Oregon
Drug addiction, housing and homelessness to dominate session – Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon lawmakers are starting the legislative session, promising to aim squarely at the state’s homelessness and drug addiction crisis.
From Gov. Tina Kotek to Democratic and Republican legislators, elected officials agree on the priorities, especially with fentanyl overdoses skyrocketing in Oregon and across the country.
They agree police need more tools to investigate and charge fentanyl drug dealers. They also agree that addiction treatment and services need to expand. And they want to cities to add affordable and middle-income housing to address the state’s homelessness crisis and high home prices.
They have their differences, however. Republican and Democratic lawmakers, for example, disagree on criminal charges for possession of small amounts of drugs, which was decriminalized after voters passed Measure 110 in 2020.
And the Oregon Supreme Court ruling last week against Republican senators who participated in the 2023 walkout gives them no incentive to show up if they object to proposals, they said. Lawmakers need a quorum with two-thirds of members present to conduct business.
That could put more pressure on the agenda, which is ambitious for a short session. They come every even-numbered year and are intended for emergencies, budget adjustments and technical fixes.
Here’s a look at what’s ahead:
Housing and homelessness
Gov. Tina Kotek has just one bill for the session, and it’s aimed at the housing and homelessness crisis in Oregon.
“We have a critical shortage of housing supply across the state,” Kotek told reporters last Wednesday at a legislative preview event.
Kotek’s proposal, Senate Bill 1537, would allow cities to expand their urban growth boundaries, but with a caveat: at least 30% of the land within the expansion area would have to be designated for affordable housing.
Kotek stressed the proposal would give cities a one-time chance to add land, something she failed to get passed last year. Her current bill includes $500 million for housing programs, including grants and loans to cities to purchase land and build infrastructure for affordable housing, loans for developers and grants for environmentally friendly homes that use electricity instead of natural gas.
That allocation includes $5 million for a new Housing Accountability and Production Office within the Department of Land Conservation and Development to help local government agencies add new homes.
Kotek has separate requests for $65 million to support existing homeless shelters and $35 million to help homeless prevention efforts like rental assistance. Kotek said the ice storms that clobbered Oregon in January demonstrate the need for communities across the state to have adequate shelters.
Drug addiction and overdoses
Democratic lawmakers have released a wide-ranging proposal to address the state’s drug addiction crisis.
The proposal would allow police to charge people with a low-level misdemeanor for possession of a small amount of drugs. Measure 110, which voters passed in 2020, decriminalized possession for users and put a share of cannabis revenues toward addiction services and programs. The measure allowed police to issue $100 citations to people found with a small amount of hard drugs, but those citations largely failed to motivate people to enter treatment.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers differ on the severity of the punishment: The Democratic proposal would carry a sentence up to 30 days in jail, and the person could avoid a charge if they entered a treatment program. Republicans want a more stringent misdemeanor penalty that carries up to a year in jail.
“Fentanyl has been a significant game changer as it relates to the world of street drugs and it is deadly and disastrous for Oregonians,” Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, said during a news conference last week.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers largely agree on other proposed changes, including expanded treatment opportunities, more residential services and tools to help police rein in drug dealers, such as higher penalties for selling drugs.
“I think we agree on more than we disagree,” Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, said at the same event.
Lawmakers on a joint committee have worked since last year on gathering information and crafting proposed changes, work that Kotek said is “moving in the right direction.”
She said the state needs more than punishment to address the crisis.
“I would hope everybody looks at this as a comprehensive package,” Kotek said at a news conference.
Lawmakers also want to hear from members of the public on the issue.
“The public input is really important to this process,” House Majority Leader Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, said.
Wildfire funding
Democrats have at least three proposals addressing wildfire funding in the state.
Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, is proposing both a new state body dedicated to public safety and wildfires and a ballot measure to be presented to Oregon voters that would fund it. The ballot measure would include a tax of up to 25 cents on every $1,000 of assessed property taxes. According to the Legislative Revenue Office, this could bring in at least an additional $125 million per year to wildfire prevention and response.
Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, wants the timber industry to step up its funding. He’s proposing a ballot measure to reinstate a tax on the value of timber logged on industrial forestland. This would send tens of millions of dollars to the forestry department and ease pressure on the state’s general fund, according to Golden.
“Asking all Oregonians to pay even more for wildfire protection does not address the very large tax advantages that have been developed for companies whose lands (the state) protects,” he said.
Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, will propose reducing the millions in per-acre fees that timber and grazing landowners pay to the state for wildfire protection after ranchers expressed anger about fees going up as much as 40% in a year. She walked back part of her earlier proposal that would have charged every property owner in the state a $10 fee. The proposal no longer includes details about where the forestry department would make up that lost revenue, but she is co-sponsoring Evans’ tax proposal.
Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, is backing Golden’s proposal and introducing a bill that would require the state’s investor owned utilities such as PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric to report to the State Fire Marshal and the forestry department every time a fire is started because of the company’s infrastructure. Such reports could be used in court if a large wildfire starts from the companies’ electrical equipment and leads to property losses. It would also mandate that utilities cannot recoup the costs of fires that their equipment starts by raising rates on customers.
Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, said there was not an effort among House or Senate leaders to encourage collaboration on an omnibus wildfire bill rather than considering all three independently.
“Wildfire funding is a real challenge,” Wagner said. “I think I’m open to hearing from everyone on solutions.”
Reporter Alex Baumhardt contributed to this report.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (KATU) — Additional firefighting resources are being sent to the fast-moving East Evans Creek Road fire in Jackson County as the blaze grows and threatens homes and nearby communities.
In a statement posted at 6:26 a.m. on July 11, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said it is mobilizing four structural task forces and its Blue Incident Management Team to support local response efforts. The fire sparked Friday and “quickly grew to over 1,500 acres,” the agency said.
By Saturday morning, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District estimated the fire at approximately 2,000 acres. Firefighters are working on private and Bureau of Land Management lands about 26 miles north of Medford near the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road.
The fire was reported Friday afternoon just after 2:40 p.m., according to ODF, when dispatch received a report of a car crash involving a power pole and a downed power line.
Firefighters arrived to find fire burning in nearby vegetation. ODF and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a further investigation into the incident.
Evacuation information
Evacuation orders remained in place as of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office morning update on Saturday. The sheriff’s office issued Level 3 “Go Now,” Level 2 “Be Set” and Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notices for areas surrounding the fire.
Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: JAC-148A
Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, JAC-148B
Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, JAC-149B
The above zone names can be understood by visiting the following map through Genasys Protect at protect.genasys.com. The map lets users plug in their address to see what zones are under evacuation.
The state fire marshal urged people looking for further evacuation information to follow the local sheriff’s office or check the map at the following website with the latest evacuation information: Jacksoncountyor.gov.
An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets has been established at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill.
Road closures and traffic blocks remained in effect. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said there is an additional roadblock at the 8 mile marker of Antioch Road.
Traffic remains blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road on the east side and West Fork Evans Creek Road on the west side. ODF also reported traffic is blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road, and said residents will be allowed through the closure when it is safe to do so. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.
Livestock shelters
Livestock sheltering options are also available. Horses can be taken to the Jackson County Expo at 21 Peninger Road in Central Point, where expo staff and volunteers are prepared to receive horses. Owners are asked to bring feed, water containers and any necessary medications when possible. Josephine County Fairgrounds can take pigs, goats and smaller animals at 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527. Anyone needing livestock sheltering assistance can call 541-776-7206.
Emergency Conflagration Act invoked
Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Friday night for the East Evans Creek Road Fire in Jackson County, allowing the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize additional resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.
The Jackson County Fire Defense Board chief requested assistance with life, safety and structural fire protection, and the state fire marshal concurred with that request.
The agency said it is the first time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026.
Task forces from Lincoln, Linn, Marion and the south coast—Coos, Curry, Lane and Douglas counties—are being mobilized, according to the state fire marshal. Those resources will join a task force from Klamath County and a strike team from Douglas County that were mobilized Friday evening through Immediate Response to support local structural resources.
“This fire is a reminder how quickly things can change with the dry conditions we have across the state,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Chief Deputy Travis Medema said. “We have a long way to go this fire season, and I ask every Oregonian to do their part to prevent wildfires.”
ODF said warm, dry and breezy conditions were expected to continue across southwest Oregon Saturday, increasing the potential for active fire behavior and spotting.
More than 400 personnel were assigned to the incident Saturday, including 20-person hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, heavy equipment, aviation resources and structural task forces, according to ODF. Aviation resources include one Type 3 helicopter with Air Attack, three Type 2 helicopters and two Type 1 helicopters.
