Legislative Summary

state meat inspection bill passes

By OCA’s Political Advocate Rocky Dallum

COVID and its effects continue to “Under the new law, ODA can authorize an inspection dominate 2020. The legislature has process that is “at least equal” to the USDA program.” already convened one special session to for several years. Under the new law, ODA can authorize address the pandemic, while its “Emergency Board” meets an inspection process that is “at least equal” to the USDA periodically to allocate the state’s share of federal CARES program. The original intent of the bill was to more easily Act money. The Governor’s office and Oregon Health allow processing of meat from local sources to end-points Authority are routinely issuing new guidance or directives within those markets where no USDA facility is available. to the public. Businesses are reacting to the ever-changThis can be helpful when donating meat to food banks or ing landscape while families are closely watching the allowing small growers to serve their communities. Reprenews about activities, camps, sports, and schools. On the sentative David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) led the efforts ranching side, we know it has been a difficult summer on this and similar bills in past sessions. Legislative leaders with the cancelation of fairs, rodeos, 4H activities and saw the need to pass during the special session, in part other events that hold rural communities together. OCA because of the strain COVID has had on the food processing is working to communicate our challenges to our state’s industry. We thank Rep. Brock Smith and will continue to leaders on behalf of members and continues to prepare work with ODA, state legislators and our federal delegation for the upcoming election, next legislative session, and the to fund the program. We expect it will take an extended budgetary challenges we face. time period to get it fully up and running.

In late June, the legislature met for just three days in the While legislators managed to convene a special session, “First Special Session of 2020”; passing a COVID-related albeit in a Capitol building closed to the public with most policy package, resolving some unfinished business from decisions left behind closed doors amongst the presiding the February session, and passing new police accountability officers, they did not take up the impending budget reforms. Only 23 bills passed, with one supported primarily shortfall. It is almost certain that another special session by OCA and our partners in the dairy industry. will make specific cuts to the budget, tap into the state

On the COVID front, HB 4212 covered a wide range of reserve funds, and possibly offer liability protection for topics, including evictions, foreclosure, public meetings, employers and businesses facing claims over the spread court deadlines, remote notarization and siting of shelter of COVID. Such a session could come as early as August. facilities; all issues directly related to the pandemic and its OCA has already talked with legislators about agencies and economic and public health consequences. The legislature programs critical to our members, including extension also revived and passed several bills that died in February services, predator control, and the work within Oregon due to the stand-off over cap and trade, including new clarWater Resources, Oregon Department of Ag, and our uniifications to the Commercial Activities Tax, the use of aerial versity partners. pesticides in forestry, and a new cell-phone tax to create Finally, we will continue our advocacy work without funds for rural broadband. The legislature left any major OCA’s former face of leadership, Jerome Rosa. Jerome has budgetary decisions to a future special session, as some been a consistent face in the Capitol these past six years, await the potential of more federal relief. Eventually, legisand throughout the state. He has worked hard to engage lative leadership will seek bi-partisan support needed to tap ranchers and establish OCA’s presence within the legisinto Oregon’s reserve funds. lature and state agencies. We wish him and his family

Specific to OCA, we advocated for HB 4206, which authothe best as he takes his passion for his grandkids and his rizes the Oregon Department of Agriculture to adopt knowledge of agriculture to Arizona. rules establishing a program of state inspection for proWe wish all of you a safe, and mild summer as we cessing and sale of meat products, which passed. OCA tackle the myriad of challenges the livestock industry will has supported the concept of a state inspection process continue to encounter in the coming months. • www.orcattle.com | Oregon Cattleman