What’s Ahead: Oregon’s 2026 Legislative Short Session

Beginning Monday, February 2nd, the Oregon state legislature will convene for a 35-day session. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is actively monitoring the session’s key policy priorities, with a focus on how legislative proposals could impact local businesses, job growth, and the broader economy.

Coming up: Roundtable program and new policy agenda
To help members prepare and stay informed, the Chamber is hosting a Roundtable program on Tuesday, January 27th from 3:30-5:00 pm at the Springfield Chamber Depot. JL Wilson, principal at Public Affairs Council and executive director at the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce (OSCC), will provide a preview of the short legislative session and highlight key focus areas with potential implications for the local business community.

Working together with information provided by OSCC, Oregon Business and Industry (OBI), and other Chambers and business associations around the state, the Springfield Chamber will be delivering accurate and timely information throughout the session and activating on issues identified in their legislative policy agenda. Look for the 2026 policy agenda to be finalized prior to the session in late January on the Chamber’s Business Advocacy webpage.

On the watch list
The upcoming legislative session is expected to focus heavily on Oregon’s response to the recently passed federal tax bill – House Resolution 1 (HR 1). Based on the most recent state revenue forecast, Oregon is now facing an estimated $70 million shortfall, driven in part by the way federal business and individual tax changes under HR 1 flow through to state tax collections.

Oregon tax law currently follows federal tax law unless the Oregon legislature chooses to “disconnect.” According to OSCC, “urgency among legislative Democrats to disconnect Oregon from some of the tax benefits of HR 1” is likely during this session. To take a deeper dive, this document provides summary descriptions of tax policy changes that are being considered in the event of a disconnect.

In addition to state and federal tax code alignment, the Springfield Chamber is also tracking conversations surrounding the statewide effort to appeal last year’s Transportation Package (HB 3991) and the potential to move forward on a legislatively accountable cap-and-trade model as an alternative to the problematic Climate Protection Program (CPP).

Get engaged
Stay up to date on these and other issues by attending the January 27th Roundtable, regularly checking the Springfield Chamber’s Business Advocacy page, and following along here on The Bottom Line.

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Business Advocacy
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a trusted convener and provider of business resources. They recognize the systemic interdependencies of a healthy economy and provide an ear and a voice for local business at the confluence of government, commerce, and community. They advocate for business by increasing visibility, dialogue, and representation at local, state, and federal policy circles around issues of impact and interest to their members. Learn more about the Chamber’s Business Advocacy work.