HB 2706 Fees on Water Rights

Died In Committee – Imposes annual management fee of $100 on each primary or supplemental water right. Provides for deposit of management fee moneys into Water Resources Department Water Right Operating Fund to fund field, technical, scientific and administrative activities.

HB 2707 Ground Water Study

Died In Committee – Provides General Fund money for additional ground water studies and evaluation conducted in cooperation with United States Geological Survey in priority basins determined by Water Resources Department.

HB 2320 Non-Motorized Boating Program

Died In Committee. Establishes a Non-Motorized Boating Program that requires education on use and safety, and regulations adopted by rule; and provide safe access to waters. Safety is not the issue so the program is to increase funding.

HB 2296A New Program to Evaluate Well Applications

Governor signed – Establishes special standards application fee for obtaining advice and evaluation on wells to increase likelihood of approval, and increases fees for property owner permits for wells.

HB 2365 – Task Force to Transfer Forest Lands

Died In Committee – Establishes Task Force on the Transfer of Federal Land Ownership in Oregon to research the impact, problems and benefits. Sunsets December 31, 2018. Declares emergency.

HB 2256A Labeling Dietary Supplements

Vote:YES – Signed into Law by Gov Kitzhaber
Adds dietary supplements subject to labeling and Oregon Food Laws to ensure sanitation of supplements and establishments, and ensures sanitation, enforced by the State Department of Agriculture and Oregon Health Authority.

SB 308 Task Force on Barriers Using Marijuana

Establishes a Task Force to identify barriers for social and private consumption of Cannabis to accommodate for marijuana user beyond what is done for tobacco users creating a privileged group, and report on recommended legislation by September 15, 2018.

HB 2203 Distribution of Marijuana Retail Taxes

Changes distribution of moneys collected as tax on retail marijuana items adding 30% to counties and increasing funds to cities for licensing, while cutting 40% for school funds leaving them to deal with student use from other school funds.

HB 4046B Increases penalties for unlawful taking or killing of wildlife

VOTE:NO Passed SUMMARY: Adds black bear and cougar to list of penalties for unlawful taking or killing of wildlife, increases other penalty fines, and adds Class A misdemeanor that includes “worry or disturb any wildlife” and Class C felony conviction that includes confiscation of properties. AMENDMENT A: Adds 180 day mandatory sentence for failure to comply with a citation. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: The adding of black…

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SB 1563A New loan program for septic systems

SB 1563A VOTE: NO Passed Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1563 SB 1563   Authorizes Environmental Quality Commission to develop low-interest loan program for on-site septic system repairs, replacements, upgrades or evaluations.  Declares emergency. PERSONAL CHOICE: Makes loans more accessible for repair or replacement of septic systems. FREE MARKET: The participating lenders must agree to subordinate their liens to the borrowers’ consensual…

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HB 4040A Removes gray wolves from endangered species list

HB 4040A VOTE: YES Passed   Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4040   SUMMARY: Ratifies decision of State Fish and Wildlife Commission to remove Canis lupus from state list of endangered species. Declares emergency. PERSONAL: Collectively known as the gray wolf.  Once could be found throughout the US until federal and state government exterminated them prior to 1930. Canada did their…

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SB 1574A Greenhouse gas emissions goals by rule

VOTE: NO Died In Committee Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1574   Heathy Climate Act (SB 1574)    SUMMARY: Repeals greenhouse gas emissions goals and requires EQC to adopt by rule statewide greenhouse gas emissions goal for 2025, and limits for years 2035 and 2050.   This Cap and Invest program would establish a program in which carbon emissions from transportation fuels,…

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HB 2503 Regulates hunting ammunition and fishing gear by Legislature

VOTE: NO In Committee upon adjournment Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/HB2503 This bill vests sole authority to regulate hunting ammunition and fishing gear with Legislature, except that Dept of Fish and Wildlife may dictate caliber and rounds that may be in a firearm. Personal Choice Takes away personal control of caliber and rounds that may be in a firearm, which…

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HB 3554 creates GMO free market production district formation

Expands the authority of Department of Agriculture to establish tighter controls on GMO ‘commodity plants’ including eradicating or excluding GMO plants, and establishes labeling requirements for GMO seeds.

SB 202 Establishes Oregon Academy of Sciences

Vote:NO – Signed into Law by Gov Kitzhaber
Establishes Oregon Academy of Sciences as nonprofit corporation to serve as principal source of scientific investigation at request of the Governor and Legislature.

HB 2092A Zero-Emission-Incentive Fund

Establishes Zero-Emission Incentive Fund used to auction tax credits and give rebates for zero emission vehicles or alternative fuels vehicles.

HB 2718 increases fees for fertilizer products

Increases limit on annual registration fees and inspection fees for fertilizer, agricultural amendment, agricultural mineral and lime products

HB 2537 Increases damages for unlawful killing of wildlife.

Indirectly puts every wild animal on the “endangered species” list

SB 248 Includes state forester on contracts

Vote:YES – Signed into Law by Gov Kitzhaber
Authorizes State Forester to enter into and administer contracts for activities necessary or convenient for sales of timber from lands owned or managed by State Board of Forestry or State Forestry Department.

SJM 10 designates National Heritage Area and funds Willamette Falls Locks

Urges Congress to designate Willamette Falls and surrounding communities as National Heritage Area and increases land use bureaucracy and decreases property rights.

HB 2632 Encourages solar energy production

Self explanatory.

HB 5003 Establishes fees for nursery and greenhouse growers

Vote:NO – Signed into Law by Gov Kitzhaber
Approves certain new fees adopted by State Department of Agriculture on nursery and greenhouse operations.
These fees will come from rural areas that can’t absorb the expense.

SB 324 Repeals sunset on low carbon fuel standards.

Vote:NO – Signed into Law by Gov Kitzhaber
Proposes a constitutional amendment to ‘allow’ carbon taxes, and raise the tax on Oil and Natural Gas

HB 2503 Places authority for ammunition and fishing gear with legislature

Vests sole authority to regulate hunting ammunition and fishing gear with Legislative Assembly with specified exceptions.