Bill > HB2909

This bill establishes the Oregon Public Utility Homeland Security Commission (OPUHSC) within the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM), creating a new mechanism to support consumer-owned utilities in preparing for and responding to natural disasters. The commission will consist of five governor-appointed members and will oversee a grant program that provides financial assistance to people's utility districts, municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives for projects related to disaster mitigation, prevention, response, and recovery. These projects can include evaluating facility safety standards, assessing facility capabilities and vulnerabilities, reviewing construction standards, establishing resiliency measures, developing power restoration prioritization plans for critical infrastructure, and improving operational and infrastructure protection processes. The bill also establishes the Oregon Public Utility Homeland Security Fund, which will be funded by legislative appropriations, and authorizes the State Treasurer to issue lottery bonds to finance these efforts. Consumer-owned utilities must submit detailed project proposals to the commission, which will evaluate them based on need, potential for enhancing disaster preparedness, and feasibility. The legislation emphasizes that these efforts will create jobs and support economic development by helping utilities improve their resilience to natural disasters.

Military Affairs and Security

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2909