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Back to Legislative Report Revenue Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Revenue Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch REVENUE Patricia Garner, Josie Koehne, Peggy Lynch Despite earlier alarms, Oregon programs and services can proceed largely unscathed in wake of Trump tax and budget cuts per this Oregonian article . We’re in the final innings with few answers around exactly how much revenue we have and what cuts will be needed to balance the 2025-27 budget. It IS the one responsibility of our legislature. We will get our answers by the end of next week—or March 8 th at the latest! One important revenue bill is SB 1507 A that “disconnects” a few sections of the federal tax code from our state tax system and could provide another $311 million of revenue to reduce that $650 million deficit. 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 (EITC) that the League has long supported. 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. The bill passed both chambers. The Senate passed SB 1507 A 17-13 on Feb. 16. On Feb. 25, SB 1507 A passed the House (34/21/4/1). On for the Governor’s signature. At least one legislator is considering collecting signatures to place portions of the bill on the ballot per this Oregonlive article. Of concern is that the referral process allows petitioners to select parts of the bill. In this case, they could leave off the increase in the EITC while only asking voters to stop the disconnect—which, in part, is expected to pay for that EITC increase. Thank you for all who responded to our Action Alert. HB 4014 : Establishes the Task Force on Taxation of International Income with the amendments. Public Hearings held Feb. 2 and 11. Work Session Feb. 20 -2 amendment replaced the “study” bill. Staff Measure Summary . The bill passed the committee and was sent to Ways and Means General Government Subcommittee. Work Session Feb. 25. Minimal Fiscal Impact. Feb. 27 to Full Ways and Means where it passed and is now headed to the House floor and then to the Senate floor. 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 . This omnibus bill, with amendments, would provide an opportunity to explore additional tax policy for consideration in the 2027 session. It is likely easier to understand the many provisions of SB 1510 by reviewing the summary provided by the Legislative Revenue Office of the bill and its -4 amendments . 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. On Feb. 16, the Committee adopted the -4 amendments and passed the bill out of committee unanimously. Feb. 24: Passed the Senate (28/1/1). On to House Revenue with a Public Hearing and Possible Work Session on Mar. 2. SB 1511 : Modification of the estate tax. Public Hearing Feb. 11. A -3 amendment was posted for a Feb. 18 Work Session. The amendment was adopted and the bill passed (3/2). The staff has provided this analysis on the -3s that indicates no expected revenue loss for this biennium but $35 million by 2029-31. OCPP provides an analysis of this tax. The bill was covered extensively in last week’s revenue report. The Senate passed the bill (22/5/3) and it now goes to House Revenue with a Public Hearing and Possible Work Session Mar. 2. SB 1586 : An omnibus bill, part of the bill relates to tax credits allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. 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 provided testimony in opposition to this bill. A -4 amendment was provided by Sen. Sollman and she testified on the bill. Another Public Hearing set for Feb. 18 where many “analysis” documents were posted, including one from the Legislative Revenue Office on R&D Tax Credits. Another Public Hearing Feb. 23. See the meeting materials posted in the Analysis section of the bill’s Overview for more information. OPB provided an article on this contentious bill. -7 amendment was posted Saturday morning (9:27a) from Sen. Sollman. It seems to be a replacement of the bill. LWVOR provided testimony opposing the amendment on Feb. 23. Currently the bill remains in Senate Finance and Revenue with no Work Session scheduled. This bill includes data center development. HB 4084 A also has data centers and Enterprise zones included. Oregonlive provided a great analysis of the impact of data centers. 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. 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. Public hearing Feb. 9. Work Session Feb. 19. -7 amendment adopted that changes the percentage to 50/50 and passed the committee to the House floor where it passed Feb. 25 (40/12/4/4). On to the Senate Finance and Revenue for a Public Hearing and Possible Work Session Mar. 2. HB 4125 : Prescribes methodology for the preparation of revenue estimates used in the budgeting process and as applicable to the surplus revenue refund process. 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 in House Revenue 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 in House Revenue 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 in Senate FInance and Revenue Feb. 18. A Work Session has not been scheduled. 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. On Feb. 20, the US Supreme Court declared that President Trump does not have authority to impose widespread tariffs under a specific federal statute. Oregon’s Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, led the coalition of states arguing that the President did not have this authority. HB 4061 B passed Full Ways and Means on Feb. 27 that provides monies to help Oregon businesses hurt by these tariffs. Budget Report . The bill now goes to the House and then Senate chambers. The Full Ways and Means Committee met Feb. 6 th and introduced 6 budget bills for the session. Here are the bill numbers. Look for these bills to be posted for hearings or work sessions this week. Expect amendments by the end of session: SB 1601 : Amends an incorrect internal reference in a law relating judicial compensation. Program Change. Assigned to Capital Construction Subcommittee. 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”. Assigned to Capital Construction Subcommittee. 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! Assigned to Capital Construction Subcommittee. SB 5703 : Establishes biennial appropriations and expenditure limitations for ______ for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. Placeholder for agency allocation changes . Assigned to Capital Construction Subcommittee. 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. Assigned to Capital Construction Subcommittee. 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 bill. This bill will be populated with budget adjustments—adds or claw backs in General Fund and Lottery Funds to balance the 2025-27 budget. Assigned to Capital Construction Subcommittee. As we continue to be concerned about the economy, we note a study related to AI : Brookings Institution study on AI job losses and adaptability points out metros most at risk – Portland Business Journal Roughly 30% of workers displaced by artificial intelligence will struggle to find new jobs, according to a new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and Brookings Institution. While 70% of highly AI-exposed workers would likely be able to transition to another job, the rest may have trouble adapting “due to limited savings, advanced age, scarce local opportunities, and/or narrow skill sets. ”What’s more, of the displaced workers in low-adaptive jobs, 86% are women. 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 and Rules Committees and Ways and Means don’t need to follow the session deadlines. They work until close to the end of session. However, except for Capital Construction, the Ways and Means Subcommittees are closed for the session. As we continue to work on 2025-27 Revenue and Budgets, many of us will be working with state agencies as they develop their 2027-29 budgets. Here’s some budget guidance that agencies have received: 2027-29 Budget Guidance: Governor's Letter and CFO 2027-29 Budget POP Guidance See other sections of the Legislative Report about the cuts in each area and what’s being considered to address the revenue shortfall.

Follow revenue related items with the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Revenue Reports March 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Despite earlier alarms, Oregon programs and services can proceed largely unscathed in wake of Trump tax and budget cuts. Read More February 23, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 We are beginning to see bills that were sent to Ways and Means because they had costs (fiscals) being assigned to Ways and Means Subcommittees. By next week we should see more bills being assigned to those Subcommittees if they might be fully or partially funded. A reminder: These Subcommittees have the ability to change policy in the bills sent to them as well as determine what and how much to fund them. Read More February 16, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 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. Read More February 9, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 The long-awaited Revenue Forecast that will guide the spending for the 2026 legislative session, was delivered at the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee meeting on Feb. 4th. Read More February 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 State agencies provided the Ways and Means Subcommittees with proposed cuts of up to 5% from their currently-approved budgets during the November Interim Days. Read More January 6, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Everyone waits anxiously for the Feb. 4th Revenue Forecast so the legislature will know the expected revenue for the rest of this biennium to be able to rebalance the state budget. Read More December 1, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 On Nov. 19, legislators received the latest Revenue Forecast. (An in-depth version is here.) Oregonlive covered the forecast helpfully. They provide an in-depth Revenue Outlook. The Oregon Capital Insider also provided a good article. However, we still have two economies: One for the wealthy and one for low-income Oregonians—the “k” economy. Read More October 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Oregon is better suited to address a significant downturn in the economy than the last major downturn because of Oregon’s Rainy Day and Education Stability Funds. But there are criteria that must be addressed in order to access those funds. Read More October 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Oregon is better suited to address a significant downturn in the economy than the last major downturn because of Oregon’s Rainy Day and Education Stability Funds. But there are criteria that must be addressed in order to access those funds. Read More June 16, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 Oregon House Bill 2321 seeks to study Oregon’s property tax system, with a focus on Ballot Measures 5 and 50. Ballot measure 5, passed in 1990, set limits on property taxes through a hybrid levy- and rate-based system originally intended to control rapidly increasing property tax costs. This was a departure from the previous property tax system, which relied on tax levies set by each district as a function of specific budget needs. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 The May 14th economic forecast highlights sluggish growth in the U.S. and Oregon economies, with an elevated risk of recession. Oregon’s GDP growth is forecasted to slow to 0.9% in 2025, marking a decline from previous estimates. However, stronger growth is projected for 2027, in anticipation of trade negotiations and a federal tax cut package. Read More May 12, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 We are all waiting for the May 14th Revenue Forecast from our State Economist Carl Riccadonna at the Office of Economic Analysis to be presented to the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue at 8 a.m. The Economist will provide a verbal presentation with slides as well as providing a more complete in-depth report on his view of the world, the U.S. and Oregon’s economic outlook for 2025-27. Read More April 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 House Bill 3049 (introduced) seeks to modify provisions for corporate excise tax exemptions for businesses operating in economically lagging areas. This bill was discussed during an informational session with the House Revenue Committee on 4/15/25 in response to a request for an interim report on the bill from LRO. Read More April 14, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 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. Read More April 9, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 House Bill 2362 aims to implement tiered estate tax exemptions based on the size of the taxable estate. The exemption amount would vary based on the estate's value, and would phase out for larger estates. As a result, this bill would modernize Oregon’s estate tax exemption policy with respect to inflation and appreciation of assets over time. Read More Revenue Overview The League of Women Voters of Oregon is actively working toward a more accessible government, better educational resources, statewide privacy protections and more. Read More

Back to All Legislative Reports Natural Resources Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Natural Resources Team Coordinator: Peggy Lynch Agriculture/Goal 3 Land Use: Sandra U. Bishop Coastal Issues: Christine Moffitt, Peggy Lynch Columbia River Treaty: Philip Thor Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries: Joan Fryxell Emergency Management: Rebecca Gladstone Forestry: Josie Koehne Elliott State Research Forest: Peggy Lynch Northwest Energy Coalition: Robin Tokmakian Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Melanie Moon Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Advisory Committee: Sandra Bishop Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: 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 Budgets/Revenue Climate Coastal Issues Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Forestry (ODF) Governance Land Use & Housing Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Recycling Regional Solutions Transportation Water Weather Wetlands Wildfire AGRICULTURE Sandra U. Bishop HB 4153 : Relating to farm stores. This bill would allow large stores in permanent structures on Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zoned land and would allow for major expansion of agri-tourism. Two public hearings were held. A Work Session was held 2/17 in House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. The bill was moved out of committee (8-3) with a Do Pass with -3 amendments and referred to Ways and Means Committee. The – 3 amendments do not adequately address concerns brought up in League testimony . The League continues to oppose the bill. On Feb. 27, the Ways and Means Capital Construction Subcommittee held a Work Session and moved the bill to the Full Committee where we expect it to be considered on March 2. LFO Recommendation Staff Measure Summary Please see the League’s Action Alert. HB 4130 : Relating to farm use . As introduced this measure would clarify the meaning of preparing farm products and by-products. Public hearing Feb. 2. Surprise Work Session Mar. 2. Will look for possible amendments to be posted since the “relating to” clause is very broad! BUDGETS/REVENUE Peggy Lynch See the Revenue section of this Legislative Report for in depth information. We encourage you to read ALL sections. CLIMATE 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 Christine Moffitt SB 1525 would establish the Blue Economy Task Force to study and report on economic development plans or strategies for the “blue” (coastal) economy and opportunities for the state to nurture sustainable blue economy businesses while preserving and protecting Oregon’s coastal ecosystems. It would authorize the Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) to create a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity to advance the trust’s mission. The League has been a continual supporter of the OOST. Public hearing set for Feb. 4. -3 amendment Work Session Feb. 16. Heard in Ways and Means Capital Construction Subcommittee on Feb. 27 where it passed to Full Ways and Means. We expect it to be on March 2 nd Full Committee agenda. HB 4097 would simply authorize creation of the tax-exempt entity. It has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. SB 5701 : Modifies previously approved lottery bonding provisions. (Includes monies for the Port of Coos Bay) Bond Authority. The bill was described as simply a correction/allocation issue. League members will follow up. Public Hearing Feb. 13 where the issue wasn’t raised. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT News Release : Draft Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Available. The public may comment from February 17 – April 3, 2026. Public meetings are also scheduled for our south coast communities starting Feb. 25 th . The League provided Comments on HB 4080 in 2024. Note that the schedule and meeting locations may have changed. website . Public Access Rulemaking has begun to clarify how local governments will address protection of public access to Oregon beaches. The next meeting is May 13. Undersea Infrastructure and Easements in Oregon’s Territorial Sea Rulemaking . The next meeting is March 11. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) HB 4102 : Modifies the authority of the Department of Environmental Quality to enter into agreements with regulated entities to expedite or enhance a regulatory process. It would allow DEQ to hire third-party contractors to expedite environmental permitting, as a response to DEQ’s sizable permitting backlog. Tech organizations and other advocates said the bill would speed up permitting for large projects and give businesses the certainty they need to grow jobs in Oregon. LWVOR opposed the bill in written testimony , expressing great concern about the use of outside contractors to perform important permitting work, especially if those contractors are paid by the regulated businesses. Bill passed the House. We appreciated Rep. Gamba’s statement on the House floor regarding …”the potential influence on a permitting process without further sideboards.” The bill was assigned to Senate Energy and Environment with a Public Hearing Feb. 16 . An amendment has been posted that may address our concerns but goes well beyond our request as others also opposed the bill and the amendment may well also address their concerns as well. Senate E&E heard testimony on the proposed amendment, which essentially would replace the House-passed bill in an effort to ward off environmental opposition and win support from labor. Much of the discussion was technical, centering on whether the bill's new language duplicates that of DEQ's existing contractual rules. Of interest, an Intel representative stated on the record that Oregon does “underfund our permitting agencies.” Work Session Feb. 25. Passed the committee (3/1/1) without amendments. On to the Senate floor. FORESTRY (ODF) Josie Koehne The Board of Forestry is meeting March 4. News Release . Kacey KC, the new Oregon State Forester and Director of the Oregon Department of Forestry, starts work March 1. The following is a list of bills we are watching: HB 4004 : Provides that additional taxes otherwise imposed upon disqualification of land from certain forestland special assessment programs may not be collected if the disqualification is due to the suspension of reforestation requirements as a result of insects or disease. Work Session Feb. 11. The bill passed the House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water after adoption of -11 amendments , -13 amendments and -14 amendments and sent to House Revenue where the – A 17 amendment was adopted and was sent to the House floor. It passed the House and will now have a Public Hearing and Work Session in Senate Finance and Revenue on Mar. 2. HB 4105 : Directs the State Forester to determine the available state forestland, establish sustainable harvest levels for harvesting timber on state forestland and manage available state forestland. Allows certain persons to seek a court order if the State Forester fails to establish sustainable harvest levels or manage available state forestland. The bill has a subsequent referral to Ways and Means. LWVOR opposed a version of this bill in 2025. Public Hearing Feb. 11. LWVOR testimony in opposition. Work Session Feb. 16. Bill passed the Committee (10/1) and was sent to Ways and Means. Please see the League’s Action Alert. SB 1590 A : Prohibits public bodies from assisting the federal government with privatization of certain federally owned lands. Public Hearing Feb. 3. Work Session Feb. 13. Bill was amended and moved to the Senate floor on a 3 to2 party line vote. Bill passed the Senate 17/11/2 on Feb. 19 and was sent to the House Ag et al committee where there was a Public Hearing on Feb. 23 and Work Session Feb. 25. The bill passed the committee and is set to be voted on in the House chamber GOVERNANCE Peggy Lynch The Natural Resources Team often follows bills related to permitting and rulemaking processes. Among the bills we are following: HB 4073 : Modifies provisions relating to administrative law. As with HB 2692 (2025), this bill creates burdensome and inefficient Administrative Rules Processes. LWVOR 2025 testimony . Public Hearing Feb. 10. The League signed on to a letter in opposition to the bill. HB 4019 : Requires certain agencies to base approval or denial of an application for a new permit on the rules and standards that are applicable at the time that the agency determines the application is complete. HB 4020 : Requires certain agencies to specify the authority justifying the denial of a permit application and provide the applicant a guide on how to contest the denial. Public hearing 2/03 -1 amendment was discussed and staff summary provided. LWVOR provided Comments . Work Session Feb. 12. Bill passed the Committee but was sent to Ways and Means due to potential fiscal concerns. The League appreciates recognition of agency costs to implement the bill. The -1 amendment was adopted. Work Session in Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee on Feb. 25. -A2 amendment LFO Recommendation . On Feb. 27 it passed the Full Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Reschke wondered about the bill and why there was only ONE testimony on the bill (ours!). Rep. Bowman explained that he had conversations with interested parties and the bill simply provides a roadmap and better information regarding permits. Good news: our letter was obviously read! The bill now goes to the House floor for a vote. HB 4021 : Requires certain agencies to make adoption, amendment or repeal of administrative rules effective only on January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1. Public Hearing Feb. 10. -2 amendment Work Session Feb. 17. The League’s concern is related to the need for rules to be adopted and implemented in a timely manner. If this bill passes, we will monitor that issue. The bill passed the Committee with the amendment, passed the House floor Feb. 20 and moved to the Senate Rules Committee. Public Hearing Feb. 25. Work Session Feb. 26. - A3 amendment was adopted and the bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. HB 4084 A : Establishes the Joint Permitting Council. The bill creates a fast-track permitting process for major projects, expands economic “enterprise zones,” and would have invested $40 million in industrial land site readiness to promote manufacturing. The Governor’s testimony on the bill at the Feb. 4 th Public Hearing. A -1 amendment was adopted. The bill passed the House Committee On Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade . Staff Measure Summary . The bill moved to House Revenue. Public Hearing Feb. 16. Both Wilsonville and Eugene provided testimony in support of such an allocation in the Feb. 13 hearing on SB 5702 . Work Session Feb. 19. -A 14 amendment was adopted and the bill moved to Ways and Means. A Work Session was scheduled on Feb. 26, but the bill was pulled due to these conversations around data centers and the tax breaks given. Staff Measure Summary provided that would substitute the $40 million with a lesser amount. LFO Recommendation . We await learning when the bill will go to the Capital Construction Subcommittee, perhaps as soon as Monday, Mar. 2. The League has been involved in conversations around these important policy and tax issues. Governor Kotek Data Center Advisory Committee has been convened. The Oregonian provides insights into the effects of tax breaks on data centers in HB 4084: Oregon data center operators will save nearly a half-billion dollars in local property taxes this year through three different incentive programs. Kotek’s legislation, House Bill 4084 , would expand the fastest growing of those three programs. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. Directs certain state agencies to establish deadlines within which the agency intends to process applications for permits and make the deadlines available to the public. Directs certain state agencies to publish a catalog of permits issued by the agency within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. This Oregonlive article provides a great review of the bill. The League OPPOSES . Public Hearing Feb. 16. -4 amendment was posted on Feb. 16. Public Hearing Feb. 18. Another Public Hearing Feb. 23. See the meeting materials posted in the Analysis section of the bill’s Overview for more information. We continue to expect further amendments . -7 amendment was posted Saturday morning (9:27a) from Sen. Sollman. It seems to be a replacement of the bill. LWVOR provided testimony opposing the amendment on Feb. 23. Currently the bill remains in Senate Finance and Revenue with no Work Session scheduled. Please see the League’s Action Alert. LAND USE & HOUSING Peggy Lynch Bills we are watching: HB 4035 : Expands eligibility for cities and Metro to amend their urban growth boundaries under a Temporary program. Authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to issue grants to implement the commission’s duties. Public Hearing Feb. 5. Work Session Feb. 12. -3 amendment was adopted and the bill passed the committee to the House floor where it passed on Feb. 18 and is headed to the Senate Housing and Development. Public Hearing and Work Session Feb. 24 where the -A 4 amendment was adopted. The bill passed and now goes to the Senate floor. HB 4082 : Adds to a temporary UGB addition program an option for each city or Metro to also add to its urban growth boundary a site for manufactured dwelling parks, or for housing for older persons, that is affordable for households with incomes not more than 120 percent of area median income. Public Hearing Feb. 3. Work Session Feb. 10 where -2 amendment was adopted. This Oregonlive article explains the conversation around this bill. Feb. 17: Bill passed the House. Headed to the Senate Housing and Development where there was a Public Hearing Feb. 24. Work Session Feb. 26 where the - A 4 was adopted and the bill now moves to the Senate floor. SB 1586 : Modifies the tax credit allowed for semiconductor research. Creates and amends certain programs offering tax breaks related to advanced manufacturing, enterprise zones and regionally significant industrial sites. 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 Revenue Legislative Report. The League has major concerns about sections of this bill. Oregonlive article provides a great review of the bill. The League submitted strong testimony in opposition. Public Hearing Feb. 16. -4 amendment was posted on Feb. 16. Public Hearing Feb. 18. Another Public Hearing Feb. 23. See the meeting materials posted in the Analysis section of the bill’s Overview for more information and look for possible additional amendments. -7 amendment was posted Saturday morning (9:27a) from Sen. Sollman. It seems to be a replacement of the bill. LWVOR provided testimony opposing the amendment on Feb. 23. Currently the bill remains in Senate Finance and Revenue with no Work Session scheduled. Please see the League’s Action Alert. HB 4108 : Requires a city to annex noncontiguous land upon receipt of a petition from all owners of the land that satisfies four eligibility criteria. Public Hearing held Feb. 3. Work Session Feb. 12. The League supports the concept of this bill as good planning with the -1 amendment . A -2 amendment was adopted limiting this policy as a “pilot project” for the City of Eugene. We are disappointed that the bill was narrowed, but glad to see some movement on this important land use issue. The bill passed the House on Feb. 18 and headed to the Senate Housing and Development for a Public Hearing and Work Session on Feb. 26 where a -A 4 amendment was adopted and the bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. The 2025-27 Policy Agenda 2025-27 Policy Agenda was approved by LCDC on Oct. 24. There will be seven rulemakings on Housing alone, including: Housing Rulemaking for HB 2138 and HB 2258 (2025) and Rulemaking to clarify and allow housing and other needed development outside of wetlands. The rulemaking would create an optional, alternative compliance pathway for wetlands resources when a city is preparing bill annex lands from the urban growth boundary (UGB) to accommodate needed housing and economic development. LCDC had a presentation on Feb. 27 th ( DSL presentation on wetlands at LCDC on YouTube Feb. 27 at the 3-4:15p Meeting time.) See their Rulemaking page for more info on all the rules work being done by this agency. See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report. OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW) Melanie Moon HB 4134 is a bipartisan bill that would increase the state tax from 1.5% to 2.75% for transient visitors to Oregon including camping, hotels and vacation rentals. The money would be used for wildlife habitat and a myriad of other programs. LWVOR signed on to a letter in support . High Country News provides an article on this bill. Public Hearing Feb. 4 . The Oregon Capital Chronicle also covered this bill. Work Session Feb. 16 in House Revenue. -1 amendment adopted. Feb. 24: House passed the bill (36/22/2). On to the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee with a Public Hearing Feb. 26 and another Public Hearing & Work Session Feb. 27 where it passed the committee 3/0/2. Then we hope it passes to the Senate floor where it needs 20 votes to pass. Please see the League’s Action Alert. RECYCLING HB 4144 A : Requires producers of batteries or battery-containing products to join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a battery producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of batteries has a Work Session in Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee Feb. 23. Passed Full Ways and Means Feb. 25. On to the House where it passed (42/0/17/1). To the Senate chamber. REGIONAL SOLUTIONS The Regional Solutions Program : Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. To receive their reports, use this signup page . The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person. Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings. Public Comment is usually scheduled. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee (RSAC) Meetings: Regional Solutions Greater Eastern (Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler Counties) March 10th from 2:00-4:00pm Mid-Valley (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties) March 12th from 1:30-3:30pm Northeast (Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties) March 13th from 2:00-4:00pm South Central (Klamath and Lake Counties) March 17th from 10:00am-12:00pm Southern (Jackson and Josephine Counties) March 25th from 12:00-2:00pm South Valley/Mid-Coast (Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties) March 26th from 1:00-3:00pm TRANSPORTATION (ODOT) The Oregon Capital Chronicle provides some daylight on the ODOT budget discussions for 2026: Kotek told reporters Tuesday that lawmakers had reached a compromise on which transportation programs to cut, but offered few specifics on the depth of those changes. The details of such a compromise have not yet been made publicly available, allowing lawmakers to avoid any pushback from transportation workers or union leaders who hold significant political sway in Salem. But the governor maintained that the plan focuses on savings from job vacancies, avoiding layoffs, and taking funding from infrastructure improvement projects that have yet to begin. “Tough choices were made to get to our compromise,” she said. “And no one loves the proposal, but it will make sure that the agency can function through the end of the biennium and past the end of the biennium to provide basic services: Plowing roads, operating DMVs, things like that.” See last week’s report on the variety of funding pots that are being considered. The League will be sad to see loss of Safe Routes to School funding, and we hope for a solution that considers the need for transit statewide. We are also concerned with the loss of trained ODOT staff. It will be important for legislative leaders to begin work on a long term funding solution for 2027. Bills we are watching: SB 1599 : Moves the election date for the parts of chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2025 (special session), referred to the people by Referendum Petition 2026-302 , to the primary election held on May 19, 2026. Bill was assigned to the new Joint Special Committee On Referendum Petition 2026-302 . Public Hearing Feb. 9. Work Session Feb. 12. -2 amendment adopted and bill passed the committee on a party line vote. Headed to the Senate floor where it passed Feb. 23 (17/13). It is now tentatively scheduled for the House chamber vote on Mar. 2. HB 4126 : Get the Data for a Better Road User Charge (RUC): Require ODOT to report the total biennial cost of maintenance and preservation for the state’s road system, and to report the total mileage driven. This data could later be used to calculate the RUC. Public Hearing and Work Session set for Feb. 16. -2 amendment was adopted and the Committee moved the bill to Ways and Means. Fiscal Impact Statement HB 4008 : Transit Funding Task Force To determine the level of funding needed to maintain adequate transit service statewide and explore funding mechanisms to achieve that funding. (House Transportation Committee) The League supports. Public Hearing and Work Session Feb. 16 -5 amendment adopted 5/2 and bill was sent to Ways and Means. Fiscal Impact Statement : if the work required by this task force, or if the cumulative enactment of other legislation with interim committees and task forces exceeds Legislative Fiscal Office expenditure levels beyond those assumed in the 2025-27 budget, additional General Fund resources may be required. From ODOT press release : Learn more about our capital improvement plan for state and federally funded projects by visiting the draft 2027-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, also known as the STIP, online open house . The online open house will be available through March 20. We may use your comments to make adjustments as we begin designing projects in the STIP. All comments will be included in the public comment record. This record will go to the Oregon Transportation Commission before they approve the final STIP in June. WATER Peggy Lynch Bill of concern: HB 4049 : Directs the Water Resources Commission to encourage and approve voluntary agreements between ground water users in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern to achieve reasonably stable ground water levels. -3 amendments posted. Public Hearing Feb. 4. Work Session Feb. 16. The League understands that Rep. Owens and the Governor’s Office are in negotiations. It is unclear if this bill is really needed to address the representative’s concerns. The -3 amendments were adopted and the bill was moved to Ways and Means. League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor , a map that is updated every Thursday. Governor Kotek has declared a drought in eight counties ( map ) . Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. 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. WEATHER The best guess of the various forecasters is that sometime between June and September the world will enter an El Niño cycle. When that happens, prepare for bedlam. Each El Niño event in recent decades has gotten steadily worse, because each one drives the temperature to a new record. WETLANDS Peggy Lynch The Dept of State Lands and Dept. of Land Conservation and Development attended the Feb. 27 th Land Conservation and Development Commission meeting where they did presentations on wetlands. You can watch on YouTube Feb. 27 at the 3-4:15p meeting time. Materials Presentation 1 Presentation 2 The next meeting of the Wetlands Rulemaking RAC, originally planned for February 23, 2026) will be postponed until later in the spring. Please stay tuned for a new meeting date after the close of the 2026 legislative session. DLCD’s rulemaking webpage. WILDFIRE Carolyn Mayers It’s been a fairly uneventful week in wildfire legislation. Here is what’s happening: SB 1540 A which endeavors to align insurance company wildfire risk assessment with homeowner and community level mitigation efforts in an attempt to help address the rising cost of homeowners insurance, is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Senate Rules Committee Monday, March 2. There is growing pessimism around this bill’s chances. SB 1541 remains in Ways and Means. This is Senator Golden’s Climate Superfund bill would provide, among other things, funding toward wildfire mitigation and disaster recovery. (See Also Climate Emergency Legislative Report) SB 1551 A would invalidate deed restrictions and planned community governing documents prohibiting the removal of non-fire-hardened building materials or installation of fire-hardened building materials on residential properties. This bill had a Public Hearing and Work Session before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on February 26, and was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation and passed. It is currently awaiting a vote on the House floor. HJM 201 , which urges Congress to pass legislation to permanently extend federal tax cuts for wildfire victims, has passed the House and the Senate. In other news, there was a meeting of the Local Officials Advisory Committee (LOAC) on February 24. One item of interest was a Lane County petition for wildfire sheltering timeframe revisions. After the Labor Day fires in 2020, emergency measures were passed to allow for 5 years of temporary sheltering in different locations, such as campgrounds, for people who lost their homes to wildfire. At that time, it was thought 5 years would be an adequate amount of time. As it turns out, there are still many people who have not yet been able to rebuild. This petition requests the time frame be extended another 5 years, to give people the opportunity to remain where they are sheltering until such time as their homes are rebuilt. The request will go to the Land Conservation and Development Commission at their next meeting. Meeting material, which have all the details, may be found on this page. Finally, as reported in this article from KPTV, loss of funding may result in 30 early wildfire detection cameras being shut down across the State. This is technology that has proven to be instrumental in authorities being able to respond quickly to wildfires, keeping them contained, and the loss of the the use of them would be potentially catastrophic in the face of increasing wildfire risk in Oregon. OPB also covered this story: Almost half of the University of Oregon’s network of cameras to monitor wildfires is at risk of being discontinued, according to an administrator. The Oregon Hazards Lab’s network of cameras operates 24-7 and covers some of the most remote, rugged, and inaccessible areas of the state. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed. We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning • Air Quality (Dept. of Environmental Quality) • Columbia River Gorge Commission • Hanford Cleanup • Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife • Parks and Recreation Dept. • Recycling/Materials Management (Dept. of Environmental Quality) • Toxic Control Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Governance , and Social Policy report sections.

