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Senate Bill 768 Would Let Oregon Match Private Donations to OSU for Cereal‑grain Research, Sponsor Says
Summary
Senate Bill 768 would authorize the state to match 50% of private donations of $10,000 or more to the Oregon State University Foundation for cereal‑grains research, with reporting requirements and an appropriated cap of $3 million; bill advocates emphasized long timelines for breeding and competitiveness concerns.
Senator Todd Nash and other lawmakers and industry witnesses testified Feb. 5 in support of Senate Bill 768, a proposal to encourage private endowments for cereal‑grain research at Oregon State University by providing state matching funds.
The bill as described in committee would match 50% of each private donation of $10,000 or more to the OSU Foundation for cereal‑grain research “to the extent monies are available,” sponsor Nash said, and would cap state contributions at $3 million. The bill would establish reporting requirements for the OSU Foundation and appropriate $3,000,000 from the general fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for allocation to the OSU Foundation.
Why it matters: Proponents said cereal grains — often represented in testimony by wheat — are a cornerstone of the statewide and regional economy and that research underpins yields, quality and market competitiveness. Amanda Hoey, CEO of the Oregon Wheat Growers League, told the committee that industry has a history of endowing positions at OSU and that steady, multi-year funding is essential for breeding new varieties and improving quality. “It takes nearly a decade to develop a new wheat variety that can be more drought tolerant, nutritious, and resistant to insects and disease,” she said.
Representative Bobby Levy, whose district includes large wheat-producing counties, said the 50% state match would “incentivize private investment in this research” and described the proposal as a partnership that would “maximize resources and drive innovation and crop science, sustainability, and farm efficiency.” Farmers testifying — including Erin Hansel Heidemann and David Brewer — described farm-level impacts and international market dependence (testimony noted that roughly 90% of Oregon wheat is exported).
Accountability and scope: Nash said the bill includes “accountability measures such as annual reporting from OSU Extension Foundation to the state treasury and Oregon Higher Education Commission.” The sponsor and proponents framed the measure as contingent on available funds and capped appropriations rather than an automatic, open-ended matching program.
Ending: The committee heard supportive testimony from wheat‑industry representatives and producers and closed the public hearing on SB 768 without a vote. No amendments or formal committee actions were recorded during the Feb. 5 hearing.
