Policymakers from the Columbia River Basin Convened in Richland, Washington

Washington Senator Claudia Kauffman, the 2024 chair of CSG West’s Legislative Council on River Governance (LCRG), hosted Columbia River Basin policymakers in Richland, Washington, from September 9–11. The meeting kicked off with a reception at the REACH museum, featuring unique exhibits and grounds that celebrate the geology, history and the pivotal role of the Tri-Cities area and Hanford during World War II and its aftermath. 

 Issues presented and discussed during the meeting included:

  • Columbia River Basin Project & The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project 
  • Columbia River Treaty: Preliminary Agreement on Amendments
  • Six Sovereigns Agreement
  • Preservation and Conservation of Salmon
  • Fisheries Activities and Updates by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • 6-PPD Legislation and Roundtable Discussion
  • CSG West Resolution on Harmonizing State & Provincial Approaches to Invasive Species (AIS,) Prevention and Mitigation, and Canine Inspection Demo
  • The Future of Energy on the Columbia River
Forum Takeaways

Despite investments and efforts by federal, state, and tribal governments, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs,) Salmon, Lamprey, Steelhead and other fish species continue to languish from the basin. Hydroelectric infrastructure, even with modifications, present barriers to fish migration and water temperatures necessary for fish survival. Additionally, native, wild stock fisheries are further compromised by the reliance on fish planting to supplement the supply of salmon.

Salmon are directly linked to the cultural, health, and economic well-being of Northwest tribes and communities. Opportunities exist to restore salmon populations, and a path forward is possible through good faith negotiations and partnership among the federal, state, tribal and NGOs. These partners contend that eliminating 6-PPD and other hazards and toxins harmful to salmon should be a part of the solution.

AIS remain a persistent threat, primarily due to human vectors introducing them into the environment and waterways. In particular, Quagga mussels endanger marine and agricultural irrigation infrastructure, as well as recreational use of rivers and lakes. The risk of contaminated watercraft entering the Pacific Northwest has been mapped to sources in North Dakota, South Dakota, Florida, Arizona, and California. LCRG participants stressed the importance of collaboration between the Pacific Northwest and these states to prevent contaminated boats from crossing state lines. They also highlighted the need for funding to continue and expand inspection and decontamination efforts as needed.

The Pacific Northwest’s energy outlook is favorable due to its hydroelectric system and broad diversification of renewable energy sources. Hydropower has long been the region’s dominant power source, representing 60% of electricity generation in Washington state. Global, national, and state net-zero energy goals have accelerated efforts to fully decarbonize the energy supply and diversify sources of electricity generation. However, adding these energy sources and addressing climate volatility have created vulnerabilities in the electrical grid. Expanding nuclear, wind, and solar are key paths toward non-carbon energy, though each requires further development and operates on different timelines.

After these discussions, the meeting adjourned with the gavel passed to Idaho, which will host the 2025 LCRG meeting. Members and attendees then toured the Ice Harbor Dam, Lock, and Powerhouse—a hydroelectric, concrete gravity, run-of-the-river dam on the lower Snake River in southeastern Washington. The facility includes two fish ladders, a removable spillway weir, and a juvenile fish bypass system, providing navigation, hydropower generation, flood risk management, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and incidental irrigation.

Oregon Representative Ken Helm (left,) Washington Senator Claudia Kauffman (foreground,) and fellow Western legislators tour the Ice Harbor Dam generators during the 2024 Legislative Council on River Governance. Photo by Jackie Tinetti.

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Quagga Mussels in the Snake River: Update

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) recently announced a targeted quagga mussel treatment to eradicate the small population of the invasive species in the Snake River.  On October 8, ISDA and contractors launched a 10-day comprehensive treatment from downriver of Hansen Bridge to Centennial Waterfront Park.

The treatment product is the same product used to treat the Snake River in 2023, a copper-based product called Natrix. The 2023 Natrix treatment significantly reduced the quagga mussel population in the Snake River. 

The current treatment is the first of the multi-faceted treatment plan. ISDA is planning a second treatment in November to target quagga mussels in still water and deep pool sections of the river.

Out of an abundance of caution to minimize exposure, ISDA advises the public to stay out of the dissipation area, from Hansen Bridge to Kanaka Rapid. 

The treatment is expected to dissipate to normal river copper levels eighteen miles downriver at Kanaka Rapid. ISDA and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will monitor the river from downriver of Hansen Bridge to Kanaka Rapid to evaluate treatment effectiveness and copper dissipation. 

Quagga mussels spread rapidly and clog pipes that deliver water for drinking, energy, agriculture, recreation, and a variety of other uses. Established quagga mussel infestations have major impacts on fish populations, wildlife habitat and damage infrastructure so severely costing hundreds of millions of dollars in actual and indirect costs.

Quagga mussels were first identified in the Snake River near Twin Falls in September 2023. The ISDA implemented a treatment with a chelated copper product, the first treatment of this type and scale ever attempted in North America. 

