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.

Natural Resources Read Our 2025 Priorities Here 2026 Legislative Priorities SUPPORT NATURAL RESOURCES agencies that address water, land use and wildfire, retaining important staff expertise and data collection. Support policies that protect and enhance Oregon's land, sea and air, especially from threats from new federal government actions. In 2025, your natural resources volunteers addressed issues around agriculture, wildfire and water, as well as agency budgets. We worked with our coalition partners at the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) on both policy and budget bills. OCN provides legislators with a “Hot List” of bills OCN groups are following—supporting, opposing or having concerns. A new group, the Oregon Ocean Alliance , provided a coordinated voice for ocean and coastal issues. We are a member of the Oregon Housing Alliance , where the natural resources volunteers follow land use, infrastructure and environmental policies while our Social Policy volunteers follow other housing issues. The League determines our Priorities at the beginning of the session. The Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO) provided a 20-page review of Natural Resource legislation for 2025. Below are summaries of the work our volunteers have done this session. But the work continues between sessions as we follow natural resource boards and commissions and follow rulemaking to implement the policies passed during the session. You can find their meeting schedules on each agency’s website. LWVOR Advocacy Positions Air Quality— All segments of society (government, industry, agriculture and individual citizens) must share responsibility for improved air pollution abatement practices. Offshore and Coastal Management— Responsible and responsive government management of the public’s coastal and nearshore natural resources shall be based upon: A complete environmental assessment, cumulative impact analysis, and baseline data specific to Oregon. Recognition of coastal states and local government’s rights, jurisdictions, and responsibilities to preserve and protect marine and coastal environment and economy. Energy Conservation— LWVOR supports long-range planning for conservation and wise development of energy sources. The League believes the public should have an opportunity to influence decisions. Nuclear Energy— The nuclear power program must be managed to protect current and future generations and to maintain an environment beneficial to life. Forests— All benefits of the forests—ecological, human and economic—are inextricably interconnected Hard Rock Mining— LWVOR recognizes society's need for key minerals, and also the potential harmful environmental, health, and human impacts that mining for these minerals can produce. Land Use— Citizen participation, education, communication and ongoing reevaluation are essential elements in the comprehensive planning process. LWVOR supports a system of local government based upon constitutional home rule for metropolitan districts, counties, and cities. Statewide Planning —LWVOR supports policies that promote both conservation and development of land as a natural resource, in accordance with Oregon’s land use goals. Parks— A park’s system is an appropriate function of state government Pesticides and Other Biocides— Pesticides and other biocides should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems, and their use should be controlled. Seismic Risks— All levels of government share the responsibility of coordinating, implementing and funding an effective program to mitigate Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards. Priority must be given to mitigation that protects human life and safeguards critical life support systems. Water Policy – Quality and Quantity— Water is a resource that should be managed for the benefit of the public and as sustainable habitat for all life forms. The League supports comprehensive long-range planning for conservation and management of ground and surface water and the improvement of water quality. Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force— In order to meet the present and future water needs within the Columbia River Basin, comprehensive planning is essential. League Natural Resource Positions can be found here: Issues for Action (LWVOR): Air Quality Off Shore and Coastal Management Energy Conservation Nuclear Energy Forests Hard Rock Mining Land Use Parks Pesticides and Other Biocides Seismic Risks Water Policy – Quality and Quantity Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force Impact on Issues (US League) Resource Management page 107 Environmental Protection and Pollution Control – page 110 Transfer of Federal Public Lands – page 124 Climate Change - page 125 Public Participation – page 128 Federal Agriculture Policies – page 130 Previous Legislative Reports Next

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Other Governance Bills Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance During the 2/29 public hearing on the -3 amendment to this placeholder bill, HB 4024 , good government groups severely criticized the amendment for leaving huge loopholes for special interest organizations to still make 6-figure campaign contributions. See the League’s written testimony . After a week of private negotiations, a new -5 amendment was posted just minutes before a deadline before an 8 am Monday 3/4 hearing and possible work session. The good government groups have not yet had a chance to analyze this 48-page amendment. Stay tuned! Other Governance Bills HB 4021 , which requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy, had a public hearing and a work session is awaiting action on the House floor. HB 4026 , which was a placeholder bill related to elections, was amended in House Rules to retroactively prohibit the use of a referendum on any urban growth boundary expansion. This would block a referendum in the City of North Plains in Washington County. The LWVOR submitted written testimony opposing the amendment, saying the bill is likely unconstitutional and may invite a lawsuit. The bill passed the House 49 to 5 and is now awaiting Senate action. HB 4031 was amended in House Revenue to protect taxpayer information from disclosure. It now awaits House floor action. HB 4032 , which removes the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court, had a public hearing but no further action yet in House Rules. HB 4117 , which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which is a correction to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed the House immediately and unanimously. The bill then had a hearing and work session in Senate Rules and now awaits Senate floor action. SB 1502 requires public schools and college boards to live stream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. The bill passed the Senate 29 to 1. The bill had a hearing and work session in House Education, which recommended “Do Pass” for the House floor. SB 1538 A , an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes, was passed by the Senate as amended on a 20 to 10 vote. The House Rules held a hearing and a work session, which recommended a “Do Pass” House floor action. Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Rebecca Gladstone Late breaking: the Oregonian invited submission for this March 3rd Op-Ed: Opinion: Oregonians should not fall for Legislature’s fake campaign finance reform . A public hearing for HB 4024 -5, the bill mentioned in the Op-Ed was set after going to press, for 8am Monday March 4 in House Rules. An Action Alert is being prepared. Our Legislature went into Sine Die, 1-hour notice for bill hearings, on Feb 27, becoming both a sprint and a marathon. Rumor predicts that the last day will be Friday, 3/8. AI, synthetic media in campaign SB 1571 A : This was presented in House Rules after passing unanimously in the Senate. We updated and presented supportive verbal testimony, see video , first bill on the agenda. We expect a work session and passage in the final days. The Senate Memorial Commemoration for Alice Bartelt, SCR 203 , was heard and passed unanimously from the Senate floor on Feb. 28. See the video , at 20 minutes for the presentation and vote. Our thanks to Senators Deb Patterson, Lew Frederick, and Rob Wagner for supportive comments, especially for Alice’s daughters, unable to attend, and for the League (look in the gallery). LWVOR researched and wrote this resolution at sponsor Senate President Sen. Rob Wagner’s request. See League testimony . It was heard in House Rules, and we expect a work session and passage in the final days. Increase Voters’ Pamphlet languages SB 1533 : This bill to increase the number of languages other than English for State Voters’ Pamphlets passed unanimously on the House floor and has been sent to the Senate, with supportive League testimony . We expect a work session and passage in the final days. Automatic Voter Registration for students SB 1577 -3 . This bill to expand automatic voter registration for higher ed students, through the Dept of Revenue, was amended to require the Legislative Policy and Research Director to study its viability, benefits and challenges. After passing from Senate Veterans on a 3 to 2 partisan vote, it still awaits action in Joint W&Ms.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Agriculture Air Quality Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Transportation Water Wildfire AGRICULTURE 2025 Farm Stand Rulemaking Advisory Committee to Meet June 24, 2025: Information : The public comment and consultation period for this rulemaking will close on November 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. To make public comment in writing, please email farmforest.comment@dlcd.oregon.gov at any time. AIR QUALITY SB 726 A would direct the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt rules requiring the use of advanced methane detection technology for surface emissions monitoring at a landfill located in Benton County (e.g., Coffin Butte). June 16: Governor signed. Related to this bill is HB 3794 , a bill that creates a Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley. HB 3794 passed Ways and Means on June 20. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources. However, there are currently over 500 bills in Joint Ways and Means, with many of the agency budget bills now moving through that committee and to the floor and then on to the Governor. Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Both bills awaiting the Governor’s signature. Five bills related to the department's various fee increases also passed Full Ways and Means. HB 2805 Relating to food establishment licenses ( Meeting Materials ), HB 2806 Relating to license fees for commercial instruments ( Meeting Materials ), HB 2809 Relating to pesticide registration fees ( Meeting Materials ), SB 1019 A Relating to brands ( Meeting Materials ), SB 832 A Relating to civil penalties for laws implemented by the State Department of Agriculture ( Meeting Materials ) SB 5508 LFO Recommendation Columbia River Gorge Commission:June 16: Governor signed. Dept. of Environmental Quality: SB 5520 League testimony . LFO Recommendation and Meeting Materials Waiting Governor’s signature. Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 and Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 Meeting Materials . Waiting the Governor’s signature. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 ( LFO Recommendation ), along with HB 2342 A ( LFO Recommendation ) Relating to fees concerning wildlife, HB 2343 A ( LFO Recommendation ) Relating to the Columbia Basin endorsement and HB 2345 ( LFO Recommendation ) Relating to Oregon hatcheries. These three bills passed both chambers. From the Environmental Caucus newsletter: HB 2977 , the 1% for Wildlife Bill, would increase the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) that is collected at lodging establishments, from 1.5% to 2.5% total. The revenue from the increase would go towards habitat and species restoration and conservation. On Tuesday, the House Revenue Committee adopted an amendment that adds another .25% increase to the TLT, bringing the total to 2.75%. The additional .25% revenue will go towards anti-poaching efforts, the Wolf Management Compensation and Proactive Trust Fund, wildlife connectivity and stewardship, and invasive species control. The bill passed out of committee with bipartisan support, passed the House floor and is headed to the Senate. Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . Meeting Materials ; LFO Recommendation Passed the Senate and now headed to the House for a chamber vote. HB 2072 , Harvest Tax, LFO Recommendation , is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI): HB 5010 LFO Recommendation . Waiting the Governor’s signature. Meeting materials LWVOR testimony LWVOR supports SB 836 , a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities. Here is the LFO Recommendation for SB 836. It passed the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the House. Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 LWVOR testimony . The budget passed the Senate and is waiting for a vote in the House. This budget and the Oregon Housing and Community Services budget ( HB 5011 ) have been part of a challenging conversation between the Governor and the Ways and Means Co-Chairs with the Governor’s recommended budget being more than the May revenue forecast can afford. LFO Recommendation HB 5011 is waiting for a vote in both chambers. Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 Public hearing Feb. 27 LWVOR testimony . The bill is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB): HB 5021 and HB 2558 A modifies the definition of "charter guide" for purposes of outfitter and guide laws. Both bills have been signed by the Governor. HB 2982 A , a bill that increases boating permit costs estimated to increase revenue to OSMB by about $1 million for the 2025-27 biennium, most of which will be used to address Aquatic and Invasive Species (AIS) management in partnership with the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife were considered together. Here is the Legislative Fiscal Office recommendation for each of the three bills. HB 2982 is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 LWVOR testimony in support. LFO 2025-27 budget recommendation . LFO budget recommendation for SB 147. June 16: Governor signed both bills. Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 Public hearing March 5. Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony in part to address comments by the Legislative Fiscal Office. The bill is waiting for the Governor’s signature. LFO Recommendation . There is a bill related to contracting rules (SB 838 A) also waiting the Governor’s signature. Another, SB 565 , would move the Capitol State Park back to the control of the Dept. of Administrative Services, may come back in 2026. Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony . And the fee bills: support HB 2808 and support HB 2803 (The - 3 amendment was adopted, reducing the fees significantly which will cause the department a revenue shortfall should the amendment stand the scrutiny of Ways and Means where it now lies.) The budget and fee bills passed Full Ways and Means along with HB 3544A , a bill that revises current statutes on contested case procedures related to new water right applications and water right transfer applications (contested cases). The bills now go to the chambers for a vote. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-27 LWVOR testimony . Meeting Materials . Waiting for the Governor’s signature. LFO Recommendation Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 LFO Recommendation Also waiting for the Governor’s signature. Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT): SB 5541 info hearing 3/03-6, public hearing 3/11. The budget for ODOT has now been assigned to the Capital Construction Ways and Means Subcommittee. Now that HB 2025 , the comprehensive Transportation ReInvestment Package (TRIP) has passed out of the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment , we expect to see the agency budget to move. However, it may await the outcome of votes on HB 2025. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding. Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 Info hearings 4/29-30. Public hearing May 1st. This bill has passed Full Ways and Means and is headed to the chambers for votes. Among the changes are increased security due to full opening of the Capitol building in 2026, replacement/upgrades of the OLIS and 3 new legislative analysis and research positions to reflect increased workload. There will also be money to contract for a review of salaries and number of staff needed by legislators. Sen. McLane supported an amendment to increase staff. There was a discussion and assumption that having more information by the February session will help in any staffing increase change decisions. The following four bills (and a few others) are expected to show up in the Ways and Means Capital Construction Subcommittee Monday, June 23—or later in the week: Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing May 9 and May 16 @ 1p. The League supported two of the requests: $160 million for preservation of rental housing and $25 million to preserve manufactured housing and $100 million Housing Infrastructure Fund in Section 14. There are over $2 billion in requests for a variety of projects around Oregon! Emergency Board: HB 5006 This bill will be populated with an amount for the Emergency Board to spend at will and amounts in Special Purpose Appropriations if needed when the legislature is not in session. It is expected that this will be the end-of-session (Christmas Tree) bill. General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Public hearing held April 18. Second public hearing, this time on university and community college requests, was held May 2. Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) Public hearing held May 2. CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL ISSUES SB 504 A relating to bioengineering for the protection of coastal resources passed Full Ways and Means along with SB 1047 B , a bill that may well open up a new golf course south of Bandon Dunes on the south coast. This project has been at odds with conservation interests due to the need for water and development issues. This is another bill where the legislature is overriding our land use planning system. Coastal Program meetings on Offshore Wind Energy, Ocean Acidification and the Ocean Science Trust coming soon. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT The League supports HB 3580 eelgrass stabilization LWVOR signed letter of support and HB 3587A Protection of Rocky Habitat LWVOR signed letter of support ( fiscal impact statement ). To help these bills get funded, consider LWVOR’s Action Alert . If either of these bills are funded, it is most likely to be HB 3587. The League signed on to a letter of support for HB 3963 , a bill that extends the timeline for the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development to provide a report on offshore wind conversions from 2025 to 2027. The League signed on to testimony in support. The bill passed the House floor (34/18 with 2 excused) and is headed to the Senate floor. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch SB 1154 was filed by the Governor to address the groundwater/nitrate issue in Morrow and Umatilla counties per this OPB article . See also in the Water section for a presentation of interest. This Oregon Capital Chronicle article helps explain the controversy. The bill passed the Senate 18/12. A work session is set for June 23 in House Rules. DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI) By Joan Fryxell The State Land Board met on June 10th and received yet another presentation/slide show from the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries on geologic carbon sequestration. The DOGAMI Board will meet on June 24. Here is the agenda . The Grassy-Mountain Gold Project Technical Review Team met June 16th. Information can be found here . The League continues to follow this project as the first consolidated permitting project to be held in Oregon. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) The ESRF Board of Directors met in North Bend June 11. Click here to download the meeting agenda and materials . The Board approved the 2025-27 Biennial Operations Plan and recommended research grant proposals one and two and the tier two level with verbal support for proposals three and four without funding at this time. FORESTRY SB 1051 , which transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, was amended by the -4 amendment and the bill has passed the Senate. It now has a work session in House Rules on June 23. GOVERNANCE HB 3569 , to require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee (RAC) for legislation they had a hand in passing, passed the House. The League provided testimony with our concerns and opposition to the bill. The bill passed both the Senate and House and awaits the Governor’s consideration and possible signature. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill to create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. The League joined others in sharing concerns about this bill to members of House Rules. It was pulled from the scheduled work session on May 28th. The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking ( SB 437 , SB 1006 , SB 370 , SB 483 ) and SB 411 , SB 895 also in Senate Rules. HB 2454 passed House Rules with the -1 amendment and sent to Ways and Means. The bill creates a new Audits Officer (with possible additional staff). The Jt. Audits Committee would hire the Officer. We are concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials, would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. A work session was held May 28 where the -2 amendment was adopted to delay the web work and the bill sent to Ways and Means. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies: This DAS document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This Transparency website document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process, in particular the Natural Resource agencies, was held June 17. The Governor’s staff attended as they worked with agencies and others to develop a template for rules advisory processes. A draft of the plan was shared. Not only would there be three tiers to determine the level of engagement needed, but whether or not Commission members should be a liaison to more complicated rulemakings. See also the Governance section of this Legislative Report. LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra U. Bishop/Peggy Lynch HB 2138 , the Governor’s follow up on middle housing bill has passed the House and is headed to the Senate for a vote. LFO Recommendation The League engaged on elements of this bill over the summer but chose to stay silent due to some of the bill provisions. HB 2258 , a bill that authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt rules requiring local governments to approve certain land use applications for residential developments using building plans preapproved by the Department of Consumer and Business Services passed the House and is headed to the Senate for a vote. LFO Recommendation The League provided testimony in support of HB 3939 , a bill that provides a list of infrastructure projects to fund for smaller Oregon cities so they can build more housing. We have also supported HB 3031 A which has been assigned to the Ways and Means Capital Construction Subcommittee. The -1 amendment to HB 3939 was adopted and sits in Ways and Means. HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. HB 2316 -4 frees up approximately 3,500 acres of state land which can now be used for housing production, all within the urban growth boundaries. The A6 amendment was adopted and the bill sent to Ways and Means. The Land Conservation and Development Commission will meet June 26-27 in Salem. Guest presenters include Oregon Water Resources Director Ivan Gall, and Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) Coordinator Crystal Grinnell, who will provide updates on the 2025 Draft IWRS before its scheduled adoption by the Water Resources Commission this fall. A genda See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. TRANSPORTATION HB 2025 is the comprehensive Transportation ReInvestment Package (TRIP) assigned to the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment . The League signed a letter in support of increased transit funding. A work session on HB 2025 was held June 20 where a number of amendments were offered but it was the -23 amendment that was adopted and it passed out of committee on a party line vote with Senate President Wagner substituting himself instead of Sen. Meek. Revenue Impact Statement . Because it raises taxes, HB 2025 needs a 3/5 majority to pass—18 of 30 Senators, 36 of 60 Representatives. 