Mar 2, 2026 | AOC Advocacy, AOC News
Thursday, Feb. 26 was the 2026 legislative session second chamber deadline. Bills that were not voted out of their second chamber policy committee on Thursday and referred to the chamber floor, Joint Committee on Ways and Means, or committees on Rules or Revenue will not move forward this session. Policy committees have largely closed for the session and focus has shifted to several big-ticket bills in the Rules and Revenue committees and finalizing the state budget. The session must adjourn sine die by Sunday, March 8.
A deficit in the state general fund caused by H.R. 1, the federal budget bill passed in late 2025, required the Legislature to rebalance the state budget during the 2026 short session. The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) lobbied legislative budget writers in a series of meetings and written feedback urging the preservation of core services by seeking savings through the least disruptive measures and avoiding cuts that reduce funding for mandated state-county shared services or shift cost burdens to county governments.
Rebalance proposals were made public over the weekend in several budget bills – on initial review, it appears that county budgets avoided direct cuts or cost shifts. The rebalance will be achieved largely through vacancy savings and cuts to services and supplies. Our advocacy was successful this session, but AOC and counties should be prepared for several biennia of challenging budget conversations as the overall state general fund revenue paradigm continues to shift.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 204, honoring the role of counties and AOC’s 120th anniversary, passed both chambers unanimously and now awaits the governor’s signature. SCR 204 was introduced at the request of AOC by Senate President Rob Wagner and was sponsored by House Speaker Julie Fahey, and 27 bipartisan and bicameral legislators. Unanimous support for SCR 204 is a testament to the Legislature’s appreciation of AOC’s vital role and the essential services provided by counties.
AOC is tracking around 130 of the 300 total bills introduced this session for their potential impact to county budgets, services, or governance. Our team has analyzed and submitted fiscal impact statements for about 140 bills and amendments, at the request of the Legislative Fiscal Office, on behalf of counties. As always, AOC Legislative Affairs staff continue to diligently track and defend against unfunded mandates and policy proposals with a negative impact to county governments.
Please mark your calendars to attend the March 6 and 9 AOC steering committee and legislative committee meetings – these AOC day meetings will include comprehensive debriefs of AOC’s priorities and newly passed legislation impacting county budgets, services, or governance. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to your AOC Legislative Affairs team.
Below are high level updates from AOC steering committee policy portfolios.
Governance and Revenue
AOC’s primary governance and revenue goals this session are to continue making progress on County Assessment Function Funding Assistance (CAFFA)-related objectives, including securing a statewide study from the Legislative Revenue Office and protecting against Department of Revenue agency reductions that harm local government revenues. Staff have received commitments from the House and Senate Revenue chairs to get a CAFFA study produced, and members of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means legislators have been informed about the importance of keeping DOR programs that help maintain the property tax asset.
House Bill 4148, local transient lodging tax reform, is AOC’s top policy priority this session. The bill had a very successful public hearing with many county officials testifying in person and passed the House floor with 40 “yes” votes. HB 4148 awaits a work session in the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue.
Health and Human Services
AOC’s health and human services objectives this short session are to preserve all funding for public health, developmental disabilities and behavioral health services, prevent and reduce administrative burden and liability, and maintain the local public health and local mental health authority of county governments. These objectives are well aligned with legislative leadership’s priorities to maintain or grow core community services to resolve federal court sanctions related to the Mink-Bowman lawsuit and long wait times for forensic admissions to the Oregon State Hospital. AOC is working with bill sponsors and partners to meet these policy objectives and significant progress is being made.
It appears at this time that local public health, behavioral health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities program budgets, as well as homelessness prevention and response are being held harmless. A $15.5 million reduction in Behavioral Health Resource Network funding in Senate Bill 5703-1 is simply a reconciliation of the state budget with the recent reduction in the marijuana tax revenue forecast and not a new cut.
Natural Resources
Efforts in this portfolio are focused on ensuring that natural resources state agency budget reductions do not impact county programs and budgets. Initial budget reduction proposals included potential impacts of $40 million to county programs including wildlife services, place-based water planning, invasive species, and wildfire protection. AOC’s direct advocacy for the preservation of natural resource-related programs and budgets was successful – programs and funding on which counties rely were protected and even increased. Several notable increases include direct allocation for the Land Owner Offset in the Department of Forestry Budget ($11.6 million), additional funding for the Wolf Depredation Grant Program ($1 million) and funding for the Japanese Beetle Eradication Program ($1.8 million).
