Kotek Signs Emergency Transportation Bill
House Bill 3991 provides $300 million to maintain Oregon’s roads, bridges, and transit systems while preventing layoffs and modernizing funding statewide.
SALEM, Ore. - Governor Tina Kotek has signed House Bill 3991, an emergency transportation package designed to preserve critical maintenance and operations for Oregon’s roads, bridges, and transit systems.
“This bill will help us keep state highways and local roads safe and open to traffic while preserving transit service and halting the pending layoffs of essential transportation staff,” Governor Kotek said.
According to Kotek’s letter to Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, the legislation fills a $300 million budget gap for the current biennium. Without it, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) faced potential layoffs of more than 500 employees responsible for snow removal, road maintenance, and emergency response.
The bill also secures funding for public transit agencies, helping prevent service cuts over the next two years. “This bill helps prevent cuts to ODOT and communities across the state that would have posed a significant danger to Oregonians’ safety and ability to get where they need to go,” Kotek wrote.
Key Provisions of House Bill 3991
Protects essential services: Fills a $300 million funding gap to keep roads, bridges, and transit systems operating statewide.
Supports public transit: Provides short-term resources to prevent service reductions through 2027.
Modernizes road funding: Requires high-efficiency vehicles to pay by the mile, ensuring all drivers contribute fairly to road upkeep.
Simplifies trucking taxes: Reduces 85 weight-mile tax rates to 10, easing compliance and reducing inequities for commercial drivers.
Improves oversight: Strengthens performance audits, project reporting, and accountability at ODOT.
Repeals tolling mandate: Removes the statewide toll program established under 2017’s House Bill 2017.
Kotek noted that these changes aim to keep Oregon’s transportation system sustainable and equitable while maintaining safety and reliability. “Oregon families were counting on us. Our economy was counting on us. Our communities were counting on us,” she wrote.
ODOT has already begun hiring additional maintenance and DMV staff to restore winter operations and improve customer service.
“When winter weather hits this year, Oregon families will be able to depend on road crews to help them get to where they need to go, businesses will be able to move their goods, and first responders will be able to get to emergencies,” Kotek added.
Cover image: File Photo