LOC News
Committees to Hear Housing Bills Next Week
The Senate Committee on Housing and Development and the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness will hear several bills next week that affect cities and local control.
HB 2258, Governor Kotek’s “OR Homes” bill, is scheduled for a hearing Monday, March 10 at 1 p.m. in the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness. This bill is a major preemption of local authority, as it seeks to create statewide approved building plans – which local jurisdictions would be required to approve – for single family homes, duplexes, cottage clusters, and small apartments up to 12 units. HB 2258 only allows these units on residentially zoned, vacant lots, with up to an average 15% slope, and without certain overlays. As an example the units could not be built in a floodplain or a wildfire risk area.
HB 2258 would significantly impede cities’ abilities to plan what is best for their community and tailor their zoning to the kind of housing they need most.
Cities need to contact their state representatives to oppose this preemption of local control.
The amendment with the full bill text is available here.
In addition, SB 974 will be heard Monday, March 10 at 1 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. The bill creates a statewide requirement that cities complete zoning for residential development within a specific timeframe. As written, cities are opposed to this legislation, but the bill sponsors have indicated they would welcome conversations about what may bring cities into a more neutral or supportive position, including the specifics of the timeframe, what types of housing this requirement applies to, etc. The LOC will engage in negotiations with advocates next week.
Finally, LC 4622 will also be heard Monday, March 10 at 1 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. This measure creates a statewide requirement for local jurisdictions to authorize building permits on certain kinds of residential buildings. As written, cities are not supportive of this bill, but the bill’s sponsors would welcome conversations about what may bring cities into a more neutral or supportive position, including timeframe, application completeness requirements, and the clock starting over if the permit is amended. The LOC will engage in negotiations with advocates next week.
Please note that LC 4622 does not currently have a bill number. The text is available here.
Contact: Alexandra Ring, Lobbyist – aring@orcities.org
Last Updated 3/7/25