At the federal level, the Legislative Committee joined a coalition letter to support Brooke Rollins’ nomination to be the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture. Following her appointment, we joined a letter to express our enthusiasm for working with her and requesting decisions be based on robust scientific evidence, deliver measurable benefits to consumers, and empower consumers to make informed and healthy purchasing decisions while preventing misunderstanding and confusion. OWA then joined a group representing the food and agriculture community. We wrote to express our interest in working with Secretary Rollins and the Make America Healthy Again Commission in advancing our shared goals of improving health outcomes for Americans while protecting our most vulnerable populations. At the same time, we are eager to share our significant concerns regarding unfounded criticisms levied against the safety of the food and agricultural value chain. We urged the Commission to draw conclusions from the significant body of sound, quality science and data while resisting policy changes based on misleading or outlier studies.
The fourth letter was regarding pesticide labeling under FIFRA, reaffirming states cannot impose labeling requirements different from EPA’s findings. It’s expected to be re-introduced soon for Congress.
The fifth coalition letter prioritizing the renewal of the Section 199A tax deduction in this year’s tax bill that Republicans are developing.
At the state level, we supported:
- SB 779 to maintain the AgriStress Helpline for Oregon into perpetuity.
- HB 2692 to support the business lobby with rulemaking modernization.
- SB 784, 785, 786 to build Oregon’s natural resource workforce through education and career pathways.
We opposed:
- HB 2803 proposed a 135% increase to water transaction fees through the Oregon Water Resources Department.
- SB 747 to require those with ownership interests in at least 200 acres of irrigated land used for agriculture to annually report information about fertilizer application to the State Department of Agriculture.
- HB 3362 which would impose an excise tax on retail tire sales.
- SB 1153 was introduced as a Committee bill (Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire) but was developed by the Governor’s office, without any input from the water user community. It would create a de-facto public interest standard and essentially stop any type of transfer in stream reaches with 1) sensitive, threatened or endangered fish species and no instream water right; or 2) a connection with a water quality impaired stream (temperature or nutrients). This would cover most streams in Oregon and impact current water right holders and our ability to move water (or water diversions) for agriculture, municipal, industrial, and many other out of stream uses.
OWA joined the Families for Affordable Food coalition to oppose HB 2548. The bill would establish an Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. Thanks to our members that testified in opposition to HB 2548.