OFB Review of the 2021 Virtual Oregon Legislative Session
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OFB Review of the 2021 Virtual
Oregon Legislative Session
T
he 2021 Oregon relegated to their comput- workable regulations to
Foundation Legislative Session
was a session like
ers and phones. Despite
these difficulties, our
allow rebuilding after wild-
fire loss and allow farmers
for no other. With progres- members showed up virtu- to better utilize ag build-
Education
sive supermajorities in ally, contacted their leg- ings, and improving our
both chambers and the islators, and engaged in state’s water data and
Capitol closed to the pub- their communities to stop water planning.
lic due to the Governor’s harmful proposals, seek Despite the struggle busi-
COVID-19 executive critical funding, and advo- nesses have faced this
orders, this session pre- cate for changes to state year, the legislative ses-
sented unique challenges policy. We are grateful and sion ended with record
for agriculture. How- proud that our members state revenues and an
ever, after six months of participated in the virtual influx of federal dollars
engagement by your OFB session so effectively. into the state’s coffers.
team, Farm Bureau mem- Thanks to member With this budget growth,
bers, and our partners, engagement, OFB was OFB secured invest-
we are proud to report able to defeat propos- ments in Oregon’s natu-
that Oregon farmers and als around agricultural ral resources, increasing
ranchers fared well in overtime, water measure- funding for key water
the 2021 virtual legisla- ment and reporting, bans infrastructure, water mas-
tive session. We secured on predator management ters, predator control,
major legislative victories tools, bans on dairies and wolf compensation, water
and improved funding for mink farms, harmful tax quality, funding for OSU
critical natural resource proposals, and private Statewides, and a natural
programs. rights of action for enforc- disaster relief fund.
With the backdrop of the ing state law. Finally, the once-a-
COVID-19 pandemic, the OFB also negotiated decade redistricting pro-
historic 2020 wildfires, the positive changes to doz- cess that was set to occur
February ice storms, the ens of bills to lessen or this session was delayed
statewide drought, and remove impacts to agri- as a result of the U.S.
recent heat losses, this culture, including pro- Census Bureau being
last year has been incred- posals to create new unable to deliver the nec-
ibly difficult for Oregon’s wildfire-related land use essary data prior to the
agricultural community. regulations, expedite the end of the 2021 legisla-
These challenges were siting of broadband, and tive session. The Oregon
compounded by the con- make changes to agency Legislature will be back in
sideration of policies with authority. September for a special
a deep impact on agricul- Farm Bureau also had session focused on redis-
ture in a session where a significant proactive tricting, and we will keep
the public was unable agenda, passing bills to you posted as that pro-
to engage directly in the allow croplands to join cess shapes up!
legislative process, with rangeland protection With your lobbyists and
farmers and ranchers associations, creating the public shut out of the
OregonFB.org
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OFB 2021 L E GIS L ATIV E RE V IE W
Foundation
for
Education
OFB’s Legislative Champions
Capitol, OFB relied on common-sense legislation.
our legislative champions As always, long-time OFB
more than ever. Thank- champion Senator Betsy
fully, we have some great Johnson (D-Scappoose)
advocates for agriculture was a stalwart advocate for
in Salem. These indi- natural resources, helping
viduals worked with their stop a myriad of bad natu-
colleagues to help us ral resource bills, support-
negotiate bills and ensure ing critical natural resource
that agriculture was pro- budget priorities, and being
tected this session. a strong voice for Oregon’s
OFB was very blessed to farmers, ranchers, forest-
have significant support ers, and small business
from the state’s farmer owners in all discussions OFB was very blessed to have significant support from the state’s farmer
legislators, all of whom in Salem. Senator Johnson legislators, all of whom are also Farm Bureau members. From left are Rep.
are also Farm Bureau is a true supporter of our Jami Cate, Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, Rep. Mark Owens, Rep. Bobby Levy,
members. We thank Rep. industry, and we are thank- and Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis. Not shown is Senator Chuck Thomsen.
