‘Boring’ 2025 legislative year will focus on infrastructure, says political analyst

(Update: Adding video, comments from Jim Moore)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- As Oregonians ring in the new year, new state and local laws are too. But Pacific University professor Jim Moore says Oregonians won't have much to look forward to in 2025.

"It doesn't look like it's going to be incredibly exciting unless the Oregon legislature really gets its act together," he shared.

Calling the new year "boring", Moore says only certain areas will see impacts.

"Infrastructure once again on the boring side. But if all of a sudden your life is better because you can get to work easier, get your products to market easier, those kinds of things, it's like, wow, that was really significant," he said. "And so that's what we're kind of going to be looking at."

Locally, Deschutes County passed Measure 9-173, which expanded the county commission from 3 to 5. County Commissioners are continuing discussions on how to implement the bill, including pay, offices, and when new commissioner elections will be. Residents can expect to see the two new additions in 2026.

In Redmond, voters passed companion Measures 9-177 and 9-178 which will allow medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits and add a 3% tax to all marijuana goods. Mayor Ed Fitch, who was reelected this year, shared support for the measures.

Deschutes County is ringing in the new year with new Sheriff-elect Kent van der Kamp, who was sworn in earlier this month by county commissioners. He will begin January 1st, 5 days before his official term begins as now former Sheriff Shane Nelson retires December 31st.

At the state level, drug use on public transportation is now a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to nearly a year in prison and an over $6,000 fine. The out-of-pocket cost of insulin for someone with insurance will now cap at $35 for a 30-day supply.

But Moore says despite the less exciting state trend, nationally, 2025 will be one Oregonians want to keep an eye on. 

"Oregon has broken through a glass ceiling in terms of representation in Congress that no state has ever seen. Will that make a difference? Will that raise issues as we go forward? That's going to be pretty exciting to watch as well. "

The 2025 legislative session begins on January 21st. In 2024, over 100 bills were signed by the Governor.