Panel Votes 250% hike inDEQ Penalties on Business

By John Ledger
Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon’s largest business advocate
Email AOI your Viewpoint. [email protected]

On a 3-1 vote, the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee sent SB 105, a bill dramatically increasing maximum DEQ civil penalties, to the Senate Floor with a “Do Pass” recommendation.  Maximum civil penalties for many ongoing air and water violations will jump from $10,000 per day to $25,000 per day.  Although opposing the measure, AOI was successful in having the effective date pushed back to January 1, 2011.

Senators Voting “Yes”:

Jackie Dingfelder, Chair (D – Portland)
Mark Hass, (D – Portland)
Floyd Prozanski, (D – Eugene)

Senators Voting “No” (AOI Position):

Jason Atkinson (R – Grants Pass)

Excused for Military Service:

Brian Boquist (R – Rickreall)

The bill now goes to the Senate floor where it is expected to pass, then over to a House Committee.


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