SENATE MAJORITY OFFICE

 

Oregon State Legislature

State Capitol

Salem, OR

 

 

 

 

 

News Release

 

June 27, 2009

 

CONTACT:    Molly Woon (503) 986-1074

molly.woon@state.or.us

 

Green legislation passes through Senate chamber

Four bills illustrate diversity of environmental legislation this session  

 

SALEM – During Saturday afternoon session, the Senate passed a number of green friendly bills that speak to different areas of concern and improvement in Oregon’s environment. Legislation approved included:

 

  • HB 2626 – Establishes the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology loan program (EEAST). The program will provide state loans to home and business owners to make existing buildings more efficient with renewable energy projects using a combination of private and public capital.
  • HB 2220 – Authorizes the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon State Marine Board, and the Department of Agriculture to operate check sites to inspect for and decontaminate watercraft from invasive species.
  • HB 2544 – Creates the Oregon Environmental Literacy Task Force to create a plan that teaches students about environmental issues facing Oregon and the U.S. The Task Force, also called “No Child Left Inside,” is charged with encouraging healthy lifestyles by promoting outdoor experiences, and creating opportunities for teachers to improve their knowledge of environmental topics.
  • HB 3037 – Creates a paint stewardship pilot program with the goal of reducing paint waste, promoting paint reuse, and developing a system of collecting, transporting, and processing leftover paint in an environmentally sound fashion.

 

This legislation joins environmentally sound bills already passed this session including HB 2186, which establishes low-carbon fuel standards for the state and SB 105, which raises fines that can be assessed against polluters for the first time in 36 years.

 

“Our caucus has developed a strong record this session of passing legislation that is forward thinking environmentally while also sensitive to the tough economic climate many Oregonians face,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). “Even in tight budget times we’ve been able to make meaningful progress towards meeting the state’s energy efficiency goals and addressing some of the most pressing environmental issues in Oregon.”

 

All bills now go to the Governor for his approval.

 

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit oregonsenatedemocrats.com