Lawmakers in Oregon are set to debate a bill that would impose a 1.25 percent tax on hotel and lodging stays to fund wildlife conservation. The measure, known as the 1% for Wildlife bill, aims to generate nearly $30 million annually for habitat protection amid growing threats to species. Sponsored by bipartisan representatives, it passed the House last session but stalled in the Senate.
Oregon's legislative session begins in early February, where advocates hope to secure passage of the 1% for Wildlife bill. Sponsored by Democratic state representative Ken Helm from Beaverton and Republican Mark Owens from Crane, the proposal would raise the state's hotel and lodging taxes by 1.25 percent. This new revenue would support the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's habitat conservation programs, which have been underfunded for years.
The bill builds on Oregon's State Wildlife Action Plan, updated in 2025 to include over 300 species at risk, such as the Crater Lake newt, California condor, and North American porcupine. These species face threats from habitat loss and climate change. "It’s a blueprint of the most imperiled species and habitats in the state," said Sristi Kamal, deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center. "But a plan is only as good as the funding to implement it."
Currently, the department relies heavily on hunting and fishing licenses and federal funds from the Pittman-Robertson Act, which provide about $20 million annually but focus on big game and sport fish. Between 2023 and 2025, only 2 percent of the budget went to broader wildlife conservation. The tax would tap into Oregon's ecotourism industry, attracting tens of thousands of visitors yearly, and result in a statewide hotel tax rate of 2.5 percent—the third-lowest in the U.S.
Last session, the bill cleared the House but was blocked in the Senate by Republicans Daniel Bonham and Cedric Hayden. Supporters, including the Oregon Hunters Association, emphasize its bipartisan appeal. "The goal of this funding is to keep common species common, and that’s something sportsmen can get behind," said Amy Patrick, policy director at the association.
Opposition comes from the tourism sector. Travel Portland argues it could deter conferences, while the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association calls it a "Pandora’s box" for future taxes. Jason Brandt, the association's president, noted amendments expanded the tax to include other departments. Despite this, advocates like Kamal highlight the irony: 90 percent of out-of-state visitors cite scenic beauty as their top draw.
Nationally, the bill could inspire others, as states struggle without federal support like the stalled Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Mark Humpert of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies called it "a very innovative concept," with 49 states watching closely. Local applications include wildlife crossings on Highway 82 and studies of migratory bird habitats, where spring 2025 saw half the usual bird numbers.
