Oregon Legislature wraps up busy ‘short session’ with flurry of bills

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ/Oregon Capital Chronicle) -- After just over a month of long meetings, sharp disagreements and hard-fought compromises, the Oregon Legislature adjourned with the call of "sine die" late Friday afternoon, two days before the constitutional deadline for wrapping up what's known as the "short session."

The Oregon House and Senate adjourned for the year at 4:16 and 4:17 p.m., then streamed into the rotunda to greet each other after years of being unable to celebrate in such a manner because of COVID and construction.

Here are some of the last bills to win passage, as reported by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, and post-adjournment news releases from Governor Tina Kotek and legislative leaders.

KTVZ's Spencer Sacks is monitoring the close-of-session developments in Salem and the post-session news conference that we livestreamed on KTVZ+. He will have a report at 10 p.m. on Fox and 11 p.m. on NBC.

The House passed Senate Bill 5701, which would allocate $2.1 million to acquire 200 acres of the Abiqua Creek area, including the 92-foot-tall Abiqua Falls to keep the 0.8-mile hike publicly accessible.

That bill also sets aside $365 million for renovations at the Moda Center, $45.7 million for public university projects and $100 million for affordable rental housing. The bill already passed the Senate, and it now heads to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk.

On a 41-8 vote, the House approved a bill allowing cities to expand their urban growth boundaries to add affordable housing for older adults. 

House Bill 4082, while originally approved by the House, returned to the chamber after the Senate amended the bill to resolve a conflict with House Bill 4035, another bill this session allowing Woodburn to expand its urban growth boundary that awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature. Cities typically have to seek state approval through an often expensive and lengthy process to expand their urban growth boundaries, which function as invisible lines dictating where and how a city can grow. 

The senior housing bill, requested by Kotek, will allow UGB expansions for specific uses including housing options for older adults, manufactured homes, prefabricated structures and manufactured dwelling parks. 

Legislation to bolster the rollout of a 2022 voter-approved gun control law that was gutted in the Senate this week got its final vote on the House floor Friday, where it passed on a 51-2 vote. It passed the Senate unanimously on Thursday.

House Republicans walked out last week ahead of a vote on an earlier version of House Bill 4145, claiming it infringed on gun rights protected by the Oregon and U.S. constitutions. State and federal courts have been litigating that question since voters approved Measure 114 in 2022. 

The bill started as a wide-ranging firearm safety proposal that would have beefed up permitting processes and background checks under Measure 114, a voter-approved law banning magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition and requiring completed background checks, permits and firearm safety training before acquiring guns. 

But the measure still hasn’t taken effect because of state and federal legal challenges from gun advocates.

Instead of beefing up the law in anticipation of its rollout, House Bill 4145 now simply delays implementation of the law until 2028 to give time for court cases to play out.

The House voted 34-8 to reapprove a bill restricting law enforcement from wearing masks, after the Senate passed with additional amendments to clarify exceptions when state and federal agencies may cooperate. 

House Bill 4138, one of the 13 bills introduced this session as part of the immigrant justice package, would require law enforcement agencies operating in Oregon to adopt policies to avoid use of facial coverings except for medical necessity, or other essential circumstances like undercover work or on SWAT assignment.

Omnibus budget rebalance bills have passed their final vote in the House. State budget writers staring down a $650 million budget deficit at the beginning of the session filled the gaps by disconnecting the state tax code from some provisions of the federal tax code, cutting spending on supplies and services, and leaving more than 130 jobs vacant at the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The moves will spare the transportation agency from hundreds of layoffs during the next 18 months, until lawmakers can come up with more sustainable funding during the long session in 2027.

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News release from Governor Tina Kotek:

Governor Kotek Highlights Major Wins for Oregonians in 2026 Legislative Session

Session outcomes include protecting essential services, fostering economic growth, and more protections against the Trump agenda

Salem, OR — The 2026 legislative session ended with major wins for stabilizing essential services for vulnerable Oregonians, fostering a stronger economic future for the state, and Governor Tina Kotek’s efforts to make Oregon more affordable for working families.

