2020 Legislative Session Over - CUB Priority Bills Failed by Walkout
Posted on March 9, 2020 by Bob Jenks
Tags, Energy, Telecommunications, General Interest
Due to the Republican walkout, only three bills were enacted during the 2020 legislative session.
This is in stark contrast to a hallmark of my work at CUB since 1992: collaboration in developing energy and utility regulation policy among disparate stakeholders. In 1999, Republicans controlled the Oregon Senate and CUB worked on bipartisan legislation that created the Energy Trust of Oregon as a vehicle for our state to be a national energy efficiency leader. In 2007, the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was created by a bipartisan vote in both chambers of the Oregon legislature. Good energy policy was not a partisan issue.
This collaborative spirit was a vital element of developing SB 1530, this year’s climate legislation. The bill responded to concerns that had been raised about last year’s climate proposal. Consumer protections were enhanced, including provisions to keep gas prices affordable in rural parts of the state. CUB was honored to advise on the energy utility and consumer protection aspects of this bill. CUB is disappointed at the Republican walkout that halted SB 1530 and dismayed at this tactic’s erosive impact on democracy, especially given the extensive modifications that were made to the bill to address the concerns of rural constituents.
The list of other bills failed by the walkout is long. However, I want to highlight two bills in particular that CUB believes are needed now, and had bipartisan support, but did not receive a final vote because of the walkout.
HB 4079, the Rural Telecommunications Investment Act, would have addressed digital inequality which is a growing and pervasive threat to the economic and social wellbeing of rural, coastal, and frontier communities, as well as to people with disabilities, low-income families, and the elderly. This bill would have ended a 20-year handout to out-of-state wireless companies by ensuring that they pay their fair share to the Oregon Universal Service Fund. New revenue would have also been generated for infrastructure and planning grants in rural areas with limited or no internet access. HB 4079 had bipartisan support in the House Revenue Committee but never got a vote by the full House.
HB 4067 would have made energy utility regulation more equitable and affordable. This legislation would have increased participation by groups representing people of color, rural communities, and others typically ignored in utility regulation proceedings. Regulated utilities would have been able to offer new rate designs, including discounts, to reduce the energy burden of low-income customers. HB 4607 passed the Oregon House with bipartisan support and moved through the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, but never got a vote by the full Senate.
Throughout the legislative session, CUB and so many others worked tirelessly on policies like these to benefit Oregonians. While the 2020 Oregon legislative session has concluded with disappointing outcomes, our determination to see this work through is as strong as ever. We’re not going anywhere, and neither should you.
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03/10/20 | 2 Comments | 2020 Legislative Session Over - CUB Priority Bills Failed by Walkout