[5]
By Oregonians for Food and Shelter [6],
The pace has slowed down in the State Capitol after last week’s major committee deadline. Despite a record number of bills introduced this session, lawmakers found time to draft and introduce one more – ironically a proposal to limit bills in future sessions [7] (HB 2006 [8]).
Despite the slower pace this week, OFS still had work to do; the Senate Education heard HB 2684 [9], a proposal that would require school districts to update their list of pesticides legally allowed on school grounds every five years. While OFS has no position on school districts’ decisions over managing their pest management plans, we are concerned [10] that schools lack the funding or expertise to interpret the statute and develop product lists. Several legislative shared this concern and noted our letter on the record.
Finally, please join our partners and members in the forestry sector and oppose the proposed new timber tax in HB 3489 [11]. Next Thursday, the House Committee on Revenue will hear HB 3489, which proposes taxes up to 800% on timber and defunds the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. Visit Oregon Forests Forever [12] for more info and to take action.