As you can see from the descriptions of a number of the above bills, the big concern now is that bills that are in Ways and Means or Rules don’t get “stuck” there and left to die.  A number of good environmental bills are in this category.  In addition to SB 737, SB 235, SB 576 and HB 2876, which are all priority bills listed above, the following environmental bills are in Ways and Means and deserve a hearing:

HB 2210, HB 2211 and 2212, which are the Biofuels bill, and the Business and Residential energy tax credit bills, respectively, have been languishing in Senate Revenue for two months.

SB 683 reduces the size of reporting units for the Pesticide Use Reporting System from basins to watersheds. This codifies the agreement that was reached by all stakeholders last session, and was requested by major drinking water providers in the state. The bill also makes government pesticide use transparent by eliminating their confidentiality as presently contained in the law.  It is in Ways and Means awaiting referral to a sub-committee.

HB 3543 codifies greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. HB 3543 also creates the Oregon Global Warming Commission which coordinates local and state efforts to halt growth of greenhouse gas emissions and it will fund the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.  It is in Ways and Means awaiting referral to a sub-committee.

HB 2566 reduces the existing exemption from the requirement to seek a permit to withdraw groundwater for certain uses of up to 15,000 gallons per day down to 7,500 gallons per day.   The bill also gives the Water Resources Department authority to regulate groundwater users in certain areas, and requires a groundwater use fee from users who seek an exempt use.  An exempt use task force was also created. It is in Ways and Means awaiting referral to a sub-committee.

SB 30, which once again protects the Metolius Basin from the proposed development of a destination resort, is still awaiting a hearing in the House Elections, Ethics and Rules committee.

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