Follow social policy related items with the League of Women Voters of Oregon. Social Policy Overview The League of Women Voters of Oregon is actively working toward a more accessible government, better educational resources, statewide privacy protections and more. Read More Social Policy Reports Mar 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Several key House bills related to Oregon’s pushback on federal law enforcement and immigration actions have successfully passed Senate Judiciary and await a vote on the Senate floor. Read More Feb 23, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 Bills stacked up in committee hearings this past week as legislators scrambled to meet the February 16th deadline. Read More Feb 16, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 The League is carefully monitoring the many bills in House and Senate Judiciary this session that seek to protect Oregonians from the actions of federal immigration officers. Read More Feb 9, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 The Senate and House Judiciary Committees got off to a quick start by scheduling hearings on several important bills during the first few days. Read More Feb 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 Given the time constraints of a short session, it is striking to see the number of bills that relate to current federal government actions on immigration. Read More Jan 26, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 Besides ongoing litigation from the Oregon Department of Justice, the League will be monitoring a flurry of bills this session from Senate and House Democrats that prioritize “protecting democracy, our elections, and the civil rights of Oregonians from federal overreach.” Read More Dec 1, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 During the November Legislative Days hearings, The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education held informational briefings on early learning as well as education regarding costs, performance considerations, and proposed cuts due to the pending loss of $880 million in federal funds. Read More Oct 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Oregon’s “School Medicaid” system has not been impacted yet by funding cuts in H.R. 1, but it is possible that impacts will be felt in the future. Read More Aug 11, 2025 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of August 11 This sine die report summarizes the Social Policy portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More Jun 30, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 After a flurry of activity by state legislators, the Governor’s office, housing advocates, the League of Women Voters of Oregon, and many others, on June 23, 2025, lawmakers released three major budget bills. Read More Jun 23, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 The League is hopeful that it is likely some existing immigrant related agency social service programs will receive additional funding at the end of the session reconciliation bill. Read More Jun 16, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 The Legislative Fiscal Office recommends a 2025-27 total funds budget for the Housing and Community Services Department of $2,667,240,094 and 478 positions (474.50 FTE). This is a 28.2% decrease from the 2023-25 legislatively approved budget, and 39.3% increase from the 2025-27 current service level. Read More Jun 9, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 SB 1098, the Freedom to Read bill, passed in the House essentially along party lines. LWVOR provided testimony in support. Read More Jun 2, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 SB 548 has been signed into law by Governor Kotek. This bill establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage. LWVOR testified in support. Read More May 26, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 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. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 Steady progress has been made in addressing our state’s housing crisis by investing in affordable housing production and preservation. Now thousands of Oregonians have housing stability with affordable homes. Housing advocates are being encouraged to take action now by sending messages to members of the Oregon Legislature's Joint Subcommittee on Capital Construction, and top housing leaders in both the House and Senate, to invest in bond resources in the 2025-2027 state budget. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 This week the League of Women Voters of the United States joined a sign-on letter urging Congress to oppose cuts to Medicaid to help prevent medical debt. Oregon spent about $13 billion on its Medicaid program in 2024, picking up about 25% of the cost for the program covering 1.43 million Oregonians. Read More May 5, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 Recently, Head Start has been the subject of a tug of war over federal funding. In March, the Administration announced that it was closing 5 regional offices, including one in Seattle which oversees funding for programs in Oregon. Nevertheless, programs did receive delayed funding in early April. But the office remains closed, jeopardizing funding of $196M for over 8000 students in Oregon. The proposed budget would totally eliminate funding for Head Start and Early Head Start. Read More Apr 28, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 LWVOR continues to focus on housing challenges experienced by people with the lowest incomes. Affordable homes in Oregon are in short supply, making it important to strengthen resident protections, as proposed in HB 3054 A. The bill seeks to limit rent increases for homeowners in home parks and marinas that are experiencing escalating rents and curtail landlord practices that may threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. Read More Apr 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 SB 951A prohibits a management service organization from making decisions about patient care. The bill also prohibits non-compete, non-disparage employment clauses in medical work’s contracts. This will allow caregivers to speak out without fear of reprisal if they feel there is a safety issue at the workplace involving patient care. It was passed by the Senate and will be heard in House Behavioral Health and Health Care on May 1. Read More Apr 14, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 On April 8th the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee unanimously passed HB 2015 Amendment 3 with a “do pass” recommendation and a referral to Ways & Means. This wide-ranging bill addresses regulatory barriers in building and operating secure residential treatment facilities (SRTF’s), residential treatment facilities (RTF’s) and residential treatment homes (RTH’s) in Oregon. It directs the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to study nursing requirements in SRTF’s and to assess alternative methodologies for reimbursement. Read More Apr 7, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, behavioral health, education, gun policy, housing, immigration, gun policy, and age-related issues. Read More Mar 31, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, behavioral health, education, gun policy, housing, immigration, public safety, and revenue. Read More Mar 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 We are following numerous bills relating to after school and summer care, civil commitment, behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, housing, immigration, and revenue. Read More Mar 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/17 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, housing, and reproductive health. Read More Mar 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, child care, education, housing, and public safety. Read More Mar 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, education, gun policy, health care, and housing. Read More Feb 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 We are following numerous bills relating to age discrimination/reproductive health, behavioral health, child care, criminal justice, education, housing, immigration, and public safety. Read More Feb 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 We are following numerous bills relating to behavioral health, child care, criminal justice, education, housing, immigration, and public safety. Read More Feb 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 On Feb. 3, the House Committee on Education held a public hearing for HB 2596 (Interstate Compact for School Psychologists). Read More Feb 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 The final report for the 2024 session report on HB 4082 includes a request of $50 million per year for the biennium ($100 million total). Read More Jan 27, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/27 Legislative Committees heard presentations describing the current state of funding, and foreshadowing requests for larger allocations. Read More Jan 20, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/20 The legislature will soon begin its 2025 session, and some bills related to afterschool and summer care will be introduced. Read More Dec 20, 2024 Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 The Governor’s budget includes $80 million for summer school but it is not clear whether that includes summer child care. Read More Oct 1, 2024 Legislative Report - September Legislative Days House Revenue, 9/24/24, 2:30 PM, held report and discussion about how parameters of distribution of dollars of equalization between our school districts is decided, based on poverty, special education, individual education plans (IEP’s), etc.. A report from Revenue Dept. was that any changes to this plan would create winners and losers among school districts. Read More Jun 10, 2024 Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 On May 29th the Senate interim Committee on Health Care met during legislative days. Of interest is the ongoing concern about the rising cost of health care. Read More Apr 22, 2024 Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 LWVOR wrote testimony supporting a bill which would have provided $50 million to support summer learning through ODE to school districts. Read More Mar 4, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 3/4 HB 4082 Summer Learning 2024 and Beyond was passed to allocate $30 million for summer learning in 2024 and implementation of a work group to plan for future funding and administration of summer learning and afterschool enrichment. Summer awards will be made to school districts by ODE. Read More Feb 26, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 HB 4082 Summer Learning 2024 and Beyond, was originally recommended for $50 million in funding. It was amended to include an additional $141,767 from Other funds (Student Success funding) for .50 FTE for ODE grant administration and $417,039 in general funds for ODE research and development of the Oregon 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative. Read More Feb 19, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/19 On February 26, The Joint Committee on Addictions and Community Safety Response is holding a public hearing to consider two amendments to HB 4002 which deals with Oregon’s addiction crisis. Read More Feb 12, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/12 HB 4082, Summer Learning for 2024 and Beyond, to provide $50 million for summer care in 2024 and establish a workgroup for planning to support after-school and summer learning opportunities and care in the future was approved unanimously in the House Committee on Education and referred to Ways and Means. Read More Feb 5, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 Volunteers are needed who are interested in issues related to Children at Risk, Corrections, Farmworkers, Mental Health, and Physical Health. Please contact SocialPolicy@lwvor.org for more information about how you can make a difference with League advocacy. Read More Jan 15, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 Volunteers are needed who are interested in issues related to Children at Risk, Corrections, Farmworkers, Mental Health, and Physical Health. Please contact SocialPolicy@lwvor.org for more information about how you can make a difference with League advocacy. Read More Nov 13, 2023 Legislative Report - November Interim The Joint Interim Addiction and Community Response Committee held an in-depth discussion on the controlled substance crimes of unlawful possession, manufacture or delivery of illegal drugs during November interim legislative days. Read More Oct 2, 2023 Legislative Report - September Interim Senate Judiciary discussed SB 337 on 9-27. The bill formed a new Public Defense Services Commission, to become effective 1-1-2024. The staff is recruiting new defense attorneys for unrepresented clients residing In jails. Read More Aug 18, 2023 Legislative Report - Sine Die In 2023, it became clear that the housing crisis is now a statewide issue. In communities throughout Oregon people are living on the street and many of those who are housed are at risk of losing their homes because they can’t afford to pay their rent. Read More Jun 26, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 SB 1089 (changed from SB 704) Sets up a Governance board for Universal Health Care. The board would create a plan to finance and administer Universal Health Care for Oregonians. Read More Jun 12, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 On June 6, the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Joint W&Ms issued their recommended budget to the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee on SB 5511, the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) budget: Legislative Fiscal Office's analysis. Read More Jun 5, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/5 At the urging of newly-elected Governor Kotek, the Oregon Legislature invested more than $215 million in the Early Session Housing Package. Read More May 29, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 5/29 The continued Republican walkout has prevented 17 floor sessions from being held, with 150 bills waiting to be worked on by the Senate after significant effort and gaining bipartisan support. Read More