Public Safety
AOC has focused on budgetary issues and protecting public safety programs from cuts – and with the release of today’s budget bills, county public safety has been held harmless. AOC has also been heavily involved in negotiations around the federal accountability agenda from the majority party. Staff worked with legislators and partners to mitigate risks and costs to counties from concepts related to employment law, law enforcement masking, county liability, and task force participation.
Transportation
AOC’s primary objective in the transportation policy portfolio this session is to ensure that the measures necessary to fill the nearly $300 million operations and maintenance budget gap at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) do not negatively impact county road department budgets. The ODOT rebalance proposal transfers unobligated State Highway Fund dollars toward agency operations and maintenance including dollars in the Connect Oregon and Safe Routes to Schools programs, redirects some federal funding, and leaves around 100 jobs vacant.
ODOT’s budget rebalance has no impact on the 50/30/20 funding formula, Local Bridge Program, or the Fund Exchange Program. AOC also thwarted earlier attempts to address ODOT’s budget gap with measures that sweep and undermine the State Highway Fund distribution.
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director
Mar 2, 2026 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) kicked off its 120th anniversary celebration with two key events in Salem on Feb. 9 and 10, bringing the unified voice of Oregon’s counties to the state capital. These events included a legislative reception, held in the newly reopened Capitol Galleria, and County Day in the Capitol.
The legislative reception proved to be an overwhelming success, attracting a large attendance of legislators and their staff following a busy day of legislative work and committee hearings. This annual event provided a relaxed and informal environment that fostered networking and strengthened relationships with key figures, including Gov. Tina Kotek, state agency directors and staff, legislators, legislative staff, and various partners.
More than 30 members gathered in the Capitol the following day for County Day at the Capitol to network and advocate on behalf of county budgets, county services, and county governance. Highlights included visits from Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Julie Fahey, a private tour of the extensive Capitol building renovations, a special event honoring counties and AOC on the Senate floor, and afternoon meetings with legislators. AOC’s Executive Committee carried the county message of partnership and collaboration in highly productive discussions with Wagner, Fahey, caucus leaders, and the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
AOC continues to strengthen the state-county relationship by consistently delivering the message that counties are the state’s partner in delivering critical public services and infrastructure to every Oregonian. To aid in this messaging, AOC recently released several publications, including a redesigned State-County Shared Services Chart, a new role of counties one-pager, and AOC priority issue briefs and talking points. Members are encouraged to use these resources to illustrate the essential services and programs counties provide.
“The success of the legislative reception and County Day at the Capitol reaffirms our commitment to proactive engagement with the Legislature,” said Executive Director Gina Nikkel. “AOC remains dedicated to its founding mission of advocating for county governments, strengthening intergovernmental collaboration, and ensuring counties have the necessary resources to effectively serve their communities across Oregon.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Mar 2, 2026 | AOC News
Senate Concurrent Resolution 204, a measure honoring the role of counties and the 120th anniversary of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), has successfully passed both chambers unanimously and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Introduced at the request of AOC by Senate President Rob Wagner, SCR 204 was chief-sponsored by House Speaker Julie Fahey, Sens. Janeen Sollman, Todd Nash, David Brock Smith, and Jeff Golden, and Rep. Court Boice. The resolution’s regular sponsors included twenty-two bipartisan and bicameral legislators.
AOC’s vital role and the essential services provided by counties were highlighted for legislators through public hearings in the Senate and House Committees on Rules. AOC President Erin Skaar and Executive Director Gina Nikkel spoke to the unique perspective and process that AOC brings to our advocacy and the importance of a strong, collaborative state-county partnership.
“We believe that when commissioners from the metro area and the farthest corners of Eastern Oregon advocate on issues of importance to county governments with a shared voice – when we sit together before you in this building with a shared message – the Legislature ought to take notice,” said Skaar in her public hearing testimony. “In fact we believe it is critical to well-functioning government in our state and critical to the efficient and effective delivery of county services to our shared constituents, that you do.”
During public hearings and a special event on County Day in the Capitol, where 30 AOC members were present in the Senate gallery, several legislators offered testimony in support of SCR 204. Sollman, Brock Smith, Golden, and Nash testified about the value and importance of AOC before the resolution passed through the chamber.
Nash spoke about AOC’s role of unifying counties from urban, rural, and remote areas to create a stronger voice. “It was so inspiring; we were non-partisan,” Nash said. “We worked on issues together [to] have a voice here in this state building. From Wallowa County, 7,400 people but a large land mass, and Harney County — we all had a voice.”
Sollman’s testimony focused on the range of county services. “From public works and land use to behavioral health and public safety, our partners at the county level deliver essential infrastructure and services that keep our state thriving,” testified Sollman.
