Lincoln County Democrats – 3/26/25
2025 State Legislative Session Update
Oregon Budget:
More than 31% of the state’s budget comes from the federal government.
And unlike the federal government, Oregon’s constitution requires we pass
a balanced state budget. Paying for the increased costs of what we are already
doing while also dealing with dramatically reduced federal spending will make
this a very challenging budget year.
Education:
This year, there is a huge push to pump more money into Oregon schools,
beyond the $11.3 billion proposed by Governor Kotek for the next two years.
The aim is to stave off looming cuts as districts prepare to shed counselors,
educational assistants, and librarians to reflect decreased student enrollment
and rising labor costs.
Transportation:
Law makers tasked themselves with (HB 2157) of coming up with a plan to
sustainably fund Oregon’s transportation needs. The Oregon Department of
Transportation estimates it needs $1.8 billion more each year to pay for road
maintenance and repairs, and that number doesn’t include expensive projects
like the Interstate 5 bridge connecting Portland and Washington.
Energy:
HB 3336 – Grid Enhancing Technologies – hardware or software innovations
that allow the electricity transmission system to operate more efficiently.
HB 3628 – Oregon Electric Transmission Authority – this bill would create an
Oregon Electric Transmission Authority to assess how to upgrade the
electricity transmission system at low cost. The bill specifies the structure of
the new Authority, including its Board of Directors, Staff and Budget.
Environment:
Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub (Oil Storage) Task Force – 90% of
Oregon’s oil storage is in Portland along the Willamette river.
Get more familiar with this issue by joining MCAT at: mcat-climate.org
a. Watch this video (3 ½ min.) Stop the Spill video
b. Review this CEI Hub Bills Fact Sheet with bills talking points
c. Read MCAT summaries for HB 3450, HB 2949, HB 2152, HB
2151
Submit written testimony for all four bills:
- Go to: olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1#
- Enter bill number in upper right corner (HB 3450).
- Provide written testimony in copy/past text or PDF format
- OCERA – Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (SJR
28) – www.oceraunited.org; For more info: team@oceraunited.org - Next Lobby Day/Testimony/Rally Day scheduled in Salem for March 26.
We are looking for a large turnout to testify before Senate Rules
Committee! - Learn more about our proposed Right to a Healthy Environment Amendment at
www.oceraunited.org . - Register as an OCERA coalition member on website “Get Involved” page to get
our emails, action alerts, and participate in Lobby Day on March 26th. - Would like to see Lincoln County Democrats pass a resolution of support for
this bill as has been done by Multnomah and Linn Count Democrats. - See attachment for RTHE amendment language!
- Linda Perrine (Lincoln City) is Campaign Manager for OCERA PAC
Additional Bills worth supporting:
HB 3336 Grid Enhancement Technologies
HB 3546 Large Energy Users do not burden Grid
SB 92: Small Solar (20 MW) to participate in Comm. Solar
SB688: Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub - The CEI Hub is a six-mile stretch of industrial development along the west
shore of the Willamette River. More than 90% of all liquid fuel in Oregon is
stored at facilities in the CEI Hub. This includes the gas and diesel supply
for the Portland metro area, as well as all of the jet fuel for the Portland
International Airport. Other hazardous materials are also stored at the CEI
Hub. - Bills to Support: HB3450, HB 2151, HB 2152, HB 2949
SB 682 Climate Superfund – creates an Oregon Superfund (paid for by fossil fuel
companies) to have financial resources to address harm, damage, and impacts
of wildfires, and other environmental degradation due to climate change.
SB 726 Methane monitoring
HB 3018 Uniform food date labeling modeled after California
HB 3477: Sets new targets for GHGs by 45, 70, 95% in 2030, 2040, 2050
Zero emissions by 2050, negative emissions thereafter;; Heavy opposition
HB 3419: Adding meter to wells to track usage
To provide written testimony on any Oregon Senate or House Bill: - Visit: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1
- Choose BILLS in upper right corner
- Enter the bill you wish to provide written testimony for (i.e. HB 3336)
- Click on “Submit Testimony”
- If you get a message saying “This Bill is not scheduled for a public hearing”
then you will need to determine which Committee is handling this Bill and go
look up the Committee (upper right button)
ERA Petition
If you haven’t signed the petition to put the Equal Rights for All Amendment on the ballot, you can do so using “single serving” petition document below. Just print the sheet out, sign it, and mail it to:
Equal Rights for All
PO Box 40625
Portland, OR 97240