Natural Resources Overview The League of Women Voters of Oregon is actively working on a number of natural resource issues including water, wildfire preparedness, energy conservation, air quality, and more. Read More Natural Resources Reports Mar 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 The end is near! Policy Committees, except for Rules, Revenue and some Joint Committees are now closed for the session. The focus is on some contentious bills and those all-important budget decisions. Read More Feb 23, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 The Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Natural Resources continues to receive reports as they grapple with balancing the budget. Read More Feb 16, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 The Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Natural Resources continues to receive reports as they grapple with balancing the budget. Read More Feb 9, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 Information on the 2026 session is live! Bills are posted and committee agendas are beginning to be posted. We encourage you to e-Subscribe to the bills you want to follow and the committees of interest. Read More Feb 2, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 The Full Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing from 5-8p on Feb. 3rd. Individual League members are encouraged to participate, but remember that only our League President can speak on behalf of the League. Read More Jan 26, 2026 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 The Natural Resource agencies have been implementing legislation passed in 2025 and previous legislative sessions. Read More Dec 1, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 The League again supported federal legislation to expand the Smith River Recreation Area. The North Fork of the Smith River has scenic, historic and recreational values. We have supported this effort in the past with approval from LWVUS. Read More Oct 13, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Governor Kotek signed Executive Order 25-25 on Oct. 6 to accelerate the pace of renewable wind and solar project development in the state of Oregon before the clock runs out on critical federal clean energy tax credits. Read More Aug 11, 2025 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of August 11 This legislative report summarizes the Natural Resources portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More Jun 30, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 The big wildfire funding bill HB 3940 B that the Wildfire 35 workgroup worked on for one year had four of its six funding recommendations included in the B engrossed bill that passed on a party line vote 3-2 on June 25th Read More Jun 23, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 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 an OPB article. But the bill must pass the legislature before it can be referred to voters. Read More Jun 16, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 HB 2025 is the comprehensive Transportation ReInvestment Package (TRIP) which is being worked in a new committee: Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment. The League signed on to a letter in support of increased transit funding. Rep. McLain, Co-Chair, said she would share information by the first of the coming week. Written testimony was taken through Saturday. Read More Jun 9, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 The latest transportation funding proposal was revealed June 4th by a group of Democratic lawmakers. Per the Oregonian article, it would “significantly boost funding for public transit and climate-friendly pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.” June 6, the House and Senate Republicans released their legislative concept (bill) to fund the transportation budget for 2025. Read More Jun 2, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 The omnibus bottle bill SB 992 A, a conglomeration of several bills introduced this session to address problems with beverage container redemption in the Portland area, is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. Read More May 26, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 Along with the transportation package, wildfire funding has been a challenge for the legislature. The Governor has weighed in on the concept of taking at least a part of the “kicker” to fund wildfire: lawmakers have an option if they can agree on a better use for the kicker money. With a two-thirds supermajority vote in each chamber, they can opt to suspend the refund. That’s happened once since the policy was enacted in the late 70s. Read More May 19, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 With $756 million LESS General Fund revenue for state services in 2025-27 and $34 million LESS Lottery Fund revenue, our Natural Resource agencies will be hard hit unless the requested various fee increases in these agencies are approved. Read More May 12, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 Another very difficult wildfire season looks to be on tap for 2025. It is expected, currently, that conditions will deteriorate to the point that all of Oregon will be at high risk for large wildfires by August 1, with the Eastside reaching that state by July 1. Coupled with a slowdown in getting staffing in place due to the current federal funding landscape, the season is likely to be extremely challenging not only for Oregon but the entire Northwestern United States. Read More May 5, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 The Co-Chairs of Ways and Means provided their framework for the 2025-27 state budget. Note on the last page the potential effect of federal budget cuts. On Friday President Trump published a general outline of his proposed budget for the federal government (Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026). The document assumes much of the funding for this fiscal year that he has held back will continue and a 22% additional cut in “discretionary spending”. We now need to see what our May 14th state revenue forecast will be. Then our legislators need to decide how much, if any of those federal cuts will be backfilled by state monies. Read More Apr 28, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking. After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws. That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies or facilitate an agency’s mission. Read More Apr 21, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 OPRD is working on a Land Disposition Policy, which they have never really had. This started out as a means to “reducing expenses,” but is turning into something much better, a properly worded policy document that hopefully gives OPRD another tool without encouraging giveaways. It is meant to be a part of, and to mirror, the existing policy on acquisitions. The Parks Commission is adopting the new policy at their meeting. Read More Apr 14, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 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. Read More Apr 7, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 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. Read More Mar 31, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 At this time in the session when bills are being considered to move forward, agendas will be changed related to the ability of Legislative Counsel to provide amendments and the Legislative Fiscal Office to provide fiscal impact statements to calculate the cost of these bills. Be sure to check the bills you might be following to confirm when a public hearing or work session is actually happening! Read More Mar 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 The Oregon Legislature began its 2025 session with a record number of bills filed before the session opened, at least in the 25 years that the Legislature’s Office of Legislative Counsel has been counting. The record-breaking continued this week, with 3,391 bills filed as of Wednesday. That’s nearly 100 more than the previous modern-day record set in 2001. This from an Oregonlive news article. Read More Mar 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/17 The Joint Committee On Ways and Means took action on March 14 on five bills to rebalance the 2023-25 budget. The bills go to the respective chambers for a vote where they should pass and be sent to the Governor for her signature. The legislature will then focus on the 2025-27 budgets. Read More Mar 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/10 On March 7, the Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Capital Construction held public hearings and work sessions on five bills to rebalance the 2023-25 budget. Read More Mar 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 3/3 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. Read More Feb 24, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/24 We are pleased to learn that Business Oregon’s Infrastructure bill, HB 3031 with a -1 amendment to clarify the criteria to be used to access the proposed $100 million fund, will have a public hearing on Feb. 26 in the House Committee On Housing and Homelessness. Although there are a few issues yet to resolve, the League expects to support this important funding bill. Read More Feb 17, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 Our state agencies often receive reimbursable grants where the agencies do the work required in the grant and apply to reimbursement. With the uncertainty of that reimbursement, many projects that were planned by agencies are on hold. Read More Feb 10, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/10 As we all hear news daily from the federal government, Rep. Gomberg provided some concerning information about the potential loss of federal funding here in Oregon: Thrown into uncertainty was the Oregon Health Plan. Read More Feb 3, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 2/3 Bills we are watching: 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. Read More Jan 27, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/27 How to protect productive agricultural ground and forests by determining what uses should and shouldn’t be allowed on private agricultural and forest land in the state is top of mind as the 2025 session of the Oregon Legislature gets underway. Read More Jan 20, 2025 Legislative Report - Week of 1/20 A League member attended virtually the Dec. 18-19 Board of Agriculture meeting. Peter Kenagy, Albany area farmer, announced the reactivation of the Ag for Oregon group who will be advocating for agricultural land use protections and address the expansion of agri-tourism. Read More Dec 20, 2024 Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 Look for a new lobbying group to Keep Oregon Farming by advocating for MORE uses on farmland. A separate group will be advocating for reducing the current number of uses on farmland. Read More Oct 1, 2024 Legislative Report - September Legislative Days During the Sept. Interim Days, there were many presentations related to the importance of agricultural lands. Agriculture is the second most important and most stable industry in Oregon. Read More Jun 10, 2024 Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 We have begun to work on legislation and budgets for 2025. With your help, we can continue to make a difference. Join us and volunteer! Read More Apr 22, 2024 Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 The League provided comments to the Board of Agriculture as the 2024 session began. Oregon agriculture is the second most important and most stable industry in Oregon because of the hundreds of “crops” grown here. Read More Mar 4, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 3/4 SB 5701, the omnibus budget bill for 2024 was amended at the end of the session. The League was pleased with the breadth of programs funded as well as the policy bills that were also funded. But there were disappointments, too. Read More Feb 26, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/26 SB 5701 is the omnibus budget bill for 2024. It is currently populated with the items approved during the November and January Legislative Days. Read More Feb 19, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/19 SB 5701 is the 2024 omnibus budget bill. It is currently populated with the items approved during the November and January Legislative Days. Read More Feb 12, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/12 The Dept. of Environmental Quality presented information on the status of our Title V air quality program fees after the significant increase adopted in 2023. Read More Feb 5, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 2/5 The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. Bills in most committees must be scheduled for a work session by Feb. 12 and acted on by Feb. 19th in the first chamber. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website. Read More Jan 15, 2024 Legislative Report - Week of 1/15 The 2024 short session runs Feb. 5 through March 10th. The legislative calendar is posted on the Oregon Legislature website. Bills will be posted soon on OLIS. Committee bills were introduced during the January 10-12 Legislative Days. Read More Nov 13, 2023 Legislative Report - November Interim Volunteers are still needed to cover important issues like Air Quality, Recycling and Toxics. The League needs your voices! Training provided. Read More Oct 2, 2023 Legislative Report - September Interim We hope you read the October 1st LWVOR All-Member Newsletter with the list of volunteers needed for the League’s Natural Resources Team. The League depends on YOU to help advocate—using our adopted positions. Read More Aug 18, 2023 Legislative Report - Sine Die The League’s Natural Resources Team added volunteers Paula Grisafi (Toxics) and Carolyn Mayers (Wildfire) and sadly lost a member, Kathy Moyd, who worked on both Climate and Natural Resource issues and was a valuable former NASA engineer with a variety of expertise and willingness to attend meetings virtually, provide written and verbal League testimony using League positions and personal expertise. Read More Jun 26, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 In spite of the drama, the 2023 legislative session had more success than failure as you will see below. We hope you wait for our Sine Die Report in August—after the Governor has signed the bills—or not, for a more complete report on the bills we worked on and their outcome. HCR 38 was passed and set the process for the February 2024 short session. Read More Jun 12, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 LWVOR joined with others in support of HB 3229. The bill would increase federal air quality (Title V) operating permit program fees that have not been increased for many years. The bill is in the W&M Capital Construction Subcommittee where amendments are being discussed. Read More Jun 5, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 6/5 The end of the session may be seen soon, although the official sine die is June 25th... (Oops! “Sine die” doesn’t pass the reading test…it’s "end of the session" I should use.) Bills are stacking up in the Senate as there is still no quorum to be able to vote on those bills—policies and budgets. If there is no resolution by the 25, look for a special session before the Sept. 15t deadline when many agencies will be unfunded. Read More May 29, 2023 Legislative Report - Week of 5/29 It’s mostly about budgets now, unless the Senate Republicans return to vote on policy bills awaiting a Senate chamber vote. Of interest is a new strategy of creating large budget bills combining a number of policy bills that need funding. Look for “packages” in this report’s Budget section. The latest word is W&Ms may finish by June 9th and then will wait for a return of Senators to the Senate chamber for a quorum. Otherwise, adjournment is June 25. Read More

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of March 2 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: Child Care Criminal Justice Education Gun Policy Healthcare Housing Immigration Reproductive Healthcare Summer Learning Child Care By Katie Riley The Ways and Means Joint Subcommittee on Education held a work session regarding SB 1535 A related to the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) lack of funding to meet the needs of their extensive waitlist. It would make it optional to give TANF recipients priority and the bill would establish a work group to study the cost and availability of liability insurance as well as other liability issues affecting child care providers. The work group is to provide a report by November 1, 2027. The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) also has a surplus of approximately $78 million due to a lack of use of the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (Oregon Head Start) and Preschool Promise federal funds. The possibility was discussed to have the surplus be used to help address the ERDC deficit of approximately $80 million. It was recommended that the existing programs be reviewed for possible changes. The two programs with surpluses may have lower enrollments due to their partial day coverage for enrollees vs the ERDC coverage for all day care. A “do-pass” recommendation was approved. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley & Sharron Noone Immigration Bills Several key House bills related to Oregon’s pushback on federal law enforcement and immigration actions have successfully passed Senate Judiciary and await a vote on the Senate floor. These include HB 4114A (allows civil suits for warrantless actions), HB 4138 A (establishes police ID policies and rules for public employee when interacting with federal and out-of-state law enforcement), HB 4111 A (prevents immigration status from being admissible in a civil proceeding), and HB 4091 (establishes mobilization rules for Oregon National Guard). The following Senate bills are still alive but sit in Rules Committee, where session deadlines do not apply: SJR 203 A (forbids secret police in Oregon), SB 1563 (allows for civil action against law enforcement officer who violates constitutional rights), and SB 1594 (establishes immigration policies for schools, health facilities, and other public bodies). See the League Action Alert for HB 4114A and HB 4138. Other Criminal Justice Bills The League is also closely following HB 4045 A (requires communication responders to respond quickly to a search warrant when related to domestic violence), which passed Senate Judiciary on 2/25, and SB 1515 A (modifies provisions for wrongful convictions), which unanimously passed the Senate on 2/24 and is scheduled for a hearing in House Rules on 3/2. 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 Senate Education committee is giving a DO PASS recommendation to the version that was passed in the House. 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 both chambers, The League submitted testimony in support. Thank you for all who responded to our Action Alert. 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. The Senate Education committee is giving a DO PASS recommendation to the version that was passed in the House. Please see the League’s Action Alert. Gun Policy By Marge Easley The League is very pleased to report that HB 4145 A successfully passed the House on 2/25 on a party-line vote of 33 to 19, despite a contentious floor vote and several days of delay. The bill provides much-needed implementation details for Measure 114 (2022). According to a 2/25 press release from Representatives Finger McDonald, Tran, Grayber, and Dobson, “HB 4145 responds to unresolved legal and implementation issues by clarifying statutory language, adjusting timelines and procedures, and delaying the permit-to-purchase requirement to allow for orderly implementation once court proceedings conclude.” The bill had a hearing in Senate Rules on 2/27. Please see the Action Alert . Healthcare Christa Danielson 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 House unanimously following an emotional bill presentation by Rep. E. Levy, who reminded legislators that the Chief Sponsor, Rep. Hartman, is currently in the hospital fighting cervical cancer. The League wrote testimony . Housing Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Senate Committee on Housing and Development SB 1523 Enrolled The House and Senate both passed this bill, and it’s awaiting the Governor’s signature. The bill requires landlords to provide tenants and prospective tenants with non-electronic means of conducting business. Tenants will 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 A this bill would require two state agencies to set rules for making housing easier to access and use for people with disabilities. The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Housing and Community Services Department are 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. It requires the Housing and Community Services Department to meet specified accessibility standards when funding new subsidized rental housing developments. The Senate passed this bill on February 19. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness gave a do-pass recommendation. It is on the Senate floor House Committee on Housing and Homelessness HB 4123 A 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 17, the House passed this bill. The Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a public hearing and work session on February 24 and was sent to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The third reading is scheduled for March 2. 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.) Subcommittee on Capital Construction HB 4036 A would establish a Housing Opportunity, Longevity and Durability (HOLD) Fund to support the preservation of affordable housing that is at risk of loss. It would authorize the use of $100 million in Article XI-Q general obligation bonds into the fund. Money could be used for acquiring, constructing, remodeling, repairing, equipping, or furnishing affordable housing that is or will be operated by the state. Preserving existing low-income housing is a cost-effective and efficient way to maintain our supply. On February 25, the bill was assigned to the Subcommittee on Capital Construction. Immigration By Claudia Keith News and Resources - Portland advances plan to cover legal services for immigrants and refugees - OPB - Oregon launches multi-agency effort to protect state’s immigrants and refugees - OPB - Senate Majority Office PR - February 24, 2026 Experiences of I mmigrant and Refugee Oregonians Will Inform State Responses to Federal Immigration Practices Senate Bill 1594 directs the Oregon Department of Justice to consult with Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement - 2026 Immigrant Justice Package – Oregon Worker Relief Bills with League testimony SJR 203 Oregon Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Secret Police See Criminal Justice SB 1538 Public schools educate immigrants See Education SB 1570 Where ICE can go in hospitals See Healthcare HB 4079 Public schools must inform about ICE presence See Education HB 4091 Oregon National Guard Activation & Authority See Governance: Privacy & Protections HB 4114 Rules for Operations of Federal Agents or Agents from Another State in Oregon See Criminal Justice HB 4138 Requires ID and prohibits face coverings for law enforcement agents See Criminal Justice Other Bills Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ 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 JWM Ws 2/10 to JWM Not posted yet 11 SMS HB 4089A Wage theft Senate 1 st Reading 3/2 WS 2/24 HOUSE 2/27 Minimal 6 SMS House vote 33, 9 Not yet posted Refugee Emergency Response JWM See Gov public statements 4.5 Likely end of session JWM reconciliation bill Reproductive Health Trish Garner HB 4088A Engrossed 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. The League provided testimony . After consideration of amendments which would have denied the protections to providers when patients were under the age of 18 or would have forced providers to honor a criminal investigation of another state for an action that is considered legal in Oregon, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to recommend DO PASS the version passed by the House. Please see the League’s Action Alert. Summer Learning By Katie Riley The Ways and Means Joint Subcommittee on Education held an information session regarding the report from the Oregon Department of Education on the results of implementation of the 2025 legislative session SB 2007 which provided funding over three summers for summer school care (2025-2027). The results have received praise both in print and from legislators in the committee, although there were many questions in the hearing asking for more detail on findings and a separate article asked if the expenditure was worthwhile. Approximately 74% of the recipients reported meeting their literacy-based goals and an additional 24% reported partially meeting them. The goals were set by each recipient and were not the same across the board. This issue will be addressed by ODE in the future. Representative Wright recommended that the programs should be available to all students who need them. Currently ODE is soliciting proposals for the 2026 allocations which will be competitive. There is no explicit mention of the participation of students in after school hours programs although some community-based organizations administered the grants. 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.

Governance Read Our 2025 Priorities Here 2026 Legislative Priorities PROTECT DEMOCRACY by protecting privacy and voting rights - including automatic registration. Fund and implement secure, efficient election software, supporting ranked choice voting. Protect against mis-, dis , and mal-information, including from artificial intelligence. Ensure cybersecurity. Defend and support implementation of HB 4024 (2023) on campaign finance. LWVOR Advocacy Positions Note: these are condensed versions. See the complete positions in Issues for Action . Constitutional Provisions— The Oregon Constitution should be a basic framework of state government, free of obsolete material and statutory detail. It should · guarantee basic democratic rights · provide for a legislative assembly, an executive branch, and a judicial system. · be revised by constitutional convention, initiative amendment, or legislative amendment. Privacy and Cybersecurity— This position statement addresses Elections, Information Security, Personal Information Protection, and Electronic Business and Social Media. Economic Development Revenue Bonds LWVOR supports the authority to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds by the state, ports, and cities with more than 300,000 population. 2. In addition to the Economic Development Revenue Bond program, LWVOR supports other state and local economic stimulants Election Laws— Election procedures and voter information are critical elements to an informed and participating electorate. Election Methods— LWVOR does not believe that plurality voting is the best method for promoting democratic choice in all circumstances. For single-winner systems, the League supports ranked-choice voting; we do not support range or approval voting. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports election systems that elect policy-making bodies that proportionally reflect the people they represent. Emergency Board— An appointed Emergency Board should provide fiscal adjustment between legislative sessions. Fiscal Policy Evaluating Taxes —any tax proposal should be evaluated with regard to its effect on the entire tax structure. Fiscal Responsibility —local government should have primary responsibility for financing non-school local government. Local services mandated by the state should have state funding. Income Tax—i ncome tax is the most equitable means of providing state revenue. The income tax should be progressive, compatible with federal law and should apply to the broadest possible segment of Oregonians. Sales Tax— A sales tax should be used with certain restrictions Property Tax —local property taxes should partially finance local government and local services. Exemptions to the general property tax include: a. Charitable, educational and benevolent organizations, etc. b. School District Financing. The major portion of the cost of public schools should be borne by the state, which should use a stable system to provide sufficient funds to give each child an equal, adequate education. Initiative, Referendum and Recall Position— LWVOR supports constitutional provisions for initiatives, referendum, and recall. The League discourages amending the Oregon Constitution by the initiative process. Oregon State Courts— The State of Oregon should provide access to its courts Judges must be free to decide cases based upon the facts of the particular case and the applicable law, independent of the influence of public opinion and political and partisan pressures. Adequate and stable funding is needed to perform the Department’s core functions and critical services; The League encourages the development of specialty courts and problem-solving courts. Open Primaries— LWVOR supports more open primary elections, either through party primary elections or individual candidate-based primary elections. Redistricting— The Oregon legislative and congressional redistricting system should be efficient, adequately funded, based on well-defined criteria, subject to a reasonable and effective timetable, and have an open and public process. Previous Legislative Reports Next

Climate Emergency Read Our 2025 Priorities Here 2026 Legislative Priorit y ADDRESS THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY by supporting 2017-2025 Carbon/Climate Executive Orders, net zero greenhouse gas emissions before 2050 while ensuring environmental justice with a just transition for workers and impacted communities. Positions US League Climate Position: The League believes that climate change is a serious threat facing our nation and our planet. The League believes that an interrelated approach to combating climate change — including through energy conservation, air pollution controls, building resilience, and promotion of renewable resources — is necessary to protect public health and defend the overall integrity of the global ecosystem. The League supports climate goals and policies that are consistent with the best-available climate science and that will ensure a stable climate system for future generations. Individuals, communities, and governments must continue to address this issue, while considering the ramifications of their decision at all levels — local, state, regional, national, and global. See also Natural Resources Positions: 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 Climate Emergency Legislative Report - Week of March 2 Climate Emergency Team Coordinator: Claudia Keith Coordinator: Claudia Keith Efficient and Resilient Buildings: vacant Energy Policy: Claudia Keith Environmental Justice: vacant Natural Climate Solution Forestry: Josie Koehne Agriculture: vacant Community Resilience & Emergency Management: see Governance LR: Rebecca Gladstone Transportation: see NR LR Joint Ways and Means - Budgets, Lawsuits, Green/Public Banking, Divestment/ESG: Claudia Keith Find additional Climate Change Advocacy volunteers in Natural Resources Please see Climate Emergency Overview here. Jump to a topic: Priority Bills Other Bills Senate Energy and Environment News Oregon Treasury Climate Lawsuits Sine die is 3/8 -now just around the corner. Very few policy only bills passed this session. The deadline for 2nd chamber for most policy bills was 2/26. A number of Climate bills with fiscals are in JWM or Rules, the League is not clear if any of these bills will move. (please see last week’s LR for how to advocate for those bills) and refer to the League's recent ALERT . Priority Bills SB 1541 A - Make Polluters Pay - Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program. New SMS , Senate Energy and Environment , PH 2/5 and work session 2/10 , - 2 amendment , moved 2/12 to Joint Ways and Means (JWM) . LWVOR submitted testimony . Creates the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to assess financial impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and recover costs from responsible entities. Multiple state agencies are involved including, Department of Land Conservation and Development, DLCD, Department of Environmental Quality, DEQ, Oregon Health Authority, OHA, and Land Conservation and Development Commission. LCDC, the oversight body is Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). The League has joined the Make Polluters Pay Campaign . This climate legislation is a national effort covered today by the New York Times , reporting that a number of other states are in the process of passing and/or implementing similar legislation. Please see the League’s Action Alert. SB 1526 A - FORGE: Fund for Oregon Resilience, Growth, and Energy - New SMS , work session was 2/9, Senate Energy and Environment (SEE) moved the bill to JWM, League testimony . Creates financing tools, including a revolving loan fund, to provide more affordable, accessible long-term financing for clean energy and resilience infrastructure projects in Oregon. This is modeled on a number of other states’ legislation , some as "green" banking nonprofits.
 Please see the Action Alert. Other Bills the League is following: HB 4046A Nuclear Study Bill, work session was 2/12, moved to JWM 2/17, unanimously as amended. New SMS , directs the Oregon Department of Energy, subject to the availability of funding, to conduct a study on nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. The -2 amendment, a substantial rewrite of the original bill negotiated with opponents, seemed to satisfy committee members that the study could be unbiased as to nuclear energy issues. 
 
 HB 4031 A : new SMS , 2/27 on its way to the governor . Exempts a renewable energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the facility qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits a nd construction is scheduled to begin on or before December 31, 2028. 
 