Shelly Boshart Davis ful to have her in Salem.
working with her Demo- their work to help address
(R-Albany) for her leader- OFB also appreciates crat colleagues to help policies that were concern-
ship on labor, transpor- the strong leadership and ensure agriculture’s needs ing to OFB, and their advo-
tation, and redistricting support of Senate Minor- were considered on key cacy with their colleagues.
issues; Rep. Mark Owens ity Leader Senator Fred proposals. Finally, while we did not
(R-Burns) for his leader- Girod (R-Stayton), who
ship on water and fire; OFB also thanks Rep. always agree on policy,
always takes the time to
Rep. Vikki Breese Iver- David Brock Smith we thank Rep. Ken Helm
meet with OFB staff, help
son (R-Prineville) for her (R-Port Orford), Rep. (D-Hillsboro) and Rep.
address our concerns and
leadership on water and Daniel Bonham (R-The Pam Marsh (D-Ashland)
support our priorities, and
predator issues; Rep. Dalles), Senator Bill for always taking the time
use his strong relationships
Jami Cate (R-Lebanon) Hansell (R-Athena), and to meet with us, under-
to support agriculture.
for her leadership on agri- Senator Lynn Findley stand our concerns, and
culture and crop produc- Despite being one of the (R-Ontario) for their strong work with us on key policy
tion issues; Rep. Bobby busiest legislators in the support and tireless work proposals. While we may
Levy (R-Hermiston) for building, House Minor- to help stop bad propos- not have always agreed,
her leadership on reve- ity Leader Rep. Christine als, move forward good we appreciate their com-
nue and predator issues; Drazan (R-Canby) always bills, and fight for farm- mitment to listening with an
and Sen. Chuck Thom- prioritized OFB’s concerns, ers and ranchers in their open mind, running a fair
sen (R-Hood River) for his big and small, and man- districts this legislative process, and considering
leadership on labor and aged an incredibly effective session. new ideas.
business issues. Without strategy that helped secure
We want to thank Rep. We also appreciate our
these farmer legislators in big legislative victories for
Brian Clem (D-Salem), voting and supporting
the building to share first- her caucus this session.
Rep. Janeen Sollman Farm Bureau members
hand the impacts of pro- Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro), Rep. Anna for their support and belief
posed policy, OFB would (D-Forest Grove) contin- Williams (D-Hood River), in the value of our organi-
not have been nearly as ued her track record of and Senator Lee Beyer zation. This year showed
successful at stopping being a strong advocate (D-Springfield) for their us more than ever the frag-
bad bills, securing bud- on agricultural bills, helping support of the farmers and ile nature of our agricul-
get support, and passing OFB on critical issues and ranchers in their districts, tural economy. Thank you
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for farming through the including removing the to the following sched- also invested significantly
pandemic, natural disas- definition of “wildland ule: 55 hours in 2022, in water resources, with a
ters, and political unrest urban interface” (WUI) 48 hours in 2023, and massive “water package”
to ensure that our nation from the bill, creating an 40 hours in 2024. This funded by the state in the
has a reliable food, foli- appeals process for land- three-year phase in mir- final days of the legislative
age, and fiber supply. OFB owners, and ensuring that rors the negotiated over- session.
is honored to represent defensible space stan- time bill that passed in In the Water Committee,
your interests with elected dards could not impact Washington State earlier Chair Ken Helm (D-Bea-
officials and government local land use decisions, this year. Additionally, a verton) and Vice-Chair
agencies in both Salem OFB ultimately supported last-minute amendment Mark Owens (R-Burns)
and Washington, D.C. the bill. to HB 2358 was added worked closely together,
However, there is signifi- to provide a $100 million and most bills moved out
Big Issues cant work to be done dur- employer transition fund
to assist employers during
of the committee with
ing rulemaking to ensure bipartisan support. Most
of 2021 that farmers, ranchers, the three years the new of the legislative session
and rural landowners are mandate is phased in. was devoted to a work-
Wildfire HB 2358 died in the Joint
protected from possible group on HB 3166, the
After the devastating impacts of the bill. OFB Committee on Ways & bill regarding water use
Labor Day fires, wildfire will be actively engaged in Means at the adjournment measurement and report-
policy was a major topic each rulemaking under the of session. ing, with environmental
of the legislative session. bill to ensure that agricul- While we were ultimately groups pushing to enact
OFB tracked over 40 wild- tural crops are protected successful in our advo- a statewide measurement
fire-related bills through- and the WUI is narrowly cacy on HB 2358, we and reporting system and
out the session and spent defined in rule. know this conversation is water user groups pushing
hundreds of hours on SB not over. Employer and to better understand the
762, the omnibus wildfire Agricultural farmworker representa- state’s data needs and put
mitigation and suppres- Overtime tives will likely continue sideboards on the collec-
sion bill. SB 762 includes OFB battled two bills this meeting over the interim tion and use of water data.
