Rep. Ken Helm

Provides for portion of surplus revenue refunds to be directed to Oregon Drought Reserve Fund instead of returned to personal income taxpayers. Establishes Oregon Drought Reserve Fund. Maintains amounts of surplus returned to taxpayers with lower incomes based on taxpayer share of prior year tax liability and phases out amount returned to taxpayers with higher incomes. Modifies statutory provisions. Applies to biennia ending on or after June 30, 2025. Takes effect only if House Joint Resolution 23 (2023) is approved by people at next regular general election. Takes effect on effective date of constitutional amendment proposed in House Joint Resolution 23 (2023).

Increases amount of estimate of revenues that will be received from personal income taxes for biennium beginning July 1, 2021. Requires distribution of difference between amount actually collected and amount estimated after close of 2023 regular session to Oregon Drought Reserve Fund. Establishes Oregon Drought Reserve Fund. Provides for return to taxpayers of surplus revenue over adjusted estimate amount if constitutional threshold exceeded. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes Task Force on the Economic Competitiveness of Oregon Agriculture. ] Instructs task force ] Requires State Department of Agriculture to submit report on economic competitiveness of Oregon's agricultural sector to committee or interim committee of Legislative Assembly related to agriculture no later than September 15, 2024. Sunsets task force ] requirement on December 31, 2024. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs College of Forestry at Oregon State University, in collaboration with Department of Environmental Quality and State Forestry Department, to research development of fuel pathways for low carbon fuels derived from woody biomass residues from forestry operations. Authorizes State Forester to establish forestry renewable woody biomass conversion program. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Establishes Task Force on the Water Rights and Transfers Protest Backlog. ] Instructs task force ] Water Resources Department to take certain actions concerning backlog of protests of decisions concerning water rights and transfers and submit report on backlog to committee ] committees or interim committee ] committees of Legislative Assembly related to water no later than September 15 ] December 31 , 2024. Appropriates moneys to Water Resources Department , Department of Justice, Office of Administrative Hearings ] and State Department of Fish and Wildlife for purposes related to backlog of protests of decisions concerning water rights and transfers. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Provides permanent revenue stream from Oregon Marijuana Account to fund ] Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Oregon Business Development Department to be used for Economic Equity Investment Program created under chapter 103, Oregon Laws 2022 (Enrolled Senate Bill 1579). Authorizes grant recipients to allocate grant moneys to any entity lawfully organized and operating under state law. Requires department, during rulemaking process, to consult persons and communities most likely to be affected by program. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die. ] Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Requires 10 percent of electricity sold in this state by each electric company that makes sales to 25,000 or more retail electricity consumers to be generated by small-scale renewable energy facilities or certain biomass facilities.

Directs Oregon Department of Emergency Management to develop report on 9-1-1 emergency reporting system. Sets forth topics and other requirements for report. Specifies stakeholders with whom department must collaborate. Requires department to submit report to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to emergency management no later than September 30, 2024. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to High Desert Partnership for specified purposes. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Directs Department of Transportation to disclose personal information to mass transit district created under ORS chapter 267 for purpose of investigating and enforcing ordinances of mass transit district.