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Senate hearing pits business and local interests over SB 15 86’s land rezoning and tax incentives
Summary
Testimony split over SB 15 86: sponsors and industry groups argued the package (including dash‑4 land changes and dash‑7 tax credits) is needed to keep Oregon competitive in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, while residents, labor unions, and farmers warned about farmland loss, water/electric impacts, and large public subsidies—some lawmakers support a dash‑8 amendment to bar data centers and crypto from tax breaks.
The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue heard more than three hours of public testimony Feb. 20 on Senate Bill 15 86, a package of changes aimed at growing semiconductors and advanced manufacturing in Oregon. Proponents said targeted incentives, clarified definitions, and ready sites are essential to retain and attract investment. Opponents warned the measure risks permanently converting fertile farmland and expanding large tax breaks without stronger job and community accountability.
Sen. Janine Salmon, speaking for supporters of the bill’s land component, told the committee the dash‑4 amendment would bring 373 acres contiguous to an existing urban growth boundary into the UGB and designate roughly 1,400 additional acres as urban reserves; she emphasized those lands now sit outside the land‑use system and that any future change would still go through local planning commission and metro…
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