Legislative Support for OregonFlora – Let’s Make it a Reality
Last Updated on January 30, 2025 by Tom Pratum
 NPSO has found a legislative ally of OregonFlora. Representative Pam Marsh (District 5, Ashland area) has submitted HB3173 in this year’s legislative session to secure support for OregonFlora, a critical resource for both the NPSO and a wide variety of governmental agencies, businesses, educators, and Oregon residents. House Bill 3173 requests $400,000 per biennium of ongoing support for the OregonFlora program. This would represent an historic first for receiving sustainable financial support; it would let OregonFlora continue to keep plant diversity data freely available and up to date. Below is a fact sheet about the need for sustained OregonFlora resources, and how the bill will help. How can you help? NOW is the time to help secure sustained support for OregonFlora! HB3173 is assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water , and it will be presented in a committee hearing on Wednesday February 5. We want those committee members to enthusiastically support it when it is discussed in committee. · Most critical: Submit written testimony in favor of HB3173 before the February 5 hearing. Every Oregonian can do this, and widespread support is the best way to demonstrate OregonFlora’s relevance to our state’s economy, environmental health, and quality of life. · Write your representative and your senator to request they sign on as a co-sponsor of the bill by contacting Rep. Pam Marsh. You can find your representative by entering your home address here. Include in your email how OregonFlora personally impacts you as a constituent, and lift up the special concerns of your legislator that would be helped by OregonFlora resources, and include the fact sheet below (download here). · Share this information with friends, co-workers, and businesses you frequent that appreciate OregonFlora’s work and ask them to join you in supporting HB3173. As the bill advances through the legislative process, other committees will need to know about its importance; the Joint Committee on Ways and Means is one of those committees. If you have questions or need help writing a letter to your legislator, contact your chapter president who will connect you with a NPSO Legislative Committee volunteer. Thank you. We can do this. –the NPSO Legislative Committee |