Brock Smith emphasized that while counties share responsibility with the state for many services — as illustrated by AOC’s Shared Services Chart — counties remain the sole providers of numerous other services such as elections, building codes, and solid waste management. A recording of the Senate floor session is available for viewing.
AOC was founded 120 years ago, in 1906, with the same purpose and mission that we still carry today – to bring county officials together to advocate with a collective voice, to exchange ideas and build relationships with peers statewide, to support county elected officials in exercising exemplary leadership in public service, and to enrich the public’s understanding of county government.
“I know I can speak for our entire staff at AOC when I say that we are honored to serve county governments, and through them, all Oregonians, in our work at AOC,” said Nikkel. “We look forward to many more years of working together, uplifting our mission – uniting counties to advocate, communicate, and educate.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Mar 2, 2026 | AOC News, NACo
Over 40 county leaders from Oregon, accompanied by Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) staff, joined nearly 2,000 county officials from across the nation for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference, held Feb. 21-24, in Washington, D.C.
Attendees actively participated in shaping NACo’s legislative agenda, received updates on key federal policies, and advocated for county priorities on Capitol Hill. Conference sessions addressed critical issues impacting counties nationwide, including surface transportation, federal disaster policy, housing and permitting reform, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), energy and data centers, and workforce development. Many members also attended a Federal Agency Expo, where nearly 50 federal program offices sent representatives to meet with attendees and foster intergovernmental partnerships.
Conference general sessions featured speakers from senior administration officials along with members of Congress from the U.S. House of Representatives, including Rep. Andrea Salinas, who is co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. Salinas discussed the Building Capacity for Care Act, legislation she introduced last year that could help alleviate unmet mental health needs often shouldered by counties.
A key highlight for the Oregon delegation was advocating for AOC’s federal policy priorities directly on Capitol Hill. Members held meetings with all of Oregon’s federal delegation, including Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as Reps. Janelle Bynum, Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Cliff Bentz, and Maxine Dexter. Key issues discussed included surface transportation, Medicaid funding, timber revenue, and permitting reform.
“Federal policies have direct and long-lasting impacts on county governments and our residents,” said NACo President J.D. Clark. “NACo’s Legislative Conference is an important opportunity for county leaders to strengthen relationships with our intergovernmental partners, tell our county story and advocate for county priorities that help our communities and residents thrive.”
Read more about the conference on NACo’s website.
View AOC’s NACo Legislative Conference photo album.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Feb 27, 2026 | AOC News
Join the League of Oregon Counties (LOC), the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) on Tuesday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a webinar on the DLCD’s draft Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap. The purpose of this webinar is to provide Oregon’s cities and counties with an opportunity to ask questions and provide informal feedback on the draft roadmap.
The draft roadmap was developed utilizing more than one year of input and advice from a roundtable group representing a broad array of interests about the future of offshore wind energy in Oregon. The draft is also a product of consultation with federally recognized Tribes in Oregon, feedback provided during public meetings, and meetings with existing ocean users and wind energy businesses.
The roadmap presents a suite of recommendations for legislative, rulemaking, or other formal policy-making settings, and considers four alternative futures for Oregon and its coast. Two of these alternative futures include offshore wind turbines, and two do not.
In addition to this joint AOC/LOC webinar, the DLCD is accepting formal, written feedback on the draft roadmap until April 3, 2026. The agency will incorporate public feedback, review a revised draft with the roundtable group and Tribes, and finalize a roadmap document this summer for submittal to the Legislature consistent with the requirements of HB 4080 (2024) and House Bill 3963 (2025). More information about the roadmap, including the public review draft, can be found on the DLCD website here: https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/OCMP/Pages/Offshore-Wind-Roadmap.aspx
To attend the webinar, please register via Zoom.
Feb 24, 2026 | AOC News, NACo
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) invites Oregon counties to join us as we celebrate National County Government Month (NCGM) during the month of April.
Tell your county’s story, champion your county workforce, and boost civic engagement through news stories, outreach events, and on your social media. Remember to use the hashtag #NCGM and tag us in your social posts. We will share as many as we can on our social media.
Since 1991, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties to actively promote county roles and responsibilities in serving residents.
NACo offers many resources to help counties celebrate and plan activities to highlight the essential role counties play across every part of community life, including:
Media Relations and Social Media Tools
Storytelling and Civic Engagement Resources
We encourage all Oregon counties to use this opportunity to showcase the vital services you provide and engage with your residents. We look forward to seeing how counties celebrate this April!
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communication Coordinator
