Here is a recap of current legislative affairs in the state of Oregon from the LWV Oregon:
CLIMATE CHANGE
| Carbon Cap and Invest: The 2020 session ended three days early due to an impasse over the Republican walk-out. Republican legislators refused to return to work in Salem unless work was restricted to their preferred bills. Jordan Cove Energy Project (JCEP): The highest profile issue at this time continues to be how the members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will vote on the two major federal authorizations JCEP needs to move forward with their proposed project. Our Children’s Trust: LWVUS jointly with LWVOR is submitting on March 12 a new amicus brief to support Our Children’s Trust’s (OCT) planned appeal to the full 9th Circuit Court. Climate Emergency: The city of Portland has a published Draft of their ClimateEmergency Declaration. The deadline for input to Portland’s declaration is March 16. Four or five other Oregon jurisdictions have declared a climate crisis. Read the full Climate Change report. |
EDUCATION
| Education Committee and Bills: In an abbreviated session, with an abrupt end, leaving without finishing the people’s business…only one minor education bill passed both chambers. Read the full Education report. |
GOVERNANCE
| Campaign Finance: As we track the status of bills that were of interest to League positions, we observe that this is really a list of bills that did not pass because of the walkout of Republican legislators, no matter how important. Public Records: Bill would make the Public Records Advocate independent. Redistricting: Redistricting initiatives certified ballot titles appealed to Oregon Supreme Court. Immigration: The League provided testimony on February 5 for HB 4121. This bill did not move from its policy committee, so it died in committee. Resilience and Open Government: The ShakeAlerts system that we have covered had funding approved in the Way & Means Committee. However, it was still in consideration with many other bills lacking final chamber deliberations. No other resilience bills were funded and all are moot at this point. Access: A look at the Oregon legislature and the 40/40 session. Read the full Governance report. |
NATURAL RESOURCES
| Budgets: Many policy bills had budget requests. None passed due to the walkout. The five final budget bills also did not pass. League members will begin meeting with others in preparation for the 2021-23 biennium while hoping an agreement can be reached to consider those policy bills as well as the budget bills during a special session. Air Quality: HB 4024, 4066, 4068, and SB 5702 did not pass, but the Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) works year-round on behalf of Oregonians and League volunteers follow that work. With the Governor’s Executive Order 20-04, we will need volunteers to follow every agency. Forestry: The session essentially closed March 5th due to the Republican walkout with only three minor bills passed. None of the dozen wildfire and forestry bills were among them. League attended forestry meetings, including information on the Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan. Coastal Issues: Meetings abound as work continues on coastal issues. The public is welcome to attend. Energy: The Governor’s Executive Order 20-04 includes directions to the Public Utility Commission to work with utilities to move toward GHG reduction goals while considering the impact to vulnerable communities. They also need to evaluate the electric companies’ risk-based wildfire protection plans. The Dept. of Energy is to address energy efficiency standards. The Northwest Energy Coalition recognizes the League. Land Use: League continues to be engaged in rulemaking on “middle housing”. The Dept. of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) Building Codes Division (BCD) and the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) will be engaged in the Governor’s Executive Order 20-04. Water: A segment of the Nehalem River is now officially a State Scenic Waterway. Drought has been declared for Klamath County as precipitation has been below-normal across the state. Work on a 100-year Water Vision for Oregon will continue. Toxics/Pesticides: Although HB 4109, banning chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxic pesticide, was another bill left on the table by the walkout, the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture will continue its Work Group with a meeting scheduled March 30. Transportation: Comment on the STIP! Also, the Governor’s Executive Order 20-04 is directed to conduct a statewide transportation electrification infrastructure needs analysis and evaluate GHG emissions related to transportation projects. Read the full Natural Resources report. |
REVENUE AND TAX REFORM
| Opportunity Zones and more: While the 2020 session has ended, our work on revenue and tax issues continues year-round. Read the full Revenue report. |
SOCIAL POLICY
| Human Services: Capital Construction and Full Ways and Means heard final bills requesting Funds, but many bills were waiting for Senate or House floor votes. Healthcare: The walkout doomed the two dozen health care bills we were monitoring. SB 1535 B passed the House Rules Committee with a 4 yes to 3 absent vote. Housing: The Legislative session ended with a number of lost opportunities intended to address Oregon’s housing crisis. Read the full Social Policy report. |