OSWA Legislative Update

This week will be another very busy time at the Capitol. This is the last week for proposed legislation to receive a hearing, as bills that have not had a hearing by the end of the week will die for this session. Thus, we expect a number of last minute hearings throughout the week.

Landowners Seek Forestry Budget Options
OSWA and OFIC representatives met to discuss funding priorities for the Department of Forestry in the face of pending budget cuts as legislators try to balance the 2009-2011 budget in the face of a continually increasing $4 billion general fund revenue shortfall. DOF representatives helped the group identify key roles for forest practice act enforcement.

The legislature's budget writing committee will review the DOF's budget in two weeks. OSWA's Lobby Day on April 28 will coincide with a Ways & Means Natural Resource Subcommittee hearing on the DOF budget.

Revised Climate Change Proposal
Legislators who have sought climate change legislation through negotiations with industry, utilities and environmentalists unveiled their latest proposal minutes before a hearing on the SB 80 amendments. The changes were crafted by environmentalists following the refusal by the coalition of businesses to accept a "hard cap" on carbon emissions.

Legislators on the Sen. Environment and Natural Resources Committee and several environmental advocates at the hearing maintained that the current proposal is not a hard cap. However, plain reading of the proposal clearly shows that agencies are required to meet the most stringent carbon reduction requirements in the nation.

Previously, Oregon's two major utilities estimated that meeting hard cap carbon reduction targets would cost $11.5 billion. The climate change hearing will continue this week with more testimony from advocates and opponents. Meanwhile, a coalition of businesses, industry, utilities, labor and homebuilders is distributing a memo on the latest amendments with the subject line: A "Hard Cap" in Sheep's Clothing.

Budget Writers Allow Cut List to Sink In
A week after legislators released 30% cut lists for all state agencies, budget writers focused on tax credits in the House Revenue Committee.

The Ways & Means Committee will hold public meetings throughout Oregon for two weeks beginning on April 20 in order to receive input from outside the Capitol. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard on the proposed Department of Forestry massive budget cuts.

More information on these public hearings will be sent to you in an OSWA Action Alert.

Business Energy Tax Credits, expanded in 2007, have led Oregon's plunge into renewable energy generation by providing 50% tax credits. Prior to the expansion of the BETC program in 2007, energy efficiency projects for Oregon manufacturers were the largest users of the program.

Wind, solar and biofuels businesses have flocked to Oregon. Willamette Week, Portland's alternative newspaper, published an interesting critique of an ethanol plant funded by state backed loans and BETCs.

Willamette Week | "Corndoggle" | Willamette Week | April 8th, 2009

Last Week

4-9

House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Rural Communities approved fire funding legislation to maintain the $15 million contribution from forest landowners for Oregon's emergency fire fund, including the nation's only fire insurance policy's $25 million deductible. This year, the fire funding legislation includes amendments drafted by Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, to ensure a 50-50 split between forest landowners and the General Fund, from the first dollar expended.

This Week

4-13
Senate Finance and Revenue will hold a public hearing on SB 886, a proposed bill that would shift some responsibilities from the Department of Revenue to woodland owners that take advantage of the small tract forestland program - specifically, certifying that you qualify for the program and obtaining the appropriate forms to file your return.

4-14
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee will continue the public hearing on amendments to SB 80, the climate change legislation.

4-16

House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee will hold its first public hearing on HB 2015. This bill establishes certain requirements before applicant seeking to construct liquefied natural gas terminal or related pipeline may be issued specified permits and authorizations.

For the report on OSWA legislation, click on:
OSWA Bill Tracker
Login: OSWA; Password: session09

For more legislative information, click on:
Conkling Fiskum & McCormick Insider Online.

Thank you for reading OSWA's Legislative Update. Please pass this email on to others that may be interested in legislative news and information. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Sincerely,

David Ford

Executive Director

Oregon Small Woodlands Association

Ralph Saperstein

OSWA Lobbyist

Conkling Fiskum & McCormick