Analysis

2023 Legislative Agenda

By Rob Zako
February 23, 2023

Because state transportation policies and funding have a significant effect on what can or can’t be accomplished locally, BEST is supporting, opposing, or watching a few dozen bills during the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session.

Source: Oregon State Legislature

UPDATED 3/31/23 to include additional bills and relevant meetings.

UPDATED 3/25/23 to include additional relevant meetings, history.

UPDATED 3/17/23 to include additional relevant meetings.

UPDATED 3/10/23 to include additional bills and relevant meetings.

NOTE: To remain alive, a bill — except those before a rules, revenue or joint committee — by March 17, 2023, must be scheduled to have a work session no later than April 4, 2023. See HCR 23.

Thanks to the pandemic, you no longer need to travel to Salem to testify but can do so remotely.

BEST is testifying on a handful of key bills before the Oregon Legislature and monitoring a few dozen others of interest in these categories:

Safety / School Transportation

BEST supports efforts to improve roadway safety for everyone, especially for the most vulnerable users walking, biking, rolling, or using mobility assistive devices.

SUPPORT — Bills to increase authority, funding, or offenses to improve safety or school transportation:

  • HB 2095: Relating to traffic safety. Authorizes all cities to elect to operate photo radar if city pays costs of operating photo radar. Eliminates restriction on number of hours per day photo radar may be used in any one location. Expands authority of city to set designated speed for certain residential streets to speed that is up to 10 miles per hour lower than statutory speed, but not less than 20 miles per hour.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-11 (H): Referred to Transportation.
    • 1-31 (H): Public Hearing.
      • BEST appeared.
    • 3-9 (H): Work Session.
    • 3-16 (H): Work Session.
    • 3-23 (H): Work Session. Do pass with -1 amendments (9-1-2-0).
    • 3-28 (H): Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
    • 3-29 (H): Second reading.
    • 3-30 (H): Rules suspended. Carried over to April 3, 2023 Calendar.
  • HB 3014: Relating to approved transportation costs for school districts. Directs State Board of Education to adopt rules that allow for reimbursement of school district expenses incurred in lieu of transporting students. Prohibits reimbursements that are greater than amount school district would have received if school district had provided transportation. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.
    • 3-29 (H): Work Session. Do pass with -5 amendments (7-0-0-0).
  • HB 3036: Relating to school buses. Permits education provider to operate video recording device for purpose of recording persons who fail to stop for bus safety lights. Permits law enforcement agency to issue citation for failure to stop for bus safety lights based on report submitted by education provider that includes recording of violation. Provides for distribution of amounts collected upon conviction for offense of failure to stop for bus safety lights. Establishes School Bus Stop Arm Camera Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Department of Education for purpose of providing stop arm cameras to education providers.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-16 (H): Referred to Judiciary with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
    • 3-2 (H): Public Hearing.
    • 3-27 (H): Work Session. Do pass (10-0-0-0).
    • 3-28 (H): Recommendation: Do pass and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.
    • 3-28 (H): Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.
  • HB 3113: Relating to highway safety. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Transportation, for biennium beginning July 1, 2023, for improving safety and increasing access to walking, biking and transit on state highways that serve as community main streets. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.
    • 1-24 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-30 (H): Referred to Transportation with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
    • 4-6 (H): Public Hearing.
  • HB 3374: Relating to vehicle crashes. Replaces references to vehicle accident and vehicle collision with vehicle crash.
    • 2-28 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 3-3 (H): Referred to Transportation.
    • 3-23 (H): Public Hearing.
  • SB 445: Relating to traffic safety. Establishes Rural Traffic Safety Grant Fund to provide grants to rural cities for installation and improvement of traffic control devices and crosswalks. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Transportation for deposit in Rural Traffic Safety Grant Fund. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-14 (S): Referred to Transportation, then Ways and Means.
    • 3-2 (S): Public Hearing.
  • SB 895: Relating to the offense of passing in a no passing zone. Modifies offense of passing in no passing zone. Clarifies that term “obstruction” includes person riding bicycle or operating another type of vehicle.
    • 2-13 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 2-13 (S): Referred to Judiciary.
    • 3-8 (S): Public Hearing.
    • 3-20 (S): Work Session. Do pass (4-0-1-0).
    • 3-27 (S): Recommendation: Do pass.
    • 3-27 (S): Second reading.
    • 3-28 (S): Carried over to 03-29 by unanimous consent.
    • 3-29 (S): Carried over to 03-30 by unanimous consent.
    • 3-30 (S): Carried over to 04-03 by unanimous consent.