provisions for utility man- session that would dras- and another proposal for OFB invested hundreds
agement, the creation of tically alter agricultural consideration in 2022 or of hours in the workgroup
a statewide fire risk map, employment in Oregon 2023. OFB will continue and small workgroup
defensible space stan- by requiring agricultural to push back against any conversations, ultimately
dards for high-risk prop- employers to pay their proposal that will result in proposing an approach to
erties, clean air shelters employees overtime: HB job loss or reduced wages water measurement and
during wildfire smoke, 2358 and SB 616. HB for agricultural workers. reporting that contained
shared stewardship agree- 2358 quickly became the In the interim, we hope to strong sideboards and
ments, appropriations for primary bill, subject to conduct a study to ensure ensured the data would
firefighting resources, and several amendments and that stakeholders are be properly used by the
much more. intense hearings where armed with best available state. The environmental
OFB had significant con- Farm Bureau mem- information on the eco- community rejected our
cerns with provisions in bers showed up in force. nomic consequences of proposal, and the work-
the bill that would have Despite our opposition, different overtime policies. group was unable to reach
severely limited landowner HB 2358 was amended a consensus, resulting
engagement in the pro- and moved to Ways & Water in HB 3166 dying for the
cess and language that Means in the last weeks With an entire committee session. However, OFB
would have caused major of session with a pro- devoted to water issues in supported HB 2018, which
unintended consequences posal to phase in overtime the House, OFB engaged we believe provides an
for landowners. After sig- pay for Oregon’s agri- on more water bills than alternative framework for
nificant amendments, cultural sector according ever before. The state investing in water data for
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planning purposes. We investor-owned electric-
ity providers to reduce
Bills That require reinvestment in the
company or the employ-
anticipate that the com-
mittee and the agency will greenhouse emissions Passed ment of a certain ratio of
continue to have signifi- by sourcing 100% clean employees; raises $30
Labor
cant conversations in the energy for their custom- million-$40 million in new
ers. Public utilities and HB 3398 (Delayed revenue. OFB opposed;
interim about how the
consumer-owned utilities Implementation of Paid bill passed.
state should go about
are exempt. After over Family Leave): Delays
collecting the data they SB 727 (SALT Fix):
50 amendments, legisla- implementation of Ore-
need for planning and Allows a workaround for
tors adopted emissions gon’s Paid Family Leave
decision-making. LLCs and pass-through
reductions targets of 80% Insurance law — the pay-
In addition, the commit- entities to pay an upfront
by 2030, 90% by 2035, roll tax is delayed until
tee worked on bills that entity-level tax to the state
and 100% by 2040. OFB January 2023 and benefits
made a minor change that would trigger the abil-
opposed this legislation payout is delayed until
to Oregon’s automatic ity for pass through enti-
and remains concerned September 2023. OFB
stay provision for water ties to claim the entirety of
about grid reliability neutral; bill passed.
appeals, allowed for cer- their state and local taxes
and the anticipated rate SB 483 (Workplace on federal tax returns.
tain transfers of stored impacts that will be borne Retaliation): Creates a OFB neutral; bill passed.
water, and changed well by electric customers. rebuttable presumption
construction standards. SB 164 (Changes to
The Department of Envi- that retaliation or discrimi- CAT): Makes minor
Our state also passed ronmental Quality (DEQ) nation occurred if within
a comprehensive water adjustments to Oregon’s
also saw a significant 60 days of an employee
package this session, with budget increase of $2 mil- or prospective employee new Corporate Activity
millions directed toward Tax: (1) changing the stat-
lion to fund the agency’s engaging in protected
water infrastructure invest- ongoing climate work. The activities, the employer ute to allow for fiscal year
ments in communities and agency had been work- CAT tax filings, and (2)
fires the employee, bars
irrigation districts and dam ing nonstop throughout exempting from taxation
the prospective employee
repair projects; millions the compensation of any
the legislative session to from employment, or
invested in the Oregon consignee engaged in the
craft rules for a new Cap- otherwise discriminates sale of groceries on behalf
Water Resources Depart- and-Reduce regulatory against that person. OFB
ment (OWRD) grant of the owner of the grocer-
program, as directed by opposed; bill passed.
