League of Women Voters of Oregon
League of Women Voters of Oregon#
The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) is a nonpartisan civic organization founded in 1920, shortly after the passage of the 19th Amendment. Based in Salem, LWVOR is a state affiliate of the national League of Women Voters and operates as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit.1
LWVOR’s mission is to empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and civic participation. While the organization addresses a broad range of policy areas, it has been an active participant in Oregon housing and land use policy debates, regularly testifying before the Oregon Legislature on bills related to affordable housing, manufactured housing, homelessness, and land use planning.2
Policy Positions#
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Land use planning: Supports Oregon’s statewide land use planning program and the development and maintenance of local comprehensive plans and development codes, with adequate funding for effective management and enforcement.3
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Affordable housing funding: Advocates for state investment in affordable housing production and preservation, including bond funding and appropriations for housing programs administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services.4
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Manufactured housing protections: Supports protections for manufactured home park residents, including limits on rent increases for homeowners in manufactured dwelling parks and marinas.5
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Homelessness prevention: Supports funding and programs to address homelessness, including services for unaccompanied homeless youth and emergency housing assistance.4
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Publicly supported housing transparency: Supports requirements for landlords of publicly supported housing to provide tenants with adequate notice when affordability restrictions are set to expire.6
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Citizen involvement in land use: Supports meaningful public participation in land use decision-making processes, including adequate public notice and opportunities for review and comment at each phase of policy development.3
Key Legislative Involvement#
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SB 973 (2025): Testified in support of requiring landlords of publicly supported housing to give tenants 30 months’ notice before affordability restrictions expire, extending the previous 20-month requirement.6
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HB 3054 (2025): Testified in support of limiting rent increases for manufactured home park and marina residents to six percent, citing the importance of protecting this source of naturally occurring affordable housing.5
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SB 1530 (2024): Testified in support of the omnibus housing appropriations bill, which funded programs administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services and other state agencies.7
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HB 4064 (2022): Testified in support of expanding eligibility for siting manufactured homes and prefabricated structures in residential zones, removing local government barriers to manufactured housing.8
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SB 391 (2021): Testified in support of authorizing counties to allow accessory dwelling units in rural residential zones, expanding housing options outside urban growth boundaries.9
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HB 2578 (2021): Testified in support of phasing out the mortgage interest deduction for non-primary residences and redirecting revenue to an Oregon Housing Opportunity Account.10
News Coverage
No news coverage found for this organization.
Legislative Testimony
2026
2 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 4149 Directs school districts to adopt policies that provide for the immediate enrollment, school placement and provision of services to homeless students. |
Jean Pierce | Support | 2026-02-07 |
| HB 4123 Limits the circumstances under which a landlord may disclose confidential information. |
Rebecca Gladstone | Support | 2026-02-05 |
2025
23 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 3054 Fixes at six percent maximum rent increases for rental spaces in a larger facility beginning in 2026. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2025-04-25 |
| SB 814 Modifies eligibility criteria for the long-term rental assistance program for certain individuals under 25 years of age. |
Debbie Aiona | Support | 2025-04-11 |
| HB 3939 Extends the temporary Oregon Business Development Department residential infrastructure grant program by two years. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2025-04-05 |
| SB 1155 Directs the Housing and Community Services Department to establish a pilot program to assist pregnant persons and their immediate family members in attaining stable housing. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2025-04-01 |
| HB 2059 Establishes the Residential Behavioral Health Capacity Program within the Oregon Health Authority to fund behavioral health programs that are determined by the authority to increase residential behavioral health capacity throughout this state. |
Stephanie Aller | Support | 2025-03-24 |
| HB 2964 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to award loans for the predevelopment costs of affordable housing Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to award loans for the predevelopment costs of affordable housing. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2025-03-20 |
| SB 722 Prohibits residential landlords from using certain software to set rents or occupancy rates. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2025-03-20 |
| HB 2968 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to guarantee a housing developer's payment of system development charges that the local government has agreed to defer until after occupancy. |
Debbie Aiona | Support | 2025-03-09 |
| SB 77 Describes allowable home occupations on lands zoned for forest or farm use. |
Sandra Bishop | Support | 2025-03-08 |
| SB 78 Establishes maximum size of replacement dwellings on lands zoned for forest or farm use. |
Sandra Bishop | Support | 2025-03-08 |
| SB 788 Allows lands zoned for exclusive farm use to be used for weddings or events east of the summit of the Cascade Range. |
Sandra Bishop | Oppose | 2025-03-08 |
| SB 973 Requires a landlord of publicly supported housing to provide all applicants and new tenants notice of when the affordability restrictions may be terminated. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2025-03-03 |
| HB 2151 Adds additional purposes for which moneys in the Seismic Risk Mitigation Fund may be expended. |
