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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Bill 2166
Introduced and printed pursuant to House Rule 12.00. Presession filed (at the request of House Interim Committee
on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water for Representatives Ken Helm, Mark Owens)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: The Act tells an agency to assess topics related to farming in Oregon. The Act tells the
agency to report on the topics. (Flesch Readability Score: 62.7).
Requires the State Department of Agriculture to submit a report on the economic
competitiveness of Oregon’s agricultural sector to a committee or interim committee of the Legis-
lative Assembly related to natural resources no later than December 31, 2026.
Sunsets the requirement on January 2, 2027.
Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to supporting Oregon agriculture; and prescribing an effective date.
Whereas Oregon agriculture is vital to the health and prosperity of all Oregonians; and
Whereas Oregon agriculture is the second largest economic sector in Oregon; and
Whereas food, fiber, plant and livestock production are critical sectors when considering and
attempting to maximize state competitiveness; and
Whereas for agriculture to remain sustainable for future generations in Oregon, a balance of
economic, environmental and social values must be considered; and
Whereas after the COVID-19 pandemic the global economy is changing and contracting dra-
matically, and Oregon must be prepared to adapt to new economic conditions; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
(1) The State Department of Agriculture shall conduct an analysis of the
economic competitiveness of Oregon’s agricultural sector and submit a report on the analy-
sis, in the manner prescribed in ORS 192.245, to a committee or interim committee of the
Legislative Assembly related to natural resources on or before December 31, 2026.
(2) The analysis must assess, at minimum:
(a) The economic competitiveness of Oregon agricultural products within the United
States domestic market, considering:
(A) The impacts of drought, heat, wildfire, climate change and water availability on crop
production and harvest losses, and any associated crop insurance gaps related to the im-
pacts.
(B) Labor shortages, farmworker housing supply, costs of guest worker programs and tax
credits related to labor and housing.
(C) The overall regulatory burden on Oregon agricultural entities, including the cost of
compliance verification, compared to regulatory burdens on other sectors within this state
and compared to agricultural sectors in other states.
(D) Any competitive advantages that agricultural sectors in other states attain through
NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [ italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 2046
HB 2166
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ecosystem practice payments, carbon sequestration payments and other incentive programs,
as well as through investments in solutions such as drought-resilient crops.
(E) Specialty or niche agricultural sectors that may present strong economic opportu-
nities in national or international markets.
(F) The viability of local food markets in Oregon.
(G) Regional capacity to add value to Oregon commodities.
(H) The transfer and succession of agricultural operations or lands to protect and sustain
the agricultural economy.
(b) How technological advancements can improve the competitiveness and sustainability
of Oregon agricultural products, and whether there are any barriers to adopting technolog-
ical advancements.
(c) The efficiency of agricultural infrastructure that is crucial for getting products to
market, such as the efficiency of transportation networks, storage facilities and processing
plants.
(d) How implementing climate-smart agricultural practices can enhance long-term
competitiveness and environmental stewardship, including the potential agricultural practice
of accessing new markets that prioritize sustainability.
(e) The impacts on the Oregon agricultural sector from changes in the global market and
supply chains after 2020, considering:
(A) Whether Oregon should increase produce as a component of the overall agricultural
sector in this state.
(B) The costs of agricultural inputs, including fuels, fertilizers, other chemical inputs and
energy.
(f) The impacts on the Oregon agricultural sector from foreign investment in Oregon
agricultural land.
(3) In completing the analysis, the department shall seek and consider input from
stakeholders representing the diversity of Oregon’s agricultural sector, including but not
limited to Indian tribes, various types and sizes of agricultural operations, farmworkers,
experts from universities and others with relevant agricultural experience.
(4) The report must include recommendations that may form the basis of a new or re-
vised strategic road map aimed at ensuring the competitiveness of Oregon agriculture, based
on the results of the analysis.
(5) The department may contract for completion of the analysis and the report.
(6) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the
department, as requested by the department, in the performance of the duties described in
this section.
SECTION 2.
Section 1 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2027.
SECTION 3. This 2025 Act takes effect on the 91st day after the date on which the 2025
regular session of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly adjourns sine die.
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