and loan program; and ies to the extent that the
Governor Brown’s execu- compensation is related
resources directed to sev- tive order 20-04. OFB has Tax
eral key OWRD functions. weighed in throughout to groceries. OFB neutral;
HB 3389 (Unemploy-
Additionally, the Legis- bill passed.
the rulemaking process to ment Tax Fix): Allows
lature passed a water raise concerns about the employers to defer pay- Water
rights fee increase despite cost of natural gas and ment without penalties HB 2018 (Water Data
record revenue in the other fuels for consum- or interest until June 30, and Planning): Directs
state’s coffers. ers, as well as the impact 2022, of up to one-third Oregon Water Resources
Climate Change of the proposed program of unemployment insur- Department (OWRD) to
on farm and ranch fami- ance tax owed in 2021 if invest in groundwater
This session, legisla-
tors set their sights on lies. We are disappointed their tax rate increased by data, water budgets, and
to see such a substan- at least 0.5 percentage recharge information to
the highly controversial
tial investment in a pro- points between 2020 and facilitate planning. OFB
HB 2021, following Gov-
ernor Brown’s Cap-and- gram that failed to garner 2021. OFB neutral; bill supported; bill passed.
legislative support and passed.
Reduce executive order. HB 2145 (Well Con-
HB 2021 targets emis- will ultimately raise costs SB 139 (Small Business struction Update):
sions generated by elec- for Oregon families and Tax Rates): Restructures Updates well construction
tric utilities and requires businesses. small business tax rates to standards and contains
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Farm Bureau members met at the OFB headquarters in Salem to testify remotely against the ag overtime bill. All session long, members did an
excellent job of navigating virtual committee hearings to make sure the perspective of agriculture was heard by lawmakers.
new requirements for program; OFB neutral on SB 33 (Food Safety Wildfire
OWRD to evaluate wells. negotiated increase. OFB Fee Increase): Increased
SB 762 (Omnibus Wild-
OFB neutral; bill passed. neutral; bill passed. food safety fees 15%
fire Bill): Directs numer-
HB 2244 (Stays of (down from proposed 30%
ous state agencies to
Wildlife/Predator increase). OFB opposed;
create rules address-
Water Rights Enforce-
Management: bill passed. ing impacts from wildfire
ment): Requires notice
be served on OWRD prior HB 2068 (Landowner smoke, wildfire mitigation,
Environment
to invoking automatic Preference Tag Pro- suppression, and emer-
HB 2021 (100% Clean gency preparedness. OFB
stay provision in water gram): Extends sunset on
Energy): Aims to phase supported after extensive
rights enforcement. OFB landowner preference tag
out natural gas as an elec- amendments; bill passed.
opposed; bill passed. program. OFB supported;
tric-generating resource
HB 3103 (Transfer of bill passed. SB 590 (Croplands in
in Oregon by 2040 and
Stored Water): Authorizes RPAs): Allows lands used
make Oregon’s electricity
Crop Production for crop cultivation to join
OWRD to process trans- grid reliant on hydro, solar,
fers of type of water use HB 2031 (Federal Rangeland Protection
and wind power. OFB
for storage water rights Certification Update): Associations, appropri-
opposed; bill passed.
and creates workgroup to Aligns state pesticide law ates resources. OFB sup-
SB 582 (Recycling ported; bill passed.
determine requirements with federal certification Overhaul): Creates pro-
for other storage transfers. updates. OFB supported; ducer responsibility model HB 2289 (Rebuild Bill):
OFB opposed; bill passed. bill passed. Establishes an alternative
for recycling in Oregon,
process for alteration, res-
HB 2142 (Water Rights HB 3000 (Comprehen- requiring producers to
toration, or replacement
Fees): Increases water sive Hemp Regulations): pay for and participate in of certain uses affected by
rights transaction fees. Comprehensive update of third-party organizations 2020 wildfires. OFB sup-
OFB opposed; bill passed. state hemp regulations, to fund the collection and
ported; bill passed.
including changes to the recycling of waste. Paper
Livestock and plastic products used HB 2809 (Temporary
Oregon Department of
HB 2785 (Meat Inspec- on farm were exempted Shelter): Allows tempo-
Agriculture (ODA) license
tion Program): Created with the exception of rary siting for up to 24
process and enforcement
grant program for creation those sold at retail. OFB months of recreational
resources for Southern vehicles on properties with
and upgrading of meat opposed; bill passed.
