Dear OSCC Members & Colleagues – Let’s start with a general update on the three pillar issues of the 2026 session thus far: 1. Budget/Taxes:  SB 1507 is the key linchpin bill that leadership is counting on to balance the 2025-27 budget – a $300 million tax increase that disconnects from some important tax incentives that were contained in the big federal tax cut bill of 2025 – HR 1. The biggest piece of revenue in SB 1507 is the disconnection from the federal bonus depreciation for business investments in machinery and equipment. OSCC has testified against this bill three times and continues to push lawmakers to oppose this bill.    The Senate has already passed SB 1507 by a 17-13 vote. We expect the House to vote on the bill as soon as tomorrow.   2. Gas Tax Referendum Date: Senate Democrats have hit a roadblock on SB 1599. As of now, they cannot find the 16 votes in their caucus to pass the bill – and the bill has stalled on the Senate floor for nearly a week.  It is our expectation that Democratic leadership will still try to muscle through this legislation to alter election deadlines and procedures to move the gas tax referral from the November General election up to the May Primary election. However, popular pushback on this bill appears to have made a significant impact.    3. SB 1501. The bill to help keep the Portland Trailblazers in Portland commits $360 million of state bonding authority to update the Moda Center and give the State an ownership stake in the arena. Supporters are pushing hard on the bill. There was no action on this bill in the past week. We expect there will be some political give and take needed for this bill to advance - as this bill exposes the urban/rural divide – but there is some consensus that failure would be a disastrous outcome for the state.   A MAJOR VICTORY: HB 4098 Defeated! The first major victory of 2026 came this past week with the defeat of HB 4098 on the House floor. HB 4098 was a bill that would have opened up a myriad of third party lawsuits against insurance companies and their policy holders. OSCC opposed this anti-business bill with a coalition of business and trade groups. It was a unique bill in that it was far more aggressive than even the most permissive laws in the other 49 states – and would have been a costly disaster for business policyholders of liability policies.  The bill died when it only received 29 votes on the House floor. Attempts by Governor Kotek to pressure the seven Democratic holdouts failed, and the House decided to abandon the bill.   URGENT UPDATE: Lodging Taxes Require “All Hands On Deck” OSCC will be focused this week on the two TLT bills being considered in the House: HB 4134: Statewide TLT tax increase. We are expecting a House floor vote on the Statewide TLT tax increase as soon as today. It will be a very close vote.  If you have not done so already, please email your State Representative and ask them to VOTE NO on House Bill 4134. HB 4134 increases the state TLT tax from 1.5% to 2.75%. OSCC is opposing this bill and encourages all chamber members to continue to engage in opposition to this tax increase that will hurt the tourism sector and make travelling more expensive for Oregonians.  HB 4148: Transient Lodging Tax diversion to Local Government.  This bill underwent a “transformation” last week with new amendments. The new version of the bill would allow local governments to increase their share of local TLT revenues to pay for more general government purposes and away from tourism promotion. The new version of the bill is now a 50/50 split between tourism promotion and general government operations. However, the new version of the bill contains a “poison pill” that OSCC continues to oppose. It creates a “resiliency grant” program – funded out of the 50% dedicated to tourism promotion – that permit local governments to give cash grants to food service and lodging businesses. OSCC’s position is this: Our small businesses need customers that comes from promotion, not grant programs or handouts paid for by their own tax dollars. We are expecting a House floor vote on this as soon as tomorrow.     STATUS UPDATE: Recreational Liability Waivers SB 1593: This bill is still alive in the Senate Rules Committee. OSCC has already issued an Action Alert on this issue. Oregon is the only state in the western US that gives recreational, outdoor and fitness businesses no ability to enforce liability waivers for ordinary negligence. This is a key issue for our outdoor industries and fitness and recreation businesses. SB 1593 appears to be in a holding pattern for end-of-session negotiation.    We will be holding our weekly legislative update calls on Fridays at 9:30am. You can add these calls to your calendar using this link.

