HB 4059 Extends sunset on canola land in Willamette Valley

02/26/2024
VOTE: NO
PASSED – Signed into law by Gov Kotek, 4-4-24, effective immediately

Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2024R1/Measures/Overview/HB4059

This bill is amended to extend the 500-acre authorization to June 30, 2023, and in 2023, Senate Bill 789 extended the 500-acre authorization to July 1, 2024.

The amended bill modifies the definition of canola related to canola laws for the Willamette Valley Protected District (WVPD), changes the licensing requirement to grow canola in the WVPD to a permitting requirement, and changes “industry-recommended isolation distance” to “customary isolation distances in the WVPD.” The emergency and becomes effective on passage.

In light of Measure 110 and the influx of cartel activity and money laundering, extending the sunset seems to be inviting more trouble into the mix.

Since the bill does not add any acreage, the objection is just postponed, but you should still let legislators know your views.