Oct 23, 2023 | AOC Advocacy, Legislative Committee
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Legislative Committee recently adopted eight top priorities for the upcoming 2024 legislative session. These items represent the most pressing policy issues faced by counties across the state, and have been discussed at AOC district meetings, the 2023 AOC legislative retreat in Klamath County, and during AOC policy steering committee meetings since the 2023 legislative session adjourned.
The AOC legislative affairs department, along with county commissioners, chairs, and judges, will advocate in the capitol this spring for the advancement of these priorities. “AOC looks forward to continuing our commitment to solutions-oriented advocacy and collaborating with our partners in the state legislature on policy to efficiently and effectively deliver county services to our shared constituencies,” said AOC Executive Director Gina Nikkel, PhD.
2024 Legislative Session Priorities
Community Development
Advocate for a fast-track process for limited urban growth boundary expansions that significantly increase affordable and workforce housing in all communities experiencing shortages of buildable land.
Governance and Revenue
Address problems arising out of the Tyler v. Hennepin County decision — limit county legal liability and create a standard process for how foreclosure surplus claims are handled.
Health and Human Services
Establish a statutory process and schedule for a cost study of core behavioral health services (local services required in statute).
Mitigate liability risk shift to counties and local system providers for mandated populations (aid and assist, civil commitment, and guilty except for insanity).
Natural Resources
Protect and enhance county authority, funding, and flexibility to support management policies and locally focused policy making processes across the Natural Resources portfolio.
Public Safety
Increase state investment in community corrections funding for the remainder of the 23-25 biennium.
Elevate the county voice in Measure 110 reform, supporting policy modifications that prioritize engagement in substance abuse treatment, provide sufficient funding for county services, and strengthen tools the criminal justice system can use to fight illegal drug use and sales.
Transportation
Advocate for the statutory authority for counties to charge cost-recovery fees for permits issued to utilities for work in the county road right of way.
View the 2024 Legislative Priorities online (PDF)
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | AOC Legislative Affairs Director
Oct 23, 2023 | AOC Advocacy, Natural Resources
Since the state legislative session adjourned in June, the natural resources portfolio at the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) has been active implementing AOC’s policy priorities passed during the 2023 session and queuing up work for the upcoming 2024 short session.
Senate Bill 80 Regional Wildfire Hazard Map Meetings
Pursuant to Senate Bill 80 (2023), the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and AOC hosted a series of wildfire hazard map meetings throughout the state, beginning the first week of September and concluding Oct. 11.
The State Insurance Commissioner, Building Codes Division Administrator, Oregon State University, ODF, and the State Fire Marshal traveled to nine locations around the state to engage directly with county commissioners, planners, administrators, and emergency managers. During these meetings, counties and ODF discussed the mapping process, hazard identification methodology, and details of the draft hazard maps. ODF will now begin updating the administrative rules to include information collected during those meetings, as well as factoring in the changes made in Senate Bill 80. Counties will be represented on the rules advisory committee, and can continue to raise issues to ensure necessary changes are considered.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Sage-Grouse Action Plan Update
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) recently began conversations around updating the Oregon Statewide Sage-Grouse Action Plan. The Sage-Grouse Action Plan designates the core and low-density habitats encompassing the populations and assesses the effects these conservation strategies have on the communities where the bird resides. ODFW conducted public outreach around the habitat map updates and have now turned their attention to the “Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy for Oregon: A Plan to Maintain and Enhance Populations and Habitat.”
AOC staff have been asked to serve on this agency strategy plan update. AOC originally produced the appendix in February 2011. AOC has also been asked to update “Appendix VI: Socio-Economic Profile and Analysis of Oregon Counties included in the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation strategy for Oregon” by the end of this calendar year. AOC staff has begun this work and is gathering information from the eight impacted counties that are within the current range of the greater sage-grouse in Oregon.
Elk Depredation Program
This session, Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) introduced House Bill 3052 (2023) which would have established a task force on elk and deer damage compensation funding. Although that bill did not receive a floor vote, the House Interim Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water under the chairmanship of Rep. Ken Helm (D-Beaverton and Cedar Hills), created an interim work group to find a path forward on this issue.
The workgroup is made up of 15 individuals and has two primary deliverables. First, they are tasked with producing a short report that documents the workgroup process, discussion, and recommendations on the ideal structure for the program. Second, the workgroup will find an appropriate level and source funding and develop bill language for the upcoming 2024 legislative session.
AOC staff will continue to keep the membership apprised of these activities and developments as the interim continues.
Contributed by: Branden Pursinger, AOC Legislative Affairs Manager
Oct 20, 2023 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) has hired Erin Good as the communications coordinator.
Good joins AOC with a strong background in communications and member service. She brings extensive experience in marketing, digital media, and program management, and will be an asset to the association.
“Erin will be a wonderful addition to the AOC team and I am confident her knowledge and past experience will provide an increased level of service to the membership,” said AOC Executive Director Gina Firman Nikkel.
Good comes to AOC from a similar role at the Oregon School Boards Association. Prior to this, she managed volunteer programs and communications for local education and advocacy non-profit organizations and taught English to speakers of Other Languages.
Good’s first day was Sept. 11, 2023.
Contributed by: Mckenzie Farrell | Operations Director
