Jun 26, 2025 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Nationwide
One of the most important decisions you may make with your Nationwide account is beneficiary designation, through which you inform the Supplemental Retirement Plan of whom you want to control your assets in the event of death. When Nationwide has your beneficiary designations on file, the individuals you designate can usually gain access to your account without having to wait for a court decision.
Beneficiary designation is also one of the first steps in estate planning, a process designed to protect the property you’ve accumulated and money you’ve saved. No matter how old or young you are and regardless of your wealth, having an estate plan can be essential. Without a plan, the state, through probate court, would control the decisions, which might not reflect your wishes.
Benefits of an estate plan
With an estate plan, you can reduce the potential for family disputes and legal battles; avoid handing heirs a lengthy and costly probate process; ensure that more of your assets go to your loved ones rather than the government; and designate who should care for minor children, your spouse or other loved ones.
A well-developed estate plan documents your wishes clearly and accounts for all your assets and situations that may arise. That’s why, in most cases, you will need an attorney to write your estate plan and file the necessary paperwork with your state.
However, you can get started on your own by either completing or revising the beneficiary designation form on file with the retirement plan.
Start building your estate plan
Log in to your Nationwide Retirement Plan account at nrsforu.com to:
- Make sure that your beneficiary designations are up to date
- Learn more by registering for our next “Leaving a Legacy” webinar
Jun 26, 2025 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Covenant Global
At Covenant Global, we know how hard local governments work to serve their communities — often with limited resources and growing demands. That’s why we’re sharing simple and practical ways to strengthen your cybersecurity without adding complexity or cost.
Why This Matters Right Now
Just last week, a phishing email disguised as a trusted communication began circulating among Oregon municipalities. The message urged recipients to “verify their information within 24 hours” or risk losing access —complete with an official-looking link. These kinds of emails are designed to create panic, trick users into clicking, and harvest sensitive information. While no data was compromised in this instance, it’s a timely reminder: our public institutions are increasingly being targeted, and social engineering is one of the most common attack methods used. These threats don’t just happen elsewhere — they’re happening here, now.
A Common (and Costly) Scenario
Imagine this: A hacker scans your county’s staff directory and sees the email for “Deputy Bill Smith.” They call your outsourced IT provider and say:
“Hi, IT — this is Deputy Bill Smith. I just locked my account by trying to log in too many times, and my cell phone was damaged at a traffic accident scene. I need to have my account unlocked and my password changed. Would you send the password to my wife’s cell phone, 503-123-4567 [hacker’s number], so I can log into my laptop? My email address is bsmith@ci.anytown.or.us. Thanks for your help.”
Since the hacker knows the email address (used to log into the work account), the user’s name, and role/title, it could be very easy to fool outsourced IT into resetting the account — giving the hacker full access.
3 Simple Fixes You Can Make This Week
- Use Email Aliases for Public Contact Info
Rather than listing staff login emails such as bsmith@ci.anytown.or.us or jdoe@co.countyname.or.us, create aliases like CityRecorder@ci.anytown.or.us or ClerkOffice@co.countyname.or.us.
Aliases are free to create, simple to manage, and keep staff login details private — making it harder for attackers to impersonate your team.
- Turn On Windows Hello or Similar Facial Recognition
Use built-in security features like Microsoft’s Windows Hello, Apple Face ID, or Google’s facial recognition to link access to the person—not just a password. These tools reduce the need for password resets and make unauthorized access more difficult, even if someone manages to trick IT support.
- Require Microsoft Authenticator or Another Trusted App
Authentication apps like Microsoft Authenticator (or similar tools from Google and Apple) verify a user’s identity through a second device. Even if a hacker knows the password, they won’t gain access without that second layer. Microsoft reports this step alone can prevent up to 90% of attacks.
What To Do If You Suspect a Phish
Cyberattacks often start with a single click. Make sure your staff knows what to do:
- Do not click on suspicious links or attachments.
- Report the email to your IT provider immediately.
- Verify any unusual requests for information through official channels.
- Educate staff to look for urgent language, threats, or unfamiliar senders.
If a phishing email does get through, a fast and informed response can prevent further damage.
Let’s Make It Easier to Stay Secure
These are small changes that make a big difference. At Covenant, we work alongside Oregon’s small and mid-sized municipalities and counties to improve security with practical, affordable tools — often with support from Microsoft-funded programs like Fortify.
And we’re here to help.
For more information about cybersecurity, please contact Covenant Global by emailing Tellmemore@covenant.global or visit our website at http://covenant.global/services/fortify.
