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A bill aimed at protecting lands deemed regionally significant for industrial use has passed out of both the Oregon state Senate and House of Representatives and is now awaiting a final signature from the governor.

would protect up to 15 industrial areas around the state from being converted for other uses, like commercial or residential, which are often cheaper to develop but don’t produce as many jobs. The bill would also create a board that would oversee the designation process, and it would speed up state permitting on those lands when development is pitched.

The bill passed the Senate 27-3 and the House 51-9, with only Democrats voting against the bill. Now that it’s passed through the legislature, it must be signed by Gov. John Kitzhaber, who is expected to sign sometime this week.

鈥淪enate Bill 766 aids our effort to create high-wage industrial jobs and rebuild Oregon’s economy,鈥� Kitzhaber said in a statement he released after the bill passed the House. 鈥淚 look forward to signing the bill.鈥�

Kitzhaber has been a main proponent of the bill since his term began in January, making it a key part of his jobs and economy agenda. The bill has also received support from the commercial real estate community and industrial business officials, as well as the land-use advocacy group 1000 Friends of Oregon.