View full bill list

Our newest EPCC Member Waterfront Organizations of Oregon www.WaterfrontOregon.com and President Kelly Butler Holtz brings urgent important information for us to support our neighbor businesses who abut waterfront.  Please support them in fighting back onerous permitting rules at a time where the city says they are trying to make permitting easier:

Please join us this Tuesday for the public hearing on the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Project. This proposal (Proposed Draft) would apply new environmental overlay zones to large areas of river-adjacent industrial and waterfront property. The outcome matters to everyone who works on, lives on, or depends on the river.

Submit testimony

The Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026, at 4 pm. There are two ways to submit public testimony to the Planning Commission:

1. Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, Jan 13 at 4 pm.
2. Give oral testimony at the hearing. Testimony is limited to 2- minutes. Pre-register to provide oral testimony by Monday, Jan 12 at 5 pm.

Who shows up—and what we say—will make a difference. Spoken testimony is limited to 2-minutes. Written comments and a strong turnout are critical.

This is a hybrid meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at 1900 SW 4th, Suite 2500. The public may watch live and view the recording after the meeting.

Why this matters

River-dependent businesses must be located on the river to function. They cannot move inland without losing the very access that makes their work possible. The proposed overlays risk adding new layers of regulation that could restrict routine operations, maintenance, and future investment along the working waterfront—without clear environmental benefit. These businesses collectively support thousands of family-wage jobs in the region and are a cornerstone of Portland’s industrial economy.

Suggested Talking Points (pick one or two):

• River-dependent and waterfront businesses cannot relocate inland; zoning must reflect this fundamental reality.
• The working waterfront supports thousands of family-wage jobs tied directly to river access, navigation, and water-based commerce.
• Additional overlays could delay or increase the already high cost of essential maintenance (e.g., dredging, emergency repairs).
• The proposal risks duplicating existing regulations without demonstrating added environmental protection.
• Portland’s working waterfront supports jobs, housing, navigation, and emergency response, and should be protected as a functioning system—not regulated out of viability.
• Environmental goals should be met without undermining responsible stewardship efforts already in place.

Remember, you must pre-register to provide oral testimony. If you can’t attend the hearing, please consider submitting written testimony.  Every voice helps. Click the link below for more information about the project and how to testify.

Information about the hearing and CCIL EZone Proposed Draft

Thank you for standing up for Oregon’s working waterfront and WOOO.

Our newest EPCC Member Waterfront Organizations of Oregon www.WaterfrontOregon.com and President Kelly Butler Holtz brings urgent important information for us to support our neighbor businesses who abut waterfront.  Please support them in fighting back onerous permitting rules at a time where the city says they are trying to make permitting easier:

Please join us this Tuesday for the public hearing on the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Project. This proposal (Proposed Draft) would apply new environmental overlay zones to large areas of river-adjacent industrial and waterfront property. The outcome matters to everyone who works on, lives on, or depends on the river.

Submit testimony

The Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026, at 4 pm. There are two ways to submit public testimony to the Planning Commission:

1. Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, Jan 13 at 4 pm.
2. Give oral testimony at the hearing. Testimony is limited to 2- minutes. Pre-register to provide oral testimony by Monday, Jan 12 at 5 pm.

Who shows up—and what we say—will make a difference. Spoken testimony is limited to 2-minutes. Written comments and a strong turnout are critical.

This is a hybrid meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at 1900 SW 4th, Suite 2500. The public may watch live and view the recording after the meeting.

Why this matters

River-dependent businesses must be located on the river to function. They cannot move inland without losing the very access that makes their work possible. The proposed overlays risk adding new layers of regulation that could restrict routine operations, maintenance, and future investment along the working waterfront—without clear environmental benefit. These businesses collectively support thousands of family-wage jobs in the region and are a cornerstone of Portland’s industrial economy.

Suggested Talking Points (pick one or two):

• River-dependent and waterfront businesses cannot relocate inland; zoning must reflect this fundamental reality.
• The working waterfront supports thousands of family-wage jobs tied directly to river access, navigation, and water-based commerce.
• Additional overlays could delay or increase the already high cost of essential maintenance (e.g., dredging, emergency repairs).
• The proposal risks duplicating existing regulations without demonstrating added environmental protection.
• Portland’s working waterfront supports jobs, housing, navigation, and emergency response, and should be protected as a functioning system—not regulated out of viability.
• Environmental goals should be met without undermining responsible stewardship efforts already in place.

