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2025 Oregon State Legislative Priorities
1. Prioritize trails and green infrastructure in a transportation package.
The Intertwine Alliance is part of Move Oregon Forward, a transportation justice campaign. Our role in the campaign is to elevate trails and green infrastructure in the broader conversation about transportation priorities and funding. We stand with the Oregon Trails Coalition in our top ask being an additional $50 million for the massively oversubscribed Oregon Community Paths Program.
STATUS: The draft framework released in late April is a good starting place and includes many of Move Oregon Forward's priorities. But the dollars attached aren't sufficient to adequately fund programs. We've got our work cut out! Stay tuned for more.
2. Keep Oregon's trails open. Pass SB SB 179
The Intertwine Alliance and many partners helped pass temporary legislation in 2024 to shore up Oregon's recreational immunity law and reopen trails through the end of this year. Now we're seeking lasting protections through SB 179. SB 179 removes the sunset from the current law.
Recreational Immunity refers to laws that encourage public and private landowners to open their land to the public free of charge by providing basic liability protections. Access to nature and outdoor recreation provides so many benefits to individuals and communities. However, recreating in constantly changing outdoor environments also carries possible risk of injury. Without recreational immunity, landowners fear the real risk of expensive lawsuits and cannot afford to keep their trails and lands open to the public.
STATUS: SB 179 passed the Oregon Senate in March. Attached is testimony that The Intertwine Alliance submitted. Next is a hearing in the House Committee on Judiciary Thursday, April 24, at 3 pm. Submit your testimony today!
Thank you to the 100+ advocates who joined us for Trails Day at the Capitol on March 10!
3. Help county parks
HB 3209 updates county RV registration fees and creates a fund to clean up abandoned RVs-- taking some financial pressure off small and struggling county parks departments.
STATUS: A public hearing with the Joint Committee on Transportation was held on Mon, 3/31.Intertwine Alliance testimony is attached.
4. Support HB 2980, the Wildlife Stewardship Program
The Wildlife Stewardship Program will invest $1,053,000 in the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a Living with Wildlife public education and outreach campaign and to establish a grant program supporting Oregon’s wildlife rehabilitation centers, which serve on the frontlines of human-wildlife interaction.
The Wildlife Stewardship Program is another piece of legislation that had its origins last session, supported by a coalition led by former Intertwine Alliance Board Member Bob Sallinger. The Intertwine Alliance supported the concept then and is proud to sign on now.
STATUS: HB 2980 has passed unanimously out of the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment with a due pass recommendation to the Joint Ways and Means Committee. This gives several months to navigate Ways and Means and have the conversations needed with leadership to reinforce and underscore the importance this program.
Recent Advocacy Work
State
2024 Oregon State legislative session
2023 Oregon State legislative session
Regional
METRO: Nov 2022, Supported the campaign to pass the Parks & Nature 5-Year Operating Levy Renewal
Result: Passed with 72 percent of the vote. The levy raises approximately $19.6 million per year to protect water quality, restore habitat, and provide safe and welcoming public access to nature.
METRO: Nov 2019, Helped run the campaign to pass the Parks & Nature Bond
Result: Passed, bringing in $475 million to protect clean water, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and provide opportunities for people to connect with nature close to home.
Subregional
May 2024, Supported the campaign to fund the new Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District through a $150 million bond measure. The new District increases flood safety while prioritizing environmental upgrades and equity.
Result: Passed
TUALATIN HILLS PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT: May 2024, Participated in the YES for THPRD Parks campaign to pass a 5-year levy to preserve existing parks and service levels and improves safety and maintenance in parks, natural areas and on trails.
Result: Passed
County
MULTNOMAH COUNTY: Oct 2023, Testimony before the Board of Commissioners in support of a nature park to be developed in the Tualatin Mountains
Result: Unanimous YES vote of commission
Local
CITY OF PORTLAND: April 2025, Testimony to City Council requesting them to reject approval of the PGE Haborton Reliability Project's expansion into Forest Park.
CITY OF PORTLAND: Nov 2023, Testimony to City Council in favor of a Bureau of Natural Resources to be part of city restructuring
Result: Amendment failed to advance, but The Intertwine Alliance continues conversations with the City of Portland about how to best meet natural resources needs as the city structure evolves.
CITY OF PORTLAND: Oct 2023, Testimony to Planning Commission opposing the draft Housing Regulatory Relief Package that would suspend Green Roof and Bird-Safe Glazing Requirements until 2029
Result: Package was amended to:
- Reject a suspension of the bird-safe glazing requirement, while requesting staff continue researching a temporary compromise.
- Amend the eco-roof suspension to apply only when the roof area is dedicated to solar panels in lieu of an eco-roof.
CITY OF PORTLAND: August 2023, Testimony to City Council in support of a strong Floodplain Resilience Plan
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO: April 2025, Testimony to City Council asking them not to appeal the court decision requiring public access to Oswego Lake.
Result: Council voted not to appeal the decision, and public access to Oswego Lake is proceeding. This is an outcome public access advocates have been working toward for more than 10 years.
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO: May 2023, Testimony to City Council in favor of work started to increase ADA access to parks and nature, and in support of access to Steven Meadows
CITY OF TUALATIN: Nov 2022, Supported the campaign to pass a new Parks & Nature Bond
Result: Passed with strong voter support, bringing in $25,000,000 to finance capital costs related to trails, natural areas, sports fields, parks, and river access; and is expected to include a new east-west trail corridor and public access point on the Tualatin River, new and improved sports fields, and parks improvements citywide.
CITY OF HAPPY VALLEY: Nov 2022, Supported the campaign to renew the Parks & Recreation 5-year Operating Levy
Result: Passed with strong voter support, the funding helps maintain over 100 acres of neighborhood parks, trails and natural areas across the City and provides equitable recreation programs for residents.