2 Oregon Democrats balk at transportation bill as session nears its end (OPB), and Divided Oregon panel sends massive transportation funding bill to House floor (OR Capital Chronicle). The proposed HB 2025 Transportation package, if not agreed upon by the legislature in a truly bipartisan manner, is expected to be taken to the voters by a new political action committee “No Gas Hikes’ per this OPB article . “ Bills passed by Oregon lawmakers can be referred to voters if organizers collect enough valid signatures within 90 days of the Legislature adjourning. This year, a referral would require at least 78,115 signatures, equal to 4% of the people who cast a ballot in the 2022 gubernatorial election.” But the bill must pass the legislature before it can be referred to voters. WATER By Peggy Lynch HB 2169 is awaiting the Governor’s signature. LFO Recommendation . The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to establish and lead an interagency water reuse team to encourage and expand water reuse in Oregon. HB 2947 is waiting for the Governor’s signature. “Directs the Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to study the distribution and occurrence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in biosolids applied to agricultural fields that do not produce crops intended for human consumption.” LFO Recommendation . HB 3806 , a bill that authorizes the Oregon Water Resources Commission to approve a Deschutes River water bank pilot program if the charter is approved by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs and adheres to all requirements. It sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2034, and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Water Right Process Improvements ( HB 3342 ). A - 4 amendment was adopted and the bill is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. The bill sits in Senate Rules. SB 1153 , an alternate bill provided with help from the Governor’s office was amended by the -10 amendment and sent to Ways and Means. Harney Basin Groundwater Management ( HB 3800 ). A work session was held and the bill was sent to House Rules without recommendation as to passage. Water Rights and Public Interest ( HB 3501 ) A work session was held and the bill was referred to House Rules without recommendation as to passage on a 6 to 3 vote. HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted testimony in support. The League hopes to see this bill move forward, even if there are constraints. It would be a beginning and a recognition that water needs to be safe for everyone-homeowners and renters. The House Rules Committee had a work session on June 16 where the A-12 amendment was adopted. The House passed the amended bill and it heads to the Senate. SUMMER PREPARATION TIPS League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. 35% of Oregon is now classified under “moderate drought” and 65% of the state is “abnormally dry. “ This time last year, the water supply outlook hung around slightly below to near normal conditions, while this year it has mostly been below normal” per an article in the Estacada News. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon and a long range climate prediction . We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs). “When in doubt, stay out.” Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab . The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers " We are preparing for what is likely to be an even more aggressive and increasingly difficult to control wildfire season this year,” “What’s striking is the size of the fires we’ve seen this early in the season,” Oregon Department of Forestry wildfire spokeswoman Jessica Neujahr said. “It’s not unusual for us to have wildfires in June, especially on the east side of the state, but to have them this large and just back-to-back-to-back is unusual." Summer may have just officially begun, but wildfire season is already well underway with a large number of fast-moving wildfires. Oregon has had more than 400 fires so far, with least 56 homes lost and over 20,000 acres burned, mostly east of the Cascades. This is just short of twice the 10-year average of 13,000 acres burned by this point in the fire season. This June 20th article in the Statesman Journal , from which to two opening quotes of were drawn, provides important details on the season so far, and sobering information on what might be ahead. There are some very alarming predictions therein. It is against this backdrop that the Legislature, with the end of the session looming, is still trying to find a path to provide at least some funding for our state’s wildfire crisis. There has been precious little movement to no movement on some bills as well as scrambling on others to try and find creative solutions. The Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office have stated the minimum annual need for wildfire funding to address the growing wildfire crisis is around $280 million. Toward that end, the “one big beautiful” (forgive the dark humor) omnibus wildfire funding bill, HB 3940 B , is one that has seen a flurry of activity in this past week. A Public Hearing was held on June 18 before House Revenue, followed by a Work Session June 19 at which the -A 24 Amendment was adopted, and the bill sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. This is an extremely complex bill, with the newest iteration proposing a tax on the sale of "oral nicotine products" like synthetic nicotine pouches. This brief summary from The League of Oregon Cities covers the basics of the current status of this critically important bill. Included is a proposal to use 20% of the interest on the Rainy Day Fund for wildfire mitigation. The total of these two measures would bring in approximately $60 million. During the League of Oregon Cities Legislative Update on June 20, Legislative Affairs Director Jim McCauley suggested that another $180 million was anticipated from the Christmas Tree bill at the end of the session. Among bills that did see movement was SB 1051 A , which would transfer the power to appoint the State Forester to the Governor from the Board of Forestry. A Public Hearing was held June 16 before House Rules and a work session is set for June 23. SB 83 would repeal the State Wildfire Hazard Map and accompanying statutes related to it, remains in House Rules where it has been since May 20, its fate likely hinging on the disposition of the remaining wildfire funding bills. SB 75 A , removes the wildfire hazard map as a guide for allowing ADUs and requiring higher building codes in rural areas, also still in House Rules where it was sent May 22nd. Like SB 83, it is likely to stay while negotiations continue on wildfire funding. With the movement of HB 3940, the following bills may be dead for the session: SB 1177 would establish the Oregon Wildfire Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and redirect the “kicker” to it, one- time, for financing wildfire related expenses, by using the interest earned. A 5% return would yield approximately $170-180 million per year, or just over half of the aforementioned projected ongoing costs to fund wildfire mitigation and suppression. (The Governor has expressed interest in using only the amount of kicker that would go to large income earners for wildfire costs.) SJR 11 remains before Senate Finance and Revenue after its April 7 public hearing. It would dedicate a fixed, to-be-determined percentage of net proceeds of the State Lottery to a wildfire fund created by the Legislature. Its passage would mean an amendment to the Oregon Constitution, which would have to go to voters for approval. Finally, HB 3489 , which imposes a severance tax on owners of timber harvested from public or private forestland, had a Public Hearing April 24 before House Revenue, where it remains. The League has supported a severance tax in past sessions and provided testimony at the hearing. Rep. Reschke suggested using the interest generated by Oregon’s Rainy Day Fund savings account to pay for wildfire. For the 2025-27 session, that interest is around $160 million – which gets lawmakers more than halfway to the $280 target. He also suggested pulling more money out of the body of the Rainy Day Fund itself to cover the other half, though doing so would be complicated. However, the Governor and others have insisted on “new money” for wildfire funding rather than using “current money”. It seems that Rep. Reschke’s idea had some merit as the idea is part of the proposed HB 3940 amended bill. SB 454 A requires the Department of the State Fire Marshal to create an advisory committee to advise the department on funding options for rural fire protection districts (RFPDs), instructs the committee to develop funding recommendations based on the review and report to the Legislature by December 31, 2026. The Senate has passed the bill and it is waiting for a vote in the House. The League is also still following other non-funding related bills, such as SB 926 , which would prohibit the recovery of certain costs and expenses from customers that an electric company incurs as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting from the negligence or fault on the part of the electric company. It was passed by the Senate. The House Committee on Judiciary adopted the A 10 amendment and the Speaker sent the bill to Ways and Means, where it remains. HB 3666 remains in the Rules Committee. This bill would establish wildfire mitigation actions and an accompanying certification for electric utilities in an attempt to standardize their approach. HB 3349 had an A-2 amendment and an LFO Recommendation of $1 million placed in a new Rangeland Protection Association Fund. A Work Session on HB 3349 B was held before full Ways and Means on June 17, and sent to the House floor with a do-pass recommendation. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Initiatives Broadband, Vote-by-mail, Privacy Elections Revenue Initiatives SJR 30 , sponsored by Senators Nash and Broadman, will be heard in the Senate Rules Committee 4/2. It would increase the requirements to qualify an initiative for the general election ballot. If SJR 30 is adopted, then the number of valid signatures that is required would be increased 33% for statutory measures and would be increased 25% for constitutional measures! Furthermore, the required signatures would have to be equally distributed among congressional districts. The League submitted testimon y opposing SJR 30 since it would nearly destroy the ability for citizens to qualify an initiative for the ballot, except by wealthy special interest groups and corporations. Broadband, Vote-by-mail, Privacy By Becky Gladstone SB 224 : Senate Rules work session on April 2, League testimony in support of privacy for campaign committee staff home addresses. SB 470 A : passed a House floor vote, 29, 1 excused. League testimony supported the original bill to protect lodgers’ privacy from illicitly taken videos. HB 3766 : allows civil action against an adult who, unbidden, digitally sends intimate images (cyber-flashing) with the intent to harass, degrade or humiliate. League testimony in support; work session April 1. Upcoming & Watching SB 1014 requires the SoS to allow inclusion of political party statements in translated online versions of state or county voters’ pamphlets. League testimony in support is being prepared for a March 3 public hearing in Senate Rules. SB 952 will close a replacement timing lapse for US Senators, if need be, between when a vacancy occurs and replacement at special election. League will testify in support, public hearing in Senate Rules, April 2. SB 1121 creates a new crime of unlawful private data disclosure, punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both. A public hearing and possible work session are slated for April 8 in, Senate Judiciary, at the request of the Oregon Judiciary. Elections By Barbara Klein Related to party membership and registration requirements , HB 3908 was filed by the Rules Committee at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon, and is scheduled for a public hearing on 3/31. The Act increases the percentage of voters in the state required for a party to be a major political party from five percent to 10 percent. This would make the development of a new major party more difficult. The LWVOR has not yet addressed this bill. Senator David Brock Smith is the sole sponsor of SB 210 to be heard by the Senate Rules Committee on 3/31. The bill replaces the Oregon vote-by-mail system and makes in-person voting on election day the standard method for conducting elections. It requires more features that the LWV opposes, some which are laid out in the federal SAVE act (which we also oppose). The bill requires voters to show valid government-issued picture ID when voting or requesting a ballot. It allows a by-mail ballot only if the elector is unable to vote in person on the date of the election. The bill removes a current requirement that the state pays postage for ballots returned by mail. It does allow vote-by-mail as the primary method for conducting elections for military and overseas electors and for electors who have a mailing address outside of Oregon. SB 210 refers the Act to the next general election ballot. It is unclear if this is only a courtesy hearing. Revenue By Natalie Briggs Public Hearing - HB 2515 Authorizes public bodies to enter into an intergovernmental agreement to pool bond proceeds or other funds into commonly managed investments without the oversight of the State Treasurer and the Oregon Investment Council. Summary: The proposed bill would enable public bodies in Oregon such as local schools to enter intergovernmental agreements for pooling bond proceeds or other funds into jointly managed investment pools, without requiring oversight from the State Treasurer or the Oregon Investment Council. Public bodies would also have the option to create investment pools for funds that aren’t specifically related to bond proceeds, allowing greater flexibility in managing different types of funds. Written agreements under ORS Chapter 190 would be required before each investment pool is established and used, to ensure accountability, and transparency among participating entities. When managing these pools, public bodies would be permitted to use the same powers and authority as the State Treasurer and Oregon Investment Council under existing laws. Proponents of the bill feel that it would enable autonomy, quicker decision-making, and tailored investment strategies that meet the varying and specific needs of the participating bodies. Committee Questions and Comments: Committee would like to understand the feedback from the Oregon state treasurer regarding this bill. Information from the state treasurer has been provided to the committee for review. Can school districts simply contract or engage a 3rd party for business office help, and could this be a suitable alternative establishing separate investment pools? This bill would result in the investment of public money in a private sector service rather than with the state treasury. Who will provide oversight to ensure that these investments are being managed appropriately? Proponents of the bill responded that schools have existing investment policies at the district level, and school boards are responsible for managing investments in accordance with these policies How would school board account for the possibility of a higher cost of management of the funds compared to the existing system? Proponents of the bill responded that school officials would be responsible for investing responsibly. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 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 Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Age Discrimination/Reproductive Health Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Education Healthcare Housing Immigration Age Discrimination/Reproductive Health By Trish Garner HB 3187 : League supports . A hearing was held on this workplace age discrimination bill in the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee on February 19, 2024. The bill closes a loophole that exists regarding lawsuits claiming discrimination based on age such that even if employers take a negative action regarding employees or job applicants based on age, they can avoid liability by claiming that they made the decision based on salary, retirement status or length of service. This loophole does not exist in cases based on discrimination based on race or gender. SB 548 : League supports. A hearing was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 19, 2024. The bill provides that the minimum age for marriage is 18, with no exceptions. Marriage at earlier ages disproportionately harms girls by potentially disrupting their education, increasing the risk of domestic abuse and causing serious health consequences. It also raises significant questions about the voluntary nature of entering into marriage as minors under 18 are more vulnerable to pressure from family and peers. Under Oregon law, once an individual marries, they are considered emancipated adults. This change carries significant financial, social and psychological consequences. For example, parents are no longer legally obligated to support their children or provide medical insurance coverage when their children are emancipated. Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller HB 2596 , the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, passed in the House on February 20. HB 3129 would establish the Higher Education Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Fund. The bill will have a public hearing on February 25 before the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. The League will submit testimony. The League of Women Voters of Oregon submitted testimony in support of HB 3351 which would enact the interstate Counseling Compact. There is a critical shortage of behavioral health workers in Oregon. HB 3351 can help increase access to care, particularly among underserved populations. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley LWVOR submitted testimony for HB 2233 , which renews funding for a legal services program for adults in custody at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, unanimously passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on February 18 and was referred to Ways and Means. The total fiscal impact is estimated at $1.6 million. Education By Jean Pierce Education Committees from both Chambers will hold a joint meeting at 5:30 on Wednesday, February 26 to hear a report commissioned by the Legislature from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), which studied recent education financing in Oregon. This follows a Quality Education Model (QEM) Report issued in August, 2024, which concluded, Due to tax revenue barriers and decreased prioritization of K-12 public education funding over the past 25 years, Oregon is projected to fund its K-12 system close to two billion dollars less per biennium than is needed to run a system of effective schools. The AIR report recommends that the QEM consider additional factors in its cost projections. The League submitted testimony for SB604 , which would fund the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Strong Start program, which has a history of success in supporting underrepresented students at public universities. LWVOR also submitted testimony for HB2997 , which directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to establish a grant program supporting organizations with proven track records of expanding access to populations which are under-represented in colleges and universities. LWVOR is tracking HB2953 , which would remove the artificial cap on special education funding provided to districts. HB2953-A was considered in a House Committee on Education work session on February 20, which concluded “Do pass with amendments, refer to Revenue and then to Ways and Means”. LWVOR is also tracking HB2586 , which would permit an asylum seeker who is a student at a public university in this state to receive an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees. The bill received a public hearing on February 4th. Healthcare By Christa Danielson LWVOR submitted testimony for HB 2010-A, which extends assessments from health plan premiums, payments by Oregon Health to managed care, hospitals, and the Oregon Reinsurance program. Previously, this amended bill passed through the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. The League submitted testimony for a public hearing held by the House Committee on Revenue. The committee voted to pass the amended bill on February 20. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona HB 2958 would extend the sunset date for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by six years, from Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2032. It would increase Oregon’s percentage of the federal EITC for lower income taxpayers from nine percent to 20 percent and for those with children under age three from 12 percent to 25 percent. The bill also would expand eligibility to all childless adults over the age of 18. League testimony explained the importance of strengthening the tax credit. This tax policy currently provides critical support for Oregonians struggling to make ends meet. Costs for food, housing, child care, transportation, health care, and other essentials continue to grow, placing a significant strain on household budgets. By strengthening the state EITC, individuals and families will receive help keeping up with those growing costs. The bill is scheduled for a February 25 public hearing in the House Committee on Revenue. LWVOR submitted testimony supporting HB 3507 . This bill proposes to invest $30 million in down payment assistance to Oregon Housing and Community Services to increase the eligibility of its Culturally Responsive Organization Program and Homeownership Program targeted to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Investing $30 million will open the door to an estimated 750 first-time and first-generation homebuyers, helping them plant roots in their communities. Moderate Income Revolving Loan program : In good news on the housing production front, Governor Kotek and Oregon Housing and Community Services announced the start of the new Moderate Income Revolving Loan program. It will provide zero interest loans to cities and counties. They will offer grants to developers building rental or homeownership units affordable to households earning no more than 120 percent of area median income. Over time, the grants will be paid back to local jurisdictions which will repay the state fund, thus providing a stable source of funds for future projects. Immigration By Claudia Keith Find below a list of policy and or funding-related bills that may have traction. Additionally, there are a number of other bills proposed in Oregon supporting the new 2025 federal administration potential policies that, given House and Senate Democratic supermajorities, will likely not receive a public hearing. Given where we are in the session, it is not clear if these bills will receive public hearings. Depending on the revenue forecast the funding bills may show up in the end-of-session reconciliation bill. (Christmas tree bill) SB 149 DHS Immigration Study - Sen Jama
 SB 599 : Immigration status - discrimination in real estate transactions - Senator Campos
 SB 611 : Food for All Oregonians Program - Senator Campos, Representative Ruiz
 SB 703 : A bipartisan immigration status update funding bill - Senator Reynolds, Representatives Neron, Ruiz, Smith HB2788 : Aunding to nonprofits to assist with lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - Representatives Neron and Ruiz, Senator Reynolds
 HB 2586 : Nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. - Representative Hudson, Senator Campos; Work session 2/27 HB 2543 : 15$M for Universal FUND: The Act gives funds to Oregon Department of Administrative Services (ODAS) for universal representation and the Act gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal help for immigration matters.
