
The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session began on January 21, with committees diving straight into key topics and introducing 2,453 bills. The Oregon Seed Council is actively monitoring 258 of these bills, addressing critical areas like agricultural competitiveness, land use, water, labor policies, and natural resources budgets.
Highlights of Seed Industry-Related Legislative Activity
Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP)
HB 3131 proposes $17.3 million for the 2025-2027 biennium to leverage $32.5 million in federal funds. This program supports agricultural land conservation and production while maintaining natural resources.
Spanish Language Pesticide Education
HB 3010 allocates funding for culturally appropriate pesticide education through Oregon State University.
Advanced Clean Truck Rule
Concerns around potential truck shortages due to this DEQ rule have led to bipartisan support for HB 3119, which seeks to halt its implementation.
Agricultural Competitiveness Study
HB 2166 will assess Oregon agriculture’s economic competitiveness to ensure the industry remains strong.
Water Policies & Land Use
A range of water-related bills and discussions on the loss of farm and forest land are underway, with the Oregon Seed Council closely monitoring developments.
Legislative Assembly and Leadership Updates
House Speaker: Representative Julie Fahey (D-Eugene)
Senate President: Senator Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego)
Focus areas include housing, mental health, education, transportation, and wildfire response, as outlined in the Governor’s State of the State address.
Stay Informed
To stay up to date on more Oregon legislative activity impacting the seed industry, sign up for the Oregon Seed Council newsletter at oregonseedcouncil.org.
Keep an eye on these updates as the session progresses!
Comments