The same gorgeous landscapes that draw tourists to our state will get new investments funded by those visitors under legislation passed recently in the Oregon Senate. A tax on hotels, motels, and vacation stays will help pay for wildfire resilience, invasive-species eradication, wildlife conservation, and prevention of poaching. The broadly supported, bipartisan measure helps reverse decades of underfunding for protection of fish and wildlife.
“I’ve listened to hours and hours of expert conversation on the grim decline of Oregon wildlife and its habitat over the years, and what we can do about it. And conversation has always been where it ends. We know what we need to do to sustain healthy wildlife, and because of critical and rising demands on our general fund, we just haven’t been doing it,” said Senator Jeff Golden (D – Rogue Valley), Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee and a chief sponsor of the measure. “That all changes with House Bill 4134, which lets us collect a tiny portion of hotel bills paid by visitors who consistently tell us that abundant wildlife is one of the top reasons they come to Oregon. I’m grateful for their participation, and for the thousands of active people and groups across our state who deserve credit for achieving this huge step towards a healthier Oregon.”
Increases in invasive species and other threats to Oregon’s natural environment pose risks to our ecosystems, agriculture, and outdoor economy. House Bill 4134 will help shield Oregonians from these serious impacts and protect the natural resources that our businesses and communities depend on to thrive. The nature conservation fee created in the legislation adds 1.25 percentage points to the state-levied transient lodging tax and it directs the revenue to critical conservation of Oregon’s wildlife and natural landscapes.
The measure originated in the Oregon House of Representatives, where it was championed by Representative Ken Helm (D – Beaverton) and passed last month.
“A unique, diverse coalition of supporters from every part of the state, allows us to get this done,” said Rep. Helm.
Conservationists, outdoor recreation businesses, tourism professionals, farmers, ranchers, hunters, anglers, educators, labor champions, firefighters, and others submitted testimony supporting the bill.
House Bill 4134 cleared the Oregon Senate in a bipartisan vote of 20 to 9. Three Republicans joined Senate Democrats in support. The measure now goes to Governor Tina Kotek for her signature.