By: Shel Philips, PMP, Chief Security/Compliance Officer and COO, Covenant Global
Jun 2, 2025 | AOC Advocacy
The “second chamber deadline” for the 2025 Legislative Session passed on Friday, May 23, at 5 p.m. Bills must have been voted out of the second chamber policy committee in order to continue moving through the legislative process toward becoming law. Nearly all of the Association of Oregon Counties’ (AOC) priority bills are advancing or are in committees not subject to this deadline. Most of the bills opposed by AOC have been amended to mitigate our concerns or will not move forward this session.
As the Legislature prepares its balanced biennial budget, policy bills with a fiscal component requiring state general fund allocations are sent to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. If the budget writers intend to fund those policy bills, they will be referred to the appropriate subcommittee for further consideration before being heard in the full joint committee. Bills must pass both the House and Senate before the legislative assembly adjourns “sine die” – Latin for “without a day.” The presiding officers have identified Wednesday, June 18, as “target sine die,” and Sunday, June 29, is “constitutional sine die.”
Below are updates on AOC’s 2025 session priorities and bills on which we have been actively engaged. A comprehensive bill list is available on AOC’s Legislative Committee Website and is regularly updated throughout the session.
May Revenue Forecast
The latest revenue forecast was presented to the Legislature by state economists on Wednesday, May 14. As some expected, projected revenues available for the 2025-2027 biennium were revised downward from last quarter – due to a reduction in both revenue and resources – resulting in $755 million less than previously expected for the Legislature to allocate. However, the state’s kicker rebate has also been reduced to $1.6 billion providing a net General Fund balance of $35.7 billion. Paired with an additional $5.3 billion from lottery revenues, recreational marijuana excise tax, and Corporate Activity Tax, Oregon stands with just over $41 billion in total available funds, plus a 10.6% emergency reserve. Given Governor Kotek’s proposed 2025-2027 budget recommending $39.3 billion in funding, Oregon is in a reasonable position compared to our neighboring states to continue providing existing public services.
AOC 2025 Session Priorities Status Updates
Assessment and Taxation Funding
Ongoing conversations and negotiations with stakeholders and members of the House Committee on Revenue are taking place around AOC’s assessment and taxation funding proposal, House Bill 3518. AOC anticipates a final informational hearing in the House Committees on Revenue in the coming weeks and remains optimistic that a solution will move forward this session.
Community Corrections and Deflection Funding
The April corrections population forecast showed a substantial decline in the projected population for individuals on community supervision. This is both good and bad news. The baseline budget is substantially smaller, and the cost study is more affordable. However, because funding is allocated per person, it becomes even more critical to fully fund the study. Unfortunately, the Oregon Department of Corrections budget passed out of the Way and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety at the current service level amount, which is substantially lower than the governor’s request and does not incorporate any of the cost study.
AOC’s county deflection program cost survey yielded a statewide ask of $47 million, which is $7 million more than the governor’s recommended budget. The Criminal Justice Commission recently presented 2024 program results, current data as of April 2025, and evidence-backed best practices to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety. AOC continues to be engaged with the budget writers, urging them to fully fund these integral public safety measures.
Health and Human Services
AOC is advocating for funding to meet counties’ statutory obligations for behavioral health, public health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities services; adequate statewide funding for effective deflection programs; and maintenance of homelessness response infrastructure and local coordination.
Senate Bill 610A, which improves transparency and coordination of Behavioral Health Resource Network grantmaking with the local behavioral health system passed out of the House this past Thursday and is on its way to be signed by the governor.
AOC’s remaining public health priorities including funding for Community Mental Health Programs, Oregon Health Authority residential treatment study, expanded substance use disorder prevention and treatment capacity, and local healthcare workforce development await action in Ways and Means.
State Forest Harvest Revenue
House Bill 3103A would require a sustainable harvest in the state forests, which in turn will provide a level of budgetary certainty for the 15 Trust Land Counties. The bill was moved to Joint Ways and Means for fiscal consideration following the May revenue forecast. Oregon Forest Industries Council, Special Districts Association of Oregon, Oregon School Boards Association, Coalition of Oregon School Administrators, and the Oregon Education Association have all leaned in to support this measure and urge its passage.
Transient Lodging Tax Flexibility
House Bill 3962-2 extends the permissible uses of net revenue from a new or increased local transient lodging tax to include public safety services and certain costs related to community infrastructure. HB 3962-2 received a hearing in the House Committee on Revenue on May 8, and remains active. AOC continues to provide support to legislators through ongoing negotiations.
