League of Oregon Cities
League of Oregon Cities#
The League of Oregon Cities (LOC) is an intergovernmental entity representing all 241 incorporated cities in Oregon. It was founded in 1925 when representatives of 25 cities gathered in Portland, with Salem Mayor J.B. Giesy elected as its first president.1 The LOC is headquartered in Salem and governed by a 16-member board of directors.2
The LOC provides legislative advocacy, policy consultation, training, and technical assistance to Oregon’s city governments.2 Its Community and Economic Development Policy Committee reviews policy decisions and recommends legislative positions on land use, building codes, housing, homelessness, and economic development.3 Housing has become one of the LOC’s most prominent policy areas, with the organization frequently testifying on housing legislation and engaging with state rulemaking processes.
Policy Positions#
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Local control over land use: Consistently advocates for preserving city authority over zoning and land use decisions, opposing state mandates that preempt local planning discretion.4
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Housing infrastructure funding: Supports dedicated state funding for water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation infrastructure linked to new housing development.5
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Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) rules: Has opposed DLCD’s draft OHNA rules as an infringement of home rule that places excessive analytical and administrative burdens on cities and exposes them to legal challenges.6
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Shelter and homelessness funding: Advocates for sustained state funding to support shelter operations and homelessness services in cities across Oregon.5
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Streamlined development processes: Supports reducing regulatory barriers and administrative burdens that slow housing production, while maintaining meaningful local review of development applications.7
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Technical assistance for local governments: Supports state-funded programs that help cities with housing planning capacity, including regional work plans developed in partnership with state agencies.8
Key Legislative Involvement#
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HB 2258 (2025): Testified in opposition to preapproved building plans legislation, which would authorize LCDC to adopt rules requiring local governments to approve certain residential developments using state-preapproved building plans.9
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HB 3031 (2025): Testified in support of the Housing Infrastructure program to fund water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure linked to new housing development, backing the governor’s recommended $100 million funding level.5
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SB 49 (2025): Testified with a neutral position on comprehensive housing omnibus legislation.10
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HB 4026 (2024): Testified in support of limiting the review process for local government proposals to modify urban growth boundaries to the process outlined in statute.11
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HB 3414 (2023): Opposed Governor Kotek’s omnibus housing production bill, arguing it removed important local tools, added bureaucratic layers, and contradicted adopted state housing production priorities. Worked with Representative Mark Gamba to introduce alternative amendments that aimed to increase housing production while reducing administrative burden on cities.7
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HB 2001 (2019): Opposed the landmark middle housing bill that required cities to allow duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and cottage clusters in single-family zones, arguing that cities could undertake zoning reforms voluntarily without a state mandate.4
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HB 3260 (2021): Named in the bill as a partner in developing regional work plans under the Local Government Technical Assistance Program to help cities provide needed housing.8
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HB 2001 Moves Through the House - League of Oregon Cities ↩︎ ↩︎
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Status Update: LOC Legislative Priorities - League of Oregon Cities ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Action Needed: Push Back on OHNA Overreach! - League of Oregon Cities ↩︎
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Action Alert: Contact Your Legislator Today to Oppose HB 3414 Unless Amended - League of Oregon Cities ↩︎ ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, HB 2258 (2025) ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, SB 49 (2025) ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, HB 4026 (2024) ↩︎
News Coverage
No news coverage found for this organization.
