HB 4084 A aims to improve Oregon’s business competitiveness by “fast-tracking” major industrial projects. Key provisions include:

• Joint Permitting Council: Establishes a new council within the Governor’s office to oversee a “fast-track” permitting program for up to 15 major projects at a time.

• Investment Thresholds: Qualifying projects must meet high capital investment bars: $150M in metro areas, $100M in other areas, and $50M in non-urban counties.

• $40 Million Appropriation: Provides one-time General Fund money to the Industrial Site Loan Fund to prepare “shovel-ready” sites.

• Enterprise Zone Reform: Expands tax exemptions for businesses in designated “Enterprise Zones,” extending possible exemptions to 7 or even 10 years in some cases.

   

• Fiscal ResponsibilityConcern. The bill appropriates $40 million from the General Fund. While intended to stimulate growth, OCL often questions large taxpayer-funded subsidies for private industrial development and whether the long-term tax abatements in Enterprise Zones shift the tax burden onto residents.

• Local ControlViolation. The Joint Permitting Council is established within the Office of the Governor, and members serve at the “pleasure of the Governor.” This centralizes permitting authority in Salem, potentially overriding local planning and community input for “fast-tracked” projects.

• Free MarketsDirect Violation. This bill is a form of “crony capitalism” or government-directed economy. It uses taxpayer money to pick “target industries” and grants special regulatory shortcuts and tax exemptions to specific large corporations that meet high-dollar thresholds, rather than creating a level playing field for all businesses.

• Limited GovernmentViolation. It creates a new government entity (the Council) and expands the role of Business Oregon. It also grants the executive branch broad discretion to designate which 15 projects get special treatment, increasing the size and reach of administrative government.

• Personal ChoiceNeutral/Concern. While not directly impacting individual lifestyle choices, the use of “fast-track” permitting often bypasses the standard public comment and appeals processes that private citizens use to protect their property rights and local environment.

• OCL “Watchdog” Highlights

  • The “A” Engrossment: This bill has already been amended (the “A” in the title). The -1 amendment added “economic development representatives” to the council but also shifted agency reporting from the Legislature to the Governor, reducing legislative oversight.

  • Selective “Red Tape” Cutting: The bill acknowledges that permitting is a problem in Oregon. However, instead of fixing the system for everyone (Limited Government), it creates a “VIP lane” for the largest investors (Violation of Free Markets).

  • Target Industries: The benefits are restricted to “target industry clusters” defined by Business Oregon rules, meaning bureaucrats, not the market, decide which industries are “priority.”