Multnomah County adopts 2026 state legislative agenda focused on protecting safety-net funding and immigrant protections
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Summary
Board approved a multi-priority 2026 state legislative agenda emphasizing protection of homelessness response and behavioral health funding, defense of local authority, economic development and increased immigrant/refugee protections as the state prepares for a short session with tight revenues.
Multnomah County's Board of Commissioners approved its 2026 state legislative agenda on Dec. 18, directing government relations staff to advocate in Salem for protections of core safety-net funding, behavioral health services and local authority, and to press for increased protections for immigrant and refugee community members.
Stacy Cowan, director of government relations, and Tom Powers, state and regional affairs coordinator, presented a short-session strategy and timeline: bill introduction deadline Jan. 16; session begins Feb. 2; state revenue forecast released Feb. 4; session must conclude by March 9. Staff warned of potential state general fund reductions in a worst-case scenario (cited up to $900 million) tied to federal changes and recent revenue forecasts.
The agenda lists six priority categories: 1) protect homelessness response funding (rent assistance, shelter, transitional housing), 2) prioritize behavioral health and treatment services, 3) safeguard community corrections and specialty court funding, 4) support economic development and workforce training, 5) defend local home-rule authority, and 6) increase protections for immigrant and refugee community members. The board instructed staff to coordinate regional lobbying days and to work with county and city partners to present unified priorities to the legislature.
Quote: "The state budget will be the dominant topic for this legislative session," Tom Powers said, outlining critical dates and the need for strategic use of reserves.
Ending: Staff will host a legislative breakfast Jan. 21 to brief commissioners and partner jurisdictions and will return with updates as the Feb. 4 revenue forecast clarifies the state's fiscal position.