Lodging tax increase approved by OR House
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Three Republican state representatives joined with Democrats to vote in favor of House Bill 4134, the 1.25 Percent for Wildlife bill. Three Democrats joined with the rest of the Republicans to oppose it. The vote was 36 to 22, which meets the required three-fifths majority and now advances to the Oregon Senate.
The GOP members in favor of it were Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo), Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane), and Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner). The tax increase will be dedicated to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. It gained support from a diverse mix of conservation, hunting, fishing, ranching, and farming groups.
ODFW has identified just under 300 species that are in decline. Federal agencies, meanwhile, are cutting back on wildlife science and conservation and removing protections for imperiled species and their habitats. ODFW lacks the funding needed to pick up the slack needed to conserve non-game species and their habitats.
The measure also includes support for fighting poaching, combating invasive species, and funding wildlife coexistence programs. Its sponsors and supporters believe the small increase to the statewide lodging tax can help fund the natural beauty that draws visitors to Oregon. The state lodging tax is reported to be one of the lowest in the country.
