Editor’s Note: As we predicted in our story this AM, Janeen Sollman has pulled her Senate Bill 1586 from the Legislative Agenda. More on this to follow. But thanks to all of the people and organizations who fought this massive and abnormal land grab here in Hillsboro and Washington County!
Voices Of The People- A Community Service of the Hillsboro Herald:
PRESS RELEASE: SALEM, Ore. — Farmers and farmworkers, grassroots conservation and smart growth organizations, local labor unions, and other local leaders are now breathing a sigh of relief: SB 1586, which would have rezoned 1,700 acres of world-class farmland for industrial development and created a new corporate tax credit, is not moving forward this session. This bill was identified as a major threat to a healthy Oregon by the Oregon Conservation Network, which represents over 40 state-level and local environmental organizations.
“Our voices, when banded together, matter. Today shows that people—not big tech—still have the power here in Oregon,” said Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai. “I am so, so proud of Oregonians, our allies in the Legislature, the over 35 groups and two dozen local, regional, state elected officials who opposed SB 1586.”
Almost 90% of nearly 900 pieces of testimony submitted on SB 1586 was in opposition, with a common concern being the sacrifice to some of Oregon’s—and the world’s—highest-quality farmland. Under the guise of bringing jobs, SB 1586 would have paved over Hillsboro’s world-class soils and put over 30 farms out of business, including Jack Bee Little Acres, owned and operated by Scott and Justine Ellis.
“We are so grateful for all the people who testified against this bill; it means so much to us and to our farm that this bill is being withdrawn,” said Scott and Justine.
Another major concern from the public testimony was the allowance of data center development. While the bill was described by its proponents as supporting advanced manufacturing, a significant loophole also allowed for this farmland to be turned into an unlimited, unregulated amount of accessory data centers.
“Destroying irreplaceable farmland for temporary data centers is not viable economic development,” said Nellie McAdams, executive director of Oregon Agricultural Trust. “We must stop bulldozing over our farms and discrediting the value, innovation, and economic power that farmers, farmworkers, and ranchers bring to our state.”
SB 1586 would have offered hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate tax breaks—including to data centers—at a time when the state is slashing budgets for basic social services, and Hillsboro’s three major industrial technology manufacturers have laid off thousands of advanced manufacturing employees in the past year. Meanwhile, data centers have been found to provide relatively few jobs; a 2025 report by Food and Water Watch found that, in Virginia, “data centers generate just 1 permanent job for every $13 million invested.”
“SB 1586 would have done nothing to address the root causes of recent layoffs in our region,” said Hillsboro City Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair. “We need data-driven decisions and binding commitments that deliver real economic security for local working families while diversifying economic opportunity—without paving over farmland.”
Over 55% of the testimony that opposed SB 1586 expressed concerns about data centers specifically. In addition to concerns about low job development, testimony also noted the impacts that data centers have on increased energy costs; reduced quality of life for residents (data centers cause noise and air pollution); and negative impacts to global climate, local ecosystems, wildlife, and watersheds.
Many streams run alongside and within the acreage that was targeted by SB 1586—including McKay, Waible, and Storey Creeks—which simultaneously benefit communities and wildlife. Vulnerable species, such as coho salmon, run through the creeks in this rural reserve and rely on cool and clean water for survival.
“When farmlands are converted to industrially zoned land, we lose valuable wildlife habitat and flood resilience as the area is paved over,” said Tualatin Riverkeepers Policy and Advocacy Director Kelsey Shaw Nakama. “The destruction of wetlands and riparian areas result in increased erosion and pollution, as well as warmer water temperatures that are particularly harmful to the sensitive Tualatin River system and the salmon that return to our waters to reproduce.”
This was just one of many attempts by the Oregon state legislature to bring these 1,700 acres into Hillsboro’s UGB over the years. Each time, strong public opposition prevailed—but the legislature’s repeated attempts at industrial development of this important farmland have harmed public trust in state and local officials.
“We’re thrilled for this positive outcome again, and we’re proud of the collective effort that brought about this victory,” said Faun Hosey, president of Save Helvetia. “History has shown us that we need to continue to keep an eye out for continued attempts to destroy farmland. We’ll be ready to fight again when necessary.”
Another element of looking towards the future is economic development; this bill claimed to be crucial to the state’s economic future, but it did not contain or reference a comprehensive, statewide look at the needs of Oregonians.
“SB 1586 skipped over a fundamental truth that we should and could be addressing together: There is a surplus of vacant land and empty buildings inside our urban growth boundaries,” said Sam Diaz, executive director of 1000 Friends of Oregon. “Instead of pushing to pave over our farmers’ and farmworkers’ livelihoods and destroy some of the world’s best soils, we ask our elected officials and our business leaders to partner together to revitalize our cities and towns.”
Organizations who contributed to this press release
Founded in 1974, 1000 Friends of Oregon is Oregon’s land use policy watchdog and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 1000 Friends partners with Oregonians, local businesses, and community organizations to enhance quality of life for all Oregonians. We accomplish this by strengthening our land use planning protections for a strong democracy, healthy working lands, shared prosperity, and vibrant cities and towns. friends.org
Oregon Agricultural Trust partners with farmers and ranchers to protect agricultural lands for the benefit of Oregon’s economy, communities, and landscapes. OAT is an agricultural land trust that works collaboratively around the state to safeguard Oregon’s farm and ranch lands and the rural communities that depend upon them. We permanently protect ag land, help it stay in production, educate our community, and help advocate for farmland preservation. oregonagtrust.org
The Oregon Conservation Network, a coalition of over 40 organizations throughout the state, comes together to pass pro-conservation priorities, protect our unique quality of life, and ensure a better Oregon for our children. OCN is coordinated by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters’ Education Fund and powered by the tens of thousands of Oregonians who belong to OCN’s member organizations. ocn.org
Since 1972, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters has been a unique and valued member of Oregon’s environmental community. We work within local and state governments to demand clean air and water, healthy forests and wildlife, and a renewable energy future for all Oregonians. Alongside our members, we take political action to stand up for Oregon’s people and places. olcv.org
Save Helvetia is a coalition of farmers, business owners, concerned citizens, neighbors, and residents of the greater Helvetia, Oregon area who are working to protect the Helvetia community and its neighboring agricultural lands from unlawful uses. savehelvetia.org
Tualatin Riverkeepers protects, restores, and expands recreational access to the Tualatin River watershed through advocacy and fostering broad community engagement. We envision a thriving Tualatin River watershed sustained by an engaged community who enjoys all of the benefits a healthy river system has to offer. tualatinriverkeepers.org
Sign up for the OAT newsletter here
Nellie McAdams | Executive Director
she | her | hers
www.oregonagtrust.org
PO Box 7359 | Salem, OR 97303
(971) 409-6806 | nellie@oregonagtrust.org
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