Bill > HB3856

This bill establishes a new personal income tax specifically dedicated to funding the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), imposing a tax rate of 0.13% on taxpayers' taxable income, with the rate automatically adjusted annually for inflation based on the U.S. City Average Consumer Price Index. The bill creates a comprehensive funding mechanism where tax revenues will be distributed across multiple wildlife and conservation programs, including allocations for the Office of Outdoor Recreation, conservation funds, wildlife habitat restoration, hatchery maintenance, youth hunting and fishing programs, and support for federally recognized tribes. Taxpayers who purchase hunting or fishing licenses or make donations to wildlife conservation will be eligible for a tax credit that can offset their new wildlife tax liability. The tax will apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and will continue through 2031, with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife required to submit biennial reports to the legislative committees about how the funds are being used. The bill aims to provide stable, dedicated funding for wildlife conservation, habitat preservation, and related programs by creating a novel tax-credit approach that encourages public participation in wildlife support.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3856