Urge Legislators to Pass 1.25% for Wildlife

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Why this matters

In March the Oregon Senate will be considering an important piece of legislation that would dedicate long-term funding to recover Oregon’s most vulnerable fish, wildlife, and habitats. For decades, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has been underfunded, without any dedicated source of funding to protect fish and wildlife, other than that which are hunted/fished.

The "1.25% for Wildlife" bill would raise Oregon’s statewide Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) from 1.5% to 2.75% and dedicate the additional revenue to support critical wildlife and habitat recovery work across the state. Even with this increase, Oregon's Transient Lodging Tax will be among the lowest in the nation, with a majority of taxes paid coming from out-of-state visitors who benefit from Oregon not having a sales tax.

A version of this bill passed the Oregon House in 2025, but it was never brought up for a vote in the Senate. The short 2026 session is a chance to complete this unfinished business.

Your voice matters! Please contact your legislators to ask that they support this critical piece of legislation. We have provided draft language, that you can use in your message. While you can send it as is, we encourage you take 5-10 minutes to personalize it with your own perspective.

Especially critical now is to contact members of the Senate who will be deciding on the bill sometime in March (date TBA). You can send them letters, call them, or submit testimony.

Thank you for your help!

Steps to Take

Step 1

Contact your senator using the sample text provided below or a modified version of it.

Find your Oregon district legislators:

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/districts-initial.html#:~:text=Discover%20Your%20District%20and%20Who,to%20learn%20who%20represents%20you.

Step 2

Submit testimony to the Committee (deadline is 2/26/26 at 5 pm)

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Testimony/SFR/HB/4134/0000-00-00-00-00?area=Measures

Sample Text

As your constituent, I am writing to urge your support for 1.25% for Wildlife - legislation that would raise Oregon’s statewide Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) from 1.5% to 2.75% and dedicate the additional revenue to support critical wildlife and habitat recovery work across the state.

Oregon’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on are facing a crisis. Nearly 300 species are at elevated risk of extinction and multiple key habitats are in decline. Without sustainable, long-term funding, these species, their habitats, and the ecosystems they create could be lost forever.  

The 1.25% for Wildlife proposal would:

Generate reliable, dedicated funding for implementation of Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and related recovery efforts.

Support habitat restoration, species recovery, and community stewardship programs both on the coast and statewide.

Still leave Oregon with one of the lowest statewide tourism taxes in the country, even after the increase.  

This funding mechanism is fair and balanced. The majority of the cost will be borne by out-of-state visitors who enjoy Oregon’s world-class outdoor experiences - from salmon fishing and whale watching to birding and hiking.

This is not only an environmental imperative; it is also an investment in rural economies. By safeguarding the natural heritage that draws people to live in and visit Oregon, we strengthen local communities statewide. A modest increase in the lodging tax is a practical, responsible way to ensure Oregon’s investment in its natural resources meets the scale of today’s challenges, and those ahead.

Please make 1.25% for Wildlife a priority for passage in the 2026 session.  

Thank you for your consideration and your ongoing commitment to protect Oregon’s imperiled wildlife and their habitats.

Sincerely,

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Related Files

Details

Type: Contact Your Legislator Submit Testimony
Organizations: 1 Percent for Wildlife Elakha Alliance