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Tillamook County commissioners urge flexibility for transient lodging tax; ask for testimony on HB 3556
Summary
During the March 19 meeting commissioners discussed House Bill 3556, which would allow counties more flexibility in spending transient lodging tax revenue, and encouraged written testimony or in‑person testimony in Salem.
Members of the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners discussed House Bill 3556 on March 19, a proposal introduced by Representative Jevity and Senator Weber to change how counties may use transient lodging tax (TLT) revenue. The bill would reduce the mandated tourism share — currently 70% in some jurisdictions — to a 50/50 split between tourism promotion and discretionary county uses, giving counties broader authority to direct TLT funds to local needs.
Commissioners said the change would give counties with heavy tourist traffic flexibility to use TLT revenue for infrastructure and services strained by visitors, including workforce housing and other county infrastructure projects. The board noted opposition from some chambers of commerce, tourism agencies and lodging interests; commissioners characterized the bill as an "opportunity, not a mandate," meaning counties could choose how to allocate funds rather than being required to do so.
One commissioner indicated they will travel to Salem to testify in person, and another said they will submit written testimony. The board asked members of the public who support the bill to submit letters of support and, if possible, to testify at the legislative hearing. Staff and commissioners also directed listeners to OLIS (the Oregon Legislative Information System) for instructions on signing up to provide testimony.
Commissioners referenced outreach from industry groups such as the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) and the Oregon Coast Visitor Association, both of which have members testifying for and against changes. Local news coverage was noted: a reporter named Will Chaple (The Headlight Herald) is preparing a story on the bill.
No formal county position was adopted at the March 19 meeting; commissioners described planned individual testimony and solicited letters of support from interested community members.
