On Thursday, June 21 several of Oregon’s top agriculture and environmental organizations were joined by 38 Oregonians and advocates to lobby Oregon legislators to pass HB 3249, the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Fund (OAHP) which would would help Oregon farmers and ranchers plan for succession and maintain agricultural land for future generations. It includes funding for permanent working lands easements, temporary covenants, and conservation management plans, as well as succession trainings and a tax study.

Chief sponsors of the bill, Representatives Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie), Knute Buehler (R-Bend) and Brian Clem (D-Salem) each spoke in support of the legislation noting the major potential economic and environmental impacts the loss of Oregon’s agricultural land would have on the state’s economy.

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House Bill 2007 was introduced by Speaker Rep. Tina Kotek, with the goal of bringing more housing to Oregonians. Communities across Oregon are facing challenges in providing housing for all of their residents. HB 2007 takes significant steps towards implementing land use Goal 10, by making abundant, diverse, and more affordable housing available to more people of all ages, abilities, incomes, and backgrounds in every neighborhood.  

HB 2007 does this by:

• Fast tracking affordable housing building permits
• Strengthening requirements for clear & objective review standards for housing developments.
• Streamlining local government procedures to make it easier to provide more housing, and especially affordable housing, in all Oregon communities.
• Allowing additional dwelling units (ADUs) and duplexes in single-family neighborhoods.
• Allowing religious institutions to use their property to develop...