[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6189371,"mediaKeyId","5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98","parentId",5057418,"title","Lawmakers consider shifting transient lodging tax flexibility to help local public services","audioSeconds",1947,"startMs",3284000,"endMs",5231000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98&start=3284&end=5231","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98/thumbnail_3284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189371/Oregon/Lawmakers-consider-shifting-transient-lodging-tax-flexibility-to-help-local-public-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189371-1523615f925bae18de9cec151453aaf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771008298&Signature=dCATc~Kum~YTq5GNISlDiqT8V8oJAqsGSYYOCL8GQNTQCMSgkbn-NjVmeK0PcyGlQfyVf4rnFUMHvNcRdh5qwzFpjw58ZunFNkxh427a8~54-RaiZwoOEJNgAxFQb5ax7ZsLIbyt~5MsWFAxA9CRG11h7RyDqKhVvKRevs-qcLE~wEEN3who8ay81j8ypB84vFoIMya0yWXp8veySS5C9JXYnkA147ikbRp-zClJflfXwsIIox3zGGRoAJ7FRy9p-AF-t1RJ7O0JgojFz48aIf24rkw~hn6w2dIzgNG31ATcarEeCYezURUrmYYBeg7-D-efrgIPdgGWsNRLa8ll6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue heard hours of testimony June 23 on House Bill 3962A, which would change how local transient lodging tax (TLT) revenues may be allocated. The bill would require at least 40% of net TLT revenue be used for tourism promotion or tourism-related facilities and allow up to 60% to be used for city or county services, including emergency and nonemergency services.

Nut graf: Sponsors said the 2003-era requirement that a minimum of 70% be used for tourism promotion no longer fits communities where visitor populations can swell many times local resident counts; proponents argued flexibility would let local governments fund roads, public safety and restrooms that sustain the visitor experience. Opponents—lodging associations and many destination marketing organizations—warned the change would reduce marketing budgets that attract visitors and could shrink the tourism economy that supports local jobs.

Sen. Suzanne Weber (District 16) and Rep. Cyrus Javidy (House District 32) described coastal and resort communities where weekend or event crowds dwarf resident populations and where police, fire and sanitation systems can be overwhelmed. Weber said the bill “maintains a floor for tourism funding” while giving communities the ability to use TLT revenue for public services that directly affect both residents and visitors.

Local elected officials from coastal and mountain destinations gave mixed testimony. Bend City Manager Eric King and Seaside Mayor Steve Wright supported the bill, saying their cities need flexibility to fund roads and public safety because tourism can increase daily population by tens of thousands. Coos Bay Mayor Joe Benetti and other coastal officials opposed the change, saying much TLT-funded infrastructure is already paid by sewer rates, gas tax, or other dedicated sources and that cutting promotion could hurt occupancy and visitation; Benetti cited occupancy statistics showing varying seasonal demand and urged more promotion, not less.

The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association and hotel operators warned the committee the change would be “devastating” for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and could cost industry jobs. Lodging witnesses pointed to jurisdictions with longstanding pre-2003 distribution ratios locked in and warned the uniform change across 117 jurisdictions would be complex and potentially harmful without more stakeholder work.

Process and next steps: Chair Meek recessed the hearing due to time and scheduled continuation the following day; no committee vote was taken on HB 3962A during this session. Sponsors asked for more stakeholder negotiation and emphasized the bill does not prevent communities from spending 100% on tourism promotion if they choose. Several committee members urged careful follow-up and local engagement.

Ending: The hearing closed with the chair noting the session would reconvene after a Senate floor call; sponsors and opponents were asked to continue stakeholder discussions before the committee reconvenes.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee On Finance and Revenue 06/23/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue held extended testimony June 23 on House Bill 3962A, which would alter how local governments may use transient lodging tax revenue by lowering the required minimum for tourism promotion from 70% to 40%.","taxTitle","Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17184,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189376,"Committee advances bill to regulate nicotine pouches, rejects food-exemption amendment",1403,1716000,3119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98&start=1716&end=3119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98/thumbnail_1716000.jpg","/articles/6189376/Oregon/Committee-advances-bill-to-regulate-nicotine-pouches-rejects-food-exemption-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189376-a103c45f641dd4d4fcdf81cd07bce7c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771008298&Signature=YmcrK4pAeyhme52QG4mT3FYZixhhzJ3Lizx1N1COpZVbFsofEIY58JEqVuhNh4NnrsOynE673v7vJ10C5CdV8w0U0HnOKWDv9Vl3H46-sHaQ2v4YKVRL6EN1uMqlqk3ICTRJM5mIZORLfqfUdWh192sxWddrqdGsMFAwSGAW2Ezrnzrg-xx-pRdnTzIz1mBoZshOZtZ2XH62NMGTAClbjvroqzFDp-9vNiCTAge0sFrMMGPmHS0xK7UZPJUw1mzRr1ZUIoWBuPHj6Jawheilj-wdwAyh-1Mbol2aYqBl0-ep4Eh-Jw5Fo870wy6hyFysxpdSYFBYN7XUnTZQlotSbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue on June 23 considered House Bill 2528B, which would add nicotine derived from any source to Oregon’s definition of tobacco products for regulatory purposes, replace criminal penalties with civil enforcement and prohibit free samples. The measure would require sales of tobacco and nicotine products to occur at licensed premises.

