FILE - People enter the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Ore. on Feb. 2, 2026.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
The end of the 2026 legislative session is quickly approaching for Oregon lawmakers, lobbyists, and residents who’ve made the trek to Salem for the past month.
Lawmakers must end the session by March 8.
It’s been a busy month. Bills are still moving through chambers left and right. Here are some of the major issues that remain unsettled.
Budget
Lawmakers still need to balance the state’s $37.3 billion general fund budget. Majority Democrats said last week they were able to largely close an expected $650 million gap, ensuring that state programs will be largely unimpeded. A big piece of Democrats’ solution: eliminating more than $300 million in expected tax breaks created by a massive bill passed by congressional Republicans last year. The state is still cutting around $128 million in spending by leveraging vacant positions and slashing supplies budgets, among other maneuvers
Road funding
A separate budget quandary is also still unsolved. Lawmakers have been looking for ways to close a roughly $300 million hole in the Oregon Department of Transportation’s budget. Democrats say they were able to do so by leaving positions vacant, sweeping unspent money from some programs, and delaying planned road and bridge projects. But top budget writers say the result will be a transportation department that is unable to be as responsive as it once was.
Transportation vote
Oregon lawmakers are poised to move a contentious transportation tax vote to the May ballot.
Governor’s agenda
Thus far, Gov. Tina Kotek’s top priorities are still in motion. Her marquee housing bill, which would allow cities to expand their urban growth boundaries, should be up in the Senate early this week.
Immigration bills
Democrats have a trove of bills introduced this session aimed at responding to federal immigration enforcement efforts. Several are expected to be up for a final debate this week, including the controversial one aimed at preventing ICE agents from wearing masks and others to ensure there are clear policies when immigration agents appear at schools and hospitals.
Moda Center
State lawmakers have yet to pass a funding package aimed at renovating the Moda Center in Portland, a move that Democratic leaders and Portland Trail Blazers officials have been pushing. The state’s proposed $365 million infusion is seen as a critical piece of renovating the aging arena and ensuring the Trail Blazers remain in the city for decades to come. A new owner is slated to take over the franchise soon.
