online form in the amount of $20 or more. Funds go directly toward our goal of raising $5,000 to send at least two Youth Council members to LWVUS Convention 2026. Receive one League Pride button for each $20 donation. Please note the number of League items you request in the donation order form. They will either be dropped off by a League volunteer in the Portland metro area or mailed first class postage to your address in the United States within three business days. Proudly wear your new League Pride button knowing you're directly supporting Oregon's young leaders! Donate Now! Youth Council In Action Youth Council leaders attend the 2024 LWVUS Council in D.C. Former Youth Council leader Sarah Napier speaks on the LWVUS Council floor. Youth Council hosted a successful Youth Voter Summit in 2023. Ready to Support Our Next Generation of League Leaders? Donate at the link below to help us send two Youth Council members to LWVUS Convention 2026. Donate Now!

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Highlights Senate Energy and Environment Climate Litigation News Volunteers Needed The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. Bills in most committees must be scheduled for a work session by Feb. 12 and acted on by Feb. 19 th in the first chamber. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website . Climate Emergency Highlights Planned League Testimony - Support SB 1559 GHG Emission Modernization - Senator Dembrow: SE&E Public Hearing is scheduled for Tues Feb 13 . One of the issues being discussed is using the word goal or aspiration goal . The most powerful legal term would be specific mandated reduction targets in 2030 or 2035 and 2040 with zero net emissions before 2050. Budget Omnibus Bill - End of Session JW&M committee: Support funding for: Healthy Homes, EV Rebate and Climate-Friendly Micro-mobility transport Programs totaling $50 million. Other Climate Emergency Bills League testimony posted, or we are following and may have testimony: Off-Shore Wind: League HB 4080 Testimony , Find discussion in NR Coastal Issues Leg Report. Clean Tech Leadership Bill HB 4112 public hearing is 2/12 and planned work session 2/14. Right to Repair: HB 1596 Find discussion in NR Leg Report, League Testimony HB 4155 Infrastructure funding study - Rep Gamba in HEMGGV committee, Public Hearing was 2/8 and new 2/13 HB 4083 Coal Act Requires Oregon Investment Council and Treasury to divest from Thermal Coal investments. Work Session HEMGGV 2/13 Environmental Justice: Budget Omnibus Bill– End of Session: Continue Oregon Worker Relief Funding Senate Energy and Environment By Claudia Keith Feb 8 th meeting was taken up solely with the public hearing on Right to Repair ( SB 1596 ). The committee was scheduled to hear testimony on SB 1581 (requiring PGE and PP to report to the legislature on their participation in a regional energy market) but carried that hearing over to Monday 2/12. SB 1596: Chair Sollman defended her bill as a hard-won compromise that addresses the main concerns raised against SB 542 last year: data security, intellectual property, safety, and liability. OSPIRG strongly supports the bill with the -12 amendment. Google also supports the bill as do dozens of small businesses including Free Geek. OBI is neutral, citing significant improvements: stronger protections for intellectual property and trade secrets and the removal of the right of private action (consumer lawsuits). Apple remains the heavyweight opponent, demanding the removal of the prohibition on parts pairing. Repair Done Right Coalition also opposes and the Consumer Technology Association has critical concerns about unintended consequences. SB 1581: Appears non-controversial. PGE is neutral since the -1 amendment would simply require the utilities to deliver an oral presentation before the appropriate legislative committee, rather than a formal written report, by January 15 each year. Other Budget Senator Dembrow‘s recent newsletter details his understanding of the status of current budget priorities. Climate Litigation DOJ Files Petition for Wit of Mandamus to end Juliana Climate Litigation - The Justice Department is wasting no time seeking to put this zombie litigation out of its misery, and the plaintiffs are not happy about it. Reason. COM. Our Children’s Trust Response . It is unclear at this time how the League’s (LWVUS and LWVOR) will oppose this new filing. News This Is Oregon Scientists’ Plan to Save the World – Portland Monthly The radical proposal of Oregon State University researchers aims to avoid climate change via greater biodiversity and more forestlands—and a no-growth economy. January 20 2024. Scientists outline a bold solution to climate change, biodiversity loss, social injustice’ PHYS .org . Senator Merkley: Take Climate Impacts into Consideration when Reviewing New Fossil Gas Infrastructure Projects - Merkley . Merkley, Colleagues: Allocate Dedicated Inflation Reduction Act Funding for Independent Methane Monitoring - Merkley https://phys.org/news/2024-01-scientists-outline-bold-solution-climate.html Climate Emergency Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: • Natural Climate Solutions, specifically Oregon Dept of Agriculture (ODA) • Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust • Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) • Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team)

 • State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services)

 • CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets • Climate Migration 

 • Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment 

 We collaborate with LWVOR Natural Resource Action Committee members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: Training for Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