Eradicating and mitigating the impacts of aquatic invasive species such as quagga mussels is an important issue to state policymakers who represent communities along the Columbia and Snake river basins. These concerns were recently discussed at the CSG West Legislative Council on River Governance meeting in Richland, Washington. Moreover, this summer CSG West’s Executive Committee adopted a resolution calling for greater harmonization of state – provincial approaches to invasive species management.  A copy of the resolution can be viewed HERE

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Latest Efforts at Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis at the State & Federal Levels

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic. From 2011 onwards, fatal overdoses associated with misuse of clandestinely produced fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, and law enforcement encounters increased markedly, leading to the crisis.

Fentanyl Legislation in the Western States

Western state legislature continued to introduce legislation during this year’s session in response to the fentanyl crisis. Of the 444 bills introduced in the 13 western states served by CSG West, 145 have been enacted. Utah leads the pack with a 76.5% enactment rate, followed by Colorado (61.1%), Nevada (50%), and Idaho (48.3%).

While most of the legislation pertains to drug schedule classification, examination of penalties for the illicit distribution and manufacture of fentanyl, and access to substance use disorder treatment, some different legislative approaches have emerged:

Drug Trafficking

Arizona and Idaho amended their current drug trafficking laws by introducing specific penalties for the sale of lethal fentanyl and illegal entry into the state outside lawful ports of entry (AZ HCR 2060), and adding to existing law to provide for the crimes of trafficking in fentanyl and drug-induced homicide (ID HB 406).

Education and Awareness

California, Oregon, and Washington passed legislation to increase awareness and education about the dangers of fentanyl. In California, AB 2429 requires its pupils to complete a course in health education for graduation from high school to include instruction in the dangers associated with fentanyl use.

Oregon’s SB 238 directs the Oregon Health Authority, State Board of Education, and Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to collaborate on developing curricula supplements related to the dangers of certain drugs.

Washington enacted three bills to increase education and awareness: (1) Fentanyl and Other Substance Use Prevention Education [HB 1956], (2) Implementing a Statewide Drug Overdose Prevention and Education Campaign [SB 5906], and (3) Opioid and Fentanyl Prevention Education and Awareness at Institutions of Higher Education [HB 2112].

Creation of Task Forces

To manage the response to this multi-faceted issue, many states created task forces to address specific facets of endemic. In California, SB 19 created the Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force. Washington addressed issues specific to the tribal population by enacting SB 5950, which established a Washington State Tribal Opioid and Fentanyl Response Task Force

Federal Fentanyl Initiatives

On August 1st, the White House Office of Public Engagement held a briefing with the National Security Council and the Office of National Drug Control Policy to highlight the Administration’s ongoing work to crack down on drug traffickers smuggling deadly drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States. The briefing was led by Jennifer Daskal, Deputy Assistant to the President, Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, and Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of National Drug Control Policy.

Deputy Assistant Daskal discussed the Administration’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis and drug trafficking, including new actions and investments. Dr. Gupta emphasized the importance of expanding treatment and making sure everyone has access to opioid overdose reversal medications. They also highlighted the need for support programs to help individuals deal with trauma. Lastly, Deputy Assistant Daskal and Dr. Gupta discussed a US-China collaboration to combat the opioid epidemic, emphasizing the significance of public-private partnerships and international cooperation in addressing the issue. A detailed fact sheet outlining recent efforts can be found here.

What CSG West is Doing to Help Its Members Combat the Crisis

CSG West’s Public Safety Committee recently hosted a legislator-led discussion on fentanyl and western state strategies at the 2024 Annual Meeting in Portland. Highlights from that conversation can be found here. Moreover, the committee heard from scholars and legislators on the use of psychedelics and psilocybin to aid in substance abuse disorder treatment at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. Excerpts from that session can be found here.

The committee will continue to engage with and serve as a platform to share ideas among Western policymakers on this important issue. For more information, please contact CSG West policy analyst, Shilpa Patel, at [email protected].

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Education Committee Recap

This session, led by Colorado Representative Cathy Kipp, CSG West Education Committee Co-Chair, examined critical aspects of student success – including academic and non-academic factors. Megan Reder-Schopp, Director of Research with the BARR Center, overviewed “Building Assets, Reducing Risks” (BARR,) a system fostering strong relationships and leveraging data-driven interventions to enhance student outcomes. 

Representative Kipp also facilitated a roundtable discussion where committee members engaged about pressing education topics impacting their states and recent legislative successes and challenges. Notable issues addressed in this conversation include special education funding, implementation of new school funding formulas, and cell phone accessibility in learning environments. 

