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County government relations manager highlights HOLD Fund, tenant privacy and revenue bills from 2026 short session
Summary
Washington County’s government relations manager outlined several 2026 short‑session bills relevant to housing: HB 4036 (HOLD Fund, $25 million), HB 4123 (tenant privacy protections), HB 1523 (non‑electronic access protections), HB 1507 (state revenue protections) and HB 4136 (ending vacation home tax break to fund down‑payment assistance).
Carly Sylva‑Gabrielson, Washington County’s government relations manager, briefed the advisory committee on housing bills enacted during Oregon’s 2026 short legislative session.
She summarized House Bill 4036, which establishes the Housing Opportunity, Longevity and Durability (HOLD) Fund to preserve affordable housing; the legislature provided $25 million in initial funding after an original request of $100 million. Sylva‑Gabrielson said the new fund and the Article 11Q bonding authority create a mechanism for proactive preservation interventions.
Sylva‑Gabrielson also highlighted House Bill 4123, which tightens tenant privacy protections by limiting disclosure of personally identifying and financially sensitive tenant information absent written consent or a court order, and House Bill 1523, which requires landlords and programs to offer non‑electronic application and payment options to address the digital divide.
On revenue matters, she said HB 1507 aims to protect state revenue streams from federal tax changes and HB 4136 eliminates a vacation home tax break, redirecting an estimated $9–$10 million per year to down‑payment assistance for first‑time and first‑generation homebuyers.
Committee members asked whether the tenant privacy law could interfere with HUD verification requirements for Section 214 changes; staff replied that the law contains carve‑outs for HUD‑required eligibility verifications and that consent forms for federal program participation remain valid requirements.