/ About / Biennial Reports / Biennial Reports Biennial Report 2021-2023

Stephanie Haycock is a global media and entertainment technology executive with over 18 years of expertise in product strategy, team leadership, and digital transformation. During her tenure at Disney, she orchestrated the launch of Disney+ across 202 countries in 16 languages, architected enterprise content planning systems, and managed multi-million dollar technology portfolios. As a world traveler with experience in 50+ destinations, she brings a unique global perspective to product development, emphasizing customer empathy and cultural inclusion in creating seamless user experiences. Drawing from two decades of Disney magic-making, she recently founded Wonder Works Consulting, a company that transforms technical challenges into compelling narratives for businesses through social media technology, website development, and comprehensive technical services. Her mission is to help every business tell their story brilliantly, creating "wow" experiences that captivate audiences and drive success in today's digital landscape. Stephanie Haycock Issues and Positions Chair Stephanie Haycock is a global media and entertainment technology executive with over 18 years of expertise in product strategy, team leadership, and digital transformation. During her tenure at Disney, she orchestrated the launch of Disney+ across 202 countries in 16 languages, architected enterprise content planning systems, and managed multi-million dollar technology portfolios. As a world traveler with experience in 50+ destinations, she brings a unique global perspective to product development, emphasizing customer empathy and cultural inclusion in creating seamless user experiences. Drawing from two decades of Disney magic-making, she recently founded Wonder Works Consulting, a company that transforms technical challenges into compelling narratives for businesses through social media technology, website development, and comprehensive technical services. Her mission is to help every business tell their story brilliantly, creating "wow" experiences that captivate audiences and drive success in today's digital landscape.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Sine Die Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: 2 023 Highlights C limate Budget Package E nergy Budget Package Clean Energy and Resilient Buildings Environmental Justice O ther Climate Emergency News Climate Emergency By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator and team 2023 Highlights Hottest July ever signals ‘era of global boiling has arrived’ says UN chief | UN News The League worked independently and as a partner with multiple coalitions, contributing to a very productive historical 2023 Legislative session. This session’s historical dynamics included a Republican walkout, an increase of ~$2B in available funding and high federal funding opportunities. (see revenue LR). The session ended a few days early, with all six Climate and Energy priority policy and related funding bills passing in June, bills signed or vetoed by Governor Kotek . “ Climate Resilience Package Investment ( HB 3409 , HB 3630 ): Invests $90 million in community-focused and forward-looking solutions to increase our energy efficiency, keep Oregonians safe from extreme weather, maximizing federal funding opportunities, and build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable energy system.” The League supported and in some cases provided testimony on many of the following bills. From Rep. Tawna Sanchez’s 6/26/23 newsletter: “Finally, I voted to pass HB 3409 and HB 3630, which together invest $100 million to bring in over $1 billion in federal matching funds to address the rapidly worsening impacts of climate change in Oregon.” “$90 million Climate Budget Framework Invests in Sustainable, Resilient Future for Oregon . Investments to lower utility costs, reduce building emissions, empower landowners to participate in the green economy, incentivize carbon sequestration, and improve disaster resilience.” HB 3409 A Climate Budget Package By Claudia Keith Passed along party lines $61.7M Fiscal . Resilient, Efficient Buildings Policy Package ( SB 868 , 869 , 870 , 871 ) - Leverages federal funding to improve efficiency of homes and buildings; supports healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. League Testimony , sign-on coalition letter and action alert . Community Resilience Hubs ( HB 2990 ) - Funds community resilience hubs and networks across the state to coordinate and provide access to resources and services for vulnerable populations during disasters. Natural Climate Solutions ( SB 530) - Supports cost-sharing to leverage tens of millions in federal investments for Oregon forestland owners, farmers, and ranchers to implement climate-smart land management practices, increasing carbon sequestration and improving the resilience of Oregon communities and natural resource economies . League Testimony , Action Alert , and coalition letter . Oregon Climate Council Modernization ( SB 522 ) - Provides long-overdue staffing and representation on the Oregon Global Warming Commission. League Testimony . Medium and Heavy Duty Electric Vehicle Rebate Program ( HB 2714 ) - Creates a DEQ program that can compete for $1 billion in federal IRA funding for medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle rebates. Trees Restoring Economic and Environmental Stability Act ( HB 3016 ) - Creates a Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program at DLCD to fund communities to develop projects that increase tree canopy, improve livability, and support water quality and Conservation. Siting Renewable Energy ( HB 3181 ) - Directs DLCD in coordination with ODOE to find opportunities and minimize conflicts on siting of solar projects in Oregon through engaging stakeholders in a rulemaking advisory committee process. Climate Protection Program Fee Bill ( HB 3196 ) - Supports DEQ oversight and accountability of Oregon’s cornerstone Climate Protection Program to ensure the Community Climate Investment program achieves its intended climate pollution reduction goals and benefits for communities of color, rural, low-income, Tribal, and other communities across the state. League Testimony . Harmful Algal Blooms ( HB 2647 ) - Protects Oregonians from harmful algal blooms in drinking water, which are likely to occur more often due to shifting precipitation patterns from climate change. (see Natural Resources LR) Woody Biomass for Low-Carbon Fuels ( HB 3590 ) - Directs College of Forestry at Oregon State University to research development of fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. HB 3630 A Energy Budget Package By Claudia Keith State Energy Strategy ( HB 2534 ) - Directs ODOE to develop a comprehensive state energy strategy that identifies optimized pathways to achieving the state’s energy policies. County Energy Resilience Planning ( HB 3378 ) - Supports counties’ development of energy resilience planning and integration into wildfire mitigation plans. Resilient, Efficient Buildings - ODOE One-Stop-Shop ( HB 3166 ) - Leverages federal funding to improve efficiency of homes and buildings; supports healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. Environmental Justice and Tribal Navigator ( SB 852 ) - Establishes a program within ODOE to provide information about state and federal funding opportunities and other technical assistance to rural, Tribal, and other environmental justice communities as they work to develop energy projects or build energy-related capacity. Solar + Storage Rebate Program Extension ( HB 3418 ) - Extends sunset on solar and storage project rebates for residential customers and low-income service providers, extending the program through January 2029, enabling the program to potentially receive and distribute tens of millions in federal funding from EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. These rebates facilitate low- and moderate-income Oregonians to save on electric bills and retain power during outages. Residential Heat Pump Program Extension ( HB 3056) - Supports implementation of ODOE’s Residential and Community Heat Pump Deployment Programs established by the 2021 legislature to bring much-needed heat relief to Oregon communities. Community Renewable Energy Grant Program - Provides funding for ODOE’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, established by the legislature in 2021, to support planning and developing community renewable energy and energy resilience projects. CE insights from Senator Dembrow recent newsletter: -The benefit of these package bills was that we could pass sections of the package that we would not have been able to as a stand alone bill. Although they were done related to the walkout, this may become part of future legislation. -He's planning on bringing back the GHG targets that didn't pass in 2023--in 2024. -He expects the state public bank to return in 2024. With conversation w/Gov about, if not Biz OR, what agency should run the Task Force. -2025 will be the year of transportation...another BIG package. Including gas tax replacement, final on I-5 Bridge, multimodal projects/funding. Look at HB 2017 (2017) for guidance. The League is disappointed. At this time Oregon will not be added to this EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) list of U.S. states that have meaningful binding economy-wide climate target statutes . We are hopeful the Governor, the new Climate Action Commission, and legislative leadership will address this issue in 2024. Clean Energy and Resilient Buildings By Arlene Sherrett and Greg Martin HB 3409 and HB 3630 , climate and energy omnibus bills supported by the League, won final passage at the last minute after a hard-fought effort to get absent legislators executing an orchestrated walkout, back to the Senate floor. Each bill aggregated climate bills waiting in committee for the walkout to end. See highlights of some bills of the two omnibus bills. Resilient, Efficient Buildings Policy Package —( SB 868 , 869 , 870 , 871 ) - These bills leverage federal funding to improve energy efficiency of homes and buildings and support healthy, affordable, resilient communities and family-wage job creation across Oregon. The bills reduce emissions by reducing energy consumption, thus making the most of energy efficiency. SB 868 , Healthy Heating and Cooling for All, paves the way for state and federal funding to provide heat pumps to Oregonians. SB 869 , Build Smart from the Start, aligns building codes with state climate targets. SB 870 , Building Performance Standards, formulates a program to transition buildings off fossil fuels. SB 871 , Smart State Buildings, clears the way for all state buildings, whether owned or leased, to be retrofitted for energy efficiency. Oregon Climate Council Modernization ( SB 522 ) provides long-overdue staffing and representation on the Oregon Global Warming Commission, changing the name to Oregon Climate Action Commission. However, the omnibus package removed a provision updating Oregon’s GHG emissions reduction targets. HB 3056 extends the residential heat pump fund created by SB 1536 (2022), part of a cooling package in response to the Oregon 2021 heat dome event. League Testimony . HB 3166 establishes the whole-home energy savings program (HOMES) and the high-efficiency electric home rebate program (HEEHR.) Both are based on federal energy residential buildings efficiency programs. A widely celebrated bill feature is a one-stop information and technical assistance center for those wanting to make their home more energy efficient. League Testimony . Environmental Justice By Claudia Keith The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition Follow-Up . SB 907 ‘Right to refuse dangerous work’ Testimony . Other CE Bills we worked on By Claudia Keith, Arlene Sherrett and Greg Martin HB 2763 Enrolled passed in June and moved to the governor; creates a State Public Bank Task Force, League Testimony . Like the 2022 session RB task force, a 19-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than September 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” The Governor vetoed this bill; see the Governor's letter explaining her decision . Read our response . Senator Dembow expects legislation for the state public bank to return in 2024, with conversation w/Gov about, if not Biz OR, and what agency should run the Task Force. HB 3179 Enrolled , Renewable Energy Permitting Process, passed, Governor signed 7/18. On June 23 the House concurred with a Senate amendment to the A-Engrossed bill. To issue a land use permit for a larger solar power facility as authorized by the bill, the county must require the applicant to provide a decommissioning plan, bonded or otherwise secured, to restore the site to a "useful, nonhazardous condition." The Senate on June 23 passed HB 3550 by a vote of 18-6-6. The bill requires a state agency that buys or leases a light-duty vehicle on or after 1/1/2025 to buy only a ZEV unless the agency finds that a ZEV is not feasible for the specified use, in which case the vehicle bought or leased must be able to operate with an environmentally acceptable alternate fuel or as a low-emission vehicle. To the maximum extent economically feasible, DAS must use biofuels or biofuel-derived electricity instead of diesel for facilities or machinery the department acquires, designs, builds, completes, maintains, or operates as stationary or backup generation for heat and power systems. The bill was not amended, passed and signed by Gov Kotek 7/31. State Agency and other Budget Bills SB 5018 DEQ Budget Bill League testimony SB 5016 ODOE Budget Bill League Testimony End of Session Full JWM Budget Reconciliation (Xmas Tree ) Bill, SB 5506 A list of Climate related line items in SB 5506 : - Oregon Worker Relief Climate Change Fund $1M Section 309 - OSU Climate Services. $250K Section 64 HECC - DLCD Climate Friendly. & Equitable Community $3.0 M Section 148 and 149 - DOE Hydrogen Hub, cooling study, and energy development position $951.6K. sect: 176 - DOE Staff to support administration of new energy programs $513K sect: 177 - Renewable and Solar $60M (sections 172 - 175) - City of Milwaukee $375K solar project - Streetcar System - Salem. $250K (Cherriots -Study the feasibility of developing a rail streetcar system in the City of Salem) vetoed by the Governor on Aug 4 Climate related Education bills in the Education LR : SB 854 , stated that each of our 197 school districts could develop a plan for teaching climate change, across all subject areas, in grades K-12 by June 1, 2026; died in Senate ED. HB 2601 requires State Treasurer to exit from certain carbon-intensive investments, subject to fiduciary duties, develop a plan to protect state investments from risks related to climate, League Testimony . The bill ended the session in the Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans Committees. Other Related Climate News Americans’ views of climate change in 8 charts | Pew Research Center, Most Americans Disapprove of Biden’s Handling of Climate Change, Poll Shows - Inside Climate News, Climate politics has entered a new phase | Financial Times, Ocean currents vital for distributing heat could collapse by midcentury , study says | AP News, Clean energy can fuel the future — and make the world healthier | Nature, Industry Plaintiffs Drop Lawsuit Challenging Washington State’s Climate-Friendly Building Codes – Earthjustice, It’s time for buildings to stop using a third of U .S. Energy, Washington and Oregon say - The Columbian, Oregon Counties Take on Heat Mapping to Keep Residents Safe | Governing.com , Work on an OSU-led wave energy test facility will be visible from shore – OPB, Climate Change | Brookings Climate County, State and Federal Lawsuits Biden is campaigning as the most pro-climate president while his DOJ works to block a landmark climate trial | CNN Politics Aug 2023 Updates to the Climate Case Chart | Sabin Center for Climate Change Law Columbia University Hawaii's youth-led climate change lawsuit is going to trial next summer | Grist Why Multnomah County's lawsuit over heat dome is different | kgw.com Oregon Treasury, Office of Economic Analysis, ESG investing and SEC Climate Risk Disclosure Oregon Pension Fund Takes More Risk Than It Discloses, Financial Sleuth Tells New York Times| Willamette Week Private equity investments , climate change and fossil-free portfolios | IEEFA SEC.gov | Climate-Related Disclosures/ESG Investing July 2023 SEC.gov | Remarks before the Financial Stability Oversight Council: Climate Risk Disclosure 7/28/23 Oregon Revised Statutes (2017) Chapter 750, Section 163 authorizes the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA), with substantial assistance from the Department of Environmental Quality, to assess the availability of fossil and alternative fuels to Oregon. OEA 2023 Fuels Forecast (Clean and Dirty) , Sustainability: Energy is the fundamental systemic risk | top1000funds, Opportunity to follow policy topics or if you prefer just follow and testify on one bill. Volunteers Needed Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy areas: · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA · Transportation and ODOT state agency · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Barbara was born and grew up in the northeast. Step by step, living in many states, she’s made her way around the nation to land in southern Oregon. After becoming interested in election systems in 1999, she joined the League and has continued that work. This included co-chairing the passage of the 2020 LWVUS Voter Representation/Electoral Systems position. Her latest League role is as LWVOR VP. She is also Action Chair for LWV Rogue Valley, and serves on the LWVOR action committee. Formerly, she was a long-serving VP and then state president of LWV Arizona, as well as co-president of LWV Metro Phoenix. She has served on numerous study committees, including one for National, and was a member of both LWV United States task forces on National Popular Vote and Redistricting. Currently, she is a volunteer with OLLI at SOU, a core team member of several groups working to promote proportional representation and often organizes and speaks on voting topics. Previously, she was the chairperson of FairVote AZ. Barbara’s education and professional career are varied. She taught music and special ed, was trained as a music therapist, was a “qualified mental health professional” in NY state where she worked as a probation officer. Her masters was in health care and hospital administration and her doctorate in chiropractic medicine. Barbara is a published author and currently writes a blog entitled AgingWithPizzazz.com and runs the fitness app, PizzazzEE-25.com Barbara Klein 1st Vice President and Communications Chair Barbara was born and grew up in the northeast. Step by step, living in many states, she’s made her way around the nation to land in southern Oregon. After becoming interested in election systems in 1999, she joined the League and has continued that work. This included co-chairing the passage of the 2020 LWVUS Voter Representation/Electoral Systems position. Her latest League role is as LWVOR VP. She is also Action Chair for LWV Rogue Valley, and serves on the LWVOR action committee. Formerly, she was a long-serving VP and then state president of LWV Arizona, as well as co-president of LWV Metro Phoenix. She has served on numerous study committees, including one for National, and was a member of both LWV United States task forces on National Popular Vote and Redistricting. Currently, she is a volunteer with OLLI at SOU, a core team member of several groups working to promote proportional representation and often organizes and speaks on voting topics. Previously, she was the chairperson of FairVote AZ. Barbara’s education and professional career are varied. She taught music and special ed, was trained as a music therapist, was a “qualified mental health professional” in NY state where she worked as a probation officer. Her masters was in health care and hospital administration and her doctorate in chiropractic medicine. Barbara is a published author and currently writes a blog entitled AgingWithPizzazz.com and runs the fitness app, PizzazzEE-25.com

