Oregon Lawmakers Push Bill to Save Schools from Fluorescent Lamp Ban Until 2030

Oregon House Bill 2307, sponsored by four Republican state lawmakers, has been passed in the House of Representatives. It would give school districts a five-year exemption from requirements banning certain fluorescent lamps until January 3, 2030.

House Bill 2531 banned “new screw- or bayonet-base type compact fluorescent lamps” during the 2023 legislative session.

The bill had been introduced by the House Interim Committee on Environment and Natural Resources at the request of Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat representing House District 5 in Southern Oregon.

The more recent HB 2307’s sponsors included Rep. Emily McIntyre of House District 56 in Southern Oregon and the Oregon Education Association, the largest union representing public education employees in the state, shared lawmakers’ support for the bill.

In their testimony to the House, the association indicated that the additional strain placed on schools, an unintended consequence, would be addressed by the bill as several school districts are already struggling with aging infrastructure and limited resources.

The Senate President is currently considering HB2307.