The 2021 Legislative Session has begun, and with the retirement of a significant number of state legislators and the creation of several special committees to address wildfire and COVID-19 recovery, committee membership has changed significantly from previous sessions. This especially rings true for policy committees that intersect with the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) transportation and community development policy portfolio.  AOC legislative affairs staff, Mallorie Roberts is meeting with new legislators, new committee members, and new chairs to educate and advocate on AOC priorities around transportation, community and economic development, land use, solid waste/recycling, energy, and environment.  

Transportation

Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) and Senator Lee Beyer (D- Springfield) have been appointed as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. Senator Brian Boquist (I-Dallas) and Representative Ron Noble (R-McMinnville) serve as co-vice chairs of the committee. For a full committee membership list, click here.

Major transportation conversations will include expanding the voluntary OReGO program to a mandatory statewide road usage charge program, creating timelines around 100 percent  renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure expansion, speed setting authority for cities, and possible technical revisions to tolling statutes. During its first meeting, the Joint Committee on Transportation approved the introduction of the county right of way permit fee bill as a committee bill, and AOC legislative affairs staff is working diligently to shore up broad support among legislators. 

Economic Development

The House Committee on Economic Development has been changed to the House Committee on Economic Recovery and Prosperity, with an anticipated focus on recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Representative John Lively (D-Springfield) chairs the committee. Representative Jami Cate (R- Lebanon) and Representative Jason Kopf (D-Bend) serve as co-vice chairs of the committee. For a full committee membership list, click here.

In the Senate, the what was formerly the Senate Committee on Business and General Government is now the Senate Committee on Labor and Business, chaired by Senator Chuck Riley (D-Hillsboro) and co-chaired by Senator Bill Hansell (R-Athena). For a full committee membership list, click here.

Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland) will also chair the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. Senator Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls) will serve as vice chair. For a full committee membership list, click here. 

These committees are likely to focus on potential federal stimulus dollars, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on business and workers, unemployment insurance administration, cannabis policy, and other issues related to economic development.

AOC priority bill, HB 2267, introduced by Representative John Lively (D-Springfield) which provides that counties receive a fixed 2.5 percent of lottery revenues was presession filed and sent to the House Committee on Economic Recovery and Prosperity with subsequent referral to Ways and Means. AOC staff has begun advocating for the bill and is seeking a hearing on the bill as soon as practicable. 

Energy and Environment

The former Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources has been renamed the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment. The committee is chaired by Senator Lee Beyer (D-Springfield), vice chaired by Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale). For the complete committee membership list, click here.

The House Committee on Energy and Environment is chaired by Representative Pam Marsh (D-Ashland). Representative David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) and Representative Ken Helm (D-Beaverton) serve as co-vice chairs. For the complete committee membership list, click here.

The policy conversation around cap and trade has, for the time being, been moved to agency rulemaking under the Executive Order 20-04, directing state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore the legislature is not expected to consider a large carbon bill this session. The energy and environment committees are expected to focus on renewable energy development, electric vehicle infrastructure expansion and alternate fuels, clean energy standard, and a recycling system overhaul. 

Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Manager