Learn more about effectively engaging with elected officials. / Advocacy / Effective Advocacy / Effective Advocacy Effective Advocacy: Communicating With Your Legislators Political action can take many forms. Contact with elected and appointed officials is one of the most effective ways citizens can influence policy and legislation. The expressed wishes and desires of the electorate ultimately influence most governmental decisions. Direct, personal lobbying can make a significant difference in an official’s vote or in an executive’s action. Use this guide to learn more about communicating with your legislators at every level from local to federal. Your Government Learn more Links to legislator lookup, county offices, senators, and more. Getting to Know Your Elected Officials Knowing your elected officials is relatively easy, and being acquainted is a big help when you need to communicate with them. Talking or writing to someone you know personally is almost always easier than dealing with a stranger, particularly a busy stranger. Whether or not you know the official with whom you want to communicate, some simple but important points should be kept in mind: be brief be clear be accurate be civil be persuasive be timely be persistent be grateful These points apply whether you are using the telephone, video calls, are testifying to a committee, or just writing a letter or an email. Some other common-sense rules are obvious to most of us: Don't promise rewards, offer deals, or make threats. Don't attack your opposition. Attacks on your opponents weaken your message. Meeting with Your Elected Officials Make an appointment by letter, video chat, or phone. Briefly outline the issues you wish to discuss in your letter or in your call. If you've had prior discussions about these issues, mention them. Don't insist on setting up the appointment through the official; he or she has competent helpers. Be as courteous with staff as you are with your elected officials. Arrive on time. Limit the issues you discuss to not more than three. Organize your presentation. Be brief, friendly, and to the point. Plan on not more than 15 minutes. Prepare a brief summary of your comments to leave with him or her, and documentation that confirms your message. The written message should restate exactly what you're asking of your elected official. Offer to provide additional information and assistance. Bring a second person to help present the message, but don't bring a crowd. If you're asked a question you can't answer, say so and ask for a chance to do some checking and provide the answer later. Send a thank you letter, whether the official has been able to help you or not. When You Write Keep your letter to a single page. If you must exceed one page, make the second page an attachment that elaborates on your one-page summary. Be absolutely sure you spell the official's name correctly and have the right address. If you're writing to several officials on the same subject, individualize the letters. Use your own words, not form letters. Clearly identify the issue (or bill) you are writing about, and only discuss one issue or bill per letter. Give definite and concise reasons for your position. Be specific. A few facts and figures supporting your position will be more effective than just stating your opinion. Explain the impact of the legislation or issue on you and other constituents. What needs are being met or unmet? Provide facts. Suggest, don't demand, a course of action. Be constructive. If you have expert knowledge or wide experience on the subject of your letter, let the legislator know of your expertise. Don't be condescending – be forthright and helpful. Ask, tactfully, for a response, and provide a return address. Express your appreciation – say thanks. More Resources The Legislative Process (PDF) Lobbying the Legislature (PDF) Overview of County Government Appropriate forms of address and salutation US President President (full name) The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. President: US Senator The Honorable (full name) US Senator Washington DC address OR Oregon address (look up on the web through each Senator's page) (Use DC address when Congress is in session; otherwise use Oregon address) Dear Senator (last name): US Representative The Honorable (full name) US Representative Washington DC address OR Oregon address (look up on the web through each Representative's page) (Use DC address when Congress is in session; otherwise use Oregon address) Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (last name): Governor The Honorable (full name) Governor, State of Oregon 254 State Capitol Salem, OR 97310 Dear Governor (last name): State Senator The Honorable (full name) State Senator (if to President, use President of the Senate) Interim address(es) OR State Capitol address (Use State Capitol address when Legislature is in session; otherwise use interim address) Dear Senator (last name): State Representative The Honorable (full name) State Representative (if to Speaker, use Speaker of the House) Interim address OR State Capitol address (Use State Capitol address when Legislature is in session; otherwise use interim address) Dear Representative (last name):

