Oregon State Police budget bill funds trooper hires, high-visibility unit and land acquisitions

SALEM, Ore. — The House Public Safety Subcommittee opened an informational hearing March 3 on House Bill 5029, the Oregon State Police (OSP) budget bill for the 2025–27 biennium. Agency leaders told lawmakers the governor’s proposal largely maintains current service levels while adding targeted public-safety investments, trooper positions and land‑acquisition authority for replacement facilities in Coos Bay and Ontario.

The governor’s proposal totals about $705.7 million and funds roughly 1,393 positions, compared with the 2023–25 legislatively approved budget of about $702.8 million and 1,377 positions, Oregon State Police officials said. “First is related to trooper retention and recruitment. That’s an ongoing concern that should be kept in mind as we move forward,” Jonathan Bennett of the Department of Administrative Services told the committee.

Why it matters: OSP provides statewide patrol, major-crime investigations, forensic services, the state medical examiner’s office and other functions. About three‑quarters of the agency’s revenues are proposed as general‑fund support; personal services and operating costs make up the vast majority of spending. Committee members pressed agency leaders about staffing, forensic backlog reduction and the impact of new spending on highway safety and overdose investigations.

Top proposals and details

- Trooper staffing and recruitment: Agency leaders said the governor’s budget maintains overall trooper staffing and adds positions…