Relating to the James Beard Public Market; declaring an emergency.
Summary
House Bill 3377 authorizes the State Treasurer, at the request of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and after consultation with the Historic Portland Public Market Foundation, to issue lottery bonds during the 2025-27 biennium. The bonds are intended to generate $10 million in net proceeds, plus additional amounts needed to cover bond-related costs, for the construction of the James Beard Public Market in Portland.
The bill directs the net proceeds to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services Economic Development Distributions Fund, which would then distribute the money to the Historic Portland Public Market Foundation. The measure also includes legislative findings that the project will create jobs and support economic development by revitalizing downtown Portland, promoting local farming and food industries, and providing a central location for local vendors. It is declared an emergency measure and would take effect on July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB3377 would create a new authorization for lottery bond financing under Oregon law for a specific capital project, the James Beard Public Market in Portland. It does not broadly amend tax or regulatory statutes, but it does activate existing lottery bond authority in ORS 286A.560 to 286A.585 and routes proceeds through the ODAS Economic Development Distributions Fund under ORS 461.553. The practical effect is to commit state-backed financing capacity to a private nonprofit-led public market project, with the state treasurer and DAS playing key administrative roles.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable committee sentiment, with the House committee recommending do pass and referral to Ways and Means by a 6-3 vote. The bill’s findings frame the project as an economic development and job-creation measure, indicating support from proponents who view the market as a downtown revitalization and local food-sector investment. No committee transcript is available, so the record reflects support in committee but not detailed debate.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the use of state lottery bond capacity for a project tied to a specific Portland development and nonprofit foundation, rather than for broader statewide needs. Critics may question whether the project sufficiently meets the statutory purposes cited for lottery bonds, or whether it is an appropriate use of public financing for a localized market project. Supporters, by contrast, emphasize economic development, downtown Portland revitalization, and benefits to local farmers and vendors.