 SB 1597 A in H Rules PH 2/27. Sen chamber vote 2/23 17,12. Makes a power provider disclose the costs to store the waste made from making any electric power. New SMS 
 
 Bill that died in Policy Committee SB 1582 , Community-Based Power: Distributed Power Plants, SEE Senate E&E Committee PH Notes Senate Energy and Environment 2/23/26 The committee held public hearings and work sessions on the following bills, and voted to move all three to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. HB 4031 A (expedited site review for renewable energy projects) -- 5-0 HB 4025 (winter rate increases for non-gas, non-electric public utilities) -- 5.0 HB 4029 A (consumer protection for solar installation customers) -- 4-1 (Robinson, concerned about restraint of competition) Chair Sollman postponed the WS for HB 4102 (third-party contracting for environmental permitting) to Wednesday 2/25. With a vote of 17-12 2/25/26 The committee voted 3-1-1 (Pham nay, Brock Smith excused) to move HB 4102 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. Sen. Golden: This bill has been more of a "voyage" than he imagined it would be. Senate E&E has focused mainly on Sen. Pham's proposed -2 amendment dealing with labor rights and good governance. He would have preferred to move the bill with the one-sentence -3 amendment requested by Rep. Dobson: “Before contracting with a third party to provide services pursuant to this section, the department shall consider the third party’s potential or actual conflicts of interest with the applicant, permittee or regulated entity.” However, time limitations of the short session make amending the bill at this point problematic. "Very likely we will be privatizing some of the permit process and other processes going forward" -- we would prefer that staff working for the taxpayers would do this work but we recognize that we have delays that we need to address. He wants to state on the record "triple underscored" the committee's intent that when DEQ hires a third party for permit processing, they will commit to be very vigilant in their research about conflicts of interest. Sen. Robinson: Supports the bill as a "bandaid" measure to expedite permitting whereas the larger need is to "reform DEQ." Sen. Pham: Regretful "no" as she believes the bill as introduced lacks adequate guardrails vs. conflicts of interest and fails to address important labor issues. Chair Sollman: House passed the original bill unanimously and she doesn't want to take the chance of killing the measure by sending it back amended. News Regulators to Hold Public Hearing on Large Increase for Cascade Home Gas Bills and What to Expect at Cascade Gas’s Public Hearing | Latest News | News | Oregon CUB - Citizens Utility Board Eugene groups propose climate tax to mirror Portland’s - OPB How Oregon is building back smarter after wildfire • Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon Adopts New Building Codes to Reduce Energy Costs and Increase Energy Efficiency in Newly Constructed Homes – CleanTechnica Oregon’s New Building Codes Are a Win for Home Energy Resilience - Oregon Environmental Council Oregon lawmakers seek to shine a light on balcony solar, but safety issues linger - OPB Oregon DOE Feb Press Releases – a number of updates… Oregon State Treasurer Steiner Joins 15 Other State Fiscal Officers in Warning That Immigration Enforcement Operations Threaten Economic Stability and State Revenues February 5, 2026Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner MD joined fifteen other state fiscal officers in a joint letter to President Donald Trump expressing … Oregon Treasury & Oregon Divest Building on Oregon Treasury’s 2025 Progress toward Net Zero Emissions - Part 1 (Divest Oregon ORG) New 2025 Treasury : Climate-Positive Investing : Invested for Oregon Report Tracking Net zero climate positive investment strategies. Oregon pension shows climate progress , private markets drive emissions | Private Equity Stakeholder Project.org Climate Lawsuits and Our Children’s Trust Columbia Law - Sabin Climate Center Blog – Feb 2026 updates There are a number of active federal lawsuits. Columbia University Law ( CUL) Climate Litigation Jan 30 Updates . Another source: CLU - Sabin Climate DB lists 97 lawsuits , (active and dismissed) mentioning Oregon. Our Children’s Trust - In the News: February 19, 2026 - E&E News Enviros, health groups are first to sue over Trump’s big climate rollback February 18, 2026 - The Guardian Environmental groups sue Trump’s EPA over repeal of landmark climate finding February 18, 2026 - The New York Times E.P.A Faces First Lawsuit Over Its Killing of Major Climate Rule February 18, 2026 - Climate in the Courts Environment and Public Health Groups, and Youth, Sue Over Trump Administration’s Elimination of Climate Protections February 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News Healthcare Professionals, Scientists and Children Sue the EPA for Backtracking on Greenhouse Gas Regulation February 18, 2026 - Bloomberg Law Endangerment Finding Rollback Draws First Legal Challenges (1) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED : What is your passion related to Climate Emergency ? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The short legislative session begins in January of 2026. Many State Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of climate or natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, or Claudia Keith Climate Emergency at peggylynchor@gmail.com Or climatepolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered. · Natural and Working lands, specifically Agriculture · Transportation and ODOT state agency · Climate Related Lawsuits/Our Children’s TrustDA · Public Health Climate Adaptation (OHA) · Regional Solutions / Infrastructure (with NR team) · State Pr ocurement Practices (DAS: Dept. of Admin. Services) · CE Portfolio State Agency and Commission Budgets · Oregon Treasury: ESG investing/Fossil Fuel divestment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Governance , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report section

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 House Rules Public Hearing March 2 HB 4045 A Search Warrant Response Time Limits Support Senate Floor Sen. Judiciary: Do Pass HB 4114 A Rules for Operations of Federal Agents or Agents from Another State in OR Support Senate Floor Sen. Judiciary: Do Pass HB 4138 A Requires ID and Prohibits Face Coverings for Law Enforcement Agents Support Senate Floor Senate Rules: Do Pass Education SB 1538 A Education for Immigrants Support Passed Both Chambers HB 4079 A Public Schools Must Inform When ICE is Present on the Campus Support Senate Floor Sen. Education: Do Pass HB 4149 A Directs School Districts to Enroll and Provide Services for Homeless Students Support Senate Floor Sen. Education: Do Pass Gun Policy HB 4145 A Modifies permitting for Measure 114 Support Senate Rules Healthcare SB1527 A Provides Access to Follow-up Testing After an Abnormal Pap Support Passed Both Chambers SB 1570 A Safety for Healthcare Providers and Patients Support House Floor House Rules: Do Pass SB 1598 Insurance Coverage of Required Immunizations Support House Floor House Rules: Do Pass HB 4054 Transparency when AI downcodes Support Joint Info Mgmt & Tech Reproductive Health HB 4088 A Privacy in Healthcare Support Senate Floor Sen. Judiciary: Do Pass HB 4127 Payment for Reproductive Healthcare Support Ways and Means 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

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

Climate Emergency reports from the LWVOR Action Committee. Climate Emergency Overview The League believes that climate change is a serious threat facing our nation and our planet. Read More Climate Emergency Reports 3/2/26 Legislative Report - Week of March 2 A number of Climate bills with fiscals are in JWM or Rules, the League is not clear if any of these bills will move. Read More 2/23/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/23 Please contact your legislators, asking them to support SB 1541 A and SB 1526A. Leadership and JWM committee must move these bills to the floor for a vote this session. Oregon has an opportunity to join other states, modeling critical climate fiscal legislation. Read More 2/16/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/16 Many Climate Emergency priority policy and or funding bills the league supports are expected to move to JWM or the floor Read More 2/9/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/9 Many Climate Emergency priority bills the league supports are likely to move from the first chamber by Feb 16 deadline, find details below Read More 2/2/26 Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 A League SB 1541 Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program Alert is planned for Feb 3. There are a number of other Climate Emergency bills during 2026 short session. Read More 1/26/26 Legislative Report - Week of January 26 This is a short 5-week Legislative session, most bills must have work sessions scheduled in the first chamber by mid Feb to stay active. There are now many Legislative Concepts waiting for Bill numbers for Environment / Climate Legislative soon to be posted to OLIS by no later than 28th of January. Read More 12/1/25 Legislative Report - Week of December 1 The primary climate/carbon issues during the 2026 short session will be related to budget issues primarily caused by Federal funding and policy decisions. Read More 10/13/25 Legislative Report - Week of October 13 Several energy-related bills from the 2025 session became effective in late September 2025 (91 days after the session's conclusion on June 27). Read More 8/11/25 Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of August 11 This sine die report summarizes the Climate Emergency portfolio work that took place over the 2025 Legislative Session. Read More 6/30/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/30 The League is pleased that Oregon now joins a few other states addressing Climate related risk investments, referring to Treasurer Steiner supported, Oregon Investment Council HB 2081. Read More 6/23/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/23 There are less than 7 days until the end of session and a number of bills and state agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing agency climate programs in the reconciliation bill. Read More 6/16/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/16 There are less than 17 days until the end of session and a number of bills and agency funding priorities are still waiting to move. The League expects some funding for existing state agency Climate related programs will be in the end of session reconciliation bill. Read More 6/9/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/9 Early in the 2025 legislative session, the Oregon League testified in support of what are now HB 2949 A and HB 2152 A. Each bill focused on the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub. Recently both bills passed out of the House Emergency Management, General Management and Veterans Committee, chaired by Representative Tran. HB 2949 passed with unanimous approval. Read More 6/2/25 Legislative Report - Week of 6/2 The League joined many other organizations this past week to oppose the Transportation Budget Cap and Trade proposal. The League is open to the idea that a west coast cap and trade solution may be viable in the future; however, the details related to this idea and how it affects CPP Climate Protection Plan, still need a robust public process. Read More 5/26/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/26 The League is very concerned about the recent announcement from Legislative leadership. The Transportation Cap and Trade idea has not had any public review including a comprehensive OCN perspective. Read More 5/19/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/ targeted outcomes. Read More 5/12/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 While the primary focus of the LWVOR Action Committee is on Legislation in Oregon, what is happening at the federal level is likely to affect budgeting and other decisions in our state. These climate/energy-related Trump admin policy and budget related executive orders if implemented would drastically affect global UN COP efforts in all fifty states, including Oregon’s climate-related legislation (policy and budget), state agencies, and community climate action plans/state statutes/outcomes. Read More 5/5/25 Legislative Report - Week of 5/5 This year, the Oregon Legislature will be considering a transportation package that will provide ongoing funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation. (ODOT). Emissions from transportation make up over one-third of Oregon's total emissions. This session provides an opportunity for the Legislature to increase access to multi-modal transportation and expand options for all Oregonians to get around without a car. The Environmental Caucus is championing a package that prioritizes transit, safety, and climate accountability. Read More 4/28/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/28 A few federal court rulings have favorably affected Biden admin IRA funding despite the current administration’s attempt to freeze the minutes. ‘The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act‘, provides an expanded overview of funding in Oregon. Read More 4/21/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/21 For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Read More 4/14/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 For the first time, this year most of our priorities are included in the bipartisan 2025 Legislative Environmental Caucus Priorities, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Priorities and/or Oregon Conservation Network (OCN) priorities. OCN is the only formal environmental lobby coalition group in the capitol. Consequently, for some of these bills (especially those in a package) the League may just join coalition sign-on letters rather than providing individual testimony. Read More 4/7/25 Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 In order to stay on track, the Legislature must prioritize investments for vital environmental justice, climate and community protection programs (CPP). Read More 3/31/25 Legislative Report - Week of 3/31 Over 26 states have or are in the process of having green/environmental rights constitutional topics or initiatives. Read More 3/24/25 Legislative Report - Week of 3/24 This week we added another Environmental Justice bill: SB 54, the bill requires landlords provide cooling for residential units. The League endorsed and added our name to a OJTA Oregon Justice Transition Alliance, sign-on letter. Read More

Revenue Read Our 2025 Priorities Here LWVOR Advocacy Positions Note: these are condensed versions. See the complete positions in Issues for Action . 2026 Legislative Priority ASSURE ADEQUATE REVENUE from all levels of government to provide essential services while promoting equitable and progressive tax policy. Address changes in federal taxation. Consider new revenue to fund services Oregonians need. Positions Governance Economic Development Revenue Bonds LWVOR supports the authority to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds by the state, ports, and cities with more than 300,000 population. 2. In addition to the Economic Development Revenue Bond program, LWVOR supports other state and local economic stimulants Fiscal Policy Evaluating Taxes —any tax proposal should be evaluated with regard to its effect on the entire tax structure. Fiscal Responsibility —local government should have primary responsibility for financing non-school local government. Local services mandated by the state should have state funding. Income Tax—i ncome tax is the most equitable means of providing state revenue. The income tax should be progressive, compatible with federal law and should apply to the broadest possible segment of Oregonians. Sales Tax— A sales tax should be used with certain restrictions Property Tax —local property taxes should partially finance local government and local services. Exemptions to the general property tax include: a. Charitable, educational and benevolent organizations, etc. b. School District Financing. The major portion of the cost of public schools should be borne by the state, which should use a stable system to provide sufficient funds to give each child an equal, adequate education. Previous Legislative Reports Next

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 4/14 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 Privacy Elections Rulemaking Initiatives By Chris Cobey SB 1180 : Requires the Secretary of State to submit to the Legislative Assembly, by November 1 of each odd-numbered year, a list of each prospective statewide initiative petition that has been filed for the next general election. Public hrg, Senate Rules Cmte April 16. League watching . Privacy, images, data disclosure, DNA By Becky Gladstone Several bills followed here had work sessions scheduled then delayed as agendas accommodated the April 9 first chamber bill deadline. HB 3766 to allow 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 9, passed unanimously with 8 in support Watching SB 1121 creates a new crime of unlawful private data disclosure, punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both. Work sessions Senate Judiciary: Do pass as amended. HB 2299 , creates a new crime of disclosing fake nude images. amendment adopted more specifically defines image sources. HB 3093 , for taking DNA samples from crime suspects, -2 adopted. Elections By Barbara Klein On April 7th, the Senate Rules committee heard SB 1054 , introduced by Senator Daniel Bonham with co-sponsor Senator David Brock Smith . The bill requires “each county clerk in this state to provide a live video feed to be made available to the public through the Internet of rooms in which ballots are tallied and official ballot drop sites ” These feeds would have to be recorded and made available to the public through the Internet for at least two years following the election at which the live video feed was provided. LWVOR written testimony was a comment, neutral to the bill, describing our interest in transparency for voters but concern for costs, especially in smaller or rural counties. The hearing was cordial with productive communication. Proposed state artificial intelligence (AI) commission (Lindsey Washburn) Proposed testimony submitted in support of HB 3592 . The bill establishes the Oregon Commission on Artificial Intelligence to serve as a central resource to monitor the use of artificial intelligence technologies and systems in this state and report on long-term policy implications; directs the commission to provide an annual report to the Legislative Assembly; allows the commission to make recommendations for legislation, regulations or policies to the Legislative Assembly; and directs the State Chief Information Officer to hire a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to assist the commission in carrying out the commission's duties. Rulemaking By Peggy Lynch 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. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. The League will continue to be engaged with potential meetings in May and June. 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 . Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 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: Cybersecurity and Privacy Campaign Finance Redistricting Government Ethics By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team **Action Needed: Please contact your State Senator and Representative to encourage them to support these Bills ** Many have increased relevance in light of the DMV data breach, see our blog post. These bills have been referred out to Joint Ways & Means: HB 2049 B Rules were suspended to move this Cybersecurity Center of Excellence bill, passed the House floor 56 in favor, 1 excused, on June 13. League testimony i n support. HB 2052 B Rules suspended to move this AG Data Broker bill, passed the House floor 49/9/1 on June 7. League testimony in support. These bills await Senate readings and subsequent action: HB 2107 A : This OHA extension of automatic voter registration passed the House on a partisan vote of 34/25/1, so votes in Senate Rules need our support (sent from the Senate floor). HB 2490 This cyber omnibus bill awaits third Senate floor reading, June 20. The League urges for maximum protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Defending our critical infrastructures is at stake ( our testimony ). HB 3073 A awaiting first Senate reading, scheduled June 16, passed from the House floor, May 31, 55 to 1. See our Feb 16 testimony in support of candidate and incumbent home address privacy. SB 619 B This larger bill from the AG’s bill consumer data protection task force got carried over by unanimous consent on the Senate floor to June 20 . See our testimony . Cybersecurity and Privacy By Rebecca Gladstone The OR Senate walkout from May 3 finally ended on June 15, with a quorum present. 394 bill actions were scheduled including 40 from the House, which suspended rules to increase by 10. 144 bills have already been signed by the Governor ( Axios ). Stand by for advocacy support news, possibly on short notice from the League. The lack of transparency and access, not scheduling public hearings for bills and amendments progressing in committees, is a serious problem the League expects to address after this session. Please help us advocate for the bills listed above for Governance Action. These also relevant bills now awaiting Senate attention. Many are League priorities: HB 2806 A Relating to public meetings and cybersecurity, further re-scheduled for Senate reading June 20. See our testimony . This bill passed the House 58/0/2. HB 3127 A : We are following this “TikTok” bill, relating to the security of state assets. Currently further rescheduled for June 15 and 16, dates subject to change. SB 166 Enrolled : The Senate concurred with House amendments June 15, 22 to 0, for final passage of this Secretary of States’ omnibus bill to address privacy and harassment concerns among many other topics. There is a proposed cash “physical currency” limit to directly address dark money concerns, of $100 annually, for aggregated cash campaign contributions. See our March 14 testimony and previous extensive reports, predating amendments. SB 510 Enrolled : The Governor has signed this Public Records Advocate and Council funding, effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die. There has been no legislative action on SB 417 , the related policy bill, since the February 7 public hearing for which we attended weekly work group sessions from February to May. Campaign Finance It was announced in the June 8 House Rules Committee no CFR bill will be moved forward during this long session. The interim will be used to continue these discussions to hopefully bring back a bill in next year’s short session. For campaign finance reform, the League wants true reform without loopholes for large special interest organizations. Redistricting People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 petitions downloadable from its website. Thousands of signatures have been collected, but more donations are needed. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2038 B : Requires statement of economic interest to include certain information about sources of income for business in which public official or candidate, or member of household of public official or candidate, is officer, holds directorship or does business under, if source of income has legislative or administrative interest and 10 percent or more of total gross annual income of business comes from that source of income. Prohibits candidate or principal campaign committee of candidate from expending campaign moneys for professional services rendered by certain businesses required to be listed on candidate's statement of economic interest. Creates exceptions. 6/13: Passed House, 51-5; 6/14: Senate first reading and referred to Ways and Means. SB 168 Enrolled : Expressly prohibits public employees, while on job during working hours or while otherwise working in official capacity, from promoting or opposing appointment, nomination or election of public officials. 6/15: Passed Senate 22 to 0.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 6/26 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 Redistricting Cybersecurity and Privacy Election Methods Rights of Incarcerated People Government Ethics By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Campaign Finance In the final days of the Legislative session, only one bill, SB 166 Enrolled , passed that included many subjects. It also included a CFR aggregate annual contribution limit of $100 cash. We understand that this was a result of huge contributions given to the Democratic Party of Oregon and others in cash. Cash is, of course, untraceable. Redistricting SB 166 Enrolled also included a provision that will help all initiative campaigns, allowing single signature e-sheets to only be signed once. Currently, these petitions have to be signed a second time to certify the signature above. This bill is effective immediately upon signing by the Governor. People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 sheets, downloadable from its website. Thousands of signatures have already been collected, but more donations are needed. Cybersecurity and Privacy By Rebecca Gladstone These nine bills all passed in the final hectic flurry after the 43-day Senate walkout. We worked several of these concepts over numerous sessions and they all reflect awareness of privacy and cybersecurity. They now await a signature by the Governor. Elections HB 2107 Enrolled : The League supports this improvement in government efficiency, adding those served by the Oregon Health Plan through the Oregon Health Authority to automatic voter registration, expanding Oregon #MotorVoter . This brings the No Wrong Door health care concept of safety nets, networking services to support individuals, a step closer to “you’re in the right place and we are here to help you.” Now we should work on the underperforming party registration postcards. SB 166 Enrolled : This bill clarifies protecting ballot secrecy, election workers, the right to vote, and cybersecurity plans. Our elections are critical infrastructure and merit the League’s priority rating. We urged expanding these protections by amendment to address privacy and harassment concerns. See other report section for other bill features added as amendments. HB 3073 Enrolled : See our testimony in support of candidate and incumbent home address privacy. Certifying candidate filing depends on verifying in-district residence with a home address, but it needn’t be publicized. It will still be available through public records requests. Cybersecurity HB 2049 Enrolled defends our critical infrastructures, which remain at stake ( our testimony ). The adopted Cybersecurity Center of Excellence was severely short funded, with only $4.9M of the $15M requested. This was in spite of the global cyber-attack (see LWVOR Newsroom, Oregon DMV Data Breach could affect 3.5 million Oregonians ). This effort had full committee support during this and the 2022 session. HB 2490 Enrolled : See our testimony in support of protecting our cybersecurity defense plans from public disclosure. HB 2806 Enrolled : See our testimony to support updating statute for cybersecurity, privacy and safety of executive sessions, public meetings, and our critical infrastructures. HB 3127 A : This “TikTok” bill relates to security of state assets and social media access. We plan to develop coverage with a growing League youth perspective. Privacy The League has attended the Consumer Privacy Task Force since 2019, this from the DoJ on AG Rosenblum’s efforts . These two bills passed with very strong support, after not progressing last session despite strong committee urging. SB 619 Enrolled : See our testimony in support , to protect consumers’ personal data. This was listed as “ A possible walkout casualty: a privacy law for Oregonians ”. For perspective, it was listed at #28 among 182 bills on the Senate June 20 roster. HB 2052 Enrolled : See League testimony in support of this data broker registry bill, passing with strong support this session. Election Methods By Barbara Klein Passage of Ranked Choice Voting referral On the last day of the legislative session, House Bill 2004-B was heard for its third reading. Even with 5 senators absent for the vote, it passed the majority mark with a sufficient 17 aye votes! HB 2004 B refers Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to November 2024 ballots. It would establish RCV as the voting method for selecting the winner of nomination for, and election to, offices of President of the United States, United States Senator, Representative in Congress, Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General. The Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner will be included, but that election is held during the primary. LWVOR has been a strong supporter of RCV and of this bill, one of 39 Oregon organizations working in coalition towards its passage. This is a historic win for the state, and is the first time that any legislature in the United States has referred a statewide RCV bill to the ballot . The choice will now be up to the voters in 2024. Among other organizations and along with election officials, the League will continue with voter education for a clear understanding of the method for all voters as they make their choices. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley The most significant bill this session related to incarcerated individuals was SB 529 , requiring a much wider range of addiction programs and services than currently exist in correctional facilities. It was signed by the Governor on May 19 and will go into effect on January 1, 2024. Three other bills passing in the waning days of the session were HB 2535 , establishing a doula program for pregnant and postpartum adults in custody at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, HB 2345 , authorizing the creation of a publicly accessible dashboard related to the use of segregated housing, and SB 270 , authorizing the Department of Correction to enter into agreements to offer higher education academic programs to adults in custody. The League was disappointed that SB 579 , allowing incarcerated people in Oregon to vote, did not advance this session. We will continue to advocate for passage in future sessions. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2038 B : Requires a statement of economic interest to include certain information about sources of income for business in which a public official or candidate, or member of the household of a public official or candidate, is officer, holds directorship or does business under if source of income has legislative or administrative interest and 10 percent or more of total gross annual income of business comes from that source of income. Prohibits a candidate or principal campaign committee of a candidate from expending campaign moneys for professional services rendered by certain businesses required to be listed on the candidate's statement of economic interest. Creates exceptions. 6/22: passed Senate on third reading 22-2; 6/24: President, Speaker signed. SB 168 : Expressly prohibits public employees, while on job during working hours or while otherwise working in official capacity, from promoting or opposing appointment, nomination or election of public officials. Provides that public employee may communicate with separate public employee or elected official about appointment of person to public office if communication is made in furtherance of recipient's official duties relating to appointment required by Oregon Constitution or state statute. 6-15 (S) Senate concurred in House amendments and repassed bill, 22 to 0; 6-20 President and Speaker signed .