 HB 5002 : ODAS Agency Budget: includes 7$M for Oregon Worker Relief Fund Immigration resources in Oregon Coalition of Communities of Color Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO):
Serves immigrants and refugees in Portland, Oregon. 

 Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA):
Advocates for immigrants and refugees in Oregon. OIRA is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). 



 Oregon Department of Justice has a Community Toolkit with information about immigration and civil rights. 




 Oregon Justice Resource Center Offers case assistance for immigrants through the Immigrant Rights Project (IRP). 






 Education League Education, March 12 opportunity: Spring 2025 Community Education Series: Immigration - League of Women Voters of Portland Sanctuary Promise Guidance - Oregon Department of Justice Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement OIRA Immigration and Refugee News and events and Mission, Vision and VALUES : “As OIRA talks with federal, state, local and community partners, we will continue to post the most updated information we have on this web page.” Immigrants in Oregon : American Immigration Council resources. State Map on Immigration Enforcement 2024 : Immigrant Legal Resource Center In the News Oregon Republicans seek to partially roll back state sanctuary laws - kgw.com February 11 U.S. Rep. Salinas expects Trump to continue crackdown on immigrants despite any court action - Oregon Capital Chronicle February 6 Staff and Students at Oregon Colleges Brace for Possible Immigration Enforcement - Oregon Public Broadcasting February 5 Immigrants in Oregon could be significantly impacted by Trump’s second term - Oregon Capital Chronicle January 21 Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of 2/6 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 Oregon Economic Analysis Oregon Treasury Climate Related Lawsuits: Oregon and… State, Regional, National, and Global CE News Local League Climate Updates National Governments Volunteers Needed Note: Members of the public are invited to join an upcoming workshop series hosted by the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). “DLCD is pleased to announce six workshops in western Oregon where the public will be invited to share how climate change is affecting their quality of life.” Events happening throughout March. Register online . Climate Emergency Priorities 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 is Scheduled 2/15/23 in SEN E&E . Josie Koehne is the CE team member leading this effort. Please see recent 2/6 LWVOR Action NWL Alert . 2. Resilient Buildings (RB): Refer to the adopted Legislative Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings (REB) Dec 13 Report . It’s likely these will be posted to OLIS in mid Feb. by Senator Lieber and Rep Marsh. The League is an active RB coalition partner. BR campaign guiding principles . Oregon RB in the news , here. and here . A big welcome to Arlene Sherrett, a new League and new CE team member; she will focus on REB, and Transportation portfolios. 3. Environmental Justice (EJ): 2023 Leg bills are still being posted, which address (support or oppose) new or on-going EJ topics. Find DEQ EJ work: Performance Partnership Agreement : Oregon Department of Environmental Qualityand U.S. EPA Region 10 Performance Partnership Agreement . In the news: ‘Farmworker advocate legislative priorities include language access’ | Statesman Journal. The League is following this topic and likely will support. A conversation with Robert Bullard, ‘ father of environmental justice’ » Yale Climate Connections 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. Find more about this Bill in Clean Energy LR below. 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 DOT 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. ‘Kotek proposes spending $765M from reserves on homeless , other crises’| Statesman Journal. It’s unclear at this point if the estimated >$100M in CE related state agency POPs and new Legislative funding (* budget items will come from over 22 state agencies including 14 NR agencies, OHA, DAS, ODOT, ODOE, etc.) is reflected in Governor Kotek’s new 1/31 Budget. More specifics next week. It is expected some portion of the agency funding requests are specifically related to addressing multiple federal grant opportunities . (see Congressional major new funding since 2020: IIJA, IRA, Chips and what’s left in the ARPA and Dec 2022 Omnibus compromise) Other CE Bills By Claudia Keith The League may support or just follow these bills. (This is a preliminary list; a number of bills are not yet posted to OLIS.) 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. Fossil Fuel (FF) Divestment: HB 2601 Oregon 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. 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. HB 2763 Create a State public bank Task Force, Rep Gamba, Sen Golden, Rep Walters. Interstate 5 Bridge Legislation: Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP) factsheet ODOT and WDOT . 12 Things the Oregon Legislature Should Know About IBRP - Just Crossing Alliance. It is likely policy and or just funding bills will be heard and likely moved by this IBRP Legislative Joint Committee . The goal: ‘Replacing the aging Interstate Bridge with a modern, earthquake resilient, multimodal structure is a high priority for Oregon and Washington…. ‘. We welcome Liz Steward (LWVPDX) who has agreed to be a League Observer on the topic. Clean Energy By Kathy Moyd Activity Last Week and Next Week. We did not provide testimony for any bills. HB 2530 Renewable Hydrogen The House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee (HCEE) held a public hearing February 6 on HB 2530, which as introduced would require the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) to convene a work group to "examine, evaluate and develop statewide strategies to accelerate the development of a state renewable hydrogen industry and related infrastructure, technologies and end uses." Testimony focused on a -1 amendment that would replace the entire original bill with just the proposed definitions of "renewable" and "green electrolytic" hydrogen for purposes of future legislation. The definitions are based on existing statutory language in CA and WA to promote regional consistency. The League opted not to provide testimony because the amendment had not been posted. The reason given for eliminating the rest of the bill was that generation and use of hydrogen should be included in the bill in development dealing with the energy use in the state, not stand-alone. We will start working on testimony for that bill as soon as text is available. No testimony is planned for next week. Oregon Economic Analysis By Claudia Keith The next Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast is scheduled for Feb 22. It is unclear how the congressional debt ceiling issue, security market volatility, inflation – Fed/banking issues and other global risks will develop. The last State of Oregon quarterly forecast assumed a likely mild recession in 2023. Oregon Bond rating continues to be above average. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has never conformed to what is now recommended in the SEC Climate Risk disclosure rule. SEC Plans to Finalize See supportive LWVOR-initiated LWVUS Testimony , June 2022. Oregon Treasury By Claudia Keith It is unclear how Oregon Treasury / Treasurer Tobias will assist with addressing the $20B Federal IRA funds which are contingent on formation of an Oregon Green Bank. ‘'Green Banks,' Poised for Billions in Climate Funds , Draw States' Attention | The Pew Charitable Trusts. Related, The start of America’s infrastructure decade: How macroeconomic factors may shape local strategies | Brookings. Additionally, the SEC new Climate risk guidelines will affect investing and reporting decisions. Perhaps a temporary reprieve, ‘Pushback On The SEC’s Proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Rules Is A Good Sign ‘ | Forbes. Corporate Boards Are Ramping Up These Sustainability Priorities | Bloomberg. SEC’s Gensler weighs scaling back climate rule as lawsuits loom - POLITICO It's concerning to the League how these major issues will affect Oregon’s economy. 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 , (Feb 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 60 lawsuits with OREGON mentioned. News: How the Supreme Court could finally force Big Oil to face trial | Grist State, Regional, National, and Global CE News By Claudia Keith The Real Obstacle to Nuclear Power - The Atlantic. Eugene becomes first Oregon city to ban natural gas hookups | Energy News Network. A Portland high school student has Oregon governor’s ear on environmental justice - oregonlive.com The Oregon Lab Where Scientists Are Riding the Waves to a Brighter Future - Atlas Obscura. Farmers, gardeners collaborate on dry farming in Oregon – OPB. Oregon could give consumers right to repair phones, computers | Statesman Journal. Fighting climate change was costly. Now it’s profitable . - The Atlantic. Opinion | Greta Thunberg: ‘ The World Is Getting More Grim by the Day ’ - The New York Times. How the EPA values human lives lost to climate change | NPR. Vice President Kamala Harris talks about climate change at Georgia Tech – UPI. Renewables are on track to satiate the world's appetite for electricity - The Washington Post. Biden takes victory lap on climate bill in State of the Union | The Hill and E&E. Busting three myths about materials and renewable energy | MIT Technology Review Local League Climate Updates By Claudia Keith Request to Local Leagues; please let us know your climate, resilience, or sustainability advocacy actions. Each city and county in Oregon should have a Climate and or Resiliency Plan. Only these Oregon 14 cities have CAPs. Over 2300 countries, cities, counties have pledged ‘ Climate emergency declarations ’ in 2,318 jurisdictions and local governments cover 1 billion citizens - Climate Emergency Declaration…. National Governments 18 national governments and the EU have declared a climate emergency. The EU is counted as one jurisdiction in the ‘jurisdictions total’ but has not been included in the country count.’ Volunteers Needed By Claudia Keith 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 Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 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 Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2026 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Education Gun Safety Healthcare Housing Immigration Reproductive Healthcare Behavioral Health by Trish Garner SB 1528 -2 Amendment passed the Senate Committee on Health Care.. This measure attempts to increase transparency about patient assistance drug programs by requiring drug manufacturers to provide an annual report to the public about all, and not just some, of these programs. A patient assistance drug program is one where a manufacturer offers coupons or discount cards or copayment assistance to the public when purchasing drugs. At the present time this information only needs to be provided when a drug has a price increase of 10% or more, which means that it may hide the fact the coupon or discount only covers a higher priced drug. It may also undermine competition with generic drugs. Proponents, including both insurers and consumers, state that SB 1528 improves accountability and transparency without creating additional burdens for patients or providers. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of American (PhARMA) and Eli Lily and Company oppose the measure on the grounds that increased reporting requirements will place patient information at increased risk of disclosure. SB 1532 was passed in the Senate Committee on Human Services. The bill, including 8 Amendments, modifies the authority of the Oregon Department of Human Services regarding residential and long-term care facilities, developmental disabilities services and children in care. It defines “immediate jeopardy” when determining if a person in a residential or long-term care facility is in immediate jeopardy of harm which could then be used as a basis for Oregon Department of Human Services to place a condition on the facility’s license. A child in care may be put in an out-of-state placement that is not licensed as a child-caring agency if it is in a relative foster home or pre-adoptive family placement, is an eating disorder program approved by the state’s Medicaid program or the placement is pursuant to the Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act. It modifies the criteria that allow out-of-state placements in eating disorder programs that are not inpatient or residential treatment programs but have 24-hour nursing services. SB 1534 -9 Amendment, was passed by the Senate Committee on Human Services with a referral to Ways and Means. The measure defines what constitutes abuse of a child in care. Such abuse includes acts such as neglect, the commission of an act that is nonaccidental and causes physical injury, verbal abuse, wrongful use or misappropriation of a child’s funds or property, or encouraging a child to engage in performing or photographing sexual conduct. Child-caring agencies, developmental disabilities facilities, proctor foster homes, certified foster homes or caretakers with a duty of care to a child are impacted by this measure, while it exempts parents. It defines requirements for licensure of child-care agencies by the Oregon Department of Human Services and modifies enforcement requirements relating to financial statements, notifications upon receiving reports of abuse and provisions that allow certain placements of a child over 16 to be extended. 1546 -2 Amendment passed the Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health with a “do pass” recommendation. The bill attempts to restrict the impact of AI (“artificial intelligence”) chatbots that are increasingly affecting the lives of children, as well as adults. It requires that a system that uses AI intelligence, other than that used solely for business or video game purposes, to clearly and conspicuously remind users that they are using artificial intelligence. The operator is required to have a publicly published protocol to detect a user who has suicidal ideation or intent or self-harm ideation and to prevent content that encourages the ideation. Such a user must be provided a referral, contact information and a hyperlink for the national 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline. If the user is under 25, a contact to Youthline may be given. Youthline is a service that the American Association for Suicidology has been accredited to provide youth peer support to individuals who contact the network. If an operator of AI believes that a user of its AI is a minor, it must advise that the AI companion is not human, and cannot use rewards, emotional manipulation or dependence or romantic relationships. Minors must be given clear and conspicuous reminders to take breaks, and sexually explicit content is prohibited. This bill could face legal challenges because of a December executive order President Donald Trump signed to limit state regulation of AI services. ( See Executive Order, 12-11-25 ) With only one “nay” vote, the Senate has passed SB 1579 . The measure provides that making a false report about child abuse is a criminal act. An initial report can result in a Class B misdemeanor (a fine of up to $2,500, 6 months in jail, probation). If the person has already been convicted once of this offense, it can result in a Class A misdemeanor (fine of up to $6,250, 364 days in jail, probation) and if there are two or more prior convictions it can result in a Class C felony charge (up to 5 years in prison, fine up to $125,000, probation). HB 4042A Engrossed passed the House Behavioral Health Committee with a “do pass” recommendation. It requires the Oregon Department of Health Services (“ODHS”) to place conditions on a child caring agency’s license in certain circumstances. Current rules regarding seclusion and restraint in child caring agencies are amended so that they do not include vehicle safety restraints. ODHS is authorized to place a child or ward in a congregate care residential setting that is not a child caring agency or qualified residential treatment program if it is licensed and provides medically necessary and appropriate treatment. This placement can last no longer than 60 or 90 cumulative days in a 12-month period unless extended upon request of the child or it is in the child’s best interests. HB 4070A Engrossed was passed by the House and has been assigned to Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health. The bill provides that the Oregon Health Authority must ensure that access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services is comparable to medical and surgical treatment and services. Limitations applied by OHA, including those imposed for entry into mental health and substance abuse services, can be no more stringent than those imposed for medical and surgical treatment. Crisis stabilization centers are required to have the capacity to screen individuals for physical health needs. Subject to legislatively appropriated funding, services must be made available to all persons with mental health, substance use disorders or intellectual or developmental disabilities. The measure modernizes certain definitions, including changing the reference from “alcoholics” to “persons with alcohol use disorder” and “drug dependent persons” to “persons with substance use disorders.” Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Sharron Noone Bills stacked up in committee hearings this past week as legislators scrambled to meet the February 16 th deadline. We’re happy to report that most bills dealing with immigration enforcement are moving, although a one-day boycott on 2/19 by Senate Republicans stalled action on the floor. These immigration bills have successfully passed the House: HB 4114 A requires federal and out-of-state law enforcement to follow identification requirements and warrant procedures and allows civil suits against those who don’t follow regulations. League testimony . HB 4138 A provides the specifics of police ID rules and limits actions of public employees when working with federal or out-of-state law enforcement. League testimony. HB 4111 A provides that immigration status is not admissible as evidence in a civil proceeding. HB 4091 lists the specific reasons for mobilizing the Oregon National Guard, The bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs with a hearing and possible work session scheduled for 2/24. League testimony . On the Senate side, these bills await a floor vote as of 2/19: SJR 203 A , which forbids secret police in Oregon, passed out of Senate Judiciary and was sent to Rules to allow more time for consideration. League testimony . SB 1563 allows for civil action against a law enforcement officer when constitutional rights are violated SB 1594 establishes model immigration policies for schools, health facilities, and other public bodies. Other criminal justice bills of particular interest to the League include: HB 4045 A passed the House and is on the way to the Senate. It requires communication responders to respond to a search warrant within a specified time when domestic violence is involved. League testimony . SB 1515 , which modifies provisions for wrongful conviction petitions (League testimony ), and SB 1550 A , which requires an investigation as to the cause of death when domestic violence or child abuse is suspected, both await a vote on the Senate floor. Education By Jean Pierce HB 4079 A requires public schools to inform parents, students, and community members when ICE is present on the campus. This would assure immigrants that they have accurate information to base decisions to protect their children. The bill passed the House and is scheduled for hearings in Senate Education. The League submitted testimony in support of the bill. SB 1538 A creates a new protected class in educational antidiscrimination law (schools cannot discriminate based on immigration or citizenship status), and guarantees admission to Oregon school districts’ instructional programs The bill passed the Senate and is scheduled for hearings in House Education. The League submitted testimony in support. HB 4149 directs school districts to enroll and provide services for homeless students. The bill codifies provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in Oregon law. LWVOR submitted testimony in support. Rep. Cate expressed concern that this is an unfunded mandate, but it did pass the House. Gun Policy By Marge Easley HB 4145 A modifies Measure 114 (2022) and provides more details for implementation in 2028, pending an upcoming Supreme Court ruling on its constitutionality. The bill passed out of House Judiciary on 2/16, but the committee vote was not without controversy. In the middle of the vote count, Chair Kropf called a 20-minute recess after Rep. Tran (D) voted no on the bill. Democratic committee members were called to the hallway, and upon return a visibly upset Rep. Tran changed her vote to a yes to break the tie. She has since accused Rep. Kropf of “creating a hostile work environment.” An OPB article provides additional context. League testimony . HB 4096 was submitted at the request of Multnomah D.A. Nathan Vasquez and increased penalties for a convicted felon in possession of three or more firearms. The bill died in committee. Health Care Christa Danielson The following bills align with long-standing League priorities supporting equitable access, transparency, patient protection, and evidence-based public health policy. Bills for which the League submitted testimony: SB 1527 classifies colposcopy as a preventive screening procedure, eliminating patient cost-sharing. The bill advances preventive care access and removes financial barriers to early detection. It passed the Senate. The League wrote testimony . SB 1570 A limits federal immigration enforcement access to nonpublic areas of healthcare facilities without a lawful court order. Requires written response policies and designated administrator Requires posting of constitutional rights information Prohibits retaliation against workers who inform patients of rights Protects immigration status as confidential health information The Senate Health Committee recommended passage. LWVOR submitted testimony . SB 1598 ensures continued insurance coverage of recommended immunizations and authorizes pharmacy standing orders to improve timely access. Does not mandate vaccination Protects coverage for evidence-based preventive services Supports rapid public health response to outbreaks Reinforces patient-provider decision-making The bill passed the Senate. The League submitted testimony to the House Health Care committee. HB 4054 requires insurers to notify providers when automated systems (including AI tools) alter or reduce provider charges, and ensures timely appeal rights. The League submitted testimony . The Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology held a public hearing. Other Bills the League is tracking: SB 1575 A temporarily pauses new hospice licenses pending Oregon Health Authority (OHA) rulemaking in response to reported fraud and abuse concerns. Establishes financial and operational capacity review Requires criminal background checks for administrators and medical directors Clarifies application denial criteria Requires new application for ≥5% ownership changes The is consistent with League positions that promote accountability, transparency, and patient protection in vulnerable end-of-life care settings. The amended bill received a do pass recommendation from Senate Health Care. HB 4040 makes technical and administrative updates to Streamline presumptive eligibility for hospital financial assistance Continue Health Evidence Review Commission Include 40+ administrative improvements The League believes in improving system efficiency while maintaining evidence review infrastructure. The bill passed House Health Care and was referred to Ways & Means. Housing Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Senate Committee on Housing and Development HB 4123 would add clear provisions to Oregon’s Landlord Tenant law regarding the disclosure of confidential information on certain personally identifying, financially sensitive and other private information. On February 14, the House passed this bill. It is scheduled for a public hearing on Feb. 24. The amendments would allow landlords to share tenant contact information with repair and maintenance workers and release confidential information if required by an administrative or judicial warrant. (See also the Privacy and Protections Section of the Governance Legislative Report.) House Committee on Housing and Homelessness SB 1523 A was passed by the Senate and heard by the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on February 19. The bill requires landlords to provide tenants and prospective tenants with non-electronic means of conducting business. Tenants would have the option of submitting rental applications on paper rather than through a tenant portal. SB 1523 also requires landlords to provide access to common areas other than software loaded onto smartphones, such as keys, access codes, fob, etc. SB 1576 would require the Department of Consumer and Business Services to adopt rules to conform to the state building code so that it aligns with federal fair housing accessibility requirements and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. The Senate passed this bill on February 19 and it is scheduled for a public hearing Feb. 24 House Committee on Revenue HB 4136 would end a tax deduction for mortgage interest paid during a tax year on a taxpayer’s second home. A Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) could only be used for a resident’s principal residence and not for a second home. The bill would establish the Oregon Home Ownership Opportunity Account in the State Treasury. Money in this account would be continuously appropriated to the Housing and Community Services Department to be used solely for down payment assistance, and administered by home ownership programs or nonprofit organizations. The House Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on Feb. 16. Immigration Bills with League testimony SJR 203 Oregon Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Secret Police See Criminal Justice SB 1538 Public schools educate immigrants See Education SB 1570 Where ICE can go in hospitals See Healthcare HB 4079 Public schools must inform about ICE presence See Education HB 4091 Oregon National Guard Activation & Authority See Governance: Privacy & Protections HB 4114 Rules for Operations of Federal Agents or Agents from Another State in Oregon See Criminal Justice HB 4138 Requires ID and prohibits face coverings for law enforcement agents See Criminal Justice Other Bills Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments HB 4117 Universal ( legal) Representation & worker relief Funding H Judiciary PH 2/18 10 16 Likely end of session reconciliation bill SB1505 Establish Workforce Standards Board S Rules PH 2/4 Not posted Sen Interim Committee on Rules Home and community based services - SB 1581A School Meals S ED Ws 2/10 to JWM Not posted yet 11 SMS HB 4089A Wage theft H RULES PH 2/4, WS 2/24 Minimal 6 SMS (includes -1 amendment) moved to Rules on 2/18 Not yet posted Refugee Emergency Response JWM See Gov public statements 4.5 Likely end of session JWM reconciliation bill See this article describing a multi-agency effort to protect immigrants and refugees in Oregon. Reproductive Health Trish Garner HB 4088A Engrossed has passed in the House. This bill, for which the League provided supportive testimony , declares that it is Oregon’s policy to ensure that people are allowed to get reproductive health care and gender identity treatment services. Several protections are given to providers of these services, including directing public bodies not to cooperate with investigations into reproductive and gender affirming care and a ban on extradition by the Governor related to a person’s engagement with these activities. Disclosure of public records regarding providers of these services is expanded from a person’s name, and home or professional address to also include images and home telephone numbers. HB 4127 was passed with a referral to Ways and Means. The League wrote testimony in support of the bill which ensures that certain providers, including Planned Parenthood affiliates of the Columbia Willamette and of Southern Oregon, are paid for their services. Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills for which the League submitted testimony. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning Basic Needs: Food Basic Needs: Income Juvenile Justice Public Safety Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance General Governance, Privacy, and Consumer Protection Elections Artificial Intelligence Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill In the last few days of the legislative session, we saw extraordinary machinations on campaign finance reform. We have been saying for months that HB 4024 (2024) needed some technical fixes to complete the historic deal that was made during the last session among Honest Elections, legislative leaders, business leaders and union leaders. It was said that HB 3392 was the bill that would be stuffed with these technical fixes. However, a last-minute deal was apparently made behind the scenes to allow Minority Leader Drazan to propose a -5 amendment to HB 3392 to delay implementation of HB 4024 by four years! House Rules held a public hearing on the amendment 6/25 . The Secretary of State sent a six-page letter and testified for half an hour that the delay was necessary and that Oregon has a history of failed large computer projects. All other in-person testifiers (including the League) and all 96 written testimonies were against the delay. For the House Rules meeting, the League and several other organizations had issued action alerts. Several news outlets also wrote about the situation including OPB , Oregon Capital Chronicle , and Oregon Live . House Rules had scheduled a work session on the bill for the same meeting, but they adjourned without opening the work session. We then saw House Rules reschedule the work session five times(!) that day and then cancel the work session altogether. The bill was dead for the session! It is clear that we dodged a bullet on CFR and that powerful political interest groups do not want CFR in Oregon. However, HB 4024 is still part of Oregon statutes because Oregonians demanded it. It will still take effect in part on January 1, 2027. Some technical fixes will still be needed and could perhaps be adopted in a special legislative session or during next year’s short legislative session. Bill wrap: Cybersecurity, National Guard, ethics, privacy and safety, partner agency budget By Becky Gladstone Relevant to this portfolio, this issue was raised last week at EPAB , the Oregon Electronic Portal Advisory Board, June 26, 2025. Note that this follows our reporting on cyber-attacks forecast on the Pacific Northwest power grid in the near future, from JCIMT earlier this session. “We now live in an era of retroactive insecurity where vast amounts of sensitive and encrypted data, government communications, defense secrets [and] critical infrastructure telemetry are being silently intercepted, stored by foreign adversaries. This is known as ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ “. Stakeholders highlight urgency to House panel of moving quickly with implementing post-quantum cryptography , Inside Cybersecurity , June 25, 2025. HB 3954 , for the Adjutant General to prevent the Oregon National Guard from being called to active service except in certain circumstances, was the only bill pending in this portfolio in the final week of the 2025 session. HB 3954 had passed from the House on a 31 to 16 vote. Senate Rules stopped shy of holding a public hearing despite League testimony in support . It was revived for a first (late date) hearing and work session, after a League letter was sent. This bill became more relevant with the California National Guard being called to action by the President in Los Angeles, overriding the Mayor and California Governor. One letter in opposition to HB 3954 believed that passing the bill would put Oregon in a position to lose critical federal funding for the Oregon National Guard. The issue turned from National Guard activation to hinge on support of the President. Republicans block attempt to prevent federal overreach with Oregon’s National Guard , Oregon Live, June 30, 2025. HB 2930 Enrolled has the Governor’s signature, for conflict of interest of public officials’ household members. League testimony supported this bill brought by the Oregon Ethics Commission. SB 224 Enrolled , has the Governor’s signature, to keep from posting campaign committee addresses on the SoS website, with League testimony in support. This is sadly more relevant with the recent killing of a senior Minnesota legislator and her husband . Minn. legislator killed in ‘politically motivated‘ shooting, Washington Post, June 14, 2025. HB 3569 Enrolled has the Governor’s signature, to invite a sponsoring legislator, committee chair or designee onto the bill’s Rules Advisory Committee, as a non-voting member. Our testimony opposed for a myriad of reasons. HB 5017 Enrolled , has the Governor’s signature, for the State Library budget. League testimony remained the only one filed, supporting our partnership for League Voter Service information. They share our Voters’ Guides in the Talking Books and Braille Library . Elections By Barbara Klein A public hearing for HB 3390 A was held on 6/24, a work session was on the agenda for later in the week but was removed without comment. 100% of the vast submitted testimony was in opposition. The League submitted testimony opposing this bill, in part because it minimizes the minority party voice more, and also gives greater power to the legislature for ballot issues than to the people. We stated “the normal process based in the offices of the Secretary of State and Attorney General has greater impartiality than this proposal grounded in the legislative branch. The latter (under HB 3390-2) could more likely jeopardize transparency and understanding for voters.” Several legislators indicated that this measure was related to the transportation bill (and how it might be described on the ballot if it became a referendum petition). As that effort was scrapped, the League assumes that is why the HB 3390 A was no longer active. [Summary – the bill prescribes the method for creating a ballot title and explanatory statement by a joint legislative committee for any amendment to the Oregon Constitution that passes both houses of the Legislative Assembly during the 2025 regular session and is referred to the people by the Legislative Assembly and for any Act that passes both houses of the Legislative Assembly during the 2025 regular session if the Act is referred to the people by either the Legislative Assembly or by referendum petition.] HB 3687 Enrolled will establish in law that counties and cities cannot demand a supermajority vote to change their charter (most do not). To best allow local government to function for the people, only simple majorities to a CHARTER change would be allowed. This does NOT relate to any ballot measure on taxes, fees, fines, etc. This bill would make it easier for a community to adopt new election systems in local cities and counties. Currently, only one county in the state requires a supermajority for such changes. A public hearing was held 6/23 in Senate rules; work session 6/24; and on 6/26 the third reading passed the senate 17 to 12. On 6/27, the House Speaker and Senate President signed the bill. HB 3908 Enrolled was signed by House Speaker 6/23 and Senate President 6/24. Filed at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO), the bill increases the percentage of state voters from 5 to 10 percent required for a party to obtain major political party status. Other minor parties wrote in support of HB 3908. The League did not testify on this measure. Artificial Intelligence By Lindsey Washburn HB 3592 A , which would have established the Senator Aaron Woods Commission on AI with the Dept. of Justice, remained in Ways and Means when the Legislature adjourned. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Revenue Updates Revenue Updates By Natalie Briggs HB 2089 House Bill 2089 was created in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Tyler v. Hennepin County in 2023 which rules that when counties foreclose properties to repay delinquent property taxes, the government may not take property beyond what is needed to satisfy the debt. Bill 2089 establishes a process in Oregon for former property owners to claim surplus value after foreclosed property is sold by the county, ensuring that individuals who lose their property due to delinquent taxes can benefit from any excess funds generated from the sale. The bill will undergo further revisions before being finalized. Critics of the bill in its current form cite opposition to several details, including requirements to attempt to contract a real estate agent, 3rd party appraisal requirements, and the lack of provisions to provide lenders an opportunity to assert a claim on the surplus proceeds to recover debts owed. HB 3049 House Bill 3049 was introduced at the request of Governor Tina Kotek for Oregon Business Development Department. It seeks to modify provisions for corporate excise tax exemptions for businesses operating in economically lagging areas. While this exemption exists in Oregon currently, the program is believed to be underutilized due to complex eligibility calculations. The new bill provides simplified methods to determine eligibility and employee wage requirements, and limits the amount of exemptions that a single business may claim. The changes proposed in this bill are intended to increase participation in the program and generate additional business activity in economically lagging regions. