With the 2022 Legislative Session kicking off on February 1, the AOC Governance and Revenue Steering Committee is setting its sights on policies that bolster county ability to provide services efficiently and effectively. The committee has adopted the following for its 2022 legislative priority:

Protect and enhance financial and technological security of counties through cooperation with state and federal partners, shared investment in shared priorities, and identification of revenue sources for any newly proposed programs.

“This priority allows AOC’s Governance and Revenue Steering Committee to target and engage in critical conversations across the state,” said committee co chair David Yamamoto of the committee’s priority.

While the final legislative picture is still coming into focus, AOC staff has taken part in a number of discussions culminating in legislative concepts that will directly speak to the priority above.

Marijuana Tax Workgroup

One legislative concept focused on enhancing the financial security of counties is LC 249. The concept is the result of a legislative workgroup convened by Representative Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene) that committed to finding a bipartisan, bicameral, and politically feasible fix to marijuana revenues for local governments in 2022. 

The passage of Ballot Measure 110 (2020) capped existing Measure 91 marijuana revenue recipients at $45 million annually with the excess going to a newly established Drug Treatment and Recovery Services Fund. LC 249 indexes that $45 million to grow annually in line with the U.S. Average Consumer Price Index. While not the full backfill sought in the Governor’s Recommended Budget, this concept ensures that the county share of marijuana dollars will not weaken over time. LC 249 will be introduced as a committee bill in the House Committee on Revenue in February.

Cyber Center of Excellence

Another legislative concept focused on strengthening county security is LC 261. Representative Nancy Nathanson (D- Eugene) became interested in shoring up the cyber vulnerabilities of local governments and convened the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), League of Oregon Cities (LOC), Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO), public universities, and other partners to bring forward solutions. The resulting concept would establish a virtual “Cyber Center of Excellence,” housed in Oregon’s three largest public universities, create a Cybersecurity Workforce Development Fund, and establish a Cybersecurity Grant Program Fund. Through this program, local governments could apply for resources to help with cyber assessment, monitoring, incident response, and technical assistance. LC 261 will be introduced as a committee bill in the Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology.

The AOC Governance and Revenue Steering Committee will be discussing these concepts and others at its February 3 meeting.

“Both revenue backfill and cyber security are conversations being elevated across counties. We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the solutions to these pressing issues and tell the county story throughout the legislative process,” said Yamamoto.

For questions or for feedback, please contact AOC Legislative Affairs Manager, Tyler Janzen.

Contributed by: Tyler Janzen | Legislative Affairs Manager