Relating to emergency management; declaring an emergency.
Summary
HB 2769 directs the Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD), in coordination with the Secretary of State and emergency management agencies, to create a registry of small businesses that want to receive emergency preparedness, response, and recovery communications. OBDD must use that registry to share information about emergency-related programs and opportunities, including the new Small Business Resilience Program, and to regularly communicate with participating businesses about planning and preparedness. The bill also requires ongoing outreach to encourage small businesses to join the registry.
The measure further establishes the Small Business Resilience Program within OBDD. Under that program, the department must provide grants and technical assistance to small businesses to help them strengthen their ability to withstand and recover from emergencies. Eligible uses include upgrades to equipment, materials, or facilities that improve resilience for the business and its surrounding community, as well as help navigating state and federal emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programs. The bill defines “small business” as one with 50 or fewer employees and authorizes OBDD to adopt rules to implement the program. It also declares an emergency, making the act effective on passage.
Impact
HB 2769 would expand OBDD’s responsibilities by adding a new emergency-management communications registry and a grant-and-assistance program for small businesses. It would not broadly rewrite existing emergency management law, but it would create new administrative duties, coordination requirements with state, local, and tribal emergency agencies, and a new funding/technical assistance mechanism for businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The emergency clause means the bill would take effect immediately if enacted.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from legislative debate. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be framed as a proactive resilience and preparedness measure aimed at helping small businesses and communities prepare for emergencies. The emergency declaration suggests the sponsor viewed the measure as time-sensitive and important for public safety.
Contention
Because there are no transcripts or votes, specific points of contention are not documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, based on the bill’s structure, could include the cost of grants, the scope of OBDD’s new responsibilities, how businesses are selected or reached through the registry, and whether state resources should be directed to small-business resilience versus other emergency-management priorities. The bill’s reliance on interagency coordination and rulemaking could also raise implementation questions.