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 4/10 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: Cybersecurity and Public Records Rights of Incarcerated People Redistricting Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator, and Team Privacy, Transparency, Public Records, and Cybersecurity By Rebecca Gladstone Bills are appearing fresh here, including some we missed in the first chamber. These are complex issues meriting careful research, some with interestingly split votes: HB 2107 extends automatic voter registration via the OHA, Oregon Health Authority. We were sorry to see an amendment for a pending work session to cut the Powder River facility pilot project from the bill. HB 2129 : This communications transparency bill addresses executive session confidentiality, recording of confidential meetings, communications in the public interest and public records issues that relate to our SB 417 Task Force discussions. It passed from the House with broad support, public hearing rescheduled to Sen. Judiciary for April 20. SB 11 requires virtual public state meetings to record and promptly publicize recordings. This has strong bipartisan support for access and transparency. We will be looking for data retention cybersecurity guardrails. HB 2095 : This traffic-cams-in-cities bill passed from the House 35 to 20, awaiting Senate floor 2 nd reading. HB 3127 A : No hearing is set yet for this “TikTok bill”, referred to Sen. Vets, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs. It prohibits installing or downloading certain “covered products” onto state information technology assets. It passed 52 to 4 from the House floor, not on strictly partisan lines. (Reminder, this will not apply to other users.) HB 5035 : We noted 100 filed statements, most very brief, many openly responding to a request for Corporate Division funding support. The League, Common Cause, The Oregon Association of County Clerks, and the Attorney General submitted on other aspects of the bill. See Lobbying email from Oregon Secretary of State’s office raises eyebrows in Salem . We support this SoS budget bill ( our testimony ). SB 510 : This SB 417 funding bill was voted all ayes, with two excused from JW&Ms on April 7, with a Do Pass recommendation. It would improve efficiency, cost estimates and budgeting, and sustainable funding for the PRAC. See our testimony in support . SB 417 : The Task Force appointed at Sen. Rules’ Chair Lieber’s request after the Feb 7 public hearing, continues to meet weekly, hoping to conclude soon to propose an amendment. This phrase is an example from the bill: “(D) Whether waiving or substantially reducing fees would create an articulable and substantial burden on the public body in a manner that outweighs the public interest in disclosure….” We support this detailed PRAC bill to increase efficiency in processing public records requests, considering fee waivers, defining “media”, waiving records request fees when made in the public interest, and considering malicious intent in placing requests; see our testimony . SB 166 passed on a 2/3 not strictly partisan vote from the Senate Floor on April 6 and was referred to House Rules. This bill is not promising for the multiple concerns that we recommended be addressed in our testimony . This three-part bill would codify that actual voting on ballots is not revealed (never has been). It only addresses protecting elections workers, offending substances shall not be thrown at them, and elections should have cybersecurity plans. We recommend further amending, citing extensive references to our earlier relevant testimony. Technical harassment definitions should be expanded, as we note, for example to doxing, with extensive privacy issues, and extended to protect all involved in elections, even voters, from harassment and intimidation, as reported last fall, OPB . We anticipate the value of having these protections in place before the 2024 elections. We link to our other testimony support for elections as critical infrastructure, for cybersecurity, and for protecting our cyber defense plans. SB 1073 passed in a Senate Information Mgmt. and Tech. WS, April 5, was referred to W&Ms with a Do Pass recommendation, adopting the -3 amendment, which we support. Growing data management risks justify this bill to establish a state Chief Privacy Officer (CPO). This office in DAS would coordinate cybersecurity services with data governance and transparency / privacy concerns, would set rules, develop and share educational materials and forums. We again recommend reading our privacy and cybersecurity work. We support the networking for state agency CPOs and others around the state. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley After passing the Senate, SB 529 had a public hearing in House Judiciary on March 27 and was scheduled for a work session on April 12. The bill modifies legislative findings concerning alternative incarceration programs related to substance abuse. It requires that intensive addiction programs for incarcerated individuals address addiction as a chronic disease and include a range of treatment services. Redistricting There has been no movement on redistricting in the legislature. People Not Politicians has started collecting signatures on IP 14 petitions downloadable from its website. 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 Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/2 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: From Interim Relating to Federal Laws Elections Consumer and Other Protections Ethics Resilience Catch up on interim news and highlights of some of the 40 governance bills we've identified, out of 700 bills so far this session. We’re preparing testimony for seven of them in the session’s first two days so expect more individual reports next week. Many governance bills will be in committees not limited by 10-day advancement time constraints (e.g. Rules, Ways and Means). Either way, short session wrap is March 9 th . Consider signing up to help, lwvor@lwvor.org . Please see LWVOR Legislative Reports and subscribe to our weekly email LR summaries , starting again in February 2026. From Interim Oregon AG action AG Rayfield testified to Interim Senate Rules on many issues. See his response at 34.46 minutes in the hearing video for the next big hurdles for Oregon, and as a country, His highest concern is protecting the integrity of our elections , closely followed by trust in government and in our judicial system, for a strong democracy. Rayfield’s office filed 53 lawsuits in the last year, winning an overwhelming majority, safeguarding $4.6B for Oregon (not including a tariff case). Because FEMA funding suddenly stopped, a winning suit protected $128M funding for 29 BRIC (building resilient infrastructure and communities) projects, predominantly rural. Legal action cost less than $20K, a tremendous return on investment. Another win let $134M flow for the 1 in 6 Oregonians depending on SNAP benefits, costing $25K for litigation. Relating to federal laws and actions The federal judge dismissed the case heard in Eugene on Jan 14 on the 27th. LWVOR filed an amicus brief as a friend of the court. The plaintiffs held Oregon and our Secretary of State in contempt for protecting personal voting information. A sampling of upcoming governance legislation: Withhold OR payments ( HB 4143 ) to the US government if withheld federal funding defies a court order. Civil Actions for cause against federal and out-of-state law enforcement, HB 4114 OR National Guard HB 4091 has a hearing on Tuesday and we expect to testify (not yet prepared), expecting our testimony for HB 3954 A (2025) to be relevant. See the Interim OR National Guard report , including discussion of duty to follow “patently illegal” or “manifestly unlawful” orders, hearing video , ~26 minutes in. From the materials: The “Burden of proof rests with the service member” Orders are disobeyed at the peril of the service member. Does not apply to patently illegal orders. The dictates of a person’s conscience, religion, or personal philosophy cannot justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order. Elections SB 1508 and HB 4018 look like placeholders which the League may cover. HB 4024 Enrolled (2024), updates, a major campaign finance bill ( League Testimony ). SB 1509 allows for switching President and Vice President electors if they do not vote as they pledged. See “Faithless Elector Law”, testimony in defense , here , and states with robust laws . “Faithless electors” SB 1509 allows for “switch of electors of President and Vice President if they do not vote like they pledged”. We anticipate this to be addressed in another bill, too. See “Faithless Elector Law”, testimony in defense , and here , also a list of which states have robust laws . Consumer and Other Protections Consumer Protection , HB 4024 prevents event ticket resale unless a seller has or can get tickets, relates to Sen. Prozanski’s consumer protection SB 430 Enrolled (2025), which started with hidden event ticket fees, then developed into multi-faceted consumer protection, League testimony . Protect Public Officials HB 4017 permits a candidate to use campaign contributions for protection. SB 1530 expands the crime of aggravated harassment to include threats concerning public officials. The League has testified to many bills to protecting government services, especially elections, and those who provide them, expanding to cover more people. Immigration bills will be shared with Social Policy: SB 1594 relates to enforcing federal immigration laws, HB 4001 will study immigration enforcement, and HB 4111 addresses immigration status as not admissible for civil cases. Gun bills, depending on your perspective, address protection. HB 4096 and HB 4145 will both be heard on the first day of session. (See the Social Policy Legislative Report) Ethics By Lindsey Washburn SB1589 - Lobby Reform Requires lobbyists to notify the Oregon Government Ethics Commission regarding certain information about the lobbyist's: representing certain clients, compensation, and new or different position on legislative or administrative action.\ Resilience HB 4044 and HB 4121 emergency preparedness organization. See OEM Resilience Priorities & Report . Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Positions of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. / Studies / LWVOR Positions / Position Index LWVOR Policy and Position Statements Governance Campaign Finance Re form LWVOR uses the LWVUS position on campaign finance reform as the basis for legislative and statewide action. Members adopted the position in 1973 following a study initiated by the 1972 Convention. The League supports measures to “improve methods of financing political campaigns in order to ensure the public’s right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and promote citizen participation in the political process.” Citizen Participation and Access “The League of Women Voters believes democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible.” LWVUS Principles “We must promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive.” LWVUS Representative Government position Citizen participation and access are also important parts of LWVOR positions on Land Use and the Judicial System, and LWVUS positions on Campaign Finance, Citizens Right to Know/ Citizen Participation, Environmental Protection and Pollution Control, Natural Resources Public Participation, United Nations, and International Relations Trade Policy. Because of these scattered positions, we collect here our combined history of advocacy for Citizen Participation and Access. Civil Discourse “Promote civil discourse through action and education for all government bodies, staff, and citizens for the purpose of improved public policy decisions and processes. Civil discourse means, at a minimum, mutually respectful, courteous, constructive, and orderly communication.” Constitutional Provisions - Adopted 1963; Revised 1980 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the Oregon Constitution should be a basic framework of state government, free of obsolete material and statutory detail. It should guarantee basic democratic rights to the people of the state by: Providing a bill of rights; Reserving initiative and referendum powers to the people. The Oregon Constitution should provide for a legislative assembly that is: Apportioned on a population basis, under a system that provides flexibility, adequate safeguards and enforcement procedures ensuring reapportionment after every federal census; Adequately salaried with the amount of salary specified by statute; Permitted to meet in annual sessions. The executive branch should be strengthened by provisions: Fixing authority and responsibility in the office of governor. The governor should be given the power to reorganize the administrative functions of the state government subject to legislative review and possible veto; Limiting the number of departments; Granting the power to appoint department heads to the governor with the consent of the Senate; For an item veto and an executive budget; Setting salaries by statute; Allowing no constitutional impairment of the state civil service system. Administrative – Post Audits (concurrence, 1980) Post audits of state and local governments should be conducted in an apolitical manner. The office performing post audit should function independently of the Legislature and the executive department. The office should be given appropriate enforcement tools. The Oregon Constitution should provide for a judicial system uniform in organization and administration with: Full time, legally trained judges paid by the state; Rule-making power vested in the Supreme Court; Mandatory retirement of judges; Judicial appointments that are made by the governor from a slate presented by a judicial nominating committee. The Oregon Constitution should provide for effective local government (1943, 1963) by: Allowing city and county home rule; Reserving to the Legislature authority to provide for local government flexibility to meet future needs. Revision of the constitution in the future should be permitted by use of the constitutional convention, initiative amendment, or legislative amendment. Statutes, constitutional amendments, and administrative decisions that implement these positions may be supported by the League. Individual Liberties The League’s Position: Statement of Position on Individual Liberties, as Announced by National Board, March 1982: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged. Privacy and Cybersecurity - Adopted: January 2021 ; Amended January 2021 Cybersecurity is the prevention of damage to, protection of, and restoration of computers, electronic communications systems, electronic communications services, wire communication, and electronic communication, including information contained therein, to ensure its availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation. This position statement addresses Elections, Information Security, Personal Information Protection, and Electronic Business and Social Media. Elections Security The election process is the foundation of our representative form of government. Election integrity, accuracy, transparency, and trustworthiness require vigilance to ensure security protections. Security requirements include and are not limited to: verifiable ballots; ballots that can be recounted and audited; up-to-date hardware and software, supported by vendors, tested, and secure; protected voter registration databases; election staff/volunteers with cybersecurity expertise; cyber-damage contingency plans; risk-limiting audits; attention to disinformation and misleading ads. Protect voters’ ability to exercise an informed opinion on electoral matters. Explore limiting the unfettered electronic circulation and amplification of election misinformation (e.g., targeted disinformation campaigns, manipulated media, anonymous disinformation, and algorithmic and robotic disinformation campaigns). Information Security Government, individuals, and organizations (including the private sector and critical infrastructure), all require strong cybersecurity protections and effective deterrents to assure national security, economic and social stability, and personal information integrity. Create consistent information privacy laws and regulations across all organizations (government, private, for-profit, and non-profit) that eliminate gaps, inconsistencies, and overlaps. Regulate all technology-enabled organizations (e.g., internet platforms, online intermediaries, business-to-consumer platforms), not shifting sectors, so that organizations are subject to a uniform set of laws and regulations. Regulate all categories of information in the same way, regardless of the type of organization or sector that collects that information. Apply a baseline set of regulations to all types of information, regardless of the type of organization or sector collecting that information. Apply regulatory requirements to organizations according to their size and complexity, the nature of data covered, and the risk posed by exposing private information. All information (including third-party data transfers) needs sufficiently flexible protections to address emerging technologies and scientific evidence while serving the common good by balancing the demands of stakeholders and vested interests. The ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICT) of today’s pervasive digital services, platforms, and marketplaces require a global governance perspective to address their societal and economic impacts: Harmonize laws and regulations across jurisdictions to protect individuals and assure the trustworthy flow of information across all boundaries—government, organizations, industry sectors, states, and countries. Aim to develop flexible regulatory structures that can quickly adapt to social and scientific realities and technical and economic policy challenges. Use forward-looking, collaborative mechanisms such as experimentation and learning, test-and-evolve, and post-doc effectiveness reviews. Incentivize specific outcomes that facilitate anticipating and adapting to rapid changes. State laws that become inconsistent with future comprehensive federal privacy standards may be preempted, while more stringent laws may remain. At a minimum, citizens' information protection rights should be comparable to those of citizens around the world—both current and future protections that may be established. Current European Council personal information protections include the ability to: be informed of what personal information is held and why access information held by an entity request updating or correcting of information request manual processing in lieu of automated or algorithmic processing request transfer of information to another entity withdraw prior consent to process data or object to specific situation consent request deleting personal information. Personal Information Protection Uniform privacy rights need to protect personal privacy and prevent known harm. Establish uniform information protections for personal and behavioral data that can be linked to an individual or devices. Prevent harmful uses of personal information by all information processors who collect, store, analyze, transfer, sell, etc. Expand the legal definition of “harm” to include physical, monetary, reputational, intangible, future, or other substantial injuries and to provide individuals the right to legal remedy. Assure that personal information collection, use, transfer, and disclosure for economic or societal purposes is consistent with the purpose for which individuals provide their data, and does not cause them harm. Shift the focus of information protection from individual self-management when submitting data (e.g., opt-in, obscure notice, and choice disclosures) to organizational stewardship in protecting individuals’ personal privacy. Expand personal information privacy definition to address rapidly changing information and communication technologies, accelerated networking between businesses, and automated collection and dissemination of data, which together subvert personally identifiable information, de-identification, re-identification, and data anonymization. Electronic Business and Social Media: Cybersecurity Responsibilities Organizations conducting electronic business and social media commercializing personal information both bear the responsibility for protecting information and must be liable for failure to protect individuals from harm. All organizations--including third-party receivers: Must protect individuals’ transferred information across multiple organizations to ensure end-use accountability. Have a duty to safely collect, use, and share personal, sensitive information. Should use comprehensive information risk assessments, take proactive measures to implement information security measures, and be held accountable for fulfilling these risk management obligations. Are held accountable for misuse of personal information by strengthening both state and federal laws, rule-making, and enforcement powers. We support the right of free speech for all. The digital tools of information and communication technology (such as algorithms and artificial intelligence) can selectively distort or amplify user-generated content. The resulting disinformation, digital manipulation, false claims, and/or privacy violations may endanger society or harm others. Compel private internet communication platforms (applications, social media, websites, etc.) to be responsible for moderating content. Define liability for damages and provide for enforcement for failure to moderate content. Economic Development Revenue Bonds - Adopted April 1983 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the authority to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds by the state, ports, and cities with more than 300,000 population. In issuing Economic Development Revenue Bonds, top priority should be given to those projects which diversify the economy and/or create jobs. However, consideration should also be given to assisting economically depressed areas and attracting industries to locate in Oregon. A possible unfair competition that might result from bond issuance should be examined at the local level. In addition to the Economic Development Revenue Bond program, the League of Women Voters of Oregon supports other state and local economic stimulants such as upgrading education at all levels and exploring various types of financing methods. Election Laws - Adopted 1987; Revised 1997 The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes that election procedures and voter information are critical elements to an informed and participating electorate. Registration Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes a variety of practices is necessary to provide the public with adequate information regarding where and how to register, under what circumstances and how to re-register, a notice of election dates, and the content of the ballot. The League supports: A registration process that is accessible, well-publicized and easily understood, as well as easy to implement and administer; Mail-in registration forms which are widely available; Oregon implementation of the National Voter Registration Act which includes registration process training for agency personnel and the designation of additional registration sites; Implementing a statewide centralized registration list; A registration cut-off requirement that does not disenfranchise otherwise qualified voters. Elections Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes elections should be conducted in a manner that encourages voter participation and supports: No more than four annual, regularly scheduled, election dates; A formula for cost-sharing between the state and the counties for the state portion of the primary and general elections; Evaluating the timing of the Oregon Primary; and Expediting the process for filling vacancies in federal offices. Voting Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes citizens are entitled to voting procedures that provide ease of ballot access and use and support: Use of vote-by-mail in all elections. Every effort should be made to preserve ballot secrecy to prevent fraud. Use of the permanent absentee ballot, provided methods and timelines for counting such ballots are improved, unless and until vote-by-mail in all elections is implemented; and Shortening the time between sending out mail ballots and their required return date. Voter Education Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the publication and distribution of a state Voters’ Pamphlet prior to statewide elections and believes that: The state has an obligation to provide voters with accurate information so that voters can make reasoned choices; All ballot measures must be included with official explanatory statements, an official advisory opinion on constitutionality, effects of a “yes” and “no ” vote, a fiscal impact statement, and summaries of the main arguments for and against the measures; The number of arguments for and against the measures to be included should be limited; The fees charged per page should more clearly reflect the actual costs; and Ballot titles and measures need to be stated in clear, concise language and should avoid confusing negatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a mandatory certification procedure for all county chief elections officials Election Methods Adopted 2017 The League of Women Voters of Oregon reco gnizes that election methods affect how voters participate in our democracy, who can run for office, and who can get elected. Therefore, the League supports election methods that: Encourage voter participation and voter engagement. Encourage those with minority opinions to participate. Are easy to use. Are verifiable and auditable. Promote access to voting. Promote competitive elections. Promote sincere voting over strategic voting. Discourage negative campaigning. Prevent political manipulation (e.g. Gerrymandering). Are compatible with vote-by-mail elections. The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not believe that plurality voting is the best method for promoting democratic choice in all circumstances. For single-winner systems, the League supports ranked-choice voting; we do not support range or approval voting. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports election systems that elect policy-making bodies–legislatures, councils, commissions, and boards–that proportionally reflect the people they represent. We support systems that promote stable government, but we do not support systems that protect the two-party system. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods. If an alternative election method is adopted, then funding for startup and voter education should be available. The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators. (Previous position) Adopted 2009 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that any election method should be evaluated on its ability to: Promote voter participation. Be simple and easy for voters to understand. Be verifiable and auditable. Promote access to voting. Promote competitive elections. Prevent political manipulation. Be compatible with vote-by-mail elections. The League supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods, e.g. instant runoff or fusion voting. If a local jurisdiction adopts an alternative election method, that jurisdiction should bear the costs of startup and voter education. Only after experience and evaluation at the local level should the state consider alternative election methods for statewide adoption. The League does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators. Emergency Board - Adopted 1982 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the use of t he appointed Emergency Board to provide fiscal adjustment between legislative sessions. The League endorses the practice of naming a majority of the members from the current Ways and Means Committee to the Emergency Board. However, balanced statewide representation should be required. The public should have the right to be heard by the Emergency Board. Its meetings should be publicized in advance and summary agendas should be readily available to the public. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that powers of the board should be reviewed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Areas to be reviewed should include: The definition of what constitutes an emergency; The discretionary ability of the board to make policy decisions in a forum where political accountability and public participation are limited. Since the position was adopted in 1982, opportunities for action have not arisen. Fiscal Policy – Tax System Adopted 1965-66, 1973; Revised 1971, 1973, 1979, 1984, 1992, 1993, 1999; Educational Update 1999* Evaluating Taxes . The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes any tax proposal should be evaluated with regard to its effect on the entire tax structure. The League supports the following criteria for evaluating taxes and tax systems. A tax system that is based on ability to pay, but that applies a benefits-received principle wherever reasonable and that recognizes the role of social expediency; A tax system that is equitable, adequate, stab le, easy to administer and as simple as possible; A tax system that takes into account the taxes levied by all levels of government covering the same tax base; A tax system that is flexible enough to adjust to social and economic changes (e.g., population shifts, development of new industry, demands for more services and changes in business cycles); A tax system that recognizes the individual’s responsibility for government services by providing for broad sharing of the tax burden. Fiscal Responsibility The League of Women Voters believes local government should have primary responsibility for financing non-school local government. Local services mandated by the state should have state funding. A tax limitation is justified if it provides safeguards in the regulation of state and local services and economy. A limitation is not desirable if it prevents provision of services, disrupts government functioning, inhibits progress or results in loss of local control. We believe economy should be achieved by efficiency and responsible administration. If cuts are necessary, preference should be given to cuts based on an established priority of services so that least essential services are reduced or eliminated first. Income Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the income tax as the most equitable means of providing state revenue. The income tax should be progressive, compatible with federal law and should apply to the broadest possible segment of Oregonians. Sales Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the adoption of a sales tax provided: The rate cannot be increased without approval of the voters; Regressivity is reduced through: a tax credit or rebate and exemptions for items such as food, rent and utilities. Property Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the use of the local property tax for partially financing local government and local services. Exemptions to the General Property Tax The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: Social values justify: exemptions to charitable, educational and benevolent organizations; exemptions to fraternal organizations only to the extent of actual charity performed; partial exemption of church property with fees to be paid for local government services directly benefiting the property, such as police and fire protection. Exemptions designed to create a favorable climate for attracting new industry should be competitive with those of other states. Economic values justify tax deferral and special assessment at less than real market value on farmlands and forest lands. Eligibility for an exemption should require: a verified statement of the taxpayer; proof of income from all individuals seeking an exemption on their homestead- if eligibility for the exemption is based on income. Exemption laws should be periodically reexamined to determine whether they are justified. Exemption of some classes of personal property is justified if a tax on them would be too difficult or costly to administer. School District Financing. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: The major portion of the cost of public schools should be borne by the state. The state should provide sufficient funds to give each child an equal, adequate education. All specifically state mandated programs should be financed by the state. Local districts should be allowed funding alternatives to provide educational programs. Apart from state mandates, local control of the educational programs should be maintained. A stable state system for financing public schools is crucial for long range planning. Emergency Clause. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports removing the emergency clause restriction on revenue measures. The importance of such measures warrants: Either more support than a simple majority; or More signatures than currently required on a petition to refer. Initiative and Referendum Position - Adopted 1988; Revised 1996; Educational Update 2001* Statute Initiatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the constitutional right of Oregon citizens to propose or revise statutes through the direct initiative process. The League supports the following: Requiring a number of valid signatures not less than six (6) percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election at which a governor was elected for a term of four years; Requiring more than 25 signatures to file the prospective petition with the Secretary of State; Prohibiting legislative changes to an initiative statute for at least two years from its effective date, except to clarify implementation and to correct errors in form and style; Requiring an advisory opinion as to the constitutionality of each proposed initiative after it has qualified for the ballot. Such opinion should be published in the Voters’ Pamphlet; Limiting the time frame for collecting signatures to one year; Optional use of the indirect initiative. Constitutional Initiatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon discourages amending the Oregon Constitution by the initiative process. If amendments by initiatives are allowed, the League supports the following restrictions: Requiring a number of valid signatures not less than ten (10) percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election at which a governor was elected for a term of four years; Requiring more than 25 signatures to file the prospective petition with the Secretary of State; Establishing a formula for a geographic distribution of signatures in order to reflect statewide interest in a measure; Requiring an advisory opinion as to the constitutionality of each proposed initiative after it has qualified for the ballot. Such opinion should be published in the Voters’ Pamphlet; Limiting the time frame for collecting signatures to one year; Requiring more than a simple majority of the total votes cast for the measure for passage; Exempting the Oregon Bill of Rights and revenue measures from the initiative process; and Using the indirect initiative process and scheduling discussion of a qualified initiative first on the agenda of the next legislative session. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the Oregon petition referendum process as provided in the Oregon Constitution. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that ballot titles should be stated in clear, concise language and should avoid confusing negatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes paying petition circulators by the signature. Paid petitioners must be required to identify themselves as such, personally and on the signature sheets. With reasonable restrictions, petitioners should be allowed to collect signatures in highly visible privately and publicly owned locations. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports publication and distribution of a state Voters’ Pamphlet prior to statewide elections and believes that: The state has an obligation to provide the voters with accurate information so that voters can make reasoned choices; All ballot measures must be included with official explanatory statements, an official advisory opinion on constitutionality, effects of a “yes” and “no” vote, and summaries of the main arguments for and against the measures; The number of arguments for and against the measures to be included should be limited; and The fees charged per page should more clearly reflect the actual costs. *Updated in 2001 for background information only – no position change. Recall Elections - Adopted February 2025 1. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that local and county elections operations must have adequate funding and staffing levels sufficient to meet public needs and provide for strong, ongoing voter education. 2. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes all elected officials should be subject to recall, but not during their first six months in office. 3. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that persons seeking the recall of a public official should state the reasons and specify grounds including malfeasance (acting unlawfully while performing duties), nonfeasance (failure to perform duties), serious crimes, lack of fitness, corruption, or incompetence. The grounds on which an elected official may be recalled should be described in Oregon statute. 4. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes an adequate recall election schedule should provide time for voter education and full participation in the election. The timeline should: a. Allow elections officials to provide ballots to overseas and uniformed-service members at least 45 days before an election. b. Allow new voters adequate time to be notified of their requirement to register before an election in which they wish to cast ballots. c. Allow time for elections officials, advocates, and civic organizations to engage prospective voters. d. Allow no more than 90 days to obtain signatures on a recall petition. 5. To ensure adequate time for elections officials and staff to oversee signature verification and prepare ballots, and to contain elections-related costs, the League of Women Voters of Oregon supports restricting recall elections to one of the four election dates identified in Oregon law. 6. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that recall petitions should provide detailed information about how seats vacated by a successful recall are to be filled after the election. This information should be provided by elections staff. Seats should be vacated for the shortest time practical, with a scheduled election allowing voters to choose their public official. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports filling vacated positions by interim appointment rather than through simultaneous election in which the proposed recall of a public official appears on the ballot alongside candidates competing simultaneously for that very office. 7. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that recall petition circulators should be required to be Oregon residents and that these circulators should wear visible identification indicating whether they are paid or volunteers. 8. The League of Women Voters supports disclosure of the sources and amounts of campaign-related funding for recall proponents and opponents, with such disclosure beginning early and occurring regularly and in a timely way, so that voters can learn about groups involved as petitions circulate. Oregon State Courts - Adopted 1979, 2007 The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms: The separation of powers provided in Article III, Section 1 of the Oregon Constitution; The treatment of the Oregon Judicial Department, the third branch of our state government, as a separate, independent, co-equal branch of state government. The League believes that: The State of Oregon should provide access to its courts that meets the diverse needs of all people who use the state courts. Judges must be free to decide cases based upon the facts of the particular case and the applicable law, independent of the influence of public opinion and political and partisan pressures. In order to improve the budget process and funding for the Oregon Judicial Department, the League supports: Adequate and stable funding to perform the Department’s core functions and critical services; Funding by the Legislature of mandated programs or procedures for the state courts; An independent compensation commission to set judicial compensation of state court judges. The state should ensure that counties are able to provide adequate court facilities, maintenance of those facilities, and security equipment and services. The League believes that the following criteria should be used in evaluating a system of selecting judges in Oregon. The system should: Be as free from political influence as possible; Encourage and attract the most competent and experienced people; Include a method of evaluating judges and judicial candidates. To preserve judicial impartiality and fairness and to protect the public’s perception of this impartiality and fairness, the League believes that efforts to obtain campaign finance reform in Oregon should include the financing of judicial campaigns. The League supports alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs (such as arbitration, mediation, and settlement conferences) as a way to resolve disputes in appropriate cases, recognizing that, in some cases, a trial will be necessary. In order to operate effective ADR programs, Oregon’s courts should, at a minimum, have: Adequate facilities in which to conduct mediation and arbitration processes; Availability of trained and qualified arbitrators and mediators; Financial assistance for those unable to afford access to ADR; Adequate and stable funding. The League encourages the development of specialty courts (such as commercial court) and problem-solving courts (such as drug and mental health courts) within the Oregon Judicial Department. In order to operate effective specialty and problem-solving courts, Oregon’s courts need: Adequate court staff; Facilities in which to hold hearings; Availability of service providers and outpatient and residential treatment; Adequate and stable funding. Open Primaries - Adopted June 2023 Adopted position is based on Concurrence with the LWV Maryland position LWVOR supports more open primary elections, either through: a. Party primary elections in which unaffiliated voters as well as party members would be permitted to vote in a primary election to choose the nominees of the parties; or b. Individual candidate-based primary elections in which all voters choose among all candidates from all parties on the same ballot with the candidates’ party affiliations listed. The subsequent general election ballot would include either i. predetermined number of candidates without regard to partisan affiliation; or ii. those candidates receiving a predetermined percentage of the total primary vote Redistricting - Adopted 2007 Congressional and legislative redistricting should advance the fundamental purposes of representative democracy and a republican form of government by affording the people a meaningful choic e in electing their representatives and holding the government accountable to the people. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the Oregon legislative and congressional redistricting system should be efficient, adequately funded, based on well-defined criteria, subject to a reasonable and effective timetable, and have an open and public process. Any redistricting plan should assure that voters are effectively able to hold their public officials accountable, responsible, and responsive, and be based on the following criteria: Adhere to all federal constitutional and legal requirements, such as that every district should have equal population, be contiguous, and meet the requirements of the Voting Rights Act; Promote competitiveness and partisan fairness; Consider other criteria, such as respect for political subdivisions, communities of interest, and geographic barriers. Any redistricting plan should be developed independently of the Legislature in a nonpartisan manner with substantial public input. The Legislature may be afforded an opportunity to review the plan and accept or reject it. The Oregon Supreme Court should promptly review and rule on any challenge to a redistricting plan and require adjustments if the criteria have not been met. Oregon should conduct redistricting only once during each decade follo wing the federal census. Natural Resources National Position The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health. Agriculture National Position: Statement of Position on Federal Agriculture Policy, as Announced by National Board, October 1988: The LWVUS believes that federal agriculture policies should promote adequate supplies of food and fiber at reasonable prices to consumers, farms that are economically viable, farm practices that are environmentally sound and increased reliance on the free market to determine prices. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE . Federal policy should encourage a system of sustainable, regenerative agricultural production that moves toward an environmentally sound agricultural sector. This includes promoting stewardship to preserve and protect the country’s human and natural agricultural resources. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT . Agricultural research, development and technical assistance should continue to be a major federal function. Resources should be targeted to developing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing the needs of mid-size farms. AGRICULTURAL PRICES . The LWV US supports an increasing reliance on the free market to determine the price of agricultural commodities and the production decisions of farmers, in preference to traditional price support mechanisms. AGRICULTURE AND TRADE . U.S. efforts should be directed toward expanding export markets for our agricultural products while minimizing negative effects on developing nations’ economies. Consistent with the League’s trade position, multilateral trade negotiations should be used to reduce other countries’ barriers and/or subsidies protecting their agricultural products. FARM CREDIT. Farmers should have access to credit with reasonable terms and conditions. Federally provided farm credit is essential to maintaining the viability of farm operations when the private sector is unable or unwilling to provide the credit farmers need. Of these policies, the League believes the most essential for the future of agriculture are: encouraging sustainable agriculture; providing research, information and technical assistance to agricultural producers; and increasing reliance on the free market to determine prices. Air Quality - Adopted May 1968 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that all segments of society (government, industry, agriculture and individual citizens) must share responsibility for improved air pollution abatement practices. In more specific terms, the League supports: Adequate standards for control of all sources of pollution and strict enforcement of established rules and regulations; A comprehensive, coordinated program for management of air as a natural resource; Adequate financing for air pollution abatement programs; More research to determine causes and effects of air pollution and methods of control, better coordination of research programs, and increased sharing of information. League agrees: Individuals, too, must recognize their responsibility in abatement programs and be willing to accept restrictions on their own activities, particularly with respect to automobiles and backyard burning. Effective public education programs are necessary if the public is to: recognize the seriousness of the problem; and appreciate the necessity to support improved pollution abatement. In general, industry must be prepared to pay the cost of abatement for its own pollution, but members recognize the usefulness of some form of financial incentives: to assist small or distressed industries; and to prevent undue delay in obtaining relief from pollution. The members prefer loans and direct grants over forms of tax relief. Polluters should bear the cost of pollution abatement in proportion to their contribution to the problem. (Actually everyone will pay, whether in taxes, in product cost, or in bearing the consequence of inadequate pollution abatement.) In considering Oregon’s relationship with other governmental units, League concludes: Because both the desirable air quality and the problems of pollution vary from one area to another: The state has a right to set higher standards for pollution than those set by the federal government. The state has a responsibility to set higher standards for pollution when local conditions demand it. Federal standards in all cases should be recognized as a minimum below which state standards cannot be set. As air pollution does not recognize state boundaries, participation in interstate compacts is desirable in order to control pollution on an airshed basis. Climate Change National Position On Climate Change : LWVUS supports a price on carbon emissions that will increase in stages, as part of an overall program to improve energy efficiency and to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, fast enough to avoid serious damage to the climate system. Revised June 5, 2016: LWVUS supports aggressive efforts to restore balance to the planet’s climate systems by reducing the atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million (ppm), the upper safe limit. The target set by scientists requires an immediate 8% global greenhouse gas emissions annually; in conjunction with carbon dioxide storage through mass reforestation, and soil management. Further, we support transitioning off of fossil fuels to alternative forms of energy: wind, hydroelectric, wave, tidal, geothermal, and solar; and prioritizing a just transition to all Americans. In 2016, LWVUS passed 3 resolutions: LWVUS consider signing onto an Amicus Brief with the 21 youth plaintiffs from Our Children’s Trust; LWVUS support the United States ratification of the UN COP 21 Paris Agreement; LWVUS should continue working for full implementation of the EPA Clean Power Plan, especially at the state level, as a first step, and should call on the White House to implement an updated science-based Climate Action Plan that stabilizes global warming by bringing CO2 levels down to no more than 350 ppm by 2100. Offshore and Coastal Management - Adopted May 1990, 2013 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes 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 preser ve and protect marine and coastal environment and economy. Federal government’s offshore activities must be consistent with Oregon’s approved Coastal Zone Management Plan. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports uniformity of regulations governing the coastal management zone, with opportunity for public input. Jurisdictions should have the ability to enhance regulations to better address local conditions. The League supports the development and maintenance of local comprehensive plans and development codes. Funding should be adequate for effective management and enforcement and should come from a variety of sources. The League opposes any revision, interpretation, or application of Oregon’s established marine policy that would diminish Land Conservation and Development Commission Goal 19’s strong environmental and natural resources conservation policy giving clear priority to long-term renewable resource uses. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes oil and gas exploration and development within the state’s territorial sea, and requests the state to oppose any federal lease sales within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. The ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of Oregon’s ocean water must be protected. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes exploration and development of marine minerals within the state’s territorial sea. The League supports academic research that would not adversely affect the ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a state policy that calls on the federal government to ban the exploration and development of marine minerals with the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. Should a ban not be effected, the following must be required: An unbiased, credible scientific E.I.S. should be completed prior to any offshore mineral exploration or recovery operation. Offshore mineral activities should be evaluated for degradation of the marine environment, risk to ocean fisheries, and coastal erosion problems. A complete socioeconomic impact statement of offshore developments effect on the states and coastal economy should be made. The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms the public’s right to be completely informed, actively involved and assured the opportunity to participate in decisions about offshore exploration and development, as well as onshore facilities that support offshore development. The League of Women Voters of Oregon endorses adequate industry-financed oil spill contingency funds, compensation funds, and company bonding for marine mineral mining activities to cover claims for damage caused by their operations, onshore support facilities, and transporting vessels. Governments and other claimants should be reimbursed for, but not limited to, the following: Oil spill clean-up costs. Loss of natural resources or loss of use of natural resources. Impairment of earning capacity. Damage to real or personal property and personal injury. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a policy which allows the state to terminate or modify a lease for environmental endangerment or for public safety within the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the creation and operation of marine reserves and protected areas on the Oregon Coast. Siting and management of reserves should reflect a variety of factors, including habitat, species diversity, fisheries and tourism, with sound science being the most critical. The reserves should have identified goals, and continuous funding should come from multiple sources. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports active research into ocean energy technologies. Research should incorporate evaluation of impacts on marine habitats and the coastal economy. Funding should be from multiple sources. Commercial deployment should be allowed only after adequate scientific research is completed and regulations have been adopted. Monitoring should be ongoing with necessary actions and modifications taken to protect the marine environment. Commercial operations should agree to bear the cost of remediating and restoring any environmental damage. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports actions to restore and preserve estuaries to assure they function effectively in the long term. Measures could include additional reserves, streamside protection, planting, removal of invasive species, scientific research, restoration, and response to climate change. Funding should be from multiple sources. Estuary restoration should encourage education and volunteer involvement. The League recognizes that dredging may be necessary to keep deep-water channels open for maritime commerce. Prior to activity, environmental assessments must be completed to ensure protection of habitat. Design and execution should minimize damage to natural habitats. Recognizing that mining affects water quantity, quality, and habitat, mining practices should be strictly regulated to minimize damage and require restoration. In some instances, where preserving water quality and habitat is vital, mining should be banned. Energy Conservation - Adopted May 1973; Educational Update 2003* The members of the League of Women Voters of Oregon support state p olicies which promote long range planning for conservation and wise development of energy sources. The League believes the public should have an opportunity to influence decisions on the development of particular sources and the citing of specific installations. League supports: A governmental agency to evaluate power needs estimates and plan source development. This agency should include representatives of: utility companies, the general public, and all levels of government. Governmental programs to provide public education and information to encourage information participation in all power decisions, both for production and conservation. The League believes that in any decision to build a power plant: The most important consideration is environmental quality; Of lesser importance, but to be taken into account are: size of electric bills and prices of goods, industrial development, cultural standards. The League supports the following conservation measures: Rate structures encouraging the wise use of energy. To this end League favors: a low base rate for essential use, above this, higher rates to discourage waste. Government funding of research and development efforts to discover new technologies: to provide efficient methods for energy production and use with minimal environmental damage, emphasis should be given to renewable resources. Governmental programs to provide public education and information. Building codes which will specify standards of design and insulation that minimize waste of energy used for heating, cooling, and lighting. The League believes that state or region should be allowed higher standards for nu-clear plants than those set by the federal government. *Updated in 2003 for background information only – no position change. Nuclear Energy - Adopted May 1980 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the nuclear power program must be managed to protect current and future generations and to maintain an environment beneficial to life. Technical uncertainties must be publicly recognized and planned for, Responsibility for establishing and maintaining a waste system must not be deferred to future generations, and Effective coordination among all levels of government – federal, state, local – and the private sector is imperative in planning and carrying out programs for transportation, waste storage, and safety, with responsibility and authority clearly designated. Forests - Adopted at Convention, May 2021 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: That all benefits of the forests—ecological, human and economic—are inextricably interconnected. Healthy forests are essential to habitat for a diversity of plant and animal life, to the hydrologic cycle, and to carbon storage to mitigate global warming. In addition, healthy forests are essential to a forest products industry with the jobs and goods they provide, and to the economic and aesthetic values of their recreational opportunities. Therefore, The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports: Laws and policies to ensure that forest management (for timber extraction, recreation or any other activity) is carried out in a manner that will sustain healthy forests, streams and habitats. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the following are essential elements of an adequate forest practices policy: The public must be informed and involved in the decision-making process in the development of regulations. There must be adequate public notice of forest practices permit applications, hearings, meetings and proposed actions. Public review and comment at each phase of policy and regulation development should be required. Citizens and stakeholders must be represented on the decision-making bodies; There must be authority and funding for enforcement of regulations. Existing land use and forest practices regulations must be monitored and enforced, and should be responsive to changing scientific knowledge. There must be coordination of regulations for public and private lands among governmental entities; Riparian zones are an integral part of the forest ecosystem and must be regulated adequately to protect the streams and the wildlife dependent upon the streams; (stet.) Education should be made available to timber owners on scientifically sound forest practices with the establishment of a small landowners’ agency for this purpose; Environmental values of the lands proposed for trade must be considered before the economic values; Trained appraisers, with public oversight, must be used. The right of appeal must be available to the public; Full accounting of all costs, including cumulative ecological impacts, of timber harvests and other forest uses must be considered in forest activity decisions; Forest management must be responsive to scientific research and knowledge and should include: mapping, classification and protection of all streams, more and better data—including total watershed analysis, evaluation of cumulative effects of various activities in the forest in the consideration of individual forest practice permits, and planning for sustainability of forest ecosystems. 