Bill would let Oregon Ocean Science Trust form nonprofit to accept nonstate funding

House Bill 4097 would authorize the Oregon Ocean Science Trust to create and maintain a nonprofit organization to advance its mission and accept non‑state funding, Representative David Gomberg told the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee on Feb. 17.

"This bill would allow them to create a nonprofit and do the same good work with somebody else's money," Gomberg said, noting the measure passed the House unanimously.

Gomberg, who represents House District 10, described the Oregon Ocean Science Trust as a grant‑making body that studies the ocean primarily using state dollars. He said creating a nonprofit arm would let the trust access philanthropic and private funds while continuing its research and grant work.

Committee members did not take questions or move to votes during the short presentation. The chair opened and closed the public hearing for HB 4097 to proceed to the committee's other business; no objections were recorded at the time of the hearing.

Next steps for HB 4097 will depend on the committee's scheduling; the Feb. 17 session did not include a committee vote.