TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Legislative Committee
SUBJECT:
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Recommended policy statements and priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agenda, and Salem’s response to proposed legislation during the 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 Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
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The City Council’s Legislative Committee meets frequently to consider priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agendas throughout the year. Before any official representing the City of Salem can attempt to influence legislation on a particular matter, during the interim or during a legislative session, the City Council must adopt an official position related to that matter.
On February 28, 2025, the City Council Legislative Committee met to consider amendments to legislative priorities and policies to form the State and Federal agenda (Attachment 1). The Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilors Brown, Gwyn, and Nordyke, with Councilor Nishioka serving as alternate.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council approve the policy statements and priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agenda, and Salem’s response to proposed legislation during the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session positions?
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve policy statements and priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agenda, and Salem’s response to proposed legislation during the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Appointments the Legislative Committee were made on January 27, 2025. The Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilors Brown, Gwyn, and Nordyke, with Councilor Nishioka serving as alternate.
The Oregon State Legislature convened January 21, 2025 for its regular session. The Committee meets bi-monthly during the Session to receive updates and consider priorities for the City’s State and Federal agendas.
On February 28, 2025, the City Council Legislative Committee met to consider federal and state legislative updates, City priorities included in the State and Federal agenda, and positions on specific bills advancing in the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session. The Committee recommends City Council approve amendments to legislative priorities and policies to form the State and Federal agenda (Attachment 1), and approve positions on specific bills (Attachment 2) concerning a mitigation fund for preserving affordable housing, an affordable home ownership pilot, further study of forever chemicals in biosolids applied to non-human consumption agricultural fields, protecting emergency response from drone-related disruptions, and State government payment to the City of Salem in lieu of taxes.
BACKGROUND:
The Legislative Committee will provide the City Council with regular updates. 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.
Courtney Knox Busch
Chief Strategy Officer
Attachments:
1. Legislative Committee recommended 2025 Federal and State Policy Agenda.
2. Legislative Committee recommended bill reviews from February 28, 2025