As we mentioned last week, 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 or Rules and deserve a hearing:

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.

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

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. It is in Ways and Means awaiting referral to a sub-committee.

HB 2172 is the bill that would provide funds to retrofit and replace dirty diesel engines in school buses, heavy duty trucks, and construction and farm equipment.  Diesel exhaust is the #1 air toxic in Oregon contributing to asthma, upper respiratory illness and cancer, especially among Oregon's children.  It is in Ways and Means awaiting referral to a sub-committee.

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