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 4/3 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priorities By Claudia Keith, Climate Emergency Coordinator CE priority bills continue to move forward. All have moved to the floor or to JW&Ms. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each CE priority. 1. SB 530 -7: Natural and Working Lands : On 4/4 the bill moved to JW&Ms with Do pass with -7 amendment, a 3/2 partisan vote. The League continues to be an active coalition member. Fiscal . Staff Measure Summary . 2. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: Work sessions were held on 4/4. All four bills moved to JW&Ms, with a partisan vote. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . Recently posted to OLIS: SB 868 -3 staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 869 -2 staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 870 -4 Staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions SB 871 -3 staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions *** Mark your Calendars: The Resilient Buildings Coalition is having an in-person LOBBY Day at the Capital April 20. More details via an Alert will be published later this month. Pre-register for this Lobby Day.*** 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13. SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907-6 , League testimony . New on OLIS: SB 907 amendment -6 staff measure summary. 4/4 work session, moved to the floor with do pass with amendments, a unanimous vote. SB907 Coalition Sign-on Letter - LWVOR one of many organizations… 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 -3 staff measure summary , fisca l, 4/4 Work Session moved, with 4/1 vote to JW&Ms. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote in both chambers to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will be adding climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony . In both cases, our testimony will request additional agency requests not included in the Governor’s Jan budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast, will likely provide new required budget balancing guidelines. Find in last week’s Social Policy LR a summary of the Governor’s recommended budget for the OHA Public Health Div. It includes Healthcare, Natural Resources, and Climate Emergency related topics. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 -1: League Testimony . Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like the RB task force, the 23-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than Jan 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This policy topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session -1 staff measure summary . Moved on 3/14 with recommendation to JW&Ms with - 1 amendment. Fiscal HB 3016 -2 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Work Session was 3/15 . Fiscal Moved to JW&Ms unanimously. Legislative -2 Staff Measure Summary . House CE&E 4/5/23 By Greg Martin House CE&E heard favorable testimony on April 5 for SB 545 A from Sen. Sollman and environmental witnesses. The Senate engrossed bill greatly simplifies the original, removing the detailed prescription of what the OHA rules must contain. The amended bill simply requires OHA to "adopt rules allowing for a restaurant to allow a consumer to fill a consumer-owned container with food." It also gives OHA an additional 6 months to adopt the rules, by June 30, 2024. ODA was removed from the rulemaking mandate. Senate E&E Work Session 4/4/23 Update: In addition to SB 868-871, Senate E&E reported: SB 542-7 : Right to Repair bill, minimal expenditure impact so presumably sent to the floor. SB 522-3 : Renames OGWC as the Oregon Climate Action Commission; increases membership from 25 to 35 members (13 voting), including an EJ member, a “youth representative” and a member with “significant experience in the fishing industry”; declares Oregon’s “aspiration” to reduce GHG emissions in stages, to achieve 2050 levels that are at least 95% below 1990 levels, and net zero emissions by 2050; requires the commission to track progress toward those goals; and requires DEQ to study and report on opportunities to reduce consumption-based GHG emissions through materials management or other state programs. Fiscal note projects expenditure of $776K in 2023-25 and $632K in 2025-27 for two new full-time ODOE staff and contracting for the required emissions forecast. Presumably referred to Joint W&M. SB 803-6 : Original bill would have established a CI standard for diesel fuel sold in Oregon for use in on-road vehicles, beginning in 2026. Opposition from trucking, ag, construction, et al, pared it back to a “study” bill for DEQ. Fiscal note estimates the study cost at $90K, subsequent referral to JW&Ms. House C E & E 3/29 By Greg Martin HB 3459-5 : Adjustments to the low-income electric bill payment assistance program for PGE and PP customers. Moved to the JW&Ms (6-4 vote). Fiscal note explains: Under current law, HCSD receives $20 million/yr as a base amount for bill payment assistance. In 2021, an additional $10 million was authorized for collection and deposit through December 2023. This bill reduces the supplemental amount collected to $5 million and extends the sunset through December 2025. Projected to require an additional $2.5 million for bill payment assistance in both 23-25 and 25-27. HB 3590 : Requires study of developing fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. Moved to JW&Ms by unanimous vote. Includes $3 million GF appropriation for HECC in 23-25. HB 3004-3 : Tax credit for “non-emitting” electricity generation or storage facility placed in service post 2024. Moved w/out recommendation, with referral to Tax Exp., then to W&M. Fiscal impact is indeterminate, depending on how many facilities might be eligible. HB 2571-2 : Rebates for electric bicycle purchases. Moved to the floor with prior referral to W&M. It would appropriate $6 million (!) GF for the Electric Bicycle Incentive Fund; fiscal note estimates nearly a million more needed for DEQ program administration. HB 3464-3 , the beaver protection act, had a 4/3 work session, unanimous vote, moved to floor, with do pass. No fiscal impact, and apparently, we'll still be able to call beavers "rodents" even though we can't "take" one unless it "imminently threatens infrastructure." Ducks are still fair game in season. Senate E&E 3/30 SB 582-3 : training and certification requirements for installers of EV charging systems, creating a training grant program under BOLI. Moved to floor w/ do pass recommendation, w/ referral to W&M for further fiscal analysis. SB 123-2 , study of digital labeling to convey info about recyclability claims. Moved to floor as amended w/ do pass recommendation. No fiscal impact. All other bills on the agenda, including SB 488 , 522 , 542 , 803 and 868-871, were carried over to Tuesday 4/4 for one reason or another. House CE&E 4/3 The committee moved these bills among others to the floor with do-pass recommendation and referral to Joint W&M: HB 3378-2 : As amended, sets up a $2 million grant program under ODOE to cover counties’ cost of developing optional energy resilience plans to respond to major grid disruptions. Counties could receive grants of up to $50,000 and could pool their grant money. Fiscal impact statement of $2.1 million GF includes one full-time program analyst to design and oversee the grant program. HB 2714-4 : Establishes a $15 million fund under DEQ to support rebates for purchase or lease of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Marsh put on the record, saying she hopes it will become a budget note, that if $15m isn’t available, whatever state funds do come through should go to medium-duty rather than heavy-duty trucks. Fiscal impact statement of $15.3m includes hiring two permanent full-time program analysts. HB 2170-3 : Sen. Brock Smith bill requiring ODOE to study and report to legislature on feasibility of establishing a renewable hydrogen hub at Port of Coos Bay. Rep. Pham opposed the motion. Fiscal note estimates a study cost of $200K. The committee also voted to move HB 2614 w/out recommendation as to passage, for referral to Joint Transp. The introduced bill would require transportation network companies to meet or exceed specified targets for percentage of service miles provided by ZEVs. Chair Marsh moved to punt the bill since the committee had not discussed it or the amendments since the public hearing two months ago. The committee voted to do so though Rep. Osborne objected, saying if we don’t know enough about the topic, why not just kill it. Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart and Arlene Sherrett The League has identified the I-5 Bridge Replacement as a key project impacting Oregonians and anyone traveling the I-5 corridor. This extensive, multi-year, project is projected to cost between $5-7.5 billion and take until 2028 to complete. Washington and Oregon state transportation departments are jointly leading the project . • Accountability Dashboard has extensive information and resources on financial and community accomplishments in an easily digested format. • A monthly newsletter is available to track progress on the project. • The Executive Steering Group last met on March 21 and discussed funding in detail. The financial plan report was scheduled to be released at the end of March and updated around major program milestones. • Equity Advisory Group and the Community Advisory Group host regular meetings designed to educate and obtain input from the community on issues related to the IBR. • The Joint Committee on The Interstate 5 Bridge currently has no scheduled meetings. • Several bills related to tolling have been referred to Transportation and are moving forward during this session. • There are no new meetings scheduled on this project until the middle of the month. See the regular meeting calendar link (4th bullet above) for more information. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. The Need For Climate Risk Disclosures : A Case Study Of Physical Risk Of Two REITS, EQR And ARE | Forbes. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the IRA $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. Oregon State Treasury Completes Nearly $1 Billion Bond Sale , Offers State Residents Opportunity to Invest In Oregon. Oregon bill to divest from coal, oil and gas peters out | National News | kpvi.com The Oregon Investment Council will meet April 19. The Council met March 8; see the meeting packet . ESG is mentioned on page 7. The formal meeting minutes still have not been posted yet. The agenda included ESG Regulatory Update Sarah Bernstein 7 Managing Principal, Meketa and Steven Marlowe, Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice. Treasurer Tobias Read Releases First -Ever Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard | OST. The Feb Pers Statement has yet to be posted. J an 2023 Pers Statement . Moody’s recent Oregon Bond rating rational: ‘Moody's assigns Aa1 to the State of Oregon's GO bonds; outlook stable’. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 64 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: Oregon and NW regional News Offshore Wind Energy: Council wants current plans rescinded | News | currypilot.com . Amazon tried to kill emissions bill in Oregon despite climate pledge | The Washington Post. Oregon utility files IRP, inaugural clean energy plan | pv magazine USA. PacifiCorp wants more time to file first Oregon clean energy plan - Portland Business Journal. PGE Files for Largest Bill Increase in 20 Years | CUB Blog Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Highlights Senate Committees Other Topics - LWVOR and Local League Climate Emergency Highlights Claudia Keith This is a short 5-week Legislative session, most bills must have work sessions scheduled in the first chamber by mid Feb to stay active. There are now many Legislative Concepts’s waiting for Bill numbers for Environment / Climate Legislative soon to be posted to OLIS by no later than 28 th of January. At this point here are a few that have been identified as potential League policy and or budget Climate priorities: Senate Committees Energy and Environment LC 226, - The measure directs the Oregon Department of Energy to seek grant funding to convene a founding board and, upon securing sufficient funds, directs the board to establish a nonprofit entity to finance clean energy and resilience projects . Basically, A Public/Green Banking theme Natural Resources & Wildfire LC 0183, – Creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program t o assess financial impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and recover costs from responsible entities. Designates the Department of Land Conservation and Development to lead an interagency team, directs the Department of Environmental Quality to issue cost-recovery notices, and establishes a dedicated account to receive funds. House Committee Climate & Energy LC 283 , – Requires solar energy contractors and installers to hold licenses appropriate to the work they perform and sets mandatory disclosures and contract elements for solar purchase, lease, and power purchase agreements. Prohibits deceptive statements, with violations treated as unlawful practices under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. (see 2025) LC 286 , – Exempts an energy facility from needing an Energy Facility Siting Council site certificate if the energy facility produces power from a renewable energy source, construction begins on or before December 31, 2028, and it qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits. The League is a founding member of OCN network ~46 member organizations which includes Olcv Climate Solutions ' Defend and Deliver Moment', , OEC , Sierra Club and many others. Some of their priorities: Make Polluters Pay - Climate Superfund (see above LC 183) Defending Existing Climate / Energy related policies and funding Bills. Some may compliment Gov Kotek’s recent 25-29 Energy Executive Orders . Major themes Lower household energy costs Address financing gaps left by federal funding cuts (public/green banking structures?) Protect and grow local clean energy and construction jobs and address Data Center issues . Strengthen resilience, especially for rural and frontline communities Other Topics - LWVOR and Local League Nuclear , Natural Gas expansion in Lane County and PUC related Legislation ‘ A 9-gigawatt problem’ : Northwest’s soaring energy demand, supply constraints, could spark new power crisis - oregonlive.com CUB Endorses the Power to the People Act | News | Oregon CUB New labor coalition hopes to spur job growth to meet Oregon’s clean energy targets • Oregon Capital Chronicle The Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project Coos County North Bend council signals support for county on natural gas pipeline negotiations VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of December 1 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: 2026 Legislative Short Session Potential 2026 Policy LC’s / Bills News Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust 2026 Legislative Short Session (Feb 2 to March 9) The primary climate/carbon issues during the 2026 short session will be related to budget issues primarily caused by Federal funding and policy decisions. All state agencies have been asked to provide 5% reduction options by program. The revenue / economic forecast due Feb 4 will likely reset budget reconciliation guidelines –> favorably or unfavorably. Additionally, this funding situation and Gov Kotek’s 2025/2026 executive orders including prioritizing implementation of clean energy projects and resilience coexist in a very challenging short session. Potential 2026 Policy LC’s/Bills A bipartisan group of lawmakers is actively working on creating a new carbon market cap and trade proposal . ‘ Can Oregon and Washington Price Carbon Pollution? ‘- The Climate Trust Published: September 30, 2025 by Gloria Gonzalez, Ecosystem Marketplace's Carbon Program Environmental and social justice groups, such as the Sierra Club and Oregon Rural Action, plan to continue advocating for environmental justice during the 2026 session, focusing on issues like clean truck rules, utility rate fairness, and addressing nitrate contamination in communities of color. Make Polluters Pay: Climate Resilience Superfund : The concept is the same as SB 1187 (2025) which was introduced by Sens Golden, Pham and 9 other legislators. The policy is based on similar legislation passed in New York and Vermont. Major greenhouse gas emitters who extract or refine fossil fuels would need to pay for the impacts to Oregon of their past emissions (from 1995 to 2024). Virtual Power Plant / Distributed Energy (“VPP”): Planned bill will promote “virtual power plants” (VPPs) or distributed power plant programs, built from distributed energy resources (DERs) such as home and business batteries, smart thermostats, EV chargers, and other controllable devices. Senator Neron Misslin Columbia Riverkeeper Data Center Nov 13 View recording of Webinar Unpacking the Impacts of Data Centers .” Kelly Campbell (Policy Director, Columbia Riverkeeper), Environmental Coordinator Kate Valdez with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and Equity Analyst & Advocate Sarah Wochele with Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB).. Much of the information in this webinar was adapted from Columbia Riverkeepers’ September 2025 background brief on data centers (DCs). Kelly Campbell, policy director: DCs require intensive cooling systems, consuming millions of gallons of water per day. Over a year, a 100-Mw DC will consume 100 million gallons of water, enough for 2,500 people’s domestic use. Unfortunately, DC systems that are more energy-efficient require more water for cooling. To improve our understanding of DCs’ water use and how it relates to energy consumption, we need accurate and timely reporting. If using power generated from natural gas, that 100-Mw DC will generate CO2 emissions equal to that of 60,000 cars. DC expansion is dramatically increasing electricity consumption, jeopardizing the clean energy transition. Utilities are turning to unspecified fossil power instead of renewable energy. Tech companies are pushing small modular nuclear reactors as a “clean” energy source, but it will take at least 15 years for these to become operational. In the meantime, the DCs will continue to use natural gas-fueled power. Policy strategies need to focus on transparency, accountability, and oversight. Very little information is available to the public on data center size, energy and water use, etc. DC development in Oregon has proceeded with virtually zero public input, with closed-door negotiations between elected officials and tech companies. Google and Amazon have consistently resisted transparency demands from citizens and lawmakers. The Washington governor’s work group is developing legislation to address this. Kate Valdez, tribal nations representative reported that increased peak loads are detrimental to salmon runs, which are already dangerously low. Fish operations are disrupted in “emergency” situations such as blackouts, when water flow over dams is cut