Bikes / E-Bikes

BEST supports bikes and electric bikes as practical, low cost, healthy, and environmentally friendly options for some people and some trips.

SUPPORT

  • HB 2571: Relating to electric bicycles. 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.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-13 (H): Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
    • 2-8 (H): Public Hearing.
    • 3-29 (H): Work Session. Do pass with -2 amendments (9-1-0-0).

WATCH

  • SB 693: Relating to bicycle registration. Establishes voluntary bicycle registration program. Sets registration, transfer of ownership, change of address and other fees. Establishes Bicycle Transportation Improvement Fund. Makes bicycle ownership information available to law enforcement agencies.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-15 (S): Referred to Transportation.

OPPOSE

  • SB 301: Relating to traffic violations. Provides that person operating bicycle may not treat stop signs and flashing red lights as yield signs if bicyclist slows bicycle to safe speed.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-13 (S): Referred to Judiciary.
    • 3-17 (S): Dead for lack of scheduled work session?

Middle Housing / Climate-Friendly & Equitable Communities

BEST supports middle housing as a way to increase housing affordability, diversity and supply. We also support the goals of the Climate-Friendly & Equitable Communities (CFEC) program.

SUPPORT

  • HB 2493: Relating to tax credits for development of affordable housing. Creates income tax credit for eligible costs of development of middle housing dwelling units that sell for price affordable to household with annual income between 80 percent and 120 percent of area median income. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2030. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-16 (H): Referred to Housing and Homelessness with subsequent referral to Tax Expenditures.
    • 3-17 (H): Dead for lack of scheduled work session?

SUPPORT — Bill to fund the Department of Land Conservation and Development, with an amendment to fund implementation of the Climate-Friendly & Equitable Communities (CFEC) program:

  • HB 5027: Relating to the financial administration of the Department of Land Conservation and Development. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Land Conservation and Development for certain biennial expenses. Limits biennial expenditures from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, but excluding lottery funds and federal funds, collected or received by department. Limits biennial expenditures by department from federal funds. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.

OPPOSE — Bills to delay or repeal the Climate-Friendly & Equitable Communities (CFEC) program:

  • HB 2659: Relating to climate rules for land use planning. Requires Land Conservation and Development Commission to update rules adopted in response to Governor’s executive order on climate to address specific issues. Prohibits enforcement of climate rules until updated. Sunsets January 2, 2028. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-16 (H): Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment.
    • 1-25 (H): Work Session.
    • 1-27 (H): Without recommendation as to passage and be referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.
    • 1-27 (H): Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water by order of Speaker.
    • 4-4 (H): Public Hearing & Work Session.
  • SB 580: Relating to climate rules for land use planning. Requires Land Conservation and Development Commission to amend statewide planning goals to address equity, engagement with underserved populations and climate change. Requires commission to update rules adopted in response to Governor’s executive order on climate. Prohibits enforcement of climate rules until updated. Sunsets January 2, 2028. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-11 (S): Referred to Energy and Environment.
    • 3-17 (S): Dead for lack of scheduled work session?

Transit

BEST supports public transit as a good way for some people and some trips.

SUPPORT

  • HB 2777: Relating to a public transit incentive surcharge. Authorizes city or county to impose public transit incentive surcharge on amount of any fine for violation of city’s or county’s motor vehicle parking code.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-16 (H): Referred to Transportation.
    • 3-16 (H): Public Hearing.

