Trails in a Transportation Package: Post-Session Update

The Oregon legislature was not successful in passing a transportation package during the 2025 regular session, but we're proud of the way of trails advocates and our many partners in the Move Oregon Forward coalition showed up for trails!

While it was disappointing to end the session without a win in the books, we know we're building for the long game!

Background

Long before the start of the 2025 legislative session, we knew that tackling transportation funding shortfalls in the state was going to be a priority for legislators, and that it was our job to ensure that addressing the $100+ Million shortfall for ODOT's Oregon Community Paths program was part of any new funding strategies.

Successes

Ultimately, the legislature was not successful in passing any kind of transportation package this session, but as we look back at all of our work leading up to and during this session, here's what we're proud of:

• Oregon Trails Coalition is proud to be a founding and steering committee member of the Move Oregon Forward Coalition which grew to more than 50 organizations across Oregon all advocating for a shared vision for better transportation within and between our communities that is healthy, affordable, and safe. Increase funding for Oregon Community Paths was a key part of MOF's platform from the beginning and through the end of session.

• We helped turn out trail-loving Oregonians at transportation listening sessions across the state last summer and fall to share the importance of investments in off-street paths to provide safe places to walk, run, and roll across their communities.

• We participated in pre-session legislative workgroups to educate legislators on the value of off-street, multi-use paths to our communities, and on how the demand for trails investments outstrips available funds by well over 4 to 1!

• When transportation committee leadership released a pre-bill framework mid-session, the framework included the need for investment in off-street paths, and included one of our favorite facts: more than 80% of Oregonians report using local trails!

• After the base transportation package, HB 2025, was release with no new funding for off-street paths, we successfully worked with legislators and Move Oregon Forward partners to get an amendment filed that would meaningfully invest in both Oregon Community Paths and vehicle electrification through a new tax on luxury vehicles. Nineteen legislators signed on to a letter of support for the amendment.

• During the public comment period on the bill, we worked with all of you to turn out hundreds of verbal and written testimonies advocating for more investment in Oregon's off-street paths.

• We had a strong presences in the building and built relationships with legislators, staff, and and partners that we can continue to build on for future efforts to invest appropriately in Oregon's trails.

What's Next

Because the legislature was not successful in passing a comprehensive transportation funding package bill, they may work to pass a much smaller "band-aid" bill to maintain basic levels of transit and road maintenance just through the biennium. The Governor may call a special session in the coming months to prevent (or reverse) major layoffs currently in play or looming for state and local transportation workers and bus drivers with some small tax increases. Legislators will need to take up broader transportation issues again in the coming legislative sessions, and Oregon Trails Coalition is committed to remaining at the table to advocate for trail investments across Oregon communities!