Laura Rogers | Support | 2025-02-27 |
| HB 3031 Establishes a program through which the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may provide financial assistance for infrastructure to support housing development. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2025-02-26 |
| HB 3182 Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to administer a grant program to fund basic needs programming. |
Jean Pierce | Support | 2025-02-24 |
| HB 3507 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to amend specified down payment assistance programs to increase eligibility by January 1, 2026. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2025-02-19 |
| HB 3525 Requires, for each dwelling unit rented by a landlord for which the source of drinking water is an exempt well in a ground water quality management area, that the landlord collect and test samples of drinking water from the dwelling unit for arsenic, coliform bacteria, lead and nitrates. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2025-02-18 |
| HB 3526 Establishes a cause of action for a buyer in a real estate transaction if the seller fails to provide the results of required well tests. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2025-02-18 |
| HB 3079 Requires the Department of Human Services to update its 2022 estimate of costs to implement youth experiencing homelessness programs. |
Karen Nibler | Support | 2025-02-10 |
| SB 470 Provides a cause of action for invasion of personal privacy against a transient lodging provider's or transient lodging intermediary's capturing, making, storing, transferring, transmitting or broadcasting, or intentionally permitting another person to make, store, transfer, transmit or broadcast, a visual image or recording or audio of a plaintiff while the plaintiff occupies a private space within transient lodging that is under the transient lodging provider's or transient lodging intermediary's ownership or control. |
Rebecca Gladstone | Support | 2025-02-03 |
| HB 3013 Details the process by which a permit or zone change that is based on provisions of a comprehensive plan or land use regulation that fail to gain acknowledgment is voided and any resulting improvements or uses are removed or revoked. |
Marge Easley | Support | 2025-01-31 |
| SB 830 Modifies provisions of the on-site septic system loan program to allow for grants. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2025-01-29 |
| HB 2168 Instructs the Oregon State University Extension Service to establish a program for providing assistance to households that rely on wells for drinking water or on septic systems for wastewater treatment. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2025-01-21 |
2024
4 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 4026 Limits the review of certain local government proposals to modify the local government's urban growth boundary to the process outlined in statute. |
Norman Turrill | Oppose | 2024-02-20 |
| SB 1530 Appropriates moneys to and modifies expenditure limitations for the Housing and Community Services Department, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, State Department of Energy, Oregon Business Development Department, Department of Transportation, Water Resources Department and Oregon Department of Administrative Services for various programs. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2024-02-13 |
| HB 4099 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to guarantee local governments' deferral of system development charges for housing developments. |
Debbie Aiona | Support | 2024-02-07 |
| HB 4134 Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to provide grants to cities for specified infrastructure projects that will benefit housing developments that will make at least 30 percent of the dwelling units affordable to workforce income households. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2024-02-05 |
2023
19 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 3414 Requires local governments to approve certain adjustments to land use regulations for housing development within urban growth boundary. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2023-06-08 |
| SB 702 Allows Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board to require training on implicit bias and state and federal fair housing laws for real estate appraisers. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2023-04-15 |
| SB 976 Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, mortgage interest deduction for residence other than taxpayer's principal residence, unless taxpayer sells residence or actively markets residence for sale. |
Debbie Aiona | Support | 2023-04-07 |
| SB 80 Makes certain changes related to statewide wildfire hazard map. |
Caroyln Mayers | Support | 2023-03-26 |
| HB 3442 Authorizes local governments to allow, prohibit, require zone change for or subject to conditional use permit development of certain affordable housing on certain lands within tsunami inundation zones or 100-year floodplains. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2023-03-14 |
| SB 868 Requires designated state agency in carrying out program related to promotion, implementation, incentivization or regulation of energy efficiency in buildings to align, improve and prioritize certain actions to aid in achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. |
Arlene Sherrett | Support | 2023-03-14 |
| SB 869 Directs Department of Consumer and Business Services to exercise any and all authority and discretion department has under applicable law to facilitate greenhouse gas emission reductions consistent with statewide goals, to take such actions as are necessary to accelerate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including rulemaking, and to consider and integrate into department's planning, budgeting, investment and policy-making decisions prevention or reduction of impacts from climate change. |
Arlene Sherrett | Support | 2023-03-14 |
| HB 5019 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to specified state agencies for certain purposes related to housing. |
Rebecca Gladstone | Support | 2023-03-07 |
| SB 4 Directs Oregon Business Development Department to develop grant and loan program to support businesses applying for financial assistance under Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-167). |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2023-03-03 |
| HB 3166 Requires State Department of Energy, in consultation with Housing and Community Services Department, to establish whole-home energy savings program and high-efficiency electric home rebate program. |
Arlene Sherrett | Support | 2023-02-24 |
| HB 3056 Extends Residential Heat Pump Fund until January 2, 2026. |
Arlene Sherrett | Support | 2023-02-22 |
| SB 835 Directs Environmental Quality Commission to adopt rules setting forth conditions for approving proposal to permanently connect accessory dwelling unit located on same lot or parcel as single-family dwelling to same subsurface sewage disposal system or alternative sewage disposal system. |
