SALEM, Ore. — A special legislative session that convenes on Monday won’t exclusively address a potential spate of winter evictions as originally proposed, according to a statement from Governor Kate Brown’s office on Friday. While it will deal with housing first and foremost, the agenda also calls for funding of issues keenly felt in Southern Oregon, including the proliferation of illegal marijuana grows and endemic drought.
Governor Brown said that she had met with House and Senate leaders from both parties to agree on a list of priorities for the special session, which begins at 8 a.m. on Monday.
“Oregonians facing potential eviction do not have time to wait –– they need an immediate solution that keeps them in their homes. And, in the last year, people across Oregon have faced unprecedented challenges due to record heat and persistent drought conditions,” said Governor Brown. “I’d like to thank the legislators from both sides of the aisle who have worked with me over the last several days to put together a package of policies and investments that meet the pressing needs of Oregonians.”
Housing will still make up the bulk of proposed funding. According to the agenda outlined by Brown’s office, the legislature intends to consider putting $215 million toward preventing winter evictions, transitioning to long-term and local eviction prevention services, and extending safe harbor for protections for renters who have applied but not yet received rental assistance.
Another $100 million would go toward helping Oregonians impacted by the record-breaking heat and drought conditions felt over the summer; $25 million for a “comprehensive, statewide plan” to address the proliferation of illegal marijuana grows; $18 million for resettlement of Afghan refugees in Oregon; and a list of more targeted funding priorities throughout the state.
Senate Republicans took credit for much of the legislation beyond the eviction protections — including the money for resettlement of Afghan refugees.
“Special sessions are for emergencies,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp. “These additional bills will address urgent problems facing Oregonians. The illegal marijuana situation in Southern Oregon is absolutely an emergency. The drug cartels are committing murder, stealing water, assaulting Oregonians, and engaging in human trafficking. Law enforcement needs our support to stop these dangerous operations.
“Oregon’s farmers and ranchers were hit hard by the heatwave this summer. The resources included in the drought package are going to do a lot of good. Our economy relies on a robust agricultural sector. We need to come together for them.
“Many of those who are seeking refuge from Afghanistan risked their lives to help American troops. They deserve our support and help.
“Senate Republicans will be in the Capital on Monday if the language of the legislation being drafted is consistent with these goals.”
Brown’s office gave the following breakdown for the two largest funding proposals, those related to evictions and drought relief:
Preventing winter evictions
As previously announced by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), nearly all remaining federal emergency rental assistance funds have been paid on behalf of, or requested by, Oregon renters. The policy and funding proposal to take immediate action to prevent winter evictions, includes the following elements:
- Extend eviction safe harbor protections for each individual who has applied for rental assistance and who initiates safe harbor protections by June 30, 2022. Safe harbor protections will remain in place while applications are being processed, to last no longer than September 30, 2022. (Current safe harbor protections in statute last 60 days.)
- Ensure landlords are paid in full for the rent they are owed.
- Provide up to $100 million in additional emergency rental assistance to ensure low-income tenants access in the winter.
- Provide $100 million to support partnerships with existing programs as Oregon transitions from large-scale pandemic-related emergency rental assistance to long-term, locally-delivered eviction prevention services.
Drought relief
Included in the $100 million drought relief package agreed to by the Governor and lawmakers is:
- $40 million for an agricultural forgivable disaster loan program to fill gaps in federal disaster relief for agricultural producers, and to provide bridge assistance while Oregonians wait for federal funds
- $12 million for the Klamath Basin for domestic well assistance, livestock wells, drought resiliency, and for irrigation district assistance
- $9.7 million to address drought relief on Klamath Tribal lands
- $10 million for agricultural workers who miss work due to unsafe working conditions resulting from extreme heat or smoke
- $9.75 million for irrigation district assistance to offset water user costs
- $5 million for cricket and grasshopper eradication
- $5.75 million for domestic and community well assistance
- $3 million for emergency soil conservation fund in Jefferson County
- $1.5 million for the Oregon Community Food Systems Network to develop a Disaster Relief Fund for farmers unable to access federal disaster relief funds or the state’s proposed forgivable disaster loan program
- $1 million for technical assistance for BIPOC farmers and drought resistance crop outreach
- $1 million for drought resiliency work in Jefferson County
- $750,000 for drought resistance research and implementation
- $300,000 for a statewide drought vulnerability assessment
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