State Legislative Agenda
Oregon Farm Bureau has published a 2007 Legislative Agenda, which was distributed to all elected officials in Salem. Besides explaining the goals of Farm Bureau, it highlights OFB priorities in seven key arenas: production practices, agricultural land base, water rights, rural communities, business climate, market opportunities, and environmental benefits.
Click the link to download a PDF of the 2007 OFB Legislative Agenda: http://www.ofbinfo.org/attachments/OFB_2007_legislative_agenda.pdf
(To request a hard copy of the agenda, contact Amanda Cracknell at (503) 399-1701, ext. 311, amanda@oregonfb.org.)
The Oregon Farm Bureau has 23 Board Advisory Committees, covering topics ranging from field crops to taxes, that stay abreast of ever-changing legislative issues, and identify and vote on key priorities for the federation. These priorities comprise the official legislative agenda for the OFB lobbyists and the Political Action Committee, and guide the federation in its political efforts during the state legislative session.
LABOR
Agriculture Labor Relations Act - OFB supports legislation that would govern the process of union organizing. The goal here is to pass a responsible and fair collective bargaining law for Oregon agriculture employees and employers. In the history of Oregon, no farm employees have ever had a statutory process to choose whether or not they want to be represented by a union. Similarly, no union has ever been elected and certified to represent the interests of farm employees, nor has an Oregon farmer ever bargained with an elected union over wages and working conditions. Legislation that allows employees, farmers, and unions to operate with clear and practical rules is very important.
Meal & Rest Periods for Agriculture Workers - OFB hopes the state will adopt a requirement to allow (not require) farm workers to take meal and rest periods. The reality is that many workers, particularly during peak season, would rather forgo breaks in order to work, thereby making more money. It's often impossible for the farm employer to make them stop working. Despite the fact that it's their choice, if employees are found by the state to be working through their breaks, the employer can get fined up to $1,000 per violation.
Minimum Wage Indexing - Repeal indexing of minimum wage. Oregon law currently grants automatic increases to the minimum wage every year based on an urban inflation index. While other Northwest states use the Federal Minimum Wage of $5.15 an hour, Oregon employers must pay no less than $7.05 an hour. These automatic annual increases are based on urban factors, not rural reality. If it doesn't change, many family farms won't be able to afford to stay in business. Oregon's minimum wage is higher than California, New York, and Hawaii, places where the cost of living is much higher.
WATER and WETLANDS
Water Ownership within Irrigation Districts - Farmers need clarification in statute that the owner of an irrigation water right within irrigation districts is the owner of the property to which the water is appurtenant. Also needed is clarification of the relationship between districts and patrons in the areas of legal representation, allocation of conserved water, water transfers, and cancellation of water rights.
Removal/Fill - 404 Assumption - Also important is the clarification and listing of the agricultural activities that need to be exempt from the permit requirements.
FISH & WILDLIFE
State Endangered Species Act Reform - OFB supports the amendment of the state ESA to allow the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to have broader authority for de-listing decisions. Also important is the definition of exemptions for "take" of a species to include take as a response to damage as described in ORS498.012. The 30-year-old ESA is outdated, has proven not very effective in restoring species, and costs U.S. taxpayers and the private sector billions of dollars. For landowners, there is little incentive to participate; if they provide suitable habitat that attracts a listed species, their land becomes subject to severe regulation if not outright confiscation. The ESA must be modernized.
State Money for Wolf Management - Require the state pay a portion of the cost associated with management of wolves. Costs could include planning, implementation of the plan, monitoring, relocating, cost of damages, Wildlife Services contracting, etc. Otherwise, rural communities will inevitably have to foot the bill as they are mandated to protect the gray wolf under state and federal ESA laws. Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers will be prohibited from protecting their crops and livestock.
Joint Memorial on Goose Damage in Oregon - Pass a Memorial to jump-start the dialogue again at the national level. Things have quieted down from when Congress first appropriated money for this issue. A formal message from the state legislature will add to our lobbying efforts. Few can imagine the damage a flock of migrant geese can cause on a farmer's land over a matter of days.
TAXES
State Budget Growth Limit and Reserve Fund - Establish a state budget growth limitation and reserve fund. It is OFB's position that a plan of controlled growth in the state budget and money set aside for lean times would have the same revenue-leveling effect as adding a sales tax.
State Death Tax - Connect Oregon tax law to the federal 2001 tax law to eliminate both state and federal Death Tax. We support the permanent abolishment of inheritance and estate taxes. The continuity of the operation of family farms is desirable and important. The effect of the Death Tax adversely impacts the ability to smoothly transfer family farms from generation to generation.
TRANSPORTATION
Pick-Up Trucks' Maximum Speed - Amend ORS 811.115 to allow pick-ups registered for weights more than 8,000 pounds G.V.W. to travel the Maximum Speed posted.
LIVESTOCK
Livestock Carcass Disposal - Convene a workgroup that would include livestock associations, livestock processors, dairies, DEQ, ODA, representatives for waste disposal companies, etc. to develop a better plan for carcass disposal. Consider legislation or administrative rule changes that would allow small companies and producers to take "downer" animals and formerly "rendered" product to landfills for disposal.
LAND USE
Condemnation of Farmland by Cities - Restrict city, utilities, and special districts' ability to condemn farmland and require payment at UGB values.
UGB Planning and Expansion - Require that cities plan for their utility, open space, school, commercial, and industrial needs inside the UGB and prohibit using such zoned land for residential or other uses. Second, remove utilities and other urban type uses as "permitted uses" in EFU (exclusive farm use) zones. Every piece of farmland that changes to a non-farm use, be it a school or a UGB expansion, hurts ag infrastructure.
Hazardous Waste - Clarify the definition of "hazardous waste" for the application of urban waste on farmland.
Mining Aggregate in EFU Zones - An alternative analysis would require anyone applying to site a non-farm use. For example, a mine for alluvial rock in a farm zone would conduct an alternatives analysis to determine: the regional need; if other aggregate material can meet the need; if there is another location outside the farm zone for mining alluvial rock; or if there is another location in the farm zone that would be less damaging.
Replacement Dwellings in EFU Zones - Allow future replacement dwellings at any time by the property owner or child for farm dwellings that are voluntarily removed.
HOME | ABOUT | MEMBER BENEFITS | PROGRAMS | ACTION | LINKS | MEDIA | SITE MAP
©2006-2008 Oregon Farm Bureau. All rights reserved.
