The 82nd Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die on June 25, 2023 after a whirlwind of productivity during the initial four months followed by an historic six week stalemate. Under leadership from AOC policy steering committees and AOC Legislative Committee, members and staff spent the last six months advocating for AOC’s 2023 legislative priorities, negotiating away threats to county budgets and services, and securing significant policy wins and funding for counties.  

This year saw a newly elected governor and administration, new leadership in both the House and Senate, and a large majority of freshmen legislators. Recognizing this as both an opportunity and a challenge, AOC prioritized meaningful relationship development this session. AOC President Derrick DeGroot and AOC Executive Director Gina Nikkel spent time over the last six months with Governor Kotek and staff, House Speaker, House and Senate Majority and Minority Leader offices, and key committee leadership.  

“Politics is a person-to-person business,” said President DeGroot. For AOC and counties to achieve more influence and impact in Salem, we have to spend time developing long-term relationships and implementing thoughtful, productive strategy.” 

Notable AOC wins this session include:

  • HB 2101A – Surface Transportation Block Grant Fund Exchange Program stability 
  • HB 3201 – Critical updates to broadband statutes to secure nearly $900M in federal funding
  • SB 80A – Improved Dept of Forestry/county engagement process on wildfire hazard map 
  • HB 2010A – Place based water planning and drought resources
  • Interim work group on aid and assist liability mitigation and a risk fund
  • SB 344A – Reauthorization of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative 

The AOC legislative affairs team lobbied for/against over 180 bills this session, analyzed and submitted fiscal impact statements on over 500 bills, and secured interim legislative workgroup commitments for priorities that did not pass this session.

Details on every bill on which the AOC Legislative Committee took a position will be included in the AOC Legislative Session Report, published in the coming weeks. Please join the upcoming virtual meetings of the AOC Steering Committees for a deeper dive into policy and budget outcomes. 

Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts, AOC legislative affairs director