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Greetings from Salem!
I am continuing my work on resiliency planning and implementation. This week in the Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparednesss committee, a work session was held on Senate Bill 808, and committee members unanimously voted to send the bill to the Ways and Means Committee with a “Do Pass” recommendation. SB 808 directs the Department of Human Services to coordinate and facilitate state and local community resilience planning to prepare for and respond to catastrophic consequences and mass displacement that may result from naturally occurring seismic events. SB 808 has become known as Resilience Plan 2.0, and deals with the human services needs preparing for and following a natural disaster. Much like SB 33 which was approved during the 2013 Legislative Assembly; SB 808 establishes a task force to deal with disaster resiliency. The Task Force on Mass Care and Sheltering in Support of Cascadia Planning Efforts will review established state and local plans in relation to mass care, housing and emergency assistance, and make recommendations for shelter, food and water supplies, health care, transitional services, as well as the sheltering and care of animals in support of mass care. The task force will submit a report to the Legislative Assembly relating to human services no later than September of 2017.
When it comes to preparing for a major earthquake and tsunami, here at the Capitol, we are trying to look at the big picture, and focus on preparing the state, while helping facilitate community response mechanisms. But for personal survival, individuals need to prepare themselves and their families for disaster response. Develop a family plan, so when an emergency does occur, you know what to do. This should include collecting and assembling supplies, learning evacuation routes and where to shelter, then practicing and maintaining that plan. Clatsop and Tillamook County both have emergency notification systems in place, and you can sign up to be contacted when an emergency occurs. Targeted alerts select residents in a specific geographic area based on the information being relayed. ClatsopALERTS! Is Clatsop County’s emergency notification system and is coordinated through the Clatsop County Emergency Management office. Tillamook County’s notification system comes through Tillamook 911. Both counties contract with Everbridge to deliver recorded voice or text messages to citizens’ landline home phones. With changes in telecommunications, you may no longer have a landline, so if you wish to add cell phones, pager numbers and/or email addresses you need to sign those up with either Clatsop County Emergency Management or Tillamook 911.
On Tuesday, the House approved HB 3042, designating April 14th as the day to honor Oregon Artists. This bill was suggested by Hayley Rollins of Seaside, who came to Salem last week to testify in support of this legislation, and this week she was in the House Gallery with her parents when the bill was approved unanimously, it now moves to the Senate side for hearings and a vote.
Hayley and Trent Rollins at Capitol
Wednesday, Jeremy Mills the State Farms Insurance Agent from Seaside stopped by, he was in Salem for an insurance lobby day, and it we talked about various pieces of legislation that potentially could impact insurance. Jeremy is a wonderful advocate for the insurance industry and the north coast and he and I had a lively discussion. It was so great to connect with someone from the district, and one reason that my door is always open to constituents who take time to visit the Capitol during session.
The Coastal Caucus meets weekly Thursday mornings, this week we began a discussion on SB 247 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) fee increases. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins released an audit of ODFW, noting that the department faces an ongoing cash flow problem that has repeatedly put the agency’s financial health at risk. Hunting, fishing and wildlife-viewing provide an estimated $2 billion dollars annually to Oregon’s economy, and our commercial fishing industry adds at least $618 million. The department has multiple proposals under consideration to address the 2015-17 anticipated budget shortfall including operational efficiencies, program reductions, more fee increases and a request for more general fund support. There is clear understanding from coastal lawmakers that the proposed increases would have negative impacts on charter boat operators, and related businesses, like motels, campgrounds, restaurants, shops and other tourist attractions. Coastal caucus members expressed concern about the ODFW focus, or so-called agency “mission creep” and that hunting and fishing license fees are used for a variety of ODFW projects, instead of funding agency functions that relate to and enhance hunting and angling opportunities. It was also mentioned that positive economic impacts from wildlife viewing is greater than either fishing or hunting economic impacts, and individuals who engage in wildlife viewing were described as “free-riders” as they pay no fees to enhance ODFW conservation efforts. Senator Arnie Roblan suggested the possibility of additional fees on the purchase of binoculars or bird seed which might be a way to find additional funds for ODFW. Discussion regarding the ODFW budget and proposed license fee increases will be back on our Coastal Caucus agenda next week.
On Monday in the House Committee on Rules, a public hearing will be held on HJR 25, the memoriam to Nehalem Mayor Shirley Kalkhoven. Shirley was such a go-getter! At the time of her passing, she was involved with 17 different committees, boards and organizations. She had positive impacts for her community, the coast and the state, and there are many people here in Salem that remember Shirley fondly from her testimony on various issues.
In the district: the Oregon Department of Transportation crew is planning to plant trees and other foliage along US near 101 near Cannon Beach that was thinned in early March to remove hazard trees. The work is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday April 28th through the 29th. Travelers should be aware of increased activity along the highway right of way and drivers should be cautious in the area between Ecola Creek Bridge and Sunset Blvd. In early March, ODOT crews removed a number of alder trees that were identified as hazardous to travelers and to the safe operation of the roadway. This is part of a multi-year commitment to improve safety along this section of highway while addressing the guidelines of the Cannon Beach Forest Corridor vegetation management plan.
In order to best represent my district, I need to hear about your concerns. My door is always open to constituents from House District 32, and I enjoy meeting with friends and neighbors when they visit Salem. My office has moved to the fourth floor, I’m now in H-481. If you are planning to visit the Capitol, let my office know a few days in advance so we can schedule an appointment. If you have a concern or comment about a state agency or legislation under consideration, you can write, phone or email my office.
If you are interested in the legislative process, you can learn all about the Oregon Legislature, follow proposed bills, and watch committee meetings and floor sessions live, by accessing the Oregon Legislative Information System via the following link:
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Pages/Legislative-Video.aspx
It is my privilege to represent you in the Oregon House of Representatives and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Deborah Boone
email: Rep.DeborahBoone@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1432
address: 900 Court St NE, H-375, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boone
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