Several major bills passed during Oregon 2026 Short Legislative Session are now awaiting consideration by Tina Kotek as lawmakers near the end of the 35-day session.
During the session, legislators debated issues ranging from transportation funding and immigration protections to health care costs, education reforms and public safety measures.
One of the most contentious proposals was SB 1599, which moves a referendum on transportation taxes from the November election to the May primary. The referendum will determine whether voters approve tax and fee increases aimed at helping close the budget gap at the Oregon Department of Transportation. Governor Kotek signed the bill into law shortly after it cleared the legislature.
Lawmakers also advanced several immigration-related measures. SB 1570, known as the “ Healthcare Without Fear Act,” requires hospitals and federally qualified health centers to treat immigration information like protected medical data and prevents retaliation against workers who share immigration rights resources with patients. Additional legislation limits cooperation with out-of-state or federal immigration enforcement and restricts state agencies from sharing personal data with brokers if it could be used for immigration enforcement.
Education bills also moved forward. HB 4154 requires schools to report student absenteeism quarterly rather than once a year, allowing districts to respond more quickly to attendance problems. Another bill formally establishes the state’s participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books each month to children under five.
Health care legislation included SB 1527, making Cervical Cancer diagnostic follow-up tests free after abnormal screenings—making Oregon the first state to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for those tests. Another measure requires insurance coverage for preventive services such as vaccines.
Public safety lawmakers unanimously passed HB 4151, increasing penalties for “swatting,” where someone falsely reports a violent emergency to trigger a heavy police response. The bill raises penalties to a felony if the hoax leads to serious injury or death.
Economic and tax measures were also approved. Lawmakers authorized bonds to help renovate Moda Center in an effort to keep the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland beyond 2030. Another measure increases the state lodging tax by 1.25% to support wildlife conservation through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Other approved legislation cracks down on speculative ticket sales for concerts and sporting events and allows former car owners to avoid penalties for traffic violations committed by new owners who fail to transfer vehicle registration.
With the session scheduled to end March 8, these bills represent some of the most significant policy decisions made by Oregon lawmakers this year.
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