Oregon House debates new transient lodging tax to fund wildlife programs but takes no final vote

Salem, Ore. — Lawmakers on the Oregon House floor spent extended debate on House Bill 41 34 on Feb. 23, a proposal to increase the state transient lodging tax and direct new revenue to wildlife management and conservation programs, but did not take a final passage vote.

Representative Rob Helm, the bill sponsor, said the measure would add 1.25 percentage points to the state transient lodging tax to create a steady revenue stream for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and related conservation work. Helm said the bill directs specific shares of the tax to programs the Legislature has identified: roughly 0.9 percentage points to implement the state wildlife action plan, 0.1 percentage points to the Oregon Conservation Corps, and smaller fractions to other wildlife funds and programs, and estimated the wolf depredation compensation program would receive about $3 million per biennium under the proposal.

"This bill will secure stable funding particularly for the wolf compensation program at almost four times the yearly budget that the program now receives," Helm said during third-reading remarks, urging colleagues to support the measure.

Supporters, including Representative Ricky Smith and co-sponsor Representative McLean, said the tax targets visitors and tourists who use lodging and argued the package protects small businesses while preserving Oregon's outdoor economy. "We can be pro-business and pro-wildlife," Smith said, framing the measure as a balance between economic opportunity and environmental stewardship.

Opponents cited concerns about the tax structure. Representative Mannix said he intended to vote against the bill because it represents a targeted tax increase on a particular industry, even though he agreed with the bill's objectives in principle.

Several supporters acknowledged oversight risks. Representative Evans, who said she would vote yes, warned that agencies have in other cases reallocated funds after they were authorized, reducing the net increase available for the original purpose. "I'm gonna trust that Representative Helm ... we'll keep an eye over ODFW to make sure that these funds are spent correctly," Evans said.

The bill text was read on the floor and includes multiple statutory and administrative references to the allocation and the creation of subaccounts for fish and wildlife programs. The clerk's reading and the sponsor's statement described amendments to cited code sections and the creation of funds and subaccounts to direct revenues for specific conservation uses.

House leaders did not take a final roll-call on HB 41 34 before recessing for committee work and lunch, and later a loss of quorum prevented further votes that day. Because no final passage vote was recorded on Feb. 23, the bill's fate was left unresolved at adjournment.

What's next: HB 41 34 remains on the House calendar for potential further action once a quorum is present and leadership schedules the item for a vote. The sponsor and supporters signaled plans to continue advocacy for a dedicated, long-term funding source for wildlife management.