Update...
June 8, 2009: Following the passage of HB 2229 by the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, the bill number was changed to HB 2229B to reflect minor updates to the bill's Summary and Relating To Clause.
HB 2229B will likely be before the full Senate during the week of June 8th or 15th.
Click the link below for the latest version of the Big Look Bill:
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Older News...
May 26, 2009 - The latest version of the Big Look bill was passed in a work session of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday, May 28th. This version (HB 2229-15) contained only very minor technical amendments to the version passed by the House. The E&NR Committee heard all favorable testimony on the bill from the variety of groups tracking the bill.
Big Look Bill Passed by the Oregon House of Representatives.
The Big Look bill (HB 2229) was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday, May 8th; 53 yea, 1 nay (Schaufler), 6 excused. The current bill reflects several amendments by the House Land Use Committee prior to being passed on a unanimous committee vote on April 28th. The bill now goes on to the Senate for further consideration and possible amendment.
Task Force Completes Final Report and Submits Proposed Legislation
With an eye toward meeting the future land use needs of all Oregon communities, the Big Look Task Force recently completed a final report and provided proposed legislation to Gov. Ted Kulongoski and the Oregon Legislature for consideration during the 2009 legislative session. The legislation was developed after nearly three years of extensive examination, discussions with interested groups and the public, and technical research. The final report and legislation completes the work of the Big Look Task Force, a bipartisan group appointed in 2005 by the governor and legislature to review Oregon's statewide land use program.
The Task Force does not believe that fundamental changes are needed in the state's land use system, but instead recommends strategic adjustments.
While Oregon's land use system can count many successes, policy makers and citizens have important concerns with how our system will address future challenges such as the location of housing and jobs, infrastructure financing, and climate change. The proposed legislation aims to update and enhance the existing system by continuing to preserve our farms and forests, improve protection of natural areas, and promote regional land use planning. To ensure equity for all citizens, the legislation contains methods to achieve these objectives.
| | Final Report to Legislature Posted
The task force released its final report this week. You can read the entire document online and also download a PDF version. In addition, you can access the final report appendix to download materials referenced in the report.
The Big Look: Examining Oregon's Land Use Laws
To learn more about the conversations Oregonians engaged in during the Big Look project watch a short film.
From the farmer who's concerned about new homes nearby to the home builder who thinks Oregon's urban growth boundaries are too restrictive, this documentary film explores the stories of real Oregonians grappling with these important issues every day.
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