How it works
HB 4134 would raise the statewide lodging tax (TLT) from 1.5% to 2.75%. The funds raised by the tax will go directly to imperiled fish, wildlife, and habitat recovery efforts. With nearly 300 species at an elevated risk of extinction and 11 habitats of greatest conservation need, these additional investments would be life-saving.
Ringtail, Drew Watson
Cascades Frog, Michael Brawner
About the bill
Oregon is home to an incredible diversity of native plants, wildlife, and the habitats that support them. Yet, many species are being pushed to extinction by habitat loss, climate change, and human-cased pressures. Without long-term, reliable funding to support their recovery, we risk losing them forever.
What it does
HB 4134 would raise the statewide lodging tax (TLT) from 1.5% to 2.75%. The funds raised by the tax will go directly to imperiled fish, wildlife, and habitat recovery efforts. With nearly 300 species at an elevated risk of extinction and 11 habitats of greatest conservation need, these additional investments would be life-saving.
Why this funding source
From wild salmon in our rivers and iconic birds in the Klamath refuges to gray whales migrating along the coast, these species and landscapes define Oregon’s natural beauty and fuel our tourism economy.
Economic Impact
Even with this increase, Oregon would still have the 3rd lowest statewide tourism tax in the country. Check out the economic analysis.
Great Gray Owl in Central Oregon by Aysha Wallach
What you can do
Write a letter to the editor
Writing Letters to the Editor is an important and impactful way to advocate for issues you care most about - published pieces provide an additional line of communication with decision-makers and help to raise awareness of the issues and encourage the public to take action.
Sign on as a business
Oregon's economy is heavily dependent on our natural landscapes, native wildlife, and healthy waters. However, Oregon is currently failing to invest meaningfully into these resources, many of which are significant drivers of tourism and critical to the state's economy.
There is a growing coalition of businesses willing to support this commonsense legislation.
Write to your legislator
Let’s tell our politicians to pass Oregon’s most significant conservation opportunity in decades - a historic action for fish, wildlife and habitats, and our growing tourism industry that depend on them.