Left to right: Arizona Representative Jennifer Pawlik, Alaska Representative Rebecca Himschoot, and Alaska Representative Alyse Galvin discuss current state challenges in education during the CSG West Education Committee session. Bryan Patrick Photography.
Part 1 | BARR: A Comprehensive, K-12 Strengths-Based Approach to Boosting Student Achievement

Introducing BARR

Reder-Schopp described BARR as a K-12 coaching and training partner with a quarter-century track record of raising student math and reading scores, increasing teacher satisfaction and retention, and decreasing student disciplinary incidents. Underlying BARR, she noted, is a core belief that both students and educators possess immense potential and thrive when provided with a supportive system that enables them to realize their talents. 

History and Growth 

Reder-Schopp traced BARR’s journey to its inception in 1999 at a Minnesota high school. In the years since, BARR has received several notable grants, including the U.S. Department of Education’s Investing in Innovation (i3) Development Grant in 2010 and the i3 Scale-Up Grant in 2017. Recently, the Minnesota Legislature approved $5 million for expanding BARR to 18 additional schools, while the Maine Department of Education funded BARR in over 70 schools. 

Megan Reder-Schopp discussing BARR’s approach. Bryan Patrick Photography.

Evidence and Effectiveness

  • Research and Development: Reder-Schopp highlighted BARR’s history of two decades of research and development involving 78 schools in randomized controlled trials. These studies revealed 20 areas of statistically significant outcomes. 
  • Academic Improvement: She noted that BARR consistently meets the evidence for ESSA requirements for “strong evidence” in both reading and math, demonstrating significant improvements in these areas. 

Implementation and Impact 

  • Pillars of BARR: Reder-Schopp outlined the two pillars of BARR’s framework: relationships (staff-to-staff, student-to-student, staff-to-student) and data (quantitative and qualitative). 
  • Holistic Approach: Social changes, health, and attendance are notable markers for ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each student. 
  • Teacher and Student Benefits: Reder-Schopp stated that BARR’s implementation has significantly improved teacher attitudes and experiences, with educators reporting a greater sense of self-efficacy and increased perception of their schools as supportive environments. Students, she noted, feel more supported by adults, more engaged in their education, and more motivated to succeed. Reder-Schopp underscored that the BARR system is associated with improved student attendance, reduced behavioral issues, increased graduation rates, and higher pass rates in core classes. 

Creating Systemic Change 

Reder-Schopp outlined BARR’s system-wide approach, which includes professional development for teachers, counselors, and administrators. She cited examples such as the BARR I-Time Curriculum, cohort-based student groups, and regular team meetings to address each student’s needs. Reder-Schopp underlined BARR’s emphasis on building strong relationships within the school community and with families to support student success. 


Part 2 | Education Committee Roundtable:
Legislative Challenges, Successes, and Critical Issues

Current State Challenges in Education 

  • Special Education Funding: Diminishing capacity to fund special education was a recurring theme among committee members. Many contended that the federal government’s current special education funding levels are inadequate and further strain states’ budgets. 
  • Funding Capacity: Several committee members expressed concern that increased state funding allocated to school vouchers, educational savings accounts, and similar programs severely impacts existing public education funding. They described already-strained funding conditions and worry that states cannot adequately fund their public-school systems without further mitigation.
  • Teacher Standards: Committee members discussed differences in teacher certification standards between public schools and charter or private schools in their states. Some expressed concern about state laws that do not require charter or private schools to hire fully certified teachers. In situations where state or local authorities cannot regulate hiring, they outlined risks posed to students. 

Legislative Successes

  • Colorado’s New Public School Finance Formula: Colorado legislators described recent successes in passing HB24-1448, which implements a new school funding formula designed to distribute resources more equitably by considering local cost of living and student needs. Signed into law in May, a 17-member School Finance Task Force recommended the new formula.  
  • Idaho LAUNCH: Idaho Senator Janie Ward-Engelking shared insights about her state’s Idaho LAUNCH program that started in 2023. Idaho has committed $75 million per year to help high school students gain postsecondary education or workforce training in high-demand careers. The program aims to address the state’s skilled labor shortage as its economy and population grow rapidly. It provides students with a one-time opportunity to have 80% of the tuition and fees at an eligible institution covered, up to a maximum amount of $8,000. 

Continuing Conversation 

Committee members recommended priority education topics for continued engagement, including: 

  • Teacher licensure: Considering urban cultural responsiveness requirements for obtaining teacher licensure, particularly about changing teacher workforce demographics amid educator shortages.  
  • Student safety: Further examination of safety relating to punitive actions administered toward students, particularly at the pre-K level, including the potentially disproportionate impact on students of color. 
  • Cell phone accessibility in schools: Committee members encouraged further discussion around student access to cell phones, particularly in the classroom environment. Members described studies indicating the impact on learning even when students are near – but not actively engaged with – a cellular device. 

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CSG West Housing Forum

Colorado Representative Junie Joseph, left, and Washington Senator Patty Kuderer present during Day 2 of the CSG West Housing Forum. Bryan Patrick Photography.
Meeting States’ Housing Needs:
Hosted by the CSG West Housing Committee

The housing affordability crisis is among the most critical issues facing policymakers nationwide. Over two days, the inaugural CSG West Housing Forum brought together state legislators, innovators, and leaders from across the housing sector, focusing on topics such as permitting and zoning, modular construction, housing market analysis, tenant protections, recent legislation, and many others.

