By Debi Ferrer
We are getting down to the wire and things are getting tense. Republicans walked out (briefly) in both the House and the Senate last week. Deals are being made, votes are being traded, and tempers are flaring.
The 2026 session is set to end on Friday March 6, but as in years past, it could end early, leaving some bills to die without a vote.
Please join with other COIN members to raise our voices and help pass (or prevent from passing) some critical legislation this year.
COIN Endorses:
HB 4088 Protects the right to obtain reproductive and gender-affirming health care.
This bill will ensure that people can provide and obtain lawful reproductive and gender-affirming health care in Oregon. Under the bill no one can be extradited or turned over to a federal agency or another state on charges, and no public agencies in this state can cooperate in any way with any investigation or inquiry, relating to reproductive or gender-affirming health care provided, obtained, attempted, aided, or encouraged. This bill protects patients and health care providers in Oregon from repressive laws in other states.
HB 4088 passed the House by a vote of 34-22, along party lines, and is now moving through the Senate. It had a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 23. You can watch that hearing here and submit written testimony here, no later than Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 12:45 p.m., when the committee will gather to debate and vote on this bill. Here are some examples of testimony in support of this bill that you can use to draft your own testimony.
- Testimony in support – Laura Allen on behalf of COIN
- Testimony in support – KC Hanson
- Testimony in support – Debi Ferrer
HB 4079A Safeguarding Students and Families Bill
Public schools, colleges and universities will be required to develop a process for identifying and confirming the presence of federal immigration officers on school grounds, including whether they have a warrant or court order; and with a few exceptions, must make reasonable efforts to provide notice as expediently as possible to students and parents or guardians of the presence of federal immigration authorities.
HB 4079A passed the House by a vote of 35-22, along party lines. Now it is moving through the Senate. It is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday Feb 24 at 8:00 am. You can watch the hearing HERE and submit written testimony HERE until Thursday Feb 26 at 8:00 AM, when the committee will gather to debate and vote on this bill. Here are some examples of testimony in support of this bill that you can use to draft your own testimony.
- Testimony in support – Peter Bergel, Oregon Peaceworks
- Testimony in support – Nate Waas Shull, Oregon Partners for Education Justice
- Testimony in support – Victor Reyes, American Association of University Professors
COIN Opposes:
HB 4018 Campaign Finance Reform Betrayal
In 2020, voters approved a ballot measure (with 79%) directing legislators to pass campaign finance reform laws. Finally, in 2024, they did, with a lot of pressure from citizens like us. That law is set to go into effect beginning in 2027, so now, those same legislators are trying to pass a law to delay it for 4 more years PLUS eliminate some of the campaign contribution limits established in that 2024 law. It’s a betrayal of the will of the voters, and we must resist this effort to delay and seriously weaken our 2024 law. Oregon is currently one of just four states with NO campaign contribution limits.
- Please call or email BOTH your state senator and your state representative (click here to look them up) and demand a NO vote on HB 4018.
- Click here for more details about why we oppose HB 4018
To learn about more bills that need help from us, visit COIN’s 2026 Legislation web page and look for Action Alerts. The website is updated daily so check back often for new Action Alerts.
Debi Ferrer is a member of the Legislative Team for COIN, and of Protect Oregon’s Progress (POP).