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Ways and Means reports out multiple bond and capital construction packages including $443M in lottery bonds and broad capital construction authority
Summary
The committee recommended multiple bond authorizations and capital construction limits: $650M Article 11Q for LIFT and supportive housing, university and college bonds, $443M in lottery bonds for 45 projects (SB 5531), and $1.4 billion in capital construction expenditure limitation (SB 5506).
The committee advanced a package of capital construction and bond authorization measures covering university projects, community college funding, school seismic rehabilitation, school matching grants, port and channel projects, public works, and housing programs.
Senate Bill 5 505 would limit maximum bond issuance authority and included $650,000,000 of Article 11Q bonds for Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) housing and permanent supportive housing, $315,000,000 of Article 11GS and 11Q bonds for public university projects, and $139,000,000 of Article 11F bonds for two public university projects supported by university revenues. The subcommittee recommended SB 5505 be amended (dash 2) and reported out due pass as amended.
Senate Bill 5 531 authorizes $443,000,000 in net lottery bond proceeds for 45 projects in 2025–27, including $52.5M for affordable housing preservation, $45M for the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge replacement, $45M for the Willamette Falls Intertribal Access Project, $33M for Levee and flood protection infrastructure (including $20M for Portland Metro Levee system improvements), $20M to recapitalize a special public works fund, and $20M for a container port improvement fund. Lottery bond debt service estimates were presented for two biennia.
Senate Bill 5 506 is the capital construction bill establishing authority for acquisition, planning, repair and construction of projects costing over $1,000,000. The subcommittee recommended total capital construction expenditure limitation of $1,400,000,000 other funds and $49,000,000 federal funds for the 2025–27 biennium, with project approvals expiring on June 30, 2031. The committee recommended SB 5506 be amended (dash 2) and reported out due pass as amended.
Committee members noted the large number of requests and the difficulty of selecting projects: "We had well over $2,000,000,000 worth of requests," a presenter said, and lawmakers said many strong projects were left off the list. Senator Frederick and others highlighted projects for fire stations, housing, water treatment, and county courthouse replacement. Senator Dreyf and others thanked staff and community hosts who helped the subcommittee review projects across the state.
Action: The Capital Construction Subcommittee recommended SB 5505 (dash 2), SB 5531 (dash 4), SB 5506 (dash 2), and related bond authorization bills be reported out due pass as amended; motions passed in the work session.