The forum, led by Idaho Senator Melissa Wintrow and Oregon Senator Daniel Bonham, co-chairs of the CSG West Housing Committee, allowed policymakers and stakeholders to engage in problem-solving while identifying specific actions to improve states’ housing supply and affordability. 

CSG West Housing Forum Recaps

Dr. Skylar Olsen, Chief Economist at Zillow, delivers a comprehensive analysis of the housing market and examines future considerations in the housing sector.


Rick Murdock, CEO and co-founder of Autovol, addresses the pressing need for innovation in the construction and housing industry. A forty-plus-year veteran of the construction sector, Murdock describes unprecedented shortages in skilled labor and housing, calling for both conventional and modular companies to collaborate and innovate.

Focusing on ways to automate, standardize, and develop new materials, Murdock shares recent successes bringing together both people and robots and offsite and onsite methods. 


Colorado Representative Junie Joseph and Washington Senator Patty Kuderer discuss their respective states’ efforts to enhance tenant protections during recent legislative sessions.


Hannah Gable, Director of Strategy and Operations at Ivory Innovations, illuminates developments and future directions for housing affordability and innovation.


Henry Honorof, director of the Welcoming Neighbors Network (WNN) and a grantee of Arnold Ventures, outlines the role of state-level pro-housing policy in addressing America’s housing crisis. Through a lens of bipartisan problem-solving, Honorof asserts that abundant housing can significantly improve housing affordability and stimulate economic growth.


Travis Plunkett from The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Housing Policy Initiative analyzes current housing market challenges and potential policy solutions.

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Agriculture and Water Committee Recap  

The CSG West Agriculture and Water Committee, chaired by Senator Wendy McKamey (MT) and Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (CA), invited national and state expertsClaudia Keller, TJ Birkel, and Glenda Humiston, Ph.D., to discuss food security and zero waste programs, harnessing Artificial Intelligence to support farms, food systems, and healthy ecosystems with committee members.  

Food Security and Zero Waste in the Western States  

Despite our nation’s relatively wealthy status, food insecurity, hunger, and food waste persist in our communities. Many factors are at play in the food security landscape. Members heard from two experts in the field, Claudia Keller of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, and TJ Birkel of Kroger. They shared data that helps tell the story of hunger and waste, including: 

  • Thirty-eight percent (38%) of food is wasted  
  • 44 million people struggle with hunger—including 1 in 5 children  
  • In California, food banks provided food to more than 6 million people in 2023  
  • In Orange County, California, alone, 330,000 people are food insecure, including 85,000 children—that is 1 in 10 people 
  • Nutrition security is just as important as food security   

Making a Difference  

Public and private organizations have responded to food insecurity and waste. For example, Kroger has set a goal of donating ten billion meals by 2030. In 2023, Kroger’s efforts towards zero hunger/zero waste included:   

  • 455 million meals donated  
  • $256 million donated  
  • 100% of stores donated surplus fresh food  
  • 95% of stores have active food waste recycling programs  
  • These donations are supported by local community partners working with Kroger 

Focusing on Sustainability   

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County integrates several approaches to its operations to achieve its mission and vision by focusing efforts on:  

  • The importance of eliminating food waste  
  • Actively engaging in the Grocery Rescue programs, which are food banks and other community-based organizations working with grocers to rescue food that is edible but too close to expiration date to keep on shelves. 
  • Corporate partnerships  

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County has achieved TRUE Recycling Certification—the world’s first and only food bank to do so. They also operate a farm, a partnership with the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR), for a continuous fresh supply of produce to supplement donations and grocery rescue supplies.   

The impact of these two programs alone is immense. More can be done through partnerships, sharing best practices, and ensuring people access fresh, nutritious food.   


Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Support Farms, Food Systems and Healthy Ecosystems  

Glenda Humiston, Vice-President of the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR), shared the evolution of our food system to what is now the 21st-century food system. This food system focuses on the following: 

  • Precision nutrition: food-for-health  
  • Supply chain integrity & traceability  
  • Sustainable agricultural production    
  • Caloric & nutritional security  
  • Decreased food waste  
  • Connected farmers & consumers  

The nexus between Artificial Intelligence (AI), technology, and the food system is evident. In California, policymakers have examined the policy framework needed to establish and sustain a 21st-century food system successfully. The Hoover Commission, an independent agency charged with studying and recommending action across the policymaking landscape, published a report, Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California.  The report urges California policymakers to:  

  • Build a state government infrastructure to develop and use AI that promotes economic, social, and environmental good.  
  • Ensure AI education in California schools and institutions of higher education.  
  • Improve the state’s collection of data.  
  • Provide incentives for AI investment, research, and development; and  
  • Promote apprenticeships and training for those whose jobs may be displaced or transformed by AI, including state employees.  

