Portland’s Legislative and Nomination Committee on an authorization vote directed the city’s lobbying team to pursue LD 1732, a bill that would raise state reimbursement for municipal general assistance (GA) from the current 70% level toward 90%. The committee also authorized staff to draft and pursue a separate, narrower bill to allow state reimbursement for food provided at city shelters.

The measure known as LD 1732 was described by committee members as part of a multi-year effort to restore higher state support for GA. Committee members and staff said municipalities previously received higher reimbursement rates, that the rate fell during an earlier administration and was later restored to 70 percent, and that the city has repeatedly pressed the legislature to assume a larger share of GA costs. The committee voted to authorize the lobbying team to advance the city’s position on LD 1732.

Committee members stressed the bill contains several structural changes beyond the reimbursement percentage, including provisions that relate to municipality responsibility, culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and limits on motel use. Staff said earlier versions had broad support from welfare directors and municipal stakeholders but stalled in the prior session, in part because of budget constraints.

Members discussed the political and fiscal limits for an immediate jump to 90 percent. Several members said a tiered or phased approach over multiple years is more likely to gain traction with the Legislature. The lobbying team said the session’s cloture deadline for bill titles was imminent and that staff would work to secure sponsors and a title before drafting final language.

On the narrower food-reimbursement proposal, committee members endorsed isolating reimbursement for shelter food as a politically pragmatic way to expand what the state pays. Staff described ambiguity in existing state law about what counts as “operating costs” and said food costs tied to shelter operations currently are not reimbursed. Committee discussion included concerns about competition for state funds with nonprofit food providers and whether providers such as Preble Street and Good Shepherd already receive state food funding. Staff said they would inventory existing state funding for providers and work with potential sponsors, including Representative Bridal, to develop language and a sponsor.

Committee members asked for fiscal estimates. Staff offered a rough city-level estimate — describing annual Portland food costs in shelters as potentially “on the order of $1,000,000” — but said they would produce a tighter fiscal note if the committee asked. Members requested that staff prepare cost estimates for LD 1732 and for the proposed food reimbursement tweak to present to the Legislature and the city’s delegation.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to authorize lobbying staff to move forward on LD 1732 (increase GA reimbursement toward 90%): moved by Councilor Grant, seconded by Councilor Sykes; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Motion to authorize staff to pursue a separate bill to secure state reimbursement for food served at city shelters: moved by Councilor Grant, seconded by Councilor Sykes; outcome: approved (voice vote).

The committee asked the lobbying team to pursue sponsors and titles quickly so staff would have time to draft full bill language and fiscal analyses before hearings. Staff also said they would track the evolving cloture list and keep the committee informed of rule or process changes in the Legislature that could affect timing.