Urge the Governor to Veto HB 4153 as Passed
The Oregon State Legislature has passed HB 4153, which creates a whole new "Farm Store" permitting category within EFU zones. Despite strong opposition to the way this bill was structured from over 1,500 Oregonians, farmers, ranchers, land use organizations and land trusts, and a proposed -6 amendment that would have alleviated the concerns raised, this bill moved forward as-is. This is unacceptable.
As passed, this bill allows non-farm commercial industry on farmland that takes advantage of low farm prices and inflates them for farmers who are trying to run an agricultural business. This loophole could be easily abused by individuals and businesses who are not farmers themselves, but who outcompete farmers for farm real estate in order to run a commercial operation on otherwise productive farmland. Farm stands and other agritourism enterprises should be incidental and subordinate to the agricultural activity on the property, but this bill does not have appropriate sideboards in place to ensure that that's the case.
We know that the cost of agricultural land is the greatest barrier to long-term land tenure and economic success for farmers and ranchers in Oregon. Allowing commercial uses on agricultural land will dramatically increase its appraised value, making it even more difficult for them to afford. And properties with new, expensive "Farm Store" infrastructure will be priced far beyond their reach.
This bill sounds like it helps farmers, and with the -6 amendment that was proposed, it could have. Instead, the Legislature moved forward with bad language that could do more harm than good.
The Governor has until Sunday, April 5 to decide whether to sign or veto this bill. Please URGE the Governor to listen to the farmers and ranchers in Oregon telling her that this language is not ready, and ask that she veto this bad bill. There is no rush to sign this bill into law, when we could come back in the 2027 Session and make sure that we get this right.
TO CONTACT THE GOVERNOR: Fill in your contact info and you'll be directed to a page with a draft email addressed to Governor Kotek, her Legislative Director, and her Senior Natural Resources Advisor. Please customize the email as you have time and interest, and hit "send" when you're finished.
Last Action
Third reading. Carried by Girod. Passed.
Senate • Mar 06, 2026Latest Version
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