In California, UC ANR uses “Coalitions of the Willing” to partner on significant investments and opportunities to integrate AI technologies across ANR research and management fully. These partnerships include:  

  • A $20 million grant from the U.S Department of Agriculture will empower the next generation to produce and distribute sustainable, nutritious food with fewer resources through transformative AI technologies, including molecular breeding, agriculture production, processing and distribution, and nutrition.  
    This grant’s focus is on empowering the people working in all these areas, using AI and technologies as enablers to achieve a 21st-century food system.  
  • A $65.1 million grant for a Climate Smart Food & Ag Tech Cluster from the U.S. Economic Development Agency focused on the critical elements of a 21st-century food system, including local farm & food innovation to build sustainable, equitable local food systems, and establish a skilled agricultural technology (AgTech) workforce that is ready for the future.  

Other key strategies for a 21st-century food system are  

  • Multidisciplinary innovation – mechanical, electrical, software engineering, biology, social sciences, service providers.  
  • For robotics to work, crops must adapt. For example, they must grow 2-D walls of fruit, taller lettuce, and longer stems for harvesting.  
  • Harsh outdoor conditions make research and development (R&D) expensive compared to the potential return on investment. Government and university R&D are needed to bridge the gap.  

The U.S. is fortunate to have funding and talent to compete and succeed in the 21st-century food system. Other countries, including China and India, invest much more in their people and technologies. When investments wane, our food system’s sufficiency, safety, and stewardship are at risk.  

Working together, leveraging private, public, and philanthropic funding and physical assets (farm facilities, laboratories, workforce) is key to our competitiveness and success.  

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Canada Relations Committee Recap 

Alberta Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Grant Hunter, co-chair of the Canada Relations Committee, and Washington Senator Sam Hunt, member of the committee, jointly moderated the session. Both, along with Washington Representative Debra Lekanoff, co-chair of the committee, would like to recognize and thank the speakers below who shared their insights and expertise. 

Honorary Consul General of Canada for Oregon, Bart Eberwein, warmly welcomed committee members and the audience by sharing a poem that illustrates the resilience of the Canada-United States relationship.  

The Importance and Recovery of the Canada-U.S. Border Following the Pandemic Border Restrictions 

As the director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University, Laurie Trautman, PhD, knows the Canada-U.S. border intimately. Not only has she conducted extensive research in this region, but she also lives along the Canada – U.S. border.  

The COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 resulted in border-crossing restrictions that barred ‘non-essential’ passenger travel between the two countries. This bilateral decision was intended to minimize the spread of infection and keep people safe until more information was available about what the world was dealing with. During this time, travel fell by 90%. Because Canada is the number one export market for 34 U.S. states, with bilateral trade value of $919 billion, this shift had major economic implications, particularly in the northwest corner of Washington.  

In thinking about the future, Dr. Trautman outlined three emerging challenges:  

  1. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which entered into force on July 1, 2020, and replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has a 16-year sunset clause with a stipulation that it must be reviewed by the signatories every six years, which is coming up.  
     
  1. Travel has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. 
     
  1. Security is a concern due to an increase in irregular migration, which is movement that takes place outside the regular norms of sending, transit, and receiving country 

Why is it so crucial that this border recovers? For one, in the summer of 2026, all three countries will host the 23rd FIFA World Cup. With this honor comes both challenges and opportunities. The challenges she outlined include border congestion and an increase in illicit activity, but the opportunities include: 

  • Showcasing North America for the impressive region it is. 
  • Strengthening cross-border networks. 
  • Streamlining the border crossing process.  

Fortress North America 

Alberta MLA Shane Getson also serves as Chief Government Whip and Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Corridor Development and has been tasked with the Economic Corridors Task Force mandate that establishes corridors within Alberta, Canada and into the U.S. that will be to the economic and strategic benefit of Albertans, enabling diversified economic growth, and providing economic stability.” Economic corridors allow for predictable, responsible, and sustainable growth- something both countries can benefit from. To demonstrate how serious Alberta’s government is about this, 11 Ministries have “economic corridor” directives in their mandates. Also, the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Alberta to develop these corridors.  

MLA Getson outlined nine different actions to start this. While longer-term goals, such as increased financing and insurance, may take time, efforts must be coordinated and balanced. He welcomes everyone (legislators, organizations, private sector partners) who would like to join his efforts to reach out to him.  


Idaho’s and Alberta’s Efforts to Eradicate Aquatic Invasive Species 

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a top concern for MLA Hunter, so much so that he presented a resolution to cooperate in preventing their spread. The CSG West Executive Committee approved the resolution with friendly amendments, which can be found on the CSG West website here. AIS is also a top concern for Nic Zurfluh, Bureau Chief in Idaho, and Nicole Kimmel, Specialist in Alberta, respectively; they work together to prevent, detect, and eradicate their top threat- Quagga and Zebra Mussels.  

