The following bills may be of interest to the Oregon trails community. Click on a bill link to view the full text, subscribe to updates, view the bills' sponsors, see when hearings or work sessions are scheduled, and follow the links to committee agendas for hearings to submit public testimony or sign up to testify. The 2023 Oregon session is in progress and moves fast! We continue to review additional bills and may update this post.
SB 679 and HB 2191 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Parks and Recreation Department for continued development of Oregon Coast Trail.
Coalition endorsement in at nutshell: We love the Oregon Coast Trail! $1 million is a small amount of new general funding to dedicate to a project of such statewide significance, but it's a start!
SB 815: Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Oregon Department of Administrative Services for expenses related to Bridge of the Gods seismic strengthening.
Coalition endorsement in at nutshell: We love the Pacific Crest Trail and want to see a future bridge pathway for hikers, bikers, and equestrians! Investment in seismic strengthening is the first step.
HB 2737 Allows agencies to sell, lease or donate state real property of agency to eligible Indian tribes notwithstanding ordinary transfer procedures.
Coalition endorsement in at nutshell: Oregon Tribes should have at least same land transfer preference as cities and counties to manage lands for restoration, recreation access, restoration of treaty rights, and access to first foods.
SB 754: Provides that operator may require person who engages in sport, fitness or recreational activity in various ways to release operator from claims for ordinary negligence. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
Coalition endorsement in a nutshell: Let's lessen the insurance burden to private landowners and guides and outfitters who want to provide trails and other outdoor recreation experiences to the public.
Supported by the Protect Oregon Recreation Coalition.
SB 5527 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Budget
Coalition endorsement in nutshell: We woefully underfund trails and outdoor recreation in our state. While we work on developing new funding mechanisms, let's at least fund the full OPRD budget!
HB 3016: Establishes Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program. Establishes Community Green Infrastructure Fund. Establishes Community Green Infrastructure Task Force. Directs State Forestry Department to acquire and maintain urban tree canopy assessment tool. Directs department to develop emerald ash borer assistance program.
Coalition Endorsement in a nutshell: This bill to forward natural climate solutions critical for fighting climate change and protecting our forests, farms, grasslands and wetlands aligns with our coalition values of stewardship and conversation and our community's desire to partner in addressing climate change.
HB 2571: Directs Department of Environmental Quality to establish program for providing rebates to qualifying individuals who purchase electric assisted bicycles or cargo electric bicycles and qualifying equipment.
Coalition endorsement in a nutshell: E-bikes are one tool to reduce barriers to outdoor recreation and active transportation for people with a variety of physical disabilities and many others. For some Oregonians e-bikes can also replace cars and be part of climate solutions. Let's make them more affordable for lower income Oregonians.
HB 2999: Modifies provisions of Department of Transportation wildlife-vehicle collision program. Requires department to describe and make recommendations for ongoing funding strategy for program. Directs State Department of Fish and Wildlife to carry out projects to support species mobility and habitat connectivity.
Coalition Endorsement in a nutshell: We like trails, and we like wildlife. This bill supports trails for wildlife endangered by highway traffic (thereby making our highways safer for people too. We also like people.)
SB 530 Establishes state policy regarding natural climate solutions. Establishes Natural and Working Lands Fund and provides for transfer of moneys from fund to certain state agencies.
Coalition Endorsement in a nutshell: This bill to forward natural climate solutions critical for fighting climate change and protecting our forests, farms, grasslands and wetlands aligns with our coalition values of stewardship and conversation and our community's desire to partner in addressing climate change.
SB 888 Requires person 15 years of age or older operating Class IV or certain Class II all-terrain vehicles to carry and present both documentation of driving privileges and valid all-terrain vehicle operator permit. Requires operator of Class IV or certain Class II all-terrain vehicles to complete safety education course or pass equivalency examination to obtain all-terrain vehicle operator permit.
Coalition Endorsement in a nutshell: We are happy to support this bill that has the support of OPRD and Oregon's ATV Advisory Committee to clarify permit requirements for side-by-sides.
SB 889 Modifies definition of "Class IV all-terrain vehicle." Removes requirement that certain off-road vehicles be equipped with windshield wipers.
(sponsored by OPRD and supported by ATV Advisory Committee)
Coalition Endorsement in a nutshell: We are happy to support this pragmatic bill that has the support of OPRD and Oregon's ATV Advisory Committee to clean up definitions of side-by-sides from 14 inch wheels to 1000cc and to replace windshield wiper requirement with "windshield must be unobstructed."
HB 2796 Expands all-terrain vehicle highway access routes to include county roads.
Coalition Endorsement in a nutshell: This bill would allow County Commissioners to designate sections of their county roads to be ATV Highway Access Routes. This would create another path to for communities designate ATV routes that forward community goals for rural economic development and connecting trail users to community services.