Oregon. OFB supported; dwellings that wildfires
processing facilities in the SCR 17 (Environmen-
bill passed. have made uninhabitable.
state. OFB supported; bill tal Justice Goals): Cre-
passed. HB 2284 (Hemp Com- OFB supported;
ates environmental justice
mission): Created Oregon goals for the State of bill passed.
SB 32 (Brand Inspec-
Hemp Commission. OFB Oregon. OFB opposed; HB 3219 (Manufactured
tion Fee): Increased
supported; bill passed. bill passed. Dwellings): Requires
fees in brand inspection
5OFB 2021 L E GIS L ATIV E RE V IE W
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local governments to
approve the reconstruction
family or household, and
do not pose a greater
Bills That of the Department of
Consumer & Business
of manufactured dwelling hazard to persons or Failed Services or designated
parks that were destroyed property. OFB supported; representative of direc-
by the 2020 wildfires. OFB bill passed. Labor tor from assessing civil
supported; bill passed. HB 2160 (Pendleton HB 2358 (Ag Overtime): penalty against employer
SB 405 (Non-Conform- Expansion): Authorizes Requires overtime pay for for serious violation caus-
ing Uses): Tolls time city the Land Conservation & Oregon’s agricultural sec- ing injury or harm to
or county may consider Development Commis- tor according to the follow- employee that is result of
nonconforming use if sion to approve plans for ing schedule: 55 hours in certain employee conduct.
interrupted or abandoned urban growth boundary 2022, 48 hours in 2023, OFB supported; bill died.
during wildfire or pan- expansion to accommo- and 40 hours in 2024.
demic emergency. OFB date affordable housing
Tax
OFB opposed; bill died.
supported; bill passed. in Pendleton. OFB sup- HB 2972 (Land Value
HB 2205 (Private Attor-
SB 863 (Evacuation ported; bill passed. Taxation): Directs Leg-
ney General Act): Creates
Routes): Allows a fire pro- SB 16 (Eastern Ore- islative Revenue Officer
mechanism to allow third-
tection district to acquire gon Border Economic to study land value taxa-
party lawsuits in the name
real property or an ease- Development Region): tion and submit report to
of the State for the viola-
ment, by purchase or Allows counties to par- interim legislative com-
tion of any statute, includ-
other voluntary agree- tition and rezone up to mittees related to reve-
ing civil penalties. OFB
ment, for the purpose of 200 acres of lands within nue. Defines “land value
opposed; bill died.
establishing a fire evacu- Eastern Oregon Border taxation” to mean property
HB 2813 (Wildfire tax system that imposes
ation route. OFB neutral; Economic Development Smoke Exposure): higher uniform rate of tax
bill passed. Region from exclusive Requires employees to on land assessments than
Land Use/Private farm use to residential have respirators on site on improvement assess-
Property uses. OFB neutral; bill when the local air qual-
passed. ments. OFB opposed;
HB 2611 (Barn Bill): ity index is above 151 due bill died.
Allows agricultural build- HB 2654 (Rural Broad- to wildfire smoke. When
band): Expedites the HB 3317 (Property Tax):
ings to not lose building the AQI exceeds 500,
process for siting broad- Exempts from ad valorem
code exemption if used to employees are required to
band in existing utility property taxation only
store non-farm items, so wear respirators to protect
long as items are inciden- easements. OFB heavily machinery and equip-
them from adverse health
tal and accessory, per- negotiated this bill to add ment used to compress
impacts due to smoke
sonal to farm owner and landowner protections. and bale harvested straw,
inhalation. OFB opposed;
farm owner’s immediate OFB neutral; bill passed. hay, grass, or other plants.
bill died.
OFB opposed; bill died.
HB 3025, SB 488, SB
HB 2096 (Ag Housing
802 (COVID-19 Pre-
Tax Credit): Increases
sumption): Creates an
maximum agriculture
automatic presumption
workforce housing tax
of COVID-19 exposure in
credits issued by Hous-
the workplace for workers’
ing & Community Services
compensation for “essen-
Department to $16.75 mil-
tial workers,” including
lion per biennium. OFB
agriculture and food pro-
supported; bill died.
cessing workers. OFB
opposed; bill died. HB 3208 (CAT Resale
Certificate): Allows farm-
The 2021 Virtual Oregon Legislative Session posed many challenges, but SB 528 (Employee
OFB still secured major legislative victories and improved funding for ers who sell commodities
Fault): Prohibits director
critical natural resource programs.