“I want to thank legislators for working together to deliver for Oregonians,” Governor Kotek said. “While President Trump continues to fling chaos and confusion at states, Oregon leaders stayed focused on protecting essential services, expanding housing, providing new tools to fight the Trump agenda, and taking steps to keep Oregon’s economy competitive.”

Facing a budget shortfall created by Congressional actions, Governor Kotek and the Democratically-controlled legislature emphasized steady, responsible governance. Governor Kotek introduced three bills, all of which passed with bipartisan support, that will help to grow Oregon’s economy, build more affordable housing for seniors, and strengthen the behavioral health workforce.

Tackling Big Issues: Housing, Health Care, Education

Creating More Affordable Housing Options (House Bill 4082): Speeds development of affordable housing for seniors and manufactured home communities by allowing cities to designate land for 55+ and manufactured housing. The bill will help add hundreds of affordable homes while easing pressure on the broader housing market.

Cutting Red Tape for Behavioral Health Workers (House Bill 4083): Streamlines credentialing, reduces administrative burdens and expands supervision pathways so more behavioral health providers can enter and remain in the workforce. The bill was recommended by the Behavioral Health Talent Council, which First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson chaired.

Cutting Down on Chronic Absenteeism (House Bill 4154): Requires schools to publicly report attendance data for every district and school each quarter instead of annually. The bill builds on the accountability framework established in Senate Bill 141 (2025) and strengthens transparency and consistency in statewide school data.

Delivering Free Books to Kids (House Bill 4022): Puts the Oregon Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in statute, making it clear that the state supports an ongoing commitment to providing free, age-appropriate book every month to children from birth to age five at no cost to families. The program supports the Governor’s work to improve early literacy outcomes and is designed to encourage a love of reading, improve school readiness, and boost long-term academic outcomes for Oregon students.

Growing Oregon’s Economy

Prosperity Roadmap Package (House Bill 4084): Advances Oregon’s Prosperity Roadmap by creating a fast-track permitting pathway for major new investments to grow jobs, preparing shovel-ready industrial sites, and modernizing targeted business incentives. The bill is designed to support business investment, strengthen regional economies, and create good-paying jobs statewide.

Investing in Oregon’s Arena (Senate Bill 1501): Supports modernizing the Moda Center and securing the long-term future of the Portland Trail Blazers. The plan reinvests revenue generated by the arena and uses existing funding sources to preserve the facility without creating new taxes.

Supporting Small Farms with Diversified Business Models (House Bill 4153): Protects existing permits for farm stands and provides an optional pathway for farms that wish to expand their retail operations. The bill takes effect in January 2027, providing time for farmers to understand the updated framework.

Increasing Certainty for the Recreation Industry and Preserving Access to Justice for Consumers (Senate Bill 1517): A common-sense measure that helps hold negligent providers to account while making it easier to provide safe, affordable activities for Oregon families, incentivizing in-state economic activity and tourism.

Keeping Oregonians Safe on The Road

With last year’s special session transportation revenues frozen pending a voter referendum, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) faced a nearly $300 million shortfall. Governor Kotek worked closely with legislative leaders of both parties to identify and redirect transportation resources towards covering this shortfall. The budget compromise prevents ODOT layoffs, keeps basic services like plowing roads and DMV offices functioning, and creates space for future discussions about how Oregonians want to invest in roads, bridges, and basic transportation services.

Protecting Oregon Against the Trump Agenda

Promoting Safe Access to Education (House Bill 4079 and Senate Bill 1538): Strengthens campus protections against immigration enforcement, including verifying warrants, requiring superintendent review, and consulting legal counsel, consistent with existing sanctuary statutes. Senate Bill 1538 ensures school districts admit all eligible students and program participants.

Strengthening Anti-Discrimination Protections (House Bill 4111): Bars the use of a party’s or witness’s immigration status as evidence in civil cases. The bill also protects workers from employer retaliation over lawful work authorization updates and expands Oregon’s profiling laws to include immigration status.

Protect Your Door (House Bill 4114): Creates a civil cause of action against individuals who enter certain property without a warrant or legal exception.

Law Enforcement Accountability and Visibility Act (LEAVA) (House Bill 4138): Increases transparency in law enforcement activities by requiring officers to clearly identify themselves and limiting the use of masks except in specific circumstances.

