A Brief Word on Proposed Bills in State Legislature

There are several ally organizations that are staffed for advocacy at the state level for proposed legislation that would impact our local food system. Thanks to being connected to some of them, we learned about these proposed bills, and were able to submit public testimony on these and a few others. This legislative session will be over by the end of June 2025. The outcomes will be tracked and hopefully celebrated!

HB 3018 – Requires entities that cook, assemble, process, serve or sell food to recover and dispose of food waste as specified in the Act. – Applies to entities generating over 1,000 pounds of food waste per week.
Update – the hearing on 4/8 resulted in a recommendation of Do Pass and a referral to the Joint Ways and Means Committee where it will be prioritized with other proposed bills. It may or may not make the final cut.

HB 2979 – Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to various entities for food production and distribution. – To Oregon Community Food System Network for grants for small farms & ranches and for supporting food hubs. Also to Oregon Farmers Market Association for grants to support SNAP benefits.

HB 3372-5 Small farm water – Allows a farm no larger than 1/2 acre to use water and also sell its produce.