2023 Legislation

HB 2002  Reproductive Health Care    COIN has endorsed this bill.

This bill declares an emergency relating to reproductive health rights and expands legal protections and access to reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment, protects providers and any person who offers aid or support to individuals exercising reproductive health or gender-affirming rights, creates the crime of interfering with a health care facility, and creates a civil cause of action for any person or health care provider injured by violations of these rights. ACTION ALERT: There is a public hearing scheduled on this bill on March 20 at 3 p.m. before the Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee in Hearing Room F. Plan to attend to show your support or testify in person!   You can also submit testimony on HB 2002 here.  If your legislator is on this Committee, please call or email in support of this bill. Here is the COIN worksheet for HB 2002 A work session is also scheduled March 27 at 3 p.m. in Hearing Room F.

3/15 UPDATE: Both of these bills had a public hearing 2/21 and 3/9. Watch these recordings here (2/21) and here (3/9). Only HB 3201 has a work session scheduled.

HB 3201-4  Broadband Funding    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

This bill updates Oregon broadband statute to align with the Federal broadband program in IRA to maximize potential Federal funding to Oregon. It grants the Oregon Broadband Office additional oversight and eliminates the ‘Right of First Refusal’ for incumbent providers on grant awards. HB3249 and SB943 are competing broadband bills that fix the regulatory alignment problem for receiving Federal funds, but leave in place technical issues and rules that favor incumbent providers, which limits competition and stifles innovation.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. League of Oregon Cities has prepared a factsheet providing additional details. This bill had a public hearing 2/21 and 3/9 and a work session 3/16. Watch the recorded session here. This bill PASSED by a 6-5 vote and will head to the full House for a vote. 

HB 3249  Broadband Funding  2  COIN OPPOSES this bill.

This bill updates Oregon broadband statute to PARTIALLY, but not fully align with the Federal broadband program in IRA. Unlike HB 3201 and SB 943, this bill grants the ‘Right of First Refusal’ for incumbent providers on grant awards over other innovative solutions that may be able to provide faster, less expensive service to the consumer, thus limiting competition and stifling innovation. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. This bill had a public hearing 2/21 and 3/9.

HB 2572-2  Civil Disorder  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

As amended, this bill clarifies the activities that are illegal when committed by persons acting on behalf of private paramilitary organizations and provides for a civil cause of action by the State Attorney General or any person injured by these illegal actions. COIN endorses this bill with the understanding further amendments are in progress to ensure protection of the constitutional rights of all persons. Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill. A public hearing was held Monday February 6 at 3:00 PM. Watch the recorded session here. ACTION ALERT: The House Committee On Judiciary has scheduled a work session was held 3/20 and PASSED out of committee without recommendation as to passage by an 8-2 vote. Watch the recording here. Assigned to the House Rules Committee.

See Rep. Dacia Grayber's newsletter about the evolution of HB 2572 here.

HB 2772   Domestic Terrorism     COIN is watching this bill.

This bill creates the crime of "domestic terrorism." While COIN supports in principle legislation to criminalize domestic terrorism, the language of this bill is so broad and the crime so poorly defined that if passed, it would likely be unconstitutional and threaten basic freedoms of speech and protest. If the bill advances as is, COIN will take action to oppose it.  Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill. A public hearing was held Monday February 6 at 3:00 PM. Watch the recorded session here. ACTION ALERT: The House Committee On Judiciary  has scheduled a work session 4/3 at 8:00 am. Watch the live stream here.

SB 610  Food for all Oregonians    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would make food assistance available to Oregonians who would otherwise qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) but are currently denied assistance due to immigration status.  Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill.   A public hearing was held Monday February 27 at 3:00 PM. Watch the recorded session here.   Here is testimony in support of this bill from COIN.  EXTRA ACTION ALERT: The Food For All Oregonians coalition is sponsoring an Advocacy Day for this bill on Wednesday April 12 in Salem. This is an opportunity for supporters of this bill to gather and learn how to effectively lobby your legislators, and then to actually do it!  Find out more here and register for the Advocacy Day here. ACTION ALERT2: The  Senate Committee On Human Services has schedule a work session for Monday, 3/27, at 3:00 pm. Watch the live stream here.

HB 2957  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Assistance Program  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

This bill would direct Department of Human Services to provide financial assistance to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status recipients for specified purposes. Last year a similar bill was put forward to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide Dreamers with up to $695 to pay fees associated with DACA renewal. As most of that money has been spent, this year funding would come from the general fund. Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill.   House Committee On Early Childhood and Human Services  held a public hearing on Wednesday February 22 at 1:00 PM. Watch the recorded session here. ACTION ALERT2: A work session has been scheduled for Monday, 3/27, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here.

