American Planning Association
Oregon Chapter
2012 Legislative Agenda
Guiding Principles for Legislation
What OAPA should seek from legislative outcomes?
 Benefit – Is the proposal beneficial to land use planning in Oregon? Will the legislation
advance the goals of the Oregon land use program and the APA objective of “making great
communities happen”?
 Clarity - What will the proposed law require? Is it clear? What are the outcomes/products
expected from local governments, state agencies, business, and private citizens?
 Diversity – Is the proposal helpful to a broad range of citizens rather than narrow special
interests? If the law applies to all cities and/or counties how will different local governments in
different parts of Oregon satisfy the law?
 Cost – How much will the proposal cost, to the state, the public, local governments or
others?
 Creativity – Can we come up with a different, more creative proposal that accomplishes the
same purpose? If a proposal has negative impacts, can we come up with a less harmful
idea? Can we think of a way to accomplish the purpose in a way that gets broader legislative
support?
It is expected that much of the 2012 short session will be focused on budget issues. OAPA will
continue to monitor bills consistent with its 2011 Legislative Agenda, with the following
modifications:
Urban Issues
 Follow and participate in efforts in the Governor’s office and courts to address the UGB
process. Discussions include how to keep the Court of Appeals from being bottle neck
on land use issues focusing on the (1) appeals process on land use cases and (2)
process for UGB amendments. This work is targeting legislation in the 2013 legislative
session. Because it is expected that this work will include addressing the priorities in
ORS 197.298, we are tabling our proposed legislation on this topic.
 Follow work on the Transportation Planning Rule and Oregon Highway Plan. While this
work is expected to result in rulemaking by the end of 2011, there may be follow up work.
Also, given efforts to weaken the TPR during the 2011 session, we will monitor bills on
transportation.
Rural Issues
 Agri-tourism activities: Monitor the implementation of SB 960 to ensure that the
permitted events do not become the primary use on farms and that the new standards
prevent or limit impacts to surrounding farm and forest operations.
 Wineries – Monitor the implementation of HB 3280, especially with regard to its
allowance of expanded food service and promotional activities. Support the
establishment and participate in any work groups that oversee this work in progress.
Continue to support legislation to limit wineries to the same limitations on other special
events, promotional activities and food services as other farm operations and to ensure
that such activities individually or cumulatively do not harm surrounding farm or forest
operations. Coordinate legislative with the Wine Industry, Farm Bureau, 1000 Friends of
Oregon, AOC, DLCD and ODA.
 HB 3615 (2011): This bill would have authorized establishment of regional definitions of
“agricultural land” and “forest land” for purposes of land use goal setting and appropriated
money to Department of Land Conservation and Development to make grants to
Jackson, Josephine and Douglas Counties to pursue regional definitions of “agricultural
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land” and “forest land.” If efforts are made to revive this bill, OAPA will encourage delay
of adoption to allow DLCD to undertake a farm/forest mapping effort pilot project (HB
2229). OAPA will also coordinate with AOC to see if common understanding can be
reached on this issue.
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