Mar 11, 2025 | AOC Advocacy
Since the 2025 Legislature gaveled into session seven weeks ago a record number of bills have been introduced – well over 3,200. The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is tracking over 2,200 bills that have a potential impact on county budgets, services, or governance. The AOC Legislative Affairs Department has been in the Capitol every day advocating on behalf of county governments and AOC’s 2025 priorities.
Two of AOC’s top priorities will receive their first public hearings this week:
- House Bill 3518 – Modernizing County Assessment Funding
This bill modernizes the funding mechanisms that support the County Assessment Function Funding Assistance (CAFFA) Program. Introduced as a House Revenue Committee bill, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 11, at 3 p.m. An action alert was sent last week to encourage all counties to submit testimony in support. A one-pager with background and a summary of the concept can be found here.
- House Bill 5004 – Funding Community Corrections
The Department of Corrections (DOC) budget, House Bill 5004 and Policy Option Package (POP) 102 which includes $68 million to fully fund Community Corrections, will be heard in the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety on Thursday, March 13, at 8 a.m. AOC is working closely with the DOC and the Oregon Association of Community Corrections Directors to advocate for POP 102 and full funding of the cost study conducted this summer. An action alert will be sent out this week to encourage testimony in support.
Additionally, two bills introduced at AOC’s request advanced out of the House last week and now move on to the Senate for consideration.
- House Bill 3175 allows county governing bodies to increase the document recording fees that fund our County Surveyors Public Land Corner Preservation Programs and passed off of the House Floor 47-9.
- House Bill 2154 makes the County Safety Corridor Pilot Program permanent and passed out of the House last week with only one nay vote.
AOC members are encouraged to stay tuned for action alerts related to priority bills and Legislative Session email updates with details on dozens of bills on which the AOC Legislative Affairs Department has engaged so far this session.
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director
Mar 10, 2025 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) strengthened its legislative advocacy with the addition of Joe Casey on Feb. 25, as legislative affairs coordinator.
With a strong background in public policy, regulatory work, and legislative analysis, Joe brings valuable experience as a campaign manager and legislative staffer. His expertise will support advancing AOC’s policy priorities during the 2025 legislative session.
AOC Executive Director Gina Nikkel expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “Joe’s deep understanding of policy and legislative processes make him an invaluable asset to AOC’s advocacy efforts.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Mar 10, 2025 | AOC News, NACo
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) joined nearly 2,000 county leaders from across the country for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference March 1-4. Featured speakers included two cabinet secretaries along with members of Congress from both the U.S. House and Senate, including Oregon Senator Ron Wyden.
Over 30 Oregon county leaders and representatives of AOC participated in the conference, engaging in policy discussions through NACo’s policy steering committee process, as well as breakout and general sessions, hearing from a range of speakers in the federal government. These sessions covered a broad spectrum of critical issues, including tax and budget reconciliation, SALT and tax-exempt municipal bonds, disaster preparedness and management, artificial intelligence (AI), behavioral health and the county implications of policies being implemented during the first 100 days of the new administration.
For newly elected Benton County Commissioner Gabe Shepherd, a first-time attendee, the conference provided invaluable connections. “It was fascinating to hear from commissioners across the country how different our job is in each state,” he noted.
A key focus for the Oregon delegation was advocating for AOC’s federal policy priorities on Capitol Hill. AOC members and staff held meetings with Oregon’s Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum, Cliff Bentz, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, and the office of Maxine Dexter. These discussions centered on vital issues such as the Secure Rural Schools program, the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act’s impact on state Medicaid coverage for youth in custody, the Federal Victims of Crime Act, and implementation of the FEMA Biological Opinion.
AOC First Vice President and Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar emphasized the value of these meetings. “Meeting with Oregon’s senators and representatives gave me a new perspective into the workings of the federal government and provided insight into how to be more effective in discussions with federal officials and agencies,” she remarked.
Ultimately, the NACo Legislative Conference provided AOC and its members with crucial opportunities to influence federal policy, enabling them to better serve their communities across Oregon.
For more details about the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference, click here.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
