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Oregon Legislators in Capitol this Week

Posted by on September 30, 2025

Major Transportation Bill Finally Passes

Oregon’s transportation bill, House Bill 3991, passed the Senate on September 28, 2025, and is designed to address immediate funding concerns for the state’s transportation system, particularly averting layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Key Provisions

  • The bill raises the state’s gas tax by 6 cents per gallon (from 40 to 46 cents) starting in January 2026, expected to generate approximately $90 million annually.
  • Vehicle registration fees increase by $42 and titling fees by $139. Electric vehicles must pay an additional $30 on top of existing fees.
  • Payroll tax for public transit is doubled from 0.1% to 0.2% for two years, reverting back after that period.
  • Drivers of electric vehicles and hybrids are required to enroll in a per-mile or annual road usage program (OReGo) beginning in phases from 2027 to 2028.
  • The bill introduces more frequent audits of ODOT to improve accountability in project progress and cost.
  • The state’s “weight-mile” system for taxing heavy trucks is simplified to win support from freight interests. Existing statutory language requiring tolling for some highway projects is eliminated.

The bill passed the Senate by a narrow party-line vote (18-11) and may face potential referral to voters in November 2026, which could delay the tax increases pending the ballot outcome. Critics argue the bill is a short-term fix that leaves long-term transportation goals, including major highway projects and infrastructure upgrades, underfunded.

Oregon’s Attorney General Presents on Consumer Protection

This week the Oregon Legislature is meeting in three days of “legislative days” for updates form agencies and departments and preparation for the 2026 session.  An interesting presentation came from Oregon’s Attorney General talking about changes to the Oregon Department of Justice.  He is restructuring the agency to develop a new unit of the Department called the “Economic Justice Section.”

The new unit will be focused on:

  • Antitrust, false claims, privacy, consumer protection, and working families;
  • Collaborative approach to case work;
  • Responsive to Oregonians’ needs through our consumer complaints hotline;
  • Informed by best practices from around the country;

You can view Attorney General Rayfield’s Presentation HERE

 

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Oregon Advocacy.

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