Peggy Lynch | Neutral | 2023-02-19 |
| HB 3125 Establishes Public Drinking Water and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund. |
Rebecca Gladstone | Support | 2023-02-06 |
| HB 2889 Amends Oregon Housing Needs Analysis and land use requirements for local governments related to urbanization. |
Rebecca Gladstone | Support | 2023-02-06 |
| SB 70 Modifies requirements for residential rezoning of lands within Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2023-02-06 |
| SB 534 Requires Oregon Facilities Authority to provide financing for infrastructure and predevelopment costs for moderate income housing. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2023-02-01 |
| HB 2983 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Land Conservation and Development and Housing and Community Services Department to support manufactured dwellings and manufactured dwelling parks. |
Penny York | Support | 2023-01-31 |
| HB 2454 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Housing and Community Services Department to provide services and assistance to school-aged children experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. |
Karen Nibler | Support | 2023-01-31 |
| HB 2456 Modifies emergency housing assistance program and state homeless assistance program to provide services and assistance to school-aged children experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. |
Karen Nibler | Support | 2023-01-31 |
2022
10 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 1537 Modifies requirements for housing cost impact statement required for adoption of certain rules. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2022-02-23 |
| HB 4064 Prohibits local governments from prohibiting siting of prefabricated structures in all residential zones. |
Penny York | Support | 2022-02-20 |
| HB 4118 Allows city to expand its urban growth boundary, or to require Metro to expand its urban growth boundary, in order to include land designated as urban reserve that supports workforce housing and commercial development supportive of workforce housing if certain conditions are met. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2022-02-12 |
| SB 1537 Modifies requirements for housing cost impact statement required for adoption of certain rules. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2022-02-07 |
| SB 1518 Establishes Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings and specifies task force membership. |
Julie Chapman | Unknown | 2022-02-07 |
| SB 1518 Establishes Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings and specifies task force membership. |
Claudia Keith | Support | 2022-02-07 |
| HB 4064 Prohibits local governments from prohibiting siting of prefabricated structures in all residential zones. |
Debbie Aiona | Support | 2022-02-04 |
| SB 1536 Limits restrictions on portable cooling devices in residences by landlords, homeowners associations, condominium associations and local governments. |
Claudia Keith | Unknown | 2022-02-02 |
| HB 4058 Directs Oregon Health Authority to create program to acquire and distribute air conditioners and air filters on emergency basis to individuals eligible for medical assistance. |
Claudia Keith | Support | 2022-02-01 |
| SB 1519 Grants property tax exemption for proportion of community solar project that is owned by residential customers or leased by residential subscribers. |
Claudia Keith | Unknown | 2022-02-01 |
2021
15 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 16 Allows counties to partition and rezone up to 200 acres of lands within Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region from exclusive farm use to residential uses. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2021-06-10 |
| HB 2180 Requires Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services to amend state building code to require that new construction of certain buildings include provisions for electrical service capacity for specified percentage of parking spaces. |
Julie Chapman | Support | 2021-04-29 |
| SB 852 Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, mortgage interest deduction for residence other than taxpayer's principal residence, unless taxpayer sells residence or actively markets residence for sale. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2021-03-29 |
| HB 5011 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Housing and Community Services Department for biennial expenses and for debt service. |
Nancy Donovan | Support | 2021-03-29 |
| SB 391 Authorizes county to allow owner of lot or parcel within rural residential zone to construct one accessory dwelling unit on lot or parcel, subject to certain restrictions. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2021-03-28 |
| HB 2578 Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, mortgage interest deduction for residence other than taxpayer's principal residence, unless taxpayer sells residence or actively markets residence for sale. |
Debbie Aiona | Support | 2021-03-09 |
| HB 3115 Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. |
Marge Easley | Support | 2021-03-08 |
| HB 2488 Requires that statewide land use planning goal relating to citizen involvement address participation and engagement for disadvantaged groups. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2021-03-07 |
| HJR 13 Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution providing that, for purposes of ad valorem property taxation, ratio of maximum assessed value to real market value of property must be equal to 0.75. |
Josie Koehne | Support | 2021-03-01 |
| HB 2544 Authorizes Department of Human Services to award two-year grants to organizations that provide services to unaccompanied homeless youth and to organizations that operate host home projects for unaccompanied homeless youth. |
Karen Nibler | Support | 2021-02-24 |
| SB 391 Authorizes county to allow owner of lot or parcel within rural residential zone to construct one accessory dwelling unit on lot or parcel, subject to certain restrictions. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2021-02-23 |
| SB 5530 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Land Conservation and Development for certain biennial expenses. |
Peggy Lynch | Support | 2021-02-20 |
| HB 2842 Establishes Healthy Homes Program within the Oregon Health Authority to provide grants to entities to provide financial assistance to low income households and landlords. |
Julie Chapman | Support | 2021-02-10 |
| HB 2778 Redefines "historic home" to include dwellings built before 1974 for purpose of serving as accessory dwelling unit to homes newly constructed on rural residential lands. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2021-02-03 |
| HB 2655 Prohibits counties from establishing minimum lot size of more than one acre for residential zoned land. |
Peggy Lynch | Oppose | 2021-02-03 |