Transportation Funding Package
Hearings on the 2025 transportation package moved to the newly created Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment. Membership of the committee is the same as the regular Joint Committee on Transportation, but it is not subject to deadlines, meaning a final package can be introduced, debated, and moved out of the committee up to the final days of session.
As this conversation and negotiation evolves, AOC staff will continue to advocate for the principles and priorities set by our Legislative Committee.
Tyler v. Hennepin Foreclosure Surplus Alignment
House Bill 2089 provides for a process by which former owners of real property deeded to the county for delinquent property taxes may claim the surplus value after the property has been sold by the county. This brings Oregon into alignment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County. AOC has been negotiating on this issue since early 2024 to mitigate many of the operational and financial burdens that the Supreme Court decision and early versions of HB 2089 would have created. A work session has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, to consider a final negotiated amendment.
Water
All of AOC’s priority water bills, including place-based water planning, were referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
Wildfire
After successfully passing through its first policy committee, House Bill 3940, one of the Wildfire Funding Workgroup bills, was heard in May in the House Committee on Revenue. The AOC Legislative Committee voted to support Sec. 6-44 (programmatic changes that will save public and private landowners money going forward) at the May meeting. With AOC now officially in support, there will be greater leverage in negotiations as all members of the workgroup are united in ensuring there is fair and consistent funding to fight wildfires in Oregon.
Wolf Depredation Grants
Senate Bill 777A makes a series of changes to the Wolf Depredation and Compensation Grant Program housed at the Oregon Department of Agriculture – a longtime priority of AOC. Counties took the lead on the wolf depredation legislative concept, which will help bring additional deterrence to the landscape and more ranchers into the program. After over a decade of failed attempts at updates to the program, SB 777 passed out of the Senate with a strong 28-1 floor vote. The bill unanimously passed out of the House Agriculture Committee and is slated for a House floor vote the first week of June.
Jun 2, 2025 | AOC News
County leaders from across Oregon came together in May for the fourth session of County College, a program by the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) designed to equip new county leaders with training on governance, roles, and responsibilities.
Held at the AOC office in Salem, the three-day training focused on the county’s role in public safety and natural resources. Earlier sessions covered topics such as health and human services, veterans’ services, community development, and county governance.
“The work counties do in public safety and natural resources is foundational to the well-being of our communities,” said AOC Executive Director Gina Nikkel. “From protecting our communities through law enforcement and emergency services to stewarding Oregon’s abundant natural resources like forests and water, counties are on the front lines, ensuring a safe and sustainable future for all Oregonians.”
Participants received a comprehensive look into Oregon’s criminal justice system, beginning with an overview of the state’s judicial department and its interactions with county governments. They learned about the role of district attorney offices, the responsibilities of county sheriffs, and the importance of community corrections in maintaining public safety. A highlight of the session was a visit to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, where attendees toured the Emergency Coordination Center and learned about grant programs, disaster response, recovery operations, and support services for county emergency managers.
“County College is immensely valuable,” said Hood River County Administrator Allison Williams. “As a new county leader, the sessions are packed with information that is critical for understanding our statutory responsibilities. Combined with the learning that happens across those participating, partnerships have been created which advance the cause of counties on the local, state and federal level. The latest session focused on courts, the office of the Sheriff, natural resources, and emergency management which are everyday topics in our county. I am so pleased to be attending.”
AOC Legislative Affairs Manager Branden Pursinger led a discussion on the role of the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties, which helps uphold the trust and contractual relationships tied to county forest trust lands. Attendees also heard from the Oregon Department of Forestry on timber protection and ecosystem management strategies, and learned some fun facts about Oregon — nearly half of Oregon is forestland, and Oregon is the top producer in the U.S. of softwood lumber and plywood.
The session also covered state policy development regarding water and public lands, and featured a presentation from the Oregon State Fire Marshal on wildfire response coordination through the Fire and Conflagration Act. Additionally, participants learned about the state’s commitment to protecting fish, wildlife, and their habitats, and ensuring sustainable water supplies for future generations.
To round out the training, AOC Legislative Director Mallorie Roberts presented an overview of statutory duties required of counties under Oregon law. These include establishing emergency management agencies, conducting elections, regulating solid waste collection, and creating county juvenile departments, among others.
Special thanks to OSU Extension Services and CIS Oregon for their financial support that helps make County College possible, and to all our guest speakers for sharing their time and expertise.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
