Preventing Global Warming

A hearing was held on Monday for HB 3543 in the Natural Resources subcommittee of Ways and Means. HB 3543 codifies greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and creates the Oregon Global Warming Commission which coordinates local and state efforts to halt growth of greenhouse gas emissions.  It will also fund the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute and this is an area where some legislators have concerns.  We are hoping a work session is scheduled soon for this important bill.

Improving Oregon’s Air Quality

A public hearing in Senate Finance and Revenue was held on Monday for HB 2172, which promotes cleaner diesel and directs the Environmental Quality Commission to establish goals to reduce diesel emissions.

Protecting Oregon’s Water Resources

HB 2566 continues the current exemption from permit for domestic wells, but reduces the amount of groundwater assumed to be used to 5,000 gallons per day--still well under the real usage for a single family and watering a half acre of land.  It does set a $250 fee for new exempt wells which will provide additional funding for groundwater studies which will help local governments when deciding future land use actions.  This fee could provide up to $1 million for these studies which will benefit current and future groundwater users.  There are -8 amendments that are being considered that are a mixed bag, but overall, although this is a much watered down bill from the original, it is still supported by OCN groups. It is still in Ways and Means awaiting referral to a sub-committee.

Protecting Oregon’s Farmland and Special Places

SB 30, which protects the Metolius Basin from the proposed development of destination resorts, passed the House Elections, Ethics and Rules committee and is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

SB 336, the bill which incorporates the consideration of schools when land use planning decisions are made, is headed to the Governor.

The House and Senate will convene a conference committee for HB 2723. HB 2723 gives cities and counties the ability to create a process that legalizes illegally divided lots or parcels that were purchased without knowledge of the legal status of the land.  It also creates safeguards to put a stop to the sale of illegal lots to unsuspecting purchasers, which protects natural resource lands from inappropriate fragmentation and provides certainty in the real estate market.

SB 683 is dead for the session.  SB 683 would have reduced the size of reporting units for the Pesticide Use Reporting System from basins to watersheds. This would have codified the agreement that was reached by all stakeholders last session, and was requested by major drinking water providers in the state. We are disappointed that the effectiveness of this critical program continues to be hamstrung and will work in the interim and future legislative sessions to make improvements.