HB 3176  Immigrant and Refugee Welcome and Reception Program  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

This bill requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, to establish the Welcome and Reception Program for immigrants and refugees. The goal is to build infrastructure that will support people in our community seeking asylum and opportunity.  Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill. The recorded public hearing from 3/8 in the House Committee On Early Childhood and Human Services is available here. Read the COIN endorsement testimony. ACTION ALERT2: A work session is scheduled for Monday, 4/3, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here.

HB 2650    Equitable Workgroups with Equitable Outcomes    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

Directs Oregon Department of Administrative Services to establish program for compensating eligible members of informal workgroups and task forces. By passing HB 2650, Oregon’s workgroups and task forces process would be more in line with our values by centering lived experience. At least half of workgroup and task force members will need to be representatives of people whose lives are directly impacted by the policies being discussed, community members, and community-based organizations.  There would be equity for historically underserved communities.  At least one-quarter of workgroups and task forces will need to be people who have been historically underserved. This bill would ensure economic justice by compensating workgroup and task force members for their time and travel. Click here for COIN Worksheet.  There was a public hearing March 2. Watch the recorded session here. Sample COIN testimony is available to read here. ACTION ALERT: The House Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans has scheduled a work session for Tuesday, 3/28, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here.

HB 2763   Public Bank Task Force   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would establish a task force to study and make recommendations regarding establishment of a state public bank. Advocates of public banking say that it will stretch our tax dollars by reducing the cost of financing public projects. Public banks serve the common good, rather than private interests.  Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill.  To learn more about the benefits of a public bank, visit the Oregon Public Banking Alliance or see their Public Banking Info Booklet. A public hearing was held 2/16. You can watch the recorded hearing here. A work session was held Thursday, 3/9 at 1:00 pm. Watch the recording here. HB 2763 has passed out of committee by a 4-3 vote and is heading to the Joint Ways and Means Committee. 

SB 579-A and HB 4147 (2022 Session)   Voting By Adults in Custody  COIN has endorsed this bill.
This bill allows persons convicted of crime to register to vote, update voter registration, and vote in elections while incarcerated. 95% of those incarcerated will return to their community and research shows that those allowed to vote while incarcerated are less likely to re-offend. Click here for COIN worksheet.  Click here to see Talking Points for this bill. A public hearing was held 1/26. Watch the recorded hearing. A work session is scheduled for Thursday, 3/9 at 1:00 pm. Watch the recording here. SB 579 has passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 3-2 vote. The bill is heading to the Joint Ways and Means Committee. Sample COIN testimony is available to read here.

UPDATE: The committee minority have submitted an alternative amendment calling for this issue to go to a vote of the people in the next General Election.

SB 581   Earned Reduction in Supervision   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would require the Department of Corrections to adopt rules requiring supervising officers to provide to eligible persons on parole or probation, quarterly updates toward earning a reduction in their supervision. Incentives for positive behavior have been proven effective and will lower caseloads for parole officers. Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill. Sample COIN testimony is available to read here. SB 581 has moved quickly, passing out of committees and PASSED BY THE SENATE 3/1 by a 26-3 vote. ACTION ALERT2: The House Committee On Judiciary has scheduled a public hearing Monday, 3/20, at 8:00 am. Register to give oral testimony or submit written testimony by 8:00 am Wednesday, 3/22.  Watch the live stream here. 

SB 519    Modification of Expunction of Juvenile Records    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

This bill would make it easier for some Youth to navigate the expunction system.  Juvenile records have far-reaching collateral consequences that impact a Youth’s future. These records can hinder access to housing, jobs, school enrollment, college applications, and professional licensure.  Expunction is an important step in the process for Youth who have successfully completed probation. Navigating the current expunction process is not an easy task for anyone without legal expertise.  Getting connected to appropriate services can be difficult and can make pursuing expunction prohibitive.

Oregon’s juvenile justice system goal is rehabilitation and reformation for Youth. A Youth who successfully participates in the accountability and rehabilitative opportunities grows to become a productive and contributing member of our community. Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill. A public hearing was held at 1:00 pm March 2. Watch the recorded hearing here. Sample COIN testimony is available to read here. ACTION ALERT2: The Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hold a work session on SB 519 on Thursday, 3/23, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here. 