Passenger Rail

As it takes us outside of the Eugene-Springfield area, passenger rail is not a priority for BEST.

WATCH — Bills related to passenger rail:

  • HB 2691: Relating to rail transportation. Provides that any agreement related to providing ultra-high-speed ground transportation in this state must include service to Eugene. Prohibits Department of Transportation from expending in any biennium more than 50 percent, or $1 million, whichever is less, of moneys available to department for passenger rail service, on ultra-high-speed ground transportation. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-13 (H): Referred to Transportation with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
    • 2-21 (H): Public Hearing.
  • HB 2692: Relating to rail. Directs Department of Transportation to work with Washington State Department of Transportation and British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to develop plans to operate and fund rail transportation. Directs Department of Transportation to submit biennial report on plans to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to transportation.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-13 (H): Referred to Transportation.
    • 2-23 (H): Public Hearing cancelled.
    • 2-28 (H): Public Hearing.
  • SB 14: Relating to passenger rail service. Requires Department of Transportation to study options for expanding passenger rail service in Oregon. Directs department to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to transportation not later than September 15, 2024.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-13 (S): Referred to Transportation.
    • 2-23 (S): Public Hearing cancelled.
    • 2-28 (S): Public Hearing.
  • SB 16: Relating to transportation by rail. Requires Department of Transportation to study funding options to support transportation by rail. Directs department to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to transportation not later than September 15, 2024. Sunsets January 2, 2025.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-13 (S): Referred to Transportation.
    • 2-23 (S): Public Hearing cancelled.
    • 2-28 (S): Public Hearing.
    • 4-6 (S): Work Session.

Electric / Zero-Emission Vehicles

BEST would rather see people use active transportation, But when you must drive, an electric or zero-emission vehicle makes more sense.

SUPPORT — Bills to incentivize or require use or electric or zero-emission vehicles:

  • HB 2613: Relating to funding for zero-emission vehicle incentives. Appropriates $30,000,000 to Department of Environmental Quality for deposit in Zero-Emission Incentive Fund. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-16 (H): Referred to Transportation with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
    • 4-6 (H): Public Hearing.
  • HB 2614: Relating to zero-emission vehicles. Requires transportation network companies to meet or exceed specified targets for percentage of service miles provided by zero-emission vehicles. Requires Environmental Quality Commission to modify or delay enforcement of targets if two largest transportation network companies in state fail to meet targets by 30 percent or more for two consecutive years. Imposes civil penalty of 50 cents per mile for each mile that transportation network company fails to meet target. Directs Environmental Quality Commission to establish program to provide financial incentives for purchase of zero-emission vehicles by transportation network company drivers and for electric vehicle charging. Establishes Rideshare Electrification Fund. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-12 (H): Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.
    • 2-8 (H): Public Hearing.
    • 4-3 (H): Work Session.

OPPOSE — Bills to increase the cost of operating electric vehicles:

  • HB 2301: Relating to the taxation of the use of electricity to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. Imposes tax on use of electricity to charge battery of electric vehicle at rate equivalent to rate of license tax imposed on first sale, use or distribution of motor vehicle fuel. Imposes tax on use of electricity to charge battery of electric vehicle at rate equivalent to rate of license tax imposed on first sale, use or distribution of motor vehicle fuel. Confers administration of tax on Department of Transportation. Punishes violation of Act by maximum of 364 days’ imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
    • 1-9 (H)L First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-16 (H): Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment with subsequent referral to Transportation.
    • 3-17 (H): Dead for lack of scheduled work session?
  • HB 3131: Relating to taxation related to electric vehicles. Requires Department of Transportation to study means of imposing tax on use of electricity to charge electric vehicles at rate equivalent to tax rate imposed per gallon on motor vehicle fuel. Directs department to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to transportation no later than September 15, 2024.
    • 1-24 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-30 (H): Referred to Transportation.
  • SB 945: Relating to the taxation of electric vehicle use. Imposes tax on use by electric vehicles of highways in Oregon measured by miles traveled between registration dates at rate equivalent to gasoline tax owed by motor vehicle getting 30 miles per gallon. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
    • 2-21 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 2-23 (S): Referred to Finance and Revenue, then Tax Expenditures.