off. Unsustainable growth of power demand threatens grid reliability that affects all Oregonians. DCs should pay the costs of the new infrastructure they are demanding. We need to ensure that DCs have sufficient energy and transmission availability before they begin operating, and we need closer scrutiny of tax revenue gains and losses before extending current tax incentives. Sarah Wochele, CUB, noted that Oregonians are unfairly subsidizing DCs through their monthly energy bills. Electricity is becoming “luxury priced,” threatening food security, housing affordability, etc. DC load growth is making it more difficult for Oregon to meet its clean energy targets on time and achieve a just energy transition. DCs are an unprecedented type of new utility customer. A single DC requires enough energy to power a city of 56,000 homes. The distribution system is changing, but ratepaying models are not. DCs are responsible for 94% of PGE’s recent load growth. Without their demand, PGE’s overall electric load would be declining. Investments in energy efficiency have largely been funded by residential households, while the benefits have flowed mostly to DCs. The 2025 POWER Act (HB 3546) took a step toward greater accountability by requiring the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create a DC-specific rate class. PUC’s implementation effort has begun with its UM 2377 proceeding for Portland General Electric (PGE). Columbia Riverkeeper has intervened with a coalition of climate and energy advocates, represented by the Green Energy Institute. CUB finds PGE’s proposal seriously lacking, as it calls for residential customers to pay 42% of the investment costs of serving DCs. A complicating factor is that consumer-owned utilities not regulated by PUC serve 37% of Oregon’s electricity demand. Parties in UM 2377 will present testimony to PUC through early December. The docket is open for public comment on the importance of protecting our climate and water from DC proliferation. Columbia Riverkeeper is asking PUC to require water use reporting from DCs so we can begin to develop solutions to improve DC efficiency without harming the surrounding environment. House Interim Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment 11/17/2025 12:00 PM Video Recording Stakeholder Comments on the State Energy Strategy Jennifer Joly, Director, Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities AssociationTucker Billman, Director of Government Relations, Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative AssociationChloe Becker, State Legislative Affairs Manager, Portland General ElectricMary Moerlins, Director of Environmental Policy and Corporate Social Responsibility, NW NaturalNora Apter, Oregon Director, Climate Solutions Meeting materials Stakeholder Comments on the State Energy Strategy - Jennifer Joly (testimony) Jennifer Joly, Director, Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities Association Stakeholder Comments on the State Energy Strategy - Tucker Billman (testimony) Tucker Billman, Director of Government Relations, Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association State Energy Strategy - Janine Benner, Edith Bayer (presentation) Janine Benner, Director; Edith Bayer, Energy Policy Team Lead, Oregon Department of Energy News ODOE to Release Draft Land-Based Net Carbon Inventory Report with Webinar, Comment Period November 24, 2025 | DOE Energy Strategy Update November 2025 To meet growing energy demand, Oregon is ‘nuclear curious,’ mostly cautious • Oregon Capital Chronicle Editorial: Oregon has a roadmap to divorce from fossil fuels | The Bulletin Environmental Advocates Remind Portlanders: Clean Energy Fund Essential to Climate Justice; Rerouting Not an Option | Sierra Club Who’s Ready to Think About Blocking Out the Sun? - The Atlantic ( The idea of artificially lowering the planet’s temperature is gaining supporters and hitting political opposition.) DEPARTMENT OF THE FUTURE - The Strange and Totally Real Plan to Blot Out the Sun and Reverse Global Warming ( A 25-person startup is developing technology to block the sun and turn down the planet’s thermostat.) The stakes are huge — and the company and its critics say regulations need to catch up. - Politico Magazine Oregon Climate Action Commission - OCAC The Oregon Climate Action Commission will meet virtually online on Dec. 12, 2025. Log-in information and meeting materials will be added. Oregon Climate Action Commission Virtual Meeting Nov. 14, 2025 Meeting Materials: Agenda , Meeting Recording , Meeting Presentations , Governor’s Executive Order 25-26 on Resilience of Natural and Working Lands , Glossary for the Land-based Net Carbon Inventory , Public Comments on TIGHGER 2.0 , Response to Public Comments on TIGHGER 2.0 . OCAC Reports 2025 Special Meeting of Oregon Environmental Quality Commission This meeting was held by Zoom only . Monday, Nov. 24 Variances for Air Quality Programs to Address Fuel Availability (Action) 
DEQ proposed that the commission consider issuing variances from certain requirements as allowed by ORS 468A.075 to support continued fuel delivery through alternative methods in Oregon. Presentation Slides . Climate Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust By Claudia Keith November 12, 2025 Our Children’s Trust Submits Friend of the Court Brief to Ecuadorian Constitutional Court Underscoring that Fossil Fuel Development on Indigenous Lands is an Internationally Wrongful Act | Nov 12 2025. A Federal Court Dismissed A Youth-Led Legal Challenge To Trump’s Fossil Fuel Orders. Now What? | Climate in the Courts Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are several active state federal lawsuits , (Nov 2025 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, that challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 91 lawsuits , mentioning OREGON . VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/6 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Housing Human Services Criminal Justice Gun Safety Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Oregon’s housing crisis demands a wide variety of tools aimed at keeping people who are housed in their homes and helping people with inadequate or no shelter into safe and stable housing. When families and individuals cannot afford to cover their basic needs for food, transportation, rent, and utilities, they are at risk of becoming homeless. The bills listed will address some of these needs and take steps towards increasing Oregon’s housing supply. HB 2889 – Oregon Housing Needs Analysis in OHCS This bill proposes to locate the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) within Oregon Housing and Community Services to bring comprehensive reforms to the state’s land use planning systems to pave the way to increase housing production and enhance flexibility in housing choice and location. With state guidance, local communities must address disparities in housing outcomes with an emphasis on housing people most in need. LWVOR testimony was in support. HB 3125 – Public Drinking Water and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund This bill would create a drinking water and assistance fund to be administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services. Resources would be allocated to community-based non-profits, housing authorities, community action agencies, and public utilities. These agencies would be responsible for distributing funds to households in need of assistance. This ratepayer assistance fund will give local agencies one more tool to assist households at risk of losing their homes. The League submitted testimony in support. HB 3010 – Mortgage Interest Deduction The Oregon Secretary of State’s office released an audit of the state’s Mortgage Interest Deduction in March 2022. The audit made findings that should be helpful in informing legislators of the program’s lack of effectiveness in promoting homeownership. The report concludes that the tax deduction is regressive and costs the state over $1 billion in foregone revenue. It is the largest housing-related tax expenditure. The deduction primarily benefits higher earning taxpayers. Taxpayers in urban counties receive a disproportionate share of the savings. For example, in 2018 Clackamas County taxpayers received an average benefit of $331 while Wheeler County taxpayers received an average of $71. People of color receive disproportionately less benefit because of significantly lower homeownership rates. There is no evidence the deduction promotes homeownership. Barriers to homeownership include high home prices, limited funds for down payments, and credit issues. Mortgage Interest Deduction reform is one of the Oregon Housing Alliance’s priority issues. Housing Alliance Membership Meeting The Oregon Housing Alliance, of which LWVOR is a member, held a Membership Meeting on February 6, 2023, attended by Peggy Lynch, Debbie Aiona, and Nancy Donovan. Andrea Bell, Executive Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services, presented an overview of the Governor’s Recommended Budget , and the agency’s proposed budget shifts. They are working through the details and amounts will be refined in the weeks ahead. Following her presentation, the three Housing Alliance workgroups broke into discussion groups: Homeless & Tenant Protections; Land Use, Development and Preservation; and Homeownership & Asset Building. Human Services By Karen Nibler HOMELESS YOUTH services have been supported by LWVOR since our February 2007 study. This session, HB 2454 requesting funding for the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program was heard in House Housing and Homelessness on January 31. The League submitted supportive testimony . The Department of Human Services has administered this program since 2015 but funding had been minimal and covered established shelter programs. In the most recent sessions state funds went to Ecumenical Ministries for the administration of Host Homes through private families. The League had supported youth shelters for all regions in the state as there were needs in many areas. The manager of this state program reported that the homeless services coverage had expanded from 12 to 26 counties with only two counties having no youth shelter programs. Those who testified at the hearing pointed out that currently homeless adults were often homeless as kids. Thus it was important to house families and children to interrupt this cycle. The Human Services Ways and Means Subcommittee has zeroed in on reducing child poverty with its Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, SNAP food benefits, Earned Income Tax Credits and early learning and child care programs as presented in the January 24 hearing. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler The House Judiciary recently heard bills relating to two issues of increasing concern in Oregon and across the country: paramilitary activity and domestic terrorism. As background, it is important to note that the US Supreme Court decided in 1886, and again in 2008, that the Second Amendment “does not prevent the prohibition of paramilitary organizations.” Today all 50 states forbid private military units from engaging in activities reserved for the state militia, including law enforcement activities. On February 6, the League submitted testimony on HB 2572 , which modifies Oregon laws related to armed paramilitary activity. The amended version of the bill defines unlawful paramilitary activity as public patrolling, drilling, or engaging in techniques capable of causing physical injury; interfering with government operations or proceedings; asserting improper authority; and interfering with or intimidating another person engaged in legal behavior. A key provision allows the Oregon Attorney General to bring civil action in the name of state if there is reasonable cause that a person or group of persons is about to engage in such behavior. It defines “private paramilitary organization” as “any group of three or more persons associating under a command structure for the purpose of functioning in public, or training to function in public, as a combat, combat support, law enforcement or security services unit.” The League is monitoring the progress of HB 2772 , heard on February 8, which creates the crime of domestic terrorism, punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment; $250,000 fine; or both. SB 529 , which provides policy recommendations for alternative incarceration programs related to addiction treatment, passed out of Senate Judiciary on February 7 with a do pass recommendation and subsequent referral to Ways and Means. This bill is a step toward fulfilling one of the Governor’s budget priorities—to provide $8.7 million for enhanced substance abuse treatment programs at the Oregon State Penitentiary and the Snake River Correctional Institution. The Oregon Judicial Department brought 2 bills to Senate Judiciary: SB 234 asks for more data on equity of persons in court by client self-report not by staff observation SB 235 asks for increases in judicial positions, at least six county circuit courts have unacceptable wait times for trials, and a time study recommended 36 new judges. The Public Safety Ways and Means Subcommittee will consider this request along with the OJD Budget. Senate Judiciary has considered SB 579 on the right to vote for convicted felons in Department of Corrections custody. SB 637 asks for funding for immigration legal assistance for an existing service, and SB 745 asks the Department of Justice to provide mandatory training to state and county employees on the identification of trafficking victims, interviews and reports. House Judiciary heard 3 cases on crime victim services. HB 2933 asked for a Sexual Violence Safety Fund to provide safe shelters for victims through social service agencies before trials. HB 2676 asked for funds for forensic kits, clean-up costs in homes, funerals, lost wages, and counseling costs. HB 2732 requested funds for Children’s Advocacy Centers for forensic interviews and medical evaluations during abuse investigations. A few exist in counties. Public Safety Ways and Means Subcommittee held initial meetings with the Oregon Judicial Department on the growing backlog of criminal felony cases and Aid and Assist evaluations and Public Defense Services Commission efforts to hire out of state lawyers and pay for time not by case. Gun Safety By Marge Easley Measure 114 Update: The League is disappointed that the Oregon Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the county circuit court ruling that blocks Measure 114 from going into effect. The decision, issued on February 9, is also a disappointment to the Oregon Attorney General, who had petitioned the court to throw out the ruling by Harney County Circuit Judge Robert S. Raschio or direct him to explain why it should stand. According to a statement by the Supreme Court, “That resolution is underway in the trial court; our only determination today is that now is not an appropriate time to exercise our authority in mandamus in connection with the trial court’s temporary and preliminary rulings.” Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Building grassroots leadership in immigrant communities | American Friends Service Committee. Ukrainians by the thousands arrive in states, but with a time limit – Oregon Capital Chronicle. Labor advocates celebrate a major victory for immigrant workers - The Chief. Welcome corps: How US residents can now sponsor refugees . - CSMonitor.com Bills of Interest or possible League support: (Bills that have been posted to OLIS that may move forward via a committee public hearing. – an Incomplete list) Bills moved from Policy Committee to the Joint Ways and Means Committee: SB 627 : Funding for universal (legal) fees for non-documented individuals (15M$) Sen Lieber. Passed out of Sen Judiciary, DO Pass, Feb 7, sent to JW&M. The League has supported this policy / funding category in the past. Basic Needs SB 610 : Establishes Food for All Oregonians Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (snap), unclear what the funding ask may be. Chief sponsors: Senator Campos, Representative Ruiz, Senator Manning Jr, Gorsek, Representative Bowman, Dexter, Gamba . Sen Human Services then to JW&M. May replace the ‘Workers Relief Fund’ . ‘Oregon Worker Relief measures impact in infrastructure’| Statesman Journal. SB 856 Establishes COFA Food Assistance Program to provide nutrition assistance to COFA citizens who would qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits but for their immigration status and who have incomes at or below federal poverty guidelines. Legislative Counsel has not adopted standards for drafting measures that establish exemptions from disclosure of public records. Chief Sponsor: Senator Meek, Patterson, Hansell. Posted to OLIS 2/7/23 Immigration SB 185 Requires Department of Justice to study immigration in this state; may include legislation recommendations to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than September 15, 2024. Requested by Attorney General Rosenblum. In Sen Judiciary. Sunsets January 2, 2025. HB 2957 : Financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status recipients for specified purposes. (>7M$). Large portion of the Source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz, House EC&HS SB 603 : Establishes People's Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program, administered by Dept Human Services, to provide 12 monthly payments of $1,000 to individuals who are experiencing homelessness, are at risk of homelessness, are severely rent burdened or earn at or below 60 percent of area median income. (Includes immigrant, and refugee status.) Starts with a PSU $250K study. A potential $500M program. Rep Pham K and Senator Campos, Sen Cmt on Housing and Dev, then JW&M. HB 3176 Requires Dept HS and Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, to award contracts to organizations to provide support services to immigrants and refugees. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund. Directs Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to convene representatives from state agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate policy recommendations. Representative Reynolds, Senator Jama, House ECHS then JW&M. SB 849 requires professional licensing boards to provide culturally responsive training to specified staff members, publish guidance on pathways to professional authorization for internationally educated individuals and waive requirement for English proficiency examination for specified internationally educated individuals…. Sen L&B. Senator Jama, Dembrow, Frederick, Campos, Manning Jr, Woods, Representative Chaichi, Nguyen H . Other SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities SB 216 Related to data collected by OHA. (Request of Governor Kate Brown for OHA).The Oregon Health Authority set a goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 including those based on race, ethnicity, language, or disability (REALD) and sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI). Sen HC, 2/8 Cmt Work Session carried over. No fiscal impact identified. HB 2458 : Prohibits conversion therapy.

