TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim City Manager
FROM: Legislative Committee
SUBJECT:
title
Recommended positions on specific priority bills for 2025 Oregon Legislative Session.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe and Healthy Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
end
SUMMARY:
summary
The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session began on January 21, 2025. On March 10, 2025, the City Council approved policy statements to guide Salem’s response to draft legislation. When the subject of proposed legislation is outside the scope of those policy statements, the City Council’s Legislative Committee reviews bills that have been identified as critical by City staff and recommends to City Council the position the City should take on the bills.
end
ISSUE:
Shall City Council approve positions on specific bills for the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Approve positions on specific bills for the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session.
body
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Legislative Committee met on March 21, 2025 and recommended that the City Council approve specific positions on three bills (Attachment 1). The Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilors Brown, Gwyn, and Nordyke, with Councilor Nishioka serving as alternate.
Legislative Bill Review Process: On March 10, 2025, the City Council approved policy statements to guide Salem’s response to draft legislation. During the regular session, when the subject of proposed legislation is outside the scope of the policy statements adopted by the City Council, the City's legislative bill review process includes three primary steps: (1) the City's position on individual bills of interest is proposed by staff; (2) the Council Legislative Committee reviews and deliberates the proposed position; and (3) the Council Legislative Committee recommends a position to the City Council at the next City Council meeting. Staff bring updates to the Council throughout the legislative session and provide a summary report at the session's end.
BACKGROUND:
As positions are developed for individual bills, the Legislative Committee will recommend the City Council adopt positions in opposition or support. Before any official representing the City of Salem can attempt to influence legislation on an issue, the City Council must adopt a position related to that matter. To continue a coordinated and unified response during the upcoming session, and in accordance with Council Policy No. G-1, the Mayor and Councilor are asked to communicate the nature of their legislative contacts to staff via an email to Courtney Knox Busch (cbusch@cityofsalem.net). Staff will forward the communication to the City’s lobbyist, the Legislative Committee, and City Council as appropriate.
Eunice Kim
Long Range Planning Manager
Attachments:
1. Legislative Committee recommended positions on priority bills