9. The State should consider ecological protections the most important factor in deciding which activities to allow on state forest lands; 10. Motorized activities should be restricted and in separate areas from non-motorized activities Forest roads must be built, maintained and decommissioned to have the least impact on the forest ecosystems. Some areas on state lands should be roadless; 11. Educate consumers about the human and ecological values of our forests as well as the opportunities and benefits of more efficient use of forest products, recycling and the use of alternatives to wood; 12. Fund independent scientific research that would include improved forest practices and ecologically sound alternatives to the use of wood; 13. Tax benefits and compensation should be considered to encourage small landowners to manage their forests in an ecologically sustainable manner; 14. Oregon schools must be fully funded with less reliance on timber harvests; and Trust lands should remain in public ownership. Hard Rock Mining - Adoption of this position was ratified by the LWVOR Board May 2022. The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes society's need for key minerals, and also the potential harmful environmental, health, and human impacts that mining for these minerals can produce. Currently there is little hard rock mining in Oregon, and much of Oregon’s topography is not well-suited to mining. However, minerals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and uranium have been mined in the past, and these and new minerals such as lithium may be mined in the future in Ore gon. Hard rock mining in Oregon is governed by a complex and interconnected set of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permitting processes, which include provisions for environmental protection, economic evaluation, and reclamation of mining sites. The League supports an approach to the overall regulation and oversight of hard rock mining that will: Modify leasing and permitting decision criteria to eliminate the dominance of mineral rights over alternate public land uses, environmental protection, and of ecosystem services such as biodiversity and climate regulation. Improve leasing, permitting, and oversight processes to assure ample opportunities for public disclosure and stakeholder comment. Modernize standards for policy review to ensure adequate protection of health, safety, other industries, air, water, habitats, and ecosystem services, and require mining operations on public lands to comply with all environmental regulations. Establish procedures to protect specific areas of critical environmental concern, for example, by allowing states, political subdivisions, or stakeholder groups to petition to exclude mining in special areas, and/or provide for expedited review of areas that may be inappropriate for mining. Further, the League would support reforms to federal mining laws and practices that will: Effectively repeal the directive in the Hard Rock Mining Law of 1872 that hard rock mining take precedence over all other uses of public lands. Strengthen and enforce mining financial responsibility requirements, so that they (a) compensate taxpayers for industry resource extraction on public lands, by establishing a system of permitting, leasing and royalty fees for domestic and foreign mining exploration, extraction, and revenues; and (b)establish funding mechanisms and procedures to reclaim mining sites, restore ecosystems adversely affected by mining operations, remediate environmental degradation, and provide for long-term monitoring. Finally, the League supports changes in Oregon's laws and practices that will: Strengthen existing statutory provisions for mine operators' reclamation bonds or alternative security, particularly as they relate to long-term site care and monitoring needs and ensure that permits issued by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries include the costs of department oversight and review. Enhance opportunities for public input concerning mining on public lands, and adopt policies that support and encourage public participation in actions that may impact the State’s environmental resources and local economies. Promote and incentivize recycling programs that reduce consumption and support reuse and recycling of non-renewable virgin metal minerals, in order to reduce the mining and extraction of these materials and to protect and conserve other environmental and natural resources; adopt legislation that establishes metal recycling patterned after Oregon’s E-Cycles Program. Among the objectives of a metal recycling program would be: (a) developing consumer information and education on the economic and environmental value of reuse and recycling of metals; (b) providing free recycling at widely dispersed collection sites throughout the State; (c) promoting state and regional processing sites for refurbishment, recovery, and reuse of metal materials; and (d) funding DEQ administration and monitoring compliance at collection and processing sites. Hazardous Materials - No national position at this time Land Use - Adopted May 1995; Educational Update 2002* Citizen Participation Citizen participation, education, communication and ongoing reevaluation are essential elements in the comprehensive planning process. Recognizing the need for effective citizen participation, the League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the following factors should be considered in establishing citizen advisory groups in all jurisdictions within the state involved in land use planning: Representation on a broad socioeconomic , geographic and occupational basis. Appointment for a specific project with specified goals and terms, and provision for an adequate orientation to the purposes of the agency. Provision for communication among citizens, citizen advisory groups and planning agencies. The League of Women Vote rs of Oregon supports appointment of Citizen Involvement Committees (CICs), separate from planning commissions, to assist local governing bodies with their citizens’ involvement programs. Regional and Urban Growth The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a system of local government based upon constitutional home rule for metropolitan districts, counties and cities. The League recognizes certain principles of good local government. These are: Democratic representation and control. Basic simplicity with power to plan for future growth or change. Consideration of the interdependence of land use, transportation and environmental quality in all comprehensive plans. The League supports the establishment of a regional government in an area where planning and delivery of services can be more efficiently and economically provided by such a government. Statewide Planning The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) as the statewide planning agency. We also support the 19 statewide land use goals. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports policies that promote both conservation and development of land as a natural resource, in accordance with Oregon’s land use goals. Applying this principle, the League believes: The state should have the prime responsibility for establishing statewide planning goals and for supervising and coordinating comprehensive land use plans, with participation by citizens and by local and regional governments. The state, with citizen participation, should identify, regulate and enforce areas of critical statewide concern. Consideration of accurate information concerning water availability and quality should be a prime factor when making land use decisions. Taxation and assessment policies should support comprehensive land use plans. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports protection of private property rights commensurate with overall consideration of public health and environmental prot ection. *Updated in 2002 for background information only – no position change. Parks - Adopted January 1999 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that a parks system is an appropriate function of state government and should provide the following services: Acquire, protect and preserve natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and wildlife sites and other resources; Provide camping and a variety of other recreational opportunities, consistent with the natural environment; Offer interpretive and educational information and programs regarding the history, culture, and natural resources of the state and the features of specific parklands; Protect public ownership of beaches; Secure affordable and safe access to parks and ocean beaches. PROGRAM. The LWVOR believes that to be effective the Oregon parks system must have: Competent personnel in sufficient numbers; Clear assignment of responsibility; Adequate, stable funding; Coordination with different agencies and levels of government; Well-defined channels for citizen input and review; Consideration of local concerns when consistent with statewide public interest; Reasonable protection from crime and vandalism; Cooperation and coordination with the private sector when in the public interest; and Long-range planning. FUNDING . The LWVOR supports a balance and varied mixture of revenues for Oregon’s parks with the General Fund providing basic support for departmental operations. While the LWVOR believes user fees are sometimes appropriate, the League opposes them for non-intensive, brief visits. The sale of annual use permits is encouraged. Other appropriate revenue sources include but are not limited to recreational vehicle and automobile registration fees, lottery funds, and certain specific charges, such and bottle taxes. The Oregon parks system should actively seek donations of land, funds, facilities and services. SERVICE PROVISIONS . The LWVOR advocates the efficient provision of services in state parks under state supervision and control. In general, the League is opposed to the private management of parks but supports well-supervised contracts for services with a reasonable return for the Oregon parks system. Use of correction-system and volunteer labor is supported if it is well supervised. PLANNING. The LWVOR believes that the Oregon parks system requires a long-range strategic plan that includes periodic evaluation and is adequately funded. Such a plan should give high priority to: Preservation and maintenance of existing parks; Protection and expansion of public access to ocean beaches; Acquisition of additional park resources; Provision of campground facilities and day-use areas; and Protection of scenic waterways. Pesticides and Other Biocides - Study Completed 2021 - Position Adopted 2023 The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms that pesticides and other biocides should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems, and their use should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health, and that agriculture policies should promote farm practices that are environmentally sound and sustainable. LWVOR Supports: • Initial pesticide and biocide testing for registration has proven insufficient for preventing harm. We recommend increased testing by governmental agencies and third parties. We must identify and weigh benefits that balance safety versus toxicity, protecting food security while safeguarding public health and the environment. • Decisions for testing should be based upon a timeframe between 5 to10 years, or as new scientific data dictates. Varying weather conditions can greatly influence pesticide drift, impacting nearby bodies of water, schools, and communities including agricultural workers. The registrant of the Pesticide or Biocide currently bears the burden of proof for safety however the current regimen of tests is insufficient. • When approving the use of a Pesticide or Biocide we must consider: Risk to humans, animals, the environment, economic harm, cost to business, impact on food security, and the spread of invasive species and disease. • Pesticide labels should be improved to include: Regulations restricting use, hazards of use, best practices of use to minimize harm. Labels should be clearly written and easy to see and understand in multiple languages and use graphics to clarify explanations. • Federal and state agencies bear the responsibility for pesticide policy, based on research by pesticide manufacturers. These government agencies should also contribute to pesticide research with support from other groups. • We support using adaptive pesticide management, focusing on continual observation of current regulatory practice outcomes. As scientific advances reveal environmental and health impacts, as well as impacts on food security, the system should include the ability to rapidly react to new risk assessment data. 2019: The League supported SB 853 and HB 3058, which related to pesticides, including prohibiting chlorpyrifos and requiring licensing for neonicotinoids. They did not pass. Seismic Risks - Adopted March 1995 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that 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. The League supports: Educating the public about the grave significance of Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami threat and encouraging preparedness. Improving the safety of transportation systems and establishing alternate routes around bridges and overpasses which are likely to be unsafe after an earthquake or tsunami. Establishing tsunami warning signals and evacuation routes. Evaluating dams that threaten population centers and taking remedial actions, such as reinforcing dams, and developing maps and downstream notification procedures. LWVOR supports as essential elements of an effective earthquake and tsunami program: Comprehensive education efforts: All school children should be taught to understand Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards and how to respond to various situations and conditions that may arise. Schools’ earthquake and tsunami plans, education and drills should be monitored and analyzed for adequacy. Improved preparedness: Federal, state, and local chain of command should be established and fully coordinated. The emergency communication system should be enhanced and regularly tested. Emergency Services should be accessible and housed in safe buildings. Citizens should be encouraged to develop emergency plans, including supply kits. When citing critical facilities, tsunami run up and inundation as well as seismic factors such as severe ground shaking, liquefaction, massive landslide potential, and subsidence should be considered. Geological reports identifying property at risk should be on file and accessible to the public. Property that poses extreme hazards should be designated as unbuildable. Solid Waste - No national position at this time. Water Policy – Quality and Quantity - Adopted April 2011; Replaced positions on Water Policy and Planning (adopted January 1977; revised March 1985) and Water Quality (adopted January 1969) The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that 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 Oregon state policies and statutes that promote comprehensive long-range planning for conservation and management of ground and surface water and the improvement of water quality. Regulating agencies that govern the protection and conservation of water should be transparent and provide the public easy access to information. The League supports management approaches that maximize interagency communication to include but are not limited to: Uniform definitions of “beneficial uses” and other terminology for both quality and quantity management, Coordination of activities including water allocation, measurement, monitoring/ testing, enforcement of water law and the promotion of water conservation, Well-defined statutory enforcement procedures and the funding to protect water resources held in common, and Recognition of the variability of local/basin/watershed quality and quantity needs. The League recognizes the application of historic prior appropriations of water but supports modifications in order to accomplish the following: Consider both in-stream and out-of-stream beneficial uses of water, Facilitate changes from one beneficial use of water to another, Provide incentives for water user conservation, Incorporate evolving scientific understanding of natural water systems in waste management, Develop priority uses for water in times of shortage, and Expand protection of in-stream beneficial uses such as minimum perennial stream flow. The League believes that the interdependence of land use planning and water planning must be recognized and required at all levels of government: Local comprehensive plans, watershed plans, basin plans, state and regional plans should be coordinated and complementary. Roles and responsibilities of all decision makers and agencies affecting water resource and quality issues should be clearly defined. The League believes that all planning for ground and surface water should include consideration for both the quality of the water and the availability of water to meet the beneficial uses. Planning at all levels should consider existing water rights and current and projected uses. The League acknowledges that this may be best accomplished at the watershed/basin level if adequate funding and professional staffing are available. Basin/ watershed water management should be efficient and economical, responsive to public need, flexible to allow for changes over time, and lead to conservation and allocation of the resource in the public interest. Transfers of water between basins should require coordination with planning and water use in both basins. The League recognizes that effective planning for water protection and use is most effective with a complete inventory of the water resource including all domestic wells and encourages moving toward this goal. Priority efforts should be directed to geographic areas with identified problems and vulnerabilities. The League opposes degradation of all of Oregon’s surface and ground water. The League supports policies and legislation that integrate water quality into resource management and include but are not limited to standards for: Potable water and drinking water treatment facilities, Placement and inspection of septic tanks and alternative individual treatment systems, In-stream surface water quality for recreational use, including primary contact sports, commercial and sport fishing, and habitat protection, Ground water quality for recognized beneficial uses, Agricultural, municipal, forestry and industrial wastewater discharge and runoff, Uniform water quality testing protocols– updated as scientific methodologies improve, Permitting and enforcement procedures with agency funding adequate to ensure timely compliance, Adequate, well maintained sewers and sewage treatment facilities and Control and treatment of runoff from non-pervious surfaces. The League recognizes that conservation strategies for surface and ground water, including but not limited to incentives, regulations and rationing in emergency situations, are needed to meet future demand. Individuals, agriculture, municipalities, forestry and industry should be encouraged to develop practices to reduce water usage and minimize pollution. Support should be provided for upgrading and maintaining the equipment necessary for water conservation. The League supports the need to build resiliency and innovation into water planning in order to address climate change impacts. Public involvement should be encouraged throughout the water management and planning processes. The processes should be transparent and include educational components. The League acknowledges that all water users must share in the cost of water management. Rate payers should have primary responsibility for infrastructure maintenance, delivery and conservation. The state should have primary responsibility for planning, research, data collection and public outreach. Permit fees should be a significant contributor to the development of infrastructure. Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force Adopted 1979 In order to meet the present and future water needs within the Columbia River Basin, the League of Women Voters believes comprehensive planning on a basin-wide basis for conservation, development, and management of the water is essential to the optimum utilization of our water resources. Machinery is needed which will: Provide coordinated planning and administration among federal, state, and other agencies; Establish a process for resolving conflicts among uses; Establish procedures which provide information and an opportunity for citizen participation in policy decisions affecting the directions which water resources development will take. The federal government has a necessary role in financing water resources development, but state and local governments and private users should share such costs, as far as possible, based on benefits received and the ability to pay. The League of Women Voters believes that wise planning for the use of water in the Columbia River Basin requires an inventory of the water resource within the Basin. This inventory should include all water-related information including: ground and surface water sources, viable water rights, current use, and projected future needs. The inventory should be readily available to concerned agencies and the general public. The League also believes that minimum stream flows should be established as a public right and maintained on all streams in the Columbia River Basin. Social Policy Adult Corrections Adopted August 1983 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that a full range of correctional programs should exist for adult offenders. The League strongly favors increased use of alternatives to incarceration where possible. The League supports alternatives at all stages of the criminal justice process, including but not limited to: pre-trial diversions, employment and educational programs, restitution, treatment centers for mental illness and substance abuse. The League strongly supports community-based programs such as those offered through the Community Corrections Act, especially those which allow inmates to be partially or wholly self-supporting. If more facilities are needed, the League favors: Minimum security regional treatment and/or program focused facilities. Adequate staffing and program must be part of any facility within the corrections system. Prison programs should provide each inmate with: educational and vocational training, opportunities for meaningful work, and adequate medical and mental health care. Maximum security prisons are needed for violent criminals judged dangerous to society. The League believes that comprehensive transitional programs are essential for successful completion of rehabilitation for each inmate released or paroled from a correctional facility. The League supports the adoption of sentencing guidelines that set parameters for judges throughout the state in order to reduce disparity in sentencing. Judges should be responsible for determining the length of sentences. The League supports continuation of the Parole Board. Child Care: Adopted March 1989; Updated Position 2025 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that child care is a social and economic issue that reaches beyond the family into the community. Quality child care needs to be available, accessible and affordable to all families for children of all ages and with differing needs. The League of Women Voters supports a diverse child care system to accommodate different parental choices and needs. Such a system may include day care centers, group homes, and family day care homes. The State of Oregon should establish appropriate standards to ensure that high quality care exists in all settings. For centers and group homes: these standards should address facilities, staff qualifications, and number of children served. Program, parent/care giver communication, administration and transportation should be included for centers and may also be considered for group homes. There should be flexible guidelines for family day care homes because of the unique character of these facilities. The State of Oregon should enforce mandatory regulations by funding a sufficient number of inspectors. The State of Oregon should set requirements for adequate training for care givers and ensure those training opportunities are available. This could include state provision of training and/or state incentives for others to provide training. City and county governments should participate in enforcing health and fire standards. Affordable child care should be available and accessible for children with differing needs and in various age groups. While parents have the primary responsibility for choosing child care, a coordinated effort between parents and government, together with providers, employers, and private groups is necessary to deliver quality child care at an affordable price. The State of Oregon should: Provide financial assistance for child care expenses to low- and middle-income families based on need. Such assistance could include tax credits for parents with a ceiling based on income. Support resource and referral programs. Encourage employer involvement in the child care system. Encourage development of school-age child care programs. Parents in job training, in school, with special-needs children and/or needing respite care services should be eligible for financial assistance for child care based on demonstrated need. Child caregivers should be awarded recognition commensurate with their responsibilities. The State of Oregon should take a leadership role in elevating the professional status of child caregivers and ensuring adequate compensation. National Position (adopted in 1988): “Support programs, services, and policies at all levels of government to expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it, in order to increase access to employment and to prevent and reduce poverty.” Updated Position Adopted February 2025 Administration and Organization: Oregon should have a coordinating organization to provide overall planning for care and enrichment for children and youth from birth through high school during non-school time. Oregon must periodically conduct an in-depth cost/benefit analysis of K-12 childcare programs that includes economic benefits to the economy vs. cost to taxpayers for the public and for the Legislature. Oregon should provide subsidized and stable funding for afterschool and summer programs that include education, enrichment, and experiential learning. Oregon should provide startup funds for childcare, after school, and summer programs. Reimbursements should be timely, consistent, and clearly defined. Evaluation results of programs (not individual children) should be made public. Licensing: Oregon should provide licensing and oversight for care programs involving children and youth 0-18 yrs. Oregon should provide a clear, comprehensive licensing process. Facility requirements should be clearly defined to help providers understand and meet regulations. Coaching and technical assistance regarding licensing should be made available to providers. The licensing of providers should be handled by one state agency. Curriculum: There should be oversight to ensure age-appropriate curricular goals are met. Equity, respect, and the needs of diverse cultures should be incorporated into curriculum planning to benefit all children. Older youth should be involved in curricular planning to help them develop independence and responsibility. Care programs should have curricular input from parents and guardians. When the latest research on curriculum and procedures is available, it should be disseminated to providers. Staffing: The certification of provider staff should be in one state agency. Background checks should be conducted by one state agency with an emphasis on efficient and prompt responses. Provider staff should be compensated for the training time required. The training required for provider staff should be free or subsidized. Training for provider staff should be offered at a variety of times at accessible locations or online and be available in a variety of languages. The State of Oregon should provide forgivable education loans for people who work in childcare, afterschool, and summer care in underserved or high poverty areas. Children at Risk - Adopted January 1995 ; Updated Position 2015 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports comprehensive statewide, locally-based programs and services for teen pregnancy prevention and for teenage parents. Such programs and services should include elements of the following: family planning services, school-based health centers, parenting skills’ education, cooperation/coordination among agencies providing services, evaluation and accountability measurements, easy and appropriate access to information and services, mentoring and counseling for teenagers and their parents, including peer counseling, community involvement and support groups, abuse prevention, male responsibility in teen pregnancy prevention, broad public education, and 12. substance abuse prevention. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the state should have the primary responsibility for funding programs addressing teenage pregnancy prevention and teen parenting. Elements to be included, but not limited to, are: equitable funding of programs for young women and young men, adequate funding for state agencies with responsibilities to children, cooperative efforts with the private sector, funds earmarked for community programs, urban and rural, which provide after school and weekend activities for teens, and shared funding responsibility, when appropriate, among state, local and private sources. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports development of required curriculum for all school districts relative to teen pregnancy and parenting, accompanied by implementation requirements, which covers, but is not limited to, the following areas: comprehensive, age-appropriate family life sexuality education K-12, parenting skills education, specialized education programs for pregnant teens and teenage parents, and teacher training at the baccalaureate level and as continuing education. