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OregonHB 41022026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to Department of Environmental Quality regulatory processes; and prescribing an effective date.

Sponsored By: April Dobson (Democratic), Janeen Sollman (Democratic), John Lively (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Pay to speed state environmental permits

Beginning January 1, 2027, you can sign a payment agreement to speed or enhance state environmental permits and reviews. Your request must list each permit or decision, explain why faster review serves the public, and show you hold any needed land‑use approvals. DEQ decides if it is in the public interest by looking at project readiness and impacts on other work, and must grant or deny within 45 business days; denial letters explain the reasons. You may ask the director to reconsider; that decision is not reviewable in court under Oregon’s administrative law. If you have a complete application, qualified contractors are available, at least one year has passed since a prior denial, and the process is not substantially complete, DEQ must enter an agreement. When third‑party work is finished, DEQ quickly starts any public steps and acts on your permit or decision. You pay for the extra help under the agreement.

Costs and guardrails for paid permit reviews

Starting January 1, 2027, payments are voluntary and cover only services you request. DEQ may waive all or part of its regular fees in the agreement. DEQ cannot charge more than its cost, and cannot change normal processing order based on expecting an agreement. A paid agreement cannot waive any legal duties for DEQ or for you.

State posts and funds paid reviews

Beginning January 1, 2027, DEQ can use agreement money to hire staff, contract with experts, and oversee the paid work. Payments go to a DEQ account in the State Treasury and stay available for the work named in each agreement. Before hiring or contracting, DEQ looks first to use existing staff. DEQ posts each agreement, decision notices, and a list of hired contractors online, with trade secrets and confidential business info removed. The law lets DEQ prepare for these duties before 2027 so it is ready on day one.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • April Dobson

    Democratic • House

  • Janeen Sollman

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Lively

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Annessa Hartman

    Democratic • House

  • Bobby Levy

    Republican • House

  • Cyrus Javadi

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • David Brock Smith

    Republican • Senate

  • David Gomberg

    Democratic • House

  • Emerson Levy

    Democratic • House

  • Hai Pham

    Democratic • House

  • Jules Walters

    Democratic • House

  • Kate Lieber

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Fragala

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Reynolds

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mari Watanabe

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Meek

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark Owens

    Republican • House

  • Paul Evans

    Democratic • House

  • Shannon Isadore

    Democratic • House

  • Sue Rieke Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Susan McLain

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 98 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Third reading. Carried by Sollman. Passed.

Yes: 27 • No: 2

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Energy and Environment: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 3 • No: 1

House vote • 2/10/2026

Third reading. Carried by Dobson. Passed.

Yes: 57 • No: 0

House vote • 2/5/2026

Climate, Energy, and Environment: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 11 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 55, (2026 Laws): Effective date June 5, 2026.

    4/6/2026House

  2. Governor signed.

    3/31/2026House

  3. President signed.

    3/5/2026Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    3/4/2026House

  5. Vote explanation(s) filed by Pham.

    3/2/2026Senate

  6. Third reading. Carried by Sollman. Passed.

    3/2/2026Senate

  7. Second reading.

    2/27/2026Senate

  8. Recommendation: Do pass.

    2/27/2026Senate

  9. Work Session held.

    2/25/2026Senate

  10. Possible Work Session cancelled.

    2/18/2026Senate

  11. Public Hearing held.

    2/16/2026Senate

  12. Referred to Energy and Environment.

    2/11/2026Senate

  13. First reading. Referred to President's desk.

    2/11/2026Senate

  14. Third reading. Carried by Dobson. Passed.

    2/10/2026House

  15. Second reading.

    2/9/2026House

  16. Recommendation: Do pass.

    2/6/2026House

  17. Work Session held.

    2/5/2026House

  18. Public Hearing held.

    2/3/2026House

  19. Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment.

    2/2/2026House

  20. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    3/2/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    2/25/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -2 (Proposed)

    2/25/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -3 (Proposed)

    2/25/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    2/23/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -2 (Proposed)

    2/23/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -3 (Proposed)

    2/23/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    2/18/2026

    PDF

  • SEE Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    2/16/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/28/2026

    PDF

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