Legislative Update: March 3, 2026

With just one week remaining in the 2026 short session, several high-impact business issues remain in motion. Below is where things stand on priority legislation affecting tourism, recreation, tax policy, and economic competitiveness.

HB 4148: TLT Distribution/ Resiliency Grants for small businesses in the restaurant and lodging industry
The Springfield Chamber Opposes this Bill.
This bill was voted out of committee, and will have a floor session later this week. Write your legislators – you’ll find a comprehensive contact list on our Business Advocacy page.

The Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) is a tax on the tourism industry, originally structured to dedicate 70% of revenues to tourism promotion and 30% to general government services, with the goal of reinvesting lodging dollars into destination marketing and visitor development that generate new customers and new spending in our communities. HB 4148 restructures that distribution from 70–30 to 50–50 and now includes the creation of “resiliency grants” for small restaurant and lodging businesses funded from the tourism promotion allocation. While some view the 50–50 structure as a workable compromise, the Springfield Chamber opposes the resiliency grant provision because it delivers a double reduction to tourism promotion – first by lowering the dedicated percentage from 70% to 50%, and second by carving grant funding out of the remaining promotion dollars. Resiliency grants may have a role during true emergencies, but they should not come from funds specifically intended to drive visitor demand. The Chamber’s priority is straightforward: businesses need more customers, not subsidies. The Chamber supports protecting the integrity of the TLT system and ensuring tourism dollars are used to grow tourism.

HB 4134: TRT Statewide Increase
View the Springfield Chamber’s Opposition Testimony to the House Committee.
View the Springfield Chamber’s Opposition Testimony to the Senate Committee.

HB 4134 increases the statewide Transient Lodging Tax and was voted out of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue on February 27; it now awaits a floor vote. The Springfield Chamber opposes this increase, as it adds cost pressure to Oregon’s visitor economy at a time when competitiveness matters. Tourism is a key economic driver for communities like Springfield, and layering on additional statewide tax increases risks dampening visitor demand and local business activity.

SB1517 (-11 and -15 amendments): Recreation and Fitness Business Liability Protection
View the Chamber’s Public Testimony.
This bill in the news.
Work session scheduled for March 3 at 8:00am. 

The Rec liability supported by Springfield Chamber and business advocacy organizations across the state, SB 1593, does not appear to be moving forward this session. Instead, SB 1517, which narrowly focuses on ski areas, and does not adequately address the issue of liability exposure for all recreational industries has passed through the Senate and had a public hearing in the House this morning.

The -11 and -15 amendments to SB 1517 improve the bill by restoring clearer statutory authority for liability waivers for ordinary negligence and expanding applicability beyond a single sector, moving the policy closer to the comprehensive fix businesses need to stabilize insurance markets and preserve access to recreation opportunities.

SB 1507 – Federal Tax Code Disconnect
View the business coalition veto letter.

SB 1507 disconnects Oregon’s tax code from several federal provisions and has now passed both chambers, heading to the Governor’s desk. While technical in structure, the bill increases compliance complexity, administrative costs, and uncertainty for Oregon employers by further separating state and federal tax treatment. Of particular concern is the disconnect from federal bonus depreciation, a critical tool that incentivizes business investment in equipment, facilities, and capital improvements. By eliminating alignment on bonus depreciation, the state effectively raises revenue at the expense of business reinvestment and economic growth. At a time when employers are navigating inflationary pressures, workforce challenges, and broader uncertainty, removing incentives for capital investment sends the wrong signal. The Springfield Chamber supports tax stability, predictability, and alignment wherever possible and opposes policy changes that weaken proven tools for business investment and economic development.

HB 4084: Governor’s Economic Development and Site Readiness Bill
The Springfield Chamber Supports this Bill.
Scheduled for votes in the Capital Construction Subcommittee of Joint Ways and Means and potentially the full committee.

HB 4084 improves the enterprise zone program, invests in industrial site readiness, and strengthens permitting transparency and processes. The Springfield Chamber supports the bill’s core provisions, particularly those that improve site readiness and streamline permitting timelines, as these tools are essential for attracting investment and expanding job opportunities in communities like Springfield. However, those provisions must remain strong and not be diluted by restrictive amendments that undermine their effectiveness.

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.