Submit Testimony

Thank you for your support of wildlife and their habitats, and for submitting written testimony in support of HB 4134.

On this post, you’ll find several key reasons to support this historic legislation. When submitting your testimony, you’re welcome to draw from one or more of these points and put them into your own words.

We also encourage you to personalize your testimony by sharing why Oregon’s wildlife and natural places matter to you. Personal stories and lived experiences are especially powerful.

Testimony isn’t limited to Oregon residents. If you’re a visitor who loves Oregon, consider noting that you would gladly pay a small fee on your hotel stay to help protect the landscapes and wildlife that make Oregon such a special place to visit.

Optional: Let us know you took action! Email action@oregonwild.org so we can send you our thanks!

HOW-TO TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY:

• Go to this webpage to submit testimony.

• Confirm that you are submitting testimony for HB 4134 (increases the state transient lodging tax)

• Fill out your information (name, email, and address).

• Skip the "on behalf of" box. You're submitting as an individual and not on behalf of Oregon Wild or any other organization.

• Select "Support the Bill" (it’s the first option).

• Upload your testimony or paste it into the text box.

• Click “Submit Testimony” in the bottom left corner—you're done!

INSPIRATION:

• HB 4134 is historic legislation that would protect our wildlife, safeguard communities, and strengthen our tourism economy that depends on a healthy environment, without increasing my cost of living.

  
  

• This legislation protects wildlife and human health.

  
  

• The health of people and our environment is inextricably linked. Keeping nature healthy keeps people healthy. Projects funded by this legislation will help protect and clean drinking water, support wild pollinators that are essential to our food and natural systems, and maintain species like bats that help control insect populations. These investments aren’t just an investment in our environment; they’re an investment in community health.

  
  

• HB 4134 protects our fish, wildlife, and way of life.

  
  

• Oregon has a list of over 300 vulnerable species that require intervention. HB 4134 invests in conserving and restoring the habitat these species rely upon, while also supporting Oregonians’ livelihoods, outdoor recreation, and quality of life. Communities in Oregon, especially our rural communities, rely on thriving, healthy environments that support our native wildlife.

  
  

• This legislation will prevent endangered species conflicts.

  
  

• Recovering a species once it is imperiled enough to warrant listing under the state and federal Endangered Species Act is costly and can create a lot of conflict. By investing in proactive conservation, HB 4134 can avoid costly emergency intervention and conflicts down the road. It is an effective and fiscally responsible policy that will help wildlife and communities now and in the future.

  
  

• Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks stable funding, especially for non-game species.

  
  

• HB4134 changes that, addressing an issue that is plaguing state wildlife agencies across the country. This bill, supported by a diverse and bipartisan coalition, presents a historic policy opportunity.

• HB 4134 strengthens our tourism and outdoor economy, without raising costs for residents.

  
  

• Because HB 4134 is funded by an increase in the transient lodging tax, a majority of the funding will not come from Oregon residents. Outdoor recreation is a $16 billion industry in Oregon. We can keep that industry growing and thriving by investing in the wildlife and natural spaces that attract visitors, all while still keeping Oregon’s statewide lodging tax one of the lowest in the nation.

  
  

• I support HB 4134 and would gladly pay a few dollars more on my hotel bill to protect Oregon’s natural legacy.