2026 Short Session Recap
Earlier this month, the 2026 legislative session officially came to a close. It was a “short” session year – meaning less than a month between the Capitol doors opening and sine die. It was a sprint to get a lot done in a little amount of time.
Even so, we were able to make meaningful progress in some crucial areas. At the same time, the legislature left Oregonians disappointed when it came time to take action on important legislation. Here’s where everything stands as we look ahead to 2027.
The Good
There was a renewed sense of energy in the Oregon State Capitol building this session. After nearly a decade of construction and pandemic-caused closures, the rotunda was finally back open, and there were more faces in the building than there had been in years. Having lawmakers, lobbyists, and advocates back in-person was a reminder of the type of collaboration and camaraderie that makes this work possible.
When it came to legislative victories, we saw progress in some important areas. Our program staff helped pass a bill (HB 4100) that will help avoid worst case scenarios caused by the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Currently, massive fuel storage containers along the Willamette River (known as the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub) are at risk of being destroyed when the “big one” hits – potentially leading to the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history when all that fuel spills into the river. HB 4100 helps mitigate this by requiring these facilities to certify financial responsibility for such a disaster.
In addition, we supported legislation that will lead to the implementation of a lithium battery recycling program (HB 4144), and passed a bill that will help expedite permitting processes for clean energy projects (HB 4031). As a member of the Oregon for All coalition, we also supported the Immigrant Justice Package (which will help hold federal agents accountable by banning masks, and protect Oregon’s immigrant communities from unlawful search and seizure). As a member of the Oregon Conservation Network, we celebrate the passation of 1.25% for Wildlife Act (HB 4234)!
Outside of new legislation passed, we also saw the culmination of previous years’ legislative victories on display with the new Oregon building codes. Thanks to the foundation laid by the Build Smart from the Start Act, and the Oregon Climate Action Plan, all new Oregon homes built starting next year will be 27% more efficient, thanks to changes that require builders to install heat pumps and opt for more energy efficient options.
Importantly, we met with legislators, wrote letters, held budget roundtables, testified at hearings, and collaborated with partners to defend natural resource agency budgets. With federal layoffs at critical federal agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency, it is critical Oregon maintain the staff, expertise, and programs to safeguard our air, land, and water.
The Bad
When it came to some of the most pressing issues we’re facing today, lawmakers failed to deliver. Oregonians of all walks of life showed up to advocate for the Climate Resilience Superfund – a bill that would have made the biggest out-of-state polluters pay for the climate damage they’ve done to Oregon. We worked closely with our partners in the Make Polluters Pay coalition to run a multi-stakeholder, climate justice campaign to see this policy through – and for the first time in state history, the bill passed out of committee. Despite this bill providing a multi-billion dollar revenue opportunity to fund cut climate pollution and support climate adaptation projects like wildfire resilience, it didn’t make it to the Governor’s desk. Legislators failed to listen to the hundreds of Oregonians raising their voices to demand long-overdue accountability for money-hungry fossil fuel corporations.
Likewise, in an incredibly disappointing and short-sighted move, lawmakers chose to strip funding from crucial transportation programs in the new Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) budget. Move Oregon Forward (a coalition of over 50 organizations that OEC has been at the helm of since day one) came to the table with proven, effective solutions to help ease ODOT’s budget woes and put in place long overdue guardrails to ensure agency accountability. But instead of listening, the legislature chose to pull money away from programs that are already in place, and proven to work – including Safe Routes to School and the Oregon Transportation Operating Fund. Oregon’s expansive (and expensive) road system created the transportation budget crisis we’re currently facing. Yet legislators decided to “solve” the problem by leaving behind those who didn’t contribute to the problem – namely schoolchildren, disabled folks, and communities already shouldering the weight of rising costs.
To be clear, the legislature is between a rock and a hard place. Federal funding cuts have put Oregon in a difficult position. At the same time, there were viable pathways forward. Policies like the FORGE Act and Make Polluters Pay offered opportunities to raise revenue and choices were provided to prevent pausing/cutting critical ODOT programs our most vulnerable rely on.
As federal environmental protections continue to weaken, we urge our elected officials to revisit these solutions and take bold action to advance Oregon’s climate goals.
Looking Forward
One thing is certain: Lawmakers need to keep hearing from you if they’re going to take action on these critical issues. Keep raising your voice, and keep building momentum with us. Together, we’ll come back for next year’s session to hold legislators accountable, and make sure they deliver on their responsibility to protect Oregonians today – and into the future.
As we lead up to 2027, we want to keep you up to date on our priorities, and ways for you to get involved. Here’s how to make sure you stay in the know:
- Sign up for our Action Alert emails. It’s the best way to learn about up-to-the-minute opportunities to write your lawmakers, submit testimony, and raise your voice about critical issues when it will make the biggest impact.
- Become a member of OEC. Our work is supported by individual action-takers like you. Your donation will go to work straight away to fund the ongoing fight for Oregon’s air, water, land, climate, and communities.
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