Nut graf: Sponsors and public-health advocates said HB 2528B closes a state-level loophole allowing retailers to sell nicotine pouches and other non‑tobacco-derived nicotine products to minors; opponents argued the bill required careful drafting to avoid unintended consequences for food items that contain trace, naturally occurring nicotine.

Sen. Lisa Reynolds, a pediatrician and sponsor, said the state loophole meant nicotine pouches could be sold to minors despite federal rules and called the bill “a modest but meaningful step” to prevent youth nicotine addiction. She expressed disappointment that a tax provision was removed in the House but urged passage on regulatory grounds.

Dr. Dean Seidlinger, Oregon Health Authority state epidemiologist, testified the bill creates regulatory parity so oral nicotine products derived from tobacco or synthetic nicotine are covered by the state tobacco-retail-license program. He told the committee the bill “does nothing to limit the sale of vegetables” and that the statute’s phrasing—“nicotine derived from any source”—was intended to avoid regulating foods that contain trace levels of naturally occurring nicotine.

Representative Ewert Reschke offered the dash B8 amendment to explicitly exclude “articles of food containing trace amounts of naturally occurring nicotine.” The committee voted on B8 and the amendment failed in roll call.

After debate, Vice Chair McLean moved HB 2528B to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee recorded a roll-call vote and advanced the bill. A notice of minority report was lodged in the record.

Discussion versus decision: testimony included high-level public-health rationale and rebuttals about scope and enforcement; the committee took formal action to advance the bill while rejecting the B8 food-exemption amendment.

Ending: Committee members asked OHA to provide written clarifications about enforcement scope and online sales; the committee advanced HB 2528B while preserving concerns noted in a minority position.

","House Bill 2528B would add nicotine derived from any source to Oregon’s tobacco-product definition and move penalties to civil enforcement; the committee defeated an amendment to explicitly exclude foods with trace naturally occurring nicotine and later moved the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189381,"Senate committee backs bill narrowing which ports must sign SIP agreements after counties object",1044,454000,1498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98&start=454&end=1498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98/thumbnail_454000.jpg","/articles/6189381/Oregon/Senate-committee-backs-bill-narrowing-which-ports-must-sign-SIP-agreements-after-counties-object","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189381-4f88961e6d40e92555a80fce6eaebdbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771008298&Signature=PfdnOvc~TIHPHOaZy4sdXb0jdTTQ1NICj7fjT~aGfDlOtRe355qQ4uZcObcr46Ma0pRnknCKJ44tTC5ZMG2vv26RzP4xE7AoqkmTtVqJWzo0IQL6Dv6Fi7FQTJAuTMUM1n3jYo76jpR1Ima7vsAgOvRAYb4ru56Zka-IrcVreM8OAFgXTN-t7gPvlHgvy8iPOiRmu~3ST2qS9D38bVUQOf4qY9vxqe2ZY0BaMTdXK4~v9Z0LjQHx7AHkzV2zKko7DI9N1Uv~TGCJPfcTm1bAiHSuDq8ucdExN~eyEH4gDg3UFX13hYCfDqumU5-n-5h1rwRxptKtNee8kKQH32NNIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue on June 23 heard testimony on House Bill 2725A, which narrows which public ports are required to be signatories to Strategic Investment Program (SIP) intergovernmental agreements distributing community services support fees.

Nut graf: HB 2725A responds to a 2023 change that allowed ports whose districts included a SIP project to be signatories; sponsors say the new language limits required signatories to “affected ports” (ports that own land where any part of the SIP project will be located) and lists specific ports by name to address a problem Hillsboro raised.

Lynn Oliver, staff for Rep. Hai Pham, read sponsor testimony explaining the bill came at the request of the city of Hillsboro and was negotiated with the Oregon Public Ports Association. Rep. Hai Pham’s testimony noted the 2023 changes unintentionally required ports that were not directly involved to be signatories, creating obstacles for some local SIP negotiations.

Andy Smith, representing the city of Hillsboro, told the committee the change is a narrow “fix” and argued adding a third governmental signatory can be “a deterrent to business investment.” Mark Landauer of the Oregon Public Ports Association said ports have long participated in economic development programs and supported the measure as promoting clearer communication among local governments and development partners.