Improving Immigrant and Refugee Policy Guidance (Senate Bill 1594): Directs the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to create statewide model policies related to citizenship or immigration status in response to federal actions.

Strengthening Patient and Provider Privacy – Oregon Shield Law (House Bill 4088): Strengthens protections against out-of-state actions against health care providers, expands professional and privacy protections for providers, safeguards patients’ private health data, and protects privacy for name and gender marker changes.

Protecting Access to Health Care - Planned Parenthood Funding (House Bill 4127): Provides funding for Oregon-based Planned Parenthood affiliates affected by federal Medicaid restrictions under President Trump’s HR1.

Health Care Without Fear Act (Senate Bill 1570): Ensures hospitals have clear policies for responding to law enforcement visits and designates areas not open to the public.

Protecting No-Cost Vaccine Coverage (Senate Bill 1598): Makes sure Oregonians continue to have access to recommended vaccines at no cost. State-regulated health plans will be required to cover vaccines without out-of-pocket costs, regardless of changes at the federal level.

Safeguarding Public Lands (Senate Bill 1590): Prevents state and local agencies from supporting federal efforts to privatize federally owned lands.

Promoting Renewable Energy (House Bill 4031): Creates an additional pathway to help wind and solar projects move forward in time to access critical federal tax credits in response to shifting deadlines by the Trump administration.

Oregon Caregiver Wage Protection Action (Senate Bill 1518): Protects homecare and domestic workers from proposed federal changes that would take away minimum wage and overtime protections away from these essential workers.

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News release from Oregon Senate President and House Speaker:

Oregon Legislature Adjourns 2026 Session

Session defined by improving affordability for working families, responding to the federal government

SALEM, Ore. — This afternoon, the 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die the 2026 legislative session two days before its constitutional deadline, completing a session focused on improving affordability and economic development in the state, rebalancing a state budget upset by the Trump budget bill, and insulating Oregonians from federal overreach. 

House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene and Veneta) and Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) released the following statements: 

“Five weeks ago, we laid out an agenda that was, to put it mildly, a very ambitious one for a short session," said House Speaker Julie Fahey. "Today I'm pleased to say that we have accomplished what we set out to do and more—far more than many of us thought possible at the beginning of February. I'm proud of the work that legislators did this session to build a brighter future for all Oregonians.”

"I'm proud of the work we were able to accomplish on behalf of Oregonians this session,” said Senate President Rob Wagner. “We built a really strong budget that preserves critical services despite severe federal cuts, we made Oregon more affordable for working families, and we passed legislation to protect Oregon values from an over-reaching federal administration. This session was built on bipartisan communication and compromise. Some bills we liked were lost along the way, but we all continued to work together for the betterment of our state."

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News release from the Oregon Senate Majority Office:

Session Adjourns:

Senate Democrats Deliver for Families

Successful legislation gives economic relief, new tools for defending against federal aggression

SALEM, OR – Oregon Democrats worked with urgency in the just-concluded short legislative session to stand up for Oregon values, fight back against federal overreach by President Trump, help make life more affordable, and clear a path for economic growth.

“While the federal government continues to rig the system for billionaires and large corporations, Oregon Democrats made it clear that we will not sit back and allow our communities to be harmed,” said Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama (D – E Portland, Boring & Damascus). “That is why we are investing in Oregon families to lower the cost of living and giving Oregon new ways to stand up to the Trump administration, and I feel confident that we found meaningful solutions for the problems that our communities are facing every day.”

During the 2026 Session, Oregon Senate Democrats took action to provide financial relief for Oregonians.

To make life more affordable for Oregonians, Senate Democrats:

• Expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit for 200,000 Oregon families and created a new tax credit for businesses that bring jobs to Oregon (SB 1507)
• Preserved state budgets for health care, education, public safety, and economic development
• Closed loopholes that had allowed lenders to charge as much as 100 percent interest on consumer loans (HB 4116)
• Put Oregonians ahead of huge corporate investors in homebuying (HB 4128)
• Cracked down on ticket scams and rip-offs (HB 4024)
• Strengthened support for veterans (HB 4132)
• Mandated that state-subsidized housing developments meet accessibility standards (SB 1576)
• Removed financial barriers to preventive health care and cervical cancer testing (SB 1598, SB 1527)
• Improved information for families seeking affordable day care (HB 4057)
• Protected renters’ ability to pay their bills using the method they choose, not just online portals that can trigger huge fees (SB 1523)
• Extended the Oregon Imagination Library program (HB 4022)
• Prohibited homeowners’ associations from stopping people who want to make fire-safe improvements to their homes (SB 1551)
• Invested to $100 million to create and preserve affordable housing (SB 5702, HB 4036)

