Advocacy & Policy
With more than four decades of experience, OWA serves as the authority to legislators and policymakers on Oregon wine industry issues.
Whether it’s representing issues at the state level or addressing policy with the federal government, OWA has the connections to deliver results.
Advocacy at the State Level
Stopped the creation of an Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board that would have imposed sweeping authority over farm wages and workplace standards without oversight.
OWA continues to push back on legislative proposals to increase the wine privilege tax, urging an assessment of current resources dedicated to addiction and recovery.
Protected vineyard flexibility by preventing harmful water rights transfer restrictions that could have limited access to critical water resources.
OWA established a taskforce to assess the Extended Producer Responsibility program and keep appraised of ways to improve this program for our members.
Partnered with Oregon State University, the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture and industry associations to secure nearly $450,000 in emergency state funding to help contain and eradicate vine mealybug in Southern Oregon.
Achieved passage of legislation increasing Oregon’s DTC shipping limit from 2-5 cases per month per consumer.
OWA was the only ag group focused on ensuring a long phase-in of the 40-hour threshold and mitigating new costs for winegrowers with a refundable tax credit and bridge loan program.
Advocacy at the Federal Level
Provided immigration enforcement resources to prepare members for potential ICE interactions, engaged with Oregon’s Congressional representatives to seek policy change, and coordinated media and industry communications with partner organizations.
OWA’s collaboration with winegrower groups in California and Washington has led to over $12 million in federal funding to support ongoing research to better help growers and processors manage and reduce the impact of smoke exposure.
OWA is expanding its federal influence with its executive director serving as chair of WineAmerica’s State and Regional Association Advisory Council (SRAAC). The SRAAC offers a vital platform for addressing key industry issues, including dietary guidelines, tariffs, the Farm Bill, direct shipping, immigration, and more. The SRAAC chair has a seat on the WineAmerica board and executive committee.
Worked with the USDA Risk Management Agency to make improvements to the federal crop insurance program, including extending the acreage reporting date from January 15 to May 15, expanding contract price eligibility to grape growers with both contracted and non-contracted acres through a weighted average contract price, and clarifying how to calculate contract pricing when the contract is written in dollars per acre rather than dollars per ton.
Get involved in the policy process by joining an advisory committee
