Linn County Commissioners support HB 3119
ALBANY — Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker unanimously approved sending a letter of support of HB 3119 that would delay implementing Clean Truck Rules until 2027.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, (R-Albany).
“Advanced Clean Trucks” regulations would require manufacturers of RVs, heavy duty pickups and semi-trucks to sell an annually increasing number of zero-emission vehicles — electric vehicles.
Boshart Davis told the commissioners that would have a negative effect on many Linn County residents whose livelihoods depend on equipment powered by diesel engines.
“For example, in 2025, some 7% of heavy-duty vehicles/RVs sold in Oregon are supposed to be electric vehicles,” Boshart Davis said. “But we know that in most applications, those electric vehicles just don’t work. We don’t have the infrastructure to charge them. They carry 25% of the payload, only travel half as many miles and cost twice as much.”
Boshart Davis said there is only one commercial supercharger in Portland and there are only 18 in the entire nation.
Boshart Davis said Marion County has reached out to her about this issue and she appreciates Linn County also reaching out.
She said House Bill 3119 would not end the clean truck rules, simply delay them for two years so people can get a handle on the situation.
Ten states have adopted Clean Truck Rules, following California’s lead.
Boshart Davis said there was a big crowd at a public hearing on HB 3119. About 500 written comments were submitted for consideration.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Fair & Expo Center Director Kris Barnes reported that more than $84,000 was collected in January and to date, income has totaled $531,409. There is about $38,000 in outstanding invoices. The facility is busy in February, kicking off with the Hell on Hooves Rodeo, then the Willamette Sportsman’s Show, the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams show, the Linn County Kennel Club Dog Show, the annual Seedling Sale and the Albany Rifle and Gun Show. March is also booked well.
- Road Department Director Wayne Mink told how his crew has prepared for possible snow and ice. He said the county has spent about $45,000 on magnesium chloride to keep ice from forming on roads. Snow plow attachments are on vehicles. Supervisors drive roads at 4 a.m. to determine conditions. Mink provided the commissioners with a list of resources available for road clearing work.
- Environmental Health Director Shane Sanderson talked about restaurant licenses. Sanderson was joined by Alyson Reynolds, a county restaurant inspector. He said the number of mobile food units has doubled in the last five years, to about 72 today. There are 297 licensed “brick and mortar” restaurants. Sanderson said the license fee for a 150-seat restaurant is $950 compared to $1,338 in Benton County. A Class 4 license for a mobile food unit is $700 in Linn County, $394 in Benton County, $487 in Marion County and $440 in Lane County.
- Announced there will be an Elected Officials meeting at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center.
- Approved the sale of 1.23 acres that was foreclosed on for back taxes in 2012 to Kent Blair for $5,280. The property is about one-third of a mile west of Waterloo Road on Highway 20.
Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.