Mark Kendall President (Interim)

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 3/6 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Climate Emergency Priorities Other CE Bills Clean Energy Clean Building Equity and Environmental Justice Interstate 5 Bridge Project Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Priorities By Claudia Keith The League has identified six priority CE policy and budget topics. Find in previous LR reports additional background on each priority. Following are updates on those six topics: 1. Natural and Working Lands : Establishes Natural and Working Lands (NWL) Fund, carbon sequestration opportunities…: Natural Climate Solutions SB 530 . Public Hearing was 2/15/23 in SEN E&E . The League provided supportive testimony . Read Oregon Chapter American Planning Association testimony . Sen Dembrow and OGWC Chair MacDonald testified . Here are the meeting materials . Climate Change Solutions | Newsletter | EESI: “ It's farm bill season on Capitol Hill”. 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report . The League is an active RB coalition partner. BR campaign guiding principles . SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 were posted 2/9. Find additional LR by Arlene Sherrett below. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ): 2023 Leg bills. The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13 and SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB907 was posted 2/15. 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 , will change "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to "Oregon Climate Action Commission" and modify membership and duties of commission and state greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets/goals. League Testimony . PH was 2/21, highlights: Sen Dembrow’s “ OGWC Modernization Presentation “ and American Planning Association testimony. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions and new clean renewable energy (DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published Jan 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ), requesting additional agency requests that were not included in the Governor’s budget. Other CE Bills - Supporting By Claudia Keith HB 2763 Creates a State public bank Task Force with Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters. The League provided testimony . Work Session was scheduled for March 9 w -1 amendment . Other CE Bills – May Support By Claudia Keith The League may support or just follow these bills. This is a preliminary list. Natural Working Lands: See Rep Pham’s urban forestry bill, HB 3016 , Rep Holvey’s severance tax bill, HB 3025 to replace the harvest tax, and ODF’s Regular Harvest tax bill, HB 2087 . SB 88 climate smart Ag increases net carbon sequestration and storage in natural and working lands. Requested: Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery. See Keep Oregon Cool, Natural Working Lands. Green Infrastructure: HB 3016 community green infrastructure, Rep Pham K, Senator Dembrow, Rep Gamba. Public & Green Banking: SB501 Bank of the state of Oregon Sen Golden. Clean Energy By Greg Martin Senate E&E moves SB 852 The committee unanimously moved SB 852 to the Senate floor with subsequent referral to Joint W&M. The 11-line bill requiring ODOE to "establish a program to provide assistance related to energy projects and activities to environmental justice communities" carries a fiscal impact estimate of $390,315 for hiring one permanent, full-time Operations and Policy Analyst 3 as a "community navigator" who would reach out to connect local and tribal governments and community-based organizations with EJ communities and the technical and financial energy resources they need. Clean Buildings By Arlene Sherrett The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee will hold work sessions this week on both HB 3166 and HB 3056. HB 3166 a whole-home energy savings program will offer rebates for installing various electric energy high-efficiency devices and will establish a one stop for much needed information on incentives and technical assistance. HB 3056 extends funding for the heat pump grant and rebate program. Resilient Buildings (RB) is a priority for the League and this week we saw draft text for SB 868 , 869 , 870 sent out on Feb 27, 2023. All the bills follow closely with the intent in the one-pagers sent out from Senator Lieber’s office the first part of February. Unfortunately, there is no place online to access the draft bills but information on the background of each bill is available at the Building Resilience website . Access to the task force mailing list is available through Nora Apter at noraa@oeconline.org and you can email me at arlenesherrett3019@gmail.com . I will be glad to forward them to you. SB 871 the State Building energy efficiency bill will come soon. The RBC coordinator estimates that the Senate Energy and Environment hearing will be in mid-March. Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report for background. Equity and Environmental Justice By Arlene Sherrett SB 852 will be up for a work session in Senate Energy and Environment this week. The bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a program especially for EJ communities to provide assistance with energy projects and activities. The bill had afirst public hearing Feb 21. The following bills include special provisions for Environmental Justice Communities but may not be exclusively targeted to the needs of those communities. HB 3196 HB 2990 Interstate 5 (I5) Bridge Project By Liz Stewart Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge project is estimated to cost approximately $6 billion and will be funded using federal and state funds from both Oregon and Washington, as well as tolling. To date, the final design has not been agreed upon. Information on the project and an FAQ can be found at Frequently Asked Questions | I-5 Bridge Replacement Program. The Executive Steering Group has no scheduled meetings at this time. The Community Advisory Group meets every 2nd Thursday of the month from 4-6 pm. The next meeting is April 13. The Equity Advisory Group meets the 3rd Monday of the month from 5:30-7:30 pm. The next meeting is the March 20. The community engagement calendar can be found here . There was a Public Hearing scheduled for February 28 at 5 p.m. on bills related to rail transportation in Oregon, and a Joint Committee meeting on transportation funding in Oregon on March 2 that may likely touch on the topic of the I-5 bridge as well. The Interstate Bridge Replacement Project is in its second round of assessment after the first plans received criticism from several sources . The latest proposal for the bridge is called the Modified Locally Preferred Alternative . Right now, the project is waiting on an environmental review and this LWVOR report will be updated as soon as anything comes out. Next steps from Program Administrator Gregory Johnson: 1. The program’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available for public review and comment during a formal public comment period anticipated in 2023. 2. The program will refine and update the cost estimate and financial plan to reflect the key elements identified in the endorsed Modified LPA. 3. An updated financial plan is anticipated in early 2023. Sign up for email on IBR project website to find background on the project or get involved: IBR has several public groups formed to give input on the project. Find out about participation at public meetings here and here . Criticisms on the first proposal: Money: $ 5 -7.5 Billion Some legislators feel the work could be done in phases so costs could be spread out over time. Design: 4% slope is very steep for bikers, walkers and rollers. Height of passage under the bridge doesn’t meet what the coast guard sees as needed. Will light rail be included? Although IBR project leaders seem to agree on including light rail, other public figures have weighed in in dissent . Clark County residents did vote to exclude Light rail during the failed Columbia River Crossing Project a decade ago. Increasing GHG Emissions: More lanes, more GHGs. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. SEC Chair Responds to Questions on Potential Lawsuit on Climate Disclosure , Fast Paced Rulemaking | ThomasReuters. Legislators urge SEC chair to finalize climate disclosure rule | Financial Regulation News. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury / Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities - The NonProfit Times, Colorado’s green bank mobilizes $118 mil lion in clean energy projects and infrastructure statewide | EIN News HB 2601 Oregon FF Divestment: The League provided supportive testimony for Fossil Fuel (FF) Divestment: … Requires State Treasurer to address the urgency and risk associated with Fossil Fuel energy investments. Chief Sponsors: Rep Pham K, Senator Golden, Rep Gamba. Bill Calls for Oregon to Divest From Fossil Fuels | Chief Investment Officer CIO. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state and federal lawsuits , (March 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 62 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. Climate lawsuits: How dangerous are they for businesses? |TBS. Oregon and PNW News Oregon State University researching method to trap carbon dioxide in building materials | News | kezi.com . Oregon Delegation Announces an Additional $6 Million for Major Energy Efficiency Upgrades at PDX | U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon National & Global The Scientific Breakthrough That Could Make Batteries Last Longer – WSJ. Senator Whitehouse Puts Climate Change on Budget Committee’s Agenda - The New York Times. Yellen warns climate change may trigger losses in US | The Hill. The Climate Gap and the Color Line — Racial Health Inequities and Climate Change | NEJM. Short-distance migration critical for climate change adaptation – ScienceDaily. A climate education bill , spearheaded by teachers and students, gets a spotlight in Salem - oregonlive.com . Climate change: New idea for sucking up CO2 from air shows promise - BBC News Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: The 2023 legislative session began Jan 17. If any area of Climate Emergency interests you, please contact Claudia Keith , CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