HB 2731   Re-Establishment of the Family Preservation Pilot Project  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

This bill will modify the funding and management of the Family Preservation Program at the Coffee Creek Women's Facility that offers incarcerated mothers opportunities for engagement with families. The activities promote protective factors and reduce the trauma experienced by children of incarcerated parents. The program will increase successful reentry from prison into healthier families and improve recidivism rates. Find the COIN Worksheet here.  A public hearing was held 8:00 am February 27. Watch the recorded hearing. A work session was held 3/9 and HB 2731 was passed out of committee by an 8-1 vote. Watch the recorded session.  Sample COIN testimony is available to read here. The bill is now headed to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

SB 619   Consumer Privacy Protection Act  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Requires companies to disclose in a reasonable, clear manner their collection, use, and sharing of a consumer’s data. It permits the consumer to insist on correction of inaccuracies. Consumers must “opt-in” to the use of personal data. It specifies civil penalties and allows for class action suits. Is structurally similar to laws in Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah. Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill. A public session was held 3/7 in the  Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Watch the recording here. And here is an article updating support/opposition. ACTION ALERT2: A work session has been scheduled for Tuesday, 3/28, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream. 

SB 90  State Forest Task Force    COIN is watching this bill.   
Strong and vibrant communities with access to clean water and healthy forests are essential for all Oregonians. Yet, where funding for counties and key local services are tied to timber harvest on state forests, some communities pay the price. Resilient communities need both stable funding for local services and healthy state forests. SB 90 creates a task force to study alternative sources of funding, so that Oregon communities can support critical services without compromising on clean drinking water and healthy forests.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  Here is a flyer from the Wild Salmon Center summarizing the importance of establishing such a task force. This bill's hearing was cancelled. Another bill has been introduced and sent to Senate Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Senator Golden. Watch here for further updates.

SB 795   Conveys State Forest Lands to Counties    COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would direct the State Board of Forestry to convey certain state forest lands to a county that determines that county would secure greatest permanent value of lands to county and request conveyance.  It would allow county boards of commissioners to request conveyance of state forest lands to the county.  The COIN Climate Energy Environment group believes this would result in logging and mineral extraction without regard for state and federal regulations.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.   ACTION ALERT:  A hearing was held for this bill on Monday February 27 at 8:00 am. Watch the recorded hearing.

SB 85  Factory Farm Moratorium  COIN has ENDORSED this bill. 
SB 85 has now replaced an earlier bill on this topic (HB 2667). COIN is a supporting member of the Stand Up to Factory Farms coalition, SUFF, which is supporting a moratorium on new  factory farms until there are proper regulations to protect air and water quality and animal welfare.  An informational hearing was held on Feb. 28th and was well attended by supporters. Here's a report on that hearing from Laura Allen, a COIN member who attended. You can also watch the hearing here.  A public hearing was held Monday March 6 before the Natural Resources Committee. Watch the recorded hearing here.  The continuation of the public hearing was held March 13, and you can watch the recording here at that time. 

ACTION ALERT3: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources to has scheduled public hearing and a possible work session Wednesday, 3/22, at 8:00 am. Register for live testimony or submit written testimony by Friday, 3/24, 8:00 am. Watch the live stream here. 

FOR TESTIMONY: Use this guide from SUFF for suggestions as you prepare your message.  Here is further information and talking points to help as well.  For more info, see Laura Allen's Testimony on behalf of COIN and Alan Journets testimondy on behalf of SOCAN. Another COIN member, Becky Orf, drove from Ashland to Salem to provide testimony in person during the first hearing - here's what she said.  More testimony can be found on the bill's website. 

SB 530   Natural Climate Solutions Bill   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill woud establish  a state policy regarding natural climate solutions which will sequester carbon in our natural and working lands (forested and agricultural lands and wetlands).  Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill.   This bill had a hearing on February 15th, (watch here) but you can still let your legislators know that you support passage of this bill.  For some talking points, check out this Summary from SOCAN, and this testimony from COIN's CEE Team, and Ecumencial Minstries of Oregon. ACTION ALERT2: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a work session for Monday, 3/27, at 8:00 am. Watch the live stream here.  

NUCLEAR ENERGY ALERT: Here is an article describing examples of cost overruns at new reactor sites.

SB 676 AND HB 2215  Allows Nuclear Power Plants without Safe Nuclear Waste Disposal  
COIN OPPOSES this bill.  
These identical bills seek to overturn the will of voters who, in 1980, rejected the idea of allowing new nuclear power plants to be built in Oregon without adequate and safe disposal for nuclear waste.  If passed in the legislature, this bill would then be referred to Oregon voters. If voters were to pass it, any kind of commercial nuclear power plant would be allowed in Oregon, without first requiring a federally licensed repository for the high level nuclear waste, or statewide voter approval (as Oregon law currently requires).  Click here for the COIN worksheet on this bill.     Check out the Resources  and Fact Sheet from Oregon Conservancy Foundation for help with your testimony talking points!   ACTION ALERT: There was a public hearing for HB 2215 on Monday February 20 at 3:00 pm.  Watch the recorded hearing here.

