HB 4113
Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development to study housing development opportunities conditioned upon land conservation.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
13%
Oppose
87%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
House Bill 4113 directs the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to investigate ways to encourage housing development that also protects natural land. The DLCD will research potential incentives and opportunities for combining housing projects with land conservation efforts. The department is required to submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the Oregon Legislative Assembly’s committees overseeing land use by September 15, 2027. This study will conclude on January 2, 2028.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Emerson Levy
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 4113 generally agree that the bill offers a practical solution to Oregon's workforce housing shortage while preserving the protection of unique landscapes, such as the Metolius Basin. They argue that the legislation modernizes the Transfer of Development Opportunity framework by tying it to workforce housing needs, securing permanent conservation of critical areas like the Metolius parcel. Proponents believe this approach addresses long-standing issues with workforce housing development and balances preservation of natural resources with the need for affordable housing. By redirecting expired development opportunities towards workforce housing, supporters aim to resolve disputes and fulfill compensation agreements, while also ensuring that land use protections are maintained.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the bill express deep concerns about its potential impact on Oregon's environmental, economic, and social health. They argue that allowing development outside Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB) would lead to sprawl, habitat destruction, and loss of farm land, ultimately benefiting a single private stakeholder at the expense of the existing system. Many testifiers value Oregon's land use principles and believe the bill would undermine these principles, compromising the state's natural resources, including forests, farmland, and wildlife habitats. They also emphasize the need to prioritize conservation over development and growth, highlighting that conservation should be kept as a priority. Furthermore, opponents express frustration with the proposed legislation, stating it favors wealthy landowners' interests over those of smaller farmers and rural communities, threatening environmental concerns and existing land use laws.
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