Beyond Toxics 2024 Legislative Commitments
Learn about the bills we supported in 2024
Passed Bills
Right to Repair - SB 1596A-15
We support SB 1596 (The Right to Repair) because it will reduce Oregon’s electronic waste footprint by requiring technology companies to make parts that allow small businesses to repair electronics (like smartphones). By being able to fix phones, computers, and appliances instead of buying new ones, it is estimated the Right to Repair program would save the average Oregon household $382 per year. From a toxics reduction perspective, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, and the Right to Repair bill will help Oregonians prevent an estimated 4,800 cell phones from going into a landfill every day.
Bill Title: Relating to a right to repair consumer electronic equipment; prescribing an effective date.
Summary: Requires an original equipment manufacturer to make available to an owner of consumer electronic equipment or an independent repair provider on fair and reasonable terms any documentation, tool, part or other device or implement that the original equipment manufacturer makes available to an authorized service provider for the purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing consumer electronic equipment.
Chief Sponsors: Senators Sollman, Dembrow, and Golden; Representatives Neron, Bynum, and Nosse
Status: Signed by Governor Kotek!
Healthy Homes Program Funding - SB 1530-B
This policy is an innovative Oregon grant program supporting essential home repairs and improvements to keep low-income families healthy, reduce energy bills and medical costs. While initial funding for the program was a good start, it will run out before the next budget cycle because there is so much need across the state. A legislative investment of $15 million in 2024 will keep this critical program going.
Bill Title: Relating to state financial administration; declaring an emergency.
Summary: Appropriates moneys to the Housing and Community Services Department, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, State Department of Energy and Oregon Department of Administrative Services for various programs.
Status: Signed by Governor Kotek!
Advocates: A coalition of organizations, including Beyond Toxics, APANO, OLCV, Community Energy Project, OJTA, Fairshot for All, Climate Solutions, and Verde.
Healthy Homes Flyer (PDF)
COAL Act - HB 4083
The COAL Act is a bill to remove thermal coal from the State Treasury investment portfolio. HB 4083 directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to make efforts to eliminate certain investments in thermal coal companies.
Bill Title: Relating to the removal of thermal coal from the State Treasury investment portfolio.
Summary: Directs the Oregon Investment Council and the State Treasurer to make efforts to eliminate certain investments in thermal coal companies.
Status: Signed by Governor Kotek!
Chief Sponsors: Representatives Pham K and Gamba, Senator Golden, Representatives Andersen, Dexter, Nguyen H, Nosse, Tran; Senators Campos, Dembrow, Gorsek.
Bills That Did Not Pass
PFAS Testing in Biosolids - HB 4049-A
We are disappointed this bill did NOT pass! PFAS, a class of "forever chemicals," is potentially contaminating our soil that we grow food in. This bill would have helped us research and better understand PFAS accumulation in soils and foods. HB 4049-A would have provided much-needed scientific inquiry, the results of which could have helped craft effective policy decisions.
Bill Title: Relating to a study of PFAS in biosolids applied to land; declaring an emergency.
Summary: Directs the Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to study the fate and transport of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in biosolids applied to agricultural fields.
Chief Sponsors: Representative Helm, Senator Sollman, Representative Owens
Status: Did not pass.
