Good news! HB 2603, the submarine cable bill, passed both houses of the Legislature and awaits the Governor’s signature. After Facebook's incredible accidents and careless degradation of Oregon’s marine resources and irreplaceable beaches, this bill provides a beginning for a regulatory framework. It requires DLCD to review the submarine cable permitting process in the Territorial Sea Plan, and then propose amendments that address (among other things) suitable landing sites, fee structures, the impact of drilling on biological resources, a “needs” analysis, geological studies and accident response plans. Our very great thanks to Surfrider Foundation, specifically Charlie Plybon, their Oregon Policy Director, for shepherding this bill through the Legislature in the last hours before adjournment. Photo: Facebook Project, Tierra del Mar, April 30, 2020. Courtesy Ed Ruttledge.