The House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss House Bill 3635, which proposes to increase the limit on general obligation bonds for community college capital construction projects from $8 million to $14.25 million. This legislation is designed to address the rising costs of construction and ensure that community colleges can modernize their facilities effectively.

John Wyckoff, Deputy Director of the Oregon Community College Association, emphasized the importance of this bill, noting that the current cap has been in place since 2007 and does not reflect the significant inflation in construction costs over the years. He explained that the increase is necessary for colleges to maintain safe and accessible facilities, many of which were built in the 1960s. Wyckoff highlighted that the proposed cap adjustment aligns with inflation rates and is a conservative estimate compared to actual building cost increases.

Rebecca Aukin, Director of Planning and Capital Construction at Portland Community College, supported the bill by detailing how state funding has enabled the college to invest in critical infrastructure, such as health technology facilities. She pointed out that the rising costs of construction threaten the ability of community colleges to deliver essential programs and urged support for the bill to keep pace with inflation.

Jeff Schafer, CFO of Clackamas Community College, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of maintaining quality infrastructure for students. He noted that the fixed cap on funding has not kept up with inflation, making it challenging for colleges to secure necessary resources for capital improvements.

Austin Folnagie, President of the Oregon Community College Association, highlighted the impact of the cap on rural community colleges, stating that the increase would significantly benefit these institutions in building essential infrastructure for workforce development.

Mark Browning, President of Blue Mountain Community College, shared his perspective on the urgent need for modernization of aging facilities. He described the challenges faced by community colleges in managing existing infrastructure and the necessity of the proposed funding increase to support educational progress.

The committee members engaged with the presenters, discussing the implications of the proposed changes and the importance of investing in community college infrastructure to support Oregon's workforce development. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed, and is seen as a critical step in ensuring that community colleges can continue to provide high-quality education and training for students across the state.