County legislative analyst outlines fast-moving 2026 session, lists priority bills

Amanda Rapacek, the county’s legislative policy analyst, briefed the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on the opening days of the 2026 Oregon legislative session and the county’s priorities.

Rapacek said the session started Monday and that agency-reduction options and revenue proposals have already drawn heavy testimony; she cited a Ways and Means Committee hearing in which more than 200 people signed up to testify. She warned that board letters tied to hearings require a quick (48-hour) turnaround and that staff, aided by the Council of Forest Managers (CFM), are drafting letters for commissioner review.

Rapacek listed several bills the county is tracking: an HOA bill identified as HB 4064; mirrored transient lodging tax bills she described as HB 4148 (House) and SB 1562 (Senate); and HB 4086 related to industrial symbiosis, which the county has supported in written testimony. She also said some legislators are discussing disconnecting from the federal tax code, a change that she said would be retroactive and carry complicated implications.

Commissioners asked whether staff or board members would travel to Salem for in-person testimony; Rapacek said most participation is likely to be virtual unless a bill draws particular momentum. Commissioner Wakula asked for a future discussion of retail sales tax (noting local economic-development concerns), and Commissioner Banks expressed worry about retroactive tax changes affecting businesses and individuals.

Rapacek said staff will update the board through an internal tracker and will circulate board-letter drafts and requests for short-turnaround decisions as hearings occur.