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports programs directed to assist pregnant teens and teen parents. These programs include the following: job training and adequate wages, involvement and financial support requirements for fathers, counseling to break the cycles of abuse, poverty, and teen pregnancy, health care, including prenatal care, accessible, affordable housing, child care, transportation access, completion of secondary education, and self-esteem enhancement, career opportunities, and transition to self-sufficiency. Updated Position 2015 In the Spring of 2015, League members throughout Oregon studied early childhood education, discussed consensus questions posed by the LWVOR study committee, and submitted their views to the state League. Those views were combined to formulate the following position, which can now be used for advocacy by local Leagues as well as the LWVOR Action Team. LWVOR Children at Risk Position Statement: The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the early years of a child’s life are crucial in building the foundation for educational attainment and greatly impact success or failure in later life. Early intervention and prevention measures are effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies, programs, and funding at all levels of the community and government that promote the well-being, encourage the full development, and ensure the safety of all children. These include: Nutrition and food access for vulnerable children and families Access to affordable, safe, and stable housing Early screening (physical, dental, mental, and behavioral) for all children; early prenatal care and ongoing health care for children (physical, mental, dental) Access to affordable, quality child care (see LWVOR Child Care position) Access to early literacy and pre-school programs, including but not limited to Early Head Start and Head Start Programs for mental health and addictions treatment for parents Family support, including but not limited to home visiting, parenting classes, and family relief nurseries Comprehensive services for children with developmental and cognitive disabilities Use of evidence-based practices in child welfare and foster care Programs to reduce poverty by providing parents with assistance in job training and education Policies and legislation to reduce racial or ethnic minority status inequities The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that governments, at all levels, have a responsibility to oversee and coordinate a comprehensive network of services to maximize children’s readiness to be successful in school while optimizing available resources. National Position, adopted 1994: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that early intervention and prevention measures are effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies and programs at all levels of the community and government that promote the wellbeing, encourage the full development and ensure the safety of all children. These include: child abuse/neglect prevention; teen pregnancy prevention; quality health care, including nutrition and prenatal care; early childhood education; developmental services, emphasizing children ages 0-3; family support services; violence prevention. Public Postsecondary Education - Adopted January 1985, updated June 2018 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the primary goal of Oregon’s public postsecondary education should be to provide a broad spectrum of higher education for professional, vocational, and personal enrichment. Individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to have rewarding careers, earn higher wages, and make positive contributions to their community. Through sustaining equitable access and a seamless path from preK to postsecondary education, more Oregon students will prosper. Postsecondary Education System Oregon needs a strong, high-quality system of higher education: Oregon’s postsecondary institutions have distinct missions and goals and should be evaluated based upon how each institution’s goals are met. The State General Fund should give high priority to financial aid for students and general operating funds. Capital construction should come from other sources, including bonding, rather than the General Fund. In order to attract and retain quality faculty, salaries and research opportunities should be appropriately competitive. It is imperative in our institutions that we have good fiscal management and accountability for the funding provided. For the most effective use of state educational resources, state public institutions should cooperate and coordinate programs resulting in: Consistent statewide standards, and Easy transfer of credit between schools. If state funding necessitates limiting access, such limitation should consider equity as well as academic achievement and financial need. Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) HECC should place priority on: Providing one strategic vision for higher education in Oregon; Developing biennial budget recommendations for public postsecondary education in Oregon and making funding allocations to Oregon’s public community colleges and public universities; and Developing standards for programs such as dual credit, transfer, and credit for prior learning. HECC’s role should be to facilitate system high priorities while allowing as much autonomy as possible within each institution. Community Colleges The primary role of community colleges should be in the areas of: Workforce and vocational-technical training; Developmental education (e.g. high school equivalency, English language learning); Lower division college courses that prepare students for an associate’s degree or transfer to university; and Hobby and recreation courses have a secondary role and must be self-supporting, as defined by statute. If state funding necessitates limiting access, such limitation should consider equity as well as financial need. Independent Governing Boards Cooperation and coordination should be emphasized by all Oregon public postsecondary education institutions and governing boards. The performance of independent boards at each institution should be monitored to ensure that they are responsive to the institution’s needs and the needs of the state as a whole. Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) For the most effective use of state educational resources, OSSHE institutions should cooperate and coordinate programs resulting in: Consistent statewide standards. Easy transfer of credit between schools. If state funding for OSSHE institutions necessitates limiting access, such limitation should be: Academic, e.g. entrance requirements. Financial limitation is the least desirable. Oregon needs a strong, high-quality system of higher education. State funding must reflect this need, and high priority should be given to providing sufficient funds to improve the general excellence of the state system. In order to attract and retain quality faculty, salaries and research opportunities should be appropriately competitive. Adequate funding should also be provided to ensure complete, up-to-date libraries and to maintain or upgrade the physical plants at all of our colleges and universities. It is imperative that in our institutions we have good fiscal management accountability for the funding provided. League members feel that the roles and interrelationships of the present regional colleges, specialized institutions, and research universities are properly balanced. Oregon State University and the University of Oregon should remain comprehensive research universities. Portland State University should be allowed to expand gradually. Community Colleges The primary role of community colleges should be in the areas of: Vocational-technical training; Developmental education (e.g. high school equivalency, English as a second language); Lower division college courses. Community adult education (hobby and recreation courses) should have a secondary role and must be self-supporting as defined by statute. Community colleges should maintain an open door policy. If funding necessitates limiting access: Such limitation should be geographic, i.e. higher tuition for out-of-district students; Academic or financial limitations are the least desirable. State funding for community colleges should be according to the formulas set by the 1961 legislation. Local control must be maintained because it affords the community colleges the necessary flexibility to respond to local needs. Boards and Commissions Cooperation and coordination should be emphasized by all Oregon public postsecondary education institutions and governing boards. The current boards dealing with education, the Board of Education, and the Board of Higher Education need no structural change. The League does not favor the creation of a new education governing body Editor’s note: for K-12 education, see Fiscal Policy Position, School District Financing. Farmworker Issues - Adopted January 2001 T he League of Women Voters of Oregon believes all citizens benefit from the agricultural bounty produced by Oregon’s farmers and farmworkers, and that the state has a role in supporting the sound and fair relationship between farmers and the agricultural workforce, with the goal of economic and social justice for both parties. LWVOR believes the state must work for the humane and respectful treatment of workers as well as the viability of Oregon farms. Currently laws that regulate the working environment for agricultural workers are different from laws regulating the working conditions in other industries. The LWVOR believes the differences between agriculture and other industries justify some variance; but where farm work is similar to other labor, regulatory differences should be narrowed. All farmworkers should be fairly compensated, earning at least minimum wage. With the possible exception of piece-rate work, some farm labor should be eligible for overtime pay. Unemployment insurance should cover permanent, year-round farmworkers. Hourly-paid farmworkers should receive paid rest breaks; all farmworkers should be provided adequate time away from work for meals. The state should continue to improve the safety of agricultural workplaces for farmworkers. Rules for child labor and for the use of farm and forestry labor contractors should maintain high standards of worker protections. State laws and programs, including non-governmental efforts, should address farmworkers’ needs for a broad range of services, such as child care, safe and decent housing, sanitary working and living conditions, and access to education and health care. Education programs that are bilingual and culturally appropriate should be offered to assure that workers understand safe work practices, workplace rules, and grievance procedures. LWVOR supports the right of Oregon farmworkers to collectively bargain. Farmworkers should have the right to hold union elections. Employer retaliation for collective activity should be prohibited. Legislation establishing fair rules for unionization by farmworkers should be developed through a dialogue between workers and employers. Monitoring of union elections and contracts by either a private commission or a state entity should be fair and under terms agreeable to both workers and employers. Mediation programs should be encouraged. LWVOR believes consistent and adequate enforcement of state regulations is a key to better conditions for farmworkers. Currently, we find enforcement to be inadequate and inconsistent. LWVOR supports increasing enforcement staff, increasing fines and penalties for serious violations, and collection of civil penalties for infractions of laws. LWVOR supports programs to help farmers understand and comply with worker protection rules. LWVOR believes that safe, decent, and affordable housing should be available to all farmworkers. Oregon currently has an acute shortage of such housing for its agricultural workforce. LWVOR supports increased state funding for farmworker housing, including support, with other funds, for planning, development costs, rural infrastructure, startup costs, operating subsidies, emergency housing, and training and assistance for sponsoring organizations. The state has an important role in ensuring the safety of farmworker housing provided on farms. Such housing that has not been registered with the state should be located and brought into compliance with state standards. Public funding should emphasize best practices, such as community-based housing, and should encourage new models that are decent and safe housing alternatives for seasonal and for permanent, year round workers; these two groups may require different types of housing. Gun Safety - National Position Statement of Position on Gun Control, as Adopted by 1990 Convention and amended by the 1994 and 1998 Conventions: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. The League supports licensing procedures for gun ownership by private citizens to include a waiting period for background checks, personal identity verification, gun safety education and annual license renewal. The license fee should be adequate to bear the cost of education and verification. The League supports a ban on “Saturday night specials,” enforcement of strict penalties for the improper possession of and crimes committed with handguns and assault weapons, and allocation of resources to better regulate and monitor gun dealers. Health Policy Adult Mental Health in Oregon - Adopted January 1987; Educational Update 2001*; language update 2008** The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a comprehensive and integrated adult mental health services delivery system in Oregon which: Includes both community and state programs and facilities; Provides for coordination of local and state mental health planning based on regular needs assessments; Provides funding by a coordinated mix of federal, state, local, and private sector dollars; and Includes state budget allocations that reflect service priorities jointly determined by Community Mental Health Programs and the state Addictions and Mental Health Division. The League supports the concept of care, treatment, and support in the least restrictive environment possible which: Ensures continuity of care and humaneness; and Balances the rights and safety of individuals with mental disorders, other interested parties, and society in general. The League believes that the mental health delivery system should include: Adults with: Mental and emotional illness; and Alcohol and drug addiction. Services that focus on recovery of the individual through use of evidence-based crisis intervention and ongoing support. These services could include alternatives to hospitalization, early intervention, residential services, supportive housing, and services delivered by peers in sufficient mix and quantity to afford an acceptable quality of life for consumers and their families. Mental health service providers, administrators, advocates, consumers, their families, and lay citizens as participants in: Service delivery planning; The evaluation of services; and The provision of community education. 4. The League supports an adult mental health civil commitment process which: Ensures statewide consistency in the application of commitment statutes; Provides for adequate and equitable investigation and examination; and Protects the rights and needs of all interested parties. *Updated 2001 for background information only—no position change. **Updated 2008 for language changes only in the position statement—no position change. Mental Health Services for Children and Youth - Adopted January 1975 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a coordinated plan for comprehensive mental health services for all levels of need to children and youth provided under the direction of a single state service agency responsible for basic state standards. We support the appropriation of consistent and sufficient funds to implement state-mandated programs. A well-coordinated comprehensive mental health service delivery plan should cover such concerns as: Community level services that are accessible, visible, and available to all income levels through a graduated fee schedule; Community level programs that provide early diagnostic and referral services, 24-hour emergency care, treatment services and facilities, aftercare, and follow-up care; The development of preventive programs; Coordination of all levels of government and all public and private agencies working with children; Standards of training for all personnel appropriate to job placement; Consistent state funds supplemented by all available resources, public and private; Utilization of all local resources; Basic state standards which encourage quality treatment and care while permitting alternative programs. The League of Women Voters further supports consistent and sufficient state funds for special education programs in the public school, including: Programs based upon the child’s individual needs; Special training for teachers working with disturbed children. Physical Health Care National Position: Promote a health care system for the United States that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs. Homeless Youth - Adopted 2007 Parents are legally responsible for their children. When parents are unable to fulfill that responsibility, the League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that communities and governments at all levels have a responsibility to provide programs and services to meet the needs of runaway and homeless youth. In order to help families stay together, prevent youth homelessness, and reduce the need for more expensive future services, the LWVOR supports providing services such as family crisis counseling, child care, parenting education, mental health and addiction treatment, low-cost housing, and health care. When youth are separated from their families, the LWVOR supports providing services to these youth, such as shelter, food, education, health care, mental health and addiction treatment, plus outreach to encourage youth to use services. Older youth need additional services, such as assistance with independent living skills and with finding employment and more permanent housing. These services may be provided by government or by private organizations that receive government and/or private funding. Coordination of these services is necessary to avoid duplication and service gaps. Youth should be served regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. All levels of government should have funding responsibility for preventive and supportive services to families and homeless youth. Private organizations are encouraged to provide funding and services. Government funds should be adequate and allocated according to demonstrated need. Agencies must show that their programs are effective. Housing National Position Criteria for Housing Supply: The following considerations can be applied to programs and policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family: The responsibility for achieving national housing goals rests primarily with the federal government, which should: Assure that our economic system is functioning to produce and maintain sufficient decent housing for citizens at all income levels; Compensate for any failure or inadequacy of the system by building, financing, renting and selling homes to those citizens whose housing needs are not being met; Give a variety of incentives to local jurisdictions to encourage them to provide within their boundaries an adequate supply of decent housing for low- and moderate-income groups; Withhold federal funds from communities that fail to encourage such housing. State and local governments should assist by establishing effective agencies to aid, promote, coordinate and supplement the housing programs of the federal government and the private sector. Government at all levels must make available sufficient funds for housing-assistance programs. When families or individuals cannot afford decent housing, government should provide assistance in the form of income and/or subsidized housing. Government programs providing subsidies to the building, financing and insuring industries for housing for lower-income families should be evaluated in terms of units produced rather than in terms of benefits accruing to these industries. Government at all levels should develop policies that will assure sufficient land at reasonable cost on which to develop housing and that will assure fulfillment of other goals such as access to employment, preservation of open space, environmental cleanliness and beauty, and other aspects of a suitable living environment. Regional and metropolitan planning should be promoted to prevent haphazard urban growth, and housing for low- and moderate-income families should be provided as apart of all planned neighborhoods or communities. Lower-income families should not be segregated in large developments or neighborhoods. As their economic status improves, lower-income families should be enabled to continue to live in the same units as private tenants or as homeowners, if they are so inclined. Housing should be designed to meet human needs and should be built with amenities that will encourage economic integration within apartment buildings as well as neighborhoods. Publicly assisted housing should be included in viable, balanced communities, with provision for quality public services and facilities, including schools, transportation, recreation, etc., that will encourage integration and stability. Zoning practices and procedures that will counteract racial and economic isolation should be promoted. State and local governments should adopt and enforce: Uniform building codes with standards based on performance; Housing codes to protect the health and safety of all citizens. State and local tax structures should be examined and revised to: Benefit communities that build housing for lower-income families; Encourage private owners to improve their homes; Reduce speculative land costs. Government, industry and labor should encourage innovative building techniques to reduce the cost of housing production. Rights of tenants to negotiate for proper maintenance, management of facilities and services should be protected. Housing programs should be administered by individuals trained for the jobs and sympathetic with the needs of their clientele. Citizen groups should participate in the development of publicly assisted housing programs by: Evaluating performance; Activating nonprofit sponsorships; Supporting legislation; Developing public awareness of housing discrimination and need. Juvenile Justice - Adopted March 1981; Educational Update 2000* The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes in coordinated planning and implementation of juvenile services. Prevention of juvenile crimes should be a priority in our society. Prevention programs should: Be available from early childhood to adulthood; Involve family, peers, schools, and the community; Make available early diagnosis and treatment for physical, mental, and educational problems; Make available opportunities for all youth to learn responsibility and positive self-images in their own communities; and Make available opportunities for learning parenting skills. Services for juvenile offenders should: Be responsive to the needs of the youth and his or her family; Make diversion programs available prior to entry as well as during involvement in the juvenile justice system; Emphasize community planned and operated programs, including youth restitution programs; Deal with youth offenders in the least restrictive environment; Provide treatment-oriented secure custody; Include appropriate evaluation, treatment, and placement for those already in the system. The League opposes holding juveniles in adult jails. If appropriate alternatives are not available, care must be taken to assure that juveniles are out of sight and sound of incarcerated adults. Status offenders should be diverted from the juvenile justice system whenever possible. The League opposes holding status offenders in jail under any conditions. Social services outside the juvenile justice system should be developed to meet their needs. The juvenile court may be needed to provide help and protection for some youth. Basic standards for juvenile services should rest with the state. Minimal federal standards are acceptable. Local governments should have flexibility for implementing programs consistent with these standards. Funding for Juvenile services should be consistent and dependable from all sources: Local, state, federal, and private; Include parental ability to pay; Any level of government mandating services should provide substantial funding for those services. There should be a uniform statewide data system that provides meaningful and retrievable information while complying with right-to-privacy laws. *Updated for background information only – no position change. Women’s Issues LWVOR uses several LWVUS positions relating to women in supporting and opposing specific legislative proposals, statewide initiatives and community activities. The positions include: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. The League supports “equal rights for all regardless of sex.” The League further believes that governments at all levels share the responsibility to provide equality of opportunity for education, employment and housing for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. The League supports programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families, including quality of health care, income assistance, housing and public transportation access.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Sine Die - Week of 8/11 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 Other Governance Bills 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. (HB 4024 required extensive changes to ORESTAR.) 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 all together. The bill and its amendment were 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 by rule by the Secretary of State or during next year’s short legislative session. Cybersecurity, National Guard, ethics, privacy and safety, partner agency budget By Becky Gladstone 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. The bill remained in committee at the end of the session. Republicans block attempt to prevent federal overreach with Oregon’s National Guard , Oregon Live, June 30, 2025. HB 3569 , a bill that would 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 was signed by the Governor; however she also issued a signing letter that addressed some of the issues of concern to the League. League testimony with our concerns and opposition to the bill. HB 2581 ( emergency services) : The League spoke and filed testimony in support of a statute change, substituting the word “seismic” with “hazards”, to coordinate coverage efforts through the State Resiliency Officer. The bill has been signed by the Governor. 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 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 SB 580 Enrolled , signed into law (with an effective date of 9/26/2025), provides more timely transparency to voters showing online declarations of candidacy – or withdrawals – of candidates. (Concessions were made for the differences between various counties, big and small, rural and urban; and it exempted precinct committeepersons.) League’s testimony in support. HB 5017 Enrolled , signed into law (with an effective date of 7/1/2025). appropriates monies from the General Fund to the State Library for biennial management expenses (budget increases primarily inflationary only); analysis provided by Legislative Fiscal Office. League’s testimony in support. HB 3687 Enrolled , signed into law, establishes that 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 possible, not including any ballot measure on taxes, fees, or fines. Communities will more easily be able to adopt new election systems with the majority vote. HB 3908 enrolled , signed into law, increases the percentage of state voters from 5 to 10 percent required for a party to obtain major political party status. Filed at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO); other minor parties wrote in support. The League did not testify on this measure. Failed Bills The following bills have failed via one process or another. Generally listed as “in committee upon adjournment,” indicating the matter is dead for the session. SB 210 may have been an effort to repeal vote-by-mail (VBM), although sponsors explained it as a ballot measure to have voters “reaffirm” their wishes. It included other requirements for voters as well, such as a valid government ID. Testimony (heated at times) received an extraordinary amount of testimony. League’s testimony in opposition. HB 3390 A . Bill would have allowed a joint legislative committee to create ballot title and explanatory statements for constitutional amendments during the 2025 session. League’s testimony opposing bill. SB 44 was election related. The amended bill, SB 44-4 would have changed statutes to establish rules for vote recounts, tallying or write-in votes when using Ranked Choice Voting, currently used in four Oregon jurisdictions. Another amendment changed language of voter registration “cards” to “applications.” League’s Testimony in support of SB 44-4. SB 1054 , would have required “ each county clerk in this state to provide a live video feed to be made available to the public through the Internet of rooms in which ballots are tallied and official ballot drop sites. ” League’s testimony was a comment, neutral to the bill, describing our interest in transparency but concern for costs, especially in smaller or rural counties. HB 3166-2 promoted an open-primaries system. While the LWVOR strongly supported its original form and had been active in working on that language (somewhat based on the Alaska model), the amended bill contained points we have historically opposed (specifically a top-two election system). Despite our strong support for a “unified” primary, due to the changes in the bill, the League’s testimony submitted a neutral comment. Artificial Intelligence By Lindsey Washburn HB 3936 Enrolled : Prohibits any hardware, software or service that uses artificial intelligence from being installed or downloaded onto or used or accessed by state information technology assets if the artificial intelligence is developed or owned by a covered vendor. Will go into effect as law on January 1, 2026.The League filed testimony opposing the bill. HB 3592 A : Establishes the Oregon Commission on Artificial Intelligence to serve as a central resource to monitor the use of artificial intelligence technologies and systems in this state and report on long-term policy implications. Was not passed and ended in Ways and Means upon adjournment. The League filed testimony in support of the bill. HB 2299 Enrolled : Modifies the crime of unlawful dissemination of an intimate image to include the disclosure of digitally created, manipulated or altered images. Will go into effect as law on January 1, 2026. HB 3228 A : Directs the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council to conduct assessments to address the reasons why public bodies in this state are unable to meet cybersecurity insurance coverage requirements. Was not passed and ended in Ways and Means upon adjournment. The League filed testimony in support of the bill. Other Governance Bills By Chris Cobey and Peggy Lynch HB 2341 Enrolled (cybersecurity): Adds a uniformed service member's or veteran's e-mail address to the information that the Director of Human Services, Early Learning System Director, Director of Transportation and Director of the Oregon Health Authority are required to provide to the Director of Veterans' Affairs. League testimony supporting. Failed bills HB 2250 (prison gerrymandering): Would have directed the Department of Corrections to determine the last-known address of adults in custody, if the address is readily known or available to an adult in custody, and submit information to the Portland State University Population Research Center. League testimony supporting. HB 2710 (cybersecurity): Related to participant eligibility in the Address Confidentiality Program. League testimony supporting. HB 2727 (ethics): Would have expanded restrictions on post-legislative service activities to prohibit receiving money or other consideration for advocacy on behalf of a public or private entity for changes in policy or funding for public or private sector programs or entities. League testimony supporting. HB 2692 was a bill that would create complicated and cumbersome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. League testimony in opposition. The bill did not pass. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.