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Short 2026 legislative session leaves ODOT shortfall, trims some local funding restrictions
Summary
Washington County staff briefed WCCCC on the 2026 short session: ODOT faces an estimated $289 million biennial shortfall; SB1601 shifts about $108 million from planned projects to maintenance and proposes leaving ~100 positions unfilled; housing omnibus (HB4037) and changes to transit lodging tax (HB4148) carry local impacts for planning and revenue use.
Washington County government relations staff and local city representatives briefed the Washington County Coordinating Committee on March 19 about key outcomes from the 2026 short legislative session and what they mean locally.
Carly Silva Gabrielson, a Washington County government relations manager, said the short session (Feb. 2Mar. 6) introduced 304 bills and focused heavily on transportation funding amid declining gas tax revenue. She said the Oregon Department of Transportation faces roughly a $289 million budget gap for the current biennium; Senate Bill 1601 contains a near-term response that would leave about 100 positions unfilled at ODOT and redirect roughly $108 million from planned projects into core road maintenance. Carly emphasized…
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