The Oregon legislature is in the midst of its legislative session, and with 2026 being a short session, it’s quite a sprint. Tualatin Riverkeepers has been focused on three bills this session, working with partners and legislators to build support, and—in the case of one—opposition.
Below you’ll find a brief synopsis of each bill, why we’re supporting or opposing, and a link for more information and how you can take action.
Our position: OPPOSE
SB 1586 represents the 6th attempt to bring rural lands into the Hillsboro’s Urban Growth Boundary. Despite the Grand Bargain protecting rural reserves until at least 2065, this bill proposes to bring 1700 acres of farmland, wetlands, and riparian areas into the UGB for industrial use. Although, the bill focuses on bringing advanced manufacturing jobs, Hillsboro—despite its rapid growth—has only managed to use 30 acres of land for advanced manufacturing over the past decade. It has an additional 500 acres currently available, making this bill completely unnecessary.
Why is this important to Tualatin Riverkeepers?
Many of our partners are opposed to this bill for its detrimental effects on agriculture and world class farmland. Our concerns are focused on the harmful impacts to clean, cold water in the Tualatin River watershed.
TAKE ACTION
We ask that you make a call to your state Senator and tell them why you oppose SB 1586. Direct calls from constituents are especially powerful at this late stage in the legislative session. We encourage you to the talking points below:
Hello, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I'm calling [SEN NAME] to share my strong opposition to SB 1586. Bringing 1700 acres of Rural Reserve into the Urban Growth Boundary and rezoning it for industry threatens the health of our watershed. SB 1586 will destroy wetlands and riparian areas, harm wildlife, and lead to erosion, flooding, and pollution of our streams and the Tualatin River.
Please do not allow this farm land to be turned into concrete.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Our position: SUPPORT
SB 1593-A will bring Oregon's recreation liability laws in line with our neighboring states. This balanced waiver reform will reduce liability risks and insurance costs for Oregon organizations and businesses leading volunteer stewardship activities and outdoor recreation activities. Oregon is the only one of 11 western states without waiver protection, and our state’s recreation providers deserve the same basic protections that exist in every other western state. The bill has broad bipartisan support, and we need Senate leadership to allow it to advance to the floor.
Why is this important to Tualatin Riverkeepers?
Each year, TRK hosts 3,000 paddlers as part of our rental and river experiences programs, and an additional 2,000 volunteers attend our restoration projects. Participants sign waiver for each of these activities, but these waivers are not enforceable without state protection.
TAKE ACTION
We're in a disappointing situation where a majority of legislators support SB 1593, but special interests have pushed a bill, SB 1517-7, which has now advanced out of the Senate. We ask supporters to contact their representatives and call to reject SB 1517-7 in support of SB 1593. Suggested language:
Dear Representative XXX-
My name is XXXXX and I live in XXXX, Oregon. I'm writing to urge you to reject SB 1517-7 and support SB 1593-A, which will provide true protections for our state's nonprofit recreation and stewardship organizations.
As currently written, SB 1517-7 does not provide adequate protections for organizations leading outdoor recreation and stewardship activities. In fact, it contains exceptions to waivers that may put our organizations and our volunteer board officers at even greater risk if passed as currently written.
Please ensure that the protections in SB 1593-A have a path forward to being adopted into law this session.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Our position: SUPPORT
HB 4134 would increase our transient lodging tax by 1.25%, creating 30 to 40 million dollars of revenue for Oregon's most pressing wildlife concerns. The majority share of this tax would be paid by out-of-state visitors, who come to Oregon to experience our incredible wild places. On Tuesday, February 24, HB 4134 passed out of the House and the bill has moved onto the Senate. Please contact your Senator this week.
Why is this important to Tualatin Riverkeepers?
Oregon still struggles to fund our State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which is essential for conserving our most at-risk birds, fish, and wildlife. This tax would directly fund the SWAP along with the Oregon Conservation Corps, a natural resources workforce development program that reduces wildfire risk and bolsters community resiliency. There are at least 40 plant and animal species found in the Tualatin River watershed that are listed as species of concern in the SWAP that could benefit from this funding.
TAKE ACTION
Please submit written testimony by Saturday, February 28 at 5 PM. Suggested language is below, but we strongly encourage you to put this in your own voice, sharing an experience or letting them know why this is important to you.
My name is XXXXX and I live in XXXX, Oregon. I'm writing to you with strong support of HB 4134, 1.25% for Wildlife. Oregon is a special place, and our state’s identity is closely tied to our incredible natural heritage, including native fish, wildlife, and the habitats that support them. Oregonians’ love for the outdoors is known throughout this country, drawing countless visitors to explore our mountains, rivers, and coastline.
(SHORT SNIPPET ABOUT WHY YOU SUPPORT THIS BILL)
I urge you to support this landmark bill, which would dedicate long-term funding to recover Oregon’s most vulnerable fish, wildlife and habitats - all of which are critical for our state’s tourism economy. We cannot have a thriving tourism economy without healthy and abundant fish, wildlife, and the habitats that support them. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect our natural legacy and rich biodiversity, which make this state so special. Please pass HB 4134 this legislative session!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
