by Alex Brown, Washington State Standard
March 5, 2026
Oregon lawmakers have voted to increase the state’s lodging tax in order to help fund wildlife conservation.
The tax increase passed the state Senate on Wednesday in a 20-9 vote, a week after approval in the House. The measure is expected to bring in roughly $37 million per year by raising the state’s lodging tax from 1.5% to 2.75%.
Oregon is among many states that have struggled to find funding for vulnerable species managed by state wildlife agencies. Such agencies get much of their revenue from fishing and hunting license sales, and have focused much of their work on traditional “game” species such as deer and trout.
Climate change, habitat loss and other factors have increased the urgency for states to take a broader approach. Officials at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and similar agencies in other states are responsible for a wide array of species, many of which are struggling. But most agencies have little funding for “non-game” species.
“They’re under the radar most of the time,” said Democratic state Rep. Ken Helm, one of the measure’s sponsors, in an interview with Stateline last year. “We have to do what we can to preserve biodiversity.”
Helm said the lodging tax was a logical source to help fund that work, because Oregon’s outdoor recreation industry is a huge driver of its tourism revenue.
The bill passed this week would support programs to aid the more than 300 species that wildlife officials have identified as needing conservation help, through stewardship and by limiting poaching and invasive species. It also earned some Republican support due to a provision that will provide compensation for ranchers whose livestock are killed by wolves.
Some business and tourism groups opposed the bill, arguing it would hurt their industries. But backers noted that Oregon’s overnight lodging tax still remains among the lowest in the country.
The measure now goes to Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek.
Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at [email protected].
This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Washington State Standard, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: [email protected].