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What’s Ahead This Session for the Oregon Coast

Welcome to the first issue of our legislative session newsletter! Every two weeks, we’ll bring you updates on key legislative developments impacting the Oregon Coast tourism economy. 

As the Regional Destination Management Organization for the entire Oregon Coast, it’s our privilege and responsibility to work on behalf of tourism industry partners coastwide. By engaging directly with lawmakers and coalitions, we ensure the tourism industry has a strong voice in shaping Oregon’s future.

Why the Legislature Matters to Tourism

The Oregon Coast’s tourism economy touches many aspects of our state’s policy landscape—housing, transportation, taxation, land use, recreation, and beyond. By staying informed and engaged, we can ensure these policies support our shared mission of thriving communities and sustainable growth.

The 2025 Legislative Session officially kicks off today!

Here are a few unique things to note as we move into this session:  

  1. A Long Session: The legislature alternates between 35-day short sessions in even years and 160-day long sessions in odd years. This year’s long session allows for more in-depth consideration of bills and budget priorities.
  2. New Leadership: Three of the four legislative caucuses have new leaders:
    • House Democrats: Speaker Julie Fahey leads her first long session.
    • House Republicans: Representative Christine Drazan (R-Canby) serves as the new House Republican Leader. 
    • Senate Democrats: Senator Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) has been elected as the new Senate President.
    • Senate Republicans: Senator Daniel Bonham continues to serve as the Senate Republican Leader.
  3. Coastal Representation: Representative David Gomberg continues to serve as House Speaker Pro Tem, which means that he will preside over House sessions. This is the second most powerful position in the chamber, and great news for the coast! His insights ensure our region has a strong voice in policy decisions.

Governor Kotek’s Opening Remarks

Prefacing the session’s opening, Governor Kotek has called on lawmakers to address critical issues affecting all Oregonians:

“This legislative session carries a clear charge for all of us: to tackle problems with purpose and embrace opportunities for change together. As we talk today about big ideas, we can’t forget why we’re here: Oregonians who don’t know where they’ll sleep tonight. The person in our lives who wants mental health care and can’t get it. Children who are brimming with promise and who rely on us to get their education right. Hardworking Oregonians who are wondering how they’re going to make ends meet. We’re here because we have the opportunity to make their lives better, now and in the future.”

The Governor’s recommended budget can be viewed here: 2025-2027 Governor’s Recommended Budget.

Key Issues We’re Watching

In future newsletters, we will dive deeper into the specific legislation that affects our coastal communities the most. Here are four key issues we’ll be tracking closely this session:

  1. Recreational Immunity: In the last legislative session, recreational immunity faced a significant challenge following an Oregon appeals court ruling that jeopardized landowners’ legal protections. This ruling led to the temporary closure of several trails across the state, creating uncertainty for outdoor recreation and tourism. Thanks to collaborative efforts, Senate Bill 1576 was passed and signed into law, providing a temporary fix that restored trail access for the summer. However, this bill included a sunset provision. This session, stakeholders will continue advocating for long-term safeguards through active participation in workgroups and legislative discussions. Read more background here.
  2. Transient Lodging Tax (TLT): Senate Bill 453 mandates the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the current 70%-30% division between permissible uses of new and increased local TLT revenues. Potential outcomes of this session could result in adjustments to TLT structures and allocations that could impact funding for tourism promotion and infrastructure. More info on these specifics coming soon! For now, check out our article on Debunking Myths about Oregon’s Transient Lodging Tax.
  3. Short-Term Rentals: Similarly, we are watching movement around the regulation of short-term rentals, which seek to address community concerns while balancing tourism demand and economic value. More info on these specifics coming soon. For now, check out our article on Debunking Myths about Short Term Rentals.
  4. Transportation Investments: Transportation will be another big topic, and there is potential for a new transportation package to come out of the session. We will stay tuned for details about infrastructure updates, maintenance, and anything else that may impact and help better connect our communities.

What’s Next

The legislative session officially begins on Tuesday, and we’ll be updating a 2025 Bills Tracker on our Industry website. 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.