Firefighters worked through the night strengthening fire line, reinforcing wet line and mitigating hazardous snags, ODF said. Saturday’s objectives include reinforcing and strengthening existing fire line, extending hose lays along East Evans Creek Road and improving access for firefighters working throughout the incident. Crews are operating in steep terrain, across an old burn scar and around numerous hazard trees.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is expected to be in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1, according to the state fire marshal. ODF said Incident Management Team 1 will assume command of the incident this evening, citing the fire’s size and complexity and the need to maintain initial attack capability across southwest Oregon.
Traffic is blocked on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road, ODF said. Residents will be allowed through the closure when it is safe to do so, and the public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.
ODF said updates on the East Evans Creek Fire will be provided each morning and evening on their Facebook page at ODF Southwest Oregon District, with additional updates shared throughout the day as significant information becomes available.
Sign up for emergency alerts from Jackson County at this link: Jacksoncountyor.gov.
Gert Zoutendijk, a public information officer for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team, confirmed the fire was caused by a downed power line that came down because of a motor vehicle crash.
Zoutendijk said an Oregon Department of Forestry local unit engine was on scene “within 30 seconds,” rendered aid to passengers and noticed the fire started.
As of today, fire officials were estimating the blaze at around 2,000 acres, though Zoutendijk said that number could change because crews have not yet been able to get an infrared flight to confirm the perimeter. An infrared flight was planned for tonight, and the acreage estimate could go up or down once the fire line is mapped more accurately.
Firefighting resources include both wildland and structural protection teams. Zoutendijk said local fire departments and districts have been overwhelmed protecting structures, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal has sent a conflagration delegate. Zoutendijk said six different counties sent resources from five different fire agencies—equipment and firefighters—on the structural side. On the wildland side, Zoutendijk said resources include the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management and private resources.
He said the total number of firefighters on the fire, not including structural firefighters who arrived today, was reported at 750.
Evacuations were in place at multiple levels. Zoutendijk said a briefing mentioned that in Level 3 evacuation zones, approximately 100 people were evacuated or affected, including 73 structures. Zoutendijk noted those structures are not all homes and could include commercial buildings. In Level 2 zones, Zoutendijk said about 166 structures were affected, including about 300 people.
Zoutendijk said Gov. Kotek invoking the Conflagration Act allows the state to send additional resources when local fire jurisdictions are overwhelmed and cannot safely and adequately protect their communities.
He stated that local agencies requested resources from the state yesterday because conditions changed quickly. Two task forces arrived and began work, and additional resources were brought in today after the conflagration was enacted last night, including four task forces from four different counties. Those resources are intended to focus on protecting structures in and around threatened areas and to relieve local jurisdictions so they can return to day-to-day emergency response.
Zoutendijk urged Oregonians statewide to sign up for emergency alerts through local fire agencies, emergency management offices, counties or cities, saying the systems can send evacuation notices and other emergency messaging for large-scale incidents.
McMinnville man John Nelson rescued in Mount Jefferson Wilderness
Retired McMinnville doctor John Nelson was rescued from the Mount Jefferson Wilderness after going missing, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.
Beaches from Tillamook Head to the Columbia River will close to razor clam harvesting on July 15.
The closure happens annually on all Clatsop County beaches, an 18-mile stretch of Oregon’s northernmost coast, to allow juvenile razor clams a summer growth window.
The harvest is expected to resume on Oct. 1, “unless there is a closure for toxin levels,” the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife explained.
According to ODFW shellfish biologist Matt Hunter, 90% of Oregon razor clams are harvested along this stretch of coast. The closure, first established in the late 1960s, protects juvenile razor clams that utilize the summer months to feed on phytoplankton – a staple food source.
The closure doesn’t apply to razor clams below Clatsop beaches. Alternative harvesting spots include Agate Beach, Waldport Beach, Whiskey Run Beach and Meyers Creek Beach. Bay clams and muscles will remain open for harvesting.
A shellfish license is required to harvest clams and crab in Oregon. Clammers must have their own container and dig for their own clams. The daily limit is 15 clams, regardless of size or condition.
Before clamming, people should call the Shellfish Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check ODFW’s recreation report for biotoxin closures.
Riley Ellis is an outdoor intern at the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at rellis@statesmanjournal.com.
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