Nic shared Idaho’s Rapid Response Plan, which is put in place as soon as the detection of these threats is verified. The steps of the plan include: 

  • Notifying impacted entities.  
  • Implementing containment measures.  
  • Conducting delimiting surveys.  
  • Exploring treatment options (interestingly, copper is part of the treatment plan to eradicate the mollusks.)  

Nicole outlined the policy and legislation adopted in 2015, including mandatory Alberta inspection stations. In 2018, the Alberta government enforced penalties for bypassing an inspection station or failing to “pull the plug” on watercraft. Penalties have increased exponentially this year. Beyond Quagga and Zebra Mussels, Alberta has also encountered flowering rush, Prussian Carp, and tossed-away domestic goldfish from storm ponds.   

Just as CSG West was wrapping up the 77th Annual Meeting in Portland, news broke that zebra mussel larvae, a veliger, was discovered in the Colorado River, east of Grand Junction, Colorado. This is alarming as the river provides drinking water, power, and irrigation for 40 million people (about twice the population of New York) from the headwaters in northern Colorado down into Mexico. Other places, like Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border, have been infested with invasive mussels since 2012–to avoid that same situation in the Colorado River, cooperation is essential.  

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Energy & Environment Committee Recap 

The CSG West Energy & Environment Committee, chaired by Senator Eric Barlow (WY) and Representative Nicole Lowen (HI), discussed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and Energy Infrastructure Securitization with committee members and resource experts Heidi Sanborn, Mark Agnew , and Kevin Ryan.  

Extended Producer Responsibility Laws  

The CSG West Energy & Environment Committee, chaired by Senator Eric Barlow (WY) and Representative Nicole Lowen (HI), discussed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and Energy Infrastructure Securitization with committee members and resource experts Heidi Sanborn, Mark Agnew , and Kevin Ryan.  

Extended Producer Responsibility Laws  
More states seek to reduce the amount of energy used, material consumed, and landfill waste generated by consumer product packaging. Underpinning these efforts is a commitment to creating a circular economy. A circular economy designs out waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use, and regenerates natural systems. States are implementing several circular economy strategies including advanced recycling.  
 
Thirty-three states in the U.S. have enacted 139 EPR laws across 19 product categories to date. According to Ms. Sanborn, Executive Director of the National Stewardship Council and the National Stewardship Action Council, when manufacturers take responsibility for the recycling of their products, they: 

  • Design products to be durable and repairable 
  • Create safer recycling systems 
  • Keep product end-of-life costs down 
  • Directly bear the cost of disposal 

More can be done to reduce waste and pollution and relieve communities and consumers of the costs associated with consumer packaging. According to Sanborn, policymakers have tools to choose from, including 

  • Sales ban (products or chemicals) 
  • Truth in Labeling 
  • Right to Repair 
  • Product stewardship 
  • Extended producer responsibility 
  • Deposits to increase collection 
  • Thoughtful regulation that reduces costs  

In weighing the use of these tools, policymakers should first ask questions, such as 

  • How toxic is it? 
  • Are there safer alternatives on the market or in the manufacturing pipeline? 
  • What have other states or countries done with the product/chemical? 
  • Is the international community limiting shipping and/or disposal? 
  • How does the state determine whether the product is hazardous? Is that causing problems? 

Securitization 

Securitization is a financial tool available to utility companies to manage large costs, such as those associated with storm damage, infrastructure upgrades, or transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Securitization can lower borrowing costs which protect utilities from a high debt service, protect ratepayers from increased rates, and allow for a manageable long-term financing for costly and multi-year projects, much like bonds. 

Securitization does require legislative authorization and oversight to protect the public interest. As the scale of securitized dollars increases, there have been calls for more transparency and customer representation in the negotiations. It is important to note that while securitization can provide financial relief for utilities and ratepayers, it also involves complex financial transactions and potential risks. 

Given the significant extreme weather and fire events experienced across the western United States and Canada, attendees heard about two areas of securitization: cost recovery and interest rate protections, which minimize borrowing costs and impact to rate payers. 

Key Take Aways  

  • Securitization is an important tool for utilities engaged in infrastructure modernization; repairs following major weather, fire and flood events; and to help protect ratepayers from volatility in monthly bills.  
  • Given the drive to expand and modernize grid infrastructure, including generation, storage, transmission and distribution capacities to onboard more renewable and clean energy sources, securitization is an important financing vehicle for utilities and energy providers. 
  • Ongoing threats to existing infrastructure from extreme weather, flood and fire events has raised the risk profile of these physical assets significantly. 
  • Legislative oversight, regulation, and rate payer representation are key elements to ensure the use of securitization is appropriate, transparent and effective in managing the costs of a safe, secure and stable energy system.  