Legislative Testimony
2025
37 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 2089 Provides for a process by which former owners of real property deeded to the county for delinquent property taxes may claim the surplus value after the property has been disposed of by the county. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-06-16 |
| SB 974 Requires local governments or special districts to complete final review of final engineering plans for residential development within 120 days of submission. |
Alexandra Ring | Oppose | 2025-05-13 |
| HB 3823 Exempts from property taxes personal property used by a business to generate or store energy for consumption by the business on its premises. |
Jenna Jones | Oppose | 2025-04-29 |
| SB 49 Adds two members to the Building Codes Structures Board and adds two professions that the board members must represent. |
Alexandra Ring | Neutral | 2025-04-23 |
| HB 3499 Requires the approval of an urban renewal plan by the electors of a municipality proposing a plan or a substantial amendment to a plan. |
Jenna Jones | Oppose | 2025-04-18 |
| SB 1103 Requires the Oregon Business Development Department to establish a program to provide loans to cities and tribes to develop infrastructure to support housing in climate-friendly areas. |
Michael Martin | Support | 2025-04-01 |
| HB 5011 Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Housing and Community Services Department for biennial expenses. |
Alexandra Ring | Support | 2025-03-28 |
| SB 712 Provides for an annual increase of three percent in the maximum assessed value of property. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-03-28 |
| HB 3792 Increases from $20 million to $40 million the minimum amount to be collected from the customers of electric companies for low-income electric bill payment and crisis assistance. |
Nolan Plese | Support | 2025-03-27 |
| SB 712 Provides for an annual increase of three percent in the maximum assessed value of property. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-03-25 |
| SB 712 Provides for an annual increase of three percent in the maximum assessed value of property. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-03-25 |
| HB 3755 Creates a property tax exemption for the owner-occupied principal dwelling of seniors who are at least 65 years of age, have resided in the dwelling for at least 10 years and have a household income not greater than $150,000 per year. |
Jenna Jones | Oppose | 2025-03-20 |
| HB 3556 Extends the permissible uses of net revenue from a new or increased local transient lodging tax to include public safety services and certain costs related to "community infrastructure." |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-03-20 |
| HB 3556 Extends the permissible uses of net revenue from a new or increased local transient lodging tax to include public safety services and certain costs related to "community infrastructure." |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-03-18 |
| HB 3556 Extends the permissible uses of net revenue from a new or increased local transient lodging tax to include public safety services and certain costs related to "community infrastructure." |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-03-18 |
| HB 2258 Authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt rules requiring local governments to approve certain land use applications for residential developments using building plans preapproved by the Department of Consumer and Business Services. |
Alexandra Ring | Oppose | 2025-03-18 |
| SB 6 Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services, a municipality, a building official or any other agency or official responsible for administering and enforcing the state building code to approve and issue, or disapprove and deny, any application for a building permit for middle housing or conventional single-family residential housing in a residential subdivision with more than six lots not later than 45 business days after the date on which the applicant submits a complete application. |
Alexandra Ring | Oppose | 2025-03-17 |
| SB 974 Requires local governments or special districts to complete final review of final engineering plans for residential development within 120 days of submission. |
Alexandra Ring | Oppose | 2025-03-17 |
| HB 2258 Authorizes the Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt rules requiring local governments to approve certain land use applications for residential developments using building plans preapproved by the Department of Consumer and Business Services. |
Alexandra Ring | Oppose | 2025-03-17 |
| HB 3746 Reduces the statute of limitations for construction defect actions by a planned community or condominium. |
Alexandra Ring | Support | 2025-03-14 |
| HB 2968 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to guarantee a housing developer's payment of system development charges that the local government has agreed to defer until after occupancy. |
Alexandra Ring | Support | 2025-03-14 |
| SB 973 Requires a landlord of publicly supported housing to provide all applicants and new tenants notice of when the affordability restrictions may be terminated. |
Alexandra Ring | Support | 2025-03-05 |
| HB 2138 Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands. |
Alexandra Ring | Neutral | 2025-03-05 |
| SB 31 Authorizes the Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants to support tenants of publicly supported housing when the housing's affordability restrictions are terminated. |
Alexandra Ring | Support | 2025-03-05 |
