| Contact: Danielle Moser, Oregon Wild |
Salem, Ore., – Today, the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue approved HB 4134, sending the bill to the full Senate for consideration. HB 4134 would fund wildlife and habitat projects across the state through a modest increase in the statewide lodging tax. The legislation has garnered support from a broad coalition of conservation, hunting, fishing, forestry, farming, ranching, and business stakeholders.
Testimony on the bill has been in favor of the proposal, with over 84% of the over 2000 pieces of submitted testimony indicating support.
“Oregonians have shown up in force for wildlife, rallying at the Capitol, calling and emailing, and submitting an overwhelming number of comments in support of this bill,” said Danielle Moser, Wildlife Program Manager for Oregon Wild. “The Senate should respect that broad, bipartisan backing and send HB 4134 to the Governor’s desk without delay.”
Background
HB 4134 comes at a critical time for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), which has identified nearly 300 species in decline. Under the Trump administration, federal agencies are cutting back on wildlife science and conservation, and dismantling protections for imperiled species and their habitats. States like Oregon are being told to take on a greater share of the burden, but ODFW lacks the funding needed to proactively conserve non-game species and the habitats they depend on. Investing now can help prevent future conflicts and avoid the far greater ecological and financial costs that arise when species become endangered.
Also included in the proposal is support for fighting poaching, combating invasive species, and funding wildlife coexistence programs.
HB 4134 would modestly increase Oregon’s statewide lodging tax, currently one of the lowest in the country, so that visitors help fund the very natural beauty that draws them here in the first place. From elk in Eastern Oregon to seabirds along the coast, wildlife is one of the state’s biggest tourism assets.
An economic analysis found that the fee increase would not deter tourism and could actually boost outdoor recreation spending in Oregon by improving visitor experiences and protecting iconic wildlife and landscapes.
Photo by Jacob Durrent
