[5]
Legislative Update
By Oregonians for Food and Shelter [6],
The Legislature kicked off the year this week with its final quarterly “Legislative Days” meetings prior to next month’s session. In hearing rooms, committees mostly drilled down into potential bills for introduction next month. Bill drafts must be submitted for publication as of today. Each legislator can draft two bills and committees get from 3-5 for introduction, but these bills won’t be given bill numbers or formally published until later this month. Still, we have an early preview of some of the major issues from an environmental/natural resources standpoint.
The Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee, led by Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland) is introducing Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Act or “Polluter Pays”, which could have serious ramifications for energy purchasers throughout the state. The committee will also once again take up wildfire liability, and allowing non-veterinarians to check cattle for pregnancy. The Senate Energy & Environment Committee heard updates including feedback from DEQ on the new recycling law, and its own green energy proposals – from solar panels in apartments to clean energy financing mechanisms.
In the other chamber, the House Climate, Energy & Environment Committee has approved introduction of an energy siting bill and requirements for solar installation as well as introducing a potential exception to Oregon’s new recycling law for certain food products (which our members produce). Finally, the House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee will also consider a few issues of interest, including tax treatment for forestlands damaged by insects or disease and changes to water management in the Columbia basin. We’re also hearing plenty about increasing hotel taxes to pay for conservation efforts, a proposal that died last session and will be back in 2026.
Until bill publication prior to the Feb 2nd start of session, we won’t have a full picture of our agenda and the bills OFS may support or oppose. We know that Legislators will have their hands full continuing to discuss transportation funding following the Governor’s request to scrap her own package from last year in lieu of referring tax increases to voters. Legislative leadership will continue to grapple with the potential for budget cuts this year and next, which will be informed by the next state economic report early next month. As always, OFS will rely on our members for feedback on these issues and more once the session begins.