“We came into this session focused on one thing: lowering the cost of living on working families," said Senator Deb Patterson (D – Salem). “We moved to reduce financial barriers to accessing health care and housing and acted to protect consumers from predatory price gouging by billionaires and large corporations who don’t have peoples’ best interests in mind.”

President Trump continues to trample individual rights, violate constitutional protections, and disregard community standards for public officials, all with little accountability. Federal agencies use your tax dollars as a weapon, threatening to defund any program the Trump administration targets for punishment.

To defend against federal overreach, Senate Democrats:

• Gave Oregonians the right to sue federal agents or agents from another state operating in Oregon (HB 4114)
• Required law enforcement to be identifiable and unmasked in most situations (HB 4138)
• Banned landlords from disclosing immigration status and other personal information (HB 4123)
• Directed school districts to make plans for what to do when ICE comes on school property (HB 4079)
• Prohibited discrimination in education related to immigration or citizenship status (SB 1538)
• Defended privacy in health care treatments (SB 4088)
• Defended hospitals as places for healing (SB 1570)
• Maintained access to reproductive health care, including abortion (HB 4127)
• Stopped data brokers from sharing, selling, or providing data for the purposes of immigration enforcement (SB 1587)
• Brought participation from immigrant and refugee Oregonians into the implementation of Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise law (SB 1594)
• Prohibited state and local governments from cooperating with the federal government on the sale of public lands (SB 1590)
• Ensured Oregon immigrant communities can work, access the courts, and interact with law enforcement representatives without fear (HB 4111)
• Invested in legal services for immigrant and refugee Oregonians facing frequent disruptions to federal rules for immigration processes (HB 5204)

“At a time when our communities are seeing our national government turning away from fairness and justice, Senate Democrats are clear-eyed about the responsibility before us,” said Senator Wlnsvey Campos (D – Aloha, Beaverton & South Hillsboro). “We will continue defending Oregon’s values and protecting vulnerable communities during a challenging time.”

A thriving economy that enriches Oregon—not billionaires—is essential for our state’s future growth. Oregon has impressive talent and tremendous potential for economic development.

To revitalize Oregon’s economy, Senate Democrats:

• Set up $25 million in tax credits to bring and keep jobs in Oregon (SB 1507)
• Outlined a partnership to secure the future of the Moda Center and keep the Trailblazers in Portland (SB 1501)
• Eased permitting demands for economic development (HB 4084)
• Updated law on recreational liability waivers to make recreation businesses insurable (SB 1517)
• Invested $42.5 million in OSU Cascades (SB 5701)
• Directed $11.5 million to Williams & Russell Community Development Corporation for affordable office and retail space for small businesses (SB 5701)
• Put $10 million toward regional infrastructure for cities with populations under 25,000 (HB 5204)
• Dedicated $10 million to industrial sites (HB 5204)
• Reduced red tape around developing housing (HB 4037, HB 4082, SB 1521)
• Established low-interest loans for mixed income housing production (SB 1567)
• Bolstered the Prosperity 10,000 workforce program, by directing regional workforce boards to focus on labor shortages and targeted industries (SB 1512)
• Established the Blue Economy Task Force to support the growth of sustainable businesses while maintaining the health of Oregon's coastal ecosystems (SB 1525)
• Dedicated a steady stream of funding to protect Oregon’s natural resources and wildlife (HB 4134)

The state budget also is under threat from the Trump administration’s reckless policies, and Oregon started the session staring down a $900 million gap caused by the federal government. Budget writers in the legislature managed to avoid deep cuts while protecting public education, health care and public safety. Closing tax loopholes for billionaires and out-of-state corporations safeguarded $311 million for balancing the budget.

