Advocacy Updates on Our Work at State Legislature
Restore Oregon would like to thank YOU and everyone who helped create a groundswell of engagement with the Oregon Legislature so far this session. This was a week of big progress for two bills specifically so we wanted to keep you informed and engaged!
This week...
Bringing Back the Historic Property Special Assessment Program (HB 3190)
Today, the House Revenue Committee approved HB 3190-2 during a Work Session! It will now move forward in the legislative process.
We thank the approximately 180 people who provided written testimony supporting this bill in late February. It was introduced by Rep. Rob Nosse at the request of Restore Oregon. Thank you and all the other Representatives and Senators who are Sponsors of our effort to get one small but important financial incentive for historic commercial properties back into action. And, thanks specifically to the Arts & Culture Caucus and the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO) for making this bill a priority on your legislative priorities for this session!
Governor’s Middle-Housing Bill (HB 2138)
On Tuesday (March 26th), the second Public Hearing was held in the House Housing & Homelessness Committee where the “-2” amendment officially removed the proposed section to eliminate demolition review for historic properties. We strongly OPPOSED this proposal along with over 300 individuals, organizations, and cities who took time to provide robust written testimony in opposition a few weeks ago. With this significant change brought by the “-2” amendment, Restore Oregon submitted testimony removing our opposition and sincerely thanked the Governor and her team as well as the leadership of the House Housing Committee in listening. Our vigilance must continue because this bill and amendment have not been voted on – that is currently scheduled for April 2nd. We will continue to monitor this bill closely. We also thank our local partners who helped spread the word with our Action Alert and information – Architectural Heritage Center in Portland, Lake Oswego Preservation Society, friends groups and neighborhood associations. And, to our Policy & Advocacy Committee members who volunteer time and leadership in reaching out and help with our advocacy strategy. When we widen the circle and work together, it makes space for positive change like this – thank you!
Other updates
Restore Oregon’s legislative agenda has a host of other bills that we are supporting, tracking and advocating around. Now that we are half-way through the legislative session, here’s a quick overview of where things stand on a few priority bills.
We testified in opposition to two land-use/planning bills (SB 49-1 and SB 974) that were potentially detrimental to historic preservation and are now actively monitoring their progress.
Restore Oregon is also actively working on bills that have been brought forth by the Arts & Culture Caucus and part of the CACO's legislative agenda. We are especially in support of the Capital Projects for Arts & Culture bill (HB 3191). CACO also is working on the Oregon Arts Commission Funding (HB 3189) and the Merger between Oregon Cultural Trust and Oregon Arts Commission (HB 3048). All three of these bills have been approved in the House Committee and are currently in Joint Ways and Means!