SB 831   Repeals 1980 Ballot Measure Relating to Nuclear Power   COIN OPPOSES this bill.
Like SB 676 and HB 2215 above, this bill seeks to overturn the will of Oregon voters on that 1980 ballot measure banning  nuclear power without safe disposal of the waste.  However, this bill goes a step further: It would NOT provide referral of bill to Oregon voters, completely leaving them out of the decision-making. Voters would be forced to once again use the Initiative Petition process, which is time-consuming and expensive, about something they already clearly decided.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  ACTION ALERT: There are currently no hearings scheduled but, like the other bills attempting to reinstate nuclear power, it's in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and you can write or call the members of this committee as well as your own legislators and let them know how you feel about all these bills.  

SB 832   Removes Small Nuclear Reactors from Regulation.   COIN OPPOSES this bill.
As with the bills relating to nuclear power above, Senator Brock is seeking to overturn the will of the voters. Small modular nuclear reactors (SMNRs) still produce nuclear waste and Oregon still does not have a federally approved nuclear waste repository. There are no hearings currently scheduled for this bill, but we'll be watching to see if it makes any progress. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  

SB 251  Tax Credits for Oregon Energy Producers   COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would give tax credits (equal to 50% of taxes due) to ALL energy producers in Oregon, including fossil fuel and nuclear power companies. Rather than moving away from these dangerous forms of energy, the bill would subsidize them, and would take away funding from truly safe, renewable energy production. There are no hearings currently scheduled for this bill, but we'll be watching to see if it makes any progress.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  

SB 833  OSU and ODE to Study Thorium as Nuclear Fuel   COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would direct Oregon State University, creator of NuScale's Small Modular Nuclear Reactor, and The Oregon Department of Energy to study the use of Thorium as nuclear fuel, with taxpayer funding, even though Oregon voters rejected the use of nuclear power in 1980 without a federally approved nuclear wasted repository.   This bill would take funding away from safer and truly renewable energy production, and thorium, once irradiated and converted to U-233, still produces dangerous nuclear waste. There are no hearings currently scheduled for this bill, but we'll be watching to see if it makes any progress.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. 

SB 502  Trust Fund for Wildfire Programs   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would require the Oregon Department of Forestry to study the establishment of a permanent trust fund for wildfire programs.   Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill.  The idea to remove wildfire program funding from the General Fund in this way is intriguing and probably a good idea.  ACTION ALERT: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a work session for Monday, 3/27, at 8:00 am. Watch the live stream here.

SB 653   Forest Thinning in Wildfire Prone Areas   COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would appropriate $50 million to the Oregon Department of Forestry to fund increased thinning operation in specified wildfire-prone counties. However, the science does not support logging as a solution to fire risk.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. No action is currently scheduled for this measure.

SB 665   Forest Fuel Load Levels   COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would require the State Forester to actively manage forests to achieve and maintain low forest fuel load levels. As with SB 653, the science does not support this type of forest management as a solution to fire risk.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. No action is currently scheduled for this measure.

SJR 23   Aggressive Fire Suppression  COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill urges agencies various agencies to act as aggressively as possible to prevent, mitigate, and suppress wildfires.  No hearings are currently scheduled and minimal details are available yet on this bill, but as with the previous two bills, these strategies are not supported by available science.  Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill.  No action is currently scheduled for this measure.

HB 3019  OFRI Reforms  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would reform the taxpayer-funded Oregon Forest Resources Institute, which presents itself as neutral, but which was originally established by the timber industry to use public funding to serve its private interests. This bill will reform the ORFI to end misleading and biased public advertising, and shift a portion of the OFRI budget to Oregon State University for K-12 forestry education support. Here is the COI N Worksheet for this bill.  The first hearing was on 2-7-23 and carried over to 2-9. Watch the recorded hearing here. Here are some talking points from Metro Climate Action Team. The House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water has scheduled a work session for Thursday, 3/23, at 3:00 pm. Watch the live stream here.

HB 3022    Prohibits Environmental Agencies from Adopting or Enforcing Rules  COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would essentially prohibit the Environmental Quality Commission and the Department of Environmental Quality from doing their jobs. This bill will protect the interests of fossil fuel corporations by preventing environmental agency experts from adopting or enforcing rules or standards related to motor vehicle fuels or emission unless authorized by the Legislature. Click here for the COIN Worksheet on this bill. Check out SOCAN's response to this bill to see why it is such a bad idea for our climate and for Oregonians.  A public hearing was scheduled for 2/8 and carried over to 2/13. Watch the recorded hearing here. No other action is currently scheduled for this measure.