“Budget aftershocks from the Trump cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will keep hitting Oregon in future years,” said Senator Jama. “Oregon lawmakers must continue working together to make resources stretch and to help families thrive.”

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News release from the Oregon House Republican Caucus:

House Republicans Championed Legislation that Improves Public Safety, Access to Rural Health Care, Fought to Defeat Legislation that Raises Cost of Living 

SALEM, Ore. — On the last day of the 2026 Legislative Session, Republicans celebrated passing legislation that improves public safety and access to health care, and fought to reduce taxes and regulations that harm hardworking Oregonians.

Public Safety

House Bill 4045 aims to protect victims of stalking and domestic violence by requiring communications companies to respond to search warrants within five business days, while House Bill 4151 increases the penalty for swatting in cases that cause serious injury or death.

Rural Health Care

House Bill 4075 secured funding for Oregon’s only publicly-owned large-scale hospital on the Oregon coast, the Bay Area Hospital in Coos Boy, while House Bill 4047 requires the Oregon Health Authority to adopt rules and procedures to allow a hospital to apply for a license as a rural emergency hospital.

Protected Second Amendment Rights

Republicans successfully amended  House Bill 4145 with an amendment that removes the bill’s harmful gun control regulations and delays the implementation of Measure 114 until 2028.

Affordability

Republicans successfully defeated SJR 201, which aimed to take a portion of Oregonian’s kicker and prevented Senate Bill 1511 from passing, which would have hurt businesses by significantly raising the estate tax exemption.

Republicans fought to defeat Senate Bill 1599, which moves the gas tax referendum to the May primary election, but Democrats chose to disenfranchise Oregon voters, who overwhelmingly opposed it.

Republicans also fought to defeat Senate Bill 1507, but Democrats chose to strip $311 million in federal tax breaks from local businesses and Oregon families. 

“This session, as Democrats passed legislation that focused on opposing the federal administration, Republicans fought to deliver real solutions that cut costs and improve the livelihoods of the people we serve here in Oregon,” said House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville). “We will continue to listen to Oregonians, elevate their concerns, and fight against policies that harm them, their families, and their livelihoods.”

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News release from the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus:

Oregon Senate Republicans Deliver Results, Fight for Accountability During 2026 Short Session

Democrats Largely Delivered the Status Quo

SALEM, Ore. – Senate Republicans listened to the message Oregonians made crystal clear ahead of the 2026 short legislative session: voters want accountability, affordability, and a state government that delivers results. Meanwhile, the Democrat supermajority largely doubled down on the same agenda that has contributed to rising costs and declining outcomes the state faces.

This session, Republicans passed bills protecting Second Amendment rights by delaying Measure 114 and removing burdensome gun regulations in the original proposal. They helped families affected by disasters rebuild faster by cutting red tape, supported rural housing development by opening more land for homes in low-density counties, protected family farms, gave communities more flexibility with tourism revenue, and reformed the state’s wrongful conviction system.

Senate Republicans secured over $53 million for community infrastructure projects across Republican districts, $5 million for horse racing in five counties, $2.1 million to acquire 200 acres including Abiqua Falls, and strong financial protections for Portland city and county governments in the plan to modernize the Moda Center. Senate Republicans also forced Democrats to work across party lines to balance ODOT’s budget using existing resources, as Republicans have long advocated for.

Senate Republicans worked to advance proposals to prohibit needle distribution near schools, restore classroom discipline and graduation standards, ensure noncitizen convicted felons aren’t released back onto Oregon streets, and reduce the cost of building affordable housing and child care facilities. All those proposals were blocked by the Democrat supermajority.

Meanwhile, Democrats advanced legislation moving the state in the wrong direction, including SB 1507, a $311 million tax increase on businesses, farmers, and manufacturers, and SB 1599, which rigs the referendum election process by moving the election from November 2026 to May 2026. Senate Republicans stood with taxpayers every step of the way, showcasing who prioritizes affordability and who does the opposite.

“Oregonians made their frustration with the status quo unmistakably clear before this session even began,” said Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr (R–Dundee). “While we were able to make meaningful progress on several fronts, the reality of one-party control meant too many common-sense solutions were ignored. Senate Republicans will continue listening to voters and fighting for accountability, affordability, and better results for the people of Oregon.”