The 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly convened on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to begin the 160-day session. The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Legislative Affairs Department had a productive first week in the Capitol meeting with legislators, attending hearings, and networking with our colleagues. We are already well on our way to achieving our team’s goal of meeting with all 90 legislators in the first 30 days of session to introduce the AOC team and our 2025 policy priorities.
AOC members are encouraged to engage in AOC’s policy process this session – our advocacy is strongest when it is informed by our counties across the state. If you’re not already receiving steering committee meeting notices and agendas, you can sign up through the 2025 AOC Committee Interest Form. AOC steering committee meetings are a critical forum for our members to learn about and weigh in on legislative concepts impacting county services, budgets, and governance.
The AOC Legislative Committee meets in Salem at the AOC office on the second Monday of every month – “AOC Day” – to consider steering committee recommendations. AOC steering committees meet on a rotating schedule the preceding Friday (virtual only) and Monday (hybrid). The most up-to-date information can be found on the calendar on AOC’s website, and calendar invitations are sent out monthly.
Members can also expect emailed communications from AOC’s Legislative Affairs Department with timely legislative updates, information about action taken by the AOC Legislative Committee, and issue-specific action alerts urging our members to contact legislators or submit testimony on high priority bills.
The AOC Legislative Committee adopted the below 2025 Policy Priorities based on steering committee recommendations in June 2024. These priorities, along with positions and principles recommended throughout the legislative session by AOC steering committees, guide the advocacy work of the AOC Legislative Affairs Department.
AOC 2025 POLICY PRIORITIES
Assessment and Taxation Funding
- Sustain and protect the property tax asset to the benefit of all property owners and taxing districts through adequate, equitable, and stable funding for county assessment and taxation programs.
Contact: Legislative Affairs Manager Justin Low, Governance, Revenue, and Economic Development
Health and Human Services
- Provide counties with the resources to address Oregon’s addiction and homelessness crises by removing administrative burdens and funding county public health and behavioral health services, deflection programs, and local homelessness response coordination for youth and adults.
Contact: Legislative Affairs Manager Jessica Pratt, Health and Human Services
Natural Resources
- Protect and strengthen county authority, funding, and flexibility in managing local natural resource policies.
Contact: Legislative Affairs Manager Branden Pursinger, Natural Resources and Land Use
Community Corrections
- Fully fund a revised community corrections formula that accurately reflects the costs incurred by counties.
Contact: Legislative Affairs Manager Tim Dooley, Public Safety, Broadband, and Solid Waste
Transportation Funding
- Ensure a comprehensive transportation funding package prioritizes investments in operations, maintenance, and safety; incorporates diverse and modern funding mechanisms to ensure the growth and stabilization of the State Highway Fund (SHF); maintains the 30% county share of SHF revenues; and reduces barriers to local revenue sources.
Contact: Legislative Affairs Director Mallorie Roberts, Transportation
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director