WATCH — The EV rebate program has been excluded from the Department of Environmental Quality’s proposed budget:

  • HB 5018: Relating to the financial administration of the Department of Environmental Quality. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Environmental Quality for certain biennial expenses. Limits biennial expenditures from fees, moneys or other revenues, including Miscellaneous Receipts, specified bond proceeds and specified federal funds, but excluding lottery funds and other federal funds, collected or received by department. Limits biennial expenditures from lottery moneys allocated from Parks and Natural Resources Fund to department. Authorizes specified nonlimited expenditures. Limits certain biennial expenditures by department from federal funds. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The transportation sector is the largest source to greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change. BEST supports efforts to reduce emissions from transportation.

SUPPORT

  • HB 2658: Relating to motor vehicle emissions. Directs Department of Transportation to determine carbon emissions of motor vehicles and impose additional registration fee based on relative vehicle carbon emissions. Directs Department of Environmental Quality to establish competitive grant program for construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects to reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. Establishes Transportation Modernization Grant Fund.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-12 (H): Referred to Transportation with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

OPPOSE

  • HB 2236: Relating to greenhouse gas regulation; prescribing an effective date. Prohibits Governor and specified state agencies from taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon unless authorized by Legislative Assembly by law enacted on or after effective date of Act. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-16 (H): Referred to Rules.

Transportation Funding

What can be funded is what happens. BEST supports efforts to shift funding streams to better align with the priorities of all Oregonians.

WATCH

SUPPORT — Bills to change how transportation funding must or can be allocated:

  • HB 2677: Relating to highways. Requires Department of Transportation to provide funding plan for highway maintenance when transportation project that adds lane miles is added to STIP. Declares emergency, effective on passage.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-13 (H): Referred to Transportation.
  • SJR 2: Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to the use of motor vehicle-related tax revenue. Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to authorize use of motor vehicle-related tax revenue for infrastructure that reduces traffic burden of, or pollution from, motor vehicles on public roads in this state. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-13 (S): Referred to Transportation.

OPPOSE — Bills restricting the ability to impose tolls:

  • SB 719: Relating to transportation. Defines terms used in Article IX, section 16, of Oregon Constitution. Modifies law related to tolling to conform with enactment of Article IX, section 16, of Oregon Constitution. Takes effect only if _____ Joint Resolution __ (2023) (LC 156) is approved by people at next regular general election. Takes effect on effective date of constitutional amendment proposed in _____ Joint Resolution __ (2023) (LC 156).
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-15 (S): Referred to Transportation.
  • SJR 19: Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to authority of public body to assess highway toll. Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to prohibit public body from assessing highway toll unless toll was assessed before January 1, 2018, toll is assessed for use of Bridge of the Gods, Hood River Bridge or Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge, or proposed toll is approved by majority of total votes cast in elections held in counties with border located within 15-mile radius of any section of highway proposed to be tolled. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.
    • 1-9 (S): Introduction and first reading. Referred to President’s desk.
    • 1-15 (S): Referred to Transportation.

Transportation Governance

Who decides has a large effect on what is decide. Currently, the Oregon Transportation Commission does not well reflect the diversity of needs and priorities across Oregon.

WATCH

  • HB 2619: Relating to the Oregon Transportation Commission. Modifies membership of Oregon Transportation Commission. Directs Governor to appoint executive director for commission.
    • 1-9 (H): First reading. Referred to Speaker’s desk.
    • 1-12 (H): Referred to Transportation.

Further reading

External links

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