 RESOURCE: The Rationale Behind U.S. Utility Securitization and Reasons for Recent Growth


Energy Issues Across Our Region  

Energy & Environment Committee Co-Chairs, Wyoming Senator Eric Barlow and Hawaii Representative Nicole Lowen, respectively, closed the session with a robust discussion among members and attendees regarding energy issues and promising pathways within their states and provinces.  Key discussion points included:  

  • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are a promising source of clean energy in Alberta, Canada, and the U.S.     
  • The weaponization of energy in the Ukraine/Russia war in terms of direct attacks on infrastructure, the abrupt end to Russian natural gas supplies, and the urgent need of European nations to find alternative sources of energy underscores the need to strategically plan, operate, and secure our energy systems and resources.  
  • Nuclear and other radioactive waste pollute communities in our region. Until leaders address this health and environmental safety legacy with an acceptable waste management plan, communities may not embrace SMRs.  
  • Hydrogen, wind, and solar energy development must continue to achieve clean energy goals.  
  • Advocates of SMRs must message the difference between World War II/Cold War era weaponized, military use of nuclear energy and modern civilian use of SMRs. 

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Health Committee Recap  

The Health Committee, co-chaired by Nevada Senator Rochelle Nguyen and Utah Representative Steve Eliason, gathers to provide a forum where legislators can exchange information and ideas on relevant health policy topics at all levels of government. It represents state legislative perspectives on critical regional and national issues, promotes the importance of health concerns, and works toward collaborative solutions to strengthen the West.  

Attendees discussed mental health challenges in their states and shared personal stories regarding these challenges. The group emphasized better regulation, resource access, and collaboration between states. Based on California’s recent investment in behavioral health, members also highlighted the need for more transparency and reporting requirements where such investments are concerned. Additionally, they addressed the urgent need to address women’s healthcare issues, particularly menopause and mental health, and discussed the importance of prioritizing women’s mental health. Finally, the members discussed the need for a task force or subcommittee to address mental and behavioral health issues in Western states.  

Mental health services for children and families in various states 

  • Wyoming and Oregon are undergoing efforts to reform involuntary commitment laws.   
  • Wendy Roussel, Chief of Government Relations and Policy for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, discussed the state’s efforts to support children’s behavioral health, including workforce development. Connecticut dedicates a third of its budget to children’s behavioral health services, focusing on in-home services and collaboration with mental health providers.  

Mental health education in Alaska schools faces political pushback  

In Alaska, mental health services are transferred from the federal government to the state government. The Lessons Transition Act and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Enabling Act are key acts providing mental health services in the state.  

Mental health challenges and solutions in New Mexico 

  • Fiscal analysis in the New Mexico State Legislature identified gaps in behavioral health services and new initiatives to address them.  
  • The Chief Justice led an initiative to divert non-violent offenders from jail to mental health treatment.  
  • New Mexico is improving handoffs between agencies and prioritizing funding for holistic care.  

Mental health challenges in U.S. prisons and hospitals 

  • In Oregon, the challenges of providing mental health care include overcrowding in emergency rooms and a lack of resources for mid-level care. While California has implemented initiatives to raise resources for mental health care, Oregon does not have the same level of investment.  
  • Hospitals in western states need help with oversubscribed emergency rooms and shortages of medical professionals.  
  • Nevada aims to address criminal justice issues through triage and legislative changes.  

Decriminalizing drugs, legislative committees, and collaboration  

  • Oregon’s first attempt at decriminalization of drugs did not go as planned. A committee will examine its effectiveness.  
  • Members suggested CSG West as a potential bridge for states to continue collaborating on drug policy reform.  

Forming a task force to address mental health issues in the criminal justice system  

The committee leadership proposed forming a task force or subcommittee for mental and behavioral health issues.  

Women’s health issues and policing reform  

  • Given the lack of priority to menopause care in the U.S., with only $10 million invested in the Federal Advanced Menopause Care and Midlife Women’s Health Act, Co-chair Nguyen seeks to host a webinar on women’s health, specifically perimenopause.  
  • Co-chair Nguyen is working to address this issue in the next legislative session in Nevada. She will focus on mental health and updated information for OB-GYNs and seek input on policy ideas, including criminal justice reform and mental health services.  

Moving Forward   

  • Consider setting up a CSG West behavioral health task force or subcommittee to continue collaborative discussions.  
  • Provide information on California’s facilities funding through the No Place Like Home program. This program funds the development of permanent supportive housing for persons in need of mental health services who are experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness, or at risk of chronic homelessness. 
  • Share details on Alaska’s mental health trust model.  
  • Convene a webinar/Legislative Exchange on perimenopause and women’s health issues. 

The post Health Committee Recap   appeared first on CSG West.

Legislative Oversight Working Group Recap 

The Legislative Oversight Working Group, co-chaired by Senator Todd Weiler (UT) and Assemblymember David Alvarez (CA), gathers to exchange ideas on successes and improvements to enhance oversight practices in legislative institutions. This effort aims to improve government accountability, transparency, and responsiveness.   

