SalemWatch: Special Session - Big Wins and Big Disappointments
There are still a number of environmental bills working their way through the legislative process and in many cases the biggest thing that threatens them is time. Some rumors are circulating that this session may conclude as early as Tuesday, so read on and don’t hesitate to let your legislators know how you feel about these Priorities for a Healthy Oregon.
| Priorities for a Healthy Oregon |
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Protecting Oregon's Coast from Oil and Gas Exploration
 As mentioned above, House Bill 3613 passed the Senate Thursday on a vote of 22-8 and is headed to the Governor’s desk where he is expected to sign it into law! HB 3613 extends the moratorium on oil and gas exploration off of Oregon’s coast for 10 more years, by which time we hope to see a permanent ban. Congratulations to Representative Cannon and all of you who helped pass this important protection for Oregon’s coast. Contact: Brock Howell, Environment Oregon, 503-231-1986
Jennifer Williamson, Oregon Conservation Network, 503-781-7233
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 Protecting our Children from Harmful Chemicals..
It was a disappointing week for everyone advocating for protection of Oregon babies from the toxic chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) when the Oregon Senate, on a 15-15 vote, failed to pass Senate Bill 1032. Although SB 1032 was an extremely narrowly scoped bill that would have banned BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups, it would have represented a significant step in protecting our children from the dangerous effects to their health that BPA may pose during one of the most vulnerable stages in child development. The failure of the Senate to pass this bill is especially frustrating because there are plenty of BPA-free alternatives for these products already on the market.
The good news is that there is still a chance to pass this important legislation with the emergence of House Bill 3703, which is essentially the same bill as the original SB 1032. HB 3073 is in the House Rules committee awaiting a work session so it can be sent to the House Floor.
Contact: Andrea Salinas, Oregon Environmental Council, 971-221-2653
or Renee Hackenmiller-Paradis, Oregon Environmental Council, 503-222-1963 x 110
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Creating Healthy, Climate-Friendly Communities
 Senate Bill 1059 incorporates the recommendations of a task force established by the 2009 Legislature to assist Oregon's major metro areas in developing plans to broaden transportation choices while also helping Oregon meet its greenhouse-gas reduction goals. 1000 Friends of Oregon and the Oregon Environmental Council represented the conservation community on the task force and are leading the effort to help pass this common sense partnership between state agencies and Oregon’s largest cities to coordinate transportation and land use planning.
The bill as amended passed out of the joint Ways & Means Committee on Friday and is on it's way to the Senate floor.
Contact: Eric Stachon, 1000 Friends of Oregon, 503-497-1000 x129
Andrea Salinas, Oregon Environmental Council, 971-221-2653
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| Other Environmental Bills |
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Public right to use waterways
Senate Bill 1060, which would have created a task force charged with examining the issues surrounding public use of Oregon's waterways, the public use doctrine, judicial opinions and the interests of adjacent landowners, died on the Senate floor by a 14-16 vote. SB 1060 was originally introduced by Senator Alan Bates (D - Ashland) and Secretary of State Kate Brown to codify the 2005 Attorney General Opinion that asserts the public’s right to use floatable waterways throughout Oregon.
Increasing Non-Farm Businesses on Farmland
Senate Bill 1055 expands the authority of small wineries (those that produce less than 50,000 gallons) to sell items and services that are related to the wine production at their wineries, even if those wineries are located in exclusive farm-use zones. This includes hosting private events such as weddings. If passed, the law will sunset in 2013. That means that the 2011 Legislature would likely be taking suggestions from a work group on the larger issue of revenue-producing operations from non-agricultural activities on farms in exclusive farm-use zones. SB 1055 is on the Senate Floor.
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| Events |
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The Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (the sister organization of OLCV) wants to help you get ready to win. Tomorrow, on February 21, OLCV-EF is hosting its electoral skills training "Campaigning to Win". Here you will learn from an experienced team of campaigners including Education Fund Executive Director Jon Isaacs and Education Fund Political Director Katy Daily. They will teach you the skills you will need to lead the campaigns you will be working on in the future. Sessions will include topics on strategy, fundraising, targeting, messaging, volunteer management and more. Please join us at OSU's Memorial Union in Corvallis on February 21, 2010 form 11:00a.m. to 3:30a.m. Registration is limited to five more slots so please RSVP today!
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