Policy Update

Oregon Enacts “1.25% for Wildlife,” Creating a Stable Funding Source for Wildlife Conservation

April 20, 2026

Region

Northwest

Related Issues

Wildlife

NCEL Point of Contact

Logan Christian
Wildlife and Habitat Specialist

Contact

Overview

On April 9, 2026, Oregon enacted HB 4134, increasing the state Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) by 1.25% to fund critically important wildlife conservation work. The bipartisan bill builds on financing strategies in other states and now serves as a promising model for funding wildlife conservation efforts.

  • Why It Matters: Very few states provide recurring funding for wildlife conservation, instead relying mostly on federal funds and some state general funds. Oregon’s “1.25% for Wildlife” achieves recurring funding through a small increase in the state TLT — which will remain among the lowest in the nation — translating to roughly $1.25 – $2.50 per overnight stay at hotels and other short-term rentals. The new revenue will provide $38 million annually for wildlife conservation efforts that benefit Oregonians and state visitors, including $27.4 million for implementation of the State Wildlife Action Plan and $10.6 million to support several other important wildlife conservation efforts. 

Key Components of the Bill

HB 4134 provides stable funding for a variety of critical wildlife conservation efforts, including:

  • State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) Implementation: HB 4134 will provide substantial supplemental funding to recover the 321 species and 11 habitats identified in Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). SWAPs are the science-based blueprints state wildlife agencies develop every 10 years to identify Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) — a prerequisite for receiving federal funding from the State Wildlife Grants program. 
  • Wildlife Corridors and Crossings: Oregon is a leader in identifying wildlife corridors and planning the implementation of wildlife crossings. The state has made some lottery revenue allocations and general fund appropriations for wildlife crossings and habitat connectivity work, but HB 4134 will provide ~$2 million annually for these efforts. 
  • Wildlife Coexistence: Approximately $4.3 million annually from HB 4134 will support efforts to reduce conflicts between agricultural producers and wolves, enforce anti-poaching laws, and fund wildlife rehabilitation centers. 
  • Community-Based Conservation Efforts: HB 4134 also allocates approximately $5.8 million annually for two community-based conservation efforts. This includes (1) the Oregon Conservation Corps, to support wildfire risk reduction activities, and (2) the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Grants Fund, which engages Oregonians in outdoor stewardship opportunities.

State Context: Wildlife Conservation Efforts in Oregon

Oregon HB 4134 builds on last year’s version of the bill and a multi-year effort by Oregonians and the state legislature to strengthen funding for critical wildlife conservation and recovery efforts. 

“1.25% for Wildlife” complements several other recent wildlife conservation bills in Oregon, including state general fund and lottery revenue allocations for wildlife crossings and fish passage projects (HB 5202), beaver conservation and coexistence (HB 3464), and efforts to reduce conflicts between livestock producers and wolves (HB 2698).

National Context: Wildlife Conservation Funding 

Several other states are increasing investment in traditionally underfunded wildlife conservation activities. Hawaii (H.B.1077 / S.B.1396) passed a similar TLT increase in 2025 to support both natural resource conservation and climate adaptation. New Mexico (HB 2) and Washington (SB 5187) also recently approved budget appropriations of $9.5 million and $23 million, respectively, for recovering Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in their SWAPs. 

In 2026, at least nine states have introduced bills, sponsored by members of both major political parties, to support state wildlife agencies in carrying out traditionally underfunded species conservation and recovery efforts. These states include: California (AB 1673), Connecticut (HB 5330), Mississippi (HB 710), Oklahoma (HB 3046), Utah (HB 30), and Virginia (HB 30).

Stay Up To Date on Wildlife Conservation Policy With NCEL

Stay current on wildlife conservation policy trends across the country this year with NCEL’s Bill Tracking Maps: State Wildlife Agencies, Wildlife Habitat Connectivity, Wildlife Coexistence, and Outdoor Engagement.

You can also learn more about this topic by exploring the following resources:

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