County government relations team briefs commissioners on multiple 2025 state bills and funding priorities

Erin Doyle, senior government relations manager for Washington County, and colleagues from the County’s government relations team and Clean Water Services gave commissioners a broad update on priority bills and budget items being tracked in the 2025 Oregon legislative session.

"We are here to provide your second legislative update," Doyle told the Board, and presenters asked commissioners whether they had direction for the County’s advocacy on proposals ranging from courthouse replacement matching funds to behavioral‑health funding formulas and water‑quality bills.

Key items covered by staff included:

- Courthouse replacement planning: Staff said Representative Sosa and bipartisan Washington County legislators have sponsored a bill to appropriate $1,250,000 in matching state funds for courthouse replacement planning. The measure is being shepherded for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee with additional sponsors recently added.

- Opioid treatment in community corrections (HB 3009 / related provisions): County staff praised testimony from local corrections leadership at a recent hearing and said parts of HB 3009 have strong bipartisan support. Staff also noted related language is being considered for inclusion in companion bills (for example SB 236).

- Behavioral health…