HB 2601   Divesting Oregon's Treasury from Fossil Fuels  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would require the State Treasurer to exit from certain carbon-intensive investments, subject to fiduciary duties. It requires the Treasurer to develop a plan to protect state investments from risks related to climate change, and to issue periodic reports on actual and planned progress towards these goals.  Click here for the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  For more information about this bill, see this Overview and List of Divest Oregon Coalition Members.   The second public hearing for this bill was on 3/2. Watch the recorded session. ACTION ALERT2: Encourage members of the House Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans to schedule a work session. 

SB 542   Right to Repair  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would require electronic equipment manufacturers to make available to consumers and independent repair providers documentation, tools, parts or other devices that the manufacturer makes available to authorized repair providers. The bill is supported by a number of environmental groups who believe it will make repairs easier and less expensive, therby reducing electronic waste.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  A public hearing was held on 2/9  and continued on 2/14. The 2/9 recording can be seen here and the 2/14 recording here. ACTION ALERT3: The Senate Committee On Energy and Environment has scheduled a work session for Tuesday, 3/28, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here.

SB 543   Phase out Polystyrene and PFCs  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill will prohibit food vendors from using polystyrene foam containers or those containing PFKs, and providing single-use foodwared containers unless they meet certain criteria. It also prohibits persons from selling or distributing polystyrene foam containers and packaging peanuts. Prohibitions would become effective January 1, 2025.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  The public hearing for SB 543, recorded 2/14, was continued in the hearing recorded 2/16. Read the factsheet prepared by a coalition of supporters. ACTION ALERT2: The Senate Committee On Energy and Environment has scheduled a work session for Thursday, 3/23, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here.

SB 544  Reducing Plastic at its Source  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would reduce the amount of single-use plastic packaging and foodware by 25% over the next decade, to reduce the amount of plastic entering the market, resulting in less plastic pollution and less greenhouse gas emissions. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  Read the factsheet prepared by a coalition of supporters.  The public hearing for SB 544, recorded 2/14, was continued in the hearing recorded 2/16. ACTION ALERT2: Encourage members of the Senate Committee On Energy and Environment to schedule a work session.

SB 545-A  Legalizing Reusables  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Oregon's Health Code currently does not allow for consumer or store-owned reusable containers to be used in bulk food sections or for produce. This bill would establish "legal" reuse systems and opportunities under Oregon's Health Code for consumers and businesses to transition away from single use containers.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. Read the factsheet prepared by a coalition of supporters. This bill passed out of committee by a 4-1 vote at the 3/7/23 session in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. Watch the recording of the session. There is no fiscal impact to the state, so this bill will not need to go through the ways and Means Committee. The bill PASSED the Senate by a vote of 24-3. ACTION ALERT3: SB 545 A has been assigned to the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment. 

HB 2571    E-Bike Rebates   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would direct the DEQ to establish a program to provide rebates for qualifying individuals who purchase electric assisted bicycles or cargo electric bicycles and qualifying equipment.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. Here is the recording of the public hearing 2/8. All testimony (except for two that were neutral) was in support, with several suggestions make changes so the bill is more equitable, giving relatively greater benefit to lower income buyers.   ACTION ALERT: The House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment has scheduled a work session Monday, 4/3, at 3:00 pm.  You can email the committee members about this bill.  Watch the live stream here on 4/3.

HB 3016-2   Green Infrastructure - TREES Act  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would establish a grant program to assist communities with improving their urban tree canopy. Research demonstrates that trees can significantly reduce temperatures during heat waves, which can help to prevent health risks associated with extreme heat. Urban forests provide many other benefits: Improving soil, air, and water quality, increasing  property value, improving mental and physical health, and providing wildlife habitat. Increasing green space has also been shown to reduce crime.  We really like this bill, particularly that it prioritizes tree equity in traditionally marginalized areas. Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill. A public hearing was held on March 1, but there was so much testimony in support of the bill, the committee continued the hearing on Monday March 6.  View the 3/1 recording here and the 3/6 recording here.  Check out COIN's testimony here. ACTION ALERT3: This bill PASSED out of committee 3/15 by a 9-0 vote. Watch the recording here. The bill is now headed to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

HB 2998   Healthy Soils Initiative   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill supports the agriculture community by collaborative voluntary incentives based on soil health strategies, including financial assistance, technical assistance, outreach, education, and research.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  Two public hearings have been held on this bill and the majority of the testimony has been in support.  View the testimony or recording of the two hearings here - 2/16 or 2/21. ACTION ALERT3: This bill PASSED out of House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water 3/14 by a 8-0 vote. Watch the recording here. The bill is now headed to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