Remember, you must pre-register to provide oral testimony. If you can’t attend the hearing, please consider submitting written testimony.  Every voice helps. Click the link below for more information about the project and how to testify.

Thank you for standing up for Oregon’s working waterfront and WOOO.

Our newest EPCC Member Waterfront Organizations of Oregon www.WaterfrontOregon.com and President Kelly Butler Holtz brings urgent important information for us to support our neighbor businesses who abut waterfront.  Please support them in fighting back onerous permitting rules at a time where the city says they are trying to make permitting easier:

Please join us this Tuesday for the public hearing on the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Project. This proposal (Proposed Draft) would apply new environmental overlay zones to large areas of river-adjacent industrial and waterfront property. The outcome matters to everyone who works on, lives on, or depends on the river.

Submit testimony

The Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026, at 4 pm. There are two ways to submit public testimony to the Planning Commission:

1. Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, Jan 13 at 4 pm.
2. Give oral testimony at the hearing. Testimony is limited to 2- minutes. Pre-register to provide oral testimony by Monday, Jan 12 at 5 pm.

Who shows up—and what we say—will make a difference. Spoken testimony is limited to 2-minutes. Written comments and a strong turnout are critical.

This is a hybrid meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at 1900 SW 4th, Suite 2500. The public may watch live and view the recording after the meeting.

Why this matters

River-dependent businesses must be located on the river to function. They cannot move inland without losing the very access that makes their work possible. The proposed overlays risk adding new layers of regulation that could restrict routine operations, maintenance, and future investment along the working waterfront—without clear environmental benefit. These businesses collectively support thousands of family-wage jobs in the region and are a cornerstone of Portland’s industrial economy.

Suggested Talking Points (pick one or two):

• River-dependent and waterfront businesses cannot relocate inland; zoning must reflect this fundamental reality.
• The working waterfront supports thousands of family-wage jobs tied directly to river access, navigation, and water-based commerce.
• Additional overlays could delay or increase the already high cost of essential maintenance (e.g., dredging, emergency repairs).
• The proposal risks duplicating existing regulations without demonstrating added environmental protection.
• Portland’s working waterfront supports jobs, housing, navigation, and emergency response, and should be protected as a functioning system—not regulated out of viability.
• Environmental goals should be met without undermining responsible stewardship efforts already in place.

Remember, you must pre-register to provide oral testimony. If you can’t attend the hearing, please consider submitting written testimony.  Every voice helps. Click the link below for more information about the project and how to testify.

Thank you for standing up for Oregon’s working waterfront and WOOO.

Our newest EPCC Member Waterfront Organizations of Oregon www.WaterfrontOregon.com and President Kelly Butler Holtz brings urgent important information for us to support our neighbor businesses who abut waterfront.  Please support them in fighting back onerous permitting rules at a time where the city says they are trying to make permitting easier:

Please join us this Tuesday for the public hearing on the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) Environmental Overlay Project. This proposal (Proposed Draft) would apply new environmental overlay zones to large areas of river-adjacent industrial and waterfront property. The outcome matters to everyone who works on, lives on, or depends on the river.

Submit testimony

The Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026, at 4 pm. There are two ways to submit public testimony to the Planning Commission:

1. Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, Jan 13 at 4 pm.
2. Give oral testimony at the hearing. Testimony is limited to 2- minutes. Pre-register to provide oral testimony by Monday, Jan 12 at 5 pm.

Who shows up—and what we say—will make a difference. Spoken testimony is limited to 2-minutes. Written comments and a strong turnout are critical.

This is a hybrid meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at 1900 SW 4th, Suite 2500. The public may watch live and view the recording after the meeting.

