Rep. Ken Helm

Increases state transient lodging tax. Changes name of Oregon Conservation Strategy Subaccount to Recovering Oregon's Wildlife Fund Subaccount. Transfers moneys attributable to increase of state transient lodging tax to Recovering Oregon's Wildlife Fund Subaccount. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires State Department of Energy to study renewable energy resource development. Directs department to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to energy no later than September 15, 2024. ] Creates income or corporate excise tax credit for amount paid by owner of eligible generation facility for transmission services. Directs that amount paid, for purposes of tax credit, shall be calculated as sum of amounts paid by owner to Bonneville Power Administration or electric utility for up to 600 megawatts of eligible generation facility's nameplate capacity and to other parties. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and to eligible generation facilities first placed in service on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2031. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Transportation to cover costs associated with Fallen Hero roadside memorial signs and veterans' recognition registration plates for biennium beginning July 1, 2023. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.

Requires Public Utility Commission to study energy. Directs commission to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to energy not later than September 15, 2024.

Establishes regional solutions infrastructure director within Regional Solutions Program. ] Establishes Infrastructure Council. Describes duties of council. Directs council to submit report to interim committees of Legislative Assembly no later than December 31, 2024. ] Establishes Interagency Infrastructure Coordination Committee. ] Establishes Community Infrastructure Assistance Program within Oregon Business Development Department to provide grants for priority infrastructure projects. ] Establishes Community Infrastructure Fund. ] Directs Higher Education Coordinating Commission to enter into agreement with Oregon Solutions at Portland State University to develop infrastructure funding readiness hub and enter into agreements with specified organizations to perform functions of funding navigator. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Creates income or corporate excise tax credit for electric utility that purchases electricity produced using a fuel source that is at least 50 percent qualifying western juniper biomass. 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.

Creates Oregon Soil Health Initiative. Describes goals ] purpose of initiative. Describes responsibilities of state agencies and other entities participating in initiative. Directs Institute for Natural Resources to convene Soil Health Advisory Committee. ] Directs institute, in consultation with other entities, to develop Soil Health Roadmap. ] Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Establishes Place-Based Water Planning Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Water Resources Department for purposes related to water planning. Directs Water Resources Director to use moneys in fund for certain purposes related to place-based integrated water resources plans and associated activities. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Authorizes certain Deschutes Basin irrigation districts to temporarily allow change of place of use of water, or change in point of diversion, within Deschutes Basin irrigation districts. Sunsets authorization on January 2, 2030. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to modify return of surplus revenue to personal income taxpayers by directing percentage of surplus revenue to reserve fund established to combat drought. Maintains return of surplus to taxpayers with lower incomes and phases out amount returned to taxpayers with higher incomes. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.