Committee approves study amendment for US 20 corridor near Philomath; bill to Ways and Means

The Joint Committee on Transportation on April 7 adopted the -1 amendment to Senate Bill 564, converting the original project appropriation into a directed study. Sponsor language explained the amendment requires the Oregon Department of Transportation to study and report recommendations for increasing motor vehicle capacity on U.S. Highway 20 between OR-99 and the city of Philomath, including cost estimates and other pertinent information. The amendment sets a reporting deadline of Sept. 15, 2026, a sunset date of Jan. 1, 2027, and an effective date of July 1 of the current year with an emergency clause.

Madam Co Chair moved to adopt the amendment; the clerk recorded a roll-call vote. The amendment passed with the committee recording 11 ayes and no nays on the amendment vote (Representative Evans was excused). A subsequent motion to move SB 564, as amended, to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and referral to the Committee on Ways and Means passed on roll-call: 10 ayes, 1 nay (Senator Pham), with one member excused.

Supporters said the study approach was preferable to directing funding for a single widening project without a systems-level review. Opponents expressed concerns about setting project-specific precedents; one senator said a study bill was the right move.

Ending — The committee referred the amended SB 564 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and prior reference to Ways and Means; the report back deadline and sunset dates are in the amendment text.