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - 3/4 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Other Governance Bills Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill An amazingly historic thing happened with campaign finance reform as explained here in the Capital Chronicle . The League initially opposed HB 4024 ; see the League’s written testimony . After over a week of private negotiations, a new -5 amendment and then a -8 amendment were posted for the Wednesday 3/6 House Rules work session . The good government groups were able to negotiate some 40 changes to the previously-proposed amendments, enough to make the bill acceptable and to avoid a huge ballot measure fight in the November election. The agreement included IP 9 and IP 42 being withdrawn and HB 4024 not being referred to the ballot. The bill then quickly passed the House floor 52 to 5, a Senate Rules hearing and work session, and the Senate floor 22 to 6 on the last day of the session. Only Gov. Kotek’s signature is now required. We should be clear: Campaign finance reform is not finished in Oregon. There will undoubtedly be adjustments attempted in the 2025 long legislative session. The contributions limits in HB 2024 are way too high, and the disclosure of donors and dark money that pay for advertising, needs more work. The Secretary of State will need funding to implement the bill by its 2027 effective date. And we still need public funding of campaigns as in other states. Other Governance Bills HB 4021 A , which requires the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator by appointment within 30 days until a special election can fill the vacancy, passed the House floor 35 to 22. However, it stalled after a 3/5 hearing in Senate Rules and was still in committee on adjournment. HB 4026 Enrolled, was amended in House Rules to retroactively prohibit the use of a referendum on any urban growth boundary expansion. This blocks a referendum in the City of North Plains in Washington County. The LWVOR submitted written testimony opposing the amendment and saying the bill is likely unconstitutional and may invite a lawsuit. The bill passed the House 49 to 5 and then the Senate 25 to 3. See also the Land Use Section of the Natural Resources Legislative Report. HB 4031 Enrolled was amended in House Revenue to protect any local government tax payer information from disclosure. It passed the House 57 to 0 and then the Senate 26 to 3. HB 4032 , which would remove the requirement that the word “incumbent” appear on the ballot with the name of incumbent candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Oregon Tax Court, and circuit court, had a public hearing but no further action in House Rules. HB 4117 Enrolled, which authorizes the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions on the application of the public meetings law, and which is a correction to a bill passed in 2023 session, passed the House immediately and unanimously. The bill then passed the Senate 30 to 0. SB 1502 Enrolled requires public schools and college boards to live stream their meetings and post the meeting recordings on their websites and social media sites. It allows remote testimony for most school and college board meetings. The bill passed the Senate 29 to 1. The bill then passed the House 55 to 1. SB 1538 A , an election law clean-up bill that makes many changes, was passed by the Senate as amended on 20 to 10 vote. House Rules then amended the bill to allow the Legislature to write the ballot title and explanatory statement for any constitutional amendment referred to the ballot during this session. The House then passed the bill 45 to 6, and the Senate quickly concurred with the House amendment 22 to 7. Privacy & AI, Elections, & In Memoriam for Alice Bartelt By Rebecca Gladstone The 2024 short session adjourned congenially before the final deadline. These bills passed, supported with League testimony: Campaign Finance Reform, HB 4024 , see above. AI, to disclose synthetic media use in campaign SB 1571 A . The Senate concurred with House amendments passing the bill on partisan lines. We look forward to pressing for attention to protect our elections and for other cybersecurity and privacy concerns. The Senate Memorial Commemoration for Alice Bartelt, SCR 203 passed unanimously from the House floor, some excused, and it has been filed with the Secretary of State. RIP Alice. Increase Voters’ Pamphlet languages SB 1533 passed in the House with some excused. Not passing out of committee: Automatic Voter Registration for students SB 1577 -3 due to widely shared concerns for practical implementation, including from the League, despite generally supporting expanding automatic voter registration.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/6 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 Gun Safety Criminal Justice Housing Immigration/Refugees and Other Basic Rights Gun Safety By Marge Easley SB 551 , a bill that directs OHA to provide information on safe storage of firearms and prescription drugs to school districts for dissemination on their websites and social media, was heard in Senate Education on March 7. League testimony in support included data on child deaths related to access to harmful drugs and firearms and the alarming rise of suicide among children and teens. There is talk of combining several gun safety bills into an omnibus bill that will appear later in the session, but no bill number has been assigned yet. Concepts include the banning of “ghost guns,” allowing gun sellers to require purchasers to be at least 21 years of age, expanding the number of public areas where firearms can be banned, and establishing a state income tax credit for buying a gun safe or lock. Measure 114 Update: There have been three new case filings in the Harney County lawsuit against the State of Oregon that challenges the legality of Measure 114 (permit-to-purchase and ban on large capacity magazines). State attorneys are urging the courts to set May or June trial dates for both the state and federal cases in order to resolve the issue as promptly as possible so as not to create ongoing uncertainty for Oregonians. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Karen Nibler Two League-supported bills that will have a positive impact on incarcerated individuals at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility were scheduled to have a work session on March 9 in House Judiciary. HB 2535 establishes a doula program for pregnant and postpartum individuals, while HB 2731 provides continuing funding for the Family Preservation Project. Bills related to studies and data collection are plentiful this session. Heard in Senate Judiciary on March 8 were bills authorizing studies on organized retail theft ( SB 318 ) and recidivism rates of persons convicted of felony property crimes ( SB 340 ). That same day House Judiciary heard HB 2719 , authorizing a study on services to crime victims, and SB 234 , which allows the Chief Justice to make rules for gathering data on disparities and impacts in Oregon’s criminal justice system. Senate Republicans are behind a series of bills related to increased penalties for sex crimes and are ramping up efforts to get them heard soon in Senate Judiciary. SB 986 raises the statute of limitations on rape from 12 years to 20 years. SB 1022 makes changes to Oregon’s sex-offender risk level assessment process and methodology. SB 1023 clarifies the term ‘victim’ when the Oregon State Police is required to release sex offender information. In a similar vein, Senate Democrats are having better luck with SB 745 , which passed out of Senate Judiciary on March 8. It requires that youth taken into custody receive sex trafficking screenings. W&Ms Public Safety has been reviewing the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) Budget and related bills this week. SB 5512 , the budget bill for expenses for the Supreme Court, Tax Court, Court of Appeals, and 27 Judicial Districts, asks for an appropriation of $705 million. The budget covers the salaries of 197 judges and 1428 court staff, plus the court facilities in Salem and in the counties. The OJD did a county courthouse facilities assessment in 2016 and still uses that assessment in plans to repair or replace judicial facilities. Each biennium the OJD Budget process has included upgrades or new construction of courthouses. League testimony on the overall OJD budget is here . Separate bills: SB 230 reviews the Interstate Compact, SB 233 covers judicial compensation, SB 234 concerns data gathering, SB 235 asks for new judicial positions, and SB 1029 supports family law training. HB 2224 asks for increases in juror compensation. HB 2467 offers student loans for public defense training, and HB 2497 covers rural courthouse assessments. The agency budget carries many policy option packages for pretrial diversion, protective proceedings, expunction, self-representative assistance, data expansion, technology positions, and equipment replacements. One major concern was judicial compensation due to high turnover and a recommended 10% salary increase in 2023 and 2024. Additional judges were recommended in Clackamas, Jackson, and Washington County Courts. Specialty Court Coordinators were recommended to facilitate specialty court programs through the Criminal Justice Commission grants. Each session the budget includes Capital Improvement Projects and Replacements and the bonds to finance them. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Oregon lawmakers are closing in on two big housing priority bills of the 2023 session. Critically needed housing resources are being considered to support Oregonians who face a severe shortage of affordable housing and available shelter space. HB 5019 - Governor’s Emergency to Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness On Feb. 28, Gov. Tina Kotek testified before members of the Oregon House Committee on Housing and Homelessness at a hearing on HB 5019 to encourage lawmakers to pass a $200 million package to assist unsheltered Oregonians, build and preserve needed affordable housing, prevent evictions, and increase homeownership statewide. The funding includes $85.2 million to support local plans to address homelessness in emergency areas through expanding shelter capacity and rapid rehousing initiatives. A targeted $33.6 million for eviction prevention is anticipated to avoid homelessness for 8,750 households statewide. $26.1 million will address homelessness through increased shelter capacity, rapid rehousing initiatives, and sanitation services in communities within the Balance of State Continuum of Care. $200,000 will support the development and design of a statewide, long-term rent assistance program for individuals who are rehoused with state investments. The League provided testimony in support on HB 5019. A public hearing and work session was held on March 7 by the Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. The housing package awaited consideration by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means at a 9:30 am work session on March 10. HB 2001 A-14 - Oregon Housing Needs Analysis Also, as part of the funding package is a related bill HB 2001 A -14, which establishes the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA), within the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS). The needs analysis will extend the notification requirement for the termination of residential rental agreements for nonpayment; provide funding for modular housing development, agriculture workforce housing, and moderate-income housing pre-development loans. The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and OHCS will assist the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in carrying out the requirements. All three agencies will receive funding to carry out specific components of the OHNA. Also, DAS will conduct an annual statewide housing analysis to estimate the needed housing by region. The agency is to establish six-year housing production targets for cities with populations greater than 10,000 and unincorporated urbanized areas within Metro, and eight-year housing production targets for cities greater than 10,000 or unincorporated urbanized areas outside of Metro. DAS may adjust the allocation of needed housing to accommodate people experiencing homelessness and underproduction. The Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development held a work session on the housing package on March 7. The Joint W&Ms was slated to hold a work session on the bill at 9:30 am on March 10. Housing Production Advisory Council: Governor Kotek announced the members of her new Housing Production Advisory Council. The council is charged with developing an action plan to meet the production target of 36,000 additional housing units at all affordability levels per year as set in the governor’s executive order ( 23-04 ). Members include a range of housing leaders, local government representatives, bipartisan legislators, a Tribal member, and relevant state agency directors The Council held its first meeting on March 10, and is scheduled to provide a recommended framework for their action plan by April 1, 2023. More information is available on the website . Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Bill Summary HB 2957 : Financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status recipients for specified purposes. (>7M$). A large portion of the source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz, House EC&HS Public Hearing was 2/22 , League Testimony supports. 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 to JW&M. Public Hearing 3/8 Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: 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&Ms. The League has supported this policy/funding category in the past. 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) 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. Public Hearing was 2/27. Legislative Summary May partially 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 summary . Chief Sponsor: Senator Meek, Patterson, Hansell. Public Hearing 2/27 Immigration SB 185 Requires the 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. SB 603 : 2/27 Public Hearing with -1 amendment . 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% 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. SB 849 Public Hearing 2/28 with -1 amendment . Preliminary SMS Fiscal $20M grant fund. 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 Labor & Business. Senator Jama, Dembrow, Frederick, Campos, Manning Jr, Woods, Representative Chaichi, Nguyen H. Other SB 613 : Creates Commission for Indigenous Communities. SB 216 Passed out of SCHC 3/1 , on Senate Presidents Desk - Awaiting Disposition. 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).. HB2905 Expands list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. Passed out Committee with Unanimous Vote Floor Third Reading 3/13 SB 421 establishes a youth advisory council. Prescribes membership and duties of youth advisory council. DOE to establish a work group to establish standards for the selection process of members of the youth advisory council. PH 2/28 Staff Measure Summary HB 2458 : Prohibits conversion therapy. Public Hearing 2/24 . No League testimony.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy 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 Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: After School and Child Care Age-Related Issues Behavioral Health Education Housing Legislation Immigration After School and Child Care By Katie Riley SB 896 is the only bill left regarding afterschool funding. It is currently in Ways and Means and may receive some funding but it is unlikely to receive the $25-40 million that the sponsor, Senator Anderson, wanted. HB 3162 which also sought funding for afterschool programs did not receive a work session so it is no longer viable. Age-Related Issues by Trish Garner The Senate passed SB 548 , a bill that increases the minimum legal marriageable age to 18. There were only two Nay votes. The bill had already been passed in the House and will be moving to the Governor for her signature. HB 3187A , the workplace age discrimination bill, has been signed into law by the Governor. The bill prohibits employers from asking for a date of birth or graduation date on job applications unless it is a job requirement or an offer of employment has already been made. Behavioral Health By Trish Garner The Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response unanimously passed HB 2481 -11 with a “do pass” recommendation and a referral to Ways & Means. The Dash 11 Amendment constitutes a small but significant portion of HB 2481 and the Committee will be having a Work Session on the remainder of HB 2481 next week. Amendment 11 authorizes the OR Public Guardian and Conservator to develop and administer a program to provide guardianship services to persons who have been charged with committing a crime but who have been determined unable to aid and assist in their defense. It also requires courts to appoint counsel for these defendants and if the defendant is unable to afford counsel, the court will appoint one at state expense. It is likely that the Committee divided the bill as it did because Amendment 11 requires state money to be budgeted for it, and it is also likely that the Ways & Means Committee is well underway in its budgetary consideration process. Other provisions of HB 2481 relate to the aid and assist process in Oregon, and interactions between the state and tribal entities regarding behavioral health treatment and involuntary commitment procedures in these communities. Education By Jean Pierce On May 21, the House Committee on Education recommended Do Pass SB 1098 , the Freedom to Read bill, LWVOR provided testimony in support. HB 2586A has been passed by both chambers. The bill permits an asylum seeker who is a student at a public university to receive an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees. LWVOR filed testimony in support. Budget bills LWVOR is following several budget bills relating to educational funding. In view of the revenue forecast, it is anticipated that amounts appropriated will be lowered. SB 5515 and SB 5516 concern funding for the State School fund. It is anticipated that the final appropriations will be nowhere near the amount recommended by the American Institute on Research (AIR) in March. AIR recommended a 30% increase in funding, with more attention to equitable spending for the education of low income and high needs students. SB 5525 appropriates funding for the Higher Education Coordinating Council to divide among colleges and universities in Oregon. In anticipation of inadequate budgetary allocations, the state’s seven public universities have announced plans to increase the average inflation-adjusted cost of undergraduate tuition for Oregon residents. Tuition will be nearly 30% higher than it was a decade ago. According to a 2022 report from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, a nonprofit think tank in Colorado. “About 25 years ago, public funding accounted for up to 75% of the cost of each full-time employee at an Oregon university. Now, it pays for about 50% or less.” Effect of Federal Actions on Oregon Federal Judge blocks closing of DOE On May 22, Judge Joun in Massachusetts temporarily blocked efforts to carry out an executive order closing the US Department of Education, citing that only Congress can take that step. In addition, the judge ruled that the administration needs to reinstate Education Department employees who lost their jobs in March. Finally, the judge halted the administration’s effort “to transfer management of federal student loans and special education functions out of the Department.” Currently, 77,275 Oregonians are receiving an average of $4,644 in Pell Grants for higher education. In addition, more than $170 million is coming to Oregon for IDEA (funding education of students with special needs. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Bills Passed SB 814 A will be administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to expand eligibility criteria for the agency’s existing Long-Term Rent Assistance Program. Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) youth under the age of 25 would have an opportunity to access long-term rental assistance to help achieve a greater level of housing security. This measure also requires OHCS to consult with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), among other stakeholders. Youth assisted will be exiting a childcare center or a correctional facility. At least 14% of youth who were committed to OYA since October 2022 have already experienced some period of homelessness. Studies indicate that housing instability increases the risk for recidivism. This bill will assist youth by providing a safe and stable home so they can devote their attention to employment, education, and family. This bill passed the Senate and House on May 14 and was signed into law on May 19 by the Governor. The League submitted testimony in support. SB 973 protects residents of publicly supported housing by requiring notices from landlords when affordability restrictions are ending. This applies to tenants who are living in subsidized units, applicants, and new tenants. For existing tenants, the bill would extend the notice requirements from 20 to 30 months. It will require landlords to warn tenants that their housing will no longer be affordable. For applicants and new tenants who are entering into a new rental agreement, landlords of publicly supported housing must provide written notice of when the affordability period will end, prior to charging a screening fee or entering into a new rental application. These tenant protections are critical to giving low-income Oregonians additional time to find stable housing they can afford. The Senate and House passed this bill on May 14 and the Governor signed it into law on May 22. The League submitted testimony in support. Bill in Progress Lottery Revenue Bonds are used to provide financial assistance to local governments for facilities and infrastructure improvements and continue to have a statewide impact. SB 5531 seeks to use Lottery Revenue Bonds for affordable housing preservation, and infrastructure to support new housing production. Thirty-six affordable housing properties in Oregon face foreclosure in the next two years. An additional 76 properties are operating at a monthly deficit due to unsustainable operating costs. Preservation is a cost-effective and efficient approach to address our state’s housing crisis. Allocating $160 million to preserve rental housing and $25 million to preserve manufactured housing parks is a sound investment. The Senate held a public hearing on May 9, and an informational meeting on May 16. The bill now is in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on Capital Construction, where it should be. A work session is expected to be held toward the end of the session. The League submitted testimony in support of this bill. HB 3054 A would limit rent increases and sales constraints by a landlord in a home park or marina, which can threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. It would fix at six percent the maximum rent increases for rental spaces in a larger facility and limit to 10 percent the maximum increase in rent paid by the purchaser of a dwelling or home in a facility. It prohibits a landlord from requiring aesthetic improvements or internal inspections as conditions of sale of a dwelling or home in a facility. The bill passed the House, and the Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a work session on May 19 and recommended passage. It declares an emergency, effective September 1, 2025. LWVOR submitted a letter in support. HB 2964 : Requires the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department to award loans to non-profit affordable housing developers to cover pre-development costs of developing new housing. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 15. It was then referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. The committee held a work session on May 21 and recommended passage. LWV testimony supports passage of the bill. HB 2735 : The House Committee on Revenue held a work session on the Independent Development Accounts (IDAs) bill on May 22, and recommended passage, and referred it to Tax Expenditures. The League submitted a letter in support. The Legislature created the IDAs program in 1999. The state matches participants’ savings up to 5-to-1. Money can be used to invest in the individual financial goals most important to each person’s own circumstances, such as buying a home or enrolling in higher education. The state tax credit that funds IDAs has not kept up with inflation. HB 2735-3 would raise the cap on the tax credit from $7.5 million/year to $16.5 million/year. The cap has not changed since 2009. If the Legislature does not act this session to “fix the funding” for IDAs, the program will shrink to serve 50% fewer Oregonians each year. HB 2958 : The House Committee on Revenue held a work session on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on May 22, and recommended passage with a -2 Amendment and referred it to Tax Expenditures. The bill would extend the sunset date to 2032 and increase to 25 percent the EITC for families with children under three years of age. Other families with children will receive 20 percent of the federal credit. With the amendment, the bill no longer extends the benefit to all childless working adults over age 18. The League submitted a letter in support. The bill, if passed, will put more money in people’s pockets and help avoid the trauma, instability, and costs to society and affected individuals that come from losing one’s home, deferring medical care, or missing meals. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Highlights - News Will President Trump use Oregon National Guard in immigration crackdown ? - OPB Republicans aim to punish states that insure unauthorized immigrants - Oregon Capital Chronicle The HILL: Oregon Legislature advances bill to stop landlords from asking immigration status Trump Welcomes White South African Refugees as He Shuts Out Afghans and Others - The New York Times 20 state AG's sue feds for tying transportation and disaster funding to immigration enforcement • Oregon Capital Chronicle Legislative Bulletin — Friday, May 23, 2025 - National Immigration Forum Click Scroll Bar on Bottom of Table to View All Columns Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 Immigration (support services ) JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama -3 amendment SB 599A Immig status: discrimination in RealEstate transactions Waiting for Gov to sign N Sen Campos House passes 5/19 SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz amendment -1 SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. H Rules PC: No recommen dation Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconciliation Bill HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Waiting for Gov Signature RepHudson, SenCampos League Testi mony HB 2543 funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud dead? 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama DAS - see sb 703 HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund (legal rep funds) JWM-GG WS 5/29 7 LFO d etails Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - September Interim Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance and Redistricting Elections, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Public Records Election Methods By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance and Redistricting The LWV of Oregon has endorsed and is actively circulating IP 9 on Campaign Finance and IP 14 on Redistricting. We urge you to download, print, sign and return petitions by mail from Honest Elections for IP 9 and People Not Politicians for IP 14. Both initiative petitions are due to be filed by July 5, 2024 with the Secretary of State. Elections, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Public Records By Rebecca Gladstone Joint Info Management & Technology, Cyber Advice Another ransomware attack, in Curry County, expects $3 million in recovery costs. They didn’t trust attackers to protect and return their data, not to escalate, and didn’t pay ransom. They are calling for legislation to develop, supply and fund rapid cyber response teams. Cyber Insurance is not an easy out. You can’t get cyber insurance without using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other safety precautions. Insurance policies are less available, more expensive, with increasingly higher deductibles. Cyber firms can review your exposure, help you to improve your safety, and help to set up emergency plans. You can be prepared if you receive a note, as Curry County did on a printer: You’ve been attacked, are being held hostage. Cyber Advice: Check URLs before clicking on links. Prevent exposure, don’t let malware in. Even if messages look okay, they may be “spoofing” to get your ID, credit card number, etc. Never give out personal information if they call or email you. Don’t use their links or phone numbers. Call your bank back using a known phone number. Log on to your trusted website links, not in messages that may not be legit. Regularly back up your files and use a security scan. Curry County had NO backups. Use MFA, add a security step to be safer. Use MFA, by confirming with a code to your cell or email, using a code generator app. This can prevent most problems. Have a security protocol. Curry County now prohibits plugging in outside devices, like thumb drives, into their hardware. Make sure your group (our Leagues’ leaders, for example) know about the plans, and we all step up to not being weak links that let malware in the back door. House Rules Committee Meeting 9/28/23 We look forward to working on extensive meeting materials from the Secretary of State. Others spoke to the condition of Oregon’s local journalism, of deep concern to us, with “Free Press and the Survival of Democracy” as our LWVOR 2023 state convention theme. Electronic Portal Advisory Board ( EPAB ) The board oversees state websites, currently analyzing public survey results, overseeing agency project updates, increasing other languages access, improving cybersecurity awareness, and increasing lateral connections between agency sites, for easier navigation. The Board meets quarterly, with Governor-appointed members, including a UO Computer Science grad student just added and League member Becky Gladstone as the public member since 2018. We welcome comments, for example, from Sen Jeff Golden’s news, wanting easier navigation. “I’m retired,” he said, “and have time and ability to find information about this program online. But I can’t find what I need to know about requirements, about where and how I can have my say on proposed rules, on what incentives there could be to do the work on my land. There are too many programs and agencies to keep track of!” Action since our Sine Die report: HB 2107 effective Jan 1, 2024, to extend automatic voter registration to certain Oregon Health Authority clients. Our testimony in support , filed late in the session, glad that early support for a pilot program at Powder River Women’s correctional facility was reinstated. HB 2049 Enrolled took effect July 31, 2023, to transfer OR Cyber Ad council from EIS to OR Cyber Center of Excellence. Ceremonial signing Sept 27, LWVOR invited. HB 2052 Enrolled data broker registry, effective July 27, 2023, first in the nation. HB 2490 Enrolled effective Jan 1, 2024 for cybersecurity defense plan protection. HB 3073 Enrolled took effect Sept 24, to protect candidate home address disclosure, on request. SB 619 Enrolled effective Jan 1, 2024, for consumers’ personal data rights. Republican Aug 8 PR on unexcused Senate absences administrative rule (OAR). CFR, Campaign Finance Reform, from SoS: Clear Initiative The CLEAR initiative is a new project aiming to increase compliance with Oregon’s campaign finance laws through greater transparency and education. Everyone wins when campaigns play by the rules. This summer, the Elections Division announced three initial steps for an ongoing project: increase visibility for online campaign finance information a new database of campaign finance violations and associated penalties more training and educational materials to help campaigns comply with the rules Learn more on the Elections Division’s website . Election Methods By Barbara Klein There were no bills taken up during this interim legislative session that relate to election systems. There were rumors of some efforts to oppose Ranked Choice Voting via legislation or the ballot, but as of yet, it is unclear whether this will materialize. Due to the decision of the legislature in June 2023, Ranked Choice Voting will be on the 2024 general ballot (for implementation in 2028).

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 5/1 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Walkouts, Resignation, and Bills Waiting Rights of Incarcerated People Walkouts, Resignation, and Bills Waiting By Rebecca Gladstone Republican Senators walked out (press ), citing bill summary readability; see the Flesch Kincaid Calculator . The walkout prevents a required quorum and delays progress for divisive gun safety and healthcare bills. It could provide litigation grounds against Measure 113 ( press ), a constitutional amendment voters passed last fall by a wide majority to prevent legislative work halts from walkouts. League election bill positions are not affected by the SoS resignation. Here’s a status update on bills we’re watching: HB 5032 Enrolled : We supported this Public Records Advocate funding bill ( our testimony ). Work sessions scheduled: HB 2490 work session was rescheduled for May 9 in Senate committee for this cybersecurity vulnerability bill. The League urges for maximum protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Defense of our critical infrastructures is at stake ( our testimony ). Still awaiting work sessions: The May 5 agenda posting deadline for second chamber committee work sessions does not apply to bills followed here, since most are in Rules and Joint committees. SB 11 : This access and transparency bill has strong bipartisan support, requiring virtual public state meetings to record and promptly publicize recordings. We will look for data retention rules. SB 417 : This public records bill is important to the League for timely access to candidate filing information for Vote411.org and for concerns of excessive elections records requests ( press ). We have attended the Task Force since March 7, now focused on agencies bearing the burden of proof for defending staff review assignments, for choosing the most cost-effective staff records review before public release. The bill aims for the lowest records delivery cost by the lowest salaried employee. High-level legal review is necessary for 90% of requested records. Staff could redact basic data like SSNs and birth dates. But experienced attorneys could quickly include those in a single review with complex issues that could help avert much more expensive appellate litigation referrals. See our testimony , predating this work. SB 166 : We hope the scheduling delay, referred to House Rules March 7, implies amending to address privacy and harassment concerns. See our testimony and previous extensive reports. SB 167 : See League testimony in support of this elections bill to replace candidate filing software, add efficiency improvements, address some privacy and cybersecurity issues, with efficiency tweaks. SJM 6 : This DC statehood action has not moved since the April 13 unanimous referral from the Senate floor on April 13. Taxation without representation is a fundamental democratic value we support. SB 614 : We’re watching this police body cam, personal data retention / disclosure bill, after passing the Senate, 18 to 10, on not entirely partisan votes. See details, April 17 LR. Awaiting further scheduling (mostly W&Ms): HB 2049 A : This cybersecurity omnibus bill was referred to W&Ms March 3 with unanimous do pass recommendation. The League strongly supports in previous reports ( our testimony ). HB 2052 relates to SB 619 and was referred JW&Ms on Feb 13. We support the AG’s data broker registry bill ( League testimony ). HB 2806 A : This bill passed unanimously May 2 with a Do Pass to update statute for open meetings, public safety and cybersecurity. It awaits transfer to the Senate President’s desk. See our testimony . HB 3127 A : An April 27 work session for this “TikTok bill” awaits transfer to the Senate President’s desk, with a Do Pass recommendation. SB 619 : Sent to W&Ms April 12, with Do pass with amendments by prior reference. LWVOR strongly supports this AG’s consumer privacy bill ( our testimony ), now with a coalition letter. SB 510 : This SB 417 companion funding bill passed unanimously to W&Ms on May 1 without recommendation, to improve efficiency, cost estimates and budgeting, and sustainable funding for the PRAC. See our testimony in support . SB 1073 A : Referred to W&Ms April 10, to establish a state Chief Privacy Officer (CPO). See our supportive testimony including related bills and the hearing video , details in previous reports. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley A House floor vote on SB 529 was scheduled to take place on May 4. The bill, a priority bill of the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), acknowledges that addiction is a chronic disease affecting many incarcerated individuals and creates more comprehensive drug treatment programs in correctional institutions. Another DOC priority this session is a close examination of the use of segregated housing units in Oregon’s correctional facilities. There will be a Senate Judiciary work session on May 8 for HB 2345 A , which mandates the establishment of a publicly accessible data dashboard detailing race, age, misconduct status, duration in the unit, level of misconduct causing a return to the unit, and the allowable amount of time outside of a cell. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/13 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 Criminal Justice Gun Safety Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Governor Kotek has underscored the need to address the state’s housing emergency, and the legislature is coalescing around bills to serve communities around the state in sheltering the unhoused, providing low- and extremely low-income housing, and serving those experiencing economic inequality. 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 (OHCS) to advance comprehensive reforms to the state’s land use planning systems. The goal is 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 those most in need. This bill is moving forward in the Governor’s Recommended Budget for OHCS, as of February 6, 2023. LWVOR submitted testimony in support of this bill. HB 3010 – Mortgage Interest Deduction This bill would limit the mortgage interest deduction on personal income taxes available to high earners and on second homes. The resulting increase in state revenue would be deposited in a First-Time Home Buyer Account administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services. The bill calls for creation of a Task Force on First-Time Ownership that would report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by Sept. 2024. The bill has been referred to the Housing and Homelessness subcommittee with a subsequent referral to Tax Expenditures. SB 611 – Reasonable Rent This bill would increase relocation assistance in landlord-based no fault evictions. In addition, it would limit annual rent increases to 3% plus consumer price index, or 8%, whichever is lower. It extends protections to tenants of all buildings more than 3 years-old. Buildings up to 15 years-old currently are exempt. SB 611 is a priority bill of the Housing Alliance, of which LWVOR is a member. On 1/15/2023, it was referred to Senate Housing and Development. HB 2001 – Oregon Housing and Community Services Governor’s Budget The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness has proposed an amendment to OHCS’s budget. Amendment-1 would require OHCS to study issues related to housing and report back to the Interim Committee of the Legislative Assembly related to housing by September 15, 2024. The amendment replaces the measure in six key areas summarized below. HB 2001-1 Proposed Amendment and Staff member document summary . · Homelessness Emergency . Declares homelessness as a statewide emergency in Oregon, and applies provisions of Executive Order 23-02, issued by the Governor on January 10, 2023, to the entire state. · Youth Homelessness . Expands the use of the Emergency Housing Account funds to include services and assistance to school-aged children or their families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Allows the Housing and Community Services Department to award grants to organizations that provide evidence-based services for youth experiencing homelessness in underserved areas. · Termination of Residential Tenancy for Nonpayment . Extends, for residential tenancies, a 72-hour timeline for issuance of notice of intention to terminate a rental agreement based on nonpayment to 10 days and extends the 144-hour timeline to 13 days. · Modular Housing Funding . Allocates, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, $20 million in General Fund moneys to the Oregon Business Development Department to provide grants or loans to entities developing modular housing or related components, under advisement from a temporary advisory committee. Requires grant or loan recipients to prioritize, in order, disaster recovery, low-income, and middle- income housing construction. · Affordable Housing Predevelopment Grants. Allocates beginning July 1, 2023, $3 million in General Fund moneys to the Oregon Facilities Authority to provide financing or refinancing support for local governments or housing developers for infrastructure development and predevelopment costs for moderate income projects. A public hearing was held on February 14 by the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness. SB 599 - Child Care in Rental Homes This bill requires landlords to allow tenants to use their units for childcare purposes as long as the home is certified or registered with the Office of Child Care, the tenant has notified the landlord, and the home does not violate zoning regulations or an association’s governing documents. The childcare provider must carry liability insurance or parents must sign a liability waiver. Lack of access to childcare is a significant barrier for all parents, but particularly to women’s participation in the workforce. SB 599 removes one roadblock for tenants who provide childcare services in their homes. On 2/8/2023 the Housing and Development Committee recommended a do pass with amendments. On 2/14 it was carried over by unanimous consent. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley and Karen Nibler HB 3035 , which creates the crime of threatening a mass injury event, was heard in House Judiciary on February 13. The bill is the product of a work group convened by Rep. Courtney Neron in response to concerns about threats of violence in schools and other public settings. There is currently no law in Oregon that specifically addresses a threat of mass violence. If no loss of life occurs the crime would most likely be considered a lower-level Class B felony. This bill increases the penalty to a Class C felony, punishable by five years’ imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both. The increased penalty allows for formal supervision and possible mental health treatment, firearm prohibition, and stricter release conditions. Juvenile offenders would be given special consideration and remain in the juvenile justice system. The League is also monitoring SB 763 , heard on February 14 in Senate Judiciary, which prohibits an employer, state agency, or licensing board to deny consideration to those who commit crimes as a juvenile. Senate Judiciary discussed SB 763 on access to juvenile records on February 14 and SB 519 on expunction of juvenile records on February 16. Both bills are in the revision process. SB 470 asks that the Oregon Health Authority request coverage of medical assistance to persons under 19 in juvenile detention facilities. The counties are responsible for medical care in county facilities, which can be very expensive. The Legislature passed SB 588 in 2017 to cover all kids below 300% of the federal poverty level, but there is an age gap under consideration. House Judiciary focused on crime victims and child advocacy centers last week. The Criminal Justice Commission and Department of Community Corrections were on this week. DOC reported a 28% decrease in law violations among the 21,000 adults on supervision in the community after the pandemic. HB 3194 granted short term transitional leave, 120 day early release, which has shown an improvement in recidivism rates. More information is available on the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission website. Public Safety W&Ms heard CJC reports on the Family Preservation Project at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. The CJC staff were optimistic about the positive effects on the women’s families. Gun Safety By Marge Easley A precedent-setting court ruling on February 15 regarding the status of two “Second Amendment Sanctuary” ordinances in Columbia County is receiving nationwide attention. The Oregon Appeals Court struck down the 2018 and 2020 ordinances, which had declared all state gun laws to be violations of the Second Amendment and would not be enforced. The ruling states that such ordinances are illegal, given that state law gives the Legislature the sole authority to regulate firearms. The League, along with many gun safety groups, have long awaited a ruling on the issue, which is sure to have repercussions across the country where these ordinances have been passed, including 16 Oregon counties. According to The Center Square , “as of June 2021 there were 1,930 counties protected by Second Amendment Sanctuary legislation at either the state or county level, representing 61% of 3,141 counties and county equivalents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.” Immigration/Refugees and other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith Support – Public Hearing Scheduled HB 2957 : Financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status recipients for specified purposes. (>7M$). A large portion of the source funding is Federal ARPA funds. Rep Ruiz, House EC&HS Public Hearing is 2/22 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. Public Hearing 2/22 Bills moved from Policy Committee to JW&Ms: 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&Ms. The League has supported this policy / funding category in the past. 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) 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 the 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. 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% 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. 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 Work Session carried over. No fiscal impact identified. 2/15 with amendment carried over . HB 2458 : Prohibits conversion therapy. Public Hearing 2/24

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance and Elections Courts and Privacy Government Ethics Revenue Campaign Finance and Elections Portland auditor seeks to soften city’s voter-approved campaign finance law to align with state . The League and Honest Elections oppose the Portland Auditor’s efforts which would set back many years of reform effort. Courts and Privacy By Becky Gladstone HB 5012 : The League was invited again to speak to this Oregon Judicial Department budget bill. League testimony in support was presented. HB 5012 appropriates monies from the General Fund to the department for the Oregon Law Commission, the Council on Court Procedures, conciliation and mediation services in circuit courts, law libraries and the Legal Services Program. HB 2299 , which increases the penalty for unlawful dissemination of intimate image, was heard this week in the House Judiciary committee. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2454 authorizes the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to appoint a Legislative Audit Officer and to direct the officer to perform specified duties, including investigating, reviewing activities of and oversight of executive branch agencies, taking in and investigating complaints of members of the public concerning executive branch agency programs, conducting performance audits of executive branch agencies and reporting to the committee on work undertaken by the officer. The only witnesses were Reps. Bowman and Wallan. This new legislative branch audit office (LAO) may be redundant with the Secretary of State audits division and the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO). Revenue By Natalie Briggs On March 26, the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue heard the March Economic and Revenue Forecast by Chief Economist Carl Riccadonna and Senior Economist Michael Kennedy. The Macro Forecast At the time of this report, U.S. inflation adjusted growth is 2%, while inflation is holding steady at 2.8% (above the federal reserve’s target of 2%). Unemployment is 4.2%, though it is too early to observe the impact of tariff discussions and federal job cuts. Federal job cuts will not be included in Oregon’s economic statistics until the 1st or 2nd week of March. In 2025, 2% growth is targeted, and economists anticipate a broader set of risks to economic outcomes. Implementation of tariffs could harm or help the Oregon economy, which is sensitive to trade due to the geographic and industrial characteristics of the state – manufacturing and export are higher in Oregon than other states, and Oregon may be impacted more heavily by changes to pacific trading partners, due to geographic location. Oregon Outlook/Economy Oregon GDP growth has slowed over the last year, with GDP growth reaching 1.2%. Decrease in GDP is likely tied to state-specific industries, and does not necessarily reflect national GDP trends. At the time of this report, Oregon GDP is below the US average by 1.5%. Should this deviation from national GDP trending continue, a U.S. GDP growth of 2% in 2025 would contrast with Oregon GDP growth of 0.5%. Despite Oregon’s 1.2% growth over the last 4 quarters, GDP growth over the previous two quarters was 2.9%, up markedly from -0.6% in the two quarters prior. This growth of 2.9% could indicate improvement in GDP to come. Jobs Oregon has a high percentage of labor force participation compared to the rest of the country, though hiring has slowed. Oregon employment remains at a historic high (since 2000), at 81.9%, with wage growth relatively flat and some recent indication of an upward slope. The number of unemployed Oregonians who have exhausted unemployment benefits is beginning to increase somewhat compared to 2024. Areas with the most job creation include private education, health care, and service industries. Job losses have been observed in areas including construction and manufacturing. Manufacturing jobs are down 2,500 between December 2023 and December 2024, as noted in the previous revenue report, though some signs of manufacturing improvement have been observed recently. Overall, no broad-based gains in employment were observed, and jobs trends do not appear to differ dramatically from national trends. Interest rates remain a challenge for certain industries in Oregon (automotive, housing), and are reflected in the Oregon labor market. These challenges are not unique to Oregon, and other states see similar patterns, such as migration to neighboring states where housing costs are lower. Outcomes The Oregon economy is increasingly connected to national trends, in part due to the existence of industries that are impacted by the national economy. As a result, one possible outcome for the Oregon economy is that of a soft landing – a term applied at the national level that refers to slowing of growth post-inflation rather than a transition to recession. The baseline outcome for the Oregon economy is that of a soft-landing. Other outcomes include that of a recession (downside), and continued growth (upside). Revenue Update The latest Oregon revenue projection for 2023-2025 has decreased by $89 million compared to prior forecasts, and appropriations have increased by $110 million. 2025-2027 revenue projections have increased to $551 million, and available resources have increased to $350 million. The decrease by $89 million for 2023-2025 is a result of updated information on income taxes, where Oregon personal tax refunds have accounted for $275 million more than in prior projections. Corporate income tax is also lower than expected, due to reconciliation from prior years. The variance in these forecasts may be up to $500 million. Looking forward to the next 10 years, slower growth is expected for Oregon, due to a combination of demographic changes, including an aging population and out migration of high earners, as well as slow capital gains growth. Biennial growth is expected to slow for 2025-2033, to 10.7% (down from 15.1% for 2021-2025). The current budget reserves for Oregon are 10.5% of 2025-2027 general funds. The legislature will use this Feb. 26th forecast to do a final rebalance of the 2023-25 budget. Then the May 14th forecast will be the basis for the legislature to determine the 2025-27 state budget. Oregon receives substantial funding from the federal government, so the legislature is watching closely as the March 14th deadline for a federal budget to be passed again looms. Congress also needs to address raising the federal debt limit to authorize paying for bills we’ve already incurred. The federal budget is annual and runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30. Currently there is only a federal budget until end of day March 14. Additionally, the firing of federal employees who live in Oregon is beginning to affect both large and small communities in Oregon—not only the jobs they were hired to do, but economies with the loss of those employee wages to the communities. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Social Policy Bills in 2026 Session Bill number Summary LWVOR Testimony Chamber / Current Committee Status Criminal Justice SJR 203 A Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Secret Police Support Senate Rules SB 1515 A Wrongful Convictions Support Passed Both Chambers HB 4045 A Search Warrant Response Time Limits Support Passed Both Chambers HB 4114 A Rules for Operations of Federal Agents or Agents from Another State in OR Support Passed Both Chambers HB 4138 A Requires ID and Prohibits Face Coverings for Law Enforcement Agents Support Passed Both Chambers Education SB 1538 A Education for Immigrants Support Governor Signed HB 4079 A Public Schools Must Inform When ICE is Present on the Campus Support Passed Both Chambers HB 4149 A Directs School Districts to Enroll and Provide Services for Homeless Students Support Passed Both Chambers Gun Policy HB 4145 A Modifies permitting for Measure 114 Support Passed Both Chambers Healthcare SB1527 A Provides Access to Follow-up Testing After an Abnormal Pap Support Governor Signed SB 1570 A Safety for Healthcare Providers and Patients Support Passed Both Chambers SB 1598 Insurance Coverage of Required Immunizations Support Passed Both Chambers HB 4054 Transparency when AI downcodes Support Joint Info Mgmt & Tech Reproductive Health HB 4088 A Privacy in Healthcare Support Passed Both Chambers HB 4127 Payment for Reproductive Healthcare Support Passed Both Chambers Social Policy Read Our 2025 Priorities Here 2026 Legislative Priorities SUPPORT HEALTHCARE/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. Protect accessibility to all healthcare services during federal support reduction. Preserve healthcare decision rights for patients and providers. Advocate for bills that ensure that every Oregonian has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right. SUPPORT HOUSING STRATEGIES that keep people housed by preventing evictions and displacement, providing affordable permanent housing and support services, preserving existing low-income housing and increasing the supply of new units. Maintain shelter beds where needed. Provide state support for infrastructure and pre-development expenses for affordable housing projects. SUPPORT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION. Provide adequate & equitable funding for early childhood, child care, K-12, after-school and summer care, as well as higher education. Advocate for coordination and transparency in funding. PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY and a more equitable and effective criminal justice system through violence prevention/reduction programs, rehabilitation and reentry programs for adults and juveniles in custody, and common-sense gun laws. L WVOR Positions League Social Policy Positions can be found here: Issues for Actio n (LWVOR): Adult Corrections Child Care Children at Risk Farmworker Issues Adult Mental Health Mental Health Services for Children and Youth Homeless Youth Juvenile Justice Public Postsecondary Education Impact on Issues (LWVUS) Criminal Justice – page 137 Equality of Opportunity – page 140 Federal Role in Public Education – page 152 Fiscal Policy – page 154 Health Care – page 157 Immigration – page 167 Meeting Basic Human Needs – page 170 Child Care – page 176 Early Intervention for Children at Risk – page 177 Violence Prevention - page 178 Gun Policy – page 179 Urban Policy – page 181 Death Penalty – page 183 Sentencing Policy – page 184 Human Trafficking – page 185 Previous Legislative Reports Next

Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch The latest word is we are $650 million in the hole related to revenue needs vs. expenses. But this number doesn’t reflect all the legislation being considered this session. One positive action taken this last week is the Senate Committee On Finance and Revenue ’s passage (along party lines 3-2) of SB 1507 A that “disconnects” a few sections of the federal tax code from our state tax system. We understand that the bill was the result of both chambers’ Revenue Chairs and others as they sought to balance the needs for tax reform with the need to help fill the revenue hole brought on by the federal H.R.1 . The Legislative Revenue Office provided this chart to help explain the revenue impact. Here is the Staff Measure Summary, the Fiscal Impact Statement and the Revenue Impact Statement . The measure provides for an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit that the League has long supported. If this bill passes, it will reduce that revenue hole by about $300 million. Our partners at the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) have provided a video that might help explain this complicated tax policy. The Oregonian provides another explanation of the committee’s work. The League provided testimony in support of the amended bill. There was a Minority Report filed ( Staff Report ) and that report’s Revenue and Fiscal Impact Statements are available in the bill’s meeting materials. SB 1507 A is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote. If it passes, it will then be sent to the House for consideration. Another bill we are watching is 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 a bill . The bill, with amendments, would provide an opportunity to explore additional tax policy for consideration in the 2027 session. Public Hearing Feb. 11. Work Session Feb. 16. Although the League was disappointed that this policy was not included in SB 1507 A, we can support a continued conversation around corporate tax policy. We are also watching for potential changes in the estate tax, SB 1511 . A -3 amendment is posted for a Feb. 18 Work Session. The staff has provided this analysis that indicates no expected revenue loss for this biennium but $35 million by 2029-31. Public Hearing Feb. 11. OCPP provides an analysis of this tax. Work Session Feb. 18 -3 amendment is posted. SB 1586 : 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. Oregonlive provided this comprehensive assessment of the bill. This Oregonlive article indicates that the bill’s chief sponsor is listening to concerns: “ The enterprise zone part is being removed from the bill .” But there’s still a chance that the tax breaks will expand this session. Gov. Tina Kotek has similar language in an economic development bill she is promoting . Public Hearing Feb. 16. The League will provide testimony in opposition to this bill. As we watch the U.S. and Oregon’s economy, we note the Oregon Capital Chronicle Jobs Report article , of special concern as Oregon is an income tax state. The Full Ways and Means Committee met Feb. 6 th and introduced 6 budget bills for the session. Here are the bill numbers. Expect amendments by the end of session: SB 1601: Amends an incorrect internal reference in a law relating judicial compensation. Program Change. SB 5701: Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the Housing Alliance requested funds for preserving existing housing that will no longer be regulated as “affordable”. SB 5702 : Establishes and modifies limits on payment of expenses from specified funds by certain state agencies for capital construction. Capital Construction 6-year limitation. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the committee heard 3.5 hours of 2-minute requests from across the state—from infrastructure to housing to resilience hubs to a variety of economic development projects. Legislators were allowed only two requests each but even that meant up to 180 requests! SB 5703: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder for agency allocation changes. HB 5203: 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. HB 5201: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder. HB 5202: Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder. HB 5204: 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. 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. Revenue Committees and Ways and Means don’t need to follow the session deadlines. They work until close to the end of session. Other 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. Public Hearing Feb. 16. 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 . Public Hearing Feb. 18. The League has long supported kicker reform but we also note that, with our new state economist, another kicker is not expected in the near term. HB 4014 : Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the state financial system. Public Hearing Feb. 2. Another Public Hearing Feb. 11. -1 amendment 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.