THE BUILDING RESILIENCE COALITION    COIN has JOINED this coalition.
The Climate Energy Environment (CEE) Team of COIN has recommended COIN join this coalition to help support getting the best possible version of the set of four bills (below) to come out of the 2022 Joint Task Force on Building Resiliency.  Note that the details of these bills are still being worked out.  Here are some documents that help explain why we think it's a good idea to be a part of this coalition:  Building Resilience Coalition Guiding Principles;  Building Resilience Coalition Kick-off Slides;  CEE Rationale and FAQs for COIN to join the Building Resilience Coalition. A public hearing was held on these 4 bills Mar. 16. One of our CEE members, Jeff Hammarlund, has submitted excellent testimony representing COIN and CEE that you can read here. 

Resources: Organization Testimony Toolkit Individual Testimony Toolkit

    Email to Invite Testimony Template       Supporting Coalition Letter

ACTION ALERT: The Senate Energy and Environment Committee has scheduled work sessions 3/28 at 1:00 pm and 3/30 also at 1:00 pm. Watch the 3/28 live stream and the 3/30 live stream.

SB 868   Healthy Heating and Cooling for All    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill aligns energy efficiency programs with state climate goals, set a heat pump target for the state, supports workforce development, and improves navigation of federal and state incentives for energy efficiency and retrofits of homes and businesses. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  And here is a one-pager from the bill sponsors while the bill text is being drafted. 

SB 869  Build Smart from the Start   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Buildings are the second largest source of carbon emissions in Oregon. An existing Executive Order (20-04) requires the Building Codes Division to evaluate and report on Oregon's current progress toward achieving goals for new residential and commercial buildings, and options for achieving that goal. This bill would codify this executive order into law and do a few other good things, too.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill and here is a one-pager from the bill sponsors while the bill text is being drafted.

SB 870  Building Performance Standards   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
Older buildings consume more energy and produce more carbon emissions than newer buildings. This bill will establish building performance standards for large commercial buildings to reduce their energy use and climate emissions over time, requiring them to meet energy and emissions reduction targets over time from a flexible menu of improvements. It is modeled after Washington State BPS, which passed in 2019. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill and here is a one-pager from the bill sponsors while the bill text is being drafted.  

SB 871  Smart State Buildings   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill removes barriers to accelerate energy retrofits and upgrades in state buildings, allowing the state to lead by example, and demonstrate how increasing resilience and efficiency and transitioning to clean energy is feasible, affordable, and beneficial. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill, and here is a one-pager from the bill sponsors, while the bill text is being drafted. 

SB 426   Toxic Free Schools    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would establish resources for Oregon Department of Education and create a stakeholder advisory group to modernize school integrated pest management; expected outcomes are consistent recordkeeping, equitable distribution of resources and training, and reduced pesticide exposure for students K-12.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. This bill had a hearing on 2/21 where there was near unanimous support expressed.  You can view the testimony or the recording here. ACTION ALERT: This bill has been scheduled for a work session on Tuesday, 3/21, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here. Urge members of the Senate on Education Committee to pass this bill out of committee. Here are some excellent Talking Points from Beyond Toxics . 

HB 3043  Toxic Free Kids Modernization    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would revise provisions related to chemicals in children's products. It would go into effect January 1, 2024.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  A hearing was held on 1/25 for this bill, with great deal of support, and some opposition mostly from companies that produce toys and other children's products.  View the testimony or the recording of the hearing here.  The Climate Energy Environment Committee voted 9-0 to PASS this bill out of committee after holding a work session 3/14 (recording here). ACTION ALERT2: The bill now goes to the full House for a vote. Encourage your representative to vote yes on HB 3043.

SB 546   Toxic Free Cosmetics   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
The personal care products industry is one of the least regulated in the U.S.   This bill would ban the worst chemical classes found in cosmetics and personal  care products from sale in Oregon to make these products safer.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  A pubic hearing was held on 2/28 with most of the testimony in support of the bill.  View the testimony or the recording of the hearing here.   Here is a sample of testimony from one of our COIN members.  ACTION ALERT: The Energy and Environment Committee has scheduled a work session Thursday, 3/23, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here,

