Senate committee advances bill to create Blue Economy Task Force

The Senate Energy and Environment Committee on Feb. 16 adopted amendments to Senate Bill 15 25 and voted to send the measure to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

The bill would establish a Blue Economy Task Force to study Oregon's coastal economic sectors, review existing economic development plans and strategies, and recommend opportunities to support sustainable coastal businesses while maintaining the health of coastal ecosystems. Committee staff said the dash-2 amendment adds a representative from maritime and shipping businesses; the dash-3 amendment modifies task-force membership to require one serving legislator from the coastal caucus and to add representatives from commercial and noncommercial fisheries, recreation industries other than fishing, labor on the coast, a Sea Grant representative from Oregon State University, and the Ocean Policy Advisory Council chair designee.

A committee member moved to adopt the dash-3 amendment and then moved the bill, as amended, to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation and referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Several senators praised the broader membership for better reflecting coastal stakeholders. Senator Robinson said she remained skeptical of committees generally but supported moving the bill, adding that "it doesn't look like you can hurt us, and they're volunteers." The committee adopted the amendment and approved the referral.

The bill proceeds to Ways and Means, where fiscal considerations will be examined. The committee record shows the fiscal staff determined no revenue impact on the dash-3 amendment; the committee will consider any further details in its next referral.