Legislation

Legislative Reports

Legislative Updates

By: Genoa Ingram, OFDDA Executive Director

HB 2174 is the consensus urban renewal legislation for 2019. The bill is the result of a work group that included Special Districts Association of Oregon, Clackamas Fire District #1, Oregon Fire District Directors Association, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Oregon School Boards Association, Association of Oregon Redevelopment Agencies, and many others.

HB 2174 requires delivery of an urban renewal plan and accompanying report to the governing body of each taxing district affected by an urban renewal plan and allows taxing districts 60 days to submit written recommendations to the urban renewal agency prior to agency presenting plan for approval. Most important for fire districts, the bill requires concurrence by three of the four taxing districts estimated to forgo the most property tax revenue. The new law would apply to plans or plan amendments proposed after July 1, 2019 and would apply in the following conditions:

The proposed urban renewal plan includes a public building project; The addition of a public building project (or change of scope) to an existing urban renewal plan; Plan amendments that increase the budget for a public building project more than 20 percent.

HB 2174 also defines a public building, public building project, reduced rate plan, and standard rate plan for purposes of urban renewal and requires the notice of a hearing on a new proposed urban renewal plan or plan amendments to contain a statement that adoption may affect property tax rates. If passed, urban renewal agencies will be required to include the maximum indebtedness for each urban renewal area in their annual statement, including the amount of indebtedness incurred through the end of the preceding fiscal year. The March 18 hearing was HB 2174’s first before the House Committee 0n Economic Development. No action was taken at that time but additional meetings are anticipated.

SB 507 was heard before the Senate Committee on Workforce on March 19. The bill, along with the proposed -3 amendments, presumes that death, disability, or impairment caused by certain mental or emotional trauma or by a stress-related disorder (including PTSD) is a compensable occupational disease for fire service professionals, public safety personnel, or employees of a public or private safety agency with job duties related to firefighting, police, ambulance, or emergency medical services. Hasina Wittenberg presented testimony on behalf of OFDDA and SDAO.

HCR 21 was heard before the House Rules Committee on March 18. The bill recognizes and honors Chief Michael Duyck for his service to Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and the State of Oregon.

Several bills related to the fire service were heard on March 12 before the House Veterans and Emergency Services Committee:

HB 2373 would allow the State Forester to order use of wildfire suppression personnel, equipment and services on any federal lands within state borders. The bill is aimed at reducing carbon emissions from forest fires.

HB 2138 proposes to extend the sunset for tax credit for provision of volunteer emergency medical services in rural areas. Currently, the tax, which is authorized under ORS 315.622 applies to tax credit certifications issued by the Office of Rural Health on or after January 1, 2006, and before January 1, 2020. HB 2138 would extend the sunset date to January 21, 2026. The task of the House Veterans and Emergency Services Committee is to make a policy recommendation to the House Revenue Committee, which will ultimately decide if the bill goes to the House Floor.

HB 2449 proposes an increase to the 9-1-1 emergency communications tax from $0.75 to $1.50. OFDDA provided testimony in support of the increase in order to strengthen 9-1-1. There was no opposition with the exception of two telecom carriers.

OFDDA Weekly Legislative Update
During each Legislative Session, OFDDA provides a weekly update to OFDDA members, our fire service partners, and other interested parties. To make sure you receive these updates, please submit your email address to kate@ofdda.com and you will be added to the list. You may safely unsubscribe at any time.

Important Dates at the Capitol

January 22: The 80th Legislative Assembly convened Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

May 23: Fire Service Day at the Capitol. This year, Fire Service Day will be coordinated by the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association. This event is a favorite among legislators and is an excellent opportunity to showcase all facets of the fire service. Please plan to attend.

June 30: Under the Oregon Constitution, the legislature may last 160 days in odd-numbered years and therefore must adjourn by June 30. Between January 22 and June 30 there will be a number of deadlines for proposed legislation to be scheduled and heard.

Should you have questions regarding the legislative process or proposed legislation, please contact Genoa Ingram at 800-223-9708.

Winter 2018/2019

Governor’s Budget and Impact on Public Safety
Following the November 2018 mid-term election, Governor Kate Brown released her recommended budget for the 2019-20 biennium. At $23.6 billion, Brown’s general fund and lottery budget represents a 12.4 percent increase from the current two-year budget. While the Governor did not specify how the additional revenue would be generated, an increase of approximately $800 million in new taxes on tobacco and alcohol, is being discussed in addition to other measures.

The Governor’s proposed budget for the Office of State Fire Marshal is $29.5 million, a 26.7 percent decrease from the 2017-19 biennium. The decrease is due to the one-time funding provided by the State to address the 2017 and 2018 fire seasons. Those funds totaled more than $30.0 million due to the 15 Conflagration Declarations. A proposed $0.8 billion increase in the Petroleum Load Fee will enable the OSFM to replace aging emergency response vehicles and issue them to regional teams.

Previous Legislative Reports can be found in earlier copies of the Communiqué newsletter.