League of Women Voters of Deschutes County since 2003 and on the local league board since 2017, as Event Chair and Program/Study Chair until present. Leader for LWVDC Study on Affordable Housing, completed in February 2021. Volunteered as LWVOR Interim Program/ Research Study Chair in October 2022 and was elected as Issues Positions Chair at State Convention in May 2023 (Term May 2023 to May 2025). Elected to Nominating Committee Chair in May 2025 (Term May 2025-May 2027) Annie relocated to Bend in 2002 and worked part-time as a long-term care assessment nurse and ran a bed and breakfast for 17 years. One of the primary reasons she moved to Bend was to become involved in and supportive of the community in a small town. She has volunteered with neighborhood associations and city committees. Annie has lived in Milwaukee, Denver, Washington DC, and New York City and has founded several businesses. She is an entrepreneur and community activist to the core! Annie is mom to three grown children and Granny Annie to five grandchildren living in Brooklyn, LA and Denver. Annie’s life joy is visiting with family as often as possible. Annie Goldner Nominating Committee Chair League of Women Voters of Deschutes County since 2003 and on the local league board since 2017, as Event Chair and Program/Study Chair until present. Leader for LWVDC Study on Affordable Housing, completed in February 2021. Volunteered as LWVOR Interim Program/ Research Study Chair in October 2022 and was elected as Issues Positions Chair at State Convention in May 2023 (Term May 2023 to May 2025). Elected to Nominating Committee Chair in May 2025 (Term May 2025-May 2027) Annie relocated to Bend in 2002 and worked part-time as a long-term care assessment nurse and ran a bed and breakfast for 17 years. One of the primary reasons she moved to Bend was to become involved in and supportive of the community in a small town. She has volunteered with neighborhood associations and city committees. Annie has lived in Milwaukee, Denver, Washington DC, and New York City and has founded several businesses. She is an entrepreneur and community activist to the core! Annie is mom to three grown children and Granny Annie to five grandchildren living in Brooklyn, LA and Denver. Annie’s life joy is visiting with family as often as possible.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 5/8 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Jump to a topic: Climate Emergency Priority Bills Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… Climate Emergency Priority Bills CE priority bills had minimal activity in the last few weeks. Most have already moved to JW&Ms and one to the House. Find in previous LR (report)s additional background on the six CE priorities. 1. Resilient Buildings (RB) policy package: Bills are now in JW&M. The League is an active RB coalition partner. Link to League testimonies: SB 868 , 869 , 870 and 871 . · SB 868 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 869 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 870 A Staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions · SB 871 A staff measure summary , Fiscal and Follow-up Questions 2. SB 530A : Natural and Working Lands is in JW&Ms with Do pass with- 7 amendment, a 3/2 partisan vote. The League continues to be an active coalition member. Fiscal . Staff Measure Summary 3. Environmental Justice (EJ) 2023 bills: SB 907 A ‘Right to Refuse Dangerous work’ public hearing was on May 10 in House B&L. The committee work session is now scheduled for 5/17. Here is the May 9 LWVOR testimony . The League joined the Worker Advocate Coalition on 2/13. SB 593 is one of two bills the League will follow and support. The ‘Right to Refuse dangerous work’ SB 907 A , League testimony . SB 907 amendment -6 staff measure summary. 4/4 work session, moved to the floor with do pass with amendments, a unanimous vote. SB907 Coalition Letter - LWVOR one of many organizations… 4. Oregon Climate Action Commission (currently Oregon Global Warming Commission): Roadmap , SB 522 A staff measure summary , fisca l, 4/4 Work Session moved, with 4/1 vote to JW&Ms. 5. Other Governor Climate / Carbon Policy Topics: See 20-04 Executive Order topics . This area includes other GHG emission mitigation/reductions (DEQ) and new clean renewable energy (DEQ & DOE), OHA public health, and ODOT (Dept of Transportation) policy and funding bills including state agency budget bills. 6. CE related total 2023-2025 biennium budget: The governor’s budget * was published January 31; Kotek’s budget priorities . A main funding problem concerns how the favorable ending current period balance, estimated to be >$765M, can be used. It will take a 3/5 vote in both chambers to pass this proposed change. We provided testimony on the Oregon Dept. of Energy (ODOE) budget ( HB 5016 ) and will add climate items to (DEQ) HB 5018 League 3/30 testimony . In both cases, our testimony will request additional agency requests not included in the Governor’s January budget. Another major issue, the upcoming mid-May Forecast, will likely provide new required budget balancing guidelines that could limit funding for these critical CE policy bills. Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith HB 2763 A updated with -1 amendment: League Testimony . Creates a State public bank Task Force. Like the RB task force, the 23-member Task Force is required to recommend no later than January 2024. “ The report must include a recommendation for a governing structure for a public bank.” This policy topic will likely have a bill in the 2024 session -1 staff measure summary . Moved on 3/14 with recommendation to JW&Ms with - 1 amendment. Fiscal HB 3016 A , community green infrastructure, moved to JW&Ms unanimously. Legislative -2 Staff Measure Summary . Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridge Project Meetings & Events | I-5 Bridge Replacement Program Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast was released Feb 22. The next forecast is due May 17. JW&M recommended budget will use the May forecast to balance the budget. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has continued to ignore the recommended SEC Climate Risk disclosure proposed rule. Analysis: SEC.gov | Remarks at the 2023 SEC Municipal Securities Disclosure Conference , The Need for Climate Risk Disclosures: Emerging trends in ESG governance for 2023 | Harvard. See supportive SEC disclosure LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury/Treasurer Tobias Read will assist with addressing the IRA $27B Federal funds, contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. Up To $27B Available for NPO Clean Energy Activities . | TNPT. Oregon Pers Performance : Returns for periods ending MAR-2023 Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund. The Oregon Investment Council will meet May 31 The agenda and meeting materials are not yet posted. The Council met April 19; see the meeting packet . The meeting 4/19 minutes still have not been posted. The April packet includes the March meeting minutes. ESG investing continues to be addressed. Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… By Claudia Keith Numerous lawsuits are challenging Oregon’s DEQ CPP regulations. Here is one example of how to track them. Basically, there are a number of active state a federal lawsuits , ( May 2023 update) some of which could assist in meeting Oregon's Net Zero GHG Emissions before 2050 targets and other lawsuits, which challenge current Oregon DEQ CPP policy, which would limit the use of fossil fuels, including diesel, natural gas, and propane over time. Another source: Columbia University Law - Sabin Climate DB lists 64 lawsuits , mentioning OREGON. Climate lawsuits: 'Grannies - but not in the traditional sense': Meet the Swiss women suing over climate change | CNN, Youth Climate Change Lawsuit Clears Pretrial Conference, Trial Set to Proceed - Flathead Beacon Montana, ‘Like a dam breaking’: experts hail decision to let US climate lawsuits advance | Climate crisis | The Guardian, Boulder’s blockbuster climate lawsuit against Suncor and Exxon Mobil has a path forward | Colorado Public Radio. Oregon, NW Regional, National and Global News Oregon’s AG Ellen Rosenblum joins in call for federal gas stove rules - oregonlive.com , Climate Change: Oregon to receive $4M to tackle climate pollution | News | currypilot.com , U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA OREGON - Independent Statistics and Analysis, Oregon's First Natural Gas Ban Ignites Industry Counterattack - Bloomberg. Biden to Create White House Office of Environmental Justice - The New York Times, World not ready yet to 'switch off' fossil fuels , COP28 host UAE says | Reuters, The ocean is hotter than ever: what happens next ? | Nature, Pulling Power From the Ocean Is the Final Frontier for Renewable Energy – CNET, The speed of this Greenland glacier’s melt could signal even worse sea level rise - The Washington Post, Chicago Eyes Billion-Dollar Water Deals to Spur Growth | Bloomberg, Energy Storage: sand battery technology made in Italy, the very first application - SEN Sustainability & Environment Network, Environmental Justice: Everything You Need to Know – EcoWatch, Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Please consider joining the CE portfolio team; we lack volunteers in these critical policy and law areas: · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture/ODA · Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation and Renewable Energy · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s Trust · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Procurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment We collaborate with Natural Resource Action members on many Climate Change mitigation and adaptation policy topics. Volunteers are needed: CE Coordinator. Orientation to Legislative and State Agency advocacy processes is available.

