The Legislature is meeting in Salem this week for Interim Legislative Days committee hearings. As always, your AOC Legislative Affairs Department actively participates in and monitors hearings, and will use the opportunity to connect with legislators, particularly around AOC Policy Priorities while they are in Salem. The Legislature will convene for additional sets of Legislative […]| Association of Oregon Counties
In case you missed it: Sept. 26 Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) on Health and Human Services (Meeting recording and chat transcript) Rural health Oregon’s Office of Rural Health (ORH) was established by the Legislature in 1979 and moved from the state public health department to OHSU in 1989. It collects data and provides reports, […]| Association of Oregon Counties
The AOC-OJD Court Facilities Task Force, kicking off on Oct. 17, calls for courthouse project proposals that will be recommended to Chief Justice Flynn for inclusion in her recommended budget for the 2027 legislative session. If your county plans to request state assistance for a courthouse project in the next few years, please plan on […]| Association of Oregon Counties
Friday, Sept. 26, marked 91 days since the Oregon Legislative Assembly concluded the 2025 regular legislative session. Although the effective date of most new laws is Jan. 1 of the year following passage, the Oregon Constitution allows laws to be enacted, if specified, as soon as the 91st day after adjournment sine die. Fifty-one bills […]| Association of Oregon Counties
Following the Legislature’s failure to pass a transportation package during the 2025 regular legislative session, Governor Kotek called a special legislative session, which started Aug. 29. House Bill 3991, the special session transportation bill, passed out of the Senate on Monday, Sept. 29, and is expected to move to the governor’s desk for signature. The […]| Association of Oregon Counties
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Pence Public facilities, like courthouses and law enforcement buildings, are among the most complex projects a county can undertake. They must balance safety, accessibility, and functionality, reflect community needs and remain poised for growth. Just as critical, these projects bring together many important voices — commissioners, judges, court […]| Association of Oregon Counties
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is analyzing potential changes to how the National Flood Insurance Program is administered in Oregon. The deadline to submit comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and FEMA’s implementation plan of the new National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) Biological Opinion is Oct. 6, 2025. According to FEMA, the […]| Association of Oregon Counties
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) will hold its annual conference Nov. 18-20, 2025, bringing together elected officials, community partners, county staff, and state and federal partners to collaborate, learn, and grow. County officials and staff from across the state participate in the three-day event aimed at networking and education to improve delivery of county […]| Association of Oregon Counties
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Covenant Global| Association of Oregon Counties
Following the Legislature’s failure to pass a transportation package during the 2025 regular legislative session, Governor Kotek called a special legislative session which started Aug. 29. House Bill 3991, the special session transportation bill, moved out of the House on Monday, Sept. 1, and is expected to move to the governor’s desk for signature after […]| Association of Oregon Counties
During the 2024 Annual Conference, the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) President John Shafer (Umatilla County) announced his 2025 presidential initiative to focus on behavioral health. Shafer’s presidential initiative kicked off in January with a series of monthly challenges.| Association of Oregon Counties
The 2025 County College class recently celebrated completing the six-month program offered by the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), designed to equip new county leaders with training on governance, roles, and responsibilities. The curriculum featured expert-led sessions on topics including county finance, health and human services, veterans affairs, public safety, natural resources, transportation, and leadership development.| Association of Oregon Counties