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Senate committee hears proposal to create blue-economy task force for Oregon coast
Summary
Sen. Janine Solomon and the Oregon Ocean Science Trust urged support for SB 15 25, a committee bill that would create a task force to study Oregon’s blue economy and authorize the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to form a 501(c)(3) to pursue federal and private grants.
Sen. Janine Solomon, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment for the record, told the committee on Feb. 4 that Senate Bill 15 25 would establish a blue-economy task force to study Oregon’s coastal economic sectors, existing development plans and strategies, and opportunities to support sustainable coastal businesses while maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems.
“The task force created by Senate Bill 15 25 will help ensure Oregon’s coastal communities have a clear road map towards economic success and climate resilience moving into the future,” Solomon said, urging the committee to support the measure. She said the bill includes a technical amendment that would require one legislative member of the task force to be from a coastal caucus.
Lisa Debra Kerr, director of strategic initiatives and programs for the Oregon Ocean Science Trust, told the committee SB 15 25 would also grant the Trust authority to create a supporting 501(c)(3) foundation. “The solution is the technical amendment in Senate Bill 15 25 that explicitly grants us the authority to establish a supporting 5 0 1(c)(3) foundation,” Kerr said, adding that the Trust has dispersed nearly $2,000,000 in competitive grants for ocean research but lacks an arm to pursue larger federal and private awards.
Proponents said the task force would bring together environmental organizations, industry groups and research institutions to align economic opportunity with conservation, build public-private partnerships and expand markets for coastal products beyond commodity processing. Supporters pointed to other states’ task forces, including Maine’s, as models that produced actionable recommendations to strengthen coastal economies while addressing climate and seasonal challenges.
There was no opposition testimony on record. Committee members noted materials and presentations from an earlier Nov. 18 briefing were posted to the legislative record for additional context. With no further questions, the chair closed the public hearing on SB 15 25.
If advanced by the committee, the bill would next go to the Senate’s committee on ways and means for fiscal consideration.
