Below are the instructions for submitting testimony on HB 2882, as well as the flyer for the bill with additional talking points if you would like to personalize your testimony.
- All testimony will be posted on OLIS, and becomes part of the public record.
- If you don’t want your email included in the public record, submit your testimony as an attachment, not in the body of an email.
- Send the email to [email protected] with “Testimony in Support of HB 2882” in the subject line.
If you need help drafting or submitting your written testimony, please call Amy at (805) 455-4200 or email [email protected].
TESTIMONY TEMPLATE
(Feel free to modify, but make sure to include the subject line, formal greeting and a bit of information about yourself and/or your organization.)
Send an email to: [email protected]
Subject: Testimony in Support of HB 2882
Dear Chair Holvey and Members of the Committee:
My name is (name). I am a (seed grower/farmer/business owner/eater) in (City). I am writing to request your support for HB 2882.
HB 2882 was written to create patent holder or manufacturer liability for genetically engineered (GE) contamination events in Oregon. Over the past decade, GE contamination events, and threats of contamination, have cost U.S. farmers billions of dollars—including Oregon farmers—in rejected sales, lost exports, and closed agricultural markets.
Farmers lack protections from GE contamination because Oregon does not regulate GE crops. Further, with the exception of Jackson County, all Oregon counties are preempted from making decisions regarding seed cultivation in their jurisdictions, leaving a large regulatory gap.
Current legal precedent is unfavorable for farmers contaminated through no fault of their own. The legal theories of trespass, nuisance, negligence, and strict liability are not useful in GE contamination cases stemming from pollen drift. Right to Farm laws have not been useful either.
While I ultimately want to see patent holders and manufacturers held responsible for GE pollen drift contamination so farmers aren’t pitted against farmers, I support legislation that calls for the regulation of GE crops in Oregon.
Addressing GE contamination is important to me because ...(If possible, tell the committee why this issue matters to you.)
Please vote HB 2882 out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation. Thank you for the consideration and for your service.
Signature
Please also send a message to your Representative and Senator to tell them that you support HB 2882. Click here to determine who represents you.
If you prefer to make phone calls, in addition to calling your Representative and Senator, please contact the Rules Committee Members directly and ask them to vote HB 2882 out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation.
Rules Chairman, Paul Holvey
503 986-1408, [email protected]
Majority Leader and Rules Member, Jennifer Williamson
503 986-1436, [email protected]
Rules Member, Rob Nosse
503 986-1442, [email protected]
Minority Leader and Rules Member, Carl Wilson
503 986-1403, [email protected]
Rules Member, Denyc Boles
503 986-1419, [email protected]
Rules Member, Barbara Smith Warner
503 986-1445, [email protected]
Rules Member, Sherrie Sprenger
503 986-1417, [email protected]
Many thanks,
The OFF Team