Why this matters

River-dependent businesses must be located on the river to function. They cannot move inland without losing the very access that makes their work possible. The proposed overlays risk adding new layers of regulation that could restrict routine operations, maintenance, and future investment along the working waterfront—without clear environmental benefit. These businesses collectively support thousands of family-wage jobs in the region and are a cornerstone of Portland’s industrial economy.

Suggested Talking Points (pick one or two):

• River-dependent and waterfront businesses cannot relocate inland; zoning must reflect this fundamental reality.
• The working waterfront supports thousands of family-wage jobs tied directly to river access, navigation, and water-based commerce.
• Additional overlays could delay or increase the already high cost of essential maintenance (e.g., dredging, emergency repairs).
• The proposal risks duplicating existing regulations without demonstrating added environmental protection.
• Portland’s working waterfront supports jobs, housing, navigation, and emergency response, and should be protected as a functioning system—not regulated out of viability.
• Environmental goals should be met without undermining responsible stewardship efforts already in place.

Remember, you must pre-register to provide oral testimony. If you can’t attend the hearing, please consider submitting written testimony.  Every voice helps. Click the link below for more information about the project and how to testify.

Thank you for standing up for Oregon’s working waterfront and WOOO.

Narwhal Law and Business Strategy is announcing 3 upcoming events. Our Learning with A Porpoise seminar series is designed to inspire, educate, and engage individuals passionate about nonprofit work, local business, leadership, and community impact.

1/14: Build the Ship Right: A 2026 Blueprint for New and Growing Businesses

1/28: Get Your Sh!t Together: Clarity, Accountability, and Growth in Business

2/18: Stay on the Good Side of the DOJ: What Nonprofits Need to Know

More coming soon! Read descriptions and register on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/narwhal-law-and-business-strategy-86998676433

About Narwhal:  We provide accessible, relationship-driven legal and strategic guidance to nonprofits, businesses, and community initiatives. https://www.narwhallawandbusinessstrategy.com/

Many of our Vets struggle, many of them with PTSD. Vetsrest has found a way to help them help others with therapeutic farm gardening. Please support Vetsrest in supporting our Vets https://vetrest.org/our-work/

Consider joining me at their Annual Gathering December 3 https://vetrest.org/pathways-to-purpose/

And consider sponsoring this important mission https://vetrest.org/sponsor/

Thank you, bless you and Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

If you livein Portland or own a business here, please act now.  Your voice is needed.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORPORTLAND_ENT/bulletins/3faaca5

Narwhal Law and Business Strategy is announcing 4 upcoming events. Our Learning with A Porpoise seminar series is designed to inspire, educate, and engage individuals passionate about nonprofit work, local business, leadership, and community impact.

7/30 - Your Small Team Deserves Benefits (Even if it's Just You)

8/6 - Who the Hell is Robert and What Are His Rules? (Robert’s Rules of Order for Nonprofit Board Meetings)

8/13 - Outsmarting AI Threats and Protecting Your Digital Self

8/20 - Leading Boldly Through Uncertainty: Decision Making Under Pressure

Register via Eventbrite to join us via Zoom: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/narwhal-law-and-business-strategy-86998676433


About Narwhal:  We provide accessible, relationship-driven legal and strategic guidance to nonprofits, businesses, and community initiatives. https://www.narwhallawandbusinessstrategy.com/

Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. There are spots still available for youth from age 14 to 21 to attend for FREE the OAME 2025 Youth Entrepreneurship Conference “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders” this Thursday, July 31, 2025 7:30am – 4pm at the University of Oregon Portland Library and Learning Center

2800 NE Liberty St Portland, OR 97211

OAME’s Youth Entrepreneurship Conference provides training to youth between 14 and 21 years old. The Conference offers:

Intensive training – Learn the ins and outs of business from experienced coaches and mentors.

Business practices and discussion

Hands-on workshops – Master the skills you need to launch and manage your dream venture.

Basics of personal and business financing

Basics of marketing and sales

Fun and engaging activities – Games, contests, and prizes to keep things exciting!

Register here https://oame.org/youth-registration/

Sponsor here https://oame.org/partnership-registration/

Our future is bright when our youth are prepared to lead. Please forward this to anyone involved with youth in Oregon and SW Washington.