TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH:
FROM: Legislative Committee
SUBJECT:
title
Recommended positions on specific priority bills for 2023 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:
summary
The 2023 Oregon Legislative Session began on January 17, 2023. In September 2022, the City Council approved a set of priorities to pursue during the session and policy statements to guide Salem’s response to draft legislation. When the subject of proposed legislation is outside the scope of the policy statements, the City Council’s Legislative Committee reviews bills identified as critical by City staff and recommends to City Council the position the City should take on critical bills.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council approve positions on specific bills for the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Approve positions on specific bills for the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session.
b
ody
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Legislative Committee met on February 17, 2023 and again on March 3, 2023 to consider and recommend positions on specific legislation. The Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Hoy and Councilors Stapleton, Nordyke, and Phillips. Councilor Nishioka serves as the alternate.
Recommended Positions: Specific Bills. During the regular session, when the subject of proposed legislation is outside the scope of the policy statements, 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 proposed position is reviewed and deliberated by the Council Legislative Committee, and (3) recommended to the City Council at the next City Council meeting. Staff bring updates to the Council throughout Session and provide a summary report at the Session's end.
The Legislative Committee is also recommending specific positions are approved for individual priority bills identified to-date (Attachment 1). As positions are developed for individual bills, staff recommend the City’s opposition (“O”) or support (“S”) for a bill. For a high priority bill with a fiscal or policy impact, classifying the bill with a “1” will allow for the Mayor, Councilors, and staff to work to support or oppose the bill. For medium priorities, a “2”, staff will watch for changes and may become involved if time and resources permit. A bill of little to no priority to Salem, given limited resources, these bills will be set aside and not referred to the Committee or Council unless amendments change their anticipated impact.
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 <mailto:cbusch@cityofsalem.net>). Staff will forward the communication to the City’s lobbyist, the Legislative Committee, and City Council as appropriate.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Attachments:
1. Legislative Committee recommended positions on priority bills.