6O F B 2 0 2 1 L E G I S L AT I V E RE V IE W
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to processors to qualify for SB 583, HB 2924 (Dairy Crop Production equipment, heavy duty
the resale certificate that Farming Ban): Bans HB 2229 (Seed Pre- trucks, and dyed diesel.
is currently available for “large” dairies in Oregon. emption): Undermines OFB opposed; bill died.
those who sell commodi- OFB opposed; bill died. Oregon’s seed preemp- HB 2814 (Indirect
ties to brokers or whole- SB 387 (Stockwater tion law by exempting Source Regulatory Pro-
salers. OFB supported; Josephine County. OFB gram): Creates new air
Exemption): Removes
bill died. opposed; bill died. quality regulatory program
exemption for stockwater
HB 2839, SB 137 (Dis- wells in Oregon water law. HB 3249 (Chlorpyrifos to regulate diesel emis-
connect from Federal OFB opposed; bill died. Research): Makes invest- sions in places where
CARES Act Tax Ben- ments to find alternatives vehicles congregate. OFB
efits): Disconnects from Wildlife/Predator
to chlorpyrifos through two opposed; bill died.
Federal CARES Act HB 3167 (Predator Con- appropriations: $850,000 SB 286 (Environmental
tax incentives aimed at trol Districts): Removes to Oregon Department of Justice): Reconstitutes
increasing liquidity and sunset on 2015 predator Agriculture’s Minor Crops Environmental Justice
cash flow to businesses control district program Advisory Committee to Task Force; creates
facing a very uncertain that allowed landowners fund research to identify new tools to aid state in
economy. OFB opposed; to assess themselves to alternatives to chlorpyrifos evaluating environmental
bill died. fund wildlife services. OFB for Oregon’s minor crops justice. OFB involved in
supported; bill died. and $400,000 to OSU’s negotiations on bill;
Water
HB 2723, SB 869 (Regu- IR-4 program to support bill died.
HB 3166 (Measurement research trials on alterna-
lation of Take of Preda- Forestry
and Reporting): Cre- tives to chlorpyrifos. OFB
tory Animals): Allows
ates new requirements supported, bill died. HB 2389 (Harvest Tax):
Oregon Department of
for measurement and Removes sunset on For-
Fish & Wildlife to set lim- HB 2192 (Interagency
reporting of water use in est Products Harvest Tax
its, times, and require- Pesticide Review):
Oregon. OFB opposed as and pegs tax to annual
ments for removal of Establishes Interagency
amended; bill died. inflationary adjustment.
predatory animals. OFB Science Review Panel
HB 2594 (Forestry OFB opposed; bill died.
opposed; bill died. on Pesticides within the
Water Quality): Creates Oregon Health Author- HB 2598 and HB
HB 2844 (Take of Bea-
new requirements for for- ity to determine safety of 2379 (Severance Tax):
vers on Private Land):
ested watersheds that pesticides. OFB opposed; Imposes severance tax
Sets new licensing
provide drinking water. bill died. on harvested timber. OFB
requirements for taking
OFB opposed; bill died. opposed; bills died.
beaver on private land. HB 2281, HB 2674, and
HB 3091 (Transfers of OFB opposed; bill died. HB 3013 (Hemp Bills): HB 2357 and SB 828
Stored Water): Expedited A number of bills that (OFRI): Reconstituted
to Oregon Supreme Court HB 2843 (Take of Bea-
made key changes to the timber commodity com-
any case determining vers on Public Land):
Oregon Hemp Program mission. OFB opposed;
whether Water Resources Prohibits take of bea-
were folded into HB 3000. bills died.
Department had author- ver on federal lands or in
OFB supported; bills were HB 2070 (Harvest Tax):
ity to transfer stored water. waters running through amended in HB 3000. Department of Forestry bill
OFB supported; bill died. federal lands. OFB
opposed; bill died. to reauthorize harvest tax.
Environment
OFB neutral; bill died.
