Subcommittee advances SB 5508 funding for Columbia River Gorge Commission with reduced Oregon share

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee advanced Senate Bill 5508 on Thursday, recommending a $1,561,000 general‑fund appropriation and no new positions for the Columbia River Gorge Commission for the 2025–27 biennium and sending the bill to the full committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

The recommendation, presented by Legislative Fiscal Office staff, represents a roughly 35% reduction from the 2023–25 legislatively approved budget. LFO told the subcommittee the reduction reflects the phaseout of one‑time costs tied to the second phase of an access database replacement project and a decision to align Oregon’s contribution for jointly shared operating expenses with Washington’s budget.

“The 25–27 LFO recommended budget for the Columbia River Gorge Commission is $1,561,000 general fund and no positions,” said Emily, Legislative Fiscal Office staff. “This decrease is primarily due to the phase out of one‑time costs associated with the second phase of the access database replacement project and an overall budget reduction to match the state of Washington for the joint expenses that are equally shared between the two states.”

LFO outlined two specific adjustments: a $131,827 reduction in general‑fund appropriations for the commission’s joint expenses to match Washington’s budget for that program, and a $36,000 reduction in the appropriation for Oregon commissioner expenses to align projected costs for the 2025–27 biennium. LFO said the Washington budget for the commission’s joint expenses totals $1,541,000, which produces a combined shared operating budget of $3,082,000 for the two states.

Subcommittee members asked for clarification about the Washington reductions and LFO confirmed Oregon’s changes mirror Washington’s decision. “So we’re matching,” Co‑Chair Frederick said in response to a clarification request; Senator Anderson confirmed that was correct.

There were no changes to the commission’s key performance measures; LFO recommended approval of the proposed KPMs and targets carried forward from the 2023–25 biennium.

Co‑Chair Frederick moved the LFO recommendation on Senate Bill 5508 and later moved adoption of the bill’s dash‑1 amendment. Both motions were approved without objection and LFO recommended that SB 5508, as amended, be moved to the full Ways and Means Committee. Frederick then moved SB 5508 as amended to the full committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

One committee member spoke for the record in disagreement with Washington’s decision to reduce its budget contribution. “I would just like to, for the record, to say I disagree with Washington’s decision and, just would like to lay that marker down, both in process and in an outcome,” the member said; senators and representatives discussed whether to send a letter to Washington about the change.

Representative Lively agreed to carry the bill to the full committee. The subcommittee chair closed the work session after those motions and brief procedural discussion.

Why it matters: The Columbia River Gorge Commission is a bi‑state entity whose operating budget is split between Oregon and Washington under the commission’s compact. Oregon’s decision to match Washington’s lower contribution reduces Oregon’s general‑fund request for the commission and may affect the commission’s in‑person meeting frequency and commissioner travel expenses, which LFO tied to the $36,000 reduction.

What’s next: SB 5508, as amended, will be considered by the full Ways and Means Committee; Representative Lively will carry the bill forward from the subcommittee.