But several eastern Oregon county representatives opposed the measure as written. Morrow County Commissioner Gus (August) Peterson and Morrow County Administrator Matt Jensen said the bill treats Washington County differently than several eastern counties and could force ports to be signatories on projects where they do not bring services or infrastructure to the SIP. Jensen said in Morrow County “the primary use of SIP agreements is for wind turbine projects, which has no association with the Port of Morrow.” Commissioner Peterson said county signers in Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Umatilla and Wasco would submit a joint letter opposing the current draft.

Committee action: Vice Chair McLean moved HB 2725A to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation; the motion passed on roll call. Chair Meek pledged to work with impacted counties and sponsors in the short session to seek a broader solution.

Ending: Sponsors and opponents agreed the issue arose from HB 2009 (2023); committee members asked for continued negotiations ahead of the short session to address concerns from eastern counties.

","House Bill 2725A would limit which ports must be a party to Strategic Investment Program agreements; supporters said the change fixes an unintended consequence of 2023 law, while several eastern Oregon counties urged delay and broader amendments, arguing the carve-out creates unequal treatment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189386,"Senate committee advances bill to tighten reporting on enterprise zone and SIP incentives",0,1715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98&start=1715&end=1715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057418-9968ed558df7fb6cf6db8877e38dbf98/thumbnail_1715000.jpg","/articles/6189386/Oregon/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-tighten-reporting-on-enterprise-zone-and-SIP-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189386-72deb534e8a560c5eb3fa5bcaa8c42f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771008298&Signature=a6d92Lrp5sB2CLxu4Z4Q9KynDf3KUjFUKHOrHrNfnqAEdb8OvO4WNQZdybbMwmKorPN59PfDtjq1FwSMj-9ayUNIMF8XekgkIjONackcDP6pNnu~DME9oEHUwYt~JFxQTL1D2B8PLc-0~pxRd3aKAGITHLs~Cginnlk5Inx7jpxDmrXCKIbIwTgbDrHV2q35x3SckoUtVmHUUyeg0Xs7gkvI~h5kB6BSWMr4GVAS3VdtiKEs0D5pUQPW3BHFeFVxInPCq~N7g5jMxYOFLeOS67ZIrfRhSzg3m0jXRQj6~JrPgNF8F8B2rOHRMPL1UDsjrRnBuM7VTSPixmoHzPFsrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Meek opened a public hearing and work session June 23 on House Bill 2351B, a measure to increase transparency around enterprise zone and Strategic Investment Program (SIP) tax incentives and improve interagency data sharing.

The measure would change reporting timelines and require the Department of Revenue, Business Oregon (OEDD), county assessors and zone sponsors to share information about economic development incentives and to establish clearer contents for those reports.

The nut graf: Supporters said HB 2351B implements recommendations from a statutorily required enterprise zone transparency study and would make data on tax-abatement agreements and related payments more accessible to the Legislature and public.

Michael Held, regional services manager at Business Oregon, told the panel the enterprise zone transparency study “calls out that generally Oregon performs relatively well” but also recommended clarifying reporting content and timelines. Held said the bill would “modify some timelines for enterprise zone and strategic investment program reporting” and improve secure communication of “exempt, proprietary information between the 2 agencies.”

John Calhoun, representing Tax Strategies Oregon, testified the bill “will improve the data available to legislators, the public and the press” and praised an amendment that requires reporting not only of tax abated but “also the fees paid.” Calhoun said the bill’s reporting changes will include cumulative reporting of investments in projects and that signed agreements “often include significant payments to local communities and community service fees… in some cases, in the millions of dollars annually.”

Committee members heard that assessors provided neutral testimony and that multiple stakeholder conversations produced the dash-1 and dash-3 amendments. After brief discussion, Vice Chair McLean moved HB 2351B to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee recorded several roll-call votes and the motion passed.

Discussion versus decision: the hearing included supportive testimony and explanation of amendments (discussion). The committee then took formal action—adopting a motion to advance HB 2351B to the full Senate with a “do pass” recommendation.

Ending: The bill record will include the submitted reports and amendments; witnesses indicated the changes are intended to make reporting more specific and to enable secure interagency exchanges of proprietary information.

","The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue voted to send House Bill 2351B to the floor with a \"do pass\" recommendation after testimony from Business Oregon and tax advocates that the bill would improve transparency and interagency data sharing about economic development incentives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers consider shifting transient lodging tax flexibility to help local public services

Committee advances bill to regulate nicotine pouches, rejects food-exemption amendment

Senate committee backs bill narrowing which ports must sign SIP agreements after counties object

Senate committee advances bill to tighten reporting on enterprise zone and SIP incentives