SB 522   Modernization of the Global Warming Commission   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
The current bill listed on OLIS is a placeholder bill that was submitted prior to the legislative session. It will be replaced by new language developed by the Global Warming Commission with extensive public input. This description summarizes our understanding of the new language offered by the Commission: TIGHGER Process (Transformational Integrated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction).  SB 522 will support continued climate progress in Oregon by strengthening our state greenhouse gas reduction goals and modernizing the Oregon Global Warming Commission. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  The first hearing for this bill was held on 2/21.  Check out the great testimony for this bill submitted by Alan Journet, one of our COIN members. ACTION ALERT: The Energy and Environment Committee has scheduled a work session Thursday, 3/23, at 1:00 pm. Watch the live stream here,

HB 2990   Community Resilience Hubs   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would create a grant program that will go directly to communities to build and implement Community Resilience Hubs and networks, including:  Resilient buildings, new or retrofitted with heating and cooling, air filtration, and emergency supplies; Collaboration in energy systems and community-based renewable energy programs; Community-based communication networks, resource navigation systems, and services across districts. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  And here is a 2-page summary of the bill from Unite Oregon.  

ACTION ALERTs: The Climate Energy Environment Committee to schedule a public hearing for this bill Wednesday, 3/22, at 3:00 pm. Watch the hearing here. Register to give oral testimony or submit written testimony by 3:00 pm, Friday, 3/24. A work session is to be held Monday, 3/27, at 3:00 pm. Watch the live work session here.

SB 82-3   DFR Wildfire Bill: Wildfire Insurance Risk Mitigation  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This is a Consumer Protection Bill, written by Andrew Stolfi (Oregon Insurance Commissioner). The intention is to encourage insurance companies to consider individual- and community-level investments in wildfire risk mitigation in determining policy rates and qualifications. It includes improved consumer disclosure requirements by insurance companies and rating and underwriting consideration for wildfire mitigation efforts. Here is the COIN worksheet. Public hearing held 2/6. Testimony came from four insurance industry representatives, and largely reflected their willingness to work with the Commissioner and Oregon homeowners, while voicing concerns about paucity of data on which to base meaningful rates. Watch the recorded hearing here.  A work session was held on 3/8/23. See the recording here. A -3 amendment was discussed, which include clarification of several features of previous amendments, including:

1) Improved consumer notices of changes to homeowner’s insurance policies will provide description of property-specific characteristics, wildfire risk mitigation actions that could affect policy conditions, and the data used to determine the risk score.

2) Improved transparency of insurance underwriting and rating programs

3) Prohibition of the use of the State Wildfire Risk Map developed under SB762.

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources voted “do-pass” (4/5) with referral to move to the Senate Floor

ACTION ALERT: The bill was PASSED out of committee by a 4-1 vote. Awaiting a vote by the full Senate. Encourage your senator to vote yes on SB 82.

SB 509-1   Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Programs  COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

This bill refines and operationalizes a number of programs legislated in SB762, passed during a previous session. Establishes a community risk reduction grant program, a neighborhood cooperative program, and a home-hardening assistance program, through the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Notably, it establishes a central user-friendly public website, an inter-agency data collection program a frequent reporting schedule. Read the COIN Worksheet here. Update: A public hearing was held 2/6; testimonies were generally favorable, since this is incentive-based (not regulation) and leverages significant Federal match funding opportunities. Watch the recorded hearing here.  A work session was held on 3/8/23. A -2 amendment was discussed, which included two main changes from the -1 amendment:  1) the home hardening program was removed (and will be included in another bill); 2) creation of a 20-year Strategic Plan was added, with a $10 million appropriation. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources voted "do-pass" (4-1). The bill is now headed to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.  

HB 2953   State Forester May Order Wildfire Suppression   COIN OPPOSES this bill.

This bill would allow the State Forester to use state resources to suppress wildfire. Wildfire suppression is increasingly a controversial practice. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  

HB 2940   Directs State Forester to Coordinate Logging Activities    COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would require the State Forestry department to coordinate actions to conduct logging activities on federal lands adjacent to private property in the wildland-urban interface, under the guise of preventing wildfire. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. 

HB 2986-2  Prescribed Burning Program   COIN has ENDORSED this bill.

This bill would facilitate the use of cultural burning and controlled (prescribed) burning to help mitigate the risk of climate-enhanced wildfires, restore the natural climate resilience of forest ecosystems, and provide for greater Tribal sovereignty.  Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill.  A public hearing was held for this bill on 1/25. You can read the testimony submitted or watch the recording here.  A work session was held in the Climate Energy Environment Committee  March 13. You can get the link to watch the recording here. ACTION ALERT: the bill was amended and PASSED by an 8-1 vote. Headed now to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

HB 2248   Effects of Wildfire on Water Quality COIN is watching this bill.

