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The legislative session is in full swing, with numerous hearings taking place and bills moving into work sessions for further refinement. Lawmakers are now making key decisions on budget allocations and policy details before the session’s deadlines.

This week we’re calling on our partners to support three key bills

  • SB 929 (Oregon Coast Trail) allocates funding for planning and coordination to continue to develop, maintain or work toward completion of the Oregon Coast Trail. It would provide General Fund resources to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to fund a trail planner to work on the Oregon Coast Trail (and possibly others) as well as $1 million in lottery funds for connectivity, repairs, maintenance and any potential rerouting of the trail.
  • HB 3568 (Seafood to Schools) would provide funding to the Oregon Coast Visitors Association to ensure school food preparers and students have the technical support to prepare fresh, local seafood. It would also offer training for future chefs in seafood butchery and preparation, while inspiring creativity in developing kid-friendly, locally sourced seafood dishes.
     
  • HB 2969 (100% Fish) supports innovation in the fishing industry by reducing fish waste and creating new economic opportunities. By repurposing fish byproducts into high-value items such as fish leather, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and medicines, this bill helps generate revenue, create jobs, and reduce environmental impacts.

Where Things Stand

Our team has been hard at work lobbying for these bills. Executive Director Marcus Hinz testified in support of HB 2969, and Deputy Director Arica Sears testified in Salem in support of HB 3568, not only as OCVA’s Deputy Director but as someone deeply rooted in Oregon’s coastal fishing heritage.

Now, these bills are scheduled for upcoming work sessions – which means legislators will debate any amendments, finalize details, and determine whether the bills will advance to a full vote. This is a critical phase where public support can make a real difference.

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What Can You Do?

Right now, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means (the legislative appropriations committee that determines state budget policy) is kicking off a roadshow with a stop this Friday in Astoria and another in Salem on Wednesday, April 16, with an option to testify online.

We invite you to show up and testify on why these three bills are important to you, your work, and the entire Oregon Coast.

Times and Dates for All Community Stops:

  • Astoria: 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at the Liberty Theatre, 1203 Commercial St., in Astoria.
  • Warm Springs: 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 4, at Old Warm Springs Elementary School, 1112 Wasco Street, in Warm Springs.
  • La Grande: 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 11, at Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union, Building 339, 1 University Boulevard, in La Grande.
  • Salem (With Online Opportunity): 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at the Oregon State Capitol, Hearing Room F, 900 Court St. NE, in Salem.
     
  • Klamath Falls: 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25, at Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons, 7390 S. Sixth St., in Klamath Falls.

What can you say?

Sample testimonies for the three bills can be viewed below:

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What else is new? 

Communications Director Karen Olson was also in Salem last week testifying against HB 3556 relating to the distribution of Transient Lodging Tax dollars. 

Karen spoke as part of an Oregon Destination Association panel with Managing Director Mackenzie Ballard and Explore Tualatin Valley President and CEO Dave Parulo. Joining the public hearing were tourism industry colleagues from around the state, who presented compelling arguments as to why this bill is not the right solution for Oregon communities.

To recap, here are a few key points from the Oregon Coast Visitors Association perspective:

✅ Tourism contributes $2.3 billion and nearly 26,000 jobs to the Oregon Coast economy. Continued investment in destination marketing and management is essential to sustaining this impact.

✅ Destination management organizations focus on non-peak travel seasons, ensuring year-round job security, economic stability, and community benefits.

✅ The Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) supports conservation, sustainability, and responsible tourism. TLT funds enable critical projects such as:

  • Trail development and maintenance
  • Tidepool ambassador programs
  • Beach cleanups and citizen science efforts
  • Accessibility improvements
  • Car-free and electric transportation solutions
  • Food trail and seafood industry support

While we recognize the financial challenges municipalities face, reallocating tourism funds would only weaken local economies in the long run. Instead, OCVA seeks to collaborate with elected officials on mutually beneficial approaches to public safety and economic sustainability.

Want to learn more about how the TLT helps Oregon Coast communities? We’ve put together a short article that dispels some common myths about TLT. 

Learn More Here


 Stay Engaged

We’re in a critical phase of the legislative session, and your voice matters.

Whether you choose to attend a hearing, submit testimony, or spread the word, your engagement helps shape policies that will impact the future of Oregon’s coastal communities.

Stay tuned for updates from us as bills evolve and new issues emerge. Our goal is to keep you informed so that, together, we can advocate for policies that support the vitality of our coastal communities.