| SENATE MAJORITY OFFICE State Capitol
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News Release
June 9, 2011
CONTACT: Molly Woon (503) 986-1074
Industrial lands bill will accelerate economic growth, create jobs
Senate Bill 766 passes off Senate floor this afternoon
SALEM – A major piece of jobs legislation that will expedite the development of industrial projects of state significance was voted on in the Senate this afternoon. Senate Bill 766 sets an expedited standard for projects of state significance and outlines a process for establishing regionally-significant industrial areas.
“The legislation is designed for manufacturers and other employers that could provide a significant number of high-wage jobs and bring new income into Oregon,” said Senator Lee Beyer (D-Springfield), chief sponsor of the bill. “The changes in SB 766 protect the public process we value in our land system, while making it easier to do business in Oregon and protecting valuable industrial land from being developed into strip malls.”
Senate Bill 766 assures that proposed industrial projects with the greatest jobs potential are able to get fast and definitive determinations for required state and local land use approvals. The bill also protects the most important existing industrial areas by setting guidelines for establishing regionally significant industrial areas. Up to 15 areas in the state that have unique comparative advantages as sites for creating new jobs will be protected by focusing public investment dollars in those areas, protecting existing use and developable lands from future land use changes that would harm their capacity for job creation and retention, and speeding local land use reviews for new and expanding industrial uses within these areas.
“This bill is good for both urban and rural areas of our state,” said Senator Chris Edwards (D-Eugene), sponsor of the bill. “SB 766 will help send a clear signal to companies looking to site or expand their business that Oregon is open for business.”
Public process and input regarding both the projects of state significance and in the regionally-significant industrial areas will follow regular notice and hearing processes, including a local hearing on the project. No existing standards may be waived through this legislation. Once a decision is made, the procedures for appeals are streamlined.
“Senate Democrats have been focused all session on legislation that will create jobs and make it easier to do business in Oregon,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “The bill aims to assure that lands already planned and zoned as major job creation areas do, in fact, serve that purpose. This will give certainty to businesses, helping to create jobs across Oregon.”
SB 766 grew out of recommendations from the Oregon Business Plan and is supported by a broad coalition, including the Association of Oregon Industries, the Oregon Business Association, and 1000 Friends of Oregon. The bill now goes to the House floor for a vote.
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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit oregonsenatedemocrats.com