| HB 3505 Provides that a local government may not impose or increase a system development charge for the installation of a National Fire Protection Association 13D residential fire sprinkler system or for the increase in capacity of the system's water meter over the capacity of the water meter that would otherwise be required. |
Michael Martin | Oppose | 2025-03-04 |
| HB 3031 Establishes a program through which the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority may provide financial assistance for infrastructure to support housing development. |
Michael Martin | Support | 2025-02-28 |
| HB 3644 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to establish a statewide shelter program through which regional coordinators are selected to administer funding to shelter providers. |
Alexandra Ring | Support | 2025-02-26 |
| HB 3287 Grants a higher property tax exemption for the property of veterans with disabilities. |
Jenna Jones | Oppose | 2025-02-21 |
| HB 3249 Allows a partial exemption of ad valorem property taxes due on the owner-occupied principal dwelling of an individual who is at least 65 years of age and the individual's surviving spouse regardless of age. |
Jenna Jones | Oppose | 2025-02-21 |
| HB 3163 Allows counties to adopt an ordinance or resolution that provides, for purposes of ad valorem property taxation, a specially assessed value for the owner-occupied primary residences of individuals who are at least 62 years of age. |
Jenna Jones | Oppose | 2025-02-21 |
| HB 2074 Extends the sunset date for the partial property tax exemption for the property of vertical housing development projects. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-02-06 |
| HB 2077 Extends the sunset date for the property tax exemption for nonprofit corporation low income housing. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-02-06 |
| HB 2078 Extends the sunset date for the property tax exemption for multiunit rental housing. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-02-06 |
| SB 104 Extends the sunset date for the property tax exemption for nonprofit corporation low income housing. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-02-06 |
| SB 117 Extends the sunset date for the partial property tax exemption for the property of vertical housing development projects. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-02-06 |
| SB 118 Extends the sunset date for the property tax exemption for multiunit rental housing. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2025-02-06 |
| HB 2089 Provides for a process by which former owners of real property deeded to the county for delinquent property taxes may claim the surplus value after the property has been disposed of by the county. |
Jenna Jones | Oppose | 2025-02-01 |
2024
8 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 4023 Prohibits local governments from imposing certain restrictions on the siting of residential treatment facilities in certain areas. |
Ariel Nelson | Neutral | 2024-03-05 |
| HB 4023 Prohibits local governments from imposing certain restrictions on the siting of residential treatment facilities in certain areas. |
Ariel Nelson | Neutral | 2024-03-05 |
| HB 4026 Limits the review of certain local government proposals to modify the local government's urban growth boundary to the process outlined in statute. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2024-02-22 |
| SB 1544 Provides, for purposes of ad valorem property taxation, a specially assessed value for the owner-occupied primary residences of individuals who are at least 65 years of age. |
Lindsay Tenes | Oppose | 2024-02-17 |
| SB 1530 Appropriates moneys to and modifies expenditure limitations for the Housing and Community Services Department, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, State Department of Energy, Oregon Business Development Department, Department of Transportation, Water Resources Department and Oregon Department of Administrative Services for various programs. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2024-02-14 |
| HB 4128 Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Business Development Department for deposit in the Special Public Works Fund. |
Jim McCauley | Support | 2024-02-13 |
| HB 4155 Directs the Oregon Business Development Department to study infrastructure financing in Oregon by considering and evaluating tools the state may use to have a positive effect on infrastructure and housing costs in Oregon. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2024-02-08 |
| SB 1537 Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Department of Consumer and Business Services to jointly establish and administer the Housing Accountability and Production Office. |
Ariel Nelson | Neutral | 2024-02-08 |
2023
14 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 3414 Requires local governments to approve certain adjustments to land use regulations for housing development within urban growth boundary. |
Ariel Nelson | Oppose | 2023-06-01 |
| HB 3414 Requires local governments to approve certain adjustments to land use regulations for housing development within urban growth boundary. |
Ariel Nelson | Oppose | 2023-05-09 |
| HB 2659 Requires Land Conservation and Development Commission to update rules adopted in response to Governor's executive order on climate to address specific issues. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2023-04-03 |
| HB 2659 Requires Land Conservation and Development Commission to update rules adopted in response to Governor's executive order on climate to address specific issues. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2023-04-03 |
| HB 3589 Prohibits use of assessed historic property as vacation occupancy unless property is owner's primary residence. |