This year’s program focused on the importance of legislative oversight in promoting accountability and transparency in government. Speakers emphasized the need for effective hearings, compromise, consensus-building, and the role of legislative auditors and lawmakers in routine oversight. They also discussed the challenges of working in a fast-paced environment and the importance of collaboration and integrating different perspectives to succeed in legislative work. Additionally, speakers shared their experiences and insights on effectively planning and executing meetings, including proper training, planning, and managing unexpected issues.  

Legislative oversight and its role in government 

Ian McKnight, from the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, introduced the importance of legislative oversight and best practices. Oversight is the ability of lawmakers to scrutinize and hold government agencies accountable for their actions. He highlighted the importance of oversight in ensuring that government agencies are transparent and efficient and provide a resource for further learning. Lawmakers use oversight to ensure executive branch compliance with laws.  

The cycle of accountability of legislative oversight 

McKnight focused on accountability and legislators’ role by stating: “In serving as the eyes and voice of the people, you are fostering the democratic conversation on whether and how well the government is keeping its promises.”  

In serving as the “eyes and voice” of the people:  

  • Legislators engaged in oversight operate in a cycle that begins with recognizing a problem to be solved, followed by conducting some investigation with hearings, reports, or letters of inquiry to executive agencies or private entities.  
  • The investigation’s findings should inform policies proposed in legislation (if necessary), eventually becoming law.  
  • Usually, agencies issue regulations authorized by the new statutes. (Legislatures can oversee and contribute to this process.)  
  • Executive agencies implement those regulations; they may issue contracts to private partners to execute programs.  
  • Ultimately, we get outcomes (good or bad) that lawmakers, acting as the people’s eyes and voice, are duty-bound to follow up on.   
  • This accountability is not just between the legislative and executive branches; it is, most importantly, for the public.   

Remarks from The Levin Center 2021 Winner of the Carl Levin Award for Effective Oversight — State Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (OR)  

Recognized for her legislative oversight work in the Oregon State Senate, Senator Gelser was involved with investigating child foster care contracts and the state’s child welfare system. Senator Gelser unintentionally began her foray into oversight when she learned that children in Oregon’s foster care system were going out of state. What started as an innocent query led to a series of events, unlikely interactions, and a trip to Nebraska to track down files personally. Her journey is detailed in an interview that can be accessed here on the Levin Center website.  

According to Senator Gelser, legislative oversight can be tricky once you are in the process. For the most part, it has yet to be the culture of the legislature or legislators to engage in oversight functions. Below are some of her takeaways.  

Legislative oversight and child welfare in Oregon 

  • Legislative oversight in government is crucial but often overlooked.   
  • Oversight plays a vital role in the legislature’s and related entities’ checks and balances.   
  • Listening to constituents’ concerns in legislation is essential, particularly in child welfare.  

Oversight challenges and conflicts faced while returning children from group homes to their families  

  • Increased funding and better tools are needed to help return children from facilities.  
  • She had to personally contact CMS to investigate records of restraint and abuse in an Illinois facility where they sent Oregon children. 
  • She described a facility with inadequate training and safety measures, which led to a child’s death.  
  • Media attention and public pressure resulted in the remaining children coming home and ending the program.  

Child welfare system, subpoenas, and oversight 

  • Another challenge in advocating for foster children includes legal battles and financial costs.  
  • She highlighted the importance of raising questions and doing work to protect foster children despite obstacles and costs.  
  • She emphasized the importance of addressing the risk of public funds in foster care, citing $24 million in unaccounted funds in Oregon alone.  
  • She stressed the need to prioritize the well-being of children in foster care, citing instances of trauma, abuse, and neglect and emphasizing the impact on their future.  

Fictional Oversight Scenario: Oversight of homelessness issues in various regions 

The group brainstormed an oversight plan for homelessness:  

Participants broke out into small groups for the exercise.  Attendees reported finding the valuable exercise as a first step. They are eager to try a more robust exercise provided with more time in the future. Key takeaways included:  

  • Crafting the factual question should narrow the scope so that the discovery portion is more streamlined.   
  • Identifying avenues can be difficult because there are so many—what is the best way to refine the list? How should it be refined?  

Ideally, the timeline should be reasonable; however, given Senator Gelser’s presentation, it may take a lot of work to nail down a realistic deadline, given the number of unknown entities, documents, and procedures.  

“It is the proper duty of a representative body to look diligently into every affair of government and to talk much about what it sees. It is meant to be the eyes and the voice, and to embody the wisdom and will of its constituents.”  

— United States Supreme Court1 

Next Steps   

  • Members collaborating on revising the handbook will do so in tandem with the Oregon Legislature’s drafting of their oversight resources, which will also be shared.  
  • The working group will continue to explore sub-regional training led by the Levin Center.   

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1 Trump v. Mazars USA, LLP, 140 S.Ct. 2019, 2031 (2020), citing United States v. Rumely, 345 U. S. 41, 43 (1953).  

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