Measure 49 Fixes Measure 37

Welcome To Measure 37 Watch

Oregon's Measure 37 was passed in 2004. Throughout the campaign, the measure was framed as a piece of legislation that would allow farmers and other land holders to build an extra house or two, if the law allowed it upon time of purchase. The law states that if the county does not allow the newly proposed development, it would be forced to compensate the claimants for their lost profits. 

What the campaign didn’t say was that their financial backing was almost entirely provided by big timber industries and other large land-holding corporations. These corporations wanted to drastically develop their holdings without regulations, or receive financial compensation for their proposals.

To date, Measure 37 claims, statewide, stand at almost $20 billion dollars. The counties are left with two options: either allow unrestricted development of the land, or pay off the claimants and enforce standing regulations. Development claims have been filed on the Oregon Coast, farmlands around the state, and even in Oregon’s most sacred and protected areas, such as Lake Billy Chinook, and the Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument.

This site demonstrates the harmful effects that Measure 37 is having on Oregon. Take a look at our “Claims by Region” list, where we’ve posted maps illustrating every claim since 2004 and where we offer some examples of claims in these areas.  See what development claims are near you.

We’ve also included a “Notable Measure 37 Claims” section where we will profile the most atrocious Measure 37 claims and track the $750 million in Measure 37 development claims made so far by the largest contributors to the Yes on Measure 37 campaign in 2004.