Ariel Nelson | Neutral | 2023-03-31 |
| HB 3503 Repeals prohibition on local rent control. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2023-03-31 |
| SB 847 Allows affordable housing on lands zoned for commercial uses within urban growth boundaries. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2023-03-28 |
| SB 919 Authorizes city or county to adopt five-year property tax exemption for newly constructed accessory dwelling unit, or newly converted duplex, triplex or quadplex, that is used as occupant's primary residence. |
Lindsay Tenes | Unknown | 2023-03-22 |
| SB 847 Allows affordable housing on lands zoned for commercial uses within urban growth boundaries. |
Ariel Nelson | Neutral | 2023-03-14 |
| SB 884 Grants higher property tax exemption for property of veterans with disabilities. |
Lindsay Tenes | Neutral | 2023-03-09 |
| HB 3174 Requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide grants for regional housing coordination and to local governments to support development of needed housing. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2023-03-09 |
| HB 5019 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to specified state agencies for certain purposes related to housing. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2023-03-07 |
| HB 3194 Increases maximum dollar amounts used to determine whether addition of real property improvements constitutes "minor construction" for purposes of property tax law. |
Lindsay Tenes | Oppose | 2023-02-17 |
| HB 2889 Amends Oregon Housing Needs Analysis and land use requirements for local governments related to urbanization. |
Ariel Nelson | Neutral | 2023-02-09 |
2022
4 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 1518 Establishes Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings and specifies task force membership. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2022-02-08 |
| HB 4058 Directs Oregon Health Authority to create program to acquire and distribute air conditioners and air filters on emergency basis to individuals eligible for medical assistance. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2022-02-03 |
| SB 1536 Limits restrictions on portable cooling devices in residences by landlords, homeowners associations, condominium associations and local governments. |
Jenna Jones | Support | 2022-02-03 |
| HB 4054 Extends historic property special assessment program for two years. |
Mark Gharst | Support | 2022-02-01 |
2021
14 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 2634 Allows surviving spouse or disabled heir of individual whose homestead was granted deferral under homestead property tax deferral program to continue deferral without having owned or occupied homestead for five years. |
Mark Gharst | Support | 2021-06-21 |
| SB 278 Requires landlords and courts to delay termination of residential tenancies for nonpayment for 60 days if tenant provides documentation of application for rental assistance. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-06-14 |
| HB 3115 Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-05-03 |
| SB 141 Makes percentage of partial property tax exemption for property of vertical housing development projects proportional to allocation of floor area to residential housing or low income residential housing, without rounding up or down. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-04-28 |
| SB 464 Authorizes governing body of county covered by state of emergency declared in response to September 2020 wildfires to adopt law directing tax collector to prorate and cancel property taxes imposed on taxable property that suffered loss in real market value as result of wildfires, without application from property owner. |
Mark Gharst | Oppose | 2021-04-19 |
| HB 2488 Requires that statewide land use planning goal relating to citizen involvement address participation and engagement for disadvantaged groups. |
Ariel Nelson | Unknown | 2021-03-30 |
| HB 5011 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Housing and Community Services Department for biennial expenses and for debt service. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-03-30 |
| SB 282 Extends grace period for repayment of residential rent accrued during emergency period of April 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, until February 28, 2022. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-03-10 |
| HB 3115 Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-03-09 |
| HB 2100 Amends Housing and Community Services Department's distribution of Emergency Housing Account funds and administration of federal anti-poverty programs. |
Ariel Nelson | Unknown | 2021-03-09 |
| HB 3155 Requires cities within Metro with population greater than 10,000 to conduct housing needs analysis. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-03-03 |
| HB 2634 Allows surviving spouse or disabled heir of individual whose homestead was granted deferral under homestead property tax deferral program to continue deferral without having owned or occupied homestead for five years. |
Mark Gharst | Support | 2021-02-23 |
| HB 2006 Defines "emergency shelter." Requires local governments to allow siting of qualifying emergency shelters by qualifying entities notwithstanding land use laws and regulations. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-02-22 |
| HB 2004 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Oregon Department of Administrative Services to distribute to Oregon Community Foundation to provide grants to support emergency shelters. |
Ariel Nelson | Support | 2021-02-22 |