NICOLE REKSOPURO (she/her) NICOLE REKSOPURO (she/her) Youth Council Policy Director Nicole Reksopuro attends Adrienne C. Nelson High School and has a passion for social justice. Nicole was chosen out of 1,060 students to be a part of her school district’s youth equity committee. She, along with many others from different schools, come together and discuss inequities within their schools with the school district board. Furthermore, Nicole is an active member of her speech and debate team and spends most of her time researching, preparing speeches, and competing at tournaments. Outside of her academic pursuits, Nicole continues her devoted commitments to equity by being a part of the leadership council at Girls Inc, where Nicole strives to help uplift underrepresented women's voices with advocacy, policy writing and more. Nicole is also a part of the 2024 Oregon Health Advocate Cohort, where she helps combat systematic obstacles that prevent students from receiving healthcare directly from their school. She has been selected as one of her school’s Student Ambassadors for the Asian American Youth Leadership Conference, to help foster a safe environment for those of Asian heritage to come together and bond over their rich culture. This is Nicole’s first year participating in LWVOR Youth Council, and she has her eye on making civic participation a smoother experience for everyone. Through leading workshops and registering young voters, she hopes to make her community (and the world) a better place. She is excited to advocate for voters across Oregon as a member of the LWVOR Youth Council and can be contacted at youthcrew@lwvor.org . youthcrew@lwvor.org

Barbara Keirnes-Young Director

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch It’s here! The long-awaited Revenue Forecast that will guide the spending for the 2026 legislative session, was delivered at the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee meeting on Feb. 4th. Carl Ricidonna, Oregon’s State Economist, provided his report, along with Michael Kennedy, Senior Economist. See pages 17 and 20 for the important numbers. And the Legislative Revenue Office’s Forecast Summary : Projected 2025-27 Net General Fund Resources are up $252.7 million (0.7%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. Projected 2025-27 Lottery resources are up $33.8 million (1.8%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. Projected 2025-27 Combined net General Fund and Lottery Resources are up $286.5 million (0.7%) from the 2025: Q4 forecast. This Revenue forecast is better than the last forecast, and it appears there is just a 20% chance of a recession. Oregon’s revenue outlook is doing better than predicted due the highest corporate earners doing especially well last year with higher productivity. 5% of corporations are paying 90% of the tax. Lottery revenues are also up. However, the personal income tax revenues were only modestly up, and lower income earners are again hardest hit by a nearly 3% inflation rate with few new jobs. Unemployment is also up but not at an alarming rate. In all this will reduce slightly the revenue hole caused by HR 1 and our state income tax connection to it. Because of the importance of this presentation here is a list of news articles covering the forecast: Oregon Capital Chronicle on Feb. 4 . OregonLive . OPB In the last legislative report, we shared the various budget gaps that legislators are facing, from Medicaid and SNAP to education and addressing transportation funding. Although this forecast was helpful, it is still $450 to $1 billion less than needed. So, cuts will happen. However, there are some actions the legislature is considering to decrease the effects of funding loss for services Oregonians value. One is SB 1507 shared below: At the Senate Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 4, the version of SB 1507 which was initially introduced sought to reduce a number of taxes equal to/conditioned on a statewide retail sales tax with proceeds to be directed to specifically defined purposes. The legislation is largely intended to ameliorate some of the impacts of federal H.R.1 . At the outset of the hearing Chair Anthony Broadman indicated that there were likely additional amendments in the pipeline besides those posted online. Committee members are, for example, working through the jobs credit provision which is currently set at a $12.5 million cap per year. The -3 amendment is fairly straightforward. It entirely replaces the initial version of SB 1507 and updates Oregon’s connection with the federal Internal Tax Code by replacing effective dates of “2023” with “2025.” The -4 amendment also seeks to replace the initial version of SB 1507 and is no longer in consideration. It closes certain federal tax loopholes for purposes of Oregon taxation, which will result in increased taxpayer payments and state revenue. They include (1) deductions for car loan interest, (2) gain from the exchange or sale of small business stock deducted on personal income tax returns, (3) certain machinery and equipment tax deductions. Subject to an annual total amount of tax credits of $12.5 million, taxpayers can also claim $1,000 personal and corporate income tax credit for every new job they create in Oregon, which credit can be carried forward for 3 years. Oregon’s earned income tax credit is also increased from 9% to 14% of a taxpayer’s federal earned income tax credit, and for taxpayers with a dependent under 3 the credit is increased from 12% to 17%. The -5 amendment reiterates - 4 but also adds clarifying language. For example, when seeking the new job tax credit, Dash 5 provides that new jobs are to be determined by comparing the average annual employees of a taxpayer in a 12-month period ending on June 30th of the current tax year as compared to the same 12-month period in the previous tax year. Here is the Legislative Revenue Office summary of the -5. The tax credits are capped at an annual total amount of tax credits of $12.5 million. The latest amendment is the -6 which includes the following: 1. Removes the vehicle loan interest deduction 2. Increases Oregon’s EITC from 9% to 14% of federal EITC amount, or from 12% to 17% for taxpayers with a dependent under the age of 3 at close of tax year. This is a great help to low-income earners. 3. Disconnects from personal income tax exclusion for gain from the exchange or sale of qualified small business stock. 4. Disconnects from bonus depreciation provision. This item was hotly contested in the Feb 4 hearing which allows a business to take 100% depreciation in the first year. 5. Credit for taxpayers creating jobs allows $1,000 × number of jobs created in the year, capped at 10 new jobs per year. Wages paid must be at 150% of the local minimum wage. These credits are capped at $12.5 million per year and end in 2031. All these credits apply to tax years starting in 2026. On Feb. 5 th , a -6 amendment was posted. Here is the Staff Measure Summary of the -3 and -6 amendments that replace the measure and we expect to be voted on in Committee Monday. Public Hearing Feb. 4. Work Session Feb. 9. The League supports the bill with amendments as it has the potential to bring in over $300 million but had wished for additional disconnect items to help with Oregon’s revenue needs. The Oregon Capital Chronicle provides this article . Here are Oregonlive and Salem Reporter articles on HB 1507. Then the Full Ways and Means Committee met for hours Feb. 3 rd to hear from Oregonians as shared in this Oregon Capital Chronicle article. On Feb. 5 th , hundreds of Oregonians rallied in Salem in support of a disconnect ( KDRV article). The Full Ways and Means Committee met Feb. 6 th and introduced 6 budget bills for the session. The LCs (Legislative Concepts) will be assigned bill numbers after their introduction AND the League expects amendments by the end of session: LC 319 : Amends an incorrect internal reference in a law relating judicial compensation. Program Change Senate bill. LC 321 : Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority Senate Bill. LC 322 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state agencies for capital construction. Capital Construction 6-year limitation Senate Bill LC 323 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder for agency allocation changes Senate Bill. LC 324 : Approves certain new or increased fees adopted by state agencies. The bill includes the Dept. of State Lands Wetlands processing fees set forth during rulemaking for which the League engaged. Fee Ratification House Bill. LC 325 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder House Bill. LC 326 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder House Bill. LC 327 : Modifies certain biennial appropriations made from the General Fund to specified state agencies and the Emergency Board. Establishes and modifies limitations on expenditures for certain biennial expenses for specified state agencies. The items populated in this bill as introduced reflect tentative decisions made by Ways and Means during the January Legislative Days. Omnibus Budget House Bill. Though LWVOR does not have a position regarding the conclusion shared by the author of this article , the information about future PERS costs is important. The two increases mean that by 2029, PERS contributions will have increased almost 80% over the 2023-2025 biennium, from $5.26 billion to $9.35 billion, over 25% of payroll. The Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) is reviewing state building usage and leases to find efficiencies and reduce state costs per this presentation in the W&M General Government Subcommittee on Feb. 2 nd . Here is the material from the Oregon State Debt Policy Advisory Commission . Tentatively the General Obligation bond capacity for the 2026 session is $513 million and $86 million lottery bond capacity. Bills we may be following: SB 1562 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent, respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. HB 4148 : Allows city and county services for which net local transient lodging tax revenue may be used to be provided either directly by the city or county or indirectly by a special district. Changes the division of allowable uses of net local transient lodging tax revenue from at least 70 percent for tourism related expenses and no more than 30 percent for city or county services, to at least 40 percent and no more than 60 percent , respectively. Allows units of local government with restricted grandfathered local transient lodging tax regimes to take advantage of the new provisions of the Act. Establishes biennial reporting by local governments of amounts and uses of local transient lodging tax revenue. The LOCAL Act, adjusts the post-2003 lodging tax distribution so that local governments may adjust the percentages, with up to 60% used for critical local services and infrastructure, such as first responders, and at least 40% dedicated to tourism promotion and facilities. The LOCAL Act is a bipartisan collaborative bill that updates outdated restrictions so communities can better balance supporting tourism with maintaining residents' quality of life. Public hearing Feb. 9. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Applies to estimates prepared on or after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the difference in surplus revenue calculations using stated methodologies, and transfer an amount equal to the difference for use for various purposes. Establishes the One-Time Emergencies and Finance Fund. Public hearing Feb. 2. HB 4136 : Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, a mortgage interest deduction for a residence other than the taxpayer’s principal residence, unless the taxpayer sells the residence or actively markets the residence for sale. Establishes the Oregon Homeownership Opportunity Account. Transfers an amount equal to the estimated increase in revenue attributable to restrictions on the deduction of mortgage interest to the account, for the purpose of making down payment assistance payments. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. SB 1510 : Updates the terminology used to describe certain income earned by multinational corporations to reflect a change in the term used in federal law. Aligns sunset dates for earned income tax credit provisions with the underlying sunset date for the credit. Expands the tax credit for certified film production development contributions to allow the use of contributions for the production of commercials. Applies to fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Provides an exception from the annual filing requirement for the property tax exemption for property burdened by an affordable housing covenant used for owner-occupied housing. Applies to property tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027. Public Hearing Feb. 11. SB 1511 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the estate tax. Directs the Legislative Revenue Officer to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to revenue not later than December 1, 2027. Public Hearing Feb. 11. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Adds rural reserves in Washington County to Metro to be used for high technology and advanced manufacturing purposes. See more on this omnibus bill in the Land Use section of the Natural Resources Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. Oregonlive provided this comprehensive assessment of the bill. SJR 201 : Kicker Reform: Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require a portion of surplus revenue that would otherwise be returned to personal income taxpayers to be used for funding public kindergarten through grade 12 education, community colleges and wildfire prevention and suppression, if surplus revenue exceeds a certain threshold. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. OPB covered a story about the bill . NO public hearing has been scheduled at this time. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. Public Hearing Feb. 2. See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall.