More flexibility will give Oregon Ocean Science Trust a boost
SB 753: Allows OOST to contract with private nonprofit for operations
SALEM – The Oregon Ocean Science Trust took a big step forward today with the passage of a bill that will give it greater flexibility in terms of its operations and fund-raising.
Senate Bill 753 – which passed by a 24-5 vote on the Senate floor today – authorizes the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to solicit a private non-profit organization to support the organization’s work.
The Oregon Legislature established the Oregon Ocean Science Trust in 2013. Senate Bill 737, which passed both chambers with unanimous support, established OOST to promote peer-reviewed ocean and coastal resource research, as well as build on the state’s commitment to marine reserves. This brought together a broad coalition of supporters – such as the Audubon Society of Portland, Our Ocean, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Oceana, Surfrider Foundation and The Nature Conservancy – to help engage the public in stewardship.
The OOST comprises five voting members appointed by the State Land Board and two non-voting members from the Legislature – one Senator and one Representative. OOST has the potential to leverage significant financial support from the private sector for the following purposes:
- Innovative and collaborative research and technology required to improve the use and conservation of Oregon’s marine resources; and
- Adopting new technologies that hold the promise of increasing job opportunities in our marine-related industries.
Oregon has chronically under-invested in nearshore research and management. Oregon’s marine resources presently generate nearly a billion dollars in annual state income and support 40,000 jobs. OOST is expected to close the investment gaps to create scientific understanding of our nearshore ocean and create jobs.
Despite the absence of a budget, OOST has accomplished much, due primarily to the dedication and selflessness of its volunteer executive director from among its members. It has adopted bylaws, established funding priorities for nearshore research and monitoring, developed an inventory of current research and monitoring in the nearshore and adopted rules for the competitive grant program.
OOST remains a popular measure supported by the people of our state, regardless of region or political affiliation. SB 753 authorizes OOST’s executive director to enter into agreement with a private, nonprofit organization under which the organization solicits gifts, grants and donations in support of the trust’s work. The bill would make money from other sources eligible for deposit into the trust.
“Our state cannot afford to further postpone marshalling the resources needed to address the serious negative impact that climate change, ocean acidification and other harmful influences are having on our marine resources – negative influences that promise to take a significant toll on our coastal economies, if left unaddressed,” Sen. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, said. “We have an obligation to our constituents to finish the job we started in 2013 by funding the OOST.”
Senate Bill 753 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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Contact: Rick Osborn, Communications Director Capitol Phone: 503-986-1074 Email: rick.osborn@oregonlegislature.gov Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-223, Salem, Oregon 97301
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Other Roblan sponsored bills up for consideration include:
HB 2883 Prohibition on using polystyrene containers for prepared food
Polystyrene is a plastic used to make a variety of products, including food packaging and packing materials. HB 2883 prohibits food vendors from using polystyrene container in selling, offering for sale, serving or dispensing prepared food to public, and allows the Department of Environmental Quality to impose a civil penalty of not more than $250 per day on “food vendor,” defined as a business, organization, or person that sells prepared food to the public as their principal activity. HB 2883 would become the first state-level ban of Polystyrene in the United States.
SB 261 Appropriation for the Oregon Coast Aquarium
For the first time in its long history, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is seeking financial support from the state to supplement funds already raised to make much needed infrastructure improvements. The Aquarium, which opened in 1992, offers educational services to more than 50,000 students and hosts 410,000 visitors each year. It also provides support for Newport’s tourism industry, bringing approximately $100 million to local businesses. SB 261 would allocate $10 million to the Aquarium to support the Aquarium’s five main priorities: remodeling the entryway and café, recreating a forest-themed NaturePlay Area, improving three galleries, enhancing ocean science education programming and constructing a new facility for assessment, urgent care, surgery, research and veterinary practicums relative to marine wildlife rehabilitation.
SB 289 Reimbursement for vision screenings of students
The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) has championed early identification and treatment of correctable eye problems in Oregon's most vulnerable population - students. In 2017, the legislature passed Senate Bill 187 requiring Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to reimburse education providers for expenses related to vision screenings, including any expenses related to contracting with outside providers. Under current law, only ODE-approved providers, such as the Lions Foundation, must request reimbursement through a school district. SB 289 authorizes ODE directly reimburse all approved screening providers, including foundations reimbursements, for vision screenings of students to the person that provided the vision screening. The bill appropriates $2 million to the Vision Health Account for this purpose.
SB 448 Outdoor recreation passes
In 2017, the legislature created the Office of Outdoor Recreation in the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and charged it with coordinating outdoor recreation policy, assisting in developing or updating the outdoor recreation management strategies of OPRD, collaborating with the Oregon Tourism Commission and Travel Information Council and for sharing best practices, and serving as a clearinghouse and information center for outdoor recreation stakeholders. SB 448 expands the duties of the Office to study and make recommendations on development of Oregon Outdoors Pass. The office will coordinate discussion with state agencies and recreation groups to find innovative solutions.
SB 584 Establishes Statewide School Safety and Prevention System
In 2014, the legislature created the Task Force on School Safety. The task force includes representatives from police and fire departments, schools, and community mental health programs, as well as elected officials. The legislature directed the task force to develop a database of school floor plans and to examine models for training programs, school safety, and incident response protocols. SB 584 - originated from a proposal by the Task Force on School Safety - directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the system.
SB 727 Financial assistance for supplemental nutrition assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program which offers nutrition assistance to low income individuals and families. This year, the Department of Human Services provided SNAP benefits to 355,628 families for a total of 609,327 individuals. SB 727 requires the Department of Human Services to adopt a by-rule program that provides financial assistance to recipients of SNAP to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables from participating farmers’ markets, farm share sites and retail outlets.
SB 754 Creates income tax credit for rural nurse faculty members
Oregon is on the precipice of a crisis-level nursing shortage, brought upon by unprecedented growth in access to healthcare services, a rapidly aging workforce, and a lack of capacity to educate enough new professionals to fill openings. In rural parts of the state, communities are adopting a multitude of “grow your own” workforce strategies to address current and looming shortages across all industry sectors. In many of those sectors, a primary concern is the inability to attract young or new workers to the field. That is not the case in nursing, where a typical community college may only be able to accept 25% or so of the qualified applicants to the program due to the lack of capacity.
Senate Bill 754 creates a new credit for nurse faculty members at nursing education programs in rural areas of Oregon. These incentives would ideally attract nursing educators to under-served and rural parts of Oregon and increase the state’s nursing enrollment.
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