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Water: Peggy Lynch Wildfire: Carolyn Mayers Ways and Means Natural Resource Budgets/Revenue: Peggy Lynch Please see Natural Resources Overview here . Jump to a topic: Air Quality Agriculture Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Department of State Lands (DSL) Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) Emergency Services Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Water Wetlands Wildfire AIR QUALITY SB 726 requires the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to conduct surface emissions monitoring and report data as specified in the Act. LWVOR supports. A possible work session is set for March 26 in the Senate Committee On Energy and Environment . AGRICULTURE By Sandra Bishop HB 2647 would allow cities to bring land within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) for industrial use. We will likely oppose this proposal unless it is made clear that this bill does not preclude review and adherence to statewide land use planning goals and laws. A public hearing is scheduled 3/31 in the House Housing & Homelessness Committee. A work session is scheduled 4/7. HB 3928 would allow counties to supersede all statewide land use planning laws to site housing on rural lands. The League will likely oppose this bill. This proposal seems to be taking advantage of the panic around the very real need for more housing units in Oregon. It does not appear to be a well-thought-out approach to providing additional available and affordable housing, but rather an attempt to relegate all land use planning decisions related to citing housing in rural areas to counties. This would in essence preclude or circumvent statewide land use planning laws and goals that have been very effective at achieving a balance between urbanization and protecting farm and forest land. This bill is scheduled for a public hearing 3/31 and work session 4/7 in the House Housing & Homelessness Committee. HB 3496 requires the Development of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to write guidelines for citing childcare facilities to be used by city and county governments, including recommendations for childcare as a home occupation. Childcare as a home occupation may be compatible in some rural settings, but may not be healthy in proximity to certain agricultural or forestry operations. We are monitoring this bill and look forward to reviewing recommendations that DLCD staff bring forward. The need for more childcare centers should not be used to weaken protections for maintaining high value agricultural lands. Work session is scheduled 3/27 in the House Early Childhood and Human Service Committee. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) meeting on March 20th included a public hearing on rulemaking for solar siting in eastern Oregon. The rules are required to implement HB 3409 (2023 session), specifically to reduce conflicts in siting solar projects. Staff presented a rulemaking update and answered questions from commissioners. Questions raised by commissioners included questions about the use of herbicides and whether or not other contaminants have been a problem on land-based solar projects. There was one report of a Klamath farmer losing organic certification attributed to a solar project. In answer to a question, staff clarified that any requirement for bonding for retirement of solar projects would be covered in statute, not this rulemaking. Public testimony stressed the need to protect high value lands and farmers. The importance of restoration of land back to tillable soil at the end-of-life of a project was pointed out. Concern for water rights was brought up. A farmer or rancher should not lose water rights from lack of use because the land is utilized by a solar project. Proximity to UGB was argued from both perspectives – why would you want to surround a city with solar, thus limiting future UGB expansion or forcing leapfrog development? On the other hand, a social justice issue could be raised as to why solar projects should be cited on more rural lands further from an UGB. It was made explicit that under any goal exception the zoning should remain. Citing of solar should not result in zone change to industrial. No action was taken. The rules will be considered for adoption by July 1st, 2025. The final meeting of the Rules Advisory Committee will be April 4th. The public comment period ends April 11th. Proposed rule amendments to the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 660 divisions 4, 6, 23, and 33, pertaining to Goal Exceptions, Forest Lands, Goal 5, and Agricultural Lands. Submit comments to: denise.johnson@dlcd.oregon.gov , gordon.howard@dlcd.oregon.gov , jon.jinings@dlcd.oregon.gov , adam.tate@dlcd.oregon.gov SB 78 – Replacement dwelling bill, will have a possible work session scheduled on April 8 in the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire . SB 77 – Home occupation reform bill which the League supports, and SB 788 , a bill that would exempt some Eastern Oregon counties from certain land use laws, which we opposed did not get a work session. LWVOR testified in support o f SB 77 and SB 78 , and in opposition to SB 788 . Oregonlive provided comprehensive coverage of the debates around these bills. BUDGETS/REVENUE By Peggy Lynch The Co-Chairs of Ways and Means provided their framework for the 2025-27 state budget. Note on the last page the potential effect of federal budget cuts. This Oregonlive article suggests some of the most painful cuts. The Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Capital Construction met on March 21st and received a report from the State Treasurer, including the 2025 bonding capacity: “$2.22 Billion Issuance For Each Biennium, Or $1.11 Billion Annually” . We note that this capacity is based on the Sept. 2024 Revenue Forecast. Also, there is a recommendation that bond sales be scattered throughout the biennium instead of waiting until the last quarter of the biennium. However, that means that the cost of debt service will have to be calculated into the 2025-27 budget. But scattering the sales can also provide the legislature with a pullback of those sales should the economy not support the ability of the state to back those bonds. The Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) on behalf of the Governor reported on the Governor’s bond requests in her 2025-27 budget. A complete list is available here . Following are the budget bills we are watching in Natural Resources: Dept. of Agriculture: SB 5502 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Meeting Materials Dept. of Agriculture Fees: SB 5503 Info mtgs. March 24 and 25 with public hearing March 26. Columbia River Gorge Commission: SB 5508 Info mtg. and public hearing March 13 DEQ: SB 5520 . Governor’s budget DEQ Fact Sheet tentative info mtgs. April 7-9, public hearing April 10 Oregon Dept. of Energy: SB 5518 info hearing 2/10, Meeting Materials , public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Energy Fees: SB 5519 info hearing 2/10, public hearing 2/11 Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: HB 5009 , tentative public hearings Mar. 31 & Apr. 1-2; Oregon Dept. of Forestry: SB 5521 . Info hearing March 10 & 11. Public hearing March 12. Meeting Materials (See Wildfire section for more information.) Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: HB 5010 ; Public hearing Feb. 5-6; Meeting materials ; LWVOR testimony ; Aggregate industry testified against the staffing and fee increases. LWVOR points out that KPM #4 , mine inspections, has consistently NOT met the small 20% target so, if staffing is needed to meet that target AND fees increased to pay for them, we will continue to support. LWVOR supports SB 836 , a bill that would significantly increase permit fees for mining related activities. See the agency’s presentation to understand the reasons for these increases. A work session is set for March 25. HB 2785 modifying fees for DOGAMI is scheduled for a work session April 2nd. Dept. of Land Conservation and Development: SB 5528 Governor’s budget DLCD Fact Sheet Public hearing Feb. 3-4; LCDC 1/24 presentation ; Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony Land Use Board of Appeals: SB 5529 ; Public hearing Feb. 27; LWVOR testimony . SB 817 is a bill to request a minor fee increase (Passed the Senate Mar. 11. Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. ) Oregon State Marine Board: HB 5021 ; Public hearing Feb. 17 Meeting Materials Oregon State Parks and Recreation Dept.: HB 5026 info hearings March 3-4, public hearing March 5. Meeting Materials LWVOR testimony in part to address comments by the Legislative Fiscal Office. OPRD will need additional revenue sources for the 2027-29 biennium. Dept. of State Lands: SB 5539 Info hearing March 17. public hearing March 19. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony in support. Water Resources Dept.: SB 5543 Governor’s budget WRD Fact Sheet Here is a summary of the Governor’s budget. Governor's Budget and Agency Request Budget documents are available online here . Info Mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 18-20. Meeting Materials . LWVOR testimony . And the fee bills: support HB 2808 ( Public hearing March 31; Work session April 7 ) and HB 2803 (Public hearing March 31; Work session set for April 7) . Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: HB 5039 . Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-27 LWVOR testimony . Meeting Materials Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board 6-Year Limitation: HB 5040 (Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.) Info mtg. & Public hearing Feb. 25-26 Oregon Business Development Dept.: HB 5024 ; Info mtgs. 3/12, 13 & 17. Public Hearing 3/18 Oregon Dept. of Emergency Management: SB 5517 Office of the Governor: SB 5523 Oregon State Fire Marshal: SB 5538 info hearing 2/19, public hearing 2/20. Dept. of Transportation: SB 5541 info hearing 3/03-6, public hearing 3/11 Dept. of Administrative Services: HB 5002 info hearings 3/03-5, public hearing 3/06. Meeting Materials Legislative Administration Committee, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, Legislative Revenue Officer, Commission on Indian Services and Legislative Policy and Research Committee: HB 5016 Lottery Bonds: SB 5531 : an average debt capacity of $564 million in each Biennium. Public hearing in April. Emergency Board: HB 5006 This bill will be a vehicle to accept testimony from the public during six community meetings around the state from March 22 ending April 25 on the public’s priorities for the 2025-27 budget. General Obligation Bonds, etc.: SB 5505 : an average debt capacity of $2.22 billion per Biennium. Public hearing in April. Six-Year Limitation/Bonds: SB 5506 (Limits for the six-year period beginning July 1, 2025, payment of expenses from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by various state agencies for capital construction.) CLIMATE By Claudia Keith and Team See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. T here are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections. COASTAL A work session is set for March 26 for the Eelgrass Action Bill (HB 3580) , a bill for kelp and eel grass conservation. The League signed on to a letter in support. of HB 3580 . A work session is also scheduled on March 26 on a bill to protect Rocky Habitat ( HB 3587 ). Here is a one-pager: Rocky Habitat Stewardship Bill (HB 3587) . The League also signed on to a letter in support. We asked for funding for a staffer in the Dept. of Land Development and Conservation budget to continue to address rocky habitat, an element of the Territorial Sea Plan which the League has supported as elements were added and updated over the years. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) By Peggy Lynch The League supports SB 830 , a bill that modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. It also allows for the program to consider mobile home parks in need of septic upgrades. The bill passed the full Senate March 6 and has been assigned to the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment . Here is the Onsite Wastewater Management Program 2025 Rulemaking webpage . Because of the League’s work on SB 391 (2021) and additional bills in 2023, a League member served on the rules advisory committee to address sewer availability and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues. On Feb. 26 the advisory committee approved the Fiscal Impact Statement. A public comment period is expected in May. You are welcome to Sign up for email updates about this rulemaking via GovDelivery . The League again served on an annual rulemaking advisory committee on water quality fee increases. A meeting was held on Feb. 25th where the committee agreed to forward their recommendation for the allowed annual 3% fee increase to the DEQ Director. To learn more about this rulemaking and the advisory committee you can view the rulemaking web page at: Water Quality Fees 2025 . DEPT. OF STATE LANDS (DSL) DSL is seeking comments on a proposed sale of state-owned land located on the south shore of the western side of Hayden Island in Multnomah County. The 45-day comment period is open from March 5 – April 19. ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF) The Dept. of State Lands is seeking comments on the proposed Elliott State Research Forest Operations Plan. Click here to view or download the proposed plan, project overview map, and appendices. Click here to view only the proposed plan (PDF) The 45-day comment period is open until 5 p.m. on March 31. Here is a more complete notice of the plan with opportunities for virtual public meetings. EMERGENCY SERVICES By Rebecca Gladstone The League spoke and filed testimony on HB 2581 in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. The bill has passed the House. The Senate Committee On Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs passed and is headed to the Senate floor. FORESTRY (ODF) By Josie Koehne The League will continue to follow SB 1051 , assigned to the Senate Rules Committee and which transfers the authority to appoint a State Forester from the State Board of Forestry to the Governor. A public hearing is set for March 24. HB 3103 , a bill that would d irect the State Forester to establish “sustainable” harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and develop a timber inventory model to inform sustainable harvest levels while ignoring the court affirmed “greatest permanent value” was heard on March 3rd in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . The League OPPOSED . A work session is scheduled for March 31. See also the Wildfire section of this report below and the separate Climate section. GOVERNANCE The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking. After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws. That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies : This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. The League will also attend a separate rules process discussion being led by the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development. See the Land Use section for more information on this issue. We continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures . LAND USE & HOUSING By Sandra Bishop/Peggy Lynch The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) met on March 20-21 . The meeting on March 20th included a joint meeting with the Community Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC). Discussion among commissioners and advisory committee members focused on the Community Engagement Guidelines (old title: Public Participation Guidelines). Staff explained the purpose is mainly to modernize the language. The Guidelines are a work plan or program for Goal 1 (Citizen Involvement). Some language is being changed to align with the Strategic Plan. It was noted that timely delivery of information and opportunity for involvement is very important. Commission members asked about the racial equity framework and asked if there was also consideration for geographic equity. One commissioner pointed out there seems to be a disparity between large well-organized organizations, usually based in urban areas, and the ad hoc groups more likely to occur in rural areas. Staff assured commissioners that points of interaction should be available to all. The staff will align with best practices and use creativity to support opportunity for involvement. Socio-economic status was mentioned as one of the conditions to consider when looking at how to create equitable involvement opportunities. Staff is creating educational material to explain what are local government obligations under Goal I (Citizen Involvement). The materials will be available on the website. A motion was passed by the Commission to accept the 2025-2027 CIAC Work Plan with an updated version of the Community Engagement Guidelines (staff will work on revisions with CIAC members and bring back to the commission). Business Oregon’s Infrastructure bill, HB 3031 had a public hearing on Feb. 26 in the House Committee On Housing and Homelessness . The League supports this important funding bill. LWVOR testimony . Governor’s news release . A -2 amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Bills we are following: HB 2138 : Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands, filed at the request of the Governor. A public hearing was held on March 3rd in House Committee On Housing and Homelessness where a -1 amendment is posted as a “gut and stuff” for the bill. The Governor testified in support of the bill, but received concerns about the provision to allow for easier demolition of historic buildings and has stated that such a provision will be removed in the next amendment. Also not included was a provision that the League had objected to that would have exempted courtyards from cottage cluster development. At this time, the League is not planning to testify on this bill. Another public hearing will be held March 26 and a work session is scheduled for April 2nd. HB 3145 : Allows the Housing and Community Services Department to use Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program Fund moneys for factory-built housing. A work session is scheduled for March 24. HB 2950 : A bill to update Goal One and Public Participation is being sponsored by Oregon’s American Planning Association. The League is interested in the bill, but has some concerns. We understand there will be an amendment proffered. Scheduled for a Work Session March 31st in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water . Because of the requirement to do rulemaking, the bill, if passed by the Committee, will be sent to Ways and Means. HB 3013 : Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. LWVOR supports with -1 amendment. The bill was not scheduled for a work session. HB 2316 : Allows designation of Home Start Lands to be used for housing. These lands are currently a variety of state-owned lands scattered around the state. A public hearing is scheduled for March 26 and a work session on April 2nd. HB 2400 : Allows the owner of property outside an urban growth boundary to site an additional dwelling on the property for occupancy by a relative of the owner. A public hearing was held Feb. 10. No work session was scheduled. HB 2422 : Requires that lands zoned to allow density of one or fewer dwellings per acre to be considered a rural use. A public hearing was held Feb. 10. No work session was scheduled. HB 3062 : Requires local governments to map sensitive uses as part of a comprehensive plan. A public hearing is scheduled for April 1 and a work session on April 3. SB 462 : Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to establish an education course for land use planners for local governments, special districts and state agencies. LWVOR supports educational efforts but there are other training opportunities so this proposal might be redundant. A public hearing was held on Feb. 19 in the Senate Committee On Housing and Development . No work session was scheduled. See also the Agriculture section of this report and the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. WATER By Peggy Lynch Bills we are following in the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water : Deschutes Basin Water Bank Authority ( HB 3806 ). Work Session scheduled for March 31. Water Right Process Improvements ( HB 3342 ) . Work Session scheduled for April 7. Contested Case Process Improvements ( HB 3544 ). An other public hearing will be held April 2 and a work session is set for April 7. Place-Based Water Planning ( HB 3116 ) Work Session scheduled for March 31 . League supports. Chewaucan Basin Collaborative ( HB 3114 ) Work Session scheduled for March 26. Harney Basin Groundwater Management ( HB 3800 ) Public hearing set for March 26 and Work Session for April 7. 3/24: Water Conservation, Efficiency, and Partial Forfeiture Protection (TBD) Still awaiting a bill number. 3/31: Water Right, Dam Safety, and Well Related Fees ( HB 2803 , HB 2808 ) League supports. Needed to provide current service level staffing at WRD. Public hearing scheduled for March 31 and Work Session for April 7 on both bills. 4/2: Water Rights and Public Interest ( HB 3501 ) Work Session set for April 7. Other water bills we are following: HB 3525 is related to tenants’ right to well water testing. The League submitted testimony in support. Work session set for March 26. HB 3526 would require well water test reporting in property sales. The League supported this concept in past sessions and did again this session. Work session set for March 26 . HB 3364 makes changes to the grants programs at the Water Resources Dept. Testimony provided comments and concerns with agreement that all parties would continue to work on finding agreement on an amendment. Work session set for March 31. HB 3419 is the major broad set of water policy changes that is now described by the various amendments posted since this is really a “gut and stuff” bill! The committee Co-Chairs announced that more amendments are expected. Per Rep. Owens: the -2 and -3 amendments on HB 3419 will NOT move. No work session was scheduled. HB 2988 : Instructs the Water Resources Department to take certain actions related to aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery. A work session is scheduled for April 7. HB 3573 , a bill that addresses funding for a variety of water measurement strategies. The League supports. No work session was scheduled. LWV Deschutes County submitted a letter in support of SB 427 , a water rights transfer bill meant to protect instream water flows. The Governor has provided an alternate bill that may have more of a chance of passage. Possible work session scheduled for March 27. HB 3106 is the Oregon Water Data Portal funding bill for which the League provided testimony in support. A work session is scheduled for March 31st in House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water where a -1 amendment was shared that would create an entire multi-agency system for gathering the water data needed for good decision making. The League has yet to determine if this new proposal is good for Oregon. See the following presentations and presentations . The League has not weighed in on the amendment. The Co-Chairs of the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water are working on a broad package of water-related bills, the 2025 Water Package . There is a Water Caucus raising the awareness of the need to address Oregon’s water needs. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.” V isit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. House Bill 3314 , sponsored by state Reps. Rob Nosse and Mark Gamba, would direct about $1 million to Oregon State University to finish designing a channel that would cut through Ross Island. See coverage here. A work session is set for March 24. WETLANDS A new Rulemaking Advisory Committee has been formed related to Permitting and Mitigation in Oregon's Wetlands and Waters. WILDFIRE By Carolyn Mayers The League followed activity on a number of wildfire bills. March 18 brought a Public Hearing on HB 3666 -1 before the House Committee on Judiciary. This bill would require an electric public utility to apply for a wildfire safety certification, and allow a consumer-owned utility to apply for a wildfire safety certification. It aims to address inconsistencies in the current mitigation process undertaken by utilities. A Work Session is scheduled for April 1 . This article from the Oregon Capitol Chronicle describes recent tweaks to the bill meant to allay fears over the original bill relieving utilities of liability. The House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment held a Work Session on March 20 on HB 3172 -2 , relating to home hardening grants. It was sent to Ways and Means with a do-pass recommendation. Later the same day, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire held a Work Session on SB 82 -2 which changes how grants are administered for the Oregon Conservation Corps, which does wildfire mitigation work. It also was sent to Ways and Means with a do-pass recommendation. The League or Oregon Cities has been closely following the Legislature’s work on trying to craft bills to try and implement some of the recommendations of the Wildfire Funding Workgroup. This helpful summary published March 21 succinctly describes this wildfire funding framework. Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis’ newsletter included the following: State Reps. John Lively and Bobby Levy have introduced a bipartisan proposal to fund wildfire prevention and suppression in Oregon that largely mirrors a set of recommendations that emerged from a task force that met on the topic over the last year. House Bill 3940 would create a 5-cent surcharge on bottles and cans to raise money for the Department of the State Fire Marshal, dedicate money raised by an insurance tax to pay for wildfire prevention and set aside money from the state’s reserves… ...The work group was tasked with finding at least $280 million a biennium to spend on wildfire mitigation and suppression, in the face of increasingly expensive wildfires. The 2024 wildfire season burned a record 1.9 million acres and fighting the blazes cost upwards of $350 million. The group estimated that in the 2025-2027 budget cycle: A 5-cent bottle fee would raise $200 million The insurance tax will raise $140 million A set-aside from the ending fund balance equal to .5% of general fund appropriations would raise $164 million Setting aside half of the expected 2025-27 transfer to the state rainy day fund would raise $299 million The bill also proposes to raise forest harvest taxes that pay for wildfire suppression and lower the fee grazing land owners pay for fire protection from the Oregon Department of Forestry. The League was pleased to see SB 85 , a bill that directs the State Fire Marshal to establish a neighborhood protection cooperative grant program, will have a public hearing on April 1 and a work session on April 3. Bills we are watching: Senate Bill 1051 , Governor Kotek is seeking the authority to choose the next State Forester. HB 3077 , a bill which would allow local government employees to volunteer for up to 30 days in a year to serve as volunteers in wildland fire suppression in emergency situations. A work session will be held March 27. SB 926 would prohibit the recovery of certain costs and expenses from customers that an electric company incurs as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting from the negligence or fault on the part of the electric company. A work session is set for March 26. HB 3172 directs OSFM to establish a grant program to facilitate the retrofitting of dwellings and accessory structures (aka home hardening), to reduce vulnerability to wildfire. The bill was amended and passed the committee to Ways and Means. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com . Training will be offered. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.