Livestock HB 2728 (Coyote Hunt- HB 2674 (Diesel Study
SB 832 (Mink Farming ing Contests): Prohibits and Diesel Taxes): Wildfire
Ban): Bans mink farms coyote hunting contests, Amendments to this bill HB 3160 (Wildfire Insur-
in Oregon 180 days after except under limited would have imposed new ance Tax): Tax on insur-
passage. OFB opposed; circumstances. OFB taxes on sale of tires, ance policies to fund
bill died. opposed; bill died. sale or lease of off-road work of the State Fire
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Marshal and create the
Oregon Wildfire Prepared-
HB 2488 (Climate
Change Goal): Requires
Budget n $400,000 in additional
funding for wolf compen-
ness Fund. Subsequently
amended to only require
changes to land use plan-
ning Goal 1 to address
Highlights sation program.
A significant part of the Investment in key Oregon
a general fund appropria- participation by disadvan- Department of Agricul-
Legislature’s role is to pass
tion to pay for fund. OFB taged groups and climate ture programs, including
a balanced budget that
opposed, bill died. justice. OFB opposed; noxious weeds, water
funds Oregon’s state agen-
SB 605 (Forced Annex- bill died. quality, Worker Protec-
cies and programs. This
ation): Requires lands HB 2520 (Renewable tion Standard, Japanese
onerous task is done every
Beetle eradication,
within seven road miles of Energy Siting): Requires long session, and OFB
hemp program, and
fire station to be annexed Land Conservation & engages heavily in this several others.
into fire protection district. Development Commis- process to keep programs
n Investment in a $530 mil-
OFB opposed, bill died. sion to adopt rules no that Oregon’s farmers and
later than July 1, 2022, by ranchers rely on funded lion water package that
HB 2722 (Omnibus includes infrastructure
Wildfire Bill): Similar to which county may justify and operational.
investment, resources
SB 762 but would have exception to statewide Like everything else in into the grants and loans
directed the Oregon land use planning goals this virtual session, the program, water qual-
Department of Forestry for development of renew- budget process was truly ity investment, addi-
(ODF) to develop WUI able energy facilities. OFB unique. As the agency’s tional funding for water
and use existing Chapter neutral; bill died. proposed budgets were masters, local basin
477 program to establish HB 3072 (UGB Expan- developed, agencies investment, and water
defensible space require- sion): Allows local gov- and the State believed data investment. OFB
that we would be looking will be very involved in
ments for limited amount ernment to expand its
implementation of the
of land with express pro- urban growth boundary to at a scenario where the
State’s planned expendi- water package to ensure
tections for agricultural include land designated investments go to sup-
commodities. OFB sup- as urban reserve that sup- tures exceeded revenue, port agriculture and rural
ported; bill died. ports workforce housing if resulting in cuts to agency communities.
certain conditions are met. programs. However, the
HB 3308 (Omnibus n $150 million for natural
OFB opposed; bill died. revenue forecast in early
Wildfire Bill): Requires May showed the State with disaster assistance that
ODF to develop and SB 559 (Goat Yoga): $1.1 billion more than pre- OFB will be targeting
maintain comprehensive Allows counties to viously expected. When for drought and other
statewide map of wildfire approve livestock and natural disaster relief for
combined with influx of
risk and Oregon State Fire livestock-affiliated exer- farmers this year.
$2.6 billion in federal dol-
Marshall to establish mini- cise, therapy, and coun- lars associated with the n The creation of a
mum defensible space seling on lands zoned for COVID-19 relief pack- habitat division within
standards. OFB took no exclusive farm use. OFB ages, the State ended up Oregon Department
position; bill died. opposed; bill died. passing one of the largest of Fish & Wildlife that
will c onsolidate sev-
Land Use/Private Good Governance
budgets in recent mem-
eral p rograms into
Property ory, with significant new
HB 2334 (Small Busi- the agency. OFB will
spending across all natu-
HB 2524 (Childcare on be closely monitoring
ness Impacts): Strength- ral resource programs,
Farmland): Allows child- implementation.
ens small business but particularly focused on
care facilities to be sited impacts analysis and miti- water. The most relevant n A 5.5% increase in OSU
on EFU-zoned land if co- gation requirements that Statewides Programs,
packages for farmers and
sited within an existing agencies are required to which falls short of the
ranchers are below:
school. OFB opposed; 7.42% needed to main-
conduct for agency rules. n $400,000 in additional
bill died. tain service level. We will
OFB supported; bill died. funding for predator con- prioritize full funding in
trol programs. the 2022 short session.
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