Requires Water Resources Department and Department of Environmental Quality to study impacts of wildfire on water quality of streams and tributaries. Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill. Update 3/13: now in House Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. A public hearing was held on 2/16. Watch the recording here. This is not a very controversial bill as it simply calls for a study to done. The work session recording from 3/16 is available here. ACTION ALERT2: A 2nd work session is scheduled for Tuesday, 3/21, at 3:00 pm. Watch the 3/21 live stream here.  

LAST MINUTE ADDITION: 

HB 3459   Access to Heat and Electricity for Lower Income, Children, and Elderly Oregonians

COIN has endorsed this bill.

HB 3459 would protect all low-income Oregonians from energy utility disconnections in winter months (Oct 1 - Mar 31), protect low-income households with children and/or seniors from disconnection year-round, and increase coordination between utility companies and community action agencies. An amendment is about to be added that would add another major provision to the bill. The amendment would extend to January 2, 2026, the existing Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) that was created during the pandemic to provide electric bill payment assistance for low-income customers. Without the OEAP extension, that assistance program would terminate at the end of 2023. 

Resources: COIN Worksheet     Sample Testimony

   Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Flyer Additional Talking Points

ACTION ALERT: The public hearing scheduled for MONDAY, 3/20, has been POSTPONED until Wednesday, 3/29, at 3:00 pm with a work session to follow. Register to give oral testimony or submit written testimony on HB 3459 here  when the portal is opened next week. Watch the live stream of the hearing here. 

Overview
COIN is working with a collection of "good government (GG)" organizations (led by Honest Elections Oregon and including Oregon League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Progressive Party and several others) to track legislation related to  Campaign Finance Reform (CFR). Although a number of bills have been introduced and had an initial reading, none has yet come up for a first public hearing. Click here for a summary of those bills and our take on them in their current form. Below are the bills we are currently taking a position on, though these recommendations are subject to modification should these bills be amended.  

HB 2003  Campaign Finance Contributions    COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would establish limits on campaign contributions that may be accepted by candidates and political committees.  The GG groups believe this bill, in its current form, is full of exploitable loopholes that would allow big donors and special interests to continue to engage in the campaign process in much the same way they have in the past simply by routing their money through corporations, "clubs," and committees. Click here for the COIN worksheet on this bill.   Should this bill come up for a public hearing, COIN members are encouraged to submit testimony. Here are some talking points for testimony. 

HB 3455   Campaign Finance Contributions V.2    COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill, recently introduced by Speaker Rayfield at the request of Governor Kotek, represents only a modest improvement on HB 2003 above. It reduces some contribution limits, but does nothing to address the major problems that were present in HB 2003. Given that Rayfield introduced this at the request of the Governor, this is now the leading bet for the bill he will try to push forward. Here is the COIN Worksheet on this bill. The GG groups were lobbying various members of the legislature to bring pressure on Rayfield to amend HB 2003, and now will do the same with HB 3455 before it comes up for a vote, so that we don't have to ask Democrats in the legislature to oppose a bill supported by the Speaker and the Governor. However, in its present form, COIN strongly opposes this bill, and we urge COIN groups and members to contact their legislators and press for amendments that do a better job reducing the influence of big donors and special interests. Without such amendments, we recommend submitting testimony against this bill should it come up for a hearing. Key Talking Points can be found here.  And here is a table showing the bill's proposed limits for different circumstances.  

HB 2038   Expands Reporting on Financial Disclosure Forms    COIN has ENDORSED this bill.
This bill would expand what must be reported on financial disclosure forms and would prohibit spending campaign money on businesses in which the candidate has economic interest. Here is the COIN Worksheet for this bill. In its current form, the GG groups believe this is a good bill.  

SB 162   Small Donor Elections Program    COIN OPPOSES this bill.
This bill would establish a Small Donor Elections Program to enable candidates for offices of state Representativce and state Senator to receive a 6-to-1 match on small dollar contributions. Although COIN and the GG groups are supportive of public funding via a small donor matching program, this bill is the same as HB 2690-12 that then Rep. Rayfield introduced in 2021 and we opposed on the grounds that it allowed way too much money from membership organizations. Here is the COIN worksheet on this bill.

LAST MINUTE ADDITION: 

HB 3593   Electoral Fusion      COIN is watching this bill. 

Restores electoral fusion (fusion voting, open balloting) to Oregon by allowing voters to select preference by candidate and by party on the general election ballot; requires clerks to aggregate the result when a candidate is nominated by more than one party. Currently in the House Rules Committee.

RESOURCES:     COIN Worksheet        Fusion Ballot FAQ              Voters, Coalitions, and Policy Debates   

  The Case for Proportional Representation       Reform American Democracy